Suspense Radio

We have a two hour action packed show for you today. D.P. Lyle is back with some friends talking about their latest anthology. Bestselling Author Tasha Alexander, Michael Brandman all join us on the show.  Tasha Alexander "A Death in St. Petersburg":  After the final curtain of Swan Lake, an animated crowd exits the Mariinsky theatre brimming with excitement from the night’s performance. But outside the scene is somber. A ballerina’s body lies face down in the snow, blood splattered like rose petals over the costume of the Swan Queen. The crowd is silenced by a single cry— “Nemetseva is dead!” Amongst the theatergoers is Lady Emily, accompanying her dashing husband Colin in Russia on assignment from the Crown. But it soon becomes clear that Colin isn’t the only one with work to do. When the dead ballerina’s aristocratic lover comes begging for justice, Emily must apply her own set of skills to discover the rising star’s murderer. Her investigation takes her on a dance across the stage of Tsarist Russia, fr

Bio: Gabriela Pereira has a passion for helping writers strive for excellence and find a community of like-minded “word nerds.” Listen in as she shares her seven scintillating secrets to creating better characters and building better stories.  Host Steven James:  Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base. Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book THE BISHOP their Book of the Year, says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.” And RT Book Reviews promises, “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.” Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, Steven has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades, speaking more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe. In his podcast “The Story Blender,” he interviews leading storytellers in film, print, and web. Liste

T. Jefferson Parker, multiple Edgar award-winning mystery novelist Three-time Edgar award-winning mystery writer T. Jefferson Parker takes us on a detailed journey into what really makes a mystery work, how mysteries differ from suspense, and the important of promise-making—and keeping in fiction writing. You’ll also hear about his latest release The Room of White Fire and what led him to write it.    Host Steven James:  Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base. Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book THE BISHOP their Book of the Year, says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.” And RT Book Reviews promises, “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.” Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, Steven has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades, speaki

Title: Two Women, Two Lives, Two Amazing Stories Guests: Cara Brookins Pamela Crane Books: RISE: How a House Built a Family by Cara Brookins THE ART OF FEAR by Pamela Crane Show description: Cara Brookins and Pamela Crane know the struggles and juggles it takes to place family first while building a writing career. Both women have stories to tell about the places they have been to, and how words and books helped bring them back to the light. Listen on Inside Thrill as these amazing women share intimate details about their lives, and tales from the frontlines of writing. 

Special guest Eric C. Anderson "Osiris": It’s a dilemma no Washington politician wants to confront—rescuing 5,000 Americans trapped in Baghdad.  Enter a crusty Marine, embattled Army officer, two Turkish spies and the ultimate cyber-warrior tasked with countering an ISIS regime carving out a new caliphate. Can they rescue an American embassy under siege by a weapon that even Washington’s military might can’t defeat? This is indeed a test of sheer will and technical expertise pitted against national pride and suicidal zealotry. OSIRIS takes readers on a twisted path from the glittering palaces of Qatar to the dusty hell of central Iraq, replete with drunken Russian pilots, conniving American politicians, and unlikely heroes. This is the first book in a trilogy ripped from today’s headlines that could leave tomorrow’s Europe on the brink of a new Dark Age. 

Sandra Brown, 68-time New York Times bestselling author Tune in as one of the nation’s most popular and prolific authors shares insights that have led her to write sixty-eight New York Times bestsellers. (No, that’s not a typo.) You’ll learn about catalytic events, invisible villains, the “Aha!” moment, how to turn an idea into a story, and more. Don’t miss it! Host Steven James:  Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base. Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book THE BISHOP their Book of the Year, says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.” And RT Book Reviews promises, “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.” Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, Steven has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades, speaking more than two thousand times at events

Kevin O'Brien: "Hide Your Fear": THE ONLY WAY A home provides more than comfort and shelter. It stores memories . . . and hides secrets. Divorcée Caitlin Stoller and her children recently moved into a charming old Tudor-style house in the coastal town of Echo, Washington. The place was a bargain, but as weeks pass, Caitlin starts receiving messages—first friendly, then unsettling, hinting at the property’s dark past . . .   YOU’LL STAY ALIVE Caitlin’s teenage daughter, Lindsay, isn’t fitting in at school. To make matters worse, there are stories about local high school students who’ve disappeared without a trace—all star athletes, like Lindsay. Then there are the rumors that their new home is cursed. Caitlin doesn’t want to believe the whispers, but something strange is going on. Personal items go missing, and there are too many accidents . . .   IS IF HE NEVER FINDS YOU The Watcher knows how to get inside the Stollers’ home—and inside their heads. The rumors are true . . . but the full horror is even wo

George Bernstein, Michael Rubin, Thomas Keech and NY Times Bestselling author Erica Spindler are the guests on today's show. Erica Spindler "The Other Girl":  A horrific crime. One witness—a fifteen year old girl from the wrong side of the tracks, one known for lying and her own brushes with the law. Is it any surprise no one believed her? Officer Miranda Rader of the Harmony, Louisiana PD is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis—but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from the town of Jasper, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to earn the respect of her coworkers and the community. When Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the brutality of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills h

Bio: Deb Raney, award-winning novelist A truly organic writer, Deb shares keys to working without an outline. Learn about choosing the best words to enhance the emotion of a scene and how a master at penning women’s fiction writes male characters. Tune in for a lively, intriguing conversation that will bring a smile to your face. Host Steven James:  Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base. Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book THE BISHOP their Book of the Year, says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.” And RT Book Reviews promises, “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.” Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, Steven has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades, speaking more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe. In his podca

John Connolly, Jonathan Putnam, CE Tobisman and JL Doucette.  Two hours of great author talk. John Connolly: "A Game of Ghosts, A Charlie Parker Thriller": “An epic supernatural suspense that will forever reset your standards for summer thrillers. From secret realms and horrific homicides to hauntings and criminal empires, there isn’t a single dull sentence found in the pages of A Game of Ghosts—and you’ll love it.” —Redbook: 10 Books You Have to Read This Summer Books Every Dad Will Love This Father’s Day—PopSugar  Internationally bestselling author John Connolly returns with another “superb fusion of noir and the supernatural” (My Bookish Ways) in this latest thriller in his gripping Charlie Parker series. It is deep winter and the darkness is unending. A private detective named Jaycob Eklund has vanished and Charlie Parker is assigned to track him down. Parker’s employer, Edgar Ross, an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has his own reasons for wanting Eklund found. Eklund is no ordinary i

"The Hostess and the Ghostess; A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery": Things are never quiet for long at the Haunted Guesthouse. Right as Alison Kerby finally gets some peace, long-time deceased Paul Harrison’s recently murdered brother, Richard, shows up looking for the ghostly detective. But Paul has left for parts unknown months ago. The only thing is, she doesn’t know how to find him. And she’s going to need to because Richard’s isn’t the only murder still left unsolved. As she searches for Paul, Alison discovers that Richard, who was a lawyer, was working a case about a woman accused of murdering her stepfather. It quickly becomes clear that Richard was getting too close to the truth, and was forcibly kept quiet. Now as Alison continues her investigation, she gets a creeping sensation that the murderer doesn’t appreciate her snooping around. And if she doesn’t stop, she’ll be next in The Hostess with the Ghostess, the witty and delightful follow-up to national bestselling author E. J. Copperman’s Spouse on Hau

Bio: Listen in as Steven picks the brain of veteran Hollywood writer and producer Brian Bird about the power of redemptive stories, the Four Quadrants of moviemaking in Hollywood, and the importance of asking the right narrative questions. If you’re a movie fan or a screenwriter, don’t miss this episode!  The Story Blender is hosted by author Steven James. You can visit www.thestoryblender.com for more information on this show. All the shows on Suspense Radio are brought to you by Suspense Magazine. www.suspensemagazine.com

Bio: Listen in as bestselling author Douglas Preston shares about  exploring lost civilizations in South America, being the first to enter a tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and researching one of the cruelest serial killers in the world—oh yes, and also his tips on writing and what it’s like to collaborate with Lincoln Child on their NYT bestselling Agent Pendergast novels. Don’t miss this enthralling episode! Suspense Radio is brought to you by Suspense Magazine, www.suspensemagzine.com. To contact the show email [email protected]  

From author Jon Land and creator Fabrizio Boccardi comes Dark Light: Dawn, a heart-pounding supernatural thriller about a deadly, global epidemic and the man who holds the power to either save the world or destroy it. Since the dawn of time good and evil have challenged the free will of man. Now the time has come for one man to choose for all human kind. With an uncanny ability to survive any combat situation, Max Younger has built a heroic life for himself as a Navy SEAL. That is, until a rogue rescue operation plunges him back into a past he thought he’d escaped forever. Waiting for him back home in New York are terrible, long-hidden truths rooted in the tragic death of his father. But the origin of those truths lie even further back than that, and Max finds himself ensnared in a sinister plot involving nothing less than the biblical apocalypse. The explosive conflagration of events reunites him with the only woman he ever loved: Victoria Tanoury a brilliant infectious disease specialist working for the

Bio: As one of the A-list screenwriters in Hollywood, Mark Bomback is best known for his movies Live Free or Die Hard, Total Recall, Insurgent, The Wolverine, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and the forthcoming War for the Planet of the Apes. Listen in as one of Hollywood’s top writers shares his approach to writing, storytelling, and how to break in as a new screenwriter.  Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base. Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book THE BISHOP their Book of the Year, says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.” And RT Book Reviews promises, “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.” Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, Steven has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades, speaking more than two thousand times at events spanning

Bio: Bob Schultz is a writer/producer/instructor with nearly 20 years of experience in Hollywood. He’s also the co-founder of ScriptFest and the Great American PitchFest, which has been rated by Script Magazine as the #1 pitchfest and screenwriting conference in the world. Bob shares his passion for great films and his insights for pitching scripts of your own.  All the shows on Suspense Radio are brought to you by Suspense Magazine, www.suspensemagazine.com  If you would like to reach the show, email us at [email protected]

Jon Land "Strong Cold Dead":  Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong returns in Jon Land's Strong Cold Dead, a thriller with heart-stopping action and a high-stakes terrorist plot The terrorist organization ISIS is after a deadly toxin that could be the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. The same toxin holds the potential to eradicate cancer. There is a frantic race to see who can get to it first, even as Caitlin Strong begins to assemble the disparate pieces of a deadly puzzle. At the center of that puzzle is an Indian reservation where a vengeful tycoon is mining the toxin, disguising his effort as an oil-drilling operation. This is the same reservation where Caitlin’s great-great-grandfather, also a Texas Ranger, once waged a similar battle against the forces of John D. Rockefeller. In her highest-stakes adventure yet, Caitlin Strong faces off against a host of adversaries that just might include the beautiful Comanche girl with whom the son of her ex-outlaw boyfriend Cort Wesley Masters has fallen in love, alo

Kenneth Johnson: "The Man of Legends"  Award-winning science-fiction mastermind Kenneth Johnson blends epic adventure, romance, and evocative drama into an intense supernatural thriller rooted in one of the great untold legends of human history. New York City, New Year’s weekend, 2001. Jillian Guthrie, a troubled young journalist, stumbles onto a tantalizing mystery: the same man, unaged, stands alongside Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and Gandhi in three different photographs spanning eighty-five years of history. In another part of town, Will—an enigmatic thirty-three-year-old of immense charm, wit, and intelligence—looks forward to the new year with hope and trepidation. Haunted by his secret past and shadowed by a dangerous stranger, he finds himself the object of an intense manhunt spearheaded by an ambitious Vatican emissary and an elderly former UN envoy named Hanna. During the next forty-eight hours, a catastrophic event unites Will, Jillian, and Hanna—and puts them in the crosshairs of a c

Our first RoundTable discussion with Jon Land and Allison Brennan.  We will talk about anything and everything. Jon Land: "Strong Cold Dead": In her highest-stakes adventure yet, Caitlin Strong faces off against a host of adversaries that just might include the beautiful Comanche girl with whom the son of her ex-outlaw boyfriend Cort Wesley Masters has fallen in love, along with a mythic monster culled from Native American folklore that the tribe believes has risen to protect its land. The lives of those Caitlin loves most are threatened by the villains she’s pursuing; her own moral code is challenged. The fate of both the country and the state she loves is dangling on the precipice of a strong cold death. Allison Brennan: "Make Them Pay":  While Lucy is focused on her investigation tracking down dozens of children sold through illegal adoptions, Noah begins a quiet investigation of Eden and her elusive twin, Liam. He’s certain that, since they’re both thieves, they're here for a job or a heist. But they ar

Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays and  Kendra Elliott will be my guests on the 60 minute show today.  Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays are the authors of the book Bonnie and Clyde: Resurrection Road. Kendra Elliott "A Merciful Truth":  Raised by a family of survivalists, FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick can take on any challenge—even the hostile reception to her homecoming. But she’s not the only one causing chaos in the rural community of Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. At first believed to be teenage pranks, a series of fires takes a deadly turn with the murder of two sheriff’s deputies. Now, along with Police Chief Truman Daly, Mercy is on the hunt for an arsonist turned killer. Still shunned by her family and members of the community, Mercy must keep her ear close to the ground to pick up any leads. And it’s not long before she hears rumors of the area’s growing antigovernment militia movement. If the arsonist is among their ranks, Mercy is determined to smoke the culprit out. But when her investigation uncovers a shockin