Posts

Ha’aretz talks to Joe Finder about writing thrillers, learning how to use a gun, and his time spent on a Kibbutz.

John Connolly chats about his health regimen to the Glasgow Herald, though with …

John Rickards asks this: if you change one letter in a book title, what do you end up with?

Every Secret Thong

Who is the masked killer preying on Baltimore’s cross-dressing elite?

The Billing …

And boy, does issue 40 feature one happenin’ lineup: Kim Harrington, Russel McLean, Daniel Hatadi, D.H. Reddall, and some blogger chick who decided that her possessed PI needed another go-round …

Too much of the whole “out and about” business today, so for the moment, let’s all reflect on the oh-so-sad reveal that Lonelygirl15 – YouTube’s first real breakout star …

Leonardo Padura is dubbed the “Hammett of Havana” with good reason, as his Mario Conde novels explore the noir underbelly of his chosen city. He talks to the Guardian about how his work …

For some reason this news makes me feel a bit sad, though I suppose it’s necessary to save the home and make the estate open to the public:

EXETER, England, Sept. 11 (UPI) — Thirty …

Today, of course, is anniversary five, and somehow I feel more reflective than I did last year or the year before. Maybe because the coverage of ⁹⁄₁₁ is more pervasive this time around, or maybe …

The link is being passed around everywhere but Sara Gran’s hysterical and to-the-bone essay about why being a writer in Brooklyn might, just might, be hazardous to your literary health is …

NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction offerings from Philip Kerr, Tess Gerritsen, Morag Joss and Ellen Crosby; Will Self talks about Celine; and it’s a nice touch to get Allegra …

So James Ellroy is everywhere, what with the movie of the BLACK DAHLIA in theatres imminently. The latest to interview him is the Pasadena Weekly, which reveals why he moved back to the LA area after …

Ok, so when was the last time any newspaper published a preview of a mystery convention this far in advance? I feel like I should be kidding when I say this, but I’m not. But the Madison Capital …

Hat tip to Jaime for pointing me to sections from D.A. Pennebaker’s documentary on the original cast recording of COMPANY. Watching Elaine Stritch struggle with “The Ladies who …

So, 20 hours after I was due to take off, and after what proved to be a rather tumultuous week – for expected and unexpected reasons – I finally made it back to Manhattan.

Which means …

Summer’s gone, the kids are back to school, the rest of us are back at work…and fall means the two p’s: productivity and procrastination. In other words, the usual…

I’ve …

The subject title is rather self-explanatory.

Still on vacation, back fully on Tuesday.

Eternal optimist that I am, I had hoped that we were past the time when book pages were axed and book review editors were pruned away like so many dead branches. It’s seems that I’m wrong. …

if I didn’t–what do they call it on TV–give a shout-out to my favorite Soho Crime writers. Now that I’ve dispensed with my two “canned” posts, I’m going to …

There seems to be some confusion as to what a publicist does and how to employ her effectively. From time to time, one does hear an awful lot of kvetching about the uselessness of publicists, as we …

You’ve published so many books that Nora Roberts is looking over her shoulder with worry. You don’t need a publicist; you need a personal assistant, right? Here are a few things that you might have …

Hi – this is Thalia Proctor, signing in from London as guest blogger for today.

I’m rather daunted, looking at previous posts, by being asked to do this; not being an author or reviewer …

And by five, I also mean last, because it won’t be long before August turns to September. So it seems fitting to switch up the theme here and invite two guests who are very much a part of the …

If I haven’t said so before, I love Bankrate.com’s recurring feature with commercial writers where they talk finances, money management and the like. And James Lee Burke’s story, …

But despite the news that John Mark Karr’s DNA is inconsistent with DNA found on JonBenet Ramsey’s body, wanna bet the freakshow will live on for a little while longer?

Sigh. What a sorry …

I mean, the Teen Choice awards appearance was wretched enough, but now this?

Looks like the 28-year-old husband of singer

Britney Spears will be shuffling over to the small screen, where he

will …

The SCBA annnounces its finalists in several category, and the shortlist for mystery fiction includes:

T. Jefferson Parker, THE FALLEN
Paul Levine, SOLOMON VS. LORD
Barbara Seranella, AN …

Well, it is if you like the pouring rain, I guess…

NYTBR: After what seems like an interminable absence, Marilyn Stasio is back – reviewing new crime fiction offerings from Minette …

Always leave on a gag…

Here’s my favourite joke of the moment, as told to me by a Scottish crimewriter with a taste for Prog Rock.

Q. What does it mean when you see Suggs coming up your …

At an event recently, Ian Rankin said that being a crime writer felt a bit like being a member of a gang; that there was always that slight element of being an outsider. Without wishing to get into …

With those responsible for such things wrestling with Bouchercon panels and having just returned from Edinburgh, with Harrogate still a very pleasant memory, I was thinking about some of the stuff …

Mark Billingham here, sending greetings from unseasonably sunny London. I’m hugely grateful to Sarah for the invitation to guest blog, and full of admiration that she has been able to dig up so many …

Dennis Lehane was on the CBS Early Show this morning, talking to Harry Smith about Coronado. And as for the massive Boston historical epic he’s working on? Fall ’07 release, it looks like …

Which is why I feel kinda sorry for ole Pluto here:

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Leading
astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under
historic new guidelines that …

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Last year I was honored to be a judge for the Thriller Award of the International Thriller Writers Organization. There was some discussion over the fact that there were no women authors …

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Sometimes I wonder if anybody still reads out there. I am not referring to you, of course. Outside of my many friends in the mystery community, I really wonder how many pick up a book for …

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My name is Larry Gandle. I want to thank Sarah for giving me the opportunity to speak my mind. I guess that is what blogging is all about. It is like a therapy session where I get to talk and …

Again, the drill applies: I’ll be back for the Weekend Update and cede the blog to our fine guests for the remainder of this week.

