February 2008 

Multiple Dilys nominee Jacqueline Winspear's historical mystery leads February's hardcovers, while a timely espionage novel tops the paperback list.

Hardcovers:

1) AN INCOMPLETE REVENGE by Jacqueline Winspear
2) L.A. OUTLAWS by T. Jefferson Parker
3) ATOMIC LOBSTER by Tim Dorsey
4) AUNT DIMITY, VAMPIRE HUNTER by Nancy Atherton
5) THE ANATOMY OF DECEPTION by Lawrence Goldstone
6) THE BLACK DOVE by Steve Hockensmith
7) A PALE HORSE by Charles Todd
8) HELL'S BAY by James Hall
9) PREPARED FOR RAGE by Dana Stabenow
10) THE CRAZY SCHOOL by Cornelia Read

Paperbacks:

1) THE FAITHFUL SPY by Alex Berenson
2) MONEY SHOT by Christa Faust
3) THISTLE & TWIGG by Mary Saums
4) MAGIC CITY by James Hall
5) PUSS 'N CAHOOTS by Rita Mae Brown
6) A FATAL GRACE by Louise Penny
7) THE WATCHMAN by Robert Crais
8) CHRISTINE FALLS by Benjamin Black
9) WHAT ARE YOU WEARING TO DIE? by Patricia Sprinkle
10) STORM RUNNERS by T. Jefferson Parker

JANUARY 2008

Veteran author Sara Paretsky was the runaway leader in hardcovers in January, while relative newcomer Julie Hyzy topped the paperback list. 

Hardcover 
1) BLEEDING KANSAS by Sara Paretsky 

2) BLUE HEAVEN by C.J. Box 

3) TOUCHSTONE by Laurie R. King 

4) A PALE HORSE by Charles Todd 

5) DEATH SONG by Michael McGarrity 

6) THE TIMER GAME by Susan Arnout Smith 

7) PLUM LUCKY by Janet Evanovich 

8) BLASPHEMY by Douglas Preston tied with

 'T' IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton 

10) THE CHAMELEON'S SHADOW by Minette Walters tied with 

THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL by Steve Berry 

Paperback 
1) THE STATE OF THE ONION by Julie Hyzy 

2) DEATH OF A MAID by M.C. Beaton 

3) DARKLING by Yasmine Galenorn 

4) CHILI CON CORPSE by J.B. Stanley   

5) THE SHAPE SHIFTER by Tony Hillerman 

6) A DEEPER SLEEP by Dana Stabenow 

7) GETTING OLD IS TO DIE FOR by Rita Lakin 

8) WATER LIKE A STONE by Deborah Crombie 

9) THE OVERLOOK by Michael Connelly 

10) BRING YOUR OWN POISON by Jimmie Ruth Evans

DECEMBER 2007

In December, 'G' was for gift giving, and for Grafton and Grimes.

Hardcovers:

 

   1)  'T' IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton

   2)  PERSON OF INTEREST by Theresa Schwegel

   3)  HER ROYAL SPYNESS by Rhys Bowen

   4)  LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS by Diana Gabaldon

   5)  THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL by Steve Berry

   6)  THE DARKEST EVENING by Dean Koontz

        tied with

        KISSING CHRISTMAS GOODBYE by M.C. Beaton

   8)  SPQR XI: UNDER VESUVIUS by John Maddox Roberts

        tied with

        KNITTING BONES by Monica Ferris

  10) RED MANDARIN DRESS By Qiu Xiaolong

 

Paperbacks:

 

   1)  DUST by Martha Grimes

   2)  TRAP DOOR by Sarah Graves

   3)  THE MYSTERY LOVER'S PUZZLE BOOK by Linda Murdock

   4)  THE TOMB OF ZEUS by Barbara Cleverly

   5)  REAL MURDERS by Charlaine Harris

        tied with

        THE BLADE ITSELF by Marcus Sakey

   7)  PREACHING TO THE CORPSE by Roberta Islieb

   8)  MURDER 101 by Maggie Barbieri

   9)  FIRE TRAP

 

* no number 10 -- not enough consensus

 

NOVEMBER 2007

While seasonal titles made a nice showing on the November lists, the top sellers in both hardcover and paperback were returning favorites.

