A troubled codebreaker faces an epic plot reaching back through centuries of America's secret history Salem Wiley is a genius cryptanalyst, courted by the world's top security agencies ever since making a breakthrough discovery in her field of quantum computing. She's also an agoraphobe, shackled to a narrow routine by her fear of public places. When her mother's disappearance is linked to a plot to assassinate the country's first viable female presidential candidate, Salem finds herself both target and detective in a modern-day witch hunt. Drawn into a labyrinth of messages encrypted by Emily Dickinson and centuries-old codes tucked inside the Beale Cipher, Salem begins to uncover the truth: an ancient and ruthless group is hell-bent on ruling the world, and only a select group of women stands in its way. Praise: "A fast-paced, sometimes brutal thriller reminiscent of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code."—Booklist (starred review) "Complex protagonists who overcome many obstacles take adventurous readers on a hair-raising thrill ride."—Library Journal (starred review) "The fascinating historical information combined with a storyline ripped from the headlines will hook conspiracy theorists and action addicts alike."—Kirkus Reviews "This suspenseful tale has something for absolutely everyone to enjoy."—Suspense Magazine "Fans of The Da Vinci Code are going to love this book."—Crimespree Magazine "Salem's Cipher is the best kind of fun. A witchy romp with plenty of adventure, intrigue, thrills, friendship, and heart."—Chelsea Cain, New York Times bestselling author "Salem's Cipher is a bona fide page-turner—packed with wonderfully complex characters, surprising twists and thrilling action. Troubled, razor-sharp Salem is truly a heroine to cheer for. I'd follow her anywhere."—Alison Gaylin, USA Today bestselling author

"An immersive voice, an intriguing story, a wonderful character—highly recommended!"—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author What if everything you thought you knew about Stonehenge was wrong? When agoraphobic genius Salem Wiley lands her dream job as an FBI cryptanalyst, she vows never to return to the witch hunt underworld, where ancient secrets encrypted by hunted women have the power to rewrite history. Her resolve disappears when sweet Mercy Mayfair, the child she is pledged to protect, is kidnapped. With the help of the enigmatic Agent Lucan Stone, Salem is forced to code hunt in Ireland, England, and Scotland to keep the girl alive. As the clock ticks, she must face the terrible truth that there is only one way to free Mercy: crack the unbreakable code of Stonehenge. Praise: "The conspiracy-theory vibe is strong here and will propel the Da Vinci Code crowd through to the end...Purchase wherever conspiracy theorists huddle in the stacks."—Booklist "Both a sweeping adventure and race-against-time thriller, Mercy's Chase is fascinating, fierce, and brimming with heart—just like its heroine, Salem Wiley."—Meg Gardiner, author of Into the Black Nowhere "A strong woman-focused storyline."—Reviewing the Evidence

"According to common wisdom, we all have a book inside of us. But how do you select and then write your most significant story--the one that helps you to evolve and invites pure creativity into your life, the one that people line up to read? In [this book], creative writing professor, sociologist, and popular fiction author Jessica Lourey guides you through the redemptive process of writing a healing novel that recycles and transforms your most precious resources--your own emotions and experiences"--Amazon.com.

Edited by Rick Ollerman. Alphabetical list of contributors: Scott Adlerberg, Eric Beetner, Kristi Belcamino, Michael A. Black, Michael Bracken, Don Bruns, Gary R. Bush, Austin Camacho, Dave Case, Jessie Chandler, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jen Conley, John Gaspard, Lois Greiman, Libby Fischer Hellmann, David Housewright, William Kent Krueger, Jess Lourey, Michael Allan Mallory, Terrence McCauley, Jenny Milchman, Stuart Neville, Rick Ollerman, Nick Petrie, Gary Phillips, Lissa Marie Redmond, Michael Stanley, Duane Swierczynski, Randy Wayne White, and Case Younggren. Many of today’s top writers get together to celebrate the themes of books and bookstores (and even a tuba or two!) As we celebrate the life of Mystery Writers of America Raven Award-winning Gary Shulze, long-time owner of the legendary Once Upon a Crime bookstore in Minneapolis. Gary left an indelible mark on the crime fiction community across the world before he passed away in 2016 due to complications from leukemia. Join as Duane Swierczynski, William Kent Krueger, Randy Wayne White, Jess Lourey, Stuart Neville and more come together in this tribute to a man whose legacy will not be forgotten.

⭐ "Lourey expertly concocts a Gothic fusion of long-held secrets, melancholy, and resolve..." ―Publishers Weekly ⭐ "Think Alice Hoffman...spell-binding!" ―Midwest Book Review Faith Falls is a snug little Minnesota town constructed over a mystery, a place where the most impressive building is the Catalain's gorgeous Victorian mansion on the hill. The people of Faith Falls have an uneasy truce with the Catalain witches; they don't trust them, yet they can't resist buying their kitchen magic and love potions. When the Catalain's prodigal daughter returns to Faith Falls with a mysterious and dangerous bluesman on her heels, all the bad blood boils to the surface, dredging up secrets, bitter curses, and a decades-old, unsolved murder. The Catalain women must find a way to heal their bond and make peace with their past, or they'll lose their freedom, their ancestral home, and in the case of at least one Catalain witch...their life. This lush, intoxicating novel weaves together mystery, romance, and magic. BONUS CONTENT: includes beautifully illustrated spells from the Book of Secrets. ⭐ "[T]ightly plotted, and Lourey shines when depicting relationships―romantic ones as well as tangled links between Catalains...." ―Kirkus Reviews