Wednesday’s host is Larry Gandle, a frequent contributor …

Of all the dog days of August, I think this might be the alpha dog. Ay yi yi. Never mind that it’s (yet again) gorgeous, sunny and hot, which means brain cells are dying by the millisecond. And …

First we have Linwood Barclay, who stays with Bantam Dell for his upcoming standalone:

Linwood Barclay’s NO TIME FOR GOODBYE, about a teacher whose wife’s

entire family disappeared …

First of all, welcome to all those who have arrived at my blog thanks to the New York Times’ piece on Marisha Pessl. I’ve said plenty on that subject already, but I can’t help but be …

Now, this doesn’t exactly come as a surprise to me (as many of Rankin’s interviews – and there are many just in the Scotsman alone – touch upon his love for the format) but …

So before I get to the links, some one-line reviews:

SNAKES ON A PLANE: So, so gloriously stoopid. I almost wished I’d seen it with a packed house…but then again, it worked in a smaller …

I wasn’t nervous, that was the problem. I needed to be nervous. I’d been nervous for six weeks and I was spent.

I’d been doing promotion for my new book, The Dead Hour, touring the states, …

It’s Thursday, that means it’s me once more. I thought about staying off the blog but then I heard about the big story of, well, the rest of the week, if not longer:

CNN) — An …

Our first guest has already introduced himself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do a more formal intro, too. So Tuesday’s guest blogger is, indeed, George Pelecanos, and his newest …

I just want thank Sarah Weinman – I should say, Anthony Award nominee Sarah Weinman – for having me as a guest.  I really enjoyed the experience.  I also want to thank everyone …

As I said in my opening post, I’m new to the writing game, and one of the things I’m struggling a bit with is the subject of protagonist relationships.  I’ll find in otherwise good books, …

One thing that intrigues me in novels and movies is the way in which people in government are portrayed.  I’d lump them into four stereotypes: there’s the noble idealist fighting …

I want to start by thanking the delightful Sarah Weinman for having me as a guest blogger.  I’ve never blogged before (I think “blogged” is a verb), and I feel like I’m …

“I’d like to send this one out to Lou and Rachel/And all the kids in PS192/Man I swear I’d give the whole thing up for you.”

These are the last lines of what song?

And with …

   I recently read Accidental Genius, the newly released John Cassavetes biography by Marshall Fine, author of the Peckinpah bio, Bloody Sam.  Accidental Genius is thorough, respectful …

   Last Tuesday night, on the pub date of my new book, I did an event at Magnetic Fields, a bar in Brooklyn.  I first read a passage from Drama City, and then Steve Wynn and his band, …

    On my recent trip to the UK for the Harrogate/Let’s Drink Heavily Festival I read Lemons Never Lie, a Hard Case Crime reprint by Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark.  …

George Pelecanos here.  I will be with you tomorrow, issuing some random thoughts.  Don’t look for any of those cool highligthed things that can link you somewhere else, because I …

First up, Alex Berenson, whose debut thriller THE FAITHFUL SPY was released a few months ago by Random House, makes a switch:

New York Times reporter Alex Berenson’s two new untitled novels, …

The theme song or Duane Swierczynski’s detailed analysis of said song.

So how many people are planning on seeing Snakes on a Plane? I sure as hell am.

Gosh, it has been a while since I’ve done one of this, hasn’t it? But before getting to all those choice links, Elaine Flinn has me On the Bubble over at Murderati, where I manage to talk …

First, I must commend the New York Sun for finally making Otto Penzler’s columns available in full text format. Because that means there’s far more opportunity for immediate comment and …

Just like last week, this post will appear at the top of the blog for the rest of the week with guest blog contributions below this one – until the Weekend Update returns to its rightful …

Well I guess that does it for me folks.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, especially those who took the time to comment, and big hugs to Sarah for inviting me to guest write. If you haven’t …

Oprah ain’t the only black woman struggling with her weight who has a favorite things list. The difference is, you can afford the stuff on mine. I just finished a 30 day detox fast during which …

Years ago I had a stint in Los Angeles while I toiled as a young reporter at the LA Times. Boy was I homesick.

Sticking a twenty-something native Baltimoron (who believes that if you drive too far on …

So I am on the bus on my way to work this morning and I overheard this conversation between two little boys who appeared to about 11 or 12 years old and who were showing off their cell phones to each …

I love a caper as much as the next gal.

But waking up this morning to the news out of London was terrifying. Although my last name is France (I throw in the Lisa Respers because that’s who I …

Well, it may not be too late where you are but here it’s past one AM and it’s dark. I feel like Cleavon Little in Vanishing Point, sitting in his room, throwing stuff out to the world and …

I’ve just had a look on some of the links that Sarah’s put about me in her intro. And while I notice a link for ‘entirely too much fun to be around’ is conspicuous by its …

I’ve been talking to my editor about my next novel. Not Bone Machine, the one that’s coming out in January (or April in the US) but my next one. The one I’m writing now. Due for …

Greetings one and all. Welcome to my first ever attempt to post a blog on the internet. When Sarah approached me about doing this, she asked what I was doing in August. ‘Oh you know,’ I …

Daniel Woodrell talks to the St. Louis Dispatch about the impetus for his (yup, saying it again) marvelous novel WINTER’S BONE. The Rap Sheet also points to a great interview with NPR, …

Greetings. The mini-vacation is over, many many books have been read, and even after a scant few days away, New York’s humidity still feels ridiculously oppressive (especially compared to the …

Yes, it’s that time of year, the publishing holiday known to one and all as August. So just like last year and the year before, Confessions will be handed over to a series of guest bloggers over …

Thanks to Sarah for giving me this chance to chat with you.

I am taking a train to Bouchercon in Madison. Which of the following shoud I read?

1.  The Sleeping Car Murders (Japrisot)

2.  …

Thanks to Sarah for giving me this chance to chat with you. I very much hope I will meet some of you at Bouchercon. I am taking the train to Madison. What should I read?

1. The Sleeping Car Murders …

Is it more difficult to succeed in places like Omaha or Little Rock? or in my case Detroit. I remember hearing Sara Paretsky speak at the American Popular Culture meetings a few years back. She said …

Writing groups have been a mixed bag for me. I have belonged to five over the years. The first–the one that lambasted that early story–ended abruptly when the women arose enmasse and …

Many thanks to Sarah for thinking of me for today. I had a few moments of pure bliss before realizing I was surely asked to sub here because I was the only left without a blog of her own.

It’s …

It’s 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 in my little town in Maine. When, oh, when will the world learn to listen to the Episcopalians?!?

Nikita Lalwani’s first novel THE SQUARE ROOT, about a young British

Indian adolescent math prodigy whose parents are grooming her to attend

Oxford University at age fourteen, to Jennifer …

A selection of frivolous news links. Because it’s too hot to think of anything serious.

