In: Authors, Events

Join us on Thursday, September 5 at 5:30 pm to meet Maine mystery writers Maureen Milliken and Sandra Neily!

Sandra Neily has been a registered Maine guide and whitewater river outfitter. Maureen Milliken spent more than 30 years a journalist for northern New England newspapers, including in Maine. Both are mystery writers whose books focus on the Maine outdoors. They both have strong-willed female protagonists and, in each of their most recent books, horrible things happen to people in the woods. But there is where the similarities end. Find out how Maine and its northern outdoors informs the work of two mystery writers and how they came to their unique approach to mysteries in Maine’s outdoors.

About the Authors

SANDRA NEILY is a Maine native whose varied career has included working as a registered Maine guide as well as a whitewater river outfitter. An avid outdoorswoman who loves woods, waters, and wildlife, Sandra has paddled, fished, hiked, and skied all over the beautiful state of Maine, and enjoys transporting readers into the places she knows so well. Sandra is the winner of the Mystery Writers of America Helen McCloy National award, as well as a finalist for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association’s Rising Star Contest, and a finalist in the Maine Writers and Publishers’ 2018 Maine Literary Awards competition. Sandy lives in the Moosehead Lake region.

Sandra’s upcoming book, “Deadly Turn,” is due out this fall after being delayed by cancer and cancer treatment, and in a way informed it, Sandra says. As her most recent book, “Deadly Trespass,” opens, Cassandra Patton Conover is about to become an outlaw. Searching for her wayward dog in Maine’s dense woods, she finds her best friend Shannon crushed under a tree. Then she finds tracks larger than any animal she knows and a mystery only wild animals can help her solve .

MAUREEN MILLIKEN is a long-time journalist both in Maine and northern New England, and returned to Maine, where she grew up, in 2011 because she didn’t want to live anywhere else. Her three-book Bernie O’Dea mystery series, which is set in Franklin County, Maine, is based both on her love of journalism and her love of Maine.  Maureen lives in central Maine and the book she’s working on now is a stand-alone based in Piscataquis County.

In Maureen’s latest book, “Bad News Travels Fast,” Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Lydia Manzo becomes lost in the woods then is found dead, setting off a chain of events that upsets the fragile peace of Redimere, Maine. While state investigators are sure Lydia killed herself, some in Redimere are sure someone killed her. As newspaper editor Bernadette “Bernie” O’Dea tries to sort out the truth, Police Chief Pete Novotny disappears, too.

In: Authors, Events, Outdoors

Aislinn Sarnacki, outdoors columnist for the Bangor Daily News, will speak about her latest book, “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” at the Thompson Free Library on Thursday, August 29 at 6:00 pm.

About the author: Aislinn Sarnacki is a reporter for the Bangor Daily News, as well as the author of the “Family Friendly Hikes in Maine,” “Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path,” and “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine.” For the BDN, Aislinn produces stories and columns about outdoor recreation, especially hiking. She also writes weekly stories about Maine wildlife, conservation and outdoor recreation, which she often supplements with videos and photos. Originally from Winterport, Maine, she graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

About “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine” (Down East Books, 2019): “Today, more and more people travel with their pets, taking their beloved four-legged friends everywhere. Yet, it can still be sometimes difficult to find a park or hiking trail that’s dog-friendly. Bangor Daily News outdoors columnist Aislinn Sarnacki presents 35 hikes around Maine that you can feel comfortable taking your dog on.

Along with maps and color photos to detail the hikes, she includes practical information such as proper etiquette to observe with your canine companion and when it’s okay to let your pet off the leash. She also rounds out with helpful suggestions on dog-friendly restaurants, hotels, parks, and beaches, so you and your furry friend can make the most of your time in the Maine outdoors.”

In: Artists, Authors, Children, Events

We’re excited to welcome author and illustrator Kevin Hawkes to the Thompson Free Library on Wednesday, July 17 at 10:30 am! Kevin’s many children’s books include “There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor,” published in 2018, and Ms. Michelle’s favorite “The Wicked Big Toddlah!” Interested in looking at a few of his books? Come check out our library display!

Kevin’s fun and interactive presentation will provide an insider glimpse into picture book creation. He will cover everything from how to get story ideas to making your drawings more interesting. Books will be available for purchase–or bring your own books to get them personalized and signed by Kevin. Hope you can join us!

In: Authors, News

Local Author Joe Siccardi will host a book launch for his third book “My Name is Sam … and Heaven is Still Shining Through” at the Thompson Free Library on Tuesday, July 2 at 6:00 pm.

“My Name is Sam … and Heaven is Still Shining Through” is a follow-up to Siccardi’s breakout novella, “Heaven Shining Through.” It introduces Sam (Samantha), her family and friends in more detail than the original, and picks up where the original novella left off.

In between the novella and novel, Siccardi published a non-fiction book, “Wisdom From a Father … One Dad’s Thoughts on Life.” It was published in November and is an update of posts made on his blog, wisdomfromafather.wordpress.com. The 52 essay chapters include reflections on life, love and family. All are written from the heart, sometimes seriously and sometimes with a touch of humor.

Siccardi is a 52 year newspaper publishing veteran, most recently as publisher/editor of a community weekly newspaper in Seneca County of the Finger Lakes in New York. Siccardi credits the quiet of Maine as the impetus for completing his writing projects. He moved to Dover-Foxcroft almost four years ago while commuting to and from upstate New York until his publication was sold. He retired permanently to Piscataquis County in July 2017.

“My Name is Sam … and Heaven is Still Shining Through” will be available at book signings and presentations, which are currently being scheduled. All of Siccardi’s books are available online through Amazon.com or at his website, wisdomfromafather.wordpress.com.

In: Authors, Events, News

Maine author Roger Guay will visit the Thompson Free Library on Tuesday, June 18 at 5:30 pm to speak about his book “A Good Man with a Dog: A Game Warden’s 25 Years in the Maine Woods,” co-written with Kate Clark Flora.

When Roger Guay’s father died in a tragic fishing accident, a kind game warden helped him through the loss. Inspired by this experience, as well as his love of the outdoors, Guay became a game warden and certified K9 handler, beginning a successful career that would span twenty-five years and see him establish canine units as a staple of the game warden service.

Roger Guay served with the Maine Warden Service from 1986 until his retirement in 2010. He is a K9 master trainer, a certified K9 handler, and certified in cadaver and explosives searches. In addition to decades of search and rescue experience, he has extensive experience in missing persons/homicide searches and body recovery. Guay has received numerous commendations from the warden service; the Maine House of Representatives; the Maine State Police; the Miramichi, New Brunswick, police; and the USPCA. Guay lives in Guilford, Maine.