On the eleventh day of Christmas, Overlook Press gave to me …

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know. Where the tree tops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.” – “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin

Between this week’s unseasonal warmth in the New York metro area and an unfavorable outlook for snow over the holiday weekend, it seems unlikely that any NYC-based Overlookers will be enjoying a white Christmas this year. After last December’s onslaught of extreme winter weather we’ll be grateful to skip the endless shoveling and travel delays, but as the days slowly begin to grow longer after last night’s winter solstice, we’re all secretly craving Central Park sledding and snowball fights.

Whatever the weather may bring this weekend, the 12 Days of Overlook Christmas must go on. With only two days of literary gift-giving remaining, we’ve already handed out ten prize packs containing sets of books by Charles Portis, Milton Glaser, Eva Zeisel, Kate Colquhoun, Carrie Hagen, Peter Quinn, John Avlon, Jesse Angelo, Errol Louis, Juan Luis Cebrián, Alan Cowell, Robert Forbes, Walter Brooks, Paul Lichter, King Adz, Allan Tannenbaum, Mervyn Peake, Maeve Gilmore, Charles Dickens, David Bercuson, Holger Herwig, P.G. Wodehouse, Eoin Colfer, Jim Nisbet, and Charles McCarry (whew). Today we add to that esteemed list one of our most cherished writers of crime fiction and noir, R.J. Ellory, whose three previous Overlook novels A Quiet Belief in Angels, The Anniversary Man, and A Simple Act of Violence, as well as his forthcoming A Quiet Vendetta will all be given away to one lucky winner. Congratulations to Petite, who nabbed yesterday’s suspense and comic noir compilation, and remember to continue sending comments and tweets to enter today’s contest.

What do a kidnapped governor’s daughter, a secret government cover-up, a serial killer from New Jersey, and a group of adolescent vigilante guardians have in common? They’re all subjects found between the pages of R.J. Ellory’s award winning mysteries and thrillers. Of Ellory’s work, commercial heavyweight James Patterson said, “There aren’t nearly enough beautifully written novels that are also great mysteries. Like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Smilla’s Sense of Snow, A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them.” If you’re looking for something to do this weekend besides open gifts, skip the Fincher flick and cozy up to one of Ellory’s psychological page turners.

A Quiet Vendetta (coming in 2012) begins with a seemingly straightforward crime: the New Orleans kidnapping of Catherine Ducane. The police quickly react, expecting the usual demands of a ransom for her recovery, but when the mutilated remains of her bodyguard are discovered and her kidnapper finally calls, it’s not money he’s asking for, but instead a private audience to tell the shocking story of his own dark past. Ringing with truth and containing an epic history of the Italian mafia in America, it’s a must have for mystery fans.

A Simple Act of Violence is a panoramic novel about the covert activities of the CIA during the war in Nicaragua, the illegal trafficking of cocaine from Managua to Miami in CIA-chartered aircrafts, and the activities of known criminals given carte blanche and exemption from prosecution by the US intelligence community—all set against the backdrop of contemporary Washington. Perfect for the conspiracy theory enthusiast.

A riveting thriller set in New York City, The Anniversary Man may well be the ultimate serial killer novel, chronicling the case of a deranged but highly intelligent murderer who kills on the anniversary dates of famous crimes from the past. A mesmerizing mystery and an ideal gift for fans of the serial killer thriller.

Set in the small, rural community of Augusta Falls, Georgia A Quiet Belief in Angels tells the story of twelve-year-old Joseph Vaughan as he learns of the brutal assault and murder of a young girl—a classmate he knew better than anyone else and quietly loved. The murder is the first in a series of killings that plague his community over the next decade. Compelled by fear and duty, Joesph gather a group of friends to form “The Guardians,” who vow to watch over the young girls of Augusta Falls. But the murderer evades them and they watch helplessly as one child after another is taken.

Don't forget, there are three ways to enter. Good luck and happy holidays!

1. Comment on this post

2. Tweet at us using the hashtag #OverlookChristmas

3. Leave a comment on our Facebook page

You can enter once in each area until 8 AM tomorrow morning, and we will be announcing a winner in Monday’s post. After all entries are received, we choose a winner using random.org. Please leave an email address when entering so we can contact you if you’ve won.

Meet R.J. ELLORY at Partners & Crime Bookstore in New York on July 6

R.J. Ellory will be in New York next week for the launch of his new novel The Anniversary Man at Partners & Crime Mystery Booksellers in Greenwich Village. All are welcome to join the celebration! Tuesday, July 6, at 7pm, 44 Greenwich Avenue (corner of Charles).

Ellory will also be at Thrillerfest, the annual celebration of the thriller world, July 9-10 at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. On Saturday, July 10 at 3pm, Ellory will be on a panel discussing thrillers in the international market ("How Do You Cross Continents"), moderated by David Hewson.

