This year, Sisters in Crime New England is pleased to team up with Books in Boothbay for the first time, to present Murder in the Old Railway Chapel -- a murder mystery complete with staged crime scene and featuring some of the top mystery writers in New England, for the public to view and try their hand at solving. The event will take place at the twelfth annual Books in Boothbay event, held at Boothbay's historic Railway Village on Saturday, July 9. One attendee who correctly solves the mystery will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to Sherman's Books, which co-sponsors the event.
The Murder in the Old Railway Chapel revolves around the unexpected death of a fictional mystery author invited to the event, one Eunice K. Stoneheart. When Eunice is found murdered in the old railway chapel the night before Books in Boothbay kicks off, tragically bludgeoned by a hardbound edition of Paul Doiron's most recent release, everyone is a suspect. The chief suspects, however, are Eunice's fellow mystery authors -- many of whom had a stake in her demise, from personal slights to professional jealousy to drastically differing political perspectives.
Books in Boothbay attendees who wish to try and solve the crime will be given a fact sheet with background on Eunice K. Stoneheart and her relationship with fellow Books in Boothbay author participants. Attendees will have an opportunity to view the crime scene, question suspects, and then submit their solution to the whodunit for the drawing to be held at the end of the day.
Sisters in Crime is an international organization with 48 chapters worldwide dedicated to the professional development and advancement of women crime writers. The New England chapter hosts events for mystery lovers at various locations throughout the year and offers networking, advice, and support to mystery writers. Membership includes both women and men, beginning writers and well-known authors, readers, librarians, and booksellers from the six New England states and beyond. Sisters in Crime New England board member Jen Blood, author of the Erin Solomon Mysteries, engineered the idea for the collaboration between Books in Boothbay and SinCNE, and has worked with the two organizations to coordinate the mystery, with the assistance of fellow mystery author and former Portland detective sergeant Bruce Coffin and Sharon Pulkkinen, who has coordinated Books in Boothbay since 2012.
Books in Boothbay is a partnership benefiting both the Boothbay Railway Village and the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, co-sponsored by the Boothbay Harbor Restaurant Group (Boathouse Bistro, Cod’s Head BBQ and Mine Oyster). Admission to the book fair and literary activities including the murder mystery are free. Books in Boothbay will feature more than 30 authors and be open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, including a list of participating authors, visit the event blog at www.booksinboothbay.blogspot.com.
For those who would also like to visit the Museum exhibits and enjoy a steam train ride, admission can be purchased onsite for $12 adults, $10 seniors and $6 children. Museum members and children under 3 are free. The Museum will be open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm with steam train departures on the hour between 11:00 – 4:00. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay. For more information about the Museum call 207-633-4727 or visit www.railwayvillage.org.
