Julian Fellowes
PAST IMPERFECT opens with its anonymous narrator, a member of the minor aristocracy, being contacted by Damian Baxter, an ex-friend from Cambridge whom he hasn’t seen in decades. Thus begins a journey that contrasts the naïve debutantes and would-be debonair beaux of the London Season of 1968 with their surprisingly altered (or not) selves 40 years later.

Reached by phone in Chicago on Halloween morning, Julian Fellowes observed to freelance writer Bella Stander that “Lake Michigan is like an enchanted sea around a fairy castle.” Later that day, From Time to Time, which he produced, directed and wrote, was screened at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. Starring Maggie Smith, the picture went on to win the Best of Fest Award and two other prizes.

» Read the interview and about the book.

Jeffery Deaver

About Jeffery Deaver About the Master Thriller Writers About the Book: WATCHLIST: A Serial Thriller

We have 10 advance reading copies of WATCHLIST: A Serial Thriller by Jeffery Deaver to give away to readers who would like to preview the book and comment about it. A description can be found by clicking the link below. If you are interested, please fill out this form by Sunday, November 29th.

WATCHLIST: A Serial Thriller by Jeffery Deaver and Others (Thriller)
On Sale January 5, 2010
From International Thriller Writers comes WATCHLIST: two powerful novellas featuring the same thrilling cast of characters in one major suspenseful package. THE CHOPIN MANUSCRIPT and THE COPPER BRACELET are collaborations of some of the world’s greatest thriller writers, including Lee Child, Joseph Finder, Lisa Scottoline, and Jeffery Deaver, who conceived the characters and set the plots in motion. The other authors each wrote a chapter and Deaver then completed what he started, bringing both novellas to their startling conclusions. » Read More

For more on Jeffery Deaver and past featured authors, see our
Suspense/Thriller promotion.

Janice Y.K. Lee

About Janice Y.K. Lee JaniceYKLee.com Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of THE PIANO TEACHER About the Book: THE PIANO TEACHER Read an excerpt from THE PIANO TEACHER Watch a video about THE PIANO TEACHER

THE PIANO TEACHER by Janice Y.K. Lee (Fiction)
On Sale Now
Set in Hong Kong during the outbreak of World War II, and its aftermath ten years later, THE PIANO TEACHER alternates between the lives of two vastly different women whose destinies are linked by the events of the war. » Read More

For more on Janice Y.K. Lee and past featured authors, see our
Women's Fiction promotion.

31 HOURS by Masha Hamilton (September 8th): In 31 HOURS, Masha Hamilton delivers a novel that is powerful and profound. It’s the story of a young American man who has joined a group of terrorists plotting to blow up parts of the subway system in New York. How did Jonas come to this mission? His story is told not only with his thoughts as he prepares for his role, but also by his family and friends who worry about him, each reaching out to him or wondering about him a tad too late. As the story builds, readers will feel the tension ratchet up as each person’s story builds upon the other. The conclusion will leave you thinking about it for a very long time.

As a journalist, Masha brings that sensibility to her fiction writing. She also has spent time in Afghanistan and thus brings knowledge of the atmosphere in the Middle East to infuse it as well. I echo our reviewer Joe Hartlaub’s comments when he says, “A thriller in every sense of the word, it is also a work of literary fiction, a cautionary tale for the times taking place somewhere at this moment and for the foreseeable future.” It’s just an excellent book, and one I do not want you to miss.

» Click here to read a review of 31 HOURS.
» Click here to read our interview with Masha Hamilton on the ReadingGroupGuides.com Blog.

RAINWATER by Sandra Brown (November 3rd): On the last day of my vacation in September, I sat by the pool and read an advance copy of RAINWATER by Sandra Brown, her first historical novel. Set during the Great Depression in Gilead, Texas, it’s a beautifully and tightly written story of love and hope in a world torn with economic and racial strife. Sandra firmly plants the reader in this world, where farms are barren wastelands in the Dust Bowl and the only help for farmers is FDR’s Drought Relief Program --- which comes at quite a cost.

