Thank YOU! "Blood Ties' is a t.v. take-off on Tanya Huff's books, specifically her Victoria Nelson series. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/tanya-huff/

*re

Denis Franz - a total hero! And you're right about that chink of sensitivity -it gives women the excuse they need to wallow in all the ba-a-ad stuff they really like!

Of course, I should add SFPD is my setting of choice. I worked just east of the city in a midsize department no one has ever heard of. I used to live in South San Francisco, went to high school there, so it was a natural draw. The city is more than a character. I think you could write about it for years, and still not know it, there are so many facets.

You were a cop in 83?? That would make you ... no ... Impossible ... SFPD must have been recruiting 12 year-olds in an undercover crackdown on pre-teen crime. Anyway, one last observation on Life on Mars ... The BBC is ridiculously right-on and seriously thought viewers would love Sam and hate Gene Hunt. They discovered, to their amazement, that it was Hunt who was the immediate fans' favourite and particularly with women. There have been tons of female columnist in UK papers writing about how they find Hunt incredibly sexy and wondering whether this doesn't say something worrying about what women actually find attractive in a guy. Me, I'm a wimpy writer, so obviously identify with Sam, while wishing I had the balls to be the Gene Genie!

That is great news!!!

There's good news for fans of Life on Mars - which typically of UK shows ended before it had even had as many episodes as a single season of a US show ... they're rumoured to be coming back with an 80s version, Ashes to Ashes (named after another Bowie song, of course). Sam Tyler (John Simm) won't be in it. But who cares? The one and only Gene Hunt (Phil Glenister) will be back in all his sexist, racist, homophobic, corrupt, utterly non-PC glory!

Thanks for your comment on my blog about the difficulty of second novels. I can't decide whether I should be cheered by the thought that everyone thinks they're crap - so I'm not the only one - or depressed ... you mean it never gets any better?!

Actually, I'm horrible with names. I have to write everything down. I'm so glad I asked the question about book signings. I can't believe how many great suggestions I've received already. Some things I knew instinctively to do, but it's good to have those things confirmed as "good things to remember." :)

Hey Robin,
Thanks for your response to my post. Guest book -- got it. :)

You're absolutely right. Before I had kids I'd take certain risks without a second thought. After I had Brandon, I'd say to myself, "Jeez, I hope this turns out right, 'cause I don't want Brandon growing up without a dad."

Robin,

I enjoyed reading your blog entry over at Working Stiffs. It was very entertaining and I felt your pain. My oldest is 13 and he won't be driving for a few years, but I'm already starting to worry about him. Like you, I guess it comes from seeing too much.

All the best to you and yours.

Take care,

bjb

Hi Robin,
It was great speaking with you in NY. I see you made it home alright because I see your glammed up photos here. Lookin' Good!

Have you run out to buy THE CHILDREN OF HURIN yet? I just ordered it and am looking forward to reading a new Tolkein.

Just read in the paper today that your L&O SVU Chris Meloni was a star quarterback of his undefeated championship H.S. team here around DC and was inducted into his H.S. Hall of Fame.

Have a good one,
Dave

Yeah, it's a mystery, ain't it? Have a good week, girl.

Hey Robin---Great to see you out here, girl. May the publishing Gods be with you.
Jordan Dane

Delphine,
I agree. Crimespace is turning out to be a wonderful place to meet new people with the same interests! I sincerely hope you enjoy the books, and that they help with your research subject.

Hi,
Crimespace is a wonderful place: I just discovered you through your answer to my mail on the forum and decided to buy several of your books hoping they might help me with my research subject. :-)

Hi Andrea,
Good to hear from you again. It's been a while--at least since you did that cool article, if I recall.

Here's to wishing you success on your fiction!

hey, Robin,

We met a few years ago at a Bouchercon--we were on the same panel. And I am a trained forensic artist too (studied with Betty Pat. and Karen T. Taylor).

Nice to see you again.

I have been following your writing and I see you're doing well. I am finally trying my hand at fiction as well, although not quite finished yet.

Best to you and yours.

Sly! Thank you so much. Can't wait for the new series to debut myself. Lots of delays, but here's to hoping it sees the light of day in the not too distant future. And yes, this is great, being able to connect like this.

As for the movie of Far Pavillions, you are so right. I saw it, and no way did it do the book justice. It was okay, but it would be like comparing margarine to butter or something. (I'm sure I could come up with a better metaphor, but I just got back from a week of Science Camp with my two 11 y.o.'s. I'm beat.

And something else I have wondered... if you respond to chatter on your page, does the person who wrote it get notice? I have no idea. CrimeSpace got started when I was busy finishing the revisions on Face of a Killer. So I haven't had much time to explore...