SEATTLE MYSTERY BOOKSHOP
SUMMER 2006
NEWSLETTER
117 Cherry St. Seattle, WA
98104
OPEN 10-5 Mon – Sat, 12-5 Sun
Bill Farley, Founder / JB Dickey,
Owner/Tammy Domike, Manager
Sandy Goodrick / Fran Fuller / Janine
Wilson
staff@seattlemystery.com 206-587-5737 www.seattlemystery.com
cops—private
eyes—courtroom--thrillers—suspense—espionage—true crime—reference
As
we noted a year ago, in our Summer 2005 newsletter, publishers continue to
confound us with their release dates.
You’ll notice a number of April and May releases in this issue that
covers June, July and August releases. These “Spring” books are books that the
publishers dated for Summer release but released early. We’ve noted the month
in which they arrived, not the month they were listed to be on-sale. To be
fair, there are a few that we didn’t know about at the time the Spring issue
was printed. Our intent is to bring as much to your attention as possible that
will be released – or has been released – since our last newsletter. - the eds.
New from the Northwest
Mary
Daheim, Saks
& Violins (Aug.,
Morrow hc, 23.95). A world-class musician dies after eating poisoned rhubarb at
a party at the bed-and-breakfast. Judith feels that it is her duty to find the
killer – after all, she was hosting the party – just as someone has run up a
massive debt on Rennie’s credit cards. When it can’t get any worse, her
neighbor’s valuable violin bow is stolen! Signing.
In paper, Dead Man Docking (Aug., Avon, 6.99).
Jo
Dereske, Bookmarked
to Die (June,
Avon pbo, 6.99). Miss Zukas, the formidable librarian of Bellhaven, WA,
returns! Helma Zukas launches a collection
featuring local authors' books at the Bellehaven Public Library and immediately
an aspiring poetess/library patron dies in what first appears to
be a sad accident. But the next night another author dies. Helma is
drawn into the case when her presence and her new collection appear to be
precursors to the deaths. Signing. Tammy
recommends.
Christine
Dodd, Trouble in
High Heels (Aug.,
Signet pbo, 7.99). After being deserted by her fiancée and having a fling with
an Italian stranger, a woman finds that she’s become the target for trouble.
Romantic suspense by a bestselling Bellingham author. Signing.
Mike
Doogan, Lost
Angel (Aug.,
Putnam hc, 24.95). Debut mystery from a noted Alaskan columnist: In a remote
Christian commune, the granddaughter of the group’s founder disappears. The
leaders, fearing the outside, turn to a disgraced former cop to search for
answers, giving him a chance to regain his character. Signing?
Aaron
Elkins, Unnatural
Selection (June,
Berkley hc, 23.95). Traveling with his wife to an eccentric’s salon, Gideon
Oliver hopes for a quiet time exploring the Neo-lithic sites on the islands off
the coast of Cornwell. A bone points to a recent murder and another leads him
indoors, into the castle of his host. Signing.
Clyde
W. Ford, Deuce’s
Wild (July,
Midnight Ink tpo, 13.95). As a favor to his son, Shango investigates the
shooting of a hip-hop artist who had converted to Islam. The singer had been on
a terrorist watch list. Was it his religious conversion that put him on the
list or something more sinister? Signing.
G.M.
Ford, Blown Away (Aug., Morrow hc, 23.95). Frank Corso,
investigating an unsolved bombing case, begins to see problems with the
official story: could it be possible that the bomber, who had the explosives
wrapped around his torso, was not a willing participant? And how could that
have happened? When a second bombing makes it a pattern, Frank is at the center
of a national story. Signing. In
paper, No Man’s Land (July, Avon, 6.99).
Yasmine
Galenorn, One
Hex of a Wedding (Aug.,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). Emerald’s wedding is in shambles with her fiancé wounded by
gunfire, her ex-husband a suspect and her maid of honor is being threatened. Signing. 5th in this popular
local series.
J.J.
Henderson, Mexican
Booty (May, CDS tpo, 11.95). 2nd
mystery with travel writer Lucy Ripkin. Fake Pre-Columbian art leads Lucy from
a friend’s art gallery in New Mexico to a trail in Old Mexico. Signed Copies Available.
J.A.
Jance, Dead
Wrong (Aug., Morrow hc, 25.95).
With her second child due, Sheriff Joanna Brady is faced with two brutal crimes
and no one to help her. First, the body of a recently released convict is found
in the desert with his fingers missing, and then her deputy is beaten while
conducting an unauthorized stakeout. Signing.
In paper, Long Time Gone (Aug., Avon, 9.99), Beaumont in enhanced paperback format.
Kate
Kingsbury, An
Unmentionable Murder (Aug.,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). As the Allied Invasion begins, the Manor House is in an
uproar – the butler is gone, an ill-tempered guest is dead and someone is
stealing knickers!
