The Big Read of THE MALTESE FALCON begins!

91.7 KAXE is a partner with the Grand Rapids Area library for the second Big Read in Northern Minnesota!

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of reading in American popular culture.

Did you ever read this Dashiell Hammett mystery? How about the movie? Remember swarthy Humphrey Bogart and creepy Peter Lorre?

The novel is set in San Fransisco and takes places over a six-day period in 1928. Sam's Spade's partner, Miles Archer, is killed along with a thug named Thursby. Sam and Miles had never been close, but Sam says "when a man's partner is killed he's supposed to do something about it."

Throughout the month of February we'll be talking about "The Maltese Falcon" and mysteries in general. It all starts Wednesday night on Realgoodwords when I talk with Brian Freeman about his latest gritty mystery "Stalked". Set in Duluth, Jonathan Stride is back in his hometown and trying to solve the mystery of the murder of his partner's husband. I'm also going to talk with J.A. Jance about her latest mystery "Hand of Evil". This time Jance is writing about ex-television journalist Ali Reynolds. Set in Sedona, Arizona it is gritty too - looking at the world of the Internet and sexual predators.

Friday in Grand Rapids is the opening of the Itasca Historical Museum's mysterious exhibit "The Mystery of the Itasca Helmet". That evening at the Lakes Inn, the Grand Rapids Players will present the Mystery Dinner Theater production of "The Maltese Crow". Reservations are needed for this, call The Reif Center for tickets - 218-327-5780.

There are many many more events happening throughout the month, including the Saturday evening screening of "The Maltese Falcon" with conversation from University of Minnesota Film professor Robert Silberman. It's a free showing of the John Huston classic film noir at the library, beginning at 6pm. You can also see the movie on Thursday February 7th in Bigfork at the Edge Center for the Arts, hosted by Jack Nachbar.

Hope you join us in talking about the book and movie of "The Maltese Falcon". For more info, contact KAXE by email or 218-326-1234.