The July pub date of THE SHIMMER coincides with the International Thriller Writers organization’s annual gala readers/writers conference, THRILLERFEST (July 8-11).  This year, it again takes place in New York City, where ITW will present David Morrell with its prestigious THRILLERMASTER award for a lifetime of devoting his career to expanding the idea of what a thriller can be.

Some of the featured special guests include David Baldacci, Sandra Brown, Robin Cook, Brad Meltzer, and Katherine Neville.  Lee Child, Steve Berry, James Rollins, Gayle Lynds, and a host of other thriller luminaries will be there for the entire 4 days and very accessible.  For details, please go to ttp://www.thrillerwriters.org.

See all David Morrell titles at www.vjbooks.com

(themysterygazette.blogspot.com, Dec. 2, Harriett Klausner)

Ever since he was a child former espionage agent Cotton Malone believed his father, Captain Forrest Malone died in 1971 in a nuclear submarine accident in the North Atlantic. Now he seeks closure with learning the rest of the story so he asks his former supervisor at DOJ Stephanie Nelle to help him. She obtains the file that states his father was the captain of a nuclear vessel performing a Top Secret mission in Antarctica when he died.

At the same time twins Dorothea Lindauer and Christl Falk compete for their maternal inheritance promised to whoever uncovers what happened to their father, who served under Forrest’s command in the Antarctic. They know there is a link to enigmatic findings discovered in Charlemagne’s tomb and the Nazis late 1930s exploration of the icy continent. Malone, following up on what Nelle provides him, also finds puzzling journal entries. Malone and the sisters meet and agree to team up heading from Europe to Antarctica to learn of their respective deaths of their fathers; while deadly ambitious Admiral Langford Ramsey needs them permanently iced as the revealing of the truth will destroy his career plans of becoming Joint Chief of Staff.

The fourth Malone “Brownian” thriller (see THE TEMPLAR LEGACY, THE ALEXANDRIA LINK and THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL) is the best of the exciting saga. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Malone learns what he knew about his dad’s death was false and never slows down especially when he leads the battling sisters to what is under the ice in Antarctica (though that revelation is not a fresh concept). Ramsey is a nasty villain whose pragmatic application of American military politics means blackmailing your rivals and anyone who might harm your career; and if that fails kill them. Steve Berry is at his best with the enigmatic Charlemagne code, the deaths of the dads, and the ancient civilization that tie together through the pursuit of the heroes for the truth and the villain to conceal the truth.

See signed books by Steve Berry at www.vjbooks.com

If it’s the first weekend in October . . . this must be Cusslercon! The Clive Cussler Collector’s Society brought its 2008 annual get together back to Denver, where it all began back in 2005.

Old friends and new, nearly 150 in all, gathered once again to celebrate all things Cussler. Early arrivers had a reunion dinner Thursday evening at Cinzetti’s Italian restaurant not far from the Ramada Plaza Hotel, site of the convention. Friday found Debbie and Bruce Kenfield greeting arriving attendees in the society registration room. It’s the place to be on Friday as returning “Cussler Crazies” renew old friendships as they watch for arriving luminaries.

The afternoon passed as Paul and Kristy Kemprecos, and Jack Du Brul sat around chatting with those waiting for the evening festivities to begin. Just as at previous conventions nothing officially starts until the arrival of the grand master himself, Clive Cussler. As the seven o’clock hour approached eager fans gathered near the entrance of the hotel to await Clive’s grand entrance. Not to be disappointed a classic car came into view, the 1932 Auburn V-12, featured in the 20th Dirk Pitt adventure, Arctic Drift. Driven by Dirk Cussler the Auburn came to a stop in the breezeway greeted by cheers of excitement from the gathered throng. Just as Dirk and his sister Teri stepped from the car, another classic – this one a miniature – pulled in behind. Folded into the driver’s seat was none other (more…)

(Publisher’s Weekly, Dec. 1)

Steve Berry credits the nuns who taught him in Catholic school with instilling the discipline needed both to craft a novel and to find a publisher.  He claims to be the poster child for stick-to-it-iveness:  It took him 12 years and 85 rejections to finally sell a manuscript to Ballantine Books.  His perserverance has paid off – his novels are published in 43 countries and 41 languages. 

(Great work, Steve!)

See all of Steve Berry titles at www.vjbooks.com!

(jacksonville.com, Nov. 30, Gordon Jackson)

Camden attorney Charlie Smith is the newest character

Camden County attorney Charlie Smith has a long history of public service – city attorney, state representative, governor’s floor leader.

The Charlie Smith in St. Marys author Steve Berry‘s new book, The Charlemagne Pursuit, is a brutal assassin who says he’s killed more people than he can remember.

Berry offered to use Smith’s name in his new book, set for release Tuesday, after Smith did him a favor while on vacation overseas several years ago. But Smith, who hasn’t read an advance copy of the new book, said he didn’t know he would be a namesake for a hit man.

“I hope it doesn’t ruin what little reputation I have left around here,” Smith said, laughing. “It’s fun to have your name used in a best-selling novel. I’m looking forward to the reaction.”

All six of Berry’s novels have made the New York Times Bestseller List. The Alexandria Link reached No. 2 two years ago.

Berry has been using the names of prominent and little-known people in Camden County since his first book, The Amber Room, was published in 2003.

“I wanted the characters’ names to have meaning,” he said.

In Smith’s case, Berry said, he didn’t plan to make him a villain because the villains in his books are usually fictitious names. But Smith made a special (more…)

(Publisher’s Weekly, Sept. 29)

In bestseller Berry’s fourth thriller to feature ex–Justice Department agent Cotton Malone (after The Venetian Betrayal), Malone embarks on a search for answers about his father, Capt. Forrest Malone, after learning that instead of dying in 1971 in a nuclear sub accident in the North Atlantic, his father actually died while on a secret submarine mission to the Antarctic. Meanwhile, bad guy Adm. Langford Ramsey schemes to become the next ranking officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two story lines merge as a group led by Malone races to Antarctica, where they find a strange underground city belonging to the Aryans, an advanced race who inhabited the earth at the dawn of our own civilization. A meticulous researcher, Berry carefully integrates such elements as Charlemagne, Nazis, ancient manuscripts, historical puzzles and scientific surprises into the plot. Those who relish suspense in the Da Vinci Code vein will snap this one up, the best yet in the series. 10-city author tour. (Dec. 2008)

Get your copy of The Charlemagne Pursuit at www.vjbooks.com today!

Steve Berry burst onto the scene in 2003 with The Amber Room.  He has followed that highly acclaimed debut with a string of bestsellers that has propelled him to the top of his craft.  Berry’s books deliver elements of the thriller genre with classic mystery fare,  producing provocative, enthralling novels that will captivate readers across all genres. Each is meticulously researched and exquisitely plotted.  The Charlemagne Pursuit is his sixth novels, the fourth featuring Cotton Malone.