Fiction Review

Paul Doiron was recently at The Poisoned Pen, on book tour for his tenth Mike Bowditch novel, Almost Midnight. As always, it was a wide-ranging discussion, but Doiron brought along photos of Maine, the setting for his mysteries. You can order Doiron’s books, including signed copies of Almost Midnight, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2KqPe53

Here’s the description of the latest in the series, Almost Midnight.

In this thrilling entry in Edgar Award finalist Paul Doiron’s bestselling series, a deadly attack on one of Maine’s last wild wolves leads Game Warden Mike Bowditchto an even bigger criminal conspiracy.

While on vacation, Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch receives a strange summons from Billy Cronk, one of his oldest friends and a man he had to reluctantly put behind bars for murder. Billy wants him to investigate a new female prison guard with a mysterious past, and Mike feels honor-bound to help his friend. But when the guard becomes the victim in a brutal attack at the prison, he realizes there may be a darker cover-up at play—and that Billy and his family might be at risk.

Then Mike receives a second call for help, this time from a distant mountain valley where Shadow, a wolf-hybrid he once cared for, has been found shot by an arrow and clinging to life. He searches for the identity of the bowman, but his investigation is blocked at every turn by the increasingly hostile community. And when Billy’s wife and children are threatened, Mike finds himself tested like never before. How can he possibly keep the family safe when he has enemies of his own on his trail? 

Torn between loyalties, Mike Bowditch must respond in the only way he knows how: by bending every law and breaking every rule to keep his loved ones safe and the true predators at bay.

*****

You can check out the discussion, along with glimpses of the photos from Maine, here.

Brad Thor, author of the nineteenth Scot Harvath novel, Backlash, was recently at The Poisoned Pen. That thriller is already number two on the New York Times Bestseller list. You can still order a signed copy of Backlash through the Web Store, as well as copies of Thor’s other books. https://bit.ly/2FFYbE8

Here’s the description of Backlash.

“Raw emotion, nonstop action, and relentless pacing makes Backlash another one-night read from Brad Thor, who delivers the book to beat in 2019.” —The Real Book Spy

#1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and #1 Publishers Weekly bestselling author Brad Thor is back with his most gripping thriller yet!

In ancient texts, there are stories about men who struck from the shadows, seemingly beyond the reach of death itself. These men were considered part angel, part demon. Their loyalty was to their families, their friends, and their kings. You crossed these men at your peril. And once crossed, there was no crossing back.

They were fearless; men of honor who have been known throughout history by different names: Spartan, Viking, Samurai.

Today, men like these still strike from the shadows. They are highly prized intelligence agents, military operatives, and assassins.

One man is all three.

Two days ago, that man was crossed—badly.

Now, far from home and surrounded by his enemy, Scot Harvath must battle his way out.

With no support, no cavalry coming, and no one even aware of where he is, it will take everything he has ever learned to survive.

But survival isn’t enough. Harvath wants revenge.

In the most explosive novel Brad Thor has ever written, page after captivating page of action, intrigue, loyalty, and betrayal will keep you hooked until the very last sentence.

*****

Of course, when I say the author is in conversation, that means you can eavesdrop on the event. Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, and Brad Thor had a wide-ranging conversation.

Tonight’s the night! Adrian McKinty will be at The Poisoned Pen, in conversation with Diana Gabaldon, at 7 PM, Tuesday, July 9. Release date is today. McKinty will be discussing his hot new standalone novel, The Chain. If you’re coming to the bookstore, come early because space is limited. However, you can still order a copy of the book through the Web Store. The Chain is the Hot Book of the Week at the bookstore, and one of People magazine’s top picks for the week. You’ll want to order a copy now. https://bit.ly/2L8YDza

Here’s the description of The Chain.

VICTIM.
SURVIVOR.
ABDUCTOR.
CRIMINAL.
YOU WILL BECOME EACH ONE.

“This nightmarish story is incredibly propulsive and original. You won’t shake it for a long time.”
STEPHEN KING“McKinty is one of the most striking and most memorable crime voices to emerge on the scene in years. His plots tempt you to read at top speed, but don’t give in: this writing – sharply observant, intelligent and shot through with black humor – should be savored.”
TANA FRENCH“A masterpiece. You have never read anything quite like THE CHAIN and you will never be able to forget it.”
DON WINSLOW
* * * * *

YOUR PHONE RINGS.

A STRANGER HAS KIDNAPPED YOUR CHILD.

TO FREE THEM YOU MUST ABDUCT SOMEONE ELSE’S CHILD.

YOUR CHILD WILL BE RELEASED WHEN YOUR VICTIM’S PARENTS KIDNAP ANOTHER CHILD.

IF ANY OF THESE THINGS DON’T HAPPEN:
YOUR CHILD WILL BE KILLED.

YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE CHAIN

*****

While you’re waiting to read your copy, you can read Alison Flood’s interview with Adrian McKinty in The Guardian. https://bit.ly/2JkLfFQ

Maggie Robinson’s second historical Lady Adelaide Mystery, Who’s Sorry Now?, came out in June from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press. Miranda Owen’s review in Fresh Fiction was so good we’d like to share it. You can order Who’s Sorry Now?, and Robinson’s other books, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2r5nvfa

Here’s the review as it appears at Fresh Fiction, reprinted with permission.

