This Week at M is for Mystery: Kelli Stanley & Rhys Bowen!

This Week at "M"

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

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September 12th, 2011

In This Issue

Upcoming Author Events

Coming Attractions

Fall Preview

Signed Firsts - Just Arrived

Signed Firsts - Expected Soon

Deluxe & Limited Editions

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Greetings!

Two great "M" favorites make a welcome return to "M" mid-week, followed on the weekend by a hot new debut, and early next week, a visitor whose books, written in Afrikaans, have been translated into 25 languages (including, thankfully, English!). Here's the roundup, with complete details in the first section below.

Tuesday evening, KELLI STANLEY brings 1940's San Francisco alive, boiled hard; and
Wednesday evening, it's 1930's French Riviera, courtesy of RHYS BOWEN, combining whodunit with comedy in her own masterful style.

On Saturday afternoon, first novelist ERIN MORGENSTERN introduces her tale of a 19th-century magician.
Monday evening, South African author DEON MEYER makes his exclusive Bay Area appearance for "M" -- at the Belmont Library -- with his new critically-acclaimed thriller.

"M" ON THE WEB: So be sure to check out www.MforMystery.com and scroll down to the Catalogs, where ALL titles have a convenient shopping cart option.

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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.

Tues., Sept. 13th at 7:00 PM: KELLI STANLEY
City of Secrets (St. Martin's, $24.99). "Welcome back captivating and tough-talking PI Miranda Corbie (City of Dragons), who's determined to find out who killed stage performer Pandora Blake and defiled her body with an anti-Semitic epithet. . . . Most notably, Stanley brings 1940s San Francisco to life with her meticulously detailed, hard-boiled novel. She transports us to a world on the eve of massive change. It's neo-noir in a classical five-act structure, starring one of crime's most arresting heroines: angry, big-hearted, and fearless Miranda Corbie," said Library Journal. And PW praised: "In best pulp fiction style, suspects lounge about with slick hair and cheap suits, blondes are chain-smoking broads, and the nightclubs are smoky and languid." ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!: 'City of Dragons' (Minotaur, 2010, $24.99) As New. Signed. 'Curse Maker' (Minotaur, $24.99) As New. Signed.

Wed., Sept. 14th at 7:00 PM: RHYS BOWEN
Naughty in Nice (Penguin, $25.95). "Don't miss a trip to the French Riviera when Lady Georgiana (Royal Blood) is sent by the Queen on a new secret mission. Add a dash of Coco Chanel and a murder or two -- how can you pass up the fifth treat in this delectable series?," said Library Journal. And PW praised: "Fans of Peter Lovesey's hilarious books transforming the future Edward VII into an unlikely sleuth will relish Bowen's whimsical fifth Royal Spyness mystery starring Lady Georgiana Rannoch, 34th in line to the British throne. In 1933, the destitute Rannoch, who's been helping out at a London soup kitchen, welcomes the chance to escape to the French Riviera after the queen offers to finance her trip there to recover a snuff box stolen by an odious bounder, the aptly named Sir Toby Groper. . . . Bowen successfully melds a whodunit with comedy as few contemporary writers can." ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!: 'Bless the Bride' (Minotaur, $24.99) As New. Signed. 'The Last Illusion' (Minotaur, 2010, $24.99). As New. Signed

Sat., Sept. 17th at 2:00 PM: ERIN MORGENSTERN
The Night Circus (Knopf, $26.95). Booklist starred: "This big and no, not bulky compelling first novel ushers in a menacing tone with its first sentence: The circus arrives without warning. Why would a circus arrive so quietly in town, and why would anyone need warning about this particular one? The time span here is 30 years, from 1873 to 1903, and the settings range from America to Europe. To a famous magician is delivered a little girl who. . . is possessed of magical powers. As it also happens, this magician has an archrival, who. . . seeks a young person for him to train to rival her. . . . How will their destiny play out?" And Library Journal concluded: "A literary 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride', this read is completely magical."

