See all ten mysteries in the Body Farm Series for $9.99 or less each on Kindle.
Damage Control by Robert Dugoni
A Legal Thriller
Publisher: Grand Central
Price: $2.99
All Involved by Ryan Gattis
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: Ecco
Price: 99¢
15 Seconds by Andrew Gross
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: William Morrow
Price: 99¢
The Man Who Died Laughing by David Handler
A Stewart Hoag Mystery (1st in series)
Publisher: Open Road
Price: $1.99
Open Road titles are often discounted for one day only, so if you are interested in buying this book, please confirm the price before you purchase it.
See all eight mysteries in the Stewart Hoag Series for $7.99 or less each on Kindle.
The Anatomist's Apprentice by Tessa Harris
A Thomas Silkstone Mystery (1st in series)
Publisher: Kensington
Price: $2.99
See all five historical mysteries in the Thomas Silkstone Series for $2.99 or less each on Kindle.
The Abomination by Jonathan Holt
The Carnivia Trilogy (1st in series)
Publisher: Harper
Price: 99¢
See all three titles in the Carnivia Trilogy for $10.99 or less each on Kindle.
Stealing with Style by Emyl Jenkins
A Sterling Glass Mystery (1st in series)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Price: $1.99
Not a Girl Detective by Susan Kandel
A CeCe Caruso Mystery (2nd in series)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Price: 99¢
See all five mysteries in the CeCe Caruso Series for $9.99 or less each on Kindle.
The Agatha Christie Book Club by C. A. Larmer
A Modern Murder Mystery
Publisher: Larmer Media
Price: 99¢
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
A Harry Hole Mystery (7th in series)
Publisher: Vintage
Price: $1.99
Extreme Prey by John Sandford
A Lucas Davenport Mystery (26th in series)
Publisher: Putnam
Price: $1.99
See all 27 books in the popular Lucas Davenport Series for $14.99 or less each on Kindle.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of 03/08/17 8:14 AM. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
We are delighted to welcome author Nancy Boyarsky to Omnimystery News today.
Nancy's new first in series mystery is The Swap (Light Messages Publishing; February 2017 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had the opportunity to catch up with her to talk more about it.
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Omnimystery News: Introduce us to your new series character.
Photo provided courtesy of Nancy Boyarsky
Nancy Boyarsky: Nicole Graves is my series heroine. In book one, The Swap (published this month), she has arranged a house swap, exchanging her L.A. condo for a house in London. At the start of the novel, Nicole seems a bit of a wimp, preoccupied with the problems in her marriage. An important part of her character is her insatiable curiosity about the people she meets. She also tends to be impulsive, acting instinctively when a crisis arises. And there are times in the past when she’s been brave. But when we first meet her, she’s so consumed with anxiety, that these qualities have pretty much shut down.
That soon changes when circumstances put her in danger. Suddenly she faces three new problems: the failure of the London couple to arrive in L.A., the people who are following and threatening her, and her failure to get anyone to believe her.
At this low point, her coping skills are seriously challenged. But it isn’t until she gets truly angry that she grows into the role of de facto detective, willing to take some risks — and gradually much greater ones — to find out what is going on and save herself. At this point, she becomes a force to be reckoned with, confident, assertive, and — when challenged — more than a little dangerous.
OMN: Was it always your intention to make The Swap a first in series mystery?
NB: No, not at all. Once it was published, however, I kept wondering what would happen to my heroine after the story ended. That inspired me to write a second novel about Nicole, The Bequest, which is set in L.A. and will be released by my publisher this summer. I’m now working on a third book in this series.
OMN: How to you see Nicole developing over the course of the series?
I try to make to make her grow and change by forcing her to confront a series of crises. In The Swap, she is confronted by marital problems, a common experience for people today. But her marriage becomes secondary to much bigger threats that force her to use all of her intelligence and courage. That helps her grow as a character and makes her braver and, in my eyes, more admirable.
OMN: Into which genre would you place The Swap?
NB: My book is a mystery of the sort that Alfred Hitchcock used in his classic film The Man Who Knew Too Much. It’s the story of an innocent abroad, the traveler who picks up the wrong suitcase. In Nicole’s case, however, she’s a traveler who picks out the wrong house swap.
I chose the “accidental detective” genre because I enjoy reading this kind of book, as opposed to procedural mysteries. Although The Swap has a female protagonist and some elements of a cozy, my books have too much realistic dialogue (language real people use when they’re angry or threatened) and violence.
I don’t find it a disadvantage to label a book in a genre and a subcategory of that genre. It gives prospective readers an idea of what to expect; that’s always a good thing. People tend to favor certain genres over others. As authors, we should give them information so they can make good choices.
OMN: Tell us something about the book that isn't mentioned in the synopsis.
NB: Someone Nicole first regards as a threat will help save her, and the person she trusts most turns out to be lying about everything.
OMN: When starting a new book, which comes first for you: the storyline or a cast of characters?
NB: In starting a new book, creating interesting characters is important. My main character is central to everything I write. She will provide the viewpoint for the story. In other words, everything that happens will be told through her eyes, even though I’m writing in the third person.
With a mystery, you have to establish some other things before you can start: What is the crime? Who committed it? What is the motive? Why did the crime take place at that particular moment? Who is the detective character? What is the detective’s motive for solving the crime? The crime-solver needs a pretty strong reason to spend time and take risks by getting involved.
OMN: What is the best advice — and harshest criticism — you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiriing writers?
NB: The best advice was “Don’t give up your day job.” The odds of being able to support yourself writing fiction are about as good as an artist has supporting herself with proceeds from her work. Be satisfied with the joys of storytelling and having your work find an audience.
The harshest criticism came from a few readers who complained that too much happened in my mysteries. I, myself, grow impatient when too little happens in a book I’m reading, so I have trouble relating to this. Most of my readers seem like the action and twists that keep my plot moving.
As for what advice I’d give a new author, I’d say don’t give up but be prepared for a lot of rejection letters before your work finds its way into print. And, if all else fails, don’t hestitate to self-publish. That’s how some books find publishers. By all means, hire a publicist so your book doesn’t get lost in the thousands of books that are published at the same time as yours.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a mystery author, but I am also …".
NB: I am a mystery author, but I am also a portrait artist and a techie, providing technical support (wifi, computer, smartphone, etc.) for family and friends.
OMN: When selecting a book to read for pleasure, what do you look for?
NB: I look first at various book review sites. Then I read the synopsis of the book, usually on Amazon, as well as reader’s comments. Finally, I download a sample of the book to see if it catches my interest. I generally look for books that are well written and intriguing, usually with some kind of mystery angle.
OMN: If The Swap were to be adapted for television or film, who do you see playing the lead characters?
NB: I’d like to see Piper Perabo, the star of Covert Affairs and Notorious on TV. For Reinhardt, I’d like Rufus Sewell, from TV shows The Man in the Castle and Victoria.
OMN: What's next for you?
NB: The next big event for me will take place this summer when my second book about Nicole Graves, The Bequest will be published. This book has her back in L.A., caught up in a mystery and a media frenzy when a co-worker is murdered and unexpectedly leaves her a fortune of dubious origin. I’m currently working on a third book about Nicole, as yet unnamed. This one involves a campus rape that turns into a murder case.
— ♦ —
Nancy Boyarsky has been a writer and editor for her entire working career. She coauthored Backroom Politics with her husband, Bill Boyarsky. She has written several textbooks on the justice system. She has written articles for publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and McCall's. She has also contributed to political anthologies, including In the Running, about women's political campaigns, and The Challenge of California by the late Eugene Lee. In addition to her writing career, Nancy has served as communications director for political affairs for ARCO. She is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a major in English literature. She resides in Los Angeles.
When Nicole Graves arranges a summer-long swap of her Los Angeles condo for a London couple's house, she thinks it's the perfect arrangement. She's always dreamed of seeing the real London; she's also hopeful the time away with her husband Brad will be good for their troubled marriage.
But things don't turn out the way Nicole expects: The Londoners fail to arrive in L.A. and appear to be missing. Then people begin following Nicole and making threats, demanding information she doesn't have. Soon, Nicole realizes she's in serious trouble — — but she can't get Brad or the police to believe her.
When the confrontations turn deadly, Nicole must either solve the case or become the next victim.
Omnimystery News is pleased to feature a selection of Free MystereBooks found on Tuesday, March 07, 2017 at 7:00 AM ET …
Party to a Murder by Lorelei Bell
A Lainey Quilholt Mystery
Publisher: Creativia
Price: FREE!
New World by Stephen Birch
A Nick Smith Mystery
Publisher: Stephen Birch
Price: FREE!
The Cassidy Project by Christopher Cartwright
A Sam Reilly Mystery
Publisher: Ashton Publishing
Price: FREE!
The Book Keeper by D. C. Chambers
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: D. C. Chambers
Price: FREE!
From Within by Brian Delaney
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: KOBA Media
Price: FREE!
The Cutline by A. C. Fuller
An Alex Vane, Media Thriller
Publisher: A. C. Fuller
Price: FREE!
Mystery Time by Janet Hannah
An Alex Kertesz Mystery
Publisher: Janet Hannah
Price: FREE!
Doll House by John Hunt
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Price: FREE!
Likely Suspects by G. K. Parks
An Alexis Parker Mystery
Publisher: Modus Operandi
Price: FREE!
Hot Sun Cold Killer by Robert W. Stephens
A Murder on Maui Mystery
Publisher: Eleven 22 Entertainment
Price: FREE!
The Mystery of the Abandoned Observation Station by Dan Taylor
A Jake Hancock Mystery
Publisher: Dan Taylor
Price: FREE!