Parents beware! Our preteens might be reading about S-E-X. Or shopping, which may be worse, seeing as …

The fifth book in my series is coming out this October. (No, wait–marketing wouldn’t like that. The fifth book in my Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series, All Mortal Flesh, is coming …

At first glance, this news made me groan. Here we go again, another potential controversy served up by the Crime Writers’ Association as they attempt to get with the times, make some more money …

The author of several mysteries under her own name as well as the pseudonym Maggie Bruce has died at the age of 64 after a battle with breast cancer. Sandra Scoppettone pays tribute to her longtime …

Once the Harrogate dust had settled, one thing that kept getting referenced over and over was the “Unique Voices” panel, and specifically John Connolly’s comments on such. He’s …

100m Oympic champion sprinter Justin Gatlin tests positive for drugs and faces a lifetime ban from the sport. The only thing that’s really unusual about the story is that Gatlin decided to beat …

A point for anyone who gets the title reference without prompting…

Before turning to the papers, my latest column is online (unlike June’s, which mysteriously never made it to the …

Though by all accounts, this year’s ConMisterio was a big success in terms of social networking and the like (as was the inaugural event in 2005) it didn’t do so great economically – …

If you’re thinking of registering at the last minute, then you might be too late – because the conference is now sold out. But if you’re among the first 50 to get on a waiting list, …

So seriously…who thought this was the biggest non-news ever? Obviously, this chick did.

There seems to be a real Phoenix quality to the idea of revisiting Gregory McDonald’s famed character in the movies. Kevin Smith was going to do it…now he won’t. But now it looks …

George Pelecanos gets good writeup in the New York Times, what with Motoko Rich’s profile and Janet Maslin’s rave review. Like you needed more reasons to rush out and read THE NIGHT …

It won’t be for a while yet, but the website is up and running and the contributors’ list makes me drool:

   Daniel Woodrell – The Echo of Neighborly Bones
  …

I was all set to do this yesterday but then the Anthony Award nominations came out and that kind of distracted me. Anyway, reports and the like trickling in from:

• Charlie Williams
• John Rickards …

And I must say, the cliche is true – it really is just an honor to be nominated:

Best Mystery Novel
 Bloodlines, Jan Burke, Simon and Schuster
 Lincoln Lawyer, Michael Connelly, …

Bryon Quertermous has put together a very spiffy summer issue of Demolition, featuring new fiction from Paul Guyot, Jeff Shelby, Gerald So, Justin Porter, Steven Torres, Stephen D. Rogers, Stephen …

New review, new paper: I give my take on Denise Mina’s THE DEAD HOUR and Kathy Reichs’ BREAK NO BONES for Newsday, which marks the first time I’ve had something published in a local …

First, congratulations to Val McDermid for winning the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year award, given out Friday night at the Harrogate Crime Festival. It’s much deserved, though I …

Which I’ll just let speak for itself, thank you very much:

Derringer Award-winning author Dave White’s WHEN ONE MAN DIES,

featuring New Jersey P.I. Jackson Donne, in a very nice deal, …

And I sure wish I could be at what the Times calls “The Hay-on-Wye of the crime world”, considering the stellar lineup of writerfolk organizer Mark Billingham has organized. And once …

Though yesterday was certainly all Spillane, all the time, here’s one last lengthy tribute to the famed pulp fiction writer, courtesy the Georgetown (S.C.) Times. Oh, and another from the Rap …

As soon as the news broke, the first person I thought of was Max Allan Collins, who not only is a notable crime writer, filmmaker and graphic novelist, but was a close friend of Spillane’s since …

The best places to start for basic information are his Wikipedia entry (as well as Mike Hammer’s) and the unofficial Spillane site, which hasn’t been updated in years but has a plethora of …

Not surprisingly, considering the influence Spillane had on the genre, lots of people are blogging about the man (and that’s why this post will be updated throughout the day.) They include: …

What else can you add to the headline except that a crime writing legend has passed on? And so, I’ll repost the obit printed in today’s Myrtle Beach Sun:

Legendary mystery novelist and …

Want to know what’s been going on at ConMisterio all weekend? Bill Crider has been posting video clips of some notable names, including Megan Abbott, Duane Swierczynski, Steven Torres, Margaret …

NYTBR: Joseph Epstein discourses on friendship, much to Jennifer Senior’s liking; Marie Arana’s CELLOPHANE illuminates culture in a magical realist way, as Liesl Schillinger finds out; and …

Not posting much has its privileges because I didn’t lose anything from Typepad! Bloody outages…

The Telegraph’s Will Cohu talks to Jeffery Deaver about why readers are number one …

Oh man, this news just sucks in so many ways:

Dorothy Uhnak, once famous as a 125-pound New York City Transit Authority

policewoman who knocked down and arrested an armed mugger and then

better …

So I’m scrolling through Cluelass’s Bloodstained Bookshelf, looking at upcoming releases for late 2006 and early 2007. And one release in particular – James Patterson’s newest …

Bulletpoint style:

• Keep checking Mary Reagan’s site for more ThrillerFest photos (as well as some from the shooting range.)
• Laura Lippman interviewed by the Miami Herald’s Connie Ogle. …

The stylish seven known as the Outfit debuted in mystery group blog waters yesterday, kicking things off with an introductory post from Marcus Sakey:

What you’ll find here is a little …

Too much to do today (and the rest of the week, really) so links in short order:

Clea Simon takes on the latest Dave Robicheaux novel by James Lee Burke, while Patrick Anderson approves of noirish …

I know, it’s been so long…and much to catch up with, too:

NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio’s column this week has a little of everything: heavy hitters (James Lee Burke) neglected gems (Bill …

The National Post’s Robert Fulford has a lengthy essay (though mixed take) on the work of Michael Connelly.

At January Magazine proper, Steve Miller reviews Domenic Stansberry’s THE BIG …

But it’s still funny. (link from Bookslut.)

Still not recovered from the Phoenix heat? Then keep the good times coming with these links:

• Photos from J.T. Ellison (including one I like of me, which is pretty rare) and Mike Maclean
• Roundups, …

The LA Times’ Anne Marie O’Connor profiles some of the city’s strongest additions to the genre – including Paula Woods, Gary Phillips and Naomi Hirahara –  who open …

Will Ian Rankin turn to children’s fiction when he’s done with Rebus? The Scotsman will pretty much report anything about him, of course (Rankin reads phone book! Rankin walks down …

Greetings after a sweltering, fun-filled, relaxing time at ThrillerFest. Having just walked in the door I’m a mixture of exhaustion and second-wind energy, which means – as always of late …

While I was away finding out who won the 1st annual Thriller Awards, the Daggers were given out:

Duncan Lawrie Dagger: Anne Cleeves – Raven Black (Macmillan)
Duncan Lawrie International …

While I’m off at ThrillerFest, I’m taking part in Debra Hamel’s weeklong contest as part of her “Buy a Friend a Book” campaign. The gist appears below.

I’ll be in the air on a flight across the country, where ThrillerFest – and the 100+ degree weather of Phoenix – awaits. And because I don’t feel like schlepping the laptop all …

Somehow, this bit of news seems rather fitting:

Georgetown County Council on Tuesday approved a resolution supporting

the naming of U.S. Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet in his honor. …

It’s a critical time for the Coverdell Act, a government initiative passed to give grant funds for increasing the amount of time, money and attention on forensic science laboratories, and Jan …

With ThrillerFest kicking off on Thursday, the Arizona Republic offers a preview of what’s happening at the inaugural conference.

The Belfast Telegraph talks to Andrew Pepper, whose debut novel …

But it sounds rather like something I really want to read:

Two South-African born professors writing as Michael Stanley’s

DETECTIVE KUBU AND A CARRION DEATH, introducing an overweight opera …

The Private Eye Writers of America

(PWA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 25^th annual Shamus

Awards, given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye

fiction. The 2006 …

Sometimes the thing you’re waiting for the most comes at a time you least expect it. Which probably explains the reaction I had when I opened the mail a few days ago and out popped a shiny new …

So perhaps you may have noticed that my output at Galleycat has increased quite a lot this week. That’s because next week I’ll be rather scarce, what with taking a much-needed long weekend …

Duane Swierczynski posts the cover and gives details on DAMN NEAR DEAD: An Anthology of Geezer Noir (which also happens to be my next anthology appearance.)It’ll be out in July from Busted Flush …

Elaine Viets – who has now become an official member of the Lipstick Chronicles – blogs about her irritation with the ITW’s list of award nominations and the fact that for all three …

OK, I have to admit, I thought this article in Seed Magazine was pretty freaking cool. Equating crime fiction and quantum physics? So there. More specifically, as Joshua Roebke puts it: …

Time Magazine names 5 mystery writers “worth investigating” in the form of their most recent (read: 2005) releases.

Leigh Redhead talks to the Wingham Chronicle about her next Simone …

This fantastic piece in the Glasgow Herald breaks down Billingham’s likes (country music, his friends’ crime fiction), vices (not being able to cook or do household work) and pet peeves …

Longtime readers of the blog will know that I have a somewhat bizarre fascination with Australian bestselling crime writer Tara Moss. She’s a model! You can download semi-hot pictures off of her …

And so, as promised, Killer Year – the official website for mystery, suspense and thriller authors whose work debuts in 2007 – has launched, complete with a member list, faq and of course, …

First up, the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award – which will be given out at Harrogate next month – has announced its shortlist:

STRANGE BLOOD, Lindsay Ashford
ONE …

After yesterday afternoon, I’ll be paying a hell of a lot more attention to the World Cup. Crazy game yesterday, to say the least, especially watching it with hundreds of people in a crowded …

If there is one writer whose name noir aficionados want to shout from the rooftops over and over (and over) again because not enough people have heard of him, dammit, then Daniel Woodrell is probably …

So Jason Pinter alluded on his blog this morning that he was really excited about a trilogy he’d just closed a deal on. Based on the PM writeup I see why:

David Wellington‘s 13 BULLETS, …

So I totally missed that the Hammett Award had been given out at Bloody Words last weekend, going to Joseph Kanon for his latest novel, ALIBI. Fortunately, Jiro Kimura snagged the press release.

The …

Wondering what Les Roberts, creator of the Milan Jacovich PI series, is up to? Writing his memoirs, for one, as the West Life Newspaper finds out:

Down these mean streets a man must go. Mean …

I go away to Portland (a beautiful city, btw, the Art Museum kicks ass and the Chinese Garden is most especially lovely and relaxing) and a new, unbelievably pointless brouhaha hits the …

I mean that both metaphorically and literally as I fly off to the West Coast for a few days – so nothing doing here until Wednesday at the earliest. But in the meantime, here’s the update: …

The Crime Writers of Canada announced the 2006 Arthur Ellis Award Winners on June 8 in Toronto as follows:

BEST NOVEL: APRIL FOOL, by William Deverell (McClelland & Stewart)

BEST FIRST NOVEL: …

I mean, really:

Mutulu Shakur’s untitled novel, in which Tupac Shakur, having faked his

own death and living in the midwest under an alias, is forced to go on

the run with both the CIA and a …

So 24 hours after I posted my musings on the whole “Class of 2007” idea, here comes Killer Year, as founded by Jason Pinter, J.T. Ellison, Brett Battles & Sandra Ruttan.

Expect to …

There are some arguments that are simply too acrimonious to resolve. Ordinarily this would lead to some sort of trial and endless appeals, but one judge doesn’t want to do that. Instead, …

This is more of a ramble than anything, but in reading Jason Pinter’s post on comparing debut novels in various formats to what you eat on a first date (I’m paraphrasing, but the post is …

Many people who have tried Jeffrey Cohen’s Aaron Tucker novels end up crying out as to why he doesn’t have more readers. Something tells me that with this new deal, he might get more: …

The headline pretty much says it all, as does the opening paragraph:

FORT LAUDERDALE – Truth proved to be stranger than fiction for a

high school criminology class investigating a fake crime …

Jeffrey Marks, who has been writing book and magazine criticism in the mystery world for many years, is joining Mystery Scene in the role of consulting editor.