Readers are at the table in Ella Barton’s boardinghouse as she cares for her disabled son and copes with the short hand in life that she has been dealt. She sees her world for what it is; there is no longing for something else. But when Mr. David Rainwater comes into the house as a boarder, Ella’s life goes from gray and brown to sparkles of color. As she begins to feel love and caring, the reader sees what has been suppressed inside Ella, and it’s a metaphor for what’s happening in the country at that time. Sandra writes emotion well here. It’s not cloying or forced; it just rolls with an ease. Courage, inner-core moral values and the rally to do what is right infuse the love story that runs through the prose. Our reviewer likened it to THE GRAPES OF WRATH, which is an apt comparison.

Since I closed RAINWATER, I have thought about it again and again as it was a really satisfying read. It’s short, it’s tight with no spare words, and it feels like the kind of story you would have heard shared over the table from someone who knew those days --- a real telling of an oral history without hype or rhetoric. Thus, it’s a “Bets On” for me, even though Sandra already is a household name. I just don’t want you to miss it.

» Click here to read a review of RAINWATER.
» Click here to read an excerpt from RAINWATER.
» Click here to read our interview with Sandra Brown.
» Click here to see the reading group guide for RAINWATER.

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NEW IN PAPERBACK

BOOKS INTO MOVIES

We have an abundance of literary-based offerings to share with you this month, as November’s Books into Movies feature spotlights 10 buzzworthy, star-studded films that range in tone and topic --- from the light-hearted whimsy of Fantastic Mr. Fox, the squeal-inducing teen romance of New Moon and the coming-of-age-in-middle-age introspection of The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, to the creepy thrills and chills of The Box, and the heart-warming inspirational drama of The Blind Side. Whether you’re in the mood for head-scratching, offbeat comedies like The Men Who Stare at Goats, thought-provoking Oscar-worthy films like the dark urban drama Precious and the dystopic Cormac McCarthy-based The Road, behind-the-scenes period pieces like Me and Orson Welles, or family-friendly holiday tales like Disney’s A Christmas Carol, moviegoers of all ages are bound to find something that will tickle their funny bones, tug on their heart strings and give them plenty of food for thought.

And be sure to update your Netflix queues and stock up on microwave popcorn, because the Jodi Picoult tear-jerker My Sister’s Keeper, the quirky teen romance I Love You, Beth Cooper and this summer’s blockbuster thriller Angels & Demons are releasing on DVD this month.

» Click here for more details about November's films.

I, ALEX CROSS by James Patterson (Thriller)
Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. The hunt for her murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain --- they will do anything to keep their secrets safe. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

THE WRECKER by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott (Historical Thriller)
It is 1907, a year of financial panic and labor unrest. Train wrecks, fires and explosions sabotage the Southern Pacific Railroad's Cascades express line, and the railroad hires the fabled Van Dorn Detective Agency. Van Dorn sends in his best man, and Detective Isaac Bell quickly discovers that a mysterious saboteur haunts the hobo jungles of the West, a man known as the Wrecker, who recruits accomplices from the down-and-out to attack the railroad, and then kills them afterward.Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.

A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY by Lauren Grodstein (Fiction)
Pete Dizinoff is an internist enjoying a comfortable life in Round Hill, New Jersey, with his devoted wife, Elaine, and their cherished 20-year-old son, Eric. When the 30-year-old daughter of a good friend of the family returns home and shows an unhealthy interest in Eric, Pete will do anything to protect his son. Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt.

- Click here to read Lauren Grodstein’s ReadingGroupGuides.com blog post, “First Impressions.”

NEW YORK by Edward Rutherfurd (Historical Fiction)
Edward Rutherfurd celebrates America's greatest city in a rich, engrossing saga that showcases his extraordinary ability to combine impeccable historical research and storytelling flair. As in his earlier, bestselling novels, he illuminates cultural, social and political upheavals through the lives of a remarkably diverse set of families. Reviewed by Roz Shea.

THERE GOES THE BRIDE: An Agatha Raisin Mystery, by M. C. Beaton (Mystery)
Detective Agatha Raisin's ex-husband, James Lacey, is getting married --- and she's invited. While she'd rather sit this one out, she knows that staying home will look like sour grapes, so she puts on a happy face and attends. Unfortunately, before the couple can make it down the aisle, the bride is murdered and James and Agatha are prime suspects. Will Agatha be able to clear their names, or has she finally taken on a case she cannot solve? Reviewed by Amie Taylor.

