Jennifer Jackson – Literary Agent

Short Squeeze: A Mystery

Lawyer Jackie Swaitkowski, Sam Acquillo’s friend, turns a brief contact with client Sergey Pontecello into a personal crusade in Knopf’s entertaining fifth mystery set in the Hamptons (after 2009’s Hard Stop). Hapless Sergey, whose battered body turns up one night in a Sagaponack street shortly after he retains Jackie, was involved in an unequal battle with his sister-in-law, Eunice Wolsonowicz, over the house he and his wife, Elizabeth, shared until her death. Eunice and Elizabeth’s family tree contains some pretty twisted limbs, and Jackie, who has limited respect for the speed of the law, presses her own investigation even after someone runs her off the road. Readers should be prepared for some shocks as body parts from an old hit-and-run victim occasionally pop up. While Knopf offers a vivid setting, sharp characterizations and devious plotting, Jackie’s starring role doesn’t entirely compensate for the bit part played by Sam, hitherto the series’ lead character. –Publishers Weekly

Congratulations to Jim Butcher for First Lord’s Fury (Codex Alera, Book 6) making #7 on the New York Times hardcover bestselling list!

And Princeps’ Fury (Codex Alera, Book 5) garnered #18 on the mass market bestselling list.

Bonus: This volume of Codex Alera comes with the long-awaited map, illustrated by Priscilla Spencer. Desktop wallpaper sizes available here.

Scenting the Dark

Campbell Award–winner Kowal presents a broad spectrum of stories in her chapbook-slim first collection. The heartbreaking “Just Right,” in which a family struggles with a child’s strange behavior, isn’t speculative at all. “Death Comes but Twice” edges into dark fantasy, while blind perfumer Penn is stalked by an enormous predator in SF horror story “Scenting the Dark.” The deepest tale is “Some Other Day,” in which a young scientist struggles to undo the terrible consequences of her father’s well-meant work, while “Jaiden’s Weaver” is a sweet story about nurturing and caring for a creature others think deformed. Kowal’s stories don’t always plumb the depths of speculation or characters, but when they do the results are often stirring. This excellent introduction to her work is likely to make her new fans. –Publishers Weekly

Scenting the Dark

Kowal is primarily a puppeteer, and the sweetness so much puppetry conjures flavors her writing. And not just in “This Little Pig” and “Jaiden’s Weaver,” which would fit cozily into any good YA sf collection. The first, set in a near-future Iceland that has virtually banned fossil fuels, features a 17-year-old whose fondest dream, to drive a classic 1950s MG-TD, propels him into the workforce, where he meets with humiliation but also hope. A 13-year-old girl who cares not for horses but for “teddy bear spiders”—an endearing species that grows to ridable size on the Earth-colonized planet New Oregon—is the focus of Jaiden’s Weaver,” an endearing kid-and-critter exercise. Less YA friendly, “Some Other Day” resolves as warmly as those two, though what is resolved is very dire, indeed. In the remaining five, a dollop of acid sours any sweetness, either, as in the tense title story, immediately; as in “Just Right,” terminally; or, as in “Portrait of Ari,” just beyond the story’s last word. Lucid and engaging work from a probable rising star. –Booklist

First Lord’s Fury, Codex Alera, Book 6

The wait is finally over, as the incomparable Butcher gives salivating fans the piece-de-resistance of his Codex Alera series. The incredible journey of clever Tavi, from shepherd’s apprentice to last hope of the Realm, has been both thrilling and harrowing — not mention completely engrossing. In this finale, the blistering pace of warfare never falters and is split between character viewpoints, but the heart of the story remains the evolution of a singular young man. As heroes go, they don’t come better than Tavi! Bravo, Mr. Butcher! — Romantic Times, 4 1/2 Stars + Gold Medal