Back by popular demand, I decided to finish out the week with a few reading recommendations:
THE BLONDE by Duane Swierczynski had me at the opening line: "I poisoned your drink." The book starts at an airport bar when Jack, an unexpecting newsman hears those four words from the blond next to him. The book chronicles the 24-hours after, complete with over-the-top twists, unexpected turns, and pulse-pounding suspense. Told with fresh, cool that fans of Elmore Leonard will appreciate, THE BLONDE will suck you in and won't let you go until the very end.
BOCA MOURNINGS by Steve Forman is a light funny read told in the style of Carl Hiaasen. Although Jews and Baby Boomers will appreciate the writing style and dialogue more than others, P.I. Eddie Perlmutter is a memorable character who can be enjoyed by all. The aging detective sets up shop in a retirement community in Boca Raton. He thought his new life would be full of sunbathing and golf, but he quickly learns that even paradise isn't without its crime...
If you like humorous mysteries set in tropical locations, you can also try HEMINGWAY DEADLIGHTS by Mike Atkinson. This mystery series features Earnest Hemingway as an amateur sleuth. The next installment, HEMINGWAY CUTTHROAT, comes out in June, so you have a couple months to catch up on the first.
Next on my list is BURY ME DEEP by Megan Abbott. If you haven't read the queen of Noir, I highly recommend all her books. Haven't gotten to this one yet, but when I saw that it was nominated for an Edgar, I was reminded how much I enjoy her work.
Showing posts with label crime fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime fiction. Show all posts
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
The Oscars and The Edgars
Every year, I make an effort to see every movie nominated for an Academy award. Not just best picture, but every movie with a Best Actor/Actress nomination, Best Screenplay, even a few of the foreign films when they come to town. So you can see I was overwhelmed when they announced not five, but ten best picture nominations. I figured Up In the Air, Precious, and Inglorious Bastards would be nominated, but The Blind Side? Up?
After listening to NPR commentary and reading the buzz around the blogosphere, I learned that the big reason behind the ten nominations is to include more mainstream movies that people who don't live near an art house theater or get every movie in their local Cineplex, would see.
Without going into the politics and saying whether I agree with their decision or not, this reasoning intrigued me. Before, the movies nominated were more obscure, often unavailable to the small-town crowd. They wanted to nominate movies available to everyone. Last year, more people saw THE DARK NIGHT than any of the pictures nominated for best film and therefore, in hindsight, they felt DARK NIGHT should have been one of the nominees.
Looking at the Edgar list this year, I see only a couple of small presses and those are in the Paperback Original and Nonfiction categories. None of the Best Novel and Best First Novel nominees are from independent publishers. In the past there have been a couple (SOUL PATCH by Reed Farrel Coleman, HEAD GAMES by Craig McDonald) but this year, zip.
So both prestigious awards have decided mainstream is the way to go, that nominees should be available to anyone who lives by a cinema or a Barnes and Noble. In both instances, I believe the awards should go to the best of the best, not the best of the most readily available. But the Oscars expanded their list to ten nominees. The Edgars are keeping theirs at six, which means in order to include a book by a big publisher, someone from a small publisher is getting pushed out.
All of this year's nominees are talented authors who deserve the honor and recognition. Like the Oscars, I attempt to read all the Edgar nominees, and I can tell you all of them are great books. But aren't there also some brilliant books put out by smaller houses that deserve to be on that list? And were they not nominated because they weren't mainstream enough? Did the judges hold certain prejudices towards small presses? Or were all books considered equally and nominated solely on their merit and the best books just happen to be from big publishers?
No matter the reasons behind the selection process, I believe these prestigious awards should go to the best movies and books of this year, regardless of availability. Of course, the term "best" is subjective, but I feel that's more true for movies than mystery novels. Good writing is good writing, regardless of publisher, and it's hard for me to believe that the best writing of 2010 all came out of big houses.
After listening to NPR commentary and reading the buzz around the blogosphere, I learned that the big reason behind the ten nominations is to include more mainstream movies that people who don't live near an art house theater or get every movie in their local Cineplex, would see.
Without going into the politics and saying whether I agree with their decision or not, this reasoning intrigued me. Before, the movies nominated were more obscure, often unavailable to the small-town crowd. They wanted to nominate movies available to everyone. Last year, more people saw THE DARK NIGHT than any of the pictures nominated for best film and therefore, in hindsight, they felt DARK NIGHT should have been one of the nominees.
Looking at the Edgar list this year, I see only a couple of small presses and those are in the Paperback Original and Nonfiction categories. None of the Best Novel and Best First Novel nominees are from independent publishers. In the past there have been a couple (SOUL PATCH by Reed Farrel Coleman, HEAD GAMES by Craig McDonald) but this year, zip.
So both prestigious awards have decided mainstream is the way to go, that nominees should be available to anyone who lives by a cinema or a Barnes and Noble. In both instances, I believe the awards should go to the best of the best, not the best of the most readily available. But the Oscars expanded their list to ten nominees. The Edgars are keeping theirs at six, which means in order to include a book by a big publisher, someone from a small publisher is getting pushed out.
All of this year's nominees are talented authors who deserve the honor and recognition. Like the Oscars, I attempt to read all the Edgar nominees, and I can tell you all of them are great books. But aren't there also some brilliant books put out by smaller houses that deserve to be on that list? And were they not nominated because they weren't mainstream enough? Did the judges hold certain prejudices towards small presses? Or were all books considered equally and nominated solely on their merit and the best books just happen to be from big publishers?
No matter the reasons behind the selection process, I believe these prestigious awards should go to the best movies and books of this year, regardless of availability. Of course, the term "best" is subjective, but I feel that's more true for movies than mystery novels. Good writing is good writing, regardless of publisher, and it's hard for me to believe that the best writing of 2010 all came out of big houses.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Must-See Monday
Stop by The Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln) on Wednesday, January 6th at 7pm for their monthly book group. Tonight's selection is OLIVE KITTERIDGE by Elizabeth Strout. No RSVP required and all beer and wine is 50% off for book group participants.
