Clea Simon

Female

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Cambridge, MA
About Me:
I'm the author of four Theda Krakow mysteries ("Mew is for Murder," "Cattery Row," "Cries and Whiskers," and the upcoming "Probable Claws") and the brand new Dulcie Schwartz series, which will debut in summer '09 with "Shades of Grey." For the Theda mysteries, with Poisoned Pen, think not-too-cozy cat cozies, traditional mysteries that deal with real animal issues (hoarding, feral rescue) with a rock 'n' roll heroine. Dulcie, who is being published by Severn House, has a touch of paranormal. She can't help it. A literature grad student, studying Gothic novels, she stumbles on a murder and gets some help from the ghost of her late, great cat. What's a girl to do?

As if two series weren't enough, I'm a journalist, arts critic, online writing instructor, cat lover, epicurean human.
I Am A:
Reader, Writer, Critic
Website:
http://www.cleasimon.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Colin Cotterill, Elizabeth Peters, Ariana Franklin, Hilary Mantel, James Lee Burke, Valerie Martin, Michael Chabon, Poppy Z. Brite (particularly the restaurant series starting with "Liquor"), Barbara Hambly (I hope she gets a new publisher soon...) John Burdett, Robert Wilson, Donna Leon, Denise Mina, Jeff Lindsay, Qiu Xiaolong, Michael Stanley ... you get the idea.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
"The Wire" on HBO, "Topsy Turvy" as my favorite movie about the creative process. "Sexy Beast," the first two "Godfathers," "L.A. Confidential." And, of course, "Impromptu," because I see myself as Judy Davis' George Sands (and, more important, my husband does, too. But he has healthy lungs.)

Comment Wall:

  • Clea Simon

    Wow, this photo makes my nose look large!
  • Sandra Ruttan

    Hi Clea! Nice to see you here. I have seven cats, but none of them solve crimes. They've been known to commit them from time to time though!

    If your 'slightly paranormal' project is a zombie cat detective that could be pretty cool!
  • Sandra Ruttan

    Sounds like a cool idea Clea! I don't have any pictures of my pets here, but you can check them out at the following:

    Chinook http://www.dogster.com/?149025
    Nootka http://www.dogster.com/?149028
    Buttons http://www.catster.com/?149125
    Rascal http://www.catster.com/?149129
    Skittles http://www.catster.com/?160409
    Stuart, Russel, Simon & Rebus:
    http://www.catster.com/cats/490258
  • Dave Zeltserman

    Hi Clea, I'm another Boston area writer (Needham now, used to be Brookline). Congrats on your success with your Poisoned Pen books.
  • Patricia

    Hi Clea...welcome to Crimespace
  • Clea Simon

    Thanks, all! I've been on less than a day and I feel welcomed already. Hvae got to post some more photos, I guess. In the meantime, I do have cat photos on my home site (and, no, my cats don't solve crimes either. I just like them to be in the stories...)
    Dave - maybe I'll meet you at an MWANE meeting? Just got the notice about the Oct. 2 meeting.
  • Patricia

    I am on 4MA Clea...and sorry no I haven't been to Malice
  • Rosemary Harris

    Hello rock & roll woman!
    Great to see you here.
  • Rosemary Harris

    Your comment about your photo is too funny..I think the same thing about my pic.
  • Lesa Holstine

    Hi Clea. Welcome to Crimespace. Thanks for inviting me.
  • Mary

    Hi Clea
    Thanks for the invite. I'm intruiged by the sound of your books - think I will have to get around to checking them out.
  • Julie Morrigan

    Hi Clea - try this - http://www.mycathatesyou.com/ - I think you might like it! Jools (Nice to meet you, BTW.)
  • Clea Simon

    Oh I love that site! Got to meet the "Bad Cats" guy last year at the annual Cat Writers Association (Jim something). Very sweet guy -- but the funny thing is, he's allergic to cats. Basically, he's a humor writer who had a wonderful idea. Do you also know about http://www.infinitecat.com ? I should link these all on my main blog, cats & crime & rock & roll, at http://cleasimon.blogspot.com .
  • LC Fraser

    Hi Clea! For some reason, on 4MA, I thought you were much older. Nice to put faces to names.
    LC
  • Clea Simon

    Nope, just juvenile!
  • LC Fraser

    Me too. Makes life more entertaining that way. Still, if you are my age you look darn young for you advanced years!
    Lynne
  • Clea Simon

    Well, I hit 46 last month and there's a lot of gray in the red (see that "highlight" over my right eye?). But maybe the extra pounds I've carried around for years are finally paying off...
  • Clea Simon

    Besides, you look pretty great yourself!
  • LC Fraser

    A good photographer (and digital cameras that take LOTS of pictures) always helps.

    So - how many cats do you have?