News

C.J. Box Round-Up

2009-06-30T10:01:00.006-04:00

Barnes and Noble recently featured C.J. Box's BELOW ZERO on its Spotlight page, saying that this latest Joe Pickett novel "could be the best one yet." They call it "beautifully written and constructed, with an art that underplays its excitement and emotional strength."

The Billings-Gazette chimes in with its own effuse praise:

Wyoming author C.J. Box had me hooked with the opening lines of "Open Season," the first of his mysteries featuring game warden Joe Pickett.

The author's skill at plotting, suspense and character were evident quickly in that first novel and have been honed over the years, with more Pickett books and the standalone novels "Three Weeks To Say Goodbye" and "Blue Heaven."

And Box's writing is razor-sharp in his ninth Pickett mystery, "Below Zero."

Unpredictable and thought-provoking, this is the best Pickett novel yet and displays the rich fusion of message and entertaining mystery found in "Free Fire," which was set in Yellowstone National Park.

"Below Zero" rivals "Blue Heaven," which just won the coveted Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel from the Mystery Writers of America.

Readers new to the Pickett series will best appreciate "Below Zero" if they first read "Winterkill" or, better yet, read the entire series in order. The characters grow throughout the series, and some of the humor and irony tie to earlier works.

But, just on its own, "Below Zero" is a standout mystery showing why Box has built a national and international fan base.

If you're interested in learning more about the author and his latest book, C.J. Box talks about his use of Wyoming as a setting in the Austin American-Statesmen. There's another discussion of the importance of place in his latest novel in the Chicago Tribune. The Lexington Herald-Ledger also examines the way Box addresses important environmental issues in his work.

Below Zero Is Number Two!

2009-06-26T11:58:00.001-04:00

C.J. Box's BELOW ZERO has hit #2 on the Denver Post's bestseller list!

We Think Joe Could Take Jack In A Fight

2009-06-16T16:33:00.005-04:00

Critics continue to rave about Below Zero, C.J. Box's latest Joe Pickett novel. The Associated Press says, "The book is tightly written, with well-drawn characters and sharp dialogue. Box keeps the reader of balance with a series of plot twists as startling as anything on TV's '24.' You never see them coming, yet they never feel contrived."

Better watch out, Jack Bauer!

UPDATE: The author informed us that our earlier statement was a little inaccurate and "Jack would totally pound Joe into jelly," but perhaps Mr. Box missed the last episode of 24, which ended with Jack in a coma. Surely Joe would have no problem winning a fight now!

Early Praise For Daughter of Kura

2009-06-16T16:26:00.003-04:00

Daughter of Kura, a novel by Debra Austin set in Africa 500,000 years old, will be published in August, and we're thrilled that its first review is so positive.

Publishers Weekly says, "Austin, a former doctor with a serious passion for paleoanthropology, brings exhaustive research and strong writing to her debut" and "accomplishes an extremely difficult task--to get readers to understand a community that resembles both human and animal societies...." They call the novel "a remarkable first effort" and say that the characters "will easily engage readers."

Kathleen George On "The Odds"

2009-06-16T11:39:00.002-04:00

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently interviewed Kathleen George about her new novel, THE ODDS. Click here to learn George's thoughts on what the Tribune-Review calls "arguably her best work."

Odds Are Good That She Passed

2009-06-05T10:47:00.004-04:00

Ford Madox Ford once said, "Open the book to page ninety-nine and read, and the quality of the whole will be revealed to you."

Kathleen George applies this test to her own book over at a blog aptly named The Page 99 Test and comments on the results.

For even more Kathleen George, click here for a Q&A with the author.

Kathleen George Is On A Hot Streak!

2009-06-02T10:04:00.005-04:00

Entertainment Weekly just declared, "If anyone's writing better police thrillers than George, I don't know who it is."

Start A Love Affair Of Your Own!

2009-06-01T15:38:00.007-04:00

To celebrate the recent opening of their Modern Wing, the Art Institute of Chicago has chosen My Love Affair with Modern Art, the memoir of Katharine Kuh, their first curator of modern art, as their current book club selection.

