June 5th-8th, 2008

CrimeFest 2008

Bristol Marriot Royal Hotel
Bristol, UK

July 9th-12th, 2008
ThrillerFest
Grand Hyatt hotel
New York, NY

August 7th-8th, 2008
Backspace Writers Conference
Radisson Marquis
New York, NY

August 9th, 2008: 7:00pm
The Open Book
Westhampton, NY

October 9th-12th, 2008
Bouchercon
Sheraton Baltimore City Center
Baltimore, MD

Through high school I dreamed of being a screenwriter, and took various jobs atproduction companies to learn more about the industry, including Jon Stewart’s Busboy Productions.

I attended Wesleyan University, played offensive and defensive line for the Cardinals’ football team, joined a fraternity, and read far less for pleasure than I would have liked.

During my junior year, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Heeding words of advice from my physician who’d written a book (”The first thing any writer needs is an agent”), I began querying literary agents. His advice omitted the fact that in order to get an agent, you needed to have an actual book.

After a half-hearted attempt to find an agent for my, um, nothing, I decided to get an insider’s perspective on the publishing world. I took an internship at a boutique literary agency in New York, where my first day on the job consisted of lunch at Mickey Mantle’s restaurant with a bestselling sportswriter. Needless to say, every day in publishing has been just as glamorous (cue coughing fit).

In between opening queries and answering phones, I fell in love with editorial work, helping authors to hone their manuscripts and proposals. Putting my literary aspirations on hold, I decided to pursue a career in editorial.

I interned at the agency the summer, racking up $726,374 in E-Z Pass fees commuting to work and to visit my girlfriend (who later became my wife).

After finishing school I took a spot as an editorial assistant at a publishing house. It was during my tenure there that I began work on my debut thriller, HERO OF THE DAY, featuring young reporter Henry Parker. This book eventually became THE MARK.

I eventually sold THE MARK to MIRA Books in a three-book deal, and found my publishing journey had come full circle. And after working in editorial for nearly five years, I left to pursue my dream of writing full time.

I am a member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America and a founding member of Killer Year. I live in New York City, am married to my college sweetheart, and still don’t read nearly enough as I’d like.

I hope you enjoy my books.

Jason

My Favorite:

Authors (alive):

Dennis Lehane, Harlan Coben, Lisa Scotto line, P.J. Parrish, Stephen King, Bill Simmons, Lee Child, James Patterson, Michael Chabon, James Rollins, Michael Connelly, Margaret Atwood, Joseph Finder, Janet Fitch, Max Barry, Jeff Abbott, Allison Brennan, Chuck Palahniuk, Frank Miller, Terry Brooks, Karin Slaughter, Steve Berry, Dave Barry, Tess Gerritsen, David Sedaris, Michael Palmer, Charlie Huston, Thomas L. Friedman, Max Barry

Authors (not alive):

Ken Kesey, Joseph Heller, James Joyce, Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain, William Golding, Richard Wright, Dashiell Hammett, Kurt Vonnegut

Bands:

U2, Green Day, Bruce Springsteen, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Eminem, Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, The Doors, Jeff Buckley, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, The Offspring, Pearl Jam, The Who

Movies:

L.A. Confidential, Sling Blade, North by Northwest, Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness, The Godfather (1 and II), Saving Private Ryan, Brave heart, Captains Courageous, Requiem for a Dream, Reservoir Dogs, Anchorman, Gladiator, This is Spinal Tap, Sideways, Clerks

T.V. Shows:

The Shield, Nip/Tuck, The Sopranos, The Wire, Arrested Development, The Simpsons, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, The Office (BBC version)

Critical Praise for KILLER YEAR: A Criminal Anthology

“This collection has no weak links…an exceptional collection of crime fiction short stories…(a) brilliantly conceived anthology.”
–Chicago Tribune

“…(a) first-rate collection…there is a preponderance of the yummy stuff in KILLER YEAR.”
–Otto Penzler, New York Sun

“For this impressive anthology, bestseller Child has gathered 13 stories by new comers and three by veterans…the disturbingly good new talents showcased in this volume bodes well for the future of the genre”
–Publishers Weekly

“…remarkably for a collection this ample, there’s no sign of a clinker. An anthology so worthwhile that it comes within an eyelash of deserving the hyperbolic praise Child heaps on it in his introduction.”
–Kirkus Reviews

“What is not in doubt…is the quality of this collection…Some of these stories push the edge of the genre and snag the memory…Even amid a recent rash of anthologies in the genre, this one is well worth a look.”
–Library Journal

“KILLER YEAR still stands strong as an early contender for 2008’s most pleasurable anthology. I came away with a number of new authors to check out, and lack of time be damned, I hope this becomes an annual event.”
–Bookgasm.com

General Info
KILLER YEARA CRIMINAL ANTHOLOGYwill be published in the US on January 23, 2008

Foreword by Lee Child
After word by Laura Lippman

Contributors include :

• Brett Battles
• Allison Brennan
• Robert Gregory Browne
• Ken Bruen
• Bill Cameron
• Toni McGee Causey
• Sean Chercover
• J.T. Ellison
• Patry Francis
• Marc Lecard
• Derek Nikitas
• Gregg Olsen
• Jason Pinter
• M.J. Rose
• Marcus Sakey
• Duane Swierczynski
• Dave White

Buy The Books

• Amazon.com
• Barness & Noble
  Book Sellers
• Bamm.com
  BOOKSAMILLION.COM

Reader reviews:

THE MARK

THE GUILTY

Named one of the top 10 blogs about writing andpublishing by Associated Content.

Named one of the top 8 mystery blogs by Library Journal

Disclaimer : This blog has nothing to do with Johnny Cash. Unless you accidentally buy my book because you think it is related to Mr. Cash. In which case disregard this statement.

Read The Cover Copy

Right as I’m about to die, I realize all the myths are fake. There’s no white light at the end of the tunnel. My life isn’t flashing before my eyes. All I can think about is how much I want to live.

I moved to New York City a month ago to become the best journalist the world had ever seen. To find the greatest stories never told. And now here I am–Henry Parker, twenty four years old and weary beyond rational thought, a bullet one trigger pull from ending my life.

I can’t run. Running is all Amanda and I have done for the past seventy two hours. And I’m tired. Tired of knowing the truth and not being able to tell it.

Five minutes ago I thought I had the story all figured out. I knew that both of these men–one an FBI agent, the other an assassin–wanted me dead, but for very different reasons.

If I die tonight–more people will die tomorrow.

Fun & Facts

THE MARK was published in the US on June 26th, 2007.

It is currently scheduled to be released in approximately 12 countries by the end of 2008.

It will be published in the United Kingdom on May 16th, 2008.

THE MARK was written between March of 2005 and September of 2006, and was then edited between September and November. It was sold to MIRA Books as the first in a three book deal, the subsequent books being THE GUILTY and THE STOLEN.

It spent time on both the Barnes & Noble and Wal-Mart bestseller lists.

THE MARK was selected as the July “Need to Read” title by Levy distributors.

It was released as an audio book which is available at audible.com and on iTunes. The audio book was read by Noah Plenner.

THE MARK was part of MIRA’s “The Deadly Seven” promotion, alongside Alex Kava, Michelle Gagnon, Paul Johnston, M.J. Rose, Chris Jordan and J.T. Ellison.

Why It Was Written

There were several reasons why I wrote THE MARK, why I wrote it the way I did, and why Henry Parker came to be. From my youngest days I wanted to write a thriller, having been an avid fan of the genre for many years, but I also wanted to inject something new to a genre I felt was dominated by authors writing older characters. Lonely alcoholic cops. Sharks in suits. As far as I was concerned, my contribution to the genre would be best served staying away from conflicted lawyers and smooth bankers. There have been many brilliant novels written featuring those kind of characters, and forcing myself to write them would have been stuffing a penny loafer into a sneaker-sized hole.

I’d recently read a thriller by a major bestselling author where the main character was a young guy in his twenties. He was portrayed as a joke, a jackass who lied, cajoled and stole his way into major trouble and had to get out by lying some more. Forget the fact that he didn’t talk or act like any twenty-something outside of an episode of “The O.C.,” I hated that the author and readers (the book was a New York Times bestseller) seemed to feel that this character was indicative of my generation, aka Generation Lowest Common Denominator. I wanted to take the stereotype, strap a stick of dynamite to it, and blow it all to hell.

My generation needed a hero.

My protagonist had to be younger. A good head on his shoulders. With a good heart, but holding back some skeletons in his closet. His profession needed to be caught in between tradition and technology. That’s how Henry Parker came to be a newspaper reporter, hoping to bring ethics and stability to an institution whose foundation had been cracked.

A few months earlier I’d read another thriller, again by a New York Times bestselling author, that bugged the crap out of me. The setup was quite good, pitting the hero against a ticking clock where, if time ran out, Bad Things would happen to his family. But halfway through the book the clock runs out, and he spent the rest of the book, several weeks in book time, trying to find his family. I couldn’t stand it. There was such a palpable sense of tension and urgency in the first half that was dashed to pieces when the clock expired. What was our hero doing during weeks? Was he waking up in the morning, having a Venti Latte and reading the paper? Did he watch Letterman or Leno before bed? The sense of urgency had been lost.

So I wanted to write a book that never stopped, where every second was accounted for. The vast majority of THE MARK takes place over three days. And in each scene, you know exactly what the other characters are doing and where they are. I wanted it to be a runaway freight train, where you couldn’t stop it if you wanted to because the thing just didn’t slow down.

Most importantly, I wanted people to care about my characters. As much as THE MARK is a thriller, I consider it completely character driven. I didn’t want the cops to just be cops, or the killer to be some stock psychopath. I wanted them to have stories. Motives. Lives. Pathos. I didn’t want the villain to be a stock assassin, I wanted to give him flesh, blood, a heart. And in a way, the villain in THE MARK, despite being a cold, mean, ruthless son of a bitch, is the most sympathetic character in the book.

My characters have scars. These scars will not miraculously disappear in subsequent books. One pulled thread in THE MARK will affect every book to come. I want fans to journey with my characters, to love, laugh and cry with them. And maybe lose their breath a few times along the way.

I hope you enjoy THE MARK.

Jason

Foreign Edition

UK Watch the trailer! Publisher’s website	Australia	Germany
Sweden	Finland	Norway

Praise for THE MARK

“Debut novelist Pinter turns in a stellar performance, taking to the suspense-thriller field with great confidence and greater promise…Pinter’s a wizard at punching out page-turning action, and the voice of his headstrong protagonist is sure to win readers over; his wild ride should thrill any suspense junky.”
—Publishers Weekly

“From the opening sentence to the exhilarating conclusion, Pinter’s debut thriller gets the reader’s heart racing. Pinter…is able to use the best aspects of the genre to his advantage. With more Parker novels on the horizon, Pinter is clearly one to watch.”
—Library Journal (Starred Review)

“The story excels with its characterizations…The writing is solid throughout the novel, and the dialogue is peppered with humor. There are poignant stretches where Parker reveals deep emotional conflict and longing…the ending packs a punch of fire power, and unexpected results. There are more Henry Parker novels coming, and it’s worth the price of admission to find out what life has in store for this honest journalist.”
—Lincoln Journal-Star

“A gripping page-turner you won’t be able to stop reading.”
—James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of CROSS

“THE MARK is a stunning debut! Just when we’re sure we’ve nailed the outcome, more surprises await. It’s ‘Front Page’ meets ‘The Sopranos,’ with more than a little Scorsese thrown in.”
—Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author of THE SLEEPING DOLL

“A first-rate debut from an author who dares to take the traditional thriller in bold new directions.”
—Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of THE BONE GARDEN

“An excellent debut. You are going to love Henry Parker, and you’re going to hope he survives the story, but you’re not going to bet on it.”
—Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author of BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE

“Pinter’s debut novel showcases his fresh, witty voice and appreciation of the writers who’ve gone before him in the genre. Henry’s a terrific amateur sleuth, and if he survives this adventure, readers will undoubtedly look forward to many more.”
—Romantic Times BOOK
Reviews (4 stars)

“This is a terrific thriller…an action-packed on the run investigative tale.”
—Midwest Book Review

“A fast and furious page-turner.”
—Simon Kernick, internationally bestselling author of RELENTLESS

“Jason Pinter has a wonderful voice. The Mark captivated me from the first. A page turner from the get go—I loved it.”
—Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author of THE DEAD ROOM

“Jason Pinter’s THE MARK is a hard-boiled thriller that cuts to the heart. From first line to last, the story rockets through a city rife with corruption and tangled loyalties, where one man holds the key to salvation…but only if he can walk through fire. A stunning debut by a major new talent!”
—James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of THE JUDAS STRAIN

“…memorable…Mr. Pinter demands the reader’s attention from the first page…With his first effort Mr. Pinter has produced a likeable protagonist and a terrifying though not improbable situation for a seemingly ordinary young man.”
—The Mystery Reader

“A brilliantly executed chase novel but it’s also a heartfelt exploration of honor, ambition, and courage.”
—Jeff Abbott, internationally bestselling author of PANIC and FEAR

“A harrowing journey–chilling, compelling, disquieting. A remarkable debut.”
—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL

“Pinter has written a harrowing novel that keeps the adrenaline level high. The plot is so fascinating and twisting you can’t put the book down to sleep. He has created young untried heroes that you keep rooting to survive. Keep a close eye out for the next Pinter thriller. If it is half as good as this one you will be hooked.”
—New Mystery Reader Magazine

“A fast-paced, addictively suspenseful thriller that takes you on a dangerous ride from the nail-biting first page to the explosive ending. Authentic characterization and genuine tension make THE MARK a killer novel.”
—Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of KILLING FEAR

“THE MARK is lean, fast and furious with a tinge of classic noir and a voice all its own. It’s ‘The Fugitive’ for the new millennium. Pinter is among the best of a new generation of thriller writers.”
—Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of POWER PLAY

