I would be happy to schedule an
appearance for your book discussion group,
library, or to speak to your organization.
Send requests to
Pat@patcamallierebooks.com.
You Tube link to Hidden Gems Road Trip
My lecture, “Hidden Gems Road Trip,” was recorded on March 28, 2024 when I gave the talk at the Riverside Library for the Frederick Law Olmstead Historical Society. The talk is now available on You Tube.
“Hidden Gems Road Trip,” is a fun lecture that features photographs I took, explaining how I used the images in the writing of my historic mystery novels. The talk reveals why these places are important to the area’s history, how they look today, and how to visit them. The trip proceeds along the Des Plaines River, beginning at the Chicago Portage and ending in Lockport.
Here’s the link: Hidden Gems Road Trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a75BkybqdpA
Contact me at Pat@Patcamallierebooks.com if you would like me to email a free copy of the handout that accompanies this lecture.
Upcoming Events:
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: August 11, Friday, 1 p.m.
Where: Homer Glen Library, 14320 W 151st St, Homer Glen
Author Showcase: Oak Lawn Library
When: August 16, 2023 6 to 8 pm
Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip
When: August 17, 2 pm
Where: Lisle Library, 777 Front Street, Lisle
Local Author Fair: Elmhurst Public Library
When: August 19, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect, Elmhurst
Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip
When: August 25, 2023
Where: Oak Trace Residential Living, 250 Village Drive, Downers Grove
A River Thru History – Participant
When: September 8 (Friday) through September 10 (Sunday) all day event
Where: Columbia Woods, Willow Springs
Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip
When: September 19, Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Where: Bellwood Library, 600 Bohland Ave, Bellwood
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: September 20, 2023, 7 pm
Where: Acorn Library, 15624 Central Avenue, Oak Forest
Author Fair: Downers Grove Library
When: September 23
Lecture: Mother Theresa Dudzik: The Making of a Saint
When: September 24, 2 pm
Where: Lemont Public Library
Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip
When: September 28, 2023 6:30 pm
Where: Harwood Heights Library, 4613 N Oketo
Author Fair: Gail Borden Public Library
When: October 8, 2023, 2-4 p.m.
Where: Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin
Lecture: Mother Theresa Dudzik: The Making of a Saint
When: October 15, 2 pm
Where: St. James at Sag Bridge, 10600 S. Archer Avenue
Lecture: Taming the Wilderness of Northern Illinois
When: October 23, 7 pm
Where: Flag Creek Heritage Society, 7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge
Lecture: Taming the Wilderness of Northern Illinois
When: April 10, 2024, 7 pm
Where: Fountaindale Library
Past Events:
Private Book Discussion: The Mystery at Mount Forest Island
When: August 4, Friday, 10 a.m.
Where: DuPage FPD Book Club, Mayslake Peabody Estate
Book Discussion: The Mystery at Sag Bridge (open registration)
When: July 18, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: St. James at Sag Bridge Hall
Email susanroy5753@gmail.com or call 630-888-5259 to register for FREE event
Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip
When: July 11, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Green Hills Library, 10331 S. Interlochen Drive, Palos Hills
When: June 24, Saturday, 1 p.m., Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip, Where: Palos Park Library, 12330 Forest Glen Blvd, Palos Park
When: June 22, Thursday, 1 p.m, Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip, Where: Franciscan Village, Lemont
When: June 19, Monday, 10:30 a.m., Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip, Where: Smith Crossing, 10501 Emilie Lane, Orland Park
When: June 11, Sunday, 10:30 to close, Lockport Canal Days – Participant, Where: Downtown Lockport
When: June 10, Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Lemont 150 Fest – Participant, Where: Downtown Lemont
June 9, 2023, 1 p.m. Lemont 150th Anniversary Commemoration, Where: Lemont 150th Anniversary Commemoration, Village Green Park, 322 Main Street, Lemont
June 6, 2023 6 p.m. Private Book Club Discussion, The Miracle at Assisi Hill
May 24, 2023: Private book club discussion, The Miracle at Assisi Hill
May 16, 2023: Lecture, Taming the Wilderness of Northern Illinois, Franciscan Village, Lemont
May 12, 2023: Speech, The Miracle at Assisi Hill, Marian Village, Homer Glen
May 11, 2023; Lecture, Taming the Wilderness of Northern Illinois, Lemont Library
April 25, 2023: Lecture, The Lost Town of Sag Bridge, Franciscan Village, Lemont
April 18, 2023: Speech, The Miracle at Assisi Hill, Lemont-Homer Glen Rotary
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: April 14, Friday12:30
