Tom and Enid Schantz used to have a mystery bookstore in Boulder, CO, They sold that and turned to publishing classic British mysteries that had gone out of print. I haven't read this particular book but I have read others by Catherine Aird and they were wonderful! Here is a synopsis of the book from the Rue Morgue Press web site.

"When a heart attack forces Thomas Harding to retire with his wife Dora to a Tudor manor house in Calleshire County, he soon discovers that it comes complete with a priest hole, built by a clever Elizabethan craftsman and containing -quite unfortunately- a skeleton from a much earlier time. The local doctor says it's a clear case of murder but the police, pointing out that by now the murderer was long dead, decline to investigate. Totally bored by his new life but determined to learn more about "his" murder, Thomas begins to question the villagers, who are currently more concerned with the murder of a young wife and the disappearance of her well-liked husband. But in his efforts to solve a centuries-old crime, Thomas inadvertently contributes to the solution of the modern one and begins to take his place in the village of Easterbrook. Fans of Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time will embrace this tale first published in 1967 and the only novel by Aird not to feature Inspector Sloan."

There are several reasons that I like the China Bayles mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert. One is the herb lore that I learn through reading the book. I'm not a gardener (as some of you know) but I do enjoy reading about it.

Another reason is the Texas setting. My mom, sister, etc. live near Austin. The setting for the fictitious Pecan Springs, setting for the mysteries, is supposed to be near there -- in the hill country which is a beautiful part of Texas.

Mostly I like her stories. This one starts with a murder and possible drug dealing. Susan plays fair with her readers. We get all the clues that China has but I never seem to beat China through the unraveling of the crime. This one was a good one.

By the way, this book brings in a new character -- one I hope to see in further books set in Pecan Springs. Can't tell you who it is because I'll give away some of the story but I'll tell you that he can be mean and ferocious or sweet and loving. (grin)

Information on the China Bayles series can be found at: the author's website.

AND ONLY TO DECEIVE by Tasha Alexander ($13.95) The first in Alexander's historical series. Set in the late Victorian era, Emily's husband, Viscount Ashton is killed on an African hunting expedition. Emily decides to learn more about her late husband when she realizes that she is not as grief stricken as she should be. This engaging, witty mix of Victorian cozy and suspense thriller draws its dramatic spark from the endearingly headstrong heroine's growth in life and love.

"A Treasury of Regrets is the sequel to my first historical mystery novel, Game of Patience, also featuring Aristide Ravel, freelance investigator and part-time agent of the Paris police (please don't call him a spy) during the French Revolution. In Treasury, Aristide comes to the aid of a young servant girl who is accused of poisoning her employer, and has to find the truth while coping with egotistical actors, sleazy con artists, and a houseful of squabbling relatives."
For more info, including an excerpt, check out the author's site.

Daniel Arenson's new fantasy book is getting some excellent reviews. Daniel had this to say when I asked him for information about the book:

Firefly Island is a new epic fantasy novel by Daniel Arenson.

A cruel king, his flesh made of stone, tyrannizes the enchanted Firefly Island. No sword or arrow can harm him. Aeolia, a servant girl, can magically share feelings and senses - even pain. Only she, by hurting herself, can hurt the mad monarch. But can she save the island from his grasp?

Booklist recently reviewed the novel, saying it "is filled with interesting details and cultures". They added that Daniel Arenson "is an author to watch". One reviewer at ReaderViews.com said, "this is the most excited I have ever been about a science fiction / fantasy novel."

"I wrote Firefly Island while living in Israel," Daniel said when asked about his book's release. "It began as a distraction during wartime, and I'm obviously delighted that the book found a top-notch publisher like Thomson Gale. The response so far has been very encouraging. I've always loved fantasy literature, and I wrote the kind of book that I'd like to read - a fantasy novel that's not only filled with action and adventure, but also with a lot of emotion and heart. I hope readers enjoy reading Firefly Island as much as I've enjoyed writing it."

To learn more about the book, visit:

www.DanielArenson.com

The name of the book intrigued me so I was glad to receive an email from Anne telling me more about the book.

My first mystery was nominated for an Edgar for best paperback original of 2005. An ordinary foot cop and his partner stumble upon a cold case which he comes to recognize as his own murder in a previous life. Homicide My Own (Pleasure Boat Studio, trade paperback, $16)

The new book, which follows Quinn, the female partner and the narrator of the first book, is Walla Walla Suite(A Room with No View) and it was in bookstores starting in September from Ballantine.

When a young secretary from her office building goes missing, Quinn is hired by the girl's boss to find her. It turns into what looks like an open and shut murder case, but Quinn's investigation takes her into the dangerous dark corners of the human psyche, where no one is innocent.