Hardcover:

 

   1)  NOW & THEN (SPENSER) by Robert B. Parker

   2)  THE WANDERING GHOST by Martin Limon

   3)  A CHRISTMAS BEGINNING by Anne Perry

        tied with

        PETER AND THE SECRET OF RUNDOON by Barry & Pearson
   5)  PROTECT AND DEFEND by Vince Flynn

        tied with

        THE CHASE by Clive Cussler

   7)  CREATION IN DEATH by J.D. Robb

   8)  BOOK OF THE DEAD by Patricia Cornwell

   9)  KISSING CHRISTMAS GOODBYE by M.C. Beaton

 

Paperback:

 

   1)  THE CRAFTY TEDDY by John Lamb

   2)  THE TOMB OF ZEUS by Barbara Cleverly

        tied with

        THE BODY IN THE IVY by Katherine Hall Page

   4)  A CAROL FOR A CORPSE by Claudia Bishop

   5)  BEATING THE BABUSHKA by Tim Maleeny

   6)  SHROUDS OF HOLLY by Kate Kingsbury

        tied with

        ACCESSORY TO MURDER by Elaine Viets

   8)  PAYING THE PIPER by Simon Wood

   9)  THE DEATH OF CORINNE by R.T. Raichev

  10)  TURKEY FLAMBE by Nancy Fairbanks

 

OCTOBER 2007 Bestsellers

compiled from reporting members of the IMBA

Customers displayed a remarkable consistency across member stores in October, resulting in multiple ties for best-selling titles. Established favorite M.C. Beaton scored high on the hardcover list with a seasonal entry, while newcomer Tim Maleeny placed both his 2007 titles on the paperback list.

 

Hardcovers:

 

   1)  KISSING CHRISTMAS GOODBYE by M.C. Beaton

   2)  AN ICE COLD GRAVE by Charlaine Harris

   3)  DEXTER IN THE DARK by Jeff Lindsay

   4)  BLONDE FAITH by Walter Mosley

        tied with

        THE 47TH SAMURAI by Stephen Hunter

        tied with MIDNIGHT RAMBLER by James Swain

   7)  VOICES by Arnaldur Indridason

   8)  INTERRED WITH THEIR BONES by Jennifer Lee Carrell

   9)  NOW AND THEN by Robert B. Parker

        tied with

        WORLD WITHOUT END by Ken Follett

 

Paperbacks:

 

   1)  BEATING THE BABUSHKA by Tim Maleeny

   2)  FIND ME by Carol O'Connell

   3)  THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield

        tied with

        MOTIF FOR MURDER by Laura Childs

        tied with

        HOLMES ON THE RANGE by Steve Hockensmith

   6)  DYING TO BE THIN by Kathryn Lilley

        tied with

        THE FRIGHT OF THE IGUANA vy Linda O. Johnston

        tied with

        DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER by Jeff Lindsay

        tied with

        TAPPED OUT by Natalie Roberts

        tied with

        STEALING THE DRAGON by Tim Maleeny

 

SEPTEMBER 2007 Bestsellers compiled from reporting members of the IMBA

Chelsea Cain’s thriller debut made a strong showing in hardcover, while paperback readers welcomed the long-due appearance of Zoe Sharp's first book in that format.

 Hardcover:

    1)  HEARTSICK by Chelsea Cain

   2)  THE GIRL WITH BRAIDED HAIR by Margaret Coel

   3)  DEXTER IN THE DARK by Jeff Lindsay

   4)  AN ICE COLD GRAVE by Charlaine Harris

        tied with

        THUNDER BAY by William Kent Krueger

   6)  THE 47TH SAMURAI by Stephen Hunter

        tied with

        BONES TO ASHES by Kathy Reichs

        tied with

        SECOND SHOT by Zoë Sharp

   9)  SWEET REVENGE by Diane Mott Davidson

  10)  THE BLOODY TOWER by Carola Dunn

 Paperback:

   1)  FIRST DROP by Zoë Sharp

   2)  THE ALEHOUSE MURDERS by Maureen Ash

   3)  A STOLEN SEASON by Steve Hamilton

   4)  LOVE, LIES AND LIQUOR by M.C. Beaton

   5)  CATNAPPED by Gabriella Herkert

   6)  CRIME SEEN by Victoria Laurie

        tied with

        THE DROWNING MAN by Margaret Coel

        tied with

        STILL LIFE by Louise Penny

   9)  STRING OF LIES by Mary Ellen Hughes

  10)  FACE DOWN O'ER THE BORDER by Kathy Lynn Emerson

August 2007 Bestsellers

Hardcover:

 

   1)  THE PENGUIN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Donna Andrews

   2)  THE TIN ROOF BLOWDOWN by James Lee Burke

   3)  THUNDER BAY by William Kent Krueger

   4)  SWEET REVENGE by Diane Mott Davidson

   5)  JUSTICE DENIED by J.A. Jance

        tied with

        DEAD EX by Harley Jane Kozak

   7)  THURSDAY NEXT: FIRST AMONG SEQUELS by Jasper Fforde

   8)  BEYOND REACH by Karin Slaughter

   9)  AGNES AND THE HITMAN by Crusie & Mayer

        tied with

        HARD ROW by Margaret Maron

 

Paperback:

1)  THE CHOCOLATE JEWEL CASE by JoAnna Carl

2)  A SECRET RAGE by Charlaine Harris

3)  BILLY BOYLE by James Benn

4)  A BRUSH WITH DEATH by Hailey Lind

5)  THE MERLOT MURDERS by Ellen Crosby

6)  A PLAY OF LORDS by Margaret Frazer  tied with

AMMUNITION by Ken Brunstied with

        THE TUNNELS by Michelle Gagnon

   9)  SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn

  10)  SAKS AND VIOLINS by Mary Daheim

 

July 2007 Bestsellers compiled from reporting members of the IMBA

 

Hardcover

 

   1)  HER ROYAL SPYNESS by Rhys Bowen

   2)  THE TIN ROOF BLOWDOWN by James Lee Burke

        tied with

        THE SECRET SERVANT by Daniel Silva

   4)  KILLER WEEKEND by Ridley Pearson

   5)  THE JUDAS STRAIN by James Rollins

   6)  THURSDAY NEXT: FIRST AMONG SEQUELS by Jasper Fforde

        tied with
        LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN by Janet Evanovich

   8)  A WELCOME GRAVE by Michael Koryta

   9)  SILENCE by Thomas Perry

  10)  A FATAL GRACE by Louise Penny

 

Paperback

 

   1)  DECAFFEINATED CORPSE by Cleo Coyle

   2)  STILL LIFE by Louise Penny

   3)  THE FALSE-HEARTED TEDDY by John Lamb

   4)  BRUSH WITH DEATH by Hailey Lind

   5)  A THOUSAND BONES by P J Parrish

   6)  DEATH BY SUDOKU by Kaye Morgan

   7)  MISSING WHITE GIRL by Jeffrey J. Mariotte

   8)  DEAD WRONG by J A Jance

   9)  JESUS OUT TO SEA by James Lee Burke

  10)  ANTIQUES ROADKILL by Barbara Allan

 

June 2007 Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

 

   1) THE OVERLOOK by Michael Connelly

   2)  LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN by Janet Evanovich

   3)  FREE FIRE by C J Box

        tied with

       STALIN'S GHOST by Martin Cruz Smith

   5)  SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN by Donna Leon

   6)  REQUIEM FOR AN ASSASSIN by Barry Eisler

   7)  LOVE KILLS by Edna Buchanan

   8)  LITTLE TINY TEETH by Aaron Elkins

        tied with

        THREE BAGS FULL by Leonie Swann

  10)  BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE by Lee Child

         tied with

         PLAY DEAD by David Rosenfelt

 

 Paperbacks:

 

   1)  THE FALSE-HEARTED TEDDY by John Lamb

   2)  OUR LADY OF PAIN by Marion Chesney

   3)  JESUS OUT TO SEA by James Lee Burke

        tied with

        WITCH HUNT by Shirley Daamsgard

   5)  THE VIRGIN OF SMALL PLAINS by Nancy Pickard

   6)  THE LAST ASSASSIN by Barry Eisler

   7)  DEATH RIDES THE SURF by Nora Charles

   8)  THE ART OF DETECTION by Laurie King

   9)  CRUEL POETRY by Vicki Hendricks

  10)  HIT PARADE by Lawrence Block

April 2007 Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

    1)  WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman
    2)  HUNTER'S MOON by Randy Wayne White
        tied with
        THE NAMING OF THE DEAD by Ian Rankin
    4)  THE WOODS by Harlan Coben
    5)  SPANISH DAGGER by Susan Wittig Albert
    6)  THE GOOD HUSBAND OF ZEBRA DRIVE by Alexander McCall Smith
    7)  SIMPLE GENIUS by David Baldacci
        tied with
        THE SPELLMAN FILES by Lisa Lutz
    9)  WITHERING HEIGHTS by Dorothy Cannell
   10)  MURDER WITH RESERVATIONS by Elaine Viets


Paperbacks:

    1)  CATALOGUE OF DEATH by Jo Dereske
    2)  CONSIGNED TO DEATH by Jane Clelend
    3)  MURDER OF A BOTOXED BLONDE by Denise Swanson
        tied with
        BLOOD OF PARADISE by David Corbett
    5)  THE ALPINE RECLUSE by Mary Daheim
    6)  SECRETS ON SATURDAY by Ann Purser
    7)  MOLD FOR MURDER by Tim Myers
    8)  THE HARD WAY by Lee Child
        tied with
        COCAINE BLUES by Kerry Greenwood
   10)  BLEEDING HEARTS by Susan Wittig Albert
        tied with
        THE OLD WINE SHADES by Martha Grimes
 

March 2007 Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

 

   1)  WATER LIKE A STONE by Deborah Crombie

   2)  THE WATCHMAN by Robert Crais

   3)  DADDY'S GIRL by Lisa Scottoline

   4)  MAGIC CITY by James Hall

        tied with

        PUSS 'N CAHOOTS by Rita Mae Brown

   6)  WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman

        tied with

        KEY LIME PIE MURDER by Joanne Fluke

   8)  HUNTER'S MOON by Randy Wayne White

        tied with

        HURRICANE PUNCH by Tim Dorsey

        tied with

        ROMA by Steven Saylor

        tied with

        A CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED DEATH by Nancy Martin

 

Paperbacks:

 

   1)  THE OLD WINE SHADES by Martha Grimes

   2)  THE LOST GARDENS by Anthony Elgin

   3)  BLOOD ORANGE BREWING by Laura Childs

   4)  ACTS OF VIOLETS by Kate Collins

   5)  OH, DANNY BOY by Rhys Bowen

   6)  SWEET AND DEADLY by Charlaine Harris

   7)  DARK ASSASSIN (Monk) by Anne Perry

        tied with

        BLOOD OF PARADISE by David Corbett    

   9)  NO GOOD DEEDS by Laura Lippman

  10)  CATALOGUE OF DEATH by Jo Dereske

February 2007 Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

 

   1)  WATER LIKE A STONE by Deborah Crombie

   2)  HIGH PROFILE by Robert B. Parker

   3)  THE GRAVE TATTOO by Val McDermid

   4)  DUST by Martha Grimes

   5)  BAD BLOOD by Linda Fairstein

   6)  THE CONJURER by Cordelia Frances Biddle

   7)  STORM RUNNERS by T. Jefferson Parker

   8)  DAMAGE CONTROL by Robert Dugoni

   9)  AUNT DIMITY GOES WEST by Nancy Atherton

  10)  THE ALEXANDRIA LINK by Steve Berry

 

Paperbacks:

 

   1)  THE ORKNEY SCROLL by Lyn Hamilton

   2)  GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DIE? by Patricia Sprinkle