“THE MARK is a terrific, riveting story! His prose is witty and lean, and his characters breathe and bleed in ways we can feel. This is a top-notch debut for a writer we will all know before long.”
—Michael Palmer, New York Times bestselling author of THE FIFTH VIAL

“Breathless, poignant and fresh…Jason Pinter’s debut thriller, THE MARK, is a story of good intentions gone wrong and what happens when cub reporter Henry Parker, Pinter’s charming and guileless protagonist, finds out the hard way what it’s like to be in the headlines instead of writing them.”
—P.J. Parrish, New York Times bestselling author of A THOUSAND BONES

“There are many reasons to read this book: the trials and tribulations of neophyte journalist Henry Parker; the developing chemistry between Parker and his forged-in- fire friend, Amanda Davies; the visceral writing style and sly knocks on a world where celebrity of any kind gives you credibility. But most of all, read it because if you do, you won’t be able to stop. At least, I couldn’t.”
—Sarah Weinman, editor, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind

“I have to admit this. THE MARK by Jason Pinter took me by total surprise. It wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. Oh my, it was so much better than I ever dreamed it would be. THE MARK is an excellent book and Jason Pinter is a talented writer. I loved this and I look forward to reading more from this author.”
—Romance Reader at Heart

“Pinter’s thrilling debut promises to be a hit with readers this summer. This is definitely one that will have you hooked until the very last page.”
—Becky Lejeune, BookBitch.com

“THE MARK is one of the best thrillers I have read all year, and Jason Pinter is definitely a breakout author to watch…This is an extraordinary novel, and Jason Pinter has cornered the market on the next great mystery series!”
—Diana Risso, Romance Review Today (Perfect 10)

One month ago

I watched my reflection in the doors as the elevator rose to the twelfth floor. My suit had been steamed, pressed and tailored. My tie, shoes and belt matched perfectly. I nervously eyed Wallace Langston, the older man standing next to me. My brown hair was neatly combed, the posture on my six one frame ramrod straight. I’d bought a book on prepping for your first day at a new job. On the cover was an attractive twenty-something whose dentistry probably cost more than my college tuition.Security downstairs had given me a temporary ID. Not yet a member of the fraternity, still a pledge who had to prove his worth.
“Make sure you have your picture taken before the week’s up,” the husky security guard with huge, red-rimmed glasses and a personality-enhancing cheek mole told me. “If you don’t, I gotta run you through the system every day. And I have better things to do than run it through the system every goddamn day. You get me?” I nodded, assured her I’d have the photo taken as soon as I got upstairs. And I meant it. I wanted my face on a Gazette ID as fast as the lab could develop it. I’d take it to Kinkos myself if they ere backed up.
When the doors opened, Wallace led me across a foyer with beige carpeting, past a secretary’s desk with the words New York Gazette in big, bold letters mounted on the wall. I showed her my temporary ID. She smiled with an open mouth and chewed her gum.

Wallace pressed his keycard against a reader and opened the glass doors. As soon as the silence was broken, I thought how strange it was that all my hopes and dreams were embedded in one beautiful noise.
To an outsider, the noise might seemincessant, cacophonous, but to me it was as calm and natural as an honest laugh. Hundreds of fingers were pounding away, the soothing rattle of popping keys and scribbling pencils drawing a smile across my lips. Dozens of eyes, all staring at lighted screens with type the size of microorganisms, reading faxes and emails sent from all over the world, faces contorted as though the telephone was a human they could emote to. Some people were yelling, some softly whispering. If I hadn’t clenched my jaw trying to project confidence, it would have hit the floor like I’d stepped into a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

“This is the newsroom,” Wallace said. “Your desk is over there.” He pointed to the one unoccupied metal swivel chair among the sea of tattered felt, showing how every day I would be wading through greatness. Soon I’d be seated at that desk, computer on, phone in my hand, fingers rattling at the keyboard like Beethoven on Red Bull.

I was home.

If you’re in media or entertainment, New York is your mecca. Athletes count the days until their debut at Madison Square Garden. For classical pianists, Carnegie Hall is their holy ground. Professional stripper—sorry, exotic dancer—yeah, New York is their Jerusalem, too. It was no coincidence, then, that this was my holy land. The newsroom of the New York Gazette. Rockefeller Plaza, New York City. I’d come a long, long way to get here. I briefly wondered what the hell a twenty-four-year-old with little more on his résumé than the Bend Bulletin, was doing here, but this was everything I’d worked for. What I was destined for.

Wallace knew what I was capable of. Ever since my first page-one story in the Bulletin, the one that was syndicated in over fifty papers around the world, Wallace had been following me. When he heard I was accepted to Cornell’s prestigious journalism program, he made the three and-a-half- hour drive to take me out for lunch. And during my senior year, before I could even start to look for jobs, Wallace made me an offer to join the Gazette full-time.
The newsroom needs some new blood, he’d said. Young, ambitious kid like you, show the skeptics out there that the next generation has its head on straight. There are other papers in this city, but if you want to chase down real stories instead of celebrities on vacation, you’ll make the right choice. Make your mark, Henry. Make it with us. Plus, our first-year salary is five grand higher. I drank three bottles of champagne that night, and passed out in John Derringer’s shower with a Bic mustache and sideburns.
I felt Wallace’s hand against my suit jacket. I hoped he didn’t press too hard—my threads probably cost less than Wallace’s haircuts. Yet though Wallace was my professional benefactor, the top shelf on my wall of professional hero worship was permanently occupied. That man was seated just a few feet away. But as far as being indebted to a person, right after my mother giving birth, Wallace hiring me was a close second.
We snaked through the skewed chairs and cups of cold coffee, past writers who were too busy to tuck their chairs in. This was how they worked. I loved it. I knew not to interrupt a reporter on deadline, and sure as hell didn’t expect them to move. I was here to purify the blood of the newsroom, not to disrupt its flow.
I recognized some of the writers. I’d read their work, knew to look for their bylines. It was scary to think of them as my new colleagues. Not to mention how seldom they appeared to shave or shower.
I wanted them to respect me, needed them to respect me. But for now I was just a mark. A newbie. The guy all eyes would be on to see if he produced.
And then I saw him. Jack O’Donnell. Then Wallace pulled me forward and I remembered to breathe. As we walked by, I let my hand swipe O’Donnell’s Oxford blue shirt sleeve. A silent brush with greatness. I couldn’t have been any less subtle than if I’d taken out his latest book, asked for an autograph, then smacked him across the face with it. Talk to him later, I told myself. Follow him to the bathroom. To lunch. Offer to shine his shoes, raise his kids, whatever.
Man.
Jack O’Donnell.

Five years ago, if someone had said I’d be working fifteen feet from Jack I’d have kicked his ass formocking me. A few years ago, Jack O’Donnell was profiled in the New Yorker. I had a copy of the article at home. I taped one page above my desk, underlined one quote, the quote that threaded its way through every story I ever wrote.