“Jeff has an extremely wide-ranging …

So many Noir anthologies, so little time – but the latest is TWIN CITIES NOIR, and it gets serious due in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Patrick Anderson is impressed with Robert Baer’s …

I’ve got a story in the new issue of Spinetingler Magazine, which also features fiction by some names you may have heard of, like Megan Powell, M.G. Tarquini and Stephen Blackmoore, and names …

With June’s arrival, things are naturally slowing down. More desire to be outside, do other things. And so for the next couple of months, the Weekend Update may appear later on Sunday. Or  …

I’m a day late, several dollars short but so, so very pleased for Jenny Davidson’s news that her novel, DYNAMITE NO.1, will be published in 2008 by HarperCollins Children’s books. I …

Because they produce segments like this. (Via Maud Newton, but it’s been making the blog rounds.)

Too much out-and-abouting today, so I bring you a couple of lists:

From the NY Post, “25 Things a New Yorker should know.”

From Jason Pinter, 25 Horrifying Things that will Happen if you …

The CWA has announced the shortlists for the remaining Dagger awards:

DUNCAN LAWRIE INTERNATIONAL DAGGER

EXCURSION TO TINDARI – Andrea Camilleri (translated by Stephen

Sartarelli)
AUTUMN OF …

That’s the question Sandra Scoppettone asks on her blog, whether about her own work as a crime novelist, that of so many others, or reading such novels. Killing people is so integral to this …

Yeah, I’m posting here and not on Galleycat…because this isn’t work and GC is. Anyway:

Simon Beckett tells Yorkshire Today what it’s like to be shortlisted for the Duncan …

Yes folks, that age old question, “what came first, the chicken or the egg?” has been answered in a scientific and meticulous matter! And what is this answer?

LONDON, England — …

Deadly Pleasures Magazine announces the shortlist for the 2006 Barry Awards, and they are:

BEST NOVEL:

BLOODLINES, by Jan Burke (Simon & Schuster)

RED LEAVES, by Thomas H. Cook (Harcourt) …

Happy weekend, everybody – it’s been positively fantastically gorgeous in this fair New York City, which is why I’m doing my best to spend as much time outside as humanly possible. …

Adrian Muller has worn many hats in the crime fiction community, most notably as co-chair of Left Coast Crime in Bristol and now Chairman of the judging panel for the CWA’s Duncan Lawrie …

First off, the whole date change thing totally threw me because I’m a good two days late on the news and this is pretty freaking rare (or more to the point: what, no press release sent out? Or …

Everywhere I look, it’s all about Edgar Allan Poe. See Matthew Pearl’s essay on the man in the Telegraph, his top ten books on Poe for the Guardian,or Metro Weekly’s review of Louis …

Slate has a slew of articles devoted to the best and brightest of pulp fiction, old and new. Check out:

• The reading lists of Michael Connelly, Scott Turow & Joyce Carol Oates
• John Banville on …

Though Dennis Lehane hasn’t been kept completely in the loop about the movie version of his fourth Kenzie/Gennaro novel, GONE, BABY GONE, he definitely approves one specific casting point: …

A few years ago before the crime fiction anthology boom pretty well exploded, TART NOIR, co-edited by Lauren Henderson and Stella Duffy, was pretty much one of the best ones going (I’ve read my …

The Rap Sheet is back – and now it’s a blog! Check out the continuing updated version offered up by January Magazine’s J. Kingston Pierce & co.

Crime Scene Scotland has a new …

I say this because a) the acquiring editor is Kristen Weber and b) the agent in question is Rolph Blythe, who is Read’s agent:

Gabriella Herkert’s ANIMAL INSTINCT, about a legal …

Even after a decent night’s sleep, the verdict is still the same: exhaustion, best overcome by slow dips back into the real world. Though one BEA anecdote I forgot to mention on GalleyCat was …

Literally. Just walked in the door, dropped my bags and will be going to bed in short order.

BEA was, to say the least, exhilarating, exhausting, and rather surprising.

Tomorrow, look for full …

Naturally, last minute things mean I’m running down to the wire to catch my train to DC to attend Book Expo America – which doesn’t kick off in earnest till tomorrow. Then …

Let’s let Mr. Secret Dead Man himself, Duane Swierczynski, fill you in on the details:

David Loeb Goodis Convention (GoodisCon)
Plus: Deen and Jay Kogan Award for Writers of Importance and …

And to think this post almost became a quick deal report and a somewhat snarky follow-up comment. It’s a habit I try not to indulge as much as I once did, because it doesn’t really help …

So Guy Kewney, one of the UK’s best-known computer journalists, was booked to go on the BBC on May 8 to discuss the lawsuit between Apple Music and Apple Corporation. And he’s waiting in …

A few months ago it seemed all I could blog about was the CWA’s flat-footed moves concerning the Duncan Lawrie Dagger and how the 20,000 pound prize would exclude translated works. Not …

There are certain questions that authors get asked over, and over, and over again. Where do you get your ideas. Who would play your protagonist in a movie. Who would win in a fight, protag X or Y. But …

That being, “who would win in a fight, Jack Reacher or John Rain?”

The answers are revealed here. (Follow the thread to its conclusion…)

it’s a deal I’m particularly excited to report on:

Crime Blogger J.T. Ellison’s ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS, featuring a

Nashville homicide detective and her lover, an FBI profiler, who …

And sure, it ain’t Rolling Stone*, but it’s a cover and I’ll take it:

That lovely cover is for the UK edition of DUBLIN NOIR, due out there in early June from Brandon Books. Mary …

The New York Times profiles Reed Coleman, MWA EVP extraordinaire, Edgar-nominated author of the truly fabulous THE JAMES DEANS, and the editor of the anthology HARDBOILED BROOKLYN, which launches at …

So now it can be told: Publishers Weekly asked Ron Hogan and me to write the feature article in this week’s issue, which focuses on the formation of ITW and the 60th anniversary of the Edgar. As …

Want to know how much is taken in and spent at a Bouchercon? Al Navis and the folks who ran BCon 2004 in Toronto have released some financials, available at Jon Jordan’s Central Crime Zone. …

But I agree with Jaime – Les Nessman ABSOLUTELY must have his own pundit show. Or as he puts, it, “is there a single news channel that Les couldn’t walk into today, no questions …

First up, ThrillerFest has finally, finally announced its program schedule. Lots of good stuff going on and of course, many of them are taking place at the same time.

