Death in the Stacks

Eighth 'Jesse Stone' TV Movie to Air on CBS

2012-01-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

The next Jesse Stone TV-movie, Benefit of the Doubt, airs on May 20, 2012. Filmed last year in Nova Scotia, the script for the TV-movie was co-written by Tom Selleck, who reprises the role of Jesse Stone.

Although the franchise is based on the character created by the late Robert B. Parker, the last few movies have been original screenplays not based on any of the crime novelist's books.

Read more at the Hollywood Reporter.

The Return of Sherlock

2012-01-21T17:51:00.000-08:00

I must admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for Sherlock Holmes -- in all shapes and sizes, books or movies! So I'm delighted that the second season of the edgy, modern day BBC series, Sherlock, returns in May (it's currently playing to British audiences). Catch a preview on Masterpiece's website.

The three 90-minute films are A Scandal in Belgravia, The Hounds of Baskerville, and The Reichenbach Falls, which is adapted from "The Final Problem" where Sherlock and Moriarty plunge over the falls. Of course we know that's not the end -- the good news is that the BBC already ordered a season three of Sherlock.

Series' stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson) have been busy when not solving mysteries. Cumberbatch can currently be seen in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Spielberg's War Horse. Freeman has been playing Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit.

2012 Edgar Nominations Announced

2012-01-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Mystery Writers of America has announced its nominees for the 2012 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in 2011. The Edgar® Awards will be presented to the winners at their Gala Banquet, April 26, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City.

And the nominees are...

BEST NOVEL

The Ranger by Ace Atkins (Penguin Group USA – G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Gone by Mo Hayder (Grove/Atlantic – Atlantic Monthly Press)
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino (Minotaur Books)
1222 by Anne Holt (Simon & Schuster - Scribner)
Field Gray by Philip Kerr (Penguin Group USA - G.P. Putnam’s Sons – Marion Wood Books)

BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR

Red on Red by Edward Conlon (Random House Publishing Group – Spiegel & Grau)
Last to Fold by David Duffy (Thomas Dunne Books)
All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen (The Permanent Press)
Bent Road by Lori Roy (Penguin Group USA - Dutton)
Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder (Minotaur Books – Thomas Dunne Books)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

The Company Man by Robert Jackson Bennett (Hachette Book Group – Orbit Books)
The Faces of Angels by Lucretia Grindle (Felony & Mayhem Press)
The Dog Sox by Russell Hill (Pleasure Boat Studio – Caravel Mystery Books)
Death of the Mantis by Michael Stanley (HarperCollins Publishers – Harper Paperbacks)
Vienna Twilight by Frank Tallis (Random House Trade Paperbacks)

BEST FACT CRIME

The Murder of the Century: The Gilded Age Crime That Scandalized a City and Sparked the Tabloid Wars by Paul Collins (Crown Publishing)
The Savage City: Race, Murder, and a Generation on the Edge by T.J. English (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard (Random House - Doubleday)
Girl, Wanted: The Chase for Sarah Pender by Steve Miller (Penguin Group USA - Berkley)
The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter by Mark Seal (Penguin Group USA - Viking)

BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL

The Tattooed Girl: The Enigma of Stieg Larsson and the Secrets Behind the Most Compelling Thrillers of our Time by Dan Burstein, Arne de Keijzer & John-Henri Holmberg (St. Martin’s Griffin)
Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making by John Curran (HarperCollins)
On Conan Doyle: Or, the Whole Art of Storytelling by Michael Dirda (Princeton University Press)
Detecting Women: Gender and the Hollywood Detective Film by Philippa Gates (SUNY Press)
Scripting Hitchcock: Psycho, The Birds and Marnie by Walter Raubicheck and Walter Srebnick (University of Illinois Press)

BEST SHORT STORY

"Marley’s Revolution" – Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine by John C. Boland (Dell Magazines)
"Tomorrow’s Dead" – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine by David Dean (Dell Magazines)
"The Adakian Eagle” – Down These Strange Streets by Bradley Denton (Penguin Group USA – Ace Books)
"Lord John and the Plague of Zombies" – Down These Strange Streets by Diana Gabaldon (Penguin Group USA – Ace Books)
"The Case of Death and Honey" – A Study in Sherlock by Neil Gaiman(Random House Publishing Group – Bantam Books)
“The Man Who Took His Hat Off to the Driver of the Train” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine by Peter Turnbull (Dell Magazines

BEST JUVENILE

Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger (Abrams – Amulet Books)
It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Vanished by Sheela Chari (Disney Book Group – Disney Hyperion)
Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby (Scholastic Press)
The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Thomas Odyssey (Egmont USA

BEST YOUNG ADULT

Shelter by Harlan Coben (Penguin Young Readers Group – G.P. Putnam’s Sons)
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (Penguin Young Readers Group – G.P. Putnam’s Sons)
The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall (Random House Children’s Books – Knopf BFYR)
The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group – Roaring Creek Press)
Kill You Last by Todd Strasser (Egmont USA)

BEST PLAY

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club by Jeffrey Hatcher (Arizona Theatre Company, Phoenix, AZ)
The Game’s Afoot by Ken Ludwig (Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland, OH)

BEST TELEVISION EPISODE TELEPLAY

“Innocence” – Blue Bloods, Teleplay by Siobhan Byrne O’Connor (CBS Productions)
“The Life Inside” – Justified, Teleplay by Benjamin Cavell (FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television)
“Part 1” – Whitechapel, Teleplay by Ben Court & Caroline Ip (BBC America)
“Pilot” – Homeland, Teleplay by Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon & Gideon Raff (Showtime)
“Mask” – Law & Order: SVU, Teleplay by Speed Weed (Wolf Films/Universal Media Studios)

ROBERT L. FISH MEMORIAL AWARD

"A Good Man of Business" – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine by David Ingram (Dell Magazines)

THE SIMON & SCHUSTER - MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD

(Presented at MWA’s Agents & Editors Party on Wednesday, April 25, 2012)

Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton (Minotaur Books)
Come and Find Me by Hallie Ephron (HarperCollins Publishers – William Morrow)
Death on Tour by Janice Hamrick (Minotaur Books)
Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry (Crown Publishing Group)
Murder Most Persuasive by Tracy Kiely (Minotaur Books – Thomas Dunne Books)

Source: Mystery Writers of America

A Recipe for Danger

2012-01-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

Take a pinch of political intrigue, add a dash of danger, a sprinkling of snappy dialog, combine briskly with a cast of colorful characters and you'll have quite a tasty mystery on the menu. Affairs of Steak, Julie Hyzy's fifth outing in her White House Chef mystery series, is another winning recipe for entertainment.

Jeopardy seems to be Olivia ("Ollie") Paras' middle name. As the White House Executive Chef, she has been assigned by the First Lady to locate a suitable venue for a big bash honoring the Secretary of State. Unfortunately, her arch nemesis, Peter Everette Sargeant, has been tasked to accompany her. But their dream location has one major drawback -- the First Lady's assistant and the chief of staff have been murdered and their bodies left in the kitchen.

Affairs of Steak is a very enjoyable read. The behind-the-scenes look at the White House kitchen is fascinating and very well researched. Hyzy is adept at balancing the cozy aspects of her novels with a touch more action and adventure than one usually finds in this genre. And if you like books with recipes attached, this one will definitely get you cooking (the recipe for Napoleans looks especially yummy!).

Upcoming Mystery Events

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

If you're going to be in the Los Angeles area this month, the Burbank Public Library has two very special events geared to mystery fans. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at writing a short story? Kate Thornton will be conducting a how-to writing workshop on Wednesday, January 11, at 7 PM. "Crafting the Short Story" will be held at the Buena Vista Branch of the Burbank Library, 300 N. Buena Vista St. Ms. Thornton, a member of the Los Angeles chapter of Sisters in Crime, is a prolific short story writer with her work featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.

Fans of Mary Jane Clark and her wedding cake mysteries are in for a tasty treat! Ms. Clark will be visiting the Burbank Public Library on Wednesday, January 25, at 7 PM to discuss and sign her latest, The Look of Love. Stop by for a slice of cake, a glass of punch, and a chat with this New York Times bestselling author. The event will also be held at the Buena Vista Branch.

The Girl With The Thistle Tattoo??

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Denise Mina, often dubbed "the Queen of Tartan Noir," has been selected by the literary estate of Stieg Larsson to adapt his Millennium trilogy into a series of six graphic novels for DC Comics. The choice of the Scottish crime novelist was announced in a recent article on Scotsman.com.

Mina is the author of nine novels featuring strong females, including Field of Blood, which was adapted into a TV drama by the BBC. She welcomes the challenge of refashioning the popular Larsson series for a new audience. Mina's first graphic novel of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is due out in March.

Saying Goodbye to 2011

2011-12-31T17:08:00.000-08:00

This past year has been an extremely hectic one for me, leaving me less reading time than I would have liked. So I say good riddance to 2011. In the days ahead, we'll be seeing what books are being considered the "Best of 2011." But on this last day of the year, here is a little informal list of favorites.

My friend, Morgan, sent me a list of her favorite reads for the year:

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
A Death in Summer by Benjamin Black
The Night Season by Chelsea Cain
The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen
books by Magdalen Nabb
The Inspector and Silence: an Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery by Hakah Nesser
The Priest by Gerald O'Donovan
Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline (2008--new to her)

Another friend, Melissa, has discovered the award-winning books by Louise Penny, including the latest, A Trick of the Light. She also enjoys the books by Tana French, Rhys Bowen, and is starting in on Deborah Crombie's list of mysteries.

Finally, here are some of the books that I enjoyed this past year:

The Silenced by Brett Battles
Disturbance: an Irene Kelly novel by Jan Burke
The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly
The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths
Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris
We All Fall Down by Michael T. Harvey
The Mozart Conspiracy by Scott Mariani
Second Messiah by Glenn Meade

What would you recommend for the best of 2011?

A Rhumba in Waltz Time

2011-12-19T22:07:00.000-08:00

It's 1938 Hollywood. While the Great Depression still haunts Americans and war clouds are gathering in Europe, the golden age of movies reigns in this southern California enclave of glamour and glitter. Gone with the Wind is still in production and manic munchkins are creating havoc for MGM in Culver City where the Wizard of Oz is being filmed.

But it's also a time when even the slightest whiff of scandal could torpedo a promising film career. Former LAPD detective Chris Blanchard is a "fixer" for MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer. It's his job to make sure the MGM contract players stay out of trouble and keep any smell of scandal away from the studio.

When one of the starlets cries "murder," Blanchard's search for the killer could become fatal for both of them. Hollywood secrets, blackmail, Nazis, commies, and more bodies begin to pile up. One minute our Chandleresque hero is dancing with a good-lookin' dame at the Coconut Grove, the next, he's trying to outrun a Nazi gunman on Catalina Island.

Robert S. Levinson at a recent visit in Burbank

I highly recommend this noir thriller, especially if you'd like a trip back to Hollywood's golden era. Levinson peppers his delightful dance with hundreds of details about Los Angeles during the thirties. Colorful characters, both real and imagined, waltz their way through snappy dialogue and an action-packed plot.

A Thrilling Escape

2011-12-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Are you jingle-belled out? Perhaps you'd like to sit down with an exciting thriller and escape the manic hordes at the malls? Here's a suggestion, The Inside Ring by Mike Lawson. I missed this one first time around, but now that it's been released in paperback, I have a second chance to discover Seattle-based Lawson's intriguing series.

The Seattle Times selected The Inside Ring as one of the ten best thrillers of 2005 and it's the debut of the Joe DeMarco series. The book starts out with an assassination attempt on the president. Although the president is wounded, his best friend and secret service agent is killed. Then the man claiming to be the assassin is found dead in his house.

Washington, DC lawyer Joe DeMarco is a "fixer" for House Speaker Mahoney. When the Secretary for Homeland Security reveals to the Speaker that prior to the attempt on the president, he had received a note warning of the danger and implicating the secret service agents on guard duty. Rather than take this information to the FBI, the Secretary asks Mahoney for help. DeMarco is assigned the job of determining if the Secret Service is indeed involved.

Interesting characters, humor, and action-packed scenes keeps you turning the pages of this political thriller. To read more about the Joe DeMarco books and their author, check out his website.

Aunt Agatha's List of Holiday Homicide

2011-12-06T13:38:00.001-08:00

The weather outside may be frightful, but wouldn't be so delightful to sit by a roaring fire with a cozy cup of cocoa or tea...and one of these holiday favorites:

Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton
Ben Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder by Robert Lee Hall
The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page
Busy Body by M.C. Beaton
Candy Cane Murder, novellas by Joanna Fluke, Laura Levine, and Leslie Meier
Cat Crimes for the Holidays, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Ed Gorman, and Larry Segriff
Cat Deck the Halls: a Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
A Cat on Jingle Bell Rock by Lydia Adamson
A Catered Christmas: a Mystery with Recipes by Isis Crawford
Christmas at The Mysterious Bookshop: 'tis the Season to be Deadly: Stories of Mistletoe and Mayhem from 17 Masters of Suspense
A Christmas Oddyssey by Anne Perry
Christmas Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier
The Chrismas Crimes at Puzzel Manor by Simon Brett
The Christmas Garden Affair by Ann Ripley
Christmas Mourning by Margart Maron
Classic Christmas Crime edited by Tim Heald
A Cold Christmas by Charlene Weir
The Con Artist of Catalina Island by Jennifer Colt
Corpus Christmas by Margaret Maron
A Crossworder's Gift by Nero Blanc
Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark
The Dons and Mr. Dickens: the Strange Case of the Oxford Christmas Plot by William J. Palmer
Frost at Christmas by R.D, Wingfield
Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Hard Christmas: a Cat Marsala Mystery by Barbara D"Amato
A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton
Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle
Holmes for the Holidays edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg, and Carol-Lynn Waugh
Inspector Proby's Christmas by John Gano
Kissing Christmas Goodbye: an Agatha Raisin Mystery by M.C. Beaton
A Kudzu Christmas: Twelve Mysterious Tales edited by Jim Gilbert & Gail Waller
The Last Noel by Heather Graham
Mad as the Dickens by Toni L.P. Kelner
Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart
The Midnight Before Christmas by William Bernhardt
A Midnight Clear by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Mistletoe and Murder by Carola Dunn
More Holmes for the Holidays edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg, and Carol-Lynn Waugh
Murder for Christmas edited by Thomas Godfrey
Murder for Christmas and Three Other Great Mysteries by Agatha Christie
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
The Queene's Christmas by Karen Harper
A Rumpole Chrismas by John Mortimer
Santa Clawed by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark
Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris
Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews
Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson
The Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Marian Babson
A Wee Christmas Homicide by Kaitlyn Dunnett

Award Winning Writers

2011-12-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

Well, after some computer issues, Aunt Agatha is back on the case! Congratulations to two recent awardees: Louise Penny was presented the Nero Award for 2011 at the recent Black Orchid Banquet in New York. Her book, Bury Your Dead, was awarded the Nero for literary excellence in the mystery genre. If you haven't read Louise Penny, check out her website and see what you've been missing.

