Donald Bain

We're on Facebook now! If you are, too, please look for us on our special Murder, She Wrote Author page, and become a fan.

January-February 2012

Happy New Year to everyone! We hope 2012 will bring peace, health and happiness to all.

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."

Renée and I are starting the year off with a bang, visiting the legendary Poisoned Pen, bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Saturday, January 21st, from 2:00-3:00, to sign books and meet readers. The shop's gracious owner Barbara Peters has also arranged for us to give a Coffee & Crime talk at the Desert Foothills Library on Friday, January 20th, at 2:30. So all you Arizonans, saddle up your SUVs and come say howdy.

Also, coming up shortly, I'll be a featured author at the Love is Murder mystery conference in Chicago February 3-5. This is the preeminent Midwestern mystery conference and I thank the organizers for the honor. The event will kick off with a February 2nd book signing from 5:50 to 7:00 p.m., at the Intercontinental O'Hare Hotel, site of the conference. We'll be there with fellow authors Hank Phillippi Ryan, (Drive Time, The Charlotte McNally series), Julie James (A Lot Like Love, Something About You), and David Morrell (The Naked Edge, The Shimmer); and featured local author Julie Hyzy (Deadly Interest, the Alex St. James series). We hope to meet a lot of our fans from the Chicagoland area and others of you who'll be coming to the conference.

In case you haven't seen them: my agent of many years, Ted Chichak, has written a wonderful "appreciation" of me for the Love is Murder newsletter. You'll find a link to his piece on the Events page, as well as another "appreciation" written by my good friend and colleague Tony Tedeschi. Tony is the founder of NaturalTraveler.com a site for which Renée and I have written in the past.
# # #
Our venture into the world of book publishing has gotten off to an auspicious start. To date we've only published one book, a wonderful crime-caper novel, TAKING TENNESSEE TO HART, by my former theater professor at Purdue University and dear friend Joe Stockdale. Read the rave reviews that Joe and his novel have generated from readers on amazon.com, and 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 "Murder, She Wrote" novel will be 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 working title is Rendezvous in Tampa. We welcome readers' suggestions on titles. Let us know on the Discussion Page if you think you have a better title for the book. If we use yours, you'll receive a complimentary copy of the book once it's published.

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, and we're hard at work writing the book, which is due to the publisher on April 1.
# # #
For those who like armchair travel, The Fine Art of Murder is now published and 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.

Trouble at High Tide will be the perfect book for you to take to the beach next summer--if you can wait that long. The book will be out in the Spring of 2012. Intending to relax in (one of our favorite places) Bermuda, Jessica, as the guest of a federal judge with a luxurious home overlooking the ocean, takes a late night stroll and comes across--what else?--a body. And the fun begins. We'll post an excerpt as we get closer to the publication date.

Skating on Thin Ice, set in Cabot Cove,and soon to be out in paperback has been receiving a big thumbs-up from readers, as has the latest paperback out now, Nashville Noir.

The manuscript for Domestic Malice has been turned in, and it 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.

Here's a little more news on the latest books.

THE QUEEN'S JEWELS
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.

SKATING ON THIN ICE
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 out now. 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. If you've been waiting for the paperback, now's your time.

MADISON AVENUE SHOOT

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