AUBURN – P.D. LaFleur returns to Auburn on the heels of his latest novel, “Mill Town,” for a talk and supper at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, followed by a writers workshop at 7 p.m.

LaFleur, who has family in Lewiston-Auburn and whose father grew up here, uses his knowledge of small town New England to enhance his mystery tales. Bates Mill No. 5 served as the inspiration for one of the scenes in the book.

“There are a lot of stories in small towns and people,” he said. “Sometimes they stumble across something that’s a lot bigger than they have ever dealt with before.”

In “Mill Town,” a former factory town-turned-middle class suburb becomes the setting for a murder investigation.

The unexplained death of a high school girl comes back into focus when the victim’s twin brother reappears. Out of a small town’s darkest hour comes an unexpected story about the power of honesty.

After the book discussion and a light supper, LaFleur will lead a workshop to explore the writer’s craft.

With an emphasis on the suspense and mystery genres, he will discuss how to get started on a novel, how to develop characters, and how to enhance a novel through layering.

Readers may attend one or both presentations.

For further information, call the Auburn Public Library at 333-6640.