HEAT 2 named one of Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of 2022

What can I say except: Thank you! I’m delighted and surprised and extremely gratified that Heat 2 has been named one of Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of 2022.

STARRED Library Journal review for HEAT 2

This goes beyond making my day. Library Journal has given starred review to Heat 2:

 DEBUT Edgar Award–winning thriller author Gardiner (“UNSUB” series) and award-winning writer and director Mann (writing his first novel) explore the background and future of characters from Mann’s classic 1995 film Heat. How did McCauley, played by Robert DeNiro, end up on a heist team with Shiherlis, played by Val Kilmer? How did Hanna, played by Al Pacino, become the focused cop? Prepare for an epic journey of the seven years before the bank heist that would change all of their lives and the events that unfold afterward, bringing in a new cast of riveting characters. The world of international drug cartels and crime syndicates has never been so gripping. Heat was a cinematic spectacle, and this sequel manages to create the same immersive experience in written form. The opening details the 1995 film, so prior knowledge is unnecessary, though interest should also spike for that film. 

VERDICT This novel takes time to tell the story while slowly ratcheting up the suspense to nearly uncomfortable levels. Gardiner and Mann are legends, and this book will be a best seller that leads the cry for a film version.

I can’t even tell you how happy this makes me.

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!

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.

A Statement from Mystery Writers of America

I’m the 2020 president of Mystery Writers of America. This week, the organization issued this statement. Please read.

How to Help

Mystery Writers of America does not support or tolerate discrimination of any kind. We stand proudly with our Black members, and implore our entire membership to start listening, speaking out, and amplifying the voices that have been silenced for far too long. Listening leads to understanding, and action leads to change. We cannot move forward as a society or culture without recognizing the disparities that permeate both.

As Chester Himes said, “Democracy is not tolerance. Democracy is a prescribed way of life erected on the premise that all men are created equal.’”

If you’re looking for a way to get involved, to educate yourself, or to expand your perspective, here are some places to start.

Follow the link for a list of resources and organizations to support.

Take care of yourselves

When I finished my book tour for The Dark Corners of the Night, I planned to write a long, chatty blog post with plenty of photos, recounting the wonderful people who made possible the publication of the novel and its successful launch — my publisher, Blackstone; my agent, Shane Salerno; all the bookstores that hosted events, from San Diego to New York; the writers who joined me in conversation at every stop, which made for wonderful evenings and plenty of insight and laughter for everyone who came out. Incredible gratitude goes to Tess Gerritsen, Steph Cha, Don Winslow, Adrian McKinty, Joe Kenda, Amy Gentry, and S.C. Perkins.

I didn’t get around to that long, chatty blog post. COVID-19 overtook my plans. As I know it did yours.

So, for now, here’s a photo I shot while flying home from the Pacific Northwest, coming into San Francisco. Right now, I just want to say: Stay well. Take care of yourselves. Let me know how you’re doing. I hope you’re in touch with loved ones, keeping a safe social distance, reading lots of books (of course!) and holding fast.

This Saturday: in conversation with Harlan Coben

This Saturday, April 6th, I have the privilege of interviewing Harlan Coben about his new novel, Run Away. If you’re in the Houston area, come out to Murder by the Book and join us.

Harlan Coben in conversation with Meg Gardiner
Saturday, April 6th, 2019
5:30 p.m.
Murder by the Book
2342 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
713-524-8597

I hope to see you there!

Coming up: Bouchercon 2018

This coming week, September 5-8, I’ll be at Bouchercon 2018 in Tampa. Here’s my official schedule:

A Martini with a Twist of Plot: Thrillers
Thursday, September 6
2:00-2:45 PM

Women Who Thrill
Saturday, September 8
10:00-10:50 AM

Interview: International Guest of Honor Sean Chercover
Saturday, September 8
3-3:50 PM

I’ll also be crossing my fingers for UNSUB, which is nominated for a Barry Award. I hope I’ll see some of you in Florida!

My essay on the Golden State Killer, in Signature

I’ve written an essay for Signature — Penguin Random House’s online magazine — about the Golden State Killer, and what it was like to find out he stalked my hometown and my childhood neighborhood.

I am relieved and grateful that a suspect has finally been arrested for these heinous crimes.

Growing Up in Santa Barbara While the Golden State Killer Was at Large.

Coming up: San Antonio Book Festival

This Saturday, April 7th, I’ll be speaking at the San Antonio Book Festival. Details:

San Antonio Book Festival
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Serial Killers: Facts & Fiction with Meg Gardiner and Kate Winkler Dawson
12:00-1:00 PM
Swartz Room
San Antonio Central Library
600 Soledad
San Antonio, Texas

The festival runs all day, and is packed with great speakers. Sandra Cisneros, Jorge Ramos, Holly Black, Paula Poundstone… check out the entire program.

If you’re around, I’d love to see you.

Reddit AMA: Ask Me Anything

My Reddit AMA is now live!

