The <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>The Silence of the Library</i> returns with a tale of books worth killing for...<br> <b> </b><br> <b>DEAR DIARIES</b><br> <b> </b><br> Lucinda Beckwith Long, the mayor of Athena, Mississippi, has donated a set of Civil War-era diaries to the archives of Athena College. She would like librarian Charlie Harris to preserve and substantiate them as a part of the Long family legacy - something that could benefit her son, Beck, as he prepares to campaign for the state senate.<br> <br> Beck's biggest rival would like to get a look at the diaries in an attempt to expose the Long family's past sins. Meanwhile, a history professor is also determined to get her hands on the books in a last-ditch bid for tenure. But their interest suddenly turns deadly, leaving Charlie with a catalog of questions to answer. Together with his Maine Coon cat Diesel, Charlie must discover why the diaries were worth killing for before he too reaches his final chapter.<br><br><br><b>INCLUDES A BONUS SHORT STORY</b>
