Fiction Review

Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, has hosted Jacqueline Winspear for seventeen of her books. Now, she had the chance to host her for two books. The American Agent is the latest Maisie Dobbs mystery. Winspear also talks about her nonfiction book written because of readers, What Would Maisie Do? You can order signed copies of The American Agent, and also copies of the collectible nonfiction title through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2JDLy0W

Here’s the summary of The American Agent.

Beloved heroine Maisie Dobbs, “one of the great fictional heroines” (Parade), investigates the mysterious murder of an American war correspondent in London during the Blitz in a page-turning tale of love and war, terror and survival.

When Catherine Saxon, an American correspondent reporting on the war in Europe, is found murdered in her London digs, news of her death is concealed by British authorities. Serving as a linchpin between Scotland Yard and the Secret Service, Robert MacFarlane pays a visit to Maisie Dobbs, seeking her help. He is accompanied by an agent from the US Department of Justice—Mark Scott, the American who helped Maisie escape Hitler’s Munich in 1938. MacFarlane asks Maisie to work with Scott to uncover the truth about Saxon’s death.

As the Germans unleash the full terror of their blitzkrieg upon the British Isles, raining death and destruction from the skies, Maisie must balance the demands of solving this dangerous case with her need to protect Anna, the young evacuee she has grown to love and wants to adopt. Entangled in an investigation linked to the power of wartime propaganda and American political intrigue being played out in Britain, Maisie will face losing her dearest friend—and the possibility that she might be falling in love again.

*****

Here’s the description of What Would Maisie Do?

A one-of-a-kind illustrated companion to the best-selling Maisie Dobbs series, which invites readers into the beloved heroine’s world—and shares her wisdom and inspiration.

Through fourteen books, the Maisie Dobbs series has had a resounding impact on fans. Readers have shared with author Jacqueline Winspear how Maisie’s stories have resonated with them or helped them through difficult times. Fans have been inspired by the heroine’s resilience and endurance, repurposing her strength in their own lives in a way perhaps best embodied by the phrase “What Would Maisie Do?” 

Anchored by thirty of Maisie’s most timeless quotes, coupled with Jacqueline Winspear’s inspiration for each nugget of wisdom, these reflections offer readers additional insight into the world of Maisie Dobbs and invite them to reflect on favorite moments and memories. Here are just a few:

On the value of respect: “Liking a person we are required to have dealings with is not of paramount importance. But respect is crucial, on both sides, as is tolerance and a depth of understanding of those influences that sculpt a character.”

On grieving: “Grief is a pilgrimage along a path that allows us to reflect upon the past from points of remembrance held in the soul. At times the way is filled with stones underfoot and we feel pained by our memories, yet on other days the shadows reflect our longing and those happinesses shared.”

On the importance of departure: “Leaving that which you love breaks your heart open. But you will find a jewel inside, and this precious jewel is the opening of your heart to all that is new and all that is different, and it will be the making of you—if you allow it to be.”

The perfect supplement to the Maisie Dobbs series, What Would Maisie Do? also features the iconic jacket art that has graced the series, as well as period photographs and prompts for readers’ own observations and inspiration—making this a unique journal that fans will turn to and treasure for years to come. 

*****

If you’re a fan of Maisie Dobbs or Jacqueline Winspear, you’ll want to watch the event and feel as if you were there.

Wendall Thomas is the author of the Cyd Redondo mysteries. The latest adventure takes Cyd to Australia in Drowned Under. You can order a copy of the first book in the series, Lost Luggage, and reserve a copy of Drowned Under through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2TBqB6v

Michael Barson recently interviewed Wendall Thomas for Suspense Magazine. You can catch that interview here. https://bit.ly/2TBufgz

Here’s the summary of Drowned Under, the second Cyd Redondo escapade.

“Fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum will cotton to Cyd.” —Publishers Weekly

Eggnog notwithstanding, travel agent Cyd Redondo is not looking forward to the holidays. The borough of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn—along with most of her family—holds her responsible for landing her Uncle Ray in a minimum security prison.

So, when Cyd’s ex-husband, Barry Manzoni, announces his parents have disappeared from an Australian cruise, she rushes Down Under to enlist the help of travel liaison and friend Harriet Archer, who offers a free cabin on the Tasmanian Dream and insider assistance with the search.

Cyd’s flights are delayed, so she hitches a helicopter ride to the ship—which lacks a heli-pad. She and her Balenciaga bag barely survive the harrowing drop, landing on a gorgeous man in a Speedo. When she finally makes it to her cabin, she finds Harriet dead, lying in a pool of blood.

The ship’s doctor/coroner—now wearing a tux instead of his Speedo—declares the death an accident. While Darling Cruises hurries to cover up the “unfortunate event” and sanitize the crime scene, Cyd scrambles to preserve evidence, terrified the murder is connected to the Manzonis’ disappearance, and to prevent the heist of the world’s last Tasmanian tiger.

The Hot Books of the Week turn over quickly at The Poisoned Pen. On Wednesday, March 27 at 7 PM, the bookstore will welcome Jane Stanton Hitchcock, author of the current Hot Book of the Week, Bluff. Hitchcock will be joined by Linda Fairstein, author of Blood Oath. You can order copies of books by both authors, as well as a signed copy of Bluff, through the Web Store, https://store.poisonedpen.com/

Here’s the description of Bluff.

“An irresistible social noir.” —New York Times bestselling author Linda Fairstein

There has never been a better time for revenge

One-time socialite Maud Warner polishes up the rags of her once glittering existence and bluffs her way into a signature New York restaurant on a sunny October day. When she walks out again, a man will have been shot. 

Maud has grown accustomed to being underestimated and invisible, and she uses her ability to fly under the radar as she pursues celebrity accountant Burt Sklar, the man she believes stole her mother’s fortune and left her family in ruins. Her fervent passion for poker has taught Maud that she can turn weakness into strength to take advantage of people who think they are taking advantage of her, and now she has dealt the first card in her high-stakes plan for revenge.

One unexpected twist after another follows as Maud plays the most important poker hand of her life. The stakes? To take down her enemies and get justice for their victims. Her success depends on her continuing ability to bluff—and on who will fold.

Can she win?

A tale of deceit, seduction and revenge, perfect for fans of Mary Kubica and Jeffery Deaver!

Additional Praise for Bluff:
“This delicious novel of sweet revenge reveals, with wit and stylish vigor, a world ““ New York high society ““ that the author clearly knows intimately.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
“A smartly plotted upper-crust caper.”—Booklist

Lisa See’s The Island of Sea Women is currently the Hot Book of the Week at The Poisoned Pen. She was just at the bookstore to discuss her latest book with Barbara Peters. They mentioned she has been there for all of her books since the very first one. Lately, bestselling authors who face large crowds at the bookstore remind the audience that there may have only been five people there for their first appearance. It’s encouragement for new authors, and reminders to the audience that every author has a debut, and it’s wonderful to receive support from the beginning. If you’d like to buy an autographed copy of See’s latest book, The Island of Sea Women, or copies of her other books, check the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2TVqNm5

Here’s the description of The Island of Sea Women.

A new novel from Lisa See, the New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and family secrets on a small Korean island.

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger.

Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War and its aftermath, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point.

This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them—The Island of Sea Womenintroduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.

*****

Intrigued? You can watch Lisa See discuss her books here.

The other night, William Kent Krueger introduced debut author John McMahon to an audience at The Poisoned Pen. McMahon is the author of The Good Detective, a book that received a rave notice in The New York Times. Marilyn Stasio said The Good Detective “is pretty much perfect”. https://nyti.ms/2UKkSMI

You can order a signed copy of The Good Detective through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2FplGl1

You might want to seriously consider supporting a debut author. Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, sent an email to readers earlier this week. It was before McMahon’s appearance at the bookstore. But, her reasons why readers should show up to meet a debut author are fitting for why we should support debut authors as well. Here’s part of that email.

