Clubbing

By Elaine Viets

There it is – my new baby, the seventh Dead-End Job mystery, CLUBBED TO DEATH. Quite a handsome little hardcover, isn’t it? CLUBBED weighs 14 ounces, tucked into its pink and green cover.

Publishers Weekly liked it, too, which is always a relief. The review and the first chapter are both on my Web site at www.elaineviets.com.

For this book, Helen and I worked at a country club. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, "Do you know who I am?" I could have bought the place.

CLUBBED TO DEATH will be published May 6. That makes it the perfect gift for Mother’s Day on May 11. If you’d like a free personalized bookplate for yourself or your mom, email me at eviets@aol.com

If you’d like an autographed copy, send me an email and we’ll work out a private signing. Or you can order pre-signed copies from Mystery Lovers Bookshop at www.mysterylovers.com

or from The Poisoned Pen at www.poisonedpen.com.

Belong to a book discussion group? You’ll find reading discussion questions for CLUBBED TO DEATH and all my other books at www.elaineviets.com Just click on the book covers.

I may be coming to a city near you in June. CLUBBED TO DEATH tour cities include Houston, Dallas, Westerville, Ohio and my hometown, St. Louis. Here are the tour stops. Further details are posted on my Web site.

(1) Plantation, Florida

Barnes & Noble Plantation

Time: 7:30 P.M..

Date: Thursday, May 22

Barnes & Noble Plantation, 591 S. University Drive (that’s University Drive and I-595). Join the Mystery Lovers book club and Dr. Chris Jackson for a discussion of CLUBBED TO DEATH. For information, call 954-723-0489.

(2) Fort Lauderdale

Literary Tea for CLUBBED TO DEATH, Broward County Main Library

Time: 2 P.M.

Date: Tuesday, June 10

CLUBBED TO DEATH is set at a country club. So it's only proper that we have a literary tea to celebrate. This one is sponsored by the Florida Center for the Book at the Main Library, 100 South Andrews Ave. Leave your white gloves and hat at home, but make your reservations for this exclusive mystery lovers event at the Broward County Main Library. You'll love the price -- it's free. For more information, contact the Center for the Book at 954-357-7401.

(3) Delray Beach, Florida

Murder on the Beach Bookstore

Time: 7 P.M.

Date: Wednesday, June 11

I've signed every one of my mysteries at Murder on the Beach, and this year, I'm delighted to return to South Florida's foremost mystery bookstore for CLUBBED TO DEATH. Please join us on a Wednesday evening in Delray Beach, a terrific place to shop, dine -- and buy mysteries.
Murder on the Beach is at 273 Pineapple Grove Way. For information call 561-279-7790.

(4) Houston, Texas

Murder by the Book

Time: 6:30 P.M.

Date: Tuesday, June 17

Murder by the Book always has extraordinary signings. One of my favorites was for MURDER UNLEASHED, where the members of Caring Critters showed up with their service dogs. I've never had a signing before where I had my makeup licked off. Last year, when I was sick, mystery authors threw a "tour by proxy" signing for me that I’m still hearing about. I’m hoping to be there in person this year, though I understand that Bill Crider makes a funnier me than I do. Please stop by Murder by the Book for my newest Dead-end Job Mystery, CLUBBED TO DEATH. It’s at 2342 Bissonnet Street. For information call 713-524-8597.

(5) Plano, Texas

Barnes & Noble

Time: 7 P.M.

Date: Wednesday, June 18

Barnes & Noble in Plano, Texas

Texas has some of the friendliest readers. I hope you'll come to the Barnes & Noble in Plano, 2201 Preston Road (that’s northeast Dallas) to say hello and talk about CLUBBED TO DEATH. For information call 972-612-0999.

(6) Westerville, Ohio

Foul Play Mystery Books

Time: 6 P.M.

