Around the World

It's a busy season for international editions.  In addition to the US and UK, my fourth novel has now been released in Germany (under the title Tödliches Blond or "Deadly Blonde.") and the Netherlands (until the title De Voyeur...I think you can translate that one for yourself).  You can link to more information about those editions by clicking on the country.

The Italian edition will be released on July 14 under the title Polvere e Sangue, or Dust and Blood.  I've got a wonderful community of supportive Italian fans.  You can find a big special on me and my books right now at the Italian blog and crime web site Corpi Freddi.  Other editions will be released around the world over the next few months.

Ally O'Brien and THE AGENCY will be appearing in other languages soon, too, including the Netherlands (under the title Ploeteren op Pumps) and Germany.  More on that very soon.

Reader Power

One of my readers posted the following note on my wall on Facebook:  "After my suggestion, the manager of Houston Borders read your new book "In the Dark" and loved it so much that she ordered several extra copies for the store."

There couldn't be a better example of the power of reader referrals.  Booksellers and librarians help readers find new authors every day -- but they struggle with the sheer volume of books and have to prioritize what they read themselves.  That's why they pay attention when a customer or patron makes a recommendation.  When an avid reader tells them, "You HAVE to read this author!", they listen.

I always suggest to readers who write to me that they spread the word to local bookstores and libraries.  That's why.  Be sure to let me know, too, if you recommend my books and one of your local managers or librarians becomes a fan.  I'll drop them a personal note to say thanks.

Thunder Bay

We drove north last weekend along the Minnesota shore of Lake Superior and into Canada, where we had events on Saturday in Thunder Bay.  I spoke to a writer's workshop in town and then stopped in at the local Chapters bookstore.

I was surprised at how much Thunder Bay resembled Duluth.  When you're up on the hillside overlooking the city and the lake, the look and feel of the region is very similar.  Of course, it also has its own distinctive character, with steep rock formations dwarfing the town like desert mesas.  Then there are the signs warning you to beware of moose on the highways at night.

One of my long-time readers, Lyle, arranged the visit.  He and his wife also took me and Marcia to lunch at the Hoito, a wonderful Finnish landmark in Thunder Bay.  Since we just sold THE AGENCY in Finnish, that seemed an appropriate place to go.  I didn't want to tell them that I was unable to tell the difference between Finnish pancakes and Swedish pancakes....maybe they should just call them Scandinavian pancakes.

Speaking of THE AGENCY, I'm in Ally O'Brien mode this week, busily working on the plot for the next book.  Then it's back to the sixth suspense novel.