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Archive for April, 2009

MYSTERY SCENE SPRING ISSUE #109

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Hi everyone!

Could there be a better argument for the vitality, diversity and creativity of the mystery than the work of the writers covered in this issue? Just for starters, we have Laurie King’s thoughtful, challenging Mary Russell novels which reimagined the Sherlock Holmes we thought we knew; Mary Jane Maffini’s cozy confections that provide equal measures of delight and diversion; Olen Steinhaurer’s politically and morally nuanced neo-espionage; and Hannah Berry’s gorgeous and groundbreaking graphic novel, Britten and Brülightly. Throw in the couple of hundred other interesting writers we discuss in this issue and I think you’ll agree there’s lots of great things going on in crime fiction today.

Of course, as Mark Twain observed any book is a new book to someone who hasn’t read it yet. In that spirit H.R.F. Keating draws our attention to the work of Christianna Brand, who crafted fiendishly ingenious Golden Age puzzles.

And what gets a book, of any age, noticed? The International Thriller Writers thinks its the very first sentence, and to prove their point, page 20 offers an intriguing collection from members’ works. Judge for yourself!

Not all mystery fiction is delivered via print, as Art Taylor reminds us in “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: Great Romantic Crime Films.” Art had such a good time picking this list that he and his fiance, Tara, are busily screening possibilities for another installment in an upcoming issue—“Love Bites: The Darker Side of Romance and Crime.”

Some years ago I traveled to Greenway, Agatha Christie’s lovely home on the banks of the River Dart in Devon. I was visiting Christie’s daughter Rosalind and son-in-law Anthony and I’ll never forget both their kind hospitality and the beautiful setting. (I definitely never forgot the 80-something Anthony merrily skipping up the hillside gardens while I and a companion straggled behind, gasping and cursing.) Sadly Rosalind and Anthony have both passed away but their generosity to mystery fans continues. Greenway was donated to Britain’s National Trust and has now been completely restored and opened to the public. See page 10 for details and if you go, send us photos!

The Mystery Scene Blog has been operational for some time now but we’re ramping up the posting. Oline Cogdill, who interviewed Laurie R. King for this issue, is now posting twice a week. We also have “web original” book reviews, news, and other items popping up there almost daily. Drop by and say hello!

And lastly, a belated welcome to Bill Crider, author of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries, amusing blogger and, as of the last issue, Mystery Scene’s new short story review columnist. Be sure to check out “Short and Sweet” on page 54.

Kate Stine
Editor-in-chief

Posted in Agatha Christie, Bill Crider, Christianna Brand, H.R.F. Keating, Hannah Berry, International Thriller Writers, Laurie R. King, Mary jane Maffini, Mystery Scene Magazine, Olen Steinhauer, Oline Cogdill | 1,417 Comments »

Idris Elba: Beyond The Wire

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

When it comes to crime drama, whether it’s movies or television, let me throw one name out at you.

Idris Elba.

Oh, come on, you know who he is.

Most of us first became aware of the British actor Idris Elba when he played Russell “Stringer” Bell in HBO’s brilliant series The Wire.

Each time he was onscreen, Elba showed the complex personality of Stringer Bell – ruthless, compassionate, uncaring, loyal friend, murderous, streetwise, book smart, intelligent, dimwitted.

A drug dealer by trade, he was a businessman at heart, taking classes to better understand how an industry grows into an empire.

He could order – or commit – a murder without blinking an eye.

One could believe he truly cared about his best friend and partner Avon Barksdale and yet also be willing to kill him without hesitation.

I also have to add that Idris Elba is one sexy, handsome man.

He’s currently in the feeble Obsessed, a Fatal Attraction knock-off that disappoints on so many levels, except for Elba.

In Obsessed, Elba’s character Derek Charles is married with child to Beyonce Knowles but being stalked by the unstoppable Ali Larter (Heroes).

The plot never works and the twists are predictable. If you’ve seen the trailers, you’ve seen the movie.

