Happy Halloween, readers

I just received a perfect Halloween surprise from a little friend: spooky bookmarks.

Happy Halloween, all. I hope you have plenty of thrilling, chilling books to read.

Virtual event: San Diego Writers Festival conversation with Laurie R. King

This Saturday, October 16, I’ll be in conversation with the wonderful Laurie R. King as part of the San Diego Writers Festival. The event is virtual. Registration is free.

We’ll be talking about how to write a thriller.

Join us!

Writing the Thriller
October 16
10 AM — 11:15 AM Pacific / 1 PM — 2:15 PM Eastern
RSVP

Rebuilding

First off: Paul and I are okay. But we’ve had a major house fire. Thanks to superb firefighters, our place is still standing. Thanks to amazing neighbors, Paul was able to save irreplaceable photos and musical instruments. I was out of town and believe me, when the phone rang the last thing I wanted to hear was sirens. But Paul is safe, and we’ll rebuild.

Some of you have already offered to help. Thank you all for the kind words and offers of assistance. I wish I had time to thank you individually. Right now Paul and I are absolutely buried in fire and recovery details. It will be a while before we can reconnect with you. But big love and gratitude to everyone.

Upcoming virtual events: Murder by the Book and Tattered Cover

One thing the last year has given us is an expanded opportunity to talk about new books online, and to attend, via video, events that otherwise we couldn’t get to. This month, that means I get to be in conversation with several stellar authors from around the country, and you can join us.

This Wednesday, July, 7th, I’ll be talking to Jeff Abbott and Hilary Davidson about their new thrillers:

Jeff Abbott and Hilary Davidson in conversation with Meg Gardiner – Virtual Event
Wednesday, July 7th — 7PM Central
Murder by the Book, Houston

And Wednesday July 14th, I’ll be discussing debut author T.J. Newman’s new thriller Falling, hosted by Denver’s Tattered Cover bookstore.

Live Stream with T.J.Newman in Conversation with Meg Gardiner
Wednesday, July 14th — 5PM Mountain
Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver

I’d love for you to join us!

How to Write a Mystery

Need a Father’s Day gift? Want to up your crime/mystery/thriller-writing game? How to Write a Mystery, the new collection of essays from Mystery Writers of America, is now out. It includes my piece on thriller writing, and you don’t have to listen to me telling you this is a great book. The Washington Post says, “Is Dad always grumbling about how he could write a mystery novel? This collection of essays by the best crime masters will get him off the couch and into the library with the candlestick.

Available now!

IndieBound

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Bookshop.org  

Books-A-Million

Grab it!

April 15: In conversation with Jeff VanderMeer

This Thursday, April 15, I’ll be in conversation with the fabulous Jeff VanderMeer about his new thriller, Hummingbird Salamander. Join us via Zoom. Register at BookPeople.com.

Book People presents a virtual event with Jeff VanderMeer
Discussing Hummingbird Salamander
In conversation with Meg Gardiner
April 15
6 PM CDT

Hope you’ll join us!

The Dark Corners of the Night: Out Today in Paperback!

The Dark Corners of the Night, Book 3 in the UNSUB series, is published today in paperback. If you haven’t read it yet — or if you have and want to read it again with this cool new cover, or want to give copies (yes, copies, multiple, of course) to friends — here’s a reminder about what people have said about the novel.

“Don’t miss it. This is a great one!” — Stephen King

“Kickass.” — Los Angeles Times

“Brilliantly written. An unforgettable story. Stunning.” — Don Winslow

“Gardiner’s writing is lyrical and cinematic, and the final result is her best novel to date.” — Associated Press

Go for it, y’all!

Buy The Dark Corners of the Night

Feb. 18: In Conversation with Amy Gentry

Thursday, February 18, I’ll be in conversation with Amy Gentry about her fabulous new thriller Bad Habits. It’s a virtual author Q&A, hosted by A Mighty Blaze. It will be available on Facebook Live and YouTube. Join us!

