Fiction Review

October 9 is release date for Lou Berney’s November Road. There’s been all kinds of buzz about this title. It’s one of the most talked about novels of the fall. Berney won the Edgar, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Awards for The Long and Faraway Gone. He’ll be at the Poisoned Pen on the 9th, along with John Sandford, author of Holy Ghost. You can meet both authors at 7 PM that evening. If you can’t make it, you can order a signed copy of November Road through the Web Store.  https://bit.ly/2DeTAtJ

Don’t spoil November Road for yourself, but you might want to check out Bill Sheehan’s review in The Washington Post. (Hint: he loves it.)  https://wapo.st/2ICpmjv

I jumped at the chance to interview Lou Berney. Here are his answers to the questions from “In the Hot Seat”.

Lou, would you introduce yourself to readers?

I’m the author of four novels, all from William Morrow, one of which ““ The Long and Faraway Gone ““ won the Edgar Award. I’ve also worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood but my true love is fiction. My wife and I live now in Oklahoma City, my hometown, where I teach in the low-residency MFA program at Oklahoma City University.

Tell us about your latest novel, November Road, without spoilers?

November Road is a thriller and a love story set right after the Kennedy assassination in 1963. It’s about a big-city mafia lieutenant named Frank Guidry who realizes he knows too much about what happened in Dallas and has to go on the run for his life. At the same time the other main character, Charlotte Roy, a woman stuck in a small town and married to an alcoholic husband, takes her two young daughters and goes on the run from her life. The two characters end up meeting on the road and…let’s just say that things get complicated (and dangerous).

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Why do you think authors want to write novels with the Kennedy assassination as a pivotal event?

It was such a seismic event in American history, something that really changed the way people thought about the country, the future, themselves.

Do you consider Frank Guidry and your character Shake Bouchon from Gutshot Straight and Whiplash River to be heroes or antiheroes? Why?

I think they’re both characters who start out as antiheroes and then are faced with the possibility of becoming something more, something better, than that. With November Road, I was never sure what path Frank would take until he actually took it.

You’ve sent your lead characters on road trips to Las Vegas several times. Why Las Vegas?

That’s a good question. I don’t know! All I can say is that, for me, Vegas fit the story each time. I will say I’ve always been fascinated by Vegas in the 1960s. It was such a glamorous, swinging place, but also one with some dark, hidden sides. For a novelist, what’s not to love about that?

Will you write another adventure for Shake? What kind of freedom do you have when you write a standalone versus a series book?

I’ve already written another adventure for Shake, Double Barrel Bluff, but it might be a couple of years before it’s released. I loved writing the Shake novels, but standalones are much more up my alley, I’ve discovered. There’s the freedom to do anything you want, to start from scratch, to write new rules and then break them if you want. All bets are off, and I find that very exciting.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m about a hundred pages into a psychological thriller about marriage.

Are you still writing screenplays?

I haven’t written a screenplay in a while, but I’ve got a couple of limited-series TV ideas I’d really like to explore. There’s so much great TV now and there are creative possibilities that didn’t exist five or ten years ago.

A personal question. Where do you like to take visitors when they come to Oklahoma City?

When someone comes to visit, I like to take them to one of my favorite pho restaurants (there are many). Oklahoma City has some of the best Vietnamese food in the country. And if it’s basketball season, I’ll take them to a Thunder game, which is always fun.

What’s on your TBR (To Be Read) pile?

My TBR pile is huge and teetering, but I’ll tell you a few of the writers I’m really looking forward to reading next: Lisa Unger, Kate Atkinson, Sheena Kamal, Ace Atkins, Kellye Garrett, Jeff Abbott, Hilary Davidson, Lyndsay Faye.

What author do you feel has been underappreciated?

Ivy Pochoda’s novel Wonder Valley was nominated for an L.A. Times Book Award, but I think she should have been nominated for ““ and won ““ all the awards. She’s an amazing novelist.

You can check out Lou Berney’s website at https://www.louberney.com/

In The Austin Chronicle, Rosalind Faires calls Sherry Thomas’ latest Lady Sherlock mystery, The Hollow of Fear, “A cut above the rest”. Here’s Faires’ entire review. https://bit.ly/2OylfKC

On Saturday, October 6 at 2 PM, you can meet Sherry Thomas and celebrate publication of The Hollow of Fear with a Holmesian-themed Victorian tea. If you can’t make it to the Poisoned Pen event, you can still order Thomas’ books, including signed copies of The Hollow of Fear, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2RoAyUY

Here’s praise for Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock mysteries.