But the cast makes Obsessed almost watchable, especially Elba.

Elba’s complicated charisma seems to show in just about every role he takes. His turn as crime boss Charlie Gotso in HBO’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was a chilling piece of acting.

Elba made Gotso almost sympathetic at first but within seconds the crime boss’ dark heart was obvious.

Even Elba’s recent role as Charles Miner on the NBC comedy The Office showed a touch of malice. As Michael Scott’s new boss, Charles Miner was not going to suffer fools.

Elba could easily be the next face of crime drama.

Should Hollywood ever decide to film more of Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins novels, Elba could easily fit in that role, taking over from Denzel Washington. While I liked Denzel Washington in Devil in a Blue Dress, but he is getting a little too old to play the Easy of the earlier novels.

(By the way, Elba had a role in Washington’s American Gangster.)

I could certainly see Elba taking over as Lincoln Rhyme from the Jeffrey Deaver‘s novels, should that series ever be filmed again.

Yeah, that would mean Elba would be taking over another of Denzel Washington’s roles. But the Academy Award winning actor doesn’t seem to lack for roles.

But I also could see Elba in myriad roles. Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme wasn’t originally written as an African-American. But Washington was so perfect for the role that race didn’t matter. And frankly, race should not matter. Cast Elba because he is a good actor and can do just about any role.

Let Matt Damon have the franchise on action films.

Just give us Elba for the intelligent crime dramas.

HBO photo

Posted in Jeffery Deaver, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Walter Mosley | 1,329 Comments »

Michael Connelly’s Facebook

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

I receive many press releases each day from publishers describing new novels they want me to look at.

Yes, I look at every one of those press releases to try to help me decide what I will review for some of the publications I write for. (Some publications assign a novel and that is fine, too.)

But seldom does a press release stick in my mind and make me smile as much as the one I got recently about Michael Connelly’s new novel The Scarecrow.

The Scarecrow will be in the stores on May 26, and not a day before that.

And allow me a bit of I-have-it-and-you-don’t moment.

Yes, not only do I have The Scarecrow, I also have the revised version. I have read it. I will review it.

You want a hint about what I think? No. You’ll just have to wait until the review comes out.

What attracted me to this innovative press release was that it included 25 things you might not know about Michael Connelly.

A clever way to get the word out about the novel.

So I am just going to pick out one thing from this list.

Did you know that…

“Michael Connelly has one of the largest author presences on the social networking site Facebook. His fan group, Michael Connelly Books, grows each month.”

Connelly has nearly 4,000 “friends” on Facebook and more come in daily. Keep in mind, it’s only been a couple of months since the Facebook site was launched.

There are also other Facebook groups are devoted to reading Connelly, including Michael Connelly Addict and All I Want to do is Read Michael Connelly Books.

What do you readers think about Connelly? Have you gotten on the Facebook bandwagon? Or Twitter? I do both so find me.

And, of course, find Michael Connelly’s Facebook.

PHOTO: Michael Connelly photo by Robert Azmitia

Posted in Michael Connelly | 1,617 Comments »

Dreaming of Malice, the Edgars, L.A. Times Books Festival

Friday, April 24th, 2009

I don’t know about you, but I often wish I could be in two places at once. Wouldn’t that be lovely? You could be spending time having fun while also at work.

But during the next week or so, I wish I could be five places at once. There are just too many mystery-related events that I would love to attend, not to mention the wonderful non-mystery event I’ll be at.

First, I would love to be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

I’ve never been, but have heard only wonderful comments about this festival that will be April 25 and 26. The myriad authors and panels certainly appeal to me and I would have enjoyed moderating a panel or two.

But, I also have a personal connection. Along with Sarah Weinman and Dick Adler, I am one of the judges for the mystery/thriller category of the L.A. Times Book Prize. It would be lovely to be able to see the winner receive the award. (Oh, like you think I am going to give you the name here? Or even give away the winner’s gender? Just wait…)

I also wanted to attend the Edgar Awards symposium (April 29) and the banquet (April 30). I haven’t been able to attend for three years and had hoped to be able to return this year.

