This Week at M is for Mystery

This Week at "M"

86 East Third Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401 Phone: 650-401-8077

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August 1st, 2011

In This Issue

Upcoming Author Events

Coming Attractions

Fall Preview

Signed Firsts - Just Arrived

UK EDITIONS

Deluxe & Limited Editions

Quick Links

Extended Hours!

THURS., FRI. & SAT. --

10:30 AM to 9:00 PM

SUN. -- 12 Noon to 6:00 PM

MON., TUES., WED. --

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Greetings!

August gets off to a hot start, author-wise, here at "M" with two outstanding drop-by signings and an event tomorrow night (Tues.) full of dramatic promise, when two Brits -- author and audio book narrator -- are the entertainment.

Speaking of the UK, this edition of the newsletter also features some brand new imports of first editions just arrived from England.

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Upcoming Author Events

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REMEMBER . . . It is never too soon to reserve your copy of ANY forthcoming book, whether the author is signing in-store or otherwise. These first editions, especially once signed, are limited in quantity. Orders may be placed by email (info@mformystery.com) any time, or telephone (650-401-8077) during store hours.

All events are free and open to the public. To be in the signing line you must buy the new book from us.

Mon. Aug., 1st DROP BY: ESMERALDA SANTIAGO
Conquistadora (Knopf, $27.50) Booklist starred: "Extraordinary . . . a historical novel set in 19th Century Puerto Rico, featuring a high-handed, strong-willed woman determined to escape her boring upper-class future in Spain. . . . The issues of social caste, slavery, and sex roles make this a fascinating read. It's an outstanding story, full of pathos, tropical sensuality, and violence. . . . Storytelling genius." PW starred: "Santiago brings passion, color, and historical detail to this Puerto Rican Gone with the Wind . . . . The richness of her imagination and the lushness of her language will serve saga enthusiasts well." And from Library Journal: "the multitalented author of 'When I Was Puerto Rican' offers a big, bold novel. . . . Highly recommended."

Tues., Aug. 2nd at 7:00 PM: CHRIS EWAN (Author) and SIMON VANCE (Audio Book Narrator)
Brighton-born SIMON VANCE is an actor and the narrator of dozens of books, whose career started as a newsreader and presenter for BBC Radio 4. Most recent among his many awards and nominations was finalist for the 2010 Audies Award for Distinguished Achievement in Production for 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' by Stieg Larsson. The Good Thief's Guide To Venice (Minotaur, $24.99). Amsterdam, Paris, Vegas, and now . . . Chris Ewan's series turns to Italian adventure -- in La Serenissima, no less! "Now a resident of Venice, thief and mystery author Charlie Howard promises his long-suffering literary agent . . . that he'll devote himself professionally only to his Michael Faulks burglar novels in Ewan's hilarious yet suspenseful fourth caper novel (after 2010's The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas). Charlie's resolve to give up crime is put to the test when, in the middle of the night, an attractive cat-burglar steals his autographed first edition of The Maltese Falcon, which he uses as his inspiration, and leaves a flyer in its place, the first of several crumbs he must follow to ascertain the burglar's true motivation. . . . Ewan can turn a Wodehousian phrase on occasion, and his taut plotting adds substance to his considerable style," said PW.

Wed., Aug. 3rd DROP BY: JOHN BURNHAM SCHWARTZ
Northwest Corner (Random House, $26.00). The newest from the author of the universally acclaimed bestseller Reservation Road. Starred review from Kirkus: "Stark and deeply affecting . . . readers will grow to care deeply about whether and how [the characters'] lives can be redeemed." And PW said: "[Schwartz is] exceptional at describing the chemistry of desire, creating emotional tension, and making his characters feel more like flesh and blood than fictional constructs. Imaginative and taut, Schwartz's writing is seamless and infinitely inspired." Library Journal concluded: "A well-crafted selection, ideal for readers with a taste for moral ambiguity. . . those who haven't yet discovered this powerful writer are in for a treat."

