Deb Lewis from The Poisoned Pen has some favorite May releases. Check them out, and check the Webstore for copies of the books. https://store.poisonedpen.com/
This is the second book by Slocumb featuring cello prodigy Curtis Wilson—one of the most endearing characters I’ve come across in years. In The Violin Conspiracy, Curtis had to solve the mystery of his missing violin. In TheDark Maestro, the stakes are even higher: his budding career is on the line, and he must go after the people who want his family dead.
The host of the Crime Junkie podcast has done it again—writing a twisty, adrenaline-fueled story of two sisters in search of the truth, no matter what it takes.
Known for his award-winning books Two Nights in Lisbon and The Expats, Pavone takes a close look in this new novel at the world of privilege and power. At the center is the doorman of an exclusive apartment complex—a character who sees more than he lets on.
A cozy paperback original filled with lovable characters and an unexpected murder. This one will have you smiling all the way through. If you’ve ever belonged to a book club, you’ll definitely recognize a few of these characters! I love the publisher’s tagline: “They can’t even agree on what to read—so how are they going to solve a murder?” A fun escape.
Sometimes, reading a book feels like work—trying to understand the hidden motivations and emotions behind each character’s choices. And sometimes, the writing is so beautiful it takes your breath away and leaves you wanting to talk to someone about what you’ve just read. Wrap yourself in this one: do the work, and be rewarded with tenderness, love, loss, and hope. Signed copies available!
Reviewer Oline Cogdill calls Carl Hiaasen’s forthcoming novel, Fever Beach, “vintage Hiaasen”. And, you can order a signed copy of Fever Beach through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/3YnGPUT. Release date is May 13.
Thank you, Oline, for the review, printed first in the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Book review: Vintage Carl Hiaasen attitude guides his new ‘Fever Beach’ about ‘dumb as a post’ white supremacist
‘Fever Beach’ by Carl Hiaasen. Knopf, 384 pages, $30
Few absurd aspects of life in Florida have escaped Carl Hiaasen’s wry wit and razor-sharp social commentary. Dumb developers, dumber politicians, disrespectful tourists, smarmy millionaires, smarmier billionaires, stupid crooks — all are fodder for Hiaasen.
You name any bad or weird behavior, Hiaasen has skewered it. His novels often seem more like documentaries than fiction. (Anyone who thinks an incident is too bizarre or over-the-top or could never happen, just think again and use Google.)
That vintage Hiaasen attitude guides “Fever Beach,” his first adult novel since “Squeeze Me” in 2020. Quasi-heroes, dumb criminals, nasty entitled people, a testament to Florida’s environment and situations that could be ripped from today’s and tomorrow’s headlines find a home in “Fever Beach.”
As usual, there’s a plot but it’s more like a series of cohesive vignettes. And laugh-out-loud moments. Lots of them.
The phrase “dumb as a post” doesn’t begin to describe white supremacist Dale Figgo. How dumb is he? He’s been kicked out of the Proud Boys, and the Oath Keepers will have nothing to do with him. Both groups believe him stupid and incompetent because he defaced the wrong statue. His mother thinks he’s “the definition of a dolt.” Another character thinks he’s “too dumb to be dangerous.” The nicest thing his so-called best friend calls him is “a certified blockhead.”
Determined to continue his hate-mongering, Dale starts his own group — the name of which we shouldn’t mention. He attracts 17 members with the same brainpower as Dale. They meet at Florida’s isolated Fever Beach, leaving trash and debris and spoiling the once-pristine beach. Dale, given to frequent malapropism, has plans, not good plans, not well thought-out plans, but plans.
He doesn’t know it but he’s up against two people secretly working against him. Twilly Spree, who appeared in Hiaasen’s “Sick Puppy” (2000), has extreme anger management issues when he sees wrongdoing, whether against a vulnerable person, an animal or the environment. Twilly, who’s a bit of an ecowarrior, does “enjoy ruining a bad guy’s day.” And he can afford revenge, as he inherited millions.