The Edgars are fun, at least I think so. Plus, I’ll take any excuse to wear my long dress.

But most of all, I wanted to attend Malice Domestic May 1 to 3 in
Arlington, Va.

I love Malice and its honoring of the traditional mystery. It has been at least five years, maybe more, since I have been able to make it to Malice and I miss this terrific conference.

The panels are insightful, the authors receptive and the fans are nice.

I have never had a bad time at Malice.

This year, Nancy Pickard is the guest of honor; Elaine Viets the toastmaster and Anne Perry will receive the lifetime achievement.

But again, I have a personal reason for wanting to attend this year’s Malice.

I would like to be there to cheer on Kate and Brian when they receive the Malice Domestic Poirot Award.

According to the Malice Domestic Website, “this award is presented to honor individuals other than writers who have made outstanding contributions to the Malice Domestic genre. The award is bestowed by the Malice Domestic Board of Directors and presented at the Malice Domestic conference. The Poirot Award is not an annual award.”

And I must say, the award is well deserved.

Let me also add congratulations to all the winners and the nominees.

So, I won’t be attending any of these mystery-related events.

Instead, I will be in Sarasota, Florida, for the American Theater Critics Association’s annual conference, which is normally held in June. But this year, ATCA’s conference falls smack in the middle of these other events.

My husband, Bill, is a theater critic and this conference is a great excuse to see live theater twice a day.

It helps that I am as interested in theater as he is. Heck, we even met in the theater.

We were among the handful of journalism majors who were also involved with the theater at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was an actor; I was his dresser.

But that’s another story.

Oh, well, maybe next year I can be in L.A., or New York City, or Arlington.

PHOTOS: Nancy Pickard, top, Anne Perry

Posted in Agatha Awards, Awards, Edgar Allan Poe Awards | 960 Comments »

2009 Arthur Ellis Award nominees

Friday, April 24th, 2009

The Crime Writers of Canada announces the nominees for the Arthur Ellis Award.

The winners in all categories will be announced at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on June 4.

Best novel:
Linwood Barclay, Too Close to Home (Bantam)
Maureen Jennings, The K Handshape (Dundurn)
James W. Nichol, Transgression (MacArthur & Company)
Louise Penny, The Murder Stone (MacArthur & Company)
Michael E. Rose, The Tsunami File (MacArthur & Company)

Best first novel:
Nadine Doolittle, Iced Under (Bayeux Arts/Gondolier)
John C. Goodman, Talking to Wendigo (Turnstone)
April Lindgren, Headline: Murder (Second Story Press)
Howard Shrier, Buffalo Jump (Vintage Canada)
Phyllis Smallman, Margarita Nights (McArthur & Company)

Best juvenile novel:
Vicki Grant, Res Judicata (Orca)
Susan Juby, Getting the Girl (HarperCollins)
Elizabeth MacLeod, Royal Murder (Annick Press)
Norah McClintock, Dead Silence (Scholastic Canada)
Sharon E. McKay, War Brothers (Penguin Canada)

Best crime writing in French:
Jacques Côté, Le Chemin des brumes (Alire)
Maxime Houde, Le Poids des illusions (Alire)
Andre Jacques, La Tendresse du serpent (Québec Amerique)
Sylvain Meunier, L’Homme qui détestait le golf (La courte échelle)
Antoine Yaccarini, Meurtre au Soleil (VLB éditeur)

Best short story:
Pasha Malla, “Filmsong” in Toronto Noir (Akashic Books)
James Powell, “Clay Pillows” in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (June 2008)
Peter Robinson, “Walking the Dog” in Toronto Noir (Akashic Books)
Amelia Symington, “An Ill Wind” in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (Sept./Oct. 2008)
Kris Wood, “Thinking Inside the Box” in Going Out with a Bang (RendezVous Crime)

