Local author Robert W. Spencer will read from his latest book, “Francena Hallett’s Heart: A Novel of Romance and Revenge,” from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Bethel Library.

This book is the third volume of Spencer’s historical fiction “Lizzie Millett Series.” “Francena Hallett’s Heart” concludes a tumultuous and vengeful relationship between imprisoned murderer Aphia Stevens and Lizzie Millett and her family. Spencer draws on the rich mining traditions and mill life in western Maine for his stories. His characters reflect how technology and industry affected the lives of people in rural Maine in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The first book in the trilogy, “The Spinster’s Hope Chest,” was published in 2018. The second book, “Prospects: Mining Maine for Riches,” was published in 2020.

Spencer, a volunteer at the Waterford Library and Waterford Historical Society, says that “Research into history opens the door to so many stories. Stories which add flesh and blood to historical facts. Thorough research is necessary to portray accurately an era from the past whether it be two hundred years ago or just last year.”

Spencer, who now lives in Waterford, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) and Radcliffe Landscape Design Seminars (now Boston Architectural  College). He ran a design/build residential garden practice in greater Boston for twenty years. He also co-founded Irish Limestone, US, in 1999, a company that imported and distributed specialty stone to the design and construction trades in the Northeast.

Copies of Spencer’s books are available at Bridgton Books, The Tribune, other independent bookstores, and on Amazon. They will also be available for purchase at the event.

The Bethel Library is located at 6 Broad St., Bethel. For more information call 207-824-2520 or visit the library’s Facebook page or website at bethellibraryassociation.org.

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