News is the DNA of our society. It shapes how we think, how we act, how we feel. It dictates who we are and who we become. We are all beneficiaries—and byproducts—of information. Many people, myself included, credited the first injection of this strand of DNA to William Randolph Hearst. Hearst took over the San Francisco Examiner in 1887 at the tender age of twenty-three. The only guy who made me feel lazy.
Hearst was the first to truly sensationalize print media, splashing his newspapers with big, bold headlines and lavish illustrations. Conspiracy mongers blamed Hearst for inciting the Spanish- American war with his constant editorializing on the Spanish government’s civil rights atrocities. As Hearst reportedly said to illustrator Frederic Remington, “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
Since then, it almost seems like journalism has taken a step backward. The scandal at the New York Times proved that. Some people laughed it off as an isolated incident. Others who knew their stories couldn’t hold up to scrutiny quietly updated their résumés. And I followed the whole thing shaking my head, trembling in anger, wanting to shake up the system. And if Jack’s quote was accurate—as I believed it to be—when that blood became tainted, it could spread disease through every capillary of society. Liars and fabricators and egos the size of Donald Trump were popping up like rats in the subway, from men and women who were supposed to report the stories, not be the stories.
Just last week, a junior reporter at the Washington Post came to work jacked on amphetamines, two pots of coffee, with a deadline in six hours for a thousand-word story he hadn’t written a sentence for. He cranked out the piece then returned home, punched his girlfriend, and took a header out of their fifth-story walk-up. Just more fuel for the fire. I wanted to be the antidote, to pick up Jack O’Donnell’s mantle, polish the surface and carry it with pride. I wanted to extract the venom that had poisoned journalism, to bring some credibility back to the newsroom in the wake of these lies. Jack O’Donnell had given me an unbreakable faith in what a good reporter could accomplish. And now here I was, within coughing distance of the legend himself. Time to put up or shut up, Henry.
After bobbing and weaving through jackets slung over chair backs and pens rolling along the floor like plastic dust bunnies, we arrived at my desk, a smile on my face as if it were opening day at Yankee freakin” Stadium. My desk was right by the window, overlooking the veranda that in the winter became Woolman rink. Prime real estate, baby. I could watch the multilingual tourists snapping away at the beautiful golden sculptures and international flags, people gazing at the fair city as though they never knew such architecture and panache existed. Sunlight poured over my workstation, glowing off the fresh-scrubbed walls, and I couldn’t help but feel blessed.

“Welcome to your new home,” Wallace said. “Comes fully stocked with, well, everything you see here.”
“Any assembly required?” I asked.
Wallace leaned in, whispered, “Some of the old-timers, I guess you can count myself in there, keep a flask in their desk.” I didn’t know what to say. Was he serious? Wallace laughed, clapped me on the back. “You’ll fit in just fine.”
He leaned over and tapped the shoulder of the woman whose workstation was adjacent to mine. She spun around, her swivel chair well-oiled and squeak-free, and glowered at me. She was slim, blond and quite attractive. Late thirties, early forties, with a “what the hell do you want?” look on her face so convincing I couldn’t help but think she practiced it in the mirror. She wore a pink tank top and black Capri pants, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. No wedding ring. And from the looks of it, no bra. If Mya asked what my co-workers looked like, I’d have to lie.
“Paulina,” Wallace said stepping aside, allowing her to view me in full. “Meet Henry Parker. This is his first day on the job.”
Paulina shriveled her nose. “He’s taking Phil’s old desk.” Wallace coughed into his hands, slightly embarrassed. “Yes, he’s taking Phil’s old desk.”
Paulina scanned me as if reading a computer printout. Finally she extended her hand. I shook it, her grip limp and apathetic.
“Welcome to the mad house, new guy,” she said.
“Thanks. I’m excited to…” “Tough luck taking Phil’s old desk. You tell him what happened to Phil,

Wally?”
Wallace sighed. “No, I haven’t had the chance yet.” Paulina shrugged. “Bad karma, Henry.” She looked at me inquisitively. “Henry. That’s a strange name for such a young man. How’d you get saddled with that?”
“Saddled? I…”
“What, your parents didn’t like you?” My eyes hardened. Paulina could tell she’d dug too far, and her face became all twinkles. “I’m just playing with you, Henry. You’ve got a fine name. I like things that are different.” She looked up at Wallace, apparently satisfied with my answers. “This is the kid from Oregon, right?” She looked at me again. “Wallace told me you were, quote, a prize find. That right?”
I tried to ease the tension. “Yeah, Kmart was having a blue- light special on junior reporters. Wallace got me at twenty-five percent off.” Paulina’s eyebrow cocked and she shook her head. Wallace turned away in shame. I gave myself a mental slap. Paulina said, “That’s not funny, Henry. You haven’t been here long enough to get away with making shitty jokes.”
“Sorry. From now on, only funny jokes.”
“Or no jokes,” she said.
“Or no jokes.”
She smiled, much warmer now.
“Good.” Paulina held up a pen, its nub chewed to a quick. I noticed several pairs of shoes under her desk. Shiny red dress shoes, worn sneakers, broken-in Birkenstocks.
“If you’re smart, you’ll keep a few good pairs of shoes around the office,” she said. “You never know what kind of story you’ll have to chase at a moment’s notice. You need to be prepared at all times.” Wallace nodded. I made a mental note to bring in my old Reebok pumps.
“Best of luck to you, Henry,” she added. “Wally’s a good guy. Listen to what he says.”
“Absolutely.”
Paulina turned back to her computer and began typing away.
“She’s a fine journalist,” Wallace said softly. “Paulina, here, found our hero of the day six times
this month alone.”

“Seven times, Wally,” Paulina said. “If you fuck that up on my performance review I’ll call my lawyer.”
“Hero of the day?” I asked.
“Every day has a hero,” Wallace said. “It’s our page-one feature, the main attraction, the story that sells papers. One day it could be the war, the next it’s the elections, the next it could be a man who keeps a Bengal tiger in his apartment as a pet or a celebrity discovered screwing his babysitter.”

Paulina added, “Every day has a different hero. Simply put, it’s that day’s biggest news. Every day needs a hero. Without one, there’s no news. We don’t sell papers, the Gazette brings in no money, we all get canned, you’re back in bumblefuck Oregon before the month is out. Plus, whichever reporter reports the most heroes over the calendar year gets a pretty nice bonus. So get cracking. There are a lot of rocks out there to turn over.”
Wallace said, “Don’t worry. You’ll have your chance. For now, though, try to observe how your new colleagues work. It’ll be hard to gain your footing and find your voice. Just remember everyone here started out exactly where you are. Mickey Mantle was an Oklahoma boy before he came to the Yankees. Pretty soon, you’ll be finding your own heroes for us.” He became serious, leaned in closer. “We’re counting on you to
find ones that matter.”
Paulina chimed in, “Unlike Phil.”
Wallace nodded resignedly. “Yes, unlike Phil.”
I decided not to inquire about this Phil. It was newsroom gossip and I hadn’t earned the right.
“Well, have a seat,” Wallace said. “See how the old desk fits you.”
Watching Wallace to see his reaction, I settled into my new that was constantly fidgeting, moving around. Designed more to keep you awake than keep you relaxed, and I was sure my spine would hate me for it.
“Well?”
“It’s perfect,” I said. Wallace laughed.
“Bullshit, but you’ll get used to it. Let’s have lunch Thursday. HR will send you info about benefits and 401k. Give me a holler if you need anything.” Just then a voice rang through the office. Wallace’s secretary. “Mr. Langston! Rudy Giuliani on line two.” He muttered, “Shit, he’s probably pissed about the piece on page five.”

Wallace gave me a quick pat on the back.
“And Henry?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t wear a suit and tie again. You’re a journalist, not a stockbroker. Lesson number one, your sources will want to feel you’re on their level. Not a level above them.”
As I settled in, Paulina turned to me, a cagey look on her face. “And one more thing,” she said.

“Yeah?”
“Remember one thing, and make sure you remember it good in every story you write. Ninety percent of this job is reporting good versus evil. And without evil, we’d be out of a job.”

Readers Reviews

“I Just finished your book THE MARK…and let me tell you I LOVED it…it started great and kept my attention throughout…the ending was satisfying…too many books start off good and leave you disappointed in the end…but NOT yours, I am looking forward to reading more of your books.”
–Sheryl C.

“I am sad to say I just finished reading THE MARK. It was great! I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want it to end.”
–Yvonne R.

“Just finished THE MARK and really enjoyed it; can’t wait for the next one.
–Harry S.

“I just finished THE MARK and enjoyed the book. Good work…I commend you on your writing.”
–Lloydine P.

“I just finished THE MARK and I was astounded. This is absolutely one of the best books I

have ever read.”
–Carol S.

“If anybody noticed that I didn’t get any work done today I will blame it on you for writing a story I

couldn’t out down.”
–Eileen P.

“I just finished your book THE MARK…I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading THE

GUILTY.”
–David W.

“Excellent book, can’t wait for the 2nd one. Exactly the type of book that I stay up late and keep turning the pages to see what happens next.”
–John B.

“I just finished your book yesterday. I loved it. It’s one of those books that grabs you right away and won’t let you go.”
–Tracy M.

“I love THE MARK!”
–Brad M.

“I absolutely loved THE MARK…I was very wrapped up in your novel and really could not put it down. Thanks for a great read.”
–Dan K.

“I just finished reading THE MARK and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for allowing me to find a new reader to follow.”
–Bob K.

“Just finished reading your book. It was terrific! I couldn’t put it down.”
–Olga A.

“I thoroughly enjoyed THE MARK. It was definitely a fascinating story and a memorable reading experience.”
–Mary D.

“I just wanted you to know that if I cannot wake up for work in 2 hours, it is your damn fault. I just finished THE MARK and I have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a very, very long time.”
–Jon L.

“I just wanted to tell you that I just finished THE MARK and I loved it. Henry Parker is such a great character. I was spellbound by the whole scenario.”
–Judy R.

“There has been a huge hole in my reading agenda since the death of Lawrence Sanders. I believe I have found someone to fill that.”
–Kevin M.

“Your thriller, THE MARK, is so excellent that I had to comment before even finishing the book.”
–Philip J.

“I just wanted to tell you that I just finished THE MARK (in under two days no less) and I have to tell you that it was such an awesome read! I couldn’t put it down.”
–Anna P.

“Okay, bought the book last night, stayed up most of the night. I am HOOKED. Fun book, this is really a gripping novel.”
–Carole B.

“I just finished THE MARK and it was merely superb, full of suspense, action, surprises, you name it. The only criticism I have is that I did not want to put it down but was forced to because my husband insists on eating.”
–Barbara C.

“Just read THE MARK and found it to be a very good book. Keep up the good work!”
–Sean C.

“I have long been a big fan of the genre and THE MARK is a worthy and wonderful addition.”
–Michael T.

“I bought THE MARK Monday, and I finished it yesterday, which was a Wednesday. I can’t wait for the next books. My mother is next in line and then my grandma. I’ll get them both hooked too.”
–Danielle A.

“I just finished THE MARK, couldn’t wait to see how it ended…good job! Keep up the good work, you’ve definitely got a knack for a story.”
–Robert F.

“I just finished THE MARK last night and was wonderfully surprised that you will keep the Henry Parker character going in a series. So many times you fall in love with a character only to have the author use him or her once. I am looking forward to future installments.”
–Jason B.

“Fantastic book! I have read it twice this week.”
–Shane R.

“What a book - I loved it, loved it, loved it - believed me you are headed to the top!”
–Julie H.

“I loved it. I completely became engrossed in Henry’s plight and the extraordinary circumstances he found himself in. I read everything, from Dean Koontz to Nora Roberts, and everything in between. I’m thrilled to have a new author to add to my collection.”
–Tracy R.

“I bought THE MARK last night and I am hooked! Congratulations on a great book. I look forward to reading more from you.”
–Michael V.

“I just finished your book yesterday having picked up on Friday. I very much enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.”
–Colin B.

“I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your book. I was up half the night finishing it. I am looking forward to the next one.”
–Marc F.

“I started it yesterday morning and finished it this morning. It was thrilling. I just wanted to say thank you for the effort and that I am on the edge of my seat to follow you as you leap ahead.”
–Jan W.

“I just wanted to let you know that I read your book and absolutely loved it! I’ve got a co-worker hooked as well and we anxiously await your next novel.”
–Marcy G.

“What a fun read!”
–Larry S.

“I read a LOT. This is one of the best novels I have ever read. And it is certainly the first time I have ever taken the time to congratulate an author.”
–Steven D.

“Just a great story and very well told.”
–Jason B.

“When I started reading it I couldn’t stop.”
–Troy E.

“One of those books your read cover to cover without stopping!”
–Susan M.

“Thank you for bringing such an exciting book–and Henry Parker–into existence!”
–Nellie T.

“I have just finished THE MARK and it is absolutely one of the best novels I have ever read. It has been ages since I felt this way about a story and characters.”
–Kat T.

“Your book was zigging when I thought it would have been zagging. Every time I thought I had it figured out I was wrong.”
–Scott L.

“I absolutely loved your book! Please hurry with the next one!”
–Judi D.

“I loved the book! Henry Parker seemed so alive to me. A great job, I can’t wait for the next one!”
–Joyce K.

“I just finished reading THE MARK and BRAVO!”
–Sandy W.

“It’s the best book I’ve ever read and I’ve read a lot. I couldn’t put it down more than two feet away because I wanted to know what happened next.”
–Jesper L.

“I picked up THE MARK last week and could not put it down. I can hardly wait for your next book to come out.”
–Ed L.

“Best book I’ve ever read…can’t wait for the next one!”
–Jenni K.

“Henry is a great character and I can see him having a whole string of books. There’s nothing better than spending a Sunday reading.”
–Jennifer M.

“I just want to tell you that your first book, THE MARK, was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I had a headache all day from not being able to put the book down last night.”
–Dale J.

“I just wanted to send you a message applauding your great work in THE MARK. It was one of the greatest books I’ve ever read.”
–Josh K.

“I just finished reading THE MARK and wanted to tell you that it was one of the best thrillers I have ever read.”
–Bbob R.

“Keep up the good work and hurry up with the next one.”
–Rita I.

“Loved the book, can’t wait for your next one.”
–Sam T.

“I started it on Sunday and finished it on Monday. I read a couple of hundred books per year and thought that this one was right up with the best of them.”
–Jack G.

“I just finished your book. It was great.”
–Kathy S.

“I loved your book THE MARK. I am awaiting for THE GUILTY to arrive in stores.”
–Stacey S.

“I read THE MARK like I was Pac-Man and your words were those little circle things. It was crazy amazing and I can’t wait until THE GUILTY comes out!”
–Bethany H.

“Tthe story was great and kept me interested throughtout the entire.”
–Malissa P.

“Great read. I couldn’t put it down!”
–Ellie B.

“It was one of the best suspense novels I’ve read in quite a while.”
–Andy H.

“I just finished THE MARK. Loved it.”
–Othello B.

“An excellent book. Keep writing, from one very satisfied customer.”
–Lindsey P.

“I just got done reading your book THE MARK and LOVED it!”
–Stacy T.

“I read your book and I thought it was really good. Wow, what a page turner!”
–Rhonda B.

“I just wanted to let you know that I absolutely loved THE MARK! I’m so excited that I have a new book series to read.”
–Brittany R.

“I just wanted to let you know that I loved your book THE MARK. It was a truly thrilling experience to read.”
–Brad T.

“I just finished your novel THE MARK and I wanted to tell you congrats, I really enjoyed it and look forward to your next one.”
–Miles L.

Justice is as fast as a bullet…
As I lie in bed with Amanda, ignoring another late-night call from my ex, a shot rings out in the New York night and a beautiful starlet dies outside the city’s most popular nightclub. This is the kind of story I was born to chase but I never dreamed this story began over a hundred years ago.…

Suddenly another life is taken, the bullet fired from one of the deadliest guns ever made. Both victims are highly controversial, their murders more like public executions. My search leads me into the twisted world of The Boy a world defined by a demented code of honor and shocking, long-buried secrets of the world’s most infamous outlaw.

When this assassin realizes I’m getting too close to the truth, uncovering the past could jeopardize everything I care about. Because in his world there’s a fine line between good and evil, and the difference between innocence and guilt depends on who’s holding the gun.…

Australia

THE GUILTY was published on February 26th, 2008

I conceived of the storyline for THE GUILTY while writing THE MARK. If THE MARK did not find a publisher, I planned to make THE GUILTY a standalone novel. As THE MARK did find a publisher, I was able to take the backdrop of the story and continue the series I’d begun in THE MARK.

Research for THE GUILTY included learning about the American West, specifically in the mid-late 1800’s. I also learned a great deal about antique weaponry and manufacturing. THE GUILTY will be released in the UK in January, 2009.

More to come…

Praise for THE GUILTY

“THE GUILTY proves that Pinter knows what he’s doing as his exciting plot grabs readers from the first page. THE GUILTY is a fresh tale with original characters, as Pinter demonstrated in last year’s impressive debut, THE MARK.”
–Oline Cogdill, Sun-Sentinel

“…hair-raising…Tension mounts, bullets fly and Pinter’s cool fusion of a new outlaw with blood ties to an old one hits the mark. The resolution is a ripsnorter, leaving thrill fans ready for the next Henry Parker newsflash.”
–Publishers Weekly

“Newspaper reporter Henry Parker returns in Pinter’s exciting follow-up to THE MARK… a suspenseful and shocking tale that will leave readers clamoring for the next Henry Parker novel.”
–Library Journal

“…well-executed gritty action…races along towards an ending of thriller proportions…Whether as journalist or crime stopper, Parker always manages to come out on top — and so has Jason Pinter, again.”

–Lincoln Journal-Star

“In one of the best thrillers of the year, Pinter brings to life America’s most legendary outlaw in an action-packed story. Parker is a hero we can cheer for without regrets…a can’t miss thriller, THE GUILTY is guaranteed to leave readers breathless for the next Parker mystery.”
–Press & Sun-Bulletin

“Pinter has hit upon a winner with Parker…Those who enjoy their noir with a dash of real-world research will love THE GUILTY. And if you aren’t addicted to this series by the time you finish THE GUILTY, check out the preview to THE STOLEN. It will give you something to look forward to this summer.”
–Bookreporter.com

“Readers who enjoyed Pinter’s first book, THE MARK, won’t be disappointed with his followup. It’s equally topical and well written.”
–Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“A captivating and thought-provoking read and thoroughly enjoyable. One of the great new voices in the genre.”
–CrimeSpree Magazine

“A fabulous thriller…The story line is fast-paced with a bit of romance in the air. The ending is superb and will prove to be one of the best of the year.”
–Midwest Book Review

“THE GUILTY is an explosive thriller with a fascinating plot and an unforgiving pace. With just two books under his belt, young Pinter has already proven himself to be a truly overwhelming new talent in the industry.”
–Becky Lejeune, Bookbitch.com

“A compelling thriller”
–Mysterious Reviews

“The book’s snappy dialogue and view inside newspaper bulletins, peppered with professional and romantic rivalries, combine to keep us turning the pages at a brisk pace.”
–Kevin Lauderdale, Authormagazine.org

Prologue

They say it’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I disagree. I’ve lost before. I lost the affection of my parents before I was old enough to know that the world looked upon an estranged child with sad eyes. I lost my first love because I was too cowardly to protect her. I nearly lost my life due to circumstances beyond my control. All of those losses created holes in my life. Holes I’ve attempted to patch up, to cover, but they’ll always be there, even if they don’t leave a mark.

Doesn’t mean I can’t try to forget them. Through life. Through work. Through Amanda.

If she wasn’t here, lying next to me in our bed, her head inches from mine, I wouldn’t be here at all. It’s not that I’d be back in Oregon, paying my dues at the news desk of the Bend Bulletin, skiing at Mount Bachelor, thirsting through thirteen inches of annual rainfall, and paying two hundred bucks a month in rent.

If she wasn’t here, I would either be rotting in the ground somewhere or in a jail trying to stay alive while cursing a simple twist of fate. Her soft brown hair, eyes so bright and big I get lost in them. One year ago I was running for my life. A total stranger saved my life. Without her, everything would have been lost.

And God help me I can’t lose her, because I don’t have the strength to patch that kind of hole.

So as I lie here, watching Amanda’s chest rise and fall, all I can do is hope I’m here to witness every last breath of her life. And hope that, finally, the stories I report won’t be my own.

Chapter One

The limousine pulled up to the curb outside the Kitten Club, and like a cult waiting for its leader, dozens of heads turned at once. Hundreds of eyes widened. Pulses sped up, hearts raced.

A black-clad bouncer stepped to the limo and opened the door. A slender leg stepped onto the curb. Then it stopped, its owner making sure the cameras had time to swallow up every inch of perfect skin. Then another leg slipped out. The crowd moaned, the her body glitter giving her normally pale skin a translucent glow. The crowd gasped as her full form emerged. Those who weren’t too stunned to move pressed against the velvet ropes, the bouncers going into full push-em-back mode. Flashbulbs popped by the dozen. She flashed that million watt seductive smile, the one that had seduced and captivated people all over the world. They shouted at her. Nothing she hadn’t heard before. Yet as she stepped onto the red carpet, rolled out just for her, listening to the throng of fans chanting her name, Athena Paradis couldn’t help but feel that the world had given itself to her.

She waved to the dazed crowd, stopped to sign a few autographs and blow air kisses through ruby lips, laughed at the mismatched chunky schlubs who would be fantasizing about her that night as they lay alone in the dark. One thirty in the morning, but the flashes and screams made it seem like broad daylight. Just late enough for the party to be in full swing, just late enough to make sure she’d be the last memory of a night her fans would never forget.

Despite her seeming nonchalance, Athena spent many nights in breathless anticipation of these delicious moments when all eyes would be on her. Hearing digital cameras beeping, fingers tapping on cell phones as flabbergasted fans sent grainy images to their friends.

Young men trying to give her the same lame sultry looks she’d seen and laughed at a million times. Yet she would always smile just enough to make them think they had a chance.

This was Athena’s world, her oyster, and it was delicious. Everyone else watched from outside the snow globe, hoping that one special night they too might be touched by her magic.

In three days, Athena Paradis would release her very first album, The Goddess Athena. Her promotional tour was in full swing, and tonight at the Kitten Club was a prime stop. She was scheduled to guest DJ, spin and sing tracks that had never been heard outside the recording studio (created with the gentle touch of some very talented—and patient—sound producers, vocal coaches and technicians). Athena’s autobiography, HOW YOU CAN BE LIKE ME, was ghostwritten by a pleasant sixty-year old Jew named Herman Goldstein. It spent eight weeks on the New York Gazette bestseller list. Her signings all required extra security. Herman wasn’t allowed to attend. Three bouncers the size of minivans controlled the crowd. The mayor’s office had sent several off duty cops just in case. Athena’s manager and publicist had called Mayor Perez’s office nonstop requesting massive police protection for their twenty two year-old goldmine, but the second-termer refused. Not that he wouldn’t have wanted to.

The mayor was well known for his reliance on sizzle over steak, providing a good show to distract people from their woes. He’d written three self-help books and was constantly photographed alongside celebrities, including Athena Paradis. But the union was busy organizing a new contract, and they were squeezing him hard. Adding additional unnecessary force tonight would only make people angry. Every nightclub Athena graced with her presence would fatten her bank account by fifty thousand dollars. The hotter—or more desperate—the club, the more they paid. Most promoters, like the Kitten Club’s Shawn Kensbrook, tripped over themselves to pay Athena ungodly sums of money for a simple appearance. She would show up, pose for the camera, down a few kamikaze shots, dance on the bar, and within a week the patronage tripled. Best advertising in the world, and a hell of a lot more entertaining than an ad in a movie theater or those worthless postcards.

Tonight, though, wasn’t about appearances fees. If she seduced the crowd, it would be worth its weight in platinum for her album.

Athena sauntered past the throng of gawking men and starry-eyed women, slipping into the pulsating darkness of the Kitten Club. Her entourage was immediately met by Shawn Kensbrook, club promoter extraordinaire and co- owner of the Kitten Club. Just three years ago, what was now the Kitten Club had been an abandoned warehouse in Manhattan’s meatpacking district. It was destined to be torn down by developers or vermin, whichever got there first. Kensbrook was able to mount an army of backers to buy what was widely considered a sinkhole. Through his A-list rolodex, Kensbrook turned a pile of rubble into Gotham’s hottest nightspot since the heyday of Limelight. It’s cloud had grown to the point where New York Magazine had referred to it as “The Oprah Winfrey of music promotion.” If you had to jump on one couch to get maximum exposure, the Kitten Club was the place to jump. Shawn was decked out in a wool Versace suit that ran $2,200 and burned off a thousand calories a night. Shawn had purposefully bought it a size too small, the fabric stretching over his taut frame. Athena knew the only thing he worked harder at than promoting his club was promoting his body. Unlike most in the entertainment field, Kensbrook accomplished it solely through weightlifting, protein bars and the best personal trainers money could buy. Bastard didn’t even drink.

Shawn pecked Athena on the cheek and ushered her through the crowd to the DJ booth in the back. She shook hands with a guy Shawn introduced as DJ Stix, a light skinned black man wearing sunglasses rimmed with diamonds. No doubt they were real. Kensbrook would want his employees to dazzle in every way, no matter the price.

Athena’s manager, a twitchy man named Eddie, would be standing by in case she got the crazy urge to sing without proper electronic vocal support. Athena had an army of producers who made sure she sounded perfect in the studio. Live, anything could happen.

After the current song ended, Stix turned down the music and Kensbrook picked up the house microphone. “Ladies and Gentlemen, kittens, cats and lions of all ages,” he said. “It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Queen of all Media, her royal highness herself, the woman whose debut album drops this very Tuesday, give it up, show your love, for the beautiful Athena Paradis!”

The crowd roared as Athena waved, blowing imaginary kisses, flaunting her body and striking glamorous pose after pose. She was a God amongst mortals. She knew it, they knew it, and they all loved it.

Suddenly a deep, throbbing base began to reverberate through the club. Squeals of joy leapt from the lips of heavy breathing men and women. Then, after a dozen base thumps, the synthesizer kicked in, and the club came alive. The sweaty bodies congealed into a solid mass as the expertly arranged rhythm sent ripples through them, electricity making every person sway, every person bounce, every one of them belonging to her.

Sweat coated her upper lip. She licked it, shuddered at the sensation, and knew the night would be a memorable one. The blue Missoni dress clung to her body, the fabric clinging to her curves like tissue paper. The dress had been air-mailed by Ottavio Missoni himself, specifically for Athena to wear tonight.

She could feel DJ Stix’s eyes drinking her in. He didn’t even pretend to look away. Even Shawn Kensbrook couldn’t help but steal an eyeful as she danced and spun to the beat. Athena looked at them with a seductive grin, then raised the volume a few notches, increased the base. The music consumed the night. And then Athena jumped on top of the turn tables.

The crowd stopped dancing, stared at her, cheered her on. She ran her hands over her body, made every one of them feel like they could be her lover. Athena owned them. Every single one.

Somebody handed Athena a clear glass. She drank it in two gulps. Vodka tonic. With a hint of lime. She could feel the ecstasy tab kicking in. The whole world became a velvet dream, soft, wet and inviting. She kissed the air, watched as her lips sent waves of passion through hundreds.

When the song ended, Stix took Athena’s hand and escorted her back to her nine hundreds pounds of bodyguard. The crowd pleaded with her to stay, reaching and pawing as she was led through the crowd.

Shawn Kensbrook ducked through the prying arms. Athena’s lead guard recognized him, parted the way. Shawn was dripping with sweat. She envied that he could experience such ecstasy while sober. He threw his arms around her. Whispered into her ear.

“Athena, hon, that was off the charts.” “No,” she said. “Come Tuesday, that’s number one on the charts.” Shawn smiled, nodded.

“Look at this, I mean, will you look at it? All these people here for you…what’s that feel like?”

She smiled at him, flicked her tongue into his ear. She felt him shiver. Felt him grow hard in an instant.

“You’ll never know.”

Shawn watched as the bodyguards whisked her away. The bouncers parted the curtains, flung open the doors. Eyes waiting on line widened. Her limo waited just beyond the red carpet. It would take her to Nikos’s SoHo loft, where he’d have champagne, strawberries and other goodies waiting. They’d do it all night before passing out naked on his satin sheets. Tomorrow she would see her photo in newspapers across the city.

Athena stepped onto the red carpet and waved to her fans. Her new fans. Her old fans. Fans who would give anything for her. She took one step onto the carpet. Smiled. And then a crack of thunder filled the air, and a bullet smashed through her skull. And just like that, her blood staining the carpet an even darker red, the Goddess Athena died.

Readers review THE GUILTY

“Henry Parker is a fresh character and the storyline was highly original…you pulled me along
hour after hour until the story was complete.”
–Randy M.

“Great read. I like the build-up. Great tension between Henry and his ‘girls.’ As with THE
MARK, couldn’t put it down, so you need to writer a lot of books to feed your fans.”
–Jamie S.

“I did not think it was going to outdo your first, but it did!”
–Bob K.

“I loved it! I found it very interesting, and even surprised my husband with my new knowledge.
I look forward to your next novel.”
–Kate M.

“Finished it this afternoon and said, ‘WOW’!”
–Vickie B.

“Henry Parker is a fresh character and the storyline was highly original…you pulled me along
hour after hour until the story was complete.”
–Randy M.

“I enjoy your work. Lee Child is correct about THE GUILTY and Henry Parker.”
–Nooley R.

“Finished it up. Great work, man! You did excellent!”
–Chuck B.

“I can’t put the book down! Thanks again for another thriller!”
–Audre C.

“I just finished reading THE GUILTY and wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed both
your books. The story is great, the characters are wonderful and believable.”
–Wim B.

“I’ve finished the book and it’s one of the best books I have read in the last year.”
–Francesca B.

“Congrats on an awesome book. Can’t wait for the next. Keep up the great work!”
–Dan T.

“Such an interesting read. Can’t wait until THE STOLEN hits stores.”
–Mickie L.

“I read and enjoyed THE MARK and THE GUILTY. My family and I are looking forward to the
next book, THE STOLEN.”
–Peggy S.

“I read both your books in one day and can’t wait till the third and fourth…please keep writing
terrific novels and I will keep buying them!”
–Cheri S.

“Great work, man. You did excellent!”
–Chuck R.

“I finished THE GUILTY and it was awesome. Now I’ve read two books in my life and they’re
both yours.”
–Jimy E.

“Loved THE GUILTY as much as THE MARK…can’t wait for THE STOLEN!”
–Missy S.

“I am looking forward to reading your work for years to come. Your first two were great.”
–Tracey D.

Q: How did you decide on the names for the characters?
A: This is a question I’m asked surprisingly often, since the answer is “I made them all up.” With one notable exception. Choosing Henry’s name was very deliberate. I wanted my protagonist, a younger man, to have a name not possessed by many young men to illustrate the tension between his generation and that of Jack
O’Donnell. I’ve never met anyone under the age of forty named Henry; it just felt like the perfect name.

Q: Are there any plans to turn THE MARK into a movie?
A: There could be some film news in the works–stay tuned!

Q: Where did you get the idea for THE MARK?
A: I wrote a short essay about the inspiration for the plot, the characters and the setting which you can read here.

Q: When does your next novel come out?
A: The second Henry Parker novel, THE GUILTY, comes out in March, 2008. It was originally scheduled for January ‘08, but my publisher moved it back two
months (this is a good thing). My third novel, THE STOLEN, comes out just five months after THE GUILTY, in August 2008.

Q: Are your books available in audio or ebook?
A: THE MARK is available in both ebook and audiobook. You can buy the ebook from ereader.com or directly from MIRA. The audiobook is available at audible.com and on iTunes. I will update accordingly info when the next books are published and the formats are made available.

Q: How many books will be in the Henry Parker series?
A: I’m contracted through seven books, after that it depends on whether people still want to read about the characters. I hope they do!

Q: Are you related to Harold Pinter?
A: No.

Q: Seriously? Not even like fourth cousins or something?
A: No.

Q: Would you tell us if you were?
A: No.

Q: Are any characters in THE MARK based on people you know?
A: Nobody in THE MARK, or in future books, is based directly on someone I know or have met. Though I am guilty of taking some of the more amusing and peculiar traits from my friends and family and shamelessly giving them to inhabitants of my books.

Q: When do you write?
A: My favorite time to write is late at night, usually around 10 or 11pm. By that time I’ve washed the day off me, taken care of any personal and family matters, and can dissolve into my characters’ worlds. I don’t have a defined word count or time period to write in, I just write until I feel that the day’s work is done.

Q: In what order should your novels be read?
A: Well THE MARK is the only book I’ve written currently in stores…so…(of course I’ll update this as more books are released).

Q: Who are your influences as a writer?
A: I will go to my grave wishing I’d written MYSTIC RIVER, and I’d have to say if I could model my career after only one writer, it would be Dennis Lehane. He started out writing terrific genre stuff in the Kenzie/Gennaro novels, then wrote MYSTIC RIVER, a work of art that, in my opinion, stands up there with the best novels of the quarter century, genre be damned. Also Stephen King as far as his brilliant good vs. evil epics, countless hours of my childhood were spent with my nose stuck in between a King novel. There are two books I want to write at some point in my career: a crime novel with the searing emotional depth of MYSTIC RIVER, and an epic with a scope like THE STAND. At least I’m setting the bar high.

Q: If you could recommend one novel to a reader, what would it be?
A: How about a trio? I wholeheartedly recommend Charlie Huston’s Hank Thompson trilogy (CAUGHT STEALING, SIX BAD THINGS and A DANGEROUS MAN). The guy is just a brutal, brilliant writer.

Q: If you could recommend one book for an aspiring writer…
A: Let me stop you right there. ON WRITING by Stephen King. Other than the novels I grew up loving, this was the one book that made me want to stop dawdling and write my own. Insightful, honest, and inspirational. If after reading this book you aren’t inspired to go write your own stuff, you don’t want to be a writer.

June 5th-8th, 2008
CrimeFest 2008
Bristol Marriot Royal Hotel
Bristol, UK

July 9th-12th, 2008
ThrillerFest
Grand Hyatt hotel
New York, NY

August 7th-8th, 2008
Backspace Writers Conference
Radisson Marquis
New York, NY

August 9th, 2008: 7:00pm
The Open Book
Westhampton, NY

October 9th-12th, 2008
Bouchercon
Sheraton Baltimore City Center
Baltimore, MD