Links links links, oi oi oi

Ron Bernas of the Freep wishes Frank Devlin (really Tim Farringon, literary fic writer) would stop making character digressions and get on with the plot with his new book LOVE IN THE WRONG PLACES. I have a suspicion I will like this book better than Bernas did, since I care less about plot than I do character any day…

And it just so happen that the Washington Post’s Patrick Anderson takes a different view of Devlin’s book, calling it “a literary thriller in the best sense of the word (sic).”

Dame Muriel Spark went to the Edinburgh Book Festival, and hinted she’ll be writing the second volume of her autobiography “soon.” Well, she’s 86 after all, surely it would have to be sooner rather than later…

Susie Maguire of the Glasgow Herald explains why a new biography of P.G. Wodehouse by Robert McCrum is so important. To get you in the Wodehousian mood, read Jaime’s examination of some of his favorite stories by the master.

Jack Batten reviews his fellow colleague at the Toronto Star, and compares Linwood Barclay’s BAD MOVE to some of Donald Westlake’s early comic capers like GOD SAVE THE MARK and I GAVE AT THE OFFICE. He also picks up on a plot point comparison that I did as well, but granted, you kinda have to be a Canadian to have done so if you’ve read the book already.

Barbara Davey, the longtime editor of THE MYSTERY REVIEW, has died after a long battle with cancer that ultimately forced her to stop publication of the Canadian-based magazine. (second item.)

You know, I suspected this before but this Observer profile confirms it. Julie Burchill: mad as a fish.

The Scotsman looks at the appeal of the diary, be it the paper-bound format or a little teeny thing thing known as a blog.

Another day, another massive book deal: 1 million pounds to former Daily Mirror editor-in-chief Piers Morgan.

And finally, more obvious self-help advice from pseudo-experts adopting some kind of tough love approach. Actually, I kind of like this. “If he doesn’t call, he’s not interested.” Most of the time, yeah.