Here There Be Smatterings

First, a hearty thank-you to Nick and Charles for their thoughtful guest-blogs. Now it’s my turn for more scattershot links:

John Gardner, thriller writer and the second author to write James Bond novels after Ian Fleming’s death, passed away on Monday at the age of 80.

Barry Forshaw has a nice overview essay of Ruth Rendell’s career in the Times.

From a while ago but only just online: Olen Steinhauer’s recommendations of where to go and what to do in Budapest.

Catherine Sampson picks her 10 favorite crime novels set in Asia.

The Louisville Courier-Journal profiles JT Lindroos and Kathleen Martin, the brainchildren behind Point Blank Press.

Signandsight.com chronicles Amir Valle’s difficult journey to writing crime fiction as a Cuban exile.

Ben Dolnick talks with the Washington Post about being a young writer, working in zoos and his literary influences.

Helon Habila wonders if this is the year of the Nigerian writer.

And finally, a most unusual way of promoting the Spanish-language edition of Rebecca Pawel’s DEATH OF A NATIONALIST.