All of the details are in that post. The last I knew, there were a few tickets still available, but I can’t promise.
If you can’t make it to the event, you can still order a signed copy of Connelly’s new book, The Night Fire. Check the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2RtzGgK
At least, you might want to take time to read Carolyn Kellogg’s excellent interview in The Washington Post. https://wapo.st/2BhHsED
The third book in Annie Hogsett’s Somebody’s Bound to Wind Up Dead mystery series has just been released from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press. Hogsett takes readers back to Cleveland in The Devil’s Own Game. You can order all of the books in the series through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2nV6Lt4
Here’s the description of the latest book.
The murder is the message
What you don’t see is what you get. When a sniper targets a blind man walking along the lagoon of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the bullet is a wake-up call aimed straight for Allie Harper and Tom Bennington, shattering their illusion that the Mondo Mega Jackpot Nightmare is over.
On the day Allie—sassy, lonely, broke—met Tom—smart, hot, blind—he won $500 million trying to show a kid that gambling doesn’t pay. Romance—and multiple murders—ensued, along with a new, opulent lifestyle that the couple had never dreamed possible. Then a ruthless man of formidable skills and resources hacked into the security system in their rented 9,000 square-foot lakeside mansion, and they learned just how far someone who begrudges their good fortune would go to destroy them. Now they know the past six months of peace and quiet were the calm before a rising storm of mayhem and revenge.
The new game begins tonight. An old devil. A new devil. And a new case for The T&A Detective Agency. (Yes. They should have put Allie’s initial first.) Tom and Allie aren’t on the case long before they discover a strong lead that takes them into the heights of Cleveland’s upper-crust, where husbands and wives weave webs of betrayal with unfathomable sums of money at the center. As the threats”“and murders—multiply, Allie, Tom, and the T&A must fight to beat the devil’s own game. Will they get out alive?
Somebody’s Bound to Wind Up Dead series: Too Lucky to Live (Book 1) Murder to the Metal (Book 2) The Devil’s Own Game (Book 3)
Praise for Annie Hogsett: “The original voice, humor, and unusual premise will appeal to Janet Evanovich readers.” —Library Journal STARRED review for Too Lucky to Live “Fast pacing, multiple plot twists, and humor, including a Stephanie Plum-like main character, enliven the story and keep the pages turning.” —Booklist for Too Lucky to Live “The bittersweet mystery, with the open-ended threat of a villainous mastermind, is reminiscent of P.J. Tracy’s early ‘Monkeewrench’ novels.” —Library Journal for Murder to the Metal
*****
The reviews mention that original main character. The mysteries, and the characters themselves, sometimes come as a surprise to Hogsett. She talks about the surprises that come to the author in a recent article for Bookreporter.com. You might want to check out Annie Hogsett’s piece, “When a Mystery Blindsides You” https://bit.ly/32n9zOt.
Anne Perry recently launched a new series set in pre-World War II Europe, and you can be there, via video. The first book in the series, Death in Focus, is available through the Web Store. You can also pre-order Perry’s annual Christmas book, A Christmas Gathering. https://bit.ly/2oJJzhL
Because Death in Focus is just out, here’s the summary of that book.
In the start of an all-new mystery series set in pre”“World War II Europe, an intrepid young photographer carries her dead lover’s final, world-shattering message into the heart of Berlin as Hitler ascends to power.
On vacation from London on the beautiful Italian coast, twenty-eight-year-old Elena Standish and her older sister, Margot, have finally been able to move on from the lasting trauma of the Great War, in which the newly married Margot lost her husband and the sisters their beloved brother. Touring with her camera in hand, Elena has found new inspiration in the striking Italian landscape, and she’s met an equally striking man named Ian. When Ian has to leave unexpectedly, Elena—usually the more practical of the sisters—finds she’s not ready to part from him, and the two share a spontaneous train trip home to England. But a shocking sequence of events disrupts their itinerary, forcing Elena to personally deliver a message to Berlin on Ian’s behalf, one that could change the fate of Europe.
Back home, Elena’s diplomat father and her secretive grandfather—once head of MI6, unbeknownst to his family—are involved in their own international machinations. Worried when Elena still hasn’t returned from Italy, her grandfather starts to connect the dots between her change in plans and an incident in Berlin, where Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich are on the rise. It seems the message Elena delivered has forced her into a dangerous predicament, and her grandfather’s old contacts from MI6 may be the only people who can get her out alive—if Elena can tell the difference between her allies and her enemies.
