Winding Up Our Big Weekend
Gabaldon/Bennett; Connelly |
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How much fun is this?
Patrick has been digging deep into our past and posting treasured videos from it on our You Tube Channel.
I'm especially delighted to see our dear friend
Sue Grafton once
 again via this medium. Her 2013 exclusive to The Pen event for
Kinsey and Me is one of our most memorable: a packed store, fans in the parking lot and all over the block watching us on their phones via Livestream. Sue reminds us she self published it about 1993, 300 copies and 26 Lettered Copies.
And she spoke about her plans after Z so that's especially nostalgic.
And read a wonderful recent remembrance of her from her
 publisher Ivan Held of Putnam titled
You fans will be interested to know that the first mystery written by Sue's father,
CW Grafton,
The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope
(Poisoned Pen $14.99), will publish next spring in the first group of Library of Congress Crime Classics:
There are more new videos on
Facebook
or our
YouTube
channel including James R. Benn with Martin Limon and last night's insightful and often hilarious conversation between John Connolly and John Sandford. Watch the two Johns HERE
Connolly's
Book of Bones
(Atria $28.99) is the 20th Charlie Parker thriller.
And Sandford's Bloody Genius (Putnam $29) is a surprising case for Virgil Flowers. I love it! Any Agatha Christie fan should grab a copy.
Do check our BLOG regularly. Lesa updates awards, news, and interviews.
Much love to our social media team.
Barbara and all The Pens
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Thank you for supporting The Poisoned Pen, frequently named Best Specialty Bookstore by the
New Times
and by the
Arizona Republic
, one of 45 Great American Indie Bookstores 2013; Best Locally Owned and Operated Business: Scottsdale 2016; and Poisoned Pen Press, winner of the 2010 Ellery Queen Award from the Mystery Writers of America and named the 2011 Best Local Publisher by the
Arizona Republic and now the mystery imprint at Sourcebooks.
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The October BookNotes
Booknews,
Staff Picks
Paperback Picks
New Books Lists
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Here is the link to the
October BookNotes brimming with good reading. John reviews lots of books not covered in our other publications so do take time to enjoy them!
 I've put in sections on new Horror, Classics, Downton Abbey books, as well as our Large and Small Paperbacks, and one on The Body
Do browse our
Web Store . New additions are frequently made to upcoming books and events.
Please remember:
See It Here. Buy It Here.
Thank you for your business. I remind all of you reading this, that it only takes buying one book a month by each of you to keep us here!
Or merchandise, or a gift card. Or, a new audio book option.
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Poisoned Pen Scones
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Author Karen Odden has been baking scones for events.
And now she shares her Poisoned Pen Scones recipe with you:
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
½ teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins) chopped
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or pieces); Nestle's brand works best (the Ghiradelli are fine, but they are larger, and you need to chop them)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (or 375 degrees, if you have convection).
In a bowl by hand or using an electric mixer, mix together the flour,
sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter until the butter is incorporated and the mixture is crumbs.
Add the half-and-half, beaten egg, vanilla, cranberries and white chocolate chips, and mix until the dough holds together.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 minutes (like you're in the Great British Baking Show).
Form into two 1/2-inch thick rounds, then cut each round into 8 wedges, like a pie (see illustration).
Use parchment paper (preferred), or spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil, then transfer the wedges to the sheet.
Bake the scones for 7-9 minutes by convection or 11-13 minutes regular oven.
Do not overbake! They can be gold at the edges but if they are brown, they will taste burnt.
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The Making of Outlander
Seasons 3 & 4
Tara Bennett and Diane Gabaldon
Tonight 6:30 PM
Buy Tickets at the Door
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 19 6:30 PM (doors do not open until 5:30 PM)
TICKETS
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$55 one book and admits one $60 one book and admits two (limited number of $60 tickets)
Bennett and Gabaldon both sign
Location:
The DoubleTree Hilton Hotel
5401 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale AZ 85250
Cash bar. Free valet parking
No personal books. Diana will sign any books purchased at the event
Travel even deeper into the world of Outlander with this insider guide from New York Times bestselling author and television critic Tara Bennett. Picking up where
The Making of Outlander: Seasons One & Two
($50) left off.
