More rave reviews

Dick Adler is still thinking about ENVY THE NIGHT, "that rarest of literary creatures: a standalone thriller that you hope will generate a series."

Readers should "rush out to obtain it, and then lock yourself in a room until you finish reading the thing."



In DON'T LET IT BE TRUE, "[Jo] Barrett portrays the Texas oil elite with a nice balance of pathos and humor as fully dimensional characters, unexpected plot twists, and clever dialogue make for a hard-to-put-down novel. The author of This Is How It Happened (Not a Love Story) [2008] has once again proven to be a master storyteller." - Shelley Mosley, Booklist


"Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse is a unique science fiction account that’s as gory as it is funny. Gischler’s wild imagination astounds page after page...an impressive work" - John T. Battaglia, Philadelphia Examiner

of Birkin bags and Skrull infiltrators

Jo Barrett and Greg Pak have charmed the critics!

Publishers Weekly enjoys "[p]eeking into the misfortunes of formerly rich heirs of Houston's oil barons" in DON'T LET IT BE TRUE. "Barrett discovers a mixed Birkin bag of rueful romance and tongue-in-cheek mayhem. Barrett's wit makes watching these down-on-their-luck bluebloods reclaim their fortunes a fun little diversion."



Greg Burgas at ComicBookResources.com dubs Pak's INCREDIBLE HERCULES the Best Ongoing Series:

"Greg Pak and Fred van Lente’s adventures of Hercules and Amadeus Cho across the Marvel Universe is the best ongoing series out there. It’s very funny, but also filled with intense action and some incredibly devastating moments...it’s little things that make the comic wonderful - the identity of the Skrull infiltrator, the Japanese god who speaks in haiku, Amadeus’s desire for sex overriding his common sense. This is the most consistently entertaining comic on the stands right now, and although others in this category might be more 'classic,' I have a feeling I’ll still be re-reading this in 20 years and loving every panel of it."

new month news

Can't wait to find out what Batman is up to next? "Duane Swierczynski’s BATMAN: MURDER AT WAYNE MANOR (Quirk) offers an absorbing glimpse into the Caped Crusader’s psyche." - School Library Journal


Sarah Weinman is calling GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE an "incredibly funny, violent, panoramic and pulpy apocalyptic novel" and one of her Picks of the Week!



Some intrepid globetrotters over at The Independent are going "around the world in 80 sleuths". Their last stop? The South Pole with a copy of Greg Rucka's WHITEOUT.



Gary Phillips will be on Crimewav.com this week reading his short story "Swift Boats for Jesus" from the anthology he edited, POLITICS NOIR: Dark Tales from the Corridors of Power from Verso.



If the summer heat has got you craving some ice cream or a fizzy drink, be sure to check out Elizabeth Somer's list of 15 Foods that Fool for healthy and tasty tips, tricks, and alternatives.


To find out more about "the glamorous life of Jo Barrett", head over to HTexas Magazine for Jo's monthly column and her thoughts on owning a ranch.

Name-dropping

Jo Barrett treats readers to some non-arsenic brownies at a B&N reading. She also chats with fellow real-life avengers on Great Day Houston.

Coffee Time Romance gives THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED a full "5 cups" for "a funny, engaging read"


Chef Jon Bonnell reveals the new cookbook deal for FINE TEXAS CUISINE, to be published by Gibbs-Smith. Check out Chef Bonnell's website for some teasers of his exquisite dishes.


Victor Gischler announces that he is tackling THE PUNISHER. Look for "Little Black Book", illustrated by Jefte Paolo, in June.

Bill Crider reviews Gischler's forthcoming novel GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE, which could be the best title of 2008.


Crider also enjoys James Patrick Hunt's GOODBYE SISTER DISCO, which has "lean, fast, unpretentious, well-plotted stories peopled with vivid characters."



Gary Phillips previews his brand new, 4 issue mini-series called HIGH ROLLERS, a gangster story that has "some echoes to ‘The Wire' and even ‘The Sopranos' and ‘American Gangster.' "



Greg Rucka's PATRIOT ACTS is out on Audio CD. AudioFile agrees with book reviewers that the story is "electrifying" and "action-packed".




