Donald Bain
Don was the proud recipient of the IAMTW's first Grand Master award.
Murder, She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder took home a Lovey Award from the Love Is Murder conference in the Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth category.
The Fine Art of Murder is available everywhere.
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Welcome
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May-June 2012 Murder HE Wrote, my autobiography, is now available as an e-book on amazon's Kindle, and on other electronic reading devices through Smashwords. The price is $2.99, and you can go to amazon.com by clicking on the Murder HE Wrote cover on the left side of this page, or go to Smashwords.com for accesss to other devices. The trade paperback edition published by Purdue University Press is also still available. TROUBLE AT HIGH TIDE, set in Bermuda, is the latest "Murder, She Wrote" novel to be published. It's now out in hardcover and as an ebook. When a murder occurs on Bermuda's lovely pink beach, Jessica, who's in Bermuda for some R&R, is drawn into the case, along with her Scotland Yard friend, George Sutherland. This murder, as with others on the island paradise, smacks of London's Jack-the-Ripper murders, and Jessica wonders whether her week of relaxation might quickly turn into a week of dread. A reader reminded us on the Discussion page that we hadn't updated this site. We've been swamped lately but are trying to catch up. Our many readers are always ready to keep us honest, and remind us when we've fallen behind. We've just posted an excerpt from Trouble at High Tide in the lefthand column. Hope you enjoy it. If you haven't read any of the legal thrillers written by our friend Robert Dugoni you've missed out on masterful storytelling. Reviewers have said that Bob is "the heir to Grisham's literary throne." His publisher, Simon & Schuster, is undertaking an unprecedented promotion to make readers aware of Bob's novel, MURDER ONE, by offering it as an ebook for $1.99. His next novel, THE CONVICTION, will be published on June 12. The link for the $1.99 promotion is here. But hurry, the offer is only available for a limited time. We're taking a break from travel for the summer. But you can always see where we've been before in the pictures on the Events page. NOTE FOR KINDLE USERS: TAKING TENNESSEE TO HART by Joe Stockdale, the first book published by our publishing company, Hyphenates Books, is now available as a Kindle release on amazon.com for $3.99. Read the rave reviews on amazon, and learn more about this fanciful novel by clicking on "Hyphenates Books." Our venture into the world of book publishing has gotten off to an auspicious start. In addition to the e-version of my autobiographyMurder, He Wrote, which I mentioned above, Hyphenates Books' first novel Taking Tennessee to Hart--a wonderful crime-caper novel by my former theater professor at Purdue University and dear friend Joe Stockdale--has been selling steadily and garnering great reader reviews. Learn more about the novel, the author, and how to buy the book by clicking on "Hyphenates Books" on the navigation bar at the top of this page. There's also a special note there for "Murder, She Wrote" fans. While we're now at work readying some of my older books to be brought back as e-books, we're also looking at a few novels by other writers that have caught our eye, and our hearts. We get to meet many writers over the course of a year, and occasionally one of them has written a novel that captures our fancy. But because we're a small start-up we have limited resources, and have to be extremely selective in which books we choose to publish. It will be a long time before we're in a position to accept unsolicited submissions from writers and agents. Maybe one day . . . . The next book to be published in the "Murder, She Wrote" series will be Domestic Malice which finds a Cabot Cove family wrestling with the issue of domestic violence. When the abuser is murdered, suspicion points to the family, but how many others in the community had bones to pick with the victim? Fans of mystery conferences will recognize that the working title is a play on one of our favorites, Malice Domestic, which takes place annually in the Washington, D.C.