   3)  AUNT DIMITY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by Nancy Atherton

   4)  TO LOVE AND TO PERISH by Laura Durham

   5)  MURDER CAN DEPRESS YOUR DACHSHUND by Selma Eichler

   6)  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEB by Susan McBride

   7)  MEOW IS FOR MURDER by Linda O. Johnston

        tied with

        CHERRY CHEESECAKE MURDER by Joanne Fluke

        tied with

        FAUX FINISHED by Peg Marberg

  10)  GROUND TO A HALT by Claudia Bishop

January 2007 Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

 

   1)  THE BLADE ITSELF by Marcus Sakey

   2)  DUST by Martha Grimes

   3)  WEB OF EVIL by J.A. Jance

   4)  FIND ME by Carol O'Connell

   5)  PLUM LOVIN' by Janet Evanovich

   6)  FALSE MIRROR by Charles Todd
   7)  THE SONG IS YOU by Megan Abbott

   8)  A DEEPER SLEEP by Dana Stabenow

        tied with

       WILD INDIGO by Sandi Ault

  10)  SHAPE SHIFTER by Tony Hillerman

 

Paperbacks:

 

   1)  THE CAT WHO DROPPED A BOMBSHELL by Lilian Jackson Braun

   2)  NO DOMINION by Charlie Huston

   3)  EDGE OF EVIL by J.A. Jance

   4)  CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT SITTER by Blaize Clement

   5)  THE CASE OF THE MISSING BOOKS by Ian Sansom

   6)  DEATH ON THE FAMILY TREE by Patricia Sprinkle

   7)  THE FALLEN by T. Jefferson Parker

   8)  BRIDE AND DOOM by Deborah Donnelly

   9)  GLOSSED AND FOUND by India Ink

  10)  A LONG SHADOW by Charles Todd

 

December 2006 Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

   1)  THE SHAPE SHIFTER by Tony Hillerman
   2)  UNDER ORDERS by Dick Francis
   3)  HANNIBAL RISING by Thomas Harris
       tied with
       NATURE GIRL by Carl Hiaasen
   5)  TREASURE OF KHAN by Clive & Dirk Cussler
   6)  TRUE EVIL by Greg Iles
       tied with
       NO NEST FOR THE WICKET by Donna Andrews
   8)  STILL LIFE by Louise Penny
   9)  THE WINTER OF FRANKIE MACHINE by Don Winslow
       tied with
       WHAT CAME BEFORE HE SHOT HER by Elizabeth George

Paperbacks:

   1)  'S' IS FOR SILENCE by Sue Grafton
   2)  FRENCH FRIED by Nancy Fairbanks
   3)  MRS. MALORY & A DEATH IN THE FAMILY by Hazel Holt
       tied with
       RAPID FIRE by Donna Ball
   5)  HURRICANE HOMICIDE by Nora Charles
   6)  SADDLED WITH TROUBLE by Michele Scott
   7)  NOTHING BUT TROUBLE by Michael McGarrity
       tied with
       JAR CITY by Arnaldur Indridason
   9)  BLINDFOLD GAME by Dana Stabenow
  10)  A CHARMED DEATH by Madelyn Alt

November Bestsellers

Hardcovers:

 

   1)  NATURE GIRL by Carl Hiaasen

   2)  ALL MOrTAL FLESH by Julia Spencer-Fleming

   3)  HUNDRED DOLLAR BABY by Robert Parker

   4)  SHAPE SHIFTER by Tony Hillerman

   5)  A CHRISTMAS SECRET by Anne Perry

        tied with

        WILDFIRE by Nelson DeMille

   7)  HOLLYWOOD STATION by Joseph Wambaugh

   8)  THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield

   9)  THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS by John Connolly

        tied with

        L A REX by William Beall

 

Paperbacks:

 

   1)  HIGH HEELS ARE MURDER by Elaine Viets

   2)  MRS. MALORY AND A DEATH IN THE FAMILY by Hazel Holt

   3)  BUBBLES ALL THE WAY by Sarah Strohmeyer

   4)  THE CLEANUP by Sean Doolittle

   5)  SLAY BELLS by Kate Kingsbury

   6)  OFFICER DOWN by Theresa Schwegel

        tied with

        COOKING UP MURDER by Miranda Bliss

   8)  WHO'S SORRY NOW? by Jill Churchill

   9)  DOLLED UP FOR MURDER by Deb Baker

 10)  NAIL BITER by Sarah Graves

 

OCTOBER BESTSELLERS

Hardcovers:

    1)  UNDER ORDERS by Dick Francis
    2)  ECHO PARK by Michael Connelly
    3)  THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Shetterfield
    4)  WHAT CAME BEFORE HE SHOT HER by Elizabeth George
    5)  ALL MORTAL FLESH by Julia Spencer-Fleming
    6)  MOTOR MOUTH by Janet Evanovich
    7)  KIDNAPPED by Jan Burke
    8)  MESSENGER OF TRUTH by Jacqueline Winspear
    9)  THE WINTER OF FRANKIE MACHINE by Don Winslow
   10)  STOLEN SEASON by Steve Hamilton
           tied with
           STILL LIFE by Louise Penny

Paperbacks:

    1)  GREYWALKER by Kat Richardson
    2)  DOLLED UP FOR MURDER by Deb Baker
    3)  SHOOTING GALLERY by Hailey Lind
    4)  A DANGEROUS MAN by Charlie Huston
    5)  THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BOBBY Z by Don Winslow
           tied with
           THE MOURNFUL TEDDY by John Lamb
    7)  DEADLY YARN by Maggie Sefton
    8)  CHINA BAYLE'S BOOK OF DAYS by Susan Wittig Albert
    9)  A FATAL APPRAISAL by J.B. Stanley
   10)  A PEACH OF A MURDER by Livia Washburn
 

SEPTEMBER  BESTSELLERS

Hardcovers:

   1)  MESSENGER OF TRUTH by Jacqueline Winspear
   2)  GRAVE SURPRISE by Charlaine Harris
   3)  THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield
   4)  THE DROWNING MAN by Margaret Coel
   5)  A MERRY BAND OF MURDERERS eds. Bishop & Bruns
   6)  LOVES, LIES & LIQUOR by M C Beaton
   7)  PETER & THE SHADOW THIEVES by Barry & Pearson
   8)  THE BOOK OF FATE by Brad Meltzer
   9)  A STOLEN SEASON by Steve Hamilton
  10)  THE MERLOT MURDERS by Ellen Crosby

Paperbacks:

   1)  THE CINCO DE MAYO MURDER by Lee Harris
   2)  THE CASE OF THE ROASTED ONION by Claudia Bishop
   3)  THE GHOST AND THE DEAD MAN'S LIBRARY by Alice Kimberly
   4)  FEAR ON FRIDAY by Ann Purser
   5)  THROUGH THE DARKNESS by Marcia Talley
   6)  WREATH OF DECEPTION by Mary Ellen Hughes
   7)  BLOODLINES by Jan Burke
   8)  EYE OF THE WOLF by Margaret Coel
   9)  CITIZEN VINCE by Jess Walter
  10)  ASHES AND BONES by Dana Cameron
       tied with
       KILLER INSTINCT by Victoria Laurie

 AUGUST BESTSELLERS

Hardcovers:

   1)  THE FOURTH BEAR by Jasper Fforde
   2)  THE MESSENGER by Daniel Silva
   3)  MESSENGER OF TRUTH by Jacqueline Winspear
   4)  PEGASUS DESCENDING by James Lee Burke
   5)  DEAD WRONG by J.A. Jance
   6)  NO NEST FOR THE WICKET by Donna Andrews
   7)  THE NIGHT GARDENER by George Pelecanos
   8)  BLOWN AWAY by G.M. Ford
       tied with
       CORONADO by Dennis Lehane
       tied with
       NO GOOD DEED by Laura Lippman
       tied with
       BILLY BOYLE by James Benn

Paperbacks (trade and mass market):

   1)  THE MOURNFUL TEDDY by John Lamb