You'll find exclusive interviews with cast members, including detailed conversations with Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan (on-screen couple and real-life friends), as well as the writers, producers, costume designers, set decorators, technicians, and more whose hard work and cinematic magic bring the world of Outlander to life on the screen.
Every page features gorgeous full-color photographs of the cast, costumes, and set design, including both official cast photography and never-before-seen candids from on set.
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Michael Connelly
Book Tour Launch
Monday October 21
It is sold out but do order an inscribed copy by
5:00 PM Sunday
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Harry Bosch & Renee Ballard
Please order in the usual way. Inscription requests welcome...please limit to 5 words
Here's a new Starred Review
The sins of the past cast a long shadow in bestseller Connelly's superlative second novel featuring detectives Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch together again after 2018's Dark Sacred Night
After the funeral of former LAPD Detective John Jack Thompson,
 the man's widow gives Bosch a murder book that Thompson took when he left the force a couple of decades before. The cold case concerns the unsolved homicide of 24-year-old John Hilton, an addict who was killed in an alley in 1990. What's unclear is why Bosch's old mentor stole the murder book-to work the case himself in retirement, or to keep other detectives from working it?
Bosch takes the book to Ballard, a kindred spirit; both are outliers with a shared fire for fighting injustice no matter where the trail leads. Meanwhile, defense attorney Mickey Haller enlists Bosch, his half-brother, to assist in defending a mentally ill man accused of murdering a superior court judge. Conflicting DNA evidence and a problematic confession complicate the high profile case.
Connelly is without peer when it comes to police procedurals, and once again proves that he's the modern master of the form.
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Looking Ahead
Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison
Wednesday Nov. 6 7 PM
Tickets on Sale Now
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6 7:00 PM
TICKETS $35 admits one with book, $38 admits two with one book. Tickets will be issued in time groups to cut down on your standing in line
Please do not bring any personal books
Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison
sign
Final Option (Putnam $29)
An Oregon Files thriller -- with a stunning surprise!
Location: Janet Cussler Car Collection
16055 N. Dial Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260
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Our October Calendar
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 2:00 PM
TUESDAY OCTOBER 29 7:00 PM
Bianca Dangereuse Hollywood Mystery #1
Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mystery #1
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30 7:00 PM 
Martin
Edwards interviews Nicholas Meyer
Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson
REMAINING OCTOBER DISCUSSION CLUB
Please buy your copy from The Pen. Anyone welcome but remember you risk spoilers if you don't read the selection in advance
Hardboiled Crime:
Thursday October 24 7:00 PM
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Our November Calendar
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5 7:00 PM A Poisoned Pen Press  Party
A Bay Area Investigation
Detective Kubu
And from Australia
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6 7:00 PM
TICKETS
$35 admits one with book, $38 admits two with one book
Please do not bring any personal books
Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison
sign
Final Option (Putnam $29) The Oregon Files
Location: Janet Cussler Car Collection
16055 N. Dial Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8 7:00 PM 
Chorus of Dragons #2
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9 2:00 PM Mystery Tea
MONDAY NOVEMBER 11 7:00 PM 
Location: DoubleTree Resort, 5401 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale AZ 85250
Cash bar. Free valet parking
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13 7:00 PM
1960s Germany & Argentina
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14 7:00 PM
Sherlock Holmes Adventures
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17 2:00 PM
Earl Marcus Mystery
National Park Mystery #5
Timber Creek K-9 #5
Mercy and (her dog) Elvis #2
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19 7:00 PM
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 7:00 PM
A Kate Martinelli novella
FRIDAY NOVENBER 22 7:00 PM
Three Legged Dog plays
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23 2:00 PM
Manor Cat Mystery #1 1912 England
Romance for a NC bookseller
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24 3:00 PM!! 
