the friends of the saint paul public library

The Donor Society recognizes The Friends' most generous individual supporters. Society members make substantial annual gifts to The Friends, such as a contribution of $500 or more. Additionally, individuals or families who have made provisions for The Friends in their estate plan automatically become members of our Donor Society. Currently more than 200 individuals belong to the Donor Society.

The annual Donor Society luncheon recognizes the generosity shown by The Friends' contributors who help support the Saint Paul Public Library. The 2008 Donor Society Luncheon, sponsored by Securian, will be held on Friday, September 12th at the Town & Country Club. Donor Society members will be entertained by Stanley Trollip, who, with his friend Michael Sears, wrote A Carrion Death.

Michael Stanley is the writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, both South Africans by birth. Both are retired professors who have worked in academia and business, Sears in South Africa and Trollip in the USA. Their love of watching the wildlife of the African subcontinent has taken them on a number of flying safaris to Botswana and Zimbabwe. A Carrion Death is their first novel.

Praise for
A Carrion Death...

"Smashed skull, snapped ribs, and
a cloying smell of carrion. Leave
the body for the hyenas to
devour—no body, no case.

A Carrion Death

But when Kalahari game rangers stumble on a human corpse mid-meal, it turns out the murder wasn’t perfect after all. Enough evidence is left to suggest foul play. Detective David “Kubu” Bengu of the Botswana Criminal Investigation Department is assigned to the case.

From the sun-baked riverbeds of the Kalahari to the highest offices of an international conglomerate, he follows a blood-soaked trail in search of answers. Beneath a mountain of lies and superstitions, he uncovers a chain of crimes leading to the most powerful figures in the country—influential enemies who will kill anyone in their way.

A memorable detective makes his debut in this gritty, mesmerizing thriller. Set amid the beauty and darkness of contemporary Africa, A Carrion Death is the first entry in an evocative new series cutting to the heart of today's Botswana—a modern democracy threatened by unstable neighbors, poachers, and diamond smugglers. Those trying to expose the corrupt ringleaders will find themselves fighting for their lives..."

At The Friends' 2007 Donor Society Luncheon, we welcomed as our guest speaker, author Biloine "Billie" Young, who talked about her research and the writing of her book, A Noble Task: The Saint Paul Public Library Celebrates 125!, signing copies of this beautiful book for all in attendance.

In 2006 we welcomed the critically acclaimed author Peter Brown, who presented his book, The Fugitive Wife.

The 2005 Donor Society luncheon featured Minnesota Book Award-honored writing couple Pete Hautman, author of the National Book Award-winner Godless, and Mary Logue, a poet and author of the popular Claire Watkins mystery series.

In past years, featured authors at Donor Society events have included Walter Mosley, Rosellen Brown, Patricia Hampl, Judith Guest, Bill Holm, Christopher Cerf, Ellen Hart, Jon Hassler, Vince Flynn and Sandra Benitez.

For more information on becoming a Donor Society member, please contact The Friends at 651/222-3242 or friends@thefriends.org.

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