ION, it looks like I'm going to be having breakfast with Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney on Labor Day. Someone remind me that authors I was reading for years before I decided to write myself aren't inherently any scarier than the other kind, because I'm all "Eek! What am I going to SAY?" even though I more or less started this myself by sending JB an email when I saw on her website that she's going to be in town for a con.

Dude, you could sleep over Deborah Freakin' Grabien's house at the drop of an email. Breakfast ain't no big thing.

I just got to see the starred PW review for Matty Groves, on the agreement that the early look = me not posting or forwarding it until Monday.

But DAYUM!

Just thought I'd remind you that it's Monday. I actually hope you're still sleeping, but once you're not, we are waiting.

Review. Starred.

In Grabien's third tale of ghostly detection (after 2004's The Famous Flower of Serving Men ), her most chillingly effective performance to date, folk singer Ringan Laine and his group, Broomfield Hill, have been invited to perform at the prestigious Callowen Arts Festival at Callowen House in Hampshire, England. Accompanied by his longtime lover, actress Penelope Wintercraft-Hawkes, Ringan sets off in high spirits, but quickly strange things begin to happen. Jane Castle, vocalist and flautist for the group, has unsettling nightmares in her bedroom, while Penny and Ringan are deeply disturbed by some ghostly presence in theirs. Penny, Ringan and the others embark on a desperate race to uncover the truth about a vicious and malevolent ghost that haunts Callowen House. As in previous entries, a folk song, "Matty Groves," provides clues. Grabien ratchets up the suspense steadily and implacably, and the resolution is deeply satisfying. Fans of Barbara Michaels's classic ghostly suspense stories will enjoy this immensely. Agent, Jennifer Jackson at DMLA . (Oct.)

Wooohoooo!

Wheeee! Awesome review! And starred -- so very cool.

Woo Hoo!!! Go, deb!

Grabien ratchets up the suspense steadily and implacably, and the resolution is deeply satisfying.

You ratchet, Deb! Also, flautist! That's a stellar review. Woohoo!

her most chillingly effective performance to date

This is what I was thinking when I beta'd it. I enjoyed Weaver very much, thought Famous Flower was fabulous both for the main story and the glimpse into a part of history I didn't know much about.

Matty knocks the ball out of the park. I'm delighted, but not at all surprised that even a jaded reviewer can see that. *g*

Damn, woman. I want to see a movie deal out of this. Somebody get Ewan McGregor on the phone, stat!!!

You should be very proud, Deb. Hope it translates to big sales and library orders.

I hope it translates to paperback deal, is what I hope.

Damn it. TWO tiny kittens on lap, both wanting to suck hand, not wanting to share same hand.

Send help.

Oh no! The needy kittens are multiplying!