"Walla Walla Suite surprised me, in a way that few books do, sticking in my brain like a melancholic song that I can't forget, don't want to forget. Quinn is an original, a word I don't use lightly." -- Laura Lippman

In Right From the Gecko, the fifth book in the "Reigning Cats & Dogs" mystery series, veterinarian Jessica Popper heads to Maui with her boyfriend Nick for a conference. But when an ambitious young reporter she meets at her hotel is murdered, she finds herself trying to figure out hula-done it. Jessie travels all over the beautiful Hawaiian island, questioning suspects who include the victim's secretive boyfriend, one of her journalistic rivals, an eccentric beachcomber, and a governor's aide who seems overly involved with a controversial new biotech firm that's brining progress to paradise. In addition to juggling her investigation with her professional conference, Jessie tries to make her visit to paradise a romantic getaway. That's no easy feat, especially when she and Nick meet up with some harrowing situations that she suspects the murderer has planned. Will Jessie solve the crime before she ends up saying aloha ... permanently?

Cynthia Baxter
CynthiaBaxter.com

Simon Beckett's first book, The Chemistry of Death, is a book that I always recommend to readers who want forensics and a good story and I feel the same way about Written in Bone:

"When I sat down to write a sequel to The Chemistry of Death (Dell Reprint, paperback, $6.99), my first novel to feature British forensic anthropologist Dr David Hunter, my main aim was not to disappoint readers. I knew I had to deliver the same elements that people enjoyed in Hunter's debut: forensics, mystery, shocks and twists. But at the same time I didn't want the second book to be too much like the first.

Years ago, I could remember reading about something called 'Spontaneous Human Combustion', where victims have somehow been incinerated without any of their surroundings being burned. So I began playing with the idea of having Hunter confronted with this apparently inexplicable phenomenon. How could he explain it? How could I, come to that?

That left the question of where the story should be set. I've visited several Scottish islands, and been struck by how the small communities that live on them survive amongst all that bleak, windswept beauty. They're wild and atmospheric, especially in winter, and the idea of Hunter finding himself stranded on one of them with a crazed killer seemed too good to miss. The result was Written in Bone. Hopefully readers will enjoy it just as much as David Hunter's first outing. And perhaps feel a little shiver the next time they stare into the embers of a dying fire.."

Rhys Bowen writes two series that have done very well -- the Molly Murphy series set in early 20th century New York and the Constable Evans series set in Wales and now she has written the first in her new series which features Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in the line for the crown. The story is set in the 1930's -- both England and Lady Georgiana (Georgie) are in dire need of money. So Georgie sets out to earn money without allowing her acquaintances in the nobility know that she is flat broke which leads to some interesting consequences and a murder.

Her Royal Spyness is a Killer Book for August.

WORLD WAR Z ($24.95) is written by Max Brooks, who is the son of Mel Brooks. The subtitle for the book is An Oral History of the Zombie War. A must-have for all zombie fans on your list along with the companion volume ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE.

BLOODLINES by Jan Burke ($7.99) This story about the kidnapping of an infant who might or might not have been the child of a wealthy couple found dead under somewhat clouded circumstances received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. This is the paperback version of the original hardcover published in 2005.

Jim Butcher's new book has generated great pre-publication reviews.

Professional wizard Harry Dresden is investigating a series of deaths in Chicago. Someone is killing practitioners of magic, those incapable of becoming full-fledged wizards. Shockingly, all the evidence points to Harry's half-brother, Thomas, as the murderer. Determined to clear his sibling's name, Harry uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but his nearest and dearest, too...

In case you were waiting for the paperback of the previous book -- Proven Guilty -- it's out now. Let us know if we can order either one for you.

Check out Jim's web site -- it has a LOT of information.

Ray Dudgeon used to be a reporter but now he's a PI. He's finding that being a reporter was a lot safer. He's hired to provide protection for a locations manager for a Hollywood film that is shooting in Chicago -- and Ray quickly finds out that 'shooting' is not only the word for what a camera does but is also what a membe of organized crime wants to do to his client -- with a gun. The author has been a PI in Chicago for many years -- which shows in his writing.

Jeff is the author of the Aaron Tucker series which I loved. This is book is the first in a new series for Jeff and it sounds like a good one:

"Some Like It Hot-Buttered is the first in the Double Feature Mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime. It centers on Elliot Freed, a recovering writer who comes into some money and buys himself a dilapidated movie theatre in central New Jersey. He renames it Comedy Tonight, and shows only comedies - one classic, one contemporary each week. But when a man turns up dead after the evening's showing of Young Frankenstein, and the cause is determined to be poisoned popcorn, Elliot takes it personally, and begins to investigate.

It's always been a dream of mine to do just that: buy a small theatre and show only comedies. Through Elliot, I get to indulge my tastes (the Marx Brothers are prominently showcased in Hot-Buttered) without the financial burden of having to compete in a multiplexed world. Fans of the Aaron Tucker series might recognize a character or two (both series take place in the fictional town of Midland Heights), and everyone will (hopefully) get a kick out of Elliot and his extended family of characters. But when someone realizes Elliot's getting a little too close... well, it gets a tad uncomfortable for the new theatre owner.

Chris Grabenstein (author of the John Ceepak novels) was kind enough to give Hot-Buttered "two buttery thumbs up," and comedy writing legend Larry Gelbart said: 'Knock, knock. Who's there? Cohen. Cohen who? Cohen buy yourself this most entertaining book.'"

Publisher's Weekly had this to say about the book:
"The pseudonymous Culhane (aka Max Allen Collins) once again shows himself a master at the historical thriller. In 1920, 70-year-old Wyatt Earp, who's working as a PI in Los Angeles, is hired by "Big Nosed Kate" Elder, the widow of his best friend, Doc Holliday. Kate wants Wyatt to go to New York and help her speakeasy-owning son, John (fathered by Doc as he was dying), who has fallen afoul of a local tough guy, the young Alphonse Capone. In New York, Wyatt teams with another old pal, Morning Telegraph sportswriter Bat Masterson. It's a fabulous setup, and Culhane has all the skills and experience to bring these great characters leaping off the page. The bad guys may have organized gangs and tommy guns, but in the end these whippersnappers are no match for Wyatt's cunning and 10-inch-long-barreled .45. The exigencies of historical fact force Culhane into a tamer ending than some readers might like, but the sheer fun of riding along with the two old lawmen and their memories will run roughshod over any quibbles or complaints. (Apr.)"
I haven't read it yet -- in fact it's not on shelves until March 27. Let us know if you'd like to have us order one for you. Here's a link to more information about Patrick and a list of his other books.

I received this from the author:

My new book, INVISIBLE SHIELD, was released April 18 with Five Star Publishing. It's a paranormal mystery where a homicide detective has to solve her own murder.
ISBN# 1-594145458.

Homicide Detective, Lindsay Frost's calendar has been cleared. Permanently. In an effort to solve her own murder, she discovers evil forces lurk on both sides of eternity, as she fights to save her family from a murderer while battling a supernatural stalker waging a private war against her.

Devastated by her older sister's death, police officer, Kate Frost, sees their good-natured competition come to an end. Their sibling rivalry is unexpectedly resurrected when Lindsay's ghost appears, forcing the two sisters to work as partners against malevolent human and paranormal forces that threaten to end both of their worlds.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks!
Scarlett Dean Website: ScarlettDean.com

Since I am a fan of Jack the Ripper books and information (and Lizzie Borden stuff too) I found the following book description very interesting:

In the alleys of the decrepit Boston neighborhood known as the Weird, fairy prostitutes are turning up dead. The crime scenes show signs of residual magic, but the Guild, which polices the fey, has more "important" crimes to investigate and dumps the case on human law enforcement.

Boston police call in Connor Grey, a druid and former hotshot Guild investigator -whose magical abilities were crippled after a run-in with a radical environmentalist elf. As Connor battles red tape and his own shortcomings, he realizes that the murders are not random, but part of an ancient magical ritual. And if Connor can't figure out the killer's M.O., the culmination of the spell might just bring about a worldwide cataclysm.

Check out Marc's website and journal

Kentucky Literary Award nominee
ForeWord magazine Book-of-the-Year finalist
Great Lakes Book Award nominee
Book Sense Notable Book, February '07
Author's Website

"There's nothing like meshing a mystery plot with a real-life, big time event with its own inherent calendar and mystique. Writing TRIPLE CROSS, my Kentucky Derby mystery, was loads of fun as well as challenging. Since the Steve Cline mystery series is equine oriented, getting Steve to the Derby was almost a given. Coming up with a mystery for him wasn't too hard, either. Dealing with the pressure of "getting it right" was a bit daunting, but once I began plotting backwards from the story's climax, blending my plotline with the Derby Festival calendar of events, it came together amazingly well. And the book has borne this out: being named a Kentucky Literary Award nominee, ForeWord magazine Book-of-the-Year finalist, a Great Lakes Book Award nominee, and a BookSense Notable Book for February '07."

In TRIPLE CROSS, barn manager Steve Cline is in Louisville for the running of the Kentucky Derby. Although he doesn't expect to stray far from the horse world, he has enrolled in a private investigations course and is working on the final project--a simple record's search. But the very act of initiating the project sets a series of events in motion that spiral out of control and plunges Steve into the world of the ultra rich where greed and revenge and ambition drive some men to commit unspeakable acts in a power play that culminates in a bloody triple cross . . .

Mary Anna Evans was one of the first authors to sign at Aliens & Alibis Books when she came to promote her first book, Artifacts. To my dismay, there were very few readers who came to the signing. Mary Anna was more than gracious about the lack of readers. The good news was that we had quite a bit of time to chat so I found out that she's not just a good author, she's an intelligent and charming lady.

Her newest book, Effigies, is the third in the Faye Longchamp series and is getting great reviews. In this book, Faye and her Native American assistant, Joe Wolf Mantooth, leave Joyeuse Island, Fla., for a dig in rural Mississippi at the site of a proposed highway which will endanger Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says that the Choctaw nation was born. There are arguments between the highway builders and the archeologists which culminate in a murder.

The characters in the book are so believable that I hated to finish the book and leave people that I had grown to like. The mystery is well done and held my attention -- in fact, I got nothing done around the house until I reached the last page of the book.

Though Mary Anna has been compared to Tony Hillerman, her sympathetic characters and fascinating archeological lore add up to a style all her own. Tony Hillerman did give her a very nice comment on this book which is included on the dust jacket.

You can start with the first book in the series, Artifacts, or jump in with this book. I like to start with the first of a series -- I understand the relationships of the characters that way.

Her web site has sample chapters from the books -- and more.

Artifacts

While I enjoyed the Nursery Crimes books, The Big Over Easy

When reading the Thursday Next books, the reader needs to throw out any semblance of belief in reality. There is quite a bit of literary humor but Fforde sets it up well enough that even those who haven't read the book in question at the time will get the joke.

And don't forget to check out Ffordes's website. It's one of the most creative websites that I've seen for an author. It's a marvelous place to spend time -- probably more time than you originally planned. And you can see the UK cover which I like so much better than the US cover. Wonder why we don't get the good ones?

Lynda sent me information about her new book which is set in the late 1960s:

Newspaper reporter Christie O'Kelly has always valued honesty and truth above all else. Now she suspects that one of the people she loves the most may be guilty of murder. Her profession and her nature make it impossible for her to look the other way, and she begins searching for the truth, even though she knows that finding it may cost her everything.

Advance praise for If Truth Be Told:

"If Truth Be Told is an incredibly written story. The author incorporates romance, suspense and mystery into an excellent plot. Because there are no slow moments in the story, I had a hard time putting it down. Not having Ms. Fitzgerald's talent for words, I cannot give this book the kind of review that it best deserves; I can only tell you that you should not miss out on the chance to read it. This is a great choice for a women's reader group." ReaderViews

Did you know that in 12th century Salerno, Italy women were respected as doctors but that was not the case in 12th century Britian? Did you know that in 12th century Salerno doctors who could 'speak for the dead' were asked to look at crime scenes as a way of determining how the person died and find clues as to who the killer was? I certainly didn't know either of these facts until I read MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH. Ariana Franklin has put together a good mix of fact and fiction and come up with a book that I couldn't put down. If you like the books by Kathy Reichs or are drawn to books on forensics, read this book. The characters are well drawn and the story is compelling. And the learning is painless.

I do have to warn you that the crimes are not pleasant to read about since they are the murder of children. In fact the first chapter of the book has turned some readers off. I am not comfortable with books that cite crimes against children but in my opinion, Ariana has taken a very delicate approach to her story. There is no gratuitious violence in the book.

I love the title -- and really enjoyed the book. Gwen sent us this information:.

"I wrote Murder...Suicide...Whatever...to entice 20 and 30-somethings to the comfort of the cozy, the fun of the "fair play" mystery, the lure of the locked-door puzzle.

Fifi Cutter is a young woman, the bi-racial daughter of a charismatic, ambitious father and a cold, self-absorbed mother. She has recently been fired from a boring, but safe, job as an insurance adjustor. Working well with others is not one of the tools in Fifi's skill set. The action begins with the arrival in L.A. of Fifi's half brother, Bosco, a charming wastrel, intent on mooching. Against her better judgment, Bosco involves Fifi in the mysterious death of Ted Heffernan, insurance broker to the stars. (That would be porn stars.) The circle of suspects include Ted's partners, his soon-to-be-ex wife, his mistress. And his other mistress.

The dialogue is snappy --Fifi and Bosco are the Inspector Queen and Ellery of the eyebrow piercing crowd. But I hope all traditional mystery lovers can enjoy the book. I firmly believe that the more the world darkens, the more we need the laughs."

Gwen Freeman's home page

I have to admit that a mystery with a dog catches my eye every time. Christy piqued my curiosity further with the following comments....

"The Bodyguard and the Show Dog, Book 2 of the Bodyguard Series is recipient of the CataNetwork 2006 Single Titles Reviewers' Choice Award and finalist in the Dog Writers Association of America 2006 Writing Competition (Book: Fiction). Professional reviewers are comparing this series to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

I am a volunteer with Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue and my Bodyguard series features a rescued Weimaraner named Brutus and black cat named Cat. As a dog lover, I thought it would be fun to pair a young, female bodyguard with an obnoxious show dog whose life has been threatened.

Protection specialist Natasha Chamberlain is a bit disappointed her official job as a bodyguard is to protect a champion Pug named Chumley. But Chumley's life has been threatened if he participates in an upcoming dog show and Natasha can't resist the chance to unofficially investigate who could be threatening the Pug. Although Natasha thinks there shouldn't be much danger guarding a show dog, after she ends up in the emergency room several times, tangles with a criminal biker, is beaten up by a state employee and faces off with an animal abuser, she changes her mind."

Christy

Find out more about Christy Tillery French

Melke is a wraith, which means she has the ability to walk unseen. After being forced to steal a necklace, she is hunted down by the victim of the crime, Bastian sal Vere. He explains that the necklace was strung with tears, and that without it, Bastian cannot break the curse that is destroying his family. He orders Melke to regain the necklace, in exchange for her brother to be healed. But she had given the necklace to the salamanders, the fire breathing creatures that live underground. She must risk her own life. Meanwhile, Bastian becomes involved in solving a brutal murder of a young pregnant girl in the town of Theirry. This is a strong character-based fantasy, full of romantic tension and gritty storylines.

Emily is the daughter of award winning New Zealand author Maurice Gee. you can find out more about her here.

A new book from a relatively new author who sent this information:

"Shane Gericke follows his national bestselling debut, Blown Away (Pinnacle, paperback, $6.99), with a serial-killer-meets-the-electric-chair thriller called Cut to the Bone. It's the second in a series starring police detectives Emily Thompson and Martin Benedetti, and draws the highest praise from such New York Times bestsellers as Lee Child, John J. Nance, Douglas Preston, and Gayle Lynds, who enthuses, "Shane Gericke writes with the clear eye of a hard-nosed reporter and the sweet soul of an artist. His power is visceral and unforgettable.

(Blown Away)

A steel-eyed killing machine known as the Executioner loves to draw sharp blades across innocent throats. A dozen souls are gone, yet the monster wants more. Police detectives Martin Benedetti and Emily Thompson have just seven days to hunt and destroy him before he slices apart his next victims: Marty and Emily.

I loved writing this book because it's the ultimate expression of good and evil. Brave cops who face a horrible death, a sinister killer wanting to inflict it, all eyes on the upcoming electrocution. Plus, good cop jokes!"

With warmest regards to your readers,
Shane Gericke

Visit Shane's website

The setting is 1920s Melbourne, Australia. In this, the newest of the series that Poisoned Pen Press is publishing, Phryne (pronounced fry-nee) is investigating the poisoning of a young man in a bookshop at the Eastern Market, and the wrongful arrest of one Miss Sylvia Lee. As she follows the clues, Phryne is plunged into a world of Jewish politics, alchemy, poison and chicken soup. The series is delightful and pulls the reader right into the Roaring '20s.

So far, Poisoned Pen Press has published fourteen of the nineteen books written by Kerry Greenwood and starring Phryne Fisher. Check out the Poisoned Pen Press web site for more information on this series and others.

If you are a fan of recorded books, you can download two of the books (Death by Water and Ruddy Gore) from Audible.com and either listen to them on your PC or burn them to CDs to listen to in your car or wherever you enjoy audio books. You might also check your local public library for the books and / or the audio books. Stephanie Daniel is the reader of the books and she does a great job.

Pine County Sheriff Cas Larkin is concerned when local celebrity Mattie Carrington's kitchen explodes several minutes after she and her sister Katie leave home. Mattie and Katie are cousins of Miss Mayme and Miss Minnie Anderson, the two sisters who run their small town's floral shop. However, Cass's instincts kick into high gear when he learns that Mattie has had several accidents in lately and had planned to be home the day of the explosion.

When Mattie leases a lakeside cabin in their county to finish a cookbook she is writing, Cas makes it a point to keep checking on her. During one of his visits, he finds Mattie unconscious and takes her to the hospital, where the doctor discloses she has been poisoned. All eyes point to Miss Minnie, the last person to visit Mattie, but Cas has other suspicions.

Fans of this series will feel as if they are spending time with old friends and new readers will quickly fall under the spell of all the warm characters in this sequel to The Nelson Scandal (Airleaf Publishing, trade paperback, $14.95), from Cas's wife Connie, the perpetual matchmaker, to Miss Mayme and Miss Minnie and several others. Griffey enfolds the reader in an engaging mystery that takes place in a charming locale, with spine-tingling suspense, a demented killer, and more than a few charismatic characters, including a psychic and faith healer.

A mystery set in an oil refinery -- a very different and interesting setting. Here are Karen's comments about the book and the setting:

"I published my first mystery/thriller, Unreasonable Risk (hardcover, $27.99), with ArcheBooks Publishing in August 2006. What sets it apart from other books is its remarkably unique setting -- in a Minnesota oil refinery. Unreasonable Risk features a strong female protagonist, Hannah Morrison, a young environmental engineer working in what has long been a man's world. When an explosion rocks the refinery, she discovers evidence that the incident was deliberately caused. In a place where nearly everything is either flammable or -- worse -- explosive, the prospect of a saboteur is terrifying. Hannah is determined to discover who's doing the dirty work before the surrounding neighborhood is poisoned and people all over Minneapolis / St. Paul begin to die.

I'm an environmental engineer myself, and several years ago, while I was working at a refinery, a kid coming home from a bar in the middle of the afternoon decided he wanted to see what the inside of a refinery looked like. He crashed through the main gate and led the security force on a crazy chase for nearly an hour before he was caught. That incident made me consider the issue of personal safety, which, since 9/11, is something many of us think about.

Lots of us live near, work near or even drive past industrial facilities every day, but few of us understand the risks we take when we do. While the people who work in those facilities are skilled at keeping things safe on a day to day basis, how easy would it be for an insider -- or a determined outsider -- to cause significant death and destruction? The answer, I think, will surprise you."

WHEN GODS DIE by C. S. Harris ($23.95) is a continuation of the series started in WHAT ANGELS FEAR. Set in Regency England, Sebastian St. Cyr, the Viscount Devlin, is once more pulled into a murder investigation. The author deftly combines political intrigue, cleverly concealed clues and vivid characters for a fast-moving story that will have readers eagerly anticipating future volumes in the series. I had a hard time putting this book down and I definitely look forward to the next book in the series!.

I am a fan of archaeological mysteries and was pleased to find out that A. J. Hartley has written another exciting thriller:

"On the Fifth Day, like my first novel The Mask of Atreus

But I was also trying to write a Da Vinci code-esque mystery which turned a lot of the assumptions of that particular sub-genre on their heads. As a literature professor and as a writer I get depressed about the reduction of any art work to a code which contains a single, secret meaning. For me, the meaning of art is very much in the eye of the beholder, and always has been, which is not to say that it can simply mean anything and serious thought or investigation is therefore pointless. I wanted to tell a story in which the very uncertainty about what a piece of art meant was the core of the narrative, where the villains were those who insisted upon a certain and singular meaning.

I retraced my steps through southern Italy, specifically in the Naples area, and the place began to dictate changes to the story, both in terms of plot and in terms of atmosphere. The key moment was when I stumbled (during on-line research) on an ancient underground cemetery where human skulls were stacked floor to ceiling. It was closed to the public, but I managed to reach someone involved in an engineering project to render the place safe. 'I am Fulvio of Naples,' he wrote to me. 'I will lead you under the earth.'

Even thriller writers couldn't make up a sentence like that. How could I not go?"

Super Mom Saves the World is now out in stores, I'm happy to say! Just wanted to drop y'all a note about that, with a subtle hint (or shameless plea, however you want to view it) that if you bought it, I'd be very grateful. And if you told lots of people about it, I'd be even more grateful! And if you bought it, liked it, bought more for your friends, and left an Amazon review about it, I'd even consider coming to your house and cleaning the floors!!

I'm running a new contest on my blog and giving away some prizes, in celebration! So please stop over at my website to find out about the contest, the appearances, and even to - ahem - order the book, if you're so inclined!

Thanks for all your support, and I hope you enjoy the book!

PS - My friend Stacey Ballis has a book out today, too; THE SPINSTER SISTERS is the first book in a new series for her!

Melanie Lynne Hauser
Confessions of Super Mom - Available in paperback August 1, 2006

L. C. Hayden has a new entry in the Harry Bronson mystery series. She sent the following information:

"I had a wonderful time writing this book. I wanted to write about something new, something different. I had just gotten involved with geocaching --that's a form of treasure seeking or as they say in their website "the sport where you are the search engine." I thought why not incorporate geocaching in my book? The end result is Why Casey Had to Die, a 2007 Agatha Award Finalist for Best Novel.

Here's a glimpse of the story: Retired Detective Harry Bronson thought he had solved his first case, but now twenty years later, new evidence surfaces and Bronson is forced to start a journey filled with terror --one that places not only him in mortal danger, but also his beloved wife, Carol. Bronson, in order to save Carol, must race against time to solve a series of geocache puzzles. If he fails, Carol dies. But before he can do this, he must figure out Why Casey Had to Die. You can read an excerpt of the novel at L. C.'s website."

An Eye for Murder, the first (and Anthony-nominated) installment of the Ellie Foreman series is back. Poisoned Pen Press has reprinted it as a trade paperback in 2007. Here's what reviewers had to say about it:

Publisher's Weekly: "A masterful blend of politics, history and suspense, this novel is well worth reading...sharp humor and vivid language... Ellie is an engaging amateur sleuth whose wisdom grows. Readers will hope they won't have to wait too long for Ellie's return.

Chicago Tribune: "Complicated... fascinating... Hellmann has a beautifully tuned ear... which makes many of her scenes seriously funny ... her film-editor instincts tell her when to let a scene run on and when to cut away."

Chicago Blues
by Libby Fischer Hellman
(Bleak House Books, trade paperback, $15.95)

HEART-SHAPED BOX has gotten rave reviews including a starred review from Publisher's Weekly which calls the book a truly remarkable debut. The story starts when middle-aged rock star Judas Coyne, who collects morbid curios for fun, doesn't think twice about buying a suit advertised at an online auction site as haunted by its dead owner's ghost. What he doesn't realize is that the suit belonged to Craddock McDermott, the stepfather of one of Coyne's discarded groupies, and that the old man's ghost is a malignant spirit determined to kill Judas in revenge for his stepdaughter's suicide. Be certain to read this one with the lights on.

We have Tony Hillerman's new book, SHAPE SHIFTER ($26.95). It received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and they had this to say about it: "Only Hillerman could so masterfully connect such disparate elements as an ancient cursed weaving, two stolen buckets of piñon sap and the Vietnam War. The conclusion is sure to startle longtime fans of this acclaimed mystery series." And if you are a Tony Hillerman fan, also check out the books by Margaret Coel and James D. Doss.

For the young ones on your list or the young at heart, we have mysteries and fantasies such as GOBLINQUEST by Jim C. Hines ($6.99) -- Jig is a scrawny little nearsighted goblin -- a runt even among his puny species. Captured by a party of adventurers searching for a magical artifact, and forced to guide them, Jig encounters every peril ever faced on a fantasy quest.

Jim Hines has written a sequel to the delightful Goblin Quest

(DAW, paperback, $6.99) and sent this about the new book:

"The lovable underdog from Goblin Quest returns in Goblin Hero, by Jim C. Hines. Jig the goblin is now called Jig Dragonslayer, to his great dismay. And when an ogre comes seeking help against an unknown enemy, the goblins turn to Jig and his pet fire-spider Smudge. This time, Jig will have the help of a large, exceptionally dumb warrior, a crotchety nursery worker, and a muckworker determined to become a true hero, even if it kills her . . . and everyone around her. Like its predecessor, Goblin Hero continues to turn fantasy conventions upside down as Jig faces the ogres' magical enemy and the plotting of his so-called friends.

