Rhys Bowen's Posts - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T13:53:56ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowenhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/60987819?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://crimespace.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=rhysbowen&xn_auth=noRoyally Flushed with Excitementtag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-07-06:537324:BlogPost:2064802009-07-06T15:22:04.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
Celebrate with me: my third Royal spyness mystery, featuring Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the throne but penniless, will be in stores tomrorow, July 7th. I'm setting out on a crazy tour schedule. Please check my website, www.rhysbowen.com and click on Rhys on the Road. I love seeing friendly faces when I'm on the road!
Celebrate with me: my third Royal spyness mystery, featuring Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the throne but penniless, will be in stores tomrorow, July 7th. I'm setting out on a crazy tour schedule. Please check my website, www.rhysbowen.com and click on Rhys on the Road. I love seeing friendly faces when I'm on the road!Happy Holidaystag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-12-03:537324:BlogPost:1001432007-12-03T16:54:02.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
<p>At this season I'd like to send out best wishes to all my friends in Mysterydom.</p>
<p>It's been a great year for me. My new book, Her Royal Spyness, seems to have taken off and I've acquired a lot of new fans. The second book is already written and due out next summer. It's called A Royal Pain--even funnier, I hope.</p>
<p>And a new Molly book is due out in March. Called Tell me Pretty Maiden. All about the New York theater.</p>
<p>So I wish everyone a happy, healthy, successful new year…</p>
<p>At this season I'd like to send out best wishes to all my friends in Mysterydom.</p>
<p>It's been a great year for me. My new book, Her Royal Spyness, seems to have taken off and I've acquired a lot of new fans. The second book is already written and due out next summer. It's called A Royal Pain--even funnier, I hope.</p>
<p>And a new Molly book is due out in March. Called Tell me Pretty Maiden. All about the New York theater.</p>
<p>So I wish everyone a happy, healthy, successful new year and see you all in Hawaii, 2009, if not before</p>
<p/><p>Rhys Bowen</p>Alaska, here I cometag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-25:537324:BlogPost:756792007-09-25T15:01:26.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
<p>I'm off to Alaska in the morning--heading for Bouchercon and looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.</p>
<p>The great thing about the mystery world is the friendships I have made. I would not have believed, when I wrote my first mystery 11 years ago that I would have a circle of wonderful friends who are important in my life. Any of you who have not been to a mystery convention, I really recommend trying one--they are all over the place and at various times of year. We…</p>
<p>I'm off to Alaska in the morning--heading for Bouchercon and looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.</p>
<p>The great thing about the mystery world is the friendships I have made. I would not have believed, when I wrote my first mystery 11 years ago that I would have a circle of wonderful friends who are important in my life. Any of you who have not been to a mystery convention, I really recommend trying one--they are all over the place and at various times of year. We really are a friendly bunch and you'll have a great time.</p>
<p>At this moment I'd debating what to pack for Alaska. Luckily I was there at this time last year, and it wasn't too cold--just layers and a waterproof parka worked well. The problem is that hotels are usually too hot, so it may be a question of layering up to go outside. There have been reports of seeing the aurora in Anchorage so I'm looking forward to that, also seeing the occasional moose!</p>
<p>And I may have time for the occastional panel and reception <g></p>
<p>Rhys</p>Europe, the good, the bad and the very uglytag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-16:537324:BlogPost:727672007-09-16T11:44:45.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
<p>I got home last night after three weeks in Europe. I'm trying to put my impressions on paper and I realize that the bad still outweighs the good.</p>
<p>We flew into Frankfurt and took the train to Dresden. I'm glad we saw it--it is a completely recreated old city. You'd think the buildings had stood since the middle ages but actually most were faithfully rebuilt after WW2. Still, it was pleasant and we had the most fabulous duck and red cabbage.</p>
<p>Then on to Prague, which to me was a…</p>
<p>I got home last night after three weeks in Europe. I'm trying to put my impressions on paper and I realize that the bad still outweighs the good.</p>
