Our Best Seller List for May 2007

This month’s sales reflect a fully loaded 12th Festival of Mystery and the sales from those 52 authors and other jam packed events.

The Festival bestselling author was Elaine Viets and we hope the sales have helped in her swift recovery.

Local Pittsburgh authors also benefited in sales from the bookroom we did for the Pennwriters Convention.

Alas, the traffic woes of the U S Open in Oakmont will no doubt slow sales for June but we are happily looking forward to a full summer of mystery events and reading.

Best Sellers in Hardcover

Best Sellers in Trade Paperback

Best Sellers in Mass Market Paperback

Hardcover Best Sellers

1. The Chrysalis by Heather Terrell

Exciting art history thriller got off to a good start with a publication party for the author

$21.95 signed first editions available

2. Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Third of the Blossom Street books got a knock-out reception from over 100 local fans at Debbie's event

$24.95 signed first editions available

3. Murder with Reservations by Elaine Viets

Lastest for Helen Hawthorne in the Dead End Jobs series finds her working as a hotel maid. Sales for this one were boosted by our special offer of free shipping on books send to libraries.

$21.95

4. Saturnalia by Lindsey Davis

Roman sleuth Marcus Didius Falco goes to the aid of his wife's brother in the 18th in this series. Sales were boosted by the author's fascinating event at MLB.

$23.95 signed first editions available

5. The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby

Debut for winemaker Lucie Montgomery was a hit for this Festival author.

$24 signed first editions available

6. A Real Basket Case by Beth Groundwater

Gift basekt maven come to the aid of her husband when he's accused of murder in the sprightly debut by a first time Festival of Mystery author.

$25.95

7. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Brilliant take on the classic hardboiled crime novel but set in Alaska, which has become the homeland of the Jews instead of Israel.

$26.95 signed first editions available

8. The Conjurer by Cordelia Frances Biddle

Fascinating historical mystery set in 1842 Philadelphia. A favorite at the Festival of Mystery.

$23.95 signed first editions available

9. Shooting Star by Cynthia Riggs

Traiditional mystery on Martha's Vineyard with poet and sleuth Victoria Trumbull. Another Festival of Mystery visitor.

$23.95 signed first editions available

10. A Crazy Little Thing Called Death by Nancy Martin

Latest madcap mystery for the Blackbird sisters. Nancy was also at the Festival of Mystery.

$21.95 signed first editions available

Trade Paperback Best Sellers

1. Brigadoom by Susan Goodwill

Excellent debut with small town theater setting was a hit for this first-time Festival of Mystery visitor.

$12.95

2. Small Brutal Incidents by Michael Dittman

This noir vision of Pittsburgh history was a hit at the Festival of Mystery.

$11

3. Too Big to Miss by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Debut for plus-sized paralegal Odelia Gray by a first-time Festival of Mystery author.

$13.95

4. Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

Ephron, who writes mystery as G.H. Ephron shares tips for both beginners and experienced writers. Big sales at the Penn Writers convention, where Hallie was the keynoter.

$16.99

5. Girls of Tender Age by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith

First time Festival of Mystery attendee Smith turns to memoir in this beautiful but startling book.

$14

6. The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall

Agatha-winning first novel was a hit at the Festival of Mystery.

$14.95

7. Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber

Knitting projects companion to Macomber's popular Cedar Cove series was a hit with the many fans at her event.

$12.95

8. The Forever Man by William Davis

Festival sales of this debut with a local setting helped it onto the best seller list.

$16.95

9. Tilt-a-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein

First in the Jersey Shore series proved a winner at the Festival of Mystery.

$14.95

10. The Frantic Woman's Guide to Feeding Family and Friends by Mary Jo Rulnick

Innovative guide to menu planning and organizing to provide healthy meals in a busy household.

$14.99

Paperback Best Sellers

1. Organize Your Corpses by Mary Jane Maffini

Debut for professional organizer Charlotte Adams appealed to Festival fans.

$6.99

2. Don't Be Afraid by Rebecca Drake

Exciting thriller has calm of small town shattered by ruthless killer. Sales at the Festival put this local author on the list.

$6.99

3. Macaroni Boy by Katherine Ayres

Charming tale of young boy in Pittsburgh's Strip District during the Depression.

$5.99

4. Murder Unleashed by Elaine Viets

Dead-End jobs maven Helen Hawthorne goes to work at a dog groomers.

$6.99

5. Murder of a Botoxed Blonde by Denise Swanson

Scumble River's Skye Denison finds murder a local spa in the Festival of Mystery favorite.

$6.99

6. O' Artful Death by Sarah Stewart Taylor

The first in this series with Sweeney St. George, an art historian who specializes in funerary art, found favor with Festival of Mystery buyers.

$6.99

7. Killer Hair by Ellen Byerrum

Fashion columnist Lacey Smithsonian debuted in this charming mystery by returning Festival vet Ellen Byerrum.

$6.99

8. Don't Scream by Wendy Corsi Staub

This taut thriller about four sorority sisters who share a deadly secret was a hit for Wendy at her first Festival of Mystery

$6.99

9. The Mournful Teddy by John Lamb

Festival fans snatched up this debut for teddy bear collector Bradford Lyons

$6.99

9. tied Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes

This debut for craft store owner Jo McAllister caught the attention of readers at the Festival of Mystery.

$6.99

10. Hard Luck and Trouble by Gammy Singer

Festival attendees were taken with this tale of ex-con turned Harlem landlord Amos Brown.

$6.99

10. tied Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

This tale of aspiring knitter Kelly Flynn caught the eye of many at the Festival of Mystery.

$6.99