News

Booklist Calls Paul Doiron's Debut One Of The Year's Best

2010-04-29T12:37:00.005-04:00

We're very pleased to tell you that Booklist chose THE POACHER'S SON as one of their top ten debut crime novels of 2010, calling it "engaging" and "vividly written."

Doiron Sits Down For Tea With Strumpet

2010-04-29T10:26:00.004-04:00

You might think that a blog called Bookslut would like every book that comes along, but the folks over there are actually quite discerning readers. That's why we were so pleased when Clayton Moore, author of their Mystery Strumpet column, recently interviewed Paul Doiron and gave THE POACHER'S SON a rave review.

Clayton calls Paul's novel "sublime" and says "transcends its setting, lending a bleak austerity to its milieu while simultaneously infusing its main character with Steinbeckian humanity." He thinks its protagonist is "a fascinating, troubled character" and concludes:

The author, who devoured Sherlock Holmes as a kid and Raymond Carver and Tim O'Brian as a younger man, has managed to craft a novel that lies somewhere between the two, a crime novel that encompasses the full range of human emotion. The novel is the first in a series that will follow Mike's emotional development as he grows to be the man he's meant to be. It's a fascinating character study with much promise for the future.

Click here for more nice things about the book and Paul's illuminating commentary on its hero.

Catch Of The Day

2010-04-28T11:45:00.004-04:00

We're pleased to tell you that BookPage has chosen C.J. Box's NOWHERE TO RUN as today's book of the day, saying:

Pickett is a one-of-a-kind character, an Old West stand-up guy, and Box's tales of Pickett's exploits straddle the line between traditional Western (think Louis L'Amour) and thoroughly modern mystery. C.J. Box has won about every award there is to win: the Edgar, the Macavity, the Anthony, the Gumshoe, the Barry -- and with good reason. Like Tony Hillerman before him, he has reinvented a genre and made it his own.

Welcome To Paradise!

2010-04-27T15:52:00.004-04:00

ONE MAN'S PARADISE, winner of the Minotaur Books / Mystery Writers of America's First Crime Novel Award, comes out today! If you happen to be in Hawaii, you can catch the author, Douglas Corleone, at the following events:

Saturday, May 1 at 1:30pm
Barnes & Noble
Ala Moana Center

Saturday, May 8 at 1pm
Borders
Waikele Center

Sunday, May 16 at 3:30pm
Hawaii Book & Music Festival
Barnes & Noble tent for signing, followed by a reading and Q&A at the Author's Pavilion

Saturday, May 22 at 2pm
Borders
Ward Center

Saturday, June 5 at 1pm
Barnes & Noble
Kahala Mall

Check back here for more dates!

In Case You Didn't Hear It On The Radio

2010-04-26T17:27:00.002-04:00

If you weren't near a radio on Friday afternoon, you can click here for a transcript of C.J. Box's interview on Hugh Hewitt's show.

Kathleen George Puts On Some Lipstick And Smiles

2010-04-26T14:14:00.005-04:00

While Kathleen George may be a professor and Edgar-nominated author, she is also a self-professed ditz. In a recent guest post on The Lipstick Chronicles, she explains why that is actually be a good thing: "There's so much pressure on women these days to be well-oiled machines, strong, tough, competent -- anything but a ditz. But isn't there grace in ditziness, too? Sometimes we just need to collapse into zany, innocent, and gullible puddles of good will."

Click here to read some very amusing stories of how Kathy's inner Gracie Allen got her into -- and out of -- some sticky situations.

Friday Night Rights

2010-04-23T15:24:00.003-04:00

It's been an exciting week here at ARLA! Not only did we make it to the London Book Fair unscathed by volcanic ash, we also signed Dennis Lehane with a new UK publishing team!

There were several worthy competitors, but ultimately David Shelley of Little, Brown was the victor. He scored a two-book deal for Moonlight Mile, Lehane's final Patrick and Angie novel, and the as yet untitled sequel to The Given Day.

We'd like to thank Sarah Nundy of Andrew Nurnberg Associates for running point on this one!

Catch the full postgame report from the Bookseller.

People With Great Taste In Books

2010-04-23T15:18:00.004-04:00

People magazine recently gave C.J. Box's NOWHERE TO RUN four out of four stars, saying, "This stellar novel combines harrowing adrenaline rushes with complex morality, humor and a landscape described so vibrantly it seems to have a life all its own."