Thursday, June 19

Foul Play is a charming gingerbread house with thousands of books and a real cat or two. The place is packed for signings, and we always have a good time. Please join me at this cozy mystery store at 27 East College Ave. For information, call 888-257-2343.

(7) St. Louis

Time: 7 P.M.

Friday, June 20

St. Louis County Library, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

I wind up my tour with a visit home at the main county library to talk about CLUBBED TO DEATH. Looking forward to seeing you all. For information call 314-994-3300.

Comments

[JodiL]

I'm so ready for this new book. I want to see you when you come to Houston, but I don't know if I can wait until then to get the book. Buy the book next week and read it or wait until June when you come to Houston? What to do? As Vinny used to say in Welcome Back, Kotter, I'm so confused. Anyway, congrats on the latest book. I hope you have another in the works. I know, I'm rushing you. Sorry.

[Karen in Ohio]

Yay, Elaine! I wish you record sales for this one, and additional sales on the rest of your books, as a result!

I'm going to do my best to come to Westerville.

[Becky Hutchison]

Hey Elaine, sorry you weren't able to make it to Annapolis B&N this year. I won't be able to see you at any of your posted stops, but if you get anywhere around DC/MD/VA, etc., blog it and I'll plan on a road trip. Good luck with the book. It sounds like another winner!

Oh, and have fun on your tour!

[William Simon]

Geeez, Elaine.... "and in your Free Time...." What a schedule.

We're all looking forward to you being in Houston next month. I plan on resisting temptation and waiting until then. (Normal procedure is beating on the bookstore doors before they open, but I've been practicing 'Adult Behavior' lately. I find it confining, to say the least...:))

[Mary Storyteller]

I'll be marking my calendar for June 20, and announcing the event to my library book clubs and other family/friends. See you there!
Last night was our volunteers and tellers dinner at Glen Echo Country Club . . . you almost make me want to investigate behind the scenes, but maybe I want to hold onto the magic . . .

[Rita Scott]

I'll be there (or Bob will be a dead man!)

[Elaine Viets]

JodiL, and anyone else who wants a copy of CLUBBED TO DEATH right now, please go ahead and buy it and I'll be happy to sign it when I visit the store. Unless the store has a policy against that. Just be sure to bring along the receipt when you come for the talk.

[Elaine Viets]

PS: I can also send you a signed book plate if you'd prefer. Just email me at eviets@aol.com

[J.D. Rhoades]

Congratulations, Elaine! Best wishes for much success.

[JodiL]

Thanks for the suggestion, Elaine. I'll have my husband pick it up in Houston next week when he is there. Then I can bring it with me when you are there. Since Precious works in Houston more than here in Dallas, I will just join him there for your siging, with well-read book in hand (and receipt). Surely I can wait a few days to read it and that way I won't cause any problems at Murder By the Book. Wow! I'm no longer confused...

[Katherine C.]

Curses! I finally have a tart headed in my direction and I can't go. Which means no Elaine, unless I can convince you to check out the Fulton Street Fair (which I have to cover for the paper that weekend) while you're in the "area" — it's only a 1 1/2 hr. drive ... Congrats on the new book Elaine, I'm sure it's as good as all the rest.

[Elaine Viets]

Sorry I'll miss you Katherine. But if you want to order a copy in advance from the store, I'll sign it for you.
Elaine

[Kathy Sweeney]

This book is fantastic - bought a few copies for friends at the Festival and I am reading it now - love it!

Congratulations, Elaine - nobody deserves success like you do!

[Harley]

I have this book on my bedside table and I can't wait to read it!

[Jan (from Virginia)]

Yay! I pre-ordered the book so I hope to have it in hand on Tuesday! I'll get you to sign it at some point, of course, but it would sure be nice if you could include seomewhere in NoVA on your tour. Heck, why not at the airport like you did a while back?

Oh well, we'll at least get you back next May... ;-)

[Amy]

Congratulations, Elaine! Mine should be here tomorrow from Amazon. Can't wait to read it!