Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Levin Library: Winter months call for a cosy mystery

Levin library has plenty of cosy mysteries to choose from

Jennifer Walton is the library engagement team lead at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Levin Library.

OPINION

The weather is bleak. The sky is a stark grey, with not a hint of sun. The fire beside me is blazing, and the dogs have snuggled in close, happy to have secured a warm spot. What I need now is a hot cuppa and a good book. A cosy mystery perhaps?

I recently referred to an episode of the TV series Elsbeth as a ‘cosy mystery’ and was flabbergasted to find that the whole world does not know what that means. Clearly, I’ve spent too many hours getting lost amongst the amateur sleuths and unexpected detectives and haven’t realised that this cute name for a very popular genre is still relatively new to some.

So, what is a cosy mystery? Think crime genre without the blood and guts. The protagonist is usually a lovable, quirky amateur investigator rather than a hardened police detective. This Jessica Fletcher-esque character will set off to solve a murder that we most likely haven’t witnessed. If we have seen or read about the murder, it will have been on par with a candlestick to the forehead on the stage of a small-town theatre — no blood or heart-stopping moments here.

Speaking of small towns, this is where these mysteries are usually set. Quaint village community vibes where everybody knows everybody. I’m sure many Kiwis love a cosy because we can relate to the goings-on of small-town life. Our ‘Miss Marple’ will follow clues and despatch numerous red herrings, no doubt with the help of their very likable sidekick.

The wonderful thing about a cosy mystery is that you know what you are getting into: there are goodies, baddies and lovable characters. There will be twists and turns, but the mystery will always be solved in the end, leaving our sleuth to head home to their one-bedroom apartment, feed their cat and fall asleep in a chair by the fire.

If you love suspense with graphic details and spine-tingling storylines, a cosy may not be for you—although I definitely think there’s room for both. Keep your eyes peeled for the hat and magnifying glass sticker on our mystery titles at our libraries.

Top Ten Books:

What’s new in cosy mysteries:

Death of a Suffragette by Anita Davison

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashely

Knitmare on Beech Street by Peggy Ehrhart

Antiques Foe by Barbara Allan

A Marriage to Murder For by E.V. Hunter

A Contest to Kill For by E.V. Hunter

Murder on the Farm by Kate Wells

Death of a Master Chef by Jean-Luc Bannalec

How Not to Murder your Ex by Katie Marsh

Exhibitions:

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Gallery: Decades of Drama: A Walk Through Levin Little Theatre’s History – August 1 to August 31.

Decades of Drama is a look into the history of the Levin Little Theatre over the years, as seen through the archives of the Levin Little Theatre, and Society Patron Joyce Corrin (M.N.N.NM.) This exhibition is a celebration of the enduring history of the Levin Little Theatre Society, the many people who have contributed over the years, and its ongoing legacy in our community.

Te Awahou Nuiewe Stroom Māpuna Kabinet Gallery: Te Kuranui a Matariki, Hopukia te whetū rere from Te Taitoa Māori o Te Awahou Trust – August 1 to August 31.

This exhibition features exquisite artworks crafted from stone, pounamu, whalebone, native woods, and digital design, all inspired by Matariki and her six children. Curated by master carver Heemi Te Peeti, it showcases the talents of his students: Paora Kereama, Shaun Hemmingsen, Karanama Peita Gregory, and Le Bon Wilson. Join us on Thursdays as the Māpuna Kabinet Gallery transforms into a live workshop, where artists will carve and add new taonga to the exhibition over the coming months.

What’s On

Heritage room:

Volunteers staff the Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Tuesday to Friday at the following times:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10.00am -12.30pm

Thursday, 1­2.30pm – 3.00pm

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Heritage Room has the research librarian available all day every Friday.

Friday August 23:

Friday Live Concert, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 12pm – 1pm

Jim Redmond Crib Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm

SeniorNet, Get help with your tablets, phones and laptops

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10am – 12pm

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 2pm – 3pm

Code Club, Shannon Library, 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Monday August 26:

Storytime, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 10.30am

Meet Street, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 11am Volunteer Central, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 12pm

HUG Horowhenua Ukulele Group, Main Space, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11am – 12pm

Simply Meditation, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 12pm – 1pm, koha

Digital Learning Class: MyMSD, RealMe & SuperGold, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm

Tuesday August 27:

Tea & Tales, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10.30am – 11.30am

Discovering Family History, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11am – 1pm

Justice of the Peace, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11.30am – 1.30pm

500 Card Group, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm, $2

Lego Hour, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Wednesday August 28:

Volunteer Central, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 12pm

Crochet & Coffee Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10.30am

Better Digital Futures: Social Networking, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm

Code Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 4pm – 5pm

Pop Up Eats Horowhenua, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Carpark, 5pm – 8pm

Quiz Night, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 7pm – 9pm, $5

Thursday August 29:

Sewing Workshop, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 12pm

500 Card Group, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm, $2

Digital Learning Class: Staying Safe Online, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm

A Masterpiece and Mingle, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 6pm – 8pm