hot weather, cool books

"Smart and entertaining", GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE is winning Victor Gischler praise from the SF Chronicle: "Gischler tips his hat to various end-of-the-world books and movies, but he doesn't indulge in the kind of adolescent nihilism that often swamps this kind of setup. While there's plenty of mayhem and depravity on display, the novel neither makes too light of it nor loses its sense of humor...a satisfying warm-weather read at a time when there's comfort in the observation that 'hey, things could be worse.'"


The Chicago Tribune is hooked on Swierczynski's "literary methamphetamine", calling SEVERANCE PACKAGE "a guilty pleasure of unparalleled magnitude. With pedal-to-the-metal pacing, characters who appear to be meek cubicle dwellers à la "Office Space" but are really cold-blooded, black-ops killers, and enough gut-churning violence to make a Quentin Tarantino movie look like a Disney musical replete with singing candlesticks and teapots, the dark, twisted energy in this novel is palpable."

In other Swierczynski news, THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST will be released on July 23. The first in a four-part installment in THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST series, it guarantees to take the series to the next explosive level!



For the kids, MAGIC TRIXIE twirls into stores tomorrow. Readers, young and not-so-young, will enjoy Trixie's enchanting and mischievous adventures.

Debuts, reviews, and other news

Tom Piccirilli's THE MIDNIGHT ROAD wins the 2008 Thriller Award for Best Paperback Original!
Tom's editor, Caitlin Alexander, accepted the award on his behalf and read a brief note from him. (Even though Tom had lobbied for Caitlin to "entertain [the audience] with guerilla performance art, interpretive dance, the use of sock monkeys, or a karaoke routine of Michael Jackson's Thriller")


Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir, in conjunction with Seven Seas Entertainment, have a new project debuting on July 23 in Metromix! The new manga, the NINJA DIARIES, will be the July 23rd cover story for the LA nightlife/social scene paper and will run weekly in print and on the Metromix website.


Greg Pak has a new series - SKAAR, the savage Son of Hulk.
"I could rave on and on about how satisfying and enjoyable this issue was as a die-hard Pak/Hulk fan, and wouldn't even come close to the joy Hulk fans and new readers alike are going to get from this book. It's a blast and I couldn't recommend it more highly! Seriously: check it out!" - Jim Gibbons, WizardUniverse.com


JD Rhoades has a new novel coming out on July 22, 2008. BREAKING COVER is being called "one of those rare thrillers that combine smart, tense prose with a momentum that never quits" by NY Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen and boasts a "Sam Peckinpah–like bloody, bravura finale that will leave even icy-veined thriller fans panting for breath." (Bill Ott, Booklist)


The recently released GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE is the latest book by Victor Gischler. Steve Ekstrom says "you’ll shudder at the starkness and chortle with laughter at the same time--this is one hellishly good read" while Bill Crider declares that "[GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE is] bound to be the best title of 2008.. .Gischler's going to be a writer you can't pin down."

Jerry A. Rodriguez (1962-2008) - Gone, but never forgotten

Jerry is the author of two Nicholas Esperanza novels, and was working on completing his third when he tragically passed away in June 2008 at the age of 46.

He was a writer-director who staged dozens of plays Off Broadway and conducted film-making workshops for such organizations as the Film Society of Lincoln Center. He wrote and directed the critically acclaimed short film, El Deseo, which was heralded by the Village Voice as “a Sydney Lumet-like gangster saga that revels in the beauty of the Puerto Rican visage.” Jerry directed Problems of the World Today for Warner/Elektra, one of the very first hip-hop videos to premiere on national television by the first rap group to be signed to a major record label. His writing is featured in the short story anthologies, The Darker Mask and Bronx Biannual II. He lived in Brooklyn, New York.

We already miss you, Jerry.

Awarding misadventures

Inspector Moustachio wins a 2008 iParenting Media Award for Excellence in children’s books!

PW wants them some GO-GO GIRLS: "Guns, girls and alcohol occupy almost every inch of this raucous thrill ride, providing nonstop opportunities for both action and comedy…the humor of this armageddon western is woven deeply enough to keep Mortimer's adventures feeling like a party."

High Rollers

Greg Rucka interviews Gary Phillips about his new crime comic. The four-issue miniseries features Cameron Quinn, a ruthless upstart out to make a name for himself in this tale of crime and destiny.

A little punishment goes a long way

Swierczynski shows up on opposite sides of the country, with an exclusive announcement at NY Comic-Con and a deal in the Los Angeles Times.

Down south, Frank Castle pays Gischler a visit in Louisiana.

Hometown glory

The 2008 AFI Dallas International Film Festival is upon us! It's one of the largest film fests in the Southwest with over 200 screenings. Maybe we'll get to meet some of this year's Star Award honorees: Helen Hunt, Mickey Rooney, Jack Lemmon, Todd Wagner, Charlize Theron, and Chris Wedge.

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

Gary takes on the Serbs

THE COCAINE CHRONICLES, an anthology that Gary Phillips co-edited with Jervey Tervalon, has just been published in Serbia! Check out Gary’s interview with Belgrade.