“This is a good time to emphasize how important it is to support debut authors. To make them feel welcome at The Pen, and try their books.

“Publishing a first novel is a landmark, also life-changing event. We knock ourselves out to host as many of them as we can regardless of expense. It matters who the next generation of writers you want to read will be. And if we don’t do our part and you don’t do yours, a first novel can become a last novel. Ouch.

“You only get one shot at meeting a debut author and buying a debut novel. Bragging rights along with books to devour. Long-time customers can look back to this moment with Child, Connelly, Winslow, Ide, Petrie, Krueger, Hamilton… Lisa See. So many more.”

*****

Here’s the summary of John McMahon’s The Good Detective.

“John McMahon is one of those rare writers who seem to have sprung out of nowhere. His first novel, The Good Detective, which is pretty much perfect, features a decent if flawed hero battling personal troubles while occupied with a murder case of great consequence to his community.”–New York Times Book Review

Introducing Detective P.T. Marsh in a swift and bruising debut where Elmore Leonard’s staccato prose meets Greg Iles’ Southern settings.

How can you solve a crime if you’ve killed the prime suspect?

Detective P.T. Marsh was a rising star on the police force of Mason Falls, Georgia–until his wife and young son died in an accident. Since that night, he’s lost the ability to see the line between smart moves and disastrous decisions. Such as when he agrees to help out a woman by confronting her abusive boyfriend. When the next morning he gets called to the scene of his newest murder case, he is stunned to arrive at the house of the very man he beat up the night before. He could swear the guy was alive when he left, but can he be sure? What’s certain is that his fingerprints are all over the crime scene. 

The trouble is only beginning. When the dead body of a black teenager is found in a burned-out field with a portion of a blackened rope around his neck, P.T. realizes he might have killed the number-one suspect of this horrific crime.

Amid rising racial tension and media scrutiny, P.T. uncovers something sinister at the heart of the boy’s murder–a conspiracy leading all the way back to the time of the Civil War. Risking everything to unravel the puzzle even as he fights his own personal demons, P.T. races headlong toward an incendiary and life-altering showdown.

*****

If you didn’t make it the other night, you can still watch John McMahon in conversation with William Kent Krueger.

The title of Deanna Raybourn’s latest Veronica Speedwell book is not “The Victorian Sisterhood”. However, Raybourn and Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, had a far-ranging fascinating discussion that covered topics involving the Victorian sisterhood. Raybourn’s books, including signed copies of A Dangerous Collaboration, the latest in her series, are available through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2OhP0wy

Here’s the description of A Dangerous Collaboration.

A bride mysteriously disappears on her wedding day in the newest Veronica Speedwell adventure by the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey series.

Lured by the promise of a rare and elusive butterfly, the intrepid Veronica Speedwell is persuaded by Lord Templeton-Vane, the brother of her colleague Stoker, to pose as his fiancée at a house party on a Cornish isle owned by his oldest friend, Malcolm Romilly.

But Veronica soon learns that one question hangs over the party: What happened to Rosamund? Three years ago, Malcolm Romilly’s bride vanished on their wedding day, and no trace of her has ever been found. Now those who were closest to her have gathered, each a possible suspect in her disappearance. 

From the poison garden kept by Malcolm’s sister to the high towers of the family castle, the island’s atmosphere is full of shadows, and danger lurks around every corner. 

Determined to discover Rosamund’s fate, Veronica and Stoker match wits with a murderer who has already struck once and will not hesitate to kill again.…

*****

Intrigued? Barbara Peters calls Deanna Raybourn’s latest book “a country house murder”. You can “attend” the recent event right here.

Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs books, will be at The Poisoned Pen on Tuesday, March 26 at 7 PM. During this visit, she has two books to discuss and sign, but I have the feeling part of the conversation will be about radio. She discusses that in her recent newsletter.

