THIS WEEK ONE OF MY FAVORITE area writers comes to downtown Faribault. He’s Owatonnan Chris Norbury, award-winning author of three books in the Matt Lanier mystery-thriller series and a stand alone middle school novel, Little Mountain, Big Trouble.
Books on Central, a used bookshop of the Rice County Area United Way, is hosting Norbury beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 23, as part of its author series. Norbury will read and talk about his books and the craft of writing.
I’m excited to see Norbury again. We’ve chatted briefly several times when he was selling his books at events in Faribault. He is a genuinely nice guy whose writing I happen to love. As a writer, I recognize Norbury’s devotion to craft—the time, energy, inspiration and hard work it takes to write a book. I expect to learn more during his upcoming talk and the Q & A that follows.
My first introduction to Norbury came via his mysteries, all set in Minnesota with recognizable place titles like Castle Danger, Straight River and Dangerous Straits. Main character Matt Lanier is a southern Minnesota farm kid turned professional musician. I’m especially drawn to books set in Minnesota and with strong home-grown characters like Lanier.
But it is Norbury’s novel for middle schoolers (and older, including adults), Little Mountain, Big Trouble, which really resonates with me. I encourage you to read my review of this book (click here) about 12-year-old Eduardo, who is bullied and eventually paired with a Big Brother, Russ. Like Russ, Norbury was a Big Brother for 20 years and today donates a portion of his book sales to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota. I appreciate Norbury’s generous ongoing support of an organization which helps young people.
Books on Central also gives back to community through its umbrella organization Rice County Area United Way. Book sale proceeds go to the United Way which in turn provides financial support to select nonprofits in the county. All book inventory is donated by community members and all staff at the used bookshop are volunteers. There’s so much to love about this Minnesota bookstore and Minnesota writers like Chris Norbury. Kindness, compassion and community center both as they embrace books and the craft of writing.
FYI: Books on Central, 227 Central Avenue North, Faribault, is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and other times for special literary and other events.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Another great author and book! So little time to read them all!
You would really enjoy Chris Norbury’s books. And you’re right about all that we have to read. I know your book stack is high, just like mine.
Thanks Audrey for your ongoing support of literacy in our community!
You are welcome, Dave. I so appreciate all you do for Books on Central. You and Jeanne are amazing community volunteers!
What a fun event this will be. I’ve read the first Norbury book and enjoyed his main character and of course the setting. I do hope to get to the next two in the series and maybe his teen book, too.
Yes, you MUST read the teen book, too. It’s excellent with some really good messages in a well-written story.
that’s wonderful that you have this bookstore to support such authors as well as the community through giving back. chris’ book for middlle schoolers sounds like a wonderful read as well as adults, and you know I’m a thriller reader as well and would like to check out his other books. thanks for sharing –
You would absolutely LOVE all of Chris Norbury’s books.
I may come to this event. I did read a couple of his books.
That would be wonderful. Hope to see you there.