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Bonaparte Public Library Nestled in the heart of our small town, the Bonaparte Library is a warm, welcoming space where little minds grow big dreams and bright futures begin.

From storytime adventures and community events to cozy reading nooks for all ages, we’re here to inspire curiosity, connection, and a lifelong love of learning.

Join us for the 2nd Annual Sip & String at the Bonaparte Public Library on Saturday, October 17!Come spend the day creat...
09/24/2026

Join us for the 2nd Annual Sip & String at the Bonaparte Public Library on Saturday, October 17!

Come spend the day creating, visiting, and enjoying a fun fall outing with us.

The class is $5 per person, and we’ll also have a booth set up for shopping.

Cory Martin and Jenna Coulter will be joining us again this year, and we’re looking forward to another great event!

We’ll be there from 11:00 AM until around 1:00 or 2:00 PM.

Be sure to check out the event for all the details, and invite a friend to come along!

09/24/2026

WHAT HAPPENED TO Z?

If you’ve been following along as we worked our way through Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series, you may be wondering...

Where is Z?

Sadly, there is no Z.

Sue Grafton passed away in 2017 after the publication of Y Is for Yesterday, leaving her beloved Alphabet Series unfinished at 25 books.

Her family announced that the series would not be continued by another author, meaning Kinsey Millhone’s story officially ends with Y.

From A Is for Alibi all the way through Y Is for Yesterday, readers followed private investigator Kinsey Millhone through mysteries, murders, cold cases, family secrets, and plenty of unexpected twists.

Twenty-five books. Twenty-five mysteries. One unforgettable private investigator.

If you’ve never read the series, stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and start where it all began with A Is for Alibi.

And if you HAVE read the series, we want to know...

Which letter was your favorite?

09/23/2026

BOOK REVIEW: Y Is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton

We’ve made it to Y, the final book in Sue Grafton’s beloved Alphabet Series.

In Y Is for Yesterday, private investigator Kinsey Millhone becomes involved in a case surrounding a group of former high school students and a terrible secret from their past. Years earlier, a cheating scandal, a videotape, and the murder of a classmate changed their lives forever.

Now, one of them has been released from prison, and someone is using that old videotape for blackmail. Kinsey is hired to find out who is behind it, but the deeper she digs, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

At the same time, trouble from Kinsey’s own past has returned, adding even more suspense to the story.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Y Is for Yesterday is a fitting final adventure for Kinsey Millhone. It has mystery, danger, secrets from the past, and the determined, independent Kinsey that readers have come to know throughout the series.

Sadly, Sue Grafton passed away in 2017 before writing Z, so the Alphabet Series ends with Y. As her family famously shared after her death, “the alphabet now ends at Y.”

If you’ve followed along with us from A Is for Alibi all the way to Y Is for Yesterday, you’ve made it through 25 Kinsey Millhone mysteries!

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and start—or finish—your journey through Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series.

09/22/2026

BOOK REVIEW: X by Sue Grafton

We’ve made it to X in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series!

Unlike the other books in the series, this one is simply titled X, but don’t worry... there’s still plenty of mystery for Kinsey Millhone to solve!

Kinsey takes what appears to be a routine job locating a recently released prisoner for a woman claiming to be his mother. It doesn’t take long for Kinsey to realize her client hasn’t been completely honest with her.

At the same time, Kinsey becomes involved in another mystery after going through files left behind by a fellow private investigator. What she discovers leads her toward a dangerous man and a situation that may be much more serious than anyone realized.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

X gives readers several mysteries to follow at once, which keeps things interesting as the different pieces unfold. After spending so many books with Kinsey, it’s also fun to see her still trusting her instincts, asking questions, and refusing to walk away when something doesn’t seem right.

If you’ve been reading your way through the alphabet with us, you’re getting close to the end!

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and check out X.

Twenty-four letters down... next up is Y!

09/18/2026

BOOK REVIEW: W Is for Wasted by Sue Grafton

We’ve reached the letter W in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series!

In W Is for Wasted, private investigator Kinsey Millhone finds herself trying to understand two seemingly unrelated deaths.

One is a private investigator Kinsey knew professionally. The other is a homeless man found dead on the beach with Kinsey’s name and phone number in his pocket. She has no idea who he is or why he would have her information.

