There was a great deal of discussion of history in the fascinating event recently held at The Poisoned Pen. Barbara Peters, owner of the bookstore, hosted authors Caroline Todd (Charles Todd) and Tasha Alexander. Todd writes about Bess Crawford immediately after the Great War in A Forgotten Place. The Victorian period is ending in Alexander’s latest book, Uneasy Lies the Crown. The authors’ books can be ordered through the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, you’re going to want to watch the video of the event.

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Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, recently discussed Michael Harvey’s new book, Pulse, with him. Usually, Harvey’s novels are set in Chicago. This time, Pulse takes readers to Boston for a detective story with supernatural elements. You can order Harvey’s books, including a signed copy of Pulse, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2ylObfx

Here’s the description of Pulse.

“Harvey’s lethal imagination is cranked to eleven in this one . . . his best yet by far.  Superb!”
— Lee Child

The story of a Boston murder that defies all expectations—optioned for film by 21 Laps, the company behind Stranger Things and Arrival

Boston, 1976. In a small apartment above Kenmore Square, sixteen-year-old Daniel Fitzsimmons is listening to his landlord describe a seemingly insane theory about invisible pulses of light and energy that can be harnessed by the human mind. He longs to laugh with his brother Harry about it, but Harry doesn’t know he’s there—he would never approve of Daniel living on his own. None of that matters, though, because the next night Harry, a Harvard football star, is murdered in an alley.

Detectives “Bark” Jones and Tommy Dillon are assigned to the case. The veteran partners thought they’d seen it all, but they are stunned when Daniel wanders into the crime scene. Even stranger, Daniel claims to have known the details of his brother’s murder before it ever happened. The subsequent investigation leads the detectives deep into the Fitzsimmons brothers’ past. They find heartbreaking loss, sordid characters, and metaphysical conspiracies. Even on the rough streets of 1970s Boston, Jones and Dillon have never had a case like this.

Pulse is a novel laced with real danger and otherworldly twists—a master class by an endlessly gifted writer.

*****

If you couldn’t make the event, you can feel as if you’re there as Michael Harvey discusses his book with Barbara Peters.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4TOJgCO5uU&w=560&h=315]

Michael Connelly’s Dark Sacred Night is the current Hot Book of the Week at The Poisoned Pen. You can order Connelly’s books, including a signed copy of Dark Sacred Night, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2RtzGgK

Dark Sacred Night brings together Connelly’s characters Harry Bosch and LAPD detective Renee Ballard. Here’s the description of the book.

Harry Bosch teams up with LAPD detective Renée Ballard to solve the murder of a young girl in the new thriller from #1 New York Timesbestselling author Michael Connelly.

Patrick Millikin from The Poisoned Pen has been busy uploading videos of some of the recent events hosted by The Poisoned Pen. The first one we’ll share is Diana Gabaldon in conversation with author C.C. Humphreys on the occasion of the book launch for Voyager, the 25th Anniversary Edition. Diana Gabaldon was led in to the event by bagpipes. It was a packed house, as you’ll be able to tell from the video. You can still order copies of Gabaldon’s books, including signed copies of the 25th Anniversary edition of Voyager, through the Web Store.  https://bit.ly/2JuWtpI

Here’s the video, if you’d like to watch it.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX6vPrsWjYc&w=560&h=315]

And, if you’d like to learn a little more about C.C. Humphreys, you can check out the October 24th blog post. https://bit.ly/2ApXkoF

Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books probably don’t need any publicity. If you’re a fan, you’re waiting for Past Tense, the 23rd book in the series. You know you can order a signed copy through the Web Store, don’t you? https://bit.ly/2z4duCD

So, I’m not going to give you the description of Past Tense. Instead, I’ll share the short video from Random House in which Lee Child describes the book. And, then there’s a teaser book trailer as well. Enjoy!

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiYTTlxAUYk&w=560&h=315]

And, you can watch Lee Child discuss his book, The Killing Floor, on the BBC World Service in January.

BBC_WS_World_Book_Club_Lee Child

In December, Dana Stabenow will launch a new series with the first Eye of Isis mystery, Death of an Eye. Release date is December 6, and Stabenow will be at The Poisoned Pen on Saturday, December 8 at 2 PM, appearing with Laurie R. King and Leslie Klinger. You can pre-order a signed copy of Death of an Eye through the Web Store. You can also order copies of Stabenow’s other books. https://bit.ly/2F9m0Bq

It may seem a little early to discuss this gorgeous book, but it’s never too early to mention an author will be appearing at the Poisoned Pen. Here’s the description of Death of an Eye.

Alexandria, 47BCE: Cleopatra shares the throne with her brother Ptolemy under the auspices of Julius Caesar, by whom Cleopatra is heavily pregnant with child. A shipment of new coin meant to reset the shaky Egyptian economy has been stolen, the Queen’s Eye has been murdered and Queen Cleopatra turns to childhood friend Tetisheri to find the missing shipment and bring the murderer to justice.

