We've been getting out and about a lot this fall. Here I am with Harlan Coben in September at the New York is Book Country festival.
What Harlan doesn't realize is that I'm slipping extra copies of Mystery Scene into his bookbag. Of course, Brian and I were in Austin, Texas, for Bouchercon in October. It was great to see so many of you all and have a chance to catch up.

Cover Girl

Janet Evanovich has been entertaining readers on a yearly schedule for eight books now. (The latest, Hard Eight, was out this spring.) She still had time on her hands, though -- just out is a holiday novella starring Stephanie Plum, her Jersey bounty hunter heroine. Visions of Sugar Plums is a lot of fun -- and offers an unusual spin. In an illuminating conversation with Art Taylor, Janet discusses her storytelling philosophy and her bond with her readers.

Happy Birthday To Us

Mystery Scene celebrates its 18th birthday with this issue. Jon L. Breen has gone through the entire run of back issues (!) to give us his "Observer's History of Mystery Scene." Our readers have certainly been a feisty group over the years!

New Television Writer

This issue marks the debut of Lee Goldberg's new television column, "Crimetime Television." Lee has worked in the business for years, scripting Diagnosis Murder among other projects. He's also worked quite a bit on A&E's delightful Nero Wolfe series -- which we were sad to learn has recently been cancelled. In addition to his new column, Lee outlines the process of adapting the classic Rex Stout novels in this issue.

Homeowner's Revenge

After reading A Body in the Bathhouse (Mysterious, 2002), I get the feeling that Lindsey Davis must have suffered a home renovation disaster recently. There's a pointed lack of regret at the demise of the victim, a crooked builder. I'm addicted to these historical mysteries featuring Marcus Didius Falco, a Roman P.I. during the reign of Vespasian. In fact, I used them as guidebooks on a trip to Rome a few years ago with wonderful results.

Baltimore Bound

Laura Lippman's latest, The Last Place, is one of my favorite books of 2002. Tess Monaghan is a complex and unpredictable hero -- as idiosyncratic as her beloved Baltimore. There's a lot going on in these novels -- try one, if you haven't already.

And Next Year

Next issue, novelist and librarian Roberta Rogow will launch a review column covering children's mysteries. At last, I'll know what to buy my nieces and nephews! Also in the new year, Jan Grape, our longtime publishing columnist, is switching her focus to bookselling. You can expect some new insights from her about life on the other side of the cash register. Booksellers who want to send Jan news, should email her at JanGrape@aol.com.