The American Agent and The Power of Radio

In this newsletter:

• Publication update for The American Agent and What Would Maisie Do?
• Radio—the “wireless” of its day

I am so excited about publication of two books next week! On March 26th—as you all know by now—The American Agent, the latest novel in the Maisie Dobbs series will be published, at the same time as What Would Maisie Do? the non-fiction book bringing together readers’ favorite passages from the series, along with my inspiration for each piece, and new questions for you, the reader, to consider. There’s space for you to record your responses, and also sections on locations mentioned in the series, as well as gorgeous color plates and other photos to give you a real sense of Maisie Dobbs’ world.

But back to The American Agent. For this novel I drew upon family recollections and stories in my effort to give a real sense of what life was like for those who lived through the Blitz, and though the novel is concentrated in London, you will see in the “Author’s Notes” that I have drawn readers’ attention to the fact that many British cities were impacted by the Luftwaffe “Blitzkrieg.” Bombing of Britain’s cities would continue throughout the war, but “Blitzkrieg” was formed of a very specific “V” formation of bombers and fighter aircraft, with the former carrying not only devastating heavy bombs, but thousands of incendiary devices that would rain down upon the cities to cause conflagrations such as you could not imagine. I also added that at the same time, while RAF fighter pilots were doing their best to stop the German attacks, British bombers were heading into Germany.

 The Blitz

One feature of The American Agent is the radio, and how radio broadcasts not only informed people—with some editorial work to keep up spirits—but also became a powerful tool of soft propaganda. Edward Murrow and his cadre of “warcasters” brought the war to American families with searing descriptions of what they saw each and every day. Indeed, you could think of them as “change agents” because that is exactly what Murrow did—the American public began to move away from the isolationist rhetoric of certain politicians, realizing that Britain was holding back the Nazi threat alone. Murrow’s late-night broadcasts reached the US east coast at dinner time, so you can just imagine a family around the table, eating dinner while listening to the sound of people running toward a shelter during the bombing—Murrow took a microphone and recording equipment into the streets to give people at home in the USA a real sense of what was happening on the other side of the Atlantic.

 Ed Murrow broadcasting during the Blitz

The radio—or “wireless” as it was called in Britain—made a huge impact when it became available to the broader population, and by the 1930’s it was bringing the wider world into people’s living rooms, with news, music and light entertainment. In Britain, the British Broadcasting Company (before it became “Corporation”) required the men—and it was pretty much always men—who read the news to wear evening jackets and bow ties, even though it was not a visual medium. In short order, tens of thousands of people had radios—arguably, it was the Internet of its day. Today in Britain (I don’t have the stats for the USA), some 90% of people listen to the radio each week—on the way to work (25% of listeners), at home (60%) or in the office. Apparently that’s a weekly average of 21.3 hours per listener, per week. Now of course you can stream radio programming, though many people miss that crackle and pop of the dial as it turns to the next station.

 Listening to the wireless

Excerpts from real radio broadcasts are peppered throughout The American Agent. I am not sure when I decided to weave in some of my research in this way, but for me it gave the story an immediacy, and it was also—I suppose—a love letter from me to radio itself, and my memories of listening to the radio with my parents when I was a child. Today, despite streaming, playlists and podcasts, I still love listening to the radio, mainly when I’m driving. Needless to say, during the war years, the radio was particularly important in the lives of women, who not only listened at home, but in factories and while in the services. It brought people together, bolstered morale, and it made them laugh. Of course, one broadcaster who was deadly serious, but actually made most people laugh, was “Lord Haw Haw.” You may have heard of him. William Joyce was an American born Anglo-Irish fascist (he held a British passport) and Nazi propaganda broadcaster, whose “hoity-toity” voice boomed across the airwaves in an effort to undermine British morale during the war. He was eventually captured in Germany by British forces in 1945, and brought to London, where he was tried at the Old Bailey and found guilty of High Treason. He was executed in 1946.

 Lord Haw Haw

There’s much I could write about radio during the war years, but perhaps the best thing is simply to say that you can listen to the wartime broadcasts of people such as Edward Murrow, J.B. Priestley and others—they’re on the Internet. Those recordings are some 80 years old now and still able to inspire goosebumps—that’s the power of radio.