Spenser
NOVEMBER DISCUSSION CLUBS
Please buy your copy from The Pen. Anyone welcome but remember you risk spoilers if you don't read the selection in advance
Coffee & Crime
: Saturday November 910:30 AM
SciFi Friday
: November 15 7:00 PM
Croak & Dagger
: Saturday November 16 10:30 AM
($15.95
Hardboiled Crime:
Wednesday November 20 7:00 PM
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A Few Reviews
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SIGNED BOOKS
 This time, Bailey is joined by Lacey, another very special dog, who helps Bailey fulfill his promise over the course of several lives. This charming, wise canine soul brings joy, laughter, and comfort as he unites a family fractured by life's inevitable obstacles. We only have a few of these for October but we may be able to obtain more in late November so please order quickly to secure one. A great gift book!!
Cornwell, Patricia. Quantum ($28.99)
Anew series start for Cornwell moving from Kay Scarpetta to Captain Calli Chase.
On the eve of a top secret space mission, she detects a tripped alarm in the tunnels deep below a NASA research center. A NASA pilot, quantum physicist, and cybercrime investigator, Calli knows that a looming blizzard and government shutdown could provide  the perfect cover for sabotage, with deadly consequences. As it turns out, the danger is worse than she thought. A spatter of dried blood, a missing security badge, a suspicious suicide-a series of disturbing clues point to Calli's twin sister, Carme, who's been MIA for days. Desperate to halt the countdown to disaster and to clear her sister's name, Captain Chase digs deep into her vast cyber security knowledge and her painful past, probing for answers to her twin's erratic conduct. As time is running out, she realizes that failure means catastrophe... So Scarpetta is actually a kind of ghost in the machine in this story, no?
DeMille, Nelson/Alex DeMille.
The Deserter
(SimonSchuster $28.99 Signed by both) Due in soon
This outstanding thriller from bestseller DeMille and his screenwriter son centers on a search for an Army deserter who has  fled to Venezuela after escaping duty in Afghanistan under strange circumstances. On the hunt for Delta Force Captain Kyle Mercer are Scott Brodie, a hardened ex-soldier with impulsive, rogue tendencies, and Maggie Taylor, a cunning by-the-book Army cop who does her best to rein in Brodie's urges, both investigative and sexual. Brodie, the senior officer, quickly suspects his commanders aren't telling him everything about Mercer; his desertion may have less to do with disobedience than his knowing too much about military atrocities in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, Brodie and Taylor track Mercer to a jungle hideout far outside Caracas, where he's training a group of mercenaries with the apparent backing of President Maduro.
In typical DeMille fashion, the last hundred pages move along like a ballistic missile, exploding in a satisfying finale on a remote airstrip. DeMille and son provide it all in this rumble through the jungle-authentic detail, lively dialogue, a vividly drawn setting, and an exhilarating plot."-PW Starred Review.
The setting is tiny Wolf Island where Lydia, a responsible sister, has given up her own dreams over a decade before when her  unusual mother died and lives with her sheltered, awkward brother Lucas in the family home by the sea. They are comfortable yet shadowed by their childhood when an infant twin brother drowned When one ordinary day Cole Andrews steps off the same ferry, Lydia feels an instant bond while Lucas comes to believe Cole is the reincarnation of their long lost brother. To discover the truth about Cole, Lydia must finally face her anxiety about leaving the island and summon the strength to challenge Cole's grip on her family's past and on Lucas. So you might think this is a love story... and in its way, it is. Or a ghost story...and in its way, it is. It's such a treat to find something truly unusual and beautifully crafted.
Mary Jekyll and her found family of the Athena Club return from  their Continental deeds of derring-do, fatigued and anxious. Three of their circle who were left behind in London-Alice the housemaid, Dr. Watson, and Mr. Holmes-have gone missing, as have less-loved figures such as the reformatory director, Mrs. Raymond. What to do? Here is the capstone of a gaslamp fantasy trilogy forming a literary pastiche full of beloved classic characters and references that book fans will eat up. From Dracula to Dr. Jekyll, from Dr. Frankenstein to Rappacini's Daughter, this is a book for book lovers.
