Thrillerfest - The Books...
When I go to a convention, I bring money for books. This time, the bookroom situation was a bit strange - I usually like to support independents at the bookroom (in fact, that's usually all there is). Nothing against Barnes and Noble's or Borders, but I support independents at conventions because they bring a variety and knowledge to the table that B&N often doesn't AND I want to see that variety the next time and the time after that. For instance, at B'cons I buy from the Canadians. Not that I have a Canadian fetish, but I want to see them back the next year and that clearly won't happen if going to B'con is always a losing proposition for them. Anyway, that's me. Bought a bunch of books from Mystery Mike's in Indiana this time around.
Of course, I bought books by Con Lehane, Jonathan Santlofer, Richard Aleas, and Michele Martinez - friends of mine. I've read their stuff before and they've never failed in providing a good reading experience. But this post is about the other books I carried home:
First, Mr. Clarinet by Nick Stone who I didn't get a chance to meet at the conference. I picked up the book - hard to say why now, it might be that I thought the title was goofy -- Anyway, the first page sucked me in as did the second and the third. The jacket flap also worked. I was reading a B&N copy, put it down went over to Mystery Mike's and picked up a much fatter copy that had an $85 price tag. I like supporting independents but not to the tune of $60 more per book. Luckily, they were able to hand me a $24 copy. Not sure what the difference in price was from. Anyway, I'm about 75 pages in and the book hasn't disappointed yet though there are a few strange typos - for instance, a spot where the narrator is counting off what happened to a dozen men and adds up 6+4+1 to get there. That used to be called eleven. Another spot where a ( occurs but with no ). A couple of others, but such strange things that they're becoming a second mystery unto themselves. Highly enjoyable reading.
Second is Tim Maleeny's Stealing the Dragon. I met Tim in the hallway outside a conference room and recognized the name. I had read his interview with Robert Ferrigno in Crimespree. We traded books after a short chat. The cover art - a beautiful woman with a back covered with a dragon tattoo - was scary I told him, and he said that was about the right mood. I believe this is my first purchase of a Midnight Ink title, and I read the first dozen pages or so on the train ride home. Wonderful stuff again. It seems there's a female assassin who can climb walls like a spider...I'm hooked.
This makes three books I'm currently reading - Jason Pinter's The Mark is another terrific debut. I'll be blogging about it soon.
I spent the entire weekend looking for an ARC of Laura Benedict's novel Isabella Moon. They were supposed to have been everywhere, but it wasn't until the bitter end, the brunch to end the festivities, that I actually put my hands on one. Then, out of nowhere, a little old lady put her hands on it as well. Tried to claim it for herself. A right cross to the jaw and an elbow to the bridge of her nose and it was mine.... Haven't started it yet, but I've heard much about it so it's got to be good, no?
More impressions of the conference later.
Of course, I bought books by Con Lehane, Jonathan Santlofer, Richard Aleas, and Michele Martinez - friends of mine. I've read their stuff before and they've never failed in providing a good reading experience. But this post is about the other books I carried home:
First, Mr. Clarinet by Nick Stone who I didn't get a chance to meet at the conference. I picked up the book - hard to say why now, it might be that I thought the title was goofy -- Anyway, the first page sucked me in as did the second and the third. The jacket flap also worked. I was reading a B&N copy, put it down went over to Mystery Mike's and picked up a much fatter copy that had an $85 price tag. I like supporting independents but not to the tune of $60 more per book. Luckily, they were able to hand me a $24 copy. Not sure what the difference in price was from. Anyway, I'm about 75 pages in and the book hasn't disappointed yet though there are a few strange typos - for instance, a spot where the narrator is counting off what happened to a dozen men and adds up 6+4+1 to get there. That used to be called eleven. Another spot where a ( occurs but with no ). A couple of others, but such strange things that they're becoming a second mystery unto themselves. Highly enjoyable reading.
Second is Tim Maleeny's Stealing the Dragon. I met Tim in the hallway outside a conference room and recognized the name. I had read his interview with Robert Ferrigno in Crimespree. We traded books after a short chat. The cover art - a beautiful woman with a back covered with a dragon tattoo - was scary I told him, and he said that was about the right mood. I believe this is my first purchase of a Midnight Ink title, and I read the first dozen pages or so on the train ride home. Wonderful stuff again. It seems there's a female assassin who can climb walls like a spider...I'm hooked.
This makes three books I'm currently reading - Jason Pinter's The Mark is another terrific debut. I'll be blogging about it soon.
I spent the entire weekend looking for an ARC of Laura Benedict's novel Isabella Moon. They were supposed to have been everywhere, but it wasn't until the bitter end, the brunch to end the festivities, that I actually put my hands on one. Then, out of nowhere, a little old lady put her hands on it as well. Tried to claim it for herself. A right cross to the jaw and an elbow to the bridge of her nose and it was mine.... Haven't started it yet, but I've heard much about it so it's got to be good, no?
More impressions of the conference later.
posted by Steven at
8:45 AM
3 Comments:
Ha! I thought Mom was looking a bruised when I saw her Sunday afternoon. ;)
It was great to finally meet you in person. I look forward to checking out your second blog.
Thank you for looking out for Isabella--I hope you enjoy it! See you on Crimespace.
Many Blessings--Laura
Hey Steven -
Great to meet you, thanks for the nod!
Jason
Steven, thanks for grabbing my book! Glad to hear you have a thing for female assassins – and who doesn't? I've got your book in my bag for the plane ride home. Great meeting you in NYC.
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