Grant McKenzie's Blog

Switch becomes a bestseller in Germany

As an author, one is told not to pay any attention to Amazon rankings as they'll drive you crazier than you already are. However, in ignoring this advice, as of this particular moment in time, Switch is an official bestseller on Amazon Germany. Die Stimme des Dämons is sitting at No. 32 on Mysteries & Thrillers and No. 137 in the overall category of Books. WooHoo! Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on August 4, 2009 at 9:40am — 2 Comments

A plethora of five-star reviews for Switch

My debut thriller Switch has been available in the UK for a few weeks now, entered its second printing with a playful switch to a new blue cover to replace the previous red cover, and garnered a fantastic response from readers. There are now 14 five-star reviews on Amazon.co.uk, 3 five-star reviews on… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on August 2, 2009 at 8:56am — 4 Comments

Switch launches in UK to great reviews

It's been a long time coming, but my thriller Switch finally debuted in the UK and Germany this week and the reader reviews have been great. After such a long journey to publication, I can't describe how good it feels to receive such positive feedback. Here are a few snippets: "Terrific, you’ve got to read this one. The emotions, both good and evil, that run through the book set it above most ... and the perverted mind manipulating the action is brilliantly drawn. Great stuff." — Sarah Broadhur… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on July 20, 2009 at 4:25am — 1 Comment

Sneak peek at Switch - debut novel launching July 2

I just discovered that Random House has placed a free sneak peek at the first chapters of SWITCH online. It appears to be Flash based and can be found HERE. Switch has also just received a four-star review from New Books magazine in the UK. New Books is an influential magazine for book clubs. And it was also selected as the Recommended Rea… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on June 27, 2009 at 3:00am — 1 Comment

Switch called a frantic, adrenaline blast of a thriller

I was thrilled to note that Robin Jarossi of Suite101.com gives Switch a glowing review this week. He writes: "Switch is a frantic, adrenaline blast of a thriller. Without doubt, a pulsating debut that will grab many thriller-lovers by the lapels and refuse to let them go." You can read the full review at: http://thriller-fiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/switch_by_grant_mckenzie (Warning: There are a couple of plot spoilers.) Switch gets its official UK debut on July 2, followed by its German de… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on June 2, 2009 at 7:53am — No Comments

First newspaper review for Switch, but I can't read it ;-)

I just noticed that a South African newspaper, Volksblad, published a review of my debut thriller SWITCH. Unfortunately the review is written in Afrikaans, which I (being the ignorant unilingual ScotCanuck that I am) can't read. Anyways, I think he/she said good things because the only translation I could work out is the last line: "I will be looking out for McKenzie's second book." Here's the url: http://www.news24.com/Die_Volksblad/Boeke/0,,5-1969_2466676,00.html UPDATE:… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on April 10, 2009 at 2:31am — No Comments

Switch debuts in OZ

A friend of mine Down Under picked up a copy of SWITCH today at his local boo… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on December 5, 2008 at 5:02am — 2 Comments

Switch set for Australia and Germany

Heyne just sent over their cover for the German edition of Switch, which is set to debut in August, 2009. The title has been changed to The Voice of the Demon for that market. Heyne has high expectations for the book and will be releasing an advance reading copy… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on November 14, 2008 at 6:30am — 4 Comments

The Blurbs

OK, my groveling seems to be paying off and, once again, crime writers are proving themselves to be the nicest bunch of people I could ever hope to be associated with. I sent out my plea, and am now beginning to receive some very nice blurbs about my upcoming UK debut, Switch. Here they are: “A terrific little-guy-in-big-trouble thriller . . . think Saw meets Payback moving at warp speed — with the emphasis on warp.” — Lee Child, Nothing to Lose “Think Harlan Coben on spee… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on August 19, 2008 at 8:54am — No Comments

Switch ARC arrives from UK

The book proof for Switch arrived today from the UK. It's quite a thrill to be able to hold a bound copy of my book for the first time, to realize that it's real. The book was selected by Bantam for their "Proof of the Month" promotion, so every member of the company was invited to pick up… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on June 29, 2008 at 6:56am — 5 Comments

Old Sleuth - An Ebay find

I just found this Old Sleuth pulp magazine from 1897 on Ebay. How could I possibly resist? The headline reads Grant McKenzie: A Boy's Battles and Struggles. Old Sleuth was a dime novel series of novellettes of about 80 pages that were published in New York from 1895 to 1898 by J.S. Ogilvie. They were… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on March 6, 2008 at 9:00am — 3 Comments

The Evolution of a Bestselling Debut ;-)

As my debut novel prepares to launch with a bang on Nov. 3, 2008, I thought I would look back to where this overnight success began. I wrote my first novel at 14 when a junior high classmate ran away from home. After school, my best friend and I hopped on our bikes and scoured the suburban neighborhood, calling the girl’s name and looking in her usual haunts. Although we came up em… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on February 27, 2008 at 5:30am — No Comments

Snitch at Central Booking

Rising star John McFetridge puts me on the hotseat at Central Booking for a wee feature he calls Snitch — where the only way out is to give up the name of a mystery writer who has been an influence on you. You can find my answer at: http://atcentralbookingsnitch.blogspot.com/ Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on February 13, 2008 at 8:21am — No Comments

Good News on Screenplay

Hi Crime Pals: I just received word that my mystery/thriller K.A.R.M.A. screenplay has won one of the six spots for the Praxis Summer Workshop (June 21 - 24) at Simon Fraser University. The six screenplays from the Spring fellows workshop and the six screenplays from the Fall workshop competed for the six Summer spots. Now my screenplay will be read by a cast of professional actors for the producer of Bon Cop, Bad Cop as well as local directors, agents, etc. I'm one of those people who believes… Continue

Added by Grant McKenzie on May 14, 2007 at 3:45am — No Comments

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