VJ Books, online bookseller of collectible and signed mystery, science fiction and horror books, is proud to announce its recent membership into ITW (The International Thriller Writers).

ITW is the only writer’s organization devoted exclusively to the thriller genre.

Co-Presidents Steve Berry (Paris Vendetta) and Joe Moore (The 731 Legacy) recently offered their congratulations to John Hutchinson and Virginia Lenneville, owners of the 13-year-old internet company.  Being a part of the associate membership of ITW shows VJ Books’ commitment to promoting the thriller genre at an innovative and superior level.

ITW began in June 2004 and has grown to over 1100 members consisting of authors, fans, publishers and the like.  Past co-presidents include David Morrell and Gayle Lynds, and James Rollins.

VJ Books was honored to have attended the Annual Thrillerfest held in New York.  “We look forward to upcoming events where authors, fans and booksellers can meet to talk about great reading!” offered Ms. Lenneville about the July 2009 event.  David Morrell was honored as 2009 Thrillermaster.  Brad Meltzer, long-time friend of VJ Books was honored with the Silver Bullet Award.

Best Thriller of the Year was given to Jeffery Deaver for The Bodies Left Behind.  His novel The Broken Window was also nominated.  Other “Best Thriller” nominees Harlan Coben, Andrew Gross and Brad Thor also have long-time relationships with VJ Books.

“I can’t begin to tell you how special it was to see our author friends at the workshops and other events that weekend” Lenneville added.  “It convinced John and me that we simply had to become members and support this fine organization.”

For more information on the International Thriller Writers, visit their website at:  www.thrillerwriters.org.  For more information about VJ Books, visit their site at www.vjbooks.com.

A review by Nikki from Texas!

All I can say is OMG. In the newest of the Pendergast series books, there is no shortage of personality in the eccentric character we’ve come to adore. Murder leads to mystery leads to unnatural magic. As sad as it was to lose one of the characters we have so long-enjoyed, this book is one of the top contenders, if not THE top contender in the series. I wish I could have read it at a slower pace…but I simply couldn’t stop! If you are new to the series, this book can be read as a stand-alone, IMO. Even so, many people go back and read the others as to embellish the characters in their minds a bit more.  Either way, THIS book “c’est magie”.  Preston & Child have done it again. (See other reviews by Nikki)

See signed and collectible books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child at www.vjbooks.com!

Dean Koontz has had ten hard covers and fourteen paperbacks reaching the number one slot on the New York Times bestseller list. Koontz’s newest novel, Breathless, delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure: the story of a world where good itself is an endangered species and one man will risk his life—and more—to save it from extinction.

VJ Books’ co-founder, John Hutchinson has been a Koontz fan for over 30 years, “The first book I offer any new reader from my personal library is Lightning. It remains my favorite Dean Koontz book. VJ Books is very excited about the release of Breathless and are confident that it will compare to other Koontz classics.”

It is largely due to Mr. Hutchinson’s love of Koontz books that VJ Books offers signed copies. “He does not travel much to promote his books and is very selective about where he signs”, offers Hutchinson.

Breathless introduces two new characters to the Koontz pantheon, Grady Adams and Camellia “Cammy” Rivers.  Grady spots a pair of stunningly beautiful furred animals unlike anything he’s ever seen. They flee the instant they detect his presence, but the mystery of that brief encounter remains. In the days ahead, Grady will approach the creatures again, gaining their trust but coming no closer to solving their mystery. For this he enlists the help of an old friend, veterinarian Camellia “Cammy” Rivers, who, in turn, is stunned—and enchanted—by Grady’s new “pets.” Soon Homeland Security will place Grady’s home and hundreds of square miles of surrounding wilderness under quarantine. And Grady, Cammy, and the two creatures they’ve come to feel they must protect at all costs find themselves virtual prisoners—and the unwilling focus of an army of biologists, naturalists, and research scientists.

You can order a signed edition ($49.99) of Breathless at www.vjbooks.com

See signed and collectible books by Dean Koontz, and his biography and bibliography here

About VJ Books:  VJ Books started in 1998 and soon learned that their customer was foremost a collector.  Their customers sought collector grade first edition books, preferably autographed by the author.  In an effort to respond to this demand, VJ Books has developed relationships with publishers, authors and agents to provide a continuous supply of new titles for their customers. Each month VJ Books’ customers are able to choose from dozens of author signed books from some of the most exciting, highly acclaimed authors in the areas of mystery, suspense, sci-fi and modern literature. Additionally, they continue to offer an impressive selection of backlist, rare, out-of-print, and special edition titles for your consideration.

