Tag: reading

Self-Publishing News

Top 5 Reasons to Read Harper’s Bizarre During Mike Thorne’s Book Tour

• A gripping small-town crime story reminiscent of authors like Karin Slaughter and Greg Iles.

• A cast of complex characters, each grappling with secrets, vengeance, or redemption.

• The blend of psychological insight and suspense keeps readers hooked from the first page.

• Themes of rumor, justice, and community upheaval create rich book club discussions.

• A uniquely Southern atmosphere that brings readers right into Harper’s streets and homes.

Playlist for Harper’s Bizarre

• Every Breath You Take – The Police (echoing the novel’s themes of surveillance and obsession).

• Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics (a haunting 80s vibe fitting Brad’s hallucinations).

• In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins (perfectly mirroring tension before a showdown).

• Don’t Stop Believin – Journey (a reminder of resilience amidst chaos).

• With or Without You – U2 (channeling heartbreak and fractured relationships).

Meet the Characters

• Chief Grady Noland – A steady leader, but one whose health and sanity are tested by Harper’s bizarre crimes.

• Brad Childers – A troubled young man whose hallucinations spiral into deadly consequences.

• Jesse – A manipulative influence who pushes Brad into horrific choices.

• Bone Ludlow – A vengeful ex-husband driven to destructive extremes.

• Nancy and Danny Dewberry – Caught in the fallout of violence and revenge.

Author’s Book Club Picks

If you enjoyed the layered psychological suspense of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, you’ll be hooked by the complex characters and dark secrets in Harper’s Bizarre.

If you were drawn into the Southern setting and hidden crimes of Natchez Burning by Greg Iles, you’ll feel right at home in the college town of Harper.

If you loved the twisty domestic thrills of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, you’ll find similar shocking turns and betrayals in Harper’s Bizarre.

If Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger resonated with you for its community drama and moral questions, you’ll appreciate how Harper’s Bizarre explores the ripple effects of rumor and tragedy.

If Murder in Memory by Mike Thorne intrigued you with its psychological depth, Harper’s Bizarre continues that legacy with even greater suspense and intensity.

Bookish Fun Facts

• The author, Mike Thorne, spent nearly four decades as a psychology professor—giving his characters rare depth.

• He has published over 1,000 articles in numismatic magazines, proving his range of interests beyond fiction.

• His short story Worms placed ninth in a Writer s Digest competition with over 2,000 entries.

• Thorne loves British TV mysteries, which influence the tone and pacing of his crime novels.

• The fictional town of Harper was inspired by the charm and gossip-filled dynamics of real Southern college towns.

Where to Find It

Harper’s Bizarre is available in paperback and hardback with worldwide distribution through Outskirts Press, Amazon, and major booksellers. Readers can also learn more and purchase directly for a 10% discount at: https://outskirtspress.com/harpersbizarre

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Self-Publishing News

Buckle Up: 5 Reasons to Dive into Rod Lewin’s The Missing Mallard Mystery

Adventure lovers, aviation enthusiasts, and fans of fast-paced fiction—get ready to take off with Rod Lewin’s thrilling new novel, The Missing Mallard Mystery. As part of his Virtual Book Tour, we’re inviting readers to climb aboard the Wayward Wind, the vintage World War Two flying boat piloted by series hero Mitch Blaine and his brilliant (and often begrudging) sidekick, Beyer. Together, they soar into the skies over Australia’s Outback to solve the disappearance of a Grumman Mallard loaded with millions in pearls.

This blog post isn’t just a spotlight—it’s a full-throttle, multi-sensory celebration of The Missing Mallard Mystery. From playlists to characters, lists to club picks, here’s your exclusive guided tour into the world of Rod Lewin’s aviation-fueled fiction.

Top 5 Reasons to Read The Missing Mallard Mystery

  1. It’s like Clive Cussler meets Indiana Jones… with wings.
    If you love high-stakes treasure hunts, daring escapes, and globe-trotting thrills—this one’s for you.
  2. The setting is refreshingly unique.
    Western Australia’s pearl-diving coastlines and crocodile-filled Outback aren’t your typical thriller backdrops. They’re vivid, dangerous, and fascinating.
  3. You don’t have to be an aviation geek to enjoy it.
    Lewin weaves technical authenticity into the narrative with ease, offering just enough detail for plane buffs without ever slowing the pace.
  4. The duo at the heart of the story is unforgettable.
    Mitch Blaine is a rugged, world-weary pilot with quick instincts, while Beyer is an erudite, reluctant co-adventurer with a dry wit that makes every scene sparkle.
  5. It’s based on real-life experience.
    Lewin is a veteran aviator, and it shows. The realism in flight scenes and atmospheric tension comes from decades in the sky.

The Missing Mallard Mystery: Soundtrack for an Aerial Adventure

What might be playing in the background as Mitch and Beyer skim across the Timor Sea or outwit pirates in the bush? Here’s a fitting playlist:

  • “Into the Wild” – LP
  • “Run Through the Jungle” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • “Sons of the Sea” – Bear McCreary (instrumental)
  • “The Passenger” – Iggy Pop
  • “Outback” – Midnight Oil
  • “Skyfall” – Adele (for a touch of espionage and cinematic flair)
  • “High Hopes” – Pink Floyd
  • “Far Side of the World” – Jimmy Buffett
  • “Brothers in Arms” – Dire Straits
  • “No Time for Caution” – Hans Zimmer (from Interstellar)

This soundtrack matches the novel’s blend of edge, elegance, and emotional lift.

Meet Mitch Blaine: A Character Introduction

Mitch Blaine is the kind of protagonist who feels instantly iconic. A seasoned pilot with a steel exterior and occasional glints of heart, he’s not in it for the fame—he’s in it because someone has to fly the mission. Whether it’s navigating through typhoons or evading pirates, he thrives in peril and chaos.

Q: What drives you to get involved with something as dangerous as this pearl heist mystery?
“I’m not a hero. I just know how to fly into trouble and—on good days—out of it. But when an old mate calls for help, I don’t say no.”

Q: What’s your biggest weakness?
“Aside from trusting Beyer to pack the right coffee? Probably my inability to leave a mystery alone.”

Rod Lewin’s Book Club Picks

Wondering what kinds of books Rod Lewin might recommend between flights? These titles align with the energy, intelligence, and heart of The Missing Mallard Mystery:

  1. The Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett – A masterclass in suspense.
  2. Sahara by Clive Cussler – A globe-trotting treasure hunt with vintage vehicles.
  3. Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts – For aviation lovers who crave action.
  4. The River of Doubt by Candice Millard – True-life exploration meets peril and discovery.
  5. The Martian by Andy Weir – For readers who enjoy brilliant problem-solvers in extreme situations.
  6. The Lost City of Z by David Grann – If you liked the jungle elements of Mallard, this is a must.

Bookish Fun Facts

  • The Grumman Mallard flying boat featured in the book is a real aircraft, used historically in pearl diving operations in Australia.
  • Mitch’s aircraft, the Wayward Wind, is a PBY Catalina, one of the most famous seaplanes of WWII.
  • Rod Lewin has flown all over the world, including the Virgin Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Greek Islands—and those landscapes inspire the scenery in his novels.
  • The Missing Mallard Mystery is the fourth book in the Mitch Blaine series, but it also works as a stand-alone adventure.
  • The author’s autobiography, Steel Spine, Iron Will, is based on his real-life recovery from a plane crash.

Ready to Join the Adventure?

If you love smart, atmospheric fiction full of grit, danger, and heart—The Missing Mallard Mystery is ready for takeoff. Whether you’re a book club host, an armchair traveler, or someone who just loves a good, old-fashioned mystery with a fresh twist, this novel delivers.

Explore more, including author info and tour updates, at:  www.outskirtspress.com/rodlewinpby

#MissingMallardMystery #RodLewinBooks #VirtualBookTour2025 #AdventureReads #AviationFiction

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