In the proudly lowbrow third volume of the satirical Tales of Pell, Dawson and Hearne turn to the high seas as their unlikely heroes become even less likely pirates. Captained by the talking parrot  Filthy Lucre, the crew of the Puffy Peach set out for adventure and treasure. Among them are Morgan, a princess who kept the beard she grew during an enchanted sleep; Vic, a centaur whose overbearing toxic masculinity is at odds with his ability to conjure tea and pastries; and Tempest, a dryad who wants to be a lawyer. As they sail the crimson tides of the Myn Seas (populated by tampooners) and brave the dangers of all-night eateries, they challenge gender roles in fantasy and skewer social trends, attacking targets as varied as Harry Potter and gym culture with a dizzying array of bad jokes and puns... "This is a clever send-up of fantasy tropes and modern culture."-PW. #1: Kill the Farm Boy; #2,
No Country for Old Gnomes
Will Connor returns to his hometown, a village north of Boston, to care for his injured mother. He's kept his distance from the town since high school, but once home he finds himself reexamining a  horrific incident that took place during one of his mother's "spirit circles." His mother had embraced the hippie generation's fascination with New Age and the arcane, but the unexpected death of a close friend put an end to the meetings of the modern-day coven. Or did it? As Will looks deeper into his family's history he discovers that her practices weren't so much a passing fad but the latest link in a long tradition of New England witchcraft, which still seems to hold a strange power over the town. "Equal parts engaging and creepy, this twisty tale deftly examines how secrets and regret can continue to reverberate through generations. A suspenseful story that examines how families haunt each other in life and death; possibly too creepy for late-night reading."-
Kirkus Reviews
Roth, Veronica.
The End and Other Beginnings
(Harper $18.99). 
The author of the publishing series phenomenon
Divergent
present a collection of six stories: six center around the future and technologies that do not yet exist; two are set in the galaxy of the
Carve the Mark
series; one is postapocalyptic and the other takes you to an alternate Earth where a wide variety of extraterrestrials live among humans. While eclectic in one sense, the common focus is "on the pivotal moment when something ends-often painfully." Wistful, funny, with romantic underpinnings... visit new worlds
TWO UNSIGNED BOOKS
Our Cozy Crime Book of the Month begins when Hayley discovers her degree in 19th-century literature doesn't open many doors. So when her stint as assistant to the assistant curator of the Jane Austen Centre in Bath doesn't quite cover expenses, Hayley thinks herself lucky to be offered a new post.
Founded by the late Lady Georgiana Fowling as a repository for her vast collection of mystery novels, the First Edition Society hasn't quite decided whether it's a library, a social club, or an  educational institution. What it clearly is is Hayley's home, since the job offers both Hayley and the society's secretary, Glynis Woolgar, apartments in Middlebank House, the spacious mansion that houses the late Lady Fowling's collection. In an effort to expand the society's profile, Hayley also opens Middlebank House to the weekly meetings of a local writers' group that specializes in mystery fan fiction. But the morning after a particularly contentious session, the corpse of the arrogant Tristram Cummins is discovered in the library. Even worse, Charles Henry Dill, Lady Fowling's rapacious nephew, discovers that Hayley hasn't read most of the authors featured in his aunt's collection.
Woods, Stuart.
Stealth
(Putnam $28).
 Stone Barrington, spy. Arrived at his English country estate he rendezvouses with Dame Felicity, head of MI-6, and agrees to the challenge of a training course up north. There he meets some actors in what turns into a spy drama with Stone between the sheets with at least three women and on his way to becoming a deputy director of the CIA. I think Woods is taking this up and over the top, and into three-way sex, which seems risky for a spy fellow.
Corrigan, Maya.
Crypt Suzette
(Kensington $7.99). Five Ingredient Mysteries #5.
While catering
the debut of Bayport's newest bookstore, Val Deniston is drawn into a real-life murder mystery when the secretive woman renting a spare bedroom at her ghost-busting granddad's house is mowed down by a hit-and-run driver.
