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VIRTUAL: Vacations Can Be Murder

with True Crime author Dawn Barclay

2025-09-17 19:00:00 2025-09-17 20:00:00 America/New_York VIRTUAL: Vacations Can Be Murder Author Dawn M. Barclay discusses her book, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England. Learn all about the haunted happenings in our own backyards! Virtual -

Wednesday, September 17
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-09-17 19:00:00 2025-09-17 20:00:00 America/New_York VIRTUAL: Vacations Can Be Murder Author Dawn M. Barclay discusses her book, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England. Learn all about the haunted happenings in our own backyards! Virtual -

Author Dawn M. Barclay discusses her book, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England. Learn all about the haunted happenings in our own backyards!

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email.**  

We love local history and true crime so we're thrilled to be chatting with author Dawn M. Barclay about her book, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England. Learn all about the haunted happenings in our own backyards and, then, plan a trip to visit them all! What could be better as we head into spooky season? Bring your questions because this will be a fast paced Q&A!

NOTE: This program will be recorded and a video link will be sent to all registrants. 

Please register for this event and you'll receive the link in the confirmation and reminder emails - make sure to check your spam folder for them, the email will be coming from Zoom.

Presented in partnership with the Ashland Public Library.

About the book:

For the true crime lover—finally, a travel guide from an award-winning travel journalist and suspense author that gives you the down and dirty on exactly where the major crimes occurred, and where the bodies are buried. For aficionados of paranormal, prison, and tombstone travel, there’s a goldmine of tourism suggestions for you here as well.

Along with summaries of the major crimes committed in New England, you’ll discover where to find the best crime and ghost tours; which hotels and restaurants are former jails, courthouses, or harbor paranormal activity; where infamous criminals are/were jailed, and which venues and attractions might feed your fancy for murder and justice. Reading lists in each chapter will guide you to books expounding on the crimes discussed. Best of all, suggested itineraries bring all the pieces together to help you traverse New England’s criminal landscape in an organized and entertaining way. Up for a true crime road trip? Let Vacations Can Be Murder be your ultimate travel guide.

About Dawn:

Dawn M. Barclay is a veteran travel trade reporter who has served as senior or contributing editor on several magazines, including Travel Agent, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. Her book, Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022), considered the autism travel bible, won the Lowell Thomas Gold Award in 2023 from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. It also won Honorable Mention from ASJA's Arlene Awards for Books that Make a Difference, and took first place in the Maxy Awards (inspirational/self-help category.)

Dawn offers editing services through SuggestedDevelopment.com and ghostwriting/personal history services through LegacyQuest.net.

When not writing about travel, she pens psychological/domestic/romantic suspense and edits crime fiction anthologies as D.M. Barr..

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Lecture | History & Genealogy | Author event |

Wilbraham Public Library

Phone: 413-596-6141

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Mon, Aug 25 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Aug 26 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Aug 27 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Aug 28 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Fri, Aug 29 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 30 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Sun, Aug 31 Closed

About the branch

The Wilbraham Public Library provides resources and opportunities for community learning, recreation, and making connections.

Upcoming Events

Fri, Aug 29, 9:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Drop-in reception to say goodbye to Library Director Karen Ball. Stop by & share a memory!

Tue, Sep 02, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Sep 02, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The daytime monthly book discussion group facilitated by Library Director Karen Ball. New members always welcome!

Tue, Sep 02, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Ellie Antonacci, from Art Lessons with Ellie, will teach teens to create a fall watercolor painting.
This event is full

Wed, Sep 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Embrace your dark side (and your best evil laugh) and join us in conversation with Hannah Nicole Maehrer, creator of the New York Times bestselling Assistant to the Villain series. 
Register

Fri, Sep 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
This event is full

Fri, Sep 05, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Mon, Sep 08, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A playgroup for children ages 2-5 with their families!

Mon, Sep 08, 3:45pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Read aloud to your favorite four-legged friend, Mason!

Mon, Sep 08, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join author and retired Professor Matt Davis for a unique look at the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79AD.

Mon, Sep 08, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Heather Wolf shares her beautiful images of colorful birds! We'll discuss the birds, the purpose of their colorful feathers, aand any evolutionary advantages they may have because of their coats.
Register

Tue, Sep 09, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Sep 09, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The monthly meeting of the Wilbraham Friends of the Library.

Wed, Sep 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Communication expert Jefferson Fisher chats about his book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More, giving you strategies and phrases that will forever change how you communicate.
Register

Wed, Sep 10, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
New monthly program for ages 5+

Thu, Sep 11, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft geared for children ages 3-6.
Registration opens Monday, September 1 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Sep 11, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
An orientation for new volunteers with Assistant Director Mary Bell.

Fri, Sep 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
This event is full

Fri, Sep 12, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Mon, Sep 15, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A playgroup for children ages 2-5 with their families!

Mon, Sep 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Help the Teen Librarian design the best programs for teens, and recommend YA books and more for the teen Loft.

Mon, Sep 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Learn how to grow a few of the most popular houseplants, plus get some tips & tricks to help them thrive!

Tue, Sep 16, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Sep 16, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Wed, Sep 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Why is the English spelling of words is sometimes just weird? Journey through the history of the English language, while we discuss troublemakers like Mark Twain who broke all the rules. 
Register

Wed, Sep 17, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A monthly book discussion facilitated by Assistant Director Mary Bell. Newcomers are always welcome!

Wed, Sep 17, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Author Dawn M. Barclay discusses her book, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England. Learn all about the haunted happenings in our own backyards!
Register

Thu, Sep 18, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft geared for children ages 3-6.
Registration opens Monday, September 1 2025 at 9:00am

Fri, Sep 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
This event is full

Fri, Sep 19, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us to for a unique crafting experience; we will decorate and personalize napkin rings just in time for fall.

Fri, Sep 19, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Fri, Sep 19, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A lifetime is spent accumulating treasures, trinkets and memories. All that “stuff” can make downsizing a monumental endeavor. Join Steve Lanning for practical tips on downsizing and decluttering.

Sat, Sep 20, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Pre-K and K children and their care providers will dance to some oldies, and learn some new songs as well.
Registration opens Monday, September 1 2025 at 9:00am

Sat, Sep 20, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Liven up your home by swapping or adopting an indoor plant!

Mon, Sep 22, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
A playgroup for children ages 2-5 with their families!

Mon, Sep 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

Tue, Sep 23, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Sep 23, 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Create your very own adorable little monster! Have fun decorating your locker, fridge, or even your backpack—make it uniquely yours!
Registration opens Monday, September 1 2025 at 9:00am

Tue, Sep 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Working together in teams, teens will use clues, riddles, and puzzles to solve this alien escape themed mystery room.
Registration opens Tuesday, September 2 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Sep 24, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Wed, Sep 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Sadie Hartmann, author of Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women, takes a close look at horror stories written by and/or featuring women.
Register

Thu, Sep 25, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a fun collection of stories, songs, fingerplays and a craft geared for children ages 3-6.
Registration opens Monday, September 1 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Sep 25, 3:45pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
September book selection: Mr. Wolf's Class by Aron Nels Steinke

Fri, Sep 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Multi-sensory and exploration
This event is full

Fri, Sep 26, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Student volunteers from WMA will assist with technology questions.

Sat, Sep 27, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
The Wilbraham Friends of the Library will be holding a plant sale outside the library.