The Chicago Tribune tells its readers that the book is "what you ought to be reading," calling Box "a skillful writer and plot-spinner with plenty of wily surprises up his chambray sleeve."

Books On The Radio

2010-04-22T14:06:00.003-04:00

C.J. Box fans should tune into Hugh Hewitt's nationally syndicated radio show tomorrow afternoon because its entire three hours will be devoted to an interview with the author!

The Poacher's Son Is "One Of The Year's Boldest Debuts"

2010-04-09T15:46:00.003-04:00

We're excited to tell you that Kirkus Reviews featured Paul Doiron's THE POACHER'S SON in their Spring & Summer Preview, which highlights the best and brightest books of the season! From the issue:

One of the year's boldest debuts comes from the woodsy wilderness of Maine, where Paul Doiron augments his day job as the editor-in-chief of Down East magazine with a new crime series. The book stars game warden Mike Bowditch, who must confront his toxic upbringing when his father is accused of murdering a local cop. For the author, it meant getting up close and personal with his hero's unusual profession. "In Maine, game wardens essentially function as full-fledged police officers, enforcing the laws of the state wherever there isn't a road, which is pretty much everywhere," says Doiron. "They arrest snowmobilers for drunk driving, retrieve drowned swimmers from the bottom of lakes and rescue Alzheimer patients lost in the woods. They have extremely difficult and misunderstood jobs, for which they are paid next to nothing. I have nothing but respect for the courage and conviction it takes to do what they do." Doiron's fierce combination of wilderness know-how and old-school journalism has already earned him a three-book contract. "My goal is to follow Mike as he matures and becomes the man he was meant to be," he says. "I hope readers will want to come along for the journey."

We're sure they will, Paul, because it's going to be one exciting ride!

Next Stop: The Indie Next List!

2010-04-02T12:53:00.004-04:00

Each month, Indie Bound takes recommendations from independent booksellers all over the country and compiles their Indie Next List of cant-miss new titles. We're very pleased to tell you that C.J. Box's NOWHERE TO RUN appears on their April list!

Marie of the Seattle Mystery Bookshop (where Chuck will appear on the 16th) says:

Gripping, compelling storytelling by Edgar Award-winning author Box makes his 10th Joe Pickett mystery a must-read. Set against the wide-open spaces of Wyoming, scary people do scary things to not-so-innocent bystanders. This book delivers a walloping good read on so many levels: superb writing, eerie plot, startling twists, and Joe Pickett's quiet decency showcased against the conflict between community need and individual integrity.

The book comes out on Tuesday, and, after reading such a strong recommendation from a woman who obviously knows her stuff, we're sure that all of you will want to run to your local independent bookstore and snag a copy!

Man On The Run

2010-04-01T12:53:00.004-04:00

C.J. Box will be running all over the place promoting NOWHERE TO RUN! Check out his lengthy tour schedule below to see if he's coming to a town near you!