<p>We flew into Frankfurt and took the train to Dresden. I'm glad we saw it--it is a completely recreated old city. You'd think the buildings had stood since the middle ages but actually most were faithfully rebuilt after WW2. Still, it was pleasant and we had the most fabulous duck and red cabbage.</p>
<p>Then on to Prague, which to me was a disappointment. Everyone had said, "You're going to love Prague." and I did love the old city and the castle and the view from the Charles bridge. But outside of that it was still a rather grim, graffiti laden city with an Eastern bloc feel to it. Beer was ridiculously cheap, meal portions were huge and not expensive and almost everyone spoke some English, but .... I still think that other mediavel cities are just as pretty--Salzburg, Regensburg, Rottenburg ..and not as crime laden. We were warned to watch for pick pockets everywhere, which we did. We are seasoned travelers and yet we were caught in a scam we had no idea could exist:</p>
<p>We left Prague by train. We found our first class compartment and our seats. A young man came to sit opposite. He was tall and complained he needed more leg room. John put his travel bag up on the rack. Just before the train was pulling out someone arrived and caused a commotion--the young man jumped up. "Oh, this is first class. I didn't realize," grabbed his bag from the rack and left--- only we discovered too late that it was our bag he grabbed. Train pulled out. No hope of recovery. Luckily we had tickets and passports in our jackets and very luckily I didn't let him touch my bag. But John's expensive beautiful camera, his Palm PDA with all his bank account and credit card numbers filed on it, all his medications and a hundred other necessary items... all gone.</p>
<p>We spent the next morning making phone calls to stop credit cards, warn banks etc. So Budapest started with a bad taste in our mouths. We did a lovely tour of th city and saw it in its best light, and then it rained, and rained. Four days without a break. so we were glad to fly to sunny Venice, from which I have many happy childhood memories. My parents used to rent part of an old villa in Treviso when I was a child and my brother and I used to wander around on our own, so that I know the city like the back of my hand.</p>
<p>Of course Venice is unchanged, except that it is overrun with tourists. St. Marks square--well, you dont' want to go near St. Marks during daylight hours. And prices are through the roof. We met one couple who had been charges $20 for two coffees. And we only had one good meal there. So mixed impressions of Venice too--fighting to get on the water buses, already jam packed with tourists. But the Murano glass, the fashions, the leather goods are still fabulous. Nobody does fashion like the Italians!.</p>
<p>And last of all, we flew out of Frankfurt and spent an extra day at a local spa. An afternoon in thermal waters at Bad Nauheim did a little to restore our tense muscles. Next time I plan a spa vacation--from one warm pool to the next, and no tourists!</p>Catching my breathtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-22:537324:BlogPost:659802007-08-22T21:22:59.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
<p>I'm finally home for a few days before a much needed trip to Europe.</p>
<p>The royal tea parties were such fun--cucumber sandwiches, fancy hats, the lot! And the stores threw themselves into the spirit of the thing so beautifully too. Linen cloths and good English china in one store, a cake made like my book cover in another, home made scones, home made sausange rolls and a catered tea from a fabulous tea room--these were some of the delights that treated me and my fans at each…</p>
<p>I'm finally home for a few days before a much needed trip to Europe.</p>
<p>The royal tea parties were such fun--cucumber sandwiches, fancy hats, the lot! And the stores threw themselves into the spirit of the thing so beautifully too. Linen cloths and good English china in one store, a cake made like my book cover in another, home made scones, home made sausange rolls and a catered tea from a fabulous tea room--these were some of the delights that treated me and my fans at each stop.</p>
<p>Now I'm almost sad this tour is over. but it certainly did the trick. Her Royal Spyness was the number 1 bestselling book for all the mystery booksellers in the month of July!</p>
<p>Now I've almost finished writing the sequel. Who can guess what it will be called?</p>
<p>Rhys</p>Crazy week aheadtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-26:537324:BlogPost:580082007-07-26T16:37:10.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
<p>Starting Saturday is a week exactly the anthesis of the writer's solitary life:</p>
<p>Catch a plane at 6 a.m on Saturday. Three events that day, culminating with one of my royal tea parties at the Mystery Bookstore, LA.</p>