-area. The book will be out October 2012. Following that is the 39th novel in the series, which we've just completed and sent to the publisher. It's set in Tampa, Florida, and involves intrigue within the Cuban-American community, as well as inserting Jessica and her friend, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, into the high-pressure world of medical research. The title is Prescription for Murder. Fans of the series will find it interesting that Seth, who is often critical of Jessica for "snooping," becomes quite a snoop himself into a murder that takes place, as he becomes Sherlock with Jessica as his trusted aide Dr. Watson. The week that Renée and I spent in Tampa researching the book was made especially pleasurable because it meant spending time with friends James and Jeannette Vann. They took us by the hand and introduced us to the Tampa that casual tourists seldom get to see. James Vann is an immensely talented artist; some of his works have a proud place in our home. Years ago, when Jimmy was a law enforcement officer in New York City, a good friend of mine, Phil Leshin, was in charge of the Correction Department's Public Affairs Department, recognized Jimmy's artistic talent and brought him into his department to create graphic art that was part of Phil's ongoing educational outreach programs. Since that time, Jimmy and his beautiful wife Jeannette moved to Tampa where he has pursued his avocation, eventually being honored as the 2011 "Artist of the Year" by his adopted city. Outside the District 3 police station in East Tampa stands a series of murals he painted depicting the local community, as well as a special wall, a tribute to Tampa's first black foot patrol police officers. Most of Jimmy's stunning neo-cubist renditions feature figures of the jazz world, and his art also appears on an array of delightful, fanciful gift items including purses made from cigar boxes, men's ties, women's scarves, and assorted jewelry. The Vanns arranged for us to spend many productive hours with top law enforcement officers in Tampa, and introduced us to the fascinating world of Ybor City, a colorful area of Tampa that was home to the influx of Cuban cigar makers decades earlier. All in all it was both a pleasant and productive research trip. For those who like armchair travel, The Fine Art of Murder is available everywhere.(Look for an excerpt in the lefthand column.) This one is an exciting tale of big-time art theft and forgery that takes Jessica to Italy where she almost loses her life, only to be drawn into a murder in Chicago when she returns home. A fascinating mix of suspects emerges, and while Jessica tries to solve that murder, she's called back to Italy to aid the Italian police with their case, another trip that places her in jeopardy. Skating on Thin Ice, set in Cabot Cove,is now out in paperback has been receiving a big thumbs-up from readers. Here's a little more news on the latest books. THE QUEEN'S JEWELS takes Jessica to London in preparation for a trans-Atlantic crossing back to the United States on the magnificent Queen Mary 2. After spending time with Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland (too little time as far as they're concerned), she sets sail. Little does she know that individuals connected with the theft of a huge diamond from its London owner are also onboard, and Jessica soon finds herself in the middle of a plot by international jewel thieves to fund terrorist organizations. The stakes are high, high enough to kill for, and it takes every ounce of her intellect and cunning to bring the bad guys to justice, and to see that she arrives safely. Two engaging characters from the TV show make an appearance in this, the 34th novel in the series. If you're a figure skating fan, and even if you're not, there's a lot to enjoy in SKATING ON THIN ICE. It takes place in the exciting world of competitive figure skating, a wonderful sport that has millions of devotées, including us. Renée is an avid fan and continues to take skating lessons at our local rink. The story is set in Cabot Cove and features many of our readers' favorite characters. Renée and I dedicated the book to Dick Button, the great skater and commentator who lives close enough to us to be considered a neighbor. And in case you haven't read them, here's news on other books: NASHVILLE NOIR is out in paperback, and sales have really taken off. (There's a link to an excerpt in the left column.) The book is an exciting tale of young talent, betrayals, double crosses, and murder, of course, all set to the twang of an acoustic guitar in the country music capital of the world. Jessica comes to Music City, U.S.A., to help a home town girl, a talented songwriter, who finds herself enmeshed in more than she bargained for when the producer who promised to make her a star is found bludgeoned to death. A FATAL FEAST The softcover version of this peek into a distinctly American celebration, is available. The book, which takes place in Cabot Cove the week before Thanksgiving, also offers an intriguing mystery to solve. Jessica has a lot on her plate. She's grappling with a rare case of writer's block just as she's got to work on the town's holiday pageant, feed the needy at the Senior Center, and figure out how she's going to squeeze in extra places for all those people she's invited to Thanksgiving dinner. Joining Jessica in Maine is a special guest, Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland. George not only experiences a traditional New England Thanksgiving dinner, he helps Jessica solve the murder of an enigmatic newcomer to