2016
Welcome to the official home of Sarah Weinman, writer, editor, and Crime Lady. I’m the editor …
2015
1933 Some said he was the greatest clarinetist to grace the Earth. Others tempered that …
2013
Remember that time, months ago, when I promised to do something with this website after years of not …
2011
The post explaining it all is here, but this is the short version: I started a new gig as the News …
Ruth Cavin, the legendary crime fiction editor for St. Martin’s Press who was instrumental in the …
2010
(x-posted from <a href=“http://offonatangent.tumblr.com/" …
As has been widely reported, Otto Penzler and his well-traveled imprint is on the move again, after …
My newest Q&A at Currency is with Adam Levin, whose debut novel THE INSTRUCTIONS has been …
In Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, I wrote about one of my all-time favorite books: BY GRAND …
My newest column for the Los Angeles Times travels through the Appalachian region, looking …
For many years crime fiction fans have clamored for the return of Patrick Kenzie & Angela …
I admit I arrived at Bouchercon with a faraway look in my eye. A day late, with family obligations …
This more or less dormant* blog will be even more dormant this week thanks to the …
My newest Dark Passages column for the LAT heaps praise on Tom Franklin’s new novel CROOKED …
Starting today, I’ve begun a new column at Currency, an American Express-sponsored personal …
Shel Silverstein’s 80th birthday was last Saturday, and since my admiration (okay, uh, general …
I’ve spent the better portion of the afternoon racking my brain trying to remember when I …
Over the weekend, my newest Dark Passages column ran online at the LAT, featuring my take on new …
My newest – and final – column for The Barnes & Noble Review focuses on Yunte …
My review of Martin Cruz Smith’s newest novel featuring his iconic Russian detective, Arkady …
So the busy summer (and year) continues but a couple of new and upcoming publications featuring work …
I read many books annually, so that means I don’t reread all that much. But for Don …
So Richard Price will be writing a series of detective novels for Henry Holt under a pen name …
My newest column for the Los Angeles Times looks specifically at Justin Peacock’s new novel …
With the hype and phenomenal success of the Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson, a lot of news …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I delve into crime and mystery fiction for young adult readers, …
My newest column for the Los Angeles Times takes a close look at HAILEY’S WAR by Jodi Compton, …
Still sporadic, expect to be so for the foreseeable future. But links, they do pile up… At …
So the crime fiction imprint that Little, Brown publisher Michael Pietsch first talked about at …
One of the advantages of being lazy sporadic about blogging these days is that it affords me the …
One of America’s greatest writers has passed on, and even though I shouldn’t have been …
Marilyn Stasio focuses her attention on new mysteries and thrillers by Deborah Coonts, Michael …
The kind folks at Salon.com asked me to contribute a list of crime novels worth spending your time …
I think I’m pretty well recovered from BEA now, though as happens every year, it split my …
My newest Dark Passages column for the Los Angeles Times had a small agenda, I must admit. Most …
The Daily Beast has been running a series devoted to emerging writers, and their first two choices …
Of course I was going to write about Stieg Larsson. I haven’t been able to shut up about the …
Oline Cogdill has her say on Paul Doiron’s excellent debut novel THE POACHER’S SON in …
Thursday morning from 10 AM to 11 AM Eastern, I’ll be on Minnesota Public Radio’s …
Sometime soon, Julie Bosman will move beats and report on the publishing industry for the New York …
Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction by Paul Doiron, Michael Harvey, Donna Leon and Jassy …
The Daily Beast asked me to list what I consider to be the best books in the true crime genre, and I …
My newest LA Times column looks at THE SINGER’S GUN, the new novel from Emily St. John Mandel …
INNOCENT, the long-awaited sequel to Scott Turow’s 1987 novel PRESUMED INNOCENT, won’t …
Edgar Week is soon upon us! There’s the Mysterious Bookshop/MWA party on Tuesday, the …
I wasn’t able to make it to this year’s Festival of Books, which is ongoing throughout …
This damn volcano. Scrapping flights, stranding travelers, giving John Cleese a hell of a story to …
My newest column at the Barnes & Noble Review looks at the lineup so far from Vertigo Crime, …
Right, I didn’t do one of these last week! Which made me realize that I do miss the link …
My newest column at the Los Angeles Times muses on unreliable narrators – a device I love, but …
Janet Maslin rightly reviews new thrillers by Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay in tandem, since both …
When I read Lisa Reardon’s THE MERCY KILLERS some years ago, I felt like I was in the company …
Of course I’m leading off with this piece of news: a new collection of Shel Silverstein poems …
The work of Walter Mosley, I suspect, inspires some people to revisit tired old genre wars. To my …
My newest column at the Barnes & Noble Review focuses on the novels of David Carkeet, many of …
And let’s lead off with the winners of the awards given out last night at Left Coast Crime: …
Rodney Alcala has been in jail for almost as long as I have been alive. And yet it took three tries …
Oline Cogdill looks at Bob Morris’s new mystery novel BAJA FLORIDA for the South Florida …
My newest “Dark Passages” column at the Los Angeles Times looks at the first and most …
I have read Sam Tanenhaus’s piece on the Amy Bishop case several times now and still …
In the NYTBR, Marilyn Stasio rounds up new crime novels by Mark Mills, Frank Tallis, Matt Beynon …
A number of people asked when the memorial service for Robert B. Parker, who died on Martin Luther …
The finalists for the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes have been announced, and aside from a new …
My brief treatise on AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SECRET NOTEBOOKS – as self-explanatory a title as …
Laura Wilson rounds up new crime novels by Jacques Chessex, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths and Carley …
And here they are: Best Novel: Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (St. Martin’s Minotaur) …
My newest column for the Barnes & Noble Review __once more travels the non-fiction route, …
Dick Francis, the former champion jockey who found fame and fortune as the author of scores of horse …
Marilyn Stasio looks at recent crime fiction by James Hall, Charlie Huston, Elly Griffiths and …
From Janet Rudolph comes the nws that the International Association of Crime Writers has just …
Oline Cogdill has her say on Julie Compton’s new thriller RESCUING OLIVIA. In the LA Times, …
My newest column at the LA Times looks at a slew of newcomers, including Belinda Bauer, Randy Susan …
After twenty-four years in business, my hometown mystery bookshop, Prime Crime, is shutting its …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I consider John Burdett’s latest Sonchai Jitpleetcheep …
Margaret Cannon’s latest crime column features new titles by Steve Hamiton, John Burdett, …
Now I can confess: when I first heard the news that J.D. Salinger died, I was instant-messaging with …
Marilyn Stasio looks at recent crime fiction by Ian Rankin, Belinda Bauer, James Thompson and Ian …
At the age of 77, “just sitting at his desk” at his home in Cambridge, Mass., according …
Mystery Writers of America is proud to announce on the 201st anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan …
I’ve long wanted to write about the work of Dorothy Uhnak, a police officer with the NYPD who …
Oline Cogdill chats with Robert Crais about his new Joe Pike novel, THE FIRST RULE, which she also …
Knox Burger, who died on January 4 at the age of 87, wore a great many career hats throughout his …
This year’s recipient of the CWA’s Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, which honors …
Laura Hruska, co-founder, longtime publisher and editor-in-chief of Soho Press, died on Saturday …
Julia Keller’s newest “Lit Life” column in the Chicago Tribune focuses on the …
My newest LA Times column finishes up a two-part look at the state of contemporary fiction by being …
Two and a half years in the making, my essay on the complete works of Don Carpenter runs in the …
I’m not sure if the lateness of this post and the lack of posts between this and last …
2009
Marilyn Stasio’s last crime fiction column of 2009 rounds up new crime fiction by Sue Grafton …
Earlier this fall, Little, Brown publisher Michael Pietsch announced that the company would start …
Oline Cogdill selects her best mysteries of all stripes in 2009 for the Sun-Sentinel. The …
The Los Angeles Times runs my profile with Sue Grafton today, based on a fairly wide-ranging …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, my newest column looks at the wonderfully entertaining Bryant …
Marilyn Stasio looks at recent mysteries and thrillers by Joseph Wambaugh,Charles Finch and Stan …
Pursuing such a subject is utter madness, of course, which is why I decided to crowdsource things …
The Mystery Writers of America won’t give out the Edgar Awards until April 29, but today they …
When THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST, the final book in Stieg Larsson’s Millenium …
So many best-of lists! So many gift guides! So many favorite books! So I’ll keep it to a …
My newest column for the Los Angeles Times reflects what was some unconscious gravitation on my part …
For those who need a quick recap, Harlequin, the romance publisher who also publishes thriller and …
I can list caveats until the cows come home about not having enough space to expound on all the very …
Okay, that’s not at all the most accurate headline, but just as Russia embraced detective …
The G&M’s Margaret Cannon reviews new crime fiction by Reginald Hill, Nevada Barr, Kenneth …
The Daily Beast runs my profile of Al Roker, the TODAY Show’s weatherman and feature reporter, …
In this week’s Publishers Weekly, Jordan Foster looks at what happens when mystery becomes …
Maj Sjowall, in this amazing profile by Louise France of the Observer, talks about the ten-book …
Over at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Rege Behe gathered an impressive number of writers like Anne …
A couple of choice items at The Bookseller today. First up, Otto Penzler re-establishes his …
Deadlines looming. Swamped with work. A big interview to finish up and post here soon. But for now, …
Declan Burke’s post this morning at Crime Always Pays is a real heartbreaker, and while I hope …
Oline Cogdill chimes in with her thoughts on Louise Penny’s newest neo-traditional mystery THE …
In an act of serendipity, both of my crime fiction columns appeared online on the same day. At the …
I suspect reading Motoko Rich’s story on “the Glenn Beck effect” on thriller …
Jason Pinter, as part of his new gig as a columnist for the Huffington Post’s recently …
When I left GalleyCat a couple of years ago the prospect of covering the publishing industry on a …
Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction offerings by Michael Connelly, Ruth Rendell, Archer Mayor, …
Lionel Davidson, a notable British writer of thrillers who was a three-time Gold Dagger winner …
I first heard about this piece of news a little while ago but yesterday, the news was more or less …
In the September issue of Standpoint Magazine, Jessica Mann – a regular reviewer for the …
Hallie Ephron reviews new mysterious tales by Ruth Rendell, Emily Arsenault and Keith Raffel for the …
To close out Tablet Magazine’s Jewish Body Week, I wrote about the autopsy – spefically, …
As presented tonight at a gala event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, which will be televised …
So Howard Unruh is finally dead. I think I’ve been waiting for the news all year, ever since …
This is the last thing any author should have to deal with a new book coming out, as Patricia …
Tonight at 7 PM, Scandinavia House hosts Norwegian crime novelists Kjell Ola Dahl (THE FOURTH MAN, …
The NYTBR’s Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction by Patricia Cornwell, Reginald Hill, …
At a panel on publishing held this morning at Bouchercon, Little, Brown president Michael Pietsch …
Thursday night in Indianapolis, a slew of awards were handed out during the Opening Ceremonies. THE …
I’m not going to Bouchercon this year. “It’s the economy, stupid” is a …
Oline Cogdill is impressed with David Ellis’s THE HIDDEN MAN, the start of a new series of …
Stuart Kaminsky, a former Grandmaster of the Mystery Writers of America and author of dozens of …
My first column for the Barnes & Noble Review under the banner of “The Criminalist” …
The mystery community’s known for roughly a year that Dennis Lehane’s current …
Marilyn Stasio reviews recent crime fiction by Nancy Mauro, Robert Parker, Dick & Felix Francis …
Trouble usually comes with the newest iteration of the “literary vs. genre” discussion, …
It’s been two days since Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland and I still can’t …
And so, the final completed volume of the Millenium series, THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S …
I admit, self-promotion here has been kind of rampant, but such is the convergence of several pieces …
The fine folks at New York Magazine invited me on board for the newest edition of the Vulture …
My review of HARDBALL, the 13th installment of the V.I. Warshawski series by Sara Paretsky, appears …
Several years ago, one of my favorite blogs was “The Literary Dick”, run by Michael Wood …
Rosh Hashanah’s done, so more or less back to business… James Ellroy’s …
The Bookseller reports today on what Maxim Jakubowski, who shut down London mystery bookshop Murder …
We’re in the middle of a weeklong commemoration of Agatha Christie, and it’s worth …
Can you stop a speeding juggernaut? When it comes to THE LOST SYMBOL, I’m sure many would like …
So begins what might well be the craziest, “most important” week in publishing: Ted …
Lyn Hamilton, the Toronto-based mystery writer best known for her series of novels featuring …
When a writer signs a deal to publish more than, say, four books, it usually gets some attention in …
I cannot even begin to describe what a goldmine of information Paul Krassner’s “impolite …
Or, you know, the “Daggers”: ITV3 BESTSELLER DAGGER Harlan Coben Martina Cole Dick …
It’s been a bit fallow this week, hasn’t it? The transition from summer to fall will do …
On October 21, the Crime Writers Assocation will be under a whole different spotlight, thanks to …
Evidently Celia Fremlin, whose 1958 novel THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN won the Edgar Award for Best Novel …
Marilyn Stasio pays tribute to Donald Westlake and the Dortmunder novels in her NYTBR review of GET …
At the LA Times, my newest Dark Passages column focuses on the first two installments of the …
“The Capture of Cerebrus” was the title of a short story Agatha Christie published in …
Ian Rankin’s new novel THE COMPLAINTS is just out in the UK, that means a whole lot of media …
The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 28th annual …
The subject header says it all, but here is the letter that Chris Aldrich just sent out tonight: …
A Thomas Pynchon novel’s not supposed to be read in a single sitting. And yet, with one large …
Apologies in advance for what will be a muted presence here for the rest of the month, as I’m …
Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction by Stieg Larsson, Karin Fossum, Steven Thomas, Margaret …
It’s kind of ridiculous how much mystery-related content there’s been on the radio of …
At Significant Objects, Josh Glenn and Rob Walker’s fabulous site devoted to people like …
For months, Hard Case Crime publisher Charles Ardai has been hinting at a “surprise” …
Links have piled up over the course of the week, and finally I can round them up in something of an …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I look at the newest novel by Spanish crime writer Carmen Posadas, …
Newsweek has a smorgasbord of stuff related to real-life crime, starting with Walter Mosley’s …
The news of Current TV journalists Euna Lee & Laura Ling’s pardon after former President …
Most of the reviews to date of Lev Grossman’s new novel THE MAGICIANS understandably liken it …
To the Guardian’s credit, they get John Banville to respond to post-Harrogate genre …
My newest column for the LA Times looks at recent crime fiction involving, shall we say, damaged …
William G. Tapply, the author of over two dozen mystery novels (including the long-running Brady …
I think the Guardian’s Stuart Evers is making mountains out of molehills, but it does sound …
The New Yorker couldn’t have known that Nicholson Baker’s fascinating essay about his …
Right now is not the time for authors to settle for traditional ways of book promotion, i.e. hoping …
Deadlines and other major events have pretty much reduced my brain to 140 characters or less and to …
I’m not quite ready to dub this the Week of Westlake, but the plethora of news and reviews of …
The NYT’s Marilyn Stasio rounds up new crime novels by James Lee Burke, S.J. Bolton, Michael …
While I can’t say I am surprised, the news that Kate’s Mystery Books in Cambridge will …
Last night the Crime Writers’ Association announced the winners of several of its annual …
Jeffery Deaver picks his top ten novels featuring computers of all kinds for the Guardian, which is …
Somehow, I have gone through my crime fiction reading career without really reading a John D. …
In today’s Los Angeles Times, I review George Dawes Green’s new novel RAVENS, a book I …
Last night at the rather opulent setting of Cipriani near Grand Central Station – and still …
At Jacket Copy, LA Times deputy books editor Nick Owchar breaks the news reports that a long-lost, …
With travel behind me and ThrillerFest getting under way, somehow the Sunday link roundup got lost …
Benjamin Leroy and Alison Janssen have announced their departure from crime and literary fiction …
My newest LA Times column looks at the Inspector Adamsberg novels by Fred Vargas, one of the best …
Publishers Lunch today reported on the ongoing dispute between Stieg Larsson’s heirs – …
Yesterday on Minnesota’s Public Radio, Both Ron Charles and I appeared to talk about summer …
Oline Cogdill calls BLACK WATER RISING by Attica Locke “clearly one of the year’s best …
With FINGER LICKIN’ FIFTEEN now in stores, Janet Evanovich is on quite the media blitz of …
Every few months, whenever stress levels would increase and desire to work would decrease, I’d …
At Tablet Magazine – though when I conceived and wrote and revised the piece, the place was …
Late last week I went on a binge-read of the first six Parker novels by Richard Stark, reissued over …
In the NYTBR, Dennis Lehane makes a surprise appearance reviewing THE SECRET SPEECH by Tom Rob Smith …
And the nominees for the joint awards presented by Deadly Pleasures and Mystery News are: …
Amazon’s Omnivoracious blog put Michael Connelly and Janet Evanovich together for a two-day …
Katy Munger’s name doesn’t get mentioned here nearly often enough, even though I have …
Click To Play After receiving a number of requests to make the video of my interview with James …
As part of its summer reading issue, the National Post asked me to contribute my picks for …
Alan Furst picks his five favorite spy novels for the WSJ, including an unexpected Eric Ambler …
Over at The Stranger, books editor Paul Constant – whose dispatch from BEA was entertainingly …
This week at the Barnes & Noble Review, editor-in-chief James Mustich has a lengthy and …
This week I’ll be taking part in two different events. Tomorrow night at XR Bar (128 Sullivan …
With the 100th anniversary of Eric Ambler’s birth coming up later this month, the Guardian …
For my newest LA Times column, I wanted to try something a little different. So instead of reviewing …
As children, Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio were among many who scared others and themselves …
THE STRAIN, a collaborative reworking of the vampire mythos for today’s times by Guillermo del …
The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year has announced its shortlist. Johan Theorin is …