Twilly teams up with Viva Morales, a new Floridian wanting a fresh start after her dreadful ex-husband took all her money. Her new life isn’t going well. The only place she could afford to rent is a room in Dale’s townhouse. She didn’t know about his bigotry when she signed the lease. At least she has sole access to the washer-dryer as Dale, who she despises, believes it has “software that could read and report the seditious slogans on his tank tops.” The only job she could find is with the Mink Foundation, a so-called philanthropic organization run by a sleazy couple who donate millions “with the goal of getting as many buildings as possible” named after them. The foundation hides the Minks’ bribing of politicians, funding bigotry groups and ideas that destroy the land.
Twilly’s concrete plans to wreak havoc on Dale and his group are fairly successful with a hefty dose of humor. Viva is his willing accomplice.
Hiaasen keeps “Fever Beach” on an accelerated pace that includes an ill-advised trip to a Key West drag show, orange groves destroyed to make room for development, teenage hookers, and lots of plastic surgery. Naturally, there’s a corrupt politician whose latest disaster is starting a program patterned after Habitat for Humanity only with children building the houses with little adult supervision. What could go wrong when a rebellious pre-teen is handed a loaded nail gun?
As a social critic, Hiaasen uses well-placed humor to examine current events and the direction of society — both of which will continue to be relevant in the future, as his 1986 debut “Tourist Season” still is.
“Fever Beach” proves that five years is too long to go without Hiaasen’s whip-smart writing.
You Agent Pendergast fans will be thrilled to know that there is the same high concept, high action, and swerve into the supernatural in this terrific new Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson thriller than in the Agent Pendergast series. Plus the setting in the badlands and ancient canyons of Northern New Mexico make this a winner for readers of Tony and Anne Hillerman.
You need not have read one of the earlier Kellys to dive into this but you will for sure want to grab a copy of the last, Diablo Mesa ($18.99) as well.
I was riveted to the pages of Badlands and you will be too from the horrifying open scenes right to the climax.
Why would two women, years apart, disrobe and lay down to die under the scorching sun in the same New Mexican desert? That’s the question Preston and Child pose for forensic anthropologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson, both stationed in Santa Fe.
After the skeletal remains of high school science teacher Molly Vine are spotted by a drone, Corrie Swanson is assigned to investigate. She finds that Vine apparently died five years earlier, after venturing into an area that the Navajo believed to be the home of skinwalkers!
A spearpoint found under Vine’s bones leads her to consult her friend and colleague Kelly. The FBI canvasses the area and discovers the older remains of geological consultant Mandy Driver, leading Swanson and Kelly to theorize that the deaths might be connected to the Gallinas, an Indigenous tribe who were wiped out in the 13th century. The tribe, thought to have moved north from Mexico into the hoodoos and wild canyons of northern NM where fracking is ongoing under protest, disappeared centuries ago.
“Preston and Child once again use real history as the starting point for their hair-raising plot, which makes a series of tantalizing turns before culminating in an encounter with the supernatural. This is on a par with the best of the authors’ Pendergast series.,” says one reviewer. I agree.
I wonder if Doug will need to make an apology to the University of NM faculty after publication….
Congratulations to the 2025 Agatha Award winners. The awards were presented this past weekend at Malice Domestic. Check the Webstore for copies of the books. https://store.poisonedpen.com/
Best Contemporary Novel: Gigi Pandian for A Midnight Puzzle
Best First Novel: K.T. Nguyen for You Know What You Did
Best Non-Fiction: Phyllis M. Betz for Writing the Cozy Mystery: Authors’ Perspectives on Their Craft
Best Children’s/YA: K.A. Jackson for Sasquatch of Harriman Lake
Best Historical Novel: Amanda Flower for To Slip the Bonds of Earth
Best Short Story: Barb Goffman for “The Postman Always Flirts Twice” in Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy
Will Thomas returned to The Poisoned Pen Bookstore for a virtual event. His latest book is Season of Death. Barbara Peters, owner of the Pen, asked Thomas about the appeal of Victorian England as a setting. If that time period appeals to you, you can order a copy of his latest book, Season of Death, through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/3Et6V2a
Here’s the description of Season of Death.
In late Victorian England, private enquiry agents Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn find themselves in the middle of the deadly chaos when powerful forces align to take over London’s criminal underworld.