✨ How much can go wrong in a single Monday? PI-in-training Mira James is about to find out! ✨ Big city gal Mira James is finally settling into itty bitty Battle Lake. Sure, there's that pesky dead-body-a-month hitch, and her hunky musician boyfriend has begun receiving mysterious late-night texts. The fact that her problematic ex-boyfriend seems to be tailing her doesn't help, either. But Mira is determined to ignore all that for one day so she can focus on the December wedding of two dear friends. She's succeeding, too, until Kennie Rogers, Battle Lake mayor and frenemy extraordinaire, is kidnapped right in front of her eyes by a murderous Santa Claus. Ho-ho-ho-oh-no! Can Mira save Kennie (and her relationship) before the slay bells ring...for good? Find out in this 124-page Murder by Month romcom novella featuring all your Battle Lake favorites. PRAISE FOR THE MIRA JAMES ROMCOM MYSTERIES ⭐ "Lourey skillfully mixes humor and suspense . . . the characters are wonderful and wacky, and the mile-a-minute pace never falters." ―Booklist (starred review) ⭐ "Get started on this Lefty-nominated series if you've previously missed it!" ―Library Journal (starred review) ✨ Jess Lourey named to Book Riot's "10 Funny Mystery Authors Like Janet Evanovich" list! ✨

Brimming with humor and heartbreak, hope and healing, this enchanting novella takes you deeper into the world of the Catalains and the magic that binds them. Every one of Helena Catalain's handmade candies carries magic. Her black currant truffle with the deep purple center removes all symptoms of menopause. Her Bittersweet Money bar lights the path to riches. But when a mysterious pain appears in her left breast, Helena doesn't want to trouble anyone about it, not even herself. So ashamed is she by the secret she's keeping that she can't see the true love Artemis Hartshorn Buckley offers her. When the quarter-century revelation of snakes descends upon Faith Falls, they bring with them an abundance of unwanted clarity, as they always do. Realizing she's about to lose everything, Helena must face the possibility that love is the only magic strong enough to save her. If you enjoyed Seven Daughters, you'll love The Catalain Book of Secrets, a full-length novel featuring the powerful Catalain women and never-before-seen spells from their secret book.

When it comes to writing Golden Age Hollywood biographies, the pen is deadlier than the sword Justine Turner is a world-famous biographer of Hollywood stars. She's also Charlotte Donovan's overbearing boss. So it comes as no surprise to Charlotte when Justine requests an emergency meeting related to her latest in-progress biography. It is a surprise, though, when Justine up and dies before their urgent discussion can begin. In the wake of such a tragedy, all Charlotte wants to do is finish the Jean Harlow biography that Justine had started. Instead, she finds herself in grave danger—stalked both online and in person by a drop-dead Jean Harlow look-alike. Together with police sergeant Den Brophy, Charlotte uncovers shocking revelations. But will these revelations be enough to catch the killer? Praise: "The Jean Harlow Bombshell is a page-turner, a modern whodunit threaded with Golden Age Hollywood glamour. Its protagonist, Charlotte Donovan, is a sleuth for our times, flawed, bright, and eminently relatable. Factor in the delicious elements of romance, friendship, and family, and you have a mystery as captivating as Jean Harlow's (still missing) star sapphire ring."—Jess Lourey, author of Salem's Cipher and Mercy's Chase "Twisty, fascinating, and gently edgy, this mixture of vintage Hollywood and contemporary New York will delight fans of the traditional mystery as well as those craving a modern read. Loved it!"—Hank Phillippi Ryan, nationally bestselling author of Trust Me "Mollie Cox Bryan concocts a fascinating mystery with more twists than a pretzel factory. Bryan's skillful portrayal of Charlotte and best friend Kate make it fun to follow them as they work through to the solution. An entertaining read, a steady pace, and memorable characters to meet."—Reviewing the Evidence

A brilliant code breaker shatters a centuries-old conspiracy and unravels her own family secrets in an addictive and heart-pounding thriller by Edgar Award-nominated author Jess Lourey. Salem Wiley is a genius cryptanalyst. She's also a loner who prefers a safe and familiar path. Until her mother disappears in the wake of a brutal murder, leaving behind a cryptic warning of threats to come. Forced out of her safe zone, Salem embarks with her best friend, Bel, on a dangerous quest that reaches back centuries into America's hidden history. Drawn into a labyrinth of messages encrypted by Emily Dickinson and hidden in the legendary Beale Cipher, Salem discovers her mother's double life--and the truth. An ancient and ruthless society is hell-bent on ruling the world, and only a select group of hunted women stands in its way. Now Salem must follow a cross-country trail of clues in a desperate bid to unravel the conspiracy, which threatens not only the present but the very course of history. Revised edition: This edition of Salem's Cipher includes editorial revisions.