Eli Cranor, author of the forthcoming Ozark Dogs, was guest host for The Poisoned Pen, welcoming Sean Doolittle, author of Device Free Weekend. You can order copies of both books through the Webstore. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

Here’s the description of Device Free Weekend.

Seven friends, one eccentric billionaire, an all-expenses paid reunion on a private island with one catch: no phones, tablets or laptops allowed. It’ll be a weekend to remember–for those who make it out alive.

Ryan Cloverhill, founder and CEO of the world’s most popular social media platform, invites his six best friends from college to his home on his private island near Puget Sound. For Stephen, Emma, Perry, Will, Beau, and Lainie, day one is just what the doctor ordered: amazing food, many drinks, lots of laughter, and a sunset cruise around the island aboard their host’s custom Van Dutch 55. 

Day Two, however, takes a bewildering turn when the six hungover guests wake up to find that their host has disappeared, along with all connection to the mainland. A touchscreen tablet of unknown make awaits them, blatantly defying the rules of the weekend with its on-screen challenge: Unlock Me! The passcode to the tablet is hidden somewhere in the group’s shared history. But what seems at first like just another silly game turns deadly serious when the group discovers what unlocking the tablet really means. Is it the key to their futures, a Pandora’s box none of them will ever be able to close, or both?

Only one thing is clear: their old friend Ryan has something unthinkable planned. Now it’s up to the six of them to stop him. And when this weekend is over, the world will never be the same.

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Sean Doolittle is the critically-acclaimed author of eight standalone crime and suspense novels. His books have received the Barry Award and the International Thriller Writers Award, among other honors, along with praise from Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, and other respected authors in the genre. A native of Nebraska, he lives in western Iowa with his family. You can find him online at www.seandoolittle.com.

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Eli Cranor lives and writes from the banks of Lake Dardanelle, a reservoir of the Arkansas River nestled in the heart of True Grit country. His work has won The Greensboro Review’s Robert Watson Literary Prize and been featured in Missouri Review, Oxford American, Ellery Queen, The Strand and others. Eli also pens a weekly column, “Where I’m Writing From” for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and his craft column, “Shop Talk,” appears monthly at CrimeReads. His critically acclaimed debut novel, Don’t Know Tough, won the Peter Lovesey First Crime Novel Contest.

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Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, welcomed Sean Doolittle and Eli Cranor. Enjoy the conversation.

Guest host Hank Phillippi Ryan recently welcomed Karen Rose for a virtual author’s event for The Poisoned Pen. Cold-Blooded Liar is Rose’s twenty-seventh book, and it’s her twentieth anniversary year as an author. Cold-Blooded Liar is the first in her San Diego Case Files series.

Rob Charles from The Poisoned Pen also asked Hank Phillippi Ryan to describe her latest book, The House Guest. Signed copies of the books from both authors are still available in the Webstore. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

Here’s the description of Cold-Blood Liar.

Brace yourself for a scorching new series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose, where San Diego means sun, surf, sand…and serial killers.
 
Sam Reeves is a kindhearted psychologist who treats court-ordered clients. After one of his patients—a pathological liar—starts revealing plausible new details from a long-unsolved serial murder case, he’s compelled to report anonymously to the SDPD tip line, though his attempts to respect patient confidentiality land him facedown and cuffed by the aggressive (and cute) Detective McKittrick.
 
San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick loves the water. She lives on a boat, and when she’s not solving crimes with the SDPD, she’s assisting her foster sister with her charter fishing business or playing with her poodle. But there’s nothing that intrigues Kit more than a cold case, so when an anonymous caller leads her on the path of a wanted killer, she’s determined to end the decade-long manhunt.
 
Sam is soon released but goes home with both a newfound distaste for the SDPD and a resolve—not unlike Kit’s—to uncover the truth. Kit and Sam repeatedly butt heads in their separate investigations but are forced to work together to find one of the deadliest serial killers the city has faced in years.

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Karen Rose is the award-winning, #1 international bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels, including the bestselling Baltimore and Cincinnati series. She has been translated into twenty-three languages, and her books have placed on the New York Times, the Sunday Times (UK), and Germany’s der Spiegel bestseller lists.

