You might not think the author of Thirteen: The Serial Killer isn’t on Trial. He’s on the Jury, would be funny. However, Steve Cavanagh is a storyteller from Northern Ireland. Once you hear his story about accidentally studying law, you’ll understand. But, before that, you can order a signed copy of his book through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/30QyXew
Here’s the description of Thirteen.
Thirteen is the legal thriller Lee Child, Michael Connelly, and Ruth Ware are raving about and readers can’t put down.
“Outstanding – an intriguing premise, a tense, gripping build-up, and a spectacular climax. This guy is the real deal. Trust me.” —Lee Child
“A dead bang BEAST of a book that expertly combines Cavanagh’s authority on the law with an absolutely great thrill ride. Books this ingenious don’t come along very often.” —Michael Connelly
It’s the murder trial of the century. And Joshua Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house ““ and to be sure the wrong man goes down for the crime. Because this time, the killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.
But there’s someone on his tail. Former-conman-turned-criminal-defense-attorney Eddie Flynn doesn’t believe that his movie-star client killed two people. He suspects that the real killer is closer than they think ““ but who would guess just how close?
“A brilliant, twisty, ingeniously constructed puzzle of a book. Steve Cavanagh pulls off an enviable premise with panache.” —Ruth Ware
*****
Now, you can watch Steve Cavanagh in conversation with Patrick Millikin from The Poisoned Pen.
After reading the Poisoned Pen’s Collector’s Corner newsletter yesterday, I ordered my copy of the current Hot Book of the Week, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry. It’s also the August First Mystery Book. It may go quickly, so you might want to order your signed copy as well. You can order it through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2U8WGnR
Here’s the information from Barbara Peters in the newsletter.
Parry, H.G. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep (Orbit $27 in stock). Charley Sutherland is a literary scholar and prodigy with a secret gift: he can bring characters from books to life. As fun as a visit from the Cat in the Hat or teatime with Sherlock Holmes might sound, Charley’s older brother, Rob, knows better—it always means trouble. But Uriah Heep, that unlovable character from David Copperfield, appears as one of Rob’s law firm interns, and the brothers later discover an entire Dickensian street filled with characters Charley swears he didn’t create. Suddenly what used to be a nuisance turns into a dangerous adventure as they realize other summoners exist while surviving attacks from the Jabberwocky and the fearsome and giant Hound of the Baskervilles, among others. Meanwhile, Rob digs further into reality and discovers even deeper mysteries surrounding their own family. It comes down to saving the real world from complete fictional takeover.
Our August First Mystery Book of the Month reminds me strongly of Jasper Fforde’s s huge hit The Eyre Affair ($17). So much that I conjured up signed copies from the New Zealand author, an exclusive for The Pen. Another fan adds,
“The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep, H.G. Parry’s debut novel, is a Dickensian booklover’s delight, filled with the most popular characters from Western literature, from Heathcliff , Dorian Gray, and five brooding Mr. Darcys to more modern characters like Matilda and the Implied Reader, all navigating their own stories as well as the real world they’ve come to inhabit. Anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to have a conversation with the Artful Dodger or to hold the legendary Excalibur in their hands will be in excellent company in the pages of this delightful literary fantasy.” As one fictional creation puts it: “I think we’ve found ourselves in the middle of an adventure.” I recommend this gem to lovers of historical and literary fiction as well as fans of intelligent cozies.
The Midmonth BookNotes features the latest in romance and women’s fiction, curated by our very own expert, John Charles. This late summer edition includes new books by Kristan Higgings, Tessa Dare and more!
I hope that heading caught your attention. Radha Vatsal recently wrote a piece for Kirkus Reviews called “Yes, Crime Fiction is Literature (and Other Observations on the Genre.” Vatsal uses some of Borges’ works to prove her point. You can read the article here. https://bit.ly/2U4VUsg
And, once you’ve read it, you might want to check out Vatsal’s own mysteries, available through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2ZnoY37
A Front Page Affair is the first in Radha Vatsal’s Kitty Weeks series. If you’re like me, you like to start at the beginning of a series. Here’s the description of that first book.
