Patrick Millikin’s conversation with authors at The Poisoned Pen often cover music as well as the book itself. It’s appropriate for his discussion with David Swinson. Swinson is the author of Sweet Thing. Signed copies of the book are available through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/49JHBzG
Here’s the description of Sweet Thing.
In this DC-set standalone from “one of the best dialogue hounds in the business” (New York Times Book Review), Homicide Detective Alex Blum must answer a terrible question: ‘how far would you go to love the wrong woman?’
In a red brick house on a tree-lined street, DC homicide detective Alex Blum stares at the bullet-pocked body of Chris Doyle. As he roots around for evidence, he finds an old polaroid: the decedent, arm in arm with Arthur Holland, Blum’s informant from years ago when he worked at the Narcotics branch.
But Arthur has been missing for days. Blum’s only source: Arthur’s girl, Celeste—beautiful, seductive, and tragic—whom he can’t get out of his head. Blum is drawn to her and feels compelled to save her from Arthur’s underworld. As the investigation ticks on and dead bodies domino, Blum, unearths clues with damning implications for Celeste. Swallowed by desire, Blum’s single misstep sends him tunnelling down a rabbit hole of transgression. He may soon find the only way out is down below.
Set in 1999, Swinson, a former DC cop, offers a look back at a rougher, grittier, bygone DC replete with seedy strip clubs, pagers beeping, and Y2K anxiety. It’s here we’re taken inside sting operations, fluorescent-tinged interrogation chambers, and rooms that have seen irreversible mistakes. At once authentic, gritty, tragic, and profound, SWEET THING asks how far can you fall when the world teeters on the edge?
David Swinson is a retired police detective from the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, having been assigned to Major Crimes. Swinson is the author of the critically acclaimed Frank Marr Trilogy – The Second Girl, Crime Song and Trigger, and the standalone City on the Edge. He lives in Northern Virginia.
If you think of Swinson as a police detective, you’ll be surprised at this conversation. Enjoy!
Barbara Peters and Patrick Millikin recently welcomed authors Matt Coyle and Tim Maleeny back to The Poisoned Pen. Odyssey’s End is Coyle’s tenth Rick Cahill novel. Hanging the Devil is Tim Maleeny’s fifth Cape Weathers mysteries. There are signed copies of both books available in the Webstore. https://store.poisonedpen.com/
Here’s the summary of Odyssey’s End.
Brain disease worsening, Rick Cahill risks everything—even his life—to provide for his fractured family’s future
San Diego private investigator Rick Cahill’s past comes back to haunt him when he’s at his most vulnerable. His wife, Leah, has fled with their daughter, Krista, to her parents’ home in Santa Barbara. She fears Rick’s violent outbursts brought on by his potentially fatal brain disorder, CTE—and she doesn’t trust that he’ll ever be able to tame his manic desire to bring his own brand of justice to an unjust world.
Rick desperately wants to reunite his family and help provide for Krista’s future—one he fears he won’t be alive to see. A jumpstart toward that future appears in the form of Peter Stone, Rick’s longtime enemy. Stone offers Rick $50,000 to find a woman he claims can save his life with a kidney transplant. Rick can’t pass up the chance to buttress Krista’s future.
When what seems like a simple missing person case spirals out of control into cryptocurrency machinations, dead bodies, and an outgunned faceoff, Rick is forced to battle evil from his past. Can he stay alive long enough to see his family one last time?
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher
While all of the novels in the Rick Cahill PI Crime Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:
Yesterday’s Echo Night Tremors Dark Fissures Blood Truth Wrong Light Lost Tomorrows Blind Vigil Last Redemption Doomed Legacy Odyssey’s End
Matt Coyle is the best-selling author of the Rick Cahill PI Crime Series. He was named the 2021 San Diego Writer’s Festival Mystery Writer of the Year, and his novels have won the Anthony Award, the Shamus Award, the Lefty Award, and the San Diego Book Award, among others. He has also received nominations for numerous Anthony, Macavity, Barry, Shamus, and Lefty Awards. Odyssey’s End is tenth in this award-winning series. Matt is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and lives in San Diego.
Here’s the description of Hanging the Devil.
