If Max Allan Collins is not the most productive writer in the mystery and suspense field, I would be hard-pressed to find another nominee. He has written more than 80 novels, many of them components of seven different series. His works include his 14 highly acclaimed Nate Heller books, the CSI series, and the New York Times bestseller "Saving Private Ryan."

In addition, he has been a scripter of the "Dick Tracy" comic strip, and his graphic novel "Road…

She was 16, pretty, with her whole life ahead of her.

Until she encountered a killer at a bus stop.

He raped her, stuck pins in her, struck her in the face with a brick repeatedly and she eventually died from a fractured skull and asphyxiation.

Her killer taunted police with a letter at the time of the murder: "I won't strike again until next year at the same time... Set up your bait and try to catch me ... See ya next year."

Her name was…

When Paper Trails was published a couple of months ago I decided that I was going to

re-read Paris Trout. It had been a long time since I read it; in

fact it had been a long time since I read any Dexter. He's such a low key

guy, damn near invisible in fact, that I have a tendency to forget about him

sometimes.…

Hell, that's what Bank Holidays are for, surely? I've been soooo lazy today that I haven't even been out of the flat, and I've spent a glorious two hours this afternoon napping on the sofa. Bliss. I am well up there for the shortlistings for the Lydia Languish Lethargy Awards. If they make it an Olympic sport, I'm going for Gold.



I've also been much cheered by a very kind and also very balanced review from Erastes (…

OK, this has nothing to do whatsoever with mysteries unless of course you're one of those people baffled by the allegedly mysterious appeal of American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar. But since I mentioned on my CrimeSpace page that I'm an American Idol addict, more than a few people here have wanted my views. (Not suprising. Talking to other AI viewers is probably the best thing about watching AI.) Well, I admit it. I'm a fan of Sanjaya. And, no, not because I listen to Howard Stern or…

As long as I have been reading, I love going to author events and books signings. I used to own a bookstore and that was one of my favorite things to do...I've hosted events by tons of authors including Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Denise Swanson. I just love chatting with the authors and getting to know them and I love getting books signed. I have autographed copies from James Lee Burke, Alifair Burke, Joe Konrath, Robert Goldsborough, Jill Barnett, Tasha Alexander, Julia Buckley, David…

N is for Norman, from Loch Ness, a Ned

With a Nylon clad body, and empty space in his head,

Fell out of a window while escaping detection,

Not murder, just Darwinian Natural selection.



O is for Oswald - Optometrist from Oklahoma

Who was found in his Office…

Today I'm pitching someone else's post. Larry D. Sweazy has a very thought provoking post at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com about what happens when murder hits too close to home in a mystery writer's life.

Morgan Mandel

www.morganmandel.com

ALIBI MAN (Unlicensed Investigator-Florida-Cont) – VG

Hoag, Tami – 2^nd in series

Bantam, 2007 – US Hardcover – ISBN:

9780553802016



First Sentence: She floated on the face

of the pool like an exotic water lily.

Elena Estes is a former…

Easter Sunday's winding down, and one week from today I'll be winding down from Omega Institute's "Being Fearless" conference in New York City. The older I get, the more fearless I become. I wonder if this conference will make me even more so? If so, I may become over-the-top obnoxious. But so what? At over 60, I'm entitled. It's no longer so important that everybody like me and find me nice. This week I'll make some more T-shirts with my book cover emblazoned on the front, thanks to my…