Operation Desert Swarm by Michael P. Whateley
The Vagabond Series
Publisher: Michael P. Whateley
Price: FREE!
For a summary of all of today's titles, plus any that may have been added since this post was created, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
Omnimystery News is pleased to present a selection of newly published and recently released mystery, suspense and thriller titles — mostly from independent publishers — for Monday, March 06, 2017.
Remains by Marjorie Doering
A Ray Schiller Mystery (5th in series)
Published: 03/04/17 by Marjorie Doering
Edition(s): Print and eBook
eBook Price: $3.99
See all five mysteries in the highly reviewed Ray Schiller Series for $3.99 or less each on Kindle. The 3rd book in the series, Targeted, is currently FREE!
Storm Warning by Kenneth Hoss
A Kelli Storm Mystery (2nd in series)
Published: 03/04/17 by Fountain Blue Publishing
Edition(s): eBook only
eBook Price: $2.99
Bad Faith by Annie Jocoby
A Harper Ross Legal Thriller
Published: 03/04/17 by Tobann Publications
Edition(s): eBook only
eBook Price: 99¢
False Hope by Angie Martin
A Rachel Thomas Romantic Thriller (2nd in series)
Published: 03/04/17 by Angie Martin
Edition(s): Print and eBook
eBook Price: 99¢
Sattler's Woods by Sean Thomas
A Novel of Suspense
Published: 03/04/17 by Sean Thomas
Edition(s): eBook only
eBook Price: $4.99
The Final Echoes by Shirley Wells
A Jill Kennedy and Max Trentham Mystery
Published: 03/04/17 by Shirley Wells
Edition(s): eBook only
eBook Price: $2.99
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of 03/06/17 5:00 PM ET. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
It's curtains for a famous Broadway director, and private investigator Nero Wolfe is on the case — but his assistant, Archie Goodwin, is a suspect …
When a renowned theater director senses something amiss during his latest production, he calls in Nero Wolfe. Though the corpulent genius wouldn't normally accept a job this vague, a mutual friend dangles the prospect of a very rare orchid in exchange for his services, and Wolfe can't resist.
With a mind to suss out useful backstage gossip, Wolfe turns to his faithful assistant, Archie Goodwin, to impersonate a journalist in order to speak to the cast. Though Goodwin's conversations prove unfruitful, on his last day at the theater, the director is murdered in his soundproof booth, poisoned by an unseen culprit during an evening performance. In short order, an actor whose health is failing attempts suicide with the same poison.
Today's featured new hardcover mystery, suspense, or thriller title scheduled to be published during March 2017 is …
Burials by Mary Anna Evans, a Faye Longchamp Mystery (10th in series)
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
A woman waits under five feet of dirt-a woman who is by now nothing but bones stained the deep red of Oklahoma clay. A delicate silver necklace, a handful of ancient pearls, and a priceless figurine rest with her. Twenty-nine years is a long time to wait for a proper burial.
Faye Longchamp-Mantooth, who runs a small and shakily financed archaeological consulting firm with her husband, Joe, has come to Sylacauga so she and Joe can join his father, Sly Mantooth, in dispersing his mother's ashes. Fifteen years is a long time to wait for a proper ceremony.
Faye has partially financed the trip by hiring on to consult on the reopening of a site closed down 29 years ago when archaeologist Dr. Sophia Townsend disappeared-for good. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to create a park if nothing sacred lies in the soil. What no one expects is the lonely red bones that emerge as the backhoe completes its work. Inevitably they prove to be those of Sophia Townsend. And examination shows Sophia was first killed by a blow to the head.
Chief Roy Cloud of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Lighthorse Tribal Police hires Faye, who clearly can't be a suspect, to consult. Which is fine with Faye, who won't rest easy until Sophia's murder is solved. But the investigation comes uncomfortably close to home when she learns that her father-in-law knows more about the dead woman than he is willing to admit. So, it appears, does everyone in tiny Sylacauga.
Dr. Sophia Townsend had possessed a sexual magnetism as forceful as an Oklahoma tornado, and she had never hesitated to use it to manipulate everyone around her, people whose hearts she broke and whose marriages she destroyed. Was she killed by one of her lovers, or by one of their wives? Or by the woman who became enthralled with her? Or maybe Sly Mantooth? Or was something else elemental-greed, buried treasure, fame-at work?
Faye's obsession with this case tests her professional ethics and it tests her marriage. Such was the power of Sophia Townsend that, twenty-nine years after her murder, she wreaks havoc (along with the weather) once again.
The Silence of the Flans by Laura Bradford, An Emergency Dessert Squads Mystery (2nd in series)
Publisher: Berkley
Baker Winnie Johnson does her best work when the heat is on. As owner of the Emergency Dessert Squad, she has a deft touch in the kitchen and a soft spot for lost causes. So when her business professor beau, Jay Morgan, expresses misgivings over having to fail one of his fourth-year students, Winnie cooks up a sweet solution.