Fans of Sherlock Holmes should head out to the Edgebrook Branch of the Chicago Public Library (5331 W. Devon) on Wednesday at 6:30pm. Nick De Leonardis leads a discussion of the Arthur Conan Doyle story "The Five Orange Pips."
The biggest must-see this week is definitely Sherrill Bodine's book launch. The fabulous event takes place on Thursday, January 7th 5:30-8:00pm at The Palmer House (17 E. Monroe). Help Sherrill celebrate the release of her latest novel, A BLACK TIE AFFAIR, with champagne, cocktails, and delicious appetizers.
Can't make it downtown? You can still catch Sherrill at Bundles of Books in Glen Ellyn on Saturday, January 9th at 1pm and pick up your signed copy of A BLACK TIE AFFAIR.
And for those of you not in Chicagoland, here are a couple bonus events for you:
Author Lou Berney will be signing is debut novel, GUTSHOT STRAIGHT, at Murder by the Book in Houston on Thursday, January 7th at 7pm.
Robin Burcell will be signing her latest novel, THE BONE CHAMBER, at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ on Friday, January 8th at 7pm. She's also signing at Murder By the Book on Saturday, January 9th at 3pm.
Fans of Sherlock Holmes should head out to the Edgebrook Branch of the Chicago Public Library (5331 W. Devon) on Wednesday at 6:30pm. Nick De Leonardis leads a discussion of the Arthur Conan Doyle story "The Five Orange Pips."
The biggest must-see this week is definitely Sherrill Bodine's book launch. The fabulous event takes place on Thursday, January 7th 5:30-8:00pm at The Palmer House (17 E. Monroe). Help Sherrill celebrate the release of her latest novel, A BLACK TIE AFFAIR, with champagne, cocktails, and delicious appetizers.
Can't make it downtown? You can still catch Sherrill at Bundles of Books in Glen Ellyn on Saturday, January 9th at 1pm and pick up your signed copy of A BLACK TIE AFFAIR.
And for those of you not in Chicagoland, here are a couple bonus events for you:
Author Lou Berney will be signing is debut novel, GUTSHOT STRAIGHT, at Murder by the Book in Houston on Thursday, January 7th at 7pm.
Robin Burcell will be signing her latest novel, THE BONE CHAMBER, at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ on Friday, January 8th at 7pm. She's also signing at Murder By the Book on Saturday, January 9th at 3pm.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Best Bets for 2010
Start the year off right and pick up one of these must-reads:
GUTSHOT STRAIGHT by Lou Berney This witty, caper novel is generating much (well deserved) buzz in the crime fiction community. Berney's debut novel features Charles "Shake" Bouchon, fresh out of prison and roped in for one last job. Fans of Quentin Tarantino and Elmore Leonard will be instantly hooked.
THE BONE CHAMBER by Robin Burcell As we learned last week, Burcell is moving away from police procedurals and diving headfirst into high-octane thrillers. In her latest Sydney Fitzpatrick novel, the special agent heads to the streets of Rome, into the underground crypts and caverns of Naples, attempting to stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer. Fans of James Rollins and Dan Brown, read a suspenseful, international thriller from a female perspective.
A BLACK TIE AFFAIR by Sherrill Bodine For something light, witty and fun, pick up Sherrill Bodine's latest women's fiction novel. The first in a series, A BLACK TIE AFFAIR features Athena Smith, a fashion curator in Chicago. Harriett Klausner calls it "an entertaining joy ride" and Romance Junkies calls A BLACK TIE AFFAIR "a witty and sexy new contemporary romance".
GUTSHOT STRAIGHT by Lou Berney This witty, caper novel is generating much (well deserved) buzz in the crime fiction community. Berney's debut novel features Charles "Shake" Bouchon, fresh out of prison and roped in for one last job. Fans of Quentin Tarantino and Elmore Leonard will be instantly hooked.
THE BONE CHAMBER by Robin Burcell As we learned last week, Burcell is moving away from police procedurals and diving headfirst into high-octane thrillers. In her latest Sydney Fitzpatrick novel, the special agent heads to the streets of Rome, into the underground crypts and caverns of Naples, attempting to stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer. Fans of James Rollins and Dan Brown, read a suspenseful, international thriller from a female perspective.
A BLACK TIE AFFAIR by Sherrill Bodine For something light, witty and fun, pick up Sherrill Bodine's latest women's fiction novel. The first in a series, A BLACK TIE AFFAIR features Athena Smith, a fashion curator in Chicago. Harriett Klausner calls it "an entertaining joy ride" and Romance Junkies calls A BLACK TIE AFFAIR "a witty and sexy new contemporary romance".
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Writer's Block Wednesday: Q&A with Robin Burcell
Today, The Chicago Contingent welcomes Anthony Award winning author, Robin Burcell. She's here to discuss her latest book, THE BONE CHAMBER, recently released with Harper:
Dana Kaye: You've made a distinct shift from Police Procedurals to high-octane thrillers. What motivated the transition?
Robin Burcell: I read one of James Rollins’ thrillers and I was hooked! There was something about the excitement and adventure of jetting off to other countries, exploring new cultures, and vicariously living the life of an operative working for the government that thrilled me, made me want to experience it for myself. Suddenly, my own life of investigating crime as a police officer seemed so… ordinary. It may have something to do with my passion for the old “Man From U.N.C.L.E” shows when I was a kid. I wanted to be a secret agent. I decided to write a book where an ordinary law enforcement officer was thrust into the midst of a government conspiracy, thus allowing me to live the dream of being a special operative from the safety of my own computer desktop.
DK: How does your background as a police officer and forensic artist inform your writing?
RB: Quite simply it allows me to instill my experience from over twenty-seven years working as a police officer and forensic artist into the book. My protagonists benefit from that experience, since my training is their training. Granted, while I’ve been to Rome I’ve never jetted off through Europe, chasing after criminals and investigating legendary caches of treasure. My crime fighting has only been done on the local level. But that is what imagination is all about.
DK: After publishing five novels, how has your writing process changed?