Gary also has another anthology about to hit bookstores. POLITICS NOIR is filled with original short stories about that most vicious, ruthless and entertaining blood sport -- the pursuit of elected office! Contributors include Shamus winner Ken Bruen, National Book Award winner Pete Hautman, and the critically acclaimed Michele Martinez.

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)

It's on ABC, my dear Watson

Good Morning America Now wants to know "Who Framed Dr. Watson". Watch a clip of Gigi Stone's chat with insider Duane Swierczynski about this unusual case.

Targeting labels

"15 Foods that Fool", by Elizabeth Somer, was Thursday's top story on Today!

Greg Rucka, who expertly writes about things that are not always as they seem, talks about his intense heroines.

Comics go ka-ching

Congratulations go to Greg Rucka, Greg Pak, Brian Azzarello, and Ed Brubaker for topping the charts with a big chunk of the bestselling comics/graphic novels of 2007!

And the Edgar will go to...

Congratulations to Reed Farrel Coleman and Vicki Hendricks for their Edgar nominations!

Up for Best Novel, Coleman's SOUL PATCH is the the 4th Moe Prager mystery and the follow-up to THE JAMES DEANS, which won the Shamus, Barry and Anthony awards.

"With Soul Patch, Coleman does The James Deans one better and then some. Moe Prager is the man." - Janet Evanovich, author of the Stephanie Plum novels

Vicki Hendricks was crowned as "the high priestess of neo-noir" by Dennis Lehane. It's only fitting that her CRUEL POETRY is nominated for Best Paperback Original.

"I loved this book. It's a private ticket into a secret world of desire and sex and the raw edge between them... I read it with the fever of the addicted." - Michael Connelly

Baby, it's cold outside

Cozy up with one of these superb storytellers:

Theresa Schwegel nabs a top spot as a December Bestseller for the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

Detroit Free Press calls PERSON OF INTEREST "a thrilling tale punctuated by brisk action and believable characters. "Person of Interest" shows why Schwegel has become an author to watch."

Gary Phillips is pleased to announce the first installment of CITIZEN KANG, his political murder mystery and satire serial that is running on The Nation Magazine's website.


Duane Swierczynski is editor of THE CRIMES OF DR. WATSON, "a clever, rich interactive game filled with enough fair clues to give Golden Age Detectives the vapors." But Ed Gorman suspects the book is also a crucial clue to Mr. Swierczynski's true identity!

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

"Shot of pure pleasure"

FAST COMPANY magazine selects THE RIDDLE, by Andrew Razeghi, as one of its "Smart Books" for 2008.

On the fiction side, Ed Gorman compares Swierczy to McBain, and calls THE BLONDE extraordinary.

PERSON OF INTEREST continues to garner fans. Oline H. Cogdill at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel includes it as one of the best mysteries of 2007. The Chicago Sun-Times agrees that POI is "riveting", and welcomes Theresa Schwegel back to Chicago from Los Angeles.

Paul Goat Allen (The Chicago Tribune) praises PERSON OF INTEREST as "Reminiscent of some of Joseph Wambaugh's most powerful works ("The New Centurions," "The Choirboys")... Theresa Schwegel's newest novel [is] her most accomplished yet. Aside from the novel's gritty realism and intense emotional intimacy, the numerous thematic subtleties make this blend of police procedural and suspense thriller eminently readable…"Person of Interest" is an indisputable crime fiction tour de force."

Somer's Super Foods

Ladies, if you missed this morning's Today Show, check out the article and footage online. Elizabeth Somer explained the best foods you should be eating to stay in tip-top shape - and, yes, chocolate is one of them!

POI on CBS

PERSON OF INTEREST is one of Janet Maslin's picks for the holidays on CBS Sunday Morning!

Fireworks for Schwegel

Janet Maslin, at The New York Times, gives Theresa Schwegel's newest one a spectacular review!

"ingenious...“Person of Interest” quickly escalates into a high-stakes story of risk and suspicion, told with rich, insightful detail. Some actress is destined to have a field day with Leslie, who vacillates deliberately between playing mother and vamp, plotting her moves while also spiraling out of control...[Schwegel] switches perspectives gracefully in order to convey the anger and estrangement of each member of the McHugh family. And she weaves a terrifically vigorous plot out of how their misapprehensions of one another lead them into danger."

She’s got be somebody’s baby

PW's Laura Hudson interviews Duane Swierczynski about his new CABLE series, coming out next March.

NewsARama and Comic Book Resources also talked with Duane about Marvel's famous time traveller - now a father!

The craft of crime

St. Martin's Minotaur has a brand, spankin' new blog. Guess who is kicking off the blog party with her very first blog post?

In comic news, Greg Rucka chats with Eric Moreno inside the comic writer's studio... after he delivers a mysterious artifact from another dimension.

