Monday Mystery Backlist - HEAD GAMES

I decided to choose Craig McDonald's HEAD GAMES this week for our Monday Mystery Backlist title because it is one of the books up next on my reading list. I learned about Craig's work through the praises of Corey at The Drowning Machine. Then I met Craig at the Rocky River Book Festival this year.

But, there are more reasons to choose HEAD GAMES than just the fact that it's up next on my reading list. HEAD GAMES was a nominee for an Edgar, for an Anthony, and for a Gumshoe award. It was also shortlisted for Crimespree Magazine's award for Best First Novel. Yep, this 2007 novel is a heavy hitter. O.k., so what's it about?

Hector Lassiter is a crime writer; Bud Fiske is a poet who is profiling Lassiter for True Magazine. They come into possession of the stolen head of Pancho Villa. Meanwhile at Yale University there exists a secret society called Skull & Bones. The high-profile members of this society supposedly collect the bones of long-lost luminaries. With the skull in his possession, Hector is now in the crossfire of the Mexian nationales who want the skull and the Skull & Bones society who also want the skull. Let this adventure filled with historic events and people begin!

HEAD GAMES was published in hardcover (ISBN: 978-1932557428) and trade paper (ISBN: 978-1932557435) by Bleak House Books in 2007. HEAD GAMES is also available in an unabridged audio from Recorded Books.