by Matt Lubbers-Moore
Recently I was at a book festival representing my publishing company. There was a mix of bookish people; authors selling their own books, cover designers, used booksellers, independent booksellers, and artsy people selling bookmarks, posters, and other literary pieces of art. I had a great time talking to people interested in the books published by ReQueered Tales and wandering around the booths to see what else was being sold. I may have snapped up quite a few interesting art pieces, books, and information regarding the other dealers.
At one booth, I spoke with a small-time publisher, even smaller than ReQueered Tales, who only publishes one to two books per year. One book of poetry piqued my interest, and at only $5, it was hard to resist. The cover was a bright pink neon sign on a black cover. We have since used the cover as inspiration for one of our own books.
When I was talking to one of the co-owners of the publishing company, he stated that they are extremely picky about the books they publish. Not only do they need to be high-quality writing, but they need to fit a particular niche for the work to be worth publishing.
I scanned the book of poetry while I was at the book festival in between talking with interested customers and found the book to be quite juvenile. It was mostly about sex, but one can write about sex like Charles Bukowski, or one can talk about sex like one is still in middle school. Sadly, I found the book too much like a middle school book. By the time I finished the book, the publisher had packed up and left. I wish I could have discussed with him just what made this book good enough to merit publication.
Perhaps the awful poetry I wrote in my hedonistic twenties should be revisited!?!?!
On with the books!
Midnight at Maidenstone Hall by Alison Clare
Out Nov. 7, 2023, Level Best Books – Level Historia
In the spring of 1919, a young man assumes the alias of Marsden Fisher and travels to Maidenstone Hall, the Yorkshire country residence of the Earl and Countess of Scarborough, to tutor their daughter Alice. Searching for the truth about the death of his lover, Alice’s late brother Simon, Marsden arrives to find that nothing is as he expected it to be. The house has been half destroyed by fire, the family’s financial ruin is imminent, and only a small core of frightened but loyal servants remain to serve them.
Honey Bee Murder by Dahlia Donovan
Out Nov. 13, 2023, Tangled Tree Publishing
George Bernard Sheth plans to spend July in the garden with his beloved Pug, Bumble. He’s tending to his bees when a neighbor harasses him quite vocally. When the man winds up dead, all eyes are immediately on George and the many hives in his garden. Murphy Baird knows without a doubt George wouldn’t harm a fly or a bee or an obnoxious rich businessman. He balances keeping his brewery going with trying to help solve the murder and preparing for the upcoming Highland Games. It’s not made any easier by the impending visit from his father.
Buried Secrets by Sheri Lewis Wohl
Out Nov. 14, 2023, Bold Strokes Books
Tuesday Johnson spent her career helping the Spokane, WA, community as a probation officer and a search and rescue K9 handler. After suffering a career-ending gunshot wound, all she wants is to heal and spend quiet time with her mother during her last days of battling cancer. Instead, visions of murder disrupt her hopes for peace, and family secrets shake up everything she thought she knew.
After twenty-five years of searching, private detective Addie Caine has all but given up hope of finding her brother alive. When the last known sighting brings her to Spokane and a routine search uncovers a decades-old burial ground, the hunt for her brother means pursuing a serial killer. Tuesday and Addie, along with Tuesday’s dog, Tripper, struggle to solve a twenty-five-year-old mystery.
Death on the Water by CJ Birch
Out Nov. 14, 2023, Bold Strokes Books
Forced by her agent and publisher to take a much-needed cruise vacation, investigative journalist Claire Mills finds work harder to forget than she anticipated when the cleaning staff discover her neighbor dead on the first day of sailing. The ship’s authorities have ruled it a suicide, but Claire suspects murder. With the help of the delightful assistant cruise director Moira, Claire conducts her own investigation.
Come Find Me in the Midnight Sun by Bailey Bridgewater
Out Nov. 14, 2023, Bold Strokes Books
It’s just another day on the job for state trooper Louisa Linebach. Hundreds of young men go missing from Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula every year, so when Lee Stanton and Branden Halifax both disappear within days of each other, Louisa doesn’t think much of it. One appears to be a simple suicide, but the other defies all explanation, with the victim’s footprints literally vanishing along an abandoned mountain runway. As Louisa and her partner investigate, they encounter alien conspiracy theories, a town where all the inhabitants live in one building, and signs of a drug trade that’s inextricably mingled with the tourist industry around Seward. Their investigation is further complicated by a police chief who’s unwilling to let his friend be investigated and Louisa’s feelings for Anna Fenway, the local medical examiner.
Mississippi River Mischief by Greg Herren
Out Nov. 14, 2023, Bold Strokes Books
Spring has returned to New Orleans, bringing with it the swarming termites! First-time homeowner Scotty Bradley is feeling like he may have made the biggest mistake of his life buying in the French Quarter. Between dealing with the Vieux Carré Commission rules, termite damage, and contractors, it’s a relief when his best friend David brings the accidental sleuth a case: one of his students is being harassed by a much older man who turns out to be a big wheel politician in one of the parishes outside of New Orleans, up to his neck in corruption. When the politician turns up dead and Scotty’s client is the most obvious suspect, Scotty and his friends set out to prove his client’s innocence.
The Dangerous Convenience Store by 945
Out Nov. 14, 2023, Seven Seas
College student Yeo Eui-joon works the graveyard shift at a convenience store to pay his bills. The shift sucks, but the money’s good, and the customers—mostly mobsters and hoodlums—don’t cause too much trouble. That might be due to Gunwoo, a tall, hunky gangster who frequents the store for booze and cigarettes. He’s scarier than the rest of the clientele but seems to have a soft spot for Eui-joon, defending him from the more volatile customers. Could there be more behind Gunwoo’s protective actions? And if so, is Eui-joon prepared to be a part of Gunwoo’s violent world?
Crab Bait by Joseph Brennan
Out Nov. 23, 2023, Hard Crossing Press; 1st edition
The year is 1888, it’s Ripper murders in the capital as the New World flaunts a Gilded Age. In London, best men seek solace in the gentlemen’s clubs, out of the way places catering to their every interest. Sizar’s is a secret one, a new-club breed that lures athletic workhouse lads with the bait of a better life. But when a pledge gets dead-snagged under West Pier, a Scotland Yard detective hunts for clues. Scandals wash in, bodies mount, boys clash in jealous pursuit, death keeps things fresh and gone ones haunt as five men tell the tale of the curious case of the beautiful creature under the pier.
No One Left but You by Tash McAdam
Out Nov. 28, 2023, Soho Teen
Newly out trans guy Max is having a hard time in school. Things have been tough since his summer romance, Danny, turned into his bully. This year, his plan is to keep his head down and graduate. All that changes when new It Girl, Gloss, moves to town. No one understands why perfect, polished Gloss is so interested in an introverted skater kid, but Max blooms in the hothouse of her attention. Caught between romance and obsession, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her on his side. Haircuts, makeovers, drugs, parties. It’s all fun and games until someone gets killed at a rager gone terribly wrong. Max refuses to believe that Gloss did it. But if not Gloss, who? Desperate to figure out truth in the wake of tragedy, Max veers dangerously close to being implicated—and his own memories of that awful night are fuzzy.
Other Releases:
Falsifier by Charlotte Brice, out Nov. 1
Defending You by Matthew Dante, out Nov. 7
When the Law Needs Help by Jackie Keswick, out Nov. 10
Gluttony by January Rayne, out Nov. 10
Black Heart Blooming by Alexa Piper, out Nov. 10
Soul Reckoning by Ken Sanchez, out Nov. 22
Defending Freedom by TS Ankney, out Nov. 23
Red Flagged by Elle Keaton, out Nov. 23
A Dangerous Prize by Persephone Black, out Nov. 30
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new episode goes up next week.
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