Jeff Smith
Artist and author Jeff Smith is the creator of the Bone series, which has been hailed as one of the 10 greatest graphic novels of all time. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Contributing Editor John Hogan, Smith recalls some of the early roadblocks he encountered while attempting to get his work published and muses on the appeal of the series to a wide range of audiences. He also explains how --- with its overall story spanning 1,300 pages --- he was able to keep his plot lines straight, discusses the inspiration behind some of the characters' kooky names and shares what he's working on now that the Bone epic has been completed.

» Read the interview and the review.

BEACH BAG OF BOOKS
The fifteen weeks of contests for our Fourth Annual Summer Beach Bag of Books feature have ended, but that doesn't mean your summer reading has to stop. Click here to take a look at our fantastic selection of titles that you'll want to consider reading as the summer winds down.

Tess Gerritsen

About Tess Gerritsen TessGerritsen.com Author Bibliography Send a message about Tess Gerritsen Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing About the Book: THE KEEPSAKE Read an excerpt from THE KEEPSAKE

THE KEEPSAKE by Tess Gerritsen (Thriller)
On Sale September 9, 2008
For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy --- to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact --- seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse --- horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim. » Read More

For more on Tess Gerritsen and past featured authors, see our
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Louis Bayard

About Louis Bayard Author Interview –– September 5, 2008 LouisBayard.com Author Bibliography Send a message about Louis Bayard Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of THE BLACK TOWER About the Book: THE BLACK TOWER Read an excerpt from THE BLACK TOWER

THE BLACK TOWER by Louis Bayard (Historical Fiction)
On Sale August 26, 2008
Welcome to Paris, c. 1818. After the execution of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, and the death of their son, the Dauphin, the Bourbon monarchy has at last been restored. But a remnant core of Republicans is still working to fulfill the promise of the Revolution, and the great Napoleon is plotting his next return to power from the rocky exile of St. Helena. » Read More

For more on Louis Bayard and past featured authors, see our
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TREASURE HUNTERS: Bone, Volume 8 by Jeff Smith
The Bone cousins, Gran'ma Ben and Thorn reach the city of Atheia, where they reunite with old friends and prepare to battle The Lord of the Locusts. The Pawan army has joined forces with Briar and the rat creatures, and danger increases as Thorn's visions become more threatening. Meanwhile, Phoney Bone is convinced Atheia is rich in gold, and he is determined to find it! Reviewed by John Hogan.

NEW IN PAPERBACK

BOOKS INTO MOVIES

The days may be getting longer and the temperatures are on the rise, but what’s summer without the beach reads and the big blockbusters? Luckily, Bookreporter.com has both of those covered with our annual Beach Bag of Books Giveaway and our latest Books into Movies feature, which offers an array of literary-inspired films sure to please the palates of moviegoers of all tastes and interests.

Those who enjoy thought-provoking dramas will have much to ponder with When Did You Last See Your Father?, which follows a man coming to terms with his father’s terminal illness; The Stone Angel, adapted from Margaret Laurence's bestseller about an aging woman who --- on the run from life in a nursing home --- reflects on her past choices; and Brideshead Revisited, a period piece starring Emma Thompson and Matthew Goode, based on the classic novel by Evelyn Waugh. Sure to provide very different perspectives on immigration and race relations, the films Brick Lane and the controversial Towelhead tackle the heavy topics of culture clashes, familial relationships, sexual awakening and self-discovery. Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda take the humorous approach to examining the importance of memory (and rare baseball cards) in the Sundance comedy Diminished Capacity, directed by Sherwood Kiraly, who also penned the novel on which the film is based.

The Midnight Meat Train, inspired by a short story in Clive Barker’s BOOKS OF BLOOD anthology, and the Vin Diesel sci-fi action/adventure flick Babylon A.D. promise to deliver all the heart-pounding action and spine-tingling suspense audiences expect from a summer escape movie.

Lighter fare for younger viewers in the next few months include the highly anticipated sequel to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, featuring everyone’s favorite denim-clad quartet; Kit Kittredge, starring Abigail Breslin as the young amateur sleuth and aspiring writer from the popular American Girl series; and the Jules Verne-inspired Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D.

And those who enjoy curling up on the living room sofa with a box of tissues in hand shouldn't miss The Tenth Circle, which airs on June 28th at 9 pm ET on Lifetime Network. This tearjerker starring Kelly Preston and Ron Eldard is based on Jodi Picoult's bestselling novel, about a family whose lives are overturned when their 14-year-old daughter becomes the victim of date rape.