“A caper stuffed with comedy and crime…equal parts adrenaline and heart. A completely delightful read.” —Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author
“Smart, sassy, and sizzling with action.” —Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author
It was supposed to be a simple job: steal the paintings, leave the forgeries…
When a helicopter crashes through the skylight of the Asian Art Museum, an audacious heist turns into a tragedy. The only witness to the crash is eleven-year-old Grace, who watches in horror as her uncle is killed and a priceless statue stolen by two men and a—ghost? At least that’s how the eerie, smoke-like figure with parchment skin and floating hair appears to Grace. Scared almost to death, she flees into the night and seeks refuge in the back alleys of San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Grace is found by Sally Mei, self-appointed guardian of Chinatown. While Sally trains Grace in basic survival skills, her erstwhile partner Cape Weathers, private detective and public nuisance, searches for the mysterious crew behind the robbery before they strike the museum a second time. As the clock winds down, Cape enlists aid from some unlikely allies to lay a trap for a ghost who has no intention of being caught—nor of leaving any witnesses alive to tell the tale.
TIM MALEENY is the bestselling author of the award-winning Cape Weathers mysteries and the comedic thriller JUMP, which The Boston Globe called “hilarious” and Publishers Weekly described as “a perfectly blended cocktail of escapism.” His short fiction appears in several major anthologies and has won the prestigious Macavity Award for best story of the year. A former resident of San Francisco, Tim currently lives and writes at an undisclosed location in New York City, where he is working on his next novel, a screenplay, and a book for young readers.
You can contact Tim or find out more about his writing at: timmaleeny.com
Enjoy the conversation with Matt Coyle and Tim Maleeny.
Author Connor Sullivan acted as guest host for two debut authors, Steve Urszenyi and Jack Stewart. There are a few signed copies of Urszenyi’s debut, Perfect Shot, and there will be signed copies of Jack Stewart’s Unknown Rider. Check the Webstore for the books. https://store.poisonedpen.com/
Here’s the description of Steve Urszenyi’s Perfect Shot.
A former Army sniper must fall back on her Special Ops skills when a friend’s death uncovers a global nuclear threat, in Steve Urszenyi’s Perfect Shot, the first in an electrifying new series featuring Special Agent Alexandra Martel.
Special Agent Alexandra Martel has put her days on the battlefield behind her. Charming and disarming, relentless and lethal, she earned a reputation as one of the most renowned and decorated Army snipers in the service before stepping away. But when Alex, now an FBI special agent on loan to Interpol, learns that an old friend, an MI5 officer, has been killed under mysterious circumstances, she’s pulled back into the dangerous world she left behind: a world where some people fear her, some want to recruit her, and everyone seems to want her dead.
Following a trail of clues left behind by the dead woman, Alex pieces together a terrifying conspiracy that only escalates when a nuclear warhead goes missing. Dodging death at every turn, she reluctantly joins forces with a CIA officer, but he has plans of his own for her—and will stop at nothing to achieve them.
Chasing the truth through the streets of London and bustling Turkish markets to the underbelly of Paris, Alex is unrelenting in her pursuit of justice. But as the clock ticks down and the world edges closer to doom, she must fall back on her Special Ops skills to stop the unthinkable. She thought her life as a sniper was over—but with stakes this high, she must use whatever means necessary to render the world safe.
Steve Urszenyi served for many years as a paramedic in Toronto and a tactical medic with the Ontario Provincial Police. As part of an elite tactical team, he was involved in countless SWAT operations and is an expert in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) incident response. Steve is also the former commander of the Province of Ontario’s disaster medical response team. He is the recipient of the Governor General of Canada EMS Exemplary Service Medal and Bar in recognition of his distinguished career accomplishments. When not writing, Steve loves touring on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle with his wife, Lynne. He enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and photography. Steve and Lynne have two grown children.
Here’s the summary of Jack Stewart’s debut, Unknown Rider.
After a Navy pilot inexplicably loses control of his stealth fighter, he stumbles upon a global conspiracy, and embarks on a thrilling chase filled with espionage and betrayal.
“A high-octane and adrenaline-powered thriller… Strap in and hold on!” —Jack Carr, Former Navy SEAL sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series
TOP GUN instructor Colt Bancroft has just catapulted off the USS Abraham Lincoln, his F-35C Joint Strike Fighter trailing blue and yellow flame as he climbs into the night sky off the California coast.
When he is sent to investigate a series of mysterious lights floating dangerously close to his aircraft carrier, disaster strikes. His jet becomes unresponsive as it rolls inverted and enters a nosedive aimed right at the aircraft carrier’s unsuspecting escort cruiser…
What follows is a tale of heroism and betrayal, spycraft and suspense, and aerial combat against an unexpected adversary.
To clear his name and unmask a traitor, Colt must survive a dangerous game of spy-vs-spy, where trusting the wrong person could cost him his life. To stop the enemy from hitting their ultimate target, Colt must use every ounce of his skill and training…and uncover the identity of the UNKNOWN RIDER.
