Celebrated author Leslie Budewitz returns to the Mineral County Library in Superior on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. to talk about her latest book "The Real-Life Mary Fields."

Budewitz is a three-time Agatha Award winner, and her work has also won, or has been nominated for Spur, Derringer, Anthoy and Macavity Awards. 

“I believe this will be our fourt visit from Leslie. She is always engaging and relatable, certainly a favorite with patrons,” beamed Florence Evans with the MCL. “Leslie will give a presentation from her latest book on Mary Fields, the first African American woman to receive a Star Route Postal contract.” 

Born into slavery in Tennessee the remarkable Stagecoach Mary Fields was a larger-than-life figure who cherished her independence yet formed a deep bond with the Ursuline sisters, traveling to their Montana mission in 1885 and spending the last 30 years of her life living there or in nearby Cascade. Her books focus on strong women who share her passions and have a talent for finding trouble.

Budewitz explained, “Whether in my cozy mysteries and historical short stories, written as Leslie Budewitz, or my suspense novels, by Alicia Beckman, I write to explore women’s lives, using crime to dive into the mysteries that unsettle us and the truths that lie beneath them. I love taking readers to memorable places, introducing you to their intriguing inhabitants, and digging into the hearts and minds of my story people. And if I can make you think, laugh, and rumble your tummy all at the same time—well, then, we’ve got the perfect author–reader friendship.”

Visiting authors to the MCL are always a hit, especially when they live in The Treasure State. 

“There will certainly be refreshments, our usual author’s cake, and in Leslie’s honor, pie.” said Evans. “During our first visit from her, she proclaimed herself, ‘A Person of The Pie,’ and we’ve been spoiling her ever since! We hope everyone comes by to meet Leslie, have a couple books signed, and have some cake. Also, we’d love to have everyone bring a nonperishable item for our food pantry.”