Monday, April 5 at 7pm

American Heritage Center

University of Wyoming

Laramie, WY

Tuesday, April 6 at 4pm

City Newsstand Bookstore & Coffee House

1722 Carey Avenue

Cheyenne, WY

Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30pm

Murder by the Book

2342 Bissonnet Street

Houston, TX

Thursday, April 8 at 7pm

Book People

603 North Lamar Boulevard

Austin, TX

Friday, April 9 at 5pm

Murder by the Book

1574 South Pearl Street

Denver, CO

Friday, April 9 at 7:30pm

Tattered Cover

2526 East Colfax Avenue

Denver, CO

Saturday, April 10 at 2pm

Barnes & Noble

520 South 24th Street West

Billings, MT

Sunday, April 11 at 2pm

Barnes & Noble

1601 Market Place Drive, Suite 65

Great Falls, MT

Wednesday, April 14 at 7pm

Poisoned Pen

4014 North Goldwater Boulevard, Suite 101

Scottsdale, AZ

Thursday, April 15 at 7pm

Mysterious Galaxy

7051 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Suite 302

San Diego, CA

Friday, April 16 at 12:30pm

Seattle Mystery Bookshop

117 Cherry Street

Seattle, WA

Friday, April 6 at 7:30pm

Barnes & Noble

2675 NE University Village Street

Seattle, WA

Saturday, April 17 at 1:30pm

Mystery Bookstore

1036-C Broxton Avenue

Los Angeles, CA

Saturday, April 17 at 4pm

Mysteries to Die For

2940 Thousand Oaks Boulevard

Thousand Oaks, CA

Sunday, April 18 at 12pm

Book Carnival

348 South Tustin Avenue

Orange, CA

Monday, April 19 at 7pm

M Is For Mystery

86 East Third Avenue

San Mateo, CA

Tuesday, April 20 at 7pm

Once Upon A Crime

604 West 26th Street

Minneapolis, MN

Wednesday, April 21 at 7pm

Mystery One Bookstore

2109 North Prospect Avenue

Milwaukee, WI

Thursday, April 22 at 7pm

Borders

34300 Woodward

Birmingham, MI

Friday, April 23 at 7pm

Books & Company

4453 Walnut Street

Dayton, OH

Saturday, April 24 at 7pm

Joseph-Beth Booksellers

161 Lexington Green Circle

Lexington, KY

Sunday, April 25 at 2:30pm

Eagle Eye Bookshop

2076 North Decatur Road

Decatur, GA

Saturday, May 1 at 1pm

Old Firehouse Books

232 Walnut Street

Fort Collins, CO

Saturday, May 1 at 7pm

High Crimes Mystery Bookshop

927 Main Street

Longmont, CO

Monday, May 10 at 5pm

Sheridan Stationery Books and Gallery

206 North Main Street

Sheridan, WY

Tuesday, May 11 at 3pm

Ralph's Books and Cards

215 South Montana Avenue

Casper, WY

Monday, June 14

The Wort Hotel

50 North Glenwood Street

Jackson, WY

Tuesday, June 15 at 1pm

The Old Faithful Inn

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone, WY

Wednesday, June 16 at 11am

The Old Faithful Inn

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone, WY

Wednesday, June 16 at 6pm

The Mammoth Hotel

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone, WY

Thursday, June 17 at 1pm

Cody Newsstand

1121 13th Street

Cody, WY

Another Winner!

2010-03-19T09:46:00.005-04:00

Many of you correctly identified the author of yesterday's quote as Alexis de Tocqueville (your high school history teachers would be very proud of you for remembering your Democracy in America -- or very disappointed in you for resorting to Google!), but Gary of Kennewick, Washington, was the quickest on the draw.

Congratulations, Gary, an advance copy of NOWHERE TO RUN is on its way to you!

Win An Advance Copy Of C.J. Box's Latest!

2010-03-18T11:09:00.002-04:00

Because you enjoyed our previous giveaway so much, we've decided to hold another one!

Our readers outside of New York may not have heard about Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn, but his plans to tear down private homes and businesses to build a stadium for his (pitifully performing) basketball team have generated an enormous amount of controversy. We don't want to give too much of the plot away, but C.J. Box's NOWHERE TO RUN contains an equally wrenching example of eminent domain abuse.

We will give an advance copy of this exciting new installment in the Joe Pickett series to the first person who can identify the author of the book's epigraph:

In no other country in the world is the love of property keener or more alert than in the United States, and nowhere else does the majority display less inclination towards doctrines which in any way threaten the way property is owned.

Email your response to info(at)rittlit(dot)com. The rest of you will have to wait until next month to get your hands on a copy!

We Have A Winner!

2010-03-18T10:38:00.002-04:00

Meredith of Chesaning, Michigan, is the winner of our POACHER'S SON giveaway!

While we appreciated all of our dear readers who wrote in with their favorite ways to poach an egg, we liked her response the best:

"'An egg that is caught poaching will most certainly fry!' said the judge when asked."

Congratulations, Meredith, your advance reader's copy is on its way!

For the record, here is the ARLA-tested method:

Fill a small saucepan with about two inches of water and a splash of vinegar. When small bubbles are beginning to form and rise to the surface, swirl the water with a slotted spoon and drop an egg (the fresher, the better) into the center of the 'whirlpool.' Pop some bread in the toaster and turn down the heat slightly to keep the water just below a boil. When the toast is ready, scoop the egg out with the slotted spoon, carefully blot it with a paper towel, place it on your toast, and enjoy!

