Some Titles From The Northwest Bookshelf

A biweekly selection of new titles by Washington writers and publishers, or of local interest:

Fiction

"Failure to Appear," by J.A. Jance (Morrow, $20). The Seattle mystery writer's latest J.P. Beaumont novel finds the veteran police sleuth tracking a serial killer from Seattle's arts world to Oregon's Shakespeare Festival.

"Trouble in Transylvania," by Barbara Wilson (Seal, $18.95). Cassandra Reilly, the translator-detective from "Gaudi Afternoon," investigates a murder in Romania's Carpathian mountains, in the Seattle writer's latest travel-mystery.

"ViraVax," by Bill Ransom (Ace, $17.95). Sci-fi about murder and conspiracy in a private genetic research lab, by a Grayland author known for his collaborations with Frank Herbert ("Dune").

"Final Design," by Noreen Gilpatrick (Mysterious Press, $17.95). A Seattle-set mystery about the murder of a graphic-arts studio partner, by the former owner of a Seattle advertising agency.

"Home Movies," by Paula Martinac (Seal, $10.95). A novel about a New York City lesbian writer mourning the death of her AIDS activist uncle, from the Seattle publisher.

"My Horse, and Other Stories," by Stacey Levine (Sun and Moon, $11.95). A Seattle writer's debut story collection, described by the publisher as being in the vein of Flannery O'Connor and Jane Bowles.

"Promises," by Katherine Stone (Zebra, $4.99). Contemporary romance about a trauma surgeon who loses her heart to the director of a San Francisco transplant unit, by a Seattle-area author.

"The Inscription," by Richard Hugo Gatchel (Fithian Press, $10.95). A retired philosophy professor and his wife make an unusual archaeological discovery in Northern California, in this novel by a philosophy professor who recently moved to Seattle.

Nonfiction

"The Misbegotten Son," by Jack Olsen (Island/Dell, $5.99). Paperback edition of the Bainbridge Island author's study of New York murderer Arthur J. Shawcross, who continued his crimes after release from prison.

"Thin Air: Encounters in the Himalayas," by Greg Child (Laurel, $5.99). True high-altitude adventures from an Australian-born mountaineer who lives in Seattle.

"Bitter Roses: An Inside Look at the Washington Huskies' Turbulent Year," by Sam Farmer (Sagamore Publishing, $19.95). An examination of the controversy surrounding the University of Washington football program that led to coach Don James' retirement.

"Two Old Women," by Velma Wallis (Epicenter Press, $16.95). Based on an Athabaskan Indian legend, this Fort Yukon native's book won the 1993 Western States Book Award for creative nonfiction. Epicenter is a Seattle-Fairbanks publisher.

"Short Bike Rides in Western Washington," by Judy Wagonfeld (Globe Pequot, $12.95). Where to cycle, from the Columbia River to the Canadian border - and slightly beyond, by a Tacoma author.

"You Don't Have to Take It! A Woman's Guide to Confronting Emotional Abuse at Work," by Ginny McCarthy, Naomi Gottlieb and Sandra Coffman (Seal, $14.95). How to deal with humiliation, name-calling and intimidation in the work place, by three Seattle writers.

"The Best Places to Kiss in Hawaii: A Romantic Travel Guide," by Paula Begoun, Stephanie Bell and Elizabeth Janda (Beginning Press, $10.95). Optimal island osculation locales, from the Seattle publisher who brought you "The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest."

"Cloud Dancers: Portraits of North American Mountaineers," edited by Jonathan Waterman (American Alpine Club Press, 710 10th St., Golden, CO 80401, $14.95). Profiles of 17 North American alpinists, including an essay by Seattle writer Jon Krakauer.

"Two Left Brains: Public Radio Commentaries from KCMU-Seattle," by Irv Pollack and George Howland Jr. (Open Hand, $6). Fifteen short pieces about the drug war, welfare myths and other matters, by two Seattle radio personalities.

"Immigrating to the U.S.A.," by Dan P. Danilov and Howard David Deutsch (Self-Counsel Press, 1704 N. State St., Bellingham, WA, $14.95). A new edition of a how-to guide for would-be immigrants. Danilov is a Seattle attorney.

"How to Build a Take-Apart Playhouse," by Jack McKee (1117 Leonora Ct., Bellingham, WA 98225, $9.95, plus $2.78 tax and shipping). Revised edition of construction manual.

"A Quick Course in Lotus 1-2-3, Release 4 for Windows," by Joyce Cox, Patrick Kervran, Joyce Cousineau (Online Press, $12.95). Latest software manual from the Bellevue publisher.

Poetry

"Earthquake Babies," by L.A. Heberlein (Mellen Poetry Press, P.O. Box 450, Lewiston, NY 14092, $9.95). Poems by a Seattle resident.

"Mirror, Mirror. . .Reflections of a Man's Life," by A.W. Lane (Dragon Press/Alleywaln, P.O. Box 9466, Seattle, WA 98109, $9.75, plus $2.50 shipping). Poems, with photographs, by a Seattle writer.

"3 & 1," by David Lloyd Whited (Red Sky Press, $9). Poems by a Vashon Island poet, from the imprint of Seattle's Red Sky Poetry Theatre.

- Compiled by Michael Upchurch

To be considered for this listing, finished books (no manuscripts or galleys) should be sent to: Book Editor, Seattle Times, P.O. 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Clearly indicate book's price, publishing date and local connection.