Art lovers can find more information, including a discussion guide, here.

Better Than Even Money

2009-06-01T10:22:00.004-04:00

THE ODDS by Kathleen George goes on sale next week!

Library Journal says, "George's fourth crime novel is a truly original tale featuring four amazing youngsters: they are resilient, resourceful, and responsible. This very modern police procedural will not be easily forgotten."

We're not big gamblers, but we'd say that odds are this one's going to be a hit!

Ramblin' Man

2009-05-13T12:29:00.002-04:00

C.J. Box kicks off his book tour for BELOW ZERO next month. Check the dates below to see if he's coming to a town near you!

Sunday, Jun 14 at 2pm

Albany County Public Library

310 South 8th Street

Laramie, WY

Tuesday, June 16 at 7pm

Poisoned Pen

4014 N Goldwater Boulevard, Suite 101

Scottsdale, AZ

Wednesday, June 17 at 7pm

Book People

603 North Lamar Boulevard

Austin, TX

Thursday, June 18 at 6:30pm

Murder by the Book

2342 Bissonnet Street

Houston, TX

Friday, June 19 at 5:30pm

Murder by the Book

1574 South Pearl Street

Denver, CO

Friday, June 19 at 7:30pm

Tattered Cover

1628 16th Street

Denver, CO

Saturday, June 20 at 11am

City Newsstand Bookstore and Coffee House

1722 Carey Avenue

Cheyenne, WY

Monday, June 22 at 7pm

Once Upon A Crime

604 West 26th Street

Minneapolis, MN

Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm

Borders

1500 16th Street, Suite D

Oak Brook, IL

Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm

Mystery One Bookshop

2109 North Prospect Avenue

Milwaukee, WI

Thursday, June 25 at 7pm

Joseph-Beth Booksellers

161 Lexington Green Circle

Lexington, KY

Friday, June 26 at 7pm

Barnes & Noble

4045 South College

Fort Collins, CO

Saturday, June 27 at 3pm

Sheridan Stationery

206 North Main Street

Sheridan, WY

Sunday, June 28 at 3pm

Barnes & Noble

520 S 24th Street West

Billings, MT

Someone's Having A Good Day!

2009-05-01T16:38:00.008-04:00

In other exciting C.J. Box news, BELOW ZERO received a starred review in Library Journal! They proclaim, "Box's series is the gold standard in the western mystery subgenre, and his latest is just as addictive as the others."

And The Winner Is...

2009-05-01T15:59:00.004-04:00

We're absolutely thrilled to tell you that C.J. Box's BLUE HEAVEN won the Edgar Award for Best Novel last night!

Click here for more details. Congratulations, Chuck!

Lights! Camera! Action!

2009-05-01T15:43:00.006-04:00

Our clients are quite the Youtube sensations! We've added a new feature to our website; if you click on the 'videos' tab our clients' pages, you'll see a selection of videos that they're featured in, ranging from interviews and readings to book and movie trailers.

Our favorite video is this haunting book trailer made by a young fan of Laura Whitcomb's A Certain Slant of Light.

PW Says Below Zero Is Box's Best To Date

2009-04-16T15:09:00.003-04:00

We're thrilled to tell you that Publishers Weekly gave C.J. Box's forthcoming Joe Pickett novel Below Zero a starred review this week! They say that "this relentlessly paced powder keg of a thriller could be Box's best to date."

Read the full review here.

Lehane Est Le #12!

2009-03-12T12:21:00.008-04:00

THE GIVEN DAY hits number 12 on L'Express bestseller list in France this week!

Vote For Lehane!

2009-03-04T11:24:00.004-05:00

The American Booksellers Association has just announced the finalists for their inaugural Indies Choice Awards (the hipper incarnation of the old Book Sense Awards). Throwing out the stodgy old categories like Adult Fiction and Children's Literature, they've revamped the awards to include fun new ones like Best Conversation Starter and Most Engaging Author.

THE GIVEN DAY by Dennis Lehane is a finalist in the Best Indie Buzz Book category, so, if you're a bookseller, click here to cast your vote by March 31st!

Looking At Laura Whitcomb's Book

2009-03-02T10:42:00.004-05:00

The literature-loving website Look At That Book recently interviewed Laura Whitcomb about her novel THE FETCH.

They also reviewed the book, calling it "beautiful and poetic" and "thought-provoking."

Box's Novel Packs a Punch

2009-03-02T10:35:00.001-05:00

The Providence Journal had some very complimentary things to say about C.J. Box's latest:

There are no evil regimes or terrorists in C.J. Box's Three Weeks to Say Goodbye (Minotaur, 352 pages, $24.95). But it still packs the kind of punch few thrillers, or novels of any kind, ever do, thanks to its gut-wrenching premise.

Jack and Melissa McGuane have been living their dream of a happy family for nine months when they learn custody of their adopted daughter is in jeopardy because the baby's wayward teenage biological father never signed off his parental rights. The McGuanes' nightmarish struggle to keep their baby runs them afoul of her grandfather, a despicably menacing Denver judge. The result is an escalating series of violent events, as things spiral irrevocably out of control.

The great thing about the emotionally shattering Three Weeks to Say Goodbye is that Jack and Melissa, and everyone else, for that matter, are ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. This is a book that poses the question How far would you go?, and answers it masterfully with sensitivity and aplomb.

Praise For Whitcomb's "Romantic Vision"

2009-02-23T15:04:00.003-05:00

School Library Journal praises Laura Whitcomb's THE FETCH in its March issue, concluding, "This fantasy, based on Christian themes of Heaven and Resurrection, is at its heart a tender love story. The author's romantic vision of the hereafter could be fodder for thoughtful discussion, as well as a satisfying escape for those who thrill to disembodied lovers."

Read the full review here.

ARLA's Artful Golfer

2009-02-23T14:25:00.002-05:00

Darrin Gee, our resident golf guru, is profiled on The Artful Golfer!

Dennis Lehane I Sverige

2009-02-19T17:16:00.004-05:00

Click here if you'd like to see a hilarious interview with Dennis Lehane in which he imagines what a murder in a Stockholm tunnel would look like.

(If your Swedish is a little rusty, fast forward to about 23:17.)

The People Are Guilty As Charged

2009-02-18T16:11:00.003-05:00

EASY INNOCENCE by Libby Fischer Hellmann won a Reader's Choice Award for Best PI/Police Procedural at the Love Is Murder conference in Chicago!

The Fetch Brings It!

2009-02-17T11:19:00.002-05:00

We're very pleased to tell you that THE FETCH by Laura Whitcomb will appear on the Spring 2009 Children's Indie Next List at #5!

One book-selling fan writes, "When Calder, a ghostly minister of death, falls in love with a mortal, neither things on earth nor things in the spiritual realm will ever be the same! Readers will be enthralled by this unique combination of supernatural thrills, historical fiction, and sweeping romance as Whitcomb crafts a novel that is singular and enchanting."

The book hit stores earlier this month, so pick up a copy today for your favorite young adult!

Three Weeks Is #4!

2009-02-17T11:05:00.002-05:00

THREE WEEKS TO SAY GOODBYE hit #4 on the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association's January bestseller list!

They Found It Quite Fetching

2009-02-09T16:27:00.002-05:00

The Bulletin has some kind words for Laura Whimtcomb's latest novel, THE FETCH:

Whitcomb's writing is clear and thoughtful, and she makes elegant sense of this unusual and original plot. Though the real-life connections certainly add to the story's intrigue, the quasi-historical subplot is really secondary to Calder's own absorbing journey and his introspection about his past life, his work as a Fetch, and his possible future with Ana in Heaven. The title's genre-crossing nature will make it appealing to fans of several different categories: supernatural stories, mysteries, hisrorical fitrion, and/or romance.