The library will be CLOSED Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
Join local writer John Keyse-Walker to discuss the inspiration behind his Teddy Creque Mystery Series and his newest novel, Havana Highwire. Book signing to follow. Registration opens August 11.
John Keyse-Walker will read short excerpts from his books, speak about his writing process and upcoming projects, and share his connection to the Westlake community.
Books will be available for purchase and signing after the event.
John Keyse-Walker grew up in Columbia Station, Ohio, the son of a vegetable greenhouse operator and a stay-at-home mother. Much of his youth was spent exploring the fields, woods and rivers near his rural home, or fishing and swimming in Florida, where his family had a modest second home. While he enjoyed reading, books took a backseat to outdoor pursuits.
He attended the College of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio, majoring in political science. He went on to obtain a law degree from Duke University School of Law (Go Blue Devils!), where he met a fellow student and Southern belle, Irene Walker, who became his wife.
After law school, he took the Ohio bar and began a practice in Elyria, Ohio. For the next thirty years, he had a diverse practice consisting mostly of trial work, and for many years served as his firm’s managing partner.
In 2012, he retired, planning to devote time to travel, fishing, tennis, kayaking and volunteer work. When he found those pursuits failed to fill the hours in the day, he began to write. After two years of on-and-off efforts, he completed his debut novel, Sun, Sand, Murder, which won the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award. John followed with two more books in the Teddy Creque Mysteries series, Beach, Breeze, Bloodshed and Palms, Paradise, Poison. His newest novel, Havana Highwire was published in early July 2022. He has also published short stories in the crime and western genres.
John and his wife divide their time between homes in northern Ohio and Florida. He is currently working on his next crime novel.
Westlake Porter Public Library is an independent public library serving the residents of the city of Westlake, western Cuyahoga County and eastern Lorain County. The library is located at 27333 Center Ridge Road in Westlake, Ohio. Anyone who lives, works, owns property, or goes to school in Ohio can register for a free library card.
