The year is 1894. It’s an hour before the opening ceremonies of Quebec’s first free public library, Pettes Memorial. A whole community of volunteers are here to make this night an extravaganza that will go down in the history books. They have just enough time to rehearse the speeches and songs, make sure the library looks perfect, chill the champagne and smear the hors d’ouvres with duck paté. There is a lot riding on this. If the wealthy and influential don’t support the library, it will never succeed. Tonight must be flawless. No mistakes and certainly no murders!

Thus began Laura Teasdale’s new play, If Books Could Kill, a murder mystery comedy based on the real events on the night of the library’s opening, with Teasdale’s mix of community in-jokes and historical irreverence.

Sold-out performances were held on Saturday July 9th and Sunday July 10th. Credit and kudos to Ben McAuley (aka: John Wheeler in IBCK ... John would be SO proud!) for the following photos.

Pettes would like to extend thanks to all the wonderful, thoughtful, tireless, talented people that made this amazing, unforgettable theatrical production a success: to Laura Teasdale for a phenomenal script; to Katherine Jacques and Danny McAuley for outstanding direction; to the Knowlton Players, both on and behind the scenes for their hilarious (possibly not aways accurate and NEVER offensive!) reenactment of Pettes' humble beginnings; to the exceptional Louise Penny for her gracious and hilarious portrayal of Narcissa Pettes.

And thanks to our beloved community, who came out to support our local thespians and our library. As the saying goes, it takes a village. And ours is the best!