Stuart Woods -- Orchid Beach

April, 2013

Original surname Lee, legally changed to stepfather's name in 1955; born January 9, 1938, in Manchester, GA; Education:University of Georgia, B.A., 1959.Military/Wartime Service: Air National Guard, 1960-68, active duty, 1961-62; served in Germany.Addresses: Home: Key West, FL; Mount Desert Island, ME; New York, NY. Agent: Anne Sibbald, Janklow & Nesbit, 445 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022. E-mail: stuart@stuartwoods.com.

WRITINGS:

"WILL LEE" SERIES; NOVELS

• Chiefs, 1980.

Beginning in 1920, the experiences of three Georgia police chiefs, who watch the world, their town, and their jobs change. At the heart of this is a 40-year-old mystery each chief must try to crack.

• Run before the Wind, 1983.

(First book in series) A young law student visiting his grandfather in Ireland inadvertently becomes involved with the Irish Republican Army.

• Deep Lie, 1986.
• Grass Roots, 1989.
• The Run, 2000.
• Capital Crimes, 2003.
• Mounting Fears, 2009.

"STONE BARRINGTON" SERIES; NOVELS

• New York Dead, 1991.

(First book in series) On disability leave from the New York City Police Department, Detective Sergeant Stone Barrington witnesses the murder of network news star Sasha Nijinsky, who is pushed from her penthouse terrace.

• Dirt, 1996.
• Dead in the Water, 1997.
• Swimming to Catalina, 1998.
• Worst Fears Realized, 1999.
• L.A. Dead, 2000.
• Cold Paradise, 2001.
• The Short Forever, 2002.
• Dirty Work, 2003.
• Reckless Abandon, 2004.
• Two-dollar Bill, 2005.
• Dark Harbor, 2006.
• Fresh Disasters, 2007.
• Shoot Him If He Runs, 2007.
• Hot Mahogany,,2008.
• Loitering with Intent, 2009.
• Kisser, 2009.
• Lucid Intervals, 2010.
• Strategic Moves, 2011.
• Bel-Air Dead, 2011.
• Son of Stone, 2011.
• D.C. Dead, 2011.
• Unnatural Acts, 2012.
• Severe Clear, 2012.
• Collateral Damage, 2013.

"HOLLY BARKER" SERIES; NOVELS

Holly Barker, former MP officer, police chief and now a CIA agent, takes on drug dealers, international terrorists, murderers, rapists and the Mob in tiny Orchid Beach, Florida.

• Orchid Beach, , 1998.

Military policewoman Holly Barker lost a harassment case against her superior and quit the army. On arriving for a new job as deputy of a Florida town she finds the chief shot, a case which will lead to an assault by the FBI on a compound of the very rich.

• Orchid Blues, 2001.
• Blood Orchid, 2002.
• Iron Orchid, , 2005.
• Hothouse Orchid, 2009.

"ED EAGLE" SERIES; NOVELS

• Santa Fe Rules, 1992.

(First book in series) Learning that his wife and partner have died suspiciously while he was away, successful Hollywood producer Wolf Willett returns home and hires ace criminal defense lawyer Ed Eagle to clear his name of the murder charge.

• Short Straw, 2006.
• Santa Fe Dead, 2008.
• Santa Fe Edge, 2008.

OTHER NOVELS

• Under the Lake, 1987.
• White Cargo, 1988.
• Palindrome, 1991.
• L.A. Times,  1993.
• Dead Eyes, 1994.
• Heat, 1994.
• Imperfect Strangers, 1995.
• Choke, 1995.
• The Prince of Beverly Hills ("Rick Barron" series), 2004.

(First book in series) Demoted after a run-in with a superior, Rick Barron, a detective with the Beverly Hills police force, lands a job with the security detail at Centurion Pictures, and uncovers a blackmail scheme that threatens the studio's business.

• Beverly Hills Dead ("Rick Barron" series), , 2008.

NONFICTION

• Blue Water, Green Skipper,1977. [re-issued 2012]
• A Romantic's Guide to the Country Inns of Britain and Ireland,, 1979.

Read-alikes from NoveList

Stuart Woods' best-selling cinematic Thrillers are engrossing page-turners that capture readers immediately, so they are excellent escapist reading. Woods' novels feature investigations, often political or legal, and his storylines are complex, featuring twists, betrayals, non-stop action, and lots of dialogue. In addition to the fast pacing, frame also plays an important role. These books are primarily set in the South and often feature the rich and famous lifestyle. Currently focusing on three series, Woods' more recent novels have become more character-driven. Start with: Under the Lake

Baldacci, David -- Reason:  Fast paced humorous thrillers rife with suspense and power hungry characters, the novels of Stuart Woods and David Baldacci use the themes of politics, corporate secrets, and espionage to advance their breakneck plots. -- Tara Bannon Williamson

Archer, Jeffrey  -- Reason:  Like Woods, Jeffrey Archer has written a diverse range of Thrillers from the serious to the commercial, relating fascinating tales and peopled with likable characters who come to a satisfying end. International intrigue and double-dealing fill his page-turning novels, but he also includes a glimpse of the rich and powerful, as does Woods. -- Krista Biggs

