The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne
Chris Sweeney
(Avid Reader Press, 2026)

In 1932, a diminutive, bespectacled, young woman named Roxie Laybourne graduated with her BA in mathematics and general science in NC before laboring behind the scenes at museums and labs. Three decades later, during her tenure at the Smithsonian, Laybourne pioneered the field of forensic ornithology. Using nothing more than her encyclopedic knowledge of birds, a microscope, and bits of feathers recovered from various crimes and aviation calamities, she solved mysteries, helping prosecute murderers, kidnappers, and poachers while improving the safety of air travel for all.

This event is presented in partnership with The Sussex Bird Club.

About the Author
Chris Sweeney is a nonfiction writer who lives with his wife and daughters in Somerville, MA. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Northwestern’s Medill School, he enjoys writing about the intersection of wildlife and society, with stories in Audubon, The Guardian, and Popular Science, among others.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About the Festival
The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. With the help of our presenting funding partner —  The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | PenFed Realty — as well as our program and community partners, volunteers, and donors, the 2026 History Book Festival will be full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. 

Thanks to all our donors, especially our education and outreach funding partners: Carolyn & Aaron Nayer, Jen Mason & Clare Hancock, the Red Wagon Foundation, and Browseabout Books. HBF authors visit classrooms in Delaware, and HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations.

Our Keynote event is presented by Griswold Home Care for Sussex & Kent Counties and Groome Church; our Closing event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. The Spirited Discussion, our gathering for attendees and presenters to celebrate and discuss their day, is presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence.

Special thanks to our Program Partners for their continuing support: the Lewes Public Library for event promotion and production; Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, official bookseller of the History Book Festival; and Historic Lewes for event promotion and author hospitality. Thanks also to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce for event promotion, and the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.