And the Anthony Award nomination …

It’s another reminder to check out the offerings at the spiffily redesigned Mystery Circus, which not only includes a kickass forum (also redesigned) but essays so far from Ray Banks, Steve …

Belatedly, congratulations to all the winners of Mystery Ink’s 5th annual Gumshoe Awards: Laura Lippman for Best Novel, Randall Hicks for Best First Novel, Joseph Finder for Best Thriller, …

In another sign of why incessant Googling can get a girl into trouble, a quick check of my favorite true crime blog led me down some back waters to what might possibly be the greatest obituary ever …

Because I am woefully behind on updating the Picks, sometimes I forget to mention books that I really really like. Which is why it’s good that AP’s Bruce DeSilva reminds me of how …

Yeah, I’m stealing my headlines from Maddox, but then again, this is pretty freaking head-spinning:

Actress Adrienne Barbeau and Irish

author Michael Scott’s THE VAMPIRES OF HOLLYWOOD, …

As the Honolulu Star-Bulletin puts it, what are the chances that two scientists working at the same lab would

have major-league books published at almost the same moment, about the

same subject? …

Have you been wondering what Craig McDonald, one of the best author interviewers around, has been up to? Me too, but one answer is that he’s been working to assemble the latest issue of Hardluck …

NYTBR: First up, Marilyn Stasio looks at a wide variety of mysteries by Donna Leon, Helene Tursten, Asa Larsson, James Swain & Pete Hautman (and is it me, or has she been reviewing more paperback …

I need not repeat once more how much I loved PRAYERS FOR THE ASSASSIN. But I thought this story was done, and that we wouldn’t be seeing Ferrigno’s further reflections on America from a …

When I read Mo Hayder’s PIG ISLAND a little while ago it was, to be frank, scary as hell. If horror’s well and truly making a comeback then she really has to be at the forefront. But …

Because when I went to Pandora and inputted “Shel Silverstein” in the opening search engine, it gave me I Got Stoned and I Missed It.

Goddamn, this thing knows me too well…

(link …

I’m still stuck in the black hole of looming deadlines, but some things are too crank-inducing to pass up, like Malcolm Gladwell’s recent post on the whole Kaavya Viswanathan thing (which …

I did promise I would stop using a particular term to describe these guys’ penchant for making deals with each other, if only because hey, if it works, why not continue?

The Dead Room author …

Last Saturday morning, the Italian journalist who most recently had co-written a book with Douglas Preston on the Monster of Florence was unexpectedly released from jail. He’d been arrested …

This was what I wore to the Edgars.

And that’s why I love Mary Reagan’s photography.

ics

Ah, normality. It’s so nice to be back in that state after what turned out to be a crazier-than-usual Edgar Week. But by “normality” I really mean “extremely tight …

Back to the bulletpoints again, and the award winners can all be found here.

• Like last year, emcee Jane Dentinger ran an extremely tight ship in getting the ceremony over by just about 10 PM.
• The …

First, the extremely cool:

MOIST and DELICIOUS author Mark Haskell Smith’s SALTY, the humorous

struggles of a pampered and paunchy Heavy Metal superstar and his wife,

who is kidnapped while …

Done in bulletpoint style because — surprise! — it’s another action packed day here at Casa Confessions.

• The upstairs cafe at Borders on 57th and Park has never been so crowded. …

The party last night, in one word…HOPPING. I think there were more authors in attendance per square inch than the store has ever had before, or certainly not in my previous Edgar week …

The Arthur Ellis Awards, which are given to the best in Canadian crime fiction, have announced their shortlists:

Best Novel
Rick Blechta, Cemetery
of the Nameless (RendezVous Press)
Giles Blunt, …

I know I’ve said in a bunch of places that I’m a huge fan of Paul Johnston’s work. And with good reason because his two series – the first set in a futuristic, alternate …

Unlike last year, when Passover decided that it absolutely had to conflict with the Edgars, I’ll be around for the Awards and associated events this year. So without further ado, here’s a …

If you want to know who won the Agatha Awards, check here.

Pari Noskin Taichert blogs on the honor of being nominated over at Murderati.

And because I wanted to offer a different perspective on the …

First up, and probably funniest, is thriller writer Brad Thor’s email interview with Dr. Blogstein that gets into book soundtracks, fear of terrorists, and fake presidents:

DB: How does the …

Starting at 4 PM today, The Mystery Lovers’ Bookshop in Oakmont, PA kicks off its 11th annual Festival of Mystery, and Regis Behe offers up a preview in the weekend edition of the …

NYTBR: Hmm, for some reason Marilyn Stasio’s crammed in more books than usual in her column this weekend. She looks at the latest by Peter Abrahams, Elizabeth Peters, James Sallis, Loren …

First up, Kristen Weber makes her first official buy in her new job with NAL, and she brings over a familiar face from Mysterious Press:

LA Times bestselling author Patricia Smiley’s SMALL …

The Spring issue — number two, for those counting — of Demolition Magazine is now live, and the theme is decidely female-centric. Seven stories, all by women, and all well worth a read. So …

I have more to say about this news over at Galleycat, but the announcement that Random House will be launching a new line of trade paperbacks specifically for crime fiction makes me happy. Though the …

Chances are likely that if you stop in a bookstore somewhere, James Swanson’s MANHUNT is getting prominent placement. And so, he’s going back to the same Lincoln-area well for his next …

The slowness continues, but in truth, I don’t mind so much, because as soon as I return to the Apple, things get kah-ray-zee once again. So another quick summary to tide you over for the next 24 …

You know how it goes: do a little web surfing, come across a news story, and the significance hits you like a big bolt of lightning. In my case, it was finding this news story and realizing, …

This weekend, in a bit of a change of pace, Malice Domestic will take place this weekend. Change of pace because usually it’s the weekend after the Edgars, but this time it’s the weekend …

Thriller writer Stephen Leather went to Australia to research his newest effort, COLD KILL — which imagines a terrorist attack in Sydney. He talks to the Sydney Morning Herald about the end …

• The weather is absolutely freaking gorgeous, yet I seem to spend hardly any time outside.
  • Chocolate covered almonds are addictive. So, too, is my mother’s chocolate torte, lemon-walnut …

Greetings on this slow day here in the Nation’s Capital, where everything is pretty much shut down and I should be working on something or other. You know the drill. But in the meantime, the …

That’s all for this week, folks. The kitchen’s converted, the table is set and it’s time to get ready for 8 days of non-stop Passover eating. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it, …