Eisner judges name Rucka's comic, 52, one of the best of 2007.

In other comic award news, Rucka's CHECKMATE, has been nominated for a Glyph Comics Award, which honors black comics and creators. Amanda Waller, from Checkmate, is up for Best Female Character.

Congrats also to Axel Alonso, whose Storm Premiere Hardcover is up for Best Reprint Publication.

Rucka and Ed Brubaker are back together for DAREDEVIL! “Starting with May’s issue #107, Rucka and Brubaker will team up for the four-part arc”. Rucka says working with Brubaker’s like “getting back on the horse again and falling off the bike”.


The Chicago Public Library Foundation honors Theresa Schwegel and Tom Wolfe with the 21st Century and Carl Sandburg Literary awards, respectively.



THE BLONDE, by Duane Swierczynski, is optioned by "Mission Impossible: III" and "Gone Baby Gone" co-star Michelle Monaghan, with screenwriter Paul Leyden attached!

Great news for Swierczy's comics too -- CABLE #1 sells out within days! Now you'll just have to wait for Cable #1 Second Printing Variant, in stores on April 9.

CrimeSpree magazine matches Swierczy together with Ed Brubaker, and reviews the forthcoming "laugh out loud funny, snidely satirical" SEVERANCE PACKAGE.

PW gets in on the review action, calling SEVERANCE PACKAGE a "violent and intense noir and espionage hybrid [that] moves swiftly to its darkly satisfying conclusion."


Fantastic news for Mark Williams, whose book SO MANY FISH, SO LITTLE TIME was voted the Texas Outdoor Writers Association 2008 Book of the Year!

THIS IS HOW... to score a Perfect 10!

"Jo Barrett has written an engaging tale of heartbreak... THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED had me laughing so much I was near tears... Because this story made such an impression and will most definitely do the same with most readers, it deserves RRT's Perfect 10 award." - Romance Reviews Today

Another star for Jo!

"Barrett’s tale of revenge is one of those rare, impossible-to-put-down books. There’s a plethora of black humor, witty dialogue, and plot twists. The unique, unforgettable characters, from the justice-seeking Maddy to her recovered drug-addicted brother to the sweet-toothed hit man, all come together to make one delectably entertaining story. Barrett, the author of the international favorite The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom (2007), has created another winner with this fast, funny read." - Booklist (Starred review)

Sweet start to the new year

Publishers Weekly gives a fabulous, starred review to a fabulous book: THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, by Jo Barrett.
"[A] very funny second novel… readers can’t resist cheering [Maddy] on as she experiments with poisoned brownies and retribution spells. Help comes from an unlikely source, a memorable hit man who provides a juicy cherry on the top of a creamy, dreamy revenge treat."


Here are some other delicious treats that came in over the holiday:

"[Theresa Schwegel is] gaining ground as one of the most compelling young authors in a highly competitive genre." - USA Today

"a poignant and gripping tale. The story centers on the human aspects in a highly charged and moving story… Person of Interest is a superb follow-up... It portends even better things to come, and is highly recommended.” - Theodore Feit

"Sandom’s strength lies in the verve of his story, with writing that has both muscle, in its pacing and violence, and a measure of brains... [THE WAVE is a] story with enough manic energy to be worthy of a nuclear explosion and enough to render moot any structural weaknesses in its architecture." - Kirkus Discoveries

"It’s rare that I read a book in one sitting anymore these days. But occasionally, a book reaches out, grabs me by the lapels, and says Finish me. Finish me or I will cut you. It is my great pleasure to inform you, with a slight quaver in my voice and a quick glance over my shoulder, that Victor Gischler’s Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse is just such a book. This is a novel that makes On Chesil Beach seem like an embarrassing waste of your time."

