Explore the imagination behind the creation of riveting novels as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — with WRAL-TV, Business North Carolina magazine and the North Carolina Humanities Council — present “Thrillers! An Evening with Authors John Grisham and John Hart.” This special event takes place at Meymandi Concert Hall Friday, February 23, 7:30 p.m., and will be moderated by D.G. Martin, host of UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Bookwatch.”
“We are so grateful to John Grisham and John Hart for kindly donating their time and spending an evening with Raleigh on behalf of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences,” said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Their generosity will directly benefit the citizens of North Carolina by supporting the museum’s research and education efforts.”
Hart’s novels take place in his native North Carolina. With five New York Times bestsellers, he was the first to win two consecutive Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Best Mystery Novel — “Down River” and “The Last Child.” This special event marks the national launch for his latest novel, “The Hush,” which builds on the world first visualized in “The Last Child.” Two of his novels are currently in development as feature films. All tickets to this event include an inscribed hard-copy edition of “The Hush” ahead of its scheduled February 27 release date.
Long before his name became synonymous with the modern legal thriller, Grisham was working 60–70 hours a week at a small Mississippi law practice, squeezing in time before going to the office and during courtroom recesses to work on his hobby — writing his first novel. Now, Grisham’s novels have been translated into 48 languages and sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. “The Firm,” his first bestseller, sold more than 7 million copies and was adapted into a feature film. Eight others, including “The Client,” “The Pelican Brief,” “The Rainmaker” and “A Time to Kill,” have also been adapted into films. His 25th and newest legal thriller “The Rooster Bar” was released in October 2017.
Prior to this discussion — and illustrating today’s pressing need to blur the boundaries between the humanities and the sciences — hear from acclaimed paleontologist Lindsay Zanno as she reveals “thrillers” from the world of dinosaurs. Zanno is Head of Paleontology at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. With more than 20 years of international expedition experience, Zanno has a soft spot for the American West where she has discovered new species, including Siats meekerorum, one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs discovered on this continent.
Event proceeds will benefit the non-profit Friends of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in support of dinosaur research and education at the Museum. These organizations gratefully acknowledge the complimentary participation of Grisham and Hart, and additional support from The Umstead Hotel and Spa.
More information and tickets — both for theater seating and an exclusive 6 p.m. reception with the authors — are available at naturalsciences.org/thrillers. Tickets go on sale beginning Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.– Sat., 9 a.m. –5 p.m., and Sun., noon–5 p.m. General admission is free. Visit the Museum online at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Museum Director.