Tonight, subdued, rain slicked lower Manhattan was the scene of a low-key re-boot celebration for Hard Case Crime books (http://www.hardcasecrime.com/) hosted by Otto Penzler at his renowned Mysterious Bookshop (http://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/). After a year or so hiatus, Hard Case is now back with those eye-popping killer covers and pulpy prose via a new publisher Titan Books (http://titanbooks.com/) and celebrated in true hard-boiled style with a libation-fueled book signing and Q&A party with beloved authors Lawrence Block (http://www.lawrenceblock.com/) and Christa Faust (http://www.christafaust.com/) hosted by shop owner Penzler and publisher/author Charles Adai. Block graciously signed copies of the first Hard Case hardcover, GETTING OFF (a new novel written under an old pseudonym), while the tattooed Ms. Faust signed advance copies of CHOKE HOLD, a follow up to her stunning 2008 Hard Case paperback original, MONEY SHOT. CHOKE HOLD continues the harsh exploits of her porn-queen-pushed-to-the-edge protagonist Angel Dare! Other authors in attendance included Russell Atwood (LOSERS LIVE LONGER), Jason Starr (FAKE I.D.), Peter Pavia (DUTCH UNCLE) and Megan Abbott (BURY ME DEEP). Look for the new releases in fine bookstores- wherever they may still exist- or your friendly neighborhood cybershop!