Where: Program sponsored by Downers Grove Public Library and Township Senior Center, 4341 Saratoga Avenue, Downers Grove
Author Fair
When: April 1, Saturday, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Wheaton Library, 225 N. Cross Street, Wheaton
Speech: The Miracle at Assisi Hill
When: March 21, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m
Where: Private meeting, Franciscan Village, Lemont
Lecture: Taming the Wilderness of Northern Illinois
When: March 13, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tinley Park Library, 7851 Timber Drive, Tinley Park
Lecture: Hidden Gems Road Trip
When: March 5, Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Lemont Public Library, 50 East Wend, Lemon
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: February 26, Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Lemont Historical Society, 306 Lemont Street, Lemont
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: January 21, Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Palos Park Library, 12330 Forest Glen Blvd, Palos Park
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: September 27, 2017, Wednesday, 1 pm
Where: Indian Prairie Library, Darien (register at library)
Book Signing: Author Fair
When: September 30, 2017 Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: White Oak Author Fest, Crest Hill Library, Crest Hill
Book Signing:
When: October 1, 2017 Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm
Where: Chicago Book Expo, Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash, Chicago, Society of Midland Authors Table
The Talking Dead: Cemetery Walk: a walking tour “narrated” by the “spirits” of Lemont
When: October 6, 6 pm
Where: Walk begins at Lemont Historical Society (Old Stone Church) 306 Lemont Street, Lemont – For tickets call: 630-257-2972 (adults $15 to benefit historical society)
Book Signing:
When: October 15, 2017 Sunday, 1 pm
Where: Sponsored by Hometown Reads and Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W Madison, Forest Park
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: October 18, 2017, Wednesday, 7 pm
Where: Westmont Library, 428 N Cass, Westmont
Book Club Discussion: Both books in series
When: October 26, 2017, Thursday, 7 pm
Where: AAUW Meeting, Lombard Historical Society Carriage House (Private Meeting)
Book Club Discussion: The Mystery of Sag Bridge
When: October 31, 2017, Thursday, 7:30 pm
Where: P.E.O Book Discussion Group of Orland Park (Private Meeting)
Settlers’ Day, Cook County Forest Preserves
When: November 19, 2017, Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton, South Holland
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: February 22, 2018
Where: Public Landing, Lockport (sponsored by I & M Canal Corridor Association Lecture Series – contact for registration)
Book Club Discussion: The Mystery at Sag Bridge
When: September 14, 2017 7:30 pm
Where: Private home
Book Signing:
When: September 9, 2017 Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Columbia Woods Forest Preserve, Willow Springs
Lecture: Hidden Gems Along the Des Plaines River
When: September 7, 2017 Thursday, 7 pm
Where: Lemont Library, 50 E Went St, Lemont
Book Signing:
When: Lemont Heritage Fest, September 2, 3 pm to close
Where: Downtown Lemont
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: August 31, Thursday, at 6:30 pm
Where: Palos Heights Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave, Palos Heights
Book Club Discussion: The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods
When: July 11, 2017
Where: Private home
Book Club Discussion: The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods
When: July 7, 2017
Where: Lemont Library, Lemont
Book Club Discussion: The Mystery at Sag Bridge
When: June 17, 2017
Where: Private discussion group, Lemont Library, Lemont
Book Signing:
When: June 10 and June 11
Where: Printers Row, (Amika Press, Sisters In Crime Chicago, Society of Midland Authors, Chicago Writers Association tents)
Book Signing:
When: June 4, 2017
Where: Mount Assissi Run With the Nuns
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: April 25, 2017
Where: Argo Summit Bedford Park Women’s Club, Bedford Park
Book Discussion: The Mystery at Sag Bridge
When: April 19, 2017
Where: Winfield Library, Winfield
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge
When: April 18, 2017
Where: Lemont High School, Local History Students
I & M Heritage 2017 Canal Alliance Congress
When: April 12, 2017
Where: Channahon Four Rivers
Lecture: I & M Canal, with Tom Willcockson
When: April 7, 2017
Where: Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, Forest Park
Author Fair:
When: March 19, 2017
Where: Indian Prairie Library, Darien
Lecture: Hidden Gems along the Des Plaines River
When: February 25, 2017
Where: Museum at Lisle Park Station, Lisle
Book Signing:
When: February 25, 2017
