I just got this email from Mr. Pearl. I have read both his other books and enjoyed them, particularly The Dante Club. So I thought I would give you a heads up about his newest effort. Sounds interesting. Here’s what he had to say:

Dear friends,

My new novel THE LAST DICKENS is in bookstores everywhere tomorrow! Please consider showing the booksellers support for the book by ringing one up at your local store or online as soon as you can!

My inaugural book reading/signing is tomorrow, Tuesday (March 17), in New York City. I hope all you New York and Tristate area folks will come to hear about the book and say hello at the Barnes & Noble Greenwich Village location (396 Ave of the Americas, at 8th st) at 6:30pm. Bring friends!

THE LAST DICKENS is a literary thriller that begins when Dickens’s sudden death leaves his final novel unfinished. His young American publisher James Osgood sets out on a quest from Boston to England to discover how Dickens’s novel was going to end, unleashing a real-life puzzle that becomes a matter of life and death. Lots more at www.MATTHEWPEARL.com!

Events following the one in New York will be in Newton (MA), Atlanta, Miami, Iowa City, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Brookline (MA), and Cambridge (MA). Details included below for each event. I’ll send a reminder email to those I have listed as living in each area the day before each respective event–but I try to be sensitive to email clutter, so otherwise I’ll be updating you on my website’s news page rather than through emails. You can also become a fan at my new Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Pearl-author/29977879540

I’m happy to report very nice early reviews: the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says that THE LAST DICKENS is “ambitious and satisfying.” Booklist calls it “a brilliant, exciting thriller” that “aligns perfectly with” THE DANTE CLUB and THE POE SHADOW.” And the London Daily Mail declares the novel a “gripping read” that “ensures excitement.” I’m glad I can now share the book with all of you! Please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested, or any book clubs looking for a new pick.

With best wishes,

Matthew
www.matthewpearl.com

What’s up?

Not only did Mr. Fuller send me this wonderful email, I also got a chance to meet him at the recent Southern Festival of the book. The generosity of his spirit shows in his life as well as his writing.

This is what he had to say:

Dear Rikki,

Thank you for your stunning review.  I was truly moved and touched by your
kind and generous words.  As a writer (and you know whereof I speak), you
sit in your office, working away, hoping that someday, someone will get a
chance to read the work and hopefully get it.  You have made that dream come
true.

I don't know if it will be a movie.  I have given exclusive rights to a
producer (a man who was my agent for 12 years, so I trust him), and he has
numerous irons in the fire.  That said, the American Civil War is a
non-starter in Europe and Asia.  Authors who are appreciated for their other
works find their Civil War novels unpurchased and unread.  The movie of
Sweetsmoke would be expensive, and have to make its money back in the US
alone.  That makes it a tough sell.  But you never know.

When I finished the novel, I thought of an entire scenario for a second book
about Cassius, as I didn't want him to go away.  But as time has passed, I
think this is the best place to leave him.  So I currently have no plans for
a second Cassius novel.  I am, however, working on my next novel.  I'd be
able to work faster except for all the publicity that I've been doing.

Thank you again for your review.  I am both humbled and pleased.

Warmest appreciation,

Dave Fuller

I have to admit I get a real thrill when an author responds to my review. It’s the groupie in me, I guess. Recently Douglas Preston had this to say about my review of his work, The Monster of Florence. This non-fiction exploration of a serial murderer in Italy actually ensnarled Preston as a suspect.

Here’s what he said:

Dear Rikki,

Thank you for the intelligent and well-written review, and my
apologies for not responding sooner. I’ve been on vacation and away
from my computer.

It certainly was a difficult experience, but at least as a writer I
was able to write about it and thereby exorcise those particular
demons. I greatly appreciate your support.

Warmly,
Doug

Want to know more about Douglas Preston and his frequent writing partner Lincoln Child? Click here.