Perth County Reads

A tragic plane crash that leaves two women stranded and fighting for their lives kicks off this sweeping and hilarious novel from award-winning writer Drew Hayden Taylor that blends thriller, murder mystery, and horror with humour and spectacle. 

Elmore Trent is a professor of Indigenous studies who finds himself entangled in an affair that's ruining his marriage; Paul North plays in the IHL (Indigenous Hockey League), struggling to keep up with the game that's passing him by; Detective Ruby Birch is chasing a string of gruesome murders, with clues that conspicuously lead her to both Elmore and Paul. And then there's Fabiola Halan, former journalist-turned-author and famed survivor of a plane crash that sparked a nationwide tour promoting her book. 

What starts off as a series of subtle connections between isolated characters quickly takes a menacing turn, as it becomes increasingly clear that someone—or something—is hunting them all. 

Taking tropes from the murder mystery, police procedural, thriller, and horror genres, Drew Hayden Taylor weaves a pulse-pounding and propulsive narrative with an intricate cast of characters, while never losing the ability to make you laugh.

Reserve a Copy

Drew Hayden Taylor has done many things, most of which he is proud of. An Ojibway from the Curve Lake First Nations in Ontario, he has worn many hats in his career, from performing stand-up comedy at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., to being Artistic Director of Canada’s premiere Native theatre company, Native Earth Performing Arts.

Taylor has been an award-winning playwright (with over 100 productions of his work), a journalist/columnist (appearing regularly in several Canadian newspapers, magazines, and news networks), short story writer, novelist, television scriptwriter, and has worked on over twenty documentaries exploring the Native experience including the popular Searching for Winnetou. His documentary series on APTN, Going Native, is in its third year.

As an author of thirty-four books, he looks forward to finding out where his imagination will take him next.

       
Cold Community Book Talk

Join us as we gather to discuss our thoughts, feelings and opinions on "Cold" by Drew Hayden Taylor. 

• October 12, 11am          
  West Perth Public Library | Details 
• October 29, 6pm          
  Listowel Public Library | Details

       
Aspens Ojibwe Horse Sanctuary Open Barn

Visit the critically endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses, and learn the story of the dramatic rescue of the last remaining four mares in 1977 and what is happening with the breed today.

• October 19,  1-4pm   
  Aspens Ojibwe Horse Sanctuary | Details

      
Public Skate at the PERC

Join us at the Perth East Recreation Complex for a free skate. Just show your library card to get in! If you don't have one, sign up at the arena.

• October 20,  1-2pm      
  Perth East Recreation Complex | Details

      
Not-So-Scary Spooky Stories

Things are getting spooky around the library! Join for a family-friendly evening of ghost/spooky stories, complete with puppets, sound effects, and more.

• October 22,  6pm      
  Listowel Public Library | Details

       
Wilderness Survival Skills & Foraging Fun

Join forging expert, Martin, and teachers from the Owl’s Nest Holistic Alternative School, Carla and Jenn, as we gather for an interactive wilderness program!

• October 26, 11am          
  Listowel Public Library | Details 

   
Indigenous Horror

Dr. June Scudeler is a professor specializing in Indigenous horror writing and film, and will survey the genre to help us understand where our Perth County Reads pick, Cold by Drew Hayden Taylor, fits in. 

• October 9, 7pm        
  Virtual or Stratford Public Library | Details and Registration