Smatterings on Sunday

The Telegraph’s Jake Kerridge puts Raymond Chandler’s novels under a critical magnifying glass.

Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction by Barbara Vine, Cara Black, Walter Mosley and Ariana Franklin.

Oline Cogdill adores how Sean Doolittle uses a common event to “dismantle a couple’s life with psychological terror” in his new novel SAFER, and has her say on a new novel by Tom Corcoran. 

At the WSJ, Tom Nolan has his say on new mysteries by Jedediah Berry, Jacqueline Winspear and Peter Robinson, while Jeff Trachtenberg talks with Philip Kerr about his wonderful new Bernie Gunther novel A QUIET FLAME.

Daniel Depp, Johnny’s older half-brother, talks with the Observer about his debut PI novel LOSER’S TOWN.

Bryan Gruley extols the joys of quirky small town values in an essay for the Globe & Mail, where Richard Bausch is bowled over by Giles Blunt’s venture into political thriller territory.

Joe Gores discusses his SPADE & ARCHER prequel with the Contra Costa Times.

Michael Berry generally likes what he reads of Walter Mosley’s THE LONG FALL, introducing new series protag Leonid McGill.

David Liss talks with the Fort Myers Weekly about how THE WHISKEY REBELS, his most recent historical novel, is strangely appropriate for today’s times.

So the 3-part miniseries of Stieg Larsson’s MILLENIUM trilogy that was supposed to air in Sweden? It will, but because the theatrical release of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO did so well, the next two books will be released in theaters as well. I just hope by the time #3 plays in December it will have a better title, but I won’t beat the Hornet’s Nest too hard (hmm, THE BOOK WHOSE TITLE SETS MY TEETH ON EDGE? Yes, that’s terribly catchy!) (via)

Jennifer Schuessler examines THE KINDLY ONES under the banner of the novel that shocks people.

Does video games need a Pauline Kael? Oh my lord yes. (via)

Matthew Shaer looks into the life and work of Hans Fallada, whose 1947 novel EVERY MAN DIES ALONE has been garnering much acclaim in its maiden translation into English.

Happy 90th, Lawrence Ferlinghetti!

Also in the SF Chronicle, Richard Price reveals he moved to Harlem last fall, which may or may not be the setting of his new book.

Rachel Cooke implores people to save our libraries in the Observer, which polls writers like Ian Rankin, Andrew Motion and Alain de Botton on their library usage.

Clearly I am going to have to get a hold of SHADOW by Karin Alvtegen.

And finally, what Chernobyl looks like now.