RB: I’ve started writing on a larger canvas, so to speak. I am allowing my characters to take bigger risks, move outside their comfort zone, travel to new places and fight bigger villains. The writing process itself has not changed that much—unless you count the research. Where I was writing about San Francisco PD in past books, I am now writing about foreign countries, the most recent being Italy. And naturally, traveling to Italy was necessary to make sure my scenes rang true. I might have to set more books in foreign countries. Traveling to foreign countries for research is a lot of fun.
DK: In this economic climate, are you making any changes to your marketing efforts? Doing anything differently this time around?
RB: Internet, internet, internet. I am running a contest on Facebook and Twitter, and hitting various blogs, giving away copies of books to lucky readers as well as some other choice prizes. But I am also visiting a few key independent bookstores in hopes of introducing my work to new readers.
DK: What's the biggest piece of advice you could give an aspiring writer?
RB: A page a day is all it takes to finish a book. I wrote my books working full-time and raising three children, so I understand a busy schedule. At first the idea of writing a book under these circumstances seemed daunting. But when you break it down to small steps-a page a day-it becomes a manageable and enjoyable endeavor.
Robin is heading out on book tour, so visit her author page to see if she's coming to a bookstore near you. Chicagoans, she won't be doing a formal signing in the windy city, but she'll be in town January 28th for stock signings at various local bookstores.
Dana Kaye: You've made a distinct shift from Police Procedurals to high-octane thrillers. What motivated the transition?
Robin Burcell: I read one of James Rollins’ thrillers and I was hooked! There was something about the excitement and adventure of jetting off to other countries, exploring new cultures, and vicariously living the life of an operative working for the government that thrilled me, made me want to experience it for myself. Suddenly, my own life of investigating crime as a police officer seemed so… ordinary. It may have something to do with my passion for the old “Man From U.N.C.L.E” shows when I was a kid. I wanted to be a secret agent. I decided to write a book where an ordinary law enforcement officer was thrust into the midst of a government conspiracy, thus allowing me to live the dream of being a special operative from the safety of my own computer desktop.
DK: How does your background as a police officer and forensic artist inform your writing?
RB: Quite simply it allows me to instill my experience from over twenty-seven years working as a police officer and forensic artist into the book. My protagonists benefit from that experience, since my training is their training. Granted, while I’ve been to Rome I’ve never jetted off through Europe, chasing after criminals and investigating legendary caches of treasure. My crime fighting has only been done on the local level. But that is what imagination is all about.
DK: After publishing five novels, how has your writing process changed?
RB: I’ve started writing on a larger canvas, so to speak. I am allowing my characters to take bigger risks, move outside their comfort zone, travel to new places and fight bigger villains. The writing process itself has not changed that much—unless you count the research. Where I was writing about San Francisco PD in past books, I am now writing about foreign countries, the most recent being Italy. And naturally, traveling to Italy was necessary to make sure my scenes rang true. I might have to set more books in foreign countries. Traveling to foreign countries for research is a lot of fun.
DK: In this economic climate, are you making any changes to your marketing efforts? Doing anything differently this time around?
RB: Internet, internet, internet. I am running a contest on Facebook and Twitter, and hitting various blogs, giving away copies of books to lucky readers as well as some other choice prizes. But I am also visiting a few key independent bookstores in hopes of introducing my work to new readers.
DK: What's the biggest piece of advice you could give an aspiring writer?
RB: A page a day is all it takes to finish a book. I wrote my books working full-time and raising three children, so I understand a busy schedule. At first the idea of writing a book under these circumstances seemed daunting. But when you break it down to small steps-a page a day-it becomes a manageable and enjoyable endeavor.
Robin is heading out on book tour, so visit her author page to see if she's coming to a bookstore near you. Chicagoans, she won't be doing a formal signing in the windy city, but she'll be in town January 28th for stock signings at various local bookstores.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Weekend Reading
Wow, I actually managed to post on the correct day today! Since 2009 is coming to a close, this week's recommendations come from my "Best of 2009" reading list. I know I'm missing a few, and to be fair, I'm not including any of my publicity clients (sorry guys!). But don't head into the new year without reading these amazing novels:
IN THE DARK by Brian Freeman. I'm a big fan of the Stride/Dial series, and Freeman gets better with each book. He knows how to craft a story, create suspense, and write dark, beautiful prose.
LORDS OF CORRUPTION by Kyle Mills. If you enjoyed the movie, Blood Diamond, you'll love this book. Instead of exploring the diamond trade, Mills dives head first into the corruption of the NGO's in Africa. It's evident that he did his homework, but Mill's knowledge and research never slows down the action.
THE LAST CHILD by John Hart. This haunting cross between lit fic and genre pulled me in from page one. Hart expertly establishes the bond between twins, and one happens to one when the other goes missing.
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Stieg Larsson. No summary necessary, by now I'm sure everyone is familiar with this amazing trilogy. I enjoyed the slow rhythm to this book and how the character development unfolded on the page. This novel is much different than American crime fiction and it read like a breath of fresh air.
THE WAY HOME by George Pelecanos. Another master at character development, Pelecanos explores the relationship between a boy and his father. While there is plenty of external conflict and tension, it's the internal conflict that's the most compelling as they search for redemption. The book is beautifully written and like its characters, impossible to turn your back on.
IN THE DARK by Brian Freeman. I'm a big fan of the Stride/Dial series, and Freeman gets better with each book. He knows how to craft a story, create suspense, and write dark, beautiful prose.
LORDS OF CORRUPTION by Kyle Mills. If you enjoyed the movie, Blood Diamond, you'll love this book. Instead of exploring the diamond trade, Mills dives head first into the corruption of the NGO's in Africa. It's evident that he did his homework, but Mill's knowledge and research never slows down the action.
THE LAST CHILD by John Hart. This haunting cross between lit fic and genre pulled me in from page one. Hart expertly establishes the bond between twins, and one happens to one when the other goes missing.
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Stieg Larsson. No summary necessary, by now I'm sure everyone is familiar with this amazing trilogy. I enjoyed the slow rhythm to this book and how the character development unfolded on the page. This novel is much different than American crime fiction and it read like a breath of fresh air.
THE WAY HOME by George Pelecanos. Another master at character development, Pelecanos explores the relationship between a boy and his father. While there is plenty of external conflict and tension, it's the internal conflict that's the most compelling as they search for redemption. The book is beautifully written and like its characters, impossible to turn your back on.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Weekend Reading - Mass Market edition
The holidays mean traveling, which means airplane reading. No one likes to carry a huge hardcover on a plane, so mass market paperbacks are the perfect travel companion. Here are a few of my favorites:
Just out in paperback is Steven M. Forman's BOCA KNIGHTS. The first in a series, this debut novel features Eddie Perlmutter, a Jewish detective in Boston whose arthritic knees can't take the New England cold anymore. He retires down to Boca Raton, looking forward to a life of golf and sunbathing, but even paradise is not without its crime. It's a hilarious, fun read that, after dealing with security and airport hassles, is guaranteed to put the smile back on your face.
Another recent paperback release is THE DARKNESS by Jason Pinter. Selected for Indie's Next List, the fifth installment of the Henry Parker series opens with young man found murdered, his bones crushed nearly to dust before his body had been dumped in New York's East River. The suspenseful follow up to THE FURY will keep you hooked from take off to landing.
For another nail-biter, pick up Rebecca Drake's THE DEAD PLACE. This psychological thriller chronicles a serial killer who preys on college students in a small university town. As I said in my review of her first novel, DON'T BE AFRAID, don't let the soccer mom exterior fool you, Drake's writing is dark, twisted, and never lets up.
If you prefer pulp fiction for your holiday travels, pick up any of the mass markets published by Hard Case Crime. A few recent releases include THE CORPSE WORE PASTIES, QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE, and THE VALLEY OF FEAR.
Just out in paperback is Steven M. Forman's BOCA KNIGHTS. The first in a series, this debut novel features Eddie Perlmutter, a Jewish detective in Boston whose arthritic knees can't take the New England cold anymore. He retires down to Boca Raton, looking forward to a life of golf and sunbathing, but even paradise is not without its crime. It's a hilarious, fun read that, after dealing with security and airport hassles, is guaranteed to put the smile back on your face.
Another recent paperback release is THE DARKNESS by Jason Pinter. Selected for Indie's Next List, the fifth installment of the Henry Parker series opens with young man found murdered, his bones crushed nearly to dust before his body had been dumped in New York's East River. The suspenseful follow up to THE FURY will keep you hooked from take off to landing.
For another nail-biter, pick up Rebecca Drake's THE DEAD PLACE. This psychological thriller chronicles a serial killer who preys on college students in a small university town. As I said in my review of her first novel, DON'T BE AFRAID, don't let the soccer mom exterior fool you, Drake's writing is dark, twisted, and never lets up.
If you prefer pulp fiction for your holiday travels, pick up any of the mass markets published by Hard Case Crime. A few recent releases include THE CORPSE WORE PASTIES, QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE, and THE VALLEY OF FEAR.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Weekend Reading
This weekend I'll be inundated with upcoming releases (STEIN STONED by Hal Ackerman, THE DARKNESS by Jason Pinter, WHY MY THIRD HUSBAND WILL BE A DOG by Lisa Scottoline), but there are still plenty of great books out on the shelves now:
Michael Connelly finally did what his fans (and publisher) have always wanted him to do: write 2 books in a year. Detective Harry Bosch returns in NINE DRAGONS, and Connelly explores the world of Asian gangs. When the most important person in Bosch's life is taken from him, he's forced to do something he seldom does: leave LA.
If you ask Andrew Grant which book made him want to become a writer, he'll tell you it's ICE STATION ZEBRA by Alistair Maclean. It was published before I was born, so the book was never on my radar. But after Andrew's recommendation, I picked it up and couldn't put it down. If you like Espionage or Action/Adventure, ICE STATION ZEBRA is right up your alley. And if you want to write crime fiction, it's a necessary read.
Last weekend, I was up all night reading THE JOKER by Brian Azzarello. Even if you're not a graphic novel fan, it's impossible not to get sucked in to the gripping story, spot-on dialogue, and impressive illustrations. THE JOKER was published prior to The Dark Night's release, but judging by the similarities in illustrations, it's clear where the Hollywood guys got their image.
Michael Connelly finally did what his fans (and publisher) have always wanted him to do: write 2 books in a year. Detective Harry Bosch returns in NINE DRAGONS, and Connelly explores the world of Asian gangs. When the most important person in Bosch's life is taken from him, he's forced to do something he seldom does: leave LA.
If you ask Andrew Grant which book made him want to become a writer, he'll tell you it's ICE STATION ZEBRA by Alistair Maclean. It was published before I was born, so the book was never on my radar. But after Andrew's recommendation, I picked it up and couldn't put it down. If you like Espionage or Action/Adventure, ICE STATION ZEBRA is right up your alley. And if you want to write crime fiction, it's a necessary read.
Last weekend, I was up all night reading THE JOKER by Brian Azzarello. Even if you're not a graphic novel fan, it's impossible not to get sucked in to the gripping story, spot-on dialogue, and impressive illustrations. THE JOKER was published prior to The Dark Night's release, but judging by the similarities in illustrations, it's clear where the Hollywood guys got their image.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Weekend Reading
This weekend, I hope to read CHRONIC CITY by Jonathan Lethem, which was recently chosen for Indie Next List. For this book, he moves the setting to Manhattan, but hopefully it will be just as gripping as MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN.
Another one in my To Be Read pile is Martin Limon's G.I. BONES. Part of the Sueno/Bascom series, this military novel is set during 1970's Korea. Limon is a master at setting the scene and transporting readers into his world. If you're not familiar with the series, I encourage you to start from the beginning with JADE LADY BURNING.