» Click here for more details about this summer’s films.

FIRST DAUGHTER by Eric Van Lustbader (Thriller)
When the incoming president's daughter is kidnapped, the incumbent administration seizes the opportunity to discredit a group of secular isolationists. Jack McClure, a man who suffers from dyslexia, is the only one who can see the truth behind the abduction. Reviewed by Kate Ayers and excerpted.

- Visit Eric Van Lustbader's official website, www.EricVanLustbader.com.

FRACTURED by Karin Slaughter (Suspense)
When Atlanta housewife Abigail Campano comes home unexpectedly one afternoon, she walks into a nightmare. A broken window, a bloody footprint on the stairs and, most devastating of all, the horrifying sight of her teenage daughter lying dead on the landing, a man standing over her with a bloody knife. The struggle that follows changes Abigail's life forever. Reviewed by Marge Fletcher and excerpted.

SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THEM by Uwem Akpan (Fiction/Short Stories)
Uwem Akpan is a Nigerian Jesuit priest and writing teacher living in Zimbabwe, and his stories are garnering much acclaim. Just a few pages into his debut collection, it is easy to see why. Beautiful and devastating, the five tales found in SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THEM are at once compelling and painful to read. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman and excerpted.

- Visit the book's official website, www.SayYoureOneOfThem.com.

ALFRED & EMILY by Doris Lessing (Memoir)
The 2007 Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing explores the lives of her parents, each irrevocably damaged by World War I. In the fictional first half of ALFRED & EMILY, she imagines the happier lives her parents might have made for themselves had there been no war. This is followed by a piercing examination of their relationship as it actually was in the shadow of the Great War, of the family's move to Africa, and of the impact of her parents' marriage on a young woman growing up in a strange land. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

THE ASSASSIN by Stephen Coonts (Thriller)
Abu Qasim, the ruthless and cunning al-Qaeda leader who nearly succeeded in blowing up a meeting of the G-8 in Paris, has escaped from the grasp of the Americans and is plotting his next move. When a prominent Russian dissident is poisoned in London, it's clear that there's a very dangerous leak within the ranks of the Westerners, and that Abu Qasim has turned the tables on his rivals. Admiral Jake Grafton dispatches special agent Tommy Carmellini to infiltrate the plot. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.

MAN IN THE DARK by Paul Auster (Fiction)
Paul Auster has consistently challenged, compelled and sometimes confused readers throughout his impressive literary career. Now, he offers audiences his most topical --- and perhaps most brilliant --- novel to date. MAN IN THE DARK is about the many realities we inhabit as wars flame all around us. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

SILENT THUNDER by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen (Thriller)
Everybody wants what Hannah Bryson has found, and they're willing to kill for it. The marine researcher is on to something, but she doesn't know what. Surrounded by people with agendas and not knowing who she can trust, Hannah must decipher the secret she discovered on the Russian submarine Silent Thunder in time to save lives, including her own. Reviewed by Pat Morris.

THE GARDEN OF EVIL by David Hewson (Suspense)
In a deserted artist's studio in the heart of Rome, detectives stumble upon a scene of shocking brutality: two bodies, freshly killed. Looming over them is a painting that bears all the hallmarks of a Caravaggio: a brilliantly colored canvas depicting a violent tableau of beauty and depravity. This grisly discovery sends Detective Nic Costa on a desperate chase through the streets of his city. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.

BLACK & WHITE AND DEAD ALL OVER by John Darnton (Mystery)
Bad news is brewing in the inner sanctum of the New York Globe, as readership, advertising and circulation are plummeting. But trouble of a wholly different kind begins one rainy September morning when a powerful editor is found murdered in the newsroom, with the spike that he'd wielded to kill stories hammered into his chest. Reviewed by Judy Gigstad.

ART IN AMERICA by Ron McLarty (Fiction)
After being thrown out of his Manhattan apartment, struggling writer Steven Kearney is offered a position as playwright-in-residence for three months at the Creedemore Historical Society in Colorado, who want him to write and direct a historical play about the town. He quickly finds himself smack-dab in the middle of a bitter town controversy. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.

