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                                                              October 31st, 2011
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Two grand events this week; see 'Events' section for complete details.

THURS.: Meet JOHN CONNOLLY and see the exclusive the Bay Area screening ('Of Blood and Lost Things') of a new documentary on P.I. Charlie Parker's Maine. The film's interviewees, in addition to the author, are George Pelecanos and Laura Lippman, among others.

SUN.: Double trouble with PARKER and ROYAL, when Ann and Priscilla each bring their new mysteries. Come with us on a Rocky Mountain stagecoach ride in 19th century Colorado, and a trek to a cold and remote castle in 13th century Britain. Intrigue stars in these two historicals rich in authentic period lore.
NOTICE!!
SPECIAL FALL SALE of IMPORTS & DELUXE BOOKS!

How to Order
 pen nib                  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.


Thurs., Nov. 3rd at 7:00 PM: JOHN CONNOLLY
This event features the exclusive Bay Area screening of the film "Of Blood and Lost Things", a recent documentary made for Irish television.

The film examines the sense of place and atmosphere in Connolly's work, along with dramatized readings, and includes biographical narrative of his Dublin childhood and journey toward becoming a writer. There are interviews with iconic American crime writer George Pelecanos; David Simon, creator of TV's 'The Wire'; American novelist and friend Laura Lippman, and fellow Irish crime writer Declan Hughes. During the shoot the documentary was given unique access to accompany Connolly on a research visit to Maine State Prison, a Super-Max facility housing over 900 prisoners at Warren, Maine.
 
The Burning Soul (Atria, $26.00).  
"An intelligent, plausible thriller, both harrowing and memorable . . . . Connolly's latest Charlie Parker thriller offers a powerful story line that weaves together suspense, mystery and a small touch of the supernatural," said Kirkus.  Randall Haight has a secret: when he was a teenager, he and his friend killed a 14-year-old girl.  Randall did his time and built a new life in the small Maine town of Pastor's Bay, but somebody has discovered the truth about Randall. He is being tormented by anonymous messages, haunting reminders of his past crime, and he wants private detective Charlie Parker to make it stop.

ALSO: 'The Burning Soul' (Hodder & Stoughton UK, $39.00) New. Signed.

The Infernals (Atria, $22.00).  
This is the sequel to The Gates, for young adult readers. "Brilliantly funny, often touching, with enough action to keep adventure fans on the edges of their chairs, this novel combines top-notch writing with cutting wit," said Kirkus; and PW also praised: "Connolly's graceful prose, laced with acerbically witty footnotes, is a joy to read, and he easily alternates among slapstick comedy, powerful drama, and skin-crawling horror." And Library Journal said: "The demon Mrs. Abernathy is ready to kill a lad named Samuel Johnson because he helped scotch the invasion of Earth by evil forces. So Sam's on the run with Boswell, his devoted dachshund, but they get yanked through a portal to a dark and dangerous place. The popular Connolly always did have a taste for wicked whimsy."

ALSO, buy one of the new titles plus any of the following and get 10% off!
--   'Bad Men' (Atria, 2004, $16.00) Signed. As New.
--   'The Black Angel' (Atria, 2005, $7.50) Signed. As New.
--   'The Book of Lost Things' (Atria, 2006, $22.00) Signed. As New. Includes CD "Voices From the Dark."
--   'Dark Hollow' (Simon & Schuster, 2000, $17.00) Signed. F/F.
--   'Every Dead Thing' (Simon & Schuster, 1999, $8.00) Signed. As New. Author's first novel.
--   'The Killing Kind' (Atria, 2001, $18.00) Signed. As New.
--   'The Lovers' (Atria, 2009, $19.00) Signed. As New.
--   'Nocturnes' (Atria, 2005, trade paperback, $12.00) Signed. First printing of the paperback edition. As New.
--   'The Unquiet' (Atria, 2007, $13.00) Signed. As New.
--   'The Reapers' (Atria, 2008, $16.50) Signed. As New.
--   'The Whisperers' (Atria, 2010, $22.00) Signed. NF/F.

Sun., Nov. 6th at 2:00 PM: DOUBLE AUTHOR EVENT!!

ANN PARKER - Mercury's Rise (Poisoned Pen, $24.95).  
"A dazzling amount of historical detail is woven in yet never overpowers this story of deceit and greed. Laden with intrigue, this will also appeal to readers of historical Westerns. Parker's depth of knowledge coupled with an all-too-human cast leaves us eager to see what Inez will do next. Encore!" said Library Journal. And PW also praised: "Parker smoothly mixes the personal dramas and the detection in an installment that's an easy jumping-on point for newcomers."

ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!:

--   'Silver Lies' (Poisoned Pen, 2003, $22.00) Signed. F/F.

