SANTA BARBARA — Chaucer’s Books will host an in-store book talk and signing for authors Iris Yamashita (“Village in the Dark”) and Kemper Donovan (“The Busy Body”) on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m.
Description of “Village in the Dark”: A riveting mystery from the author of “City Under One Roof.”
On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.
Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.
Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.
Description of “The Busy Body”: “Veep” meets Agatha Christie in this intelligent, wildly funny, literary mystery for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, and Nita Prose. The host of the “All About Agatha” podcast injects the spark and fizz of a Golden Age murder mystery into the present day, as a ghostwriter is chosen to collaborate on a presidential candidate’s memoir, only to discover just how much trouble a smart woman with time on her hands can get up to.
It’s a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson is the most talked-about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for president of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. After her very public defeat, she’s retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her.
Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy’s work ethic and steel-trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings (and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top-secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer is: “Of course!”
The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories … two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. Dorothy’s political career, meanwhile, has made her an expert at recognizing lies and double-dealing. Working together, the two women are soon untangling motives and whittling down suspects, to the exasperation of local police. But this investigation — much like the election — may not unfold the way anyone expects.
About the Authors
Iris Yamashita is an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter for the movie “Letters from Iwo Jima.” She has been working in Hollywood for 15 years developing material for both film and streaming, has taught screenwriting at UCLA, and is an advocate of women and diversity in the entertainment industry. She has also been a judge and mentor for various film and writing programs, and lives in California. Visit her website: www.irisyamashita.com
Kemper Donovan is an acclaimed author and host of the podcast “All About Agatha.” A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, he worked at the literary management company Circle of Confusion for a decade before transitioning to writing full-time. He is a member of the New York Bar Association, PEN America, and Mystery Writers of America. He lives with his husband and daughters in Los Angeles and can be found online at www.KemperDonovan.com.
Both books are available for purchase. Chaucer’s Books is located at 3321 State St., Santa Barbara. For more information, call (805) 682-6787, email info@chaucersbooks.com or visit: https://www.chaucersbooks.com/event/store-book-talksigning-authors-iris-yamashita-and-kemper-donovan