From author Jack Stewart, a former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes an exhilarating military thriller that’s packed with high-octane action and puts the reader behind the controls of a modern jet fighter. Perfect for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown.
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Praise for Unknown Rider:
“Stewart clearly knows his way around a jet…” —Publisher’s Weekly
“…this high-speed book excels at pacing and plotting.” —Foreword Reviews
“Strongly evocative of classic Clancy…Intensely paced and skillfully plotted.” —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Gray Man Go back
Jack Stewart grew up in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy before serving twenty-three years as a fighter pilot. During that time, he flew combat missions from three different aircraft carriers and deployed to Afghanistan as a member of an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party. His last deployment was with a joint special operations counter-terrorism task force in Africa. Jack is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and holds a Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego. He is an airline pilot and has appeared as a military and commercial aviation expert on international cable news. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and three children.
Tess Gerritsen learned a number of spies retired to her hometown, so her new thriller, The Spy Coast, is based on her hometown. She told her host, Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, that the town in Maine was the inspiration for her latest book. The Spy Coast is the first in a new series. You can still order a signed copy of the book through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/46b0Xe0
Here’s the description of The Spy Coast.
A retired CIA operative in small-town Maine tackles the ghosts of her past in this fresh take on the spy thriller from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen.
Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she’s living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement.
But when a body turns up in Maggie’s driveway, she knows it’s a message from former foes who haven’t forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends—all retirees from the CIA—to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why. This “Martini Club” of former spies may be retired, but they still have a few useful skills that they’re eager to use again, if only to spice up their rather sedate new lives.
Complicating their efforts is Purity’s acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau. More accustomed to dealing with rowdy tourists than homicide, Jo is puzzled by Maggie’s reluctance to share information—and by her odd circle of friends, who seem to be a step ahead of her at every turn.
As Jo’s investigation collides with the Martini Club’s maneuvers, Maggie’s hunt for answers will force her to revisit a clandestine career that spanned the globe, from Bangkok to Istanbul, from London to Malta. The ghosts of her past have returned, but with the help of her friends—and the reluctant Jo Thibodeau—Maggie might just be able to save the life she’s built.
International bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A Stanford University graduate, Tess went on to gain her MD at the University of California, San Francisco.
While on maternity leave as a physician, she began to write fiction. She published her first novel in 1987 and has since sold over forty million copies of books in forty countries, winning the Nero Wolfe Award and the RITA Award.
Her novels have been top-three US bestsellers and number one bestsellers abroad. Critics worldwide praise her novels as “pulse-pounding fun” (Philadelphia Inquirer), “scary and brilliant” (Toronto Globe and Mail), and “polished, riveting prose” (Chicago Tribune). Publishers Weekly has dubbed her the “medical suspense queen.”
Her series featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the TNT television series Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.
Now retired from medicine, she lives in Maine and writes full time.
Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, recently welcomed Martin Walker back to the bookstore. Walker was there to talk about two books. The latest Bruno, Chief of Police mystery is A Chateau Under Siege. You can also a signed copy of Bruno’s Cookbook, “Recipes and Traditions from a French Country Kitchen”. You can order signed copies of both books through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/47rtL3v
Here’s the summary of A Chateau Under Siege.
When an actor in a local play is attacked during a performance, Bruno must learn whether it was an accident, a crime of passion, or an assassination attempt with implications far beyond the small French village.
The town of Sarlat is staging a reenactment of its liberation from the British in the Hundred Years War when the play’s French hero, Brice Kerquelin, is stabbed and feared fatally wounded. Is it an unfortunate prop malfunction—or something more sinister? The stricken man happens to be number two in the French intelligence service, in line for the top job. Bruno is tasked with the safety of the victim’s daughters, Claire and Nadia, as well as their father’s old Silicon Valley buddies, ostensibly in town for a reunion. One friend from Taiwan, a tycoon in chip fabrication, soon goes missing, and Bruno suspects there may be a link to the French government’s efforts to build a chip industry in Europe—something powerful forces in Russia and China are determined to scuttle. Wading through a tangle of rivalries and secrets, Bruno begins to parse fact from fiction—while also becoming embroiled in some romantic complications, and, of course, finding time to put together some splendid meals.
Here’s the description of Bruno’s Cookbook.
From the author of the internationally best-selling “Bruno, Chief of Police” series, comes a sumptuous French cookbook that immerses readers in the delectable countryside cuisine of Bruno’s beloved Périgord region, featuring favorite meals from Roasted Tomato Tapenade and Tarragon Chicken to A Most Indulgent Chocolate Cake.
