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Tuesday, September 08, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: Indie Freebie
12:14 PM
Today's TTT topic is an Indie Freebie, which includes a wide range of possible topics: indie bookstores, indie publishers, indie authors, indie books on your TBR list, etc. It was suggested by the brilliant bloggers behind Dark Shelf of Wonders and Books Are the New Black. I wasn't sure quite what to do with this one, but I finally decided to highlight an indie publisher with roots right here in Arizona. I'm going to tell you a little bit about the history of Poisoned Pen Press (gleaned from online sources), then show you ten books I want to read that they have published recently.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Poisoned Pen Bookstore is an indie shop located in Scottsdale, Arizona, that specializes in mystery, thrillers, as well as American Southwest literature. The store was founded in 1989 by author Barbara J. Peters. In 1997, Peters and her husband founded Poisoned Pen Press, a separate entity which is dedicated to publishing mystery books. Sourcebooks acquired Poisoned Pen Press in 2018. This popular imprint publishes novels by well-known authors like Freida McFadden, Sulari Gentill, Martin Edwards, Vicki Delany/Eva Gates, and many more.
Although I live in a suburb of Phoenix, I've actually only been to the Pen once and it was quite a long time ago. I'm on a self-imposed book-buying ban at the moment; when I finish with it, I need to revisit the shop. They're known for hosting lots of author events, so I'll be keeping an eye out on future offerings. In the meantime, here are ten of their recently published or soon-to-be published titles that I would like to read.
Top Ten Poisoned Pen Press Titles I Want to Read
1. Someone Else's Daughter by Andrea Stewart (available 23 February 2027)—Although she is estranged from the YouTuber parents who monetized her childhood, Ellie Campbell still watches their viral videos. When she notices some alarming details in one of their videos, then finds out that a close friend of the family is missing, Ellie rushes home to make sure her younger sister is safe—only to find that she has run away. If Olivia needed protecting, surely she would have come to Ellie, but she didn't, so where is she? Ellie won't stop until she finds out.
2. The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood—At 77, Judith Potts is living her best life as an independent woman who spends her time doing whatever she pleases with no one looking over her shoulder. While swimming in the Thames one evening, she witnesses a vicious killing. The police don't believe her protests of innocence, so she launches her own investigation into the murder. Soon, she is joined by two friends, who form the titular club. This is the first installment in the popular cozy series.
3. Saddled With Murder by Eileen Brady—Another series opener, this one stars veternarian Kate Turner, who is busy juggling a busy practice, a complicated personal life, and now, a series of suspicious deaths and doings that all seem to point to her. All these complications mean Kate is having a very difficult time having a holly jolly Christmas. Instead, she must find the answers that will prove her innocence.
4. The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald—This series begins by introducing author Berit Gardner, who is desperately in need of a good story to tell. The quiet, rundown village of Great Diddling is just the kind of place that must be hiding some bangers. Berit just needs to dig a little. A suspicious death at a village tea party provides not only the story spark the author's been looking for but also a chance for the eccentric residents of Great Diddling to do some creative reinventing of themselves and their town.
5. It Ends Here by Heidi Perks (available 6 October 2026)—A small, seaside town is rocked by the sound of a gunshot coming from inside a local cafe on a quiet morning. Inside, are five strangers. Outside, is a growing crowd of onlookers desperate for answers. Who fired the shot, and why?
6. A Doomful of Sugar by Catherine Bruns—When her father is murdered, Leila Khoury returns to her Vermont hometown to take over his maple syrup business. Although she believed her dad was well-liked by his community, she learns that that's not exactly the truth. With her family consumed by grief and the police eyeing them all with suspicion, it's up to Leila to find out who killed her father and why.
7. The Clock Struck Murder by Betty Webb—In 1920s Paris, Zoe Barlow is dismayed when a guest at her home accidentally breaks her favorite clock. Intent on acquiring a replacement, she heads to the flea market where she is shocked to discover that the clockmaker has wrapped her purchases in a lost Chagall painting. When Zoe comes seeking more priceless paintings, she finds the vendor's murdered body. The police are preoccupied with the 1924 Summer Olympics, so Zoe takes it upon herself to figure out who killed the woman and what role the paintings might have played in her untimely death.
8. When They Find Me by Carter Wilson (available 10 November 2026)—Expanse, Colorado, is so tiny and remote that it almost doesn't exist, making it the perfect place to hide. That's exactly what Annie Wolfe and her daughter are doing in their off-the-grid cabin. When another woman with a reason to hide comes to Annie's door, their lives collide, sending them on a dangerous hunt for the truth.