town. MADISON AVENUE SHOOT Also available in softcover. Jessica Fletcher is back in New York City, although as a visitor this time. Over her initial objections, she's taking part in the filming of a television commercial together with a television chef, a New Age guru and a writer of exposes. Fans of Jessica Fletcher's nephew, Grady, will be pleased that he'll be back in this book playing a major role. Donna is there, too, of course. And you'll get to meet their 9-year-old son Frank, named for Jessica's late husband. The book has received great notices including one on the Hartford Examiner site. A SLAYING IN SAVANNAH Still one of our favorites, and out in paperback and Kindle, the novel takes place in this quintessentially southern city renowned for mystery. When her friend Tillie Mortelaine dies, Jessica is invited to solve a 40-year-old murder case. At stake is a million-dollar bequest for the local literacy program that she and Tillie established. As Jessica settles into Tillie's Savannah mansion and meets its collection of odd boarders, she begins to suspect that the spirit of the murder victim, Wanamaker Jones, is haunting the premises--and that there are those in Savannah who are looking to cash in on Jessica’s failure. Savannah has been receiving wonderful reviews, including one from Publishers Weekly, the publishing industry's leading publication, which reads, in part, "Ferreting out who killed Wanamaker is tough work, but Jessica, as always, rises to the challenge. Ghostly assistance adds to the charm of the spunky sleuthing...", as well as five stars from reviewer Harriet Klausner, who calls the book "an entertaining cerebral cold case whodunit" and "one of the best cases Mrs. Fletcher (and Donald Bain) has worked on." And Elisa Preston wrote in the Savannah Morning News, "A Slaying in Savannah is fun and interesting, and the authors nailed Savannah right on the head. It's a murder mystery filled with the city's charm and uniqueness." Thank you, Elisa! MURDER ON PARADE Now in paper, celebrate The Fourth of July in Cabot Cove with traditional, festive parades, contests, events for the youngsters, and, of course, fireworks. But this year, the "bombs bursting in air" includes a fatal gunshot that takes the life of one of the town's most controversial citizens. Jessica finds herself right in the middle of the investigation, aided (or perhaps hindered) by a stranger whose arrival in Cabot Cove has tongues wagging. Former sheriff Amos Tupper makes a return appearance in this novel. And Seth Hazlitt, who's seriously wounded by a mugger, faces a tough decision that has Jessica worried, and will determine whether he closes down his medical practice and retires. Every book in the "Murder, She Wrote" series is still in print. Murder HE Wrote The "Murder, She Wrote" series, the Veronica Lake autobiography, "Charlie and the Shawneetown Dame," and "Coffee, Tea or Me?" are among the more than 100 books I've written over a long career (the actual number as of November 2008 is 104). The stories behind these books and all the others, are contained in the new, large format paperback edition of my autobiography, "Murder HE Wrote: A Successful Writer's Life," published by Purdue University Press. For reviews and endorsements from top publishing figures and fellow-writers, please click on the book's title, "Murder HE Wrote" to your right. Perfect gift for the writer in your family. CHARLIE AND THE SHAWNEETOWN DAME The Purdue University Press reissue of a book I wrote more than 30 years ago, CHARLIE AND THE SHAWNEETOWN DAME, continues to create a buzz in Hollywood. It's a dramatization of a true story from the Prohibition era, involving one of the more bizarre gang wars in the annals of crime in America, replete with tank wars, bombing from an aircraft, and chronicling the life of Charlie Birger, a flamboyant, slightly mad Al Capone wannabe. I've completed a screenplay based upon the book, and of the more than 100 books I've written, this has always been a particular favorite. Click on the title at the right for reviews, and an excerpt from the book. THE CIA'S CONTROL OF CANDY JONES Often called a "cult classic," the reissue of the controversial THE CIA'S CONTROL OF CANDY JONES is difficult to find in stores, but used versions are available on amazon.com and at barnesandnoble.com. Twentieth-Century Fox bought the film rights many years ago as a vehicle for Jane Fonda but has never made the movie. I've tried to buy back the rights, as have a dozen Hollywood producers. For some reason, Fox won't let go. That's a shame because it would make a wonderful motion picture. Besides, the American public should know about the perverse CIA experiments that took place during the "Cold War." COFFEE, TEA OR ME? Penguin Books' reissue of COFFEE, TEA OR ME? includes a new foreword by me, and all the original Bill Wenzel illustrations. Stop back again soon. Donald Bain |
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