Armed (or Not) and Dangerous

We had a good group of mystery readers at the Cary Library on Thursday. We discussed a lot of authors who were either new to me or who had a new series I thought folks might like. Basically, it's divided into hard boiled and traditional. I've uploaded the handouts.

Coming soon…

It must be my week for famous friends! I got a cool announcement about Rosemary Harris' new book, The Big Dirt Nap. Rosemary will be in North Carolina in May and June. Joining her will be Jane Cleland and Cathy Pickens. We'll be at several venues in the Research Triangle area. I'll post a schedule closer to the date.

Susan McBride is in the news

Once I've worked with an author, read the books, and hosted her in my home, she becomes one of my "mystery children." Today, Susan sent me the exciting news that she'd made the cover of "St. Louis Woman" magazine. Naturally, I was delighted for her. Susan's only drawback is that she still holds a grudge against Roy Williams for leaving the Kansas Jayhawks for my beloved Tarheels (where he belongs!); however, I don't hold that against her.

"Queen of Suspense" Jordan Dane

It's always fun to get notices from publicity directors at my favorite publishing houses. This week I received an email from Danielle Bartlett at Harper Collins announcing an exciting on-lineprogram with Jordan Dane. Jordan will talk about her new book Evil without a Face on "Authors on Air Romance Radio Show" on Thursday, February 26, at 2:00 EST.

To listen to the show, click here.

To browse the book, click here.

To call in to the show 347.826.9686

NEVER TELL A LIE - a reader's comment

In my mission to connect friends, relatives, and total strangers with great crime fiction, I don't just review books, I loan them, give them, and force people to buy them. When Pam Thorpe of The Rusty Bucket in Apex mentioned that she had just borrowed a book from the library but realized soon after she started it that she'd already read it, I dashed to my car to see if I had a stash that she might like. I did.

I gave her several titles, explaining a little bit about each author and the book itself. The one she began first was NEVER TELL A LIE by Hallie Ephron. The next evening, I got an email titled "You didn't tell a lie" from Pam that read, "Molly - you were right when you said 'Never Tell a Lie" was a good book. OMG—I finished it in less than 24 hours!!! I have NEVER finished a book that quick. What a good read—thank you so much for recommending it. I started it last night and finally put it down to go to sleep when Mack insisted that I was going to be tired today. I tried to read it between customers some at the store today and— blast them! those customers kept coming in and messing me up!! :)

"I got home tonight and finished it off. Loved it!

"Thanks again for the recommendation. It's going to be a hard act to follow."

Now, do you wonder why I love my job?

MURDER IN FOUR PARTS by Bill Crider (Minotaur)

I wrote this review as a draft on December 19, 2008, thinking that when I changed its status to "post," it would automatically move it to today's date. Wrong.

Anyway, this series is one of my favorites, and this new entry is great. Take a look. I'm sure you'll agree.