I don't know how your Thanksgiving holiday went, but mine went something like this: (phone call) “Hi Nana, this is Ryan (my 12-year-old granddaughter from California). I'm making your chocolate chip cookie recipe but it doesn't say how long to bake them.” So I tell her 8 to 10 minutes for soft cookies and 12 to 15 for crispy.

“Thanks Nana, bye.”

A few days later, phone rings, again California. “Hi Mom (my daughter Sheila). We are looking at your turkey prep recipe and it says to fill the cavity with some onion, celery, carrot and spices but you don't say what spices,” so I fill her in.

“Talk to you later Mom, love you, bye.”

Another phone call, this time from someone local asking about my carrot cake recipe. I told her that I did not share that recipe. She said, “I heard that it has a secret ingredient, is that true?”

I said, “Yes, and that's a mystery!”

Speaking of mysteries, the I Love a Mystery! Book Club loved the October assigned book “Purgatory Ridge” by William Kent Krueger. I had mentioned him in my previous article but he was so well received that I wanted to speak of this remarkable writer again. He puts you into his stories so well that you remember scenes vividly long after you have finished one of his books. I personally can't wait to hear more about his characters as they progress over time.

For those of you who may be traveling by car over the coming holidays, you might check the library's catalog. Several favorite mystery authors’ books are available on CD. Here is a small list:

William Kent Krueger, Louise Penny, C.J. Box, Tony Hillerman, Patricia Cornwell, P.D. James, Lee Child, Elizabeth George, and so many more.

For the month of December, the I Love a Mystery! Book Club is reading “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” by Alan Bradley. We’ll meet on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss it. Please join us!

Happy reading mystery lovers!

Upcoming events

Santa at the Library: Sat., Dec. 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Bring your toy wish list!

Caroling and Tree Lighting: Sat., Dec. 7, 4 p.m. library lawn.

Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed: Tue., Dec. 10, noon-1 p.m. This workshop is designed for sole-proprietors.

Season’s Storytimes: Sat., Dec. 14 and Sat., Dec. 21. 2 p.m. Stories, cocoa, and cookies with your favorite winter characters.