Massive linkage for your Sunday morning

Now, I don’t know about you all, but I really like the Tanenhaus edition of Marilyn Stasio’s column. Less coy, less vague, more likely to give a good–or bad–opinion as it ought to be. Case in point in this week’s column: She is mostly positive about LITTLE SCARLET, but points out how “endless ruminations on race” may bog the book down. The new J.A. Jance she pretty much dismisses with word of “unsatisfying monsters,” but is far kinder to John Harvey (for FLESH AND BLOOD) and Jeff Lindsay (for DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER.)

Otherwise in the Times Book Review: another rave review for Ward Just and AN UNFINISHED SEASON; a look a bunch of recently released first novels; and some thoughts on the origin of the Andes mountains. And in the Magazine, Deborah Solomon fires away at Carl Hiaasen, wondering how in hell he can “look 23” and whether he’s done anything illegal. You know, the usual depth and seriousness.

WaPo Book World: Anne Appelbaum looks at a new novel from a Soviet emigre (which is excerpted here), John McNally wishes Adam Langer had let his characters breathe a little more in his debut CROSSING CALIFORNIA; John Burdett raves about LITTLE SCARLET; and Dirda’s only getting around to reading Carl Hiaasen with SKINNY DIP? Oh, does he have a backlist to mine in the future….

Globe and Mail: Hello, is everyone reviewing the new Walter Mosley at the same time this week? Concordance is one thing, but this is getting a bit odd….Margaret Cannon does the same in her crime column (“this is, quite simply, the best novel in the best series by one of the best crime novelists writing.” Now that’s what I call blurbtastic.) while also covering Jeffery Deaver’s historical thriller GARDEN OF BEASTS, SKINNY DIP, and new releases from David Hewson, Ottawa boy Rick Mofina, and a short story anthology edited by Elizabeth George. Elsewhere in the paper, Alan Niester wishes there were more facts and less speculation in a new biography of Jim Morrison, Michelle Berry compares and contrasts two new novels from teenage phenoms (liking Tabitha Stevenson’s entry a great deal more) and Cecelia Kennedy’s collection of linked short stories starring a young OPP cop garners quite the rave review from Jim Bartley.

Guardian Review: Jake Arnott, whose novel THE LONG FIRM has been BBCized, points to pulp fiction as a profound influence upon his writing; the first three Modesty Blaise story arcs have been collected into book format (and I can think of certain people who have probably queued up to buy a copy); and oh, newsflash, the Brits are suspicious of intellectuals. You know, just like everybody else….

Observer: Peter Guttridge rounds ’em up in his latest crime column, giving special props (and deservedly so) to Scott Phillips’ COTTONWOOD. Also included are new books by Nicholas Royle, Robert Edric, Koji Suzuki (for RING) and Salar Abdoh. Otherwise, Geraldine Bedell presents a well-thought-out article on the genesis of THE STORY OF O and the intriguing story of the woman who opened the door to female erotic literature, and Stephanie Merritt ponders the next McSweeney’s project: The Future Dictionary of America.

SF Chronicle: Christine Thomas appreciates a “new” novel from Wayne Johnston (originally released in Canada in 1994); Jonathan Kiefer is very high on a debut by Neil O’Boyle Connelly that looks mighty tantalizing; Alison Block, on the other hand, can’t find a damn thing good about Bonnie Marston’s much-hyped SLEEPING WITH SCHUBERT.

Best of the rest:

No doubt folks are quibbling about who’s in and who got left out, but really, Mark Billingham did an extremely credible job rounding up crime fiction through the ages for the Independent. Ultimately, his point is that crime fiction has never been more popular, or relevant. And you can’t really argue with that…

Laura Lippman, who is just back from her turn at the Harrogate Crime Festival, spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Bob Hoover about her latest book–and why that city is practically a home-away-from-home for her.

She gets a similar treatment from Regis Behe at the city’s rival paper, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, getting a little more detailed about the dual identity issues that fueled the making of BY A SPIDER’S THREAD.