THE GIFT by Cecelia Ahern (Fiction)
In this intriguing holiday story served up with a zesty side dish of magical surrealism, ambitious businessman Lou Suffern has lost sight of what is truly important in life. But the day he offers a homeless man a cup of coffee alters his future in unforeseen and seemingly impossible ways. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

GENERATION A by Douglas Coupland (Fiction)
A sequel of sorts to the hit GENERATION X, GENERATION A is a witty and sobering satire of our decade’s paradoxical relationship with communication and connectedness in a digital environment. Though uneven and more than a bit simplistic, Coupland’s earnestness and urgency take him far. Reviewed by Max Falkowitz.

BEG, BORROW, STEAL: A Writer’s Life, by Michael Greenberg (Memoir)
Michael Greenberg regales us with his wry and vivid take on the life of a writer of little means trying to practice his craft or simply stay alive. He finds himself doctoring doomed movie scripts; selling cosmetics from an ironing board in front of a women's department store; writing about golf, a game he has never played; and botching his debut as a waiter in a posh restaurant. Reviewed by Jana Sicilano.

COWBOYS FULL: The Story of Poker, by James McManus (History)
James McManus chronicled the game of poker for newspapers and magazines for many years. In 2000, he entered the World Series of Poker and finished fifth. Recognizing that poker is a central part of American history in war and peace, McManus decided that a comprehensive history of the game was important. The result is COWBOYS FULL, an encyclopedia of the game that every poker player will enjoy. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.

THE NIGHT MONSTER by James Swain (Thriller)
The past has come back to haunt P.I. Jack Carpenter, former head of the Broward County Missing Persons Unit. As a young cop, he failed to stop the kidnapping of a college coed by a shockingly large assailant --- and neither of them was ever seen again. The abduction has remained Carpenter’s most chilling cold case, and even now the mystery of the missing girl lurks in his darkest dreams. But after 18 years, it’s about to become terrifying reality once more. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

JOHN DIES AT THE END by David Wong (Horror)
It’s a drug that promises an out-of-body experience with each hit. On the street they call it Soy Sauce, and users drift across time and dimensions. But some who come back are no longer human. Suddenly, a silent otherworldly invasion is underway, and mankind needs a hero. What it gets instead is John and David, a pair of college dropouts who can barely hold down jobs. Can these two stop the oncoming horror in time to save humanity? Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

Beyond the Pages: Robert Weil, Executive Editor and Vice President, W.W. Norton

In his long career as an editor, Robert Weil has worked with some of the most successful and revered authors in the world. Recently, he served as editor on THE HEMINGSES OF MONTICELLO by Annette Gordon-Reed, which won multiple awards, including the 2008 National Book Award for nonfiction and the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2009, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Prize for biography. His storied career also includes some graphic works --- two very notable works, in fact. The first is the bestselling STITCHES by David Small, which has been nominated for this year's National Book Award in the Young People's Literature category, and the latest is R. Crumb’s THE BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED, which debuted last week at the top of the New York Times Graphic Books Bestseller List.

John Hogan, the Editorial Director for GraphicNovelReporter.com, talked with Weil about how he got started working on graphic books in the first place, how he edits them, and what it was like to work on both GENESIS and STITCHES.

Read the interview and reviews of THE BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED and STITCHES.

Sandra Brown
Bestselling author Sandra Brown has written over 70 fiction, thriller and romance novels, including FAT TUESDAY, THE ALIBI, RICOCHET, SMOKE SCREEN and the newly released work of historical fiction, RAINWATER. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Melanie Smith, Brown describes the real-life event from her family's past that inspired this Depression-era story, and sheds light on some of the social history of that period. She also discusses her research on autism in order to accurately portray this highly misunderstood illness, reveals how she motivates herself to keep writing fresh, authentic and captivating books, and shares details about her next publication, TOUGH CUSTOMER.

» Read the interview and the review.

Joanne Fluke
Joanne Fluke's 12th novel, PLUM PUDDING MURDER, finds baker-turned-amateur detective Hannah Swensen in the middle of yet another murder mystery, this time amidst the chaos of the holiday season. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Amie Taylor, Fluke reveals the inspiration behind her appealing protagonist and secondary characters (both human and feline), and reflects on the direction of Hannah's unpredictable love life throughout the course of the series. She also explains how --- after writing a dozen novels --- she manages to keep track of character and plot details, discusses her upbringing in Minnesota and how she's adjusting to her current life on the west coast, and talks about her next release, APPLE TURNOVER MURDER.

» Read the interview and the review.

Craig Larsen
Craig Larsen's debut novel, MANIA, is a suspense thriller that follows a troubled newspaper photographer who must face his own demons as he tracks the serial killer responsible for his brother's death. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Larsen explains the concept that prompted him to write this novel and elaborates on some of the psychological elements that infuse the story. He also discusses the complex sibling relationship central to the main character's struggles, describes how aspects of the plot were written to challenge readers' fundamental ideas of right and wrong, and shares advice for aspiring writers.

» Read the interview and the review.

John Lutz
URGE TO KILL, John Lutz's fourth novel to feature protagonist Frank Quinn, finds the former NYPD police detective leaving retirement in order to investigate two strings of serial murders that may have been committed by the same killer. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Lutz explains how an observation made during his stint as a civilian employee with the St. Louis PD prompted him to focus this series on older, more experienced members of law enforcement, and why he chose a rather unlikely setting for one of the book's most chilling scenes. He also reflects on the appeal of serial murders for thriller readers, selects his dream cast if the novel were ever to be adapted to film, and shares some of his favorite reads from the last several months.

» Read the interview and the review.

Berkeley Breathed
It’s been 20 years since Berkeley Breathed left the world of Bloom County behind. Since then, he has kept busy with such strips as Outland and Opus and writing prose works, but his defining work remains the one he began on December 8, 1980. After all these years and multiple requests from fans and publishers alike, he has agreed to collect his Bloom County work in five oversized volumes. Each of the Bloom County: The Complete Library editions will feature not only the strips themselves, carefully reproduced, but also running commentary from Breathed himself as he looks back on the characters and settings he once inhabited daily. John Hogan, the Editorial Director for GraphicNovelReporter.com, talked to Breathed about what he thought of his work now that he’s looking back on it from the distance of the 21st century.

» Read the interview and the review.

Nevada Barr
A departure from her bestselling Anna Pigeon series, Nevada Barr's latest novel, 13 ½, is a stand-alone thriller that connects a string of murders by an 11-year-old child in 1971 Minnesota to the marital troubles of a literature professor in present-day Louisiana. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Roz Shea, Barr describes her most recent work as a process 20 years in the making and discusses her reason for setting the book in post-Katrina New Orleans. She also characterizes her famous park ranger protagonist as an idealized alter ego of herself and explains why she chose to let Anna Pigeon sit out this particular adventure.

» Read the interview and the review.

R.J. Ellory
R.J. Ellory is the author of seven novels --- including CANDLEMOTH, GHOSTHEART and CITY OF LIES --- that have been published in Britain and are now being released in the U.S. by Overlook Press. He recently spoke with Bookreporter.com's L. Dean Murphy about his fifth book, A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS, and explains how events from his own life have informed his works of fiction. He also discusses John Steinbeck's influence on his writing, touches upon the racial inequities amongst his characters, and shares details about upcoming projects due out over the next few years.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michael Walsh
Michael Walsh is the bestselling author of four novels: EXCHANGE ALLEY, AS TIME GOES BY, AND ALL THE SAINTS, and the newly released HOSTILE INTENT. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Walsh discusses the origins of Devlin --- his government-op protagonist --- and elaborates on his writing process, including his unusual work hours and choice of background music. He also gives his two cents on the probability of the U.S. being attacked by terrorists again in the future, explains how --- if given the opportunity --- he would restructure the country's intelligence operations, and gives advice to readers considering careers in writing.

» Read the interview and the review.

Beverly Barton
SILENT KILLER, the latest novel by award-winning romance and romantic suspense author Beverly Barton, centers on a serial killer with a rather unlikely group of targets --- members of the clergy. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Donna Volkenannt, Barton discusses what inspired this unique and rather timely plot, and gives readers insight into her instinctive method of writing, in which she completely immerses herself in the characters she creates. She also comments on the authenticity of non-Southern writers who attempt to portray the region's distinct feel, touts the benefits of being an active member of the Romance Writers of America, and talks about her current projects to be published over the next few years.

» Read the interview and the review.

Alan Jacobson
Alan Jacobson is the author of four novels: FALSE ACCUSATIONS, THE HUNTED, THE 7th VICTIM and the newly released CRUSH. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Jacobson discusses the research he conducted in order to portray the mind and actions of a serial killer as accurately as possible, and explains why he chose to set his latest thriller in the unlikely location of Napa Valley. He also describes how one of his ideas prompted the production of a tool now used by a branch of the European Crime Division, shares his thoughts on the appeal of California's wine country, and reveals the real-life counterparts to his FBI-agent protagonist, Karen Vail.