Sorry for the radio silence here; I’ve been helping out with Publishers Marketplace’s …
As part of the Nation’s spring books issue, Charles Taylor takes another look at one of Donald …
Over at John Scalzi’s site, China Mieville contributes a guest essay on crime fiction, a genre …
Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction by Michael Connelly, Alan Bradley, Simon Beckett and John …
Late last year, when I came across the news that Eric Ambler’s centenary was coming up in …
Peter Hayes, director of think tank the Nautilus Institute, wrote in the group’s newsletter in …
I was going to post at length, but really, Kat Meyer sums up all the reasons why Confessions, unlike …
Step out for a few hours and you end up missing out on some very welcome news, as the 2009 Anthony …
Finally, after much coverage of the story all around the world, the plight of Eva Gabrielsson, the …
Elmore Leonard gets lots of ink this weekend, including a rave review by Stephen King in the Boston …
Janet Maslin has been raving about Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels for years, so it’s …
In advance of THE SCARECROW’S May 26 release, Michael Connelly talks with the WSJ about that …
When I wrote about CSI creator Anthony Zuiker’s just-signed book deal for a slew of thrillers …
In the Los Angeles Times, I use George Pelecanos’s new novel as a means of writing a …
Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction by Gillian Flynn, George Pelecanos, John Hart, Maggie Estep …
My newest column in the Los Angeles Times looks at a slew of mysteries designed for young adult …
My review of the National Book Award winner’s foray into crime fiction – now in novel …
The Telegraph’s gossip columnist Mandrake (aka Tim Walker) caught up with Ruth Rendell at a …
Mystery Readers International awards the Macavity for works published in 2008. The awards will be …
One of Publishers Weekly’s big features this week is Jordan Foster’s look at the mystery …
For WoWoW, I offer my take on recent mysteries of a more traditional bent just in time for Malice …
Last night’s Edgar Awards were a very good time all round. A little longer than in previous …
Barely 18 hours after returning home from Los Angeles, it’s time to get into the thick of …
I am still very much on Eastern Daylight Time so my capacity at the moment for long-form reporting …
As announced today by the Crime Writers of Canada: Nominees in the best novel category are: Linwood …
A few weeks ago I received an unusual package in the mail: a small dictaphone containing a cassette …
As the London Book Fair winds down, it looks like there’s something approximating the …
Words cannot adequately convey the gist of the Letter to Booksellers on the back cover of the ARC of …
So I am trying very, very hard to damp down my worst impulses upon reading this Guardian article …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I have my say on the first Leonid McGill mystery. Here’s how …
J.G. Ballard died over the weekend after a long battle with cancer. He was 78. I’m not nearly …
The WSJ’s Tom Nolan looks at Hakan Nesser’s newly translated novel, WOMAN WITH A …
This weekend I’ll be up in Connecticut along with a plethora of excellent crime writers, …
In the May/June edition of Poets & Writers, I have a short piece on authors on Twitter – …
Wilda Williams highlights the mystery genre’s “Great Escape” in her cover story …
In honor of the publication’s five-year anniversary, founders Jon and Ruth Jordan interview …
While I’ve updated the Picks of the Week section, and the selections will remain until I …
The author of over fifty hardboiled crime novels – more than two dozen Mike Shayne tales as …
Terrible, terrible news: Derek Weiler, the editor of Canadian book trade magazine Quill & Quire, …
Saturday night on CBS, “48 Hours” will air a segment on the ongoing trial of 21-year-old …
Blogging and tweeting will be light for the next week or so; Passover preparations and being out of …
No doubt there will be some fun parlor games in the book world to see which “high-level …
In the New York Post, I review Dara Horn’s new historical novel ALL OTHER NIGHTS, which could …
It sounds outlandish, but two researchers from the University of Toronto beg to differ, as …
Michael Cox, author of the novels THE MEANING OF NIGHT and THE GLASS OF TIME, a biography of M.R. …
To mark the publication of the newest anthology edited by Michael Sims, The Penguin Book of Gaslight …
The 2009 Thriller Award nominees from the International Thriller Writers are: BEST THRILLER OF THE …
I’ve just finished reading the one and only novel from Dennis Richard Murphy, who passed away …
“Marlowe Goes to the Movies” at The Rap Sheet Carolyn Kellogg’s account of a …
The full slate of programming at next month’s LA Times Festival of Books is pretty …
The Strand Magazine announces its 2009 slate of nominees for Best Novel and Best First Novel: Best …
Few would argue that David Suchet makes an exemplary Hercule Poirot, the role he’s played on …
The Telegraph’s Jake Kerridge puts Raymond Chandler’s novels under a critical magnifying …
I’m the substitute chef at Publishers Lunch this week, and added to the usual spate of …
Highlights from the NYTBR and such: Marilyn Stasio on Olen Steinhauer’s THE TOURIST, Janet …
My newest Dark Passages column at the LA Times looks at the Bernie Gunther novels by Philip Kerr …
Kate Stine at Mystery Scene has the full scoop on the awards given out at the banquet hall this …
Spencer Quinn and his novel DOG ON IT have been a hot topic of mine of late. But when this article …
Much as I love the extra hour of daylight, losing the extra hour of sleep kind of blows. But enough …
Barbara Parker, the New York Times bestselling author of a dozen thrillers – most notably the …
Cara Black has always read from one of her Aimee Leduc novels at Stacey’s Bookstore in …
Deadlines and appointments keep me busy, but all the news o’ the day is on Twitter (short) and …
The full list of the 2008 LA Times Book Prize nominations is available here, but for our purposes, …
Can we just call James Patterson the most successful book packager working in publishing right now? …
Barbara Franchi, founder and publisher of Reviewing the Evidence, Antiques Roadshow regular, and a …
Jonathan Littell tells the WSJ that promoting THE KINDLY ONES in the US is not his job, but maybe …
There are many fine reasons to read SHOTS Magazine’s appreciation of Len Deighton on his 80th …
Earlier today I was a guest on New Hampshire Public Radio’s lunchtime program Word of Mouth, …
At the Guardian Books Blog, Imogen Russell Williams lodges her beef with the recent work of Ruth …
And they are… Best Novel • Six Geese A-Slaying, by Donna Andrews (Minotaur Books) • A Royal …
Robert B. Parker is 76 years old, the same age that John Updike was when he died earlier this year. …
How cool was it to see Saturday’s edition of the Chicago Tribune and find a whole article …
Hallie Ephron has her say on new mysteries by Spencer Quinn, Jedediah Berry and Val McDermid. Oline …
It’s just about common knowledge that getting on the New York Times bestseller list requires …
Yesterday the National Academy of Sciences issued a lengthy report, two years in the making,on the …
And in honor of the occasion, as well as HarperCollins UK’s plans to reissue several books …
Pauline Rowson has been a crime writer for a number of years, but it’s only fairly recently …
If Confessions is quiet of late, you’re not hallucinating – it’s because I’m …
Alan Bradley is hot, hot, hot in Canada, what with profiles in the Toronto Star and at Abebooks.com, …
For my newest “Dark Passages” column, I wanted to try something different: was there a …
In the TLS, Sean O’Brien attempts to make some grand conclusions about the state of the …
When I was a great deal younger and more prone to temper tantrums, I got mightily upset when a visit …
I’m not sure if it’s ironic or fitting that Carolyn Kellogg, who is not attending the …
This weekend it’s all about SPADE AND ARCHER, Joe Gores’ prequel to Dashiell …
The NYTBR teems with crime fiction this week what with the David Gates’ review of SPADE AND …
As it turns out, January’s crime fiction column for the Baltimore Sun was my last. After four …
Narrative Magazine normally has more of a literary bent, but in their February issue they give it up …
In the Los Angeles Times, Sebastian Rotella travels to Sicily to interview the island’s …
In the NYTBR, Marilyn Stasio gets a moment in the sun, too – reviewing the historical thriller …
R.I.P., John Updike. The links are plentiful and ongoing (especially as compiled by David …
After weeks of rumor-mongering, hand-wringing and aborted attempts at “petitions”, what …
By now the news has pretty well made the rounds, but the morning after it’s still damn sad …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime offerings from Charlie Huston, Andrew Martin, Jack …
Thanks to Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL WITH PLAYING WITH FIRE reaching #1 on the UK hardback lists …
(Editor’s note: Howard Unruh died on October 19, 2009 at the age of 88, about nine months …
Every year since 1993 the International Mystery Booksellers Association has given out an award …
Tom Nolan celebrates the 75th anniversary of Dashiell Hammett’s THE THIN MAN by asking why …
Congratulations to all the nominees! BEST NOVEL Missing by Karin Alvtegen (Felony & Mayhem Press) …
The former barrister, satirist and creator of the much-loved RUMPOLE novels has died at the age of …
Sometimes you have to go with the obvious, and since Tuesday is the 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan …
The mystery and thriller world knows David Ellis for writing five novels, including the …
If you’re in Philadelphia tonight, do not miss the Great Poe Debate at the Philly Free …
The Crime Writers’ Association announced that their annual award “for sustained …
As Quercus, the most recent UK publisher to get in on the ground with genre fiction, faces cutbacks …
The fourth and final part of my ongoing series on historical mysteries at the Barnes & Noble …
NYTBR: Caleb Crain looks at radical Marxist literature for children; Jacob Heilbrunn on a spate of …
So word of my freakish reading ability got around and Carolyn Kellogg, Jacket Copy’s ace lead …
Janet Maslin extols the virtues of Charlie Huston while Patrick Anderson is not so impressed with …
The Bookseller reports even more sad news. Murder One, the independent mystery bookstore that has …
Karen Spengler, proprietor of the independent bookstore I Love a Mystery in Mission, Kansas, died at …
My newest column at the Baltimore Sun has a neophyte feel to it because all three of the books I …
[]1 Donald E. Westlake, the incomparable writer of a great many fine crime novels – including …
Hope your 2009 has gotten off to a great start. I certainly feel ready to get back to things …
2008
The Observer serves up a preview of books published in 2009, marveling at the number of big names …
Hillary Waugh died earlier this month and I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never heard …
Tomorrow is the last night of Chanukah, so that means this rendition of “Ocho …
To each and every one of you I wish the happiest of holidays. The slowdown has begun, and since …
With the new year approaching I felt like going with a different color scheme for Confessions, so …
The January/February issue of Poets & Writers (which has an absolute must-read cover story …
My newest LA Times column travels back in time to the 1920s, when Earl Derr Biggers started writing …
So earlier this week, police in Hollywood, Florida closed the Adam Walsh case. 27 years after the …
Deadlines are beat. The plate is clear for now. And to tell you the truth, I am rethinking the whole …
Over the weekend the Times of London engaged in something of a parlor game, printing an excerpt by …
Apologies from this corner for the paucity of posts: it’s been a deadline-packed week and the …
The crime writing team of Michael Gregorio conduct a fascinating interview with Giancarlo de …
The Calendar section of the LA Times runs my piece on the bestselling thriller writer, which is as …
From a narrative standpoint, Sunday’s literary smackdown developed in the best possible way. …
Because honestly, this week it’s all about Best of Lists and you can find them all in one …
This weekend the Los Angeles Times runs its annual Favorite Books issue with the following …
If you happen to be in midtown this weekend, you’re well advised to check out the goings-on at …
Andrew Wheeler has the clearest summary of what some call Black Wednesday (I prefer Bloodbath …
I am about to pick my jaw up from the floor, but here’s the summary of a press release Random …
And after a glorious week away, the news is all doomy and gloomy! Well not all, but a whole lot of …
Okay, so a while back I wondered whether it was such a good idea to place James Wood on a pedestal, …
Here’s to good food and cheer to distract from stormy economic times. And when Black Friday …
It’s the news heard ‘round the publishing world (so of course, it happened while I was …
Over at his blog, Art & Literature, Art Taylor talks with Charles Ardai about his new and …
Because at this rate, it might be the only way to iron this mess out…
NYTBR: George Packer on the V.S. Naipaul biography; Charles Taylor digs the new short story …
My newest column at the Los Angeles Times has a missing persons themes running throughout, looking …
For the first time since 1978, Mystery Writers of America will have two Grand Masters for 2009: …
At the 2007 London Book Fair, UK literary agent Ali Gunn was shopping around a book proposal with …
For all your National Book Awards recap needs, including links to other stories and the view from …
George Chesbro, the author of the “Mongo the Magnificent” series of detective novels (as …
The newest podcast at CRIMEWAV features “Blooming”, a short story of mine that appeared …
And it’s an abbreviated one this week, so bear with: Marilyn Stasio gives the business on …
Jesus, this is horrible: Life was imitating art when crime novelist Laura Caldwell lay face down on …
At NPR, Martha Woodroof reports on how the global success of Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL WITH THE …
First up, The Gumshoe Site reports that the Mystery Writers of America chose The Edgar Allan …
At the fifth annual Tony Hillerman Writers Conference, Roy Chaney was awarded the Tony Hillerman …
As one of the 2666 skeptics, it is only fair I judge the book on its merits, which I hope to do now …
As reported this morning over at BookBrunch: Val McDermid has left HarperCollins after 17 years and …
….well, I’ll just quote Ruth Jordan, who buried the lead in her report on Murder and …
NYTBR: Jonathan Lethem spent ecstatic days with Roberto Bolano’s 2666 and pretty much declares …
Kyle Minor is the author of In the Devil’s Territory, a collection of stories available this week …
I have lost count how many talented, brilliant, notable people have died this year. But goddamn, …
A few folks have wondered if I had anything of substance to say about Michael Crichton. And the …
The bestsellling author is dead at the age of 66 following a long and private battle with cancer. …
So now we know. And yes, it isn’t perfect (Prop 8 WTF? And same to you, AZ) but it’s …
Today’s the day. If there ever was an election I wished I could vote in, this was it. Even …
The Barnes & Noble Review runs a long and a short piece of mine this week. The long piece is a …
A few things from me to kick off this Weekend Update after we turned the clocks back. My new column …
The legend has passed. He was 96 and packed zillions of lives into a single one by reaching out to …
Happy Halloween, everybody. A few choice links on this candy-filled day: At the WSJ, Laura Miller …
The cover story of this week’s Metro Times features Loren Estleman, billed as …
Laura Wilson has won the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger for her WWII-era novel STRATTON’S WAR. …
Criminal Brief posts the news that Elaine Flinn passed away last Saturday from pneumonia, …
Tony Hillerman, the award-winning author of many works of fiction and non-fiction – primarily …
NYTBR: This is about as sycophantic a review I’ve read in ages, so of course it has to grace …
It was clear that he was loved, and that even though they might not have understood him fully, they …
My newest Dark Passages column at the Los Angeles Times turns the clock back all the way to 1865, …
Signs I am a mystery geek of insane proportions: I have been clicking refresh on Jiro Kimura’s …
One of the UK’s leading literary agents, Pat Kavanagh, has died from complications of a …
NYTBR: It’s more than a bit meh this week at the Book Review – or just puzzling …
When I first heard that Leonard Cassuto, a professor of English Literature at Fordham (and not …
Jennifer Jordan took this picture of me and my two Anthony Award nominations after the awards brunch …
Rae Helmsworth, who is chairing the 2010 Bouchercon in San Francisco, passes along word of the …
Thanks to the dedicated crowd who turned up at Scandinavia House yesterday evening to hear your …
The first of my Bouchercon dispatches is up at Jacket Copy, even if my med-addled status made me mix …
I have no voice and I have a pretty good suspicion whatever is ailing me must be cured with some …
I arrived early so I could prepare for this – but once the fast is done on Thursday night, …
Since Ali Karim was kind enough to trumpet this event over at the Rap Sheet, I ought to make it as …
Though the news was allegedly embargoed until tonight, The Bookseller has announced the winners of …
And of course, it’s the pre-Bouchercon update, seems fitting to note that the Baltimore …
Bouchercon is less than a week away. Early next week I’ll do some serious previewing (and if …
I can see how this would happen, but come on, this is funny: Two notices were delivered by GEZ, a …
RIP, Olsson’s Books & Records. That you will be missed is an understatement. WaPo’s …
The Crime Writers’ Association has announced the shortlist for the Ellis Peters Historical …
Keeping it short, keeping it mostly crime fiction-centric: The Missoula Independent collected a ton …
My newest Dark Passages column at the Los Angeles Times compares and contrasts Katherine …
Even though I first learned about this book deal in open court more than a year and a half ago, the …
Publishers Weekly reported this afternoon that NYT bestseller Tami Hoag, who has been publishing her …
Maxim Jakubowski and Mike Ripley remember James Crumley. The Times’ Ben MacIntyre visits with …
Karen Matthews at the AP writes up the opening of a new exhibit centered around Irene Nemirovsky …
At Time Out Chicago, book editor Jonathan Messinger looks into how Richard Stark’s Parker …
My review of Dennis Lehane’s THE GIVEN DAY runs in the Los Angeles Times today. I’ll get …
NYTBR: Seth Mnookin goes inside John Darnton’s murder mystery version of the Times; Tom …
The New York Times profiles Jessica Stockton Bagnulo and how close her dream of opening a bookstore …
James Crumley, one of the most influential crime writers upon the current generation of working …
Just this afternoon I was thinking that there hadn’t been a sit up/take notice kind of book …
….but this is pretty damn clever. (via) Naturally pretty much the whole world is reviewing …
This is the first day of the rest of America’s financial life. And anyone who says this is not …
As both the Telegraph and the New York Times report, a trove of recordings featuring Agatha Christie …
NYTBR: Michiko Kakutani offers a heartfelt tribute to David Foster Wallace; Bruce Jay Friedman on Al …
David Foster Wallace hanged himself last night. He was 46. As I write this the news is the most …
_(This is the sixth and last part in a multi-part series examining publisher
imprint brands in an …
The Guardian’s Alison Flood wonders at the UK prospects of Muriel Barbery’s surprise …
Gregory Mcdonald, best known as the author of the FLETCH novels, died on September 7 in Giles …
_(This is the fifth in a multi-part series examining publisher
imprint brands in an informal, …
The Booker Prize shortlist is announced, and the usual suspects aren’t on it – no CHILD …
_(This is the fourth in a multi-part series examining publisher
imprint brands in an informal, …
My occasional series on historical mysteries continues at the Barnes & Noble Review, with part …
Boy, was that some nutty rainstorm yesterday!