“Loaded with suspense…a riveting and absorbing read…a beautifully written novel; you’ll savor the unraveling of the mystery and the brilliance of its heroine.”—NPR.org

 “Clever historical details and a top-shelf mystery add to the winning appeal of this first volume in the “˜Lady Sherlock’ series. A must-read for fans of historical mysteries.”—Library Journal (starred review)

 “Readers of Victorian fiction, romance, and detective stories will each find something to draw them in.”

—Kirkus Reviews

 “Well researched, well plotted, well written. Thank you, Sherry Thomas.”—Suspense Magazine

“Thomas’s use of language, the way she uses gender reversal to conceal revelations, and the intricacies of her plotting mean that I will rediscover more things to relish in A Study in Scarlet Women each time I reread it.”—NPR.com

“A completely new, brilliantly conceived take on the iconic detective…a plot worthy of the master at his best.”—Booklist

*****

And, here’s the summary of Thomas’ new book, The Hollow of Fear.

Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, returns in the Victorian-set mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of A Conspiracy in Belgravia and A Study in Scarlet Women, an NPR Best Book of 2016.

Under the cover of “Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective,” Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don’t.

Moriarty’s shadow looms large. First, Charlotte’s half brother disappears. Then, Lady Ingram, the estranged wife of Charlotte’s close friend Lord Ingram, turns up dead on his estate. And all signs point to Lord Ingram as the murderer.

With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to seek out the truth. But uncovering the truth could mean getting too close to Lord Ingram–and a number of malevolent forces…

Joe Ide has become a favorite at The Poisoned Pen. He’s appeared at the bookstore several times for both of his previous “IQ” crime novels. He’ll be back on Monday, October 15 at 7 PM, joined by Wallace Stroby. Ide will be at the store to discuss his third book in the series, Wrecked. If you can’t make, you can order his earlier books and a signed copy of Wrecked through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2NXfw1n

Before you read the summary of the book, you might be interested in Gal Beckerman’s profile of Joe Ide. It recently ran in The New York Times with the headline, “Raised in South Central, Joe Ide Expands the Territory of L.A. Noir.” https://nyti.ms/2NOtWky

Here’s the summary of Wrecked, which is due out October 9.

Sara Gran brings back her series detective, Claire DeWitt, in the current Hot Book of the Week at the Poisoned Pen, The Infinite Blacktop. Gran will be at the Pen on Monday, October 8 at 7 PM, joining Amy Stewart, author of Miss Kopp Just Won’t Quit. You can order Gran’s books, including signed copies of The Infinite Blacktop, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2y3C85x. You might want to order copies of Stewart’s books as well. https://bit.ly/2P34aWe

Here’s the description of The Infinite Blacktop.

The “delicious and addictive” (Salon) Claire DeWitt series returns with a thrilling, noirish knockout of a novel that follows three separate narratives starring the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest detective.” As Cara Hoffman, author of Running, says, this “is a hard-boiled, existential masterpiece.” 

Claire DeWitt, the world’s best private detective, wakes up one dark night in an ambulance in Oakland: someone has just tried to murder her. But she’s not dead. Not yet.

More sure of herself than of the police, Claire follows the clues on a 52-hour odyssey through shimmering Las Vegas and the shabby surrounding desert to find out who wants her dead. But in order to save herself, Claire will have to revisit her own complicated past as she navigates the present: a past of childhood obsessions, rival detectives, lost friends, and mysteries mostly—but not always—solved.

Three intertwining stories illuminate three eras of Claire’s life: her early years as an ambitious girl detective in Brooklyn (before it was gentrified), which ended when her best friend and partner in crime-solving disappeared; a case of an unexplained death in the art world of late-1990s Los Angeles, when, devastated by the demise of her mentor in New Orleans, Claire was forced to start again; and her current quest to save her own life from a determined assassin.

As the connections between the stories come into focus, the truth becomes clear. But Claire, battered and bruised, will never quit her search for the answer to the biggest mystery of all: how can anyone survive in a world so clearly designed to break our hearts?