Mom and occasional
sleuth Lucy Stone must take a break from baking Halloween cupcakes and rejuvenating old costumes for her children to hunt down an evil arsonist wreaking havoc in Tinker's Cove.
When she
finds ornery farmer Ronald Minter dead in his pumpkin patch, Abby McCree and her tenant, a veteran named Tripp Blackston, must carve out the clues to prove the innocence of a homeless veteran who stands accused of crime.
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Our October Books of the Month
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OCTOBER BOOKS OF THE MONTH
British Crime Club
One unsigned hardcover or paperback per month
Cozy Crimes Club
One unsigned hardcover or paperback per month
Discovery Club
One paperback or hardcover per month 
First Mystery Club
One Signed First per month
Hardboiled Crime Club
One signed First per month
History/Mystery Club
One Signed First per month
History Paperback
One per month
Modern First Editions
One Signed First per month
SciFi/Fantasy/Horror Club
One Signed First per month 
Surprise Me! Club
One Signed First Per Month
Thriller Club
One Signed First per month
Cornwell, Patricia.
Quantum
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Parking, Drinks & Dining
and a generous offer from Arcadia Farms Cafe
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We suggest when you can you come early to The Pen (chairs go down around 5:00 PM or 1:00 PM for afternoon events), reserve your seat(s), and explore our vibrant Old Town Scottsdale neighborhood.
Parking is more difficult sometimes because of the restaurants (editorial comment -- the City of Scottsdale's parking policies suck!).
We've given you locations beyond our parking lot.
Good News: Arcadia Farms Cafe has generously offered us its parking for evening events when needed. You can also park just south of our lot between the alley and Main Street.
One reason we don't have a cafe or bar in The Pen is there isn't enough dedicated parking to allow one.
Enjoy --there are all sorts of food and beverages on offer.
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Audio Books for Halloween
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The leaves are changing color, the pumpkin-spice pressure is real, and the spookiest of holidays is quickly approaching.
Already a member? Vsit our webstore and search for the title you're interested in.
If Libro.fm has it available you'll see a new
Buy The Audiobook button on the same page where you order the book.
More info from
Libro.fm can be found by clicking on the link.
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Mystery-of-the-Month Club
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Looking for something new to read each month and aren't sure what to choose? Let us help... And it makes a great gift for Dad!
The Mystery-of-the-Month Club is individually tailored to each customer's specific tastes. Just let us know what kinds of mysteries you enjoy, whether your looking for signed hardcover books or paperbacks, and we'll take it from there!
For more information, drop Patrick King a line at
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We Don't Want to Lose You!
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If you change your email address you will disappear from our Enews mailing list automatically.
We can't tell unless you either
Go to the very bottom of any Enews and Click on
UPDATE PROFILE or go here and fill in the form. You can choose whether to get the Enews alone or the Enews and Event invitations.
or
Email us your new Email address so we can input it for you into The Enews list. Please tell us that's what you want because we cannot just subscribe you.
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Forwarding to a Friend
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Here's something you can do for readers you know...and for free. Forward them an Enews. Or, you can sign a new subscriber up by using this link. It only takes a minute to fill in an email address and name. The Enews has an easy Unsubscribe feature at the bottom of each issue. |
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Buy Poisoned Pen Gift Cards Online
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The Poisoned Pen
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Is a full service general bookstore with a specialty in fiction of all kinds, and in history. When books are not on our shelves we can order them for you quickly or, if British, it takes a little longer.
Email any requests to
[email protected]. It's all part of the experience. Thank you for supporting The Poisoned Pen.
Winner, 2001 Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America! Winner,
2012 The Arizona Republic and the New Times Best of Phoenix and Best of Scottsdale, Best Bookstore! 2013 Arizona Republic's Critics' Choice and Reader's Choice Best Specialty Bookstore
12-time Nominee, Publishers Weekly's Bookseller of the Year
Winner, James Patterson Page-Turner Award
Poisoned Pen Press, Winner, The 2010 Ellery Queen Award from The Mystery Writers of America
Member of the Crime Writers of Canada, British Crime Writers Association, The American Booksellers Association,
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