His crime novels are set in the steamy surroundings of his adopted land of Brazil, but international author Leighton Gage is coming to Minneapolis on Tuesday as part of a month-long U.S. tour.

That's a rare occurrence these days — getting an international author on tour to come to the Twin Cities instead of just the coasts, says Pat Frovarp of the Once Upon a Crime bookstore. Gage will speak at the bookstore about his crime series featuring Mario Silva, chief inspector for criminal matters of the Federal Police of Brazil.

"We don't see a lot of international authors any more, because the cost of touring is so expensive," she said. Book publishers — in the same sinking boat with print publications and other media outlets — are cutting way back on marketing and travel for all but the most successful authors. Many relatively new authors, like Gage, are paying for their own tours, she said.

So when Gage contacted the store about a signing, Frovarp and partner Gary Shulze jumped at the chance.

"The guy's really a good writer. I thought his first book was incredible," Frovarp said.

His first novel in the Silva series, from publisher Soho Press, was "Blood of the Wicked," now in paperback. The second, recently released in hardcover, is "Buried Strangers." The third book, "Dying Gasp," is due out next year.

By the way, Frovarp advises customers looking for excellent writing to check out the Soho books.

"They are so discerning about their authors; I've never read a novel from Soho that I didn't like," she said.

Gage's appearance is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Once Upon a Crime, 604 W. 26th St., Minneapolis.

Editor’s note: Here’s a Q&A that Minnesota author Julie Kramer ("Stalking Susan") conducted with Leighton Gage for International Thriller Writers Inc.