Where: CORE Community Fair, Lemont
Book Signing:
When: February 19, 2017
Where: Adams & Jefferson Letters Reenactment, Reddick Mansion, Ottawa, IL
Book Signing
When: Saturday, December 10, 2016 – 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Frugal Muse Books, Music & Video, 7511 Lemont Road, Suite 146, Darien, IL
Lemont’s Hometown Holidays, Book Signing
When: Saturday, December 3, 2016 – 3 pm to 8 pm
Where: Smokey Row Antiques, 112 Stephen Street, Downtown Lemont
Saturday, November 26, 2016 – 11 am to 2 pm
Independent’s Day Book Signing
Centuries & Sleuths, 7419 Madison, Forest Park, IL
Sunday, November 13, noon to 1 pm
Chicago Book Expo – Book Signing
Columbia College, 1104 S Wabash, Chicago
Amika Press Table
Thursday, November 10 at 6 pm
Frugal Muse Books, Music & Video
7511 Lemont Road, Ste 146, Darien, IL
Lecture – Travelogue to Dialogue
*Free event, please register at Frugal Muse
(630) 427-1140
Saturday, November 5, 2016, 1-3 pm
Lemont Public Library, 50 E. Wend, Lemont
A Novel Approach
A fast-paced program designed to give a condensed view of the novel-writing process based on first-hand experience. Includes basic information on setting, characters, organization, helpful tips, tools and resources, editing, publishing, and book promotion.
Registration required: See Lemont Library website or call Pam Zukoski at 630-257-6541.
Saturday, October 22, 2016 1-3 pm
Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin, IL
A Novel Approach
A fast-paced program designed to give a condensed view of the novel-writing process based on first-hand experience. Includes basic information on setting, characters, organization, helpful tips, tools and resources, editing, publishing, and book promotion.
Registration required: See Gail Borden Library website or call Tish Calhamer at 847-289-5838
Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8th, all day
Ghost Conference at the Haunted Willowbrook
Sad to say that on October 28 this marvelous old haunted ballroom was destroyed by fire. How lucky I was to have visited before this happened. I wish I had taken more photos, especially with Svengoolie, who was also present, doing the Svengoolie Stomp with participants and rubber chickens!
Tuesday, October 4, 7:30 pm
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge, St. Joseph Ladies of the Rosary, St. Joseph Parish, Summit – Private Event
Although it no longer exists, Sag Bridge was a thriving 19th century canal town, its land now a part of present-day Lemont. Pat Camalliere, author of the popular historical mystery novels, The Mystery at Sag Bridge and The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods, will describe the towns origins and decline, including turn of the century transportation and ghost stories.
Celebratory Book Release Party
Saturday, October 1, 2016
The Inn at Smokey Row, 112 Stephen Street, from 3 pm to 5 pm
Come out, enjoy some light refreshments, and help me celebrate the release of my newest historical mystery novel, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods. This is the second book in the Cora Tozzi series.
Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 10:30 am
Book discussion of The Mystery at Sag Bridge at Lemont Historical Society – Private Event
Friday, September 16, 2016
I will be signing books in the Hospitality Room at the Inn at Smokey Row, 112 Stephen Street in downtown Lemont, including my new release, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods.
Saturday and Sunday, September 10 & 11 – all day
A River Thru History, The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous, Columbia Woods Forest Preserve near 75th and Willow Springs Road. This is the location of some scenes from my new release, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods.
September 3, 2016 – Book signing at Lemont Heritage Fest
July 16, 2016 – Book signing at Centuries and Sleuths, Forest Park Music Fest
July 11, 2016 – Discussion of The Mystery At Sag Bridge at reader’s home, Lemont
July 10, 2016 – Book signing at St. James at Sag Bridge, Historic Readings Program
June 30, 2016 – Book signing at Centuries and Sleuths, Under the Awning
June 18, 2016 – Book signing at Canal Days, Lockport
June 11, 2016 – Book signing at Quarryman Tournament, Lemont
May 5, 2016 – Discussion of The Mystery At Sag Bridge at reader’s home, Western Springs
April 29, 2016 – Discussion of The Mystery At Sag Bridge at reader’s home, Palos Park
April 17, 2016 – Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin
Meet Pat Camalliere, a mystery writer from Lemont, who will be at the Author’s Fair:
Pat’s historical mystery, The Mystery at Sag Bridge, takes place in Lemont, and features a retired woman who must solve a 100-year-old cold case to stop a ghost that is threatening her family and friends. Her book will be available for purchase and signing. Come say hello to Pat Camalliere!
