Crime Fiction Authors - Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh NC

Friday, April 25, 7:30
Stuart Woods, Carnal Curiosity

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30
Jeffrey Deaver, The Skin Collector

Friday, May 23, 7:30
David Downing, Jack of Spies

Wednesday, May 28, 7:30
Craig Johnson, Any Other Name

Sunday, June 22, 3:00
Ruth Moose, Doing It at the Dixie Dew

Sunday, August 3, 3:00
Howard Owen, Parker Field

Thursday, August 14, 7:30 & Tuesday, September 9, Lunchtime
Margaret Maron, Designated Daughters

Gamache Reread Campaign

Minotaur Books is thrilled to announce the Gamache Reread Campaign, which starts April 21, 2014 with Louise Penny’s first novel, STILL LIFE!

This is a virtual, online club to re-read the Gamache series.  Each of the 9 books in the series will be discussed for two weeks, culminating in to the publication of Louise Penny’s latest novel, THE LONG WAY HOME, which is on sale August 26.

Elaine Viets' CATNAPPED Trailer

I just got my review copy of  Catnapped! by Elaine Viets. She's got a really great book trailer that will make it hard to wait for the May 1 release date! Helen Hawthorne and husband/PI partner Phil Sagemont work together for great reading fun.

Agatha Award Nominees

Best Contemporary Novel

Pagan Spring, by G.M. Malliet

How the Light Gets In, by Louise Penny

Clammed Up, by Barbara Ross

The Wrong Girl, by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Through the Evil Days, by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Best Historical Novel

Heirs and Graces, by Rhys Bowen

Death in the Time of Ice, by Kaye George

A Friendly Game of Murder, by J.J. Murphy

Murder in Chelsea, by Victoria Thompson

A Question of Honor, by Charles Todd

Best First Novel

Death Al Dente, by Leslie Budewitz

You Cannoli Die Once, by Shelley Costa

Board Stiff, by Kendel Lynn

Kneading to Die, by Liz Mugavero

Front Page Fatality, by LynDee Walker

Best Nonfiction

Georgette Heyer, by Jennifer Kloester

Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes, by Maria Konnikova

Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea: An Interesting & Entertaining History of Malice Domestic's

First 25 Years, by Verena Rose and Rita Owen, Editors

The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War,

by Daniel Stashower

Best Short Story

“Evil Little Girl”, by Barb Goffman, Don’t Get Mad, Get Even

“Nightmare”, by Barb Goffman, Don’t Get Mad, Get Even

“The Hindi Houdini”, by Gigi Pandian, Fish Nets

“Bread Baby”, by Barbara Ross, Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold

“The Care and Feeding of House Plants”, by Art Taylor, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Note: All five short stories nominated for the Agatha can be read online.

Best Children’s/Young Adult Novel

The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau

Traitor in the Shipyard: A Caroline Mystery, by Kathleen Ernst

Andi Unexpected, by Amanda Flower

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein

Code Busters Club: Mystery of the Pirate’s Treasure, by Penny Warner

The Rainy Day Killer by Michael J. McCann (Plaid Raccoon Press)

In the fourth novel in the Donaghue and Stainer series, homicide detectives Hank Donaghue and Karen Stainer are hunting a serial killer who kidnaps, repeatedly rapes, murders, and mutilates his victims—in several states—he changes locations when the local cops get close.  After stalking his victims, he dresses like a gentleman and offers the protection of his umbrella on rainy days.  The press has named him the Rainy Day Killer (RDK).  

After his first victim in Glendale MD is found, RDK begins to communicate with Donaghue, the lead investigator, through phone calls, packages containing the victim’s body parts, and DVDs of the body.  So far, RDK has managed to clean his victims, removing all trace evidence, and dumping the bodies in public areas without his face being seen.  The FBI and a state task force are brought in to help with the investigation. To add to the political landscape, the position of captain for the homicide unit is up for grabs. A temporary captain has been assigned; she is inexperienced and out to make a name for herself by putting everyone else down.

As the killer gets bolder, friction within the homicide unit, FBI, and state task force collide. To further complicate things, Karen Stainer is finally marring her FBI boyfriend, Sandy Alexander, at Sandy’s ancestral home in Virginia. Karen’s blue-collar relatives and Sandy’s old Virginia society family make an interesting wedding party.  

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were true to form, the suspense is real, and the murders are very dark. I will think twice about trusting a stranger, especially on a rainy day. 

—Helen Jones

FTC Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher

Left Coast Crime Award Winners

Thanks too Lucinda Surber and Stan Ulrich of the great mystery website Stop, You're Killing Me for
posting the winners at the recent Left Coast Crime Conference (which they chaired this year!). I use this site so very often. Take a look at it—you'll be totally impressed!

If you look on their book giveaway page, you can enter for a cool Calamari Crime book bag and a book. Hurry. The contest ends on April 8, 2014.

Happy reading!