Best non-fiction:
Daphne Bramham, The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada’s Polygamous Mormon Sect (Vintage Canada/RHC)
Sharon Butala, The Girl in Saskatoon: A Meditation on Friendship, Memory and Murder (Phyllis Bruce Books/HarperCollins)
Alex Caine, Befriend and Betray: Infiltrating the Hells Angels, Bandidos and Other Criminal Brotherhoods (Vintage Canada/RHC)
Michael Calce & Craig Silverman, Mafiaboy: How I Cracked the Internet and Why It’s Still Broken (Penguin Canada)
Kerry Pither, Dark Days: The Story of Four Canadians Tortured in the Name of Fighting Terror (Penguin Canada)

Best unpublished novel:
Pam Barnsley, This Cage of Bones
Gloria Ferris, Cheat the Hangman
Stephen Maher, Salvage
Douglas A. Moles, Louder
Kevin Thornton, Condemned

Posted in Announcements, Arthur Ellis Awards, Awards, Crime Writers of Canada | 1,656 Comments »

Festival of Mystery features 42 authors

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

Mystery fiction fans know how many conferences there are that celebrate the genre we all love.

The sheer number can be a bit daunting.

But the 14th annual Festival of Mystery sounds like a conference that should not be missed.

It’s Monday May 4 at the Greek Orthodox Church, 12 Washington St., Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

The Festival of Mystery is sponsored by the good folks at the Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, which is near
Pittsburgh.

This year, about 42 authors from the United States and Canada will be on hand to discuss their works and to meet readers.

The conference is from 4 to 9 p.m. and is the largest book festival in that tri-state area.

But plan to get there early.

A line generally starts forming in the early afternoon; the first 100 into the hall receive a bag of mystery books donated by the major publishers.

Like most mystery conferences, the Festival of Mystery also supports literacy in its community. A raffle for gift baskets will benefit Beginning with Books. Refreshments are sold by the Riverview High School Honor Society and WDUQ-FM is co-sponsor.

And the price cannot be beat. Tickets are $7 in advance; $8 at the door.

The timing also seems geared for mystery fans. It comes just after the Edgars Awards, April 30, and then Malice, May 1 to 3.

Seems pretty easy that after you leave Malice in Washington to head over to Pennsylvannia for the Festival of Mystery. Make it a nice long weekend of mystery fiction.

And the authors are not to be missed.

They include Donna Andrews, Rhys Bowen, Jane K. Cleland, Jeff Cohen (be sure to check out his hilarious video), Ellen Crosby, above right, Casey Daniels, Rosemary Harris, Mary Jane Maffini, Toni Kelner, Nancy Martin, Louise Penny, Jason Pinter, Marcia Talley and G.M. Malliet, directly right.

OK, I know I had to leave way too many off that list, but the complete list along with their bios is on the Festival of Mystery Web site.

One of the authors who has attended the Festival of Mystery several times is Elaine Viets, right, who writes the Dead End Job series about Helen Hawthorne and the Mystery Shopper series about single mother Josie Marcus. Viets will have just finished her stint as toastmaster at Malice.

Viets is quite a fan of the Festival of Mystery. Here’s what she had to say:

“I started attending about six years ago. It’s perfect for touring mystery writers. We drive up in clusters of two to six the Monday after Malice Domestic,” said Viets in an email.

“At the Festival, we try to share a room with the writer who snores the least. Writing is a solitary business, so on the drive to Oakmont, Pa., we have a terrific time complaining about publishers and agents, swapping jokes and gossip.

“We try to arrive in Oakmont in time for the 2 p.m. library tea, because all writers need librarians. The librarians listen patiently to us.

“Readers literally come by the busload. It is mystery writers heaven.

“The Festival attracts serious buyers. They purchase books by the shopping bag, as if mysteries will be outlawed by morning. They love new series, or authors they haven’t seen in a couple of years. They also come back for their old favorites. We writers spend about four hours telling readers about our work.