If you're a sports fan or a history buff, pick up Mike Bohn's HEROES AND BALLYHOO: How the Golden Age of the 1920s Transformed American Sports. This nonfiction book profiles the great American sports heroes of that era , including Babe Ruth, Red Grange, and Bobby Jones. He goes further to explore those behind the scenes: sports writers, press agents, etc. Bohn is a knowledgeable storyteller and his book is a fascinating read.
Another one in my To Be Read pile is Martin Limon's G.I. BONES. Part of the Sueno/Bascom series, this military novel is set during 1970's Korea. Limon is a master at setting the scene and transporting readers into his world. If you're not familiar with the series, I encourage you to start from the beginning with JADE LADY BURNING.
If you're a sports fan or a history buff, pick up Mike Bohn's HEROES AND BALLYHOO: How the Golden Age of the 1920s Transformed American Sports. This nonfiction book profiles the great American sports heroes of that era , including Babe Ruth, Red Grange, and Bobby Jones. He goes further to explore those behind the scenes: sports writers, press agents, etc. Bohn is a knowledgeable storyteller and his book is a fascinating read.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Weekend Reading
This weekend, I'm diving head first into the stack of books I took home from this year's Bouchercon. My list includes:
DEAD MEN'S DUST by, Matt Hilton. This debut novel had been on my reading list for quite a while, since it released in June. The protagonist, Joe Hunter, is reminiscent of Jack Reacher: a former military operative and ex-CIA agent who gets the job done. When his estranged brother has disappeared because he stole from the wrong man, it's up to Hunter to find him.
BOULEVARD by, Steven Jay Schwartz. This I managed to read when it first came out, but if you haven't, definitely pick it up this weekend. Protagonist, Hayden Glass, is a robbery and homicide detective in LA. He's also a sex addict. And when a string of murders, executed by a sadistic, sexual killer, his two worlds collide.
I'm not familiar with her work, but I also snagged EVIL WITHOUT A FACE by, Jordan Dane. This book is the start of her new series featuring bounty hunter, Jessica Beckett. She's on the hunt for an online predator who's abducted a teenage girl, but soon realizes, she's nothing but a pawn in a terrifying global conspiracy.
Lastly, the book that was on everyone's lips this Bouchercon, is DOUBLE EXPOSURE by Michael Lister. For most, it was the Michael Connelly recommendation that had everyone rushing to pick up this book. For me, it was the back cover. I'll let it speak for itself:
DEAD MEN'S DUST by, Matt Hilton. This debut novel had been on my reading list for quite a while, since it released in June. The protagonist, Joe Hunter, is reminiscent of Jack Reacher: a former military operative and ex-CIA agent who gets the job done. When his estranged brother has disappeared because he stole from the wrong man, it's up to Hunter to find him.
BOULEVARD by, Steven Jay Schwartz. This I managed to read when it first came out, but if you haven't, definitely pick it up this weekend. Protagonist, Hayden Glass, is a robbery and homicide detective in LA. He's also a sex addict. And when a string of murders, executed by a sadistic, sexual killer, his two worlds collide.
I'm not familiar with her work, but I also snagged EVIL WITHOUT A FACE by, Jordan Dane. This book is the start of her new series featuring bounty hunter, Jessica Beckett. She's on the hunt for an online predator who's abducted a teenage girl, but soon realizes, she's nothing but a pawn in a terrifying global conspiracy.
Lastly, the book that was on everyone's lips this Bouchercon, is DOUBLE EXPOSURE by Michael Lister. For most, it was the Michael Connelly recommendation that had everyone rushing to pick up this book. For me, it was the back cover. I'll let it speak for itself:
Following his dad’s death, Remington James returns to the small North
Florida town where he grew up to assume his father’s life—taking care of his
dying mother and running the local gun and pawn shop.One fateful fall evening,
as the sun sinks and the darkness expands, Remington ventures deep into the
river swamp to try out some new equipment and check his camera traps.
Encountering the kind of wildlife that made him want to be a photographer in the
first place, Remington gets some of the best shots of his life, but he’s about
to happen upon the most dangerous animal of all—a feral, patient, sociopath who
wants Remington dead.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Weekend Reading - Bouchercon Edition
Next week is the 40th annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, one of the largest in the world. I deem it the world series of writer's conferences. For those of you heading down to Indy, spend the weekend reading the works of authors in attendance. It'll give you something to talk about at the bar. There's still time to register, but if you're unable to attend, read these books anyway and see what you're missing:
Heavy Hitters
Michael Connelly - THE SCARECROW
S.J. Rozan - THE SHANGHAI MOON
Lee Child - GONE TOMORROW
Linwood Barclay - FEAR THE WORST
C.J.Box - BELOW ZERO
Ringers
Marcus Sakey - THE AMATEURS
Sean Chercover - TRIGGER CITY
Michael Koryta - THE SILENT HOUR
Laura Benedict - ISABELLA MOON
Theresa Schwegel - LAST KNOWN ADDRESS
Libby Fischer Hellmann - DOUBLE BACK
Robin Burcell - FACE OF A KILLER
Rookies of the Year
Jamie Freveletti - RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL
Rebecca Cantrell - A TRACE OF SMOKE
Connie Dial - INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Heavy Hitters
Michael Connelly - THE SCARECROW
S.J. Rozan - THE SHANGHAI MOON
Lee Child - GONE TOMORROW
Linwood Barclay - FEAR THE WORST
C.J.Box - BELOW ZERO
Ringers
Marcus Sakey - THE AMATEURS
Sean Chercover - TRIGGER CITY
Michael Koryta - THE SILENT HOUR
Laura Benedict - ISABELLA MOON
Theresa Schwegel - LAST KNOWN ADDRESS
Libby Fischer Hellmann - DOUBLE BACK
Robin Burcell - FACE OF A KILLER
Rookies of the Year
Jamie Freveletti - RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL
Rebecca Cantrell - A TRACE OF SMOKE
Connie Dial - INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Friday, October 02, 2009
Weekend Reading - Birthday Edition
Today marks the three year anniversary of The Chicago Contingent! I remember when it all started: after attending Bouchercon Madison in 2006. So, in honor of my blog's birthday, I'm recommending books published around the time The Chicago Contingent was born. Some books will be a trip down memory lane, others you may have missed the first time around:
THE MEPHISTO CLUB by Tess Gerritsen. She's among my favorite authors and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I had read all her previous books and I remember anxiously awaiting the release of her latest.