9. Finders Keepers by Natalie Barelli—When Rose discovers that all the secrets she's been keeping about her troubled past are now exposed in a newly-published novel, she's furious—and baffled. The author claims the story is fiction, but Rose knows it's not. How does the author know so much about Rose's secret past? Posing as a fan and assistant, Rose sets about infiltrating the writer's life and carrying out her dark intentions.
10. Miss Winter in the Library With a Knife by Martin Edwards—Six people who are involved with the world of crime writing are invited to a remote village in North Yorkshire by a mysterious entity called the Midwinter Trust. They are contestants in a murder mystery game. The person who solves the mystery will win a life-changing prize. With a winter storm incoming and a group of competitive players vying for victory no matter the cost, it's a dangerous place to be...
There you go, ten Poisoned Pen Press titles that I'm looking forward to reading. What do you think? Have you read any of them? What did you choose to chat about for your Indie Freebie today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
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I think the only downside for the reader for Indie Published books is that they often can't be found in the library. I love supporting Indie authors, but can't always afford to buy their books. However, the tide seems to be turning a little bit, as I have found a few Indie authors in libraries! I hope you enjoy these when you get an opportunity to read them.
ReplyDeleteThis place sounds wonderful and a couple of authors I recognise in Katarina Bivald and Vicki Delany/Eva Gates.
ReplyDeleteOh, fun! I've heard of Poisoned Pen Press, but didn't include any of their titles in my list this week. (My list was mostly from Tacyhon Publications and Angry Robot, since they both focus more on science fiction & fantasy.)
ReplyDeleteMiss Winter in the Library With a Knife sounds like a fun read!
I haven't read any of these (I don't read a lot of crime these days) but I like the look of both The Marlow Murder Club and When They Find Me.
ReplyDeleteI've read Poisoned Pen Press books and I've read some of these authors. I love the books I've read.
ReplyDeleteA Doomful of Sugar looks fun.
ReplyDeleteThis is a clever way to proceed on this topic.
ReplyDeletelol 😂 gotta make up for that book buying ban with some purchases! 💯 ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteSomeone Else's Daughter sounds really interesting and a real look at family vloggers. I need to read this!
ReplyDeleteThat bookstore looks and sounds like a fun time. :) And I love seeing the Marlow book here. Never read those but the PBS show is good. Thanks so much for visiting my list today.
ReplyDeleteOOh nice! These are new to me titles. I've always been a bit pickier with my thrillers. Generally go for ones that have a paranormal vibe! But there have been other "normal" ones too! Lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my TTT!
That bookshop is gorgeous! And i need to look up Saddled With Murder for sure!
ReplyDeleteI was gifted a copy of The Marlow Murder Club a few years ago as part of a book swap with my book club. I haven't read it yet, but loved the idea of an older lady protagonist solving crimes.
ReplyDeleteA great choice to highlight for this prompt! I’ve read a few books from them and I’ve watched several of the author events held at the Poison Pen Bookstore on their YouTube channel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your #TTT
A lovely list. A pretty looking shop. I've read Miss Winter In The Library With A Knife. It was good. I also want to read The Marlow Murder Club.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
So nice to see the focus on Poisoned Pen! I've had The Marlow Murder Club recommended to me a few times now... I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that you have this excellent independent publisher so close to you. You reminded me that there were a few independent publishers in Houston. I have not seen much about them lately. I should see if they are still publishing books.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so awesome that you have such a great indie shop nearby! I haven't read any of the titles you featured yet, but a few definitely caught my eye. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteI love this take so much!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool post! I love supporting indie and small presses, especially if they're local!
ReplyDeleteInteresting sounding titles. Diddling as name for a village is ominous.
ReplyDeletePoisoned Pen Press is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed a number of Poisoned Pen Press books! I don't read much indie because they can be hard to find but I have enjoyed a number of their books. I really want to read the Martin Edwards book.
ReplyDeleteCurious about that Andrea Stewart novel. I'm so used to seeing her write fantasy.
ReplyDeleteGreat twist on the topic. It was interesting learning a bit about your local indie.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like the coolest bookstore! So many bookstores so little time! I checking out bookstores wherever I find myself in the world. So fun. Good luck with you book buying ban and hopefully you can acquire some new books again soon!
ReplyDeleteLove that you focused on a specific indie bookstore! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete