Author Matt Cost, acclaimed, award-winning author of the Mainely Mystery series, will discuss his latest book, “City Gone Askew,” from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, in the Androscoggin Community Room at the Auburn Public Library.

Cost brings us back to Brooklyn in the Roaring ’20s and Hungarian private eye, 8 Ballo, who is hired by Theda Lazar Vogel to prove that her husband was murdered. His colorful cast of friends returns, as well as legendary figures such as Dorothy Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano.

8 discovers that a priceless Aquila-an ancient eagle Roman standard carried into battle 2,000 years ago was stolen from Karl Vogel when he was killed. This provides ties to a secret German organization known as the Batavi. But Vogel was also involved in the eugenics movement centered in Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island, as well as being involved with the Ku Klux Klan. As 8 peels back layers of the underbelly of 1920s Brooklyn, the more complicated and dangerous it becomes for him and those who are important to him.

Cost’s first book, “Mainely Power,” was selected as the Maine Humanities Council Read ME Fiction Book of 2020. This was followed by “Mainely Fear,” “Mainely Money,” and “Mainely Angst.” His Clay Wolfe/Port Essex Mysteries include “Wolfe Trap,” “Mind Trap,” “Mouse Trap,” and “Cosmic Trap.” “I Am Cuba” was his first traditionally published novel. He had another historical released in 2021, “Love in a Time of Hate,” and in 2022, Encircle re-released his originally self-published novel, “At Every Hazard: Joshua Chamberlain and the Civil War.” Cost’s love of histories and mysteries is combined in his new series featuring private eye, 8 Ballo, set in Brooklyn, 1923.

For the latest news, follow Matt Cost on Facebook and on Instagram @mlangdoncost. For more information about this and upcoming programs at the Auburn Public Library, visit auburnpubliclibrary.org.