Click the link below and head to Reddit.com/r/books. If you have a Reddit account you can take part in the Q&A. (If you want a Reddit account, you can sign up in about a minute.) And everybody can follow along with the conversation.

Meg Gardiner — Ask Me Anything.

The playlist of music in my novels, 2018

A couple of years back a reader asked for a playlist of music mentioned in my novels. It’s time for an update. Here’s the 2018 playlist.

Into the Black Nowhere

• Chris Stapleton, “Midnight Train to Memphis”
• Beyoncé, “Freedom”
• Gary Clark Junior, “Numb”
• Stevie Ray Vaughan, “Pride and Joy”

UNSUB

• Gary Clark Junior, “Don’t Owe You a Thang”
• Stevie Ray Vaughan, “Little Sister”
• Jerry Jeff Walker, “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother”
• The Chieftains, “Mo Ghile Mear” (Our Hero) (with Sting & Anúna)

Phantom Instinct

• Taking Back Sunday, “What’s It Feel Like To Be a Ghost?”
• Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Give It Away”

The Shadow Tracer

• Sarah McLachlan, “In the Arms of the Angel”
• Foo Fighters, “Wheels”

Ransom River:

• Radical Face, “Welcome Home”
• Florence & the Machine, “Dog Days Are Over”
• Led Zeppelin, “Stairway to Heaven”
• Foo Fighters, “Long Road to Ruin”
• Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama”

The Nightmare Thief:

• Frank Sinatra, “Come Fly With Me”
• Kings of Leon, “Sex on Fire”
• Beyoncé, “Crazy in Love”

The Liar’s Lullaby:

• “Bull’s-eye”
• “After Me”
• “The Liar’s Lullaby” (these three by Meg Gardiner/Paul Shreve, performed by Definitely Arson)
• “Amazing Grace”
• Shakuhachi — The Japanese Flute
• Alabama 3, “Woke Up This Morning” (The theme song from The Sopranos)

The Memory Collector:

• Slipknot, “Psychosocial”
• Incubus, “Sick Sad Little World”
• Foo Fighters, “The Pretender”
• The Killers, “Mr. Brightside”

The Dirty Secrets Club:

• The All-American Rejects, “Dirty Little Secret”
• Mahler, Symphony No. 5 in C Sharp Minor
• Cheb Mami, “Mamazareh”
• Los Lobos, “The Wreck of the Carlos Rey”
• T-Rex, “Bang a Gong”
• Gipsy Kings, “Chan Chan”

Kill Chain:

• Ray Charles: “Sinner’s Prayer,” “You Win Again,” “Losing Hand,” “Unchain My Heart,” and “Hit the Road, Jack”
• Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Can’t Stop”
• Willie Nelson, “Georgia on My Mind”

Crosscut:

• John Coltrane, A Love Supreme
• Patsy Cline, “Crazy”
• Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Bad Moon Rising”
• Trisha Yearwood, “How Do I Live”

Jericho Point:

• Toby Keith, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”
• Run DMC, “Walk This Way”
• Beethoven, Ode to Joy
  
• Aretha Franklin, “Chain of Fools”
• Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising”
• Dixie Chicks, “Long Time Gone”
• Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Jubilee”
• Bruce Springsteen, “She’s the One”

Mission Canyon:

• The Supremes, “Stop! In the Name of Love!”
• Jimi Hendrix, “Voodoo Chile”
• Puccini, Tosca: “Vissi d’arte”

China Lake:

• Eric Clapton, Crossroads
• Steppenwolf, “Born to Be Wild”
• Jimi Hendrix, “All Along the Watchtower”

(Photo: Every Time I Die, performing at Webster Hall, New York City, July 14, 2017.)

Hurricane Harvey: How to help

Since Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast, messages of worry and goodwill have been pouring in. I’m immensely grateful for your concern.

My family and I are fine. We’re in Austin, which escaped the full fury of the storm. Our neighborhood got only 6.5 inches of rain over the weekend. The city is up and running. The sun rose on blue skies this morning.

But in the photo above, you can see a low line of cloud on the eastern horizon. Everybody under those clouds, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico two hundred miles away, is still at risk. The Texas coast suffered catastrophic damage. Towns down the highway from us are covered with flood water. And Houston is bracing for more devastating rain.

If you want to help, here are a couple of great articles with links to organizations providing rescue, shelter, food, and help to the hundreds of thousands of people who need both immediate lifesaving assistance and longer term help to rebuild. Check them out.

Hurricane Harvey: where you can donate to help with disaster relief and recovery

Here’s How You Can Help People Affected By Harvey

Thanks!

New: Order signed, personalized books

Thanks to Austin’s terrific independent bookstore, BookPeople, readers can now order signed, personalized copies of my books.

Yep — if you order one of my novels from BookPeople (or all of ’em, because, come on) — you can now get a copy that not only features my signature, but one that includes a personal message.

Just order online. The bookstore will ship the copies to you. A pretty good deal.

Here’s how:

Order signed books by Meg Gardiner.

What are you waiting for?