Christopher Moore, who’s about to embark on a 30-city tour for his newest novel A DIRTY JOB, talks to the SF Chronicle about his books, why he’s into fantastically-tinged stories, and his …

I’m up way earlier than usual to catch a flight back to the not-so-frozen North (at least, it better not be frozen. It’s April, after all) and immerse myself in last-minute Passover …

Some weeks ago, along with many others, I posted about thriller writer Douglas Preston’s legal troubles in Italy which led to his detainment and the threat of charges against himself and his …

The Celtic Tiger’s had many byproducts, but one that in hindsight makes perfect sense is the emergence of some awfully good crime writers. One of the newest is Declan Hughes, whose debut THE …

Yes kids, in just a few days’ time the obsessive-compulsive’s wet dream swoops upon those who partake in all-Matzah, all the time. But before that happens, there’s houses to clean, …

By that, I mean checking my mail and finding my author copies of the June issue of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. I’m really proud to be among stellar company such as Robert Gray, …

So even though Kevin reported the details already, it’s still excellent to see the official PM writeup:

Kevin Wignall’s WHO IS CONRAD HIRST?, about a professional hit man who

wants out …

They do pile up when I’m not looking…

First up, welcome aboard to the folks behind the just-launched group blog Murderati. Naomi Hirahara, Elaine Flinn, JT Ellison, Simon Wood, Pari …

And in another award that’s in its sophomore year, Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year has announced its 20-strong longlist. Mark Billingham won it last year for LAZYBONES, …

The press release appears below, but I’m pleased to report that I’ll be serving as one of the judges for this particular award. So after July 1, knock me dead with your opening lines! …

Every year at around this time Library Journal does its version of the “State of the Genre” cover story, and the newest edition, penned by LJ Fiction book review editor Wilda Williams, …

I’m late on this, naturally, but SHOTS has redesigned its front page and added loads of new content. This includes:

• New fiction by Patricia Abbott, Stephen Blackmoore, James Harris, Edward …

Tom Nolan has a fun piece in today’s Wall Street Journal about how Michael Connelly’s protagonist seems to pop up in books not actually written by him. There was the exchange cameo between …

Frequent Guardian contributor Jonathan Freedland made a guest appearance in the Sunday Times talking about why the bestseller list is crowded with thrillers of a certain, DA VINCI CODE-ish type …

Sandra Scoppettone, who’s on the judging committee for the Best First Novel award that will be given out by the Private Eye Writers of America, has sent a missive around to several mailing lists …

The current issue of the Hudson Valley-based online magazine Chronogram has a great interview with Donald Westlake (who splits his time between Upstate NY and Manhattan, mostly to attend Writers Guild …

And if you’re like me, some of your clocks got switched and others you’ll forget about till, oh, Tuesday…

But the good news is spring is here and the weather’s been great. The …

There aren’t too many pieces of deal news that make my jaw drop. But this one did:

C.J. Box’s three stand-alone thrillers, the first about a young girl

and her brother on the run in the …

“Nothing is more important to me than the integrity of the game of baseball.” — Bud Selig, talking about the upcoming probe into baseball players (like Barry Bonds) using steroids.

John Skinner, the man responsible for the Rebus walking tours in Edinburgh, has died at the age of 52. Ian Rankin, on his website, paid tribute to Skinner, saying that “I told him he was crazy …

Tania over at I Love a Good Mystery offers up one of the biggest gripes going right now: the ridiculous lack of information on the official website:

I know that Bouchercon (in Madison) is still 6 …

Charles Taylor of the Newark Star-Ledger has some fun with some of the things that a book lover is best advised to avoid when searching for a new book to read:

        …

It’s probably the coolest development on the genre short story front this year, and the list of people who have contributed to Tribe’s Flashing in the Gutters site is ever growing and …

First off, Darley Anderson does it again. There are some agents who can’t seem to settle for anything less than a six-figure deal (or at least, the ones that get reported, the rest likely …

Considering I used to contribute heaviliy to the place, I’ve been woefully remiss in catching all of you up with the latest additions at January Magazine. There’s an interview with James …

So Trader Joe’s has finally taken Manhattan — specifically, near Union Square, where it’s but a hop, skip and a jump from Whole Foods. And well, this picture says it all:

Gawd, we …

Here’s the transcript of yesterday’s DetecToday chat where I go on about writing short stories, the state of publishing, and other less important trifle. Thanks to everyone who showed up, …

Patrick Anderson gives his approval to Peter Abrahams’ END OF STORY, which I heartily agree with (no idea why it’s taken me so long to try one of his books. Maybe because he produces good …

Yes, my site is screwed up. At the moment I am trying to figure out what the problem is but until then, it’s going to look kinda strange around here. Apologies for the inconvenience, and …

I feel like the last one just ran, but lo, here is my newest column for the Sun, looking at recent releases by Thomas Perry, Barbara Vine, Rhys Bowen, Joshua Spanogle and Miyuki Miyabe.

And in other …

But if you’re as clueless as I, let the Associated Press catch you up:

The premise of the movie is amusing enough: An evil crime lord

releases hundreds of deadly snakes on a commercial flight …

Irish-born, Bellingham-dwelling author Michael Collins is driven by stuff that most of us wouldn’t even dream of attempting. And by that, I don’t mean novels, I mean his penchant for …

Carol Memmott looks at some new-ish political thrillers by Robert Ferrigno, Peter Schechter and Noel Hynd. Her colleague at USA Today, Deirdre Donohue, pretty much falls in love with David …

One of the things I kept talking about at LCC last week was the Wall Street Journal’s piece on 92-year-old Lilian Jackson Braun, who started the “Cat Who…” mysteries 40 years …

Miss a week and things do tend to accumulate, don’t they…

Mystery Ink has announced the nominees for the Gumshoe Awards, which you can check out here. It’s great to see so many …

The blogger has landed, a little later than expected. London was excellent, and the National Portrait Gallery is a must-see (while the “Americans in Paris” exhibit at the National Gallery …

Greetings from London, where I’m about to get some much-needed rest after several days of, ah, serious socializing. (That’s what you get for going to bed at 4 AM pretty much every night.) …

OK, so it doesn’t scan quite as well as the original, but what can you do. In any case, tonight I leave for Merrie Olde England and the bacchanal that promises to be Left Coast Crime. If prior …

StorySouth has announced the notables for its Million Writers Award, and I’m pleased to announce that “A Sack of Potatoes,” which Megan Powell was kind enough to publish at Shred of …

Just to follow up, it seems that Kristen Weber is replacing Martha Bushko, who recently left NAL to pursue other opportunities. Bushko’s authors in the mystery world included C.J. Box, Tamar …

Normally I do revolving door stuff at Galleycat but since this is specifically geared to the mystery world, it belongs here.

