SPRING 2001 NEWSLETTER

Sara Conway, Murder on Good Friday (Mar., Cumberland hc, 20.95). The day after Easter, 1220, a child is discovered dead, murdered on Good Friday. Lord Godwin, Bailiff of Hexam and in the service of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is called to the scene to investigate. The beginning of a new medieval series by a local author. Signing.

Michael Dibdin, Thanksgiving (Mar., Pantheon hc, 20.00). His wife's death in a plane crash sends a man on an obsessive journey into the past...what happened in her life in the years he didn't know her? A devastating encounter in the Nevada desert with a man from her past takes him to the edge of madness. And in pb, Blood Rain (May, Vintage, 12.00), in the Aurelio Zen series. By the British author who now lives in Seattle. Signing.

William Dietrich, Dark Winter (April, Warner hc, 24.95). Twenty-six adventurers are trapped by fierce winter weather at an Arctic outpost—and one of them is a wily psychopath. As the killer strikes and the level of paranoia rises, the remaining members must work together to survive the elements and the killer. Signing. And in pb,Getting Back (Mar., Warner, 7.50).

Carola Dunn, To Davy Jones Below (April, St. Martin's hc, 22.95). On a honeymoon voyage to America, Daisy and her groom, Insp. Alec Fletcher, look into a series of accidents and deaths. British born NW author. Signing. And in pb,The Winter Garden Mystery (Mar., Kensington, 5.99).

G. M. Ford, Fury(May, Morrow hc, 24.00). Reporter Frank Corso was once a rising star in the New York newspaper world. His reputation ruined by a libel suit, he was rescued by the publisher of the Seattle Sun. Now she calls in her debt, wanting him to get the story of a death row inmate she believes to be innocent and who is to be executed in six days. Limited editions will be available at $27.00, as well as regular signed copies at cover price. Reservations for the limited edition must be in by 4/13/01—and remind us of your number, please. Signing.

Ed Goldberg, Better Dead (May, West Coast Crime hc, 23.95). PI Lenny Schneider is hired to find out who is sending threatening notes to the son of a blacklisted writer who committed suicide during the McCarthy Era. Portland, OR author. Signing?

Patricia Harrington, Death Stalks the Khmer (March, AmErica tpo, 15.00). Widowed Bridget O'Hern acts as liaison between the Hmong community and the police who are investigating a double murder—the parents of teens who now face threats and gang pressure, and the violent legacy of the Pol Pot regime. Set near Centralia, WA, by a Northwest author who has worked with the Hmong community. Signing?

John Hockenberry, A River Out of Eden (April, Doubleday hc, 24.95). Chinook Indian Francine Smoholla is a marine biologist for the U.S. government who finds herself in the midst of an ecological fight over Pacific Northwest dams. When power and forest service workers begin showing up dead with elaborate native harpoons in their backs, she and her people fall under suspicion. Signing? by the former NPR reporter.

J. A. Jance, Birds of Prey (Mar., Morrow hc, 24.00). Adrift from the Seattle Police Department, Beaumont is accompanying his grandmother on an Alaskan Cruise. At first, he’s targeted by the divorcées aboard and then mistaken for an FBI agent when he’s swept into the investigation of a woman’s fatal fall. Signing.

Larry Karp, The Midnight Special (Mar., Write Way hc, 24.95). In the 3^rd with New York neurologist Thomas Purdue, his friend Edna who has recently been disabled by a stroke, calls him for help because she has just killed an unscrupulous antiques dealer. Seattle author. Signing. See related note on p.8.

David Maxwell, Men Lie (April, Insomniac tpo, 15.95). A lover’s quarrel ends with shots, and a teenager is found with the smoking gun in her hand. The dead lawyer’s partner, Doug Branston, tackles the case. Vancouver, BC, author’s first book. Signing.

John J. Nance, Headwind (April, Putnam hc, 24.95). Arriving in Athens, the 737 of former President John Harris is met by officials who have an international arrest warrant charging him with ordering a CIA raid that killed Peruvian civilians. As a fierce international legal battle ensues, his pilot makes a daring escape and tries to keep one step ahead of his pursuers. Signing.

Candace Robb, A Trust Betrayed(April, Mysterious Press hc, 22.95). Beginning of a new series. In the Spring of 1297, Margaret Kerr’s husband has been missing since Winter. Though Roger’s work was trade, she’s afraid he may’ve been caught up in the revolt against the English. When Roger’s cousin Jack goes to Edinburgh to investigate, he’s found dead, supposedly of self-inflicted wounds. Margaret goes to investigate. Signing. New Owen Archer, A Spy for the Redeemer, in the Fall.

Michael Slade, Hangman (Mar., Signet pbo, 6.99). The first victim was found in Seattle, the second in Vancouver, BC. A child’s game of hangman turns grisly, and Special X is on the case. Signing?

Frank Smith, Thread of Evidence (Mar., St. Martin's hc, 24.95). DCI Neil Paget and crew look into the murder of a real estate developer. Vancouver, BC, author.

Dana Stabenow, The Singing of the Dead (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). Kate Shugak is working on campaign security for a Native woman running for State office, who's been getting anonymous death threats. The murder of a research staffer leads Kate back to an unsolved killing from the gold rush days of 1915. Signing. And in pb, Midnight Come Again (May, St. Martin's, 6.99), also with Kate Shugak.

James Thayer, Force 12 (Mar., Simon & Schuster hc, 24.00). World-famous software billionaire Rex Wyman sets out to win the world’s most challenging yacht race. As his empire is crumbling, no one understands that he will do anything to win. Signing. And in pb, Terminal Event (Mar., Pocket, 6.99).

Now in Paperback

Irene Allen, Quaker’s Witness(April, St. Martin's, 5.99).

James H. Cobb, West on 66 (April, St. Martin's, 12.95) Aaron Elkins, Skeleton Dance (Mar., Avon, 6.99). Gideon Oliver.