Swierczy makes us squirmy

“Done right, a slam-bang, nonstop thriller is a squirmy pleasure. One of recent vintage I can highly recommend is Duane Swierczynski's The Blonde…Jumping off from a dynamite opening - "I poisoned your drink," the blonde tells a our hero in an airport bar - the story makes a mad, exhilarating dash through a maze of hairpin turns. It's all ludicrous, but never less than uproariously entertaining... "The Blonde" is (film noir classic) "D.O.A." for a new generation.” - Eddie Muller, SF Chronicle

EW picks Schwegel

PERSON OF INTEREST is an “Entertainment Weekly Pick”!

"Chicago cop Craig McHugh is working undercover to expose a heroin ring; back home, his bored wife, Leslie, is tempted by a come-on from a friend of her teenage daughter's. Meanwhile, the daughter gets nabbed possessing a small amount of drugs. Theresa Schwegel, an Edgar winner for her debut, Officer Down, weaves these three subplots together not only for quickening suspense but also to achieve something more. She creates a portrait of a family in crisis, and her vivid characterizations — stressed husband, yearning wife, floundering daughter — lift the thriller plot of Person of Interest to literary-novel status." A-

Also in the cheering section is Harriet Klausner, who says "This exciting thriller will be on the short list for police procedural of the year as the action, some quite graphic, never slows down for even a paragraph. Besides a strong undercover subplot and a close look at the underbelly of the Windy City, the key that makes this a strong tale is a deep look at a cop whose keeps him away from his family leading to a dysfunctional relationship. Readers will seek Theresa Schwegel’s previous Chicago PD tales as they come highly recommended (see PROBABLE CAUSE and OFFICER DOWN)".

High fives all around

MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL #1 swoops into stores today! Get in line at the nearest comic book store for the very first Marvel comic written by Duane Swierczynski.


While you're out and about, tell everyone to vote for our 2007 Spinetingler Award nominees:

Best Novel / Rising Star - Sean Doolittle, THE CLEANUP
Best Novel / New Voice - Duane Swierczynski, THE BLONDE


Wizard Magazine has its "Best of 2007" list too, and congrats go out to Greg Pak. He's nabbed two categories - Breakout Talent and Best Ongoing Series!

"PLANET HULK turned the big green behemoth from a raging monster into a deeply complex and psychologically driven character. And with WORLD WAR HULK, Pak proved his ability to deliver complex, heartfelt storytelling and intense scenes of action on the grand stage of company-wide crossovers."

WizardUniverse.com also recognizes INCREDIBLE HULK #111, written by Pak and Jeff Parker with pencils by Leonard Kirk, as its Book of the Week.


PW name checks a top-notch group, including Theresa Schwegel, Greg Rucka, Duane Swierczynski, and Michael Koryta, in their article about mystery bookstore favorites.


Sally Horchow, co-author of THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP, signs on as spokeswoman for Pepperidge Farm's campaign, "Connecting through cookies". ArtOfTheCookie.com, like Sally's book and website, aims to help cultivate friendships and connections.

THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP would make a great stocking stuffer, along with a copy of START STRONG, FINISH STRONG, by Drs. Kenneth and Tyler Cooper. The book was one of several fitness gifts highlighted on The Today Show this week.

Thanksgiving updates

Click through to Mystery Readers International for their At Home Online series of "visits". In the newest Q&A, Steve Hamilton interviews Michael Koryta, who had just chatted with Theresa Schwegel in the last round.


Also check out Marvel Comics' February 2008 list of releases, which includes two DHS Rock Stars:

Greg Pak (INCREDIBLE HERCULES #114; WWH AFTERSMASH: WARBOUND #3)

Duane Swierczynski (FORCE OF NATURE ONE-SHOT; MOON KNIGHT VOL. 2: MIDNIGHT SUN)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The Sun comes out for Rucka

"Greg Rucka's terrific new thriller [PATRIOT ACTS] lives up to his other bestsellers like Private Wars and A Gentleman's Game. Fast-paced and exciting." - Toronto Sun

Get fired up

The Dallas Morning News calls START STRONG, FINISH STRONG an "excellent introduction to the Cooper philosophy...explaining the importance of getting on track at any age, from a biological and spiritual perspective... one of the book's strengths is that it is told with an understanding that comes from two age perspectives – that of Kenneth Cooper, who is in his 70s, and of Tyler Cooper, who is in his 30s."

Monday Morning Reviews

Looking for a book that "packs a positive punch"?

Publishers Weekly recommends David Cottrell's newest one, MONDAY MORNING CHOICES: 12 Powerful Ways To Go From Everyday To Extraordinary, which comes out this January.

La créme de la créme

Congratulations, Theresa! From more than 6,000 books reviewed this year, Publishers Weekly chooses PERSON OF INTEREST as one of the Best Books of the Year!

Friday goodies for Rucka and Swierczy

Eric Newsom delves into the CRIME BIBLE, in a 5 part conversation with Greg Rucka.

Rucka also reveals to Geoff Johns that there are two more projects lined up for The Question.

Rod Lott (Bookgasm.com) spends a "so damned white-hot" night with Duane Swierczynski's BLONDE and REDHEAD. "Swierczynski’s novel is darkly comic and moves at incredible speed, helped along by a real-time structure, an outlandishly imaginative foundation, multiplex-ready action and a real nut-kicker of an ending...you’ll be on the very edge of your ringside seat."