Who’s Sorry Now?
Maggie Robinson

Reviewed by Miranda Owen
Posted July 3, 2019

Mystery Historical

WHO’S SORRY NOW? is the second book in Maggie Robinson’s “Lady Adelaide” mystery series. Although this is the second book in this series, I was able to follow along and enjoy the story without having read the previous book. This is a historical mystery, set in 1920s England, but with a paranormal twist. Lady Adelaide Compton keeps getting embroiled in murder investigations and her late unlamented husband Rupert is her guardian angel. This story is told from alternating perspectives ““ Adelaide’s and the charming and determined Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Dev Hunter’s. The way Dev and Adelaide are so smitten with each other, but resolved to hide their true feelings, is adorable and I look forward to seeing their relationship evolve in future books. Maggie Robinson helpfully includes a breakdown of who’s who in the front of the book for readers to refer to.

Various young people are being picked off around town. Addie only gets involved because her sister has the misfortune of being the victim of an unsuccessful poisoning. I like the chemistry between Addie and Dev. While Dev is protective of Addie, and is naturally against civilians getting involved in a police investigation, he is pragmatic and accepts the help that Addie brings. Likewise, while she is occasionally annoyed with Dev in his professional capacity, she understands his perspective and respects his judgment and deductive reasoning. As Addie and Dev work together to figure out who’s behind the killings, there are a multitude of likely suspects ““ from shady characters like Freddy Rinaldi the manager of a local den of iniquity and favorite bad girl at large Mary Harmon to more aristocratic types like the debonair Prince Alexei. Rupert’s running commentary on the suspects and his amusing bickering with Addie adds humor and breaks up the tension when things look particularly dark.

WHO’S SORRY NOW is a book to relish with characters and a story that will capture your imagination. Maggie Robinson is now one of my favorite authors of historical mysteries, along with Ashley Weaver and Sara Rosett. I can’t wait to read the next “Lady Adelaide” mystery!

*****

Here’s the summary of Who’s Sorry Now?

If you like a clever mystery, a handsome ghost, and the far-from-bereaved widow who can’t find the elusive killer without Rupert’s help, Who’s Sorry Now? is just your cup of English murder.“—Charles Todd, author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries and the Bess Crawford mysteries

London, England 1925

A Russian prince. A wealthy heir. An impoverished earl’s daughter. Which one will make an untimely exit from the London social scene?

Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Devenand Hunter finds himself in the middle of a series of upper-class deaths in London. Bright Young People are being extinguished in their favorite night spots, from a sleazy private jazz club to the Savoy ballroom. Dev knows just the person to help him navigate the treacherous society waters: Lady Adelaide Compton, a marquess’ daughter and widow of a Great War hero. Unfortunately, he has put her in jeopardy once before, nearly leading him to turn in his warrant card.

But when her sister Cee is nearly one of the victims, Addie turns to Mr. Hunter, offering her help… and it soon becomes clear that the two of them working together again could lead to much more than merely solving crime.

The Lady Adelaide Mysteries:
Nobody’s Sweetheart Now (Book 1)
Who’s Sorry Now? (Book 2)

If you’re a mystery reader, and see “Chet”, do you think of Spencer Quinn’s Chet and Bernie mysteries? The Boston Globe called Chet the dog, “the most memorable narrator in all of crime fiction”. Quinn will be at The Poisoned Pen on Wednesday, July 10 at 7 PM to talk about the latest book in the series, Heart of Barkness. You can order copies of Spencer Quinn’s books, including signed copies of Heart of Barkness, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2XKLNgf

Here’s the description of Heart of Barkness.

Spencer Quinn’s Heart of Barkness is the latest in the New York Timesbestselling series that the Los Angeles Times called “nothing short of masterful”…

Chet the dog, “the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction” (Boston Globe) and P.I. Bernie encounter heartache and much worse in the world of country music. They’re both music lovers, so when Lotty Pilgrim, a country singer from long ago, turns up at a local bar, they drive out to catch her act. Bernie’s surprised to see someone who was once so big performing in such a dive, and drops a C-note the Little Detective Agency can’t afford to part with into the tip jar. The C-note is stolen right from under their noses ““ even from under Chet’s, the nose that misses nothing ““ and before the night is over, it’s stolen again. 

Soon they’re working the most puzzling case of their career, a case that takes them back in time in search of old border-town secrets, and into present-day danger where powerful people want those secrets to stay hidden. Chet and Bernie find themselves sucked into a real-life murder ballad where there is no one to trust but each other.

*****

The following video is for everyone who loves Chet, or anyone who loves a dog. It’s called “Song for Chet”.

Adrian McKinty, author of the standalone thriller, The Chain, will be at The Poisoned Pen Tuesday, July 9 at 7 PM, in conversation with Diana Gabaldon. Copies of The Chain can be ordered through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2XrbcMJ

Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, recently discussed The Chain in an article for Forbes. Rachel Kramer Bussell asked independent bookstores for their recommendations for Summer Reading. Peters suggested The Chain. You can read the Forbes article here. https://bit.ly/2FVt1Zr

Here’s the summary of The Chain.