Private enquiry agent Cyrus Barker, along with his partner Thomas Llewelyn, has a long, accomplished history – he’s worked with all aspects of society, from the highest (including the Crown and the government) to the lowest (various forces in London’s underworld). He’s been the target of murder attempts, character assassination, bombings and attacks upon his closest associates but never has he and his agency partner Thomas Llewelyn faced such destruction and potential disaster.
The sudden collapse of a railway tunnel in the East End of London kills dozens and shuts down services all over the city. Meanwhile, a mysterious beggar calling herself “Dutch” guides Barker and Llewelyn to an attempt by a powerful aristocrat to take over London’s criminal underworld. With a missing heiress and a riot at a women’s shelter acting as distractions designed to stop the duo from getting to the truth, Barker must relentlessly fight to reach the trust while Llewelyn wonders how a simple beggar woman can be the catalyst for such destruction.
Will Thomas is Managing Director of Vision for Learning and CEO of The Institute of Educational Coaching. Will holds a Masters degree in Mentoring and Counselling and is an accredited coach. He works regularly with teachers, leaders and learners to support their progress.
Today is Independent Bookstore Day, and The Poisoned Pen invites readers to share the day with the staff.
Stop by and celebrate with the staff
Barbara Peters, the Pen’s owner, will be handing out candy and reading suggestions from 11 to 12. The booksellers will be available all day for more. It will be a good day to take selfies in the store. Also the Cook Book Club meets at 11:00 AM and members bring recipes to share so that’s extra delicious. You don’t need to have read the recommended book to attend.
There is some special swag for you to snag
AND all day we offer a 25% off SALE excluding books in the Locked Case, the Signed Collectibles Section, and books already on general sale
All in-store purchases will be noted at the end of the day and one winner will receive a $50 Gift Card
The Pen staff hopes to see you. Hours are 10 AM to 6 PM.
Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, recently welcomed S.J. Rozan to the bookstore. Along with John Shen Yen Nee, Rozan is the author of the new mystery, The Railway Conspiracy. There are signed copies of the book in stock in the Webstore. https://bit.ly/3EMZeUp
Here’s the summary of The Railway Conspiracy.
Judge Dee and Lao She must use all their powers of deduction—and kung fu skills—to take down a sinister conspiracy between Imperial Russia, Japan, and China in a rollicking new mystery set in 1920s London.
The follow-up to The Murder of Mr. Ma, this historical adventure-mystery is perfect for fans of Laurie R. King and the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes films.
London, 1924. Following several months abroad, Judge Dee Ren Jie has returned to the city to foil a transaction between a Russian diplomat and a Japanese mercenary. Aided by Lao She—the Watson to his Holmes—along with several other colorful characters, Dee stops the illicit sale of an extremely valuable “dragon-taming” mace.
The mace’s owner is a Chinese businesswoman who thanks Dee for its retrieval by throwing a lavish dinner party. In attendance is British banking official A. G. Stephen, who argues with the group about the tenuous state of Chinese nationalism—and is poisoned two days later. Dee knows this cannot be a coincidence, and suspects Stephen won’t be the only victim. Sure enough, a young Chinese communist of Lao’s acquaintance is killed not long after—and a note with a strange symbol is found by his body.
What could connect these murders? Could it be related to rumors of a conspiracy regarding the Chinese Eastern Railway? It is once again all on the unlikely crime-solving duo of Dee and Lao to solve the case before anyone else ends up tied to the rails.
John Shen Yen Nee is a half Chinese, half Scottish American media executive, producer and entrepreneur who was born in Knoxville, grew up in San Diego, and is now based in Los Angeles, with a penchant for very long run-on sentences. He has served as president of WildStorm Productions, senior vice president of DC Comics, publisher of Marvel Comics, CEO of Cryptozoic Entertainment; and cofounder of CCG Labs.
SJ Rozan is the author of twenty novels and over eighty short stories, and editor of three anthologies. She has won multiple awards, including the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony, Nero, Macavity; Japanese Maltese Falcon; and the Private Eye Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award. She’s served on the national boards of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, and as president of Private Eye Writers of America. SJ has taught at such diverse places as the Art Workshop International in Assisi, Italy; Singapore Management University in Singapore; the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida; and the Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp in Wisconsin. She was born in the Bronx and lives in Manhattan.