Coben, Harlan -- Reason:  Suspense fans who enjoy Stuart Woods' breakneck pacing and twisting plots may want to give Harlan Coben's suspense novels a try. Readers who enjoy the speedy pacing and wise-acre characters of Woods' two mystery series will find the same elements in Coben's tightly plotted, page-turning Myron Bolitar mysteries. -- Shauna Griffin

Grisham, John -- Reason: Known for his provocative stories and relentless pacing, John Grisham has much to offer Stuart Woods fans. While there are suspense, action, and plot twists in his novels, there's less sex and violence than one finds in Woods. Readers who won't miss this might find Grisham a good choice. -- Victoria Caplinger

Cannell, Stephen J. -- Reason:  Screenwriter Stephen J. Cannell's novels possess a similar cinematic appeal as those of Woods -- fast pacing, characters who could be on the screen, action scenes, and revenge. While the plots may be more complex than those of Woods, the characters -- particularly series character LA police detective Shane Scully -- will certainly appeal. -- Krista Biggs

Sanders, Lawrence --  Reason:  Like Woods, Lawrence Sanders wrote a range of titles, from the serious to the more commercial. Woods' and Sanders' works are both characterized by intricate plots, filled with twists and betrayals, series and non-series characters, and provocative story lines. -- Krista Biggs

Patterson, James -- Reason:  Not all of James Patterson's titles are obvious matches for a Woods fan, unless the reader does not mind more graphic violence and sex. However, the Women's Murder Club series offers several appeal similarities: fast-pacing, details of wealthy lifestyles, series characters, and complicated plots. These stories generally feature fewer gory details, and the breezy pace should certainly appeal. -- Krista Biggs

Sheldon, Sidney -- Reason:  Another author of intricate, page turning, international Thrillers is Sidney Sheldon, who also filled his adventures with beautiful people placed in difficult situations. Revenge figures prominently, and it is not always achieved by legal means, another characteristic shared by Woods' novels. -- Krista Biggs

Caldwell, Ian -- Reason:  These authors' works are Suspenseful, Compelling, and Fast-paced, and they share: the genre 'Suspense stories' and the subject 'Murder'.

Author’s Website:  http://stuartwoods.com/

Phryne Fisher

The  Phryne Fisher books in order and the corresponding TV episode; note that the TV series does not necessarily follow the book order:

• 1. Cocaine Blues (Jan 1989) [TV series -- Episode 1]

• 2. Flying Too High (Jan 1990)

• 3. Murder on the Ballarat Train (Jan 1991) [TV series -- Episode 2]

• 4. Death at Victoria Dock (Jan 1992) [TV series -- Episode 4]

• 5. The Green Mill Murder (Jan 1993) [TV series -- Episode 3]

• 6. Blood and Circuses (Jan 1994) [TV series -- Episode 11]

• 7. Ruddy gore (May 1995) [TV series -- Episode 6]

• 8. Urn Burial (Apr 1996)

• 9. Raisins and Almonds (Apr 1997) [TV series -- Episode 5]

• 10. Death before wicket (Apr 1999)

• 11. Away with the Fairies (May 2001) [TV series -- Episode 8]

• 12. Murder in Montparnasse (Jun 2002) [TV series -- Episode 7]

• 13. The Castlemaine Murders (Jun 2003)

• 14. Queen of the Flowers (Jun 2004) [TV series -- Episode 9]

• 15. Death by Water (Jun 2005)

• 16. Murder in the Dark (Sep 2006) [TV series -- Episode 12]

• 17. Murder on a Midsummer Night (Nov 2008)

• 18. Dead Man's Chest(Sep 2010)

• 19. Unnatural Habits(Jan 2013)

• 20. A Question of Death: an Illustrated Phryne Fisher Treasury (Dec 2007)

A miscellany of short stories, recipes, fashion ...

There does not seem to be a book associated with these TV episodes:

• TV Episode 10 -- Death by Miss Adventure
• TV Episode 13 -- Memses’ Curse

The Phryne Fisher mysteries are by Australian author Kerry Greenwood.  

Phyrne’s website:  http://www.phrynefisher.com/

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, a production of the Australian Broadcasting Co., is currently showing on KQED+ (formerly KTEH) on Mondays at 9:00 pm through May 27.   The website is:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/phrynefisher/

Margaret Maron

May, 2013

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Born in Greensboro, NC; Memberships: Mystery Writers of America (former member of board of directors; former president), America Crime Writers League, Sisters in Crime (former president), Carolina Crime Writers (member of steering committee). Addresses: Home: NC. Agent: Vicky Bijur Literary Agency, 333 W. End Ave., New York, NY 10023. E-mail: margaretmaron@nc.rr.com.

Deborah Knott mysteries

1. Bootlegger's daughter(May 1992)   

(First book in series) Deborah Knott, an attorney attempting to infiltrate the old boy network of tobacco country by running for district judge, is distracted from the race, and almost eliminated, when she finds new evidence to an old small-town murder.

