February 2009 Blog Posts (186)

WHISPER IN THE DARK RELEASED

The US version of my thriller WHISPER IN THE DARK is now in stores everywhere. Whisper received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, in which they so kindly said the book is:

"a taut psychological thriller with hints of the supernatural and an ending that will leave readers speechless. ... The deeply satisfying story moves at a furious pace, packed with unexpected and original clues and plot twists."

I'm not sure how murder, mayhem, mysterious religions and a touch of… Continue

Added by Robert Gregory Browne on February 7, 2009 at 3:42pm — 3 Comments

Only in America

Only in America ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Only in America .....do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Only in America.....do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the… Continue

Added by Tory Richards on February 7, 2009 at 9:34am — No Comments

Are you offended yet?

Today I'm blogging on a hot subject over at Blogspot - prompted by an abusive email from an offended reader! Do we all get those? Or is it just me? Let me know what you think:

http://stephen-booth.blogspot.com

Added by Stephen Booth on February 7, 2009 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

Win a copy of Valley of the Lost

I am having a contest to celebrate the launch of Valley of the Lost, the second in the Constable Molly Smith mystery series.

To enter the contest and have a change to win a signed hardcover of Valley of the Lost, either view the trailer or read the first chapter, or both.

The trailer is on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOJ4m391LZQ and on my web page.

You can either… Continue

Added by Vicki Delany on February 7, 2009 at 8:01am — No Comments

S.J. Rozan boook tour

A favorite author of mine has a new book out, SHANGHAII MOON, the first in the series in several years. Too bad I do not live closer to NY...well, not really. I love my small town.

Added by Sue Dawson on February 7, 2009 at 4:24am — No Comments

I'm a guest author at Crimefest UK

It's just been confirmed that I am a guest author on one of the panels at the international crime convention, CRIMEFEST at the Bristol Royal Marriott Hotel on 15 May.

CrimeFest is a convention for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fanatics. Following the hugely successful one-off visit to Bristol in 2006 of the American convention… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on February 7, 2009 at 3:21am — No Comments

An "Elementary" Question

Here's today's question: in a mystery, which element is most important?

I know, I know: it's impossible to choose one. But just for fun, consider which element an author should work on most carefully. Plot? Character? Setting? Irony? Tone? Something else?

I actually have a pretty strong opinion on this one, and I'll express it on Monday, but (being a fair, open-minded sort) I'm willing to hear what everyone else thinks first. But be prepared for an argument!

Added by Peg Herring on February 6, 2009 at 10:41pm — 4 Comments

Mystery Author Doug Hewitt Guest Blog at Book Marketing Buzz

I had a great post over at Book Marketing Buzz. So far, there have been seven comments. There is general agreement about The Dead Guy--it has a great cover!

Tomorrow, I appear on Fictionary. I have a post titled "Why write a novel? What's in it for me?"

I think it has some great insights into the mind of a mystery writer, so be sure to check it out!

See ya on the blogging trail ...

Doug… Continue

Added by Doug Hewitt on February 6, 2009 at 10:34am — No Comments

New story

Hello all. Just wanted to let you know that I have a new story in the latest issue of Crooked. I think there is still a day or two left to vote for the story if you like it. I don't care about the vote, just that you dig the story. It's called 'Partners'. Enjoy. For more of my stuff that's out there on the web go to ericbeetner.blogspot.com

Added by Eric Beetner on February 6, 2009 at 6:30am — 1 Comment

Pulp Pusher Updates...

Pulp Pusher keeps rollin' with a fantastic new article by the ever-fantastic Cathi Unsworth on the equally fantastic, David Peace. Hey, it's all fantastic ... check out PEACE TIME at Pulp Pusher.

Added by Tony Black on February 6, 2009 at 5:20am — No Comments

The Where of Creation

Another question that I get a lot, which I'm passing on to you: Where do your story ideas come from? A subset of that, I guess, is how do they evolve from the "I have an idea!" stage to a full-blown story?

I suppose I should be answering my own questions, at least some of them. This one is easy for me. My ideas almost always come when I have an extended period of time alone, usually in the car. The details almost always work themselves out on long drives or long walks.

