Author: S. L. Swan, Death at the Office

Saturday, 3/14/2026
4:00 - 5:00
Bernal Heights Meeting Room
Bernal Heights

500 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States

415-355-2810

Author S. L. Swan discusses her new book, Death at the Office.

Death at the Office is a cozy mystery set in San Francisco. The time is 1975 and for women, change is in the air. This tale of murder explores the change brought by women’s liberation to the financial district, through Dana Brewster, her friends, and bosses. Dana clashes with a new boss, who threatens she will get a promised promotion “over his dead body”. Then he dies at the office Holiday party. Dana’s joy is dashed when the police say it was murder and she is chief suspect. Will she and her friends find the killer? Or will she be arrested? Or maybe be the next victim?

Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-2810, email bhemgr@sfpl.org or sign-up at the reference desk. 

S. L. Swan grew up in a white middle-class suburb in Rhode Island. She graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D. C. in 1963 and worked for the federal government for the next five years. She moved to San Francisco seeking adventure but instead ran into widespread discrimination in the financial district. The women’s liberation movement opened access to better‑paying jobs, helping her avoid poverty. Women’s wages rose from 57% of men’s earnings in 1975 to about 80–84% by 2026, though some fear recent politics may be reversing progress.

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This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

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This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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