Hays Public Library

Nancy Parra will discuss her book “Gluten for Punishment” with the Hays Public Library Tea and Trouble cozy mystery book club on Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. Parra will be video chatting with the group via Skype.

Parra is a national bestselling author from Kansas. She graduated high school from El Dorado and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in magazine journalism. Parra now lives in California, but uses her Kansas background to inspire her books.

Gluten for Punishment is a murder mystery book set in the fictional town of Oiltop, Kansas.

“It was a lot of fun to bring in elements of family and my days in Kansas,” said Parra, “there is even a character based on my Grandma Ruth in the book.”

Parra’s grandmother not only has a special influence in the book, but she even has a special connection with the Hays community.

“My Grandmother Ruth Picken Nethercott’s grandparents started Fort Hays State College,” she said.

Besides a thrilling mystery tale, the book also includes gluten-free recipes. Patrons can check out copies of Gluten for Punishment at the front desk of the HPL. The video chat and book club are open to all community members. The Tea and Trouble cozy mystery book club will meet on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hays Public Library. You can read more about Nancy Parra and her work at http://www.nancyjparra.com/.