April 16, 2016 – Evergreen Park Public Library
Author Expo 2016
April 7, 2016 – Coal City Library
Author Night presentation
Novelists Pat Camalliere (Historical Mystery) and Johanna Shapard (Romantic Suspense – pen name Annalisa Russo) will discuss tips for writers and talk about their novels. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
March 31, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Lecture: The Lost Town of Sag Bridge, Lemont Historical Society,
Sponsored by the Lemont Public Library
Although it no longer exists, Sag Bridge was a thriving 19th century canal town, its land now a part of present-day Lemont. Pat Camalliere, author of the popular historical mystery novel, The Mystery at Sag Bridge, will talk about how the background of Sag Bridge was used in the story, describing the town as it once was, including turn of the century transportation and ghost stories. The program will include short readings and take place where part of the novel is set. Participants will tour the Old Stone Church. Registration required at www.lemontlibrary.org. Free.
Saturday, December 12, 2015 – Book signing –
Frugal Muse Books, Music and Video
December 10, 2015 – Discussion & Signing with fellow mystery writer, E. C. Diskin, (Broken Grace)
Centuries & Sleuths, Forest Park, IL
December 5, 2015 – Book Signings in Lemont
Come out an get autographed copies of
The Mystery at Sag Bridge
They make great Holiday Gifts
Lemont Park District – The CORE
Smokey Row Antiques – Hometown Holiday
Saturday, November 28, 2015 – Independent’s Day Book Signing
Centuries & Sleuths, Forest Park, IL
October 27, 2015 – Reading at Fright Night, Lemont Area Historical Society
November 5, 2015 – Palos Heights Library, reading, speaking engagement, and book signing
November 11, 2015 – Discussion of The Mystery at Sag Bridge, reader’s home, Naperville, IL
October 27, 2015 – Reading at Lemont Historical Society, Fright Night
October 20, 2015 – Discussion of The Mystery at Sat Bridge, reader’s home, Joliet, IL
October 9, 2015 – Book signing at Lemont Senior Fair, Lemont CORE
October 2, 2015 – Book signing at Oktoberfest, Lemont Township
September 19, 2015 – Book signing at Street Fair hosted by Lemont Area Historical Society
September 10, 2015 Book club discussion of The Mystery at Sag Bridge, reader’s home, Lemont
September 1, 2015 – Lemont Farmer’s Market
August 4, 2015 – Lemont Farmer’s Market
July 11, 2015, Book signing at Lemont Heritage Festival, Lemont, Illinois, Stephen Street
July 6, 2015 – Amika’s 2015 Book Signing Party
Thursday, July 9, 2015 – Franciscan Village
Talk and Reading: Behind the Writing of The Mystery at Sag Bridge
June 14, 2015 – Saint James at Sag Bridge
Civil War Re-enactment: The Ideas Behind the Bullets
Tinley Park Public Library
Local Authors Expo
June 13, 2015
Printers’ Row Lit Fest
June 6 and June 7th, 2015, Downtown Chicago, Book signing at AmikaPress Booth
April 26, 2015 1 pm – 3 pm Book Launch Party – The Inn at Smokey Row, 112 Stephen Street, 2nd floor, Lemont, IL
April 28, 2015 Lemont Rotary – Ruffled Feathers Clubhouse
March 22, 2015 – Downers Grove Writers’ Workshop Annual Public Reading
March 21, 2015 – Lemont Public Library – Lemont Writers’ Fair
I just finished the book “The Mystery at Sag Bridge” I loved it. I plan to be at the Farmers Market in Lemont on July 7th.
Hi Joan – I’ve very pleased that you liked my book about Sag Bridge and that you let me know. One of the pleasures of writing is hearing about how what I’m writing touches the lives of those who read my stories. I bet your husband’s family has passed stories down to both of you. I look forward to meeting you at the Farmers Market.
I just reread what I previously wrote. I spelled my last name wrong!! My husbands family worked on the I and M when they came here from Irland.
Thanks for visiting my page and taking the time to comment. Glad you like what you read here!