Michael
Lawson, Second
Perimeter (July,
Doubleday hc, 24.95). Demarco and Emma are detailed by the Speaker of the House
to investigate rumors of fraud at a US Naval Base. What at first appears to be
a low-level swindle hides something larger and far more dangerous. Signing. In paper, The Inside Ring (Aug., Anchor, 6.99) his debut
which is highly recommended by
ALL of us.
Elizabeth
Lowell, The
Wrong Hostage (June,
Morrow hc, 24.95). A judge with a secret and a kidnap specialist who has no
faith in the system come together when the judge’s son vanishes into the bloody
hands that reach out from her secret. Signing.
Phillip
Margolin, Proof
Positive (July,
Harper hc, 25.95). Two capital cases appear to be proved beyond doubt based on
the physical evidence. But doubts arise: what if the forensics were tampered
with by the technician? Signing.
Tom
Micheltree, Missing,
Maybe Dead (June,
Intrigue hc, 24.00). In the 3rd book
in the series, Paul Fischer finds his life quieting down. When a dying
colleague asks Fischer to find his missing wife, things get complicated. The
wife vanished 30 years ago, and answers on the Oregon Coast are few.
Paul
Neilan, Apathy
and Other Small Victories (May,
St. Martin’s hc, 17.95). Debut novel from a Portland writer. Shane is ready to
leave when things get complicated and the biggest complication is the murder of
one of the many women in his life. His girlfriend is a sadistic social climber,
his rent is subsidized by an affair with his landlord’s wife and his unstable
dentist’s deaf assistant is entrancing. Laughs that will make your stomach
hurt.
Now
in Paper
Alafair
Burke, Case Closed (June, St. Martin’s, 6.99).
Mark
Nykanen, Search
Angel (May, Hyperion, 6.99).
Greg
Rucka, Private
Wars (Aug., Bantam, 6.99). Tammy
& JB recommend this series.
Reissues
of Note
John
Straley, The
Curious Eat Themselves (July,
Soho, 12.00). The second with Alaskan PI Cecil Younger, a favorite series of
Tammy and JB.
Mysterious
Youth
Ridley
Pearson & Dave Barry, Peter
and the Shadow Thieves (July,
Disney hc, 18.99). Peter and Tinker Bell head to London to do battle with the
evil Lord Ombra and protect the Starcatchers and the valuable starstuff. Signing?
Coming
this Fall
Michael
Collins, Death
of a Writer,
Sept.
Michael
Dibdin & Aurelio Zen, Sept.
Carola
Dunn & Daisy Dalrymple, Sept.
Clyde
W. Ford & Charlie Noble, Oct.
Larry
Karp, The Ragtime
Kid, Nov.
Erik
Larson & Dr.
Crippen and Marconi, Oct.
Kat
Richardson, Greywalker, Oct.
Jess
Walter, The
Zero, Oct.
Kate
Wilhelm & Barbara Holloway, Sept.
New from the Rest
Jeff
Abbott, Fear
(Aug., Dutton
hc, 24.95). A new, experimental drug may help a mob informant who is on the run
for his life, as well as the daughter of the hit man who is after him. Janine
recommends this author.
Susan
Wittig Albert, The
Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood (July,
Berkley hc, 23.95). 3rd in the mystery series of the Cottage Tales
of Beatrix Potter. In paper, The Tale of
Holly How (July, Berkley, 6.99).
Barbara
Allan, Antiques
Roadkill (Aug.,
Kensington hc, 22.00). 1st in a “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” series by the
wife and co-writer of Max Allan Collins. A newly divorced woman returns to her
small hometown to find out that the man who conned her mom has been murdered.
Donna
Andrews, No
Nest for the Wicket (Aug.,
St. Martin’s hc, 23.95). Meg Langslow finds herself in a new summer game –
Extreme Croquet.
Lori
Andrews, Sequence
(June, St.
Martin’s hc, 23.95). Debut from a nationally known expert on law and genetics:
Dr. Alexandra Blake works for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology on viral
genetics in biological warfare. Her boss has ambitions to turn the lab into a
mini-FBI and a serial killer striking on military bases is the place to start.
Louis
Bayard, The
Pale Blue Eye (June,
Harper hc, 24.95). A retired NYC detective is recruited by the authorities at
West Point to investigate when a grisly murder takes place. He chooses a cadet
to aid him – the young Edgar Allan Poe.
Lawrence
Block, Hit Parade (July, Morrow hc, 24.95). The third book
with professional killer John Keller. When you need a hit done right, Keller’s
the one to call: cool, calm, lonely and full of doubts – fully human like the
rest of us. Signed Copies Available.
