Skip to main content

Interview: Avi , author of Murder at Midnight

Aug 10, 2009

August 2009

 
In this interview with Teenreads.com's Norah Piehl, award-winning children's and young adult author Avi discusses why he chose to revisit characters from his 1999 novel, MIDNIGHT MAGIC, in his 70th published work, MURDER AT MIDNIGHT, and his reasoning behind the book's recurring elements and unique format. He also elaborates on some of its characters --- most notably a magician who doesn't believe in magic --- explains how his interest in history influences his story ideas, and shares details about the projects he's currently working on.
On a panel at Comic-Con, several people were discussing the lack of letters pages in today’s comics. “The Internet is the letters page now,” quipped Gene Luen Yang. “Except everyone’s mean.”

August 7, 2009

My question last week about what incoming college freshmen are reading yielded some terrific feedback from our readers, which I supplemented with some information from publishers and posted in a blog here. They are broken down both by school and by book title, with a thanks to Cristina Costales on our staff who compiled this information for me. Thank you to all who sent suggestions, and I love that many of you have chosen to read the books that your kids are reading along with them.

Read More

Christopher Reich, author of Rules of Vengeance

Months after foiling an attack on a commercial jetliner, Doctors Without Borders physician Jonathan Ransom is working under an assumed name in a remote corner of Africa while his wife, Emma, desperate to escape the wrath of Division, the secret American intelligence agency she betrayed, has vanished into the netherworld of international espionage.

Brandon Massey, author of Cornered

Corey’s living the American dream; he’s a happily married father and successful Atlanta businessman, until he runs into a friend he hasn't seen in over fifteen years, Leon Sharpe. Leon’s charismatic, fiercely intelligent... and a ruthless psychopath.

Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

August 2009

In CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, a die-hard Jane Austen fan finds herself somehow transported into the 19th century in the strange body of Jane Mansfield, a proper English lady. RUDE AWAKENINGS is exactly the reverse scenario, now with 19th-century Jane finding herself as an impostor inside the body of a blonde knockout, who is Courtney Stone in modern-day U.S.A.

The Bride’s Farewell by Meg Rosoff

August 2009

Continuing to redefine the boundaries between fiction for adults and teens, Meg Rosoff --- author of the internationally bestselling novel HOW I LIVE NOW --- goes back in time to explore one young woman’s attempts to find her place in an unfriendly world. 

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

August 2009

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they? Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella’s books beloved by millions, TWENTIES GIRL is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.

Editorial content for Chosen To Die

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Stephen Hubbard

In the canyons and forests of Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains, Detective Regan Pescoli is hunting a depraved serial killer. All her energy is focused on his capture, on saving the women he torments. At least it was until her ex-husband insisted he was taking full custody of their children. In a fit of rage, intent on barging into his home and taking back the kids, Regan is attacked during a growing storm and finds herself under the control of the very sadist she is seeking. The hunter has become the hunted. Read More

Teaser

In the canyons and forests of Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains, Detective Regan Pescoli is hunting a depraved serial killer. All her energy is focused on his capture, on saving the women he torments. At least it was until her ex-husband insisted he was taking full custody of their children. In a fit of rage, intent on barging into his home and taking back the kids, Regan is attacked during a growing storm and finds herself under the control of the very sadist she is seeking. The hunter has become the hunted.

About the Book

WILL YOU BE THE ONE…CHOSEN TO DIE?

After the tremendous success of LEFT TO DIE, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Jackson’s highly anticipated sequel, CHOSEN TO DIE finally hits bookshelves this August! At the end of LEFT TO DIE, Detective Regan Pescoli was abducted by the serial killer who had been leaving his victims exposed to the elements and left to die.  Now, as Det. Regan tries to figure out a way to escape from where she's being held, her captor continues his killing spree.  Meanwhile, Regan's lover, Nate Santana along with her partner, Detective Selena Alvarez, race again time to save Regan before she becomes the next victim…chosen to die.

August 2009

As I write this note the weather is steamy. It's a far cry from last week when I had the windows wide open so I could simulate working outdoors. Now I feel hermetically sealed into my air-conditioned world where, when I step outside, the "wet blanket over my face" moment strikes. I have decided I need a screened-in porch or a gazebo for working on nice days. Since my younger son Cory is 14, I think the swing set can be given away. Wait, there is that nice landing at the top of the slide with the little tent above it. Maybe I can sit there!

Read More