Author, forensics specialist to speak at Salem Public Library

Award-winning mystery writer Aaron Elkins has built an impressive career anchored largely in his own professional background as a forensic anthropologist. His skills and knowledge have been infused into Gideon Oliver aka "The Skeleton Detective," chief character and forensic sleuth from his most popular mystery series.

 

Elkins will now visit Salem Public Library to talk about his writing life and the fascinating world of forensics in a talk titled, "Where Hollywood Gets it Wrong," an exploration of common forensic bloopers on the big and little screens.

 

7 p.m. Wednesday, August 11

Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE

 

Tickets: $5 in advance/$7 at the door

On sale now at all Library Circulation Desks

 

Elkins has been writing mysteries and thrillers since the 1982 release of the first Gideon Oliver mystery, "Fellowship of Fear." The latest in the series, "Skull Duggery" is due out in September 2010. Elkins won an Edgar Award for "Old Bones," as well as a subsequent Agatha Award (with his wife Charlotte), and a Nero Wolfe Award. The Gideon Oliver books have been (roughly) translated into a major ABC-TV series and are popular choices for commercial book clubs.

 

Elkins is also the creator of art curator-sleuth Chris Norgren, and co-author with his wife Charlotte of five mysteries with female golfer Lee Ofsted. In addition, he has written "Loot," a massively researched, critically acclaimed novel dealing with modern-day consequences of Nazi art plunder in World War II and "Turncoat," which explores a similar subject.

 

Elkins and his wife live on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. He keeps his hand in the forensic game by serving as the forensic anthropologist for the Clallam County Cold Case Task Force.

 

Books - new and older - by Aaron Elkins will be available for purchase at the event through a partnership with the Willamette Store. Aaron Elkins' appearance is sponsored by the Salem Public Library Foundation.

 

Elkins' appearance is part of the Modern Voices Author Series, sponsored by the Salem Public Library Foundation. More information about the event and the series is available at www.salemlibrary.org or at 503-588-6052.

 

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Sonja Somerville
Community Relations Coordinator
Salem Public Library

Phone:     503-588-6083
E-mail:      ssomerville@cityofsalem.net
FAX:         503-589-2011
Address:   585 Liberty St. SE
                 Salem, OR 97301