“This lively and well-researched debut introduces a charming historical series and an appealing fish-out-of-water sleuth who seeks independence and a career in an age when most women are bent on getting married, particularly to titled Englishmen. Devotees of Rhys Bowen’s mysteries will enjoy making the acquaintance of Miss Weeks”—Library Journal, STARRED Review
New York City, 1915
The Lusitania has just been sunk, and headlines about a shooting at J.P. Morgan’s mansion and the Great War are splashed across the front page of every newspaper. Capability “Kitty” Weeks would love nothing more than to report on the news of the day, but she’s stuck writing about fashion and society gossip over on the Ladies’ Page—until a man is murdered at a high society picnic on her beat.
Determined to prove her worth as a journalist, Kitty finds herself plunged into the midst of a wartime conspiracy that threatens to derail the United States’ attempt to remain neutral—and to disrupt the privileged life she has always known.
Radha Vatsal’s A Front Page Affair is the first book in highly anticipated series featuring rising journalism star Kitty Weeks.
Bestselling author Karin Slaughter is on book tour for The Last Widow, a thriller featuring her characters Will Trent and Sara Linton. She’ll be at The Poisoned Pen on Friday, August 30 at 7 PM to discuss all kinds of topics, including her characters. You can order Slaughter’s books, including signed copies of The Last Widow, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2A5kDpY
Here’s the description of The Last Widow.
New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter brings back Will Trent and Sara Lintonin this superb and timely thriller full of devious twists, disturbing secrets, and shocking surprises you won’t see coming
A mysterious kidnapping
On a hot summer night, a scientist from the Centers for Disease Control is grabbed by unknown assailants in a shopping center parking lot. The authorities are desperate to save the doctor who’s been vanished into thin air.
A devastating explosion
One month later, the serenity of a sunny Sunday afternoon is shattered by the boom of a ground-shaking blast—followed by another seconds later. One of Atlanta’s busiest and most important neighborhoods has been bombed—the location of Emory University, two major hospitals, the FBI headquarters, and the CDC.
A diabolical enemy
Medical examiner Sara Linton and her partner Will Trent, an investigator with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, rush to the scene—and into the heart of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy thousands of innocent lives. When the assailants abduct Sara, Will goes undercover to save her and prevent a massacre—putting his own life on the line for the woman and the country he loves.
*****
Do you want to know a little more about Karin Slaughter? Check out April Snellings’ recent interview with her at “Between the Lines” for The Big Thrill. https://bit.ly/2A5kDpY
You’re in for a treat. No matter what your chosen method of “attending an event” online, you can participate in The Poisoned Pen’s launch of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s new series. Their Nora Kelly series kicks off with Old Bones. You can order signed copies of the book, and their other ones, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2R4bSEH
Here’s the description of Old Bones.
#1 bestselling authors Preston & Child bring the true story of the ill-fated Donner Party to new life in a thrilling blend of archaeology, history, murder, and suspense.
Nora Kelly, a young curator at the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology, is approached by historian Clive Benton with a once-in-a-lifetime proposal: to lead a team in search of the so-called “Lost Camp” of the tragic Donner Party. This was a group of pioneers who earned a terrible place in American history when they became snow-bound in the California mountains in 1847, their fate unknown until the first skeletonized survivors stumbled out of the wilderness, raving about starvation, murder-and cannibalism.
Benton tells Kelly he has stumbled upon an amazing find: the long-sought diary of one of the victims, which has an enigmatic description of the Lost Camp. Nora agrees to lead an expedition to locate and excavate it-to reveal its long-buried secrets.
Once in the mountains, however, they learn that discovering the camp is only the first step in a mounting journey of fear. For as they uncover old bones, they expose the real truth of what happened, one that is far more shocking and bizarre than mere cannibalism. And when those ancient horrors lead to present-day violence on a grand scale, rookie FBI agent Corrie Swanson is assigned the case…only to find that her first investigation might very well be her last.