In paper, The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza (Aug.,
Harper, 7.99), reissue of the 4th in his witty series with
bookseller Bernie Rhodenbarr, gentleman catburglar. Bill recommends everything Block
writes.
Stephen
Booth, One Last
Breath (July,
Bantam hc, 25.00). 5th in his series of psychological thrillers with
England’s Peak District coppers Ben Cooper and Diana Fry. They face a killer
hiding in the region’s tunnels. In paper, Blind
to the Bones (June, Bantam,
7.50). Janine recommends this series.
Rhys
Bowen, Evanly Bodies
(Aug., St.
Martin’s hc, 23.95). 10th with Welsh Constable Evan Evans.
T.C.
Boyle, Talk Talk (July, Viking hc, 25.95). A young deaf
woman suddenly finds herself in deep legal trouble when she finds that someone
has stolen her identity and left her to deal with his crimes. Trying to track
the man down leads to a road trip that examines love, language and identity. Signed Copies Available.
Emily
Brandt, Under
Pressure (June,
Signet pbo, 6.99). Fourth with underwater investigator Hannah Simpson. While on
a training stint in the Virgin Islands, a plane crashes and the training is
hands-on.
Simon
Brett, The Stabbing
in the Stables (Aug.,
Berkley hc, 23.95). In the 7th Fethering
mystery, the body of an ex-equestrian is found in a stable. Someone has been
harming horses across the countryside and the police think he may have been
killed when he surprised the “Horse Ripper”. Others think otherwise. In paper, The Witness at the Wedding (July, Berkley, 7.99).
Emily
Bright, Deadly
Greetings (June,
Signet pbo, 6.99). Second in the greeting card mystery series.
Ken
Bruen, Calibre
(Aug., St. Martin’s tpo, 12.95). 6th
with Insp. Brant and the Southeast London police squad. Someone is out to teach
some manners and etiquette and the lessons are lethal. Favorite author of Janine’s.
See also Felony & Mayhem in Small Mystery Presses.
James
Lee Burke, Pegasus
Descending
(July, Simon
& Schuster hc, 26.00). Robicheaux thinks he’s achieved a level of peace in
his life. Then a new crime leads back to when, as a young cop, drunk on duty,
Dave broke up a robbery and caused the death of a friend. A suicide, stolen
$100 bills, and a vicious Mob thug take him back into his haunted past and
present demons. Signed Copies Available.
In paper, Crusader’s Cross (July, Pocket, 9.99).
Ellen
Byerrum, Raiders
of the Lost Corset (July,
Signet pbo, 6.99). 4th in the Crimes
of Fashion series.
Dana
Cameron, Ashes
and Bones (Aug.,
Avon pbo, 6.99). 6th with archeologist Emma Fielding.
JoAnna
Carl, The Chocolate
Bridal Bash
(Aug, Signet
pbo, 6.99). 6th in this culinary chocolate series. Author is Eve
Sandstrom.
John
Case, Ghost
Dancer (Aug, Ballantine hc,
25.95). Diabolical mathematician Jack Wilson intends to rediscover the weapon
Nikola Tesla claimed to have created: a device that would use harmonic
resonance to destroy any molecular structure.
Linda
Castillo, A
Whisper in the Dark (Aug,
Berkley pbo, 7.99) Bookseller Julia Wainright is getting threatening letters.
Her past is catching up with her.
Les
Claypool, South
of the Pumphouse
(July, Akashic
tpo, 14.95). Debut novel from a noted rock bassist of the 90s: A dark tale of
brothers, a fishing trip, drugs and murder. The publisher writes that this is
an epic tale reminiscent of “The Old Man and the Sea” by way of Hunter S.
Thompson. Signing?
Barbara
Cleverly, The
Bee’s Kiss (Aug.,
Carroll & Graf hc, 25.00). In his 5th appearance, back in
London, Joe Sandilands is dispatched to investigate the murder of Dame Beatrice
Joliffe. A window was broken and a valuable emerald necklace is missing. After
years in India, Joe is unprepared for the Jazz Age and for the political
pressures that the case unleashes. In paper, The Palace Tiger (July,
Delta, 13.00).
Peter
Corris, Saving
Billie (April,
Allen & Unwin tpo, 11.95). Cliff Hardy is drawn into federal elections when
a journalist hires him to find a woman who has evidence on a media-giant. The
corporate head has men looking for her too. 24th in this Australian
series for fans of Ross Macdonald and Steve Greenleaf. Series recommended by Bill &
JB.
Colin
Cotterill, Disco
for the Departed (Aug.,
Soho hc, 23.00). Laotian national coroner Dr. Siri Paiboun is sent to the area
where the present government used to hide in caves. An arm has been found in
the area and the good doctor is given the job of finding out who it belongs to
and where it came from. Signed Soho bookplates available for the first 16
copies reserved. In paper, Thirty-Three Teeth (Aug., 12.00), the second in the series.