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The House Guest is another diabolical cat-and-mouse thriller from USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan—but which character is the cat, and which character is the mouse?

After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they’re smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her—leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend.

And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who’s running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems.

But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.

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USA Today bestselling author HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN has won five Agatha Awards in addition to Anthony, Macavity, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Higgins Clark Awards. As on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, she’s won 37 Emmys and many more journalism honors, and her work has resulted in new laws, criminals sent to prison, homes saved from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in restitution for victims and consumers. A past president of National Sisters in Crime and founder of MWA University, her novels include Trust Me, The Murder List, the Charlotte McNally series (starting with Prime Time), and the Jane Ryland series (which begins with The Other Woman). Ryan lives in Boston with her husband, a nationally renowned civil rights and criminal defense attorney.

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Enjoy the conversation between Hank Phillippi Ryan and Karen Rose.

Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander books, recently hosted John Sayles for a discussion of his new novel, Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade’s Journey. Signed copies of Sayles’ book are already sold out for The Poisoned Pen, but you can order an unsigned copy through the Webstore. http://bit.ly/3mlHCWc

Here’s the description of Jamie MacGillivray.

“John Sayles is a living master.” – Jennifer Haigh, author of Faith

Spanning 13 years, two continents, several wars, and many smoke-filled and bloody battlefields, John Sayles’s thrilling historical and cinematic epic invites comparison with Diana Gabaldon, George R. R. Martin, Phillippa Gregory, and Charles Dickens.

It begins in the highlands of Scotland in 1746, at the Battle of Culloden, the last desperate stand of the Stuart ‘pretender’ to the throne of the Three Kingdoms, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and his rabidly loyal supporters.  Vanquished with his comrades by the forces of the Hanoverian (and Protestant) British crown, the novel’s eponymous hero, Jamie MacGillivray, narrowly escapes a roadside execution only to be recaptured by the victors and shipped to Marshalsea Prison (central to Charles Dickens’s Hard Times) where he cheats the hangman a second time before being sentenced to transportation and indentured servitude in colonial America “for the term of his natural life.”  His travels are paralleled by those of Jenny Ferguson, a poor, village girl swept up on false charges by the English and also sent in chains to the New World.

The novel follows Jamie and Jenny through servitude, revolt, escape, and romantic entanglements — pawns in a deadly game.  The two continue to cross paths with each other and with some of the leading figures of the era- the devious Lord Lovat, future novelist Henry Fielding, the artist William Hogarth, a young and ambitious George Washington, the doomed General James Wolfe, and the Lenape chief feared throughout the Ohio Valley as Shingas the Terrible.

A DELUXE EDITION with a brilliant design.

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John Sayles is an American independent film director, screenwriter, actor, and novelist. He has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, for Passion Fish (1992) and Lone Star (1996). He has written seven novels, the most recent being Yellow Earth (2020) and A Moment in the Sun (2011).

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Many of you won’t need to read Diana Gabaldon’s biography. Diana Gabaldon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Outlander novels—Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voy­ager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (for which she won a Quill Award and the Corine International Book Prize), An Echo in the Bone, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, and Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone—as well as the related Lord John Grey books, Lord John and the Private Matter, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, Lord John and the Hand of Devils, and The Scottish Prisoner; a collection of novellas, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall; three works of nonfiction, “I Give You My Body . . .” and The Outlandish Com­panion, Volumes 1 and 2; the Outlander graphic novel The Exile; and The Official Outlander Coloring Book. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband.

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I’m sure you’ll enjoy the conversation between John Sayles and Diana Gabaldon.

Congratulations to all the nominees for the Barry Awards. The Barry Awards, voted on by the readers of Deadly Pleasures, are presented at the annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. The awards began in 1997 and are named in honor of Barry Gardner, well-known fan reviewer. Check the list, then check the Webstore for books you might want to order! https://store.poisonedpen.com/

Winners will be announced at the Opening Ceremonies of Bouchercon San Diego on August 31, 2023.

Best Mystery or Crime Novel

THE ACCOMPLICE, Steve Cavanagh (Orion)
DESERT STAR, Michael Connelly (Little,Brown)
THE DARK FLOOD, Deon Meyer (Atlantic Monthly)
SHIFTY’S BOYS, Chris Offutt (Grove Press)
SECRET IDENTITY, Alex Segura (Flatiron Books)
CITY ON FIRE, Don Winslow (William Morrow)

Best Debut Mystery or Crime Novel

BEFORE YOU KNEW MY NAME, Jacqueline Bublitz (Atria/EmilyBestler)
DON’T KNOW TOUGH, Eli Cranor (Soho Crime)
SHUTTER, Ramona Emerson (Soho Crime)
THE MAID, Nita Prose (Ballantine)
BLOOD SUGAR, Sascha Rothchild (Putnam)
DIRT CREEK, Hayley Scrivenor (Flatiron)

Best Thriller

IN THE BLOOD, Jack Carr (Atria/Emily Bester)
WINTER WORK, Dan Fesperman (Knopf)
SIERRA SIX, Mark Greaney (Berkley)
BAD ACTORS, Mick Herron (Soho Crime)
KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, Deanna Raybourn (Berkley)
GOERING’S GOLD, Richard O’Rawe (Melville House)

No nominations for Paperback Original this year.

Where do stories come from? J. T. Ellison’s latest thriller is It’s One of Us. When Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, introduced Ellison, she mentioned that this was a personal book for the author. Guest host Nick Petrie pulled the story out of Ellison, and asked her about it. I think you’ll be surprised. You’ll have to watch the event to learn more. But, you can order a signed copy of It’s One of Us through the Webstore. https://tinyurl.com/4kmz6usv

Here’s the description of It’s One of Us.

“A heart-stoppingly tense thriller about the price of secrets and the layers behind every marriage.” —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman In Cabin 10

Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .

Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately  wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.

DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.

As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?

This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together–or break each other apart . . .

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J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. She lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

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Here’s the bio of Nick Petrie as well. Nick Petrie is the author of six novels in the Peter Ash series, most recently The Breaker. His debut, The Drifter, won both the ITW Thriller award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel, and was a finalist for the Edgar and the Hammett Awards. A husband and father, he lives in the Milwaukee area.

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If you’re interested in the book, you’ll want to watch the event.

It was a standing room only audience for C.J. Box when he appeared at The Poisoned Pen to talk about his new Joe Pickett book, Storm Watch. Nick Petrie was guest host for the event. You can still find signed copies of Box’s book in the Webstore. http://bit.ly/3Zvv3FU

Here’s the description of Storm Watch.

Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett investigates a mysterious death at a secret remote high-tech facility in this riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box.


    When a prominent University of Wyoming professor goes missing, authorities are stumped. That is, until Joe Pickett makes two surprising discoveries while hunting down a wounded elk on his district as an epic spring storm descends upon him. First, he finds the professor’s vehicle parked on a remote mountainside. Then Joe finds the professor’s frozen and mutilated body. When he attempts to learn more, his investigation is obstructed by federal agents, extremists, and Governor Colter Allen.

    Nate Romanowski is rebuilding his falconry company—and financing this through crypto mining with the assistance of Geronimo Jones. He’s then approached by a shadowy group of local militant activists that is gaining in power and influence, and demanding that Wyoming join other western states and secede from the union—by force, if necessary. They ask Nate to throw in with them, but he’s wary. Should he trust them, or is he being set up?

    As a storm of peril gathers around them, Joe and Nate confront it in different ways—and maybe, for the first time, on opposite sides.

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C. J. Box is the author of twenty-three Joe Pickett novels, eight stand-alone novels, and a story collection. He has won the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Gumshoe, and two Barry awards, as well as the French Prix Calibre .38, the Western Heritage Award for Literature, and two Spur Awards. An avid outdoorsman, Box has hunted, fished, hiked, ridden, and skied throughout Wyoming and the Mountain West. He is an executive producer of ABC TV’s Big Sky and Joe Pickett on Spectrum Originals and Paramount+, both of which are based on his novels.

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Here’s Nick Petrie’s bio as well. Nick Petrie is the author of six novels in the Peter Ash series, most recently The Breaker. His debut, The Drifter, won both the ITW Thriller award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel, and was a finalist for the Edgar and the Hammett Awards. A husband and father, he lives in the Milwaukee area.

