News and Events
Upcoming Events
BOOK SIGNINGVegas Valley Book Festival Author signing Captain Cooked Sunday, November 7th 11 a.m. Two Hours Only! Last time to meet with Author before December 14th
Vegas Die selling out. Remaining copies available on Amazon.com or ABE.com In Vegas Valley at Plaza Books and various Borders stores
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Congratulations to the following Discoverers of Red Daggers. First: Darrel Calk Runner-ups: Ramona Mannaa, Mike Cowling, Cathy Wilson |
LAST CLUESA multitude of daggers are to be seen and discovered around the Vegas Valley as of 11 pm March 15th. Not before that hour.
Locations could be anywhere in the Vegas Valley, no restricted locations as with the original Quest Mystery dagger location.
There are 5 code letters affixed to various Red Daggers placed around the Vegas Valley. The Questor who finds the first Red Dagger with a code word (and there are some without) will be awarded a $150. The Questor who finds all five Red Daggers with code letters will receive $500.
There are Black Daggers hidden anywhere in the Vegas Valley. These daggers have letter and/or numbers affixed. The Questor who finds the first Black Dagger will receive $200.
A Questor who locates a Black or Red Dagger, and uses such Dagger code to make a Guess as to the hidden $25,000 dagger's location and is incorrect, that Dagger and its code will be published to the website for all to see.
Those Questors not on the scene in Las Vegas can still make guesses long distance, based on their review of the book Vegas Die, and/or based on past guesses of Questors. If any out of town Questor's guess as to the Dagger location (Red or Black) is within 20 feet of its actual location the smaller cash prizes will be awarded and the Questor told what the Dagger code is.
The Daggers were placed in their locations by Saki 381.
Please submit all guesses and questions to: AddisonHighsmith@gmail.com. We would appreciate that a Questor does not try dumping multi-guesses into the system. Upon discovery, local Questors should specifically identify the colored daggers' locations. We will be strict with the 20 foot circumference difference, so be exact in your guess. Review of all past Questor Forum dialogue on previous analysis of supposed clues may in fact be helpful, as will re-reading Vegas Die.
The author reserves the right to modify the game rules to better clarify and assist this portion of the Quest Mystery, and, if need be, protect the integrity of the Quest.
Remember, Nothing Is As It Seems — and Keep on Questing.
S.P. Grogan
Addendum to Last Clues — Questor Forum
Important News
As we test our concept of the Quest Mystery and realize the success in creating a viable Questor community, it is our view that a 3 year search for the hidden dagger is too long. We have decided to shorten the Quest, the location of the dagger to be revealed on December 14, 2010—though we hope you find the dagger sooner than that.
Towards that end, one new over-all clue to be revealed is that dagger is not hidden in downtown Las Vegas, primarily not on Fremont Street, nor in any casino downtown. From past news, all downtown and Strip casinos are now eliminated as dagger location.
On 3.15.10, we are going to list the final clues, which should give more specific direction.
The author, Stephen Grogan, also writing as S.P. Grogan, will have a new Quest Mystery (and new mystery novel) released by July 1st, 2010. We hope you will buy a copy and mention it to your friends. It is also a new concept from several different directions, as the author continues to test different forms of fiction in which to hide the Quest Mystery.
Where the Dagger Is Not (UPDATED MAY. 30th)
Click to view a number of past guesses from fellow Questors. Because there have been so many guesses submitted we can only list a few at this time but will list other guesses in the future. View Past Guesses...
Vegas Die by mystery writer Stephen Grogan Selected Silver Medal Winner for Best Regional Fiction
The Independent Publisher Book Awards, conducted to honor the year's best independently published books, selected Vegas Die by Stephen Grogan as 2009 Silver Medal Winner for Best Regional Fiction (West & Mountain category). Known as "IPPY Awards," winners were announced at the 13th Annual Awards Ceremony in New York City during last month's Book Expo of America.Vegas Die, published by Addison & Highsmith Publishers, has gained recognition as a "Best Seller" in the West, with its special twist featuring a dagger worth $25,000 hidden somewhere in the Las Vegas Valley, with clues to be found within the book. The fictional plot centers around the murders of retired mobsters with the Mayor of Las Vegas becoming the #1 suspect.
Last of the First Edition Printing
We are now into the second printing of Vegas Die, with its corrections and new Questor page. This edition can be purchased through normal outlets mentioned on "Buy Vegas Die" link. Those seeking a First Edition for collecting will now find them hard to locate. The publisher no longer has any First Edition copies in inventory and they report that there has been minimal returns, meaning the book has been selling and stores are not returning unsold copies. Amber Unicorn Bookstore in Las Vegas has 7 left, and Amazon.com has only 20 in stock. You can easily tell the editions apart. First Edition, First Printing, with publisher code: 10987654321 while the Second Edition merely has the number line with the 1 at the end replaced by 2. First Edition has 335 numbered pages while Second Edition was expanded for smoother reading to 351 pages. Either copy, or both, we hope you enjoy.
Photos from Past Events
Authors two books in Vegas book store.
A new king for Hawai'i? So says Captain Cooked Author on island at book signing events.
Comedian Gallagher considers smashing a watermelon to celebrate the last 75 Days of Vegas Die contest (Dec. 14th).
July 3rd, 2010. Visiting with the author, Questor Michael Katz shows off his tattered, thorougly annotated, copy of Vegas Die, dog-eared from his questing analysis and multiple field trips. New fans: at recent Borders signing for his new Quest Mystery, Captain Cooked, the author sold as many copies of Vegas Die as the debut mystery. A surprising number of book shoppers said they had read Vegas Die and enjoyed it.