The Anniversary Man, in bookstores now, is the second novel by R. J. Ellory to be published in the United States, following the acclaimed A Quiet Belief in Angels. The Overlook Press will publish the paperpack edition of A Quiet Belief in Angels in August 2010, and a new hardcover, Saints of New York, in early 2011.

R.J. Ellory's THE ANNIVERSARY MAN: The Ultimate "Serial Killer Thriller"

R.J. Ellory's new thriller The Anniversary Man is now in bookstores, and drawing widespread attention from critics and fans alike:

“This is one of those police-procedural gems that come along once in a blue moon. The book is entirely free of the tired formulas that drive way too many procedurals and that often seem more oriented toward securing movie rights than telling a story. And what a story this is! NYPD Detective Ray Irving—overworked, underpaid, and absolutely dedicated to his job—risks his code of ethics and, ultimately, his life to track down a serial killer who is imitating the crimes of some of the worst monsters our society has spawned. . . .although Ellory is widely acclaimed in his native Britain, his books have not yet received widespread distribution in the U.S. Following A Quiet Belief in Angels (2009), this could be the one to put his name in lights in this country. Expect his name to be on every crime-fiction fan’s lips in short order.” –Booklist (starred review)

“Ellory’s gripping thriller should appeal to lovers of procedurals and may also draw readers of true crime, as it deals with many actual serial killings. -Library Journal

“Set in New York City, The Anniversary Man is the ultimate killer thriller, chronicling the case of a deranged but highly intelligent murderer who kills on the anniversary dates of famous serial murders from the past. Each subsequent slaying eerily copycats another infamous death--all faithfully replicating precise details of previous homicides. From electrifying start to shocking conclusion, this thriller affirms the genius that is R.J. Ellory. Britain's phenom author has achieved the status of world-class writer.” – Dean Murphy, International Thriller Writers

“John Costello survived the Hammer of God killings in 1984. His girlfriend did not. Ever since then, John has become obsessed with the why. Why do serial killers do what they do? What made him and Nadia a target? Why did he survive? He’s devoted his career to their study and is the only one to draw a connection between a recent series of murders in New York. When Detective Ray Irving is alerted to the fact that these seemingly random crimes are all exact copies of previous serial killers’ scenes, he is assigned as lead in the investigation. But the department wants to keep this one quiet and Irving will need Costello’s help to try and catch the killer before he strikes again. The Anniversary Man is just Ellory’s second release here in the States (he has seven titles available in the UK) and he’s quickly cementing himself as one of my favorites in the crime genre. His stories are dark and disturbing, his plots keep you guessing, and they never end quite like you think they will.” - Becky Lejeune, Bookbitch.com

“Thank you Overlook for keeping me up till 2 am last night. READ IT! I can't say anything more. I have to get back to it now.....full review to follow, but let's just say it's as good as A Quiet Belief in Angels but with that sense of eerie foreboding ratcheted up even higher. Is that possible? – Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem

“The Anniversary Man was an engrossing read, and I highly recommend it. Put aside your doubts about the serial killer thing-you will be rewarded with a suspenseful and involving reading experience. What I really liked about this book was what Ellory did NOT do. He did not dedicate individual chapters to be told from the serial killer's point of view. We actually know very little about the murderer. We don't learn about his mommy issues. We don't learn about his childhood problems or ghastly physical appearance. What we do learn is what is revealed in the investigation. Ellory also excels at creating characters who are three-dimensional. The dialogue is completely real. I'm actually kind of amazed that Ellory, who is from the UK, did such a great job in detailing the New York setting and police procedures. It was flawless. His research on the real serial killers was seamlessly woven into the narrative and provided another layer of interest in addition to the present day crimes.” – Deadly Pleasures.com

“An ending where untold truths are revealed, lies are uncovered, the author takes the reader on a deadly roller coast ride. This riveting and spellbinding novel brings into focus the difficult job of any police department and the lengths that some dedicated men and women will go to in order to protect their cities. This is the first novel I have reviewed by RJ Ellory and I hope to have the honor of reviewing his next release.” – Fran Lewis, Bookpleasures.com

“In this bleak examination of murder and hope, Ellory’s herrings are as red and sticky as caramelized apples, more dead-ends than Manhattan riverside real estate. Fans of Ellory’s A Quiet Belief in Angels will repeatedly take the wrong road, when trying to identify the Anniversary Man. Readers who expect the amazing success of that novel to be replicated by the Brit who sets his plots in the U.S. as though he intends to recolonize for the Queen will be thrilled with this epic crime fiction novel. Written as though by a native New Yorker, this novel needs to be read twice --- once for vice-grip-like details, again for nectar from the consummate wordsmith. So real is Ellory’s writing that the lines between journalism and crime fiction blur. Though Ellory’s standalone crime thrillers grab readers by the throat and don’t let go until the last page, Detective Irving has the makings of Connelly’s Harry Bosch on steroids, sure to be a repeat character --- and made with cinematic success into a blockbuster movie. –Bookreporter.com

“This is an exhilarating New York City serial killer thriller that feels fresh in spite of the standard elements used like taunting the cops. Fast-paced throughout, the cops, the reporter and the reader increasingly believe John is the killer. Although RJ Ellory shows he is not The Boy From New York City, fans will relish this strong police procedural.” – Harriet Klausner, Genre Go Round

“Ellory is skilled at cinematic narratives [and] this novel brandishes his filmic consciousness... It's a cliche to praise a crime novel for its adroit marshalling of suspense, but there is no choice here: with The Anniversary Man, that's the signal achievement.” –Independent (UK)

“From the man who is incapable of writing a poor book, this is the serial killer novel to end all serial killer novels... Again, R.J. Ellory has given us a read that tempts the senses, engages the emotions and tickles the intellect. What can I say, but it's a sure-fire winner and deserves to be on every award list going.” -Crimesquad

“A favorite author always has a lot to live up to. I needn't have worried; the latest from RJ Ellory had me frantically turning the pages as I got more and more engrossed in the plot and the characters, unable to put it down until finished. The Anniversary Man is unquestionably a page turner with characters who are convincingly real and believable. Both Irving and Costello are brilliantly portrayed, both are haunted by the past and their mistrust of each other is central to a storyline that is both original and skilfully written. The crime scenes are graphic enough to satisfy the bloodthirsty amongst us but not too much so as to offend the squeamish. The pace of the book is just right with the tension building page by page as the book moves towards its gripping conclusion.” – Amazon.com Readers review

“Let's cut to the chase. This is quite simply one of the best cop thrillers you'll read this year. Or any year. It's an achievement that parks Ellory's wagon on the driveway of Michael Connelly the finest American exponent of the genre, and no higher praise can I give... Brilliant.” – Evening Telegraph

Overlook Preview: THE ANNIVERSARY MAN by R.J. Ellory

Coming soon is R.J. Ellory's The Anniversary Man, a new thriller from the author of A Quiet Belief in Angels. Fran Lewis of Bookpleasures.com offers an advance preview:

"John Costello is 16 years old and has his whole life ahead of him. Working hard in school and helping out in his father’s store he was a typical teenager enjoying life. In walks Nadia McGowan and his whole world changed. Getting to know her and developing strong feelings is normal when you are 16 years old. What does happen as a result of this relationship is anything but normal. It is tragic. After getting to know each other John and Nadia decide to meet at the beach to discuss that she is leaving to study art in New York City. The events of that afternoon will imbed themselves in John’s mind and forever scar him not only physically but mentally as well. “ I am the Hammer of God, “ he stated as he came upon the young couple and lifted his hammer killing Nadia and critically injuring John. This brings me to my review of a riveting thriller, The Anniversary Man by author RJ Ellory.

Twenty-two years later the unthinkable happens. A string of what appears at first random murders targeting teenagers plague the police department in NYC. Several murders are committed and appear unrelated, but are they. John Costello, 22 years later is a crime researcher for the New York Herald working for Senior Crime Correspondent Karen Langley. Detective Ray Irving is assigned these cases and is determined to solve these murders before they become cold and the killer gets away. Karen Langley will do anything to put roadblocks in his way when she barrels into his life demanding answers and threatening to run the story about the serial killings. Along with John Costello they begin to uncover the pieces that might tie all of these killings together.

Most people celebrate wedding anniversaries, anniversaries of when they first met or the first time they went to a dance with that certain someone, but few celebrate the anniversaries of murder. Our murderer, dubbed the Anniversary Man does just that. New York City is playing host to a serial killer who is committing these murders on the exact date using the same method and manner of earlier murders. This murderer is copying murders of people who were on death row that have been executed. He is killing and targeting teenagers and what brings this home to John Costello is the memory of the murder of his girlfriend 22 years before by the Hammer Of God killer who this present day killer mimicked the murder of Mia Grant.

Detective Ray Irving is determined to find out how John Costello was able to link all of the murders together. Finding out about his past and learning a little about his present made him suspicious of him. John Costello a relative recluse that belongs to the Winterbourne club a group who meets weekly to discuss serial murder cases. Irving is on quest to find the killer and Costello might be his only source to help him succeed. With John’s researching expertise and his connections, Detective Ray Irving begins the insurmountable job of trying to connect all of these murders before the body count rises. Ray Irving and John Costello along with Karen Langley form a bond to bring this man to justice forever changing all of their lives.