Tues., Aug. 9th at 7:00 PM: THOMAS W. YOUNG
Silent Enemy (Putnam, $25.95). "Young's riveting follow-up to The Mullah's Storm is an airborne version of the movie Speed. . . . Soon after takeoff from Afghanistan, Maj. Michael Parson, the pilot of a giant C-5 Galaxy flying patients injured in a terrorist bombing to Germany for medical care, receives the message that there's a bomb on board and it's set to go off if the plane descends to a lower altitude. Aviation thriller aficionados will cheer, and readers of any genre will gnaw their fingernails to the quick." said PW. A must read for fans of military thrillers written by an Air National Guardsman whom Vince Flynn called "one of the most exciting new talents in years." Thomas W. Young has logged nearly 4,000 hours for the Air National Guard in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, and elsewhere.

Thurs., Aug. 11th at 7:00 PM: DAVID LISS
The Twelfth Enchantment (Random House, $26.00). The Edgar, Macavity, and Barry Award-winning author of A Conspiracy of Paper returns with his new historical novel. "David Liss takes readers on a light-hearted romp through Regency England. . . . With an adroit mix of fact and fantasy, Liss casts heroine Lucy Derrick into a world of industrializing mill towns, mysterious enchantments, ghostly dogs, undead fairies, Luddites, and even Lord Byron and his legions of lovesick women. Charged with gathering the scattered pages of an alchemical manuscript, Lucy's adventures teach her that appearances can be deceptive--and delightfully so. Liss's deft touch with historical subject matter and his ability to craft tremendously appealing characters makes this a thoroughly enjoyable, satisfying read," praised Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches. ALSO: -- 'A Conspiracy of Paper' (Random House, 2000, $12.00) VF/VF. Signed. -- 'The Coffee Trader' (Random House, 2003, $23.00) VF/VF. Signed.

Tues., Aug. 16th at 7:00 PM: CATRIONA MCPHERSON
Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Bloodstains (Minotaur, $23.99). "Agatha Christie meets Upstairs, Downstairs in McPherson's charming fifth interwar whodunit featuring Edinburgh sleuth Dandy Gilver (after 2008's The Winter Ground). One morning the aristocratic detective opens a letter from Walburga Balfour, who writes, "My husband is going to kill me, and I would rather he didn't," said PW. Library Journal said: "With witty dialog and low-key humor, McPherson's series is a great choice for Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and Amy Patricia Meade fans. A strong traditional offering with sly humor, a love of dogs, and not too much violence. A real contender for the Agathas!" And Kirkus concluded: "McPherson's charmingly witty heroine once again keeps you guessing while you enjoy the historical tidbits." ALSO: -- 'Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day For A Murder' (Hodder & Stoughton UK, 2010, $29.00) As New. Signed Bookplate.

Thurs. Aug 18th at 7:00 PM: DAVID LEVIEN
Thirteen Million Dollar Pop (Doubleday, $24.95). The bestselling author of City of the Sun returns with his third novel featuring enigmatic private investigator Frank Behr. Library Journal said: "Hired to protect prominent businessman-turned-political candidate Bernard 'Bernie Cool' Kolodnik, private investigator Frank Behr proves his worth by saving Kolodnik when an attempt is made on his life. But he's really not sure what happened when those automatic weapons started blazing, and he's even more suspicious when the police hush up the incident. Levien has Edgar and Shamus nominations to his credit and seems to be building. Thriller fans should definitely investigate." And Kirkus called it "A professional-grade auctioneer. . ."

Wed., Aug. 24th DROP BY: LEV GROSSMAN
The Magician King (Viking, $26.95). "Now a king in the magical land of Fillory, Quentin embarks on a quest to save the universe in Grossman's searing sequel to The Magicians (2009, etc.). It's been two years since Quentin assumed one of Fillory's four crowns along with Eliot and Janet, fellow graduates of the Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, and Quentin's high-school friend Julia, a Brakebills reject who managed to acquire magical powers on her own. . . . Echoes from The Chronicles of Narnia, in particular The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, continue to reverberate, but Grossman's psychologically complex characters and grim reckoning with tragic sacrifice far surpass anything in C.S. Lewis' pat Christian allegory," said Kirkus. Lev Grossman is a senior writer and book critic for Time magazine. He is also the author of the international bestselling novel Codex, the creator of the Time blog Techland, and a graduate of Harvard and Yale.

Fri., Aug. 26th at 7:00 PM: MAX ALLAN COLLINS
Bye Bye, Baby (Forge Books, $24.99). "Set in 1962, Collins's excellent 13th novel featuring Chicago PI Nate Heller (last seen in 2002's Chicago Confidential) finds Heller . . . looking into the death of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. The book's first half covers the movie star's last two months. . . . By the time a drug overdose claims her, there's no shortage of people who wanted her dead. Heller, Monroe's sometime lover, who refuses to buy the official line that she committed suicide, steps on powerful toes with his usual tenacity and stubbornness to reach the truth. Collins convincingly portrays the real-life players in the drama, who include Jimmy Hoffa and Frank Sinatra. Readers with a taste for hard-boiled romance will hope that more Heller is in the offing," offered PW. ALSO: -- 'Kiss Her Goodbye' (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25.00) As New. Signed. -- 'Antiques Knock-Off' (Kensington, $22.00) By Barbara Allan. As New. Signed.

Sat., Aug. 27th at 2:00 PM: SIMON WOOD
Did Not Finish (Crème de la Crime, $28.95). The first book in the Aidy Westlake series set in the high-octane world of motor racing (and written by an Anthony Award-winning author who is both a former competitive race car driver along with occasional real life PI). When Derek Deacon threatens to kill Alex Fanning, his championship rival, rookie driver Aidy Westlake doesn't put much stock in it. He sees it as typical of the intense competitiveness and aggression in their world. But when Fanning dies after making contact with Deacon's car during a race, a conspiracy ensues and Aidy is drawn into a world of fraud, organized crime, and murder while he searches for the truth.

Tues., August 30th at 7:00 PM: "M" is for Mystery Bookclub
This month's book is The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton. Join us every last Tuesday of the month for lively discussion about selected books! Please note: This is not an author event and the author will not be present.

September 2011: (Asterisk indicates name added since last week.)

Coming Attractions

FALL 2011 PREVIEW: (Asterisk indicates name added since last week.)

RUSSELL BANKS / RUSSELL BANKS / DENISE MINA / MICHAEL STANLEY / DAVID VANN / VENDELA VIDA

Signed First Editions - Just Arrived

C.J. BOX - Back of Beyond
(Minotaur, $25.99). Kirkus said: "A second standalone from the chronicler of Twelve Sleep County Game Warden Joe Pickett takes a Montana cop deep into the wilds of Yellowstone National Park in the hope of protecting his teenaged son from a determined killer. Once again, Box provides the complete suspense package: unobtrusively slick detection, buckets of surprises and mounting thrills, all amid his trademark settings in the majestic high country." And Library Journal praised: "Following 2008's Blue Heaven, this is the author's second stand-alone thriller to take place in the wild. As Box has shown in his Joe Pickett series, he knows life and death in the backcountry like few other writers today." ALSO: -- 'Below Zero' (Putnam, 2009, $22.00) VF/VF. Signed. -- 'Cold Wind' (Putnam, 2011, $24.00) VF/VF. Signed. -- 'Nowhere to Run' (Putnam, 2010, $25.95) As New. Signed. -- 'Open Season' (Putnam, 2001, $49.00) VF/VF. Signed. -- 'Three Weeks To Say Goodbye' (Minotaur, 2008, $34.00) VF/VF. Signed. -- 'Winterkill' (Putnam, 2003, $28.00) VF/VF. Signed.

ARNE DAHL - Misterioso
(Pantheon, $25.95). Signed by the Translator Tiina Nunnally, with bookplates signed by the author. Kirkus starred: "Thoughtfully haunting and sometimes beautifully written, the first of Hjelm's cases to be translated into English is likely to resonate with readers of the Stieg Larsson trilogy." Booklist also starred: "It's 1997, and a serial killer is methodically killing Sweden's wealthiest businessmen while listening to a tape of Thelonious Monk's haunting classic Misterioso. . . . Although this is Mankell's turf, Dahl handles it differently but also very successfully. Mystery devotees who loved Mankell's Kurt Wallander, and crime fiction 'lifers' who still treasure Sjowall's and Wahloo's Martin Beck, will want to add Paul Hjelm to their short lists of international favorites." And Library Journal called it "An exciting debut . . . Fans of hard-boiled detective and Swedish novels will enjoy this."

MICHAEL HARVEY - We All Fall Down
(Random House, $24.95). PW starred: "Harvey shows how a thriller focused on bioterrorism should be done in his outstanding fourth novel featuring Chicago PI Michael Kelly (after The Third Rail), learns that some form of superbug is felling Chicagoans left and right. At a high-level meeting that includes the city's mayor and Homeland Security agents, two scientists reveal that a biowarning device in a subway tunnel has detected the possible presence of a pathogen. The complexity of the plot never overwhelms the narrative flow in this utterly persuasive view of a present-day apocalyptic nightmare." And Booklist called it "A gripping crime novel with a frightening message about very plausible biological warfare."

LAURIE MOORE - Wanted Deb or Alive
(Five Star, $25.95). PW starred: "Moore's superlative sequel to 2010's Deb on Arrival.... will keep readers on their most stylish toes as they follow fashionista Dainty in her pursuit of the surprising truth." Booklist elaborated: "When former Texas debutante Dainty Prescott receives a frantic phone call from her sister Teensy, who has been kidnapped, beaten, and is now in a Mexican hospital, she immediately heads for the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez, where Teensy and her friend Tiffany disappeared. Dainty hooks up with Lieutenant Amanda Vasquez from the El Paso police as guide and interpreter, and the two head south to the violent city. . . . Fast pacing, numerous plot twists, and some humor (playing on Dainty's ignorance) keep the pages turning." ALSO: -- 'Couple Gunned Down News at 10' (Five Star, 2011, $25.95) As New. Signed.

Recent Signed Arrivals

These are the signed first editions that arrived or were signed here, in the past two weeks of which we have current stock. Complete blurbs for these titles can be found on our updated Archive ; link to it on this newsletter by clicking on the gold button above, left.

DONNA ANDREWS - The Real McCaw - Buy Now!
BENJAMIN BLACK - A Death in Summer - Buy Now!
JAN BURKE - Disturbance - Buy Now!
JODI COMPTON - Thieves Get Rich, Saints Get Shot - Buy Now!
ROBERT DUGONI - Murder One - Buy Now!
PAUL HARPER - Pacific Heights - Buy Now!
GREGG HURWITZ - You're Next - Buy Now!
MICHAEL KORYTA - The Ridge - Buy Now!
ADA MADISON (aka CAMILLE MINICHINO)- The Square Root of Murder - Buy Now!
BETH MCMULLEN - Original Sin - Buy Now!
SUSAN CUMMINS MILLER - Fracture - Buy Now!
CHRISTOPHER MOORE - The Griff: Graphic Novel - Buy Now!
PERRI O'SHAUGHNESSY - Dreams of the Dead - Buy Now!
WILLIAM C. REMPEL - At The Devil's Table - Buy Now!
PETER SPIEGELMAN - Thick As Thieves - Buy Now!
JOHN MILLIKEN THOMPSON - The Reservoir - Buy Now!
JOHN VERDON - Shut Your Eyes Tight - Buy Now!
MICHAEL WILEY - A Bad Night's Sleep - Buy Now!

Signed First Editions - Expected Soon

MYSTERY, CRIME AND GENERAL FICTION

UK EDITIONS - Just In!

BENJAMIN BLACK - A Death in Summer
(Mantle, $44.00) ". . . with Quirke, he has made a fascinating addition to the ranks of the defective detective in books that combine respectful reading of the genre with brightly original writing" (The Guardian). The Chicago Tribune called it "a quick read, building in intensity like the heat of a July day before tapering off to a cooler twilight of revelation and reconciliation. If it's mysteries you crave, and if shimmering sentences refresh you even more reliably than would a two-week vacation at the shore, then Quirke -- mournful, shambling, guilt-ridden, whiskey-soaked and irresistible -- is just the ticket." And the Los Angeles Times praised: "A swift, hopscotching murder mystery . . . A beach read for the brainy."

SIMON BRETT - Blotto, Twinks and the Rodents of the Riviera
(Constable, $48.00). Consternation at Tawcester Towers! While giving a guided tour of the house's Long Gallery Blotto is stunned to discover that two of the family portraits -- a Gainsborough and a Reynolds -- are missing. Tawcester Towers has been the victim of art thieves! Blotto is forced to summon his brilliantly intelligent sister Twinks who instantly deduces that the paintings have been stolen by a gang of international art thieves based in Paris. So Blotto and Twinks instantly set off in the former's Lagonda for France. The Guardian said, "One of British crime's most assured craftsmen. . . .Crime writing just like in the good old days, and perfect entertainment."

KARIN FOSSUM - The Caller
(Harvill Secker, $43.00, trade paperback original). The new Inspector Sejer novel from the award-winning Norwegian Queen of Crime. One mild summer evening Lily and her husband are enjoying a meal while their baby daughter sleeps peacefully in her pram beneath a maple tree. But when Lily steps outside she is paralysed with terror. The child is bathed in blood. Inspector Sejer is called to the hospital to meet the family. Mercifully, the baby is unharmed, but her parents are deeply shaken, and Sejer spends the evening trying to comprehend why anyone would carry out such a sinister prank. Then, just before midnight, somebody rings his doorbell. . .

GEORGE R.R. MARTIN - A Dance With Dragons
(HarperCollins UK, $69.00). The fifth volume in what has been called the greatest epic work of the modern age. The future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance. In the east, Daenerys, last scion of House Targaryen, her dragons grown to terrifying maturity, rules as queen of a city built on dust and death, beset by enemies. Now that her whereabouts are known many are seeking Daenerys and her dragons. Among them the dwarf, Tyrion Lannister, who has escaped King's Landing with a price on his head, wrongfully condemned to death for the murder of his nephew, King Joffrey. But not before killing his hated father, Lord Tywin.

PETER ROBINSON - Before the Poison
(Hodder & Stoughton, $44.00). Through years of success in Hollywood composing music for Oscar-winning films, Chris Lowndes always imagined he would come full circle, home to Yorkshire with his beloved wife Laura. Now he's back in the Yorkshire Dales, but Laura is dead, and Chris needs to make a new life for himself. The isolated house he buys sight unseen should give him the space to come to terms with his grief and the quiet to allow him to work. Kilnsgate House turns out to be rather more than he expected, however. A man died there, sixty years ago. His wife was convicted of murder. And something is pulling Chris deeper and deeper into the story of Grace Elizabeth Fox, who was hanged by the neck until she was dead . . .

MICHAEL ROBOTHAM - The Wreckage
(Sphere, $44.00). In London, ex-cop Vincent Ruiz rescues a young woman from a violent boyfriend but wakes next morning to find that he's been set up and robbed. As he tracks down the thieves, he discovers the boyfriend's tortured body and learns that powerful men are looking for the girl. What did Holly Knight steal that is so important to them? Meanwhile in Baghdad, the bank robbery capital of the world, billions of dollars in reconstruction funds have gone missing and Pulitzer prize-winning Journalist Luca Terracini is trying to 'follow the money'. Michael Robotham is the pseudonymous author of 10 best-selling non-fiction titles, involving prominent figures in the military, the arts, sport and science. He lives in Sydney.