So where did the idea for Jig come from? 'I've always been fond of underdogs,' says Hines. 'These aren't the first stories from a monster's point of view, but usually you end up with a monster who's big and strong and misunderstood, like Shrek. I say if you're going to write the underdog, why not go all the way? Goblins are small and weak, and Jig's the runt of the lair. But he's clever, and I believe brains can conquer brawn nine times out of ten. For that tenth time, well, Jig has a pet spider who can set things on fire. What more do you need?'

Speaking of Shrek, the manuscript for Goblin Quest was finished four months before Shrek came out in theaters. At one point, Dreamworks was actually discussing the possibility of a Goblin Quest movie. In the end, they decided to stick with Shrek rather than try another monster-centric film. So if ogres get a bit of a raw deal in Goblin Hero, you know why.

Described by Ed Greenwood as 'even greater and funnier than the first,' Goblin Hero is a fun read for all ages. The first chapter is available as a free download from the author's web site."

THE SENSE OF PAPER by Taylor Holden ($14.00) Charlotte "Charlie" Hudson, a former reporter suffering from physical and psychological wounds incurred while covering the war in Kosovo, decides to give up on the book she's writing about Kosovo and begin one on her new passion - handmade art papers and the use thereof by the great 19th-century British painter, J.M.W. Turner.

Roberta sent this when I asked about any new books from her:

"Dear friends,

DEADLY ADVICE (Berkley Prime Crime), the first in my new advice column mystery series, is now available in bookstores and online! Dr. Rebecca Butterman traces the footsteps of a suicidal neighbor into the world of speed-dating and weblogging where no one is who they claim to be.

She's about to find out that when it comes to murder, everyone can use a little help...

Please stop into my website where you can read the first chapter of Deadly Advice, read a sample of Dr. Butterman (AKA Dr. Aster)'s advice, or even submit a question yourself! While you're there, check out my schedule. I have quite a few speaking engagements lined up--hope you'll come by and say hello.

Thanks for reading!

Roberta Isleib
RobertaIsleib.com

PS: "Disturbance in the Field," a short story featuring Dr. Butterman and her sidekick detective, has been nominated for an Agatha award. You can read the story on my website--awards are announced at the annual Malice Domestic mystery convention in May"

Walt has been the sheriff in Wyoming's Absaroka County for twenty-four years, where his wit and charm have helped him solve many crimes. But that can't prepare him for the savage attack on his daughter, Cady, a Philadelphia lawyer who has unwittingly become embroiled in a political cover-up. As Walt and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, scour the city for clues, he gets help from his deputy Victoria Moretti and her family of Philly police. But Longmire wasn't born yesterday. He's willing to pull out all the stops to find Cady's attacker and show the big city that this old-timer has a few moves left in his saddlebag of tricks. Those who enjoy Tony Hillerman and James Lee Burke will delight in Johnson's newest Sheriff Longmire adventure.

As many of you know, I lived in Wyoming for a couple of years and it's a treat to go back there in Craig's great series.

More information about Craig and his books is at his website. .

After Dave, her fiance, dies, Francie Starzel leaves Chicago for a new job in Denver -- along with Dave's son, Mac. After Dave died, she found out that she was named as Mac's guardian in spite of the fact that she knows nothing about being a mother.

Her new position is a financial analyst with TechLaw, a company that Helene, her college roommate, owns. After several months in the position, Helene fires Francie over what she terms 'discrepancies' in a report. In order to make ends meet, Francie takes a job as a telemarketer selling funerals.

Francie decides that she is going to find out why Helene fired her but, before she can make a start, she discovers a dead body in her car trunk. The police are called -- including Detective Dominic Wolfe who sees Francie as the primary suspect.

I've read many mysteries where I have been required to suspend belief about why the main character should be investigating the murder -- but not in this case. Francie's investigation makes sense all the way through. The characters are well drawn and the humor is just right. Francie's concerns about being a good mother to Mac are valid and ring true. In fact, this is a good book for Mother's Day for mothers who like cozies with a little edge.

I've searched for a web page for Christine but haven't found one. If anyone knows where I might find it, please let me know -- and I'll share it with the list in the next newsletter.

A few years back, Larry Karp wrote a mystery series that centered around music boxes. I loved that series. In this series he's set his book in 1899 Sedalia, Missouri. He sent me this about the book:

"How did I come to write THE RAGTIME KID? Though no person on earth is less possessed than I of musical abilities, I'm a big-time listener, and I've loved ragtime for many years. When I read the landmark book, THEY ALL PLAYED RAGTIME, by Blesh and Janis, I learned that in August, 1899, a white man named John Stark had given a royalties contract to Scott Joplin to publish Maple Leaf Rag, and that struck me as extraordinary. At that time and in that place, a young Black composer could have expected, at best, a small lump-sum payment; at worst, he'd have had his music stolen outright. Yet, everyone the authors had interviewed told a different story as to how Joplin and Stark happened to get together at all, and no one offered an explanation for the royalties contract. Being a writer of mystery novels, I thought this sounded suspicious. Like maybe they were trying to cover something up. Something like a murder?

Then I read about Brun Campbell, a 15-year-old white boy who'd run away to Sedalia to persuade Scott Joplin to give him piano lessons...in the summer of 1899. Brun was clearly an impulsive lad, and I could easily see him stumbling over a corpse, and, without thinking, making off with some valuable items that might have been clues. My story was off and running. By the time I was finished, two years later, the murder solved and the contract signed, I felt as if John Stark, Scott Joplin and Brun Campbell were good friends of mine.

What's next? I'm working on the second book in what I hope will be a ragtime mystery trilogy, centering on notable events in the early history of the form. This story will take place in New York City, in 1916, and should be out in Fall, 2008."

Larry's website is at: LarryKarp.com

Many of you know that I highly recommend Vicki's books. The series is set in the Appalachians and evokes the spirit of the mountains and the people so very well. Old Wounds is the third in the Elizabeth Goodweather series and, after being out for just a week, has gone to a second printing.

Elizabeth is a widow who lives in the Appalachian mountains and throughout the books, it's clear that she has great affection for the area and its people. The language and stories of the mountains weave in and out of the books. The characters are complex and interesting and pull the reader into the story and the surrounding emotions.

In this third book of the series, Elizabeth's daughter, Rosemary, an Assistant Professor of English at UNC-Chapel Hill, returns home to solve the riddle of the disappearance of her best friend, Maythorn Mullins, which occurred when the girls were ten years old. The investigation will lead Rosemary and Elizabeth into confronting a complex web of relationships which include magic and Cherokee legend.

The first two Elizabeth Goodweather books are Signs in the Blood

Con Lehane's Bartender Mysteries are doing well -- the first two in the series are Beware the Solitary Drinker (Poisoned Pen Press,hardcover, $24.95) and What Goes Around, Comes Around (St. Martin's Minotaur, hardcover, $23.95). When I asked for information about the new book, Con sent me the following:

(Beware the Solitary Drinker)

(What Goes Around, Comes Around)

"As per your request on Dorothy L, here's a description of my new book, out June 12 from Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin's Minotaur. Its title: Death at the Old Hotel, a Bartender Brian McNulty Mystery.

In this third installment of the series that features the brave, perhaps foolhardy, but definitely likable bartender Brian McNulty, Christmas festivities are marred by murder. Brian's buddy sets his eye on one of the luscious waitresses at work. But when it turns out she's married to a cop with a mean temper, an unnecessary distraction turns to murder. Next their nasty boss is killed, and it falls to Brian to solve the murder before he ends up behind bars in more ways than one.

The question why a bartender as sleuth has many answers. McNulty came about as a kind of composite of bartenders I'd known over the years -- especially in New York. There was a kind of bartender's code and New York working class sensibility around the people I knew when I was working the stick that I thought it would be great to try to capture. Then there's this intangible thing that led me to want to write novels and stories in the first place. I still don't know what it is, but it's the same drive for me whether it's to write "serious" literature or crime fiction. Crime fiction is serious literature to me. The idea of mystery writing came about when I realized I could do all that I wanted to do as a writer and take a shot at being entertaining at the same time. The series allows me to write on big canvas, so to speak, but to do it in bite-sized pieces."

Thanks.

Con Lehane

ConLehane.com

SHADOW OF THE LORDS by Simon Levack ($24.95) This is a sequel to DEMON OF THE AIR, a wonderful mystery set in the heyday of the Aztec empire two years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. This book picks up where the first book left off -- but anyone who has not read the first book will still find this one very satisfying.

"LADYKILLER is a dark thriller my husband Larry and I wrote together -- and we had a ball doing it. It's very dark and violent but we wrote it with great glee. Another odd contradictory fact is that Larry and I adore living in New York, but the book depicts a horrible noir city where murder stalks the mean streets. Go figure." -- Meredith Anthony

The book has been receiving very good reviews and I understand that the signings they have done have been a lot of fun. Take a look at Meredith's page and Larry's.

This is from N. J. Lindquist:

This is the second in the Manziuk and Ryan Mystery series (First was Shaded Light, MurderWillOut Mysteries, $12.95)

(Shaded Light)

After Stasey Simon, an outspoken sports talk-show host, asks on-air for a volunteer to knock some sense into the home team's temperamental new pitcher, Manziuk and Ryan hustle to catch a murderer swinging a lethal bat before the case escalates into an international incident.

While keeping the characters and plot in the forefront, Lindquist also manages to explore the intricate, almost symbiotic relationships between the management, players, fans, and media that make Major League Baseball a vital part of the North American culture.

As the crime threatens to escalate into an international incident, Manziuk draws on his own knowledge of baseball while his partner, Jacquie Ryan, tries to understand a game she's never watched.

You can read chapter 1 at Murderwillout.com

I received the following from Gail. I recommend the book highly.

I saw your posting on Dorothy L. and I'd like to tell you about my debut mystery, Destroying Angels, which was published by Five Star/an imprint of Thomson Gale in 2006. KIRKUS REVIEWS called Destroying Angels "a riveting debut thriller."

Destroying Angels

An amateur naturalist dies of mushroom poisoning, a day later the Egg Harbor librarian kills herself, then the buried