Cleo
Coyle, Murder Most
Frothy (Aug.,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). 4th in the coffee shop series.
Philip
R. Craig, Dead
in Vineyard Sand (June, Scribner
hc, 24.00). 17th Martha’s Vineyard mystery – fun, food, folks, and
at least one felony. FORE!!! Sun and
sand on the island’s links. A favorite series of Sandy’s.
Lindsey
Davis, See Delphi
and Die (June,
St. Martin’s hc, 24.95). The 17th with Marcus Didius Falco. In
paper, Scandal Takes a Holiday (June, St. Martin’s, 6.99).
Jeffery
Deaver, The
Cold Moon (June, Simon &
Schuster hc, 26.00). Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs match wits with The
Watchmaker, a diabolical killer who has a fiendish plot timed to perfection.
While hunting, Sachs stumbles upon information about Rhyme that threatens their
relationship. Signing.
Garry
Discher, Snapshot
(July, Soho hc,
23.00). Insp. Hal Chase is blocked by his boss as he tries to investigate the
shooting death of a local psychologist. The woman was the daughter-in-law of
the Superintendent and he seems more interested in protecting his son’s name
than in catching her killer. In paper, the second Chase mystery, Kittyhawk Down (July, Soho, 12.00). Bill, JB and Janine recommend this
author.
Carole
Nelson Douglas, Cat
in a Quicksilver Caper (July,
Forge hc, 19.95). In paper, Cat in a Hot Pink Pursuit (June, Forge, 6.99).
Barry
Eisler, The
Last Assassin (May,
Putnam hc, 24.95). John Rain learns that his former lover is rearing their
child in NYC. His enemies know it too and are waiting for him. Signing. In paper, Killing Rain (June, Signet, 7.99). Janine,
Bill and JB recommend this series.
Janet
Evanovich, Twelve
Sharp (June,
St. Martin’s hc, 26.95), Signed Copies
Available. And, in paper, Eleven On
Top (June, St. Martin’s, 7.99),
and Smitten (Aug., Harper pbo, 7.99). Revised and reissued.
Monica
Ferris, Sins
and Needles (July,
Berkley hc, 23.95). 10th needlecraft mystery – patterns included –
with Betsy Devonshire. In paper, Embroidered
Truths (June, Berkley, 6.99).
Dan
Fesperman, The
Prisoner of Guantanamo (July, Knopf hc,
24.00). FBI veteran and Arabic speaker Revere Falk is in Guantanamo
interrogating terror suspects when a US soldier’s body washes up on a Cuban
beach. He’s pressed into service and finds many forces circulating around him. Janine
recommends this author.
Jasper
Fforde, The
Fourth Bear (July,
Viking hc, 24.95). Insp. Spratt has been demoted to Missing Persons after
bungling the case of the murdered baker. He and Mary Mary are sent to hunt for
a missing journalist last seen by a family of bears. Meanwhile, a murderous
genius of a killer cookie is on the loose. How can the Gingerbread man be
stopped? Signed Copies Available. In paper, The
Big Over Easy (July, Penguin,
14.00), the first Jack Spratt. His next
book will be with Thursday Next!
Frederick
Forsyth, The
Afghan (Aug.,
Putnam hc, 26.95). The West hears of a major Al Qaeda plot but can find no
details to help them prevent it. The only hope is a Brit, long undercover, and
imprisoned at Guantanamo. To let him out may blow his cover. But what other
choice is there?
Margaret
Frazer, A
Play of Knaves (Aug.,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). 3rd with Middle Ages player Jollife, who emerged
from the Dame Frevisse books to have a series of his own.
Stephen
Frey, The Power
Broker (July,
Ballantine hc, 24.95). Christian Gillette is first approached about a merger
with his investment company and then is approached about being a possible
Vice-Presidential candidate. He mistrusts both overtures.
Scott
Frost, Never Fear (July, Putnam hc, 24.95). Pasadena Det.
Alex Delillo is called to identify a body. She’s shocked to discover the man
was a brother she never knew about. Even worse, he was investigating a string
of 17 year-old murders. Signed Copies
Available. Frost’s debut, Run the
Risk (Berkley, 7.99.) was nominated for the 2006 Edgar award for Best First
Novel. Janine recommends.
Ashley
Gardner, A
Covent Garden Mystery (July,
Berkley pbo, 7.99). 6th Regency England mystery with Captain Lacey.
Lee
Goldberg, Mr.
Monk Goes to Hawaii (July,
Signet pbo, 6.99). Monk investigates death by coconut.
Batya
Gur, Murder in
Jerusalem (Aug.,
Harper hc, 24.95). Sixth and, sadly, the last of Michael Ohayon mysteries. The
horrible death of a film set director may have implications of social and
political unrest. In paper, Bethlehem
Road Murder (Aug, Harper,
14.95).
Carolyn
Haines, Bones
to Pick (July,
Kensington hc, 22.00). 6th with Southern Belle and PI Sarah Booth
Delaney.
Laurell
K. Hamilton, Danse
Macabre (July,
Berkley hc, 24.95). The 13th with Anita Blake, vampire hunter.
John
Harvey, Darkness
& Light (July,
Harcourt hc, 25.00). In his third appearance, retired cop Frank Elder, as a
favor to his ex-wife, looks for the sister of a missing friend. Similarities
bring to mind one of his old, unsolved cases. In paper, Flesh & Blood (July,
Harcourt, 14.00).
David Hosp, The Betrayed (July, Warner hc, 24.95). His second novel
revolves around Sydney Chapin, whose sister was tortured to death, and the
police officers, Train and Cassian, whose investigation leads them to places
where those in power don’t want them looking. Signed Copies Available. In
paper, Dark Harbor (June,
Warner, 6.99). Fran recommends both.
Joshilyn Jackson, Between, Georgia (July, Warner hc, 22.95). Second book by
a shop favorite whose debut was a bestseller for us in 2005. Now
she introduces us to Nonny Frett, by birth a Crabtree but raised by Fretts,
families with a long-standing enmity, and when the aging Frett sisters are
attacked, Nonny may not be able to stop the violence. Fran, Tammy and Janine
recommend. Signed
Copies Available. In paper, gods in Alabama (June,
Warner, 12.95).
Bill
James, Wolves
of Memory (July, Norton hc,
23.95). Harper and Iles are assigned the task of protecting an informant after
a carefully designed raid goes bad. The only one to escape arrest is quickly
fingered and it’s their job to hide him.
Morag
Joss, Puccini’s
Ghost (Aug.,
Delacorte hc, 22.00). Stand-alone suspense in the world of opera: a 15 year-old
girl seeks rescue from a claustrophobic family when her beloved uncle stages an
amateur production of Turandot. As
she plans her future, her dreams combine with reality to make a dangerous
concoction.
Daniel
Judson, The
Darkest Place (June,
St. Martin’s hc, 23.95). A string of drownings during a cold-snap at a Long
Island resort puts a local college professor in the crosshairs of the
authorities. He has yet to recover from the drowning death of his own child a
year before and his self-destructive activities are making him a suspect.
Shamus Winning author.
Susan
Kandel, Sam
Spade in the Green Room (June,
Morrow hc, 23.95). In her 3rd appearance, LA mystery writer
biographer Cece Caruso is thrilled that her new biography of Dashiell Hammett
is to be made into a film. She’s hired to tutor the gorgeous male star, only to begin believing him to be a closet
killer. Signing.
Faye
Kellerman, The
Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights (Aug., Warner hc, 24.95). 14 short
stories gathered together for the first time, including three with Decker and
Lazarus never before published. In paper, Straight
into Darkness (July, Warner,
7.99).
Lee
Charles Kelley, Dogged
Pursuit (July,
Avon pbo, 6.99). 5th with dog trainer and kennel owner Jack Field.
Bill
Kent, Street Legal (June, St. Martin’s hc, 24.95). Elderly
obit writer Shep Ladderback and his assistant Andy Cosicki investigate when
Andy sees a sand truck fill a car and cover a dead body sitting inside. It is
tough since Shep has a fear of open spaces, but they’ll get the job done. 2nd
in this intelligent and quirky series.
Jack
Kerley, A
Garden of Vipers (June,
Dutton hc, 24.95). Mobile, AL, detectives Ryder and Nautilus follow the trail
of a murdered dog into one of the area’s wealthiest families and find that
these perfect people will stop at nothing to maintain their place. Signed Copies Available. Janine recommends this author.
J.A.
Konrath, Rusty
Nail (July,
Hyperion hc, 23.95). Chicago cop Jacqueline Daniels is being sent snuff films.
All those involved were also involved in cases from her past. In paper, Bloody Mary (June, Hyperion, 6.99).
William
Kent Kruger, Copper
River (Aug.,
Atria hc, 24.00). Fleeing assassins who’ve already put one bullet in him,
former sheriff Cork O’Connor runs to an old resort owned by a cousin. There he
finds others in danger, including his nephew. In paper, Mercy Falls (July,
Pocket, 7.99). Favorite series of Fran’s.
William
Lashner, Marked
Man (June, Morrow hc, 24.95).
Victor Carl wakes up with his suit in tatters and a painfully new tattoo on his
chest. All of that’s got to wait, as his latest client wants to bargain with a
stolen Rembrandt and someone doesn’t want that painting to surface. Signed Copies Available. In paper, Falls the Shadow (May, Harper, 7.99).
