Weekend Smatterings with a Touch of Sun

In the NYTBR, Marilyn Stasio gets a moment in the sun, too – reviewing the historical thriller BLINDSPOT and spotlighted in “Up Front”, though it seems a bit odd to start off with how many books she reads in a year…

Also in the Review, Luc Sante writes about Susan Sontag’s journals and cultural criticism.

Oline Cogdill recommends Val McDermid’s excellent new standalone novel A DARKER DOMAIN.

WaPo’s Kevin Allman looks at recent crime fiction by David Fulmer, John Morgan Wilson, James Grippando and Linda Fairstein.

The Independent’s Mark Timlin does the same with books by Linwood Barclay, Jeffery Deaver, Mickey Spillane and Neil Cross.

Robin Vidimos at the Denver Post is glad to see Jane Whitefield back in Thomas Perry’s THE RUNNER.

Joan Rivers dishes to the Lower Hudson County News about her two books – one on the joys of plastic surgery, the other a mystery co-written with Jerrilyn Farmer.

Josh Bazell discusses his medical and writing lives with the Scotsman.

P.D. James took readers’ questions at the Globe & Mail, where Margaret Cannon rounded up new crime fiction by Emma Darwin, Linda Richards, Ruth Rendell, Malla Nunn, Scott Sigler, David Hewson and John Gleeson. 

In the Guardian, Duncan Campbell appreciates Chloe Hooper’s foray into literary true crime while Laura Wilson reviews new fictional offerings from Gilbert Adair, Amy McKinnon, Josh Bazell and Alan Bradley.

Paula Woods, Gar Anthony Haywood and Gary Phillips were on NPR’s News and Notes to talk about crime fiction from an African-American perspective.

Marcel Berlins has his say on the Barry Forshaw-edited BRITISH CRIME WRITING: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA.

The Australian’s Graeme Blundell weighs in on THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE.

Harry Levins at the St. Louis Dispatch looks at new mysteries and thrillers by Colin MacKinnon, Jack Wilson, Linda Fairstein, Alex Berenson and Robert Ellis.

Carol Memmott rounds up international mysteries by Jo Nesbo, Malla Nunn, Val McDermid and Mehmet Murat Somer.

Joanne Harris takes a crack at explaining the enduring allure of Edgar Allan Poe.

Deborah Sharp talks with the Birmingham News about her USA TODAY days and her recent mystery, MAMA DOES TIME.

Charlotte Roche’s WETLANDS finally hits bookstores in the UK, and she discusses its controversial nature with the Times, who also gets Joan Smith to review it.

The WSJ has Q&As with two debut literary entrants: Yiyun Li and Daniyal Mueenuddin.

Duquesne University is not pleased with its portrayal in John Grisham’s new bestseller THE ASSOCIATE.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your Hammett Award nominees.

And finally, there are better ways to discuss a broken relationship.