Instagram story viewer> @d.swinson> Tagged

David Swinson

@d.swinson

1.1K

followers

838

following

Retired police detective, former 80s concert promoter. Author of The Second Girl, a NYTs and Booklist best crime fiction book of the year.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

All the kind words in advance of MAIN STREET FRINGE on 9/1/26, I’m incredibly lucky and grateful these amazing writers, creators, and good people offered their time to take a look at my book. Be smart and give yourself some topshelf entertainment - buy their books. And mine, yes, buy mine too.

#thrillerbooks #mainstreetfringe #bookstagram #reading #writing

24

2

REVIEWS: Thank you, @littlebrown @mulhollandbooks @mbc_books, for the gifted books.

FROM THE DUST: “When a murder occurs in a small town in Upstate New York, retired police detective Graham Sanderson, is drawn back into a vortex of violence, deception, and a series of murders which get dangerously personal.”

The early reviews definitely grabbed me with From the Dust, and they were not wrong. Dubbed “rural noir,” Graham leaves behind his life as a homicide detective in DC to live in the Finger Lakes region of rural New York, hoping to start over and help out his reclusive brother, Tommy. Then, a body is found, and the chief of police asks for Graham’s help.

The investigation feels vividly real and the whole story is well-tempered with emotion. A solid mystery, well-told, and with genuine characters, I’m happy to have found a new-to-me mystery author and look forward to what’s next.

A SPELL FOR SAINTS AND SINNERS: “Like a gender-flipped You but dripping with Southern Gothic atmosphere, a young psychic on the verge of losing everything becomes obsessed with a wealthy, beautiful heiress in this clever, darkly atmospheric novel of psychological suspense set amid the lush, moss-draped beauty of Savannah.”

Emily Carpenter’s southern gothic thrillers with touches of horror have gripped me since her debut. This one promised to have “You” vibes, while being set in Savannah. Featuring a psychic and all the rich atmosphere and suspense one expects from gothic fiction, this was a creepy good ride from beginning to end.

#bookish #bookstagram #justbooksbookstagram #bookstagramnc #tarheelreader tarheelreaderreviews

3

34

Picked these up from @titcombsbookshop yesterday. Between them and the Masters, looking like a solid Sunday.

15

2

I missed the author event for the release of From the Dust by @d.swinson, but thankfully @onemorepagebooks still had signed copies!

Go grab copies while they last!

What's it about? Here is the short blurb: "When a murder occurs in a small town in Upstate New York, retired police detective Graham Sanderson, is drawn back into a vortex of violence, deception, and a series of murders which get dangerously personal."

12

1

Current fiction read is FROM THE DUST by @d.swinson — out now, published by @mulhollandbooks. About 1/4 of the way in, and very much enjoying it. A “rural noir”, in which a retired DC detective has moved to upstate New York following the death of his father, and gets pulled into a murder investigation that has the community on edge. Looking forward to seeing how the story turns out.

Here’s the synopsis:

When a murder occurs in a small town in Upstate New York, retired police detective Graham Sanderson is drawn back into the vortex of violence and deception, facing a case that demands a terrible personal reckoning.

“If you’re reader enough to handle the strong stuff off the top shelf, this is for you.” – Peter Blauner, author of Picture in the Sand

Graham Sanderson thought he’d left it all behind. His years as a Washington, DC, homicide detective, his tragically dead wife, pain, violence. Taking over his father’s house in the remote Finger Lakes region of rural New York, and looking after his shut-in brother, Tommy, seemed like a respite. That is, until the first body is found.

The chief of the town’s small police jurisdiction, who is also a family friend, asks for Graham’s assistance. Graham’s instincts immediately kick in and he soon discovers there’s more to the area—the people, its brutally quiet, sophisticated hierarchies—than he or his family ever knew.

4

1

Always a pleasure to have @d.swinson at OMP. Last week, we celebrated the release of his latest book FROM THE DUST with convo partner @christinakovacwrites. A huge thank you to our authors! Grab your signed copy from our shelves while they last.

81

3

I was lucky enough to catch @d.swinson at his book launch event for FROM THE DUST. I’m about halfway through and he’s more than living up to his fantastic track record.

@christinakovacwrites did a wonderful job interviewing David, her journalism expertise shone through and she wouldn’t let him off the mat when it came to discussing cool stuff about himself.

@onemorepagebooks was a great host - a wonderful independent bookshop. Pay them a visit and buy local! And buy David and Christine’s great books! #thrillerbooks #bookstagram #instabook #mainstreetfringe #reading

63

9

And today’s New Books post (March-April 2026) went up today. Read three already (reviews soon), plus some highly-anticipated upcoming and new titles.

8

1

✨️🌆 PUB WEEK REVIEW 🌆✨️

FROM THE DUST by David Swinson
Publisher : Mulholland Books
Pub Date : 3/31/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you SO much @mulhollandbooks for the gifted free book.

This was my first time reading this author and I will most definitely be reading more!

Graham Sanderson, a retired DC homicide detective, thinks he's left it all behind when he moves to the Finger Lakes region of NY to take over his late father's property and take care of his brother, Tommy. But when a body is found and the small rural department needs some assistance, Graham is the first one they call. He can't resist getting back into it, especially when additional bodies start to surface. As the investigation progresses, Graham starts to realize there's more to the quiet rural town than he ever imagined. Are the deaths all related and is there a serial killer in their midst?

This was a dark, fast-paced, intriguing read that completely hooked me from the very first chapter. I was fully immersed in this small-town mystery. It was suspenseful, gripping, and there was even a part where I got emotional. Tensions were high with the town's secrets and Graham had his own demons to deal with. I loved the writing, the setting and the characters. This would definitely make a great series! I really enjoyed this unputdownable, bingeable noir thriller and would highly recommend it!🩷

❓️Have you heard of this book❓️Have you read this author❓️Have you been to the Finger Lakes in NY❓️Weekend Plans❓️

#fromthedust #noir #thriller #newrelease #outnow

583

51

Thriller Authors That Inspire Me

David Swinson was a punk rock roadie in the 80s, a DC major crimes detective, and now a fantastic author. You’re never one thing.

At @boucherconworldmystery I was approached multiple times while reading THE SECOND GIRL. While everybody carries books around, nobody actually reads at Bouchercon and some were mystified. I shrugged and told them, “It’s too good to stop.”

#thrillerbooks #instabook #bookstagram #reading #mainstreetfringe

30

5

Tomorrow we welcome back one of our favorite crime writers, @d.swinson, to celebrate the release of FROM THE DUST. He will be joined by fellow thriller writer, @christinakovacwrites. Join us at 7pm for this not-to-be-missed event. RSVP using the events link in our bio.

#localauthor #authortalks #booksignings #crimefiction #thriller #indiebookstore #dmv

35

5

NEW . RELEASES

◾ Have you gotten any new books lately? Let me know in the comments which ones!

I missed pub day yesterday, but I still wanted to share some of the books that were released.

And send a big thank you to the publishers for continuing to keep my book shelves not only stocked, but overflowing.

I can't wait to read all of these for so many different reasons. They all feel like they're going to scratch specific reading needs.

33

6