“Then it’s over and we’re exhausted. We have pizza with Mary Alice and Richard and the staff and leave for home the next day.

“I had to miss it the last two years and felt a page was torn out of my writing life. It’s like coming home.”

Sounds like a plan to me.

PHOTOS: Top, from left, Rhys Bowen, Jason Pinter, Nancy Martin, Donna Andrews.

Posted in Donna Andrews, G.M. Malliet | 1,331 Comments »

Linda L. Richards and the economy

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

“In this economy…”

OK, so how many times a day do you hear this phrase from newscasters, friends, waiters, sales people or even just floating through your brain like some modern-day mantra.

Makes you wish you had the theme song to The Beverly Hillbillies instead of this terror-inducing phrase in your head.

Hopefully, “in this economy….” will not stop you from buying books, preferably mysteries, and mystery-oriented magazines.

So it should come as no surprise how Linda L. Richards’s newest Kitty Pangborn novel Death Was in the Picture feels so contemporary, even though the novel is set in 1930.

But what’s a Great Depression between friends?

Richards’s heroine Kitty has to deal with some of the same financial situations that her readers do in reality.

Sure, the financially strapped hero/heroine is a staple of the mystery genre.

Very few sleuths are wealthy, unless they are a Lord or something.

But very few exist in an economy that we have now.

Can you say Bernie Madoff?

Kitty came from a fairly affluent family, but the 1929 crash hit her family hard. Her father committed suicide.

While she still lives in the family home, she takes in boarders to make ends meet.

The scenes in which Kitty saves money, trims little things here and there will hit home with many readers.

When she is given money by a client to buy new clothes, she’s both giddy with excitement and frightened by spending all that cash on just clothes, instead of, say, for food.

In Mystery Scene‘s Winter Issue 2009 (No. 108), Kevin Burton Smith presents an insightful article about Richards, delving into how she made the secretary to a private detective the lead character.

I, too, found this quite interesting. (By the way, here’s a link to my review of Death Was in the Picture.)

After all, most of us – well, we women readers anyway – knew that Effie Perrine, Della Street and Peggy (on Mannix) were the real reasons those private detectives were so successful.

Like many mystery writers, Linda L. Richards includes a lot of layers in her novels.

And like most historical mysteries, her plots are a mirror to contemporary times.

Posted in Great Depression, Historical Mystery, Linda L. Richards, PI | 1,750 Comments »

Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

With so many mysteries being published each year, it’s easy to get swept up with the current crop and forget the old masters.

So often I have thought about the works of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Dorothy Sayers, and, my personal favorite, Ross Macdonald and realized that I just don’t have the time to revisit their works.

Truthfully, I barely have the time to read new works.

So Art Taylor’s ultra-cool story titled Miss Jane Marple: Spinster Sleuth Extraordinaire was especially interesting to me. (The story’s in the Winter Issue, 2009; No. 108.)

While I left Agatha Christie off that list above, I hadn’t forgotten about her.

I cut my mystery teeth on Christie’s work and her novels always have a special place in my heart.

But with all the attention on new authors, I tend to forget:

* What a wry old bird Miss Jane Marple was. True, a bit creepy, always watching her neighbors, living vicariously in a sense. But she was the epitome of a sleuth – eagle-eyed, thoughtful, insightful and not swayed by personalities.

* What a complex personality Miss Marple was. She didn’t trust people, but at the same time she was never unkind to anyone.

* What a great plotter Christie was. Those stories were dense with clues and plot points and characterizations. Some readers might find the writing in those stories a bit dated but they are not.

* Contemporary issues abound in Christie’s work. Sure, these stories were written in another century, but issues of classism, fidelity, family secrets never go out of style.

* And talk about relevance….Christie’s books also have been released as graphic novels. Do you think that would happen if these stories were too old-fashioned?

* Senior sleuths are a group that is often overlooked. Christie may have been the first to give a voice to the often invisible senior citizen. With so many 30 to 40something sleuths dominating the genre, it is a refreshing change to have a 70something show her intelligences.

