Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for January 2010

Welcome 2010!  Kicking off the new year on Mysteries and My Musings we have a truly awesome Blog Carnival for you.  Lots of entries and information for you in this one.  Please remember to pass along the news of this blog carnival so it can be a resource for the mystery and crime fiction community.

Police Procedural Book Review

Pudgy Penguin Perusals reviewed the novel Death in the Stocks by Geogette Heyer.

It’s a Crime (Or A Mystery) reviewed the British novel Dead Tomorrow by Peter James.

Tutu’s Two Cents reviewed the novel Fire and Ice by J.A. Jance.

Books ‘N Cooks reviewed the novel The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen.

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Death Wore White by Jim Kelly KerrieS says it is "One of the best new British police procedurals I've read for a while."


KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed The Serpent Pool by Martin Edwards. She says it is "An excellent new British crime fiction title to look for in February 2010."

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Punter's Luck by Peter Klein. She comments it is a "Debut novel by Australian crime fiction writer: is he Australia's answer to Dick Francis?"


Private Investigator Book Review

Nicole over at Linus's Blanket reviewed what sounds like a fascinating book Locked In by Marcia Muller.

Book Dilettante reviewed the book Blood and Groom by Jill Edmondson.

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed If The Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr. She says "Crime fiction set in Berlin in 1934. 2009 winner of the Ellis Peters Award for Historical Mystery."


Amateur Sleuth book Review

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Executive Lunch by Maria E. Schneider. Kerrie says: "This is the first time I have reviewed a book you can only buy as an e-book. crime fiction, with a larger than life heroine Sedona O'Hala, offered the chance to try an executive lifestyle in return for catching some thieves."

Reactions to Reading reviewed U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton.

S. Krishna’s Books reviews the debut book of a new series Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis in which the author Daphne du Maurier is the sleuth.

Writing Advice and Good Books reviewed the novel Deadly Descent by Charlotte Hinger

Book Dilettante reviewed the novel Murder on the Cliff by Stefanie Matteson

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Writers in Residence reviewed the novel Ghost a la Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Okbolover reviewed the book The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig-Albert where the sleuth is children's author Beatrix Potter.

Booking Mama reviewed the book The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page.

Book Dilettante did a mini-review of the novel Killer Keepsakes by Jane K. Cleland.

The Mystery Bookshelf reviewed the novel Cockatiel’s At Seven by Donna Andrews.

The Mystery Bookshelf also reviewed the novel The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia Washburne.

Socrates’ Book Reviews has reviewed The Chocolate Snowman Murders by Joanna Carl.

A Bibliophile’s Bookshelf reviewed the novel The Trouble with Magic by Madelyn Alt.

Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews tackled the Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke.

Reactions to Reading reviewed the novel Blood in the Cotswald by Rebecca Tope if you are looking for a light English country-side mystery.

Thoughts in Progress reviewed the book Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs.

The Mystery Bookshelf reviewed the novel Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle.

Janel’s Jumble reviewed the paranormal cozy Casting Spells by Barbara Breton.

Opinions of a Wolf reviewed the paranormal cozy Truly, Madly by Heather Webber where the main character runs a match-making business.

Socrates’ Book Reviews gives us a review of the novel The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis.


Suspense Fiction Book Review

Reactions to Reading reviewed the novel The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman where a spunky grandmother is an international spy.

S. Krishna’s Books reviewed The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry.

A Bookworm’s World reviewed True Blue by David Baldacci

Books and Cooks reviewed the intriguing novel The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner.

Socrates’ Book Reviews gives us a review on the novel 13 ½ by Nevada Barr.

Steele on Entertainment reviews the novel Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan


Author Interview

Mysteries and Chitchat have an interesting interview with author Evelyn David (Murder Takes the Cake and Murder Off the Books).

Bestselling and awarding winning author Margaret Maron was interviewed here

Author Mary Staton was interviewed here.


Writing Tips and Advice

Mrs. Laughton at Justice City, USA posted a great listing for crime fiction authors of the Top 50 Cops and Crimefighters on Twitter. This may also be a valuable listing of crime experts for an author to get helpful information from.

Herbert Anderson presents Top 50 Criminal Justice and Criminology Blogs to assist the crime fiction author.

Livia Blackburne gives us Slow Motion Descriptions For Important Moments.

Writers in Residence developed a series of posts (5 thus far) for the author:

Basics Part 1 - Formatting

Part 2 - Openings

Part 3 - Adjectives and Adverbs

Part 4 - Show Don't Tell

Part 5 - Dialog
Nathan Bransford posted All about Writing Contests


~ ~ ~ ~ ~WOW - didn't I tell you we had a phenomenal carnival this month?  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hope you got some ideas for new books or authors to read and even some tips and insights for writing.

For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.
And please help spread the word about this Blog carnival, it is very easy to submit a post to be included.


Until Thursday's next book review I wish you many mysterious moments and a fantastic year ahead.