VJ Books has just received:  Martin Limon – G.I. Bones,  John Grisham – Ford Country Stories,  David Poyer – The Crisis,  Ken Bruen – London Boulevard,  Lisa Scottoline – Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog,  Norb Vonnegut – Top Producer,  and Larry Bond – Red Dragon Rising: Shadows of War.

I, Sniper will satisfy Stephen Hunter‘s legions of fans and win him droves of new ones with its signature blend of brilliant plotting, vivid characters, razor-sharp dialogue, and extraordinary gunfights. And when Swagger and the last of his antagonists finally face each other, reenacting a classic ritual of arms, it is clear that at times there’s nothing more necessary than a good man with a gun and the guts to use it

Four famed ’60s radicals are gunned down at long range by a sniper. Under enormous media scrutiny, the FBI quickly concludes that Marine war hero Carl Hitchcock, whose ninety-three kills were considered the leading body count tally among American marksman in Vietnam, was the shooter. But as the Bureau, led by Special Agent Nick Memphis, bears down, Hitchcock commits suicide. In closing out the investigation, Nick discovers a case made in heaven: everything fits, from timeline, ballistics, and forensics to motive, means, and opportunity. Maybe it’s a little too perfect.  Nick asks his friend, the retired Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, to examine the data. Swagger soon closes in, and those responsible will stop at nothing to take him out. But these heavily armed men make the mistake of thinking they are hunting Bob, when he is, in fact, hunting them.

“I’ve read most of Hunter’s books…escapist genre fiction of the first order, better than Clancy or Ludlum.  His characters are rich and complicated.  Both Bob Lee Swagger and his daddy, Earl, are three-dimensional, quite complicated and bone-real in their motives and actions.” said VJ Books co-founder, John Hutchinson.  VJ Books boasts an impressive collection of past titles by Stephen Hunter, all autographed by the award winning author, they can be found at www.vjbooks.com.  “With his new novel, I, Sniper ($29.99, Simon & Schuster), just around the corner we are taking this opportunity to give you a glimpse of this outstanding author and a few of his remarkable stories.”

Stephen Hunter won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism as well as the 1998 American Society of Newspaper Editors Award for Distinguished Writing in Criticism for his work as film critic at The Washington Post. He is the author of several bestselling novels, including Time to Hunt, Black Light, Point of Impact, and the New York Times bestsellers Havana, Pale Horse Coming, and Hot Springs. See signed and collectible copies of Stephen Hunter books at:   http://www.vjbooks.com/Stephen-Hunter-s/328.htm

Order your signed copy of I, Sniper here

A review by Carrie L.

This was my first Sarah Waters book and I just loved it.

Were they all crazy or was there really a ghost?  I think its up to the reader, and alittle sad at the end. This story had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t wait to finish it.  I will be reading more of her books.  See more reviews by Carrie here

See signed and collectible books by Sarah Waters here

James Patterson is one of the bestselling writers of all time, with more than 170 million copies of his books sold worldwide. He has won an Edgar Award, widely considered to be the mystery world’s highest honor.  Two of his novels, Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, were made into feature films.

Once again VJ Books is proud to provide autographed copies of a new James Patterson release.  VJ Books has benefited immensely from Mr. Patterson’s generosity and have an extensive collection of signed backlist titles available on their website, www.vjbooks.com.  VJ Books’ co-founder, John Hutchinson, freely admits, “I have been a fan of James Patterson since The Thomas Berryman Number, so I look forward to each new release with a certain level of excitement, I, Alex Cross  ($29.99; Little, Brown and Co.) is no exception.”

Patterson’s latest thriller, I, Alex Cross, finds his most beloved character, detective Alex Cross, pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered.  Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington‘s wildest scenes. His subsequent investigation pits Cross against some very important, much protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain–they will do anything to keep their secrets safe.

