New Releases by Mike Lupica

Big Dreams. Silas Tucker, Jr. grew up in Cross Rivers, North Carolina loving God, his family, his hometown, and sports. Big Breaks. In baseball and football, Silas’s right arm unleashes thunderbolts. His record-breaking 109-mph fastball forever earns him the nickname “109” and his perfect passes make him a #1 NFL draft pick. He’s bound for fame and glory—until a deadly accident derails his bright future. Big News. Back home in search of a new game, Silas finds himself at the center of a law-enforcement task force targeting the Southern Mafia when local teenage girls start disappearing. Big Question. u200bWhat will it cost to get back on the field for one more game? For the local-hero-turned-amateur-detective, it’s the biggest gamble of his young life.

Spenser may have uncovered an explosive secret that threatens the career of a controversial figure, in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker''s beloved series. Vic Hale isn''t anyone''s idea of a father figure. He is one of the biggest – and loudest – podcasters in the nation and got there by spewing overheated rhetoric that''s reviled by some but loved by even more. His particular brand of ''entertainment'' is so successful, he''s about to sign the biggest contract in the history of online broadcasting. Vic''s riding high... until he gets a visit from Spenser, who specialises in bringing guys like Hale back down to Earth. Spenser is there on behalf of Daniel Lopez, a young man who believes Hale may be his father. It''s a potentially explosive revelation for a man in the podcaster''s position and it might even be enough to blow up his massive new deal. That could explain the bodies that start popping up – bodies connected in one way or another with the mystery surrounding Daniel''s birth. There are a lot of questions remaining, and Spenser''s going to have to find the answers before someone shuts Hale or Daniel up for good.

''Spenser''s back with a vengeance'' Best Thriller Books Spenser investigates a case that hits dangerously close to home in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker''s beloved series. Spenser is waiting out the latest Boston snowstorm when he gets word that Rita Fiore has been shot. Rita''s always been a tricky one: flirting with Spenser for years, she''s an ever-present figure that transcends friendship in Spenser''s circle. But at the end of the day, Rita is family. And family will always be protected. Both a pitbull in the courtroom and provocateur outside it, Rita is no stranger to controversy. But as one of the city''s toughest lawyers, Spenser knows that there''s no short list of suspects who might want to enact revenge. With Rita''s life hanging in the balance, it''s up to him to get to the bottom of things, even if it means unearthing some unsavory secrets that might just lead him into an age-old game of lies and deceit.

“Patterson and Lupica make a great team” (Carl Hiaasen) who get “deep into the lives of strong women” (Louise Penny) and Jane Smith is their greatest creation—a badass lawyer with a year to live. “Jane Smith is the best character we’ve ever created. Bar none.” —James Patterson and Mike Lupica Tough-as-nails criminal defense attorney Jane Smith is hip-deep in the murder trial of the century. Actually, her charmless client might’ve committed several murders. She’s also fallen in love with a wonderful guy. And an equally wonderful dog, a mutt. But Jane doesn’t have much time. She’s just received a terminal diagnosis giving her twelve months. Unless she’s murdered before her expiration date.

When two seemingly unconnected mysterious deaths occur on his watch, police chief Jesse Stone must pull out all the stops to unravel the truth and stop a killer from striking again. The small town of Paradise is devastated when a star high-school baseball player is found dead at the bottom of a bluff just a day after winning the team’s biggest game. For Jesse, the loss is doubly difficult—the teen was the nephew of his colleague, Suitcase Simpson, and Jesse had been coaching the young shortstop. As he searches for answers about how the boy died and why, he is stonewalled at every turn, and it seems that someone is determined to keep him from digging further. Jesse suddenly must divide his attention between two cases after the shocking murder of former Paradise police chief, Charlie Farrell. Before his death, Farrell had been looking into a series of scam calls that preyed upon the elderly. But how do these “ghost calls” connect to his murder? When threats—and gunshots—appear on Jesse’s own doorstep, the race to find answers is on. Both old and new enemies come into play, and in the end, Jesse and his team must discover the common factor between the two deaths in order to prevent a third.