PRISCILLA ROYAL - A Killing Season (Poisoned Pen, $24.95).  
"A spooky setup worthy of John Dickson Carr highlights Royal's brilliant eighth mystery set in 13th-century England. When a party of travelers that includes Brother Thomas and Prioress Eleanor of Tyndal arrives outside Baron Herbert's isolated castle, which some call le chateau doux et dour (sweet and sour in French), Thomas witnesses a tragedy -- the fatal fall of one of the baron's sons, Gervase, from a high window. . . . rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters make this a superior historical," said PW.

ALSO, buy the new one plus the following and get 10% off both!:
--   'The Valley of Dry Bones' (Poisoned Pen, 2010, $24.95) Signed. New.


Fri/Sat., Nov. 11th/12th DROP BY: GREGORY MAGUIRE

Out of Oz (Wm. Morrow, $26.99).  
Library Journal starred: "Engrossing, complex . . . continues to flip the world of Oz on its head while answering new and old questions about Oz and its denizens. Highly recommended." 'Booklist' called it "A worthy conclusion to an imaginative and emotionally searing cultural phenomenon. . . . nobody does fractured fairy tales better than Maguire." And PW concluded: "The language and imagery are rich, and the sense of love, loss, and regret palpable. For fans, this will be a revealing and satisfying end to the layered tale begun in Wicked. "

Sun., Nov. 13th at 3:00 PM at Belmont Library - DAVID VANN

Last Day on Earth (Univ. of Georgia Press, $24.95).  
Kirkus called it "A carefully crafted account of a descent into fatal madness." On Valentine's Day 2008, Steve Kazmierczak killed five and wounded eighteen at Northern Illinois University, then killed himself. But he was an A student, a Deans' Award winner. How could this happen? CNN could not get the story. The Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and all others came up empty because Steve's friends and professors knew very little. He had reinvented himself in his final five years. But David Vann, investigating for Esquire, went back to Steve's high school and junior high friends, found a life perfectly shaped for mass murder, and gained full access to the entire 1,500 pages of the police files.

Tues., Nov. 15th at 7:00PM at the San Mateo Library: JAN HARWOOD
The San Mateo Library is located just one block west of our store at 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo.

Dangerous Women:  A Raging Granny Mystery (Trade paperback original, $14.95).
The author is a founding member of the Santa Cruz WILPF Raging Grannies who have made national news by singing witty political parodies and putting their voices to good use. Now the Raging Grannies have one more role to take on -- as star characters in Ms. Harwood's new mystery. After getting the attention of a right-wing pundit on local TV, the Raging Grannies are shocked to hear that he dies the very next day. Was it a suicide as the police suggest or is there more at play? The WILPF group of Raging Grannies set off to find the real murderer, and come very close to lethal danger themselves.

Thurs., Nov. 17th at 7:00 PM at Belmont Library - ANTHONY HOROWITZ

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel 
(Mulholland Books, $27.99).  
Horowitz is the creator of several popular British television series, including Poirot and Foyle's War, as well as the bestselling Alex Rider series of books for children, among myriad other writing credits. "For the first time ever, the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has authorized a new Holmes story. In fact, the estate approached Horowitz. . . . A Holmes expert, Horowitz says he's steeped in 19th-century literature and will aim for authenticity in plot, language, and character. . . . No word on the content yet -- the publisher will reveal clues with tantalizing slowness, as in a good (ahem) mystery," said Library Journal.

Tues., Nov.  at 7:00 PM: "M" is for Mystery Bookclub
This month's book is City of Secrets by Kelli Stanley.
Join us every last Tuesday of the month for lively d
iscussion about selected books!  Please note: This is not an author event and the author will not be present.



pen nib                      Coming Attractions
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WINTER 2011/2012 PREVIEW: (Asterisk indicates name added since last week* .) 
AVERY AAMES  /  CARA BLACK   /   KATE CARLISLE  /   TIM DORSEY  /  JOHN LESCROART  /
MARTIN LIMON  /   WALTER MOSLEY  /  CAROL O'CONNELL  /  SARA PARETSKY /  PENNY WARNER
pen nib           Signed First Editions - Just Arrived
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LAWRENCE BLOCK - Getting Off: A Novel of Sex & Violence
(Hard Case Crime, $25.95).  
"In Hard Case Crime's first hardcover release, Block slips into his Jill Emerson persona . . . . Child incest victim Katherine Anne Tolliver grows up to have a killer face, killer bod, and killer personality -- as in, serial killer. After murdering her parents, she goes on a cross-country killing spree that makes Ted Bundy look like Mickey Mouse. The überslut psycho bitch has a seemingly unquenchable thirst for sex and murder. . . . Featuring truckloads of hard-core sex and violence, this sleazefest isn't for everybody, but taken in the spirit in which it's presented, it's a trashy, fun read," said Library Journal. And Booklist also raved: ". . . you'll be rooting for this thoroughly beguiling serial killer on a mission. A pro's pro, Block never wastes a word, never misplaces a plot element. . . . it also boasts Block's legendary craftsmanship, sly humor, and virtuoso plotting. The premise is to die for!"