VICTIM.
SURVIVOR.
ABDUCTOR.
CRIMINAL.
YOU WILL BECOME EACH ONE.

“This nightmarish story is incredibly propulsive and original. You won’t shake it for a long time.”
STEPHEN KING “McKinty is one of the most striking and most memorable crime voices to emerge on the scene in years. His plots tempt you to read at top speed, but don’t give in: this writing – sharply observant, intelligent and shot through with black humor – should be savored.”
TANA FRENCH“A masterpiece. You have never read anything quite like THE CHAIN and you will never be able to forget it.”
DON WINSLOW
* * * * *

YOUR PHONE RINGS.

A STRANGER HAS KIDNAPPED YOUR CHILD.

TO FREE THEM YOU MUST ABDUCT SOMEONE ELSE’S CHILD.

YOUR CHILD WILL BE RELEASED WHEN YOUR VICTIM’S PARENTS KIDNAP ANOTHER CHILD.

IF ANY OF THESE THINGS DON’T HAPPEN:
YOUR CHILD WILL BE KILLED.

YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE CHAIN

David P. Wagner. Lauren Willig. Ragnar Jonasson. Anne Hillerman. Jacqueline Winspear. Don Winslow. These are just some of the authors you can listen to on Poisoned Pen Podcasts. No, these are not the actual events at the bookstore. These are separate conversations that run from ten to twenty-five minutes. You can listen to the Podcasts, and then order books, sometimes signed, through the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com

You can listen to the Podcasts at this link. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poisoned-pen-podcast/id1470872504

Or, you can find them on Google Play.

https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ipbxmcq7cmuxwh4tmrtkz2n7r4y

Why not share a post about Australian crime fiction on Independence Day? After all, Australia is another country that was filled with rebels. Several years ago, Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, was asked what the next hot topic would be in crime fiction. Even before Jane Harper, Peters answered with Australia. She mentioned a couple Poisoned Pen Press authors, Sulari Gentill and Kerry Greenwood. In fact, Gentill won The Ned Kelly Award last year for her novel, Crossing the Lines. And, Greenwood’s Phyrne Fisher mysteries led to two different television series.

Sulari Gentill is mentioned in Aoife Clifford’s article for CrimeReads.com, “A Brief History of the Ned Kelly Awards”. If you’re unfamiliar with Australian authors, it’s a tutorial on some of the best-known ones. https://bit.ly/2LvTFvL

Many of the books in Clifford’s article will be available through The Poisoned Pen Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

*****

I’m going to do something I seldom do on this blog. Nine years ago, thanks to The Poisoned Pen, I hosted Garry Disher at a library in Arizona. Disher has a new book available in the U.S., Under the Cold Bright Lights. At the time of release, I took the opportunity to share the recap of that event. https://bit.ly/2YaSXXS

About a month ago, I wrote a post and included author Becky Masterman’s letter about her latest Brigid Quinn novel, We Were Killers Once. https://bit.ly/2FReQ7U

Masterman talked about the novel, and its connection to Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. You can read that post at the link above, and you can still order signed copies of that book, or copies of Masterman’s other books, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2HB0hGz

Why am I bringing it up again? Ray Palen just gave We Were Killers Once a rave review at CriminalElement.com. You can read the entire review here. https://bit.ly/2XKSQpe

Don’t forget to check out the book trailer.

Washington, D.C. has always been a city of scandal. Chris DeRose discusses one of those scandals that led to a trial in his new book, Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America. He launched the book at The Poisoned Pen. You can order signed copies of the book through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2Xl5Pde

Here’s the description of Star Spangled Scandal.

“… and sir I do assure you he has as much the use of your wife as you have.”

— From an anonymous note delivered to Congressman Daniel Sickles on February 24, 1859

It is two years before the Civil War, and Congressman Daniel Sickles and his lovely wife Teresa are popular fixtures in Washington, D.C. society. Their house sits on Lafayette Square across from White House grounds, and the president himself is godfather to the Sickles’ six-year-old daughter. Because Congressman Sickles is frequently out of town, he trusts his friend, U.S. Attorney Philip Barton Key—son of Francis Scott Key—to escort the beautiful Mrs. Sickles to parties in his absence. Revelers in D.C. are accustomed to the sight of the congressman’s wife with the tall, Apollo-like Philip Barton Key, who is considered “the handsomest man in all Washington society… foremost among the popular men of the capital.”

Then one day an anonymous note sets into motion a tragic course of events that culminates in a shocking murder in broad daylight in Lafayette Square.

This is the riveting true story of the murder and trial that sparked a national debate on madness, male honor, female virtue, fidelity, and the rule of law. Bestselling author Chris DeRose (The Presidents’ War) uses diary entries, letters, newspaper accounts, and eyewitness testimonies to bring the characters to thrilling life in this antebellum true crime history. 

*****

If you’d like to hear Chris DeRose talk about Star Spangled Scandal, you can watch the program.