Author Naomi Hirahara (front, holding book) recently took a small group of Southern California booksellers and historic site workers on a walking tour of locations in her upcoming novel, Crown City (Soho Crime), which is set in 1903 Pasadena, Calif. She plans to replicate these walking tours for readers after the historic mystery is released on February 24.
Among the participating booksellers: (from left) Jhoanna Belfer, holding map in front row, owner of Bel Canto Books in Long Beach; Mary Williams (in denim), co-owner and general manager of Skylight Books in Los Angeles; Dan Graham, promotional director of Vroman's in Pasadena; Gilbert Martinez, assistant promotional director of Vroman's; and back row, wearing yellow, Heather Marquez, director of retail operations for the Gamble House Conservancy.
"I want people to be immersed in the world of this novel as well as be introduced to other readers new to them," said Hirahara. "I feel in these times we need to have real experiences that connect us to a common story and other people."