Arizona author Karen Odden with SJ Rozan at the Pen.
Enjoy the conversation about The Railway Conspiracy and Rozan’s writing.
Deanna Raybourn’s Kills Well with Others is the sequel to her popular book, Killers of a Certain Age. You can order copies of both books through the Webstore at The Poisoned Pen. https://bit.ly/4iqwb6V
Oline Cogdill recently reviewed Kills Well with Others for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Maybe her review will convince you to pick up a copy of the book.
Book review: Senior women refuse to be underestimated in action-packed ‘Kills Well With Others’
In “Kills Well With Others,” author Deanna Raybourn brings back Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen, who refuse to have their skills disparaged or be overlooked because they are women in their 60s. The foursome were first introduced in “Killers of a Certain Age” (2022). (Holly Virginia Photography/Courtesy)
‘Kills Well With Others’ by Deanna Raybourn. Berkley, 368 pages, $29
For some, retirement is an undefinable word. Oh, we know what it means, but many of us don’t adhere to the traditional views that retirement means doing as little as possible and, sadly, sometimes being ignored by others.
Others of us use this time to sharpen our skills, redefine ourselves and find satisfying work, sometimes working harder than when employed full time.
Deanna Raybourn’s “Kills Well With Others” brings back Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen, who refuse to have their skills disparaged or be overlooked because they are women in their 60s. Introduced in “Killers of a Certain Age” (2022), the foursome were trying to retire as the first all-female elite assassin squad working for an “extra governmental” organization called the Museum. That alleged retirement didn’t go well.
Raybourn continues with these themes in “Kills Well With Others” — senior women refusing to be underestimated, the power of female friendship, and belief in themselves and their skills. They might move a bit slower, but don’t mess with them.
“Good training never dies,” is a recurring refrain in “Kills Well With Others.” Raybourn also shows how a commitment to a career continues: “… some jobs you leave, but they never leave you,” says Billie.
In “Kills Well With Others,” the four reunite to find who murdered another retired Museum member and who may be targeting them. This time, they want to be overlooked, so they disguise themselves several times during their investigation, which takes them across Europe and to Egypt. The job is off the books, so instead of the usual first-class travel, they face flights in coach, second-rate hotels — reserved with a Groupon, of all things — and crowded trains. Gourmet dining also is off the table.
The four are an appealing group who bicker and zigzag from serious to jokes, but their respect and love for each other are never in doubt.
Since being recruited in 1978, the women learned the utmost in the life/work balance with husbands, wives, widowhood and legitimate jobs filling the months or years between assignments. Yes, these women are killers — excellent killers — but Raybourn keeps the reader totally on their side as the Museum only targets the worst of the worst (arms dealers, sex traffickers, the occasional dictator, cult leaders and corrupt judges).
Raybourn balances her action-packed plot with wry humor, often about that life/work balance. The four just want their pensions, which are stuck in bureaucracy. They meet their younger former boss, Naomi, at Colonial Williamsburg, discussing the assignment while Naomi breastfeeds her baby while her husband takes their toddler to the restroom. Naomi wants the briefing to go quickly so she and her family can get to a theme park where there’s “a funnel cake with my name on it.” The women have great fun with their disguises.
Raybourn also writes two Edgar-nominated series set during the Victorian era and a third series set during the 1920s. We hope she also continues with more stories about this foursome — and that Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie and Helen get their pensions.
Check out the video from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore if you’d like to hear Deanna Raybourn discuss her books.
Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, says she and Anne Hillerman have been friends for years, maybe even thirty years. Hillerman appeared again at the bookstore, with her latest book in the Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito series, Shadow of the Solstice. There are still signed copies of the book available in the Webstore. https://bit.ly/42ISIGj
Here’s the description of Shadow of the Solstice.
“Anne Hillerman deserves recognition as one of the finest mystery authors currently working in the genre.”—New York Journal of Books
In this gripping chapter in New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman’s Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, the detectives must sort out a save-the-planet meditation group connected to a mysterious death and a nefarious scheme targeting vulnerable indigenous people living with addiction.
The Navajo Nation police are on high alert when a U.S. Cabinet Secretary schedules an unprecedented trip to the little Navajo town of Shiprock, New Mexico. The visit coincides with a plan to resume uranium mining along the Navajo Nation border. Tensions around the official’s arrival escalate when the body of a stranger is found in an area restricted for the disposal of radioactive uranium waste. Is it coincidence that a cult with a propensity for violence arrives at a private camp group outside Shiprock the same week to celebrate the summer solstice? When the outsiders’ erratic behavior makes their Navajo hosts uneasy, Officer Bernadette Manuelito is assigned to monitor the situation. She finds a young boy at grave risk, abused women, and other shocking discoveries that plunge her and Lt. Jim Chee into a volatile and deadly situation.
Meanwhile, Darleen Manuelito, Bernie’s high spirited younger sister, learns one of her home health clients is gone–and the woman’s daughter doesn’t seem to care. Darleen’s curiosity and sense of duty combine to lead her to discover that the client’s grandson is also missing and that the two have become ensnared in a wickedly complex scheme exploiting indigenous people. Darleen’s information meshes with a case Chee has begun to solve that deals with the evil underside of human nature.
Anne Hillerman is the bestselling author of the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito mysteries. The series was created by her father, Tony Hillerman. She is also an executive producer of the Dark Winds television series on AMC. When Anne’s not working, she loves to walk with her dogs, read, cook, travel and enjoy the night sky. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona.
We’ve talked about Marie Benedict’s mystery, The Queens of Crime, when she appeared at The Poisoned Pen. In fact, there are still a few signed copies of the book available in the Webstore. http://bit.ly/4h0bWMV
But, it’s always a pleasure to share Oline Cogdill’s reviews from the South Florida Sun Sentinel, and she recently reviewed The Queens of Crime.
Book review: Clever ‘Queens of Crime’ a meticulously researched novel about women mystery writers
Marie Benedict’s “The Queens of Crime” is set in England in 1930. (Anthony Musmanno/Courtesy)
‘The Queens of Crime’ by Marie Benedict. St. Martin’s, 320 pages, $29
Mystery fiction has changed drastically since 1930, the time frame for Marie Benedict’s clever and engaging “The Queens of Crime” set in England.
Back then — in England and America — most best-sellers were written by men, who also were the major book buyers. The exception was Agatha Christie, who was and remains one of the top-selling authors.
In the novel, Christie is recruited by crime author Dorothy Sayers, who has just founded the Detection Club, “the preeminent organization of mystery writers” in England. Sayers wants more women than just her and Christie to be members, but there are “grumblings” from the men, worried about an “abundance of women” infiltrating their ranks.
That “abundance” of women authors would be the three other female mystery writers — Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy — who were best-sellers of their time and whose books still sell and are revered. When the women finally are allowed in the club, they encounter a lack of respect and blatant misogyny, with some deriding their novels and attributing success to their husbands.
But these are not women who are easily dismissed or allow themselves to be ignored. They form their own club within the club, calling themselves “The Queens of Crime.” And to further prove to their male colleagues that their stories are authentic, they plan to solve a real murder — that of British nurse May Daniels, whose body has just been found, seven months after she had vanished in France. The case is the kind of investigation each specializes in.
Benedict skillfully shows how these women writers differ in their writing, lifestyles and approaches to dealing with each other. They are a bit prickly, but who wouldn’t be, given the challenges of the times and working in a male-dominated field. And while their relationships with each other aren’t always smooth, each respects and supports the other.
They draw on their methods of writing to solve the nurse’s murder. Readers will recognize many devices these writers used. Gather all the suspects into one room? Of course.
It’s hardly a spoiler to say they succeed. After all, they are “The Queens of Crime,” and readers know how these stories end. But the joy is spending time with Sayers, Christie, Marsh, Allingham and Orczy.
Benedict’s “The Queens of Crime” demands readers rediscover these masters’ works, which continue to inspire new generations of writers. It is a meticulously researched novel based on historical fact and featuring real people.
The Detection Club was a real group. G.K. Chesterton, author of the Father Brown mysteries, was The Detection Club’s first president. Christie and Sayers were the first women members. The club continues to exist; its oath and rules are definitely worth looking up.
If you’d like to hear Marie Benedict talk about The Queens of Crime, check out the YouTube video from her appearance at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore.