The Crime Writers Association presented the Ellis Peters Award to Andrew Martin for his book The Somme Stations, the seventh in the series featuring railway detective Jim Stringer and set during World War I. Learn more about this series on Martin's website.

Anthony Horowitz & the Case of the Timeless Detective

2011-11-30T15:10:00.000-08:00

Ever since this peerless consulting detective sprung fully formed from the mind of Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes has continued to capture the hearts and imaginations of the reading public. While there were 56 short stories and four novels in the established Holmes canon, Sherlock has been featured in hundreds of books, plays and films. Sherlock Holmes: a Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey, Jr. opens in a few weeks and we can look forward to another season of the BBC television series, Sherlock.

Now, for the first time in its 125-year history, the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate has authorized a new Sherlock Holmes novel. The anointed one, British author Anthony Horowitz, has just released The House of Silk: a Sherlock Holmes novel -- and he's produced one darn good tale!

It's a year after the death of Sherlock Holmes and the elderly Dr. Watson is determined to put pen to paper once again, perhaps for the last time. He feels the need to recount Sherlock's adventures of The Man in the Flat Cap and The House of Silk. Why were they not written before? As Watson explains, "...the events which I am about to describe were simply too monstrous, too shocking to appear in print..."

As Watson's story unfolds, the good doctor transports you back to 1890 London. Step inside 221 B Baker Street and join the Great Detective for tea and scones. Familiar characters make an appearance: Lestrade, Mycroft, Mrs. Hudson, and the Baker Street Irregulars. Sit back and prepare to be entertained. Indeed, the game is afoot!

For those of you unfamiliar with Anthony Horowitz, he is one of the UK's most popular children's authors. His Alex Rider series, which features a teenage spy, enjoys worldwide readership. Horowitz has also written or created some of Britain's most successful television series including Midsomer Murders, Poirot, Robin of Sherwood, and Foyle's War. Most recently, he wrote the sequel to Steven Spielberg's Tintin movie and is at work on the screenplay with Spielberg and Peter Jackson. Learn more about Anthony Horowitz on his website.

Sample a bit of House of Silk:

New Releases for November

2011-11-16T22:15:00.000-08:00

November always seems like a short month, perhaps because of all the holidays. I've already started a reading stack, so come my week off at Thanksgiving, I'll have an ample pile of books to enjoy. Here is a selection of the latest releases for you to check out and keep you reading right into the holidays.

Zero Day by David Baldacci (a lone Army Special Agent takes on the nation's toughest crimes)
Miss Dimple Rallies to the Cause by Mignon F. Ballard (Life in small town America during WWII where the residents battle crime at home, as well as abroad)
Physical Education by Maggie Barbieri (College English professor and sometimes sleuth, Alison Bergeron takes over the basketball team when the coach dies of a heart attack. Or is it?)
Mrs. Jeffries and the Mistletoe Mix-up by Emily Brightwell (More holiday homicide with Inspector Witherspoon's sharp-witted housekeeper)
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley (The precocious Flavia de Luce is sleuthing again at the holiday-flavored crime scene)
A Dark and Lonely Place by Edna Buchanan (Intrigues, drama, romance and tragedy in this sweeping epic novel)
Blink of an Eye by William S. Cohen (An all-too-real political thriller by Clinton's former Secretary of Defense)
The Drop by Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch is back, tackling a cold case with chilling consequences, and a current case involving a long-time nemesis)
Micro by Michael Crichton (completed by Richard Preston) (The book pits nature against technology in true Crichton fashion)
Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown
The Alpine Winter by Mary Daheim (Holiday dilemmas face Emma Lord in this deliciously chilling treat)
Scotch Mist by Elizabeth Darrell (Military mystery with plenty of suspense)
A Corpse's Nightmare by Phillip DePoy (a beguiling tale with an unconventional narrative that provides an intriguing take on family history as mystery)
Swift Edge by Laura DiSilverio (Madcap adventures of an unlikely pair of partners-in-crime solving)
The Templar Magician by P.C. Doherty (Murder and mayhem during the Crusades)
Coffin Man by James D. Doss (Another witty ride through the wild west of Charlie Moon, Colorado rancher and part-time tribal investigator)
Broken Music by Marjorie Eccles (Post WWI Britain struggles back on its feet and former police sergeant Herbert Reardon has returned to his village, determined to solve an old murder)
The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco (19th century Europe abounds with the mysterious and the ghastly in this much anticipated novel)
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
A Burial at Sea by Charles Finch (The 5th Charles Lenox outing is at once a murder mystery, spy story, and journey with the Victorian British navy)
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon (paroled prisoner-of-war Jamie Fraser is summoned by Lord John Grey for a dangerous mission)
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
Murder in the Minster by Susanna Gregory (This is the 17th episode int he popular Cambridge series of medieval mysteries featuring physician-sleuth Matthew Bartholomew)
Dead Last by James W Hall (thorn must confront an assassin whose victims are taken straight from the script of a popular TV show)
Deed of Murder by Cora Harrison (Irish history and legal arcana provide the background for this 17th century whodunnit)
The Betrayal of Trust by Susan Hill (Freak weather and flash floods uncover a decades-old cold case for Simon Serrailler to solve)
Dead Man's Grip by Peter James Sussex Detective Superintendent Roy Grace ( a haunting thriller that combines psychological suspense and police procedural)
The Gravedigger's Ball by Solomon Jones
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis (Danish thriller)
Cat Telling Tales by Shirley Rousseau Murphy (Feline PI Joe Grey sniffs out another mystery)
Fever Dream by Dennis Palumbo (Psychologist and trauma expert Daniel Rinaldi is called in to question the sole survivor of a hostage situation)
Mercury's Rise by Ann Parker (The latest in Parker's Silver Rush series is an appealing quilt of intrigue, deceit and greed in 1880s Colorado)
Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson
The Impossible Dead by Ian Rankin (Malcolm F ox and his colleagues in the Internal Affairs department conduct an inquiry into a neighboring police force)

The Return of Lew Archer

2011-10-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

When you think hard-boiled detective fiction, three names should instantly come to mind -- Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald. Kenneth Millar, who wrote under the Macdonald pen name, created the iconic detective Lew Archer, a Southern California P.I. who cracked dangerous cases in the '50s and '60s.

Deadline New York reports that Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to the Ross Macdonald mystery series and they plan to launch a franchise starting with the 1959 book, The Galton Case. The eighth book in the series, The Galton Case follows Archer as he's hired to track down the missing heir to a fortune.

Paul Newman portrayed Lew Archer in two films, the 1966 Warner Bros. film Harper and The Drowning Pool in 1975. But don't judge a book by its film. If you haven't read Ross Macdonald before, you might like to sample his writing style with the short story, "Find the Woman," in the anthology, Los Angeles Noir 2: The Classics edited by Denise Hamilton.

An excellent biography is Tom Nolan's 1999 book, Ross Macdonald: the Life of a Mystery Writer.

Dark Tales to Disturb Your Sleep

2011-10-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

As we edge ever closer to All Hallow's Eve, we look to the creepy, scary, and dark stories to get us into that Halloween mood. Here is a haunting selection to keep you awake:

Mr. Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett
The Glass Demon by Helen Grant
Heart-shaped Box by Joe Hill
The Year of Disapperances by Susan Hubbard
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
So Cold the River by Michael Koryta
Hell House by Richard Matheson
The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas J. Preston & Lincoln Child
Relic by Douglas J. Preston & Lincoln Child
San Francisco Thrillers: True Crimes and Dark Mysteries from the City by the Bay
Faces of Fear by John Saul
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Level 26: Dark Origins by Anthony Zuiker

Nordic Noir Hot in Hollywood

2011-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

According to Deadline Hollywood, Scandinavian crime novels are the next big thing in Hollywood. With the upcoming opening of the Americanized version of Stieg Larsson's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, production companies are looking at international bestselling authors for inspiration.

There's talk of an American version of Norwegian author Jo Nesbo's new TV series Occupied, which is set in the near future where Russia has invaded Norway's oil fields and now occupies the country. The film version of Nesbo's novel Headhunters recently played at the BFI London Film Festival and Summit Entertainment is adapting it for a US version. A feature film version of The Snowman is also in development by Working Title.

Jo Neso's books starring detective Harry Hole have sold 9 million copies world wide. Reviewers have called Harry Hole a "laconic hero as doggedly stubborn as Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch." If you haven't read this awesome series, now might just be the best time to start:

The Redbreast
Nemesis
The Devil's Star
The Redeemer
The Snowman
The Leopard

Witches and Vampires and Ghosts...Oh My!

2011-10-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that Halloween is my favorite holiday. Maybe it has something to do with all those classic horror films I watched on TV when I was gr owing up -- Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman... Anyway, here is a spooky selection of mysteries to get you into the Halloween spirit.

Witches’ Bane by Susan Wittig Albert (Cozy)
Antiques Maul by Barbara Allan (Cozy)
Aunt Dimity, Vampire Hunter by Nancy Atherton (Supernatural Cozy)
Cast Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (Supernatural Cozy)
The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts by Lilian J. Braun (Cozy)
The Hunt Ball by Rita Mae Brown (Amateur Sleuth)
Fiber and Brimstone by Laura Childs (Cozy)
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie (Detective Mystery)
A Catered Halloween by Isis Crawford (Culinary Cozy)
Crimes by Moonlight (Anthology edited by Charlaine Harris)
Witch Hunt by Shirley Damsgaard (Supernatural Cozy)
Ghostly Murders by P.C. Doherty (Historical Mystery)
Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich (Humorous Mystery)
Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (Culinary Cozy)
Skeleton Key by Jane Haddam (Amateur Sleuth)
Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly (Supernatural Mystery)
Southern Ghost by Carolyn Hart (Cozy/Amateur Sleuth)

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (Suspense)
Baited Blood by Sue Ann Jaffarian (Vampire cozy)
Poisoned Tarts by G.A. McKevett (Cozy)
Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier (Cozy)
Murder for Halloween: Tales of Suspense
The Night Country by Stewart O’Nan (Horror/Mystery)
The Body in the Moonlight by Katherine Hall Page (Cozy)
Night Hunter by Michael Reeves (Horror/Mystery)
A Hole in Juan by Gillian Roberts (Cozy) [All]
Dracula: the Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker (Horror)
Ghost Story by Peter Straub (Horror)

BBC releases new poster for Sherlock

2011-10-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

The BBC has released the poster for the second season of the Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as the ever-loyal Dr. John Watson.

In this contemporary update of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective, the new season will feature three episodes adapted from short stories "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Final Problem," and novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles."

While we haven't heard when the second season is scheduled in the UK, Criminal Element is reporting that it will air in the US next May as the 2012 season opener of PBS's Masterpiece Mystery.

(hat tip to Omnimystery)

What Aunt Agatha is Reading -- Bad Moon Launches Today

2011-10-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

It's 1969 and Neil Armstrong is putting man's first footprints on the moon. In rural Pennsylvania, ten-year-old Charlie Olmstead is so captivated by this historic event, he jumps on his bike amd heads out into the dark night, hoping to get a better look at the moon. Charlie is never seen again.

Perry Hollow Police Chief Jim Campbell later finds the boy's bicycle at Sunset Falls and everyone assumes Charlie fell in the water and drowned. Everyone except his mother, that is. She's certain that he was abducted and she spends the rest of her life searching for clues to his whereabouts.

Years later, Eric Olmstead, now a famous author, returns to Perry Hollow to bury his mother and fulfill her last wish --- find out what happened to his brother Charlie. Eric looks for help from the current police chief, Kat Campbell, who just happens to be Jim Campbell's daughter and Eric's high school sweetheart. Together they learn that Mrs. Olstead's obsessive search for her son led her to uncover other disappearances in the area. Charlie wasn't the only victim!

Bad Moon is the second in the Kat Campbell series and I must say I'm enjoying it tremendously. From the first page the reader is drawn into this web of small town deception and lies. The characters are well-defined, the dialog is snappy, and Ritter's plotting is fast paced. Placing the story against the backdrop of the moon landings of the sixties and seventies is an absorbing ploy that gives a surprising spin to the story.

Todd Ritter will be out on his Magical Mystery Tour in the next couple of months. Check his website to see if he'll be appearing at a town near you.

From Sherlock Holmes to Perry Mason?

2011-10-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Variety today reported that Warner Bros. Studios and Robert Downey, Jr. are teaming up to bring Perry Mason to the big screen. The plan is to relaunch the franchise as a feature film.

Downey's production team is currently looking for a writer to pen a script based on an original story by Robert Downey, Jr. and David Gambino.

Like the original books by Earl Stanley Gardner, the remake will be set in the Chandleresque world of 1930s Los Angeles. Expect to see the usual suspects including Della Street, Mason's secretary, and P.I. Paul Drake.