Controversial former Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, drops by Borders bookstore to discuss the political election aspects of Vegas Die and of his own memoir best seller, Courage and Consequence
Questors meet with Author (seated center). Discussion centered around new dagger clues. Visit Forum to see highlights of meeting.
Mutual Admiration. Best Selling author Douglas Preston (on rt.) buys a copy of Vegas Die, while Author Grogan reciprocally purchased a signed copy of Preston's new scientific thriller, Impact. Preston is the author of 21 books, many of them written with Lincoln Child.
At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) author Grogan met with mega star author James Patterson, exchanging comments of the future of e-book readers.
The Mystery Book Store (L.A.) welcome SG for booksigning. Bobby, Linda, Emily with author.
Fans of Vegas Die surround the author at Aug. 29th book signing at The Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles.
Vegas Die author S. Grogan parties with J.A. Konrath, author of the Detective 'Jack' Daniels mystery series (Whiskey Sour, Cherry Bomb), and his latest thriller, Afraid.
Visiting a friend at the Printers Row Book Festival in Chicago. S.P. Grogan with Craig Johnson, award-winning author of the Sheriff Walt Longmire series. New book just released: "The Dark Horse". Both authors met a few years back at the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference.
Stephen is seen at the recent Las Vegas Writers Conference exchanging best sellers with Victoria Laurie, professional psychic and author of Psychic Eye and Ghost Hunter mystery series, whose Young Adult "Oracles of Delphi Keep" is to be released in May (Random House).
At Las Vegas Writers Conference with Carolyn Hayes Uber, Publisher, Stephens Press. The Stephens Press book author Grogan is holding, very aptly, is on manuscript rejections!
Author with 2 fans at Las Vegas Writers Conference, April 16-18th.
NY Times Best Seller Sandra Brown drops in to say hello at one of Stephen's recent book signings. "Smokescreen" is Sandra's latest romance thriller. She has written over 70 novels, with seventy million books sold world-wide. She is past host of 'Murder by The Book' and her novel 'French Silk' was made into an ABC Movie.
We're on top of 'Twighlight'! Vegas Die was the top selling book at Borders at the airport for 2008, even over vampire romance. For 2009 Borders put our book in "Borders Best" section.
Author with Borders airport store GM Anna Chapman
Congratulating author Michael Connelly on his book, 'Brass Verdict'. Author Grogan has a first edition/signed collection of Connelly's novels.
Mayor Oscar 'Goodfella' Goodman reads a children's book at recent Vegas Valley Book Festival.
Three Best Selling Authors involving Vegas themes were speakers at Vegas Valley Book Festival, November 8th, 2008: (left) Random House author Charles Bock, "Beauftiful Children"; (center) Stephen Grogan, "Vegas Die"; and Todd Goldberg, "Burn Notice:The Fix" and "Living Dead Girl".
The Author interviewed by Fox 5 TV Anchor Rachel Smith
Author Grogan (far left) speaker on 'The Mystery in the Dgitial Age' at Vegas Valley Book Festival, November 7, 2008. Authors Brian Rouff (center) and Jay MacLarty (right)also speaking.
Author Grogan moderating 'Vegas Noir' panel at Vegas Valley Book Festival
Success of Quest Mystery Tour bus trip around Vegas looking at sites found in the book
Questors enjoy a 'Mayor Goodfella Margarita' at Hugo's Cellar at the Four Queens--page 44
The author with book buyer Jim (of New York City) at the Borders Store at McCarran International Airport. Stephen is one of the top selling authors at Borders-McCarran usually signing and selling 40 books in a half day event.
The Author signing and being filmed at Borders store at McCarran Airport
The Author with TV personality, Ms. Black, from ibontv.com
Set up and ready to sell Vegas Die. Borders Bookstore in Summerlin prepares for Author Grogan's book signing. Borders is hosting a "Find the Dagger" Month in September, and Author Grogan is doing book signings at 6 Borders stores.
Steve Grogan speaks about his new
novel "Vegas Die." Last month I attended an event at Cheesecake and Crime, a panel discussion with Las Vegas authors Steve Grogan and Dennis Griffin. Grogan spoke about his new novel "Vegas Die," a whodunit with an added attraction: Woven into the story are clues to the location of a silver dagger worth $25,000. The dagger is hidden somewhere in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and, if sales numbers are any indication, hundreds of treasure hunters are scouring the valley already in hopes of finding the prize. Grogan also has another "Quest Mystery" in the works. "Nevada Craps," scheduled for release in 2009, will contain clues to more hidden treasure.
Authors Kim Thomas (lft) and Stephen Grogan (rt) are featured
at: 'Las Vegas Crime Writers: Books To Die For', a special book signing at the Borders Store in Henderson, Nevada.
Sharing a moment with Questor Fan Jean Fouser.
Questors meet to exchange search ideas. Seen here include Forum Members derekbutton and MDC777 (with friend).
Author Grogan being interviewed for local TV documentary by producer Sandra Hernandez, and videographer Shannon Onstot.
Barnes and Noble Booksigning
Award winning NY Times Best Seller Terry Goodkind and his wife Jeri dropped by to wish Author Grogan success with Vegas Die. Terry writes the Sword of Truth fantasy series, now appearing as "Legend of the Seeker" on the TV. Check listings.
Author Grogan appears on the marquee at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino announcing his booksigning at the Reading Room.
The author seen here with Pamela Mains, owner of the mystery bookstore, Cheesecake & Crime. So far, this store has sold the most books of Vegas Die and have invited Stephen back for another signing.
The author visits with one of his fans. He was surprised that from this booksigning at Cheesecake and Crime mystery bookstore he met his first fans who have registered at this Web site, read the mystery and are actively searching for the dagger.
Prepared for the book signing at Cheesecake and Crime, what else, a cheesecake with an edible Vegas Die cover. And a 'dagger' for slicing!
