BY MISSY MILLER

Special to The Pilot

It's a hard-boiled life for bounty hunter Jack Keller, the lead character in the Southern crime series of books written by local author J.D. Rhoades.

These gritty, action-packed thrillers fall under the literary genre known as crime noir, and will be the focus of the program held at the Southern Pines Library on Sunday, July 15, from 3 to 4 pm.

"Crime fiction fans will not want to miss this opportunity to meet J.D. Rhoades and discuss his novels and writing career," says Amanda Snyder, the library's assistant director for public services. "The program is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served, courtesy of the Friends of the Library."

A practicing attorney in Carthage, Rhoades says he was encouraged to write a novel when he began writing for The Pilot in 1996.

"Although my first novel went nowhere, by then I had the bug," he says. "I wrote another one, and that was 'The Devil's Right Hand.'"

That book was nominated for a Shamus Award, which honors accomplishments in the private eye category of detective fiction, and is the first in a series which includes "The Devil's Right Hand," "Good Day in Hell" and "Safe and Sound."

Rhoades has also written a stand-alone novel, "Breaking Cover," and several e-published books, including some science fiction and fantasy under the name J.D. Nixx.

This crime noir event featuring J.D. Rhoades is part of the Adult Summer Reading Program going on now at the Southern Pines Library.

Adults are invited to "Investigate Crime Noir Fiction" this summer by reading books of the crime noir literary style, including Rhoades' novels and the featured summer novel, "The Maltese Falcon," by Dashiell Hammett, all of which are available for checkout at the library.

The library's summer reading program is an essential strategy of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, a community partners plan with the goal that children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

"It's important for adults to participate in the summer reading program because they serve as role models for children. This is one way you can join in the effort to ensure that 'Southern Pines Grows Great Readers,'" says Snyder.

Adults can participate in summer reading and win a prize in two ways: Earn their "Private Eye License" by reading the crime noir novel "The Maltese Falcon," by Dashiell Hammett, attending the J.D. Rhoades author event on July 15, and viewing one of two free screenings of the movie based on Hammett's book in August.

Or, they may participate in the traditional way by setting and meeting a reading goal for the summer.

"We are excited to offer online registration for summer reading this year," says Kelly Loftis, assistant director for technical services. "Adults and students can sign up on the website at www.sppl.net or, if they prefer, they can still sign up in person in the library."

For more information about the Southern Pines Library programs and services for children and adults, visit the library on Facebook or call at (910) 692-8235.

Missy Miller works for the Southern Pines Public Library.