Robert Downey Jr., who next stars in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," is currently reprising his role as Iron Man in Marvel's "The Avengers."

The Betrayal of Trust

2011-10-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Being such a huge fan of British crime fiction, I don't know how I could have missed Susan Hill's excellent Simon Serrailler detective series. I was familiar with her name, of course, and she was on my "To-Read" list, but somehow or other I never got around to picking one up (you know my theme song, "So Many Books, So Little Time"!). Therefore, it was with a certain amount of glee that I grabbed the advance reader copy of The Betrayal of Trust from my inbox.

The quiet Cathedral town of Lafferton is struck by a flash flood that unearths a sixteen-year-old cold case. A shallow grave holding the remains of missing teenager Harriet Lowther is revealed as the flood waters recede and Chief Superintendent Simon Serrailler has been assigned to reopen the case.

One of Cat Deerbon's patients, a middle age woman named Jocelyn, has been diagnosed with a debilitating disease. Rather than face a slow, painful death, she begins to consider assisted suicide before becoming totally incapacitated. Meanwhile, the Chief Constable is on sick leave and sends Simon Serrailler to the Lord Lieutenant's banquet in her place, with life-changing results.

Hill ties all these threads into a captivating narrative that is part thriller, part police procedural, and part morality play. Her characters are truly engaging and nicely balanced. I thoroughly enjoyed The Betrayal of Trust and would highly recommend it to fans of Deborah Crombie and Elizabeth George. This is the sixth entry in the Simon Serrailler series and while it certainly stands alone, it's always most rewarding to start the series at the beginning.

If you haven't read Hill's series, here are the books in order:

The Betrayal of Trust will be released in the U.S. on November 10.

An interesting aside -- Susan Hill is also the author of the ghost story, The Woman in Black. This 1983 novella was staged as a play that has been running in London's West End since 1988. The story has been filmed and should premiere this coming February and stars Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) and with screenplay by Jane Goldman.

Harvest This Crop of October Mysteries

2011-10-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

No matter what your mystery-reading tastes, this crop of offerings has something to whet your appetite.

A Crimson Warning (Emily Ashton series) by Tasha Alexander
The Fine Art of Murder (Murder She Wrote) by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain
As the Pig Turns (Agatha Raisin series) by M.C. Beaton

Seance in Sepia by Michelle Black
The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian
Murder Unleashed (Mags Rogers & Baxter) by Rita Mae Brown
Headstone (Jack Taylor series) by Ken Bruen
The Chocolate Castle Clue by JoAnna Carl
The Affair (Jack Reacher series) by Lee Child
Skeleton Letters (Scrapbooking series) by Laura Childs
The Infernals (Samuel Johnson series) by John Connolly
Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
The Forgotten Affairs of Youth (Sunday Philosophy Club) by Alexander McCall Smith
City of Whispers (Sharon McCone series) by Marcia Muller
Stolen Souls (Jack Lennon series) by Stuart Neville
A Chrismas Homecoming by Anne Perry
Seizure (YA / Torie Brennan series) by Kathy Reichs
Bad Moon (Kat Campbell series) by Todd Ritter
The Strange Death of Father Candy by Les Roberts
Cell 8 (Eewert Grens series) by Roslund-Hellstrom
Shock Wave (Virgil Flowers series) by John Sandford
Black Thunder (Ella Clah series) by Aimee and David Thurlo
The Chalice of Blood (Sister Fidelma series) by Peter Tremayne
Kill Shot (Mitch Rapp) by Vince FLynn
The Litigators by John Grisham
Bonnie (Eve Duncan) by Iris Johansen
Troubled Bones by Jeri Westerson
The Dark at the End (Repairman Jack series) by F. Paul Wilson

Bloody Scotland!

2011-09-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

Organizers have announced Scotland's first international crime writers festival to be held September 14-16, 2012 in Stirling. What a perfect time and place to celebrate Scotland's favorite genre! Next year is also full of pertinent anniversaries -- 125 years since the first Sherlock Holmes story was published, 35 years since William McIlvanney's influential novel Laidlaw, and 25 years since the first publication of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels.

Scottish crime writers Denise Mina, Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Stuart McBride and Louise Welch will join international guests for workshops, dinners, and "meet the author" events. More to come early next year. Read the article in The Scotsman.

Launching a Compelling New Series

2011-09-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Award-winning short story writer Darrell James has just launched his first novel, Nazareth Child, featuring Del Shannon, a gutsy, young investigator. Del has quickly earned a reputation for sucessfully tracking down missing persons, but the one person she has not been able to locate is the mother she never knew. Working out of a field office in Tucson, Arizona, Del is approached by the FBI to help them in an investigation they're conducting in rural Kentucky.

Del is stunned to learn that her father owns an abandoned house in the Appalachian hills. The Feds are focusing on Nazareth Church, an isolated religious compound under the leadership of a charasmatic faith healer, Silus Rule. But who is Rule and what secrets are hidden in his clannish community? With the hope of discovering the whereabouts of her mother, Del agrees to be recruited by the FBI and travel undercover to Kentucky with ATFE agent Frank Falconer.

Nazareth Child is a gripping thriller with power-punch characters and dialogue. Yes, we're all going to want to see a lot more of Del Shannon.

2011 Macavity Awards Announced

2011-09-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

Mystery Readers International announced the 2011 Macavity Awards last night during Bouchercon, the mega-conference being held in St. Louis. The Macavity Award recognizes outstanding crime fiction and non-fiction. Congratulations to all!

Best Mystery Novel -- Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

Best First Mystery Novel -- Rogue Island by Bruce De Silva

Best Mystery Non-Fiction -- Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: 50 Years of Mysteries in the Making by John Curran

Best Mystery Short Story -- "Swing Shift" in Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side by Dana Cameron

Sue Feder Memorial Historical Mystery -- City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley

NBC-TV Buys Easy Rawlins

2011-09-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

John Wells Productions has sold Easy Rawlins to NBC broadcast television. The series is based on Walter Mosley’s best-selling novels about African-American P.I. Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, who solves crimes and deals with the changing world around him in 1960s Los Angeles. A reluctant, self-taught P.I. with a conscience and a soul, Easy slips between white Los Angeles and the black underground with remarkable ease.

The Easy Rawlins series is set from the 1940s to 1960s and spans eleven books. Mosley will write the series adaptation with Southland co-executive producer Cheo Coker.

Free Writer's Workshop

2011-09-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

If you're in the Los Angeles area on Saturday, September 17, stop by the Buena Vista Branch of the Burbank Public Library for a fun and informative writer's workshop. Sue Ann Jaffarian, one of the hardest working authors in L.A., will be presenting "Turning Agent Woes into Agent WOWS!"

Author of the Odelia Grey series of mysteries, the Ghost of Granny Apples series, and her new Madison Rose Vampire mysteries, Jaffarian will show writers how to put their best foot forward when approaching agents, whether in person or by query. Click here for details.

Fans of Sue Ann Jaffarian should be on the lookout for the second of her vampire mysteries, Baited Blood. It was released this month.

New for September

2011-09-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Fall is fast approaching and a new crop of mysteries are ready for the picking. Check out these selections:

The Tale of Castle Cottage (Beatrix Potter series) by Susan Wittig Albert
Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indridson
Senior Moments are Murder by Mike Befeler
A Mortal Terror (Billy Boyle series) by James R. Benn
Naughty in Nice (Lady Georgiana series) by Rhyse Bowen
Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone) by Michael Brandman
Lethal by Sandra Brown
Feast Day of Fools by Sandra Brown
The Perfect Suspect (Catherine McLeod series) by Margaret Coel
Damage Control by Denise Hamilton
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris
Pirate King (Mary Russell series) by Laurie R. King
A Rhumba in Waltz Time by Robert S. Levinson
Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet
The Ballad of Tom Dooley (Ballad series) by Sharyn McCrumb
Trackers by Deon Meyer
The End of the Wasp Season (Alex Morrow series)

A Trick of the Light (Armand Gamache series) by Louise Penny
The Dog Who Knew Too Much (Chet & Bernie series) by Spencer Quinn
The Vault (Reginald Wexford series) by Ruth Rendell
New York to Dallas (Eve Dallas series) by J.D. Robb
The Ronin's Mistress (Sano Ichiro series) by Laura Joh Rowland
Ghost Hero (Lydia Chin & Bill Smith series) by S.J. Rozan
City of Secrets (Miranda Corbie series) by Kelli Stanley

Murder With a Twist of Austen

2011-09-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Tracy Kiely has hit upon a very clever twist to frame her contemporary cozies. Each of her mysteries takes its inspiration from a Jane Austen novel. Murder Most Persuasive is the third in the series, and as you can probably infer from the title, it gives a nod to Persuasion.

Elizabeth Parker, a major Jane Austen fan, is a newspaper copy editor and sometimes amateur sleuth. Her wacky family have come together at the funeral of her great-uncle Martin Reynolds. That's when the proverbial "poop" really hits the fan!

After the family home in the picturesque town of St. Michaels is sold, the new owners dig up the swimming pool and discover the body of a man who supposedly ran off eight years earlier with over a million dollars embezzled from the family business.

Now the question is, what really happened to the money? Elizabeth's cousin Ann is beginning to look like the number one suspect -- and to make matters worse, Ann's old boyfriend, Joe Muldoon is the police detective investigating the murder. Eight years before, Ann reluctantly broke off her relationship with Joe due to pressures from her family. Is it too late to rekindle the old flame? Or will Joe arrest Ann for murder? Elizabeth must track down the real killer and at the same time, hopefully bring about a reconciliation between Ann and Joe.

This is a delightful romp sure to be enjoyed by Jane Austen aficionados as well as cozy lovers. Read and enjoy!

Cool Shorts for Hot Summer Nights

2011-08-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just don't have a big block of time to indulge your passion for reading. When time is tight, that's when you should pick up one of these great anthologies. They feature intriguing mysteries by many of your favorite authors. And just the right size to fit into your busy schedule!

Black Noir: Mystery, Crime and Suspense Stories by African-American writers, edited by Otto Penzler
The Dark End of the Street: New Stories of Sex and Crime by Today's top Authors; edited by Jonathan Santlofer and S. J. Rozan
Dead man's Hand: Crime Fiction at the Poker Table, edited by Otto Penzler
Eighteen by Jan Burke
Hollywood and Crime: Original Crime Stories Set During the History of Hollywood, edited by Robert Randisi
Hook, Line & Sinister, edited by T. Jefferson Parker; sixteen of America's favorite author-anglers spin tales of mystery and fishing
Los Angeles Noir 2: the Classics, edited by Denise Hamilton; classic stories by the genre's masters -- Raymod Chandler, James M. Cain, Ross MacDonald, Margaret Millar, and others
The Mighty Johns, edited by Otto Penzler; an anthology of original stories centered on crime and football
Mystery Writers of America Presents the Blue Religion: New Stories About Cops, Criminals, and the Chase, edited by Michael Connelly
A Night in the Cemetary and Other Stories of Crime and Suspense
Thriller 2: Stories You Just Can't Put Down, edited by Clive Cussler; some of the top suspense authors contributed to this heart-pumping collection of original stories

Baldacci's King & Maxwell series coming to TV

2011-08-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Shane Brennan, executive producer of NCIS and NCIS: LA, recently announced his newly formed production company will adapt the King & Maxwell series of novels by David Baldacci.

Introduced in the 2004 thriller, Split Second, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are former Secret Service agents who each lost a protectee in separate incidents. Now the uneasy partners work together as security consultants for hire.

The series is tentatively titled King & Maxwell. Because a television series usually calls for 22-24 episodes a season, Brennan said that "we'll take the characters further than David would do, but we will be very true to the mythology of the characters he created." David Baldacci has offered to help bring his heroes to the screen.

Historical Figures as Sleuths

2011-08-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

An interesting trend these days seems to be taking real-life characters - be they historical or literary - and plopping them down in the middle of a mystery novel. Elliott Roosevelt did it for years, casting his mother, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, as an amateur sleuth. This type of premise is the basis for a 2012 film, The Raven, starring John Cusak as Edgar Allan Poe. The thriller focuses on the last days of the writer's life as he pursues a serial killer whose murders mirrors Poe's own stories.

Here are more along that vein:

The Tale of Oak Cake Crag: the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert
Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron: Being a Jane Austen Mystery by Stephanie Barron
The Pale Blue Eye (Edgar Allan Poe) by Louis Bayard
Murder on the Cliffs: A Daphne du Maurier Mystery by Joanna Challis
Death to Spies: a Novel of the Espionage Adventures of Ian Fleming by Quinn Fawcett (aka Chelsea Quinn Yarbro)
The List of Seven (Arthur Conan Doyle) by Mark Frost
Elementary, My Dear Groucho (Groucho Max) by Ron Goulart
Benjamin Franklin Takes the Case: the American Agent Investigates Murder in the Dark Byways of London by Robert Lee Hall
The Ninth Daughter: an Abigail Adams Mystery by Barbara Hamilton (aka Barbara Hambly)
The Alchemy of Murder (Nellie Bly) by Carol McCleary
The Detective and Mr. Dickens: a Secret Victorian Journal Attributed to Wilkie Collins by William J. Palmer
The Dracula Dossier (Bram Stoker) by James Reese
Murder at the President's Door: an Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery by Elliott Roosevelt
Bedlam: the Further Secret Adventures of Charlott Bronte by Laura Joh Rowland
The Tainted Snuff Box: a Beau Brummell Mystery by Rosemary Stevens

Can you think of any others? Let me know.

White Shotgun -- Thriller with an Italian Edge

2011-08-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about lazy summer weekends is that it gives one a chance to dig into the pile of "To Read" books taking up a corner of the end table. This weekend I took a little trip to Siena, Italy -- by way of April Smith's White Shotgun. Not quite as good as a drive through Tuscany, but pretty darn close!

Smith doesn't churn out a book a year as do some mystery writers, nonetheless she delivers power-packed punches with each of her Special Agent Ana Grey novels.  Her books are tightly written with a detailed focus on characters and their relationships with each other.

So what is a Los Angeles-based FBI agent doing in Italy, butting heads with both the local mafias and the Italian police?

It all starts when Ana witnesses a drive-by shooting at an Italian restaurant in London while on leave from the Bureau. Her training kicks in as she helps the victims and gives a report to the police. When the Bureau contacts Ana, she's shocked to learn that she has a half-sister living in Siena. Cecilia is married to wealthy coffee magnate Nicoli Nicosa, who is suspected of having international mafia connections.  The FBI wants Ana to infiltrate the household and search for any incriminating evidence.

As Ana becomes aquainted with her new family, all Siena is gearing up for the pageantry of their annual horse race -- Il Palio.  The medieval town is bursting it's seams with the thousands of visitors arriving for the spectacle. In spite of the color and frivolity, dark forces are at work under the surface. When her nephew is stabbed and her sister goes missing, Ana's faced with the complicated choice between duty and family.

Good Morning, Killer, the second of the Ana Grey books, is being filmed for TNT's new Tuesday night mystery movie series. April Smith wrote the screenplay and Catherine Bell is set to star as Ana Grey. Read more about the author and her series here.

The Hanging Tree Optioned for Film

2011-08-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

John Gray, who created the Ghost Whisperer series, has optioned the film rights for Bryan Gruley's thriller The Hanging Tree. Gray plans to write and direct the project.

The Hanging Tree is the second entry in Gruley's Starvation Lake mystery series. In the book, Gus Carpenter, a former Detroit Times reporter/detective tries to solve the mystery of how a former resident of the Michigan resort town ends up hanging from a tree after she returns home.

The Return of Inspector Morse

2011-08-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

ITV has announced it commissioned a made-for-television film that will introduce a younger version of Inspector Morse. The film "Endeavour" (Morse's first name) will be shot in Oxford this fall and will probably air early in 2012.

Shaun Evans (The Take, Come Rain Come Shine) has been cast as the young Morse and will be stepping into the shoes of John Thaw who portrayed Colin Dexter's iconic character from 1987 to 2000. The film will give the audience a chance to discover the origins of Inspector Morse and his love of classical music, crosswords, real ale, and classic cars.

"Endeavour" is set in 1965 and follows the hunt for a missing schoolgirl. The investigation brings Endeavour Morse back to Oxford -- a place that will ultimately shape his destiny.

The film is co-produced with Masterpiece and Rebecca Eaton is Executive Producer for Masterpiece. Read more here.

The Second Messiah

2011-08-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Many a suspense yarn has been touted as the “Next Da Vinci Code.” Dublin-born Glenn Meade's latest thriller The Second Messiah is a worthy successor. I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a riveting tale filled with high-octane chases, stolen ancient documents, and Vatican intrigues.

Archaeologist Jack Cane discovers a fragment of Dead Sea Scrolls with enigmatic references to a “second Messiah” at the time of Jesus. But the scroll is stolen before it can be fully translated and one of Jack’s colleagues is killed. Investigating the murder is an old friend of Jack’s, Israeli police inspector Lela Raul.

Meanwhile back in Rome, a charismatic American priest is elected Pope, which sends shock waves throughout the Vatican. The hierarchy of the Church is split between those who fear the new Pope is the anti-Christ and others believing he’s the Church’s salvation. But will the new Pope’s ties to Jack help or hinder the investigation into the missing scroll? As Jack and Lela outrace assassins, Vatican machinations may suppress the scroll’s contents permanently.

Be prepared to read The Second Messiah in one sitting! You won't want to put it down.

What's in a Name?

2011-08-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

In looking over a list of new paperback releases, I was quite tickled by some of the cozy mystery titles out there. What diversity! In this sub-genre you can find just about any locale, hobby, or culinary fancy to enjoy. So to whet your taste for cozy comfort reads, here is a baker's dozen of recently released mysteries:

A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady -- the start of a new series featuring New Orleans pastry chef Rita Lucero
Books Can be Deceiving by Jenn McKinley -- A Library Lover's Mystery with Lindsey Norris, Library director of Briar Creek Library in Connecticut
A Good Day to Pie by Carol Culver -- Hanna Denton, pie shop owner (recipes included)
Die Buying by Laura DiSilverio -- Emma-Joy Ferris is a former military police, now mall cop
Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend -- Sunny Meadows, fortune teller
Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames -- Charlotte Bessette, owner of The Cheese Shop
Evil Eclairs by Jessica Beck -- Suzanne Hart is a donut shop owner in a small southern town (great donut recipes included)
Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowell -- Olivia Grayson owns The Gingerbread House, a shop that specializes in all things cookie
A Parfait Murder: a Mystery A La Mode by Wendy Lin Watson -- Tallulah Jones is an ice cream shop owner in a Texan town

Sentenced to Death: a Booktown Mystery by Lorna Barrett -- Tricia Miles is the proprietor of a mystery bookstore
Pie a La Murder by Melinda Wells -- Della Carmichael is a cable TV cooking show star and owner of a Santa Monica cooking school
Finger Lickin' Dead by Riley Adams -- Sixty-something Lulu Taylor runs Aunt Pat's Restaurant in Memphis
Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle -- Clare Cosi is a single mom and coffee house manager who sleuths on the side (chocolate recipes included)

BBC America Announces First Scripted Series

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

It was announced that BBC America has ordered 10-episodes of an original drama series called Copper. Hailing from Canadian-based Cineflix Studios, the show will center on a young Irish cop working the immigrant communities of 19th century New York.

Co-created by Tom Fontana and Will Rokos (Monster's Ball), Copper will start production in the fall in Toronto. The series is expected to premiere in the summer of 2012.

Looking Forward to a Wicked Autumn

2011-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Advance Reader's editions of upcoming mysteries frequently find their way to my desk. I must say, when I picked up G.M. Malliet's Wicked Autumn, I was totally intrigued. Of course, I was familiar with Malliet's DCI St. Juste series, starting with the award-winning Death of a Cozy Writer in 2008. But when one happens upon an Agatha-Christie-style English village mystery where the series hero is former MI5, now Anglican priest, one is undeniably hooked!

G.M Malliet

The small village of Nether Monkslip is no Saint Mary Mead, however. The quirky residents are definitely 21st century and their hunky vicar, Father Max Tudor, make this new series a deliciously wicked read. Fed up with the life of a spy, Max has retreated to the relative peace and tranquility of Nether Monkslip, along with the village's urban escapees, yoga teachers, artisans, crafters, and new agers. The only fly in the ointment is Wanda Batton-Smythe, the bossy and unpopular president of the Women's Institute.

Surely it's no surprise when Wanda is whacked at the Harvest Fayre. While the death looks like a tragic accident, Max's training kicks in and he's sure it's murder -- "the snake in his Garden of Eden," as it were. Max finds himself being drawn deeper into the investigation, which stirs up his own personal demons from the past.

This delightfully witty cozy is sure to make many of the Best of 2011 lists. Wicked Autumn is scheduled for a September release date. Read more about G.M. Malliet and her books on her website.

New Hardcovers for August

2011-07-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

With the dog days of summer fast approaching, here is a selection of new mysteries to check out:

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-olsen
Back of Beyond by C.J. Box
Brute Strength by Susan Conant
Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle
The Sauvignon Secret by Ellen Crosby
Cat in a Vegas Gold Vendetta (Midnight Louie series) by Carole Nelson Douglas
Garden of Secrets Past (Englis Garden series) by Anthony Eglin
The Hand That Trembles (Ann Lindell series) by Kjell Eriksson
The Good Thief's Guide to Venice by Chris Ewan
Bad Intentions (Konrad Sejer series) by Karin Fossum
Until Thy Wrath Be Past by Asa Larsson
A Rhumba in Waltz Time by Robert S. Levinson
Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson & Marshall Karp
The Cut by George Pelecanos
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
Acceptable Loss (William Monk series) by Anne Perry
Cold Vengeance (Pendergast series) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Flash and Bones (Temperance Brennan series) by Kathy Reichs
Rip Tide (Liz Carlyle series) by Stella Rimington
A Deniable Death by Gerald Seymour
Flowering Judas by Jane Haddam
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris
The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill
King's Gold (Simon Puttock series) by Michael Jecks
Summer Session by Merry Jones
A Bitter Truth (Bess Crawford series) by Charles Todd.

Retro Reading -- Books too good to miss!

2011-07-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

"It was the egret, flying out of the lemon grove, that started it."

--opening line from Mary Stewart's 1962 classic, The Moon-Spinners

If your mystery reading diet has lately consisted of serial killers, mutilation, and gore, it may be time to add a little literary spice (cleanse the palate, so to speak). Mary Stewart has long been acknowledged as a spellbinding storyteller who could create a mounting level of suspense without resorting to dismemberment.

If you've never read a Mary Stewart novel, you're in for a magical treat. And for those of you familiar with Stewart's classics tales of romantic suspense, maybe a lazy summer afternoon is the perfect time to revisit her works.

I first discovered Mary Stewart as a young teenager, graduating from the Nancy Drew mysteries. Stewart's books transported me to exotic locales -- the Greek Isles, Provence, Vienna, the Pyrenees, England, the Scottish Highlands, among others -- and imbued in me a love of travel that endures to this day. Her beautifully described settings immerse the reader without detracting from the action.

Stewart's heroines are timeless -- independent young women whose curiosity and penchant for risk-taking invariably lead them into all sorts of dangerous situations. Yet their strong-minded search for truth and justice enable them to fend for themselves and rescue others as well.

Madam, Will You Talk? was Mary Stewart's first book, published in 1954, and it was followed over the years by fourteen more novels of romantic suspense:

Wildfire at Midnight
Thunder on the Right
Nine Coaches Waiting
My Brother Michael
The Ivy Tree
The Moon-Spinners (filmed by Walt Disney in 1964)
This Rough Magic
Airs Above the Ground
The Gabriel Hounds
The Wind Off the Small Isles
Touch Not the Cat
Thornyhold
Stormy Petrel
Rose Cottage

Stewart turned her sights on Arthurian legend with her Merlin series, starting with The Crystal Cave in 1970. Set in 5th century Roman Britain, the five historical novels illustrated her brilliant scholarship and imaginative narrative skills.

Mary Stewart once said that there are only two kinds of novels: badly written and well written. If you're in the mood for well written novels brimming with adventure, memorable characters, romance, and lyrical language, you can't go wrong with Mary Stewart. Check out this excellent fan site here.

What Aunt Agatha is Reading

2011-07-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Jan Burke has just released her 10th Irene Kelly mystery, Disturbance, and the consensus among those who have already read it is -- you can't put it down. From what I've read so far, there is much that's disturbing in this thriller.

Irene receives the bone-chilling news that serial killer Nick Parrish (last seen in the 1999 Edgar Award-winning Bones) has recovered from his spinal injuries and paralysis. Yes, he's still in prison, but he vows revenge on the person responsible -- Irene Kelly. He's connected to the outside world by his online groupies who call themselves the Moths.

As a further blow to Irene's peace of mind, she is facing unemployment due to the demise of the La Piernas News Express, a fate many news agencies across the country are experiencing. Will Irene be able to reinvent herself? Does she want to?

Read more about Disturbance on Jan Burke's website.

More Masterpiece Mystery News

2011-07-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie

The New York Times reports that a late addition to the Masterpiece Mystery lineup is Case Histories based on the book by Kate Atkinson. Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films) stars as Jackson Brodie, a detective in Edinburgh. Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of Masterpiece Mystery, just negotiated a deal to include Case Histories, beginning October 16 for three weeks. I'm really looking forward to that!

Don't forget the debut of Zen, based on the books of Michael Dibdin, which stars Rufus Sewell as the modern-day detective in Rome. The series premiers this coming Sunday, July 17, and continues on July 24 and 31.

Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox are back as Inspector Lewis and DS Hathaway. Inspector Lewis: Series IV premieres September 4th and continues on September 18, 25, and October 9.

The Many Faces of Sherlock

2011-07-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

How lovely! So many Sherlock Holmes adaptations to anticipate. BBC's Sherlock, which was such a hit on PBS last fall, is currently filming Season 2. The episodes will be based on "A Scandal in Bohemia," "The Hound of the Baskerville," and "The Final Problem." Season 2 of Sherlock should air in the UK next month, but those of us on the other side of the pond will have to wait a bit longer.

Photographer Alun Vega caught the cast and crew on a London-looking street in Cardiff Bay back in June. For more photos, check out Vega's Flickr page.

Sherlock Holmes 2 Due Out December 16th

2011-07-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

The movie posters for the Sherlock Holmes sequel, A Game of Shadows, just appeared online so you know the trailer can't be far behind. In fact, all those moviegoers who attend the long-awaited Harry Potter finale this coming weekend in the U.S. will get the first peek at the trailer.

Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law reprise their roles of Holmes and Watson in the Guy Ritchie sequel. Jared Harris portrays arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty and Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) plays the gypsy Sim.

You can view some of the movie stills at this site.

Chicago P.I. Michael Kelly is Back!

2011-07-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

I discovered author Michael Harvey last year and enjoyed meeting his tough-talking Irish cop-turned-PI, Michael Kelly. Basically, I bought The Third Rail because I had Irish roots in Chicago, but I soon became caught up in the fast-paced action and the series' multi-faceted protaganist (you gotta love a gumshoe who can spout quotes from classical Greek works!).

So when I was asked if I'd like an advance copy of Harvey's fourth installment, all I could say was "Yes! Please!!" Needless to say, I spent the weekend glued to We All Fall Down.

Picking up where The Third Rail left off, the fourth book in the series finds Michael Kelly called in to supply security when two scientists reveal their bio-warning devices in a subway tunnel has detected the possibility release of a dangerous pathogen. They need to visit the site and want Kelly to accompany them. Somewhat skeptical, Kelly soon learns that a "super-bug" is loose in Chicago and bodies are beginning to pile up. As parts of his city is quarantined, Kelly races to track down the truth and discover who's behind the act of bio-terrorism.

This nightmare scenario makes for exciting reading, but how realistic is it and is the government prepared? In his research for We All Fall Down, Michael Harvey refers to an actual Pentagon report that was issued in 1993, "Terror 2000." Intended to be a real-life assessment of terrorist threats to the United States, among the report's listed scenarios was anthrax being released in a subway and commercial jets being flown into government building and the World Trade Center. So, yes, the events Harvey describes in his books are all too realistic.

We All Fall Down was released on July 12th. For those readers in the Chicago area, Michael Harvey is holding a launch party at his saloon, The Hidden Shamrock, on Sunday, July 17th. Meet the author and chat up like-minded individuals. Get more info on that event at Harvey's website.

Guest Blog by Book Country

2011-07-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

Writing is a solitary practice, but revision requires feedback. Most aspiring authors send their manuscript to friends and family, others meet with a critique group, and some enroll in an MFA program.

In April, Penguin Group (USA) launched Book Country, a website dedicated to genre fictionreaders and writers. focused on romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery and thriller, Book Country helps new authors hone their craft as part of a genre fiction community.

Users upload their novels (or a portion of their novels) for peer review. Book Country’s unique genre map helps writers categorize their novels, and lets readers find books similar to ones they love, which they then read and provide detailed critiques. Book Country brings the peer feedback and community feel of a critique group, online.

Another key feature is discoverability. If you’re working on a novel, publishing professionals won’t see it until you begin sending out query letters. Book Country gives agents and editors a place to discover new talent; for this reason, many publishing professionals have already signed up. Book Country also allows avid readers and bloggers to discover budding talent and use their reading experience to offer helpful feedback.

As the world continues to shift online, Book Country creates a community that was once only available in metropolitan areas. Now, genre fiction authors all over the world can come together online to exchange feedback, engage in discussions, and have their work discovered.

Join us at www.BookCountry.com and follow us on Twitter @Book_Country

(Get a feel for the Book Country website with this video demo)

New Mysteries for July

2011-06-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

There's quite a tasty crop of mysteries due out this summer. Something to suit every taste! Here is a selection to check out:

The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies by Susan Wittig Albert
The Real Macaw by Donna Andrews
A Game of Lies (Hanna Vogel mystery) by Rebecca Cantrell
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Grace and Favor) by Jill Churchill
Split Second by Catherine Coulter
The Wild Hog Murders (Dan Rhodes) by Bill Crider
All the Pretty Hearses (Bed and Breakfast) by Mary Daheim
Infernal Angels by Loren D. Estleman
Dick Francis's Gamble by Felix Francis
The Nightmare Thief by Meg Gardiner
The Silent Girl (Rizzoli & Isles) by Tess Gerritsen
Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Grant
Secret Rage by Charlaine Harris
Iron House by John Hart
We All Fall Down by Michael Harvey
Betrayal of Trust by J.A. Jance
Hotwire (Maggie O'Dell) by Alex Kava
Pampered to Death (Jaine Austen) by Laura Levine
Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Dominion by Eric Van Lustbader
English Tea Murder by Leslie Meier
The Vault by Boyd Morrison
Dreams of the Dead by Perri O'Shaughnessy
One Dog Night (Andy Carpenter) by David Rosenfelt
Monument to Murder by Margaret Truman
Ringer by Brian M. Wiprud

R.I.P. Lt. Columbo

2011-06-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone's favorite TV detective -- the rumpled trenchcoat-wearing Lieutenant Columbo as played by Peter Falk -- died at his Beverly Hills home last night after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was 83.

"Oh, and one more thing..." He'll be greatly missed! Read more about Peter Falk here.

On Borrowed Time

2011-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

According to the website Deadline New York, Gold Circle Films has otioned David Rosenfelt's recent thriller, On Borrowed Time. Rosenfelt, the author of the Andy Carpenter series of dog mysteries, has crafted a Hitchcockian tale sure to curl your toes. His stand-alone focuses on the horrifying question, what if your memories are lies and your search for the truth could kill you?

Journalist Richard Kilmer proposes to his girlfriend, Jennifer, on a visit to her parents' home. When the couple is involved in a freakish car accident, Richard finds that Jen has disappeared -- including all trace of her very existence. Her parents, his friends, and even the police claim she never existed. Is he delusional, or is it something more sinister?

What Aunt Agatha is Reading

2011-06-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

Regency London, July 1812: How do you set about solving a murder that no one can reveal has been committed?

That's the premise of Where Shadows Dance by C.S. Harris. Discovering an author mid-series can be a double-edged sword. Yes, you enjoyed the most recent in the series and now have a whole backlist to dig into. But it takes a very savvy author to include enough information to get the reader up to speed with the characters without giving away too much in the process.

C.S. Harris has delivered a riveting addition to her Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series with Where Shadows Dance. The aristocratic soldier-turned-sleuth is equally at home in society's drawing rooms as he is in London's squalid slums. His experience in army intelligence during the Napoleonic Wars has been an invaluable asset as he hunts down murderers in Regency London.

In this sixth outing, Sebastian's friend, surgeon and anatomist Paul Gibson, illegally buys a cadaver from one of London's body snatchers. The deceased is young Alexander Ross, a rising star at the Foreign Office who reportedly died in his sleep of a weak heart. As a 19th century forensic scientist, Gibson hopes to gain valuable insight into diseases of the human heart, but he's shocked to discover that the cause of death is in fact a stiletto wound at the base of the skull. He calls on Sebastian to help catch the killer.

Having been a great fan of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen, I've always been drawn to books set in Regency England. But don't expect a frilly, light mystery. C.S. Harris, with an academic background in history and archaeology, combines rich period details with multi-faceted characters. There's just enough espionage, political turmoil, and social mores to keep the stories exciting.

I'm having a great read with Where Shadows Dance and look forward to going back to the start of the series to catch up. If you haven't read C.S. Harris before, my advice is to begin at the beginning with What Angels Fear and read straight through the series. Although each book can certainly stand alone, it's much more enjoyable to watch the characters and subplots unfold from book to book.

Check out her website for more on the author and her books.

Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher??

2011-06-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Deadline New York.com reports that Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions are in negotiations with Tom Cruise to portray Jack Reacher in One Shot, based on Lee Child's series of thrillers featuring the former military policeman turned drifter.

Ok, fans of Jack Reacher are visualizing a hulking tough guy standing around 6'5'' and 250 lbs. But according to the news item, author Lee Child is totally behind the casting. Realistically, who wouldn't want to have Tom Cruise attached to one's project? The one thing to remember -- books are movies are two very different mediums, and authors almost never have much input once their books have been optioned for films.

Read the entire article here. What do you think about Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher?

Sad News for Mystery Fans

2011-06-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

(Aunt Agatha has been under the weather for the past couple of weeks, but now that I'm back at my desk, I have a lot of catching up to do!)

It was announced last week that Lilian Jackson Braun, the author of "The Cat Who..." mystery series had died at the age of 97. Braun wrote a total of 29 books in that series which featured midwestern newspaperman Jim Quilleran and his Siamese cats Koko and Yum-Yum. According to her husband of 33 years, Braun's main regret was that she couldn't finish her last book, The Cat Who Smelled Smoke, due to her failing health.

Grace Interrupted

2011-06-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

The second installment in Julie Hyzy's Manor House Mystery series launched today and I promise you'll want pick up this enjoyable read. Meet Grace Wheaton, first introduced in Grace Under Pressure. She is the curator at Marshfield Manor, millionaire Bennett Marshfield's southern estate, and more than adept at putting out all the little fires that pop up when running such a huge complex. But the situation facing her that morning really took the cake!

Two wild-eyed women break into a restricted area of the estate to confront one of the Civil War re-enactors camped out on the Marshfield grounds. Security apprehends them, but now Grace has to deal with the prickly situation. The women want a piece of Zachary Kincade for an unforgivable insult the man perpetrated on their friend. Things go from bad to worse when the man in question shows up and proves to be every bit as big a scumbag as the women said. When the man later turns up murdered, there's a whole battlefield of suspects.

Grace Interrupted has a smart sleuth, a great cast of characters,and interesting subplots. The series premise is also a treat for history buffs; imagine working in a treasure house of a mansion! I really enjoyed the book. Perfect vacation reading.

Julie Hyzy is also author of the White House Chef mysteries. Check out her website for more information.

New Season of PBS Mystery

2011-05-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

I always look forward to the new season of PBS Mystery, don't you? This summer we can also anticipate the new series based on the Michael Dibdin's mysteries that features the modern-day Roman police detective, Aurelio Zen.

Hercule Poirot returns for series XI with three episodes starting with Three Act Tragedy airing on June 19, followed by The Clocks on June 26, and Halloween Party on July 3. Miss Marple is back with The Pale Horse on July 10.

The Mystery lineup includes the new series, Zen, which stars Rufus Sewell. Three episodes air in July: Vendetta (July 17), Cabal (July 24) and Rat King (July 30). The summer's looking good!

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

What's Aunt Agatha Reading?

2011-05-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I do judge a book by its cover. I happened upon Scott Mariani's The Mozart Conspiracy at my local mystery store and was intrigued by the cover art and the author recommendations. Jennifer Lee Carrell, whose books I really enjoy, called Mariani's book "James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code..." Well, there you go. I had to buy the book.

Although the premise is "Who really killed Mozart," that's just the springboard for a thrilling, pulse-pounding adventure with Ben Hope, former British Special Air Services operative. Basically a hero-for-hire, Hope is contacted by world- famous opera singer (and his first love) Leigh Llewellyn. Her brother, who had been researching a book on Mozart, died suddenly and now her life has been threatened.

The Mozart Conspiracy is the second in a six-book series that's very popular in the U.K. It's been optioned for a film by Amber Entertainment, a production company headed by producers Ileen Maisel (The Golden Compass) and Mark Ordesky (Lord of the Rings). I enjoyed it very much -- I especially look for thrillers that take place in European locations. Just be advised that there is violence from some very nasty characters. Check out Mariani's website for more information about him and his books.

Agatha Awards Announced

2011-05-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

The Malice Domestic fans recently announced the winners of the Agatha Award for books that best typified the traditional mysteries of Agatha Christie. Congratulations to the nominees and the winners!

Best Novel
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

Best First Novel
The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames

Best Short Story
"So Much in Common" by Mary Jane Maffini

Best Non-Fiction
Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: 50 Years of Mystery in the Making by John Curran

Best Children's/Young Adult
The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

As an aside, I'm very pleased by Avery Aames' win. She appeared at the Burbank Public Library with Sisters in Crime when The Long Quiche Goodbye was first published. I enjoyed that book and I'm looking forward to reading the next in her series, Lost and Fondue.

Books and Books and Books!

2011-05-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well, Aunt Agatha has finally recouperated from last Saturday's Book Festival. It was a big hit, enjoyed by authors and readers alike! If you are interested, photos from the event are posted on the Burbank Public Library's Facebook page here.

Now we can get back to all things mysterious. Suspense has many names and one of the best is Eric Van Lustbader. The New York Times bestelling sensation has brought Jason Bourne into the 21st century and created the legendary Nicholas Linnear of The Ninja. To celebrate the paperback release of Last Snow, a Jack McClure and Alli thriller, a new book trailer has been released on Youtube:

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

2011-05-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

Aunt Agatha sometimes wears many hats and this is one example. I've mentioned before that I've been busy organizing a Book Festival as part of the City of Burbank's Centennial celebration. We're spotlighting 100 years...100+ Authors. Well, Saturday, May 7th, is the big day! If you are in the Los Angeles area, stop by the Buena Vista Branch Library between 1 & 4 PM. Get all the details here.

The Festival has been a year in the making, but the last month has been especially hectic. Ironically, while I've been immersed in planning the Book Festival, I haven't had the time to read or post on this blog as I would have liked. But all that will change after this weekend. I plan a week's vacation when I can read to my heart's content!

2011 Edgar Allan Poe Awards

2011-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Mystery Writers of America presented the Edgar Award for the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and televistion published or produced in 2010. The award was presented to the winners at the 65th Gala Banquet at the grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on April 28, 2011. Congratulations to all!

BEST NOVEL

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR

Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Long time Coming by Robert Goddard

BEST FACT CRIME

Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime and Complicity by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry

BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL
Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvouz with American History by Yunte Huang

BEST SHORT STORY
"The Scent of Lilacs" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

BEST JUVENILE
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy by Dori Hillestad Butler

BEST YOUNG ADULT
Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price

BEST PLAY
The Psychic by Sam Bobrick (Falcon Theatre -- Burbank, California

BEST TLEVISION EPISODE TELEPLAY
"Episode 1" - Luther, Teleplay by Neil Cross (BBC America)

ROBERT L. FISH MEMORIAL AWARD
"Skylar Hobbs and the Rabbit Man" by Evan Lewis (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

THE SIMON & SCHUSTER - MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

A May Basket of Mysteries

2011-04-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

With the merry month of May just around the corner, here are some new mysteries to pursue:

Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames (Cheese Shop paperback series)

A Drop of the Hard Stuff by Lawrence Block (Matt Scudder series)

Hiss of Death by Rita Mae Brown (Mrs. Murphy series)

Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle (Bibliophile paperback series)

The Worst Thing by Aaron Elkins

Spider Web by Earlene Fowler (Benni Harper series)

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse series)

Classified as Murder by Miranda James (Cat in the Stacks paperback series)

Trader of Secrets by Steve Martini (Paul Madriani series)

The Fairie Hills by Susan McDuffie (Muirteach series)

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (Harry Hole series)

The Devil's Light by Richard North Patterson

The Informant by Thomas Perry (Butcher's Boy series)

Clutches and Curses by Dorothy Howell (Haley Randolph series)

Born to Die by Lisa Jackson (Selena Alvarex & Regan Pescoli series)

The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg (Hedstrom & Falck series)

Buried Prey by John Sandford (Lucas Davenport series)

Fallen by Karin Slaughter (Will Trent & Sara Linton series)

Blood Trust by Eric Van Lustbader (Jack McClure series)

Pumped for Murder by Elaine Viets (Helen Hawthorne series)

What Aunt Agatha is Reading--The Silenced by Brett Battles

2011-04-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

There is nothing I like better than an action-packed thriller that melds interesting, multi-faceted characters with intrigue and exotic locales. I grew up on the spy novels of Helen MacInnes, Alastair MacLean, and others of their ilk -- traipsing through European cities with the Cold War alphabet soup of intelligence operatives. Of course in those days, the CIA were the good guys; now, it's not so clear-cut.

Brett Battles' latest Quinn book, The Silenced, sounded like it would be right up my alley. Although I hadn't read any of his previous three in the series, I didn't get lost in past associations. I was immediately plunged into the action. For the uninitiated, Jonathan Quinn is a professional "cleaner." He makes things disappear -- as in bodies and the messy details of murder.

Quinn and his team take on a somewhat odd job, remove a body hidden twenty years ago in a London building before it's demolished. Just as he's ready to start on the job, however, Quinn's past catches up with him.. His true past, not the carefully created facade. A plot threatens all he holds dear and Quinn must unravel threads that stretch from the former Soviet Union to Hong Kong, from Los Angeles to Maine, from Paris to London. If he can discover the identity of the body in London, it may be his only chance to find out why he and his friends are being targeted.

I really enjoyed reading The Silenced. Great plot twists, fascinating characters, and location details that speak of a traveler's experience, not factoids gathered on the Internet. When Quinn speeds through the London streets, you feel like you're there. Yes, I remember that train station, or street, or tube entrance. Love that about his books! So even if you're not taking a European vacation this year, pick up The Silenced, or one of Battles' other thrillers for a great "stay-cation ."

Castle, Connelly, and Lehane...What more could you ask?

2011-04-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you who might have missed the last episode of the TV show, Castle, here was my personal favorite part of the show -- the Poker Game sequence.

More Movie News

2011-04-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering at the time between posts lately, it's because Aunt Agatha is busy organinzing a mini-Book Festival in Burbank as part of the City's Centennial Celebration. More about that here. So between now and May 7th, the posts may be a bit sporadic.

However, there has been quite a bit of mysteries and movies in the news lately.

Deadline New York reported that Universal Studios has acquired the rights to Daniel Silva's excellent series of bestsellers featuring Gabriel Allon, art restorer and semi-retired Mossad agent. Silva will executive produce the franchise and the studios will immediately go out to writers. The next book in the series, Portrait of a Spy, is due out in July.

Last week it was announced that Disney Studios had plans to remake Agatha Christie's Miss Marple with Jennifer Garner attached to play the classic sleuth as a younger, sassier version. Apparently this didn't sit well with the Brits. While the BBC did a remarkable job reinventing Sherlock Holmes, there was quite a bit of scorn generated by the Disney plans. In a Deadline London post, Chorion, the company which owns the rights to Agatha Christie's work, has told the BBC that the Disney deal was not closed.

Laura Thompson, Christie biographer, said that Agatha Christie would not have been happy with the news. When MGM bought the rights to Miss Marple in the late 1950s and cast Margaret Rutherford in the role, Christie disliked the interpretation so much, she complained in a letter, "Why don't they just invent a new character? Then they can have their cheap fun and leave me and my creations alone."

Finally...Harry Bosch on film!

2011-03-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

In a Deadline/Hollywood EXCLUSIVE, it was reported that crime novelist Michael Connelly is in talks with Yellow Bird Films to bring the Harry Bosch books to the big screen. Yellow Bird is the Swedish production company that translated the Stieg Larsson trilogy, starting with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, to film. Run by Soren Staermose and Ole Sondberg, Yellow Bird Films is also producing the Scott Rudin adaptation for Sony Pictures starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.

Last year I reported that Michael Connelly was suing Paramount Pictures to regain control of his first two Harry Bosch books, The Black Echo and The Black Ice. Connelly's suit was successful. Now that The Lincoln Lawyer is in movie theaters, it was only a matter of time before Harry followed.

Speaking of The Lincoln Lawyer, I saw the film on the opening night and was suitably impressed. After the disappointing Clint Eastwood adaptation of Blood Work, there's always that hesitancy when a favorite book is made into a film. But The Lincoln Lawyer is very well done, the casting was excellent -- Matthew McConaughey as the slick Mickey Haller is perfect. See the film if you get the chance!

Watch for these new books!

2011-03-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a selection of some of the many new titles being released in March. Read and enjoy!

The School of Night by Louis Bayard
Murder in Passy by Cara Black
Bless the Bride (Molly Murphy mystery) by Rhys Bowen
Cold Wind (Joe Pickett mystery) by C.J. Box
The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

Scones & Bones (Tea Shop mystery) by Laura Childs
Live Wire by Harlan Coben
The Alpine Vengeance by Mary Daheim
Anthem for Doomed Youth (Daisy Dalrymple) by Carola Dunn
Silent Mercy by Linda Fairstein
On of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde
Love You More by Lisa Gardner
Dead by Midnight (Death on Demand mystery) by Carolyn Hart
Devious by Lisa Jackson
Devil Red by Joe R. Lansdale
Cast into Doubt by Partricia MacDonalad
The Troubled Man (Wallander mystery) by Henning Mankell
When the Thrill is Gone by Walter Mosley
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
The Complaints by Ian Rankin
The Brothers of Baker Street by Michael Robertson
A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline winspear

BBC Sherlock Wins Best Drama Series Award

2011-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Royal Television Society Programme Awards were announced this past Wednesday and the BBC series Sherlock won for Best Drama Series. Sherlock premiered on PBS's Masterpiece Mystery in the US last October to great reviews.

In a statement issued by the society about the series, "Updating a classic was a daunting task but the bravura of this production's writing and directing successfully made it feel new and modern. This was one of the most original and entertaining new series for years."

Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson, in a comtemporary take on the classic characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The BBC has confirmed that the series will be renewed for a second season, with three new episodes being aired later this fall on PBS. Sherlock will be released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on November 9th.

St. Patrick's Day Mysteries

2011-03-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Start celebrating St. Patrick's Day with some of these Irish mysteries:

The Cross by Ken Bruen
Laced: a Regan Reilly Mystery by Carol Higgins Clark
The Irish Village Murder by Dicey Deere
Dublin Noir: The Celtic Tiger vs the Ugly American
Faithful Place by Tana French
The Celtic Riddle by Lyn Hamilton
Haunted Ground by Erin Hart
Eye of the Law by Cora Harrison
All the Dead Voices by Declan Hughes
St. Patrick's Day Murder: a Lucy Stone Mystery by Leslie Meier
Colllusion by Stuart Neville
The Bad Book Affair by Ian Sansom
The Dove of Death: a Mystery of Ancient Ireland by Peter Tremayne

Murder in Green

2011-03-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

Declan Hughes

Whether you call it Hibernian Homicide, Celtic Crime,or Emerald Noir, you have to admit there's quite a number of crime novels coming out of Ireland these days. Ken Bruen started the flood, followed by the bestselling Tana French and Stuart Neville. "The Irish economy may be on its knees, the political system in tatters, confidence at an all-time low. But in crime fiction at least Ireland has never been so vibrant."

Val McDermid discussed "Why Irish Crime Fiction is All the Rage" in today's The Telegraph. Read the entire article here. At last October's Bouchercon convention, I had the opportunity to meet one of my favorite Celtic Crime writers, Declan Hughes. Great fun!

The Third Rail released in paperback

2011-03-07T13:59:00.000-08:00

Long before The Chicago Code hit network television, Michael Harvey's tough-talking Irish cop turned PI, Michael Kelly, was tracking down killers on the mean streets of the windy city. Kelly debuted in the book, The Chicago Way (2007), followed by The Fifth Floor (2008). The Third Rail came out last year and is now being released in paperback.

Michael Harvey writes a stylish thriller that's fast-paced and gripping. I especially enjoyed the way the city of Chicago plays such a vital role in his stories, much as Michael Connelly portrays Los Angeles or George Pelecanos does for Washington D.C. Chicago's rich history and its influence on present days is evident in Harvey's stories and makes for a more multidimensional novel.

If you missed The Third Rail in 2010, be sure to pick it up in paperback. It's a great read and is sure to make any displaced Chicagoans homesick. See my original posting on The Third Rail here.

Writer's Workshop at the Burbank Public Library

2011-03-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

If you're n aspiring writer in the Los Angeles area, stop by the Buena Vista Branch of the Burbank Public Library on Saturday, March 5, at 2 PM. Darrell James will be presenting "The Elements of (Publishable) Fiction, an excellent workshop for beginning writers.

Find out what allows one manuscript to be accepted by a publisher, while dozens of others are rejected; what elements of good writing, good storytelling make the difference; and how does the beginning author create a winning manuscript that garners the attention of agents and editors alike.

Darrell James is a member of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles and SoCal Mystery Writers of America. He has published over thirty short stories in numerous mystery magazines and book anthologies, and garnered a number of awards. The first three novels of his Del Shannon mystery/thriller series are under contract with Midnight Ink and Nazareth Child, book one in the series, is scheduled for release in September 2011.

Join us for this free, two hour workshop!

The Next Sherlock Holmes Movie

2011-02-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

E! Online recently reported that the upcoming sequel to the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film will be named Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. The film starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson is set in 1891, a year after the events in the first film. Holmes will be on the trail of Professor Moriarity and Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy) will appear as a gypsy.

Sherlock Holmes: a Game of Shadows will be in theaters on December 16, 2011.

Hollywood Homicide

2011-02-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

All eyes will be on Hollywood this Sunday when the film industry celebrates the 83rd annual Academy Awards. Glam up this weekend and read one of these mysteries set in the glittering town of Hollywood, both past and present.

Alone: a Valentino Mystery by Loren D. Estelman
Babylon Nights: a David Spandau novel by Daniel Depp
Hollywood and Crime: Original Crime Stories Set During the History of Hollywood edited by Robert J. Randisi
Hollywood Buzz by Margit Liesche
Hollywood Tough: a Shane Scully novel by Stephen J. Cannell
Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh
The Last Embrace by Denise Hamilton
Mildred Pierced by Stuart M. Kaminsky
Murder at the Academy Awards: a Red Carpet Murder Mystery by Joan Rivers (and Jerrilyn Farmer)Stardust by Joseph Kanon
Written in Blood: a Forensic Handwriting Mystery by Sheila R. Lowe

Agatha Award Nominees

2011-02-22T15:17:00.000-08:00

Here are the books nominated for the 2010 Agatha Awards that will be announced at Malice Domestic. This mystery fan convention salutes the traditional mystery as typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The 2011 convention will be held in Bethesda, MD from April 29-May 1. How many have you read?

Best Novel:

Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

Best First Novel

The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
Murder at the PTA by Laura Alden
Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
Full Mortality by Sasscer Hill
Diamonds for the Dead by Alan Orloff

Best Non-fiction

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum
Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: 50 Years of Mysteries in the Making by John Curran
Sherlock Holmes for Dummies by Stephen Doyle & David A. Crowder
Have Faith in Your Kitchen by Katherine Hall Page
Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvous with American History by Yunte Huang

Best Short Story

"Swing Shift" by Dana Cameron, Crimes by Moonlight
"Size Matters" by Sheila Connolly, Thin Ice
"Volunteer of the Year" by Barb Goffman, Chesapeake Crimes: They Had it Comin'
"So Much in Common" by Mary Jane Maffini, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (Sept./Oct. 2010
"The Green Cross" by Liz Zelvin, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (August 2010)

Best Children's/Young Adult:

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus by R.L. LaFevers
The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
Virals by Kathy Reichs
The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

Congratulations to all!

Doyle and Houdini -- Crimefighters?

2011-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there just must be something "in the air." Two separate projects are teaming up real-life friends Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and illusionist Harry Houdini to solve mysteries. Doyle has been the protagonist in a number of novels, most recently Graham Moore's excellent novel, The Sherlockian. Now Doyle will be making his way to film.

It was recently reported that DreamWorks has acquired Voices from the Dead, and original script from J. Michael Straczynski (Changeling and Thor) that has Doyle and Houdini joining forces with a psychic to solve bizarre murders in 1920s New York.

Deadline Hollywood posted a story that Syfy has independently been negotiating for Among the Spirits, a drama series featuring crime fighters Doyle and Houdini. Among the Spirits is based on a self-published graphic novel by writers Steve Valentine and Paul Chart. The project is described as a "turn-of-the-century" Fringe. Read the article in its entirety here.

What Aunt Agatha is Reading

2011-02-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

I thoroughly enjoyed Elly Griffiths' debut novel, last year's The Crossing Places. Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is a formidable amateur sleuth; a brilliant, no-nonsense woman, though somewhat challenged in the social skills department. The eerie, windswept saltmarsh of Norfolk was a fitting setting for the mystery, almost a character in itself. The reviews were impressive and the novel made numerous "best of 2010" lists.

So it was with great anticipation that I awaited Ruth's next installment, The Janus Stone, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. When construction workers uncover the headless remains of a child buried beneath a doorway, Ruth is called out to investigate. Is it a Roman ritual killing or a more modern murder? Once again, Ruth is plunged into a situation where past evil and long-hidden secrets reach out to destroy her. To further complicate matters, 40-year-old Ruth is pregnant from a single indiscretion with Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson. Now it seems that someone is trying to scare her to death and kill her unborn child.

Griffiths manages to weave the archaeological information throughout the plot effortlessly. The reader is not given chunks of data to digest, but rather interesting tidbits are planted to point the way to a satisfying conclusion. Her characters are complex and fascinating, complete with eccentricities and foibles, such as Cathcart, the self-proclaimed Druid. You have to love Cathcart!

This is book that could well keep you up well past your bedtime. The third book in the series, The House at Seas End, has already been published in the UK, but I guess I'll just have to wait until it reaches these shores. If you'd like to read more about the Ruth Galloway mysteries, visit Elly Griffith's website here.

Barry Award Nominations for 2011

2011-02-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

The nominations for the Barry Awards have been announced. Readers of Deadly Pleasures magazine will vote and the winners will be awarded at Bouchercon in September (to be held in St. Louis, MO). Congratulations to all!

BEST NOVEL

Nowhere to Run by C.J. Bo
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
Savages by Don Winslow

BEST FIRST NOVEL

Gutshot Straight by Lou Berney
Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva
The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
Sherlockian by Graham Moore
The Holy Thief by William Ryan
Once a Spy by Keith Thomson

BEST BRITISH NOVEL

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
Blood Harvest by S. J. Bolton
The Whispers by John Connolly
The Woodcutter by Reginald Hill
Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellstrom
Fourth Day by Zoe Sharp

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

The Hanging Tree by Bryan Gruley
The Dead Lie Down by Sophie Hannah
Eggsecutive Orders by Julie Hyzy
Fever at the Bone by Val McDermid
The Rhetoric of Death by Judith Rock
A Small Death in the Great Glen by A. D. Scott

BEST THRILLER

13 Hours by Deon Meyer
American Assassin by Vince Flynn
The Bricklayer by Noah Boyd
Bolt Action by Charles Charters
On Target by Mark Greaney
The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva

BEST SHORT STORY

"Requiem for Antlers" by Mitch Alderman (AHMM, Jan.-Feb. 2010)
"Family Balues" by Robert Barnard ((EQMM, Feb. 2010)
"The Body in the Dunes" by Caroline Benton (EQMM, Jan. 2010)
"The List" by Loren D. Estleman (EQMM, May 2010)
"The Seven Sorrow" by Terence Faherty (EQMM, Mar-Apr. 2010)
"When the Apricots Bloom" by Ellen Larson (AHMM, July-Aug. 2010)

Love, Marriage, and Murder

2011-02-07T20:55:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day only a week away, it was perfect timing for Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles Chapter to present a lively panel discussion on love and murder at the Burbank Public Library last Saturday. The panelists included Hannah Dennison, Kate Carlisle, Alan Cook, Dianne Emley, and Jerri Sher.

Hannah Dennison is the author of the Vicky Hill series of cozies featuring an aspiring investigative reporter who, unfortunately, is stuck writing obituaries for the Gipping Gazette. Ms. Dennison introduces an unusual British hobby in each book, so if you're looking for old English charm and plenty of laughs, give the Vicky Hill books a try. Visit Hannah Dennison's website here.

Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile Mysteries is not only a fun cozy series, but you can also pick up some interesting insights into the rare book restoration business. Brooklyn Wainwright is a San Francisco bookbinder who is "brilliant, feisty, and funny"-- the perfect combination for a spot of intellectual skulduggery. Find out more about Kate's books here.

Alan Cook's most recent thriller is "Forget to Remember," a suspenseful tale filled with intrigue and non-stop action. Amnesia victim Carol Golden is determined to do what it takes to reclaim her life. Check here for more about Cook's books.

Dianne Emley is the author of the bestselling Nan Vining series of mysteries. Nan is a homicide police detective in Pasadena, California, a single mom to a teenage daughter, and in a relationship with her partner, Jim Kissick. Visit Dianne's website for more about her mystery series.

Jerri Sher is the author of The Twig Painter, a medical thriller. A former CIA agent is enlisted to track down a mysterious illegal immigrant who may have the cure to AIDS locked in his blood But a pharmaceutical giant will stop at nothing to get to him first. Find out more about this intriguing book here.

New Mysteries for February

2011-02-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a new batch of books to be on the lookout for this month:
Antiques Knock-off by Barbara Allan
Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree by Nancy Atherton
Death of a Chimney Sweep (Hamish MacBeth #27) by M.C. Beaton
The Secret Soldier by Alex Berenson
A Red Herring Without Mustard (Flavia de Luce #3) by Alan Bradley
Silent Voices by Ann Cleeves
Now You See Her by Joy Fielding
Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths
Fadeaway Girl by Martha Grimes
Comes a Time for Burning by Steven F. Havil
Gone by Mo Hayder
Fatal Error by J.A. Jance
Hyenas by Joe R. Lansdale
One True Sentence by Craig McDonald
Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Second Son by Jonathan Rabb
Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
On Borrowed Time by David Rosenfelt
Though Not Dead by Dana Stabenow
The Curse-Maker by Kelli Stanley
The Nomination by William G. Tapply
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
The Highly Effective Detective Crosses the Line by Richard Yancey
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What Aunt Agatha is Reading

2011-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Rhys Bowen (left), Deborah Crombie, Louise Penny

One of the benefits of attending mystery conventions is the opportunity to discover great authors I've somehow overlooked. Canadian novelist Louise Penny is just such an author. She has written a delightful series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, his team of investigators, and the quirky inhabitants of the tiny Canadian village of Three Pines.

Still Life is the first in Penny's award-winning series. No one locks their door in the charming village of Three Pines. So it is with shock that the villagers awak on Thanksgiving Sunday to news that a beloved member of the community was found deadin the maple woods. Surely it was a hunting accident--a stry arrow piercing her heart. One thing Inspector Gamache has learned during his long and distinguished career -- evil can lurk behind the prettiest of pictures and if he watches and listens closely enough, secrets will be revealed.

The series continues with A Fatal Grace, The Cruelist Month, A Rule Against Murder, The Brutal Telling and Bury Your Dead. Louise Penny has infused each novel with an engaging sleuth, memorable characters, a picutesque setting, and some of the most lyrical prose you'll encounter in crime fiction. If you enjoy the TV series, Midsomer Murders, or the books of Deborah Crombie, Agatha Christie and Rhys Bowen, do try Louise Penny.

Ariana Franklin dead at 77

2011-01-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

BBC reports that Ariana Franklin thas died after a serious illness. Her first book in the series, Mistress of the Art of Death, won the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger from the CWA. She also wrote The Serpent's Tale, Grave Goods and The Murderous Possession in this series.

A sad loss.

Hollywood Looking at More Crime Shows

2011-01-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

It's pilot season in Hollywood and Deadline.com reports two new pilots that should be of interest to mystery-lovers. NBC just put in an order for Grimm which is described as a cop drama set in a world where characters are inspired by Grimm's Fairy Tales. Grimm is being written and co-produced by Jim Kouf (for you readers in Burbank, Kouf is a graduate of Burbank High School), known for writing the National Treasure films, among many others.

Also in the works is Poe, a crime procedural with Edgar Allan Poe set in 1840s Boston.

2011 Left Coast Crime Award Nominations

2011-01-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

The 22nd annual mystery convention, Left Coast Crime, will be meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico this coming March to present four awards. Here are the nominees for books published in 2010. The winners will be selected by ballot at the convention. Congratulations to all nominees!

The nominees for the Lefty Award (best humorous mystery novel):

Donna Andrews -- Stork Raving Mad
Larua DiSilverio -- Swift Justice
Donna Moore -- Old Dogs
Kris Neri -- Revenge for Old Times' Sake
J. Michael Orenduff -- The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein

The nominees for the Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award:

Rebecca Cantrell -- A Night of Long Knives
Robert Kresge -- Murder for Greenhorns
Kelli Stanley -- City of Dragons
Jeri Westerson -- The Demon's Parchment
Jacqueline Winspear -- The Mapping of Love and Death

The Hillerman Sky Award (a special award in honor of the conventions New Mexico location, to the mystery that best captures the landscape of the Southwest):

Sandy Ault -- Wild Penance
Christine Barber -- The Bone Fire
Margaret Coel -- The Spider's Web
Deborah J. Ledford -- Snare

The Watson nominees (another special award given this year to the mystery novel with the best sidekick):

Sandy Ault -- Wild Penance
Rachel Brady -- Dead Lift
Chris Grabenstein -- Rolling Thunder
Craig Johnson -- Junkyard Dogs
Spencer Quinn -- To Fetch a Thief

A Fabulous Event!

2011-01-24T18:50:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon in Burbank, California. One would think people would be out enjoying the unseasonably warm day, and yet a packed room waited in anticipation for Graham Moore, author of The Sherlockian.

Graham and Sherlock Holmes expert Leslie S. Klinger presented a lively discussion of the enduring popularity of Holmes and the curious anitipathy Arthur Conan Doyle felt towards his greatest literary creation.

It was a great way to spend a couple of hours. If you haven't yet read Graham Moore's clever mystery, The Sherlockian, put it on your to-read list and enjoy!

Edgar Nominees Announced

2011-01-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again! Award shows are sprouting up everywhere. But for mystery writers and readers, the Edgars is one of the most prestigious. The Mystery Writers of America awards will be presented at NYC Grand Hyatt Hotel on April 28th. Nominees for the Edgar Awards were announced on January 19th, the 202nd anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's birth.

A special congratulations to Burbank's own Falcon Theatre for having one of their plays nominated!

Here's the list (how many have you read?):

Best Novel

Caught by Harlan Coben
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Faithful Place by Tana French
The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

Best First Novel by an American Author

Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva
The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron
The Serialist: A Novel by David Gordon
Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto
Snow Angels by James Thompson

Best Paperback Original

Long Time Coming by Robert Goddard
The News Where You Are by Catherine O'Flynn
Expiration Date by Duane Swierczynski
Vienna Secrets by Frank Tallis
Ten Little Herrings by L.C. Tyler

Best Fact Crime

Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime and Complicity by ken Armstrong and Nick Perry
The Eyes of Willie McGee: A Tragedy of Race, Sex, and Secrets in Jim Crow South by Alex Heard
Fnding Chandra: A True Washington Murder Mystery by Scott Higham and Sari Horwitz
Hellbound on His Trail: the Stalking of Martin Luthor King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides
The Killer of Little Shepherds: A Trud Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Schience by Douglas Starr

Best Critical/Biographical

The Wire: Truth Be Told by Rafael Alvarez
Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making by John Curran
Sherlock Holmes for Dummies by Steven Doyle and David A. Crowder
Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendevouz with American History by Yunte Huang
Thrillers: 100 Must Reads edited by David Morell and Hank Wagner

Best Short Story

"The Scent of Lilacs" -- by Doug Allyn, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
"The Plot" -- by Jeffery Deaver, First Thrills
"A Good Safe Place" -- by Judith Green, Thin Ice
"Monsieur Alice is Absent" -- by Stephen Ross, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
"The Creative Writing Murders" -- by Edmund White, Dark End of the Street

Best Juvenile

Zora and Me by Victoria bond and T.R. Simon
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy by Dori Hillestad Butler
The Haunting of Charles Dickens by Lewis Buzbee
Griff Carver: Hallway Patrol by Jim Krieg
The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman by Ben H. Winters

Best Young Adult

The River by Mary Jane Beaufrand
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
7 Souls by Barnabas Miller and Jordon Orlando
The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie price
Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

Best Play

The Psychic by Sam Bobrick (Falcon Theatre -- Burbank, CA)
The Tangled Skirt by Steve Braunstein (New Jersey Repertory Company)
The Fall of the House by Robert Ford (Alabama Shakespeare Festival)

Best Television Episode Teleplay

"Episode 1" -- Luther, Teleplay by Neil Cross (BBC America)
"Episode 4" -- Luther, Teleplay by Neil Cross (BBC America)
"Full Measure" -- Breaking Bad, Teleplay by Vince Gilligan (AMC/Sony)
"No Mas" -- Breaking Bad, Teleplay by Vince Gilligan (AMC/Sony)
"The Next One's Gonna Go In Your Throat" -- Damages, Teleplay by Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler & Daniel Zelman (FX networks)

The Simon & Schuster -- Mary Higgins Clark Award

Wild Penance by Sandi Ault
Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton
Down River by Karen Harper
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
Live to Tell by Wendy Corsi Staub

Congratulations to all!

New Sherlock Holmes book in the works

2011-01-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

The estate of Arthur Conan Doyle has given their official approval for a new story about the Baker Street detective. This is the first time they have done so since 1915 when the last Sherlock Holmes story was published. Prolific British author Anthony Horowitz has been chosen to write a full-length novel to be published by Orion in September.

Horowitz has written the Alex Rider novels about the teenage spy, as well as over 50 novels for young people. Perhaps many will be more familiar with his work on television. Horowitz created Foyle's War and wrote for Midsomer Murders and Poirot.

IN THE MEANTIME... if you are in the Los Angeles area, stop by the Burbank Public Library this Saturday at 2 PM for a fascinating discussion with Sherlock Holmes expert Leslie S. Klinger and Graham Moore, author of The Sherlockian. Click here for more information on the event.

Ten Impressive Heists that Shocked the World

2011-01-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

I've always loved a good heist story. How much more interesting it is to use the "little grey cells" to pull off a burglary than explosives and guns blazing. One of my favorite heist books was Jeffrey Archer's 1974 novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and my favorite film was The Italian Job with Mark Wahlberg. The Criminal Justice Degrees Blog has another fun list of true crime top-ten. These are truly impressive:

DB Cooper Hijacking: It's hard to believe it's been almost 40 years since DB Cooper got away with hijacking a Northwest Orient flight on November 24, 1971. It's the only unsolved US aircraft hijacking.
Schiphol Airport Truck Hijacking: Thieves made off with an estimated $118 million in uncut diamonds on February 25, 2005.
Antwerp Diamond Center Heist: More than $100 million in gems was stolen from the Center on February 16, 2003. Although the culprits were apprehended as a result of some errant DNA, the diamonds have yet been recovered.
Harry Winston Heist: Four armed men (three disguised as women) enacted a daring robbery of the Paris branch of world-famous jeweler Harry Winston, leaving with over $100 million in jewels on December 4, 2008.
ABN Amro Bank Heist: The charming Carlos Hector Flomenbaum stole $28 million in diamonds from the ABN Amro Bank in Antwerp. Neither his true identity nor the gems have been uncovered.
Central Bank of Iraq Heist: There's no doubt he was a criminal, but he was also his country's leader. Prior to the US invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein "withdrew" nearly $1 billion from the Central Bank of Iraq. He was "protecting the money" from American aggression. US troops later found millions of dollars in the walls of Saddam's palace.
Dar Es Salaam Bank Heist: Three bank guards in post-Saddam Iraq went missing as did almost $300 million.
Mona Lisa Heist: A custodian at the Louvre in Paris stole the Mona Lisa on August 21, 1911. Vincenzo Peruggia simply walked out after hours with the painting under his coat. He was later caught when he tried to sell it to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Gardner Heist: On the day after St. Patrick's Day in 1990, thieves dressed as cops made off with thirteen works of art from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. It was the largest art theft in American history, more than $500 million. The culprits have never been found and the paintings are still missing.
Stardust Heist: The film Oceans Eleven was based on this heist. In September of 1992, then-cashier Bill Brennan loaded up a backpack with cash and left on his lunch break from the Stardust Resort and Casino -- never to be heard from again.

Sad News Indeed for Los Angeles Mystery Readers

2011-01-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

Independent mystery bookstores are a treasure chest to readers of mysteries. Sure, you can always get the bestsellers at your local chain bookstore. And, of course, your local library will either carry or can get through interlibrary loan just about anything your heart desires. But there is absolutely nothing like browsing through a mystery bookstore and discovering some gem -- an author you've never read, a title that's just up your alley, a new discovery.

There has always been a unique symbiotic relationship between authors and independent booksellers as well. The booksellers nurture new talent, host booksignings to introduce authors to their customers, and do their best to promote books to the voracious readers who frequent their establishments. In return, many bestselling authors continue to include the local independents on their book tours as a favor to an ardent supporter.

But in these shaky financial times, small independents can't compete with the Amazons of the book world. It was with heavy heart we learned that one of the premier independents in Los Angeles is closing its doors on January 31. Owners Kirk Pasich and Pamela Woods sent out an email announcing the closure of the Mystery Bookstore, the last standing bookstore in Westwood.

Kevin Roderick notes in his blog that "ironically, the store is located in the city-run parking structure that is the focus of a debate over leasing to a private company that will raise rates dramatically."
You can read the Kirk Pasich and Pamela Woods email in its entirety on Roderick's blog here.

Truth Often Stranger Than Fiction

2011-01-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

How often have we read mysteries where corrupt police are behind the murders? It should be no surprise that in some regions in the world, corruption is a fact of life. Here are the countries that can "boast" the most corrupt police forces:

Haiti
Mexico
Kenya
Uzbekistan
Burma
Iraq
Somalia
Afganistan
Sudan
Russia

Thanks to the Criminal Justice Degrees Guide website for this information. Read the entire article here.

George Clooney set to star in "Monster of Florence" film

2011-01-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

It was just reported on Deadline.com that Fox 2000 has acquired Douglas Preston's bestselling nonfiction crime book, The Monster of Florence, as a vehicle for George Clooney. Thriller writer Preston (who also writes the Special Agent Pendergast novels with Lincoln Child), began investigating a 30-year old serial murder case soon after moving to a farmhouse near Florence. He met Italian crime reporter Mario Spezi and together they solved the case and wrote the book about it. Read the entire article here.

George Clooney will play Douglas Preston in the film. If you haven't read this terrific true crime book, read it now before the movie comes out!

Aunt Agatha's Favorite Mysteries of 2010

2011-01-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

It seems like everyone has come out with their "Best of 2010" lists. Some perennial favorites show up on almost all the lists: Michael Connelly's The Reversal, Lee Child's Worth Dying For, and Dennis Lehane's Moonlight Mile. Of course, there's the mega-hit The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. I just finished the powerful Collusion by Stuart Neville, which is also showing up on a number of "Best" lists.

Tana French's Faithful Place and Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths were also favorite reads this past year (the second in Griffith's series, Janus Stone is due out this month). The Book of Spies by Gayle Lynds and Haunt Me Still by Jennifer Lee Carrell were early contenders for this list of mine and were indeed thoroughly enjoyed.

However, the one book published in 2010 that is shooting up on the bestseller lists was a late entry, released in early December. Graham Moore's debut novel, The Sherlockian, has been getting rave reviews and landed on the top of my favorite mysteries list.

As a side note (and a blatant library promotion!), Graham Moore will be "In Conversation" with Sherlock Holmes expert Leslie S. Klinger at the Burbank Public Library's Buena Vista Branch on Saturday, January 22. If you enjoyed the book as much as I did, do stop by for a fascinating afternoon.

If you would like further suggestions for the "Best of 2010," check out the Kirkus Review's list here or Omnimystery News here.

What is Aunt Agatha Reading?

2010-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Stuart Neville's brilliant debut, The Ghosts of Belfast, was the winner of the Los Angeles Times book prize for best crime fiction in 2009. His follow-up novel, Collusion, is another stunning thriller set in Northern Ireland, a country where the effects of past terrors still reverberate.

According to the publishers:
When Detective Inspector Jack Lennon tries to track down his former lover Marie McKenna and their daughter, his superiors tell him to back off. But now an assassin stalks Belfast, tying up loose ends for a vengeance-driven old man. As Lennon unravels a conspiracy that links his daughter to a killer named Fegan, the line between friend and enemy blurs.

This violent tale of revenge and redemption is very well-written. Neville's characters, all skillfully developed, will grip you from the opening scene.

New Books for the New Year

2010-12-27T20:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a selection of new hardcover mysteries scheduled for a January release. It looks like a little something for everyone's taste.

Madelyn Alt -- Home for a Spell: a Bewitching Mystery
Quentin Bates -- Frozen Assets: Introducing the Gunnhilder Mystery Series set in Iceland
Mary Jane Clark -- To Have and To Kill: a Wedding Cake Mystery
Blaize Clement -- Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons: a Dixie Hemingway Mystery
Robert Crais -- The Sentry: a Joe Pike novel
Wessel Ebersohn -- The October Killings
Kim Edwards -- The Lake of Dreams
Lee Goldberg -- Mr. Monk on the Road
Ellie Griffiths -- The Janus Stone
Parnell Hall -- The Kenken Killings
Peter Helton -- Falling More Slowly: Introducing Detective Inspector Liam McLusky
Jack Higgins -- The Judas Gate
Steve Hockensmith -- World's Greatest Sleuth! A Holmes on the Range Mystery
Erin Kelly -- The Poison Tree
Michael Koryta -- The Cypress House
John Lescroart -- Damage
Brad Meltzer -- The Inner Circle
Bradford Morrow -- The Diviners Tale
T. Jefferson Parker -- The Border Lords: a Charlie Hood novel
Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom -- Three Seconds
Jed Rubenfeld -- The Death Instinct
C.J. Sansom -- The Heartstone: a Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery
Wallace Stroby -- Cold Shot to the Heart
Andrew Taylor -- The Anatomy of Ghosts
Charles Todd -- A Lonely Death: an Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery
Jill Paton Walsh -- The Attenbury Emeralds: the New Lord Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane Mystery

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Aunt Agatha wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Rescuing Harry Bosch from Hollywood Development Hell

2010-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Back in March I posted about Michael Connelly's lawsuit against Paramount Pictures over a 1995 option deal for his first two books, Black Ice and Black Echo. The studio never developed either book, and worst of all, Connelly had given Paramount ownership of the Harry Bosch character, so none of the other books in the series could be filmed.

Hollywood Deadline reports that Connelly and Paramount settled in October before the lawsuit went to trial. Read the entire article here.

Writers often dream that Hollywood will option their novel. When that does happen, sometimes it's a dream come true, sometimes it's a nightmare. Thankfully, Harry Bosch has been released from "development hell," leaving the door open for Connelly to pursue other options. Perhaps we'll be seeing Bosch in his own television series one day. Now that would be a dream come true for Bosch fans!

Ten Strange-But-True Christmas Crimes

2010-12-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting post from Criminal Justice Degrees Guide Blog. We all know the holidays are high crime times -- law enforcement continues to warn shoppers to safeguard their purchases and be vigilant during the holidays. But these stories just go to show that truth is very often stranger than fiction!

Read the entire post here:
1. Stolen Baby Jesus
2. Wal-Mart Stampede
3. Stolen Christmas Trees
4. Drunken Parade Float Driving
5. Nativity Scene Vandalism
6. Frosty Stabbing
7. Christmas Tree Cannabis
8. Cannabis Christmas Card
9. Naughty Santa Claus
10. The Santa Claus Bandit

I'd say there going to be a lot of stockings with lumps of coal this Christmas!

Edgar Allan Poe...Detective?

2010-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this certainly looks interesting! The Huffington Post reports that John Cusak is portraying Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven, a psychological thriller expected out next year. The film is a fictionalized account of Poe's last days of life as he searches for a serial killer whose murders mirror those in his stories. Directed by James McTeigue from a screenplay by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare

Aunt Agatha's Holiday Homicide

2010-12-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

Here is a selection of my favorite crime for the holidays. The list is by no means comprehensive, but a fun selection nonetheless. So curl up with a cup of cocoa and enjoy!

Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton
Ben Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder by Robert Lee Hall
The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page
Candy Cane Murder, novellas by Joanna Fluke, Laura Levine, and Leslie Meier
Cat Crimes for the Holidays, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Ed Gorman, and Larry Segriff
Cat Deck the Halls: a Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
A Cat on Jingle Bell Rock by Lydia Adamson
A Catered Christmas: a Mystery with Recipes by Isis Crawford
A Christmas Beginning by Anne Perry
Christmas Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier
The Chrismas Crimes at Puzzel Manor by Simon Brett
The Christmas Garden Affair by Ann Ripley
Classic Christmas Crime edited by Tim Heald
A Cold Christmas by Charlene Weir
The Con Artist of Catalina Island by Jennifer Colt
Corpus Christmas by Margaret Maron
A Crossworder's Gift by Nero Blanc
Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark
The Dons and Mr. Dickens: the Strange Case of the Oxford Christmas Plot by William J. Palmer
Frost at Christmas by R.D, Wingfield
Hard Christmas: a Cat Marsala Mystery by Barbara D"Amato
A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton
Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle
Holmes for the Holidays edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg, and Carol-Lynn Waugh
Inspector Proby's Christmas by John Gano
Kissing Christmas Goodbye: an Agatha Raisin Mystery by M.C. Beaton
A Kudzu Christmas: Twelve Mysterious Tales edited by Jim Gilbert & Gail Waller
The Last Noel by Heather Graham
Mad as the Dickens by Toni L.P. Kelner
Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart
The Midnight Before Christmas by William Bernhardt
A Midnight Clear by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Mistletoe and Murder by Carola Dunn
More Holmes for the Holidays edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg, and Carol-Lynn Waugh
Murder for Christmas edited by Thomas Godfrey
Murder for Christmas and Three Other Great Mysteries by Agatha Christie
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke
The Queene's Christmas by Karen Harper
A Rumpole Chrismas by John Mortimer
Santa Clawed by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark
Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris
Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews
Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson
The Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Marian Babson
A Wee Christmas Homicide by Kaitlyn Dunnett

What's YOUR "Comfort Book?"

2010-12-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

I always keep the mailbox under surveillance whenever the latest issue of Mystery Scene Magazine is due. I LOVE that magazine! (A totally unsolicited hint to Santas: a subscription to this terrific magazine is a the perfect gift for all the mystery lovers in your life!). I devour the magazine like a box of chocolates, one tasty piece at a time.

This is the season when we all crave comfort food -- left-over turkey sandwiches, Christmas cookies, pumpkin pie. But where do you go when you need to shore up sagging spirits? Where do you go for your "Comfort Books?"

In the current Holiday 2010 issue of Mystery Scene there is a delightful article, "Take Comfort Here" by Carolyn Hart (author of the "Death on Demand" and "Bailey Ruth" series of mysteries). Hart reminds us of the restorative nature of mystery books, especially in troubled times. Unlike everyday life, mysteries identify the hero and villain and goodness (almost) always triumphs in the end. The magazine goes on to offer some recommendation from writers on their favorite books for hard times. Dana Stabenow chose Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart as the book she's most drawn to on those cold, winter nights.

I was immediately reminded of my teenage self, lo those many (well, maybe not THAT many) years ago. I read and re-read Mary Stewart throughout those turbulent times and was taken away to romantic locales, with handsome heroes and resourceful heroines. Madam, Will You Talk? was Mary Stewart's first novel published in 1955 and this born storyteller went on to publish a string of romantic suspense books -- and I loved every single one. The Moonspinners was a particular favorite, but then This Rough Magic was, well, magical. I recently re-read Madam, Will You Talk? and it holds up remarkably well for a book that's 55 years old. Of course, good storytelling is timeless. If you have never read Mary Stewart, go ahead and treat yourself.

What other authors do I go to for "comfort" these days? M.C. Beaton instantly comes to mind, as well as Carolyn Hart, Rhys Bowen, and Deborah Crombie. I asked around the library for other comfort reads and the Library Director is partial to Janet Evanovich and J.D. Robb. Other recommended comfort reads include Tami Hoag, CJ Box, Craig Johnson, and JA Jance.

So, what books do you go to when you're feeling blue? What's your "Comfort Book?"

A Wild Ride on the Streets of San Francisco

2010-12-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

If you ever wondered why the streets of San Francisco are home to so many great crime films, here's the reason. This fantastic homage to San Franciso's mysterious side was put together by Serena Bramble. The film, "San Francisco is the Scene of a Perfect Crime," was shown at the opening ceremonies of Bouchercon back in October. Enjoy!