Authors in Conversation
Amy Gentry + Meg Gardiner
Thursday, Feb. 18, 4PM EST
YouTube
Facebook

Hope you’ll check it out!

The Strand Magazine names The Dark Corners of the Night to its Top 12 Mysteries of 2020

I’m absolutely thrilled — and honored — that The Strand Magazine has named The Dark Corners of the Night one of its Top Twelve Mystery Novels of 2020.

Meg Gardiner has the power to craft haunting novels that’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. And The Dark Corners of the Night is just that novel, atmospheric, chilling, and a sojourn into the mind of deranged killer, while striking a deft balance with a realistic and endearing protagonist in FBI behavioral analyst Caitlin Hendrix who is destined for the big screen.

If you haven’t read the other novels on the list, jump right on that.

The Dark Corners of the Night paperback coming February 23

Here’s a bit of news, and a cover reveal. The paperback edition of The Dark Corners of the Night will be published February 23rd.

As a quick reminder: This is book 3 in the UNSUB series, and is in development as a television show from Amazon Studios. The synopsis:

I am the legion of the night …

He appears in the darkness like a ghost, made of shadows and fear—the Midnight Man. He comes for the parents but leaves the children alive, tiny witnesses to unspeakable horror. The bedroom communities of Los Angeles are gripped with dread, and the attacks are escalating.

Still reeling from her best friend’s close call in a bombing six months ago, FBI behavioral analyst Caitlin Hendrix has come to Los Angeles to assist in the Midnight Man investigation and do what she does best—hunt a serial killer. Her work is what keeps her going, but something about this UNSUB—unknown subject—doesn’t sit right. She soon realizes that this case will test not only her skills but also her dedication, for within the heart of a killer lives a secret that mirrors Caitlin’s own past. Hesitancy is not an option, but will she be able to do what must be done if the time comes?

Tense and impactful, Edgar Award winner Meg Gardiner’s latest UNSUB thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat until its riveting conclusion.

More news to come as the publication date approaches!

Writing Rocks — Now and Forever

To say 2020 has not gone as expected… yeah, no kidding. I hope you’re all holding up. We’re going to get through this, and light is actually showing at the end of the tunnel.

Amid all the uncertainty and difficulty and overwhelming disruption that this year has poured over us, I was reminded that some things are always true. And I was reminded in the best way, by a gift from my littlest fan, who made me this bracelet.

Writing rocks. Always has. Always will.

And I’m beyond lucky that I get to express my creativity through writing.

Here’s to 2021.

Night of a Thousand Authors

I know that if you’re in the USA, you may be consumed with the presidential election. I know I am. To help us all get through election night without biting our nails to the quick, a fine group is putting together the NIGHT OF A THOUSAND AUTHORS. They’re asking authors to talk about books and anything and everything except the election (because we’ll all be talking about that every other second of the evening). Join me and authors like Janet Evanovich, Brad Thor, John Connolly, Kyle Mills, Karin Slaughter, Kathy Reichs, Peter James, R.L. Stine, Jack Carr, Brad Meltzer, Lisa Scottoline, Linwood Barclay, Alafair Burke, Alex Segura, and many more.

Night of a Thousand Authors
With Thriller Talk hosts K.J. Howe and Ryan Steck
Tuesday, November 3, 2020, starting at 4PM Eastern
I will be joining at 6:45PM Eastern

And remember… if you haven’t already, VOTE!

Whatcha reading? How ya doing?

It’s been a minute since I checked in here. I’ve been busy, I’ve been isolated, I’m writing, I’m urging everyone to register to vote and make your voice heard. And I’ve been reading. Here’s a recent crop of fantastic novels I’ve enjoyed.

What are you all up to? What’s on your reading list?

Coming up: Reading for Pixels

This Sunday, September 6, I’ll be taking part in a live YouTube reading and Q&A session for The Pixel Project, which works worldwide to stop violence against women. Tune in… there will also be a giveaway.