NYTBR: Well, before we get to the Book Review proper, …
_(This is the third in a multi-part series examining publisher
imprint brands in an informal, …
Read Dennis Lehane’s lips: no new Patrick and Angie. Oh, and he talks up THE GIVEN DAY a great …
They’ve just lost another author: New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline …
(This is the second in a multi-part series examining publisher imprint brands in an informal, …
It is not news that the publishing industry is in flux and in dire need of some new directions and …
Oh, that Stephenie Meyer. On the one hand, it sucks someone leaked a partial first draft of her new …
In this week’s issue of Maclean’s, I profile David Rotenberg, author of several …
And like everyone else, fingers crossed Gustav’s damage to the Gulf Coast is minimal and …
My newest “Dark Passages” column at the Los Angeles Times is now up, mixing together …
I am going to say from the outset that I want lots of comments on this post, because I think it will …
They are now posted at the Charmed to Death panel blog, broken down by date: Thursday Friday …
Well, not for the guy who tried to set his up, I suppose: A man who chose "Lloyds is pants" as his …
The Banffshire Journal meets Shona Maclean, newly minted historical crime writer. Oline Cogdill on …
It even has third-act plot twists: PORTLAND, Ore. – When Susan Kuhnhausen returned home from …
NYTBR: In what seems to be less space, Marilyn Stasio crams in reviews of new crime novels by Louis …
Damn, what a shame. The Rap Sheet has the news from editor Michael Langnas on why the magazine is …
Deadline hell is nearing an end, as is my Olympics obsession, just in time for some light travel. So …
…well, pick your superlative. I’ll go with really, really good swimmer for now. The …
When MURDER INK was published, Marilyn Stasio was about a decade away from taking over as the New …
As Mystery Scene puts it, Jim Huang is having a very bad business day: “The power’s out in our …
One of the reasons for my somewhat pre-emptive post earlier in the week was my lack of trust in the …
While it’s not quite nothing to see here, posting will definitely be on the light side between …
In Act One of this story, a 57 year old woman has her dead pitbull, Booger, cloned in South Korea. …
At the Washington City Paper, Mark Athitakis comes to terms with Pelecanos’s way with DC …
Thriller writer Mark Arsenault profiles fellow thriller writer Michelle Gagnon. Swati Padney meets …
The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) is proud to announce [the nominees for the 27th annual …
Eddie Muller’s new Guilty Bystander column looks at recent books by Nina Revoyr, Denise …
At the LA Times, I use my unabashed love for Iain Sansom’s Mobile Library novels (THE CASE OF …
Lots and lots and lots on George Pelecanos as THE TURNAROUND is released this week. Paper Cuts asks …
The longlist for the Man Booker Prize is…well…you be the judge. NETHERLAND is a total …
Much linked to already, but Motoko Rich has kicked off a series on the future of reading. …
If you’re registered for Bouchercon 2008 (or are about to be) this post is important and …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime offerings by Karin Fossum, James Lee Burke, Will Thomas and …
In honor of Raymond Chandler’s 120th birthday yesterday, Carolyn Kellogg at Jacket Copy asked …
Read on at Vulture to find out.
Marc Weingarten chats with Craig Johnson at the LAT about ANOTHER MAN’S MOCASSINS, which …
Leon Neyfakh’s piece on James Wood in this week’s Observer probably couldn’t help …
For the travel-minded crime fiction reader, the Independent lists 80 destinations, from Dublin to …
LA Observed reprints an open letter sent by former book review editors Digby Diehl, Sonja Bolle, …
The Washington Post has a great piece on George Pelecanos, and while it doesn’t reveal a lot …
The LA Times runs what it wants to think of as a serious investigative piece on the reliability of …
The Harrogate crime festival has just about finished up, and for those who couldn’t make it, …
In this weekend’s Los Angeles Times Book Review I offer up my take on Denise Hamilton’s …
NPR’s Morning Edition revives its “Crime in the City” series for the summer, …
Earlier today I was a guest on New Hampshire Public Radio’s “Word of Mouth” …
In reading her review today of Tana French’s THE LIKENESS, it’s pretty clear to me Ms. …
If the tone’s been a little downbeat of late, so be it, but things are starting to turn. …
They called it Black Monday for a reason. 150 people on the editorial side of the Los Angeles Times, …
PW’s Jordan Foster has the scoop on ITW’s waiving of fees for active members The Globe …
The Observer’s Leon Neyfakh embarks upon a new project in light of Publishers Weekly‘s …
Despite only attending ThrillerFest for one day, the recovery period is taking as long as it would …
Announced earlier today at an awards dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane: The Duncan …
David Montgomery takes stock of the first half of 2008 in mystery, and finds it somewhat wanting: …
Last night at a cocktail party held at the Midtown Executive Club, the 1st annual Strand Critics …
With the Tribune instituting a bloodbath of layoffs across their newspapers, one of my first …
There’s no denying how crazy that Lee Abrams memo is on Tribune matters and especially his …
Though so far there’s nary a peep in the English-speaking world, the Literary Saloon gleans …
The Baltimore Sun ran my newest crime fiction column yesterday, featuring new releases by Stephen L. …
Any fence-sitting on posting the Weekend Update disappeared with yesterday’s epic barnburner …
Why does this seem to me the perfect story right before a long weekend? Police say an Appleton …
Which is to say after this roundup, nothing until Monday. Tuesday was Canada Day, the anniversary of …
Up a bit early because of the holiday weekend is my newest Dark Passages column, which has a bit of …
The town of Gerald, Missouri was one of many small towns struggling to overcome the scourge that is …
At least on a temporary basis, as Lee Child has been awarded a visiting professorship from his alma …
Patrick Anderson deems Robert Crais’ CHASING DARKNESS to be “first-rate …
My review of Lewis Shiner’s new novel BLACK AND WHITE runs this weekend in the Los Angeles …
What with this year being the 100th anniversary of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, L.M. Montgomery has been on …
Ian Rankin is about to join a labor commission to look at declining literacy standards in Scottish …
As presented by the Mystery Readers Journal. The winners, too, will be announced at Bouchercon: Best …
Jerry Rodriguez, whose crime novels THE DEVIL’S MAMBO and REVENGE TANGO were published by …
But lo, it happens in real life, too: SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — A Macedonian journalist jailed …
Part two of my occasional series on historical mysteries runs this week at the Barnes & Noble …
In this week’s Publishers Weekly, James Grippando pays tribute to his longtime editor at …
So instead, just links of the mystery-related variety: At the Washington Post, authors like Janet …
Sometimes the freelance gods decide that a whole bunch of pieces turned in at wildly different times …
Yesterday’s hour-long stint on WILL’s Focus 580 with David Inge was great fun, and …
I’m going to crib from Jiro Kimura first: Dennis Richard Murphy died of lung cancer on June …
Posting will be on the very, very light side this week, mostly because I’m putting together …
The Washington Post Magazine’s Laura Wexler has written an excellent profile of Jody …
Oddly enough, my latest Baltimore Sun is available not on the Sun’s website, but at …
The Times asks a number of writers about their eating and drinking habits while they write their …
Last December, Irish noir thriller writer Adrian McKinty went to Cuba and visited Ernest …
His work is dark, obviously, but straight up noir didn’t seem to be part of his fictional …
Yes, it’s another reminder and more blatant self-promo, but come one, come all – or at …
I had bookmarked this and forgot until Euro Crime reminded me, but thriller writer Peter James has …
Late last month I interviewed Kathryn Harrison about her latest book WHILE THEY SLEPT: AN INQUIRY …
The name Bennett Cerf conjures up a lot of different things. There’s the guy who edited book …
The Boston Globe’s David Mehegan highlights one of genre fiction’s truisms, and perhaps …
It figures that there are all these great links accumulating post-Weekend Update. So let’s …
Okay, so I am a negligent hockey fan who doesn’t even live in Canada anymore. But HOW HOW HOW …
My newest “Dark Passages” column at the LA Times shifts away from crime fiction into …
The Crime Writers of Canada has announced the winners of the 25th annual Arthur Ellis Awards last …
The New York Daily News talks with several writers of a Latin American bent, including Jerry …
The Duncan Lawrie Dagger was announced in advance, but now all the other Dagger shortlists have come …
Since today is the publication day of Lee Child’s NOTHING TO LOSE, it’s no surprise …
The big news today is the Anthony Awards, but that’s for a separate post. Also, although I am …
Are available right here. And I have to say, by and large I’m pretty damn pleased with the …
Though the official announcement of all the Dagger Awards won’t be made until Tuesday June 3, …
Deadly Pleasures announces the nominees for the 2008 Barry Awards: BEST NOVEL (Published in the …
But the story comes damn, damn close: A JAPANESE man puzzled by food mysteriously disappearing …
On the occasion of the publication of his first young adult novel LITTLE BROTHER, I spoke with Cory …
It would be damn near impossible to link to all of the articles published today in the wake of the …
Since Gregory Beyer’s NYT piece last weekend posed the question of whether mystery writers …
To kick off the Update, I encourage everyone with even the slightest interest in crime fiction to …
Tucked in the middle of this week’s Artvoice interview with Lawrence Block, which focuses …
One of my favorite noir fiction writers, Massimo Carlotto, moves back a few hundred years for his …
Effective December 31, Marie Arana will no longer be the editor of the Washington Post Book World. …
I can imagine the mood at Random House this morning is akin to an entire coop of non-kosher chickens …
THE GIVING TREE is not one of my favorite works by Shel Silverstein. In part because, as the man …
NYTBR: Dwight Garner waxes serious rhapsody over Joseph O’Neill’s NETHERLAND, but all I …
When Patti Abbott asked me to contribute to her fine project, which rotates around various blogs …
Canada’s crown jewel in PI fiction is Benny Cooperman, the amiable Toronto investigator …
At the Guardian, Chris Wiegand talks with two crime novelists mining very different mean streets in …
The Detroit Free Press profiles Peter Leonard, son of Elmore and crime novelist in his own right. …
The NY Daily News remarks on a publication story that is both remarkable and heartbreaking: …
My newest “Dark Passages” column for the LA Times Book Review – which now has a …
Referring, in this instance, to Evelyn Nesbit: turn-of-the-20th-century starlet, objet de …
The Joseph Fritzl case in Austria is a horrifying train wreck that I can’t stop reading about. …
The Wall Street Journal has a big feature on the James Bond franchise, continuing with Sebastian …
Charles Ardai was on NPR’s Fresh Air yesterday to chat with Terry Gross about Hard Case Crime, …
My review of Tom Rob Smith’s debut novel CHILD 44 runs today on the Barnes & Noble Review. …
The author of the fabulous, recently reissued THE DUD AVOCADO died on May 1 at the age of 81. The …
Eighty years ago, S.S. Van Dine – a pseudonym for Willard Huntingon Wright and the author, …
Indeed, almost immediately after going home from the Edgars, some vicious flu decided to take up …
And this new one has some degree of muscle, what with it being the ITV3 Crime & Thriller Awards …
…it’s right here, and will be updated as much as I can from 7:30 PM onwards. UPDATE: And …
For the first time ever, Booklist is running original fiction in its pages. Keir Graff, the trade …
Shannon Byrne was taking pictures at the Mysterious Bookshop’s party for BLUE RELIGION and …
This week’s big true crime story is highly speculative: could a nationwide gang of …
On the awards front, St. Martin’s Press and the Mystery Writers of America announce the …
And that means another Girl’s Guide, though belated since the fun has already begun… …
Or, to get all 1337-speak, my reaction upon reading this LA Times article by Scott Timberg was on …
The Rap Sheet has your Agatha Award winners. At the Boston Globe, Hallie Ephron reviews crime …
The LA Times Festival of Books is done. I have a godawful early wake-up call for my flight back to …
Day One of the LA Times Festival of Books is wrapping up. The sun is bright and the temperature is …
If this week hadn’t been so travel-heavy I would have cobbled together a “Girl’s …
Lee Child talks up his business side of writing to the London Times. Marilyn Stasio takes a …
For those keeping score, Crais’s last three books – which include July’s CHASING …
Publishers Weekly’s bi-annual feature on crime fiction has a UK-centric feel to it, as Jordan …
Passover pre-empts the Weekend Update, but before I go gorge myself on Seder food, it’s worth …
Greetings from my hometown, where I’ll be for the next few days to celebrate my favorite …
Reuters talks with Karen Joy Fowler about the writing life, genre vs. literary and her new novel …
LJ editor Wilda Williams conducts an annual survey of the current mystery market with a twist …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I take the long view on Joseph Wambaugh’s career as a …
Catherine Price’s Salon article really could have come in handy last year, but at least …
One of these years I do hope I can swing a trip over to London in time for the Book Fair, which …
Photo editor and writer Antony Bennison had some fun and produced the following bit of awesomeness: …
The header should be a dead giveaway as to how I spent much of this week. The rest of the time, a …
USA TODAY’s Binzesheimer, along with AP’s Hillel Italie and David Segal, NY1 and the …
Meet Matt Hilton, the UK’s newest six-figure crime-writing star: A former Cumbrian police …
Yes, I love these kinds of stories. And this one is both a doozy and heartwarming: A baby with two …
Because if this was fiction it sure as hell would be: Terry Cottle and Sonny Graham never …
First, though I only spent a day at NoirCon, I had a blast – thanks to all who attended my …
It seems fitting that as NoirCon gets underway today, today’s big film news is that Ken …
Kyril Bonfiglioli always seems to fall out of favor, come back, fall out of favor in a repetitive …
When true crime writer and Crimerant co-blogger Gregg Olsen thought of ways to get the word out …
The Pioneer Press chats with Raymond Benson about his talents in many writing and musical spheres. …
I’ve been on a bit of an international pop star kick of late, and the recent death of Jules …
The AP has an extended piece on the Doe Network, whose mission since its inception in 2001 is to …
NYTBR: First up, the new Grisham novel makes the cover – two months after its release date? …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I kick off an occasional series on historical mysteries by …
Three years ago I blogged about “Joseph Newton Chandler III”, an elderly gentleman who …
Chetan Bhagat is India’s bestselling novelist – a task he accomplishes in his spare time …
Michiko Kakutani generally likes Colin Harrison’s THE FINDER but finds the plot rather …
J. Kingston Pierce has written the most amazing tribute to Arthur Lyons, author of several P.I. …
PW’s Edward Nawotka has a great writeup this week about David Thompson and McKenna Jordan, the …
The annual festival announced its full schedule late last week, and as always, the crime fiction …
NYTBR: This is pure conjecture on my part, but I can’t help wondering if Colm Toibin’s …
This is one of the damned saddest news I’ve had to report here. Thriller writer and military …
I know, it’s yet another award nomination list, but this time the Strand Magazine has …
It would be rejected on the grounds of sheer unbelievability.
My review of Elisa Albert’s THE BOOK OF DAHLIA is now up at JBooks. The Thriller Award …
It’s the title of Michio Kaku’s book, yes, but right now that seems an appropriate way …
The Yomiuri Shimbun has good reason to fete mystery novelist Jiro Akagawa – he’s just …
Though the story’s headline is far, far funnier: LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) – Police in …
There’s two, two LA Times pieces for the price of one. First, my newest Dark Passages column …
A while back Canadian director David Cronenberg inked a book deal with Penguin Canada, and now the …
The reaction to Nicholson Baker’s HUMAN SMOKE is nothing short of fascinating and pretty much …
So says the title of my newest piece for the Guardian Books Blog. I’ve wanted to write about …
Normally I don’t blog much about politics and current events, but I’m still picking up …
As announced today by Mystery Ink: BEST MYSTERY James Lee Burke – Tin Roof Blowdown (Simon …
And first, a reminder: hope you all pushed your clocks an hour forward. Daylight Saving Time comes a …
In this week’s issue of Time Out New York I bring up one of the city’s most notorious …
Forgive the cringe-worthy title, but this story, set off Gabriola Island in British Columbia, is …
Congrats first to Duane Swierczynski, who revealed the news yesterday that Michelle Monaghan has …
Richard Price Week gets extended some more now that his new novel, LUSH LIFE, hits stores today: …
At the Guardian Books Blog, I reveal a deep dark secret. Though I’m trying to adjust my …
As most every literary geek I know, I spent a chunk of my morning watching the debut episode of …
The double Booker Prize winner and multi-genre writer, who wrote many crime novels and thrillers, …
My review of Samantha Hunt’s fantastic and wondrous novel THE INVENTION OF EVERYTHING ELSE ran …
Also, my current Baltimore Sun column looks at new crime novels by Benjamin Black, Charlie Newton, …
Last night the LA Times announced its Book Festival Prize finalists and the mystery/thriller …
As there are quite a number on the crime fiction front. First, the next book from Blake Crouch: …
Because this is one of the greatest sentences I have ever read: Two twin brothers, who are also …
I must admit that when I heard the news today my first thought was to wonder what this means for Sam …
As this is very good news indeed: Russel McLean’s THE GOOD SON, introducing a troubled Scots …
After reading this now I want to pick Roslyn Targ’s brain for glamorous publishing stories. …
And they will be presented at the 20th Malice Domestic Convention held the weekend of April 25-27: …
Granted, I’m deluged with work again, but still, this is genius. (via)
The New Yorker writes about Farrar, Straus & Giroux’s impending move to new quarters on 18 …
Having spent yesterday watching four of the five best picture nominees in one sitting (oddly enough, …
Jaime dishes on Donald Westlake’s greatest masterpiece ever. Or not. (Also, as a result, this …
First up is perhaps my very favorite prize, the Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year, has …
Issue #1 of the New Plots With Guns. This news makes me quite happy indeed.
It’s certainly strange enough: A four-ton iron bridge on an old rail line between Cheb and …
Publishers Marketplace reports that Janet Silver, Houghton Mifflin’s former publisher, will …
…but this was truly beautiful.