Molly

2014 DILYS AWARD PRESENTED
The Independent Mystery Booksellers Association presented the 2014 Dilys Award on March 20th at the 2014 Left Coast Crime mystery convention in Monterey, California. Our congratulations to the winner (listed first) and all of the nominees.

*	Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger [review]
°	Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye
°	The Black Country by Alex Grecian
°	Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman [review]
°	Pagan Spring by G.M. Malliet
°	The Land of Dreams by Vidar Sundstol

Previous Dilys Awards

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2014 LEFT COAST CRIME AWARDS PRESENTED
The Left Coast Crime awards, voted on by the Left Coast Crime attendees, were presented on March 22, 2014, at the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California. As co-chairs of the Awards Committee, we were thrilled to present certificates to the nominees and awards to the winners. Our congratulations to the winners (listed first in each category) and to all of the nominees.

Lefty Award for Most Humorous Mystery
*	The Good Cop by Brad Parks [review]
°	The Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews [review]
°	The Fame Thief by Timothy Hallinan [review]
°	The Last Word by Lisa Lutz
°	Dying for a Daiquiri by Cindy Sample [review]

Bruce Alexander Memorial Mystery Award (best historical mystery, covering events before 1960)
*	Dandy Gilver and a Bothersome Number of Corpses by Catriona McPherson
°	Heirs and Graces by Rhys Bowen
°	His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal
°	Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell
°	Covenant with Hell by Priscilla Royal
°	Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear

The Squid (best mystery set within the United States)
*	Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger [review]
°	W Is for Wasted by Sue Grafton
°	Purgatory Key by Darrell James
°	The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]
°	A Killing at Cotton Hill by Terry Shames [review]

The Calamari (best mystery set anywhere else in the world)
*	How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny [review]
°	Murder Below Montparnasse by Cara Black
°	Hour of the Rat by Lisa Brackmann [review]
°	As She Left It by Catriona McPherson
°	Mykonos After Midnight by Jeffrey Siger

Vintage Crime Fiction in e-Books

I got an email announcing the official launch of Chalk Line Books, a publisher specializing in republishing vintage crime fiction classics as ebooks. 

They have begun with the e-publication of two of the greatest crime fiction authors, Jim Thompson with Sharecropper Hell and David Goodis with The Secret Squad.  They'll be adding more authors such as Charles Williams, Ed McBain, Peter Rabe, and many others to their roster soon.  

SHORE EXCURSION free March 17-19…

AMAZING GIVEAWAY March 17, 18, 19, 2014 to Amazon Prime members, FREE Kindle Select download of SHORE EXCURSION by Marie Moore! Just for YOU and YOUR FRIENDS! Enjoy!


Click to order your FREE copy on giveaway days only!

This is the first in a really good series for armchair (and real) world travelers! Marie Moore was a travel agent for many years and has walked the walk so she can do the talk!

Pack your virtual bag and get ready for a great trip!

Brynn Bonner Book Launch

Join Brynn Bonner at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh when she launches the second in her Family History Mystery series, Death in Reel Time. The program will begin at 7:30, Wednesday, March 13.

It's a Book, (Jackass)

Join a host of authors reading from Lane Smith's It's a Book. The video, a project devised by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, is in support of the printed book—and it's two minutes of sheer fun. Nobody cares if you view it twice! BTW, I often read on my iPad, but never in the bathtub where I do a good part of my reading.

Tom Clancy Dead at 66

For more information, please see the Publishers Weekly story.

JAMES LEE BURKE FOR THE NOBEL PRIZE!

That's what Pete Mock says in his mystery newsletter from McIntyre's in Fearrington Village (Pittsboro NC). He makes a good case, too. Pete and I have shared mystery opinions for many years now. We don't always agree, but we do always respect! Take a look and see what you think. Let me know.

Happy reading.

A Skeleton in the Attic by Leigh Perry

Many families have a skeleton in their closet. You know, the family member who was a thief, an alcoholic, a rapist, or a schizophrenic. People hide them so that their own good reputation isn't tarnished by admitting that we all have a dark side. Georgia Thackery's family is one who has a skeleton, not in their closet, but in the attic, where he enjoys reading and other pursuits usually reserved for the living. This family has given him a name and keeps him hidden for his own sake. Sid, walks and talks, makes bad jokes that aren't funny, but generally he is a good guy. Oh, yeah, they know he's a he. What they don't know is who he was before he ...er....was dead. 

Georgia is an adjunct professor at the same college where her parents teach. They are on sabbatical and Georgia has moved back home for awhile. She is a single mom with a daughter, Madison, a bright 14-year old. They are happy to live here and reconnect with Georgia's sister. Georgia has known Sid almost her whole life and he is actually her best friend. Well, Sid talks Georgia into attending an anime convention, disguised as......what else?.......a skeleton !  Don't know what an anime is? The book will explain. 

While at the convention, Sid sees a woman who triggers vague memories of his past, and he is determined to find out who he is and how he died. He needs Georgia's help and their adventures are worth discovering. Needless to say, there's a killer on the loose, and the

mystery leads Sid and Geogia on a chase that could be lethal. Luckily, Sid has abilities as well as a sterling character that leads to an ending that isn't easily figured.