<p>Then drive to San Diego. Royal teaparty. Fly home.</p>
<p>Monday, fly to Denver.</p>
<p>Tuesday two early morning TV shows. Evening event.</p>
<p>Wednesday drive to Boulder, evening event.</p>
<p>Thurs fly to Salt Lake, evening event.</p>
<p>Friday fly to Portland,…</p>
<p>Starting Saturday is a week exactly the anthesis of the writer's solitary life:</p>
<p>Catch a plane at 6 a.m on Saturday. Three events that day, culminating with one of my royal tea parties at the Mystery Bookstore, LA.</p>
<p>Then drive to San Diego. Royal teaparty. Fly home.</p>
<p>Monday, fly to Denver.</p>
<p>Tuesday two early morning TV shows. Evening event.</p>
<p>Wednesday drive to Boulder, evening event.</p>
<p>Thurs fly to Salt Lake, evening event.</p>
<p>Friday fly to Portland, evening event.</p>
<p>Saturday fly home!</p>
<p>These things are tense because of all the airport security these days and because so many little things can go wrong. Planes no longer take off when they are supposed to. Airlines no longer care if the flight is canceled. So it's always nail biting time.</p>
<p>Off to pack. maybe I'll see some of you along the way?</p>
<p/><p>Rhys</p>Her Royal Spyness comes to reclaim the colonies!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-02:537324:BlogPost:519482007-07-02T14:56:09.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
Tomorrow feels like my birthday and wedding day all rolled into one.<br></br>
<br />
My new series, called HER ROYAL SPYNESS, is finally in stores.<br></br>
<br />
It's about the Royal Family in the 1930s and it's been pitched as<br />
Bridget Jones meets Charade (as told by Nancy Mitford). Lots of fun and<br />
satire about the British upper classes as well as being a good<br />
whodunnit.<br></br>
<br />
<br></br>
<br />
I have such high hopes for this book. Everyone has been so excited<br />
about it, so I'm trying not to raise my expectations too high…
Tomorrow feels like my birthday and wedding day all rolled into one.<br/>
<br />
My new series, called HER ROYAL SPYNESS, is finally in stores.<br/>
<br />
It's about the Royal Family in the 1930s and it's been pitched as<br />
Bridget Jones meets Charade (as told by Nancy Mitford). Lots of fun and<br />
satire about the British upper classes as well as being a good<br />
whodunnit.<br/>
<br />
<br/>
<br />
I have such high hopes for this book. Everyone has been so excited<br />
about it, so I'm trying not to raise my expectations too high and thus<br />
be disappointed.<br/>
<br />
I had a sneak preview when the book was available at Book Passage<br />
mystery writers conference over the weekend and lots of people bought<br />
it and laughed out loud.<br/>
<br />
It is always worrying with a funny book that other people won't laugh at the things I find funny.<br/>
<br />
<br/>
<br />
Anyway, it's out of my hands. I'll be touring the western US holding a<br />
series of Royal Teas. Check my schedule on my website, www.rhysbowen.comWeek of Excitement!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-01:537324:BlogPost:516872007-07-01T14:36:15.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
This is truly a big week for me.<br></br>
<br></br>
Today my fellow Lady Killers and i kick off our month long virtual<br />
vacation on our blog (www.theladykillers.typepad.com). We're inviting<br />
famous people to take us to favorite places around the world. That way<br />
we don't have to leave home or go through security lines!<br></br>
<br></br>
And on Tuesday July 3, my new pride and joy, HER ROYAL SPYNESS is on sale in the stores.<br></br>
<br></br>
My first royal tea party to celebrate the launch takes place on<br />
Saturday July…
This is truly a big week for me.<br/>
<br/>
Today my fellow Lady Killers and i kick off our month long virtual<br />
vacation on our blog (www.theladykillers.typepad.com). We're inviting<br />
famous people to take us to favorite places around the world. That way<br />
we don't have to leave home or go through security lines!<br/>
<br/>
And on Tuesday July 3, my new pride and joy, HER ROYAL SPYNESS is on sale in the stores.<br/>
<br/>
My first royal tea party to celebrate the launch takes place on<br />
Saturday July 7th at M is for Mystery in San Mateo , CA. Please check<br />
my website for the rest of my events.<br/>
<br/>
I have my hat and gloves all ready, the cucumber is waiting to be<br />
thinly slices for sandwiches and the little cakes will be duly iced.<br />
Please come<br/>
<br/>
Rhys<br/>Launch Day draws near!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-20:537324:BlogPost:497192007-06-20T15:32:10.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
I'm currently in that pacing, excited mode--that sitting at the<br />
airport, waiting for the plane mode, becaue it's now less that two<br />
weeks before my new series HER ROYAL SPYNESS, is launched.<br></br>
<br></br>
I have high hopes and at the same time I'm trying to stop myself from<br />