James Grippando, Under Cover of Darkness (May, Avon, 7.50).

April Henry, Square in the Face (Mar., Avon, 5.99).

Kimberly Kafka, True North(Mar., Plume, 13.00).

Marjorie Reynolds, The Civil War of Jonah Moran (April, Berkley, 13.95).

Greg Rucka, Batman: No Man’s Land (Mar., Pocket, 6.99).

New Books Coming This Summer

Sue Henry - July

Fredrick Huebner - July

Steve Martini – June (postponed from Jan.)

Ridley Pearson – July

A NOTE FROM BILL

Thanks to the many of you who sent good wishes following my recent emergency appendectomy. I was overwhelmed with greeting cards, notes, e-mails, and a huge Get Well Soon poster bearing greetings from dozens of customers in the shop. There can be no better place to find good friends than a bookshop.

I’m recovering slowly but well, and I’m back in the shop now one day a week, which is just right for someone in my advanced state of semi-retirement. – Bill Farley

What We've Been Reading

Here are recommendations from some of our staff of books recently read. Most are of books mentioned in the last few newsletters, and still available. Some are from galleys of books coming soon.

Karen

John Dunning, Two O'Clock Eastern Wartime (Scribner, 26.00).

Thomas Perry, Death Benefits (Random House, 24.95). A change from Jane Whitefield, but a great read!

Jess Walter, Over Tumbled Graves (Harper, 25.00). A splendid first novel with well-drawn characters, great plot, thoughtful insight on the the nature of cops and killers—and a cruelly accurate portrait of Spokane, WA!

Bill

Bliss Jumps the Gun, by Bob Sloan (Norton tp, 7.95). New York cop Lennie Bliss tries bungee jumping to clear his head. It doesn’t. Great fun.

The Heat of Lies, by Jonathan Stone (St. Martin's, 23.95). Follow-up to The Cold Truth (St. Martin's pb, 6.50) which you must read first. This author is an expert at keeping the reader guessing.

Winter Frost, by R. D. Wingfield (Corgi UK pb, 9.95). The long-awaited fifth novel with acerbic Inspector Jack Frost. Worth the wait.

Parallel Lies, by Ridley Pearson (July 2001, Hyperion hc, $23.95). We consider him a Northwest author, so I shouldn’t include the book here, but it played a major role in my recuperation. This tale of attempted sabotage of a high-speed train will cure whatever ails you.

Echo Burning, by Lee Child (July 2001, Putnam hc, $23.95). July is going to be a hot month for books! This one features Jack Reacher in Texas, where it’s hot all the time.

Sandy

Jonathan Stone, The Cold Truth (St. Martin's pb, 6.50). This mesmerizing book is seriously compelling...you will be swept up on the first page and put down somewhere different when you finish. And that's the perfect time to pick up The Heat of Lies (St. Martin's hc, 23.95), which will pick you right back up and take you somewhere else. Do as Bill suggests: read them in order, back to back, to get their full power.

Now I'm wondering what Stone's third book will be called.

As the year began, I was in a real slump – no books seemed worth the time. Luckily, the slump ended and I've been reading some terrific books. Here are a few:

Jess Walter's Over Tumbled Graves (Harper, 25.00), Dennis Lehane's Mystic River (Morrow, 25.00), George Pelecanos's Right as Rain (Little Brown, 24.95), Jenny Siler's Iced (Holt, 24.00), and Jonathan Stone's The Heat of Lies (St Martins, 23.95). What all of these have in common is uncommonly graceful writing, well crafted stories and the characters that stalk them are vividly human.

Tammy

I can echo many of the others' recommends—after winter's drought, the book avalanche began—Dennis Lehane, Geroge Pelecanos, Jonathan Stone, Ridley Pearson, Jess Walter, Michael Dibdin, Jenny Siler: what great reads!

Reading Ellroy's The Cold Six Thousand has consumed much of February, now even the "to be read" stack looms on the nightstand: Eric Garcia, Randy Wayne White, Thomas Perry, Laura Joh Rowland, Barbara Seranella….which should I pick to take to Jury Duty?

And anxiously anticipating the Daniel Woodrell this Spring.

Susan

Recently read great stuff: Darkness Bound by Larry Brooks (Onyx pb, 6.99); Death Benefits by Thomas Perry; The Tin Collectors by Steven J. Cannell (St. Martin's hc, 24.95); ANYTHING by John Gilstrap (e. g., Even Steven, Pocket hc, 24.95, or At All Costs, Warner pb, 7.50).

Some Other New Spring Releases

Peter Abrahams, Last of the Dixie Heroes (May, Ballantine hc, 24.95). Roy Hill is an Atlanta office worker for a multi-national who wonders how his life got so off-track. When he meets a group of Civil War re-enactors, he takes a different path as he begins to feel more at home in the past, and reality and history become a bloody tangle.

Catherine Aird, Little Knell (April, St. Martin's hc, 22.95). Insp. Sloan is called in after a body is found in a mummy case recently donated to the Calleshire museum.

T. A. Alderson, Subversion (Mar., Broadway hc, 22.95). Rosalind Wilcox is the in-house counsel for a DC financial group – a dominatrix in the boardroom and bedroom. When her lover is murdered just after Rosalind unearths a multi-million deficit in the organization’s books, the scandal of corruption is just what she needs to bring the old-boy network to its knees.

Robert Barnard, Unholy Dying (April, Scribner hc, 23.00). A small parish likes nothing more than a little sex scandal involving the local priest – unless it is the murder of the universally disliked muckraking reporter who started all of the nastiness. Favorite author of Sandy and Karen.

M. C. Beaton, Death of a Dustman (Mar., Mysterious Press hc, 22.95). Someone has murdered Lochdubh's tyrannical recycling manager and it is up to Hamish Macbeth to clean up the mess. In pb, Death of an Addict (Mar., Warner, 6.99), and Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (April, St. Martin's, 5.99).

AND The Skeleton in the Closet (Mar., St. Martin's hc, 21.95). Non-series tale of Fellworth Dolphin, who comes into a mysterious fortune when his miserly mother dies, and, with the help of his new friend Maggie, tries to unlock the secret of his past.

William Bernhardt, Murder One (April, Ballantine hc, 23.95). A beloved cop is mutilated and Ben Kincaid defends the suspect.

Eleanor Taylor Bland, Whispers in the Dark (April, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). 9^th with Afro-American Chicago cop Marti MacAlister.

Jay Bonansinga, The Sleep Police (Mar., Signet pbo, 6.99). When Det. Frank Janus falls asleep, people die. Is his mind playing tricks on him?

Peter Bowen, Cruzatte and Maria (Mar., St. Martin's hc, 22.95). In his 8^th outing, Montana sleuth Gabriel Du Pré is called upon to be an advisor for a documentary about Lewis and Clark, and trouble besets the work.

Marshall Browne, The Wooden Leg of Inspector Anders (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). First in a new detective series set in southern Italy, the winner of Australia's Ned Kelly Award for best first crime novel of 2000. When Insp. Anders of the Rome Police lost his leg in an encounter with an anarchist group ten years ago, he became a hero but lost his nerve. Now the case of a murdered judge gives him a chance to redeem himself.

Edna Buchanan, You Only Die Twice (April, Morrow hc, 24.00). A body washed up on Miami Beach is identified as a woman who was thought to have been murdered 10 years before. Her husband is scheduled to be executed for that crime, and Britt Montero wants to know where the woman was and who really killed her.

D. W. Buffa, The Judgement (May, Warner hc, 24.95). When Judge Calvin Jeffries becomes the first sitting judge to be murdered, criminal defense attorney Joseph Antonelli finds himself in the middle of the case. Former Portland, OR author.

Jan Burke, Flight (Mar., Simon & Schuster hc, 23.00). Irene Kelly's husband, Det. Frank Harriman, is called to the site of a small plane crash. The plane belonged to a cop who went missing a decade ago, along with the evidence that would've convicted the murderer of the police commissioner. Latest from the Edgar-Winning Author. Signing. Postponed from Fall ’00.

John Case, The Syndrome (May, Ballantine hc, 25.95). A Zurich researcher forced into a grisly experiment, a seductive sniper and a panic-attack prone psychologist are woven together in an intercontinental thriller.

Alys Clare, Ashes of the Elements (April, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). 2^nd medieval mystery with Abbess Helewise and Josse d’Acquin, a French soldier of fortune. They look into the death of a lumberjack, believed by local people to be the work of supernatural Forest People. And in pb, Fortune Like the Moon (April, 5.99).Karen recommends.

Mary Higgins Clark, On the Street Where You Live (April, Simon & Schuster hc, 26.00). Latest novel from the "Queen of Suspense."

Max Allan Collins, Angel in Black (Mar., NAL hc, 21.95). Nate Heller knew her as Elizabeth Short. History has dubbed her The Black Dahlia. JB can’t wait to read it.

Tom Corcoran, Bone Island Mambo (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). Another Key West mystery with forensic photographer Alex Rutledge. A series of murders seems to to be linked-- through him.

Deborah Crombie, A Finer End (May, Bantam hc, 23.95). As Jack Montfort sits alone in his darkened office in Glastonbury at the end of the day, he looks down to discover he has written a page, without being conscious of it...in Latin. Thus begins another finely-wrought entry in the series with Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James of Scotland Yard, who become involved in a case that has ties to a Druid mound and the Abbey renowned as the burial place of Arthur and Guinevere. Sandy recommends.

Clare Curzon, Cold Hands (Mar., St. Martin's hc, 22.95). 15^th book with Superintendent Mike Yeadings.

Jeanne M. Dams, Green Grow the Victims (May, Walker hc, 23.95). Hilda Johansson is surrounded by trouble – her fella is of a different nationality and religion, the coal mine strike of 1902 is on and a politician is dead, and she is offered pay to turn her detective skills to the case. Also, Death in Lacquered Red, (Mar., Walker tp, 8.95) the first of the Hilda books.

Diane Mott Davidson, Sticks and Scones (April, Bantam hc, 23.95). 11^th with Goldy Schulz, the chef turned sleuth. A traditional Elizabethan banquet that Goldy prepares for an eccentric millionaire turns deadly. And when you add a Tudor ghost, and Goldy's original recipes for Queen of Scots Shortbread, Shakespeare's Steak Pie and Castle Scones, you a have delicious treat. In pb, Tough Cookie (April, Bantam, 6.50).

Jeffery Deaver, The Blue Nowhere (May, Simon & Schuster hc, 26.00). People in Silicon Valley are dying at the hands of the sadistic hacker known as PHATE. He invades their computers and their lives, and with perfect personal information, lures them to their doom. Susan recommends as a terrific thriller. And in pb, TheEmpty Chair (April, Pocket, 7.99).

Carol Nelson Douglas, Cat in a Leopard Spot (April, Forge hc, 24.95). Latest in the alphabetical Midnight Louie series. And in pb, Cat in a Kiwi Con (April, Forge, 6.99).

Selma Eicher, Murder Can Upset Your Mother (Mar., Signet pbo, 5.99) 9^th culinary case for PI Desiree Shapiro.

Kate Ellis, An Unhallowed Grave (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). 3^rd in the British procedural series with Det. Sgt. Wesley Peterson, who investigates when a local woman is found hanging from a yew tree in Stokeworthy Churchyard. A clue from a nearby archeological dig points to an historical connection. Karen recommends.

James Ellroy, The Cold Six Thousand (May, Knopf hc, 26.95). In Nov. 1963, a young Vegas cop arrives in Dallas with $6,000 in cash and no idea that he’s about to be engulfed in the greatest cover-up in history. The second part of Ellroy’s quartet of the 1960s, a fierce portrayal of the underbelly of American History. JB and Tammy highly recommend –and suggest you read (or re-read) American Tabloid first. Signing.

Nancy Fairbanks, Crime Brulée (April, Berkley pbo, 5.99). First in a new culinary series, set in New Orleans. Includes recipes. Author AKA Nancy Herndon.

Jerrilyn Farmer, Dim Sum Dead (April, Avon pbo, 5.99). 4^th culinary caper with Madeline Bean mixes mah-jongg and murder.

Judy Fitzwater, Dying to Be Murdered (May, Ballantine pbo, 6.50). 5^th with aspiring mystery author and amateur sleuth Jennifer Marsh.

Joanne Fluke, Strawberry Shortcake Murder (Mar., Kensington hc, 22.00). 2^nd Minnesota culinary cozy with Hannah Swensen, proprietor of Lake Eden's popular bakery,The Cookie Jar. In pb, The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (5.99).

Leslie Forbes, Fish, Blood and Bone (May, FSG hc, 25.00). US forensic photographer Claire Fleetwood inherits a London house from relatives she didn’t know she had. After the murder of her best friend, she’s swept up in a journey that leads from the grizzly history of Whitechapel to the opium trade in Tibet. By the author of the highly regarded Bombay Ice.

Earlene Fowler, Arkansas Traveler(April, Berkley hc, 21.95). 8^th quilting mystery with Benni Harper.And in pb,Seven Sisters (April, Berkley, 6.50).

Eric Garcia, Casual Rex (Mar., Villard hc, 23.95). Sequel to the unorthodox first book, Anonymous Rex (pb, Mar., Berkley, 12.95), and continuing to spoof all of the hardboiled conventions, as dinosaurs masquerade as humans, and the private eye is really a Rex. Tammy rates them as hysterical.

James Grippando, A King’s Ransom (May, Harper hc, 25.00). When his father is kidnapped in Columbia, Nick Rey ends up fighting everyone to get him released – the kidnappers, the FBI, and the insurance company that won’t pay off on the policy his dad had just taken out.

Jane Haddam, True Believers (April, St. Martin's hc, 24.95). Gregor Demarkian investigates a body found in a Philadelphia church. And in pb, Skeleton Key (Mar., St. Martin's, 6.50).

Karen Harper, The Twylight Tower (Mar., Dell hc, 23.95). 3^rd in the Elizabeth I series.

Lee Harris, The April Fool’s Day Murder (Mar., Ballantine pbo, 6.50) 13^th in this Holiday series.

Carolyn Hart, Resort to Murder (April, Morrow hc, 24.00). Henrie O travels to Bermuda for her son’s wedding and an Atlantic storm is not the only trouble brewing.

Jonnie Jacobs, Witness for the Defense (April, Kensington hc, 23.00). 4^th legal suspense with Kali O’Brien.

P. D. James, Death in Holy Orders (April, Knopf hc, 25.00). The multiple award-winning Baroness James of Holland Park brings back Commander Adam Dalgliesh. Scotland Yard's most famous poet is sent to the East Anglican Coast to look into the death of Sir Alfred Treeves, a wealthy and flamboyant businessman who gets whatever he wants—and he wants Dalgliesh. Signing?

Iris Johansen, Final Target (May, Bantam hc, 24.95). In Virginia, sisters are endangered when one is treating the catatonic daughter of the President who witnessed a bloody mob-hit.

Suzann Ledbetter, South of Sanity (Mar., Mira pbo, 5.99). Senior sleuth Hannah Gavey, manager of Valhalla Springs retirement community in the Ozarks, returns for a second adventure, after East of Peculiar.

John Lescroart, The Hearing (April, Dutton hc, 25.95). Dismas Hardy defends a homeless addict accused of killing a rising star in the San Francisco legal community, and the web of corruption that unravels will rock the city.

David Lindsey, Animosity (April, Warner hc, 24.95). Sculptor Ross Marteau, known for his sensual portayal of the female form, is back in Texas after a traumatic break-up in Europe. Working on a commission, he is drawn to a beautiful woman who wants him to use her sister as his model. Soon he is drawn into their strange world of desperation and death. Signed copies?

Peter Lovesey, The Reaper (April, Soho hc, 23.00). The popular young rector of a small English church commits murder in chapter one. Is nothing sacred??? Something different and surprisingly delightful from one of the all-time greatest mystery writers. Bill, B Jo & Karen recommend.

Liza Marklund, The Bomber (May, Pocket hc, 24.95). In the middle of a frigid December night, journalist Annika Bengt-zon is called to the scene of a horrific bombing: someone has blown up Stockholm’s new Olympic stadium just weeks before the games begin. Was it a terrorist attack or something more personal? A bestseller in Sweden for a year.

Margaret Maron, Uncommon Clay (May, Mysterious Press hc, 23.95). The 8^th Deborah Knott finds her in the pottery-rich town of Seagrove, NC, and in an artistic and legal battle between two potters that soon ends in murder. In pb, Storm Track (May, Warner, 6.99).Karen recommends this series.

Lise McClendon, One O’Clock Jump (April, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). Set amid the political corruption of late 1930s Kansas City, Dorie Lennox is hired to tail a young woman. When that woman ends up dead in the muddy Missouri River, Dorie is placed at the center of an unraveling scam.

Jill McGown, Scene of the Crime (April, Ballantine hc, 22.95). A very pregnant Inspector Judy Hill and her partner, Inspector Lloyd, find themselves involved in an amateur theatrical company's production of Cinderella. When the emotionally unstable wife of a fellow cast member is found dead, they investigate. A deft mix of the traditional and the psychological from this British pro, in her 11^th installment in a fine series. Sandy recommends.

D. R. Meredith, Murder Past Due (Mar., Berkley pbo, 5.99). 3^rd with librarian Megan Clark, whose reading group is visiting sites of famous murders.

Margaret Miles, A Mischief in the Snow (Mar., Bantam pbo, 5.99). 4^th set in Colonial Massachusetts.

Denise Mina, Exile (Mar., Carroll & Graf hc, Mar. 25.00). An abused woman who visited Maureen O'Donnell's office at a Glasglow women's shelter has been found dead, and Maureen tries to find out what happened. Follow-up to Garnethill (Carroll & Graf tp, 14.00), winner of the Creasey Award for Best First Crime Novel of 1998 in the UK. A grim but powerful evocation of some of Glasglow's more dysfunctional residents. Recommended for fans of Ian Rankin.

Kirk Mitchell, Ancient Ones (May, Bantam hc, 23.95). The discovery of ancient bones in an Oregon riverbed becomes explosive when tests determine them possibly to be Caucasian. Parker and Turnipseed investigate. In pb, Spirit Sickness (April, Bantam, 6.50). Karen recommends this series.

Steve Monroe,’57, Chicago (April, Miramax hc, 22.00). A scheming sports promoter intends to score big by setting up and fixing a big boxing match, but soon everyone wants in on the scam. Tough noir debut.

Fidelis Morgan, Unnatural Fire (Mar., Morrow hc, 24.00) In London of 1699 the Countess Ashby has fallen on hard times. She and her maidservant try to restore her livelihood by selling nasty stories to scandalmongers. When a philandering merchant is murdered, they become involved. By an English actor and expert in Restoration comedy.

Michael Nava, Rag and Bone (Mar., Putnam hc, 24.95). A swan-song for gay Mexican-American lawyer Henry Rios in his 7^th mystery.

Leslie O’Kane, When the Fax Lady Sings (April, Ballantine pbo, 6.50) 4^th Molly Masters.

Abigail Padgett, The Last Blue Plate Special (Mar., Mysterious Press hc, 23.95). 2^nd with lesbian social psychologist Blue McCarron. Two female politicians have died and it seems too coincidental to Blue and her African-American partner, Roxie Bouchie.

Robin Paige, Death at Epsom Downs (Mar., Berkley hc, 21.95). 7^th (and 1^st hardcover) in this Victorian series, written by Susan Wittig and Bill Albert.

Robert B. Parker, Potshot (Mar., Putnam hc, 23.95). Spenser is hired to clean up the corrupt town of Potshot, AZ, and calls in his own muscle to help clean up the burg. Signed Copies Available.

T. Jefferson Parker, Silent Joe (May, Hyperion hc, 23.95). With childhood scars on his face, Joe Trona owes his life to the powerful politician who took him in and reared him. When that man is murdered, Joe owes it to him to set things right. Signed Copies Available. In pb, Red Light (April, Hyperion, 7.99).

James Patterson, 1^st to Die (April, Little Brown hc, 26.95). Four career women—a reporter, a cop, an assistant DA and a medical examiner (the "Women’s Murder Club")— track down a killer who is murdering newlyweds in San Francisco.

Bill Pronzini, In an Evil Time (April, Walker hc, 23.95, Signed 24.95). Jack Hollis has steeled himself to do what everyone agreed should be done – kill his abusive son-in-law. He hatches a foolproof plan and is ready to spring it when someone beats him to the punch. Whodunit?

Phyllis Richman, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Ham? (May, Harper hc, 23.00). No one on the staff of the Washington Examiner liked Ringo Laurenge. When he’s murdered, food editor Chas Wheatley cuts through the clues. Karen recommends this series.

Rick Riordan, The Devil Went Down to Austin (May, Bantam hc, 23.95). Tres Navarre must come to the aid of his brother--a long-haired computer genius and fool--who has been accused of killing his best friend. In pb, The Last King of Texas (April, Bantam, 6.50).

J. D. Robb, Betrayal in Death (Mar., Berkley pbo, 7.99). 10^th Eve Dallas. The publisher is making a big deal out of announcing that J. D. Robb is actually Nora Roberts. We’d known this for years and had not been told that it was a secret.

Gillian Roberts, Whatever Doesn't Kill You (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). 2^nd in new series with PIs Emma Howe and Billie August, after their debut in Time and Trouble. Billie tries to help a mentally troubled young man accused of murdering his friend, while Emma helps a young woman seeking her birth mother.

Roberta Rogow, The Problem of the Surly Servant (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). Another in the Charles Dodgson/Arthur Conan Doyle series. It's May, 1886, and the middle of Trinity Term at Oxford. A series of small thefts at a college seem to point to a college servant, who disappears after a public argument with Dodgson.

Laura Joh Rowland, Black Lotus (April, St. Martin's hc, 24.95). Someone has set fire to the prestigious Black Lotus Temple in 1691 Japan, and samurai-sleuth Sano Ichiro investigates. 6^th in a series that Tammy recommends. In pb, The Samurai’s Wife, 5^th in the series. (April, St. Martin's, 6.99). The first three will soon be back in print.

John Sandford, Chosen Prey (May, Putnam hc, 26.95). 12^th Lucas Davenport. And in pb, Easy Prey (Berkley, 7.99)

D. R. Schanker, Natural Law (Mar., St. Martin's hc, 22.95). Sequel to the Edgar-nominated A Criminal Appeal, with attorney Nora Lumsey.

Lisa Scottoline, The Vendetta Defense (Mar., Harper hc, 25.00). Judy Carrier takes the case of an old Italian man who killed because of a 50-year-old vendetta. When it begins to look as if she can get him off, the vendetta roars to life. Signing.

Barbara Seranella, Unfinished Business (May, Scribner hc, 24.00). After a serial rapist attacks customers from Munch’s garage, she joins forces with Det. St. John to find the villain – even as he turns his attention to her. In pb, Unwanted Company (May, Avon, 6.99). Favorite author of Tammy and JB.

John Shannon, The Orange Curtain (April, Carroll & Graf hc, 24.00). 4^th with Jack Liffey.

