Livingston County is reading the classic mystery Murder on the Orient Express by the “Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie as the 2018 Livingston Reads community read. Trapped on board the stopped Orient Express, the famous international private detective Hercule Poirot must discover the murderer of a malevolent, elderly American from a host of international suspects before the killer can strike again.
Intricately plotted, Christie’s enduring masterwork of detective fiction is a step back in time to a “locked- room” mystery—stuck on the snowbound train, it is obvious that the murderer is among us, but who can it be?
“There is nothing like a classic locked room mystery to get our minds in gear,” said Ceci Marlow, Director of Hartland’s Cromaine Library. “Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and all of the Livingston Libraries’ events are surefire entertainment!”
Written in 1934, the novel was made into the classic motion picture of the same name 40 years later, with a new adaptation released just last year, directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also starred as the inimitable detective Poirot.
“The county-wide Livingston Reads: One Book, One Community program is a great chance for our community to come together in a shared reading experience,” said Brandi Tambasco of the Howell Carnegie District Library. “This year’s classic whodunit by the maven of mystery herself is sure to delight fans both old and new during this Livingston Reads.”
Copies of the book in all available formats can be checked out at the six Livingston County libraries. Visit the website, www.livingstonreads.org, for more information about supporting events, book discussions, and the private showing of the new film Murder on the Orient Express at the Historic Howell Theater.
Livingston Reads is a “One Book, One Community” project offered by the six Livingston County libraries (Brighton, Fowlerville, Hamburg, Hartland’s Cromaine, Howell, and Pinckney), and is a program to encourage residents to read for pleasure, to create community through reading, and to promote the explorations of ideas, knowledge, and a love of Michigan!
This county-wide literary project has for the past 14 years highlighted the Livingston County libraries as centers for culture, entertainment, and enlightenment, and positioned our libraries as leaders in promoting the joy of reading. Livingston Reads is sponsored in part by the local Friends of the Library organizations. The Friends of the Howell Library sponsorship is in memory of Mary Goestch. Find out more at www.livingstonreads.org.
Livingston County
The Livingston Libraries present “Murder on the Orient Express”
at the Historic Howell Theater
Friday, April 20, 2018, 7 pm, Free with your library card!
Come see the new film-adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic “Murder on the Orient Express” (PG-13), free with your library card! Doors open at 6:30pm.
Admission is first come, first served, and you must present your library card from one of the six Livingston County libraries. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Brighton District Library
Agatha Christie: The Person and the Author
Thursday, March 8, 2018, 7-8 pm, Room A/B, Free
Robin Agnew from Aunt Agatha’s Books in Ann Arbor will be here to provide some historical background on the life of Agatha Christie as well as her immense influence on the mystery genre. Register beginning Thursday, February 22, 2018.
Puzzle It Out
Saturday, March 10, 2018, noon to 4 pm, Room A/B, Free
Do you enjoy putting puzzles together? Stop by to challenge your skills at building a 3D puzzle. Find one piece or stay to complete an entire puzzle. All participants will be entered to win the completed creations! Ages 6 and older. Drop In.
Books & Brews: Murder on the Orient Express
Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 6:30pm-8:00pm, Brewery Becker, Free
Join us for a lively book discussion featuring the 2018 Livingston Reads title, Murder on the Orient Express. This discussion takes place at Brewery Becker in downtown Brighton. Drop In.
A Taste of the Orient Express
Monday, March 19, 2018, 7-8:30 pm, Room A/B, Free
Chef Cathy is back to give you a taste of what may have been served on the Orient Express. Rest assured, murder will NOT be featured on our menu! Register beginning Monday, March 5, 2018.
Murder on the Orient Express Escape Room
Thursday, April 5, 2018, 6 pm or 7 pm, Room A/B, Free
Teens and adults, try your hand at an escape room based on our 2018 Livingston Reads selection, “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie. We recommend inviting a teen-aged relative to join you for this program. Teens grades 7 through Adult. Register for the 6:00pm or 7:00pm session beginning Thursday, March 22, 2018.
Death Leaves on Track 13
Friday, April 13, 2018, 6-7:30 pm, Room A/B
Teens and Adults, it’s Friday the 13th and we need your help solving a murder! Attendees will work together in groups to solve the murder of Ivan Stravoski. We recommend inviting a teen-aged relative to join you for this program. Teens grades 7 through Adult. Registration begins Friday, March 23, 2018, and must be done in person.
