CrimeFest 13 was buzzing. It was great to catch up with some of my fellow crime writers, meet lots of lovely crime fiction fans and meet up with my publisher, Severn House.

The panel session on Friday morning was well received by a lively audience and my In the Spotlight Session later the same morning where I talked about "The Perfect System for Writing a Crime Novel" was standing room only.…

I'll be taking part at CrimeFest 2013 this weekend where I'll be on a panel on Friday 31 May and will also be talking to the audience about The Perfect System for Writing a Crime Novel.

My panel appearance is entitled: Evening All: A Policeman Calls. It takes place between 10:10 - 11:00am on Friday 31 May when I'll be appearing with fellow crime authors Ann Cleeves, Kate Ellis, J.C. Martin and Kerry Wilkinson.

I'll also be conducting an In The Spotlight session…

We know that psychopaths lack remorse, empathy, ethics, and a conscience.  They lie with absolute clarity for whatever appeases them and their lifestyle. They are almost like an unscrupulous chameleon showing their mask of normalcy for most of the world to see, but wait for the opportunity to strike out against unsuspecting victims.

Crime seems to be a logical choice for many of these…

VIEW TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-N1gn3SNYk

DEAD BURN

An Emily Stone Novel

Everyone Sins…   But are you willing to pay for yours?

SYNOPSIS:

Terrified California residents…

As we go about our daily routines, there are scientists hard at work trying to discover answers for the criminal justice arena, as well as breakthroughs to improve our way of life.  Many of these tests, studies, and theories aren’t reported in most areas of the mass media.

When I have a moment, I love to peruse the scientific world of forensics and criminal psychology to see what is…

By Mark Young

After chasing crooks for a number of years as a cop, I forget that some writers might break out in hives trying to figure out to write about the slimy side of life—interaction and investigation of the criminal world. Some writers’ life experiences might not have afforded them the opportunity to have a gangster in their face telling…

Jeffery Deaver and Peter James are lined up to take part in this year’s Crimefest and I'm delighted to be there with them.

Peter James and Pauline Rowson, looking very happy or a bit sozzled! CrimeFest 2011

I haven't met Jeffrey Deaver but I am sure that his Thriller Writing Seminar as part of the festival’s Crime…

I came upon an article recently about the serial killer who holds the sad record of murdering the most people in Great Britain.  While your thoughts may automatically turn to someone with the likes of Jack the Ripper or perhaps a European version of Ted Bundy, the…

“I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.”

I know what you mean.

Last year, my taekwondo instructor and I discussed his training for his upcoming test for his 7th Degree Black Belt. He mentioned his commitment to practicing his form, a daily exercise routine, and always looking toward the goal. Only recently before that conversation I had begun a new exercise regimen to…

It has been more than two years since New York Times bestselling author John Lescroart visited us here on Hook’em & Book’em. There has been a least one major change in his writing career since that time which we will cover in the Q&A section below. It has been too long. Join me as we find out what has been happening in John’s literary world since we last…

A late post this week because I was off to Black Belt Camp on Thursday.

Once again, I must admit I didn't write the basic points to this blog. I did, however write the details under each point. This blog is credited to author Will Lavender, who I met at the 2012 Killer Nashville conference. He presented this seminar on plot fundamentals.

I enjoyed this seminar even though I'm a…

“Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.”

At first I thought this was a little insensitive to the dead person's surviving family. Do the grandsons really need to read about grandma getting run over by a reindeer? Then I thought: lighten up, these truths are supposed be light-hearted fun.

With the last truth I discussed how much detail to put into a…

At the weekend I finished writing DI Andy Horton number ten. It's always a scary moment when I press 'send' on the keyboard and a new crime novel wings its way through the ether to my publisher, Severn House. I wonder could I have done better? Should I have rephrased something or added or omitted something? But it's done. Now I wait to see if my publisher likes it. Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile it's on with…

“MapQuest really needs to start their directions on step 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.”

I agree. Actually, I use MSN Maps and always skip ahead to the point in the trip that is unfamiliar. For those of you planning on using any of these programs, they're pretty handy. Take into account, however, how the mapping system is designed. Is it going to give you the fastest route or…

Undercurrent, the ninth in the marine mystery crime series featuring the flawed and rugged detective DI Horton is now published in the UK and Commonwealth by Severn House. It will be published in the USA on 1 May 2013.

Set in the Solent area on the South Coast of England the DI Horton series has received critical acclaim both in the UK and the USA where they have been compared to the works…

The job of a crime scene investigator isn’t glamorous or exotic as it is portrayed on popular television shows or even in the movies.  This daunting task is extremely important and necessary for any criminal police investigation in order to find out who committed the crime and to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.…

Because I know you've been sitting on the edge of your seat for a week, here's the second part to help those who are planning to attend writing conferences in the future and want to be on a panel.

6. Depart from Your Script. You want to be prepared, but realize that the best panels take on a life of their own. Your notes and any questions you may have been sent ahead of time…

Thrilled to see my guest essay on writers keeping the faith despite self-doubt on Psychology Today! Here's an excerpt:

"I’m ten years old. My Big Ben-style alarm clock has stopped working. Maybe I wound it too tightly, maybe it’s just worn out. Whatever the reason, the alarm hasn’t gone off in days.

I know I can fix it, if only I can get a look inside. When I tell my …