Book It Over To Surfside: Two Popular Authors to Appear in Avalon Library’s Summer Spotlight Series

By Alexa Lesniak

Marie Benedict writes historical fiction and mystery novels.

Melissa Clark crafts cookbooks and food columns.

What the two authors have in common is that they both are part of the Avalon Free Public Library’s Summer Spotlight Series and are coming to Surfside Park.

“We’re excited to bring Marie Benedict and Melissa Clark to Avalon this August,” says Kara Buono, the assistant director of programming and engagement for the library and the Avalon History Center. “These are two authors who are very popular with readers at the library and have books consistently checked out. Both are praised in their respective genres for their published works.”

Benedict’s appearance is set for 7pm on Aug. 24. Clark will be at Surfside the following Monday, Aug. 31, also at 7pm.

Heather Benedict Terrell writes under the pen name Marie Benedict. She studied history and art history at Boston College before attending Boston University School of Law, and lives in Pittsburgh with her family. Benedict worked as a litigator in New York for 10 years before publishing her first novel in 2007. Under the name Heather Terrell, she has published seven books; under the name Marie Benedict, she has published 12. Her titles have been translated into 30 languages.

“My personal favorite is her novel about the curious two-week disappearance of Agatha Christie, in ‘The Mystery of Mrs. Christie,’” Buono says. “Marie also co-writes with Victoria Christopher Murray, and their most recent collaboration was a Reese’s Book Club pick, ‘A Pair of Aces.’”

Next March, Benedict will release “The Witch of Wall Street,” based on the richest woman of the Gilded Age, Hetty Green.

For her appearance in Avalon, Benedict will discuss her novels that were released this past March, “A Pair of Aces” and “Daughter of Egypt.”

“Marie Benedict writes historical fiction about women in history,” Buono says. “In her latest novel, ‘Daughter of Egypt,’ the dual timeline explores Lady Evelyn Herbert’s role in excavating the tomb of Tutankhamun, and Egypt’s lost pharaoh, Hatshepsut, 3,000 years earlier. Her stories delve into interesting women in history, blending historical elements with fiction to create rich stories about women in their time.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about those books and the author herself during this event.

A week later, foodies will get a treat when Clark takes the stage at Surfside. A staff reporter for The New York Times, she is a native New Yorker who resides in Brooklyn with her family. She earned an English and history degree from Barnard College and then a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. Writing for The Times’ food section, she has authored the column “A Good Appetite” since 2007 and appears in a weekly cooking video series.

“The Avalon Library is thrilled to partner once again with the Avalon Environmental Commission to bring a renowned author to Avalon,” Buono says. “Melissa Clark is an award-winning food writer and author of more than 35 cookbooks. You might know her from her guest appearances on the ‘Today’ show and ‘Rachael Ray,’ or as a judge on ‘Iron Chef.’”

She is also has been a frequent guest on NPR’s “The Splendid Table.” Clark’s work has won awards from the James Beard Foundation and the International Association of Culinary Professionals and has been selected for the Best Food Writing series.

In her Surfside Park appearance, Clark will discuss her cookbooks, including her most recent publication, “Dinner in One: Exceptional & Easy One-Pan Meals,” and her upcoming book, “The Big Book of Dinner: Recipes and Rules (and How to Break Them),” which will be available Nov. 17.

Says Buono: “In addition to talking about her cookbooks and writing for The New York Times, Melissa will touch on sustainable eating and the environmental impacts of food.”

The Avalon Environmental Commission has partnered with the library to bring Clark to Avalon, as many of her recipes feature environmentally conscious and sustainable choices. Make sure to attend this event to find your new favorite recipe and learn more about the impact of food on the environment.

Benedict and Clark both will be happy to sign your books. If you don’t already own them, Beach Bound Books will be on-site to sell them during both events.

Make sure to bring chairs or blankets to sit on at Surfside Park, 2901 Avalon Ave. In case of inclement weather, the events will be moved to Community Hall.

Check out the Avalon Free Public Library for its full list of events and other Spotlight Series features.