Fowlerville District Library
Blood on the Mitten: Author Talk with Tom Carr
Thursday, March 15, 2018, 7:00pm, $5 refundable cash deposit
. Adults.
Join us in welcoming Tom Carr, author of “Blood on the Mitten: Infamous Michigan Murders 1700 to Present,” the first volume in his Great Lakes Murder series. Enjoy an engaging author talk, Q & A session, and light refreshments. Register in person to attend. Registration begins March 1, 2018 and includes a refundable $5 cash deposit.
Beyond the Book: Book & Movie Discussion
Thursday, April 12, 2018, 7 pm, Free.
Adults.
Featuring “Murder on the Orient Express,” sign up to read the original mystery by Agatha Christie, then join us at the Fowlerville Library for a showing of the film adaptation. Movie begins at 7 pm, discussion will follow. Movie-style refreshments will be served. Register in person to attend. Registration begins March 22, 2018. Free copies of the book will be given while supplies last to Fowlerville School District residents when you register.
Last Stop: Murder Murder Mystery
Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 7 pm, $5 refundable cash deposit
. Adults.
Come to the Fowlerville Library to play the exciting murder mystery game Last Stop: Murder, set on a snow-stopped train, just like Murder on the Orient Express! Register in person to attend. Registration begins April 5, 2018 and includes a refundable $5 cash deposit.
Hamburg Township Library
Railroad History
Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
Learn about history, mystery, and murder on Michigan’s railways with Dean Pyers from the Steam Railroading Institute. He will discuss the history of steam locomotive 1225, the early railroads around Hamburg, the origins of Europe’s famed Orient Express train, and explore what sort of crimes occurred on Michigan’s early railroads. Register online.
Live Music of the 1920s & ‘30s
Monday, March 19, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
Join local musician Eric Shore for an hour-long solo piano concert focused on American standards of the 1920s and 1930s which were popular during the time period of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.” The concert will be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation with historical information and a display of period sheet music and 78 RPM records. Register online.
Murder Mystery Party
Friday, March 23, 2018, 7 pm, $5 per person
You’re invited to a Murder Mystery Party! You are a passenger on the luxurious Oriental Express, along with several unsavory characters, almost certainly up to no good. Unexpectedly, the train is snowed in and one of the passengers is murdered. With the help of your fellow passengers, you must work to identify the murderer before the police arrive. Can you discover “who done it”? Pre-registration is required in person at the library. Characters will be assigned upon arrival, based on the order in which you registered. A variety of appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be served.
True Crime Michigan
Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
True crime author Tobin Buhk will explore the history of crime in the Great Lakes state, including Michigan’s most notorious criminal cases of robbery, mob activity, and murder. His books will be available for sale and signing. Register online.
Evening Book Discussion
Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
Join your friends and neighbors in a lively book discussion of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Register online.
Travel your Tastebuds on the Orient Express
Monday, April 16, 2018, 6:30 pm, $10 per person
Join Renee Chodkowski, The Great Foodini, for a cooking demonstration which will take you on an entertaining and delicious journey along the path of the Orient Express, where you will sample regional delights along the way. Doors open at 6:15pm. Pre-registration is required in person at the library.
Movie: “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974)
Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 1 pm, Free
Movie: “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017)
Thursday, April 26, 2018, 1 pm, Free
Hartland’s Cromaine Library
Adult Mystery Book Club
Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 7 pm, Free
Join us the second Tuesday of the month at the Library for a discussion of mystery and intrigue. This month the group discusses “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie, the 2018 Livingston Reads book. Drop In.
The Great Foodini
Thursday, March 8, 2018, 7 pm, Free
The Great Foodini, Renee Chodkowski, shares an Orient Express-type menu. Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
Second Sunday Concert Series: Ara Topouzian
Sunday, March 11, 2018, 2:30 pm, Free
Ara Topouzian performs the music of Armenia and what once was called “The Orient”—the Middle East. Drop In.
Movie Morning: Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Monday, March 12, 2018, 10 am, Free
Join us for a screening of the classic version of “Murder on the Orient Express.” Drop In.