See signed hardcover editions of James Patterson books at:  http://www.vjbooks.com/James-Patterson-s/66.htm

About VJ Books:  VJ Books has developed relationships with publishers, authors and agents to provide a continuous supply of new titles for their customers. Each month VJ Books’ customers are able to choose from dozens of author signed books from some of the most exciting, highly acclaimed authors in the areas of mystery, suspense, sci-fi and modern literature. Additionally, they continue to offer an impressive selection of backlist, rare, out-of-print, and special edition titles for your consideration.

After a tremendous response to their first offering, VJ Books is pleased to announce that they again have copies of Dennis Lehane’s Boston Noir. This book represents the latest in a groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies; it is comprised of all-new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the respective city.

This hardcover edition is limited to 100 individually numbered copies and represents the “true” first edition, released ahead of the November paperback edition. Needless to say, obtaining additional quantities has been a coup for VJ Books. “We could not be happier finding this new supply,” said VJ Books co-founder, Virginia Lenneville. “Due to the limited quantities,”  Lenneville cautions, “we are forced to offer them on a first come, first served basis.”

Dennis Lehane has proven himself to be a master of both crime fiction and literary fiction. Here, he extends his literary prowess to that of master curator. In keeping with the Akashic Noir series tradition, each story in Boston Noir is set in a different neighborhood of the city – the impressively diverse collection extends from Roxbury to Cambridge, from Southie to the Boston Harbor, and all stops in between. Lehane’s own contribution, the longest story in the volume, is set in his beloved home neighborhood of Dorchester and showcases his phenomenal ability to grip the heart, soul, and throat of the reader.

In 2003, Lehane’s novel Mystic River was adapted into film and quickly garnered six Academy Award nominations, actors Sean Penn and Tim Robbins both won Academy Awards for their performances. Shutter Island, the film based on Lehane’s best-selling 2003 novel of the same title, hits the big screen in November 2009.

Signed editions of Dennis Lehane’s books can be seen at:  http://www.vjbooks.com/Dennis-Lehane-s/554.htm

About VJ Books:  VJ Books started in 1998 and soon learned that their customer was foremost a collector.  Their customers sought collector grade first edition books, preferably autographed by the author.  In an effort to respond to this demand, VJ Books has developed relationships with publishers, authors and agents to provide a continuous supply of new titles for their customers. Each month VJ Books’ customers are able to choose from dozens of author signed books from some of the most exciting, highly acclaimed authors in the areas of mystery, suspense, sci-fi and modern literature. Additionally, they continue to offer an impressive selection of backlist, rare, out-of-print, and special edition titles for your consideration.

Another Review by Nikki C. in Texas!

Dance of Death is a series  within the Pendergast series. It’s book 2 of the Diogenes Trilogy, preceded by Brimstone. Agent Pendergast faces what seems to be his ONLY nemesis, his own brother. While Brimstone makes some light of Diogenes Pendergast, Dance of Death is the start of the real action.Agent Pendergast seems to have the upper hand in every case, until a brother thought dead appears and carries out a series of grotesque murders only capable by. These murders set the stage for the most well-planned revenge against Agent Pendergast. Each step is methodical and painstakingly timed to lead Agent Pendergast down the slaughter chute. Many of the characters from the Pendergast series are re-united in this thrilling novel of revenge. We also get the treat of exploring more of the fascinating and eccentric Pendergast family tree. I must forewarn you that to learn the grand finale behind the plans of Diogenes, you MUST read the last book in the Trilogy  Book of the Dead.

Order this signed title today!

A review by Nikki from Texas!

Timeline is exhilarating and fast-paced.  As in Jurassic Park, Crichton writes of technology and scientific advances in a way that makes such theories and abilities seem possible. He also changes the impression of the Medieval period that many of us have. The reality that it was a bloodthirsty and uncivilized period of history is magnificently described by Crichton. The brutal nature of those who lived during that time is well-detailed. Timeline, for me, was one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading. The cross between science and history in this book was well-balanced. This was not one of those books where you skim parts of the storylines.  Readers will appreciate the historical aspect and descriptions of the lifestyles, customs and demeanor of the era. The quantum physics theories in the book were so intriguing, I found myself re-reading those passages, not because I didn’t “get it”, but because I DID “get it” and it was utterly fascinating.  See Nikki’s other reviews here

See other signed and collectible books by Michael Crichton here

VJ Books has bookplated editiosn of Pirate Latitudes here