SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH
The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library concludes a month-long celebration of mystery and detective crime novels with a talk by local attorney and avid mystery fan David Dunn.
Dunn, who received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Mississippi, has practiced law in Columbus and north Mississippi for almost 40 years where he specializes in estate planning and elder law.
His interest in the mystery genre is a broad one. “I’m interested in what makes up mystery fiction. Looking at the 19th century origins of mystery fiction will comprise part of my talk,” related Dunn. “I am also intrigued by the evolution of the modern mystery novel. There’s action, gritty realism and violence. But, where’s the mystery?”
Dunn noted that he’s looking forward to discussing “what one looks for when picking up a mystery,” and he hopes to find out how other readers select their favorites. Among his go-to authors, he lists P.D. James, Alan Furst, Eric Ambler, Henning Mankell, Reginald Hill and Anne Zouroudi.
However, his focus during the Table Talk presentation will be on writer Donna Leon and her highly successful Commissario Brunetti mystery series. He’ll review Leon’s “Death in a Strange Country” and examine why its slow pace and lack of on-page violence make it so engaging.
In conjunction with this final February Table Talk, Library Director Alice Shands will showcase the library’s new “Mystery Corner,” which has been made possible by an anonymous donation. “Mysteries are a perennial favorite of our recreational readers, said Shands. “Thanks to this very generous donation, we have been enlarging our collection and reordering it so that readers can easily find their favorites and discover new titles.”
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for those wishing to bring their lunch and socialize before the program begins at noon. The Friends will serve iced tea.
Table Talk will be presented at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. For more information on the series, contact the Friends at [email protected]
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