HARRY SIDEBOTTOM - The Caspian Gates
(Michael Joseph, $44.00) SIGNED. AD 262: the Imperium is in turmoil after the struggle for the throne. Furthermore, Ephesus, Asia's metropolis, lies in ruins, shattered by a mighty earthquake. Its citizens live in fear as the mob overwhelms the city, baying for blood to avenge the gods who have punished them. Yet an even greater threat to the Empire advances from the North. The barbaric Goth tribes sail towards Ephesus, determined to pillage the city. Only Ballista, Warrior of Rome, knows the ways of the barbarians, and only he can defeat them. The Goths' appetite for brutality and destruction is limitless and before long Ballista is locked into a deadly blood feud, with an enemy that has sworn to destroy him -- and the Imperium -- at all costs.

L.C. TYLER - Herring on the Nile
(Macmillan UK, $46.00) SIGNED. The author's first novel, The Herring Seller's Apprentice (2007), was nominated in the US for an Edgar and was short-listed in the UK for the Last Laugh Award. Subsequent novels in the series are Ten Little Herrings (2009) and The Herring in the Library (2010). The latest was called ". . . a witty and wonderful pastiche of Agatha Christie's classic murder stories. . . . Funny, with an intriguing mystery at its heart," by the 'Lancashire Evening Post.' In this darkly funny tribute to Agatha Christie and the golden age of crime fiction, crime novelist Ethelred Tressider decides to set his new book in Egypt and embarks on a 'research trip' with his literary agent, Elsie Thirkettle, in tow. No sooner has their cruise on the Nile begun, however, than an attempt is made on Ethelred's life.

DELUXE & LIMITED EDITIONS

MARGARET COEL - Watching Eagles Soar: Stories from the Wind River and Beyond
(A.S.A.P. Publishing, $45.00). This deluxe 432-page limited edition has an Introduction by Craig Johnson, and an Afterword by William Kent Krueger. Artist Phil Parks created the wrap-around dustjacket and 66 full-page illustrations; there are also eleven photographs, some from Margaret's personal collection. The back cover essay is by Tony Hillerman. This is the first anthology of Margaret's short stories. Featured are: All ten of the Arapaho Commandments short stories, three other Father John-Vicky short stories, six other stories; the novella Molly Brown and Cleopatra's Diamond; two essays on writing and on writing about the West: Stories in the World and The West of Ghosts.

ROBERT SILVERBERG - A Little Intelligence
(Crippen & Landrau, 2009, $42.00). by Silverberg and Randall Garrett. Deluxe hardcover, edition limited to 200 copies, signed and numbered by Silverberg. Introduction by Robert Silverberg. He and Randall Garrett wrote these mystery short stories under the joint pseudonym of Robert Randall. With many of the seven stories set in the future, they explore the topics of morality, theology, and humanity within their mysteries. Included is a separately bound 23 page short story pamphlet, Human Reaction, by Randall Garrett (1927-1987).

USED BOOKS NOW IN STOCK!

Be sure to browse our Used mass market paperback section, where we've recently added a rather large selection of authors such as Mary Higgins Clark, Dean R. Koontz, Agatha Christie, Tom Clancy, Len Deighton, Barry Eisler, Erle Stanley Gardner, Donna Leon, Rex Stout, and Donald Westlake (Richard Stark) and many more! These are all very good-condition copies, priced from $2.25 to $3.00. Not to be missed!

We also have a fine selection of trade paperback and hardcover used books, $4-$5, all in fine condition. An excellent selection of titles including authors such as Frederic Brown, Andrea Camilleri, Alexander McCall Smith, Carol O'Connell, Stuart Woods, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, and Donald Westlake (Richard Stark!

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and evenings until approximately 9:00 PM when an author is scheduled to appear at 7:00 PM.