Sarah Shaber is one of North Carolina’s wonderful mystery writers. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in History and also earned her Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1996, Shaber won the Malice Domestic Award for Best First Traditional Mystery for her book Simon Said. As an unpublished author, this earned her a book deal with St. Martin’s Press. Since then, she has been off and running – keeping up with her character, Simon Shaw, on all his adventures. Sarah Shaber lives in Raleigh with her husband and son. Her daughter lives in Matthews with her husband.

Read our Sarah Shaber Interview

Teresa, manager of Cornelius Branch Library, frequently reviews fiction and non-fiction for adults. Here are her thoughts on reading and writing reviews:

I enjoy fiction, non-fiction and biographies. As for adult fiction, my reading tastes seem to cycle around. I cycle between suspense/thriller, southern family/community tales, then off for a round of humorous mysteries. Characterization is an important element. I am more likely to write a review for something when the characters linger with me. Series titles offer this element, especially if the writer leaves you wanting more. Often I just follow a favorite author like Joan Medlicott, Elizabeth Berg, or Janet Evanovich. For me, reading is the key to life long learning and entertainment that is FREE at a public library! Why wouldn’t people want to share the wealth within these magnificent places?

I rarely reread a book, but I enjoy reading To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee every few years. This is a deeply moving book on so many levels. Each time I read it I discover a nugget not noticed before. Clifton Fadiman said, “When you reread a classic you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there was before.”

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