*****
Are you a fan of podcasts? You can listen to Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, discuss Old Bones with Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-6td4s-bc7d5c
If you’d rather watch the event, here’s the YouTube video.
Hank Phillippi Ryan’s latest thriller, The Murder List, was released earlier this week. She’ll be at The Poisoned Pen on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 PM for s special ticketed event, joining Billy Jensen, author of Chase Darkness with Me. You can read all about the ticketed event and how to order copies of the books here. https://bit.ly/2Z9rbzG
Ryan’s latest book is about the legal system. She recently addressed the jury in an article for CrimeReads, “The 7 Most Suspenseful Jury Verdicts in Literature and Film.” https://bit.ly/2L0NSwb
And, here’s Hank’s book, The Murder List.
“An exhilarating thrill ride that keeps you turning pages.. Ryan deftly delivers a denouement as shocking as it is satisfying.”–Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Last Time I Saw You
Law student Rachel North will tell you, without hesitation, what she knows to be true. She’s smart, she’s a hard worker, she does the right thing, she’s successfully married to a faithful and devoted husband, a lion of Boston’s defense bar, and her internship with the Boston DA’s office is her ticket to a successful future.
Problem is–she’s wrong.
And in this cat and mouse game–the battle for justice becomes a battle for survival.
The Murder List is a new standalone suspense novel in the tradition of Lisa Scottoline and B. A. Paris from award-winning author and reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan.
*****
I don’t think Hank will mind if I share this from her Facebook page, especially since I wrote the Library Journal review.
In a virtual event hosted by Barbara Peters from The Poisoned Pen, authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child discussed their latest novel, Old Bones. In a lively and humorous conversation, the authors shed light on their collaborative process and the intriguing elements of their latest work.
The novel combines elements of archaeology, the Donner Party, and a mysterious lost camp. When asked about the division of labor in Old Bones, Child humorously admitted he did “most of the heavy lifting on this one.” Preston then shared how the idea to explore the Donner Party’s history and the mysteries surrounding it led to the creation of their captivating new thriller.
Throughout the event, the authors showcased their shared passion for archaeology, with Preston revealing his familial ties to the field. “Both Lincoln and I come from archaeological backgrounds,” Preston noted. “We realized that the Donner Party’s story was a perfect fit for our new series.” Child recounted his early fascination with archaeology, stemming from his grandmother’s influence, and recalled a childhood experience excavating an ancient ruin and discovering artifacts, which ignited his curiosity for historical mysteries.
The authors discuss the influence of other authors on their work, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft, and M.R. James. For this book, their research led them to explore intriguing aspects of the Donner Party story, including cannibalism, the challenges faced by the pioneers, and the mysteries that surround their ill-fated journey. In the event, the authors also discussed the main characters in the book, Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson, and how they handle the aging of their fictional characters.
As the conversation drew to a close, the authors hinted at potential future projects, touching on the possibility of revisiting beloved characters and exploring new settings. The authors mentioned their other writing projects, such as Douglas Preston’s non-fiction book Talking to the Ground, which was recently reissued with updates.
If you enjoyed this conversation and Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child‘s anecdotes, genuine camaraderie and passion for storytelling, be sure to share it with your friends on social media. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Poisoned Pen newsletter for more exciting book news and author events.
It’s time for a cover reveal for Eoin Colfer’s new adult fantasy novel, Highfire. Here’s the link to order it on Poisoned Pen’s page. Eoin Colfer. Highfire (Harper Collins $19.99)
Harper Perennial Coordinating Cover Reveal with Indies
Eoin Colfer
At noon Eastern time, this Wednesday, August 21, independent bookstores across the country are unveiling the book jacket for Eoin Colfer’s Highfire, which will be published by Harper Perennial on January 28, part of a cover reveal coordinated by HarperCollins and the American Booksellers Association. As part of the initiative, booksellers are encouraged to invite customers to pre-order the book from them.