» Read the interview and the review.

David Small
Having made a name for himself writing and illustrating children's books for nearly three decades, award-winning author David Small recently turned his attention to more serious and personal matters, penning STITCHES, a memoir in graphic novel form that chronicles his childhood in an abusive and emotionally absent household. In this interview with John Hogan, the Editorial Director for GraphicNovelReporter.com, Small talks about what prompted this departure from his usual fare, and recalls both the traumatic and thrilling experiences of reliving such a painful period in his life. He also explains what he has since learned about his family that perhaps provides some insight into their behavior, and shares how his upbringing helped shape him into the artist he is today.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michelle Moran
Michelle Moran is the bestselling author of three works of historical fiction --- NEFERTITI, THE HERETIC'S QUEEN and the newly released CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER --- each of which is centered on legendary princesses of ancient Egypt. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Melanie Smith, Moran recalls the college experience that sparked her interest in this particular time and setting, and recounts the moments of inspiration that prompted her to write each of her books. She also provides some background information on her characters, shares what she hopes readers will take away from her work, and reveals which historical era she will focus on in her next novel.

» Read the interview and the review.

Mary Karr
In this interview with HeadButler.com founder Jesse Kornbluth, poet and memoirist Mary Karr --- author of THE LIAR'S CLUB and CHERRY --- discusses her latest book, LIT, and the struggles with alcoholism and addiction that are at the center of this memoir. She dissects her conflicting attitudes toward religion and eventual spiritual reawakening, and explains how her late-life conversion to Catholicism has changed both her writing as well as her personal life.

» Read the interview and about the book.

Anne Rice
Anne Rice's latest release, ANGEL TIME, is the first book in a new series of metaphysical thrillers called Songs for the Seraphim. In this interview, Rice describes her aim for these novels and explains what inspired the concept behind "Angel Time." She also reflects on the appeal of these heavenly beings, discusses some of the fun settings featured in the book, and shares details about the series' next installment, WORLD ENOUGH AND TIME.

» Read the interview and the review.

Keith Raffel
Silicon Valley software entrepreneur turned thriller writer Keith Raffel once again explores the ruthlessness of corporate life in his second novel, SMASHER. In this interview, Raffel discusses how he transitioned between his two careers, and shares some of the imaginary and real-life influences behind the characters in his latest book. He also compares publishing a book to starting a company, sheds light on some of the less-than-glamorous aspects of life as an author, and reflects on how his hometown of Palo Alto, CA has evolved over the years.

» Read the interview and the review.

Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly's latest Harry Bosch novel, NINE DRAGONS, finds the series' homicide detective protagonist out of his element on many levels, as he travels to Hong Kong in search of his kidnapped daughter, which he believes may be related to a murder case he is investigating in L.A. In this interview, Connelly discusses what prompted him to delve into the character's personal life in this installment, and elaborates on what he has at stake in solving these cases. He also explains the origins of the book's title and shares what initially captivated him about the exotic setting.

» Read the interview and the review.

Philippa Gregory
Having made a name for herself writing historical fiction about strong and often misrepresented women, Philippa Gregory turns her attention to Elizabeth Woodville in her latest novel, THE WHITE QUEEN. In this interview, Gregory explains what initially drew her to the enigmatic wife of King Edward IV and why she chose to focus her work on a royal family already heavily documented in military history. She also discusses her own forays into studying the various battles of the period, speculates on the mysterious fates of Elizabeth's two sons who were locked in the Tower of London, and shares what readers can look forward to in future installments of the series.

» Read the interview and the review.

Heather Gudenkauf
In this interview, Heather Gudenkauf explains how her years teaching elementary school inspired her to write her debut novel, THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, and shares what she hoped to convey in this profound story about two children who mysteriously disappear from their small Iowa town. She also describes her unique writing process, lists some of her favorite writers, and shares details about her current project, tentatively called THE FOUNDLING WHEEL.

» Read the interview and the review.

Sandra Brown

About Sandra Brown Author Interview –– November 6, 2009 Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of RAINWATER About the Book: RAINWATER Read an excerpt from RAINWATER

RAINWATER by Sandra Brown (Historical Fiction)
On Sale Now
From acclaimed bestselling author Sandra Brown comes a powerfully moving novel celebrating the gifts, generosity and foresight of a great bygone generation. Centered around an independent woman who runs a Texas boarding house during the Dust Bowl and a mysterious boarder, RAINWATER tells a story that bears witness to a bittersweet truth: that love is worth whatever price one must pay for it. » Read More

For more on Sandra Brown and past featured authors, see our
Historical Fiction promotion.

Craig Larsen

About Craig Larsen Author Interview –– November 6, 2009 CraigLarsen.net Author Bibliography Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of MANIA About the Book: MANIA Read an excerpt from MANIA Reader Comments about MANIA

MANIA by Craig Larsen (Psychological Thriller)
On Sale Now
A CITY GRIPPED BY FEAR...

Seattle newspaper photographer Nick Wilder has gained a reputation capturing gruesome homicide scenes on film. His latest assignment: Tracking an unpredictable, deranged serial killer terrorizing the dark, wet streets of Seattle. But when the Street Butcher claims Nick’s brother as his latest casualty, Nick suddenly finds himself on the other side of the hunt...

A KILLER WHO KNOWS NO BOUNDS...

Determined to avenge his brother’s murder, Nick stumbles into a dizzying labyrinth of deceit and danger. The deeper he digs, the more the trail circles back to him --- and to the secrets locked in his disturbing past. As Nick zeroes in on the killer, the more he must risk to unmask the depraved psychopath haunting his every move. As the motives heighten and the suspects narrow, the cold, stark Seattle winter turns ever chillier... » Read More

For more on Craig Larsen and past featured authors, see our
Debut Suspense/Thriller promotion.

Penny Vincenzi

About Penny Vincenzi PennyVincenzi.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of WINDFALL About the Book: WINDFALL Read an excerpt from WINDFALL Reader Comments about WINDFALL

WINDFALL by Penny Vincenzi (Women’s Fiction)
On Sale Now
Cassia Tallow has been married to the town doctor for seven years when she mysteriously inherits an enormous fortune from her godmother, whom was believed to have died penniless. A responsible housewife and mother, Cassia is at first determined to be sensible, to stay happy and in control --- but suddenly, for the first time in her life, she is able to do exactly as she likes. The money gives her confidence, and her husband can only look on resentfully as she resumes her medical career, sheds some of her domestic burdens, wings with the jet set, and re-forms old relationships --- one of them of a most dangerous kind. Along the way, Cassia realizes that something seems not quite right about the money left to her and she seeks answers, both about the money and the rest of her life. Too soon the windfall, part benign influence, part brutal force, is an absolutely powerful entity all of its own --- one that Cassia cannot resist. » Read More

For more on Penny Vincenzi and past featured authors, see our
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Beverly Barton

About Beverly Barton Author Interview –– September 25, 2009 BeverlyBarton.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of SILENT KILLER About the Book: SILENT KILLER Read an excerpt from SILENT KILLER Watch a video about SILENT KILLER Beverly Barton Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about SILENT KILLER

SILENT KILLER by Beverly Barton (Romantic Suspense)
On Sale Now
To most people, men like Mark Cantrell are fine, upstanding pillars of the community, completely beyond reproach…but their killer knows better. They are sinners of the worst kind, and they must burn on earth before they burn in hell. » Read More

For more on Beverly Barton and past featured authors, see our
Romantic Suspense promotion.

Joanne Fluke

About Joanne Fluke Author Interview –– November 6, 2009 MurderSheBaked.com Publisher's Website Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of PLUM PUDDING MURDER About the Book: PLUM PUDDING MURDER Read an excerpt from PLUM PUDDING MURDER

PLUM PUDDING MURDER by Joanne Fluke (Mystery)
On Sale Now
The yuletide season in Lake Eden, Minnesota, guarantees a white Christmas, delectable holiday goodies from Hannah Swensen's bakery, The Cookie Jar --- and murder. As a shadow hangs over her friends' Christmas wedding, Hannah's determined to cook a killer's goose before anyone else gets burned. » Read More

For more on Joanne Fluke and past featured authors, see our
Mystery Mayhem promotion.