My knowledge of Christie and Miss Marple are scant next to Kate, who is a true Christie expert, and to Art, whose article makes some interesting observations.

But when I was 9 or 10, I discovered Christie’s novels and they lead me to so many more wonderful authors. For that, I am always grateful to Christie and her troupe of characters.

Posted in Agatha Christie, Art Taylor, Miss Marple | 1,297 Comments »

Review: Living the Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Living the Vida Lola
by Misa Ramirez
Minotaur Books, January 2009, $24.95

This first mystery by Misa Ramirez has it all: murder, romance and humor, courtesy of soon-to-be series protagonist Lola Cruz, a neophyte detective for a small private investigation operation located in decidedly unsexy Sacramento. Lola wants to prove herself by solving major cases, but until she receives an assignment to investigate the suspicious disappearance of a local woman, she sees little challenging action. This case, however, is a puzzle requiring the top-notch investigative skills. Fortunately, Lola reunites with Jack Callaghan, a newspaper reporter who was her major, unrequited crush in high school, and who supports her career choice as a private investigator. Jack is just the man to spark Lola’s new life, and he convinces her of this as they combine forces to solve the mystery. Living the Vida Lola offers plenty of plot twists and action, in addition to hot moments of romance.

Readers will applaud the ending, as Jack and Lola realize their long-postponed love for each other.Living the Vida Lola is a worthy contribution to the growing, but still underrepresented, body of mysteries featuring Hispanic protagonists. In this enjoyable book, Ramirez provides humorous insight into the close-knit nature of Hispanic families. Mexican readers will chuckle with recognition at Ramirez’ representation of life within their culture, while others will appreciate the similarities and differences between cultures. For a touch of welcome diversity in the mystery novel, I highly recommend Living the Vida Lola.—Lynne F. Maxwell

Posted in Misa Ramirez | 1,670 Comments »

Edgar Allan Poe at the ballet

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

The 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday has not gone unnoticed among mystery readers.

A plethora of short story collections, novels, tributes and more have honored the man considered the father of the American detective story.

While Poe’s work has been adapted for film and stage, the New York City-based Dances Patrelle has a new approach.

Dances Patrelle’s 20th Repertory Season kicks off April 16 to 19 with a world premiere of Murder at the Masque: The Casebook of Edgar Allan Poe, which may be the world’s first true mystery ballet.

The ballet will be performed at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 68th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues in New York City.

The ballet will feature characters and settings drawn from Poe’s stories and poems. At the ballet, Lord Roderick Usher (danced by Royal ballet alum Matthew Dibble) has been murdered, everyone at the Masquerade is a suspect, and world famous detective Auguste Dupin (danced by Movin’ Out alum Alex Brady) is on the case.

Will the audience be able to figure out the murderer before Dupin does?

Murder at the Masque: The Casebook of Edgar Allan Poe is choreographed by Francis Patrelle to a commissioned score by Patrick Soluri (Madame X), based on an original story by Justin Allen (Slaves of the Shinar), with sets by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith, costumes by Rita B. Watson, and lighting by David Grill, according to Justin Allen of Dances Patrelle.

Judging from the beautiful poster that accompanies this blog, the ballet should be quite interesting.

The company is also reviving fan-favorite Come Rain/Come Shine featuring songs sung by Judy Garland, a ballet for three couples set inside a boxing ring. OK, so Come Rain/Come Shine isn’t mystery oriented, but it sounds interesting.

Dances Patrelle’s 20th anniversary performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday April 16; 8 p.m. Friday April 17 and Saturday April 18; and at 3 p.m. Sunday April 19.

Tickets are $20 for all performances with a few special patron tickets at $100.

Tickets are on sale now. Call the Kaye Playhouse at 212-772-4448.

PHOTO: The basic design for the scrim for The House of Usher;
design is by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith.

Posted in Edgar Allan Poe, events | 1,776 Comments »

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