The first twist in best-selling Boulder mystery-writer Stephen White's latest page-turner? Police detective Sam Purdy, a fictional friend of White's top-dog psychologist/protagonist Alan Gregory, assumes the lead in The Siege (Dutton, $25.95), wending his way through the hallowed grounds of Yale University on the trail of several unexplained disappearances. From there, you're on your own: You'll have to read the novel yourself to find out what mysteries unravel.

But White might provide a few clues when he reads from and signs copies of the book, beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Tattered Cover Book Store, 2526 East Colfax Avenue. Then, pick up your own copy and hang on for an exhilarating ride. Admission to the reading is free; visit www.tatteredcover.com or call 303-322-7727 for information. White will also signs The Siege at Murder by the Book, 1574 South Pearl Street, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, August 6. Go to www.murderbythebook.com or call 303-871-9401 to get details about that appearance.

For more ways to rock the night and kill the day, go to westword.com/calendar.

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