Tana French

About Tana French Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of THE LIKENESS About the Book: THE LIKENESS Read an excerpt from THE LIKENESS Listen to a podcast Reader Comments about THE LIKENESS

THE LIKENESS by Tana French (Mystery)
On Sale Now
Six months after the events of IN THE WOODS, Detective Cassie Maddox is still trying to recover. She’s transferred out of the Murder squad and started a relationship with Detective Sam O’Neill, but she’s too badly shaken to make any commitment either to him or to her career. Then Sam calls her to the scene of his new case: a young woman found stabbed to death in a small town outside Dublin.

The dead girl’s ID says her name is Lexie Madison --- the identity Cassie used, years ago, as an undercover detective. And she looks exactly like Cassie. » Read More

For more on Tana French and past featured authors, see our
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John Lutz

About John Lutz Author Interview –– October 30, 2009 JohnLutzOnline.com Publisher's Website Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of URGE TO KILL About the Book: URGE TO KILL Read an excerpt from URGE TO KILL

URGE TO KILL by John Lutz (Thriller)
On Sale Now
Homicide detective Frank Quinn can’t stay retired when there’s a new breed of murdering madman on the prowl. In a city terrorized by bloody brutality, Det. Quinn and his team hunt a psychopath who lures beautiful women into a night of unbridled passion, then wakes them to a vicious, drawn-out death. Stumbling over a trail of horribly defiled bodies, Quinn can’t catch the killer --- because the killer’s about to catch him.

The terrifying new thriller URGE TO KILL from New York Times bestselling author John Lutz is a gruesome, page-turning psychological serial killer crime novel that’s both frightening and fascinating. For a killer, once is never enough. » Read More

For more on John Lutz and past featured authors, see our
Suspense/Thriller promotion.

Nevada Barr

About Nevada Barr Author Interview –– October 2, 2009 NevadaBarr.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of 13 ½ About the Book: 13 ½ Read an excerpt from 13 ½ Nevada Barr Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about 13 ½

13 ½ by Nevada Barr (Thriller)
On Sale Now
With 13 ½, Nevada Barr, New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning Anna Pigeon novels, has written a taut and terrifying psychological thriller. It carries the reader from the horrifying 1970s murder spree of a child --- dubbed “Butcher Boy” by a shocked public --- in Rochester, Minnesota, to Polly, the abused daughter of Mississippi “trailer trash,” to post-Katrina New Orleans. » Read More

For more on Nevada Barr and past featured authors, see our
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R.J. Ellory

About R.J. Ellory Author Interview –– October 2, 2009 Publisher's Website Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS About the Book: A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS Read an excerpt from A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS Watch a video about A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS R.J. Ellory Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS by R.J. Ellory (Thriller)
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Growing up in rural Georgia during the 1940s, Joseph Vaughan finds himself at the center of series of mutilations and killings of young girls. Just a teenager, Joseph becomes determined to protect his community from the killer, but is powerless to prevent more murders --- and no one is ever caught. Ten years later one of his neighbors is found hanging from a rope, surrounded by articles from the dead girls; the killings cease, and the nightmare appears to be over. Desperate and plagued everything he has witnessed, Joseph sets out forge a new life in New York. But even there the past won't leave him alone --- for it seems that the murderer still lives and is killing again, and that the secret to his identity lies in Joseph's own history. » Read More

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Michael Walsh

About Michael Walsh Author Interview –– October 2, 2009 Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of HOSTILE INTENT About the Book: HOSTILE INTENT Read an excerpt from HOSTILE INTENT Reader Comments about HOSTILE INTENT

HOSTILE INTENT by Michael Walsh (Thriller)
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It starts with the unthinkable --- the most horrific act of violence ever committed on American soil --- and only one man can stop them. » Read More

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Alan Jacobson

About Alan Jacobson Author Interview –– September 25, 2009 AlanJacobson.com Author Bibliography Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of CRUSH About the Book: CRUSH Read an excerpt from CRUSH Alan Jacobson Answers Readers' Questions Reader Comments about CRUSH

CRUSH by Alan Jacobson (Thriller)
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Hoping to find solace from the demons that haunt her, THE 7th VICTIM heroine and renowned FBI profiler Karen Vail makes her first trip to the Napa Valley. But shortly after arriving, a victim is found in the deepest reaches of an exclusive wine cave, the work of an extraordinarily unpredictable serial killer. From the outset, Vail is frustrated by her inability to profile the offender --- until she realizes why: the Behavioral Analysis Unit has not previously encountered a killer like him. » Read More

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