Bruno Courrèges, the protagonist of Martin Walker’s internationally acclaimed mystery series, is not only the local police chief of the idyllic French village of St. Denis, but he also happens to be an impassioned amateur chef. In this delightful cookbook, the culinary and cultural inspiration behind Bruno’s fictional world comes to life. Featuring meals from the best-selling series, local recipes, charming anecdotes, and a history of the novels’ French setting, Bruno’s Cookbook invites readers into the bucolic life of Martin Walker and his wife, Julia Watson, and showcases their passion for the Périgord region’s rich cuisine.
Brimming with truffles and pâté, Bruno’s Cookbook features more than 90 recipes, including:
Red Onion Tarte Tatin (Tarte Tatin aux oignons rouges)
Gratin of Mussels with Parsley and Garlic (Gratin de moules)
Duck Breast Fillets with Honey and Mustard (Aiguillettes de canard au miel et à la moutarde)
Confit Potato Fries, Sarlat- Style (Pommes de terre à la sarladaises)
Walnut Meringue Cake (Gâteau meringué aux noix)
Homemade Blackcurrant Liqueur (Crème de cassis)
MARTIN WALKER, after a long career of working in international journalism and for think tanks, now gardens, cooks, explores vineyards, writes, travels, and has never been busier.
JULIA WATSON is a journalist and novelist. She has written for United Press International, The Washington Post, and Gourmet magazine. The couple divide their time between Washington, D.C., and the Dordogne.
Martin Walker has a great deal to say about French food. Enjoy the conversation.
Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, along with Dirk Cussler, recently hosted an anniversary event for the 50th anniversary of the publication of Clive Cussler’s first Dirk Pitt adventure, The Mediterranean Caper. Dirk filled everyone in on the history of his father’s writing. The event included three of Cussler’s co-authors, Graham Brown, Mike Maden, and Jack DuBrul, as well as Dirk, one of his father’s co-authors.
Dirk Cussler talked about his father, Clive Cussler, as well as the latest Dirk Pitt novel when he recently appeared at The Poisoned Pen. Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore, welcomed Dirk back to the Pen. The latest book is Clive Cussler The Corsican Shadow. There are signed copies of the book available in the Webstore. https://bit.ly/49JnWzU
Here’s the description of Clive Cussler The Corsican Shadow.
Intrepid adventurer Dirk Pitt must unravel an enduring historical mystery in the latest novel in the beloved New York Times bestselling series created by the “grand master of adventure” Clive Cussler.
In May 1940, as the German army blitzes Europe and Parisians flee their city, the chief curator of the Musée de l’Armée is ordered to get a mysterious piece of cargo out of the country. When he arrives at the port of Le Havre and learns that his intended ship has been sunk, he places the object on a decrepit steamer that sails out under German fire.
In the present day, National Underwater and Marine Agency Director Dirk Pitt is on a diving expedition in the English Channel when he discovers a cache of uncut diamonds on a shipwreck. When the diamonds are stolen, Pitt and the NUMA agency find themselves up against a murderous cabal that soon reveals far more destructive plans than mere theft. Vital water treatment facilities around the globe are being targeted—placing the world’s population in grave peril.
From the shadow of the Eiffel Tower to the depths of the Irish Sea to the islands of the Caribbean, only Dirk Pitt and his children, Summer and Dirk Jr., can locate the treasure that will preserve the soul of a nation…and save the world from catastrophe.
Clive Cussler was the author of more than eighty books in five bestselling series, including Dirk Pitt®, NUMA Files®, Oregon Files®, Isaac Bell®, and Sam and Remi Fargo®. His life nearly paralleled that of his hero Dirk Pitt. Whether searching for lost aircraft or leading expeditions to find famous shipwrecks, he and his NUMA crew of volunteers discovered and surveyed more than seventy-five lost ships of historic significance, including the long-lost Civil War submarine Hunley, which was raised in 2000 with much publicity. Like Pitt, Cussler collected classic automobiles. His collection featured more than one hundred examples of custom coachwork. Cussler passed away in February 2020.
Dirk Cussler is the author of Clive Cussler’s The Devil’s Sea, and coauthor with Clive Cussler of eight previous Dirk Pitt adventures: Black Wind, Treasure of Khan, Arctic Drift, Crescent Dawn, Poseidon’s Arrow, Havana Storm, Odessa Sea, and Celtic Empire. He serves as president of NUMA, where he continues his father’s legacy of searching for important historical shipwrecks. He lives in Connecticut.
If you enjoy background to books and authors, you’ll want to watch this author event with Dirk Cussler.
Kevin Hearne returned to The Poisoned Pen to talk about the final book in The Seven Kennings series, A Curse of Krakens. A Curse of Krakens is the current Hot Book of the Week at the bookstore. You can order signed copies of the book through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/3FTimNF
Here’s the description of A Curse of Krakens.
From the New York Times bestselling creator of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes the final book in the epic fantasy trilogy that began with A Plague of Giants, about a war that broke a continent—and opened the door to a new world.
Seeker and Sower Pen Yas ben Min’s cousin was one of the legendary heroes of the wars against the giants until her untimely death. Pen has grown up in her famous cousin’s shadow, but when she’s given a quest to plant the seed of the magical Fourth Tree, she has a chance to step into the light—and usher in a new age for her country.
Fighter and Friend Abhi’s life—and the world—changed when he discovered a lost magic: the power to speak to animals. After fighting so many battles, he’s weary and longs for home and his love, Tamhan. But before he can return, there is one last mission that only Abhi can complete: to speak to the colossal creatures who wait beneath the waves—the krakens.
Sailor and Explorer Koesha and her shipmates have already made an impossible journey by navigating the Northern Yawn, at the end of which she secured an unusual cloak. But when that cloak turns out to be the key to unlocking the mystery of the Seventh Kenning, Koesha has to risk everything on another life-threatening journey and hope that she can steer her crew to safety.
Don’t miss any of Kevin Hearne’s action-packed Seven Kennings series A PLAGUE OF GIANTS • A BLIGHT OF BLACKWINGS • A CURSE OF KRAKENS
Kevin Hearne is into nature photography, heavy metal, and beard maintenance. He likes to plan road trips and sometimes even takes them. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles, the Ink & Sigil series, and the Seven Kennings series, and is co-author of The Tales of Pell with Delilah S. Dawson.
How do you follow a week that included appearances by Michael Connelly and Janet Evanovich? This coming week, The Poisoned Pen will host the 50th anniversary celebration of Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt, and host authors such as Dirk Cussler, Martin Walker and Tess Gerritsen. Check out the next schedule of events, and then check the Webstore for books by your favorite authors. https://store.poisonedpen.com/
Just in time for the recent event with Janet Evanovich, Patrick Millikin was able to announce that Dirty Thirty debuts at #1 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, welcomed Evanovich for the discussion of the thirtieth Stephanie Plum adventure. There was a fun discussion of previous appearances for the books. There are signed copies of Dirty Thirty available through the Webstore. https://bit.ly/3QFjae6
Here’s the summary of Dirty Thirty.
#1 New York Times bestselling author and “most popular mystery writer alive” (The New York Times) Janet Evanovich is in top form as she sends Stephanie Plum on the trail of a stolen cache of dirty diamonds.
Stephanie Plum, Trenton’s hardest working, most underappreciated bounty hunter, is offered a freelance assignment that seems simple enough. Local jeweler Martin Rabner wants her to locate his former security guard, Andy Manley (a.k.a. Nutsy), who he is convinced stole a fortune in diamonds out of his safe. Stephanie is also looking for another troubled man, Duncan Dugan, a fugitive from justice arrested for robbing the same jewelry store on the same day.
With her boyfriend Morelli away in Miami on police business, Stephanie is taking care of Bob, Morelli’s giant orange dog who will devour anything, from Stephanie’s stray donuts to the upholstery in her car. Morelli’s absence also means the inscrutable, irresistible security expert Ranger is front and center in Stephanie’s life when things inevitably go sideways. And he seems determined to stay there.
To complicate matters, her best friend Lula is convinced she is being stalked by a mythological demon hell-bent on relieving her of her wardrobe. An overnight stakeout with Stephanie’s mother and Grandma Mazur reveals three generations of women with nerves of steel and driving skills worthy of NASCAR champions.
As the body count rises and witnesses start to disappear, it won’t be easy for Stephanie to keep herself clean when everyone else is playing dirty. It’s a good thing Stephanie isn’t afraid of getting a little dirty, too.
Over the last twenty-six years, Janet Evanovich has written a staggering forty-two New York Times bestsellers. In addition to her #1 bestselling Stephanie Plum novels and many other popular books, Janet is the author of The Recovery Agent, the start of a blockbuster new series.
No spoilers, but you’ll enjoy the conversation with Janet Evanovich.
