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Hometown:: I never know how to answer this. I was born in New York, grew up in Virginia Beach, lived longest in Washington, DC, spent five years in Los Angeles and now live in Gardiner, ME.

About Me:: Reader, editor, researcher and all-round handmaiden to mystery writers, mystery bookstores and others.

Website:: http://www.answergirl.net

Books And Authors I Like:: Charlotte Bronte, JANE EYRE; Raymond Chandler, THE LONG GOODBYE; Daphne DuMaurier, REBECCA; Graham Greene, THE QUIET AMERICAN; Dorothy B. Hughes, IN A LONELY PLACE

What do these writers have in common? They're all dead. I'm no fool...

Movies And TV Shows I Like:: The Big Lebowski, Broadcast News, Chinatown, The Exorcist, Millers Crossing, Night of the Hunter, The Princess Bride, The Thin Man, Zero Effect

Clair Lamb's Blog

Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

Is there any good way to tell an author you didn't like his or her book?

Twice in recent months, I've read books I didn't like by authors I do like in person. In both cases, I'd enjoyed and admired the authors' earlier books, but their latest struck me as flat, obvious, cliche-laden and just plain not very well-written.

Even all-star baseball players strike out regularly, and I know any number of reasons a book might not be an author's best work: unreasonable deadlines, sloppy… Continue

Posted on April 1, 2007 at 10:27pm — 3 Comments

What's your favorite mystery, and where did you get it?

This is a cross-posting from my main blog, but it seemed appropriate to put it up here.

Mystery Bookstore co-owner Valerie Vanaman asked me: "What's the best mystery book you ever read, and did you buy it at The Mystery Bookstore?"

I could never pick just one book as "the best," so here's an opportunity for a list. Even

this list might change from one day to another. If these…

Continue

Posted on March 22, 2007 at 10:27pm — 7 Comments

Comment Wall (8 comments)

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At 10:37am on November 1, 2007, RJ said…: Hi Clair, Just stopped by to wish you a Happy Halloween!
I hope all is well with you -
Power Play was an absolute blockbuster! I can't wait to read Isabella Moon! (Thanks!)
Have a great week & keep in touch!
-RJ

At 11:09pm on March 20, 2007, Clair Lamb said…: As I said to Mr. Winter, this avatar has the advantage of actually looking like me... though of course I am slightly less glamorous.

At 10:57pm on March 20, 2007, Laura Benedict said…: Hey, Clair. I knew you'd be here soon! Your avatar is just deee-vine!

At 11:37am on March 20, 2007, Angie said…: Oopsie. Duly noted!

At 10:50am on March 20, 2007, Clair Lamb said…: It's Clair without a e, actually... I wouldn't care so much, except that my daughter is Claire with an e, and how else will anyone tell us apart?

At 10:45am on March 20, 2007, Angie said…: Hi, Claire & welcome! Readers rock - why bother writing if nobody reads it?! And I'm a Thin Man fan, too. I got the box set a few years back & like to drag them out every so often for a Wm. Powell/Myrna Loy fix.

At 8:50am on March 20, 2007, Clair Lamb said…: In a world of writers, someone has to be a reader...

At 8:48am on March 20, 2007, Daniel Hatadi said…: You look absolutely gorgeous, Clair. So nice to have a handmaiden on board too. :)