Julie Smith, Louisiana Hotshot (May, Forge hc, 24.95). After appearing in 82 Desire, New Orleans black PI Talba Wallis gets a novel all her own.

Rosemary Stevens, The Tainted Snuff Box (May, Berkley hc, 21.95). 2^nd Beau Brummell mystery.

Sarah Strohmeyer, Bubbles Unbound(Mar., Dutton hc, 22.95). Bubbles Yablonsky has given up her job at Sandy’s House of Beauty to become a reporter. When she stumbles into a crime scene, she’s up to her roots in a nasty murder, a greedy steel tycoon, and a sexy photographer named Stiletto. Being a reporter might be fun – if it doesn’t kill her first. Debut mystery.

Denise Swanson, Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (April, Signet pbo, 5.99). 2^nd with school psychologist Skye Denison. After her grandmother dies, she has to look into her own family tree for the rotten roots.

Boston Teran, Never Count the Dead (May, St. Martin's hc, 23.95). L.A. County Sheriff John Victor Sully is targeted by a gang who plant damning evidence and try to kill him.

He vanishes, but a reporter tracks him down ten years later and gives him the tools to avenge his "murder." Second book, after the Edgar-Nominated sensation God is a Bullet.

Aimee & David Thurlo, Red Mesa (April, Forge hc, 24.95). 5^th in the ever-popular series with Ella Clah, Navajo Police Special Investigator. In pb, Shooting Chant (Mar., Forge, 6.99).

Margot Wadley, The Gripping Beast (April, St. Martin's hc, 21.95). Winner of the Best First Traditional Mystery of 2000 Contest. Isabel Garth travels to Orkney Island in Northern Scotland to illustrate her father's notebooks. A former home to Picts and Vikings and now—it is said—to witches, the island proves unfriendly as soon as she steps off the ferry.

Robert W. Walker, Cold Edge (Mar., Jove pbo, 6.99). 3^rd in series, with Native American cop Lucas Stonecoat and psychiatrist Meredyth Sanger. Also, Bitter Instinct (May, Berkley hc, 21.95) latest in the Jessica Coran, FBI pathologist, series.

Donald E. Westlake, Bad News (April, Mysterious hc, 23.95). John Dortmunder and his comic crew dig up an old grave in their new caper. In pb, The Hook (April, Warner, 7.50). Bibliomystery. Also, Warner is reissuing three earlier Dortmunder capers, The Hot Rock (unfortunately in tp at 12.95), the 1^st in the series, as well as Don’t Ask, the 8^th, and What’s the Worst that Could Happen?, the 9^th. Karen highly recommends.

Randy Wayne White, Shark River (May, Putnam hc, 24.95). On a working vacation in Guava Key, marine biologist Doc Ford finds himself in the midst of predators, intrigue and revenge--and a relative he didn’t know he had. Favorite author of Tammy.

Laura Wilson, Dying Voices (April, Bantam pbo, 5.99). In 1976 the wife of a millionaire vanished. 22 years later, her body is found – dead less than 48 hours. Where has she been? By a British author being compared to Minette Walters and Reginald Hill.

Daniel Woodrell, The Death of Sweet Mister (May, Putnam hc, 23.95). Take a lonely fat boy, his provocative mother and short-tempered father, mix in a slick outsider with a shiny green T-Bird and watch the ensuing explosion in the Missouri hills Woodrell portrays so clearly. Favorite author of Tammy and JB.

Stuart Woods, Cold Paradise (April, Putnam hc, 24.95). Stone Barrington hunts a master of disguise.

Eric Wright, Death of a Hired Man (Mar., St. Martin's hc, 22.95). Retired Toronto cop Mel Pickett rents his beloved rural cabin to a farm worker. After that man is murdered, Pickett has to find out if the worker was really the target, or was mistaken for him.

New From the UK

Michael Jecks, The Traitor of St Giles (Mar., Headline, 9.95) and The Boy-Bishop’s Glovemaker (May, Headline, 9.95). 8^th and 9^th in the popular medieval series.

Donna Leon, Sea of Troubles (April, Arrow hc, approx. 28.95). Signorina Elettra volunteers to go undercover amongst the clam fishermen of the Venetian Lagoon, and Commissario Brunetti is torn between his feelings and her duty. In pb, Friends in High Places (Mar., Arrow, app.10.95). 9^th Brunetti, Sea… being the 10^th.

Ian Rankin, The Falls (Mar., Orion hc, app. 30.95). Rebus investigates the missing daughter of an Edinburgh banker.

Now in Paperback

Rhys Bowen, Evan & Elle (Mar., Berkley, 5.99).

James Lee Burke, Purple Cane Road (May, Dell, 7.50).

Harlan Coben, Darkest Fear (May, Dell, 6.50).

Beverly Connor, A Rumor of Bones (Mar., Cumberland, 7.99). 1^st in series. And Questionable Remains (May, World Wide, 5.99) Karen recommends.

Jennifer Crusie, Welcome to Temptation (April, St. Martin's, 6.99) Karen would recommend if she could stop laughing.

Loren D. Estleman, Thunder City (May, Forge, 6.99). JB recommends.

Bartholomew Gill,The Death of an Irish Lover (May, Avon, 6.50).

Dorothy Gilman, Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled (May, Ballantine, 6.99)

Carl Hiaasen, Kick Ass (April, Berkley, 13.95). Collection of columns. And Sick Puppy (Mar., Warner, 7.99).

Stephen Horn, In Her Defense (April, Harper, 6.99). Bill recommends.

David Lindsey, The Color of Night (April, Warner, 7.99).

David Liss, A Conspiracy of Paper (Mar., Ballantine, 14.00). Edgar Nominee for 2001! Karen recommends.

Mary Logue, Blood Country (April, World Wide, 5.99). Tammy HIGHLY recommends.

Barry Maitland, The Malcontenta(May, Penguin, 6.99).

Eliot Pattison, The Skull Mantra (April, St. Martin's, 6.99). Latest Edgar Winner!

Iain Pears, The Bernini Bust(Mar., Berkley, 6.50). Karen and Sandy recommend this series.

George P. Pelecanos, Shame the Devil (Mar., Dell, 6.50). JB recommends.

Elizabeth Peters, He Shall Thunder in the Sky (April, Avon, 7.50).

Nancy Pickard, The Whole Truth (May, Pocket, 6.99). Edgar Nominee for 2001!

Dorothy Simpson, Dead and Gone (Mar., World Wide, 5.99). Insp. Thanet.

John Morgan Wilson, The Limits of Justice (May, Bantam, 6.50).

Don Winslow, California Fire and Life (May, Ballantine, 6.99). Staff Favorite.

Qui Xiaolong, Death of a Red Heroine(July, Soho, 14.00). Edgar Nominee for 2001!

New Books Coming This Summer

James Lee Burke – July

Lee Child – July

Harlan Coben – June

Patricia Cornwell – June

Robert Crais – Aug

Elizabeth George – June

Sue Grafton - June

Walter Mosley – June

Marcia Muller – July

Elizabeth Peters – June

Minette Walters – July

Reissues of Note

Loren D. Estleman, Sugartown (Mar., iBooks, 14.00). 5^th Amos Walker. Bill recommends.

Howard Fast, The Hollywood Murders (April, iBooks, 16.00). Reissues of two of Fast’s mysteries, published under the name E.V. Cunningham – The Case of the Sliding Pool and The Case of the Kidnapped Angel – featuring his Beverly Hills detective, Masao Masuto. Bill recommends.

Geoffrey Homes, Build My Gallows High (April, Trafalgar, 12.00). Reissue of the classic book that was made into the classic movie, Out of the Past.

Richard Rosen, Strike Three, You’re Dead (Mar., Walker, 8.95). Edgar-Winner and one of the best baseball mysteries ever. Finally back in print – way to go, Walker!

Cornell Woolrich, The Bride Wore Black (May, iBooks, 12.00). Classic noir.

Things of interest

The Raymond Chandler Papers: Selected Letters and Non-Fiction, 1909-1959, eds Hiney & MacShane(April, Grove hc, 25.00). Previously unpublished letters and other writings, including an abandoned profile of Lucky Luciano.

Janwillem van de Wetering, After Zen (Mar., St. Martin's, 12.95). Author of the acclaimed Amsterdam cop series writes a humorous and insightful memoir of his experiences with Zen Buddhism.

Flesh & Blood: Erotic Tales of Crime and Passion, Max Allan Collins, ed. (April, Warner tpo, 12.95). Sex and suspense stories by the likes of Estleman, Block, Gores, Kaminsky and Westlake.

Murder Most Celtic: Tall Tales of Irish Mayhem, ed. Martin Greenberg(Mar., Cumberland tpo, 14.95). Short stories by a variety of authors, including Tremayne, Healy, Crider, Lee, Carlson, Gorman and Hoch.

The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology (May, Mysterious Press hc, 25.00). 25 authors with 25 original stories to celebrate 25 years of the press – you’d know all their names if we had space to name them…

Death Dines at 8:30, ed. by Bishop and DiChario (May, Berkley hc, 21.95). All new short works and recipes by most of the culinary crime writers working today.

Speaking of Lust: Stories of Forbidden Desire, ed. Lawrence Block (April, Cumberland hc, 24.95). First of a new series of the Seven Deadly Sins, with a new novella by Block, and short works by J. W. Hall, Brett, Estleman, Hess, Crumley and others.

Fingerprints, Colin Beavan (May, Hyperion hc, 22.95) The subtitle tells the tale: The Origins of Crime Detection and the Murder Case that Launched forensic Science.

Dark City Dames: The Wicked Women of Film Noir, Eddie Muller(May, Harper hc, 29.95). The author of Dark City spotlights noir’s femmes fatales, past and present.

French Film Noir, Robin Buss (April, Marion Boyars, 16.95). Full filmography listing over 100 films.

The Paperback Covers of Robert McGinnis, eds. Scott & Maynard, intro by Prather (April, Pond Press tp, 29.95). Over 200 color illustrations of the famed pulp cover artist, from mysteries to westerns.

Edward Gorey, The Other Statue (May, Harcourt hc, 12.00). A unique homage to Jane Austen.

Sherlockiana

Sherlock Holmes, Upon the Distinction Between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccos (available now, Henry hc, 29.95). The famous monograph by…hmm... the master himself, recently rediscovered and republished in a limited edition in the U. K.

Sena Jeter Naslund, Sherlock in Love (May, Harper tp, 13.00). Watson chronicles the missing pieces that tell details of Holmes – how he got the violin, lost his great love and began to wear the heavy coat of melancholy.

Barrie Roberts, Sherlock Homes and the Crosby Murder (Jan., Constable hc, approx. 30.95). The arrival of the shrunken head of a missing banker leads Holmes, Watson and Lestrade on a case that reaches into the depth of the American West.

Marcel Theroux, The Confessions of Mycroft Holmes (Mar., Harcourt hc, 23.00). After BBC journalist Damien March inherits his uncle’s ramshackle house, he discovers an unpublished novel – used as the title of this book – and notices that descriptions of Mycroft did fit his uncle…

June Thomson, Holmes and Watson: A Study in Friendship (available now, Carroll & Graf hc, 24.00). The British author of several respected collections of Holmes pastiches here writes a "biography" of the famous partners in crime.

Gerard Williams, Dr. Mortimer and the Barking Man Mystery (April, Carroll & Graf hc, 24.00). After his appearance in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Dr. Mortimer turns sleuth and, allied with Dr. Violet Branscombe, looks into the murder of a Russian politico in 1891 London.

What's in a Name?

The Mysteries of Larry Karp

You can’t always tell a book by its cover—or by its title. A good case in point is the first novel by Seattle author Larry Karp: The Music Box Murders (WriteWay hc, 23.95; Worldwide pb, 5.99). From the title, you might think that this book involved pots of tea, lace doilies, and rolling countryside. Not so.

Thomas Purdue, the protagonist, is a New York neurologist who collects music boxes—not the tinkling little items with the twirling ballerina on top, but museum-worthy musical instruments. These wood-and-brass confections go for thousands apiece, and whole collections sell for millions—giving crooks and killers plenty of reasons for ripping off or killing off Thomas’ friends and fellow collectors. He goes after culprits with street smarts, help from his widely varied friends, and remarkably little regard for the law.

Scamming the Birdman (WriteWay hc, 24.95), Karp’s second novel, is better represented by its title. A fellow collector comes to Thomas for help when a con man steals his collection and his wife—and then murders the wife. Again, Thomas does whatever he has to do, in settings that range from back alleys to elegant penthouses.

The Midnight Special (WriteWay hc, 24.95, signing Mar. 3) achieves a fine fit between title and book. This novel involves Thomas and those he loves in dark issues of aging and suicide, as well as the greed and deception that surround the collecting of treasured objects. The unexpected ending will set readers back on their heels—and would never have happened in a cozy novel.

All of which is to say, try not to let a title put you off. You could be missing something very, very good.

--Karen Duncan

Seattle Mystery Bookshop's Bestsellers of 2000

Hardcover

1 - The Deader the Better G.M. Ford

2 – Kiss of the Bees J.A. Jance

3 – Devil’s Claw J.A. Jance

4 – Purple Cane Road James Lee Burke

5 – Hot Six Janet Evanovich

6 – Demolition Angel Robert Crais

7 – First Avenue Lowen Clausen

8 – Deep South Nevada Barr

9 – Two O’Clock Eastern Wartime John Dunning

10 – Skeleton Dance Aaron Elkins

11 – Midnight Come Again Dana Stabenow

12 – Hit List Lawrence Block

13 - Middle of Nowhere Ridley Pearson

14 – Easy Prey John Sandford

15 – Night Work Laurie R. King

16 – The Empty Chair Jeffrey Deaver

17 – Sick Puppy Carl Hiaasen

18 – Tough Cookie Diane Mott Davidson

19 – Run Douglas Winter

20 – Rough Draft James W. Hall

Paperback

1 – Four Corners of Night Craig Holden

2 – Who in Hell is Wanda Fuca? G.M. Ford

3 – Murder with Peacocks Donna Andrews

4 – Last Ditch G.M. Ford

5 – Hour of the Hunter J.A. Jance

6 – The Alpine Menace Mary Daheim

7 – Breach of Duty J.A. Jance

8 – Creeps Suzette Mary Daheim

9 – Sins of Deception Valerie Wilcox

10 – Keeper Greg Rucka

11 – Crow in Stolen Colors Marcia Simpson

12 – Catfish Café Earl Emerson

13 – Loot Aaron Elkins

14 – Faded Coat of Blue Owen Parry

15 – Outlaw Mountain J.A. Jance

16 – High Five Janet Evanovich

17 – The Angels Will Not Care John Straley

18 – Florida Road Kill Tim Dorsey

19 – Hard Time Sara Paretsky

20 – Liberty Falling Nevada Barr

2001 Edgar Nominees

Best Novel
THE BOTTOMS Joe R. Lansdale
A PLACE OF EXECUTION Val McDermid
A DANGEROUS ROAD Kris Nelscott
RED LIGHT T. Jefferson Parker
THE WHOLE TRUTH Nancy Pickard

Best First Novel By An American Author
A CONSPIRACY OF PAPER David Liss

THE ICE HARVEST Scott Phillips
DEATH OF A RED HEROINE Qiu Xiaolong
CROW IN STOLEN COLORS Marcia Simpson
RAVELING Peter Moore Smith

Best Original Paperback
THE BLACK MARIA Mark Graham
MURDER ON ST. MARK'S PLACE Victoria Thompson

KILLING KIN Chassie West
THE KIDNAPPING OF ROSIE DAWN Eric Wright
PURSUIT AND PERSUASION Sally S. Wright

Best Critical/Biographical

THE DOCTOR AND THE DETECTIVE: A BIOGRAPHY OF SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE, Martin Booth

WOMEN OF MYSTERY: THE LIVES AND WORKS OF NOTABLE WOMEN CRIME NOVELISTS, Martha Hailey Dubose with additional essays by Margaret Caldwell Thomas

CONUNDRUMS FOR THE LONG WEEK-END: ENGLAND, DOROTHY L. SAYERS, AND LORD PETER WIMSEY, Robert Kuhn McGregor with Ethan Lewis
THE RED-HOT TYPEWRITER; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN D. MacDONALD, Hugh Merrill

Auction Department

Last Season’s item was a first edition of Diane Mott Davidson’s Dying for Chocolate, inscribed to Hillary Clinton. Interpreting the lack of bids is not for us.

This season’s item is similar to one we've done before: a blind auction on two sets of publicity photos signed by the authors. One set is of Northwest authors and one set is of non-Northwest – those "others". Thirteen signed photos per set and bidding for each starts at $52. Bidding ends on 4/1/01.

To review how the auction works:

¨ Any time before April 2, you give us your bid. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, and telephone number.

¨ Bids may be submitted in person, by phone, by mail or e-mail.

¨ Any bid for less then the minimum will be disregarded. One bid per customer.

In case of a tie, the bid received earliest will win.

Mail and phone orders for these or any other books are welcome. We often have signed copies of Northwest authors, and other authors who visit the shop. Prices subject to change without notice. Seattle Mystery Bookshop, 117 Cherry St., Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: (206) 587-5737.

SEATTLE MYSTERY BOOKSHOP NEWS is composed and produced by JB Dickey and Sandy Goodrick, and the online version is brought to you by Susan Dennis.