David
Lawrence, Cold
Kill (June,
St. Martin’s hc, 23.95). 3rd with London Det. Stella Mooney.
Laura
Levine, The PMS
Murder (June,
Kensington hc, 19.95). 5th with LA free-lance writer Jaine Austin.
Laura
Lippman, No
Good Deeds (July,
Morrow hc, 24.95). Tess Monaghan agrees to protect a young boy who may hold the
key to the solution of the murder of a young federal prosecutor. When this is
discovered, she faces jail and the boy goes missing. Signed Copies Available. In paper, To the Power of Three (July,
Avon, 7.99).
Gayle
Lynds, The
Last Spymaster (June, St.
Martin’s hc, 24.95). A legendary US spy, imprisoned for treason near the end of
the Cold War, vanishes from his cell. The agent assigned to capture him quickly
sees that something else, something wrong, is going on. Signing.
Jay
MacLarty, Live
Wire (April,
Pocket pbo, 7.99). Courier Simon Leonidovich is hired by the CIA to convey
documents to North Korean dissidents. Third in a series highly recommended by
Janine.
Paul
Malmont, The
Chinatown Death Cloud Peril (May,
Simon & Schuster hc, 24.00). In
the depths of the Great Depression, pulp writers Walter Gibson and Lester Dent
put aside their pulp heroes – The Shadow and Doc Savage – to battle real evil,
and evil that made the dead Lovecraft’s skin crawl. The adventure takes them
around the world. Debut novel with a gorgeous pulp cover.
Margaret
Maron, Winter’s
Child (Aug.,
Mysterious Press hc, 24.95). Newlywed Judge Knott and her new husband are lured
into the disappearance of his ex-wife and their child. 12th in this
multi-award winning series. Signed Copies Available. In paper, Rituals of the Season (Aug., Warner,
6.99).
Edward
Marston, Princess
of Denmark (Aug.,
St. Martin’s hc, 24.95). 16th Elizabethan theatrical mystery with
Nicholas Bracewell.
Francine
Mathews, The
Alibi Club (Aug,
Bantam hc, 24.00). A little known historic event becomes the seed for this WWII
thriller: four women, united by chance, circumstances and war, try to smuggle a
gifted scientist out of Nazi Europe and to give his secrets to the Allies. By
the author who also writes as Stephanie Barron and who will have a new Jane
Austen book in Nov.
Cammie
McGovern, Eye
Contact (June,
Viking hc, 24.95). Two schoolchildren wander away. When found hours later, the
little girl has been murdered and the autistic boy is the only witness. His
mother must work with him and the police to try to get answers about what
happened. Signed Copies Available.
Colleen
McCullough, On,
Off (May,
Simon & Schuster hc, 25.95). In 1965, few of the forensic techniques that
are taken for granted now were not even dreamed of. In a Connecticut center for
neurological research, part of a murder victim is found. What appears to be
just one victim soon changes to a series of crimes. The cop assigned has heard
the term “serial killer”, but few know what that entails. A true whodunit by
the author of The Thornbirds.
D.R.
Meredith, Murder
by the Book (June,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). Fifth with librarian Megan Clark who matches wits with a
killer who has been studying Dame Agatha. Her own book club is under her
suspicion.
Kyle
Mills, The Second
Horseman (Aug.,
St. Martin’s hc, 24.95). A career thief is broken out of prison by the FBI
agent who framed him to put him there. The agent needs help with a national
security matter.
Denise
Mina, The Dead Hour
(July, Little
Brown hc, 24.95). Scottish reporter Paddy Meehan sees a connection between the
murder of a beautiful prosecutor who was known for her social conscience and a
body found in the river. In paper, Field
of Blood (July, Little Brown,
7.50).
Camille
Minichino, The
Oxygen Murder (Aug.,
St. Martin’s hc, 24.95). 8th in the Periodic Table mystery series.
The author is, like her character, a professor of physics.
Marcia
Muller, Vanishing
Point (July,
Mysterious Press hc, 24.95, Signed
Copies 25.95). Sharon McCone is hired to solve a famous cold case. 20 years
ago, a mother and artist vanished. Her daughter wants answers but, before
McCone can get a feel for the case, the daughter goes missing, just like
mother. In paper, Cape Perdido (July, Warner, 7.99).
Tim
Myers, A Flicker of
Doubt (June,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). Fourth with candle shop owner Harrison Black. AND A Pour Way to Dye (Aug., Berkley pbo, 6.99), 2nd in his soap making series.
Sister
Carol Anne O’Marie, Murder
at the Monk’s Table (June, St.
Martin’s hc, 23.95). 11th with the retired Bay Area nun, Sister Mary
Helen.