Mon., Sept. 19th at the BELMONT LIBRARY at 7:30 PM: DEON MEYER
The BELMONT LIBRARY is located at 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, two blocks south of Ralston. Trackers (Grove/Atlantic, $24.00). PW praised: "Meyer's ambition matches his execution in this brilliantly complex stand-alone thriller set in his native South Africa. . . . This powerhouse read. . . should be the American breakthrough book this talented author deserves." Library Journal added: "Milla Strachan, a discontented, fortyish housewife. . . leaves her suburban family and takes a job writing security reports for the secretive Presidential Intelligence Agency. She becomes involved with a man who is being chased by her bosses and the CIA. . . Meanwhile, Lemmer, a professional bodyguard last seen in Blood Safari, is fighting gangsters while inadvertently smuggling black rhinos. Muslim terrorists lurk in the background of both plots. . . . Highly recommended."

Tues., Sept. 20th at 7:00 PM: ANDREW GROSS
Eyes Wide Open (HarperCollins, $25.99). "In his fifth solo outing (after Reckless and five number one best sellers coauthored with James Patterson), Gross employs two events from his own life -- the suicide of a nephew and a chance encounter with a notorious mass killer -- to craft a gripping psychological thriller in which past family secrets return to haunt those least able to bear the horror. . . . no melodrama, just a menacing tale with effective twists, perfect pacing, intriguing characters, and heart-gripping suspense," said Library Journal. And Kirkus starred: "An emotional, frightening study of evil with believable characters and a relentless pace. Readers who wear pacemakers will want to check their batteries before they open the book."

Wed., Sept 21st, DROP BY: ALEX SHAKAR
Luminarium (Soho Press $25.00) Booklist starred: "In his long-awaited second novel after the razor-sharp 'The Savage Girl' (2001), Shakar takes measure of our post-9/11 existential confusion. . . A radiantly imaginative social critic, Shakar is also a knowledgeable and intrepid explorer of metaphysical and neurological mysteries. With beguiling characters trapped in ludicrous and revelatory predicaments, this is a cosmic, incisively funny kaleidoscopic tale of loss, chaos, and yearning." And PW starred: "[A] penetrating look at the uneasy intersection of technology and spirituality. . . Shakar's blend of the business of cyberspace and the science of enlightenment distinguishes the novel as original and intrepid. . . Shakar's prose is sharp and hilarious, engendering the reader's faith in the novel's philosophical ambitions. Part Philip K. Dick, part Jonathan Franzen, this radiant work leads you from the unreal to the real so convincingly that you begin to let go of the distinction."

Wed., Sept. 21st at Noon 12:00 PM: GIANRICO CAROFIGLIO
Temporary Perfections (Rizzoli, $24.95). Praise from PW: "Guido Guerrieri looks into a cold case. . . . Six months after beautiful 22-year-old Manuela Ferraro disappeared on her way home to Bari from Rome, where she was a college student, Manuela's parents are desperate. The carabinieri who handled the investigation are about to give up. As a favor to a fellow lawyer, Guerrieri agrees to help, though it means doing more detective work than usual. . . A satisfyingly complex protagonist." A bestseller in Italy, this is its first English translation. Carofiglio is a former Italian prosecutor whose protagonist, Guido Guerrieri, is a defense lawyer practicing in Bari.

Thurs., Sept. 22nd at 7:00 PM: WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER
Northwest Angle (Atria, $24.99). "The eleventh novel starring. . . Cork O'Connor is part adventure, part mystery, and all knockout thriller. Krueger takes the catastrophic storm system known as a derecho. . . as his catalyst. With O'Connor and his family still reeling from the. . . death of his wife two years before, he decides to make a stab at reuniting them. . . . Catch-your-breath suspense throughout," said Booklist. And Library Journal concluded: "Mystery readers. . . will appreciate this fascinating adventure interwoven with folklore. Krueger builds upon previous series titles to develop his characters and plot lines creatively and thoughtfully." PW called it ". . . superb . . . . Krueger never writes the same book twice as each installment finds him delving deeper into Cork's psyche."