Instant New York Times Bestseller! “Patterson and Lupica make a great team.” –Carl Hiaasen, bestselling author of Fever Beach Jenny Wolf’s murdered father has left her in charge of… …a multi-billion-dollar empire …a newspaper …a football team …a holding company …and the Wolf family, which owes its fortunes to a secret pact made long ago. Should Jenny dare to break that promise, the wolves will be at her door. “Patterson and Lupica manage to get deep into the world…incredibly for two men…deep into the lives…of strong women.” –Louise Penny, #1 bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache series

Paradise is rocked by the mayor''s untimely death in the latest novel starring legendary police chief Jesse Stone. The town of Paradise receives a tragic shock when the mayor is discovered dead, his body lying in a shallow grave on a property on the lake. It''s ostensibly suicide, but Jesse Stone has his doubts...especially because the piece of land where the man was found is the subject of a contentious and dodgy land deal. Two powerful moguls are fighting over the right to buy and develop the prime piece of real estate, and one of them has brought in a hired gun, an old adversary of Jesse’s: Wilson Cromartie, aka Crow. Meanwhile, the town council is debating if they want to sacrifice Paradise’s stately character for the economic boost of a glitzy new development. Tempers are running hot, and as the deaths begin to mount, it’s increasingly clear that the mayor may have been standing in the wrong person’s way.

When an unknown man is found murdered in Paradise, Jesse Stone will have his hands full finding out who he was--and what he was seeking. When a body is discovered at the lake in Paradise, Police Chief Jesse Stone is surprised to find he recognizes the murder victim--the man had been at the same AA meeting as Jesse the evening before. But otherwise, Jesse has no clue as to the man''s identity. He isn''t a local, nor does he have ID on him, nor does any neighboring state have a reported missing person matching his description. Their single lead is from a taxi company that recalls dropping off the mysterious stranger outside the gate at the mansion of one of the wealthiest families in town. . . . Meanwhile, after Jesse survives a hail of gunfire on his home, he wonders if it could be related to the murder. When both Molly Crane and Suitcase Simpson also become targets, it''s clear someone has an ax to grind against the entire Paradise PD.

"When a young basketball star decides to research his grandfather--and coach--for a school project, he uncovers a decades-old scandal that changes everything he thought he knew about his grandfather"--

In her latest thrilling adventure, PI Sunny Randall takes on two serpentine cases that converge into one deadly mystery. PI Sunny Randall has often relied on the help of her best friend Spike in times of need. When Spike''s restaurant is taken over under a predatory loan agreement, Sunny has a chance to return the favor. She begins digging into the life of the hedge fund manager who screwed Spike over - surely a guy that smarmy has a skeleton or two in his closet - and soon finds this new enemy may have the backing of even badder criminals. At the same time, Sunny''s cop contact Lee Farrell asks her to intervene with his niece, a college student who reported being the victim of a crime but seems to know more than she''s telling police. As the uncooperative young woman becomes outright hostile, Sunny runs up against a wall that she''s only more determined to scale. Then, what appear to be two disparate cases are united by a common factor, and the picture becomes even more muddled. But one thing is clear: Sunny has been poking a hornet''s nest from two sides, and all hell is about to break loose.

From New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica, comes a timely story about a young girl who joins the boys football team. With Mike''s signature fast-paced, heartfelt writing, he expertly explores gender inequality in football with nonstop sports action. When twelve-year-old Alex makes up her mind to join her middle school''s football team, she doesn''t expect it to be easy. But she also never anticipated she''d be met with scorn and derision from her exclusively male teammates. Football has always been a source of happiness for Alex. She and her single father never miss a Steelers game on TV, and Alex knows she has a talent for throwing the perfect spiral. But the guys suck the joy right out of the game for Alex--going out of their way to trip her up during tryouts, and teaming up against her just to watch her fail. Suddenly, Alex is the lowest she''s ever felt. But if getting QB is worth it to her, she''s going to have to fight for it.

