Fiction Review

“Can you outrun the stillness?” Winter is the perfect time to scare yourself with a new horror series.

“Do you enjoy the classic horror style seen in The Haunting of Hill House? The creepy chills seen in Japanese horror films? Have you read USA Today bestselling horror author Darcy Coates?”

If not, you’re just in time to get engrossed in her new Black Winter series.

Library Journal said of the first book in the series, Voices in the Snow, “Readers will cover their eyes in fear while still wanting, desperately, to turn the page to see what comes next.” Secrets in the Dark, the second book in the series, will be published in April. You can order Voices in the Snow right now through the Web Store, and pre-order Secrets in the Dark. https://bit.ly/38MP5C0

Here’s the description of Voices in the Snow, the first in the Black Winter series from author Darcy Coates and Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press.

No One Escapes the Stillness

Clare remembers the cold. She remembers abandoned cars and children’s toys littered across the road. She remembers dark shapes in the snow and a terror she can’t explain. And then…nothing. When she wakes, aching and afraid in a stranger’s gothic home, he tells her she was in an accident. He claims he saved her. Clare wants to leave, but a vicious snowstorm has blanketed the world in white, trapping them together, and there’s nothing she can do but wait.

At least the stranger seems kind…but Clare doesn’t know if she can trust him. He promised they were alone here, but she sees and hears things that convince her something else is creeping about the surrounding woods, watching. Waiting. Between the claustrophobic storm and the inescapable sense of being hunted, Clare is on edge…and increasingly certain of one thing:

Her car crash wasn’t an accident. Something is waiting for her to step outside the fragile safety of the house… something monstrous, something unfeeling.

Something desperately hungry.

*****

DARCY COATES is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense titles. She lives on the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cats, and a garden full of herbs and vegetables. Darcy loves forests, especially old-growth forests where the trees dwarf anyone who steps between them. Wherever she lives, she tries to have a mountain range close by.

You may have known Phryne Fisher first as the sleuth in Kerry Greenwood’s mysteries featuring the London socialite turned private detective in Melbourne, Australia. You can find those books in the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2JfL7W5

Or, you might recognize Essie Davis as the actress who plays the honourable Phryne Fisher in “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”. As Stephanie Bunbury says in The Sydney Morning Herald, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, adapted from Kerry Greenwood’s historical mystery novels and starring Essie Davis as an It-girl detective who likes to drive fast cars, can fly a plane and has a golden pistol in her handbag, is one of the big success stories of Australian television.”

There are Miss Fisher walks in Melbourne and a traveling Miss Fisher costume exhibit. Now, there’s a movie, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, that opens February 27 in Australia.

Bunbury has the entire story and background in her article, “‘She’s a fighter’: How Miss Fisher took Essie Davis to Morocco”. https://bit.ly/2SBeEAh

But, Poisoned Pen has the books. https://bit.ly/2JfL7W5

And, we have the movie trailer.

It’s hard to say what the topic of conversation will be when author Jenn McKinlay is at The Poisoned Pen. Dog shows? Royalty and hats? Paris? You might have missed her latest appearance at The Poisoned Pen, but her appearances are too much fun to miss. Before you dive in to the last conversation, check out the Web Store for signed copies of her latest Hat Shop Mystery, Buried to the Brim, or some of her other books. https://bit.ly/2v0jw8V

Here’s the description of Buried to the Brim.

New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay’s beloved Hat Shop duo Scarlett Parker and Vivian Tremont return to don their sleuthing caps and solve a murder that’s death in show.

London’s most refined canines and their humans are gearing up for the Pets and Wellness Society’s annual dog show–and Betty Wentworth, favorite aunt to Scarlett’s fiancé Harrison and proud owner of corgi front-runner Freddy, knows that this could be their year with the right edge. Never one to turn away a corgi in need, Scarlett convinces her milliner cousin, Vivian, to design matching hats for dream team Betty and Freddy as they compete for Best in Show.

It’s a tail wagging good time until the dog-food sponsor of the event is found dead and Betty is the prime suspect. Vivian and Scarlett agree to enter the competition in Betty’s place and help Harrison catch the real killer before Betty is collared for a crime she didn’t commit.

*****

And, here’s your chance to catch up with Jenn McKinlay in conversation with Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen.

Did you see the recent review of Joe Ide’s Hi Five in The Washington Post? Maureen Corrigan reviewed the fourth IQ book. https://wapo.st/2USkK0A Ide appeared at The Poisoned Pen several weeks ago, so there are signed copies available through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/3bCLYyn

Corrigan says, “It’s no longer a fresh observation to say that Ide is an original as a suspense writer, but, certainly, every novel he writes — including ‘Hi Five’ — feels like a new invention.”