REAL WORLD by Natsuo Kirino (Thriller)
A bestseller in her native Japan, Natsuo Kirino is gradually gaining a fan base in English-speaking countries. REAL WORLD, her third novel to be translated into English, will likely attract even more readers with its grotesque, perceptive exploration of teenage fantasies and limitations. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

A ROYAL PAIN: A Royal Spyness Mystery, by Rhys Bowen (Historical Mystery)
Lively Lady Georgiana Rannoch is minor royalty. In this winning second entry of the series based in Great Britain between the World Wars, the queen asks her to entertain a Bavarian princess. But Georgie is so poor, she's working as a housekeeper. Her quest is further complicated by Princess Hanni's wayward behavior and by the discovery of several corpses. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

A COMMON ORDINARY MURDER by Donald Pfarrer (Mystery)
Donald Pfarrer may not be well known yet. But if he continues to write more books like his acclaimed THE FEARLESS MAN and his current A COMMON ORDINARY MURDER, then fame and fortune are inevitable. His themes are complex, and his writing style accommodates the depths that he explores. Fairness, justice, love, responsibility, devotion and self-awareness are neatly woven into this exceptional story. Reviewed by Maggie Harding.

HOW FAR IS THE OCEAN FROM HERE by Amy Shearn (Fiction)
Susannah Prue is a young, unmarried surrogate mother who, in the days before her delivery date, panics. Jumping into her car, she flees her Chicago home and a few days later pulls up to a bleak motel in the Southwest --- the Thunder Lodge. There, she encounters misfits, much like herself, who also carry secrets. But when the parents of Susannah's baby discover her whereabouts, she can no longer ignore the profound power she holds over their lives. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

Matt Rothschild
In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Shannon Luders-Manuel, Matt Rothschild --- author of the coming-of-age memoir DUMBFOUNDED --- names the famous essayist who inspired him to pen his own story and reflects on how his family would have reacted to his written portrayal of them in his full-length debut. He also discusses his use of humor amidst the rather serious topics covered in the book, offers words of advice to aspiring authors looking to write their own memoirs, and shares ideas for a future book involving his experiences teaching at an inner-city high school.

» Read the interview and the review.

Andrew Davidson
In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Sarah Rachel Egelman, debut author Andrew Davidson describes how a combination of unlikely inspiration and simple curiosity prompted him to write his highly anticipated first novel, THE GARGOYLE, and provides some insight into the story's recurring motifs, as well as the behavior of its characters. He also lists the wide range of topics he needed to research in order to vividly recreate the book's different settings and time periods, elaborates on its overall messages regarding the idea of true love, and discusses the beginning stages of his next work of fiction.

» Read the interview and the review.

Emily and Sarah Buder, and Barbara Coloroso
When sisters Emily and Sarah Buder read a news article in 2006 about Olivia Gardner --- a teenage girl who had been the victim of excessive bullying for over two years --- they launched a letter-writing campaign at their school in hopes of offering her words of comfort. Their local project managed to take on a life of its own, and some of the thousands of letters and e-mails they received worldwide have been compiled and published in LETTERS TO A BULLIED GIRL: Messages of Healing and Hope. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Alexis Burling, Emily and Sarah describe what inspired this undertaking, share their personal favorite messages, and offer ideas on how to reduce and prevent this growing problem. Alexis also spoke with bullying expert Barbara Coloroso, who wrote the book's Foreword, about the effects of media technology on children today, and the measures needed by parents and teachers to stop these acts of violence from occurring.

» Read the interview and the review.

C. W. Gortner
Historical fiction author C. W. Gortner follows up his acclaimed debut novel, THE SECRET LION, with the newly released THE LAST QUEEN, which chronicles the rise and fall of Juana of Castile, the last Spanish monarch to inherit her country's throne. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Colleen Quinn, Gortner explains why this legendary figure in Spanish history is hardly known on this side of the Atlantic and elaborates on some of the hardships she endured in her lifetime, including the betrayal of her husband and son, and being labeled as “mad” for not adhering to the accepted conventions of women during that period. He also provides insight into why many strong female political figures in history --- such as Cleopatra and Elizabeth I --- were often portrayed in a negative light and shares details on his upcoming novel, THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI, to be released in 2009.

» Read the interview and the review.

Brandon Massey
Though established as an author and editor of horror and supernatural fiction, Brandon Massey tries his hand at traditional thrillers with his latest release, DON'T EVER TELL. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Massey explains why he chose to experiment with a new genre and describes what event in his own life partly inspired the plot of his current book. He also shares details about the real island off the coast of Georgia after which his fictional setting is modeled, weighs the pros and cons of writing novels over short stories, and discusses his future career goals and plans to continue penning suspense thrillers.

» Read the interview and the review.

Christopher Reich
Bestselling author Christopher Reich's latest work of fiction, RULES OF DECEPTION, is the first installment in a series featuring mountaineer and Doctors Without Borders surgeon Dr. Jonathan Ransom. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Joe Hartlaub, Reich describes how an encounter with General Tommy Franks inspired the plot of this book and discusses some of the real-life counterparts upon which his characters are based. He also sheds light on how he manages to balance his writing career with his family life, mentions some of his past and present favorite reads, and shares details about his current writing and travel plans.

» Read the interview and the review.

Tana French
Tana French’s award-winning debut novel, IN THE WOODS, has just been released in paperback to coincide with the July 17th publication of its sequel, THE LIKENESS. In this interview with Bookreporter.com’s Joe Hartlaub, French recalls the experience that inspired the plot of this literary mystery and discusses how her background in acting has helped her develop the voices of her characters. She also weighs the pros and cons of her unconventional writing process, explains why she chose different narrators for her second and third follow-up books, and reveals why her works may never stray from Dublin settings.

» Read the interview and the review.

Heather Terrell
In Heather Terrell's second novel, THE MAP THIEF, Mara Coyne --- the protagonist of 2007's historical thriller THE CHRYSALIS --- returns with a new art-related mystery, this time involving stolen artifacts from an archaeological dig that may reveal more about history than expected. In this interview, Terrell describes what inspired the original plot and explains how she first became interested in Chinese Admiral Zheng He, who may have "unofficially discovered" the world decades before the European explorers typically credited for these feats. She also draws parallels between the Ming Dynasty's Forbidden City and present-day Beijing, and shares what she has in store for Mara in her next work, THE BOOK OF KILDARE.

» Read the interview and the review.

Daniel Silva
Daniel Silva's latest novel, MOSCOW RULES, brings Israeli intelligence agent and art restorer Gabriel Allon to Russia's capital city, on the heels of a former KGB colonel turned arms dealer on the verge of selling the country's most advanced weapons to al-Qaeda terrorist groups. In this interview, Silva discusses the meaning behind the book's title and explains how contemporary events in Eastern Europe inspired its plot. He also shares some of his own experiences visiting Russia in the name of research, sheds light on the country's current political landscape, and speculates on the growing appeal of his unique and intriguing protagonist.

» Read the interview and the review.

Lisa Gardner
Lisa Gardner's latest novel, SAY GOODBYE, marks the return of FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy (last seen in 2006’s GONE), this time in a starring role. In this interview, Gardner explains why she chose to continue the Quincy family's story and describes the unlikely inspiration behind some of the book's more gruesome elements. She also discusses the amount of research she performed to give the narrative a unique and authentic flavor, shares her favorite scene, and reveals details about her next project, the sequel to SAY GOODBYE.

» Read the interview and a review.

Elizabeth Brundage
In this interview, Elizabeth Brundage --- author of the critically acclaimed THE DOCTOR'S WIFE --- discusses the complex female protagonists in her latest work of fiction, SOMEBODY ELSE'S DAUGHTER, and shares her thoughts on some of the topics covered in the novel, such as society's views on feminism, marriage and sex. She also describes how her interest and education in art and art history surfaces in the text, explains how she was able to effectively capture the voices of her teenage characters, and expresses her desire to mix aspects of psychological drama, thrillers and literary fiction in her work.

» Read the interview and about the book.
» Visit Elizabeth Brundage's website, www.ElizabethBrundage.com.

Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon
Freelance writers and bibliophiles Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon recently published NOVEL DESTINATIONS, a literary-inspired travel guide that covers over 500 book- and author-related landmarks in the U.S. and Europe. In this interview, the authors describe how their shared interests and mutual backgrounds prompted this collaborative effort, and explain why they chose to focus on sites linked to classics instead of more contemporary works. They also share their personal favorite literary hotspots, highlight some of the behind-the-scenes anecdotes covered in the book, and discuss ideas for future joint projects.

» Read the interview and the review.

Matt Rothschild

About Matt Rothschild Author Interview –– August 15, 2008 MattRothschild.com Send a message about Matt Rothschild Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of DUMBFOUNDED About the Book: DUMBFOUNDED Read an excerpt from DUMBFOUNDED Reader Comments about DUMBFOUNDED

DUMBFOUNDED: Big Money. Big Hair. Big Problems. Or Why Having It All Isn't for Sissies. by Matt Rothschild (Memoir)
On Sale Now
The only Jewish family in a luxury Fifth Avenue building of WASPs, the senior Rothschilds took over the responsibility of raising their grandson, Matt, after his mother left him for Italy and a fourth husband. But rearing Matt was no small task --- even for his sharp-tongued grandmother, a cross between Lauren Bacall and Bea Arthur, and a lady who Matt grew to love deeply. » Read More

For more on Matt Rothschild and past featured authors, see our
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Andrew Davidson

About Andrew Davidson Author Interview –– August 8, 2008 Author Bibliography Send a message about Andrew Davidson Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of THE GARGOYLE About the Book: THE GARGOYLE Read an excerpt from THE GARGOYLE Reader Comments about THE GARGOYLE Visit these two pages about THE GARGOYLE: www.doubleday.com/thegargoyle and www.BurnedByLove.com.