A timely and heartfelt follow-up to #1 New York Times bestseller Heat, about a young baseball prodigy and his immigrant family living in today''s America. Twelve-year-old star Little League pitcher Nick Garcia has a dream. Several in fact. He dreams he''ll win this season''s MVP and the chance to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. He dreams he''ll meet his hero, Yankee''s pitcher Michael Arroyo. He dreams they''ll find a cure for Lupus so he sister won''t have to suffer. But mostly, he dreams one day his family can stop living in fear of the government. For one kid, it''s almost too much to bear. Luckily, Nick has his two best friends Ben and Diego to keep him balanced. But when Nick notices a mysterious man lurking on his street corner, he senses a threat. Suddenly, his worst fears are realized, and just when it seems there''s no one they can trust, an unexpected hero emerges and changes everything. Praise for Strike Zone: *"Lupica skillfully addresses the timely and complicated topic of living as the child of undocumented immigrants and the uncertainty facing many American families....This exceptional baseball novel delivers both lively sports action and critical subject matter." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) --"Lupica''s action sequences are thrilling and fast-paced....[a] solid purchase where Mike Lupica and the Yankees are popular." --School Library Journal --"As he did in Heat, Lupica skillfully juggles the baseball drama with the larger social issues that swirl around it, vividly putting a human face on the immigration crisis." --Booklist --"Strike Zone brings the game of baseball to life, but moreover, it addresses immigration, a current issue in U.S. culture and politics. Teens will choose to read Strike Zone as a "sports book" but will root for Nick both on and off the field. The Garcia family''s desire to become legal U.S. citizens is well woven into this fast-paced story." --VOYA

The seventh installment of New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica''s Zach & Zoe Mysteries--a sports-themed chapter book mystery series perfect for fans of Cam Jansen! In this seventh sports-themed mystery, eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe go on a school field trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. On their tour, they discover one of the display items is missing from its case, and with the help of their classmates, they work together to figure out what happened. Once again, bestselling author Mike Lupica charms his youngest readers yet with a detective duo who can swing for the fences and catch the culprit in one fell swoop. With a recipe of equal parts sports and mystery, the Zach & Zoe Mysteries break fresh ground for an author who has been called the greatest sportswriter for kids.

The sixth installment of New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica''s Zach and Zoe Mysteries--a sports-themed chapter book mystery series perfect for fans of Cam Jansen! There''s nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well, it doesn''t get any better than that. In this sixth mystery, Zach and Zoe . . . Once again, bestselling author Mike Lupica charms his youngest readers yet with a sports-loving detective duo who can swing for the fences and catch the culprit in one fell swoop. With a recipe equal parts sports and mystery, the Zach and Zoe Mysteries break fresh ground for an author who has been called the greatest sportswriter for kids.

A New York Times bestseller From acclaimed author of the Home Team series comes a brand-new novel about the heart and soul of baseball. On or off the field, Matt and Ben couldn’t be more different. Ben Roberson is an all-or-nothing player: he’s big, he’s bold, and he’s brash. Ben’s swing can hit a ball right out of the park—but that’s if he can get a hit at all. Matt Baker is small, and shy, and his stutter has him avoiding the spotlight—even if he’s the best all-rounder on the team. But while Matt knows he’s got the chops, a part of him has always envied “Big Ben” and his attention-grabbing charm. So it’s a total shock when Ben asks Matt to help him work on his swing. Because Ben can’t put the ball into play, and his showboating comes at the expense of the team. And even though Matt’s trying to help, Ben doesn’t seem to take him seriously, especially when it means toning things down. The end of the season is fast approaching—is there enough time for Ben to realize bigger isn’t always better? For Matt to understand that sometimes, being the bigger person means standing up for yourself? Or will they have to accept defeat?

It''s time for hockey in the fifth installment of New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica''s Zach and Zoe Mysteries--a sports-themed chapter book mystery series perfect for fans of Cam Jansen! There''s nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well, it doesn''t get any better than that. When eight year old twins Zach and Zoe findout they''ll be joining their dad at the Boston Bruins hockey practice, they can''t believe their luck. But upon arrival, the Bruins'' star player tells the twins he lost his lucky necklace right before the Stanley Cup final, and just like that, the mystery is on. The twins'' search takes them all over the arena, and even onto the ice. Will Zach and Zoe find the missing necklace in time for the big game?

The third installment of the Zach and Zoe Mysteries--a sports-themed chapter book mystery series by New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica. There''s nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well, it doesn''t get any better than that. In their third mystery, Zach and Zoe discover their recess football has been completely deflated, leaving them without a ball to play with. But who''s behind it? By searching for clues around the school, Zach and Zoe uncover the truth behind the damaged ball, and learn the importance of friendship, inclusion, and being conscious of other people''s feelings. Ending with a big Walker Family Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl game, The Football Fiasco is the perfect fall chapter book! In the opening installments of the Zach and Zoe Mysteries, bestselling author Mike Lupica begins a series for a new and younger audience, introducing readers to a sports-loving detective duo who can swing for the fences and catch the culprit in one fell swoop. With a recipe equal parts sports and mystery, the Zach and Zoe Mysteries break fresh ground for an author who has been called the greatest sportswriter for kids.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author if Heat and Travel Team! What happens when a star player ends up on the worst team? He either learns to lose or he stops playing the game he loves. These are the choices facing Jake, who has gone from champion to last place, testing his sportsmanship every time his soccer team gets waxed. But it''s his teammate Kevin who shows Jake that being a good captain means scoring and assisting off the field as much as being the star player on it.

From the #1 bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Fantasy League comes a story of heroes, family, the thrills of skateboarding, and football. When the Brighton Bears suit up on game day, 12-year-old Tommy Gallagher is the toughest kid on the football field. And the bravest. After all, his father Patrick is a Boston firefighter--one of Boston''s bravest. Tommy''s dad taught him everything he knows about football--and life. Yet even Tommy isn''t strong enough for what happens when the sirens ring and, for the first time, they''re racing away from the fire. "First man in; last man out" had always been his dad''s motto . . . yet he never said anything about leaving in an ambulance. What kind of risk had his dad taken? Now Tommy''s biggest battle has nothing to do with football. And the kid who always had such respect for risk on the gridiron finds himself drawn to it off the field. Set in New England, home of the Patriots'' football dynasty, Mike Lupica shows off his trademark knack for spinning a tale that''s equal parts sports action and heart. Last Man Out is a thoughtful tribute to the bravery of firefighters and the need we all have to live up to the level of our heroes. Praise for Last Man Out "[S]hort, action-packed chapters . . . will keep even the most reluctant readers motivated to keep reading. As is characteristic of Lupica’s books, the sports segments, most particularly the football portions, are exceptionally well written."--VOYA "Lupica stirs equal quantities of grief and gridiron action into his latest outing. Lupica effectively puts readers into the center of the action . . . [I]n the best traditionsof sports writing, this will leave readers both breathless and thoughtful."--Booklist

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of HEAT, TRAVEL TEAM and MILLION-DOLLAR THROW comes a story of every football kid’s dream come true. 12-year-old Charlie is a fantasy football guru. He may be just a bench warmer for his school''s football team, but when it comes to knowing and loving the game, he''s first-string. He even becomes a celebrity when his podcast gets noticed by a sports radio host, who plays Charlie''s fantasy picks for all of Los Angeles to hear. Soon Charlie befriends the elderly owner of the L.A. Bulldogs -- a fictional NFL team -- and convinces him to take a chance on an aging quarterback. After that, watch out . . . it''s press conferences and national fame as Charlie becomes a media curiosity and source of conflict for the Bulldogs general manager, whose job Charlie seems to have taken. It''s all a bit much for a kid just trying to stay on top of his grades and maintain his friendship with his verbal sparring partner, Anna. Like the best Disney film in book form, like Moneyball for kids, Fantasy League is every football kid''s dream scenario. “Lupica is the greatest sports writer for middle school readers.” –VOYA

Mike Lupica presents the third book in his NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Game Changers series! Ben and his friends, the Core Four Plus One, are so excited to play in their town''s All-Star Baseball league. But in the first game of the season Ben gets hit by a pitch. It''s never happened to him before and it shakes him up.Another player on Ben''s team, Justin, is acting really weirdly. Ben''s known Justin for a while and they''re friendly but he''s not one of Ben''s closest "boys." Justin is the team''s best hitter but his behavior on and off the field is erratic. Ben discovers that Justin''s parents are getting a divorce and Justin is thinking about quitting the team. Like good teammates do, Justin helps Ben deal with his issues at bat while Ben is there for his friend while his family is struggling.

When a high-profile basketball star is accused of rape, ex-lawyer and pro sports investigator DiMaggio is called into the case and must sift through a media circus of innuendo and lies in order to discern the truth.

