Martin's most recent book is "Harvard Yard." The book involves a tale of families and of treasure and jumps back and forth over a 300-year time span so readers get to see how events transpired. Peter Fallon, an antiquarian, finds evidence that an undiscovered Shakespeare play is hidden somewhere at Harvard. His search leads him to some intriguing conclusions.
"I've written biographical novels like 'Citizen Washington,' historical novels about national institutions like Annapolis, but the books that my readers have responded to most enthusiastically have been 'Back Bay' and 'Cape Cod,' about lost historical treasures and legendary New England locations," Martin has said.
Martin has been described by The Seattle Post-Intelligencer as a "master storyteller."
"We are excited about having Mr. Martin here," said a spokesman for the Friends of Given Library. "We feel he will appeal to a broad range of readers."
Past literary luncheon speakers have included authors Michael Malone, Josephine Humphreys, Ann B. Ross and Doug Marlette.
A native of Boston, Martin is a graduate of Harvard and received his master's in fine arts from the University of Southern California. He is the recipient of the 2005 New England Book Award for Fiction, given by the New England Booksellers Association.
Martin's first book, "Back Bay," was published in 1979. It also featured Peter Fallon, protagonist of "Harvard Yard." That book made the New York Times Bestseller List, unusual for a debut novel.
His other books include "Annapolis," "Cape Cod," and "Citizen Washington." He and his wife live in Massachusetts and have two sons and a daughter.
Tickets are $30. For information, call Nancy Geddes at 215-5990.