THE GARGOYLE by Andrew Davidson (Fiction)
On Sale August 5, 2008
The narrator of THE GARGOYLE is a very contemporary cynic, physically beautiful and sexually adept, who dwells in the moral vacuum that is modern life. As the book opens, he is driving along a dark road when he is distracted by what seems to be a flight of arrows. He crashes into a ravine and suffers horrible burns over much of his body. As he recovers in a burn ward, undergoing the tortures of the damned, he awaits the day when he can leave the hospital and commit carefully planned suicide --- for he is now a monster in appearance as well as in soul. » Read More

For more on Andrew Davidson and past featured authors, see our
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C. W. Gortner

About C. W. Gortner Author Interview –– August 1, 2008 CWGortner.com Author Bibliography Send a message about C. W. Gortner Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of THE LAST QUEEN About the Book: THE LAST QUEEN Read an excerpt from THE LAST QUEEN Reader Comments about THE LAST QUEEN

THE LAST QUEEN by C. W. Gortner (Historical Fiction)
On Sale Now
Juana of Castile, the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne, has been for centuries an enigmatic figure shrouded in lurid myth. Was she the bereft widow of legend who was driven mad by her loss, or has history misjudged a woman who was ahead of her time? In his stunning new novel, C. W. Gortner challenges the myths about Queen Juana, unraveling the mystery surrounding her to reveal a brave, determined woman we can only now begin to fully understand. » Read More

For more on C. W. Gortner and past featured authors, see our
Historical Fiction promotion.

Brandon Massey

About Brandon Massey Author Interview –– July 25, 2008 BrandonMassey.com Author Bibliography Send a message about Brandon Massey Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of DON’T EVER TELL About the Book: DON’T EVER TELL Read an excerpt from DON’T EVER TELL Reader Comments about DON’T EVER TELL

DON’T EVER TELL by Brandon Massey (Thriller)
On Sale Now
With a new identity, a new city to live in, and a wonderful new husband, Rachel Moore believes she’s finally free of the demons in her past. But nothing could be farther from the truth --- deadly secrets she thought were long-buried are now on the brink of being exposed. » Read More

For more on Brandon Massey and past featured authors, see our
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Christopher Reich

About Christopher Reich Author Interview –– July 18, 2008 ChristopherReich.com Author Bibliography Fast Facts Send a message about Christopher Reich Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of RULES OF DECEPTION About the Book: RULES OF DECEPTION Read an excerpt from RULES OF DECEPTION Reader Comments about RULES OF DECEPTION Watch trailers One, Two and Three for RULES OF DECEPTION.

RULES OF DECEPTION by Christopher Reich (Thriller)
On Sale July 15, 2008
Dr. Jonathan Ransom, world-class mountaineer and surgeon for Doctors Without Borders, is climbing in the Swiss Alps with his beautiful wife, Emma, when a blizzard sets in. In their bid to escape the storm, Emma is killed when she falls into a hidden crevasse. » Read More

For more on Christopher Reich and past featured authors, see our
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Tana French

About Tana French Author Interview –– July 11, 2008 TanaFrench.com Author Bibliography Send a message about Tana French Critical Praise Winners of the ARC Mailing Read a review of IN THE WOODS About the Book: IN THE WOODS Read an excerpt from IN THE WOODS Reader Comments about IN THE WOODS Watch a trailer for IN THE WOODS. Click here to see Tana French discuss IN THE WOODS.

IN THE WOODS by Tana French (Mystery)
Now Available in Paperback
In the mid-1980s in a small suburban Dublin neighborhood, two boys and a girl enter the woods surrounding the neighborhood on a warm summer day. As dusk approaches and their mothers call them home, the woods remain silent. The Police are called in and all that is found of the children is one of the two boys, grasping at a tree trunk in a catatonic state, wearing blood-filled sneakers. Adam Ryan can’t recall a single detail of what happened that day and the case of his missing friends goes unsolved. » Read More

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