C&S makes the biographies, histories and mysteries you read come alive!

Well, it's been about a year since we've put anything "new" on this front page, albeit, we've been updating our Calendar of Events almost daily. Most of you may already know that on April 28, 2011 in New York, Centuries & Sleuths was awarded the Mysytery Writers of America's Raven Award for it's contribution to the Mystery Community. Past winners of this award have been Alfred Hitchcock (He also received an Edgar), Angela Landsbury, Vincent Price, President Bill Clinton and the Muppets.  Also, at the same awards ceremony Sara Paretsky received the Grand Master award for her literary contributions to the Mystery Community.

This September we have a line-up almost as big as last year's 20th Anniversary Celebration. These signings are listed with details and titles under our Calendar of Events. But here's a start: 8/27: Jeanne Dams for Murder in Burnt Orange; 9/8: Max Allan & Barbara Collins for Bye Bye Baby, Antiques Knock-Off, & Kiss Her Goodbye; 9/9: Michael Stanley for Death of the Mantis; 9/11: Raymond Benson for The Black Stilletto; 9/13: Laurie R. King for The Pirate King; 9/18: Gianrico Carofiglio (from Bari, It. where as prosecutor & judge he's been fighting the Mafia) for Temporary Imperfections; 9/21: John Connolly & his friend and author from the "old sod", Stuart Neville for Burning Soul and Stolen Souls; 10/5: William Kent Krueger for Northwest Angle (11th Cork O'connor); 10/16: Helen Macie Osterman for The Elusive Relations; 10/29: Raymond Johnson for Chicago's Haunt Detective; 11/26: Leslie Goddard for Remembering Marshall Field's (What a way to start your Holiday Season!)

Today is October 5, 2011 and I write as I await the arrival of William Kent Krueger. I hope you've had the chance to look at "As Scene at Centuries & Sleuths" which is a photographic gallery the the signings we've had this year. Also, look at our calendar which we are constantly updating with new events.

Then this year Meeting of Minds will be on sabattical. However we have two Special Events that will appeal to all three interests, biography, mystery and history. 10/15: Local attorney Kevin Bry will perform as Clarence Darrow in a One Man Play. Kevin has received a stellar review from Drama Critic Doug Deuchler in the local Wednesday Journal (Admission $10/person with Seating Capacity of 30). Then on 11/5: (Guy Fawkes' Day) we will have our First Centuries & Sleuths Trivia Competition between our scholarly History Discussion Group and the illustrious Mystery Discussion Group. The line up will consist of some heavy hitters like Bill Sawisch, John Machonga, Gloria Waber, Julie Jezuit... who after this will become household names in the lexicon of the intellectual circles around the world (or perhaps the tri-village area). (Admission $5/person with Seating Capacity of 30)

REMEMBER THOUGH: 

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore is the perfect place to look for that special history volume, biography, or mystery you need for stimulation, inspiration, information, escape &/or laughter.

The atmosphere is warm and friendly with oak bookcases labeled with the historical era or subject matter of the books on the shelves. There are two windsor chairs, a rocking chair, and a church pew to sit on while reviewing books prior to your purchases, all set on a portion of Bruce plaid carpet framed with forest green carpeting.

Also, there is a good chance that you can discuss your opinion about a book with the author who caused your joy, thoughtfulness, queries, & maybe anger. That is because C&S has frequent signings for authors of histories, biographies, & mysteries, for both adults & children. In some cases, we have visits from the famous (e.g. Napoleon, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Luther, Twain, Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, Isabella of Castile, F.D.R., etc.) who have "passed on" who you can argue with when they appear. They are portrayed by members of C&S's History Discussion Group in our Meeting of Minds series. Finally, it's the bookstore that makes the tomes you read come alive.

Not only that, but C&S also has discussion groups in history & mystery where you can share your opinion about a given book & possibly argue in defense of your view on a given author, book, or topic. Also, there are meetings of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The G.K. Chesterton Society and The Chicago Dickens Fellowship.Be sure to look at the right column under "A Few Priceless Photos" to see pictures of our current events and celebrity authors.

It's the place to be and this was true before the demize of the "Big Guys".

Centuries & Sleuths was listed as one of the Ten Best Bookstores in Chicago in the Tempo section of the Chicago Tribune on June 8, 2007 by Patrick Reardon (Remember, fame is fleeting.)