Molly-on-Mysteries Schedule

After taking off last spring due to surgery, I'm delighted to restart my Molly-on-Mysteries programs in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Each program will feature 15-20 crime writers whose work is related to a general topic. No registration is required—nor is any preparation on your part. Programs will be on the second Thursdays of each month October through May at 2:00 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop in Downtown Cary. Dates are October 11, November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, and May 9.

I hope to see many mystery readers at these events!

Trickster's Point by William Kent Krueger

Every new outing in this fantastic series is better than the last. This time, Cork O'Connor is suspecting of murdering a lifelong friend, a man who many think will be the first Native American governor of Minnesota. Politics, bow hunting, and old feuds come together at the secluded monolith known as Trickster's Point. Get ready to light the midnight oil!

Game Giveaway!!!

I don't talk about all my habits here, but I've been addicted to computer games for nearly 25 years. Before you start laughing, I'm not into the role-playing games or those where you get totally involved for weekends at a time. I like those where I play against myself—card games, finding hidden objects, looking for clues, and logic puzzles.

Serendipity set in this week when a reader suggested that perhaps I should run a series of contests rewarding Meritorious Mysteries readers with free online games from Big Fish Games. Meritorious Mysteries will hold three contests. Each contest will run for two weeks, with one winner for each contest. Each contest winner will receive a pack of five codes redeemable on the Big Fish Games website. The cool thing is you'll be able to choose your own games.

All you have to do is "like" Big Fish Games on Facebook or follow them on Twitter or post a comment on Meritorious Mysteries either about mysteries or why you think gaming and mysteries have a lot in common. You can increase your chances of winning by following me on Twitter @MsMystery.

We'll post winners of the first contest on September 28.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Suzy's Case by Andy Siegel (Scribner)

Readers learn what happened to Suzy long before personal injury and medical malpractice attorney Tug Wyler does. It's a medical mistake of life-changing proportions—six-year-old Suzy is in the hospital related to her sickle cell disease. When she leaves, she has irreparable brain damage. As Tug begins his fight for the very special young girl (and her beautiful mother), he has no idea how many obstacles he'll encounter—nor the diversity of the help he'll receive in working for Suzy. 

While this is labeled a "legal thriller," most of the thrills take place out of the courtroom. You'll enjoy meeting Tug Wyler.

FTC Disclosure - This book was provided by the publisher.

Murder Most Austen by Tracy Kiely (Minotaur)

You don't have to be a Jane Austen fan to enjoy this delightful mystery set in Bath at an Austen conference—but you probably will be when you finish. Elizabeth Parker and her aunt are dedicated Janeites who plan to make the most of their opportunity with like-minded folks. Enjoyment is shoved to the back burner, however, when murder rears its ugly head. There are plenty of suspects who would have liked to do away with the obnoxious Professor Baines who claims to expose sordid hidden meanings in the Austen novels. Amateur sleuth Elizabeth has her work cut out for her.

FTC Disclosure - This book was provided by the publisher.

Murder & Mayhem Tour

Don't forget to mark your calendar for this great tour! Unfortunately, Nancy Martin is ill and won't be with us in person. We'll try to have her on Skype for some of our programs. We'll certainly have her in spirit!

I'm looking forward to hosting great mystery authors Deborah Coonts, Nancy Martin, and Hank Phillippi Ryan in several venues around the area. Plan to hear these great authors at one of the following events:

Friday, Sept. 21, 10:00 - East Regional Library, Knightdale

Friday, Sept. 21, 2:00 - Southeast Regional Library, Garner

Friday, Sept. 21, 7:00 - Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill (co-sponsored by Flyleaf Books

Saturday, Sept. 22, 10:30 - North Regional Library, Raleigh

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2:00 - McIntyre's, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro

Sunday, Sept. 23, 3:00 - The Halle Center, Apex (co-sponsored by Eva Perry Library)

Monday, Sept. 24, 2:00 - West Regional Library, Cary

Monday, Sept. 24, 7:00 - Page-Walker Cultural Arts Center, Cary

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 11:30 - The Carolina Club, Chapel Hill (luncheon event--members/guests)

All authors will be happy to sign their books after the panel discussions. Bring your own or purchase them at the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Going to the Bad by Nora McFarland (Touchstsone)

Just because TV photographer Lilly Hawkins is working the assignment desk during the Christmas holidays, it doesn't mean she'll stay in the station. When she hears her own address over the police scanner, Lilly bursts into action. Investigating the multiple gunshot crime leads Lilly from the hospital emergency room to the walled estate of a multi-millionaire to seedy pawnshops. She learns more about her uncle Bud's early life than she wants to know (and a lot about herself) while dealing with rumor and fact—in less than two days.

