Podcast #4 is finally up!

So we invited fellow author Bill Cameron to stop in and chat. And where did the conversation take us? Dead Hookers of course.

Listen to it here

A Busy Summer

Sorry haven't been around. And I'm not going to promise to be around that much in the near future either, but I'll give it a try. Things have been crazy what with the book coming out, Thrillerfest, a couple trips out of town, etc.

Wanted to share a few links to stuff you may have missed:

Took the Page 69 Test here: page69test.com

Story in my old hometown paper (haven't lived there many, many years, so it was great that they ran this): The Daily Independent

A nice review on John Ling's Blog

APPEARANCE TONIGHT

If you're in the L.A. this evening and looking for something to do, I have an appearance this evening in the West L.A./Culver City area:

6:30 P.M.

Palms-Rancho Park Branch Los Angeles Public Library
2920 Overland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 840-2142

Hope to see you there!

The Bantam Dell Podcasts

Every week, Bantam Dell posts a podcast from one of their authors...this week it's my turn!

Here my podcast on "alternate stories" here!

Battles and Browne Podcast #3 is UP

Check it out here.
Or go to www.battlesandbrowne.com.

Upcoming Events

Several signings and appearances in the coming weeks! Plus I'll be doing some drop in signings a bookstores throughout Southern California. Here are the confirmed events as of now:

7/7/2007

1:00 P.M
Mysteries To Die For
2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
805-374-0084

6:30 P.M.
LAUNCH PARTY/SIGNING
Mystery Bookstore
1036-C Broxton Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-209-0415

7/12/2007
Partners & Crime
New York, NY

7/12-7/15/2007
ThrillerFest
New York, NY

7/17/2007
6:30 P.M.
Palms-Rancho Park Branch
Los Angeles Public Library
2920 Overland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 840-2142

Hope to see you at one of these events! I'll post more as they come up.

(Special thanks to Tasha Alexander for taking the above photo at a store in Chicago! THE CLEANER, right up front where you can find it!)

In Yesterday's New York Times

Actual size 4" x 10.25"

BREAKING NEWS

PARIS HILTON RELEASED FROM JAIL TO ATTEND PUB DAY FOR PINTER AND BATTLES

Hollywood, CA (PA) - A spokesman for the L.A. Sheriffs Department said this morning that Paris Hilton has been released from county jail after she begged and pleaded to be set free in time for the publication day of Jason Pinter's THE MARK and Brett Battles' THE CLEANER.

"I discovered a love for reading while I was in the slammer," Paris said, sporting her new, teardrop tattoo. "I made it through all of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series, and had just begun digging into Barry Eisler's work when the chick in the next cell told me about the new books from Jason and Brett. Both sounded so good, I had to rush through Eisler so I'd be ready when they came out."

After being whisked away from the jailhouse, Paris was taken to the Borders on Beverly Blvd. Employees, having been forwarned about her arrival, were on hand after midnight waiting for her, and met her at her car with a copy of both novels conveniently stored in a snappy Borders' bag.

Paris is alledged to have said, "Put it on my tab."

To which the response was, "Ma'am, you don't have a tab at Borders."

But the problem was soon solved with a couple of loose twenties she found in the glove box.

---

Don't miss your chance to get THE MARK by Jason Pinter and THE CLEANER by Brett Battles.


Both novels available starting TODAY at BOOKSTORES EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!

T-Minus One Day

Well, tomorrow is the big day. The North American release of THE CLEANER, and I can hardly believe it.

But before tomorrow arrives...a little housekeeping news for everyone.

Starting in about a week THE CLEANER will also be available in an audio version!

For those of you not in the U.S. and Canada, THE CLEANER will be coming to the following countries in the appropriate language in the coming months:

Bulgaria
Russia
Germany
The United Kingdom

...and more on the way!

If you subscribe to THE NEW YORK TIMES or THE WALL STREET JOURNAL check them out tomorrow...Bantam Dell has done something very nice!

That's it for now. I'm going to try to spend the rest of the day not thinking about the release, but I'm sure that'll last about fifteen seconds.

THE CLEANER is BOOK OF THE WEEK

A big THANK YOU to David Montgomery for making THE CLEANER Book of the Week at his Crime Fiction Blog!

Only 8 days until THE CLEANER hits the shelves!

No Country For Old Men

It's always a good day when you run across the trailer for a new Coen Brothers film.

New Podcast is UP

I know we said we'd put them up every other week...but we've decided to increase the frequencies (at least for as long as we can.) This week we talk about Essentials to building a strong foundation for being a writer.

Listen to it here.
Or go type in www.battlesandbrowne.com.

Favorite Books and Winner

And so ends the final ARC sweepstakes for THE CLEANER. We are t-minus 2 weeks until pub date, so if you didn't when you don't have long to wait until you can get your very own copy!

To enter this time, all participants had to list their favorite all time books. The list is below, but first the winners:


1. Liz
2. Lee
3. Don Anderson
4. Gerald So
5. John Ling

Congratulations to each of you, and thank you to everyone who participated.

Now here's a list of some really great titles!

1. MINE (Which I didn't mention previously): It's a moving target, but I'd have to say it's either THE HEART OF THE MATTER or THE QUIET AMERICAN both by Graham Greene

2. STEPHEN D. ROGERS: DEATH OF CITIZEN by Donald Hamilton

3. PATTINASE ABBOTT: A PLACE OF EXECUTION by Val McDermid and BEL CANTO by Ann Patchett

4. ROB (as in Gregory Browne): funny guy, Rob. Sadly, if that book existed I'm sure it would have sold well.

5. GERALD SO: THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger

6. DON ANDERSON: SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL by Kent Anderson (runner up WINTER'S BONE by Daniel Woodrell.)

7. BERNITA: THE FIONAVAR TAPESTRY By Guy Gavriel Kay

8. LIZ: BROTHER OF THE MORE FAMOUS JACK by Barbara Trapido

9. LEE: ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand

10. JOHN LING: FIRST BLOOD by David Morrell

11. ANGELA: THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Dumas

12. STACEY COCHRAN: THE SUN ALSO RISES by Ernest Hemingway (runner up THE SHINING by Stephen King.)

13: LATHAM SHINDER: MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN by Jonathan Lethem

And 2 late entry...the drawing was already completed by the time these came in...but they were still in time to get their favorite books listed:

14. JUDY THOMAS: THE DAUGHTER OF TIME by Josephine Tey

15. CHRISTOPHER: THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

BONUS CHANCE!!!

I've unexpectedly come into possession of several more ARCs of THE CLEANER. And my surprise abundance is your chance for a free book. I'm going to give away five this time.

You read that right. FIVE.

But we're going to turn this one around fast. I'm setting the deadline for entries at 6 p.m. Monday June 11th...that's Pacific Standard Time.

This time I'm looking for your favorite book of all time - title and author. And if you feel up to it, let us know why. I'll pull the winners on Monday night and let you know on Tuesday. As always, previous winners, family and friends who already have a copy are encouraged to participate but are ineligible to win.

Let 'em rip!

------

Don't forget to listen in on the first of soon to be many podcasts from Robert Gregory Browne and myself. You'll find it at www.battlesandbrowne.com.

Battles and Browne Talk Writing

My good friend and fellow author Robert Gregory Browne and I have started something we hope a lot of you will enjoy. Every two weeks (and possibly more often as we get going), we will be posting podcasts about writing and the writing world. Sometimes we'll talk about the nuts and bolts, sometimes we'll interview other authors, and sometimes who knows. Should be a lot of fun.

And today, our very first podcast is up! You can hear it here at our new website Rob designed specifically for this - www.battlesandbrowne.com.

This weeks episode is called Character is King. You'll also notice a link on the main page where you can email us questions. We'll be answering as many as we can during upcoming podcasts. So go check it out and let us know what you think!

In Today's Mail

Two things of note in this picture...1) I received a copy of the actual hardcover edition of THE CLEANER today. Needless to say it is very cool. Still seems a little unreal, though. I'm feeling very out of body. And 2) I really need a haircut.

Less than a month to release day! (June 26th) And for those of you in the L.A. on July 7th, mark your calendar. I'll be doing a signings at Mysteries to Die For in Thousand Oaks at 1:00 p.m. and then a big one that night with friends and family in Westwood at The Mystery Bookstore at 6:30 p.m.

Publisher's Weekly Reviews THE CLEANER

Just came out this week. Wanted to share...

"Displaying an enviable gift for pacing and action, Battles’s debut novel is a page-turner that may remind some readers of the cult TV spy series Alias..."

Read the full review here (down the page a little)

Winner(s)!!! And the list

So...since this is my last give away of an ARC of THE CLEANER, I've decided not to give away just one copy, not two, not even three...BUT FOUR ARCs. So we have FOUR winners! Congratulations to:

Steve G
Jeff Shelby
Mindy
Angela/scifichick


Now...here's the list of books the entries generated!

FROM STEPHEN BLACKMOORE:
THE SONG IS YOU by Megan Abbott

FROM SPYSCRIBBER:
A GAME OF PLEASURE by Barbara Satow

FROM ROB GREGORY BROWNE:
VERTICAL COFFIN by Stephen J. Cannell

FROM KISSASYLUM:
THE SHAPE OF SNAKES by Minette Walters

FROM STEVE G:
GOD'S SPY by Juan Gomez-Jurado

FROM STACEY COCHRAN:
SUFFER THE CHILDREN by John Saul

FROM JEFF SHELBY:
I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER by Larry Doyle

ANGELA/SCIFICHICK:
SCENT OF SHADOWS by Vicki Pettersson

FROM ABOOKWORM:
THE HINDI-BINDI CLUB by Monica Pradhan

FROM MINDY:
THE CONCRETE MAZE by Steven Torres

FROM ANNE:
THE SENSE OF PAPER by Taylor Holden

FROM ELLIE:
THE BOOK OF NAMES by Jill Gregory and Karen Tintori

FROM DIANE:
A THREAD OF GRACE by Mary Doria Russell

FROM SHARON:
THE ROSSETTI LETTER by Christi Phillips

FROM STEVE MALLEY:
RACHEL'S HOLIDAY by Marian Keyes

FROM RICK:
LISEY'S STORY by Stephen King

Thanks to everyone who participated and help to contribute to this list! A lot of good stuff here.

Only 2 Days Left to Win!

Sweepstakes ends Thursday night at 9 p.m. Pacific Time. I'll be pulling the winner then, and will post the name on Friday. So hurry up and get your entries in.

Enter Here!

CONTEST for an ARC of THE CLEANER

In case you missed the announcement on Monday, this is the last contest for an advance reader copy of THE CLEANER...

...check it out the details here!

Final Chance to Win an ARC of THE CLEANER

Here's my last contest for an ARC of THE CLEANER. (I hope to give away a hardcover before the official release date, but no promises.) To enter let's make it interesting. In the comments section let me know the name of the book that most recently surprised you. By this I mean a book you didn't expect to be as good as it was, something that gripped you more than you would have guess when you first picked it up. Give us the author, and a quick description of why it had this effect on you. Don't give away any spoilers. I hate spoilers.

Here's an example:

GROTESQUE by Natsuo Kirino
I wasn't really sure what I was expecting from this book. Granted, I had heard good things. But when I picked it up to read I kind of expected it to be one of those books you read, enjoy, then quickly move on to the next one. Not even close. The story was like water going down a drain spinning you closer and closer to the center but not taking the straight route. Each time it took me around the drain there was something new and unexpected.

See, not so hard. Your turn! Doesn't have to be a thriller or suspense novel either. Any novel. Reading's good, but even better when you cross out of your comfort zone.

Contest ends at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Coast Time Thursday, May 24th.

As If There Weren't Already Enough Reasons to Go

ThrillerFest  goes video!
Please click on the link to watch our video.
And then click here to sign up

WICKED BREAK

So in what's become a mini-tradition, I purchased Jeff Shelby's latest book (in this case WICKED BREAK at the L.A. Times Festival of Books and had him sign it.

I actually began reading it while I was still at the festival, and finished it today. I have to say, Jeff has done it again. I love his style, and I've thoroughly enjoyed both of his books. Noah Braddock is a PI who'd probably rather be surfing most days. But when he puts his mind to work, he definitely doesn't go at it holding anything back. And it was nice to see he even seemed to grow up a little the latest installment.

Great job, Jeff. And for everyone else, a big thumbs up for me.

L.A. TImes Festival of Books in Pictures

Spent all Saturday on the campus of UCLA at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Tons of people - readers and authors alike! But no reason to tell you about it...let me show you....



No crowds yet...still about an hour from official opening time. But they're coming!

Setting up at the Mysterious Galaxy booth

Book TV

Everywhere books!

Robert Gregory Browne at his first of four signings for the day

Best T-shirt of the day

Nathan Walpow at the Mystery Bookstore booth

The Mystery Bookstore's very own Bobby McCue

The crowds begin to grow

James Ellroy at the Borders booth

Michael Connelly talking to a fan

Crowded now

The wonderful and talented Cornelia Read fresh from the Edgars

Speaking of Edgars...Edgar award winner Naomi Hirahara and I catch up (Way to go, Naomi!)

Duane Swierczynski trying to unsuccessfully get out of a picture with Sean Doolittle during our gourmet lunch

Sean Doolittle and Victor Gischler

Mary Higgins Clark (blue jacket), Carol Higgins Clark (in red), behind the Mystery Bookstore worker in the white shirt is George Pelecanos passing time with Stuart Woods.

A whole portion of the festival I only did a quick pass through...

Simon Wood

The Fonz looking for a book...that's right, Henry Winkler at the Mystery Bookstore booth

Sean Doolittle and Joanne Fluke

Laura Lippman talking with Jan Burke at Mystery Galaxy booth

Joseph Wambaugh

Megan Abbot, Jason Starr, and Theresa Schwegel


If you've never gone before, hopefully these pictures will have convinced you it's an event not to be missed.

LAT Festival Some Preliminary Photos

From last night's party at the Mystery Bookstore in Westwood. Bobby and Linda through a FANTASTIC party. Must have been over a hundred people by final count. Here are a few pics. I should have taken more. After the party about a dozen of us went and grabbed a (too expensive) dinner: Jim Pascoe, Sean Doolittle, Jason Starr, Victor Gischler, Jan Long, Simon Wood, Stephen Blackmoore, Mark Haskell Smith, Aldo the Mystery Dawg and son, and Robert Gregory Browne.

Off to the festival...after a quick stop at the old Farmer's Market for breakfast! Enjoy the pictures....




Stephen Blackmoore and Robert Gregory Browne trying to look important


Murderati Blogmates Simon Wood and Robert Gregory Browne

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books!

This is a big weekend here in L.A. It's the Festival of Books at the UCLA campus. An excuse for a couple hundred thousand of your closest friends to get together an celebrate the written word.

I will definitely be there, hanging out with this guy, hoping to see this guy, and this guy, and the female Brett, and her good friend...oh and this knucklehead will be there too, but if I see him first, I might be able to avoid him.

The point is there's going to be a ton of people in town for this really wonderful event. If you are in the area, I encourage you to go even if just for a few hours. It's a ton 'o fun. And you can quote me on that!

I'll be wandering around, so if you see me, stop me and say hi!

Here are some links to get you excited:

The Mystery Bookstore, which is hosting a pre-festival party Friday night (yep, I'll be there!)

A Nice Piece in the L.A. Times

Festival of Books Home Page

List of Author Attendees (which I know for a fact is not a complete list

Festival FAQ

Festival Directions

Festival Event Map (warning, this is a PDF)

The Amazing, Vanishing Brett and a Piece of Flash Fiction

In a disappearing act most famous magicians would be jealous of, I've been off the blogs for several weeks now. Blame it on several things...first, and visually the most obvious. I've been in the process of having my website, blog and myspace page redesigned and relaunch. (Very happy with the results.) Second, at least last week, I was sick - ugly sick. 102º temperature sick. Here, take these antibiotics sick. Better now...mostly. And third, I've been doing a lot of behind the scenes things to prep for the release of THE CLEANER (just over 2 months from now!!)

One of those things hit today. A very nice piece in Publisher's Weekly that you can read here.

I'm not promising to be around as much as I was earlier this year, but I will try to be here a couple times a week. I'm working on rewrites to book 2, and continuing to prep for June 26th.

In the mean time, here's a story I wrote that was up last year on Flashing in the Gutters. Hope you enjoy:


Venti Latte


“The large one.”

“You mean venti?” the barista asked. She was probably just barely out of high school.

“Sure. Venti. That’s the large, right?” the man asked.

“That’s the large.”

“Good.”

“Can I get your name?”

The man looked around. “Why? Is there a line?”

There was no line.

“Right. Sorry. I’m a little nervous,” she said.

“This your first day?”

“No. Third.”

“You’re doing fine.”

And she was, too. Her customer service was all he could have expected.

“How much?” he asked.

She hesitated for a moment like she hadn’t understood what he was saying, then shook herself and rang up his drink.

“Three forty-five,” she said.

“Annie.” It was one of her co-workers. The red-headed kid who looked like he could use a little sun. “Just give it to him.”

“It’s okay,” the man said. "I don't mind paying."

He pulled a five dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to the girl. Once she had given him his change, he dumped it all in the tip jar.

While the rest of her co-workers and pretty much everyone in the coffee shop watched, Annie made the made a venti latte. No one offered to help, but she seemed to have everything under control.

Somewhere in the distance, there was the faint sound of a siren.

The man waited contentedly as she finished frothing up the milk and adding it to his cup. Once she was done, she put a lid on top and slipped a safety sleeve around the base. Her hands weren’t even shaking as she handed the drink to him.

The sirens were closer now, probably only six or seven blocks away. The man took a sip of the latte, then smiled.

“This is great.”

“Thanks,” Annie said.

“You have a good day,” he told her.

“You, too.”

Except for his footsteps on the tiled floor, the coffee shop was silent. Everyone’s eyes were on him, but he acted like he didn’t notice. The only abnormal thing he did was step over the dead body of the would-be robber lying in the middle of the floor.

The unlucky bastard’s gun was still in his hand. An ancient .38 special. God only knew how much damage the kid had done with it in the past.

As the assassin opened the front door, he glanced back at the counter. Annie was still there, watching him. As he gave her a little wave, she mouthed the words, “Thank you.”

He smiled and walked out to his car. A glance at his watch told him he was still ahead of schedule. That was fine. It was never good to kill someone when you were in a rush.

Ch..Ch...Ch...Changes...

In the effort to gear up for the coming release of my novel, I've launched my new, redesigned website! Check it out HERE.


You may have already noticed the look of my blog has also changed. Thanks go to Madeira at Xuni.com for doing such a great job!

If you get a chance, let me know what you think!

Get POISONED

Tasha Alexander's wonderful A POISONED SEASON is in bookstores today. I was lucky enough to read an ARC, and I have to say, it's a great followup to AND ONLY TO DECEIVE.

London's social season is in full swing, and the aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendent of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. But he's not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen.

But light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is murdered, and the thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It takes all of Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, even as a brewing scandal threatens both her reputation and her private life.

Buy it HERE.

Killer Year 2008

If you are thriller/mystery/suspense writer whose debut novel is being published in 2008, go tohttp://2008.killeryear.comto learn more about Killer Year 2008.

Killer Year began in 2007 as a group of debut thriller/suspense authors who banded together to help promote each other. In the end thirteen authors were involved. Efforts that they used in promotion included the Killer Year blog, Killer Year website, a chap book mailed to several hundred independent booksellers, organizing Killer Year panels at various conferences and bookseller events, and producing a Killer Year anthology which will be published by St. Martin's in 2008.

For their hard work, they've received major press coverage, radio interviews and feature articles as well as the sponsorship of ITW.

So get ready, because 2008 is gonna be another Killer Year.

For more details go to http://2008.killeryear.com

Application deadline is June 15, 2007.

Help find (read: buy) a LOST DOG

Bill Cameron's debut novel LOST DOG is out now!!! I'm thrilled for him! You can purchase it here.

Peter McKrall is at a crossroads—out of work, fighting a klepto habit, and trying to figure out his next move. Life takes an unexpected turn when a search for his niece’s stuffed dog leads him to something else entirely: a bullet-riddled corpse.
Talking to reporters lands Peter on the local news, which turns out to be a dangerous spotlight. And now Darla, the troubled daughter of the victim, is reaching out to him—but can she be trusted? When a second murder takes place and evidence is planted in his trash, the cops dredge up Peter’s painful history. The only ray of sunshine in this harrowing nightmare is Ruby Jane, whose warm smile melts the winter chill.

An unwitting player in a bizarre chain of events, Peter has no idea that the deranged killer is after him—until he takes a shot at Ruby Jane.

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to...ROB BROOKS! Your copy of THE CLEANER is in the mail!

With everyone's entries, we came up with a great list of books:

May: Lynn Viehl's Night Lost--she's also known as Paperback Writer.

Kim H: Marcus Sakey's THE BLADE ITSELF

Dave White: Robert Crais' The Watchman.

Jippy: Robert Gregory Browne's Kiss Her GoodBye Anatomy of a Book Deal

Joan: The Next Accident by Lisa Gardner

Angela/SciFiChick: Eragon, by Christopher Paolini

clg5: I'M WATCHING YOU by Karen Rose

norby: The Black Angel by John Connolly

Stacey Cochran: Alex Sokoloff's The Harrowing.

Rob Brooks: Cormac McCarthy's The Road.

Kate: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

jeff shelby: Nancy Pickard's "The Virgin of Small Plains"

Mark Terry: Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters

M. G. Tarquini: Patricia Wood's LOTTERY

Gerald So: SUICIDE SQUEEZE by Victor Gischler

Time to WIN Again!

That's right, I promise another chance to win a copy of THE CLEANER at the end of March, so here it is!! All you have to do is post a comment to this entry naming the best book you've read in the last 12 months. Give us the title, author, and, if you can, a link to either the author's website or someplace we can learn more about the book. (That last part is not a must...only if possible.) That's it. All entries that have followed those directions will go into a hat and a winner will be randomly drawn.

Contest ends at 9 p.m. Thursday March 29th...

As always: My family, members of Killer Year, previous winners, and those who already have an ARC of THE CLEANER are not elibible...you can contribute, but your names not going into the hat.

How Could I Miss This?

Steven Hockensmith's ON THE WRONG TRACK is out in bookstores now! And actually has been for two weeks. My excuse(s) for my tardiness? Been finishing the draft of Book 2 (should be done this week), and I was major sick last week with the flu...those excuses also work for why this blog has lain dormant for a while.

But get Steve's book. It is even better than the Edgar nominated HOLMES ON THE RANGE, which some of you might remember I absolutely loved. There's nothing like these books out there. I love them because they are not only a great change from my usual reading, but also because Steve is a FANTASTIC writer.