Well, eventually, anyway: Black is getting blacker. Researchers in New York reported this month …
The Sacramento Bee meets James Hall, who tries to shed light on why there are so many crime writers …
On Friday, Publishers Weekly reported that four editors at the now-combined Houghton Mifflin …
Adam Langer’s new novel ELLINGTON BOULEVARD was a curious read for me because it takes place …
A lively discussion is going on at David Montgomery’s blog, provoked in part by his …
Okay, so pretty much everyone knows that Hollywood doesn’t have much of an incentive to be …
The Houston Chronicle’s Sandra Breiting profiled David Thompson over the weekend, getting …
I am starting to come to the conclusion that Patricia Cornwell is the Upton Sinclair of the criminal …
About a year and a half or so ago I put forward the idea that crime fiction, as it is being …
Still down south so no Weekend Update. And as my review of John Burnham Schwartz’s THE …
Though I have spent less than 24 hours in the Sunshine State (which I last visited at the age of …
The Hollywood Reporter’s Paul Hyman tracks down James Patterson and finds out why he’s …
Last week I wrote about how crime novelist Inger Wolfe’s pseudonym bore an uncanny resemblance …
The other big news in Philly media is that Duane Swierczynski is leaving the City Paper to write …
And it is sad, sad news for the book world, as M.A. Orthofer explains: No one has done as much to …
But then, I much preferred Rodgers with him than with Hammerstein: Gary Marmorstein’s LORENZ …
At the Guardian Books Blog, I discuss my all-time favorite author, L.M. Montgomery, and the 100th …
NYTBR: Liesl Schillinger really digs Charles Bock’s debut novel BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, a verdict …
The North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers is pleased to announce …
About a month after a three-part series on DNA and Ethics, NPR now goes back to the forensic science …
Overlook’s done a pretty good job at getting formerly neglected espionage novelists Robert …
[Wall Street Journal Europe chats with Olen Steinhauer]1 about espionage, the fall of communism and …
At the Washington Post, Bethanne Patrick is chilled by John Grisham’s THE APPEAL and Patrick …
Today, over 300 writers, editors and bloggers are joining forces to support Patry Francis in her …
The piece I wrote may have come and gone, but the speculation on Inger Wolfe’s identity …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime novels by Cornelia Read, Minette Walters, Loren Estleman and …
Whitbread award winning author Joan Brady has won her long-running battle against a shoe …
You decide: Criminal gangs are using dwarves in a ruse to steal from the luggage holds of …
Or, Jeff Pierce’s Rap Sheet headline on this story is pretty much dead-on. Besides, want to …
The Sydney Morning Herald profiles award-winning crime writer Garry Disher. Sara Paretsky reveals …
That’s the title of Terry Teachout’s most recent Sightings column in the WSJ, and in …
As in, pretty much only crime fiction in this update. Both my columns ran at the same time this …
It figures that the MWA would announce the nominees for the Edgar awards as I was on a bus out of …
What can you say? One of the greatest mystery legends, a man who had a story in every issue of …
For some reason I’ve been spending an inordinate amount of time watching YouTube clips of …
Motoko Rich profiles John Burnham Schwartz, whose new novel THE COMMONER is a fascinating look …
Century, one of the major imprints of Random House UK, has inked a nine-month sponsorship deal with …
So I wrote this speculative piece for Maclean’s* and it ruffled enough feathers that a …
The award for the mystery independent booksellers most enjoyed selling has announced its nominees: …
At the Barnes & Noble Review, I discuss the current revival of espionage fiction. Also, the home …
Danuta Kean talks with Martyn Waites in the Independent on Sunday and the conversation quickly turns …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio reviews the latest crime offerings from Sara Paretsky, Frank Tallis, James …
For that seems to work for Jamie Freveletti, whom I think I met briefly at ThrillerFest and is a …
Finally, the Guardian runs an obituary of the late Icelandic translator Bernard Scudder. (Thanks, …
Courtesy the Rap Sheet comes the first spate of mystery genre awards, to be handed out at Left Coast …
At the Guardian Books Blog, I discuss last month’s WSJ article on Tom Rob Smith’s …
There are nights when everything clicks together perfectly at choir practice. The sopranos …
Michiko generally likes THE BOOK OF OTHER PEOPLE, the charity anthology edited by Zadie Smith. …
Though the news broke in a soft way when the Spring/Summer 2008 catalog went out to booksellers and …
NYTBR: The Islam Issue. Oh boy. Does that mean we get the Zoroastrian Issue later this year? Or …
The creator of Flashman as we know him best – because, of course, Flashman first appeared as …
The answer to the whereabouts of arguably America’s most notorious female serial killer is …
Happy New Year, everybody. If the first day was anything to judge by, things are off to a pretty …
2007
I realized a couple of days ago that I couldn’t remember the last time I took a blog hiatus …
Gothamist points to the story of a bank robber so compulsive he robbed the same banks over and over …
On the list front, we have January Magazine’s best crime fiction of 2007, and Oline …
I have my issues with Portfolio, Conde Nast’s business mag, for all the usual reasons, mostly …
The National Post caught up with Sleuth of Baker Street co-owner J.D. Singh to talk about the …
Till tomorrow, or never, but in the meantime, a big thank-you to Paul Goat Allen for his lovely …
The Brattleboro Reformer profiles Mystery on Main Street, a new independent mystery bookshop that …
NPR’s Ari Shapiro continues his weeklong series on DNA, its forensic applications and ethical …
One of my favorite crime writers, Jenny Siler, is going in a different direction for her newest …
Oline Cogdill picks her top mysteries of 2007, with Laura Lippman’s WHAT THE DEAD KNOW heading …
Awful, awful news care of the Guardian: In recent years the comic novelist Chrissie Glazebrook, who …
Lizzie Skurnick has been blogging about YA novels at Jezebel. The most recent entry is one of my …
At the Guardian Books Blog, Icelandic translator Bernard Scudder’s recent death – about …
Now this is interesting news: Two books in NYT bestselling author Walter Mosley’s new mystery …
Janet Maslin has found another female crime writer to praise in Theresa Schwegel. Patrick Anderson …
This month’s Baltimore Sun column is a bit different in that I took a more gift-centric …
From James Fallows’ blog at the Atlantic: I say that “genre” fiction, like spy …
If you’re in the city or don’t already have plans tonight, join editrix Megan Abbott, …
A million years ago I thought about and sent around some half-hearted pitches on Bob Barnett, …
When the news breaks that Duane Swierczynski will be penning Marvel Comics’ relaunch of Cable, …
Because, it’s priceless: ROME (AP) — Your honor, I thought I saw a pussycat! Tweety may …
Else how to explain this Phoenix-like tale? For more than five years he had been missing, presumed …
The Rap Sheet reports that Julia Spencer-Fleming took home the Nero Award last Saturday night for …
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every crime fiction reviewer must pen an essay about …
New York’s first snowfall has come and gone, but the nasty cold lodged in my head remains. So …
While not every Sunday book review publication has a holiday theme, a great many of them do to the …
I mark my upcoming birthday with a post at the Guardian Books Blog on why I’m somewhat …
Where else do you find a reggae-flavored cover version of the Italian version of the MORK AND MINDY …
The saga of PFD has rightfully dominated UK publishing trade press, what with a new managing …
Also, I’m on deadline (what else is new?) and I got pretty much nuthin’ until …
Back in 2006, Mystery Writers of America added an extra codicil for potential Edgar Award …
It’s Denise Hamilton’s turn to critique John Leake’s ENTERING HADES and she likes …
It’s just a one-line deal memo and yet it has the weight of a million paragraphs: “Film …
The full news release is available here, but Anthony Rainone has the general highlights: …
New York Magazine presents a handy guide to international sleuths ranging from the Gaza Strip to …
Reading Janet Maslin’s book reviews bears some resemblance to dead horse-beating, mostly …
Thanksgiving is but a faded memory, the gluttony may persist until the end of the year, but the …
Mickey Spillane, Evan Hunter, Robert B. Parker and Dick Cavett. Does it get any better than this? …
A short piece on all the notable American writers who have died in the last 12 months with some …
From me and the folks at WKRP in Cincinnati:
Don’t you have better things to do? I don’t find it hilarious like David Montgomery …
The Costa Awards have announced their shortlists. Faves Rupert Thomson and Nikita Lalwani made it to …
The deal writeup for a big trilogy sale is plenty interesting: Stieg Larsson’s THE MILLENNIUM …
With regards to Newsweek’s cover story on Amazon Kindle, I’m with Michael Cader: …
Actually, the goodbyes to this forensic technique began in 2005, when the FBI announced that, after …
NYTBR: Jabari Asim assesses the final (?) Easy Rawlins novel; Sarah Towers wishes Emily Listfield …
Pronzini, the author of the Nameless Detective series and numerous other novels, will be awarded the …
Though Marie La Ganga’s piece for the LA Times confirms that an aging audience likes to read …
Since one-line Twitter entries can’t possibly cover the gamut of what happened last night …
My Baltimore Sun column ran last weekend but is only now available online. In it I review new …
November 7: HarperCollins reports on a “lousy quarter”, as last year’s sales fell …
The author of A KISS BEFORE DYING, ROSEMARY’S BABY, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL and several other …
The news that New York Is Book Country is returning after a three year hiatus should make me happy, …
The Washington Post’s Linton Weeks talks with M. Sindy Felin, who is up for the National Book …
Since I’ve been hearing that several noteworthy books have not been submitted to the …
The Times’ Bruce Dessau lifts the veil to reveal the ghosts behind those high-profile …
With so many tributes and voices of dissent about Norman Mailer, it makes me wonder the following: …
Having spent the weekend at the wonderful New England Crime Bake (and thanks to Hallie, Roberta, …
Library Journal devotes its most recent issue to mystery fiction, with reviews of upcoming titles, …
The New Statesman’s Tabish Khair explains why Peter Hoeg’s THE QUIET GIRL (which …
Mike Ripley called her as the favorite and the betting proved correct, as Ariana Franklin won the …
As this is quite good news indeed: A N Smith’s YELLOW MEDICINE, in which a corrupt …
After reading this, is it terribly perverse of me to hope that Otto Penzler could have his say about …
At a book party last night, I was talking to an agent about this very subject and she brought up an …
After the past week, which included: A family reunion Eating enough kosher chinese food to remind …
I still have to read this: Amy Belasen and Jacob Osborn’s JENNY GREEN’S KILLER JUNIOR …
Wordharvest Writers Workshops and Thomas Dunne Books announced today that Christine Barber’s …
Travel day today, so the Update may be somewhat truncated.
John Rickards on why the Genre Has No Clothes. I’d quote from it but then this post would go …
Yesterday Joel Rose reported on Baltimore and Philadelphia’s Poe Wars for All Things …
Pauline O’Connor highlights LA’s literary scene after-hours. The List takes a look at …
The Southern Illinoisan profiles Laura Benedict, debut author of ISABELLA MOON. Patrick Anderson is …
…form the basis of my debut in Maclean’s, Canada’s national weekly news magazine. …
First, go here. Watch both parts (or go here for the whole thing in one clip.) Then come back and …
First up is my newest LA Times column, pretty much devoted to all things Jo Walton. Her work is …
Long a fan of Laura James’ true crime blog CLEWS, I’ve been waiting for this news for a …
But not without cost, as the Orlando Sentinel’s Laurin Sellers reports: COCOA BEACH – …
For years, Russia claimed Andrei Chikatilo as its most prolific serial killer. That …
Well perhaps not, but this is still pretty damn funny. (via)
The International Herald Tribune’s culture pages are primarily devoted to crime fiction today. …
To New York Magazine’s Geoffrey Gray’s credit, he never out and out says that Kenneth …
As per Variety, Martin Scorsese will direct and Leonardo DiCaprio will star in an adaptation of …
Patrick Anderson juxtaposes the supposed end of Easy Rawlins with the end of Nathan Zuckerman, which …
To commemorate the birth date of famed Japanese mystery writer Edogawa Rampo, one man came up with …
Not long after the Mysterious Bookshop relocated from its longtime midtown location to TriBeCa, Otto …
Brief BSP to start, as my review of Joe Hill’s wonderful short story collection 20th CENTURY …
For ninety-seven years, Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen has been known as one of England’s notorious …
After Anne Enright won the Booker Prize, chair Howard Davies went on the offensive against …
Courtesy Jaime: and this one found all by my lonesome:
As Baltimore and Philly duke it out for dibs on Edgar Allan Poe, Matthew Pearl – whose last …
Dennis Lehane with fiancee Dr. Angela Bernardo at Monday’s premiere for GONE BABY GONE. But …
As per the Local, Sweden’s English-language web newspaper: Swedish crime fiction writer …
Duane Swierczynski has a great recap of recent developments and reactions in the wake of Ed …
Motoko Rich followed Tom Perrotta along to Wayne, NJ to attend an abstinence rally – something …
Last week, while I wasn’t paying attention, Michael Devlin plead guilty to a slew of charges …
Now that the Frankfurt Book Fair has shut up shop until next year, the coverage is that much more …
Sometimes an enforced hiatus from the Internet is a good thing, so the full-on Weekend Update will …
And as always, no preamble required: MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) — An aspiring horror novelist …
Olen Steinhauer shares a little bit of news. More here and here.
Consider the people involved in this film deal: Film rights to Marcus Sakey’s debut crime …
Your Nobel Prize winner for literature is…Doris Lessing. Which is a totally cool, very …
And they are most interesting indeed: Fiction Mischa Berlinski, Fieldwork (Farrar, Straus & …
On the one hand, Archer Mayor is the beneficiary of good news. His 18th Joe Gunther novel, CHAT, …
Jessica Stockton Bagnulo has been running a series of interviews of Brooklyn literary notables and …
And if you subscribe to Publishers Lunch you’ll have seen most of them last night, but in any …
I mean, really. I liked Facebook when it was a way to find out what the people I went to elementary …
In this week’s Philadelphia City Paper, Edward Pettit makes a stirring argument that Edgar …
First we have, shall we say, a rather unusual premise: Pseudonymous Swedish author Tim Davys’ …
I woke up and realized this is Confessions’ 4th birthday, which is fairly ancient in blog …
Though of course, that’s not how Holt is pitching this new series: [ Paul Tremblay]1‘s …
Kacey Kowars interviews me for the second time. Funny how every time I talk to him corresponds to a …
Whenever a review of mine is published somewhere, especially a review that has the space to be …
More on the convention, including other award wins, in a separate post, but first up is my newest …
Weekend Update will be up later this afternoon, but first a quick look at more awards given out …
Courtesy Mystery Readers Journal, who awarded them last night: Best Novel: THE VIRGIN OF SMALL …
Mystery News and Deadly Pleasures are pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Barry Awards. The …
And for Kate White, it means a new publisher, new character and new scope: NYT bestselling author …
Early Alaska Bouchercon dispatches from: Jeri Westerson Steven Torres Rhys Bowen Laurie King Anna C …
First, we all *thought* editors would stop buying DA VINCI CODE knockoffs but as the Bookseller …
I won’t be at Bouchercon this year, though it would have been lovely to see Alaska in the …
Some writers get splashy book tours and accommodations at five-star hotels around the country. Still …
The Apple has welcomed me back on this lovely sunny day. So it’s fitting that while I was …
Having spent the past week in Canada, I’m all the more aware of how the Canadian dollar has …
NYTBR: David Margolick finds Jeffrey Toobin’s examination of the nine who comprise …
Will be up at midnight tonight. However, my streak of really good Yom Kippur reading continues as I …
Too early to tell based off of a deal alone, but still: Rights to NYT bestselling author Laura …
First, a most unusual mystery series to Penguin: Mehmet Murat Somer’s THE KISS MURDER and THE …
I’ve linked to this before, but Levi Asher’s ongoing online symposium about book pricing …
Last Sunday, the Denver Post’s Robin Vidimos looked at the time-honored practice of blurbs …
In good, though not all that surprising news: Author of Dead Connection, Alafair Burke’s LAST …
Boarding a flight later today so links are all I’m good for: More on the NYT bestseller revamp …
For such a major change to the way paperback bestsellers are computed by the New York Times, the …
Probably because it’s so evocative: Christina Harlin’s MY BOSS IS A SERIAL KILLER, …
Rosh Hashanah has ended, and I survived the onslaught of food (excellent) synagogue (running into …
…goodbyes are hard. But still, it’s time. Just as it’s time to continue the mad …
More information about the audiobook thriller conceived by ITW and produced by Audible courtesy USA …
Jaime looks at how the “illustrious” team of Miller/Boyett (and sometimes Milkis) would …
With a BBC documentary on Columbo slated to air today, Mark Billingham tells The Rap Sheet why …
Now that EXIT MUSIC is in stores in the UK, the media over there is all Rebus, all the time (the Rap …
The world of books may have lost one of its young adult greats in Madeleine L’Engle last week, …
And before getting started, I’ll point to my review of David Peace’s TOKYO YEAR ZERO in …
The newest issue of The Quarterly Conversation is now up, and there are loads of goodies to check …
No, your eyes are not deceiving you. I’ve changed the look of Confessions after something like …
So remember the case of the Polish author who’d been arrested for murder based on the book …
The news is a long time coming but PW’s Judith Rosen has more details: Sixty-one-year-old …
I’ve been wanting to read David Lozell Martin’s THE AMERICAN KING for a while, but …
Or the story, for that matter: WAUKESHA, Wisconsin (AP) — It was embarrassing enough that …
NYTBR: Jim Lewis considers Denis Johnson’s new novel TREE OF SMOKE; Kathryn Harrison has a …
Since it’s the Labor Day Weekend and all. So for now, it’s BSP time: my latest LA Times …
(Katherine Howell’s debut novel, FRANTIC, was published in Australia earlier this year. I read …
Though he is an infrequent blogger, when Jim Huang speaks, one should listen. His latest essay is …
Jon Evans ponders the future of reading for the Walrus, and puts his money where his mouth is (so to …
The usual deadline drill and sundry. Though if there are any NY-based blog readers fluent in …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio doesn’t have nearly enough space to do Michael Dibdin justice, but she …
The small front is my review of Nicholas Griffin’s DIZZY CITY which runs in this week’s …
I take some exception to the BBC’s headline (what, crime fiction is supposed to die? WTF?) but …
If you haven’t had a chance to check out NPR’s miniseries focusing on crime novelists …
It took a while to become available online but Scott Timberg’s lengthy LA Times piece on Ross …
One of my favorite books of 2006 was Howard Engel’s THE MEMORY BOOK, and as CanWest’s …
To wit: LANSING — A state forensics scientist who said she tested her husband’s underwear for DNA …
The sudden news via Booktrade.info: William Heinemann and Diogenes Verlag AG report that Magdalen …
Call it a case of literary ping-pong, but if Stephen Miller was inspired by me to write about Dilys …
Now that the story has been picked up by almost everybody it proved a bit more difficult to find the …
By that of course I mean the stifling heat of August, though this weekend proved to be rather …
Ah, what a fantastic bittersweet party it was last night at the Black Orchid bookshop, made more so …
It is stretching things a great deal to view tonight’s Anniversary Party in bar mitzvah-like …
First, huge thank-yous to Messrs. Koryta and Hayes for classing up the joint the last two days. …
As a new forensic thriller writer, I don’t have much in the way of great writing advice to …
One of the things I’m often asked is “Just how realistic is CSI?” My standard …
We’re still recovering from the drive down. Cricket spent the morning mixing Bloody …
Reading over my last post, I realize how snotty my comment about “outgrowing cozies” …
We’re in Palm Beach at the moment, where Cricket’s dad has a fantastic house – a …
I figured that, since you don’t know me from Adam, I should say something about me. My name is …
Thanks for putting up with me throughout the day, and thanks to Sarah for giving me the chance. I …
I thought I should take advantage of this chance to promote two writing programs that have helped me …
With a noir quote and apologies for being a bit late. Excuses, excuses. It’s almost like …
On Sunday, Tiger Woods won his 13th Major, putting him just five back of the all-time record. Now, …
One of the most common questions any writer is asked is: what led you to this particular genre. For …
Another week in August, and two new guest bloggers taking over. With a brief interruption to add the …
i mean, what can you say to this? ROCHELLE, Ga. — A woman was arrested after she called local …
Clive Thompson explains why New Yorkers live longer and might be healthier than the rest of the …
The new Baltimore Sun column features reviews of new titles by Richard Montanari, Michael Marshall, …
First, a hearty thank-you to Nick and Charles for their thoughtful guest-blogs. Now it’s my …
The Times’ Roger Boyes reports on what looks to be Poland’s “trial of the …
Every Easter-time, between 1978-84, my mother and I used to go to Haiti for a month. My mother is …
Every year at about this time I start to feel vaguely wistful for the months that have just gone …
This week’s guest bloggers occupy vastly different places on the crime fiction spectrum. …
The LA Times’ Scott Timberg has an in-depth piece about the life and career of Douglas Anne …
Though I thought my LA Times column made my feelings about Warren Ellis’s CROOKED LITTLE VEIN …
Obligatory BSP: the newest “Dark Passages” column at the LA Times has a decidedly …
Hello! Robyn Young signing in from Brighton, England… Oh God. Already I …
Starting tomorrow, a slew of guest bloggers will take the reins here in sequence, although my …
Courtesy the Rara-Avis mailing list, a TIME Magazine piece on the state of mystery fiction from …
First, holy freaking crap. Second, for those in the mystery world living in the Minneapolis area, if …
The Rap Sheet gets word from Mike Ripley that Rodney Wingfield, author of the Inspector Frost …
If you write crime fiction, want to write crime fiction or have ever entertained even the briefest …
Talk about cultural convergence.
Oh goody, someone went to Harrogate and came back with a hatchet job. Now, there’s no reason …
Along with Jerome Weeks’ essay on Gail Pool’s new book that I linked to yesterday, the …
The Kansas City Star ran a thoughtful piece on Karen Spengler, the 55-year-old proprietor of I Love …
Ah, New York in August, or almost. When air conditioners, even at triple overtime, never quite …
The Anthony Award nominations have been announced: BEST NOVEL ALL MORTAL FLESH, Julia …
Ali Karim’s in the process of rounding up his ThrillerFest experience in a major way. Read …
Sun-Sentinel mystery reviewer (and one of my favorite people) Oline Cogdill is now blogging at the …
A staple of my childhood, a light of my life…is now gone. Goodbye, Weekly World News. You will …
My review of Ruth Rendell’s THE WATER’S LOVELY ran in the Philadelphia Inquirer …
Is it coincidence that I spend a weekend away just as Harry Potter-mania is unleashed upon the …
If only I could have been at Harrogate to celebrate this in person, but instead a virtual shout-out …
I wish I could say I’m surprised at the news, but I’m not. Still, only months after the …
First, I got wind of this deal on Backspace and had a feeling I knew who the editor would be: Bram …
Arthur Ellis Award winner Barbara Fradkin chats with the CBC about her Inspector Green series, …
Now that it’s Monday, reports are trickling in from more corners. Read perspectives from: …
NYTBR: Lorraine Adams follows the Silk Road with travel guide Colin Thurbon; Jeremy McCarter has his …
Weekend Update to come first thing Monday morning after four days spent intermittently at the Grand …
The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 26th annual …
This morning, the 2nd annual ThrillerFest begins, and hundreds of writers, would-be writers, agents, …
Lee Goldberg, who’s on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, has revealed new changes …
I wrote about it at GalleyCat already, and John Crace amusingly imagines how Faulks would write a …
Yup, he likes it: Boston writer Dennis Lehane is giving big ups to Ben Affleck’s big-screen …
Add Janet Maslin to the list of those who are big Martin Cruz Smith fans. Patrick Anderson runs out …
My newest “Dark Passages” column is up at the LA Times, themed around crime novels that …
…reported right here. Ali Karim has more over at the Rap Sheet. In summary: Peter Temple took …
But even though this was just reported this morning: Dan Begley’s MS. TAKEN IDENTITY, in …
Later today the winners of the CWA Daggers will be announced, and so of course the “genre …
Reading The Rap Sheet’s latest post doesn’t quite make me want to slit my wrists in …
Over the weekend a nice little teapot tempest brewed in several places, including the RARA-AVIS …
First, let me just say that if you’ve never seen The Bad Plus play live, you are missing out …
If anything I’m surprised it took so long to broker (or at least to report publicly): Linwood …
Malcolm Lowry reconsidered on the 50th anniversary of his death. (Via.) Everything you could want to …
The Bookseller has two publishing-centric features on crime & thriller imprints. Last week, they …
Via the fertile creative mind of Tingle Alley: I’m currently preoccupied with imagining a sit-com …
Just to see if it lives up to whatever hype will follow suit: Standup comic and actor Richard …
First, thanks to those who were kind enough to watch my maiden television appearance Friday evening. …
My piece on “superhero lit”, featuring interviews with authors Austin Grossman, David …
..and you might get something like this: BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) — Peter McGlothin …
In March 2006, Doug Preston found out what happened to those who upset the apple cart by looking …
Understandable but still sad news out of Paris: Inspector Maigret and Inspector Clouseau are to …
First we have the shortlist for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year: • All Fun and …
Jonathan Yardley appreciates Maxine Hong Kingston’s influential memoir A WOMAN WARRIOR in …
Twenty-five years ago today, a French-Canadian model was brutally murdered in her Gramercy Park …
And by sparsely populated I mean “the city has migrated to the Hamptons or elsewhere.” …
Newly minted Chicago Sun-Times contributor Dana Kaye went to see PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 3 and …
I think somebody in the Penguin art department is about to get spanked.
The New York Times Book Review‘s shiny new blog, Paper Cuts, hit the ‘sphere earlier …
The North Andover Eagle Tribune wonders why there’s an upsurge of interest in all things Nancy …
Finally, it lives.
It always seemed odd that Edward Wright, after gaining critical acclaim for his John Ray Horn series …
Jumping off from this weekend’s piece about dedications by Edward Docx, Ed Gorman reflects on …
Quite a bit on the me front this weekend. My newest LA Times column checks in (not quite online yet, …
Michael Connelly talks with Jeff Ayers about turning a serial into a novel and juggling screenplay …
The Crime Writers’ Association has announced the nominees for the Duncan Lawrie Dagger Awards …
Steve Gilliard is dead. The news found its way into my inbox yesterday and two hours later I’d …
The show is over, and I’m finally getting back on my feet. More about BEA at GalleyCat once …
I always have good intentions, and this year, as in previous years, this includes a …
NYTBR: Adam Begley runs off in search of Graham Greene’s Capri; Frank Rich is thrown for a …
I bring you…well, let’s just say the headline NOT written is pretty damn obvious: …
For so many, many, many reasons.
Mark Frost talks with the LA Times’ Scott Timberg about using WWII as a backdrop for his …
To commemorate the 1st anniversary of the Rap Sheet blog, J. Kingston Pierce invited scores of …
I’ve tried to write and deleted about five different versions of this post over the past month …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio returns with her crime fiction column, reviewing the latest by Tana French, …
Weather, deadlines, a strong desire for gelato are all contributing to a slight blogging malaise …
The Palm Beach Post profiles Joanna Sinchuk, owner of Murder on the Beach, which moved to Delray …
Clea Simon has a grand time reading Elmore Leonard’s latest crime novel, UP IN HONEY’S …
The subject header pretty much tells the tale, but here’s the deal memo: Author of The Blade …
And before turning to the Sunday papers, the requisite BSP: My newest LA Times Book Review column, …
You can read about the big publishing news story over at GalleyCat, but let me spell out what this …
Duane Swierczynski scores an interview with Elmore Leonard to mark the occasion of his 41st novel, …
The Rap Sheet brings word that Philip R. Craig, author of the Martha’s Vineyard-set Jeff …
The Wall Street Journal’s Tom Nolan writes about the mini-explosion in the mystery short story …
And I suspect you will, too: Victor Gischler‘s GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE, in which an …
Charlotte Mendelson opens up to the Guardian about writing, being one-half of a literary couple and …
Because who else could possibly play him? Johnny Depp? I don’t think so. Cinematical feels …
Travelling once more so nothing of import till tomorrow but in the meantime, read my latest thoughts …
NYTBR: Note to Tanenhaus & co: structuring the entire issue around things are are ostensibly …
My take on Nathan Englander’s THE MINISTRY OF SPECIAL CASES runs in today’s Philadelphia …
As part of the current Chabon-mania in the media this week, the New York Times’ Patricia Cohen …
The blog vs. print debate gets aired in a big way in the New York Times this morning. On balance …
The Crime Writers of Canada has selected its shortlists of nominees for the 2007 Arthur Ellis …
Mystery Ink announces its Gumshoe Award winners for 2007: Best Mystery: Julia Spencer-Fleming …
As part of the NBCC’s ongoing campaign, the LA Times ran an op-ed from Michael Connelly about …
Lots and lots of post-LA Times Festival of Books Coverage courtesy Tod Goldberg, Lee Goldberg, …
NYTBR: Francine Prose has unsettling deja vu after reading THE PESTHOUSE; Claire Messud rejoices in …
And possibly in chronological order, but not really: Boy, there were a whole lot of tuxedos this …
Just got home. Definitely entertaining and one of the better Edgar Awards in recent years. Will have …
I wasn’t able to attend the Symposium (damn deadlines) but Anthony Rainone makes mention of it …
…may still be true, or it may not. There’s a new edict handed down by the MWA Board: …
Or what I must call it: the Party of Constant Interruptions. About two hours in, it got to be a bit …
Mystery Writers of America and St. Martin’s Minotaur have teamed up for a new debut crime …
Publishers Weekly’s annual mystery feature is now up, focusing primarily on writers whom they …
There may not have been a Weekend Update but that doesn’t mean there won’t be links: …
It’s the end of April and for mystery lovers, that can only mean it’s Edgar Week. And …
Having stumbled through the door (with sunburn in tow) I’m still catching up on all …
Travel and other weekend-related pursuits have delayed the Weekend Update to either Monday evening …
My interview of Victoria Redel about her newest novel, THE BORDER OF TRUTH, is in this week’s …
Or in other words, the anthology formerly known as Fuck Noir will see the light of day – as …
I was wondering when Lionel Shriver would write something about Virginia Tech, and her essay on …
The Bookseller profiles Anthony Cheetham and his startup publisher Quercus, which in three and a …
Of course this story bothers me. The worst mass murder in American history is going to bother almost …
Library Journal’s annual springtime mystery feature focuses on smaller and upstart presses …
Now that it’s live (and the news has leaked softly in various places) I can now reveal that I …
Before turning to the rest of the weekend’s links, the ghostwriting theme is explored in …
Newsweek’s Malcolm Jones got John Banville and Donald Westlake together at the latter’s …
RIP, Kurt Vonnegut. Another excellent LA Noir writeup courtesy the Pasadena Weekly. The Hampstead …
************From the Lipstick Chronicles comes word that one of their contributors, author Elaine …
LA Noir and its editrix, Denise Hamilton, get a stellar writeup in the LA Times today. And I agree, …
Because it makes total, total sense: NYT bestselling author and two-time Edgar winner T. Jefferson …
Because I’d rather save my snark for more deserving targets, you know? And I really do suspect …
A Second Avenue Subway Line? Finally?! Are there pig droppings emanating from the sky?
So instead I implore you to read the Washington Post Magazine’s article on a very interesting …
At the Washington Post, Bob Thompson pays necessary attention to the publication of Roberto …
Obligatory Passover-related comment: I will be quite content if I never see turkey, smoked turkey, …
Although I’m not contractually bound to link to everything related to Laura Lippman (unlike a …
The mystery community was saddened by the news that Donald Hamilton, creator of the Matt Helm …
The Sunday Telegraph has a lengthy interview with Lee Child and a spotlight on six top thriller …
It’s the home stretch. More cleaning, more cooking, more free-fall into OCD territory. Ah, …
My review of Matt Rees’ THE COLLABORATOR OF BETHLEHEM appears in today’s edition of …
Today’s theme is best embodied by the fact that I’ve been cleaning for Passover just …
Laura Lippman, who moves up to #10 on the New York Times bestseller list, is interviewed by both …
Today’s op-ed by Stanley Fish, the Davidson-Kahn professor of law at Florida International …
The San Mateo County Times profiles San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Al Giannini, who has …
The lack of posts here yesterday are best explain by this and this. And so, here are the links that …
Glory be, there are a lot of Mac users and admirers in the mystery community. No surprise, and …
Which, actually, isn’t the problem plaguing my computer, now in the shop until further notice. …
Jiro Kimura reported over the weekend that Lelia Kelly, author of three legal thrillers published by …
The Boston Globe meets William Landay, who relates why he left prosecution behind for full time …
Doesn’t the subject header pretty much say it all? But here’s more information as passed …
As announced on Saturday during ITW’s inaugural Brunch & Bullets luncheon in LA, the …
First, it’s a two-fer from me this weekend as I review Barbara Gowdy’s HELPLESS for the …
The last thing I want to do is get into another installment of the Genre Wars, but it seems the …
If it seems like a hectic week at the offices of 175 Fifth Avenue, that’s because it is. At …
Jason Pinter is moving to St. Martin’s Press. Yay!
Which also translate into Things To Look out For in 2008. First up is another prosecutor getting in …
If there are two books making the review rounds in a big way this week, they are CHRISTINE FALLS by …
And first, hope you all remembered to push your clocks forward as part of this “energy …
The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers has announced the shortlist for their first …
…except that this really, really sucks.
Yesterday’s Publishers Marketplace deal roundup had a curious entry: Kimberly Scott’s …
Today is the launch of the 3rd Edition of the Blog Short Story Project, edited by Bryon Quertermous …
Longstanding readers of Confessions may have noted my tongue-in-cheek reporting of every deal …
Obligatory BSP alert: My latest column for the Baltimore Sun runs this week, featuring reviews of …
With David Fincher’s movie ZODIAC, based on Robert Graysmith’s book, due in theaters …
I am so pleased to see this deal reported over at Publishers Marketplace this afternoon: Blogger …
The hand is healing, and I can type more or less, just slower than usual. Now to the links: The Palm …
Shattered bathroom window glass early on a Saturday morning trying to shut it so I would not freeze. …
(This is part three and the last of a critical roundtable that began on Tuesday.) Jerome Weeks: As I …
Now that I’m back in New York, I can finally catch up on some links that have been piling up …
Aside from founding and running January Magazine (host of the fantastic Rap Sheet) Linda Richards is …
(This is part two of a critical roundtable that began yesterday.)
Sarah Weinman: My thoughts may be …
When I got an ARC of Washington Post critic Patrick Anderson’s new book THE TRIUMPH OF THE …
NYTBR: Mayra Montero’s literary crime novel is the cover review, and a fine choice it is; Luc …
In transit all day, but here are a couple of me-related items of potential interest: Hours after my …
From the Orange County Register: A public memorial tribute for Barbara Seranella, the popular …
Well this is certainly news any crime buff dreads: SAN FRANCISCO — Call in the coppers, get Sam …
Martina Cole may not be the biggest-selling novelist in Britain, but she certainly comes close. Her …
Ed Gorman points to this remarkable website by John Fraser where he discourses on all matters …
Thank you for all the birthday wishes – it’s been a fantastic day so far and I suspect …
To start things off, my review of Chris Bohjalian’s THE DOUBLE BIND appears in today’s …
Jonathan Lethem’s essay in Harper’s on appropriation, influence and culture. (Via Maud.) …
Since there’s been some chatter in the backblogs about it, I suppose it’s my duty to …
A few days ago, Hard Case Crime officially announced its impending publication of DEAD STREET, a …
Patrick Anderson praises William Landay’s THE STRANGLER highly, though feels it isn’t …
I’m trying hard not to keep a close watch on the latest developments of the Shawn Hornbeck/Ben …
Marilyn Stasio makes an appearance in the regional section of the New York Times, talking about all …
And to start things off is February’s Baltimore Sun column, featuring my reviews of new books …
For me, the answer is neither, but I daresay most of the mystery community will be split between …
My review of Asa Nomani’s THE HUNTER runs in this week’s issue of Time Out New York, …
It’s a rehashed topic, but the Guardian’s Julie Bindel at least gives the question of …
One of my favorite writers, critics and people, Craig McDonald, has scored a two-fer of a book deal: …
Yes, I admit it: the first thing I did upon waking this morning (and preparing the requisite number …
Ned Bauman comments on the recent choice of Jed Rubenfeld’s THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER by …
And continuing the BSP-ish theme that has taken over the blog most recently, I’ve cracked a …
My review of David Hiltbrand’s DYING TO BE FAMOUS is in the Philadelphia Inquirer, while my …
3 AM Magazine talks with Soft Skull publisher Richard Nash about the company’s origins, the …
Words fail me. They truly do. How can Barbara Seranella, one of the toughest, strongest people I …
After leaving St. Martin’s Press in October to go to Touchstone/Fireside, Ben Sevier is moving …
And at the moment, it’s no fun living in Fago, Spain: It is a whodunnit that could have come …
Jim Huang’s The Mystery Company reopens today in a brand-new location that’s way more …
And continuing award nominations week, we’ve also got the National Book Critics Circle …
[Mystery Writers of America]1 is proud to announce its Nominees for the 2007 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, …
Or to put it mildly, let the debates begin…. First off, I believe this is the first time in a …
The North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers has announced the 2007 …
Earlier this month, I reported that the author of KOCKROACH, one Tyler Knox, was really the …
I like good stories. Especially stories of people who persevere and keep writing even when things …
David Montgomery’s recent spate of posts on over-praising reviews are well worth reading, as …
At least, according to this brand-new study: Scientists have discovered a novel way to live longer …
Want to know why Martha Grimes disdained touring for years? It’s because she suffered from …
If not for understandably mitigating circumstances, I probably would have spent the entire holiday …
NYTBR: William Vollmann shows exactly how to write a good critical review with his take on Anthony …
My entertaining instincts are on hyperdrive this long weekend, so the Update will appear – at …
Granted, I’m not totally buying John Sutherland’s argument that HANNIBAL RISING owes a …
David Hiltbrand went to GoodisCon and came back with this Philly Inquirer report, with quotes from …
For those wondering, I didn’t smell the odor, but I also didn’t venture lower than 96th …
You won’t get any argument from me about this – it’s excellent news: The Crime …
It may have the worst headline accompanying a story I’ve seen in some time, but the …
First up is the my first Baltimore Sun column for 2007, reviewing new crime fiction by Chuck Hogan, …
Right before New Year’s, I read Tyler Knox’s KOCKROACH, which flips the Kafka premise …
Yesterday somehow got away from me, but I’m more than making up for it today (check back later …
And so, here we are in 2007, and how is it that two days into the new year I’m already behind? …
2006
I was going to prepare some big long spiel about all things 2006 – the good, the bad, the …
The Wall Street Journal’s Lauren Winner has an interesting piece on a growing trend towards …
Goddamnit, the Godfather is gone. Others have pointed out the irony of him dying the day that …
But first, my latest review, of Robert Wilson’s Spain-set thriller THE HIDDEN ASSASSINS, …
If not for Graham Powell’s indispensable site, I would not be able to keep up with my favorite …
Today is getting away from me (vacation, I hear you calling in the distance) and so instead, …
When Murder Ink opened its doors on the Upper West side in 1972, it paved territory that had never …
The Boston Globe talks with M.T. Anderson, National Book Award winner of the super-fantabulous …
At Murderati, Mike MacLean touches on a very pressing subject for debut and veteran author alike: …
Happy Chanukah, for those who celebrate Judaism’s most famous minor holiday. I’ve …
As announced on DorothyL (which explains why it took me so damn long to post this because I get D-L …
OK, is it me, or is the publicity shot that accompanies Mosley’s interview with Radar online …
And just when you thought the Scandinavian crime fiction boom had hit its peak, maybe not: K.O. …
After listening to Richard Powers endure her inane questions on Fresh Air yesterday, I think Terry …
WKRP in Cincinnati will be available on DVD next year! Jaime – who’s been following this …
It seems somehow appropriate that John Williams’ review of the UK edition of THE BEST AMERICAN …
Though Elizabeth Stromme lived in the Los Angeles area, she was unusual in that her novels – …
By the end of the day, Plots With Guns will cease to exist in any format. Although Anthony Neil …
NYTBR: Dwight Garner’s “Inside the List” column is All Pynchon, All the Time; …
MWA has announced that 2007’s Raven Recipients are Kathy Harig, owner of Mystery …
Better late on this than never, but a hearty congratulations to Tess Gerritsen for scooping up the …
I am immediately skeptical of studies that attempt to assign behavior patterns to concrete topics, …
In recent weeks I have made a wonderful discovery. An Edgar-award-winning author who writes …
Today marks the last publishing event of 2006 – HANNIBAL RISING’s pub date. The first …
Like most everyone I’ve been paying some attention to the horrifying poisoning death of former …
Before getting to the update, check out my latest review at the Philadelphia Inquirer, where I have …
ITW’s sent this message around to a number of crime fiction blogs and I’ll do my part to …
It’s that time of year. Christmas music playing in coffee shops and department stores. …
As the fourth installment of Xiaolong’s Inspector Chen series hits stores, he talks with …
As reviewing ethics is one of my all-time favorite topics (those who attended the panel I moderated …
It isn’t often that an interview makes me gasp aloud, but Mark Sarvas’s interview with …
Which is my tongue-in-cheek way of saying that Katherine Neville has written a sequel to her …
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was essentially variations on a theme of eating and …
A few days ago I finished Scarlett Thomas’s THE END OF MR. Y, a novel that expanded my brain …
Charles Shields, who may be familiar to some readers for his biography of Harper Lee that received …
Jay McDonald’s author interview series at Bankrate.com continues with George Pelecanos, who …
Dave Zeltserman sends word that the Psycho Noir issue, featuring the likes of Patti Abbott, Kaye …
Ah, that’s what I get for splitting town early. Posting will resume sometime today, once I get …
For the hell of it (it’s the weekend, I get bored easily) I inputted my name in Google’s …
NYTBR: Let’s start off with Rachel Donadio’s rather witless, poorly-thought-out, boring …
As broken by the folks of CrimeSpree, the rumors are, indeed, true – the folks of Killer Year …
Thanks to Marshal Zeringue, you can now find out what books have Tuckerized me. Graham Powell is …
The semi-serious writeups are here, but since formal dress brings out my irreverent side, here we …
I could say I have no words, but that’s not true.
As I attempt to cram about 10 hours of work into three hours, some quick links: John Kenyon chats …
That’s because this week is all National Book Awards, all the time. It’s also the first …
But first, my new column at the Baltimore Sun (I have to get used to them running earlier in the …
The New York Times gets a peek at Nelson DeMille’s home, a 10,000 square-foot Tudor-style …
As evident by the late date stamp on this post, I’m running way behind on stuff. And the …
Have a mystery set in the Southwest? Looking to get it published? Then this contest might be the one …
And now, back to the literary and mystery news you’re all here for: Laura Lippman and Duane …
Being a permanent resident of the United States enables me to do almost everything I want. But the …
Remember when James Ellroy was known for being a good crime writer and only that? I know, those days …
The Crime Writers of Canada’s annual awards will be adding a new category beginning next year …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio’s column looks at recent releases by Michael Connelly, Robert Ward, Fred …
Today, like this week, promises to be crazy, and since I’ve been posting at a mad clip at …
Like many folks in and around the publishing industry, I spent a chunk of time yesterday reading …
Justine Picardie already has plenty of acclaim in the literary world as author of several …
Speaking of jaw-dropping news, Ben Sevier is leaving St. Martin’s to join Simon & Schuster, as a …
Word comes over the transom that _Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine_ and The Wolfe Pack, the …
Excuse me as I pick my jaw up off of the floor…. Janet Evanovich and Stephen J. …
My review of Michael Largo’s FINAL EXITS: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die is up …
And one reason for me to feel that way is because my newest review runs today in Newsday, of …
The latest permutation in what’s often been a simmering debate in the crime fiction world …
And I can’t imagine a better choice, as Christa Faust reports on her blog that her new novel, …
Now that former Dallas Morning News book critic Jerome Weeks has started blogging up a firestorm at …
The New York Observer’s Ron Rosenbaum may have killer flu, but at least it got him to get …
Bankrate.com’s latest author interview is Janet Evanovich, talking about leaving romance …
Or maybe it’s the Department of Obvious: Decaf coffee is often not totally caffeine-free, a …
Really, words fail me: ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) — The two men accused of plotting with a …
Which is both late and abbreviated, natch.
NTYBR: Marilyn Stasio focuses her review attention upon …
If I were still living in Toronto, I’d be attending the International Festival of Authors, …
Which is to say, the Rap Sheet blog is kicking some serious ass of late. Ellroy guest blogging, …
Even though I’ve already said how much I adored Richard Powers’ THE ECHO MAKER, …
Thanks to the mad skillz of Tribe, there’s a lengthy interview with Michael Langnas, the …
As we catch up on the latest in mystery/thriller acquisitions. First up, SMP gets a new author in a …
In what has to be a kind of genius move, J. Kingston Pierce has strongarmed James Ellroy into …
So when Tayari Jones posted the results of her recent photo session with Marion Ettlinger, something …
Which are my words, but also those who I’ve discussed this deal with: David J. …
And as for why it’s belated…let’s just say there is nothing more amusing than …
So yesterday morning, I put up a one-line mention of Stephen King being named the Mystery Writers of …
At the Vancouver Province, medical thriller writer Daniel Kalla (whose newest novel, RAGE THERAPY, …
First, for those who checked up on me, thanks – I was nowhere near the building. But as it …
So how often has the winner of the Edgar Award for one book been nominated for the National Book …
Done in a rush because somehow I’m ridiculously behind already… Next year’s …
Boy, good things are happening for Jim Huang. First he gets to co-chair the 2009 Bouchercon, and now …
While Jan Burke is away on tour promoting her newest novel, KIDNAPPED, she’s given me the keys …
For some people, writing novels is a kind of wish fulfillment. They give their protagonists all the …
And first up is my new column for the Baltimore Sun, which ran earlier than I was expecting. It …
I could blame this essay on Bouchercon, or on Ed’s post as a result of the convention. But …
The newest edition of the Philadelphia City Paper’s Books Quarterly is online, and it’s …
The University of North Carolina, Greensboro is the lucky recipient of Edgar award winner Margaret …
I want to like this book. I hope it lives up to the premise: Laurie Graff’s SHIKSA SYNDROME, …
First off, I had quite a lot to say about Jess Walter’s THE ZERO in the Philly Inquirer, and …
And if so, the answer is probably best found here. I’m keeping this brief for Kol Nidre looms …
I realize linking to last year’s edition is phenomenally lazy of me, but really, most of the …
On occasion – okay, frequently – it occurs to me that the level of content here has …
At Penguin Most Wanted, Dick Francis explains how his newest novel, UNDER ORDERS – the first …
I’ve been asked to spread the word that for those in need of a hotel room, because of …
After being in the works for quite some time, the folks at Killer Year have relaunched their website …
…because I’ve eaten far, far too much of it this weekend. OMG. Addictive.
And since my weekend will be taken up with synagogue attendance, feeding friends in plentiful …
And the finalists are: Louis Bayard, THE PALE BLUE EYE (John Murray) Nick Drake, NEFERTITI: THE …
As David Montgomery already pointed out, there’s a nifty video for Michael Connelly’s …
Guess what I’m going to have in my head now. The disco version is particularly appalling.
It’s making the rounds, so I figured I would do what I could to spread the word: ** …
Because it’s a crazy busy day already and it’s only getting much more so… OK, …
Ah, it’s been a while since I rounded up deals of note. First, there’s Perri …
I have to agree with Jenny D on this point in that I, too, can’t really imagine what it must …
When I saw the Telegraph’s feature on Amanda McKittrick Ros, I cackled. Yes, cackled. Because …
NYTBR: Although I don’t think it’s a Fiction Issue by design, it sure feels that way. …
Ha’aretz talks to Joe Finder about writing thrillers, learning how to use a gun, and his time …
John Rickards asks this: if you change one letter in a book title, what do you end up with? Every …
And boy, does issue 40 feature one happenin’ lineup: Kim Harrington, Russel McLean, Daniel …
Too much of the whole “out and about” business today, so for the moment, let’s all …
Leonardo Padura is dubbed the “Hammett of Havana” with good reason, as his Mario Conde …
For some reason this news makes me feel a bit sad, though I suppose it’s necessary to save the …
Today, of course, is anniversary five, and somehow I feel more reflective than I did last year or …
The link is being passed around everywhere but Sara Gran’s hysterical and to-the-bone essay …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction offerings from Philip Kerr, Tess Gerritsen, Morag …
So James Ellroy is everywhere, what with the movie of the BLACK DAHLIA in theatres imminently. The …
Ok, so when was the last time any newspaper published a preview of a mystery convention this far in …
Hat tip to Jaime for pointing me to sections from D.A. Pennebaker’s documentary on the …
So, 20 hours after I was due to take off, and after what proved to be a rather tumultuous week …
Summer’s gone, the kids are back to school, the rest of us are back at work…and fall …
The subject title is rather self-explanatory. Still on vacation, back fully on Tuesday.
Eternal optimist that I am, I had hoped that we were past the time when book pages were axed and …
if I didn’t–what do they call it on TV–give a shout-out to my favorite Soho Crime …
There seems to be some confusion as to what a publicist does and how to employ her effectively. From …
You’ve published so many books that Nora Roberts is looking over her shoulder with worry. You don’t …
Hi – this is Thalia Proctor, signing in from London as guest blogger for today. I’m …
And by five, I also mean last, because it won’t be long before August turns to September. So …
If I haven’t said so before, I love Bankrate.com’s recurring feature with commercial …
But despite the news that John Mark Karr’s DNA is inconsistent with DNA found on JonBenet …
I mean, the Teen Choice awards appearance was wretched enough, but now this? Looks like the …
The SCBA annnounces its finalists in several category, and the shortlist for mystery fiction …
Well, it is if you like the pouring rain, I guess…
NYTBR: After what seems like an …
Always leave on a gag… Here’s my favourite joke of the moment, as told to me by a …
At an event recently, Ian Rankin said that being a crime writer felt a bit like being a member of a …
With those responsible for such things wrestling with Bouchercon panels and having just returned …
Mark Billingham here, sending greetings from unseasonably sunny London. I’m hugely grateful to Sarah …
Dennis Lehane was on the CBS Early Show this morning, talking to Harry Smith about Coronado. And as …
Which is why I feel kinda sorry for ole Pluto here: PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Leading …
** Last year I was honored to be a judge for the Thriller Award of the International Thriller …
** Sometimes I wonder if anybody still reads out there. I am not referring to you, of course. …
** My name is Larry Gandle. I want to thank Sarah for giving me the opportunity to speak my mind. I …
Again, the drill applies: I’ll be back for the Weekend Update and cede the blog to our fine …
Of all the dog days of August, I think this might be the alpha dog. Ay yi yi. Never mind that …
First we have Linwood Barclay, who stays with Bantam Dell for his upcoming standalone: Linwood …
First of all, welcome to all those who have arrived at my blog thanks to the New York Times’ …
Now, this doesn’t exactly come as a surprise to me (as many of Rankin’s interviews …
So before I get to the links, some one-line reviews:
SNAKES ON A PLANE: So, so gloriously stoopid. …
I wasn’t nervous, that was the problem. I needed to be nervous. I’d been nervous for six weeks and I …
It’s Thursday, that means it’s me once more. I thought about staying off the blog but …
Our first guest has already introduced himself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do a more …
I just want thank Sarah Weinman – I should say, Anthony Award nominee Sarah Weinman – …
As I said in my opening post, I’m new to the writing game, and one of the things I’m struggling a …
One thing that intrigues me in novels and movies is the way in which people in government are …
I want to start by thanking the delightful Sarah Weinman for having me as a guest blogger. …
“I’d like to send this one out to Lou and Rachel/And all the kids in PS192/Man I swear …
I recently read Accidental Genius, the newly released John Cassavetes biography by …
Last Tuesday night, on the pub date of my new book, I did an event at Magnetic Fields, …
On my recent trip to the UK for the Harrogate/Let’s Drink Heavily Festival I …
First up, Alex Berenson, whose debut thriller THE FAITHFUL SPY was released a few months ago by …
The theme song or Duane Swierczynski’s detailed analysis of said song. So how many people are …
Gosh, it has been a while since I’ve done one of this, hasn’t it? But before getting to …
First, I must commend the New York Sun for finally making Otto Penzler’s columns available in …
Just like last week, this post will appear at the top of the blog for the rest of the week with …
Well I guess that does it for me folks. Thanks to everyone who stopped by, especially those who took …
Oprah ain’t the only black woman struggling with her weight who has a favorite things list. The …
Years ago I had a stint in Los Angeles while I toiled as a young reporter at the LA Times. Boy was I …
So I am on the bus on my way to work this morning and I overheard this conversation between two …
I love a caper as much as the next gal. But waking up this morning to the news out of London was …
Well, it may not be too late where you are but here it’s past one AM and it’s dark. I …
I’ve just had a look on some of the links that Sarah’s put about me in her intro. And …
I’ve been talking to my editor about my next novel. Not Bone Machine, the one that’s …
Greetings one and all. Welcome to my first ever attempt to post a blog on the internet. When Sarah …
Daniel Woodrell talks to the St. Louis Dispatch about the impetus for his (yup, saying it again) …
Greetings. The mini-vacation is over, many many books have been read, and even after a scant few …
Yes, it’s that time of year, the publishing holiday known to one and all as August. So just …
Thanks to Sarah for giving me this chance to chat with you. I am taking a train to Bouchercon in …
Thanks to Sarah for giving me this chance to chat with you. I very much hope I will meet some of you …
Is it more difficult to succeed in places like Omaha or Little Rock? or in my case Detroit. I …
Writing groups have been a mixed bag for me. I have belonged to five over the years. The …
Many thanks to Sarah for thinking of me for today. I had a few moments of pure bliss before …
It’s 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 in my little town in Maine. When, oh, when will the …
Nikita Lalwani’s first novel THE SQUARE ROOT, about a young British Indian adolescent math …
A selection of frivolous news links. Because it’s too hot to think of anything serious. …
At first glance, this news made me groan. Here we go again, another potential controversy served up …
The author of several mysteries under her own name as well as the pseudonym Maggie Bruce has died at …
Once the Harrogate dust had settled, one thing that kept getting referenced over and over was the …
100m Oympic champion sprinter Justin Gatlin tests positive for drugs and faces a lifetime ban from …
A point for anyone who gets the title reference without prompting…
Before turning to the …
Though by all accounts, this year’s ConMisterio was a big success in terms of social …
If you’re thinking of registering at the last minute, then you might be too late – …
So seriously…who thought this was the biggest non-news ever? Obviously, this chick did.