My book tour starts in a week, on March 25th. You can check out my tour itinerary here—hopefully I’ll see many of you along the way. And for those of you who cannot attend one of the events, there’s a new What Would Maisie Do? group interface where you can discuss the series and your favorite passages from the books. It helps to have a copy of What Would Maisie Do? to hand, but readers are talking already!

Until the next time…

Jacqueline

*****

You can order Winspear’s books, including copies of The American Agent and What Would Maisie Do? through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2JDLy0W

Lisa See’s The Island of Sea Women is the current Hot Book of the Week at The Poisoned Pen. See will be at the bookstore on Friday, March 22 at 7 PM to discuss and sign the book. You can order copies of her books, including a signed copy of The Island of Sea Women, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2FphdyO

Carly Silver recently wrote an article, “6 Things to Know Before Reading Lisa See’s new book, The Island of Sea Women”. You can read the article on BookBub. https://bit.ly/2JsBlUN

Here’s the description of The Island of Sea Women.

A new novel from Lisa See, the New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and family secrets on a small Korean island.

Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective, led by Young-sook’s mother. As the girls take up their positions as baby divers, they know they are beginning a life of excitement and responsibility but also danger.

Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s differences are impossible to ignore. The Island of Sea Women is an epoch set over many decades, beginning during a period of Japanese colonialism in the 1930s and 1940s, followed by World War II, the Korean War and its aftermath, through the era of cell phones and wet suits for the women divers. Throughout this time, the residents of Jeju find themselves caught between warring empires. Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, and she will forever be marked by this association. Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers in their village. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outside their control will push their friendship to the breaking point.

This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a world turned upside down, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them—The Island of Sea Womenintroduces readers to the fierce and unforgettable female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.

Brad Parks and Glen Erik Hamilton were recently at The Poisoned Pen, hosted by Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore. Anyone who takes the time to watch the video will enjoy the witty conversation. Parks’s latest book, The Last Act, was recently the subject of Patrick Anderson’s article in The Washington Post, https://wapo.st/2Cr4CcE. Anderson said The Last Act may be Parks’ best book yet.

Here’s the description of The Last Act.

Award-winning author Brad Parks delivers a tense novel of thrills, twists, and deceit that grabs you and won’t let go until the final, satisfying page.

Tommy Jump is an out-of-work stage actor approached by the FBI with the role of a lifetime: Go undercover at a federal prison, impersonate a convicted felon, and befriend a fellow inmate, a disgraced banker named Mitchell Dupree who knows the location of documents that can be used to bring down a ruthless drug cartel. . . if only he’d tell the FBI where they are.

The women in Tommy’s life, his fiancée and mother, tell him he’s crazy to even consider taking the part. The cartel has quickly risen to become the largest supplier of crystal meth in America. And it hasn’t done it by playing nice. Still, Tommy’s acting career has stalled, and the FBI is offering a minimum of $150,000 for a six-month gig—whether he gets the documents or not.

Using a false name and backstory, Tommy enters the low-security prison and begins the process of befriending Dupree. But Tommy soon realizes he’s underestimated the enormity of his task and the terrifying reach of the cartel. The FBI isn’t the only one looking for the documents, and if Tommy doesn’t play his role to perfection, it just may be his last act.

*****

Glen Erik Hamilton’s Mercy River is the fourth book in his Van Shaw series. Hamilton was kind enough to take time recently to answer questions for this blog. You can read his “In the Hot Seat” interview here. https://bit.ly/2XRGoRU

Here’s the summary of Mercy River.

Helping a fellow veteran accused of murder, Van Shaw is drawn into a dangerous labyrinth involving smuggled opioids, ruthless mercenaries, and deadly family secrets that will challenge his notions of brotherhood and justice in this riveting thriller from Anthony, Macavity and Strand Critics Award-winning author Glen Erik Hamilton.

When his friend Leo Pak is arrested on suspicion of murder and armed robbery, Van Shaw journeys to a remote Oregon county to help his fellow Ranger. Van had been Leo’s sergeant when they served with the 75^thRegiment in Afghanistan, and back in the States, Leo had helped Van when he needed it most.

Arriving in the isolated town of Mercy River, Van learns that his troubled friend had planned to join a raucous three-day party that dominates the place for one weekend each year. Attended by hundreds of former and active Rangers, the event is more than just a reunion; it’s the central celebration of a growing support network called the Rally, founded and led by a highly decorated Special Operations general named Macomber.

But there’s more going on in Mercy River than just a bunch of Army hard cases blowing off steam. The murder victim—the owner of a local gun shop where Leo worked part time—was dealing in stolen heroin-grade opiates. Worse, the town has a dark history with a community of white supremacists, growing in strength and threatening to turn Mercy River into their private enclave. 

The cops have damning evidence linking Leo to the murder, and Van knows that backwaters like Mercy River are notorious for protecting their own. His quest to clear Leo’s name will stir up old grudges and dark secrets beneath the surface of this secretive small town, pit his criminal instincts against his loyalties to his brothers in arms, and force him to question his own belief in putting justice above the letter of the law.

Glen Erik Hamilton creates crime fiction that pulsates with emotional intensity and is “as much fun to read as Lee Child’s Jack Reacher” (J. A. Jance). In Mercy River, Hamilton highlights the unique and powerful moral struggle inherent in Van Shaw’s iconoclastic character—an honorable man torn between upholding the law and breaking it to save innocent lives. Action-packed, riveting, and powerful, Mercy River is a novel that goes to the heart and soul of what it means to be a hero in a corrupt and punishing world.

*****

Signed copies of these books by both authors are available through the Web Store. https://poisonedpen.com/

If you missed it, I hope you have time to watch the event with the authors in conversation.

It was a full house at The Poisoned Pen for the debut of Betty Webb’s tenth and final Lena Jones mystery, Desert Redemption. You can order the Lena Jones books, and a signed copy of Desert Redemption through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2uhnpCs

Here’s the description of Desert Redemption.

“In Jones’s electrifying 10th…Scottsdale, Arizona, PI Lena is approached by Harold Slow Horse, one of Arizona’s leading artists…[and] gets on a trail that leads her at long last to answers about her troubled past…” —Publishers Weekly

At the age of four, Scottsdale private eye Lena Jones was shot in the head and left to die on a Phoenix street. After her rescue, she spent years in the abusive foster care system, never knowing who her parents were and why they didn’t claim her. When Desert Redemption begins, she still doesn’t know her real name.

Lena’s rough childhood—and the suspicion that her parents may have been members of a cult—keeps her hackles raised. So when Chelsea, the ex-wife of Harold Slow Horse, a close friend, joins a “new thought” organization called Kanati, Lena begins to investigate. She soon learns that two communes—polar opposites of each other—have sprung up nearby in the Arizona desert. The participants at EarthWay follow a rigorous dietary regime that could threaten the health of its back-to-the-land inhabitants, while the more pleasure-loving folk at Kanati are dining on sumptuous French cuisine.

On an early morning horseback ride across the Pima Indian Reservation, Lena finds an emaciated woman’s body in the desert. “Reservation Woman” lies in a spot close to EarthWay, clad in a dress similar to the ones worn by its women. But there is something about her face that reminds Lena of the Kanatians.

While investigating, Lena’s memory is jolted back to that horrible night when her father and younger brother were among those murdered by a cult leader named Abraham, who then vanished. Lena begins to wonder if either EarthWay or Kanati could be linked to that night, and to her own near-death. Could leaders of one or both shed light on what had happened to Lena’s mother, who vanished at the same time as Abraham?

All these mysteries are resolved in Desert Redemption, the tenth and final Lena Jones case, which can also be enjoyed on its own.

*****

Betty Webb recently answered questions for Bookreporter.com. You can read that interview here. https://bit.ly/2HInUxt

You can also watch the debut event from The Poisoned Pen with Webb and Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen.