EL GAVILAN A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY PICK OF THE WEEK

Publishers Weekly has declared EL GAVILAN a Pick of the Week.

Fellow Tyrus Books authors D.C. Brod and Reed Farrel Coleman were also singled out as December top picks:

"Picks this week include a big new Norwegian thriller from master-of-the-form Jo Nesbø, a fresh adventure from Tom Clancy, a girl's guide to hunting and cooking, the story of a Marine and his dog, (another) science-of-time-travel book, and three—three!—star-worthy releases from Tyrus books, your independent publisher of fine crime fiction since 2010. Plus tigers, ducks, and sprouts—you know, for kids."

December 18

El Gavilan by Craig McDonald (Tyrus, F+W Media dist., $24.95; ISBN 978-1-4405-3191-0)

To read Publishers Weekly earlier, starred review of EL GAVILAN, click HERE.

THE EL GAVILAN/HECTOR LASSITER CONNECTION

After four entries in the Hector Lassiter series, why the EL GAVILAN standalone, and what's its connection to that aforementioned series?

I provide some answers in a special guest blog over at Spinetingler. You can read it here.

Suspense Magazine has a longish review of EL GAVILAN. In part it goes: “This is a truly in-depth tale regarding murder, mayhem, and a very ‘real’ look into the tension and stress that’s currently affecting the nation regarding the subject of immigration. This author does a stunning job of presenting the delicate balance that is in effect in our world right now. From the subject of immigration, to gangs taking over and threatening communities, to the delicate and long-term subject of racism, this author delves deeply into subjects that are slowly turning citizens of the United States against one another.”

Barnes & Noble Bookclub has also weighed in: "With his latest, El Gavilan, Craig McDonald takes the border into New Austin, Ohio where a recent flood of immigration has rocked the status quo and three very different lawmen set about policing the population three very different ways. On a good day they’re uneasy allies, but municipal chiefs Tell Lyon and Walt Pierce and county sheriff Able Hawk will subvert, out-maneuver and finally come into mortal combat with each other over the investigation of a brutal crime. When the body of a Mexican-American woman is discovered raped, murdered and dumped at the nexus of municipal lines, the race is on to claim jurisdiction over the potential landmine of a case. McDonald manipulates the plot—forward action balanced with flashback histories of the major players—to maximize the impact of every event… A major step forward for his already formidable breadth and range.” Reviewer Jedidiah Ayres has more to say about El Gavilan here. (Kudos to Mr. Ayres for correctly identifying much of the music this novel was written to.)

ONE TRUE SENTENCE: ROUND TWO RECAP

Round two of the Hemingway-inspired, ONE TRUE SENTENCE competition on Twitter is now history. We play to celebrate the release of EL GAVILAN.

I start a sentence and participants finish it, well and truly, adding the hashtag #1TS for a chance to win a signed first edition of one of my seven books. (Please read on below last night's results for an explanation about how to get in on the action.)

Here are some highlights of what our second-round players came up with to finish the sentence:

José shrugged and said, “It’s Mexican math, that’s all—stolen drugs plus one pissed off cartel chief and minus an AK-47 equals…
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"...a cocaine fueled haze of violence and a high body count."— Mystery Dawg

"...a trail of interrogations by machete leading right across the border. And it's about to get much uglier."—Thomas Pluck

"...Lee Child's next Reacher book." —Naomi Johnson

"...mayhem to make the devil jealous."—Jen Forbus

We'll play againat 9 p.m. Eastern Monday night. Here's a refresher regarding how to join in:

Follow me @HECTORLASSITER. At a pre-announced time each night, I’ll start a fresh round of One True Sentence by posting the start of a sentence.

Any takers can finish that sentence, rationing just enough of their 140 characters in order to add the hash tag #1TS.

Every Friday night, I’ll review the One True Sentences on the #1TS page, and pick the week’s winner. The one who writes the truest One True Sentence will be awarded a first edition of one of my books with their own One True Sentence inscribed inside. Our One True Sentence.

Remember, you have to use the hashtag #1TS to play (and so I can see your entry).

ONE TRUE SENTENCE: ROUND ONE RECAP

Last night we debuted the latest round of the Hemingway-inspired, ONE TRUE SENTENCE competition on Twitter to celebrate the release of EL GAVILAN.

I start a sentence and participants finish it, well and truly, adding the hashtag #1TS for a chance to win a signed first edition of one of my seven books. (Please read on below last night's results for an explanation about how to get in on the action.)

So, here are some highlights of what our first players came up with to finish the sentence:

"With one jug of water and 30 miles of desert to reach the border, Miguel eyed Juan...

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"...and realized he knew exactly what another man's life was worth."— Vince Keenan

"...and little Sophia, cursing his wife for dying, for dropping her own jug and leaving him with this impossible choice."—Alison Dasho

"...like the tall drink of water Selma had said he was."—Jennifer Jordan

"...passed his younger brother the jug and said, 'for Mama,' before he passed out under the relentless sun."—John Kenyon

"...bleeding out in the sand; now, it was just a long walk."—Marty McCabe

"...and wondered how deep blood lines ran on his mother's side of the family."—Tyrus Books

"...water wasn't a problem and now with Juan ready to drop, soon meat wouldn't be either."—Craig Zablo

We'll play again tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern. Here's a recap of how to join in:

Follow me @HECTORLASSITER. At a pre-announced time each night, I’ll start a fresh round of One True Sentence by posting the start of a sentence.

Any takers can finish that sentence, rationing just enough of their 140 characters in order to add the hash tag #1TS.

Every Friday night, I’ll review the One True Sentences on the #1TS page, and pick the week’s winner. The one who writes the truest One True Sentence will be awarded a first edition of one of my books with their own One True Sentence inscribed inside. Our One True Sentence.

Remember, you have to use the hashtag #1TS to play (and so I can see your entry).

BOOKLIST ON EL GAVILAN

Booklist has weighed in with its take on EL GAVILAN, my new thriller about illegal immigration and my first standalone novel:


"El Gavilan is a big and broad story, and McDonald effectively uses a just-the-facts-ma’am narrative, fleshing out primary characters via flashbacks. It’s also an evenhanded story that begins with desperate families making a dangerous journey to an uncertain future. Crime fans will find much to like, and readers unfamiliar with the complexities of the issue will be engaged and informed." — Thomas Gaughan

You can read more of the review HERE.



LEARN MORE ABOUT EL GAVILAN

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