This extremely smart, insane killer who methodically plans each murder to the weapon used, the manner of execution and the dates that are linked to famous serial murders from the past, making the Anniversary Man one killer that needs to be stopped before he kills again. A killer who is always ahead of the police department whose resources and manpower are limited, Detective Ray Irving hopes with Costello’s help and outstanding affinity to remember dates, facts and expertly linking them together, the case might be solved. Two men with pasts they would soon forget, a serial murderer that has eluded the police for more than half a year, Detective Ray Irving and John Costello form an unholy alliance in order to bring this killer down. Both victims of their pasts, Irving and Costello put them aside when one phone call and a solid lead might turn the tables in their direction, but at what cost.

An ending where untold truths are revealed, lies are uncovered, the author takes the reader on a deadly roller coast ride along with Irving, Costello and Langley with an end result more deadly than a Category 4 Hurricane and the damage even more devastating. Everyday is an anniversary of something but our killer only celebrates death. Who will be there at the end?

This riveting and spellbinding novel brings into focus the difficult job of any police department and the lengths that some dedicated men and women will go to in order to protect their cities. This is the first novel I have reviewed by RJ Ellory and I hope to have the honor of reviewing his next release."

Starred Review in Booklist for R.J. Ellory's THE ANNIVERSARY MAN

Magnificent praise for The Anniversary Man, by R.J. Ellory in Booklist: "This is one of those police-procedural gems that come along once in a blue moon. The book is entirely free of the tired formulas that drive way too many procedurals and that often seem more oriented toward
securing movie rights than telling a story. And what a story this is! NYPD Detective Ray Irving—overworked, underpaid, and absolutely dedicated to his job—risks his code of ethics and, ultimately, his life to track down a serial killer who is imitating the crimes of some of the worst monsters our society has spawned. An increasing number of leads begin flowing in from newspaper researcher John Costello, a psychologically damaged survivor of the “Hammer of God” killer. Two decades after that traumatic event, Costello now seems to have garnered an uncannily encyclopedic knowledge of serial murderers. Costello’s almost prescient information soon makes him Irving’s number-one resource as well as his number-one suspect. Although Ellory is widely acclaimed in his native Britain, his books have not yet received widespread distribution in the U.S. Following A Quiet Belief in Angels (2009), this could be the one to put his name in lights in this country. Expect his name to be on every crime-fiction fan’s lips in short order." — Elliott Swanson

R.J. Ellory's A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS Nominated for Dilys Award

R. J. Elllory's A Quiet Belief in Angels has been nominated for the Dilys Award, named for Dilys Winn (the founder of Murder Ink) and given out annually by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association to “the mystery title of the year which the member booksellers have most enjoyed selling.” The contenders for books published in 2009 are:

• The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley (Delacorte)
• A Quiet Belief in Angels, by R.J. Ellory (Overlook)
• The Dark Horse, by Craig Johnson (Viking)
• The Girl Who Played with Fire, by Steig Larsson (Knopf)
• The Ghosts of Belfast, by Stuart Neville (Soho)
• The Brutal Telling, by Louise Penny (Minotaur)
• The Shanghai Moon, by S.J. Rozan (Minotaur)

The winner will be announced during this year’s Left Coast Crime convention in Los Angeles, March 11-14.

More Applause for R.J. Ellory's A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS

On the list of FlashlightWorthy's Best Crime Fiction of 2009 is R.J. Ellory's A Quiet Belief in Angels: "There's immense pleasure to be found in a novel that's a touch of class; one that raises the bar. In 2009, the USA struck gold with A Quiet Belief in Angels, the first publication from UK-based R. J. Ellory with The Overlook Press. There’s more to come and indeed a backlist to be read, but A Quiet Belief in Angels is worthy of note.

One sentence in this novel sums it up perfectly, as imparted by its narrator, Joseph Calvin Vaughan: "It was a life, but so distant from what I’d wished."

A Quiet Belief in Angels is the story of the life of Joseph Vaughan and how much of his life is stolen away, how parts of the lives of others are stolen around him, and how lives are taken through the simple act of murder. The story is one superbly told, with great intelligence; the characterization and cultural settings are as deep and rich as a tapestry; the historical context reads as precise as a carefully researched academic tome. But what, above all, keeps you reading? It is the story that Joseph Calvin Vaughan has to tell you. And what a remarkable story it is."

Listen to R.J. Ellory, author of A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS, on Book Talk Radio

Listen to R.J. Ellory discuss his sensational thriller A Quiet Belief in Angels on Book Talk with Stephen Usery, WYPL's terrific author interview program in Memphis.

R.J. Ellory’s masterful and riveting novel has drawn widespread praise since its American publication in September 2009. Already an international bestseller that has been translated in 22 languages, A Quiet Belief in Angels is an unforgettable page-turner. Looking ahead to next year, Overlook is proud to announce the June 2010 publication of a new novel by R.J. Elllory, The Anniversary Man.