Weekend Smatterings, MLK/Inauguration Edition

Tom Nolan celebrates the 75th anniversary of Dashiell Hammett’s THE THIN MAN by asking why we’re not taking the book more seriously.

One of the things I forgot to ask Patricia Cornwell when I interviewed her at the end of last year why she mentioned that Scarpetta was reading AMERICAN RUST by Philipp Meyer – a debut novel that won’t even be published until next month. Motoko Rich, however, asked the question and gets some answers.

The Guardian, as part of its ongoing series of 1000 novels to read before you die, trots out the crime section. (via)

Ali Karim offers choice excerpts from the Telegraph Magazine interview of Dennis Lehane.

Margaret Cannon reviews new crime fiction by Johan Theorin, Fred Vargas, Henning Mankell, CJ Box, Rick Mofina, Lou Allin and Mel Bradshaw. 

The Times’ Marcel Berlins has his say on recent crime offerings from MR Hall, Frank Tallis and Leonardo Padura.

At the Guardian, Matthew Lewin reviews thrillers by Linwood Barclay, Castle Freeman, Mickey Spillane and John Grisham.

John Orr looks at recent mysteries and thrillers by Jeffery Deaver, JD Rhoades, Michael Connelly and Dean Koontz for the San Jose Mercury News.

Patrick Anderson enjoys J. Sydney Jones’ depiction of fin-de-siecle Vienna in THE EMPTY MIRROR.

Charles McGrath pays tribute to John Mortimer, as does son Jeremy in the Telegraph and Trevor Grove in the Daily Mail. Now the question is, what will happen to the last Rumpole novel, which Mortimer completed a few chapters of before his death?

Andrew Taylor explains why Edgar Allan Poe’s writing still holds up today, and Marilynne Robinson tells Read Street about how Poe has influenced her writing.

Rick Mofina gets the profile treatment from the Ottawa Citizen.

Adrienne Kress tells the Town Crier Online why she won’t grow up – but will keep writing novels for children.

The LA Times spins its Inauguration issue towards the question of what Obama’s presidency could mean for arts and culture.

Daniel Finkelstein tells the story of his mother, who went to school with Anne Frank – and was also at Belsen with her, too.

The legendary independent Harry W. Schwartz bookstore will close its doors after 82 years in business.

And finally, this can be yours for only $19.99!