As Kinsey begins searching for answers, she discovers a surprising connection that brings the mystery much closer to home than she ever expected.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

W Is for Wasted is especially interesting because it combines a good mystery with another look into Kinsey’s personal and family history. There are several storylines to follow, and it’s satisfying to watch the connections slowly come together.

If you’ve been reading the Alphabet Series from the beginning, you’ll definitely want to continue with this one!

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and check out W Is for Wasted.

Twenty-three letters down... next up is X!

09/17/2026

BOOK REVIEW: V Is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

We’ve made it to the letter V in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series!

In V Is for Vengeance, private investigator Kinsey Millhone spots a woman shoplifting while she’s out shopping and reports her to store security. It seems like a simple incident, but Kinsey soon discovers there is much more going on than a little shoplifting.

When the woman’s situation takes a tragic turn, Kinsey is drawn into an investigation involving organized theft, stolen goods, secrets, and some very dangerous people.

What started with a chance encounter in a department store quickly becomes a case Kinsey never expected.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

This one is full of twists and shows just how quickly an ordinary moment can lead Kinsey into something much bigger. The mystery has several different pieces that slowly begin to connect, making it fun to see how everything comes together.

If you enjoy mysteries with unexpected connections, plenty of suspense, and a strong female investigator who refuses to give up, V Is for Vengeance is worth checking out!

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and grab your copy.

Twenty-two letters down... next up is W!

09/16/2026

BOOK REVIEW: U Is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

We’ve reached the letter U in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series!

In U Is for Undertow, private investigator Kinsey Millhone is approached by a young man who suddenly remembers something from his childhood that he believes may be connected to the unsolved disappearance of a little girl more than 20 years earlier.

But can a childhood memory from so long ago really be trusted?

Kinsey begins investigating, digging into the past and trying to determine whether his memory could finally provide the clue needed to solve the case. As she searches for answers, long-buried secrets begin to surface and the past becomes much more complicated than it first appeared.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great one for anyone who loves cold cases. The story moves between past and present, slowly revealing pieces of the mystery and giving you plenty of opportunities to form your own theories along the way.

U Is for Undertow also reveals more about Kinsey’s own family history, making it especially interesting for readers who have followed her from the beginning.

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and check it out!

Twenty-one letters down... next up is V!

09/15/2026

BOOK REVIEW: T Is for Trespass by Sue Grafton

We’ve reached the letter T in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series!

In T Is for Trespass, private investigator Kinsey Millhone becomes concerned about her elderly neighbor, Gus, after he suffers a fall and needs someone to help care for him.

A caregiver named Solana Rojas seems like the perfect person for the job. She’s experienced, has good references, and appears to be exactly what Gus needs. But Kinsey soon begins to suspect that something isn’t right.

As she starts looking more closely into Solana’s background, Kinsey discovers a frightening situation that puts a vulnerable man in danger and leaves her determined to uncover the truth.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one is a little different from the traditional murder mysteries earlier in the series, and that’s what makes it so good. The danger feels very real, and watching Kinsey try to protect someone who may not be able to protect himself makes this an especially suspenseful read.

If you enjoy mysteries where you know something is wrong but have to wait for the pieces to come together, T Is for Trespass will keep you turning the pages!

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and check it out.

Twenty letters down... next up is U!

09/14/2026

BOOK REVIEW: S Is for Silence by Sue Grafton

We’ve reached the letter S in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Series!

In S Is for Silence, private investigator Kinsey Millhone is asked to solve a mystery that has been unanswered for more than 30 years.

In 1953, Violet Sullivan left her young daughter with a babysitter and disappeared. Her car was later found abandoned, but Violet was never seen again. Did she leave town to start a new life, or did something much darker happen to her?

Now, decades later, Violet’s daughter wants answers.

Kinsey begins digging into the past, talking to people who knew Violet and uncovering old grudges, secrets, jealousy, and plenty of reasons someone may have wanted her gone.

Our review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great choice for anyone who loves a cold case. The story moves between the time leading up to Violet’s disappearance and Kinsey’s investigation years later, allowing you to slowly piece together what happened.

If you enjoy mysteries filled with long-held secrets and trying to solve a decades-old disappearance, S Is for Silence is definitely worth picking up.

Stop by the Bonaparte Public Library and check it out!

Nineteen letters down... next up is T!

Address

602 Eighth Street, Suite 111
Bonaparte, IA
52620

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 1pm - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 1pm - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 12pm

Telephone

(319) 592-3677

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