Dana Stabenow

John Sandford and Dana Stabenow in conversation

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In an event hosted by The Poisoned Pen, acclaimed authors John Sandford and Dana Stabenow engage in a lively discussion about their latest books, inspiration, and writing processes.

John Sandford, known for his popular Prey series, shared insights into his latest latest Letty Davenport novel, Dark Angel, humorously mentioning it could have been titled “Lady Gets Laid” due to a significant relationship development. He also announced he is currently working on a standalone book but can’t reveal much about it yet, other than that it is “a great story”.

Dana Stabenow, famed for her Alaskan-based mysteries, discussed her inspiration from the Alaskan wilderness and the challenges of capturing the essence of her characters. She also introduced her latest book in the Kate Shugak series, Spoils of the Dead, which is set in Alaska and revolves around a mystery involving gas sabotage and wealthy landowners.

Stabenow also touched on the controversial use of AI in book creation, emphasizing the importance of human creativity and the edge it brings to storytelling. Both authors voiced their concerns regarding AI-generated images and the evolving landscape of writing, and expressed their doubts about AI’s ability to write novels with the same level of authenticity and depth as human authors. They also emphasize the importance of creating relatable and diverse characters in their books.

Towards the end, Sandford and Stabenow treated the audience to a book giveaway, adding to the excitement of the event. It was a captivating conversation that showcased the authors’ wit, wisdom, and camaraderie.

If you enjoyed this discussion, feel free to share it on your social media channels and keep an eye out for more exciting events from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest book news and updates.

Dana Stabenow discusses Disappearance of a Scribe

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In conversation with Barbara Peters, founder of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Dana Stabenow discusses her new book, Disappearance of a Scribe, the second installment in the “Eye of Isis”, the trilogy of Ancient Egyptian crime novels that began with Death of an Eye. The event was both enlightening and entertaining, filled with fascinating insights into Dana’s writing process and the historical backdrop of her series.

During the conversation, Dana highlighted the beauty of physical books, especially those from her British publisher, which featured stunning maps and intricate cover designs. She also gave us a sneak peek into her writing journey and shared her inspiration for the series, set during the time of Cleopatra’s reign in Egypt and the transition to Roman rule.

Dana and her Barbara traveled to Egypt and discussed its historical significance, its transition from a fertile province to a desert country, and its complex political landscape during Cleopatra’s time. They touched on how her characters navigate this world, with a special focus on the series’ protagonist, Tetisheri, Cleopatra’s personal investigator.

Dana’s deep research and personal experiences in Egypt shone through as she discussed various aspects of her novels, from murder methods involving Rhakotis sandals to the importance of historical records like tax and property filings, the importance of the Great Library of Alexandria in the plot, or her research on ancient construction materials.

The audience engaged with Dana in a lively Q&A session, covering topics ranging from Cleopatra’s psychology before her suicide and the strategic errors that led to her defeat at the Battle of Actium, to the historical accuracy of descriptions of food and beverage popular in Egypt, such as beans, citrus, fish, and bread.

The event was an enlightening and engaging event for history and mystery lovers alike. If you enjoyed this recap, share it on social media, and stay tuned for more exciting events by subscribing to our newsletter.