New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry merges family secrets with suspense on the world stage, as darkness bubbles under the surface of a Europe on the brink of change. In these complicated times, Elena emerges as a strong new heroine who learns quickly that when nothing is certain, she can rely only on herself.
Advance praise for Death in Focus
“Masterful! It’s exceedingly rare for an author to have the talent to blend classic elements of a thriller with compelling family dynamics and geopolitical intrigue, but Anne Perry pulls it off like the consummate pro that she is. And, on top of all that, Death in Focus is written in her unique literary voice. I guarantee you’ll love Elena Standish. Brava!” —Jeffery Deaver, author of The Never Game
*****
You are there, now, for the conversation between Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, and Anne Perry.
John Connolly is on tour for this week’s Hot Book of the Week, A Book of Bones. He’ll be at The Poisoned Pen on Friday, October 18 at 7 PM, where he’ll be hosted by John Sandford. Even if you can’t make it, you can order a signed copy of A Book of Bones through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2MdULvW
Here’s the description of A Book of Bones.
“Complex, pulse-pounding…Connolly’s nuanced characterizations and facility at creating spooky atmospherics make it easy to suspend disbelief about the threat of cosmic horror from other dimensions.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Private Investigator Charlie Parker returns in this heart-pounding thriller as he seeks revenge against the darkest forces in the world, from the internationally bestselling author of the acclaimed The Woman in the Woods.
He is our best hope.
He is our last hope.
On a lonely moor in northern England, the body of a young woman is discovered. In the south, a girl lies buried beneath a Saxon mound. To the southeast, the ruins of a priory hide a human skull.
Each is a sacrifice, a summons. And something in the darkness has heard the call.
Charlie Parker has also heard it and from the forests of Maine to the deserts of the Mexican border, from the canals of Amsterdam to the streets of London, he will track those who would cast the world into darkness.
Parker fears no evil—but evil fears him.
With John Connolly’s signature “blend of crime and supernatural horror” (Crime Reads), A Book of Bones is a terrifying and suspenseful thrill ride that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Well, mostly. Mark Coggins isn’t a Poisoned Pen Press author, but he’s a long-time friend of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore. Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore, recently hosted four authors at a Poisoned Pen Press Party. She actually split the group in two to make it easier to talk with them. Thomas Kies, Mark Coggins, Dennis Palumbo and Warren C. Easley participated. You can find their books in the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/
Now, if you would like to “attend” the Poisoned Pen Press party, you can watch the video.
Deborah Crombie is doing a limited book tour for her eighteenth Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James book, A Bitter Feast, but, of course she came to The Poisoned Pen. This is also the mystery for October’s British Crime Club. You can still order a signed copy of the book through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/32fmP7O
Here’s the description of A Bitter Feast.
“Crombie’s characters are rich, emotionally textured, fully human. They are the remarkable creations of a remarkable writer.”—Louise Penny
New York Times bestselling author Deborah Crombie returns with a mesmerizing entry in her “excellent” (Miami Herald) series, in which Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are pulled into a dangerous web of secrets, lies, and murder that simmers beneath the surface of a tranquil Cotswolds village.
Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, have been invited for a relaxing weekend in the Cotswolds, one of Britain’s most enchanting regions, famous for its rolling hills, golden cottages, and picturesque villages.
Duncan, Gemma, and their children are guests at Beck House, the family estate of Melody Talbot, Gemma’s detective sergeant. The Talbot family is wealthy, prominent, and powerful—Melody’s father is the publisher of one of London’s largest and most influential newspapers. The centerpiece of this glorious fall getaway is a posh charity harvest luncheon catered by up-and-coming chef Viv Holland. After fifteen years in London’s cut-throat food scene, Viv has returned to the Gloucestershire valleys of her childhood and quickly made a name for herself with her innovative meals based on traditional cuisine but using fresh local ingredients. Attended by the local well-to-do as well as national press food bloggers and restaurant critics, the event could make Viv a star.
But a tragic car accident and a series of mysterious deaths rock the estate and pull Duncan and Gemma into the investigation. It soon becomes clear that the killer has a connection with Viv’s pub—or, perhaps, with Beck House itself.
Does the truth lie in the past? Or is it closer to home, tied up in the tangled relationships and bitter resentments between the staff at Beck House and Viv’s new pub? Or is it more personal, entwined with secrets hidden by Viv and those closest to her?
*****
If you’re an Anglophile or a fan of Crombie’s books, or want to learn more about British cuisine, you’ll want to pick up A Bitter Feast. Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, has hosted Deborah Crombie for all of her books, and she’s interviewed her at conferences as well. Now, you can also enjoy the latest book conversation between the two.
