Jonathan Putnam, author of the “Lincoln & Speed Mystery” series, will sign books and speak on the topic “How the Young Lincoln Became Our Lincoln” at Tryon’s Lanier Library at noon on Tuesday, July 17.

Participants are invited to bring a bag lunch to the free event, which is open to the public. Coffee and tea will be available. 

The “Lincoln & Speed Mystery” series is based on Putnam’s research surrounding the four years Abraham Lincoln and his close friend Joshua Speed lived together above Speed’s store.

A well-born Southerner, Speed was a little-known but pivotal person in contributing to the maturation of Lincoln’s career and life, thus helping develop the course of American history. The two men met by chance in 1837, after Lincoln moved from New Salem to Springfield, Illinois, to practice law and pay off substantial debts.

Before that time, Lincoln had suffered through an unhappy childhood and a decade of itinerant life, drifting among jobs and succeeding at none of them.

The latest title in the series, “Final Resting Place,” takes place in 1838 in Springfield. The story focuses around a murder mystery, which takes place while the town is involved in a high-pitched political season between Whigs and Democrats.

– Submitted by

Susan Zurenda