*****

The other reason to write about Death of an Eye right now? She just wrote a wonderful post for her own website, and she’s allowing us to share it. Dana Stabenow will now tell everyone why she’s writing about Cleopatra in her post, “Why Cleopatra?” https://stabenow.com/2018/10/29/why-cleopatra/

Thank you, Dana.

Lynn Cahoon is one of the Kensington Books authors who will be participating in the Kensington Cozy Convention on Saturday, November 3 from 1 to 5 PM. If you don’t get the chance to get there, Cahoon’s books, along with others by the Kensington authors, are available through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2D72b0U

Lynn was kind enough to take time from her schedule to sit “In the Hot Seat” and answer questions. Thanks you, Lynn.

Lynn, Would you introduce yourself to readers?

I’m an Idaho native who followed my own romance hero out to the outskirts of St. Louis a few years ago. We live in a little town on the Mississippi River, filled with historic sites. My favorite color besides silver is blue. Silver and blue together is amazing.  I am owned by two Pomeranians, Homer and Demon and a cat named Thor. My favorite book is a toss-up between Illusions (Richard Bach) and The Stand (King). My husband would say my favorite film is any of the Harry Potter series since I’m always watching them. They are my feel-good fall back viewing pick. I have to say my favorite scent is of anything baking ““ pie, bread, cookies, quick breads. Yum.

I write the Tourist Trap mystery series, the Cat Latimer mystery series, and the Farm to Fork mystery series.

Would you introduce us to Cat Latimer?

Cat Latimer is a native of Aspen Hills, Colorado. She went to school at Covington and was swept off her feet by Michael. After she graduated, she was offered a professor position at Covington College and they bought the old Victorian. When she catches him cheating, she divorces him and moves to California where she teaches and writes paranormal young adult novels. When Michael dies, Cat gets the house in the will so she moves back to Aspen Hills to open the writers retreat.

Tell us about Of Murder and Men, without spoilers, please.

Of Murder and Men is the third book and has two mysteries in one. The series started out with the reader finding out more about Cat’s and now deceased ex-husband. This book develops that mystery as well as finding who killed Shauna’s almost fiancé before she gets convicted of the crime.

The next in the series, Slay in Character, will be out at the end of November. What can you tell us about that book?

Slay in Character starts out with Cat and Seth taking the writer guests for the retreat to a local western ghost town. One of the guests is actually working the summer at the tourist attraction as a saloon girl. When her friend is killed at the saloon, Cat and the gang try to solve the mystery before anyone else dies. I love the cover for Slay.

Tell us about your other mystery series, and your other life as Lynn Collins.

Tourist Trap was my first mystery series. I had been published in romance two years before the first TT came out (Guidebook to Murder.) Guidebook hit the NYT list and the USA Today list a few months later. Now, 9 books later (plus 6 novella’s publishing in 2018 and 2019), I’m still loving writing the South Cove, California set series. The next full length will come out late 2019.

The Farm to Fork series launched this year. Set in my home state of Idaho (and a fictionalized version of my home town), I pair my love of good food with my love of mysteries in this series. Writing Who Moved My Goat Cheese was like going home.

Lynn Collins is my romance side. I have two series published under the pen name. One is a contemporary western set in northern Idaho (The Castle View Romance series) and the other a paranormal suspense series of novellas set in the St. Louis area with a witch out of water heroine (The Council series). 2019 will see the re-release of The Bull Rider series under Collins.

Would you tell us about your publishing journey? Every author’s experience is different.

I started writing short stories and taking classes in the MFA in Creative Writing in 1998. Then I divorced my first husband and started dating. My practical side shut me down due to the cost of the program and I figured I’d write someday.  In 2007, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Being faced with the reality that someday might never come, I ramped up my writing.  I studied, wrote, found my amazing mentor, wrote, joined a writer’s group, and wrote more. I had two manuscripts on an editor’s desk at HQ for a couple years. When one of those projects got a final no, I told my husband I was going to send it out one more time.  I sold the first bull rider story a week later. In 2012, I sold six romances. In 2013, I sold three cozy mysteries to eKensington (which is now Lyrical Underground.) Since that time I’ve sold the Cat Latimer series and the Farm to Fork series.

What has been the most exciting moment of your career as an author?

Meeting my editor for the first time in NYC at the National RWA conference. It was then that I realized this dream was actually real. And I have to say Bouchercon in New Orleans was pretty special too.

What did you read as a child or teen that made you want to write?

Everything? But I knew I wanted to work in story when I read A Wrinkle in Time. That book took me away from a bad situation and gave me hope. Of course, I read the mandatory (for band kids) Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. I fell in love with fantasy with Robert Jordon’s Wheel of Time books.

What’s on your TBR (To Be Read) pile right now?

Everything? LOL. I have several books on my floor waiting to come to the top as we speak. Lisa Gardner’s Find Her, Molly MacRae’s Plaid and Plagiarism, Sara Rosett’s Magnolias, Moonlight and Murder. And I have a couple of Stephen King books downstairs by my reading chair trying to get into the rotation.

Name an author or book that you wish had received more attention.

Great question. A hard one, but great. I really enjoy JR Ripley’s cozy mysteries. And he’s such a card in real life, it’s hard not to hear his voice while I’m reading. I have to say, I’ve met such lovely people who are also authors, I wish all of us got more attention. I loved Lisa Unger’s Ink and Bone. I wish Robyn Carr had continued the Thunder Point series. There are just too many to list.

Thanks, Lynn. Lynn Cahoon’s website is https://www.lynncahoon.com/

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 3. The Poisoned Pen will be hosting a slew of cozy mysteries writers from Kensington Books. The event takes place from 1-5 PM at the bookstore. There will be swag gift bags for all attendees, and book raffles. Expect two panels with a break in between. If you can’t make it to the event, you can order the authors’ books through the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

You’ll want to try to attend, though. Just check out the list of authors and books.

Tamara Berry signs Séances Are for Suckers ($26)
Lynn Cahoon signs Of Murder and Men ($7.99)
JC Easton signs Staged 4 Murder ($7.99)
Jessica Elliott signs Murder Flies the Coop ($26)
Dianne Freeman signs A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder ($26)
Cheryl Hollon signs Shattered At Sea ($7.99)
JR Ripley signs Die, Die Birdie ($7.99)
Kym Roberts signs Lethal Literature ($15)
Rosemary Simpson signs Lies That Comfort and Betray ($15.95)

If you’re planning to be in Scottsdale at The Poisoned Pen between Nov. 9 and the 18th, you might want to plan on some other events while you’re visiting. Scottsdale Public Art offers Canal Convergence during that time frame.

Canal Convergence Features Local Artist  |  View in browser

Canal Convergence

Water + Art + Light

Nov. 9-18, 2018

Scottsdale Waterfront

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Featured Local Artist: Walter Productions

Walter Productions is a Phoenix-based creative collective that specializes in building experiential art. The team behind our special blend of magic is a group of dreamers, artists, technologists, fabricators, programmers, producers, and all-around make-it-happen people who have a well-established reputation for making amazing things happen.

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Photo by Tyler Whalen

FLOATUS by Walter Productions

Floatus invites attendees to be inspired by what is possible through creativity, teamwork, technology, and fabrication. The installation consists of 12 polished aluminum lotus sculptures that float on the surface of the water. Each Floatus is equipped with LED lights and flame FX systems capable of shooting a controlled flame up to 30 feet in the air.

The Floatus blossoms look beautiful during the daytime as they reflect the sunlight, but they come fully alive at night with LEDs and fire shows choreographed to music. The Walter Project will offer 28 fire shows during the 10-day Canal Convergence event and two special shows during the Nov. 8 Launch Party. When the flames are not firing, attendees will be invited to interact with a console that controls the LEDs within each Floatus blossom.

Learn More

Other Featured Public Art at Canal Convergence

ARIZONA!

by Choi+Shine Architects

Floret

by Koros Design

Iceberg

by ATOMIC3 and APPAREIL Architecture in collaboration with Jean-Sébastien Côté and Philippe Jean

Infinity Crystal

by Klip Collective

Light Flutter

by Skunk Control

Loop

by Ekumen, designed by Olivier Girouard, Jonathan Villeneuve and Ottoblix, in collaboration with Générique Design, Jérôme Roy and Thomas Ouellet Fredericks

Luminous Cactus

by Toby Atticus Fraley

Re-Cyclone

by Martin Taylor and the Chromaforms Art Collective

Sound Sculpture

by Masary Studios

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Presenting Sponsor

   

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Become a Member
Learn more about the benefits of membership by calling Member and Patron Services at 480-499-8587.

Scottsdale Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2018 CWA Dagger Awards. The Crime Writers Association has been presenting the Dagger Awards for over fifty years. Here’s the list of this year’s winners. Don’t forget to check the Web Store when looking for books. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

The CWA Diamond Dagger – Michael Connelly

The CWA Gold Dagger – Steve Cavanagh – THE LIAR

The Ian Fleming Steel Dagger – Attica Locke – BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD

The John Creasey Debut Dagger – Melissa Scrivner Love – LOLA

The CWA ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction – Thomas Harding – BLOOD ON THE PAGE

The CWA Historical Dagger – Rory Clements – NUCLEUS

The CWA Short Story Dagger – Denise Mina – NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT, BLOODY SCOTLAND

The International Dagger – Henning Mankell – AFTER THE FIRE – tr Marlaine Delargy

The CWA Debut Dagger – Winner – Bill Crotty – THE ETERNAL LIFE OF EZRA BEN SIMEON

Highly Commended – Joseph James – RIVERINE BLOOD

The final Dagger Award goes to a favorite Poisoned Pen Press author, who also happens to be popular in libraries. “The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by an established crime writer that has long been popular with borrowers from libraries. It also rewards authors who have supported libraries and their users.” The winner of this year’s –

The CWA Dagger in the Library – Martin Edwards.

Congratulations, Martin!