This is a fun read and before you go making assumptions about skeletons that walk and talk—think about it !!

—Dian Esterly

FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher.

Editor's secret: Leigh Perry is a pseudonym for my good friend and North Carolina native Toni L. P. Kelner. As Dian indicates, she's still got her funny (dare I say it?) bone!

Keep No Secrets by Julie Compton (Fresh Fork Publishing)

If you liked Jillian Flynn's Gone Girl, read until 4AM to finish it, Keep No Secrets is its equal. Here's the portrait of a modern marriage caught in the balance of careers, demands of raising children, and just keeping your head when your world comes apart. Keep No Secrets is a shell game of who is the hero, whois the villain. Compton's skill as a writer in her third novel keeps the reader's sympathies on a seesaw. Who is telling what lies? Who is keeping the most and biggest and worst secret of all?   

A fantastic read!

--Ruth Moose

FTC Disiclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher.

Ruth Moose won the St. Martin-Minotaur-Malice Domestic Award for Best First Novel in May. Her debut mystery, Doin' It at the Dixie Dew will hit shelves next spring from Minotaur.

Noah’s Rainy Day by Sandra Brannan (Greenleaf BookGroup)

This is the fourth book in the Liv Bergen Mystery series. The suspense begins on page one with the prologue and continues throughout the book.

Liv Bergen has finally become an FBI Special Agent entrusted with the handling and training of the bloodhound, Beulah. Liv is back home in Colorado for Christmas with her family. Noah, Liv’s 12-year-old nephew, has cerebral palsy. He cannot speak or walk, and has very limited eye site and use of his arms. Noah’s brain functions very well, in fact better than some of us. His only means of communication is with smiles for “yes” and frowns for “no”. He worships his Aunt Liv “Boots” Bergan and wants to be a spy like her. Liv gives him a secret gift of a “spy pin” that records sound.

Liv and Beulah’s Christmas visit is interrupted when five-year-old Max is kidnapped from the Denver airport. Working with veteran agent Street Pierce, enigmatic agent and lover Jack Linwood they fear the worst when no ransom demands are made. They are on a time clock to find the boy before it is too late.

Meanwhile, Noah, housebound, spends a lot of time looking out his special window to the world—a floor to ceiling window installed by his father. Noah’s active mind and curiosity notices everything that happens in his small world. When he sees a small child watching him from his neighbor’s window he has a mystery to solve and a spy pin to use. Noah’s “investigation” may lead down a very dark path for him and his family.

If the first three books in the series are as good as this one, I have some serious reading to do! As with all good series, I did not have any problems following the story and character relationships. 

—Helen Jones

FTC Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher.

BDP (Blatant Daughter Promotion)

I know this isn't mystery-related, but it's my blog, so…

Our daughter Erin has been nominated for the Martha Stewart American Made award. We'd surely appreciate your SIX votes each day (I have no clue when the contest is over). As Andy Griffith used to say, "I 'preciate it—and good night."

WIGGLE ROOM Amazon Free Book 8/28–30/13

I ran into Darden North at Killer Nashville this weekend. His new book, Wiggle Room, is just out and his publisher is offering the Kindle download free today through Friday (August 28–30). I just downloaded his new medical thriller featuring Air Force surgeon Brad Cummins. I suggest you grab it, too!

Congratulations

Crocodile on the Sunbank has been won—but I hope you'll all participate in "Buy a Friend a Book Day" at your local bookstore!

Happy reading!

Buy a Friend a Book Day - August 31

I was invited to this event on Facebook and I hope you'll join the effort. One new thing:  Let's all be sure to buy that book at a local INDEPENDENT bookstore. Support local economy — at least with one book.

The mystery community lost one of the greats this week. Barbara Mertz (Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels) died on Thursday. To honor her, I've ordered a copy of Crocodile on the Sunbank for Saturday, August 31. I'd like to make a new friend by sending this copy to the first responder who has never read the Amelia Peabody series. You'll have to get the rest of the books on your own, because I know you'll be hooked!

Just email me with "Crocodile" in the subject line. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Elizabeth Foxwell has written a beautiful tribute to her friend.

CAT IN AN ALIEN X-RAY by Carole Nelson Douglas (Forge)

“Cats rule—dogs just wish they did, and people are fooling themselves.”  Yes, Midnight Louie is back with his whole clowder— feline and human with just a touch of canine. OK, I confess, I’m a fan of Las Vegas mysteries, but Louie is definitely my favorite and Carole Nelson Douglas continues to keep us guessing in Cat in an Alien X-Ray.

This time Louie’s dealing with the “usual”----murder, mobsters, Max --with a twist of disappearing buildings. Is it science or aliens or just Vegas? Is that body really an Aztec astronaut somehow back from space or is the old-time  mob related to his murder? And were all those ancient space travelers really cats in disguise? Louie has all the answers. 

--Doreen Weaton

FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher.