As I embarked on my journey to Hemphill, Texas, I had this brilliant idea: I was going to take copies of my first novel, Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort, and place them in Little Free Libraries as I neared my destination. Since the series is set in that part of the country I could picture readers being excited to find a book about a fictional campground on Lake Toledo Bend.
So, when I drove through Alexandria, Louisiana, near the Texas state line, I googled the nearest Little Free Library and headed to that address.
The route took me away from the interstate and into a neighborhood that grew less and less savory with every turn.
I told myself I wouldn’t get out of the car if I didn’t trust my surroundings. Sure enough, when I found the right place, the little library was sitting well back on the property—near the front door, and it didn’t appear to have any books inside at all. So I pulled over to the curb and reset my GPS. When I looked up, there were three law enforcement vehicles there with me. 😳
My heart kind of stuttered for a moment, but they didn’t have their lights on, and no one approached my car, so I kind of waved and drove away. As I headed down the interstate I kept glancing in my rear view mirror wondering when they were going to come after me.
I wonder if they’d have accepted a book or two in exchange for a ticket? Guess we’ll never know.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Waving and driving away was a smart move. Who places a Little Library at their front door?!
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Very sketchy in my opinion. As Deb noted, it might’ve been a drug drop.
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Yikes. Gives a whole new meaning to “Mayhem” doesn’t it?!
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I don’t think the authorities were after you- I think you got into the middle of a stake out and are lucky no one started shooting from either direction. Here’s a story line- the little free library is actually a front for fentanyl dealers and they use the library for their exchanges and money transfer…
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That thought did cross my mind—that the library was a front. Normally they are set up near the street, so you don’t have to go into anyone’s yard.
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Yes, we have quite a few around here. They are almost a part of the sidewalks. I don’t think that I would go up into anyone’s yard just to exchange books. It seems really odd and creepy.
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I bet people in certain places use those for drug exchanges
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I’m fairly certain that was the case here. Just nuts!
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That sounds scary. My heart would have been in my stomach for many miles! Did you get any books in Little Libraries during the rest of your trip? I think that is a generous gift.
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I was a little paranoid for about twenty miles or so! To my disappointment, there were no Little Free Libraries in the vicinity! And on my way home I was trying to outrun some rainstorms, so I didn’t take any side trips.
But today I was out shopping in Tallahassee and stumbled onto one next to a little cottage shop. I left a copy of Mayhem and left with this crazy sci-fi romance called Ice Planet Barbarians. So far, it’s s hoot!
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Wow! First time I’ve ever heard of one of those Little Free Libraries being scary…
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