News & Events
Introducing Spirits & Smoke
This month marks the release of the second in the Mystic’s Accomplice series, Spirits and Smoke. The publisher brought it out first in hardcover and as an ebook–the paperback version will be released in August. I was thrilled that it merited a rare starred review in the Library Journal, and then learned it got a second starred review in Publishers Weekly. I’ve never written a book that got TWO starred reviews!
The story features Maddie Pastore, a reluctant sleuth struggling to survive in 1925 Chicago, when gangsters ruled the streets and Prohibition turned law-abiding citizens into criminals. The word “Spirits” in the title refers both to bootleg hooch and to the ghosts a fraudulent medium conjures up in her seances; “Smoke” is present at the seances and is also Twenties slang for deadly wood alcohol, the murder weapon of choice in this whodunnit. Available at your local library, bookstores, and online.
Surprise at the Hospital
Cover Reveal for #2
My publisher sent the cover design for book #2 in the Mystic’s Accomplice series. I love it–especially the smoky cocktail! The two words in the title, Spirits and Smoke, carry double meanings: spirits refers to liquor and to the spirits of the dead contacted by the mystic; smoke is a feature of her seances but also Prohibition-era slang for deadly methyl alcohol (AKA wood alcohol). What do you think?
Terrific Surprise!
My publisher just notified me that my new book received a (rare) Starred Review from the Library Journal. The book releases on June 1.
Miley, Mary. The Mystic’s Accomplice. Severn House. Jun. 2021. 224p. ISBN 9780727850423. $28.99. Grieving pregnant widow Maddie Pastore didn’t know what her husband did for a living, until the Chicago mob shows up at his 1924 funeral. She ends up broke and loses her house, but she’s determined to make a living without calling on the mob for help. When the mystic Madam Carlotta, asks her to a séance, Maddie sees opportunity. She offers to research Carlotta’s clients, and discovers she’s good at digging through newspapers and wills and talking with servants. One of the mystic’s clients always cancels her sessions, claiming illness; Maddie learns the woman lost her husband and a nephew to tragedy and she begins to worry that the client could be the target of a killer. Courageous Maddie uses her new skills to attempt to save a life and trap a murderer. VERDICT Miley (“Roaring Twenties” series) returns to the jazz age in this mystery introducing a remarkable amateur sleuth, widow, and mother. It skillfully combines the tantalizing atmosphere of a speakeasy- and mob-filled Chicago, historical figures, and an intriguing mystery.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN
Terrific Surprise
My publisher notified me that my newest book had received a (rare) Starred Review from the Library Journal! The book release is June 1.
Miley, Mary. The Mystic’s Accomplice. Severn House. (Mystic’s Accomplice Mystery, Bk. 1). Jun. 2021. 224p. ISBN 9780727850423. $28.99. Grieving pregnant widow Maddie Pastore didn’t know what her husband did for a living, until the Chicago mob shows up at his 1924 funeral. She ends up broke and loses her house, but she’s determined to make a living without calling on the mob for help. When the mystic Madam Carlotta, asks her to a séance, Maddie sees opportunity. She offers to research Carlotta’s clients, and discovers she’s good at digging through newspapers and wills and talking with servants. One of the mystic’s clients always cancels her sessions, claiming illness; Maddie learns the woman lost her husband and a nephew to tragedy and she begins to worry that the client could be the target of a killer. Courageous Maddie uses her new skills to attempt to save a life and trap a murderer. VERDICT Miley (“Roaring Twenties” series) returns to the jazz age in this mystery introducing a remarkable amateur sleuth, widow, and mother. It skillfully combines the tantalizing atmosphere of a speakeasy- and mob-filled Chicago, historical figures, and an intriguing mystery.—Lesa Holstine,
Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN
Editing New Roaring Twenties book
I’m working with my editor now on revisions for my new Roaring Twenties book, the first in a mystery series set in 1924 Chicago. The title? THE MYSTIC’S ACCOMPLICE. Severn House plans to publish it first in England in April/May, 2021, then in the US two months later. Soon they’ll start work on the cover art–my favorite part! Can’t wait to see what they come up with.
No More Jail Classes?
I was sad when my writing classes at the Richmond City Jail were canceled last March. Back then, I was naive enough to think the hiatus would last a few weeks. It’s become obvious that classes won’t resume for many months, probably not this year . . . maybe never. That makes me sad. The inmates in my class were serious about improving their writing, and I miss our weekly interactions.
A Book Club in Prison
Book groups often ask authors to visit and talk about one of their books. I enjoy this and go whenever and wherever I’m invited, but today’s visit was a bit unusual. I went to the Virginia Correctional Center for Women in Goochland County, where their book club is reading the first in my Roaring Twenties series, The Impersonator. The prison looks rather like a college campus built in the 1930s that has gone a little shabby. I’d love to show you pictures but the only thing I was allowed to bring onto the grounds was my photo ID and my car keys. I found these stock photos online. Our meeting lasted over an hour and the women seemed very interested in the topic and appreciative that I could come.
Voila! My New Publication
The Three-Book-Club Lunch
Yesterday I was asked to speak about the Roaring Twenties and my mystery series to a group of 40 seniors who belonged to three book clubs. They had arranged last year to read The Impersonator and come together for my presentation and a Q&A–and a lovely lunch!
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