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Enjoy the discussion with C.J. Box and Nick Petrie.

Walter Mosley recently appeared at The Poisoned Pen to talk about and read from his latest novel, Every Man a King. But, he also talked about writing during Covid, and being in a writers’ room. You’ll want to listen. First, though, you can order a signed copy of Every Man a King through the Webstore. http://bit.ly/3xXOHii

Here’s the summary of Every Man a King.

In this highly anticipated sequel from Edgar Award-winning “master of craft and narrative,” Walter Mosley, Joe King Oliver is entangled in a dangerous case when he’s asked to investigate whether a white nationalist is being unjustly set up. (National Book Foundation)When friend of the family and multi-billionaire Roger Ferris comes to Joe with an assignment, he’s got no choice but to accept, even if the case is a tough one to stomach. White nationalist Alfred Xavier Quiller has been accused of murder and the sale of sensitive information to the Russians. Ferris has reason to believe Quiller’s been set up and he needs King to see if the charges hold.

This linear assignment becomes a winding quest to uncover the extent of Quiller’s dealings, to understand Ferris’ skin in the game, and to get to the bottom of who is working for whom. Even with the help of bodyguard and mercenary Oliya Ruez—no regular girl Friday—the machine King’s up against proves relentless and unsparing. As King gets closer to exposing the truth, he and his loved ones barrel towards grave danger.

Mosley once again proves himself a “master of craft and narrative” (National Book Foundation) in this carefully plotted mystery that is at once a classic caper, a family saga and an examination of fealty, pride and how deep debt can go.

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Walter Mosley’s biography hasn’t been updated to mention that he was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger for 2023. Here’s the rest of the bio. WALTER MOSLEY is one of America’s most celebrated writers. He was given the National Book Award’s 2020 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, named a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and honored with the Anisfield-Wolf Award, a Grammy, a PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award, the Robert Kirsch Award, numerous Edgars and several NAACP Image Awards. His work is translated into 25 languages.  He has published fiction and nonfiction in The New Yorker, Playboy, and The Nation. As an executive producer, he adapted his novel, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, for AppleTV+ and serves as a writer and executive producer for FX’s “Snowfall.” 

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Enjoy his appearance at The Poisoned Pen.

While Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, welcomed Harriet Tyce, author of It Ends at Midnight, Alex Michaelides was guest host for the recent event. You can order a copy of It Ends at Midnight through the Webstore. http://bit.ly/3EAt62W

Here’s the description of It Ends at Midnight.

A Buzzfeed Most Anticipated Thriller of 2023!

“Gripping.” – Alex Michaelides, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient and The Maidens

“Another compelling read from the utterly brilliant Harriet Tyce.” – Lisa Jewell, New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone

“Blisteringly brilliant.” – Sarah Pinbrough, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes

From the acclaimed, Sunday Times bestselling author of Blood Orange, Harriet Tyce, comes a thriller of a party spiraling into murder when one guest’s plan to right old wrongs ends in blood, told with Tyce’s signature dark and propulsive twists.

It’s New Year’s Eve and the stage is set for a lavish party in one of Edinburgh’s best postcodes. It’s a moment for old friends to set the past to rights – and move on.

The night sky is alive with fireworks and the champagne is flowing. But the celebration fails to materialize.

Because someone at this party is going to die tonight.

Midnight approaches and the countdown begins – but it seems one of the guests doesn’t want a resolution.

They want revenge.

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HARRIET TYCE was born and grew up in Edinburgh. She graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature before gaining legal qualifications and working as a criminal barrister for ten years. She completed an MA in Creative Writing-Crime Fiction at UEA where she wrote her debut, Blood Orange.

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Here’s a short biography of guest host Alex Michaelides.

Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and is sold in a record-breaking 50 countries. His second novel, The Maidens, was an instant New York Times bestseller and garnered rave reviews from The Guardian, Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, and more. After living in London for many years, Alex has recently moved back to his birthplace, Cyprus.

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Enjoy the conversation with Harriet Tyce and Alex Michaelides.