What's New on the Library Shelves? | Mystery and Thriller Edition

The Girl from Devil's Lake by J.A. Vance

Sheriff Joanna Brady is looking forward to the holidays with her busy family, and to celebrating her daughter Jenny’s graduation from the police academy. But the family is interrupted when a body is discovered beneath a flooded bridge in the Arizona desert, and Joanna is called onto the case. A young boy was murdered, and the details of the crime scene tell Joanna two This was not the killer’s first murder. And it’s only a matter of time before he kills again.

As Joanna digs deeper into the case, she begins to understand this murder is just one piece of a much, much bigger puzzle. She uncovers unlikely connections between cases of mysterious deaths and missing persons, having long since gone cold, that extend far beyond the confines of her small town and include the discovery of a body near Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. To get justice for the victims and to save the town of Bisbee from a predator, Joanna must chase down every dangerous lead.

Meanwhile, as a dogged journalist is circling the case and privileged information is leaked, Joanna can’t be sure who to trust. Could a prolific killer be hiding in plain sight? And how far will that person go to keep his many crimes hidden?

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon

Maggie McCabe is teetering on the brink. A highly skilled and renowned Army combat surgeon, she has always lived life at the edge, where she could make the most impact. And it was all going to plan ... until it wasn’t.

Upside down after a devastating series of tragedies leads to her medical license being revoked, Maggie has lost her purpose, but not her nerve or her passion. At her lowest point, she is thrown a lifeline by a former colleague, an elite plastic surgeon whose anonymous clientele demand the best care money can buy, as well as absolute discretion.

Halfway across the globe, sequestered in the lap of luxury and cutting-edge technology, one of the world’s most mysterious men requires unconventional medical assistance. Desperate, and one of the few surgeons in the world skilled enough to take this job, Maggie enters his realm of unspeakable opulence and fulfills her end of the agreement. But when the patient suddenly disappears while still under her care, Maggie must become a fugitive herself—or she will be the next one who is ... Gone Before Goodbye

The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

When the invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel—owned by reclusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann—arrives, it’s like the answer to a prayer. Three years after the birth of her youngest child, Lo Blacklock is ready to reestablish her journalism career, but post-pandemic travel journalism is a very different landscape from the one she left ten years ago.

The chateau on the shores of Lake Geneva is everything Lo’s ever dreamed of, and she hopes she can snag an interview with Marcus. Unfortunately, he proves to be even more difficult to pin down than his reputation suggests. When Lo gets a late-night call asking her to come to Marcus’s hotel room, she agrees despite her own misgivings. She’s greeted, however, by a woman claiming to be Marcus’s mistress—and in life-or-death jeopardy.

What follows is a thrilling cat-and-mouse pursuit across Europe, forcing Lo to ask herself just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save this woman…and if she can even trust her? 

Return of the Spider by James Patterson

The suspense classic Along Came a Spider introduced an unsurpassed Detective Alex the “human superhero” (New York Times) versus Gary the "most deliciously wicked character since Hannibal Lecter” (Lexington Herald-Leader). But that wasn’t their first meeting...At a desolate cabin in the woods, police discover a hidden journal titled “Profiles in Homicidal Genius.” Evidence points to it being a murder book kept by Soneji. As Alex studies the clues, he’s enmeshed in a web of evil Soneji designed to ensnare him all along. Plunging into the past, Alex must now retrace the steps of a long-ago investigation and face…the Return of the Spider.

EMF Girls Basketball Team Honors Legacy of Coach Sara Pella

The Exeter-Milligan-Friend community continues to remember and honor the life of former EMF girls basketball coach Sara Pella, whose impact on students, athletes, and the community remains deeply felt following her passing in June 2025 after a courageous battle with stage 4 colon cancer.

Photo Courtesy of Hadley Sladek.

Coach Pella was more than a basketball coach. She was a teacher, mentor, leader, and a constant source of encouragement for those around her. Known for her positivity, compassion, and unwavering belief in her players, she was often described as a beacon of light - someone who brought out the best in others both on and off the court.

This season, the EMF girls basketball team is honoring Coach Pella’s memory in a meaningful and symbolic way. At every game, the team brings two pairs of shoes - representing the presence and spirit of their former coach. The shoes serve as a quiet reminder that while Coach Pella may no longer be physically present, her influence continues to walk alongside the team. 

Many would agree that Coach Pella taught more than basketball, she taught how to be kind, resilient, and supportive.

Coach Pella’s leadership extended far beyond the gym. She was deeply invested in her students’ lives, always willing to listen, encourage, and celebrate their successes. Her dedication to EMF and its students helped shape a positive culture that will endure for years to come. 

As the season unfolds, each game is not only a competition but also a tribute. With every step taken on the court, the EMF girls basketball team carries forward Coach Pella’s legacy, one built on heart, integrity, and love for the game and community.

Though she is greatly missed, Sara Pella’s spirit lives on in the lessons she taught, the lives she touched, and the memories that continue to inspire the EMF family.

FFA Officer Feature | Sophie Weber, Secretary

Sophie Weber, a junior, serves as the secretary of the EMF FFA Chapter, playing a key role in keeping the organization organized and running efficiently. As secretary, Weber is responsible for taking detailed notes at each meeting, recording important information, and ensuring chapter records are accurate. Her work helps meetings run smoothly and allows the chapter to stay organized throughout the year.


Weber chose to be an FFA officer because of her strong passion for agriculture and a desire to build responsibility for her future. “I wanted to become a FFA officer because agriculture is something I am very passionate about. Holding this role also teaches me responsibility for my future,” she said.


What Weber values most about FFA is the life skills it provides. “The thing I love most about being in FFA is the amount of life skills I learn. I have learned social skills that no other activity would have been able to teach me,” Weber shared. Through her role as secretary, she continues to grow personally while supporting the success of the EMF FFA Chapter.