Just as nice and just as talented is Julia Spencer-Fleming. When I met her at Bouchercon Madison, ALL MORTAL FLESH just came out. I never thought I could enjoy a book whose protagonist was a priest, but Julia proved me wrong.
And of course, the lovely John Connolly and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS. Not a mystery, but a sort of fairy tale for adults. He demonstrates that it's always possible to cross genres, as long as you do it well.
Lastly, I couldn't forget the publication of THESE GUNS FOR HIRE. This short story anthology, published by Bleak House, seemed to include every author I could think of: David Morrell, Lawrence Block, Sean Doolittle, Marcus Sakey, Max Allan Collins and others. Lots of great stories, all about hit men.
THE MEPHISTO CLUB by Tess Gerritsen. She's among my favorite authors and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I had read all her previous books and I remember anxiously awaiting the release of her latest.
Just as nice and just as talented is Julia Spencer-Fleming. When I met her at Bouchercon Madison, ALL MORTAL FLESH just came out. I never thought I could enjoy a book whose protagonist was a priest, but Julia proved me wrong.
And of course, the lovely John Connolly and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS. Not a mystery, but a sort of fairy tale for adults. He demonstrates that it's always possible to cross genres, as long as you do it well.
Lastly, I couldn't forget the publication of THESE GUNS FOR HIRE. This short story anthology, published by Bleak House, seemed to include every author I could think of: David Morrell, Lawrence Block, Sean Doolittle, Marcus Sakey, Max Allan Collins and others. Lots of great stories, all about hit men.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Writer's Block Wednesday: Q&A with Jason Pinter
This morning I have the pleasure of hosting Jason Pinter, author of the Henry Parker series. His latest installment, THE FURY, launched yesterday from Mira Books.
Dana Kaye: Tell us a little about your writing process. How has it changed from book one to book four?
Jason Pinter:Writing the first book, the hardest thing for me to learn was pacing. I think most every first novel is a little overwritten, and when writing a thriller the first think you need to do, as Elmore Leonard so wisely said, is cut out the boring stuff. So I trimmed probably about 70-80 pages from THE MARK. Now as the series progresses, I feel like I have the pacing down pat, but I want to make sure that every book keeps the characters growing and changing. If the book doesn't have some sort of emotional impact on the character, it's not worth writing. I want readers to have a stake in what happens to the characters, so that's something I've worked hard on, especially in the new books coming out.
DK: THE FURY is out now and the THE DARKNESS is out in December. Multiple books a year seems to be the growing trend. What led you to publish two books back to back? Is this something you'll be doing every year?
JP: When it came time to write the fourth book in the Henry Parker series, I wanted to do something different and bigger. Probably my biggest inspiration for these books was James Ellroy's masterful L.A. CONFIDENTIAL. And what I loved about that book was how he took a seemingly isolated incident, the Nite Owl murders, and as you looked closer you saw it was the tip of a massive and sinister iceberg. I'm no Ellroy, but I wanted to write a story that was much larger in scope, intimate in character, but possibly a snapshot of the time (as Ellroy's book was of 1950's Los Angeles). I'm not sure if this will happen every year, but I think that because these two books should be read back to back it works well.
DK: You came from a publishing background as an editor. How has this shaped the way you write?
JP: I think I'm a good self-editor, and I also listen to my editor (who is very, very wise). I've fought battles before with authors who refused to believe that I had their best interests in mind. And anyone who thinks their prose doesn't need a fresh set of eyes probably isn't a very good writer. So I'm a pretty ruthless self-editor, but I also almost always defer to my own editor, as she's really made every one of my books better.
DK: Newspapers are shutting down, indie bookstores going under and kindle sales on the rise. How has the rapidly changing world of publishing changed your marketing strategies?
JP: Much more attention has shifted online, and that's both a blessing and a curse. Rather than add to newspaper coverage of books, online coverage seems to be replacing it. Newspapers in a lot of ways signed their own death warrants, but I'll never understand how they can ignore some of the biggest problems with their book sections. Many papers, including some of the biggest in the country, seem to almost willfully ignore the books that people are actually reading. And when you lose touch with your readers and the community, you're living on borrowed time. Thankfully the online community is full of passionate hardworking reviewers, critics and bloggers who don't care about what other people think they 'should' be covering--they just write about what they love. Which is why there's such a great mix of online sites devoted to mysteries, thrillers, romance, literary fiction, non-fiction, and everything else. I only wish newspapers would embrace such diversity.
DK: You mentioned earlier that James Ellroy inspired THR FURY. Has Ellroy read THE FURY? Any joint signings in your future?
JP: I wish and I wish. Though Ellroy is on Facebook, so perhaps I can cyberstalk him. Can one be 'The Demon Dog of Facebook'?
DK: What's one piece of advice you can offer aspiring writers?
JP: Use rejection as fuel. We've all been there, we've all faced rejection, but the successful writers internalize that frustration and anger and use it to hone their craft. It's easy to blame external forces--editors, agents, the industry--it's harder to sit back, look in the mirror and work your butt off. Success is often as much about discipline as talent.
Dana Kaye: Tell us a little about your writing process. How has it changed from book one to book four?
Jason Pinter:Writing the first book, the hardest thing for me to learn was pacing. I think most every first novel is a little overwritten, and when writing a thriller the first think you need to do, as Elmore Leonard so wisely said, is cut out the boring stuff. So I trimmed probably about 70-80 pages from THE MARK. Now as the series progresses, I feel like I have the pacing down pat, but I want to make sure that every book keeps the characters growing and changing. If the book doesn't have some sort of emotional impact on the character, it's not worth writing. I want readers to have a stake in what happens to the characters, so that's something I've worked hard on, especially in the new books coming out.
