Charles Finch

The months before a book goes out are always nerve-wracking, in some part because of the pre-publication reviews from the four big review journals: Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Kirkus. With my last book, A Beautiful Blue Death, I was lucky enough to get generally very good reviews (and in particular a coveted starred review from LJ). And now I'm pleased to say The September Society has received a very nice review from Booklist. They call it "reminiscent of Ruth Rendell and Elizabeth George" (two of my favorite mystery novelists, as probably goes without saying), cite the "author's masterfully expressive style" and conclude "One hopes to see more of Lenox and Lady Jane." I thought I'd pass on the good news to you - it's always nice to get positive early word for a book, and just makes me more excited for August, when it will finally come out.

Congratulations to Rita R. for winning a signed copy of A Beautiful Blue Death! Thanks for all of your entries, and please be sure to look back here for more contests.

One of the best parts of being a writer is hearing from people in all the varied outposts of America. Rita is from Searcy, Arkansas, which I just looked up on Google Maps - a town toward the northeast part of the state, not far from Memphis. I may or may not ever get to Searcy, but I'll always remember the name.