A television journalist uncovers a wicked plot to steal the world's most sacred relic--the Holy Grail. A widowed realtor and her purse-snatching Afghan hound stumble upon a murder scene in the unlikeliest of places. A vengeful culprit sends disturbing e-mails to intimidate future victims. From the gritty streets of New York City to the sacred tombs in the Middle East, these page-turners promise a wild ride filled with cunning villains, conflicted heroes, hilarious hazards, mind-bending puzzles, and enough twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The Long Mile by Clyde Ford ISBN 0738707856 $13.95 Paperback "Strong characterizations, authentic surrounds, and striking prose make this gritty, hard-boiled debut a good choice for most mystery and African-American fiction collections, especially where Walter Mosley is popular."--Library Journal "This fast-paced thriller grabs readers and holds them to the end."--Booklist This gritty detective thriller, set in New York City, relates one African-American man's riveting quest for truth and redemption. Written in the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Walter Mosley, The Long Mile is the first in a series of thrillers featuring the compelling character of John Shannon. Whiskey on the Rocks by Nina Wright ISBN 073870749X $13.95 Paperback "Sprightly humor, delightful characters (including the animals), and a nicely mixed-up plot make this an entertaining debut."--Library Journal "Throw in dognapping and art forgery, and it's quite a caper.... a fun read"--Publishers Weekly Still reeling from her husband's death, 33-year-old realtor Whiskey Mattimoe is adjusting to a new life, which includes the embarrassing purse-snatching antics of her mischievous Afghan hound. That's bad for business, but not as bad as having clients die on the premises. When one of her properties turns into a murder scene, Whiskey becomes hopelessly tangled in a devious scheme involving identity fraud and priceless art. The Grail Conspiracy by Lynn Sholes & Joe Moore ISBN 0738707872 $14.95 Paperback "...this page-turner is bound to show up on The Da Vinci Code read-alike lists at public libraries across the country."--Library Journal On assignment in the Middle East, television journalist Cotten Stone stumbles upon an archeological dig that uncovers the world's most-sought-after religious relic: the Holy Grail. With his last dying breath, Dr. Gabriel Archer gives it to Cotten, uttering "You are the only one" in a language she's heard from only one other person--her deceased twin sister. What begins as a hot news story for the ambitious young reporter soon turns into a nightmare when the Holy Grail is stolen and strange "accidents" befall her dearest friends. Running for her life, she turns to John Tyler, a priest with firsthand knowledge of religious artifacts, for help. An anonymous source leads them to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, where an abominable experiment is underway that--unless destroyed--promises to unleash an ancient evil upon the Earth. Murder at the Portland Variety by M.J. Zellnik ISBN 0738707864 $13.95 Paperback The year is 1894 and Portland's white slave trade is alive and flourishing thanks to the Shanghai Tunnels underneath the city. When Vera Carabella, a performer at a vaudeville theater, is found murdered in the tunnels, the police write it off as a botched kidnapping. But Libby Seale, a costume seamstress at the same theater, isn't convinced. Suspicious that Vera's death is connected to the mysterious disappearances of other young performers, she launches her own investigation. Newspaper reporter Peter Eberle is more than happy to help the pretty, quick-witted Libby in her quest. Drawn into a web of smugglers, prostitutes, and white slavers, their amateur sleuthing reveals an unsavory, corrupt side of Portland... and nurtures a spark between them that may blossom into much more. The Mind Box by A.J. Diehl ISBN 0738708208 $15.95 Paperback A famous Hollywood producer, Eddie Ealing, is found dead and mutilated in his mansion--a heinous killing that mimics one of his own grisly thriller films. Only days before, Eddie had received a disturbing e-mail message containing a blood-spattered picture of a young woman and what looks like a human heart, from a source known only as "Mike's Gifts." Notorious for his belligerent character and ruthless tactics, it seems like everyone had a grudge against the wealthy Oscar®-winner, including his powerful family that runs a lucrative business based on memory research. Assigned to this high-profile case is Detective Lane Daily, whose investigation turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse game when her own dark secrets are discovered... and messages from “Mike's Gifts” begin appearing in her inbox. All title published by Midnight Ink