2. Southern discomfort (Jun 1993)   

3. Shooting at loons (Jun 1994)  

4. Up jumps the Devil  (Sep 1996)  

5. Killer market  (Aug 1997)

6. Home fires  (Dec 1998)

7. Storm track  (Apr 2000)

8. Uncommon clay (May 2001)

9. Slow dollar (Aug 2006)

10. High country fall (Aug 2004)

11. Rituals of the season (Aug 2005)

12. Winter's child (Aug 2006)

13. Hard row (Aug 2007)

14. Death's half acre (Aug 2008)

15. Sand sharks (Aug 2009)

16. Christmas mourning (Nov 2010)

17. Three-day town (Nov 2011)

While in New York, Judge Deborah Knott has been asked to deliver a package to Lt. Sigrid Harald of the NYPD. Sigrid offers to swing by the apartment with her husband to pick up the box, but when they reach the apartment, they discover that the box is missing and the doorman has been murdered.

18. The buzzard table (Nov 2012)

• Sigrid Harald mysteries (Most Recent: Jun 1995)

1. One coffee with (Apr 1995; orig. pub. date 1982)

(First book in series) Detective Sigrid Harald finds herself involved with a variety of colorful and offbeat suspects as she investigates a murder in the art department of a prestigious university.

2. Death of a butterfly (Dec 1984)

3. Death in blue folders (Apr 1985)

4. The right jack (May 1995)

5. Baby doll games (Jun 1995)

6. Corpus Christmas (Oct 1989)

7. Past imperfect (May 1992)

8. Fugitive colors (Jun 1995)

Read-a-likes

Margaret Maron fills her mysteries with vivid though not complex characters. Although she appears to have discontinued her New York police procedurals featuring Sigrid Harald, she continues her leisurely paced investigative stories starring Judge Deborah Knott and set in North Carolina. Southern charm and old-fashioned storytelling, family relationships, introspective characters, and a small town setting characterize the Deborah Knott series. In recent novels especially, Maron adds details about North Carolina locales and traditions to emphazie the strong sense of place. Start with: Bootlegger's Daughter.

Bowen, Gail,

Though they are set in very different places, these cozy mysteries feature professional women drawn into sleuthing by unexpected circumstances. Each has a strong sense of place (Saskatchewan and North Carolina) and the characters draw on the support of family and friends. Each story also includes a thrilling bit of danger before a satisfying conclusion. -- Katherine Johnson

Casey, Donis

Small-town intrigue and deftly plotted storylines tie the 'Alafair Tucker mysteries' and the 'Deborah Knott mysteries' together. Strong settings - in Oklahoma and North Carolina, respectively - along with likable characters are qualities found in both of these series. -- Victoria Caplinger

Connor, Beverly

The Deborah Knott and Lindsay Chamberlain series are atmospheric mysteries set in small southern towns. The small town setting means that personal and professional lives intertwine, so the personal often influences the professional for both judge Knott and forensic anthropologist Chamberlain. -- Rebecca Sigmon

De Castrique, Mark

Readers who enjoy the domestic aspects of the 'Deborah Knott mysteries' may enjoy Mark DeCastrique's 'Barry Clayton mysteries', which are also set in small-town North Carolina. -- Victoria Caplinger

Hart, Carolyn G.

Readers who enjoy the southern setting of " Deborah Knott " will especially enjoy Carolyn G. Hart's "Death on Demand" Mysteries. Hart's traditionally crafted Mysteries featuring Annie Laurence Darling are rich in quirky characters and wonderful descriptions of the region. -- Krista Biggs

Neely, Barbara

Barbara Neely and Margaret Maron write cozy mysteries featuring intelligent, no-nonsense, successful professional women. Neely's series, set in the Boston area as well as North Carolina, and Maron's two, one set in New York City and the other in North Carolina, all offer social commentary on issues including race; their characters have involved relationships with family and friends, and well-plotted stories. -- Katherine Johnson

O'Shaughnessy, Perri

Like Margaret Maron, Perri O'Shaughnessy brings a small-town setting to life--making it integral to the story--though O'Shaughnessy's Lake Tahoe is far away from Maron's Colleton County, North Carolina. Also, interpersonal and familial relationships play into the plots of both authors, though O'Shaughnessy's legal thrillers move faster and feature more courtroom action than do Maron's mysteries. -- Shauna Griffin

Ross, Ann B. (Miss Julia series)

The female protagonist of both novels encounters a mystery that she must solve while also navigating tricky social waters in a small town. They share a similar southern flavor and language, and similar light humor keeps the mysteries light. -- Lauren Havens

Sprinkle, Patricia Houck (Thoroughly Southern mysteries)

In both series, the females protagonist set on solving a mystery isn't an actual detective but is instead a judge. The humor of small-town social situations and comic characters keep these mysteries light. They share similar southern details and language. -- Lauren Havens

http://www.margaretmaron.com/