Did you have a good holiday? Hope so, but now’s the time to start planning for the coming year and I have some recommendations for your reading pleasure. Several of the authors I interviewed in 2017 have new books out.
A.C. Fuller’s newest book, “Open Primary (Ameritocracy Book 1)” is available now. Fuller was a journalist in New York City. After a few years, he started writing novels, with stories “at the intersection of media, politics, and technology.” He writes exciting action and makes some points to ponder.
Another local author, A.J. Banner, has written a new book, “After Nightfall.” It will be available on Aug. 7. Her books are translated in many languages, so they can be read all over Europe and other countries. If you’ve read her books, you don’t wonder why she has such a large body of readers.
Blair Howard is the author of the Harry Starke novels. They are good action-filled reads about a former policeman who is now a private investigator. Book No. 10, “Calaway Jones,” is the latest in Harry’s adventures of finding bad guys and making them pay for their deeds.
One of my favorite authors, J.A. Jance, has written her latest book that revisits one of my favorite characters, J. P. Beaumont, a detective for the Seattle Police Department. The book is called “Proof of Life” and I heard she is writing another one that will be out soon, also featuring Beaumont. I can’t wait.
Another author I like is Elena Hartwell. Her main character is private investigator Eddie Shoes who lives in Bellingham. In this book, Eddie “heads to a resort outside Leavenworth” for a mother-daughter getaway weekend. Eddie’s mother, Chava wants to celebrate her new job at a casino by footing the bill for the two of them, and who is Eddie to say no?
This book is “Three Strikes, You’re Dead” and is another in the series of Eddie Shoes mysteries. It will be available on April 1.
Now, for a little author news. Wendy Hinman and her book “Sea Trials: Around the World with Duct Tape and Baling Wire” has received the Kirkus Award for the Most Popular Book of 2017. This book is a true sea adventure story about a family that literally used baling wire and duct tape on their boat. A great read for any boaters out there or anyone that loves true life adventure.
Now some sad news. We, the readers, lost a very popular and great writer this last week.
Sue Grafton, author of the so-called Alphabet Mysteries — she wrote “A is for Alibi” all the way to “Y is for Yesterday” — died of cancer.
Her family reported, “Many of you know that she was adamant that her books would never be turned into movies or TV shows, and in that same vein, she would never allow a ghost writer to write in her name. Because of all of those things, and out of the deep abiding love and respect for our dear sweet Sue, as far as we in the family are concerned, the alphabet now ends at Y.”
Too bad for us fans that we won’t be seeing any movies of these great stories. RIP, Sue Grafton.
Quote for this week: “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” —Francis of Assisi
— Donna Lee Anderson writes a weekly literary column for Kitsap Weekly. She is the author of two novels and one reference book for writers. You can email her at welltoldtales@aol.com.