Sun., Sept. 25th DROP BY: DAVE BARRY and RIDLEY PEARSON
The Bridge to Never Land (Hyperion, $18.99). [Y/A, 9-12]. "Bringing the Starcatchers series into the twenty-first century, this chapter book features Sarah and her brother, Aidan [now ages 17 and 15, respectively], who find a cryptic note in an antique desk and follow the clues to London, Princeton, and Orlando. Along the way, they clash with evil Lord Ombra, find an ally in Molly Darling's great-great-great nephew, and discover Einstein's part in the plan. The plot is a thrill ride of action and adventure," said Booklist. And PW added: "The book's joyful sense of adventure and wonder is tempered somewhat by the constant pursuit of authorities and parental figures, as well as scenes set in Disney World that seem to be designed to remind readers that runaway children are serious business in this day and age. Nonetheless, it's a worthy complement to the series."

Tues., Sept. 27th at 7:00 PM: "M" is for Mystery Bookclub
This month's book is The Age of Dreaming by Nina Revoyr. 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.

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

Sat., Oct. 1st at 2:00 PM: MARCOS MCPEEK VILLOTORA - 'Blood Daughters' - Cick Here to Pre-Order!
Tues., Oct. 4th DROP BY: RUSSELL BANKS - 'Lost Memory of Skin' - Cick Here to Pre-Order!
Sun., Oct. 9th at 2:00 PM: MICHAEL STANLEY - 'Death of the Mantis' (TPBO) - Click Here to Pre-Order!
Fri., Oct. 14th at 7:00 PM: DENISE MINA - 'The End of Wasp Season' - Click Here to Pre-Order!
Wed., Oct. 19th at 7:30 PM: VENDELA VIDA - 'The Lovers' - Click Here to Pre-Order!
Thurs., Oct. 20th DROP BY: AMITAV GHOSH - 'River of Smoke' - Click Here to Pre-Order!
*Wed., Oct. 26th or Thurs., Oct. 27th DROP BY: CHARLES FRAZIER - 'Nightwoods' - Click Here to Pre-Order

Coming Attractions

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

CARA BLACK / JOHN CONNOLLY / ANTHONY HOROWITZ / ANN PARKER / PRISCILLA ROYAL / DAVID VANN /

Signed First Editions - Just Arrived

LEE CHILD - The Affair
(Random House, $28.00). Booklist starred: "Jack Reacher fans know the basics about their hero career army MP suddenly transformed into the ultimate lone wolf but they don't know the backstory. Finally, Child fills us in on what drove Reacher, a good soldier above all, out of the army. . . . For fans of the series, much of the fun comes in spotting Reacher's now-familiar idiosyncrasies at the moments they were born (the habit, for example, of owning only one set of clothes, wearing them until they get dirty, and then buying replacements). The plot itself involves a serial killer, possibly a soldier, wreaking havoc among the locals living near an army base. . . . Child's mastery of high-octane plotting remains remarkable." And PW added: "Readers will find all the elements-solid action, wry humor, smart dialogue-that have made this series so popular." ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!: -- '61 Hours' (Delacorte Press, 2010, $28.00) Signed. As New. -- 'Worth Dying For' (Delacorte Press, 2010, $28.00) Signed. As New.

CLIVE CUSSLER - The Race
(Putnam, $27.95). Signed by Clive Cussler, Justin Scott and Illustrator. "Set in 1909. . . this nifty fourth adventure thriller starring Isaac Bell, ace detective with the Van Dorn Detective Agency, focuses on airplanes. . . Bell must protect Josephine Frost, an aviatrix competing in the Whiteway Atlantic-to-Pacific Cross-Country Air Race, from her deranged ex-husband, Harry Frost, who's trying to kill her for various complicated reasons. Sabotage among the flying pioneers competing for a $50,000 prize for the first one to cross America in 50 days is rampant. A number of subplots provide twists, but it's the battle between the handsome, daring Bell and the hulking, diabolical psychopath Frost that will keep readers turning the pages. Evocative period detail, brave men and women and their fabulous flying machines, and nonstop action add up to plenty of fun," said PW