*****

If you’re not familiar with Sara Gran’s series, check out Maureen Corrigan’s review in The Washington Post. https://wapo.st/2RhrMYQ

Andrew Gross recently appeared at the Poisoned Pen, on book tour for Button Man. Gross, who worked in the garment industry for years, based the book on his own family history, although it’s fiction. Jeff Ayers, in The Washington Post, referred to Button Man as “another outstanding and engrossing read”. The review is here – https://wapo.st/2xOy5e5. You can order Gross’ books, including a signed copy of Button Man, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2NS5Aq0

Here’s the summary of Button Man.

Following up The One Man and The Saboteur, Gross’s next historical thriller brings to life the drama of the birth of organized crime in 1930s New York City from the tale of one family.

After a string of New York Times bestselling suburban thrillers, Andrew Gross has reinvented himself as a writer of historical thrillers. In his latest novel, Button Man, he delivers a stirring story of a Jewish family brought together in the dawn of the women’s garment business and torn apart by the birth of organized crime in New York City in the 1930s.

Morris, Sol, and Harry Rabishevsky grew up poor and rough in a tiny flat on the Lower East Side, until the death of their father thrust them into having to fend for themselves and support their large family. Morris, the youngest, dropped out of school at twelve years old and apprenticed himself to a garment cutter in a clothing factory; Sol headed to accounting school; but Harry, scarred by a family tragedy, fell in with a gang of thugs as a teenager. Morris steadily climbs through the ranks at the factory until at twenty-one he finally goes out on his own, convincing Sol to come work with him. But Harry can’t be lured away from the glamour, the power, and the money that come from his association with Louis Buchalter, whom Morris has battled with since his youth and who has risen to become the most ruthless mobster in New York. And when Buchalter sets his sights on the unions that staff the garment makers’ factories, a fatal showdown is inevitable, pitting brother against brother.

This new novel is equal parts historical thriller, rich with the detail of a vibrant New York City in the 1920s and 1930s, and family saga, based on Andrew Gross’s own family story and on the history of the era, complete with appearances by real-life characters like mobsters Louis Lepke and Dutch Schultz and special prosecutor Thomas Dewey, and cements Gross’s reputation as today’s most atmospheric and original historical thriller writer.

*****

If you’re interested in hearing Gross talk about Button Man, check out the event. Patrick Millikin from the Poisoned Pen recently discussed the book with Andrew Gross.

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Joanne Fluke’s numerous fans have been waiting for the twenty-third book in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. Christmas Cake Murder takes readers back to the early years, before Hannah had even opened her bakery, The Cookie Jar. You can order signed copies of Christmas Cake Murder, and copies of Fluke’s other books, through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2NbjbmU

Here’s the description of Christmas Cake Murder.

It’s Christmas many years ago, and topping young Hannah Swensen’s wish list is becoming the go-to baker in Lake Eden, Minnesota. But as Hannah finds out, revisiting holiday memories can be
murder . . .
 
With her dream of opening The Cookie Jar taking shape, Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle in Lake Eden—especially when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball from the past in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes for the merry festivities, she instantly becomes enthralled by Essie’s old notebooks and the tale of a woman escaping danger on the streets of New York. Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. As Hannah prepares to run a bakery and move out of her mother’s house, it’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake . . .

*****

What’s even better than reading about Christmas Cake Murder? How about watching the event online as Patrick King from The Poisoned Pen interviews Joanne Fluke?

https://youtu.be/19kf3EQBvas

Carl Hiaasen’s new book is a juvenile book. Squirm might be designed for readers 8 to 12, but that doesn’t mean adults won’t appreciate the humor. Or, maybe you’ll want to pick up a new book for the child in your life. You can order Squirm and other books by Hiaasen through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2IprI5a

Hiaasen says he writes to entertain. When you read the description of Squirm, you can see what he means.

Newbery Honor-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author Carl Hiaasen–beloved for his modern classics like Hoot and Chomp–delivers a wildly entertaining novel involving snakes, grizzlies, a missing dad, a menacing drone, and more!

Some facts about Billy Dickens:
*  He once saw a biker swerve across the road in order to run over a snake.
*  Later, that motorcycle somehow ended up at the bottom of a canal.
*  Billy isn’t the type to let things go.