DK: THE FURY is out now and the THE DARKNESS is out in December. Multiple books a year seems to be the growing trend. What led you to publish two books back to back? Is this something you'll be doing every year?
JP: When it came time to write the fourth book in the Henry Parker series, I wanted to do something different and bigger. Probably my biggest inspiration for these books was James Ellroy's masterful L.A. CONFIDENTIAL. And what I loved about that book was how he took a seemingly isolated incident, the Nite Owl murders, and as you looked closer you saw it was the tip of a massive and sinister iceberg. I'm no Ellroy, but I wanted to write a story that was much larger in scope, intimate in character, but possibly a snapshot of the time (as Ellroy's book was of 1950's Los Angeles). I'm not sure if this will happen every year, but I think that because these two books should be read back to back it works well.
DK: You came from a publishing background as an editor. How has this shaped the way you write?
JP: I think I'm a good self-editor, and I also listen to my editor (who is very, very wise). I've fought battles before with authors who refused to believe that I had their best interests in mind. And anyone who thinks their prose doesn't need a fresh set of eyes probably isn't a very good writer. So I'm a pretty ruthless self-editor, but I also almost always defer to my own editor, as she's really made every one of my books better.
DK: Newspapers are shutting down, indie bookstores going under and kindle sales on the rise. How has the rapidly changing world of publishing changed your marketing strategies?
JP: Much more attention has shifted online, and that's both a blessing and a curse. Rather than add to newspaper coverage of books, online coverage seems to be replacing it. Newspapers in a lot of ways signed their own death warrants, but I'll never understand how they can ignore some of the biggest problems with their book sections. Many papers, including some of the biggest in the country, seem to almost willfully ignore the books that people are actually reading. And when you lose touch with your readers and the community, you're living on borrowed time. Thankfully the online community is full of passionate hardworking reviewers, critics and bloggers who don't care about what other people think they 'should' be covering--they just write about what they love. Which is why there's such a great mix of online sites devoted to mysteries, thrillers, romance, literary fiction, non-fiction, and everything else. I only wish newspapers would embrace such diversity.
DK: You mentioned earlier that James Ellroy inspired THR FURY. Has Ellroy read THE FURY? Any joint signings in your future?
JP: I wish and I wish. Though Ellroy is on Facebook, so perhaps I can cyberstalk him. Can one be 'The Demon Dog of Facebook'?
DK: What's one piece of advice you can offer aspiring writers?
JP: Use rejection as fuel. We've all been there, we've all faced rejection, but the successful writers internalize that frustration and anger and use it to hone their craft. It's easy to blame external forces--editors, agents, the industry--it's harder to sit back, look in the mirror and work your butt off. Success is often as much about discipline as talent.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Weekend Reading
For something new this weekend, check out THE HIDDEN MAN by David Ellis. He's a Chicago author and a newer member of The Outfit Collective. THE HIDDEN MAN is the first in a series featuring attorney Jason Kolarich and has already received much critical acclaim. Also, be on the lookout for Ellis's signings in next week's Must-See Monday.
Another new release is TOWER by Ken Bruen and Reed Farrell Coleman. When you combine two noir masters with cult followings, the product is nothing short of brilliant.
After watching the first season of True Blood all week, I'm feeling compelled to go back and re-read some Charlaine Harris. If you like the show but haven't read the books, pick up DEAD UNTIL DARK and LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS to see where the hit HBO series got its start.
Another new release is TOWER by Ken Bruen and Reed Farrell Coleman. When you combine two noir masters with cult followings, the product is nothing short of brilliant.
After watching the first season of True Blood all week, I'm feeling compelled to go back and re-read some Charlaine Harris. If you like the show but haven't read the books, pick up DEAD UNTIL DARK and LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS to see where the hit HBO series got its start.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Labor Day Weekend Reading
In honor of the holiday weekend, this week's selections are dedicated to the working man, specifically, police officers. Here are a few of my books featuring my favorite overworked and underpaid detectives.
One of the most famous fictional detectives is Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch. There are a lot of great books featuring the LA detective, but my two favorites are THE LAST COYOTE and THE NARROWS.
Kate Gillespie is Robin Burcell's hard working San Francisco Police Officer. With this series, start at the beginning with COLD CASE. Three more follow.
Another favorite series detective is Brian Freeman's Jonathan Stride. Often teamed up with female counterpart Serena Dial, Stride is a compelling character who throws himself head-first into every investigation. IMMORAL is the first in the series, followed by STRIPPED, STALKED, and IN THE DARK.
For a non-series detective, and one of my top ten favorite books, check out CLOCKERS by Richard Price. Rocco Klein is the definition of overworked and underpaid, and is one bad shift away from burnout. At times you hate him, others you feel sorry for him, changes scene by scene. But his character has depth and is extremely well written, which is compelling no matter how you feel about the guy.
One of the most famous fictional detectives is Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch. There are a lot of great books featuring the LA detective, but my two favorites are THE LAST COYOTE and THE NARROWS.
Kate Gillespie is Robin Burcell's hard working San Francisco Police Officer. With this series, start at the beginning with COLD CASE. Three more follow.
Another favorite series detective is Brian Freeman's Jonathan Stride. Often teamed up with female counterpart Serena Dial, Stride is a compelling character who throws himself head-first into every investigation. IMMORAL is the first in the series, followed by STRIPPED, STALKED, and IN THE DARK.
For a non-series detective, and one of my top ten favorite books, check out CLOCKERS by Richard Price. Rocco Klein is the definition of overworked and underpaid, and is one bad shift away from burnout. At times you hate him, others you feel sorry for him, changes scene by scene. But his character has depth and is extremely well written, which is compelling no matter how you feel about the guy.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Weekend Reading
I just bought THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Stiegg Larson and cant wait to dive in. If you haven't read the first novel, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO, pick it up immediately.
If you're heading on vacation, pick up a copy of BOCA KNIGHTS by Steven M. Forman. It's about a retired cop who moves down to Boca Raton. Forman does a great job describing the over the top characters and all the silly politics that go on in the city of retirement communities. If you happen to be Jewish, you'll enjoy the book even more as parts of it are reminiscent of PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT.
Finally, Laura Caldwell's last installment of the Izzy McNeil trilogy, RED WHITE AND DEAD, releases this weekend. Be sure to complete your collection!
If you're heading on vacation, pick up a copy of BOCA KNIGHTS by Steven M. Forman. It's about a retired cop who moves down to Boca Raton. Forman does a great job describing the over the top characters and all the silly politics that go on in the city of retirement communities. If you happen to be Jewish, you'll enjoy the book even more as parts of it are reminiscent of PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT.
Finally, Laura Caldwell's last installment of the Izzy McNeil trilogy, RED WHITE AND DEAD, releases this weekend. Be sure to complete your collection!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Weekend Reading - Hard Case Crime
It looks like it's going to be a busy weekend, so I need some good, quick reads to squeeze in between happenings. Hard Case Crime is perfect. They publish pulp novels, some new some old, but all of them are gritty crime fiction you can stick in your back pocket. Here are the ones I'm picking up this weekend:
HOUSE DICK by E. Howard Hunt. Hunt used to be a spy in the CIA and was the inspiration for the Ethan Hunt character played by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. He writes this detective novel with insider knowledge of what goes on in Washington DC.
PASSPORT TO PERIL by Robert B. Parker. This is a cold war novel originally published in 1951 by "the Original" Robert B. Parker. No, it's not the same Parker who penned the Spenser series; this Parker is a little known pulp novelist who spent three years crossing borders without a passport and evading arrest by the Gestapo. He's another author who has the background to give this fictional story authority.
CASINO MOON by Peter Blauner. This too is a reprint, but it's a reprint of a novel which was published only 15 years ago. It's also twice as long as the typical Hard Case Crime novel. But the premise is intriguing: son of an Atlantic City Monster tries to escape the life of crime by creating a comeback for a washed-up boxer (and of course sleeping with the round card girl).
More books can be found on the Hard Case Crime website. I'm also a fan of THE CUTIE, KILLING CASTRO, and MONEY SHOT.
HOUSE DICK by E. Howard Hunt. Hunt used to be a spy in the CIA and was the inspiration for the Ethan Hunt character played by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. He writes this detective novel with insider knowledge of what goes on in Washington DC.
PASSPORT TO PERIL by Robert B. Parker. This is a cold war novel originally published in 1951 by "the Original" Robert B. Parker. No, it's not the same Parker who penned the Spenser series; this Parker is a little known pulp novelist who spent three years crossing borders without a passport and evading arrest by the Gestapo. He's another author who has the background to give this fictional story authority.
CASINO MOON by Peter Blauner. This too is a reprint, but it's a reprint of a novel which was published only 15 years ago. It's also twice as long as the typical Hard Case Crime novel. But the premise is intriguing: son of an Atlantic City Monster tries to escape the life of crime by creating a comeback for a washed-up boxer (and of course sleeping with the round card girl).
More books can be found on the Hard Case Crime website. I'm also a fan of THE CUTIE, KILLING CASTRO, and MONEY SHOT.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Weekend Reading
Lots of new releases this week which means you'll have plenty to read over the weekend!
Check out Theresa Schwegel's LAST KNOWN ADDRESS. She's a Chicago author and writes wonderful, hard boiled police procedurals.
Also out this week is SHADOW OF BETRAYAL by Brett Battles. Brett is another talented writer and this is the third book in the Jonathan Quinn Series. Want to catch up? Check out THE CLEANER and THE DECEIVED.
I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I can't wait to pick up the first of Karen E. Olson's new series THE MISSING INK. Protagonist Brett Kavanaugh is the owner of an elite tattoo shop in Vegas. With all the story possibilities, I anticipate a long, entertaining series.
Check out Theresa Schwegel's LAST KNOWN ADDRESS. She's a Chicago author and writes wonderful, hard boiled police procedurals.
Also out this week is SHADOW OF BETRAYAL by Brett Battles. Brett is another talented writer and this is the third book in the Jonathan Quinn Series. Want to catch up? Check out THE CLEANER and THE DECEIVED.
I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I can't wait to pick up the first of Karen E. Olson's new series THE MISSING INK. Protagonist Brett Kavanaugh is the owner of an elite tattoo shop in Vegas. With all the story possibilities, I anticipate a long, entertaining series.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Old Friends Start New Publishing House
Friends Ben LeRoy and Alison Janssen are leaving their positions at BleakHouse Books to start their own press, Tyrus Books. They are both extremely talented, not to mention awesome, and I can't wait to see where this adventure takes them.
Learn more about Ben, Alison and Tyrus books here.
Learn more about Ben, Alison and Tyrus books here.
Friday, July 03, 2009
July 4th Weekend Reading
I'm going patriotic for this weekend's recommendations. Check out the following books if you're in the mood for a good read:
RED BLOODED MURDER by Laura Caldwell just released this week and is the second installment in the Izzy McNeil trilogy. If you missed the first one, be sure to pick up RED HOT LIES as well.
WHITE TIGER by Aravind Adiga won the Man Booker Prize last year and was selected for the Indie Bound spring/summer reading group. Though it's not crime fiction, Adiga's writing is beautiful and captivating.
BLUE HEAVEN by C.J. Box is his first standalone thriller. Box is a talented writer who knows how to craft a story. Also check out his Joe Picket series and his most recent novel, BELOW ZERO.
RED BLOODED MURDER by Laura Caldwell just released this week and is the second installment in the Izzy McNeil trilogy. If you missed the first one, be sure to pick up RED HOT LIES as well.
WHITE TIGER by Aravind Adiga won the Man Booker Prize last year and was selected for the Indie Bound spring/summer reading group. Though it's not crime fiction, Adiga's writing is beautiful and captivating.
BLUE HEAVEN by C.J. Box is his first standalone thriller. Box is a talented writer who knows how to craft a story. Also check out his Joe Picket series and his most recent novel, BELOW ZERO.
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