Movie Night: The Science of Agatha Christie’s Writing
Thursday, March 22, 2018, 7 pm, Free
See “Icons of Our Time: Agatha Christie” using Kanopy, a streaming video service offered at Cromaine. This documentary introduces viewers to new fields of scientific inquiry using sophisticated computer analysis of Christie’s every written word, her sentence structure, story arcs, poisons used, red herrings, clues and so on. Fresh, hot popcorn. Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
Train Party!
Thursday, March 29, 2018, 10 am, Free
Get your caboose to Cromaine for train stories, songs, and to become a certified train engineer! Complete a series of tasks including coal shoveling, ticket punching, sign sorting, and more! For ages 2-5. Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
Murder on the Orient Express Necklace Craft
Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 6:30 pm, $5.00 materials fee; pay at event
Craft a “Murder on the Orient Express” necklace with Cinda Dawson. Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
Great Train Travel with Salty Dog
Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 7 pm, Free
Join Salty Dog Travel’s Louise Weaver as she shares some great train trips for your next vacation and talks about train travel then and now. Could you be the next American on the Orient Express or the Rocky Mountaineer? Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
Homeschoolers’ Book Club
Thursday, April 12, 2018 2 pm, Free
This month’s book is “Greenglass House” by Kate Milford, a classic Christie-like mystery for younger readers. A craft and snack will be provided. No age restrictions as you know your child and their reading ability. Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
The History of Trains with the Howell Area Historical Society
Wednesday, April 18, 7 pm, Free
The Howell Area Historical Society joins us to talk about the history of trains. Come and learn about technological innovations and get your train-related questions answered. Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
An Evening of Turkish Delights!
Tuesday, April 24, 2017, 7 pm, Free
The foods, music, and scenery of where the Orient Express started its journey—Istanbul, Turkey! Register online or by phone starting March 1, 2018.
Howell Carnegie District Library
Travel Your Taste Buds with the Great Foodini
Monday, March 5, 2018, 6:30-7:30 pm, Meabon Room, Free
Join the Great Foodini Renee Chodkowski to sample perfectly safe and perfectly delicious foods inspired by the 2018 Livingston Reads book selection “Murder on the Orient Express.” Explore what guests of the famed train service may have dined on during their journey and take home the recipes to continue your own journey at home! Space is limited. Registration is required and begins February 19, 2018 online, by phone, or in person.
The Body in the Library Murder Mystery Breakout
Friday, March 23, 2018, 7-8:30 pm, Meabon Room, Free
At closing on a Friday night, a body is found in the library! You and your friends (in teams of 4-5 adults) must use your wits to prove your innocence and discover the culprit—before it’s too late! Space is limited. Registration is required and begins March 9, 2018 online, by phone, or in person.
The Funny Thing about Murder: Humor in Crime Fiction
Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 7-8:30 pm, Meabon Room, Free
Gallows humor, black comedy, morbid fun—writers inject humor into even the grimmest of tales. What’s so funny about a murder mystery? Come find out from David Geherin, professor emeritus of English at Eastern Michigan University and author of the new book Funny Thing about Murder: Modes of Humor in Crime Fiction and Films. Drop In, no registration required.
Pinckney Community Public Library
Pinckney Puzzle Palooza VIII: Murder Mystery Edition
Saturday, March 10, 2018, 10 am to 2 pm, Free
Our jigsaw puzzle solving event is back! Sign up as groups of 2-4 or as individuals. Single puzzlers will be assigned a group. Puzzle solving starts at 10 am and goes until 2 pm. The team closest to completion when time runs out wins! Each member of the winning team will receive a prize! Breakfast and lunch provided. Registration of each team member is required. Please sign up your team of 2-4 people before March 10, 2018 at 734-878-3888.
Off the Shelf Book Discussion: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
Wednesday Movie Night: Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
Starring Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot. Pop, popcorn, and movie-style snacks served free.
Sherlock Holmes Mysteries
Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 6:30 pm
Off the Shelf Book Discussion: Western Star by Craig Johnson
Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 6:30 pm, Free
Pinckney Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt
Monday, April 23, 2018-Saturday, April 28, 2018, Free
Solve the case of a Pinckney Murder from the late 1800s by following clues in and around the Village of Pinckney. May include a social media component for extra bonus points. Finished case files with solution to the mystery get $5 gift card and chance to win $50 VISA gift card final prize drawing on Monday, April 30, 2018. Happy Hunting! In partnership with the Pinckney Library Friends Group, Pinckney Local History Group, Village of Pinckney, Putnam Township, Pinckney Schools and area businesses