Here’s the description of Hi Five.

One woman. Five personalities. Private investigator IQ is back to piece together a Newport Beach murder with an eyewitness who gives “people person” a whole new meaning.
Christiana is the daughter of the biggest arms dealer on the West Coast, Angus Byrne. She’s also the sole witness and number one suspect in the murder of her boyfriend, found dead in her Newport Beach boutique. Isaiah Quintabe is coerced into taking the case to prove her innocence. If he can’t, Angus will harm the brilliant PI’s new girlfriend, ending her career.
The catch: Christiana has multiple personalities. Among them, a naïve, beautiful shopkeeper, an obnoxious drummer in a rock band, and a wanton seductress.
Isaiah’s dilemma: no one personality saw the entire incident. To find out what really happened the night of the murder, Isaiah must piece together clues from each of the personalities . . . before the cops close in on him.

This is Scott Carson, author of The Chill, the new horror novel that’s being talked about all over the place. You might recognize him as Michael Koryta, but I’m not breaking any confidentiality by saying that. It’s mentioned in some of the same reviews that rave about The Chill. Take G. Robert Frazier’s comments in the February issue of BookPage. “Reading Scott Carson’s The Chill gave me shivers like the ones I got when I first read Stephen King‘s The Shining.” Here’s the link to the entire review. https://bit.ly/3bIvYe4

Now that you’re in on the poorly kept secret, you might want to come to The Poisoned Pen on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 PM when Scott Carson signs The Chill. If you can’t make it, you can order a signed copy through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2Htsf6w

Here’s the description of the horror novel, The Chill.

“Wow! This is one terrific horror/suspense/disaster novel. Characters you root for and a story that grips from the first page.” —Stephen King, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Institute

“Horror has a new name and it’s Scott Carson. The Chill is an eerie dive into the murky depths of the supernatural. A story that has you looking back over your shoulder on every page.” —Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Night Fire

“A creepy tale of supernatural terror.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

In this terrifying thriller, a supernatural force—set in motion a century ago—threatens to devastate New York City.

Far upstate, in New York’s ancient forests, a drowned village lays beneath the dark, still waters of the Chilewaukee reservoir. Early in the 20th century, the town was destroyed for the greater good: bringing water to the millions living downstate. Or at least that’s what the politicians from Manhattan insisted at the time. The local families, settled there since America’s founding, were forced from their land, but they didn’t move far, and some didn’t move at all…

Now, a century later, the repercussions of human arrogance are finally making themselves known. An inspector assigned to oversee the dam, dangerously neglected for decades, witnesses something inexplicable. It turns out that more than the village was left behind in the waters of the Chill when it was abandoned. The townspeople didn’t evacuate without a fight. A dark prophecy remained, too, and the time has come for it to be fulfilled. Those who remember must ask themselves: who will be next? For sacrifices must be made. And as the dark waters begin to inexorably rise, the demand for a fresh sacrifice emerges from the deep…

If you can make it, you’ll want to be at The Poisoned Pen on Monday, February 17th at 7 PM. Meg Gardiner, author of The Dark Corners of the Night, will be in conversation with Tess Gerritsen, author of The Shape of Night. Signed copies of the books are available through the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

And, if you get a chance, go back and read the recent interview with Meg Gardiner. She has a great sense of humor. https://bit.ly/37gq3K2

Today, we’re celebrating three Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press books that combine mystery with history. Historical Novels Review recently covered all three of them, so it’s a good time to bring together all three books. Once you’ve read the reviews, don’t hesitate to order the books through the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com

Let’s start with Historical Novels Review’s comments about Doris Casey’s first Bianca Dangereuse Hollywood Mystery, The Wrong Girl. https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-wrong-girl-bianca-dangereuse-hollywood-mysteries/

Then, there’s Mortal Music, the seventh Silver Rush Mystery by Ann Parker. https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/mortal-music-silver-rush-mysteries/

And, the third historical mystery is Sulari Gentill’s seventh Rowland Sinclair mystery, Give the Devil His Due. https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/give-the-devil-his-due-a-rowland-sinclair-mystery/

If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, you’ll want to check out the Historical Novel Society‘s reviews, and these three books from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press.

If you like humor, you might be ready for the twenty-third Serge Storms novel by Tim Dorsey. Naked Came the Florida Man is the current Hot Book of the Week at The Poisoned Pen. Copies of Dorsey’s earlier books, along with the signed copies of Naked Came the Florida Man, are available through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2w5knWa

Here’s the description of Naked Came the Florida Man.

“Can it still be hurricane season? Must be, because here comes Serge A. Storms and his perpetually stoned bro, Coleman, in Tim Dorsey’s gonzo crime caper.” ““New York Times Book Review

The “compulsively irreverent and shockingly funny” (Boston Globe) Tim Dorsey returns with an insanely entertaining tale in which the inimitable Serge A. Storms sees dead people and investigates a creepy urban myth that may be all too real.

Though another devastating hurricane is raking Florida, its awesome power can’t stop the Sunshine State’s most loyal son, Serge A. Storms, from his latest scenic road trip: a cemetery tour. With his best bro Colman riding shotgun, Serge hits the highway in his ’69 gold Plymouth Satellite, putting pedal to the metal on a grand tour of the past. Beginning in Key West, the sunshine boys’ odyssey includes a forgotten mass grave in Palm Beach county holding the remains of African Americans killed by the Great Hurricane of 1928, and the resting place of one world-famous television dolphin (RIP Flipper) from the 1960s.

But one deadland—a haunted old sugar field—holds more than just the bones of those who’ve passed. For years, local children have whispered about a boogeyman hiding among the stalks. Could it be the same maniac known as Naked Florida man who’s been raising hell all over the place?

There are few things Serge loves more than solving a good mystery and bestowing justice on miscreants who sully his beloved home’s good name. With his partner bong boy, Florida’s psycho superhero will find the truth in this hilariously violent delight—packed with history, lore, and plenty of motel antics—from the insanely ingenious Tim Dorsey.

You never know what the topic of conversation will be with authors at The Poisoned Pen. When Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore, recently interviewed Charles and Caroline Todd, the talk turned to standing stones and stone circles. That’s part of the setting in Charles Todd’s latest Ian Rutledge mystery, A Divided Loyalty. You can order copies of Todd’s books, including signed copies of A Divided Loyalty, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2CYwbY1

Here’s the description of A Divided Loyalty.

Scotland Yard detective Ian Rutledge is assigned one of the most baffling investigations of his career—a cold murder case with an unidentified victim and a cold trail with few clues to follow.

Chief Inspector Brian Leslie, a respected colleague of Ian Rutledge’s, is sent to Avebury, a village set inside a great prehistoric stone circle not far from Stonehenge. 

A young woman has been murdered next to a mysterious, hooded, figure-like stone, but no one recognizes her—or admits to it.  And how did she get there? Despite a thorough investigation, it appears that her killer has simply vanished.

Rutledge, returning from the conclusion of a case involving another apparently unknown woman, is asked to take a second look at Leslie’s inquiry, to see if he can identify this victim. But Rutledge is convinced Chief Superintendent Jameson only hopes to tarnish his earlier success once he also fails.

Where to begin? He too finds very little to go on in Avebury, slowly widening his search beyond the village—only to discover that unlikely—possibly even unreliable—clues are pointing him toward an impossible solution, one that will draw the wrath of the Yard down on him, and very likely see him dismissed if he pursues it. But what about the victim—what does he owe this tragic woman? Where must his loyalty lie?

*****

Now, you can also “attend” the event and hear the conversation.

It’s never too early to plan to attend a Poisoned Pen-sponsored ticketed event. On Monday, March 2, from 7-9 PM, C.J. Box will appear at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale to discuss and sign his latest Joe Pickett novel, Long Range. A $32.00 Ticket admits one person and includes one copy of Long Range. A $36.00 Ticket admits two people and includes one copy of Long Range. You can order tickets here, https://bit.ly/2uo33vj. Don’t hesitate to call The Poisoned Pen if you have questions, 480-947-2974. If you can’t make the event, you can still pre-order a copy at the normal price of $28. Just go through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2UQXAbh

Here’s the information about Long Range.

C.J. Box signs Long Range (Putnam, $28.00). Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett must investigate an attempted murder”“a crime committed from a confoundingly long distance”“in the riveting new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author C. J. Box.

When Joe Pickett is asked to join the rescue efforts for the victim of a startling grizzly attack, he reluctantly leaves his district behind. One survivor of the grizzly’s rampage tells a bizarre story, but just as Joe begins to suspect the attack is not what it seems, he is brought home by an emergency on his own turf. Someone has targeted a prominent local judge, shooting at him from a seemingly impossible distance. While the judge was not hit, his wife is severely wounded, and it is up to Joe to find answers”“and the shooter.

The search for the would-be assassin becomes personal when Joe’s best friend, Nate Romanowski ““just as he’s adjusting to the arrival of his first child”“falls under suspicion for the crime. It’s a race against the clock as Joe tries to clear Nate’s name and identify the real shooter, all while deciphering the grizzly encounter. Beset by threats both man-made and natural, the two men must go to great lengths to keep their loved ones safe.

*****

Here’s the location for the special C.J. Box ticketed event. It’s a good idea to make reservations as soon as you know you can attend.

Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center

12701 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85254