Three blockbusters at Third Place Books this week

It's a knockout week at Third Place Books, with a lineup of champions. On Monday, two local authors talk about Seattle as a setting for murder mysteries, and discuss the best places to stage a literary murder.

On Tuesday, one of the premier, best-selling mystery authors comes to town. Elizabeth George brings the 20th book in her best-selling Inspector Lynley series.

Thursday, Pulitzer prize winning author Junot Diaz brings his first children's book, about a little girl in America who wants to understand her heritage and her ties to a country she doesn't remember.

Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park Town Center, upper level, Ballinger Way at Bothell Way 98155.

Monday, March 19, 7pm Stage

The Dark Corners of the City: Literary Murder in Seattle
An evening with Kevin O'Brien and David Williams

Local authors Kevin O'Brien (Hide Your Fear, You’ll Miss Me When I'm Gone, Disturbed) and David Williams (Seattle Walks, Hidden Haunts) take a daring adventure through Seattle's creepiest and darkest places. 

In a lighthearted and lively conversation, they'll discuss the sinister corners of Seattle that have been used in fictional murder mysteries while David uncovers the history behind them.

Tuesday, March 20, 7pm
Elizabeth George
The Punishment She Deserves (Viking)

From one of mystery's most lauded and bestselling authors comes a new novel about the lies we tell, the lies we believe, and the redemption we need. Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley are forced to confront the past as they try to solve a crime that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of a quiet, historic medieval town in England.

Thursday, March 22, 7pm
Junot Diaz
Islandborn (Dial Books/Penguin)

From New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz (The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao; This is How You Lose Her) comes a debut picture book about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination. Free presentation; Signing line ticket with paid pre-order of Islandborn

Every kid in Lola’s school was from somewhere else.
Hers was a school of faraway places.

So when Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island — she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories — joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening — Lola’s imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island.

As she draws closer to the heart of her family’s story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: “Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it’s not in you.” Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability to connect us — to our families, to our past and to ourselves.