Robert
B. Parker, Blue
Screen (June,
Putnam hc, 24.95). Sunny Randall is hired to protect a C-list movie actress and
is led into the territory of Police Chief Jesse Stone. Working together, they
learn much about each other and themselves. Signed Copies Available. In paper, Appaloosa (June,
Berkley, 7.99).
George
Pelecanos, The
Night Gardner (Aug.,
Little Brown hc, 24.95). Three cops, former friends long separated by years,
events and hates, are reunited by a new case which leads to a showdown between
them. Signed Copies Available. A favorite author of JB and Janine.
Louise
Penny, Still
Life (July, St. Martin’s hc,
22.95). Introducing Monsieur L’Inspecteur Armand Gamache of the Surete du
Quebec, who is called to the scene of what is said to be a hunting accident
near the US border. A Debut Dagger honor book in the UK.
Douglas
Preston & Lincoln Child, The
Book of the Dead (June,
Warner hc, 25.95). The battle of brothers continues as a tomb is opened and a
curse released amidst a series of murders. This battle must end and only one
will emerge from clash. Fran recommends this series.
Bill
Pronzini, The
Crimes of Jordan Wise (July,
Walker hc, 24.00, Signed Copies 25.00).
An unassuming and straight-arrow accountant falls under the spell of an enchantress
and embezzles half a million to keep up with her. That is when things really
turn ugly.
Kathy
Reichs, Break
No Bones (July, Scribner hc,
25.95). The discovery of a fresh skeleton at an archeological dig leads Tempe
Brennan to a case of a free street clinic from where the poor are vanishing.
She’s led into the lucrative world of stolen body parts. In paper, Cross Bones (June, Pocket, 9.99). Favorite series of Fran’s.
Ruth
Rendell, End
in Tears (July,
Crown hc, 25.00). Insp. Wexford feels he’s losing his skills when a young woman
is killed. Obviously, it was not random. It isn’t until he finds the connection
to a car crash that he begins to see his way. Signed Copies Available. In paper, 13 Steps Down (June,
Vintage, 13.00).
J.D.
Robb, Born in Death
(July, Putnam
hc, 24.95). Eve Dallas must deal with two double homicides. In paper, Memory in Death (June, Berkley, 7.99), and, as Nora
Roberts, Angels Fall (July,
Putnam hc, 25.95). In paper, Blue Smoke
(June, Jove, 7.99).
Peter
Robinson, Piece
of My Heart (June, Morrow hc,
24.95). The murder of a free-lance music journalist takes Insp. Banks back to a
long-unsolved case, 30 years ago, that might be connected to his fresh case. Signed Copies Available.
Sandra
Scoppetone, Too
Darn Hot (June,
Ballantine hc, 24.95). 2nd case for NYC PI Faye Quick. The Summer of
1943 is torrid and it will get worse. She’s hired to find a soldier who went
AWOL a few days earlier. In paper, This
Dame For Hire (June, Ballantine,
6.99).
Maggie
Sefton, A
Deadly Yarn (Aug.,
Berkley pbo, 6.99). Third in the popular knitting mystery series.
James
Siegel, Deceit
(Aug., Warner
hc, 24.95). A disgraced,once-famous reporter now covers non-news stories for a
small town paper in the California desert. Covering a highway wreck, he
discovers that a bigger story is there, one that could restore his reputation. Tammy
and Bill recommend this writer.
Daniel
Silva, The
Messenger (Aug., Putnam hc,
25.95). In London, Gabriel Allon, art restorer and spy, finds that an Al-Qaeda
cell is planning an attack. Something about their plan seems familiar but he
can’t quite figure out what. Janine recommends this series.
Clea
Simon, Cattery Row (Aug., Poisoned Pen hc, 24.95).
Freelance reporter Theda Krakow is having a tough time. Newspaper and magazine
work has grown scarce. A request from a friend leads to a string of catnapping:
show cats are being stolen. In paper, the 1st, Mew is Murder (Aug., Poisoned Pen, 14.95).
Karin
Slaughter, Triptych
(Aug.,
Delacorte hc, 25.00). Her first stand-alone thriller: The story of two men – a
homicide detective trying to work out of the nightmare of a failed marriage and
the death of his partner and an ex-con whose nightmare is about to begin. In
paper, Faithless (Aug., Dell, 7.99).
Alexander
McCall Smith, Espresso
Tales: The Latest from 44 Scotland Street (July, Anchor tpo, 13.95). Further
adventures of the residents of the Edinburgh townhouse.
Olen
Steinhauer, Liberation
Movements (Aug., St. Martin’s
hc, 24.95). In 1975 Eastern Europe, truth is a deceptive thing. When a plane is
destroyed in mid-air by terrorists, a secret policeman and a homicide cop are
sent to investigate. Both have the feeling that their superiors are holding
back information. In paper,36 Yalta
Boulevard (July, St. Martin’s,
13.95). Janine recommends this author.