The Atlanta Southern Voice sounds off on Sarah Waters and her fledgling career as a historical novelist. We know FINGERSMITH has won a ton of awards, and it’s been sitting on the TBR pile for god-knows-how-long, but will we take a crack at it? Maybe….

Along with an amusing picture (Look! He points!) comes an article in the Harvard Crimson about a recent talk Dennis Lehane gave about being the “brainchild” behind MYSTIC RIVER. People, that’s so 2003; I want to know more about the imploding MFA Scandal, for one…

Ian Smith explains to the Bethel Beacon why he took a break from his career as a medical correspondent to write a thriller, namely, THE BLACKBIRD PAPERS.

Dick Adler gets busy collecting new reviews of crime fiction for the Chicago Tribune, looking at new releases by Deon Meyer, James O. Born, Michael Simon, Betty Webb, Judith Cutler and Jeff Lindsay.

Rebecca Pawel–newly nominated for an Anthony to accompany her Edgar win–gets a rave review from the Dallas Morning News for her latest novel LAW OF RETURN. The same paper reviews Eugene McCabe’s short story collection HEAVEN LIES ABOUT US, which you may recall getting a nice notice elsewhere. Yes, it’s every bit as depressing as Annette Sanford says, but if you dig Irish fiction–like I do–this is a collection to wallow in, piecemeal.

Hallie Ephron returns with her mystery column for the Boston Globe, concentrating on ghost stories of a kind–by John Harwood, John Katzenbach, and Sarah Stewart Taylor.

Carlo Wolff, who seemingly freelances for every major daily under the sun, appears in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this week in order to rave about Chuck Hogan’s much buzzed-about first effort, PRINCE OF THIEVES.

Need another reason to read Charles McCarry? Then read Jack Batten’s review of the spymaster’s new novel, OLD BOYS, and you’ll be compelled. (Actually, this statement is primarily for my own benefit….)

The Sydney Morning Herald jumps on the Stella Rimington bandwagon, although there’s no mention in this profile about Luke Jennings’ contribution to the former MI5 head’s new novel AT RISK. Interesting.

Also in the SMH is the much-linked expose of Norma Khouri and how her alleged memoir of facing horrors in her native Jordan–including the murder of her best friend–was all hooey. I guess the book wouldn’t have sold as fiction, but I always shake my head at people who go out of their way to follow paths that aren’t of the least resistant variety.

Nancy Pearl–she of BOOKLUST and action figure fame–recommends six beach reads for NPR, including Richard Morgan’s ALTERED CARBON and Lee Child’s PERSUADER.

Craig McDonald (whom Ken Bruen refers to as the “greatest critic in America,”) looks at two new anthologies for This Week News. Aside from reviewing a new “through the ages” anthology edited by Elizabeth George, he looks at Tim McLoughlin’s BROOKLYN NOIR. I found it just a little freaky that the stories he highlights as the best of BROOKLYN NOIR are almost exactly the same ones I thought ranked above the rest….

Celia McGee looks at John Searles’ newest book, STRANGE BUT TRUE, for the New York Daily News. Interestingly, I just finished this book, but my reaction was a little more complex….

Also in the NYDN is Sheryl Connelly’s take on Mark Mills’ AMAGANSETT–rather fitting to be reviewed in a New York daily, since the book’s set in the wilds of LonGUYland, so to speak.

Eva Ibbotson started her writing life as a romantic fiction writer for adults, but has found success–in her seventies–as a children’s novelist. The Independent profiles her.

Another day, another profile of MI5 head Stella Rimington. They do seem to come in clusters, don’t they….

Nothing whatsoever to do with books of any kind, but if you happen to notice that this soprano may be coming to your neighborhood to sing, do not hestitate to go. She’s going to be a big freaking star.

And finally, this has to be one of the most depressing stories I have ever read. I think I’ll go slit my wrists now…or better, go read all the new books that have arrived on my doorstep of late. (link from the Literary Saloon.)