There seems to be a real Phoenix quality to the idea of revisiting Gregory McDonald’s famed …
George Pelecanos gets good writeup in the New York Times, what with Motoko Rich’s profile and …
It won’t be for a while yet, but the website is up and running and the contributors’ …
I was all set to do this yesterday but then the Anthony Award nominations came out and that kind of …
And I must say, the cliche is true – it really is just an honor to be nominated: Best Mystery …
Bryon Quertermous has put together a very spiffy summer issue of Demolition, featuring new fiction …
New review, new paper: I give my take on Denise Mina’s THE DEAD HOUR and Kathy Reichs’ …
First, congratulations to Val McDermid for winning the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the …
Which I’ll just let speak for itself, thank you very much: Derringer Award-winning author …
And I sure wish I could be at what the Times calls “The Hay-on-Wye of the crime world”, …
Though yesterday was certainly all Spillane, all the time, here’s one last lengthy tribute to …
As soon as the news broke, the first person I thought of was Max Allan Collins, who not only is a …
The best places to start for basic information are his Wikipedia entry (as well as Mike …
Not surprisingly, considering the influence Spillane had on the genre, lots of people are blogging …
What else can you add to the headline except that a crime writing legend has passed on? And so, …
Want to know what’s been going on at ConMisterio all weekend? Bill Crider has been posting …
NYTBR: Joseph Epstein discourses on friendship, much to Jennifer Senior’s liking; Marie …
Not posting much has its privileges because I didn’t lose anything from Typepad! Bloody …
Oh man, this news just sucks in so many ways: Dorothy Uhnak, once famous as a 125-pound New York …
So I’m scrolling through Cluelass’s Bloodstained Bookshelf, looking at upcoming releases …
Bulletpoint style: Keep checking Mary Reagan’s site for more ThrillerFest photos (as well as …
The stylish seven known as the Outfit debuted in mystery group blog waters yesterday, kicking things …
Too much to do today (and the rest of the week, really) so links in short order: Clea Simon takes on …
The National Post’s Robert Fulford has a lengthy essay (though mixed take) on the work of …
But it’s still funny. (link from Bookslut.)
Still not recovered from the Phoenix heat? Then keep the good times coming with these links: Photos …
The LA Times’ Anne Marie O’Connor profiles some of the city’s strongest additions …
Will Ian Rankin turn to children’s fiction when he’s done with Rebus? The Scotsman will …
Greetings after a sweltering, fun-filled, relaxing time at ThrillerFest. Having just walked in the …
While I was away finding out who won the 1st annual Thriller Awards, the Daggers were given out: …
While I’m off at ThrillerFest, I’m taking part in Debra Hamel’s weeklong contest …
I’ll be in the air on a flight across the country, where ThrillerFest – and the 100+ …
Somehow, this bit of news seems rather fitting: Georgetown County Council on Tuesday approved a …
It’s a critical time for the Coverdell Act, a government initiative passed to give grant funds …
With ThrillerFest kicking off on Thursday, the Arizona Republic offers a preview of what’s …
But it sounds rather like something I really want to read: Two South-African born professors …
The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 25th annual …
Sometimes the thing you’re waiting for the most comes at a time you least expect it. Which …
So perhaps you may have noticed that my output at Galleycat has increased quite a lot this week. …
Duane Swierczynski posts the cover and gives details on DAMN NEAR DEAD: An Anthology of Geezer Noir …
Elaine Viets – who has now become an official member of the Lipstick Chronicles – blogs …
OK, I have to admit, I thought this article in Seed Magazine was pretty freaking cool. Equating …
Time Magazine names 5 mystery writers “worth investigating” in the form of their most …
This fantastic piece in the Glasgow Herald breaks down Billingham’s likes (country music, his …
Longtime readers of the blog will know that I have a somewhat bizarre fascination with Australian …
And so, as promised, Killer Year – the official website for mystery, suspense and thriller …
First up, the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award – which will be given out …
After yesterday afternoon, I’ll be paying a hell of a lot more attention to the World Cup. …
If there is one writer whose name noir aficionados want to shout from the rooftops over and over …
So Jason Pinter alluded on his blog this morning that he was really excited about a trilogy …
So I totally missed that the Hammett Award had been given out at Bloody Words last weekend, going to …
Wondering what Les Roberts, creator of the Milan Jacovich PI series, is up to? Writing his memoirs, …
I go away to Portland (a beautiful city, btw, the Art Museum kicks ass and the Chinese Garden is …
I mean that both metaphorically and literally as I fly off to the West Coast for a few days – …
The Crime Writers of Canada announced the 2006 Arthur Ellis Award Winners on June 8 in Toronto as …
I mean, really: Mutulu Shakur’s untitled novel, in which Tupac Shakur, having faked his own …
So 24 hours after I posted my musings on the whole “Class of 2007” idea, here comes …
There are some arguments that are simply too acrimonious to resolve. Ordinarily this would lead to …
This is more of a ramble than anything, but in reading Jason Pinter’s post on comparing debut …
Many people who have tried Jeffrey Cohen’s Aaron Tucker novels end up crying out as to why he …
The headline pretty much says it all, as does the opening paragraph: FORT LAUDERDALE – Truth …
Jeffrey Marks, who has been writing book and magazine criticism in the mystery world for many years, …
So many Noir anthologies, so little time – but the latest is TWIN CITIES NOIR, and it gets …
I’ve got a story in the new issue of Spinetingler Magazine, which also features fiction by …
With June’s arrival, things are naturally slowing down. More desire to be outside, do other …
I’m a day late, several dollars short but so, so very pleased for Jenny Davidson’s news …
Because they produce segments like this. (Via Maud Newton, but it’s been making the blog …
Too much out-and-abouting today, so I bring you a couple of lists: From the NY Post, “25 …
The CWA has announced the shortlists for the remaining Dagger awards: DUNCAN LAWRIE INTERNATIONAL …
That’s the question Sandra Scoppettone asks on her blog, whether about her own work as a crime …
Yeah, I’m posting here and not on Galleycat…because this isn’t work and GC is. …
Yes folks, that age old question, “what came first, the chicken or the egg?” has been …
Deadly Pleasures Magazine announces the shortlist for the 2006 Barry Awards, and they are: BEST …
Happy weekend, everybody – it’s been positively fantastically gorgeous in this fair New …
Adrian Muller has worn many hats in the crime fiction community, most notably as co-chair of Left …
First off, the whole date change thing totally threw me because I’m a good two days late on …
Everywhere I look, it’s all about Edgar Allan Poe. See Matthew Pearl’s essay on the man …
Slate has a slew of articles devoted to the best and brightest of pulp fiction, old and new. Check …
Though Dennis Lehane hasn’t been kept completely in the loop about the movie version of his …
A few years ago before the crime fiction anthology boom pretty well exploded, TART NOIR, co-edited …
The Rap Sheet is back – and now it’s a blog! Check out the continuing updated version …
I say this because a) the acquiring editor is Kristen Weber and b) the agent in question is Rolph …
Even after a decent night’s sleep, the verdict is still the same: exhaustion, best overcome by …
Literally. Just walked in the door, dropped my bags and will be going to bed in short order. BEA …
Naturally, last minute things mean I’m running down to the wire to catch my train to DC to …
Let’s let Mr. Secret Dead Man himself, Duane Swierczynski, fill you in on the details: David …
And to think this post almost became a quick deal report and a somewhat snarky follow-up comment. …
So Guy Kewney, one of the UK’s best-known computer journalists, was booked to go on the BBC on …
A few months ago it seemed all I could blog about was the CWA’s flat-footed moves concerning …
There are certain questions that authors get asked over, and over, and over again. Where do you get …
That being, “who would win in a fight, Jack Reacher or John Rain?” The answers are …
it’s a deal I’m particularly excited to report on: Crime Blogger J.T. Ellison’s …
And sure, it ain’t Rolling Stone*, but it’s a cover and I’ll take it: That lovely …
The New York Times profiles Reed Coleman, MWA EVP extraordinaire, Edgar-nominated author of the …
So now it can be told: Publishers Weekly asked Ron Hogan and me to write the feature article in this …
Want to know how much is taken in and spent at a Bouchercon? Al Navis and the folks who ran BCon …
But I agree with Jaime – Les Nessman ABSOLUTELY must have his own pundit show. Or as he puts, …
First up, ThrillerFest has finally, finally announced its program schedule. Lots of good stuff going …
It’s another reminder to check out the offerings at the spiffily redesigned Mystery Circus, …
Belatedly, congratulations to all the winners of Mystery Ink’s 5th annual Gumshoe Awards: …
In another sign of why incessant Googling can get a girl into trouble, a quick check of my favorite …
Because I am woefully behind on updating the Picks, sometimes I forget to mention books that I …
Yeah, I’m stealing my headlines from Maddox, but then again, this is pretty freaking …
As the Honolulu Star-Bulletin puts it, what are the chances that two scientists working at the same …
Have you been wondering what Craig McDonald, one of the best author interviewers around, has been up …
NYTBR: First up, Marilyn Stasio looks at a wide variety of mysteries by Donna Leon, Helene Tursten, …
I need not repeat once more how much I loved PRAYERS FOR THE ASSASSIN. But I thought this story was …
When I read Mo Hayder’s PIG ISLAND a little while ago it was, to be frank, scary as hell. If …
Because when I went to Pandora and inputted “Shel Silverstein” in the opening search …
I’m still stuck in the black hole of looming deadlines, but some things are too crank-inducing …
I did promise I would stop using a particular term to describe these guys’ penchant for making …
Last Saturday morning, the Italian journalist who most recently had co-written a book with Douglas …
Ah, normality. It’s so nice to be back in that state after what turned out to be a …
Back to the bulletpoints again, and the award winners can all be found here. Like last year, emcee …
First, the extremely cool: MOIST and DELICIOUS author Mark Haskell Smith’s SALTY, the …
Done in bulletpoint style because — surprise! — it’s another action packed day …
The party last night, in one word…HOPPING. I think there were more authors in attendance per …
The Arthur Ellis Awards, which are given to the best in Canadian crime fiction, have announced their …
I know I’ve said in a bunch of places that I’m a huge fan of Paul Johnston’s work. …
Unlike last year, when Passover decided that it absolutely had to conflict with the Edgars, …
If you want to know who won the Agatha Awards, check here.
Pari Noskin Taichert blogs on the honor …
First up, and probably funniest, is thriller writer Brad Thor’s email interview with Dr. …
Starting at 4 PM today, The Mystery Lovers’ Bookshop in Oakmont, PA kicks off its 11th annual …
NYTBR: Hmm, for some reason Marilyn Stasio’s crammed in more books than usual in her column …
First up, Kristen Weber makes her first official buy in her new job with NAL, and she brings over a …
The Spring issue — number two, for those counting — of Demolition Magazine is now live, …
I have more to say about this news over at Galleycat, but the announcement that Random House will be …
Chances are likely that if you stop in a bookstore somewhere, James Swanson’s MANHUNT is …
The slowness continues, but in truth, I don’t mind so much, because as soon as I return to the …
You know how it goes: do a little web surfing, come across a news story, and the significance hits …
This weekend, in a bit of a change of pace, Malice Domestic will take place this weekend. Change of …
Thriller writer Stephen Leather went to Australia to research his newest effort, COLD KILL — …
The weather is absolutely freaking gorgeous, yet I seem to spend hardly any time outside. Chocolate …
Greetings on this slow day here in the Nation’s Capital, where everything is pretty much shut …
That’s all for this week, folks. The kitchen’s converted, the table is set and …
Christopher Moore, who’s about to embark on a 30-city tour for his newest novel A DIRTY JOB, …
I’m up way earlier than usual to catch a flight back to the not-so-frozen North (at least, it …
Some weeks ago, along with many others, I posted about thriller writer Douglas Preston’s legal …
The Celtic Tiger’s had many byproducts, but one that in hindsight makes perfect sense is the …
Yes kids, in just a few days’ time the obsessive-compulsive’s wet dream swoops upon …
By that, I mean checking my mail and finding my author copies of the June issue of Alfred …
So even though Kevin reported the details already, it’s still excellent to see the official PM …
They do pile up when I’m not looking… First up, welcome aboard to the folks behind the …
And in another award that’s in its sophomore year, Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel …
The press release appears below, but I’m pleased to report that I’ll be serving as one …
Every year at around this time Library Journal does its version of the “State of the …
I’m late on this, naturally, but SHOTS has redesigned its front page and added loads of new …
Tom Nolan has a fun piece in today’s Wall Street Journal about how Michael Connelly’s …
Frequent Guardian contributor Jonathan Freedland made a guest appearance in the Sunday Times talking …
Sandra Scoppettone, who’s on the judging committee for the Best First Novel award that will be …
The current issue of the Hudson Valley-based online magazine Chronogram has a great interview with …
And if you’re like me, some of your clocks got switched and others you’ll forget about …
There aren’t too many pieces of deal news that make my jaw drop. But this one did: C.J. …
“Nothing is more important to me than the integrity of the game of baseball.” — …
John Skinner, the man responsible for the Rebus walking tours in Edinburgh, has died at the age of …
Tania over at I Love a Good Mystery offers up one of the biggest gripes going right now: the …
Charles Taylor of the Newark Star-Ledger has some fun with some of the things that a book lover is …
It’s probably the coolest development on the genre short story front this year, and the list …
First off, Darley Anderson does it again. There are some agents who can’t seem to settle for …
Considering I used to contribute heaviliy to the place, I’ve been woefully remiss in catching …
So Trader Joe’s has finally taken Manhattan — specifically, near Union Square, where …
Here’s the transcript of yesterday’s DetecToday chat where I go on about writing short …
Patrick Anderson gives his approval to Peter Abrahams’ END OF STORY, which I heartily agree …
Yes, my site is screwed up. At the moment I am trying to figure out what the problem is but until …
I feel like the last one just ran, but lo, here is my newest column for the Sun, looking at recent …
But if you’re as clueless as I, let the Associated Press catch you up: The premise of the …
Irish-born, Bellingham-dwelling author Michael Collins is driven by stuff that most of us …
Carol Memmott looks at some new-ish political thrillers by Robert Ferrigno, Peter Schechter and Noel …
One of the things I kept talking about at LCC last week was the Wall Street Journal’s piece on …
Miss a week and things do tend to accumulate, don’t they… Mystery Ink has announced the …
The blogger has landed, a little later than expected. London was excellent, and the National …
Greetings from London, where I’m about to get some much-needed rest after several days of, ah, …
OK, so it doesn’t scan quite as well as the original, but what can you do. In any case, …
StorySouth has announced the notables for its Million Writers Award, and I’m pleased to …
Just to follow up, it seems that Kristen Weber is replacing Martha Bushko, who recently left NAL to …
Normally I do revolving door stuff at Galleycat but since this is specifically geared to the mystery …
For whatever reason I forgot to link to this yesterday, but S.J. Rozan had an excellent article in …
Lionel Shriver describes the effect of winning a major award — and the strangeness afterwards. …
NYTBR: Oh, let’s just go straight to Naomi Wolf’s gee-willikers rant about the Gossip …
For those who have the night free and want to check out a quintet of writers reading about their …
It does seem like a good time to talk about the awards. I received my invite in the mail yesterday, …
Or at least, it seems that way. Sure, Barry Bonds is a steroid-addicted asshole, but is that really …
Last week Publishers Marketplace reported that Faye Kellerman had gone back William Morrow for her …
Though for most authors, going to the London Book Fair is actively discouraged (for good reason, …
A few weeks ago, bestselling thriller writer Douglas Preston went to Italy on vacation with his …
All of Ed Gorman’s Pro-Files (as he calls them) are great but imagine my delight when …
Last Saturday BBC Radio 4 kicked off an awesome series hosted by Ian Rankin where he, along with …
And by dint of not posting on weekends I didn’t get around to talking about the Agatha Award …
Bookslut’s Michael Schaub says so and honestly, I am not about to argue. …
Something tells me that fewer people will be reading the blog today because they’ve all begun …
Boy, get nominated for the Edgar and suddenly the world really opens up. After Polygon anted up for …
When I was a kid watching Warner Brothers’ cartoons obsessively there were several — …
An essay that’s making the rounds of various mystery folk, and justifiably provoking some ire, …
The setup seemed so cool, and the Hong Kong media certainly had a field day with the news that …
The CWA has announced that this year’s recipient of the Diamond Dagger for Lifetime …
The February issue of the online magazine is now available for perusal, and at first glance it looks …
Been blogging rather crazily at Galleycat (end-of-month quotas, don’t you know) and other …
Though in truth, I think this could well be a phenomenal book once it’s published: Author of …
Now that it’s been a while since the Duncan Lawrie bank got on board to be the Daggers’ …
First: new column, featuring reviews of the latest by David Liss, Jenny White, Robert Eversz, Kjell …
Yes, I’m finally getting out of the city this weekend. It will be so nice. Weekend Update will …
They’re talking about it at Rara-Avis. It’s spreading to other lists, message boards and …
OK, I think this is phenomenally cool news (and will have to figure out a way how to see this when …
So first, three cheers for one of my favorite writers and people: RAIN DOGS author Sean …
Because I’ve spent a fair chunk of 2006 with my nose in research books, reading newspapers on …
Jenny Davidson got her copy of BUST (due out from Hard Case Crime in May) and reports back almost …
Paul Levine’s new SOLOMON Vs. LORD series is attracting lots of buzz, which is an excellent …
So as has been going around the blogs and the industry, Ben Affleck has started production on GONE, …
Happy long weekend, everyone (which also explains why this update’s going out late, because …
The International Association of Crime Writers has announced the nominees for the Hammett Award, …
