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Spencer-Fleming's next book poised for a break out
By Ben Beagle
Daily News Lifestyles Editor
Sept. 16, 2006
Author Julia Spencer-Fleming's next book comes out in three weeks,
but the mystery writer has been appearing just about everywhere since
spring.
Spencer-Fleming, the featured "A Tale for Three Counties"
author in 2004, will release the fifth book in her Clare Fergusson mystery
series next month, but her publisher began making a big push for the
author months ago.
In the spring, St. Martin's released all of Spencer-Fleming's previous
mysteries in mass market paperback. A mass market paperback typically
has a much lower sale price than other releases.
"The idea is, of course, to sell it to lots more wholesalers, so
that it shows up in grocery stores and airports and Wal-Mart and such,
and to encourage readers to pick it up and give it a try," Spencer-Fleming
said.
Her next mystery, All Mortal Flesh (St. Martin's Minotaur, 336 pages)
is due out Oct. 3. It has been highlighted by Library Journal as one
of the books to watch for this fall.
In a starred review, Library Journal says All Mortal Flesh is "highly
recommended." The novel has also received a starred review from
Publishers Weekly, which called it "her most captivating yet."
"Fans, once they start reading, will hang 'Do Not Disturb' signs
on their doors," the review said.
This fall, St. Martin's plans a new promotion program called "Celebrate
the Beast: The Beast Breaks Out" in which red boxes containing
four galleys of what the publisher considers "breakout novels"
will be shipped to booksellers and libraries. Among the titles are Spencer-Fleming's
All Mortal Flesh.
An excerpt from the second chapter of All Mortal Flesh appears on Spencer-Fleming's
Web site, www.juliaspencerfleming.com.
(SPOILER ALERT: The excerpt reveals information about Clare and Police
Chief Russ Van Alstyne's relationship, and also suggest something about
the fate of a recurring character that was revealed in the Library Journal
review.)
Updates on other "Tale for Three Counties" authors:
Jennifer Donnelly, 2006: She finished her book, The Winter Rose in July
and it will be published this fall by HarperCollins in the United Kingdom.
Hyperion is publishing the book in the United States in spring 2007.
You can get a peek at the British cover by visiting www.amazon.co.uk.
For more on the book, check Donnelly's Web site at www.jenniferdonnelly.com.
Howard Frank Mosher, 2004: Mosher's new novel, On Kingdom Mountain,
is expected to be published next spring.
Leif Enger, 2003: Filmmakers reportedly scouted locations in Calgary,
Alberta,with a plan to begin filming an adaptation of Enger's Peace
Like a River this fall. Billy Bob Thornton is attached as star to the
Warner Bros. film, which features a script by Kathy McWorter. Brad Pitt
is named as a producer.
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation