Dispatch from Danielle Trussoni - March 2024
Hello from the writing cave.
I have some exciting news that I'd like to share. My new novel THE PUZZLE BOX will be published October 8th of this year! You can pre-order it here
This novel is a stand alone novel that features Mike Brink, who was also the hero of my last novel THE PUZZLE MASTER. I became quite attached to Mike, and couldn't help but write another book about him.
The cover has not been released on social media yet (we are planning a cover release in early April) but I wanted to share it with you first. Here it is-- let me know what you think!
So, you're asking: What's The Puzzle Box about? Well, here's a brief description:
It is the Year of the Wood Dragon, and the ingenious Mike Brink has been invited to Tokyo, Japan to open the legendary Dragon Box, a mysterious nineteenth-century puzzle that has remained unsolved for over 150 years.
The box was constructed during one of Japan’s most tumultuous periods, when the samurai class was disbanded and the shogun lost power. In this moment of national crisis, Emperor Meiji placed a priceless Imperial secret in the Dragon Box, locked it, and hid it in a temple far from the palace. Only two people knew how to open the box: Meiji and the box’s sadistic constructor, Ogawa. Both died without telling a soul what was inside, or how to open it.
Since then, the Imperial family has held a clandestine contest to open the box every twelve years, in the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon Box is devilishly difficult, filled with tricks, booby traps, poisons, and mind-bending twists. Every puzzle master who has attempted to open it has died in the process. But Brink is not any puzzle master. With his uncanny abilities, he may be the only person alive who can crack it. Yet, his determination is echoed by a radical group—headed by two sisters descended from an illustrious but disgraced samurai clan—who have vowed to claim Meiji’s secret. They know that the box’s contents have the power to change the fate of Japan, and the world. When they align with Brink’s archrival, Jameson Sedge, Brink is up against the most dangerous challenge of his life.
Mike Brink’s quest to open The Dragon Box launches him on breakneck adventure across Japan, from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to the pristine forests of Hakone to historic Kyoto to an ancient cave in Kyushu. In the process, he discovers the power of Meiji’s hidden treasure, and-- more crucially-- the true nature of his extraordinary talent.
In other news, I was part of the San Miguel Writers Conference again this year. I was in conversation with the amazing Molly Ringwald, whose FreshAir interview with Tonya Mosley is one of the great interviews of the decade.
I also spent time with writers Chris Pavone, Christina Baker-Kline and Silvia Morena-Garcia during the conference. It was such fun.
TruReader of the Month
As a continuation of a newer feature in the newsletter, here is the next installment of Reader of the Month. Each month I’ll feature one of my extraordinary readers. If you’d like to be featured, write to me at danielle@danielletrussoni.com.
Please say hello to Fadhia!
Fadhia lives in Louisville, Kentucky and is a high school English teacher. She loves to travel locally and abroad. She also loves anime, Marvel and DC TV shows, movies, and comics.
Q) What are your favorite kinds of books to read?
A) It depends on my mood what I'll like to read. I have too many favorite books to pick one. I love to read diverse books such as young adult novels, science fiction, fantasy and thrillers to name a few.
Q) What are some of your hobbies and passions?
A) My hobbies are reading, and collecting Pokémon, Sailor Moon, and Marvel toys.
Q) Why do you love to read?
A) I love to read to escape into different worlds, gain knowledge, and experience diverse perspectives. It is a source of relaxation, entertainment, and a way to stimulate my imagination.I can read any and everywhere. 😊 I'm in a book club @MySistersBookClub and it's not just a book club but a sisterhood. We read a variety of books, talk and text all the time, and have even traveled together for a book convention.
Thanks for joining us this month!
Thank you for spending your time with me. For updates, join me on my website, and across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yours,
Danielle
Omg I looooove that cover!!