Anyone who’s paid attention to this blog for longer than 2 seconds will understand why I am …
Like many Jewish little girls — and, no doubt, many non-Jewish ones — I read the ALL OF …
Since the announcement is making the rounds, then I’ll do the same here: I’m really …
This book sounds too bizarre and strange not to note (especially as I can think of several people …
Sometimes, mostly to amuse myself, I play what I call the game of Link Gold. That is, to find the …
This year, the annual awards for the best in online fiction has a sponsor — Spoiled Ink. This …
The newest issue of Hardluck Stories is, to say the least, a real barnburner. Harry Shannon lined up …
Out and about for the most part today so links will be delivered bullet-style: Ed Gorman has begun a …
After printing up LCC’s program schedule and looking over the contents, I soon realized that …
Mark Coggins sends word of a very intriguing new project from mystery veteran Joe Gores, who’s …
Yes, it’s my birthday. And yes, it’s snowing up a storm outside. Whether the two events …
Some of you know Aliya Whiteley for her short stories, which have appeared or are forthcoming in …
I’d been meaning to report about this for ages but now have a pretty damn good reason to do …
Today’s Publishers Lunch points to one of the more unusual offerings that will take place at …
I’ve been posting a lot more on this over at Galleycat but — partly for my own …
So how were this past weekend’s twin mystery conferences? David Montgomery shares his spiel on …
Yesterday I killed an hour or so listening to some old audio interviews of Lawrence Block talking …
For some reason I managed to stay up far too late last night searching for pulp fiction set in …
Paul Southern, the Manchester-based crime novelist, writes about openness and tolerance but has much …
For fun, frolic, and some pretty good discussions thus far, check out the Mystery Circus, where …
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio expends her crime reviewing energies on new releases by Sara Gran, Luis …
In something of a change of pace, I’ve got a flash fiction piece posted over at Tribe’s …
What’s the mystery genre without a conference where readers can meet each other, schmooze with …
So it looks like the once-beloved comedian might have his dirty laundry aired in court: A federal …
First there was the spirited backblog discussion in the wake of the Edgar nomination announcement. …
The Duluth News Tribune caught up with Brian Freeman, whose debut novel IMMORAL was nominated for …
This has been making the email and blog rounds but I thought I’d share this here as well. Beth …
Some of the UK’s top authors prepare reading lists for children, and as the Guardian reports, …
As the Dilys Award nominees — given to the book independent booksellers most enjoyed selling …
And one that went to auction, even! Lisa Lutz’s THE SPELLMAN FILES, a debut about a young PI …
(looking for the Weekend Update? Not to worry, it’s right here.) The Mystery Writers of …
Sometimes the best thing is to go on gut instinct, so with that in mind, please excuse the …
So first, the new column, which features reviews of new books by Peter Blauner, Dana Stabenow, Tom …
Sometime this weekend — likely around Saturday afternoon or early evening — the Edgar …
Meet 48-year-old Juana Barraza, recently arrested in Mexico on suspicion of being the “Little …
Handwritten blogging! Especially with awesome prehistoric Internet references! I’d do it …
The International Association of Crime Writers reported in its most recent newsletter that one of …
the writing duo of PJ Parrish take a big step forward, as this deal report indicates: NYT and USA …
Research, appointments and various other unimportant things will keep me away for much of today. But …
For whatever reason, I’ve yet to read a book by Miyuki Miyabe even though I strongly suspect …
NYTBR: So first, let’s begin with Marilyn Stasio’s column, where she reviews the latest …
So the word’s gotten out that Dana Stabenow’s BLINDFOLD GAME will appear on the New York …
Nick Stone’s debut thriller MR CLARINET has been getting a ton of attention, and now that …
Or maybe I’m the only one who thinks this item is: Seventies teen idol Leif Garrett was being …
Skating with Celebrities. Tonight on Fox. Because lord knows watching C-listers partner up with the …
If there’s one piece of advice I’d probably give to anyone going to a play with the …
First, the novel format, as Kevin Wignall launches LIKE PLASTIC, a new serialized novel set in Japan …
in lieu of a proper Weekend Update, which will be back Sunday… Patrick Anderson pretty much …
Posting will resume tomorrow. Haven’t decided if I’m going to do the Weekend Update or …
My impatience for this issue is severalfold: first, it’s been a long time since the last; …
That is the catchphrase that Bryon Quertermous — whom you might know for a variety of reasons, …
The folks over at Seattleist — part of Jake Dobkin’s amateur empire of regional blogs …
The Bookseller reports on a new Dutch thriller that, frankly, I’ll have to read now: Bitter …
and with that subject header, there go the cozy readers… But Jennifer Jordan’s upcoming …
I first bring you my all time favorite hoax: The case of I, LIBERTINE. And then follow up with the …
Let’s compare and contrast: In one corner, there is Charlie Huston’s vampire noir novel …
It’s always very cool when friends of mine get good news, and this certainly qualifies: Kevin …
NYTBR: Before we get to what appears to be the Book Review’s theme this week — …
Last night at Michele Martinez’s Black Orchid signing I got a couple of people saying that …
The notable, though sadly somewhat forgotten writer of espionage novels died last month at the age …
I suppose the death of Canadian poet Irving Layton probably won’t have the impact now that it …
So, bet you thought the Gold Dagger brouhaha was going to go away, right? Damage done, all forgotten …
for Thrilling Detective impresario Kevin Burton Smith is finally blogging (after a guest-stint here …
Paul Guyot links to fellow scribe James Lincoln Warren’s fabulous post on the choices writers …
Like, you know, this: In what’s surely the scariest development of the young new year, …
To show how out of touch I am, this article about noted crime writer Benjamin Appel ran in the New …
One site I don’t pay nearly as much attention to is James Clar’s “These Mean …
There are times when I think I pick on Patrick Anderson just a little too much, but then he goes and …
Ed Gorman reported some sad news over the weekend: Elmer Grape, husband of longtime mystery writer …
If my New Year’s party was any indication, 2006 will include a bit of the past, a lot of …
2005
Now that the ole internet connection’s back, I can actually do stuff again though scarce is …
Due to the PMSing whims of my internet connection, posting will be rather scarce for the rest of the …
The WSJ’s Tom Nolan talks to Cuban crime writer Jose Latour about why he switched from writing …
Since it’s still technically a holiday today (and at least in my case,for a few more days yet) …
A few people have asked — very nicely, I might add — if I’m going to be writing up …
I’ll start with Canada but alas, this will be a short section because I just don’t pay …
But that’s what happens when you’re put into an immediate crappy mood.
Yes, there’s a nice sized update over there, consisting of: Ali Karim’s writeup (and …
Or maybe I’m just easily amused by Sara Gran’s particular mode of response: …
That’s what Stephen Moss wants to know about Agatha Christie: Nothing explains the enduring …
There are, I suppose, distinct advantages in staying home, blogging in your pajamas and not working. …
A while back, Ian Rankin and PD James were quoted in several papers, like the Times and the …
Before I get to the update, I must note the passing of one of the greats of thriller writing, …
Bullet style for the hectically challenged: Kacey Kowars (who interviewed me several months ago for …
Everywhere I look I see some permutation of “Best of” lists around the ‘sphere, …
Because a small town in Brazil will flout them anyway: BIRITIBA MIRIM, Brazil — There’s …
Ed Gorman hosts a wonderful retrospective on McBain’s work from a noted contemporary of his, …
I shouldn’t let my blood boil over this, but I really, really don’t get why the whole …
Mostly because the opening of Victoria Coren’s Observer piece is so damn funny on one level …
And I know you’re probably all sick to death of the topic, but there’s a bit more …
Vacations are the best inventions ever. Especially vacations where I can walk into my old local …
Where it is indeed quite north and quite frozen, I must say. But enforced vacation is a very good …
Sadly, Dick Donahue’s forecast piece and Rosemary Herbert’s bookseller spotlight on the …
Contemporary Nomad has barely been up two days but I’m already highly addicted — not …
At least, I know I’d read this: Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, the story of Oz told from …
And things are awfully busy at William Morrow. First there’s David Highfill, who makes his …
Since a few folks were kind enough to ask how the reading at Barbes went on Sunday night, I thought …
It’s the brainchild of Baltimore-based Cortright McMeel and Tristan Davies, and from the …
Well, not exactly a makeover, but they are changing things around a bit, according to a report by …
I held off on posting this till Monday for a few reasons, mostly because I found it pretty …
Sue Grafton’s S IS FOR SILENCE is being reviewed in almost every major newspaper, it seems. …
Although it almost wasn’t, considering the insane amount of time I spent fighting with my …
I’ll be in a few places this weekend, if you want to catch me speaking or reading:
- Saturday, …
Is it telling that I’m still thinking very much about CORONADO the morning after I saw it? …
The Best Scottish book of the year goes, for the first time, to an English writer — and a …
If I had to pick what’s the most common question I get asked, it is this: “how are you …
This is going to be an interesting week for Dennis Lehane, as his very first play, CORONADO, opens …
The MWA Submissions List is probably the most important document in the crime fiction world. Well, …
That is the question that enters my mind as I read about this new deal: Tom Cavanagh’s FAN …
So a long long time ago in a blog post far away — a little over a year ago, in fact — I …
Bob Cornwell (who was once the webmaster for the CWA’s site) shares his thoughts on the …
Bloody hell, this isn’t even my holiday but it seems I’ve taken it up with major league …
which is to say, go forth and be gluttonous. I know I will. Happy Thanksgiving, and I’ll be …
Courtesy CAAF at Tingle Alley, about George R.R. Martin’s new doorstop fantasy novel, A FEAST …
Paul Guyot has a great discussion about the importance of setting for a story, and more importantly, …
The well-regarded indie publisher announces its latest round of themed noir anthologies, and of …
I’m thinking especially of this guy, but it’s great news nonetheless: LA Times …
And I’m really, really curious to know who the other players in this auction were (and if I …
Though the news has been slowly leaking out, the Mystery Writers of America has made their official …
The latest Bat Segundo show features Jennifer Weiner, chatting about GOODNIGHT NOBODY, mysteries and …
Although as far as I’m concerned, I have a pretty damn good excuse to be lazy…
NYTBR: …
My main email’s crapping out, so if you’ve sent me something in the last day or so, I …
Can you believe Thanksgiving will be next week? Neither can I (though the weather’s finally in …
Sara Gran, whose forthcoming novel DOPE absolutely blew me away, talks to Bookmunch’s Peter …
To make a long story short, I’m in a weird, yet incredibly busy place in my life right now. So …
In a fairly provocative essay in today’s Guardian by noted crime fiction critic Marcel …
So say you’re a writer’s association based in a particular country, and you’re …
The joys of having a 30-day trial to the Bookseller means that I can actually read their articles …
Otherwise how would we get fun deals like this one? Kaitlyn Dunnett’s KILT DEAD, featuring a …
The subject header pretty much sums it up, but here’s the deal report from late last week: …
January Magazine’s occasional column of crime fiction book reviews, news and more returns this …
So first, a hearty welcome to those that followed the link from Terry Teachout’s …
I had the chance to do so yesterday afternoon at the offices of St. Martin’s Press (which …
Dean Koontz’s now-infamous speech at the Men of Mystery event last weekend has been burning up …
So I start reading this article in the Rocky Mountain Collegian about this aspiring writer. And it …
When I got a copy of Robert Greer’s new book, RESURRECTING LANGSTON BLUE (brought out by his …
Archer Mayor has been writing the Joe Gunther mystery novels for about 25 years, and because of …
I’m too lazy to do a full post on this over here so I’ll link to my Galleycat writeup of …
The Mystery Writers of America has announced its Grandmaster for 2006, and the honor — …
Somehow I managed to skip posting about the death of the author of notable novels such as THE FRENCH …
Tomorrow’s Dagger luncheon promises to be a lively affair, and I’m aiming to have …
I’m far from the only one to hear some of the buzz about Scottish crime novelist Lin Anderson, …
God, it’s been ages since I’ve written up a crime story on the blog, but it’s nice …
So first, I jump on the growing bandwagon of reviewing Scott Turow’s new novel, ORDINARY …
National Novel Writing Month is underway, with over 60,000 brave souls attempting to write a …
Not much today — though there will be something early this afternoon — but this is also …
A song which makes perfect sense considering this particular deal: Terri Garey’s DEAD GIRLS …
Because a combination of extreme stress, brain death and potential sea changes are messing with my …
CNN has a substantial profile of Charles Ardai & Max Phillips, the crazy kids behind the …
Bloomberg news’s Peter Elliot has a fairly typical Q&A with the author of so many crime …
So remember earlier this year there was this tie-in book called THE KILLING CLUB, which Michael …
The author of the Inspector Banks series is recovering well from his mild heart attack last month at …
It’s funny how far in advance the publishing world works. Just as Soho Press sends out their …
And I hope I’m not the only one who’s stil adjusting to the whole “turn the clocks …
Another month, another column, and this time I look at new books by Michael Connelly, Sujata Massey, …
I have had several emails asking me when the next issue of Shred of Evidence would appear — …
Mark Billingham continues his occasional series of columns for the Bookseller talking about the …
While other people concern themselves with Al Franken’s Minnesota Senate bid, I find this a …
Oh it’s fun to be on deadline, tra-la, tra-la…which means there’s been a serious …
That’s what I get for doing this pesky thing called a day job…I miss fun stuff like this …
The last few weeks has seen some spirited debate and great commentary about the question of where …
Subject header pretty much says it all, but the deal report — a few weeks after the logistics …
Lee Goldberg links to a missive from Publishers Weekly yesterday that breaks the sad news: Uglytown …
At Northwestern University’s law school, Rob Warden heads up the Center on Wrongful …
There was a great article over the weekend about John D. MacDonald and his best-known alter ego, …
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s David Hiltbrand (a mystery novelist in his own right) wonders if …
Diana O’Hehir was once shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize, wrote several volumes of poetry, …
Before I get to the links, I wanted to extend a hearty congratulations to two of my favorite people …
But this time, there are a few twists attached: Marcus Sakey’s THE BLADE ITSELF, about a …
It’s a sweeping thing to say, but for the moment, it’s true — and the name to …
Jonathan Santlofer’s newest thriller, THE KILLING ART, is in stores right now. And as he tells …
If you are a child of a certain age (and, I guess, from a certain continent) you grew up reading …
It may be too early to call this a bona fide trend, but then again, so often we get a trend of one …
Well, that’s what her biographer, Laura Thompson, tried to find out after seeing a more modern …
SHOTS Magazine has updated their website with loads of new content, including: interviews with …
Quickly, because that seems to be the order of things today, if not this week: P.D. James is a woman …
It’s impossible to prove if he had anything to do with it, but after a solid week of non-stop …
NYTBR: Now somehow I completely whiffed on linking to Marilyn Stasio’s column last week, which …
The Florida-based author of FEVER doesn’t just have a hell of a “road to …
It’s the day after the fast. I’m trying to stay out of the big litblog skirmish (except …
Maybe it’s the torrential downpour, or maybe it’s the fact that all I really want to do …
As announced this afternoon by John Grisham, of all people: Fiction E.L. Doctorow, The March …
Louise Welsh’s essay in today’s Scotsman offers up some reason why so many writers turn …
Twice a year, Publishers Weekly does a roundup of what the magazine believes are the rising stars of …
I mean, this we need? Star of "Riverdance" Michael Flatley with Douglas Thompson’s THE LORD …
Ayo Onatade reports that last night, the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger went to C.J. Sansom for his …
And all I can say is, this guy’s going to be grinning for days, if not weeks, over the news.
This most amusing interview by the Freep’s Marta Salij is very wide ranging, spending just as …
Stacey Cochran presents this very lengthy chat over at January Magazine with Jennifer Colt, the …
Poor Lori Hill. The books editor of the Philadelphia City Paper (and, doing the whole full …
NYTBR: Boy oh boy, it’s all about Joan Didion this week, what with Rachel Donadio’s …
One of the things I wanted to talk about earlier this week before the news of the Dagger nominations …
Well, not really everywhere, but I needed a good excuse to report on the fact that in a matter of …
But then again, this is just very, very cool news, as reported early this morning on Duane …
At least on a rudimentary scale: It’s been all things Ruth Rendell this week as her newest …
It seems somehow appropriate that a great many things are converging at once. There’s the …
First off, hoo boy.
A few years ago, it seemed like the Gold Dagger was awarded to a crime writer …
I’ve been to enough panels to expect that for the most part, there isn’t a lot of …
In the department of “everything old is new again,” MYSTERY*FILE, one of the oldest …
Various shortlists for the Southern California Booksellers Association’s annual prizes have …
How can the year be only two months away from finishing? Didn’t we just get started with 2005? …
After the last few weeks, I am sorely tempted to rename this month Stress-tember. Which isn’t …
I have been hopelessly remiss in blogging about the weeklong Brit-themed festival happening now at …
Now, when I went surfing onto the NYT site and found the review of Michael Wex’s new book BORN …
At the Toronto Bouchercon, some of you may remember an ad in the accompanying handbook that read …
Jacqueline Winspear tells the SF Chronicle about her unusual inspiration for what has proved to be a …
The shortlist for the annual award given out by the Nero Wolfe Society has been announced: A …
The novelist best known for MYSTIC RIVER is spending the current calendar year at Eckerd College in …
A few days ago Laila Lalami prepared herself to interview Salman Rushdie (the end result will run in …