Prolific author Dick Francis passed away on Sunday at the age of 89. A champion jockey turned writer, Francis was best known for his horseracing thrillers. For a list of his books at the East Lansing Public Library click here.

New York Times Article.

This year's Edgar nominees for best novel are:

• The Missing by Tim Gautreaux 
• The Odds by Kathleen George 
• The Last Child by John Hart 
• Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston 
• Nemesis by Jo Nesbø, translated by Don Bartlett 
• A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn 

The Edgar Award honors the best in the mystery genre. For a full list of the nominees click here.

Best known for his Spencer detective series, Robert B. Parker wrote more than 60 books including westerns and young adult novels. His newest book Split Image will be available February 26, 2010.

New York Times Article

List of books in the East Lansing Public Library collection.

Take a look at some of the new books available in February.

Able One by Ben Bova
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
Aunt Dimity Down Under by Nancy Atherton

Take a look at some of the new books available in January.

Alice I have been by Melanie Benjamin
Among thieves by David Hosp
Arms-commander by L. E. Modesitt
Assassins of Athens : A Greek Mystery by Jeffrey Siger

Take a look at some of the new books available in December.

Alone by Loren D. Estleman
The autobiography of Fidel Castro by Norberto Fuentes ; translated by Anna Kushner
Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler

Take a look at some of the new books available in November.

The Bargain Bride by Barbara Metzger
The body in the sleigh : a Faith Fairchild mystery by Katherine Hall Page
Breathless by Dean R. Koontz
Broken jewel by David L. Robbins

Are you in a book group? Thinking about joining or starting one? October is National Reading Group Month, so if you're not in a book group already, now is a good time to join. Check out the following web sites for info on reading groups and lists of good books:

National Reading Group Month (with lists of featured books)
Reading Group Choices (sign up for their free newsletter)

Fic = located in the fiction section under author’s last name
Mys = located in the mystery section under author’s last name

Baldacci, David. The Simple Truth. (Fic)

Bernhardt, William. Perfect Justice. (Fic)

Brandon, Jay. Rules of Evidence. (Fic)

Janet Evanovich Read Alikes

John Grisham Read Alikes

James Patterson Read Alikes

Nicholas Sparks Read Alikes

The titles are located in the mystery section under the author’s last name.

Andrews, Donna – Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos

Barnes, Linda – Flashpoint

Bartholomew, Nancy - Strip Poker

Beaton, M.C. - Death of a Gossip

Fic = located in the fiction section under author’s last name
Mys = located in the mystery section under author’s last name

Cannell, Stephen – At First Sight (Fic)

Coben, Harlan — The Innocent (Fic)

Child, Lee — Tripwire (Fic)