BEN COES - Coup d'Etat
(St. Martin's, $25.99).  
"Coes's exciting sequel to Power Down [2010] explores an all-too-plausible conflict in Asia. A radical cleric, in one of his first actions as Pakistan's new president, drops a nuclear bomb on India, its giant neighbor and rival. American leaders fear a domino scenario that could pit the U.S. against China militarily. Series hero Dewey Andreas, a former Delta Force officer who's been lying low in Australia, receives the call to assemble a small team of specialists and use whatever means necessary to get rid of the Pakistani president and install the U.S.'s handpicked successor -- all within 48 hours. . . . the plot sizzles with action, and the details have an authentic ring that put this thriller a cut above the pack."


JOHN GRISHAM - The Litigators
(Doubleday, $28.95).  
Signed on a tipped-in page. "...if you're a Grisham apostate, now might be the time to get reacquainted. And this snappy, well-turned novel might be a good place to start...Grisham brings his usual nuanced understanding of tort law and civil jurisprudence, but he seems just as interested in the non-experts...At the risk of making Grisham sound pretentious or -- worse -- boring, I would argue that his true subject -- now that he has the luxury to explore it -- is how the law serves as both accessory and antagonist to our dreams," said the Washington Post. The partners at Finley & Figg-all two of them-often refer to themselves as "a boutique law firm." Boutique, as in chic, selective, and prosperous. They are, of course, none of these things. What they are is a two-bit operation always in search of their big break, ambulance chasers who've been in the trenches much too long making way too little.


 pen nib                   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.

LAWRENCE BLOCK - The Night and the Music TPBO - Buy Now!
CHARLES FRAZIER - Nightwoods - Buy Now!
AMITAV GHOSH - River of Smoke - Buy Now!
JEFF LINDSAY - Double Dexter - Buy Now!
MARCIA MULLER - City of Whispers - Buy Now!
LAURA JOH ROWLAND - Ronin's Mistress - Buy Now!
COLSON WHITEHEAD - Zone One - Buy Now!
pen nib        Signed First Editions - Expected Soon
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ANY BOOK SIGNED ONLY ON A TIPPED-IN PAGE IS SO INDICATED. 
Asterisk indicates name added since last week.


MICHAEL CONNELLY - The Drop 
PATRICIA CORNWELL - Red Mist
JAMES DOSS - Coffin Man
JANET EVANOVICH - Explosive 18
SUE GRAFTON - V Is For Vengeance
LENE KAABERBOL - The Boy in the Suitcase (Tip-In)
LAURIE KING & LESLIE S. KLINGER - A Study in Sherlock
JOE & JOHN LANSDALE - Shadow West ($50.00 Subterranean Press Limited Edition)
THOMAS MULLEN - The Revisionists
GEORGE PELECANOS - What It Was
ANDERS ROSLUND & BORGE HELLSTROM - Cell 8
DAN SIMMONS - Phases of Gravity ($60.00 Subterranean Press Limited Edition)



 pen nib             DELUXE & LIMITED EDITIONS
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LAWRENCE BLOCK - Afterthoughts
(Mysterious Press, $35.00).  Limited Edition signed by Lawrence Block! Afterthoughts contains the author's reflections on his career which spans more than fifty years. These more than forty-five essays talk about his work including the semi-autobiographical series featuring Matthew Scudder. It is a must for fans of Lawrence Block.  This edition is limited to 100 copies.


PAULO COELHO - Aleph
(Knopf, $60.00).  Limited Edition signed by Paulo Coelho!  The celebrated #1 international best seller will be available in a beautifully designed boxed hardcover edition, signed by the author. Limited to 1500 copies.  Pre-order your copy today!


 pen nib             Used Books Now in Stock!
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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, Patricia Cornwell, 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, virtually $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, and Janet Evanovich.

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!

Shipping Info:

We ship USPS Media mail within the US and USPS International Priority for overseas addresses

Shipping rates:

Standard Media Mail (in the mainland US ONLY) - $6.00 for the first book  $1.35 each additional book


 Priority Mail Domestic - email us to discuss the options

Overseas - email us to discuss the options
   

We accept Visa, MC, Amex and checks by arrangement  

STORE HOURS:

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SUNDAY from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM,

 

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

 PH.: (650) 401-8077 or Toll Free outside Bay Area: 888- 405-8077