An Evening with Katherine Reay: The Undercover Bookshop
An Evening with Katherine Reay: The Undercover Bookshop
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 6 - 9 pm | Bar Parisette, 2829 W Armitage Ave.
Join us for a particularly special evening as we celebrate one year of the Chicago Literary Salon with bestselling author Katherine Reay and her newest novel, The Undercover Bookshop.
One year after our very first salon, we’ll gather on November 4—this time at Bar Parisette—to toast a year of books, authors, new friendships, and memorable conversations, while stepping into a world of cozy mysteries, clandestine operations, and charming English bookshops.
Set in the winter of 1950 in the picturesque Cotswold village of Great Rollright, The Undercover Bookshop introduces Gemma Brown, an amateur sleuth who would much rather be living inside one of her beloved mystery novels. Newly arrived in the village, Gemma sets about creating an idyllic life for herself—and opening the village’s first bookstore. But when she begins to suspect that the town’s best baker may actually be a Soviet spy, her cozy new existence takes a decidedly more dangerous turn.
What follows is a clever blend of historical fiction and mystery, complete with village gossip, secret identities, MI5, the KGB, and, of course, books. Library Journal calls it a novel that “readers who enjoy cozy mysteries mixed with historical fiction will love,” while Kirkus Reviews describes it as “an origin story of the next generation’s Miss Marple: cozy, clever, canny, and grounded in history.”
For this anniversary edition of the Chicago Literary Salon, guests will enjoy drinks and bites before settling in for an intimate conversation with Katherine about The Undercover Bookshop, the real history woven throughout the novel, creating a compelling amateur sleuth, and bringing the world of postwar England to life on the page.
Following the conversation, guests will have the opportunity to meet Katherine, have their books signed, and mingle with fellow readers over drinks. We’ll also raise a glass to the first year of the Chicago Literary Salon—and to everyone who has helped turn this little idea about bringing readers and writers together into such a wonderful literary community.
Your ticket includes:
A copy of The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay from Three Avenues Bookshop
Drinks and bites at Bar Parisette
An intimate author conversation and Q&A moderated by Sheila Schuenemann of Booked & Busy Reader
Book signing and time to mingle with Katherine
A special sensory experience from Ten4 Candle Co. inspired by the world of The Undercover Bookshop
A special toast celebrating the Chicago Literary Salon’s first anniversary
Professional event photography by eebauer photography
Come for the books. Stay for the intrigue. And help us celebrate the first chapter of the Chicago Literary Salon.
Event Terms & Acknowledgment
By confirming your reservation, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Tickets to the Chicago Literary Salons are non-refundable. However, reservations may be transferred to another guest.
To request a name change, please contact us at ashley.hasty@gmail.com within the designated window. We regret that we are unable to accommodate any changes within 48 hours of the event.
In the unlikely event the author has to cancel, the event will still take place and signed bookplate will be provided.
Food & Beverage Accommodations
This event features a thoughtfully curated menu in partnership with a partner restaurant or caterer. Dishes may be served individually plated, family-style, or as a self-serve buffet.
By attending, guests acknowledge that the hosts are not responsible for any allergic reactions, dietary restrictions, or adverse effects related to food or beverage consumption during the event.
If you have food allergies or dietary needs, please indicate them during registration and contact the venue directly in advance. Final accommodations are at the discretion of the venue and cannot be guaranteed without sufficient notice.
Media & Photography Consent
This event may be professionally photographed or filmed for promotional purposes, including use on social media, websites, and marketing materials associated with the host and venue.
By attending, you consent to the use of your image or likeness in these materials.
Please review these policies carefully before completing your purchase.
The Evening Will Feature
Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of twelve novels and one non-fiction work. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Northwestern University, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Redbook, USA TODAY, The Daily Beast, Criminal Element, and many more. She holds a master’s in marketing from Northwestern University as well and currently resides in Montana with her husband and their dogs. Her latest novel, THE UNDERCOVER BOOKSHOP, inspired by classic British mysteries, follows Gemma Brown,in the small English village of Great Rollright, and her “mentor” — the Cold War’s greatest female spy— Ursula Kuczynski Beurton.
Sheila Schuenemann is the creator of Booked & Busy Reader, a Chicago-based platform dedicated to helping readers discover books worth their time. She has been reading more than 100 books a year for over 11 years and shares her curated recommendations with a community of more than 500,000 readers.
She is also the founder of the Booked & Busy Book Club, where she selects one standout book each month and creates space for thoughtful conversation among readers. Known for her approachable, insightful recommendations across genres, Sheila has built a community around one simple pleasure: finding a book you can't wait to tell someone else about.