In any case, word comes through the transom that Weber will be leaving her …

For whatever reason I forgot to link to this yesterday, but S.J. Rozan had an excellent article in Sunday’s NYT about iconic cases in New York in the wake of Imette St. Guillen’s murder: …

Lionel Shriver describes the effect of winning a major award — and the strangeness afterwards.

It’s the 50th anniversary of PEYTON PLACE and the AP’s Hillel Italie offers up a …

NYTBR: Oh, let’s just go straight to Naomi Wolf’s gee-willikers rant about the Gossip Girl books and others like it. Of course they are empty. Of course they are banal. Of course I …

For those who have the night free and want to check out a quintet of writers reading about their fictional exploits amidst the Celtic Tiger, head down to Coliseum Books on Monday night, March 13, …

It does seem like a good time to talk about the awards. I received my invite in the mail yesterday, the Symposium schedule is set, and Elites TV fetes the annual ceremony, which will take place this …

Or at least, it seems that way. Sure, Barry Bonds is a steroid-addicted asshole, but is that really surprising? (Though the excerpt certainly makes me want to read the book.) And while I’m still …

Last week Publishers Marketplace reported that Faye Kellerman had gone back William Morrow for her next 2 series novels, to be edited (once again) by Carrie Feron. She also switched UK publishers …

Though for most authors, going to the London Book Fair is actively discouraged (for good reason, because everybody is running around selling foreign rights or getting into heated debates about the …

A few weeks ago, bestselling thriller writer Douglas Preston went to Italy on vacation with his family. The trip served an additional purpose, as he was also visiting Mario Spezi, a former crime beat …

All of Ed Gorman’s Pro-Files (as he calls them) are great but imagine my delight when yesterday’s installment featured Donald Westlake who — frabjous day! — is working on …

Last Saturday BBC Radio 4 kicked off an awesome series hosted by Ian Rankin where he, along with other noted crime writers like John Harvey, Mark Billingham, John Connolly, Robert Crais, George …

And by dint of not posting on weekends I didn’t get around to talking about the Agatha Award nominations, which can be found here. Congrats to al the nominees, who will be feted (and winners …

 Bookslut’s Michael Schaub says so and honestly, I am not about to argue. Cannot…stop…laughing….

Something tells me that fewer people will be reading the blog today because they’ve all begun to fly down to Florida to take part in Sleuthfest, the writing conference put on every year by the …

Boy, get nominated for the Edgar and suddenly the world really opens up. After Polygon anted up for World rights for Allan Guthrie’s next three books, they have now turned around and sold US …

When I was a kid watching Warner Brothers’ cartoons obsessively there were several — eleven, as it turns out — that were deemed too politically incorrect for viewing. But thanks to …

An essay that’s making the rounds of various mystery folk, and justifiably provoking some ire, was penned by Karen L. Syed (who self-publishes her books at Echelon Press.) Why are people …

The setup seemed so cool, and the Hong Kong media certainly had a field day with the news that Lawrence Block would be writing a screenplay based on one of his novels for Asian film star Tony Leung …

The CWA has announced that this year’s recipient of the Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement has been given to Elmore Leonard. He will accept the award officially at a special awards …

The February issue of the online magazine is now available for perusal, and at first glance it looks really, really good. Stories from Patricia Abbott, E.C. Morgan, Terry Black, A.J. Fehr, J.E. …

Been blogging rather crazily at Galleycat (end-of-month quotas, don’t you know) and other projects have popped up in the meantime so it’ll probably be a light week once again. Still, …

Though in truth, I think this could well be a phenomenal book once it’s published:

Author of The Casebook of Forensic Detection and Sir Bernard Spilsbury:

The Father of Forensics, Colin …

Now that it’s been a while since the Duncan Lawrie bank got on board to be the Daggers’ sponsor — and a pesky controversy ensued about whether crime novels in translation should be …

First: new column, featuring reviews of the latest by David Liss, Jenny White, Robert Eversz, Kjell Eriksson and Paula Woods.

Second: I love the Phillips Collection. And the new exhibit on …

Yes, I’m finally getting out of the city this weekend. It will be so nice. Weekend Update will still come to pass, though not sure when. Have a good one.

They’re talking about it at Rara-Avis. It’s spreading to other lists, message boards and email discussions. Though it seems to take place on an annual basis, for whatever reason, the …

OK, I think this is phenomenally cool news (and will have to figure out a way how to see this when it airs next year): Danny King’s debut novel THE BURGLAR DIARIES, which was published by …

So first, three cheers for one of my favorite writers and people:

RAIN DOGS author Sean Doolittle’s two suspense novels, again to Shannon

Jamieson Vazquez at Bantam Dell, for publication in …

Because I’ve spent a fair chunk of 2006 with my nose in research books, reading newspapers on microfiche and scouring the web for relevant stories and anecdotal nuggets (long story short: trying …

Jenny Davidson got her copy of BUST (due out from Hard Case Crime in May) and reports back almost immediately, calling it “very violent and very funny.” No kidding, as I pretty much …

Paul Levine’s new SOLOMON Vs. LORD series is attracting lots of buzz, which is an excellent reason for his alma mater of Penn State to interview him about the books, writing for TV and pearls of …

So as has been going around the blogs and the industry, Ben Affleck has started production on GONE, BABY GONE, and the casting has begun. (Shooting will take place in Boston later this summer.)

And …

Happy long weekend, everyone (which also explains why this update’s going out late, because sometimes, you really just want to sleep in on a Sunday morning, you know?)

NYTBR: Wait a minute, …

The International Association of Crime Writers has announced the nominees for the Hammett Award, given to “a work of literary excellence in the field of crime writing by a US or Canadian …

Anyone who’s paid attention to this blog for longer than 2 seconds will understand why I am super excited about this:

Shel Silverstein’s SHEL SILVERSTEIN’S AROUND THE WORLD, …