expecting too much. The book has already had some fabulous<br />
reviews, but will mystery fans buy it and will they love it?<br></br>
It doesn't matter how many books I have written, I'm still totally<br />
insecure when it comes to my next…
I'm currently in that pacing, excited mode--that sitting at the<br />
airport, waiting for the plane mode, becaue it's now less that two<br />
weeks before my new series HER ROYAL SPYNESS, is launched.<br/>
<br/>
I have high hopes and at the same time I'm trying to stop myself from<br />
expecting too much. The book has already had some fabulous<br />
reviews, but will mystery fans buy it and will they love it?<br/>
It doesn't matter how many books I have written, I'm still totally<br />
insecure when it comes to my next project. And of course so many things<br />
are out of my hands: will it be reviewed in the NYT, USA Today or any<br />
of the places that actually make people go out and buy books.?<br/>
<br/>
I'm set up to do royal tea parties in various places and now I'm<br />
beginning to panic about that. What if we plan a tea for 50 and only 5<br />
show up, or worse still, the other way around? And I still<br />
haven't decided what to serve. Why did I breezily promise to bring<br />
teatime goodies with me? Eeek!<br/>
<br/>
Anyway, my schedule is on my website and I hope to see some friendly<br />
faces along the way. Please introduce yourself if you're a friend from<br />
Crimespace.<br/>
<br/>
Rhys Bowen<br/>Your favorite places on earth--help neededtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-22:537324:BlogPost:429892007-05-22T18:34:28.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
<p>My blogmates and I at The Lady Killers (<a href="http://www.theladykillers.typepad.com">www.theladykillers.typepad.com</a>) started a list of our favorite places, either because they inspired a good mystery or because they helped us to relax enough to free our brains for future creativity, or just because they were so fabulous!</p>
<p>If anyone would like to share his or her favorite place with me, we'll post them in a special feature we're doing this summer called virtual…</p>
<p>My blogmates and I at The Lady Killers (<a href="http://www.theladykillers.typepad.com">www.theladykillers.typepad.com</a>) started a list of our favorite places, either because they inspired a good mystery or because they helped us to relax enough to free our brains for future creativity, or just because they were so fabulous!</p>
<p>If anyone would like to share his or her favorite place with me, we'll post them in a special feature we're doing this summer called virtual vacation.</p>
<p>If you like, you can email me off list at <a href="mailto:rhys@rhysbowen.com">rhys@rhysbowen.com</a></p>Joining Crimespacetag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-05-15:537324:BlogPost:369582007-05-15T02:11:15.000ZRhys Bowenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/rhysbowen
Just what I needed: yet another place to blog!<br></br>
My days are becoming so full of various on-line duties that I'll end up<br />
with no time left to write. But I have to admit thta blogging is fun<br />
and it's a great way to let off steam after life's little annoyances,<br />
like my airline flight last week (see my blog at<br />
www.theladykillers.typepad.com).<br></br>
<br></br>
Yes, I already have a regular blogging gig with some writer friends.<br />
We're called The Ladykillers and you can find us…
Just what I needed: yet another place to blog!<br/>
My days are becoming so full of various on-line duties that I'll end up<br />
with no time left to write. But I have to admit thta blogging is fun<br />
and it's a great way to let off steam after life's little annoyances,<br />
like my airline flight last week (see my blog at<br />
www.theladykillers.typepad.com).<br/>
<br/>
Yes, I already have a regular blogging gig with some writer friends.<br />
We're called The Ladykillers and you can find us at<br />
www.theladykillers.typepead.com. There are five of us: Lyn Hamilton,<br />
Jane Finnis, Mary Anna Evans, Cara Black and me. We all write about<br />
long ago and far away so we have a lot in common to discuss about<br />
travel and research, as well as the mystery world in general.<br/>
<br/>
Right now I'm just back from some crazy coast to coast hopping: to New<br />
York for the Edgars, where I presented an award with Harlan Coben and<br />
stood beside Al Roker (how cool is that?), then back to West Coast and<br />
down to LA for the LA Times Festival of Books, then home, then two days<br />
later to DC for Malice, then drive to Pittsburgh for the Oakmont<br />
Festival of Mystery then back to DC , then home, then two days later<br />
drive to Ashland OR for a mystery presentation there.<br/>
Whoever said a writer's life is a solitary one doesn't know much about today's writer.<br/>
<br/>
Do stop by and let me know what you think of our blog, our books etc.<br/>
<br/>
Rhys<br/>