Link me madly

We’re kind of in a strange mood today, which will be evident in content that appears later on, after which we cut out early for a “non-interview.” The brain is fully engaged and readily alert, but first, some links:

Excuse me? A 2 million dollar promotional budget for the paperback edition of a book the world either owns or doesn’t own already? Please, tell me why this is a good use of money and resources. I am really curious.

OK, Dr. Seuss and conspiracy theorists? Political views and hidden agendas? Really people, sometimes green eggs and ham truly ARE that….

The Glasgow Herald gives the inside scoop on Alexander McCall Smith’s new series starring Merchiston-based society dame Isabel Dalhousie. The first installment is released this fall, and McCall Smith will be touring America once again in support of this book.

Will Hodgkinson explains the importance of Dashiell Hammett’s THE MALTESE FALCON for the Daily Telegraph.

Mystery writer Ruth Francisco writes a letter to Randy Cohen (of Ethicist fame) asking if murder is ever ethical. He replies on NPR and talks to Linda Wertheimer about the dilemmas that arise.

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Oline Cogdill reviews Karin Slaughter’s INDELIBLE]6 and deems the fourth entry in the Grant County series “superb.”

Melanie Danburg is more than intrigued with Eric Garcia’s skewering of chicklit conventions in his new novel CASSANDRA FRENCH’S FINISHING SCHOOL FOR BOYS–she’s actually quite laudatory.

AndersonWatch (of the Pamela kind) continues at the Independent–are they like obsessed with her or something? Anyway, Pam’s NYC launch is covered in scrupulous detail.

Ian Rankin reveals even more interesting (and slightly embarrassing) details in this new Q&A with his home paper, the Scotsman. Especially the stag night story. That, combined with a recent night out at a bachelorette party involving our first trip to Hooters (but leaving before people decamped to a strip club across town) has pretty much ensured that I’ll just skip the whole damn party idea…..

Robert Birnbaum tracks down spy novelist Charles McCarry and corrals him into another of his lengthy, free-wheeling interviews that touches upon McCarry’s career in the CIA, why he enjoys working as a script doctor in Hollywood, and how above all, the highlights of McCarry’s life involve his family.

And finally, RIP, Fay Wray.