Terrible Beauty, July 2017

A TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Tasha Alexander

August 10, 2017

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Born December 1, 1969, in South Bend, IN; Education: University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1992. Addresses: Home: Chicago, IL; England. E-mail: tashaalexander@tashaalexander.com, talexanderbooks@gmail.com.

CAREER:

Writer. Worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative in Vermont and as a temporary employment office manager in Laramie, WY.

Tasha Alexander is an American writer whose "Lady Emily" mystery series features a young Victorian woman whose adventures make her quite atypical for her day. The novels in the series, set in England and abroad, are noted for their attention to historical detail and accuracy.

Lady Emily Ashton mysteries

Set in Victorian England, this charming series features a very independent young widow who would rather read than remarry. Witty treatment of the aristocratic life style and leisurely paced plots filled with accurate historical details of daily life bring the characters and places to life. As the characters develop throughout the books, this series should be read in order.

• And Only to Deceive, 2005 (#1)
• A Poisoned Season, 2007. (#2)
• A Fatal Waltz,, 2008. (#3)
• Tears of Pearl, 2009. (#4)
• Dangerous to Know, 2010. (#5)
• A Crimson Warning, 2011. (#6)
• Death in the Floating City, 2012. (#7)
• Behind the Shattered Glass, 2013. (#8)
• The Counterfeit Heiress, 2014 (#9)
• The Adventuress, 2015. (#10)
• A Terrible Beauty, 2016. (#11)
  

SERIES  READALIKES FROM NOVELIST

1. Liberty Lane novels by Caro Peacock  Reason: Both of these series are historical mysteries set during the Victorian era that feature strong young women as sleuths. These slower paced mysteries recreate the details of daily life and culture while incorporating real people from the time. ­­ Merle Jacob

2. Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mysteries by Anne Perry  Reason: These historical mystery series portray strong female characters, and bring Victorian England to life through well ­described settings and historical detail. The tone of the 'Lady Emily Ashton mysteries' is lighter than the somewhat bleak 'Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mysteries.' ­­ Victoria Caplinger

3. Sarah Woolson mysteries by Shirley Tallman  Reason: These Victorian­ era mysteries, set in San Francisco (Sarah Woolson) and Great Britain (Emily Ashton), star very independent young women who investigate crimes. Both richly detailed series also offer trenchant commentary on the social conditions of the day. ­­ Mike Nilsson

4. Edwardian murder mysteries by Marion Chesney Reason: While the fast ­paced Edwardian Murder Mysteries take place in a later period than the Victorian ­set and leisurely paced Lady Emily Ashton books, both feature engaging aristocratic heroines whose sleuthing flouts convention. These compulsively readable series are rich in period detail. ­­ Katherine Johnson

5. Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Laurie R.  King, Reason: The 'Lady Emily Ashton mysteries' and the 'Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteries' are historical mystery series featuring independent female characters, a strong sense of place, and a wealth of well­ researched and historically accurate period details. ­­ Victoria Caplinger

6. Lord Francis Powerscourt mysteries by David Dickinson­ Reason: These leisurely paced Victorian mysteries, starring aristocratic British detectives, possess a strong sense of place as well as witty descriptions of aristocratic life. Each atmospheric novel tantalizes with an appealing fusion of social observation and amateur sleuthing. ­­ Mike Nilsson

7. Lady Julia Grey novels by Deanna Raybourn  Reason: The Lady Emily Ashton mysteries and the Lady Julia Grey novels are historical mystery series featuring independent female characters, a light­hearted tone, and a wealth of well researched and historically accurate period details. ­­ Victoria Caplinger

Website:  http://www.tashaalexander.com/

My Sister's Grave, June 2017

My Sister’s Grave by Robert Dugoni

June 9, 2017

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Born February 17, 1961, in Pocatello, ID;Addresses: Home: Seattle, WA. E-mail: bob@robertdugoni.com.

CAREER:
Writer, lawyer, actor, and journalist. Worked as a reporter for the Stanford Daily and the Los Angeles Times; Gordon and Rees (law firm), San Francisco, CA, former partner; practices law in Seattle, WA. Former actor, American Conservatory Theater; conducts writing workshops.

AWARDS:
Winner, Pacific Northwest Writer's Association Literary Contest, 1999, 2000; Best Book of the Year, Washington Post, and Idaho Book of the Year, Idaho Librarians' Association, both for The Cyanide Canary.

TRACY CROSSWHITE NOVELS

My Sister’s Grave, #1 (2014)

Her Final Breath, #2 (2015)

In the Clearing, #3 (2016)

Trapped Girl, #4 (2017)

DAVID SLOANE THRILLERS

Jury Master, #1 (2006)

Wrongful Death, #2, (2009)

Bodily Harm, #3, (2010)

Murder One, #4, (2011)

Conviction, #5, (2012)

OTHER TITLES

Damage Control (2007)

7th Canon (2016)

My sister's grave:      Twenty years after Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite's sister, Sarah, was murdered, Tracy sees a chance to find the real killer when Sarah's remains are discovered near their hometown in the northern Cascade mountains of Washington State.

READ-ALIKES FOR TITLE:
1.   The prophet  by Michael Koryta, Reason:  In these emotional, character-driven suspense novels, the older siblings of murdered teenage girls are compelled to investigate the long-ago murders, crimes for which they continue to feel responsible. Small-town settings add atmosphere. -- Shauna Griffin

READ-ALIKES FOR SERIES:

1.   Kitt Lundgrean thrillers  by Erica Spindler, Reason:  Tracy Crosswhite, a Seattle police detective, and Kitt Lundgrean, a Rockford, Illinois police detective, solve serial murders and cold cases in these plot-driven suspense stories. Personalities clash, conspiracies are revealed, and sometimes violence ensues before the killers are caught. -- Mike Nilsson
2.   J. P. Beaumont mysteries by Judith A.. Jance, Reason:  Both set in Seattle, these grueling suspense novels star savvy police detectives who refuse to give up on a case. Whether chasing a serial killer or solving a crime of passion, these detectives know their way around the city. -- Mike Nilsson
3.   Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel novels  by Leigh Russell, Reason:  Though working in very different places -- Tracy Crosswhite is police detective in Seattle and Geraldine Steel is a police detective in London -- these resolute investigators are each compassionate and complex, perfect for these twisty, suspenseful crime novels. -- Mike Nilsson
4.   Detective Sonora Blair novels  by Lynn S. Hightower, Reason:  The female police detectives in Cincinnati (Sonora Blair) and Seattle (Tracy Crosswhite) routinely place themselves in grave danger while hunting twisted killers. Marked by crisp dialogue and twisting plots, both series are as suspenseful as they are compelling. -- Mike Nilsson

WEB SITE: www.robertdugoni.com