CWBF: “The Quiet Librarian” with Author Allen Eskens

The Portage County Public Library is thrilled to welcome author Allen Eskens, award-winning, bestselling author of 10 books, including “The Life We Bury.” Eskens will discuss his latest page-turner, “The Quiet Librarian”—a haunting new novel about a quiet Minnesota librarian whose life is turned upside down after her best friend is murdered…and she may be next. A Q&A session and book signing will follow.

Eskens is the recipient of the Barry Award, Minnesota Book Award, Left Coast Crime Award, and Silver Falchion Award and has been a finalist for the Edgar® Award, Thriller Award, Anthony Award and Nero Award. He has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from Hamline University. He studied creative writing in the M.F.A. program at Minnesota State University-Mankato, as well as the Loft Literary Center and the Iowa Summer Writer’s Festival.

This Central Wisconsin Book Festival event is free and no registration is required. Call 715-346-1548 for more information.

The Central Wisconsin Book Festival would not happen without the support from several organizations, foundations, and businesses. Support for the 2025 Central Wisconsin Book Festival was provided through the Marathon County Public Library, Portage County Public Library, and McMillan Memorial Library, and the Community Arts Grant Program of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation. Additional support was provided by the MURCO Foundation, Ruder Ware Law Firm, the Marathon County Public Library Foundation, and the Portage County Public Library Foundation, as well as Bound to Happen Books, Janke Book Store, Sojourn Booksellers, Red Eye Brewing Company, the Hmong American Center Inc., the Marathon County Historical Society, Timekeeper Distillery, Wisconsin Public Radio, and the UW Center for Civic Engagement.