Noir Originals, Sherlocks, etc.

Allan Guthrie, the man who wears so many hats I don’t even know if he can keep them all straight (author, editor, you name it) puts on his webzine hat just in time for the new issue of Noir Originals. It’s chock full of the usual crime fiction stuff, including interviews with Charlie Stella and Steve Gerlach, a double dose of Ray Banks (whose upcoming debut novel is just, just bloody marvellous) as he dissects Jim Thompson and Charlie Williams, and tons more essays and other cool stuff. Do check the wares out.

Fiona, who’s just about to go on vacation, reports on the Sherlock Award winners:

Best Crime Novel: Val McDermid, THE DISTANT ECHO

Best Detective Novel: Paul Johnston, THE LAST RED DEATH

Best Comic Novel: Christopher Brookmyre, BE MY ENEMY

Lifetime Achievement: P.D. James

The awards will be handed out this Saturday at the specialist bookshop Crime On Store, which has recently relocated opposite the British Museum. Congratulations to all the winners, and I wonder if any of them will show up to accept wearing flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt….

UPDATE, 4:00 PM EDT: We take corrections in any and all permutations and combinations, and the aforementioned (and former Sherlock winner) Mr Billingham writes in to set the record straight: they were actually sandals (Birkenstocks or the like, now that my memory’s decided to kick in), not flip-flops. Next we’ll be confusing Manolos with Jimmy Choos and a riot will erupt….