Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Hank Discovers A Law of the Universe






I think I have discovered the theory of book relativity. Here’s how it goes. The amount of craziness is inversely proportional to the number of days left before launch day. Trust me, this is true.

Of course, the joy is increasingly wonderful too, as the rave reviews for Trust Me come in.  (It’s not all cakes and ale.  One person on the otherwise incredible Goodreads gave me a one star and called the book "extraordinarily dumb,"  but everyone is entitled to their opinion.)  

The Booklist starred review says “It’s Ryan’s first standalone, and it’s a knockout. First rate psychological suspense”.  (So take that, guy.)

Launch day today! What to do, how to help, what to say? What to wear to Brookline Booksmith tonight. It is ONE THOUSAND DEGREES in Boston, gang.   Thank goodness for air conditioning.
 
And besides the chaos of launch day, I’m writing my new book, and the deadline, is of course, today. La dee dah, and I am counting blessings that I am lucky enough to do that.

So here’s what else I’ve been doing for the past week or so:

I wrote an article for CrimeReads about my Top Ten true crime narrative nonfiction books written by reporters. (Talk about a niche article!) Like In Cold Blood, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Zodiac, and Blood and Money. And more. And that’ll be published soon! The reason for that particular article?  In TRUST ME, main character Mercer is writing the true crime book about a terrible murder, and she realizes it’s difficult to do… How can you write a true crime novel if you don’t know the truth?

I wrote an upcoming article for Criminal Element about my top ten reporter movies. Because sometimes the best stories are not girl gets boy, but girl gets story.  Broadcast News. All the President’s Men. His Girl Friday. The Big Clock. Spotlight. 

Why that article? The main character in Trust Me gives up a burgeoning career as a magazine reporter to stay home with her husband and young daughter…only to have them killed in a tragic accident. (Or was it?) That intense hunt for tracking down the truth is also the core of Trust Me. Who can you trust if you can’t trust yourself? And how can you write the true story of someone else’s life—if you can’t write your own life?

Lisa Gardner and I did a chat about psychological suspense—she interviewed me, can you believe it? And that will be out soon.

I did a piece for Mystery Scene Magazine with Shari Lapena, B.A. Paris, Lisa Gardner and Mary Kubica about the challenges of writing psychological suspense. And that’ll be out soon! 

My wonderful publisher, Forge, asked me to write an essay on the origin story of Trust Me for their blog. And that is so fascinating!

 You can read it here, https://www.torforgeblog.com/2018/08/09/three-sides-to-every-story/   but the very short version: Trust Me comes from two huge criminal trials that I was intimately involved in…and what happened during and after them. And the story I –somehow—created that’s a mix and meld and pursuit and rethinking of both of them and more. There are three sides to every story, I learned. Yours, mine, and the truth.




But the result is Trust Me: One obsessed journalist. One troubled mom. Two smart woman face off in a high-stakes cat and mouse game to prove their truth about a terrible crime. But which one is the cat and which one is the mouse? I dare you to find the liar.

Reds and readers, I am keeping the floor here, one more second, to thank you. We are together every single day. We’ve been here together for more than ten years, can you believe it?  This is a big big day for me, and I am incredibly honored to share it with you.

So let’s talk true crime—what’s your favorite true crime book? Or your favorite reporter movie?

And I—let’s be honest here—want you to buy Trust Me. 


But instead of a book giveaway, I’ll give some hilarious Trust Me loot—good stuff and some surprises!--- to three lucky commenters. (And isn't it nice to hear this from Larry David?)

Love love love you.





PS: If you want to copy any of these photos and put them on social media to celebrate launch day, that could be great! This is another one the publisher would love to see everywhere! With  #TrustMe!



94 comments:

  1. Happy Book Birthday, Hank! I loved “Trust Me” and it’s wonderful to see so many lovely, well-deserved reviews. It’s definitely an unputdownable book . . . .

    My favorite true crime book? “In Cold Blood.” As for the movies, I’m a sucker for screwball comedy, so it’s got to be “His Girl Friday” . . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you! And I am so grateful for your kind words! It makes such a difference!

      And yes I love both of those! Xx

      Delete
  2. Congratulations, Hank! I'm so sorry I'll miss your launch party tonight but I'm sure it'll be standing room only.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hank,

    Happy Launch Day! I won't be at the Brookline event, sad to say. Like you said, it is a thousand degrees and I'm doing as little as possible today (and tomorrow). But I've already bought Trust Me so I hope I'm forgiven for missing the event.

    I don't read true crime so I don't have a favorite book. As for reporter movie, I suppose 'Spotlight' would be in the running.


    As a slightly off-topic aside, yesterday I received the copy of Lucy Burdette's Death On The Menu that I won as a part of a giveaway for the book launch. Thanks Lucy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome Jay--hope you enjoy both of those books!

      Delete
    2. Hope you love it Jay! You are such a good pal! Xx

      Delete
  4. I really did LOVE this book! Happy launch!! I'll be at Brookline Booksmith tonight. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats Hank, blowing kisses from CT. I know this will be a wonderful launch and have a blast tonight! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Book Birthday!

    As of yesterday, Trust Me was in transit for me at the library. They don't often get books before the release date.

    Elaine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh wonderful ‘ crossing fingers like mad that you love it! 😘

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Fun, yes--cool--impossible! But it's summer! THANK YOU! xooxo

      Delete
  8. Congratulations, Hank. This weather gives a whole new meaning to "hot off the presses" TRUST ME.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yikes, exactly.May I steal that tonight?? xooxoo xoxoo

      Delete
  9. Great article about the 3 sides to every story! Congratulations on your launch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you! Yes, it was fascinating to write--it really made me think about the book again. SO pleased you read it..thank you!

      Delete
  10. Congratulations on your book launch, Hank! It sounds like the critics are already behind you, although the trolls may still be out there. No need for a book giveaway as far as I'm concerned. Amazon has promised to deliver my pre-ordered copy today. Now I just need to know what kind of sadistic editor would set the deadline for your next book on the day your new book launches. For shame!

    Favorite true crime books would probably include Ann Rule's "The Stranger Beside Me" and "All the President's Men" (the Woodward/Bernstein version). Favorite reporter movies have to include "All the President's Men" (the Redford/Hoffman version), "Spotlight," "The Post," and maybe the Matthau/Lemmon version of "The Front Page."

    I hope your event tonight is standing room only!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! SO exciting...although this is the peak vacation season, so we shall see.
      I hope you'l look for those articles--we have EXACTLY the same taste!

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Super congrats on your launch today, Hank! Can't believe you have a deadline to meet while celebrating Trust Me, but if anyone can multi task, you can. Enjoy every minute!! As for favourite reporter movie, All the President's Men - hands down. The action is all cerebral and moves so slowly compared to today's hyper-paced movies, and it's all fascinating and so satisfying. Plus, it has Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, which makes a for a double win in my good-looks book ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, SO agree! Eager for you to read the article--I think we'll be simpatico! But--of course! xoxo

      Delete
  13. Congratulations, Hank. As you well know, I think the book is a masterpiece and I fully expect that this ride will include a few awards along the way. Couldn't happen to a more deserving and dedicated individual.

    As for true crime, I am still fascinated by FATAL VISION and then the controversy (and resulting books) that surrounded it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, exactly! And the fact hat we don't know what really happened..right?

      And seriously--your review still has me floating .Thank you! oxooo

      Delete
  14. Congratulations and happy launch. I don’t read much true crime though I loved Garden of good and Evil. Spotlight was a great movie, I was riveted to my seat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup--Agreed! Spotlight was amazing--I lived through the whole thing, right, so it was even more amazing.And thank you!

      Delete
  15. Um, Hank, you do this every book launch. Worry, I mean. Trust Me, there's no need to worry! People are in bookstores sidling up to perfect strangers, 'Pssst, you gotta read this book. Trust Me.' People are sitting outside bookstores, in their cars, feverishly cracking open the cover. Trust Me, more than one dinner will be late tonight!

    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Flora, I do??? THANK YOU for reminding me! ANd I am imagining that scene--LOVE it! Thank you!

      Delete
  16. Hank -- Congratulations on the book, which sounds unmissable! And wishing you a non-wilting wardrobe tonight, sure you'll look fabulous as ever. In addition to the great reporter movies you mentioned, I'm particularly partial to Born Yesterday and Absence of Malice. Have a great launch and cheering you on from LA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Born Yesterday is my FAVORITE!!!! Love that. It's a cartel! And Absence of Malice is on the list!

      Delete
  17. Happy pub day, Hank! I wish I could be there to celebrate in person, but I'll be cheering you on from the West Coast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish you were here, too! But thank you thank you for everything! xoxoo

      Delete
  18. Even before commenting, I put up the last picture and made my facebook feed public, which I rarely do except for lost neighborhood kittens.

    I read very little true crime except for what's coming out of Washington these days, and not that if I can avoid it. So my vote has to go to Truman Capote's IN COLD BLOOD. I knew the roommate of the surviving Cutter girl who was away at college when the slaughter occurred. Yikes! And when reading the book I was doing laundry, the laundry room being just off the family room. I didn't notice the washer was leaking until my feet started getting wet. That was one expensive afternoon read. Trust me.

    And congratulations for an excellent pre-pub marketing campaign. Not that you needed it xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ann, you are a ROCK STAR. Thank you! ANd yikes, what a story! NOw THAT's a book! and yay. xoo

      Delete
  19. Trust me, Hank, you will meet your deadline.

    I don’t like reading true crime, because it’s True Crime. It can be unnerving. I did read In Cold Blood back when it first came out, and wrote a book report on it for English class. I wrote the report while babysitting for a family that lived in a tiny cottage in the woods. Every little outside noise terrified me that night!

    I liked All the President’s Men, original version. Lately I’ve been thinking maybe I should watch it again. Or not.

    Over the weekend I bought Trust Me, and can’t wait to start reading it. Trust me!

    DebRo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DebRo! Thank you! Cannot wait to hear what you think. xxo ANd yes, ICB is really disturbing. But All the Presidents Men--I've been thinking about rewatching, too!

      Delete
  20. Congratulations on your book launch. What a wonderful celebration. I have ordered your novel and look forward to enjoying this book greatly. You look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you! SO lovely of you! Eager to hear what you think..let me know, okay? xoxoo

      Delete
  21. Congratulations and Happy Book Launch Day. Enjoy this special and unforgettable day. I will be reading Trust Me.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations and happy book launch, Hank!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations on "Trust Me" Hank! I can't wait to read it. My favorite reporter movie? "All the President's Men" but "Spotlight" was good too. I don't read a lot of true crime books but I think one of the best I've read is "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann, a well-told story that more people should know about. Not long until Bouchercon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I have that book--I should read it! When I meet my deadline...:-) . thank you! xoxoo

      Delete
  24. Happy Book Launch Day. Happy Deadline Day. Happy "We're so glad Hank Writes" Day. That last one is a yet to be declared national holiday, fiercely celebrated by a dedicated group of of those who love, support and read every word written by the aforementioned Hank. Have fun tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy pub day, Hank! You and the bookk(s) will both do splendidly - Trust Me!

    For those of you who loved ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, a good companion piece is MARK FELT, starring Liam Neeson as the man behind "Deep Throat." It features several of the reporters Felt spoke wit, including what seemed like a ridiculously young Bob WWoodward, until I read that the real W&B were both in their 20s when they broke the Watergate story. Redford and Hoffman were a decade older!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congrats on the new release.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Happy book birthday, darling Hank! I know it's going to be a huge success. Have fun tonight at Booksmith. Off to spread the news...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy book birthday! I’m looking forward to reading it. Trust me on that.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy book birthday, dear Hank! "And many more..."

    In Cold Blood, Helter Skelter, The Onion Field, Under the Banner of Heaven--all chilling reads, for very different reasons. But all well written books. The Devil in the White City was okay, but seemed to dribble off to a weak ending. Maybe because of the sequel? I've not read it, so I'm not sure about that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, all good picks! xooxoo And I can hear you singing--thank you!

      Delete
  30. Oh yay! Congratulations! This means my copy should be in a Mystery Lovers any minute now!

    And phooey to the Goodreads guy.

    My fave reporter/true crime? Hands down, "All the President's Men." I think it counts as both, don't you?

    Congrats again!

    Mary/Liz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The goodreads guy is a hoot, right? I have such fun with that. SO eager to hear what you think!

      ANd yes, it DEFINITELY counts as both!

      Delete
  31. Happy, Happy Book Birthday, Hank! I can't wait to read TRUST ME and have posted one of your photos on my FB page. The best true crime book I've read was HELTER SKELTER by Vincent Bugliosi ~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You did??? YAY! Off to look for that...SO lovely of you! Awww....

      Delete
  32. Congratulations, Hank!!! This is thrilling! Off to promote TRUST ME on social media! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are the BEST. Thank you. Thank you. It makes SUCH a difference! Love you so much..xoxo

      Delete
  33. Hooray! Trust Me is finally out! That is a fast-paced story. Loved it. True crime? One fascinating account was Blood and Money by Tommy Thompson. It was a high society murder and revenge that happened in Houston. I forget its name but the movie with Jeremy Irons playing Claus von Bulow was fascinating. Did he or didn’t he?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, absolutely, Blood and Money is on the list! And it's Reversal of Fortune--fantastic! Amazing.
      "You have no idea.."

      Delete
  34. Happy pub day, dear Hank!!! I cannot wait to read TRUST ME, trust me!!!! And only you could possibly do all the things that you're doing right now--hope there is a rest cure on your calendar after the next couple of weeks! I wish I could be there for your launch tonight but will be sending you lots of love and good wishes!!!

    I don't read much true crime, but my favorite reporter is a toss up between All the President's Men, Spotlight, and The Post. I think I need to watch All the President's Men again, but am a little afraid to! Big hugs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congrats, Hank! Loved, loved, loved TRUST ME!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you--that makes such a difference!And you are so fabulous to spread the word! Nothing could be more important. xox

      Delete
  36. Congratulations Hank. Good luck on your deadline. The only True Crime book that I can remember reading is IN COLD BLOOD. Shalom.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Happy Pub Day, Hank! Congratulations! I know everyone will love TRUST ME as much as I do. And today I am enjoying all the pointers to your interviews and blogs. Fun reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! ANd Iam so thrilled you love it--SO happy! xoo

      Delete
  38. Congrats, Hank! I'm so looking forward to reading your new book, and I'm sure it's every bit as wonderful as (most of) the reviews claim.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the Goodreads guy. Hilarious. Got to love it! Hope you agree with Booklist and not the goodreads guy. xoo :-)

      Delete
  39. My husband loves true crime so I bought him Michelle McNamara’s “I’ll be Gone in the Dark”. He doesn’t usually read for hours at a time like I do, but he read this book continuously for days until he finished it. It is on his all time list as one of the best book. I prefer fictional crime. I’d rather have my crime imaginary. Not so scary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's incredible. And which is scarier--yes, true, absolutely. xoooo Love you!

      Delete
  40. Congrats on the book! I am buying it ASAP! Wish I could attend the book signing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, SO great of you! Thank you! Let me know how you like it--crossing fingers! xoo

      Delete
  41. Congratulations on "Trust Me!" Can't wait to read it.

    I don't really read true crime books, so no vote there. But Absence of Malice was the very first movie that popped into my head. (Glad it came up already in the discussion, because I was hesitating about naming it -- it's not particularly kind to the reporter.) The other movie I loved was Broadcast News.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Congratulations on "Trust Me" release today.

    favorite reporter movie was with Mark Ruffalo and Rachel MacAdams. I think it was titled Spotlight and it was nominated for an Oscar.

    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congratulation on Trust Me. So looking forward to reading it over Labor Day Weekend. Favorite true crime book toss up between In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter. Also loved the Boston Strangler . Favorite movie All the President’s Men and Spotify. All the best for tonight’s festivities.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Congratulations Hank ! Trust Me I'm looking forward to read it

    ReplyDelete
  45. I loved TRUST ME . . . can't think of any non-fiction titles to offer up right now. I'm still thinking of the "dumb" review . . . a description I heard whenever a student found a lesson a little too difficult . . . dumb ANIMAL FARM, dumb algebra, even dumb tens' and hundreds' places. That last one was a very young niece, who figured it out quickly once I brought out the bag of coins and bills from the Scholastic book order. I actually only review books I love. I don't even finish a book I don't like, much less take time to write about it. There are so many more good books than I'll have time to read, including yours. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5888719

    ReplyDelete
  46. Wrong link . . . good excuse to add, I love the cover with its background word.
    My review https://www.amazon.com/review/R36R3ODIGSPVQH/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

    ReplyDelete
  47. Congrats on your new release Hank!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hank, I have been gone all day, so I'm just now getting online to wish you a Happy Book Birthday here! I loved Trust Me, remember it's the rocket ship that stuck a perfect landing. I will be singing its praises on the Review Panel, "trust me."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, have been on fb today and saw your comment. Hank, Trust Me is creating a lot of excitement there! Looking forward to reading it....Congratulations!

      Delete
  49. hi Hank, many congratulations on the release of Trust Me--I'll be picking it up on my way home from work on Friday. I hope you're enjoying your launch party at this very moment! Too bad about the zillion degree temps along the east coast today. I'm not a huge fan of what is often noted as True Crime, but more a fan of books like Radium Girls about corporate/government cover ups and the real individuals affected. Congratulations again and I can't wait for a good long read over the weekend! --Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  50. Congratulations!!! That dumb reviewer was just projecting.

    ReplyDelete
  51. OH, just back form the launch party-aSO GRET! SRO! I will read ALL these tomorrow! THANK YO! and I will post a winner or two! YAAAAY! xoo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saw the launch party pictures......was thrilled for you!!

      Delete
  52. Happy Launch Day! I'm always late in posting here, but I wanted to chime in with praise for Born Yesterday, His Girl Friday, and Broadcast News. I'm glad we've had some recent movies featuring reporters doing good and important work; we need to drive home the truth that reporters aren't the "enemy of the people", they are the protectors of our basic rights and liberties.

    ReplyDelete