The Favorite Son

2010-03-16T16:23:00.006-04:00

In Library Journal's new Book Cheer column, "the true story of 12 library marketing directors reviewing one another's titles," Chris Vaccari of Sterling reads three books and chooses a favorite.

Mr. Vaccari obviously has exquisite literary taste, not only because he counts "anything by Dennis Lehane" among his all-time favorite books, but also because he chose THE POACHER'S SON as the winner in this match-up! He says, "I've never been to Maine, but now I feel like I have. Twigs were cracking underneath my feet as I settled in to read this one. Doiron creates great scenery to surround an impressive debut. Well done, sir."

(We still have an advance copy to give away, so don't be shy about writing in with the answer to last week's question!)

Friday Night Rights

2010-03-12T17:34:00.002-05:00

ARLA's teammates have been on a hot streak these past two weeks!

First up at the plate, Atilla Turgut of the Akcali Copyright agency sold DOROTHY OF MANHATTAN, Adam Fawer's latest novel, to April Publishing in Turkey.

La Nouvelle Agence's Michele Kanonidis sold MOONLIGHT MILE, Dennis Lehane's forthcoming Patrick and Angie mystery (the sixth and final one), to Lehane’s longtime French publisher, Editions Rivages, while Naomi Colvin of Andrew Nurnberg Associates sold it to The House of Books, Lehane's devoted Dutch publisher.

German publishers Schreiber & Lesser stepped up to the plate with offers for publication in graphic form of both SHUTTER ISLAND and "Until Gwen," the short story by Dennis Lehane that begins, "Your father picks you up from prison in a stolen Dodge Neon with an eight ball in the glove compartment and a hooker named Mandy in the backseat," one of our favorite openings ever. Michele Kanonidis of La Nouvelle Agence and Sabine Pfannensteil-Wright of Andrew Nurnberg Associates fielded the offers and brought them home.

Cappelen Damm in Norway renewed rights to MYSTIC RIVER and SHUTTER ISLAND, thanks to Ulf Toregard of the Sane Toregard Agency.

Romanian, Slovenian, and Portuguese readers will get to know THE POACHER'S SON thanks to Reader's Digest. Paul Doiron's publisher, St. Martin's Press, handled those deals.

Putnam's Lance Fitzgerald made a deal with Piemme for Italian publication of NOWHERE TO RUN, and our co-agent Sarah Nundy completed the two-book deal with a contract for BLUE HEAVEN.

Good work, team! We'd pour a bucket of Gatorade on all of you if we could!

First Look At The Poacher's Son

2010-03-12T13:06:00.005-05:00

This month, Paul Doiron is over on First Look, Barnes & Noble's book club, for an online discussion with a select group of readers who were given advance copies of THE POACHER'S SON. They read several chapters each week and then post their reactions, generating some pretty lively debates.

Charlie Spicer, his amazing editor at St. Martin's, is also on the site this week answering reader's questions. He has some very interesting things to say about his work on the book and the publishing process in general, so it's well worth a look!

If you're feeling sad that you'll have to wait until May to get your hands on the book, we do have one advance reader's copy to give away. We'll send it to the person who emails us at info(at)rittlit(dot)com with the best way to poach an egg!

The Man Beneath The Black Hat

2010-03-12T10:51:00.005-05:00

Wyofile has a great in-depth profile of ARLA author and all-around nice guy C.J. Box. Click here to find out how he got his start as a writer, what "C.J." stands for, why he responds to every single letter from his readers (even the grumpy ones), and much more!

Friday Night Rights

2010-02-26T12:54:00.008-05:00

ARLA's agents across the universe have been working around the clock to spread the word of great books in more languages than we can count -- even Canadian! Here's what they've done in 2010 alone:

C.J. Box's Edgar Award-winning standalone, BLUE HEAVEN, has been sold by Aleksandra Matuszak of ANAW in Poland to Wydawnictwo Albatros Andrzej Kurylowicz, while Miko Yamanouchi of Japan Uni sold THREE WEEKS TO SAY GOODBYE (his second standalone) to Hayakawa in Japan. Ulf Toregard of the Sane Toregard agency sold both of those books to Klim in Denmark, along with Chuck's forthcoming standalone, BACK OF BEYOND (St. Martin's Press 2011).

