Author to bring Craters of the Moon to North Idaho

COEUR d’ALENE — Author Julie Weston will launch her third Nellie Burns and Moonshine mystery, "Moonscape," at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front. Ave.

Weston presented her two previous award-winning mysteries, "Moonshadows" and "Basque Moon," in Coeur d’Alene and Kellogg in 2015 and 2016. All of her mysteries take place in the 1920s in central Idaho and feature photographer Nellie Burns and her black Labrador dog, Moonshine.

Burns and Moonshine leap into trouble at Craters of the Moon in southwest Idaho in 1923 while searching for three missing people. Marked on maps as "unexplored," the miles of lava resist navigation and Burns' photography. Basque Sheriff Azgo and others search amid rumors of a religious cult. Caves and spatter cones, secrets and lies and consuming greed endanger all. But alone, Burns faces a murder attempt in this remote and almost inaccessible landscape.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, between Twin Falls and Pocatello, is holding a Moonfest on Saturday to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing. Weston will be a featured presenter. She has already traveled to Boise and to Seattle as part of her book tour this summer.

Weston grew up in Kellogg and practiced law for many years in Seattle. Her debut mystery, "Moonshadows," was a finalist in the May Sarton Literary Award. "Basque Moon," her second mystery, won the 2017 WILLA Literary Award in historical fiction. Weston and her husband live in Hailey, Idaho, where they ski, write, photograph and enjoy the outdoors.

Weston will also make an appearance at the Staff House in Kellogg on July 27 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Visit www.julieweston.com for information.