Mike Lupica presents the second book in his NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Game Changers series! Still living large off their incredible football championship win just weeks before, Ben McBain and his crew must now prepare for basketball season. Ben is known as the best point guard throughout the league. And now that Shawn O''Brien has joined their team, they are a shoo-in to win it all. But there is a new kid in town, Chase Braggs, a point guard like Ben who seems to be better, stronger, and faster. Refusing to let his team down, Ben hits the courts hard to practice. Ben''s rivalry with Chase seems to take the fun out of playing ball with his best friends. Will Ben be able to pull it together for his team and for himself?

Inspired by the real-life Manning family of quarterbacks (father Archie, Super Bowl-winning sons Peyton and Eli), bestselling author Lupica tells the story of 14-year-old Jake Cullen, lives in the Texas-sized shadows of his father and older brother until he becomes the starting quarterback for the high school football team and finally has his chance to shine.

#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica tackles football! Will Tyler can fly on a football field. He may not be the biggest running back around, but no one can touch him when it comes to hitting the hole and finding the end zone. And no one can match his love of the game. When Will has a football in hand, he may as well be flying for real because life can''t touch him - his dad isn''t so defeated, his town isn''t so poor, and everyone has something to cheer for. All of which does him no good if the football season is canceled. With no funding for things like uniforms and a cared-for playing field, with seemingly every other family moving to find jobs, there simply isn''t enough money or players for a season. Unless one kid can rally an entire town and give everyone a reason to believe . . . For fans of his bestselling novels Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw, Mike Lupica delivers a feel-good sports story that will have readers cheering where they sit. “There''s plenty of action for sports fans, and readers will root for Will and his teammates till the very last page.” –School Library Journal “[F]ootball fans will…respond to the detailed and exciting game action once the season gets rolling and find inspiration in Will and his teammates'' tenacity.” –Publisher’s Weekly “Will''s ingenuity and loyalty are encouraging, causing readers to want to cheer him on as he makes his dream come true.” –VOYA

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of HEAT and TRAVEL TEAM. Everyone calls Nate Brodie "Brady" because he''s a New England quarterback, just like his idol, Tom Brady. And now he''s got a chance to win a million dollars by throwing one pass through a target at halftime in the Patriots; Thanksgiving night game. More than anything, Nate''s family needs the money—his dad''s been downsized, his mom''s working two jobs, and they''re on the verge of losing their house. The worry is more weight than a 13-year-old can bear, and it''s affecting his playing for his own football team. Suddenly the boy with the golden arm is having trouble completing a pass . . . but can he make the one that really counts?

Fourteen-year-old Billy learns he has the same special abilities as his father, who was the President''s globe-trotting troubleshooter until "the Bads" killed him, and now Billy must decide whether to use his powers in the same way at the risk of his own life.

#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica pays tribute to the underdog in his Comeback Kids series for young middle-grade readers Chris Conlan is the coolest kid in sixth grade–the golden-armed quarterback of the football team, and the boy all the others look up to. Scott Parry is the new kid, the boy with the huge brain, but with feet that trip over themselves daily. These two boys may seem like an odd couple, but each has a secret that draws them together as friends, and proves that the will to succeed is even more important than raw talent. Mike Lupica scores from downtown with his Comeback Kids series. Praise for the Comeback Kids: “Lupica portrays the action clearly and vividly, with a real sense of the excitement and unpredictable nature of the games. These are worthy additions to collections seeking to draw in middle-grade boys with an enthusiasm for athletics.” –School Library Journal “These should score big with middle-graders looking for alternatives to Matt Christopher''s titles.” –Publisher’s Weekly “This title is a good choice for reluctant readers with a background in baseball.” –School Library Journal

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw. Playing shortstop is a way of life for Hutch—not only is his hero, Derek Jeter, a shortstop, but so was his father, a former local legend turned pro. Which is why having to play second base feels like demotion to second team. Yet that''s where Hutch ends up after Darryl "D-Will" Williams, the best shortstop prospect since A-Rod, joins the team. But Hutch is nothing if not a team player, and he''s cool with playing in D-Will''s shadow—until, that is, the two shortstops in Hutch''s life betray him in a way he never could have imagined. With the league championship on the line, just how far is Hutch willing to bend to be a good teammate?