Would you prefer to listen to Poisoned Pen Press books with audiobooks? Check out the new options that will be available soon, according to this press release.
Sourcebooks Inks Exclusive Audiobook Contract with Dreamscape Media for Casablanca Romance Imprint and Poisoned Pen Press Mystery Imprint
Award-winning production company partners with leading independent publisher to produce and distribute romance and mystery audiobooks
HOLLAND, Ohio, Oct. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Dreamscape Media, the publishing and entertainment arm of Midwest Tape, today announced a new multi-year agreement with Sourcebooks to produce and distribute audiobooks for Sourcebooks Casablanca, the publishing company’s beloved imprint for romance novels, and Poisoned Pen Press, which Sourcebooks acquired as its mystery imprint in January 2019. The award-winning production company will bring the compelling stories to life beginning Fall 2019.
“With dynamic imprints like Casablanca and Poisoned Pen Press, Sourcebooks has elevated modern fiction by amplifying delightful stories of romance and mystery from extraordinary voices,” said Dreamscape Media Publisher Tammy Faxel. “Dreamscape Media shares Sourcebooks’ independent spirit and value for diverse voices in storytelling. We look forward to creating a new way for readers to experience the Sourcebooks Casablanca and Poisoned Pen Press stories they love.”
The deal gives every new Casablanca and Poisoned Pen Press title the opportunity to simultaneously publish in print and audio formats.
Among the new Sourcebooks Casablanca titles, highlights include Whiteout by Adriana Anders, Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert, Heart of the Tempest by Isabel Cooper, Calling on Quinn by Blue Saffire, Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells, Jace by Sasha Summers, An Inconvenient Duke by Anna Harrington, Jackson by LaQuette and The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight. The Casablanca titles will span the publisher’s beloved genres and will spotlight author diversity through the imprint’s LGBTQIA+ and #OwnVoices initiatives.
“We are thrilled to work with Dreamscape Media to bring a new perspective to our upcoming titles,” said Deb Werksman, Editorial Director, Sourcebooks Casablanca. “Audiobooks are a special pathway for authors to connect directly with their readers. Dreamscape Media is an industry leader in driving these author connections and creating new opportunities for readers to indulge in the stories they love.”
Within Poisoned Pen Press, highlights include The Wrong Girl by Donis Casey, Sunset Limited by Jon Talton, and The Haunted Library of horror classics series published in conjunction with the Horror Writers Association.
Anna Michels, Editorial Director, Poisoned Pen Press added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Dreamscape Media to bring the best new mystery, suspense, thriller, and horror stories directly to readers on whichever platforms they choose to listen.”
The titles will also be available everywhere audiobooks are sold including Amazon, Audible, Recorded Books, iTunes, Google, Overdrive, and dozens of other audiobook resellers. Sourcebooks Casablanca’s and Poisoned Pen Press’s audiobook collection will be also available on hoopla digital’s 4.5 million registered library patrons, Midwest Tape’s mobile and online service for public libraries. The romance and mystery novels will join hoopla digital’s collection of more than 750,000 eBooks, audiobooks, albums, movies and television shows.
Casablanca and Poisoned Pen Press audiobooks will be featured in Dreamscape’s monthly print catalog to thousands of U.S. and Canadian libraries, quarterly trade print advertising, monthly sponsored BookRiot campaigns, and weekly mailers to thousands of Midwest Tape recipients.
Dreamscape has received hundreds of awards and accolades for high quality audio productions, including several Audie nominations, dozens of starred reviews, and many “Best of the Year” lists. Earlier this year, Dreamscape was awarded the Audie Award, the highest award for audiobook production
About Dreamscape Media
Dreamscape Media (dreamscapeab.com) is a privately held media development firm focusing on production, distribution and licensing in publishing and video channels, with an emphasis on the library/educational market. The company produces fiction and non-fiction audiobooks, book-based children’s read-along video programs, and offers video distribution services. Titles are available to both library and retail channels in physical and digital formats. Dreamscape is the publishing arm of Midwest Tape ““ a trusted partner to public libraries for nearly 30 years.
About Sourcebooks Casablanca
Sourcebooks Casablanca publishes six-to-eight romance novels a month including contemporary, paranormal, romantic suspense, and historical romance. Each book guarantees a compelling love story with a super-satisfying happily-ever-after. Visit RomanceReads.com for more information.
About Poisoned Pen Press
Founded in 1997 by Robert Rosenwald and Barbara Peters, Poisoned Pen Press became the mystery imprint of Sourcebooks in January 2019. Poisoned Pen Press books routinely earn starred reviews from trade publications and have also won or been nominated for every major award in the mystery genre.
No Way to Die, the seventh book in Warren C. Easley’s Cal Claxton Oregon Mystery series, is an October release from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press. Check the Web Store for the earlier books in the series, along with signed copies of No Way to Die. https://bit.ly/2PHMRdO
Here’s the description of No Way to Die.
When nothing is as it seems, can the truth survive?
Attorney Cal Claxton, now well-established in his Oregon law practice after breaking off his career as a high-powered LA prosecutor, just wants to go fishing with his daughter, Claire, and he knows the best place—the coastal area south of Coos Bay. But their vacation takes a dark turn with the discovery of a body in the river.
As an investigation is launched into the suspicious death, Cal and Claire find themselves drawn into the life of the local bookshop owner and vocal environmental activist, whose grandson was convicted for murder at age sixteen. She believes he was wrongly accused and convinces Cal to reexamine the case. Together, Cal and Claire dig deep into the secrets and crumbling alliances that form the foundation of this small coastal community, and what they find could spell doom for them both..
Raymond Khoury, author of the thriller Empire of Lies, recently appeared at The Poisoned Pen. Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore, introduced him, and turned the mike over to James Rollins. You can order Khoury’s books, including signed copies of Empire of Lies, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2IAGw2g
Here’s the description of Empire of Lies.
Empire of Lies is a sweeping thriller in the tradition of The Man in the High Castle, Fatherland, and Underground Airlines from New York Times bestselling author Raymond Khoury.
“The best what-if thriller for a long, long time—makes you think, makes you sweat, and makes you choose, between what is and what might have been.”—Lee Child
Istanbul, 1683: Mehmed IV, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, is preparing to lay siege to Vienna, capital of the Holy Roman Empire, when a mysterious visitor arrives in his bedroom—naked, covered in strange tattoos—to deliver a dangerous, world-changing message.
Paris, 2017: Ottoman flags have been flying over the great city for three hundred years, ever since its fall—along with all of Europe—to the empire’s all-conquering army. Notre Dame has been renamed the Fatih Mosque. Public spaces are segregated by gender. And Kamal Arslan Agha, a feted officer in the sultan’s secret police, is starting to question his orders.
Rumors of an impending war with the Christian Republic of America, attacks by violent extremists, and economic collapse have heightened surveillance and arrests across the empire. Tasked with surveying potential threats, Kamal has a heavy caseload—and conscience.
When a mysterious stranger—naked, covered in strange tattoos—appears on the banks of the Seine, Kamal is called in to investigate. But what he discovers is a secret buried in the empire’s past, a secret the Sultan will do anything to silence.
With the mysterious Z Protectorate one step behind, Kamal, together with Nisreen—a fierce human rights lawyer—is caught up in a race across the empire and time itself—a race that could change their world, or destroy it.
Empire of Lies is being published as “The Ottoman Secret” in the UK.
*****
You can also “attend” the event, and eavesdrop on the conversation via YouTube.
The latest Joe Gunther novel, Archer Mayor’s Bomber’s Moon, is the Hot Book of the Week at The Poisoned Pen. You can order Mayor’s books, including signed copies of Bomber’s Moon, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/357hQrz
Here’s the description of Bomber’s Moon.
The murder of a small-time drug dealer snowballs into the most complex case ever faced by Joe Gunther and his VBI team.
It is said a bright and clear bomber’s moon is the best asset to finding one’s target. But beware what you wish for: What you can see at night can also see you. Often with dire consequences.
Bomber’s Moon is Archer Mayor’s latest entry in the Joe Gunther series and it may just be his best yet.
Two young women form the heart of this tale. One, an investigative reporter, the other a private investigator. Uneasy allies from completely different walks of life, they work together—around and sometimes against Joe Gunther and his VBI cops—in an attempt to connect the murders of a small town drug dealer, a smart, engaging, fatally flawed thief, and the tangled, political, increasingly dark goings on at a prestigious prep school.
While Gunther and the VBI set about solving the two murders, Sally Kravitz and Rachel Reiling combine their talents and resources to go where the police cannot, from working undercover at Thorndike Academy, to having clandestine meetings with criminals for their insider’s knowledge of Vermont’s unexpectedly illicit underbelly.
But there is a third element at work. A malevolent force, the common link in all this death and chaos, is hard at work sowing mayhem to protect its ancient, vicious, very dark roots.