The ABA has been encouraging indies to emphasize pre-publication awareness of titles among their customers as a way to increase their share of pre-orders and early book sales, much of which has been going to Amazon.
HarperCollins did a similar unveiling campaign earlier this year with a children’s title, Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son. Highfire is the first standalone adult novel by Colfer, best known for his Artemis Fowl series. He has also published two adult crime novels, Plugged and Screwed.
Harper Perennial will provide digital assets, suggested copy, and hashtags to participating stores to help them spread the message. Stores should plan to share the final cover on social media between noon and 3:00 p.m. on August 21. Booksellers who haven’t signed up yet for the cover reveal for Highfire can get more information here.
ABOUT HIGHFIRE:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series comes a hilarious and high-octane adult novel about a vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving dragon who lives an isolated life in the bayous of Louisiana—and the raucous adventures that ensue when he crosses paths with a fifteen-year-old troublemaker on the run from a crooked sheriff.
In the days of yore, he flew the skies and scorched angry mobs—now he hides from swamp tour boats and rises only with the greatest reluctance from his Laz-Z-Boy recliner. Laying low in the bayou, this once-magnificent fire breather has been reduced to lighting Marlboros with nose sparks, swilling Absolut in a Flashdance T-shirt, and binging Netflix in a fishing shack. For centuries, he struck fear in hearts far and wide as Wyvern, Lord Highfire of the Highfire Eyrie—now he goes by Vern. However…he has survived, unlike the rest. He is the last of his kind, the last dragon. Still, no amount of vodka can drown the loneliness in his molten core. Vern’s glory days are long gone. Or are they?
A canny Cajun swamp rat, young Everett “Squib” Moreau does what he can to survive, trying not to break the heart of his saintly single mother. He’s finally decided to work for a shady smuggler—but on his first night, he witnesses his boss murdered by a crooked constable.
Regence Hooke is not just a dirty cop, he’s a despicable human being—who happens to want Squib’s momma in the worst way. When Hooke goes after his hidden witness with a grenade launcher, Squib finds himself airlifted from certain death by…a dragon?
The swamp can make strange bedfellows, and rather than be fried alive so the dragon can keep his secret, Squib strikes a deal with the scaly apex predator. He can act as his go-between (aka familiar)—fetch his vodka, keep him company, etc.—in exchange for protection from Hooke. Soon the three of them are careening headlong toward a combustible confrontation. There’s about to be a fiery reckoning, in which either dragons finally go extinct—or Vern’s glory days are back.
A triumphant return to the genre-bending fantasy that Eoin Colfer is so well known for, Highfire is an effortlessly clever and relentlessly funny tour-de-force of comedy and action.
Eoin Colfer is the New York Times best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series as well as two adult crime novels, Plugged, which was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Screwed. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
Steve Cavanagh, author of the current Hot Book of the Week, will be at The Poisoned Pen Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 PM. He’ll talk about and sign Thirteen: The Serial Killer Isn’t on Trial. He’s on the Jury. You can order signed copies of Thirteen through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/30QyXew
Here’s the summary of Thirteen.
Thirteen is the legal thriller Lee Child, Michael Connelly, and Ruth Ware are raving about and readers can’t put down.
“Outstanding – an intriguing premise, a tense, gripping build-up, and a spectacular climax. This guy is the real deal. Trust me.” —Lee Child
“A dead bang BEAST of a book that expertly combines Cavanagh’s authority on the law with an absolutely great thrill ride. Books this ingenious don’t come along very often.” —Michael Connelly
It’s the murder trial of the century. And Joshua Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house ““ and to be sure the wrong man goes down for the crime. Because this time, the killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.
But there’s someone on his tail. Former-conman-turned-criminal-defense-attorney Eddie Flynn doesn’t believe that his movie-star client killed two people. He suspects that the real killer is closer than they think ““ but who would guess just how close?
“A brilliant, twisty, ingeniously constructed puzzle of a book. Steve Cavanagh pulls off an enviable premise with panache.” —Ruth Ware