"I'm eagerly anticipating [Duane Swierczynski's] run on 'Cable.' If Swierczynski's novels are any indication, 'Cable' should be chock full of amazing action, fascinating characters, and some bizarre and hilarious situations." - Dave Richards, Comic Book Resources

New Brit lit

Speaking of love in the UK, Little Black Dress has just published the first foreign edition of THE MEN'S GUIDE TO THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM. One of the leading British blogs, Trashionista.com says, "Not only is Jo Barrett a smart, witty and talented author, but her heroine is too. The novel is full of great banter and memorable characters, and I'm sure it will translate brilliantly to the big screen."

Readers beware: you may develop a sudden fascination with shiny, patent leather. Victor Gischler has signed a very nice deal for two books with Zach Schisgal at Touchstone Fireside. In GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE, an ex-insurance salesman leads a small band of survivors through a post-apocalyptic American landscape in search of his ex-wife and a single cup of hot coffee and toward an epic battle to save a new world.


"Sentence for polished sentence, no one in the genre writes better" (Kirkus) than Michael Koryta, who scored *Starred* Reviews for his newest book, "top-notch thriller" (Booklist) A WELCOME GRAVE.

Library Journal calls it "the best entry yet in Kortya's 'Lincoln Perry' private eye series (after Sorrow's Anthem )…This is a compelling novel with well-developed characters, fast pacing, and intricate plotting. The young Koryta, who won the SMP/PWA Prize for Best First PI Novel (for Tonight I Said Goodbye) at age 21, has proven that was no fluke; A Welcome Grave showcases his accomplished writing skills. Highly recommended for all mystery and crime fiction collections."

Publishers Weekly agrees. "Edgar-finalist Koryta stakes a claim as one of today’s pre-eminent crafters of contemporary hardboiled mysteries...his haunting writing and logical, sophisticated plotting rival that of established stalwarts like Loren Estleman."


THE MEN’S GUIDE TO THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM by Jo Barrett hits #2 on the Austin American-Statesman’s bestseller list.

Just in time for the summer, this fabulous book is “genuinely hilarious… Women will find themselves nodding 'been there done that' as the book unfolds…The author skillfully keeps the book on track throughout, without resorting to tacky, and providing a unique, witty, cute, fast-paced, and yes, classy tale that is fun to read. I knew it was that good, when I was sorry that I'd reached the last page.” - AdviceSisters.net

Romance Junkies join the conga line of excited fans too. "THE MEN’S GUIDE TO THE WOMEN’S BATHROOM is smart, funny, and oddly enough – dead on accurate. There are many laughs in the story centered on Claire’s antics and missteps, but I found myself cracking up even more at the ‘book excerpts’. They were funny because they’re true – we’ve all seen/heard/done the same things time and again on a visit to the ladies room. Claire is the perfect character to carry off this story – a little lost and immature despite her respectable lawyer status. She makes the struggling writer concept work, and she and Jake add some spice to the humor. All in all, this is an awesome debut by Jo Barrett, and I’m eager to read her next novel, KILLING CARLTON. "


In other media goodness, Elizabeth Somer tips us off on 5 supposedly healthy foods on The Today Show.

Theodore Feit at Spinetingler Magazine has a great review of THE CLEANUP by Sean Doolittle.

"The plot evolves in all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. At each step of the way, it looks like Matt is going to be discovered. But each time he develops a new subterfuge, half-truth, fact or excuse. The action continues unabated right down to the final page, and so should you. Recommended."


In new books, Jo Barrett's debut novel is out in stores this week. THE MEN'S GUIDE TO THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM is a whimsical, behind-the-scenes look at life in women's bathrooms through the eyes of Claire St. John, a divorced 30-something professional who has given up her high-profile New York legal career to return home to Austin, Texas. There she finds the inspiration to write the ultimate guidebook on what goes on behind the door marked “Women,” while trying to right the course of her own personal life.

The book has been optioned by CBS and Paramount Studios, with actor Hugh Jackman's production company, Seed Productions, attached to produce. Mr. Jackman called THE MEN'S GUIDE "a great read and a great laugh."