GEORGE ELIAS - Death and the Maiden
(St. Martins Press, $25.99) "This latest mystery from Elias ('Danse Macabre'), featuring almost-too-irascible-to-be-lovable Daniel Jacobus, a brilliant violinist whose career was ended by blindness, has a headline-based premise. In 2005, a violinist fired by the Audubon Quartet sued his former colleagues, causing some to lose their homes and even their instruments. Here, Jacobus's former pupil Yumi now plays with the New Magini String Quartet. . . The quartet is set to rehearse Schubert's sublime "Death and the Maiden" for a multimedia event at Carnegie Hall, but first violinist Aaron Kortovsky is missing in action and Jacobus is drafted to find him," saidLibrary Journal. And PW concluded: "The book's real heart is the detailed behind-the-scenes glimpse of the classical music scene provided by the author, a violinist and music professor himself."

STEVE HOCKENSMITH - Dear Mr. Holmes
(CreateSpace, $9.99) Signed trade paperback original. Sherlock Holmes-worshiping cowboys Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer have starred in five "Holmes on the Range" novels, rustling up award nominations and fans aplenty as they cracked mysteries using the methods of their English hero. How did these Old West drifters first discover Holmes, though? What were they doing before their novel adventures began? And how did their early, awkward stabs at "deducifying" turn out? These seven short stories provide the answers. Four were originally published in 'Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine'. Critics have called the tales "hilarious" ('Entertainment Weekly'), "clever" ('The New York Times'), "wonderfully entertaining" ('Booklist') and "a hoot" ('The Washington Post'). ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!: 'The Crack in the Lens' (Minotaur 2009, $24.99) As New. Signed 'World's Greatest Sleuth' (Minotaur, 2011, $24.99) As New. Signed

LOUISE PENNY - A Trick of the Light
(St. Martin's Press, $25.99). Library Journal said: "This follow-up to the Agatha Award-winning Bury Your Dead finds Armand Gamache, chief inspector of the Montreal police force, and Beauvoir, his lieutenant, still healing physically and psychologically from a fatal police operation gone awry. But this doesn't prevent them from taking on yet another murder case in the secluded village of Three Pines. . . . Readers who love literary mystery writers such as Donna Leon will enjoy Penny's latest excellent series entry." And Booklist praised: "Like P. D. James, Penny shows how the tight structure of the classical mystery story can accommodate a wealth of deeply felt emotions and interpersonal drama. . . . Penny's remarkable string of successes and awards has moved her to the top of the genre."

LEONARD ROSEN - All Cry Chaos
(Permanent Press, $29.00) "Textbook author Rosen's promising first novel deftly mixes mathematical puzzles, international intrigue, social upheaval, and religious zealotry. When 30-year-old math genius James Fenster is blown up in his Amsterdam hotel room shortly before he was due to address a World Trade Organization conference, Henri Poincare, aging Interpol agent and great-grandson of a legendary mathematician, investigates. . . . A surprising series of personal relationships and connections prove to have all the logic of chaos theory. . . Readers will relish this intellectually provocative whodunit," said PW. Library Journal called it "an impressive debut" and Booklist concluded: "This is a thoughtful, beautifully written puzzle, and its unraveling is handled very skillfully."

JAMES SALLIS - The Killer is Dying
(Walker & Company, $24.00). "In this hallucinatory, almost visionary novel of suspense set in Phoenix, Sallis ('Drive') focuses on three people of vastly different backgrounds and situations -- Christian, a gun for hire, who's suffering from a mortal ailment; Jimmie, a boy of about 13 who's been abandoned by his parents and whose dreams inexplicably tap into the contract killer's consciousness; and Sayles, a cynical, lonely, burned-out detective, whose wife is dying in hospice. When another assassin steps up and takes out Christian's quarry, Christian goes after the guy who beat him to it. . . . Through no-nonsense staccato chapters, Sallis does a superb job exploring the workings of his characters' thoughts and motives," said PW

CHARLES TODD - A Bitter Truth
(HarperCollins, $24.99). Signed by both. "In Todd's third Bess Crawford mystery (after An Impartial Witness), Bess finds herself back in London, on leave from her nursing duties on the World War I battlefields of France. Upon arriving at her London lodging, she finds a battered woman named Lydia in her doorway. . . Bess befriends Lydia, who begs to be accompanied back to her home in Sussex. During a memorial for Lydia's brother-in-law, Bess becomes embroiled in the family's disagreements and secrets. . . She must search from Sussex all the way to war-torn France to discover the bitter truth about a soldier's death not on the battlefield but on the home front. Todd brings World War I England and France to life with an intriguing plot and an intrepid sleuth. Recommended for all British wartime mystery aficionados who like plucky investigators similar to Maisie Dobbs," said Library Journal. Charles Todd is the pen name for a mother/son writing team. ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!: 'Legacy of the Dead' (Bantam, 2000, $13.00). Signed F/F 'A Fearsome Doubt' (Bantam, 2002, $23.00). Signed F/F 'An Impartial Witness (Wm. Morrow, 2001, $24.99) Signed. As New 'A Lonely Death' (Wm. Morrow, 2011, $24.99) Signed. As New.

JASON WEBSTER - Or the Bull Kills You
(St. Martin's, $24.99). PW praised: "Webster's remarkable first novel, a baffling mystery centered on the world of Spanish bullfighting, introduces Chief Insp. Max Cámara of the Valencia police. . . Webster makes the bullfighting integral to the plot rather than a mere backdrop, effortlessly conveying the role of the sport in Spanish society. The well-rounded lead - cynical, willing to bend the rules, emotionally wounded -- should be more than capable of sustaining a long series." And Library Journal said: "Webster, who lives in Spain and who is married to a flamenco dancer, makes his scenes easy to visualize, uses believable dialog, and plays out the investigation in an assured manner. The author's marvelously structured mystery not only reveals the complex politics behind bullfighting but also introduces us to colorful, tragic, and empathetic characters. . . . With its rapid pace and wonderfully flawed detective, this vibrant novel has tremendous appeal."

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.

C.J. BOX - Back of Beyond - Buy Now!
MAX ALLAN COLLINS - Bye Bye Baby - Buy Now!
CHERYL CRANE - The Bad Always Die Twice - Buy Now!
ELLEN CROSBY - The Sauvignon Secret - Buy Now!
CAROL CULVER - A Good Day To Pie - Buy Now!
DENISE HAMILTON - Damage Control - Buy Now!
LAURIE R. KING - The Pirate King - Buy Now!
LAURA LIPPMAN - The Most Dangerous Thing - Buy Now!
CARSON MORTON - Stealing Mona Lisa - Buy Now!
GEORGE PELECANOS - The Cut - Buy Now!
KATHY REICHS - Flash and Bones - Buy Now!
DAN SIMMONS - Flashback - Buy Now!
ELIZABETH SPELLER - The Return of Captain John Emmett (signed bookplates) - Buy Now!
LISA UNGER - Darkness My Old Friend - Buy Now!

Signed First Editions - Expected Soon

MYSTERY, CRIME AND GENERAL FICTION

*CHAD HARBACH -The Art of Fielding - Click Here to Pre-Purchase!

JOE & JOHN LANSDALE - Shadow West ($50.00 Subterranean Press Limited Edition)

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, Agatha Christie, Tom Clancy, Len Deighton, Barry Eisler, Erle Stanley Gardner, Carl Hiaasen, Donna Leon, Greg Rucka, Julie Smith, Rex Stout, and Donald Westlake (Richard Stark) and many more! These are all very good-condition copies, priced from $2.75 to $3.25. 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 Andrea Camilleri, Alexander McCall Smith, Carol O'Connell, Stuart Woods, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, and Donald Westlake (Richard Stark!)

Also, just in from the Swedish writing duo Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, we have 10 of the original US mass market editions priced at $5.00 each!

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