Added by Peg Herring on February 5, 2009 at 9:44pm — 1 Comment

Meet Me in Chicago this weekend

This weekend I make my annual pilgrimage to Illinois for the three-day Love Is Murder mystery convention. This mystery, thriller, romantic suspense and dark fiction conference is famous for great panels and great food. Featuring stars like Jeffery Deaver, Alex Kava, and Steve Berry, it has a lot to offer both writers and readers .

I help to kick off the con Friday at noon as part of a writers panel serving up “A Series of Helpful Hints,”… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on February 5, 2009 at 8:45pm — No Comments

"Vibrant"

Are you feeling a little down?

Do you feel lethargic?

Do you feel detached?

Do you need a little "pick me up?"

The protagonist in my story at Powder Burn Flash feels "Vibrant."

How do you feel today?

You should try "Vibrant"… Continue

Added by Cormac Brown on February 5, 2009 at 11:42am — 1 Comment

Mystery Author Doug Hewitt Guest Blog at Book Marketing Buzz

The virtual book tour continues!

For anyone trying to promote a book, I have a guest blog tomorrow at the Book Marketing Buzz website. The title of the blog is Three Strategies to Promote Your Book. It's my first guest post, so I appreciate the opportunity.

To see what I have to say about promotion, go to:

Book Marketing Buzz

See what mystery author Doug Hewitt is doing to promote The Dead… Continue

Added by Doug Hewitt on February 5, 2009 at 10:29am — No Comments

PSYCH: A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO READ by William Rabkin

I'd been curious about this novel since the news broke last January it would be written. I was most curious how author William Rabkin would handle Shawn-Vision, Spencer's ultra-perceptiveness shown on TV in extreme close-ups and highlighting. I'm happy to report it's delivered quite smoothly (e.g. Shawn looked at the truck driver and he saw. Saw the chafing on his face. Saw the redness in his eyes.") as is the interplay between Shawn and Gus, the heart of the show.

What I'd heard of… Continue

Added by Gerald So on February 5, 2009 at 9:12am — No Comments

THE SHANGHAI MOON by S.J. Rozan

Just back in New York having spent a month in California for a relative's wedding, Lydia Chin is put on the trail of a storied brooch by her P.I. friend, Joel Pilarsky. Their client is Alice Fairchild, a specialist in the recovery of Holocaust antiquities, who claims to work for heirs of the brooch's owner. When Pilarsky is murdered shortly after leaving a message for Lydia, she must pick up the trail with Bill Smith, four months estranged from Lydia after their last case (Winter and… Continue

Added by Gerald So on February 5, 2009 at 9:08am — No Comments

SHOT GIRL by Karen E. Olson

New Haven police reporter Annie Seymour is at a strip club for a colleague's bachelorette party when gunshots are heard outside. Investigating, Annie finds the club manager, her ex-husband Ralph, dead. At first, the police suspect Annie and her paper pulls her off the police beat as a result. Compelled to look into her ex's affairs to clear her name, she uncovers a conspiracy involving illegal purchases of guns and drugs.

Shot Girl is told in first person from Annie's… Continue

Added by Gerald So on February 5, 2009 at 9:05am — No Comments

Hijacking and Book Trivia

Hey y'all!
Come visit me over at As the Pages Turn and see what advice I have for the new President.
http://www.asthepagesturn.wordpress.com

and I am also hijacking Eve Summers blog today... and promoing my book...
http://www.yewalus.blogspot.com

This is day three for my book tour. Don't forget some lucky commenter will be winning prizes!

Added by Kim Smith on February 5, 2009 at 2:25am — No Comments

Said the Spider to the Fly-- RELEASE DAY!

My romantic suspense, "Said the Spider to the Fly" is released today from The Wild Rose Press. It's already received a four star review! Hope folks will want to take a look at this already best seller!

Wild Rose Press

Added by Miss Mae on February 5, 2009 at 12:56am — No Comments

Bob Morris & the USA Today Syndrome

My friend and fellow mystery writer Bob Morris – www.bobmorris.net - taught me something about myself recently whe he was at Murder on the Beach Bookstore – www.murderonthebeach.com - in Delray Beach to sign his new Zack Chasteen novel, “A Deadly Silver Sea.”

Bob read a printout version of my novel, “Chasin’ the Wind,” and gave me a nice blurb for the cover, long before we had actually met. He did it because he’s a nice guy and, like most mystery writers, remembers what it was like… Continue

Added by Michael Haskins on February 5, 2009 at 12:14am — 1 Comment