Some facts about Billy’s family:
*  They’ve lived in six different Florida towns because Billy’s mom insists on getting a house near a bald eagle nest.
*  Billy’s dad left when he was four and is a total mystery.
*  Billy has just found his dad’s address–in Montana.

This summer, Billy will fly across the country, hike a mountain, float a river, dodge a grizzly bear, shoot down a spy drone, save a neighbor’s cat, save an endangered panther, and then try to save his own father.

Carl Hiaasen tells a wickedly funny, slightly twisted tale about families, figuring out what’s really important, and knowing when (and when not) to let things go.

*****

Better yet, thanks to Penguin Random House, you can “Meet the Author”, and hear Carl Hiaasen talk about writing.

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Paula Munier, author of A Borrowing of Bones, was at the Poisoned Pen earlier this month. Her mystery introduces two K-9 heroes. In a recent article for CriminalElement.com, Munier discusses her favorite mysteries featuring dogs. https://bit.ly/2DMJ7Gr

You’ll recognize authors who appear at the Poisoned Pen, including Margaret Mizushima. Mizushima herself will be at the Poisoned Pen on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 2-4 PM. She’s part of a multi-author event. Going Mizushima is Scott Graham, Roger Johns, and C.C. Harrison. Check out the link to the event. https://bit.ly/2NNNRA4

Once you read Munier’s article, or see the list of authors who will appear at the Poisoned Pen on Saturday, you can order any of the titles through the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com

Kyle Mills, author of the latest Mitch Rapp novel, Vince Flynn’s Red War, appears at the Poisoned Pen on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 PM. He’ll be in conversation with Jack Carr. You can order a signed copy of Red War through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2DvX1MD

What’s this about predictions of the future? Mills recently wrote a piece for CrimeReads called, “A Thriller Writer is Always Looking for the Next Big Threat.” You can find it here. https://bit.ly/2Dz5D5e

What is Red War about? Here’s the description.

The #1 New York Times bestselling series returns with Mitch Rapp racing to prevent Russia’s gravely ill leader from starting a full-scale war with NATO.

“Mills is the only writer capable of filling the enormous void left by Vince Flynn.”—The Real Book Spy

When Russian president Maxim Krupin discovers that he has inoperable brain cancer, he’s determined to cling to power. His first task is to kill or imprison any of his countrymen who can threaten him. Soon, though, his illness becomes serious enough to require a more dramatic diversion—war with the West.

Upon learning of Krupin’s condition, CIA director Irene Kennedy understands that the US is facing an opponent who has nothing to lose. The only way to avoid a confrontation that could leave millions dead is to send Mitch Rapp to Russia under impossibly dangerous orders. With the Kremlin’s entire security apparatus hunting him, he must find and kill a man many have deemed the most powerful in the world.

Success means averting a war that could consume all of Europe. But if his mission is discovered, Rapp will plunge Russia and America into a conflict that neither will survive.

“In the world of black-ops thrillers, Mitch Rapp continues to be among the best of the best” (Booklist, starred review).

Sarah Weinman’s The Real Lolita is the Hot Book of the Week at The Poisoned Pen. Weinman will be at the bookstore on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 PM to discuss and sign the book. The Real Lolita is subtitled “The Kidnapping of Sally Horner and the Novel That Scandalized the World.” If you can’t make it to the event on Thursday, you can order a signed copy through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/2PPeH7g

Here’s the description of The Real Lolita.

“The Real Lolita is a tour de force of literary detective work. Not only does it shed new light on the terrifying true saga that influenced Nabokov’s masterpiece, it restores the forgotten victim to our consciousness.” —David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon

Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is one of the most beloved and notorious novels of all time. And yet, very few of its readers know that the subject of the novel was inspired by a real-life case: the 1948 abduction of eleven-year-old Sally Horner.

Weaving together suspenseful crime narrative, cultural and social history, and literary investigation, The Real Lolita tells Sally Horner’s full story for the very first time. Drawing upon extensive investigations, legal documents, public records, and interviews with remaining relatives, Sarah Weinman uncovers how much Nabokov knew of the Sally Horner case and the efforts he took to disguise that knowledge during the process of writing and publishing Lolita.

Sally Horner’s story echoes the stories of countless girls and women who never had the chance to speak for themselves. By diving deeper in the publication history of Lolita and restoring Sally to her rightful place in the lore of the novel’s creation, The Real Lolita casts a new light on the dark inspiration for a modern classic.