Dennis Lehane's SHUTTER ISLAND (cf. the #1 box office hit!) has new deals all over the place! Ulf Toregard sold it to Lindhardt & Ringhof in Denmark, while Atilla Turgut of the Akcali Copyright Agency sold it to Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Ludmilla Sushkova of Andrew Nurnberg Associates Moscow sold it to Atticus in Russia, and Kristine Supe of Andrew Nurnberg's Baltic office sold it to Carobna Knjiga in Serbia. Daniela Petracco of Andrew Nurnberg Associates sold it to Edizioni BD in Italy, while Michele Kanonidis of La Nouvelle Agence sold the graphic novel to Compupress in Greece (don't mention the Euro!).

Laura Whitcomb's award-winning novel A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT will be published in Turkey by Bilge Kultur Sanat thanks to Atilla Turgut. Shari Smiley of Creative Artists Agency also optioned film rights to producer Kristin Hahn.

Brazilians and Germans will NEVER WAVE GOODBYE again after reading the forthcoming novel by Doug Magee, thanks to Sextante and Aufbau, respectively. Daniela Petracco and fellow Nurnberger Sabine Pfannensteil-Wright oversaw those deals. Touchstone, a division of Simon and Schuster, will publish in the U.S. this June.

ARLA's own Penn Whaling has sold May-lee Chai's DRAGON CHICA to Gemma Media, a Boston publishing house, and her client Doug Harris's YOU COMMA IDIOT (aka BEST TITLE EVER) will be published by Goose Lane Editions in Canada.

Yeehaw!

Paradise Found

2010-02-26T11:56:00.005-05:00

St. Martin's will publish Douglas Corleone's debut novel, ONE MAN'S PARADISE, in April, and it's already gotten a very nice review from Booklist:

This novel won the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award, and it's no wonder. Former defense lawyer Corleone has created a crafty and memorable character and placed him in a suspenseful and layered story. Kevin Corvelli was a defense lawyer in New York until his apathy toward his clients led to the conviction of an innocent man, who was later murdered in prison. Now Kevin is living in Hawaii, still working as a lawyer but doing so purely to pay off his staggering student loan. "I don't like my clients," he tells us, "and I don't care if they like me." But when a law student is accused of murdering his former girlfriend, Kevin discovers that he actually does give a damn whether this particular client is guilty or innocent. This is a solid, well-written legal thriller with quite interesting ethical undercurrents. Kevin's journey begins at personal and professional apathy and ends at some form of redemption. Perhaps the author plans to continue Kevin's transformation in subsequent novels: a sequel to this fine debut would seem almost mandatory.

Running Up The Starred Reviews!

2010-02-26T11:28:00.005-05:00

We're pleased to tell you that C.J. Box's NOWHERE TO RUN has received two more starred reviews!

Kirkus says that "it's great to see the usual Box strengths -- exhilarating landscapes, high adventure, thrilling suspense, surprising moral quandaries -- done to a turn."

Booklist adds, "As Box has become more prolific, his gold standard has become alloyed, but Nowhere to Run, the tenth in the series, ranks with his best books, such as Open Season (2001) and Out of Range (2005). Readers should take note of their surroundings before opening this book: once they start reading, they won't know what hit them."

Shutter Island Hits The NYT Bestseller List!

2010-02-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

I guess everyone wanted to read the book before they saw the movie, because SHUTTER ISLAND has risen to #18 on this week's New York Times paperback trade fiction bestseller list!

Doug Magee Hits The Clubs

2010-02-22T10:36:00.003-05:00

If you're a member of, well, any of the book clubs, you have quite a treat coming for you in the mail this summer!

NEVER WAVE GOODBYE, Doug Magee's gripping debut novel, will be a Featured Alternate in the Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, Book-of-the-Month Club, Doubleday Book Club, Doubleday Large Print Book Club, and BOMC2. For all of you romance fans out there, don't worry -- it will also be a selection in Rhapsody!

[SH]UTTER Insanity

2010-02-22T10:25:00.003-05:00

Well, dear readers, a lot of you must gone to see SHUTTER ISLAND this weekend -- and taken your whole families along -- because it was #1 at the box office this weekend! In fact, the film was both Scorsese's and DiCaprio's biggest opening ever!

Here's more from The New York Times and Deadline.com.