Deduction is elementary with the new readers’ advisory guide to mystery

CHICAGO — Something sinister is afoot out there — and “The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Mystery, Second Edition” published by ALA Editions has all the clues to help librarians solve the mystery of which titles readers should check out next. Authors John Charles, Candace Clark, Joanne Hamilton-Selway and Joanna Morrison include several well-chosen book lists, practical programming ideas and a brand new compendium of print and Web-based resources. Your only crime would be not adding this guide to your collection! Equally useful for novice librarians and seasoned gumshoes, this handbook:

• Summarizes the history of mystery fiction, highlighting key figures in its development;
• Covers the latest and most popular classic titles in the genre, as well as select suspense and thriller fiction with crossover appeal ;
• Offers examples of how library staff can help readers move back and forth from fiction to nonfiction;
• Suggests ways to conduct an effective readers’ advisory interview.

Since 1991, Charles has worked for the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Public Library system as a reference librarian. Charles is the co-author of several readers' advisory books. In 2002, he was selected as the Romance Writers of America’s Librarian of the Year. He has reviewed nonfiction titles for Library Journal and romance fiction for Booklist and the Chicago Tribune.



Morrison worked as a reference librarian and in collection development for nearly 20 years at the Scottsdale Public Library. Since 1998, Morrison has co-written an annual article on adult mysteries for young adults for VOYA Magazine with fellow librarian Charles. She has created numerous programs on readers' advisory for local valley libraries, as well as for the Arizona State Library Association.



Clark and Hamilton-Selway co-hosted Booktalk, a city cable monthly book review and author interview program in Scottsdale. Clark worked for the Scottsdale Public Library System from 1975-2009, serving as a youth librarian for 25 years. She was heavily involved in youth programming, material selection and booktalking for all ages. She served as chair of the Children's Services Roundtable of the Arizona State Library Association and has presented many programs on booktalking for librarians. Hamilton-Selway served as senior coordinator for collection development with the Scottsdale Public Library until her retirement in 2008. Associate editor and co-author of numerous readers' advisory books, she has presented book talks and programs for Arizona State Library Association, the Public Library Association, the Romance Writers of America, the National Kidney Foundation and the Mountain Plains Library Association conference.

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