Spring Forward

Book news and updates!

Spring is right around the corner … this weekend everyone in the US except Arizona will be changing their clocks. That means I still have to do math to figure out what time zone some of my children live in, but at least I don’t have to change my clocks.

Last week I turned in the next Quinn & Costa thriller, ONE LAST WARNING. I was so excited when I started writing this book. I introduced Kara Quinn’s con artist father, Patrick. I had no idea what he was up to … but he was up to something. Whether it would impact Kara or not was up in the air. But midway through the book, I got stuck. I couldn’t figure out a crucial plot point. My bad guy is very smart and patient, and my team was playing catch up. Because my bad guy was smart, I couldn’t figure out not only how I was going to catch him, but WHY he was doing certain things that were … shall we say … “less than intelligent.” Needless to say, I did a lot of re-writing and then WHAM! It hit me. I figured it out a bit later than I wanted, and then the climax went by super fast. I’m pretty sure when I get my editor notes she’s going to tell me, “Maybe you can expand on this scene? It’s exciting … but over too soon!”

Now, I’m writing my next stand alone thriller due to my editor in June (for a June 2027 release date.) No title, no cover, nothing really to share yet … just that it’s about three siblings on a three-day backcountry hike through the the Flathead National Forest, heading up to an outfitters lodge they hike to every year on the anniversary of their mother’s death. Only this time, they encounter trouble along the way, and not from four-legged predators …

Contest

My publisher is giving away FIFTY early copies of WHISPER CREEK, my stand alone thriller that comes out in June. If you’re a member (free!) of Goodreads and live in the US or Canada, you can enter. Just click through here for the rules and fill out the simple form. Hurry! The contest ends March 15!

For more information about WHISPER CREEK, visit my website!

Quinn & Costa Thrillers

Remember: MAKE IT OUT ALIVE is out now in hardcover, ebook, and audio. Reviews have been fantastic, averaging 4.7 on Amazon and 4.4 on Goodreads!

ONE LAST WARNING comes out in January of 2027, and then in January of 2028, Quinn & Costa #9 will feature Sloane Wagner, who joined the team in book 5. She’s played a more supporting role since, so I’m thrilled to be able to dive deeper into her character. She goes home to Bozeman, Montana for a vacation, then skeletal remains are found on her family property — remains that might be her long-missing best friend. She asks her boss Matt if she can stay and help investigate, and of course he says yes … then half the team shows up to help.

Angelhart Investigations

The next Angelhart Investigations book I’LL BE WATCHING YOU comes out on September 15! I don’t have the approved cover yet … but I’m going to give you a teaser.

Private investigator Margo Angelhart has recently rejoined her family’s PI business, but she never forgot the reason she walked away. Three and a half years ago, her father, Dr. Cooper Angelhart, pled guilty to killing his colleague. While she never believed he was guilty, her mother, Ava, refused to help investigate and wouldn’t explain why.

When a nurse who once worked with Cooper reaches out, Margo leaps at what could be a potential lead…only to stumble across the nurse’s grisly murder. Then, Cooper is mysteriously transferred to a penitentiary out of state in the middle of the night, and Ava finally discloses why her husband confessed to a murder he didn’t commit.

Now the entire Angelhart family must fight to clear Cooper’s name. But every step they take drags them deeper into a deadly conspiracy…and into the crosshairs of some very powerful people with fortunes on the line. They’ve killed to keep their secrets before. And this time, the target is an Angelhart.

You can visit my webpage for more information and links to preorder.

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds out soon in paperback!

I love this book — it’s lighter and funnier than I normally write. Mia Crawford is such a fun character, and I enjoyed spending months in her shoes writing her adventure. If you haven’t picked up this book in hardcover, the paperback is coming out on May 12! You can find more information on my website.

Upcoming events

On Sunday, April 19th, I’ll be on a thriller panel at the Sacramento Book Festival. If you’re around, come and say hi at the panel or when I’m signing books. More details about the festival and other attending authors is on their website.

International Thriller Writers Thrillerfest is May 6-9, and I’ll be there! I have a craftfest workshop and a thrillerfest panel, so check the schedule and come see me.

I’m planning a couple signings for WHISPER CREEK — more details coming once I have the days and locations confirmed. But remember, you can always preorder a signed hardcover through the Poisoned Pen.

What I’m Reading

Readers often ask what I’m reading. I just finished the latest C.J. Box book, THE CROSSROADS, where Joe takes a back seat as his daughters investigate who ambushed him and left him for dead. It was fantastic. I’ve read the books out of order and usually that’s fine, but you’ll appreciate this story more if you have read at least a few of the Joe Pickett books.

I also recently listened to Gregg Hurwitz’s ANTIHERO, the 11th Orphan X book. It is hands down my favorite in a series where nearly every book is five stars. Not only is it masterfully written, Gregg touches on many contemporary issues (like social media and AI) in a completely original and dynamic way. His characters are so well-developed — not only Evan Smoak (X) and Joey, but the one-book characters like Anca and her attacker, Taz. Listening to Scott Brick narrate is a truly immersive experience.

Next up is the soon-to-be-released FINLAY DONOVAN CROSSES THE LINE by Elle Cosimano. This is one of my all-time favorite series, and after the two very dark, serious thrillers I just read, I need the lighter and funnier Cosimano.

What are you reading these days? What book are you most looking forward to?