Murder night aids library’s young adult reading program

ALANNA WOLF Staff Writer
Shari Patterson, left, Joy Livesay, Debbie Clark, Kelsey Noble, Tenna Hazen, and Matt Hazen all put on their finest 1980s wear Thursday during a prom-themed murder mystery night at the Nodaway County Senior Center. The event was hosted by the Maryville Public Library.

The Maryville Public Library presented an evening of mayhem and 1980s fashion Thursday during a prom-themed murder mystery night.

Murder mystery re-enactments have become popular party games in recent years. One of the players portrays the murder victim and another takes on the role of the killer.

In true pulp-novel fashion, it is up to everyone else to find clues and solve the crime.

Last week’s event took place at the Nodaway County Senior Center and included dinner and entertainment along with the live-action murder mystery.

“Pagliai’s was so wonderful in agreeing to donate food for this event,” said Kelsey Noble, the library staff member who coordinated the event. “They were just so great to work with and incredibly nice for helping us with this.”

Proceeds from ticket sales will help support the library’s young adult reading program.

“We’ve had our funding cut, and we’ve had to juggle some things around,” Noble said. “So it’s been hard trying to accomplish everything we want to accomplish in the young adult program.

“But fundraisers and fun event like this, where the community can come out and support the library, all those things help.”