Lilly Hawkins is a character to follow!

This book was provided by the publisher.

Stay Close by Harlan Coben (Dutton)

Sometimes we think our pasts will stay buried, but too often our past transgressions come back to bite us. Ray Levine was once a top photographer and now uses his talent for cheap assignments. Megan Pierce once led a wild life as an exotic dancer named Cassie, but is now a suburban housewife with two kids. Broome is an Atlantic City detective still brooding over a 17-year-old case—an event that connects the three of them. Ray and Megan have tried to bury the past, but Broome has never let it go. Now those events will make their lives miserable in the here and now.

Ruth Green's life has never been the same since her husband disappeared 17 years ago. The strange circumstances of his disappearance have haunted Broome all these years. Although Broome is divorced from his ex-police partner, Erin, he still keeps in touch. Now a new disappearance causes Broome to look at the old case again. Erin's research has discovered a link between these two cases and the disappearance of men who disappeared on or within a day of Mardi Gras.

Harlan Coben's latest thriller is a bit darker than his previous writings showing readers the underside of the glamour of Atlantic City. Stay Close poses the question: Are any of us truly either all good or all bad?

—Steve Bank

The Informationist by Taylor Stevens (Crown)

The pace is frantic, the situation truly unusual, and our heroine is like no one else! Vanessa Michael Munroe grew up in harshest Central Africa and fought for her very survival. She killed her main tormentor when she was 14 and managed to escape to the United States.

Michael used her survival skills and quick mind to grow into a competent, special person. Her occupation is obtaining information —by any means possible. She can pose as a man or use her beauty as a woman to accomplish her missions. Now she may be facing the most dangerous assignment she has ever accepted. Billionaire oil titan Richard Burbank wants her to find out what happened to his daughter, Emily, who disappeared five years ago in Africa. He insists on sending his ex-military #1 assistant, Miles Bradford, along to aid her in the search.

From her arrival in Africa, Michael senses that she is being followed. She’s right: There are forces working not only to hinder her but to remove her if necessary. When Michael and Miles rush to verify news that news that Emily is alive, their lives become endangered, but doing so may result in their being murdered.
The pace never slackens as Michael must not only find Emily but she must face some of the demons from her childhood.

Author Taylor Stevens had to fight to escape her own upbringing. Her debut novel is a fantastic ride through modern, chaotic Africa. It is a book that’s hard to put down until finished!

—Steve Bank

Caravan of Thieves by David Rich (Dutton)

Rollie Waters is every inch as smart as his father, but one difference is that Rollie is honest while his dad is one of the biggest con-artists of his generation. Rollie has been a hero in Iraq and worked as an undercover agent for the Marines in Afghanistan. But now he is being asked to help find his father. who may be responsible for the disappearance of $25,000,000!

Rollie senses his father might not have stolen the money but he knows darn well that his Dad knows where the money is. Rollie is immediately caught between two competing forces: Colonel Gladden of the Marines who wants the money back and Major McColl, whose gang may be responsible for the theft. And each side will do anything to get the money back. Rollie knows he will have to look at his past, first to find his dad and then to follow any clues to find the money.

Rollie soon realizes that Gladden may be no more honest than McColl and he fully realizes that his own life is very much in danger! He is driven to find the money but he knows he will have to use all of his skills to prevent being caught in this web. It takes awhile before Rollie realizes that this assignment is tied up with the uncover work he did in Afghanistan but it takes some time to put the puzzle pieces together.
David Rich's fast-paced debut is a page turner and surprises await at almost every turn.

David Rich has done himself proud!!

--Steve Bank

FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher.