Jennifer Jackson – Literary Agent

Hard Stop (Sam Acquillo Hamptons Mystery)

We leave California for the shores of New York’s Long Island and Chris Knopf’s Hard Stop (Permanent Press $28). The Hamptons are the haunt of retired design engineer Sam Acquillo, whose younger days in the boxing ring have left him with a head injury that could go lethal if re-injured. Brittle skull or not, Acquillo is still a physical guy who loathes walking away from a fight, especially if the other guy throws the first punch. This time out (after The Last Refuge, Two Time, and Head Wounds), Acquillo is looking for his ex-boss’s disappeared girlfriend, Iku Kinjo. At fist he simply suspects young Iku simply grew tired of her much-older lover, but when a dead body turns up, Acquillo realizes he’s walked into another case of murder. The plot, which pits defenders of intellectual property rights against predatory financiers, is brisk, but the mainstay of this book is Acquillo himself. As he says, “I used to wake up in the morning feeling a rich blend of panic and hollow despair. Now I’m merely undecided.” This noir-ish series, energized by Acquillo’s sassy one-liners, is one of the finest around. — Mystery Scene, Spring 2009

The Dresden Files: Storm Front (Volume 1)

Beginning an unusually successful adaptation, this volume covers the first part of the book that introduced Harry Dresden, a modern wizard who’s set up shop in downtown Chicago. Unlike Hellblazer’s John Constantine, Dresden is unambiguously heroic, cooperating with the police to solve gruesome magical murderers while also working solo as a supernatural PI. The two cases he undertakes here don’t seem related, but they both send Dresden out into the mean streets and eldritch corners of the modern world. More to the point, they let Butcher (and adapter Powers) set up a rich, quirky universe for Dresden to explore, as when he interviews a spiteful vampire madam or fights a trench coat-clad demonic assassin. Powers and artist Syaf do a very nice job of working a lot of text-conversations and Harry’s reflections-into lively-looking pages. The action is well handled, too, especially when the climactic battle with the demon moves from inside Harry’s apartment to outdoors during a thunderstorm. The Dresden novels are already New York Times bestsellers, and this comic looks like another winner. — Publishers Weekly

All About Us #4: Who Made You a Princess?

“Adina shows that teenagers can lead the life God wants for them—one of sexual purity—and still be popular. She does a fabulous job of addressing teen issues like relationships and temptation while also stressing the importance of developing a relationship with Christ.” — Romantic Times, 4 Stars

All About Us Series:
Book 1 – It’s All About Us
Book 2 – The Fruit of My Lipstick
Book 3 – Be Strong & Curvaceous

Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11)

During this very complicated game of cat and mouse, Harry must uncover the traitor within the Council and clear Morgan’s name, as well as stay alive. This was one of the most unpredictable versions of this book so far. I am a loyal reader and always find myself surprised, but this time, the author managed some stunts even I couldn’t believe. Overall, this series just gets better and better. –Affaire de Couer, Reviewer’s Pick, 5 Stars

Green

Lake (Escapement) makes a shift from steampunk to lush fantasy filled with exotic locales and exquisite descriptions. Sold as a child, raised and educated as a courtesan and secretly trained as an assassin, strong-willed Green retains her unyielding sense of independence, leading her to make drastic, unwise choices. Often used as a pawn and occasionally betrayed, she perseveres in trying to gain a measure of control over her life and a place to call home. Her goals become harder to reach when she’s caught up in the machinations of immortals and power games of meddling gods. Despite an occasionally episodic feel and some rocky pacing that suggests it might have worked better split over several installments, the story is nicely powered by strong mythic undertones and a fresh take on the relationship between gods and mortals. –Publishers Weekly