Grab your reading glasses and get ready to dive into a thrilling horror mystery set in the cobblestoned streets of 1960s Italy, as part of Santa Clarita Public Library's One Story One City program. Santa Clarita's City Manager, Ken Striplin, once again champions the transformative power of a good book with this year’s page-turner, 'The Woman in The Castello' by Kelsey James. He invites the community to join in the reading craze.

"Now is your opportunity to do just that and enjoy a new story full of intrigue and mystery," Striplin said in a blog post via the city's website. The novel follows Silvia Whitford, an ambitious actress whose path crosses with her aunt, a once-acclaimed movie star living in a sinister castle. The gripping tale unwinds amidst the backdrop of a horror film set, where fiction meets harsh reality, and exposes dark family secrets. The events of the month are designed to get locals mingling while they dissect the book’s sinister plot.

There's plenty in store for Santa Clarita residents, who've been treated to a schedule cram-packed with events tailored to this chilling storyline—one that has captivated readers with its twists and turns. The program includes a ghost tour reflecting scenes right from the novel, uncovering Santa Clarita's eerie ghostly past, and stepping back in time at the Laemmle movie theatre with horror scene crafting lifted straight from the pages. And for those who like to sip while they speculate, the ‘Books and Brews’ night promises to be a highlight.

Striplin also teased an exclusive opportunity where fans of the novel can pick the brain of its author, "Start preparing your list of questions because you won’t want to miss the chance to meet author Kelsey James for an exclusive in-person Q&A session." Those eager to get their hands on 'The Woman in The Castello' can head to any Santa Clarita Public Library branch to check out the book, available in print, eBook, and audio formats. The series of events, sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Clarita Public Library, will bring the community together in ways only a shared narrative can. For event schedules and more details, visitors can check the library’s website.

Whether you're a Santa Clarita native or just a visitor looking for a communal literary thrill, the One Story One City program sounds like a perfectly sinister rendezvous. Dust off your detective hats and prepare for a month where books bind the community in an exploration of the unknown, one harrowing chapter at a time.