Jonathan
Stone, Parting Shot (June, St. Martin’s hc, 23.95). As a
sniper terrorizes the county, a local reporter finds himself in the middle of
the media circus. His private life is a mess and his research on the case
starts to give him ideas of a way out of all of it.
Denise
Swanson, Murder
of a Real Bad Boy (Aug.,
Signet pbo, 6.99). 8th in the Scumble River series with contractor
Skye Denison.
Victoria
Thompson, Murder
in Little Italy (June,
Berkley hc, 23.95). 8th with mid-wife Sarah Brandt in the Gaslight mystery series. In paper, Murder on Lenox Hill (June, Berkley, 6.99.
Brad
Thor, Takedown
(June, Atria hc, 25.00). A terrorist
attack has cut Manhattan off from the rest of the country at the start of the 4th
of July holiday. Counter-terrorism op Scot Harvath was in town to visit a buddy
and he may be the country’s only hope. In paper, Blowback (June, Pocket,
9.99).
Aimee
& David Thurlo, Prey
for a Miracle (June,
St. Martin’s hc, 24.95). 3rd with Sister Agatha.
P.J.
Tracy, Snow Blind (Aug., Putnam hc, 24.95). The Monkeewrench gang is back in action when
the bodies of two cops are found packed inside snowmen in a local park. Signed Copies Available. 4th in this favorite series of
Tammy, Fran and Janine.
Andrew
Vachss, Mask
Market (Aug.,
Pantheon hc, 24.95) Hired to find a missing person, Burke sees his client
gunned down just minutes later. When he opens the dossier, he finds that he’s
to look for a woman he found once before – twenty years ago when she was 13. Signing?
In paper, Two Trains Running
(June, Vintage, 14.95).
Ayelet
Waldman, Bye-Bye,
Black Sheep (Aug.,
Berkley hc, 22.95). 7th in the Mommy-Track mystery series. Signing. In paper, The Cradle Robbers (July,
Berkley, 7.99).
Minette
Walters, The
Devil’s Feather
(Aug., Knopf
hc, 24.00). UK reporter Connie Burns is certain that a madman is using the
world’s catastrophic wars to engage in brutal acts of rape and murder, but no
one seems to care. First in Sierra Leone and then in Iraq, she follows his
trail, barely escaping his attack herself. Back in England, she knows it’s just
a matter of time before he comes for her.
Louise
Welch, The Bullet
Trick (Aug.,
Canongate hc, 23.00). William Wilson is a master performer, a mentalist and
conjurer, wasted as an opening act for Glasgow’s strippers. A gig in the dark
and lurid clubs of Berlin gives him a shot at the spotlight, but a chance for
fast money after hours confuses where the act ends and trouble begins. Adults
only suspense.
Brian
Wiprud, Crooked
(Aug., Dell pbo, 6.99). 3rd
comic mystery from this staff favorite: An insurance investigator of elastic
morals finds crime really might pay after all.
Daniel
Woodrell, Winter’s
Bones (Aug., Little Brown hc,
22.95). 16 year old Ree is used to taking care of her family, but when her
father skips bail, she goes after him. If she can’t bring him back, their house
will be lost. Signed Copies Available. Latest
Ozark Noir by a favorite writer of Tammy and JB. Tammy says this one is fabulous!
Now in Paper
Keith
Ablow, The Architect
(June, St.
Martin’s, 7.99).
Rennie
Airth, The
Blood-Dimmed Tide (June,
Penguin, 14.00).Fran and Janine recommend.
M.C.
Beaton, The
Perfect Paragon (June,
St. Martin’s, 6.99). Agatha Raisin.
John
Burdett, Bangkok
Tattoo (July, Vintage, 12.95).
Mark
Cohen, Bluetick
Revenge (Aug.,
Warner, 6.99).
Michael
Connelly, The
Lincoln Lawyer (July,
Warner, 7.99).
Thomas
Cook, Red Leaves (June, Harcourt, 14.00). Edgar nominee for Best Novel of 2005.
James
D. Doss, Shadow
Man (Aug.,
St. Martin’s, 6.99).
Brian
Freeman, Immoral (June, St. Martin’s, 6.99). Fran
recommends.
Cynthia
Harrod-Eagles, Dear
Departed (Aug.,
Trafalgar, 8.99). 10th Bill Slider.
Erin
Hart, The
Iron Girl (Aug., St. Martin’s,
14.95).
Mo
Hayder, The
Devil of Nanking (June, Penguin,
7.99).
Gregg
Hurwitz, Troubleshooter
(Aug., Harper,
7.99).
Joseph
Kanon, Alibi (May, Picador, 14.00). Janine
recommends.