Guest Post - Anna Lee Huber II

Anna Lee Huber is the RITA and Daphne awards-nominated author of the national bestselling Lady Darby Mysteries, including A Grave Matter, Mortal Arts, and The Anatomist’s Wife. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in psychology. She currently resides in Indiana with her family and is hard at work on the next Lady Darby novel. Book 4, A Study in Death (my review here), will released on July 7th, 2015.

Visit her online at www.annaleehuber.com.This is the second interview we have been honored to have with Ms. Huber.  The first interview is here (click here.)

Anna Lee Huber
For this blog post, I decided to toss it over to my readers and find out what they would like to know about me and the Lady Darby series, and here are a few of the questions they asked.

What is your favorite part about writing the Lady Darby series?

I would have to say it’s the characters. Whenever I think I know them completely, they will surprise me and reveal another facet to themselves. It’s fun to explore them, to put them in new and often difficult situations, and to watch them continue to blossom as fictional beings.

Do you have a favorite character?

Oh, my goodness. You want me to choose?! Well, Lady Darby and Gage will always be favorites, that’s a given, but there are a few secondary characters I am particularly fond of. Bonnie Brock is so much fun to write. His role was initially supposed to be minor, but he stole the scene and my imagination from the moment he walked on the page. I adore Alana, because everybody needs a big sister like her. Lord Marsdale from The Anatomist’s Wife is a delightful rascal, and will be coming back at some later date. Another amusing addition to my cast in A Study in Death is Lady Bearsden. The words that emerged from her mouth made me laugh out loud more than once. And, of course, William Dalmay from Mortal Arts will always hold a special place in my heart, probably for obvious reasons.

What is the hardest part of writing this series?

Getting the psychology of my characters correct is particularly important to me, so I spend a lot of time and effort on it, and it sometimes forces me to go to dark places inside myself I don’t really want to go. I would say that’s probably the most difficult part of writing this series. The willingness to dig so deep to find the truth of a person.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Everywhere. Truly. Anything and everything is fodder for ideas. History, books, TV, movies, people-watching, travel, you name it. Setting also heavily influences my stories, which is why I prefer to set my novels in various locations and not confine myself to one city. I have lists and lists of interesting places I want to take my characters.

Any fictional characters from other books you feel particularly attuned to? Any fictional crushes?

I’ve always identified with most of Mary Stewart’s heroines. They’re smart, logical, slightly out of the ordinary women. I would also say I identify with Elinor in Sense and Sensibility. As far as fictional crushes, well, who isn’t a little in love with Mr. Darcy?

I'm interested in servants' roles and responsibilities. What is the difference between a majordomo, a butler, a valet? What about an abigail? I get confused as to which are different terms from different time periods and which are actually different positions.

There are a number of different sources online who can explain this better than I can, truly. Briefly, I can clarify that a majordomo is more of a man-of-all-business, carrying out a variety of duties that extend beyond the purview of one household. It’s a sort-of catch-all term and position. A butler is the head servant of usually one particular household. Carson on Downton Abbey is the perfect example. A valet handles a gentleman’s attire and appearance—draws his bath, helps him shave, mends his clothes, etc. An abigail is a lady’s personal maid, but it goes beyond that. She is oftentimes more of a servant-companion, desired as much for her company as the tasks she performs.
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Thank You Ms. Huber for that wonderful interview!  We appreciate your visiting us today.  Keep writing those great books.




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Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - January 2013

It is the first Monday of the month - time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Please help the newsletter for the blog carnival to get more subscribers.  I send the newsletter out once a month announcing the deadline for submitting to this blog carnival.

If a blog reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews.   Multiple entries from a blog are welcome.  Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Tea Time with Marce reviewed the legal thriller Attorney-Client Privilege by Pamela Samuels Young

Booking Mama reviewed the Black Box by Michael Connelly

A Date with a Book reviewed Body Double by Tess Gerritsen

Books to the Rescue reviewed Sketch Me If You Can by Sharon Pape

A Date with a Book reviewed Hour of Predators by Lane Stark

Booking Mama reviewed The Child Who by Simon Lelic


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

Tea Time with Marce reviewed the more hard core In the Belly of Jonah by Sandra Brannan

Booking Mama reviewed A Marked Man by Barbara Hamilton, the first in the Abigail Adams historical cozy series.

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed A Fatal Winter by G. M. Malliet

Books to the Rescue reviewed All Sales Fatal by Laura DiSilverio

Booking Mama reviewed The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed To Hell in a Handbasket by Beth Groundwater

Books to the Rescue reviewed The Diva Takes the Cake by Krista Davis

Booking Mama reviewed Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown

A Date with A Book reviewed If You Can’t Stand the Heat by Robin Allen


Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Booking Mama reviewed Say You Are Sorry by Michael Robotham

Tea Time with Marce reviewed Primal by D.A. Serra

Booking Mama reviewed Resurrection Express by Stephen Romano

Booking Mama reviewed Black Fridays by Michael Sears

 

Author Interview

Mysteries and My Musings gives us an interview with Beth Groundwater

Examiner gives us an interview with Terry Odell

Mysteries and My Musings gives us an interview with Juliet Blackwell

Mysteries and My Musings gives us an interview with Anna Lee Huber

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A huge "Thank You" to all the wonderful bloggers out there who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming.

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.

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Author Interview - Susan Elia MacNeal

Today we welcome Susan Elia MacNeal, author of Mr. Churchill's Secretary to our blog.  I reviewed the book a few weeks ago (click here) and sought an interview immediately.  I hope you enjoy this little view into the author and her writing.

Do you start your next mystery with the killer, the victim or a plot idea?

Princess Elizabeth’s Spy starts out with Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor, discussing an assassination plan with the Nazi commander Walther Shellenberg. What they discuss directly affects the Royal family — and Maggie Hope, of course.

Do you outline the plot or some variation of that (a little/a lot of detail, a strict 3 act structure etc) before sitting down and writing?

I usually do a lot of research first, take notes, and out of that, ideas for stories emerge. Then I make a loose three-act outline. But I always leave plenty of room for improvisation.

Maggie Hope is a great character, as well as the rest of the crew (I loved Sarah.) What is your process for developing a character? Do you use pictures, a worksheet or just let the character(s) tell you about him/herself as you write?

Thank you! Usually I develop characters by having an idea for a particular person, then choosing a name, then creating a whole biography and backstory. The reader may or may not be shown all of that, but it’s there. I even know what they keep in their bottom drawers!

I’m so glad you loved Sarah — Sarah was different, actually. She just appeared at the Blue Moon Club one day when I was writing and I went with it. We haven’t seen much of Sarah in Princess Elizabeth’s Spy and His Majesty’s Hope, as she’s been on tour with the ballet, but I have big plans for her (or she has big plans for me?) in book #4. I’ve missed her.

Why WWII Britain? What drew you to base a series in that time and place in history?

You know, I’d been writing short stories, and since I live in New York City, I always pictured writing a novel set in present-day New York. However, my husband was doing a lot of traveling to London (for Bear in the Big Blue House, a Disney Channel show), and I was lucky enough to be able to go along. A friend suggested I go to the Churchill War Rooms and I did.

    The experience was incredibly powerful. There you are, in the actual bunker where Churchill commanded World War II. All the details are intact, left just the way they were when the bunker was closed after the war. I really felt as if time collapsed for a moment and I was actually there — I could hear the bells of the typewriters, smell the cigarette smoke…. Even though I felt woefully unprepared to write historical fiction, let alone historical fiction set in another country, I felt like I had to do it. The ghosts of Mr. Churchill’s secretaries wanted me to do it.

I was fascinated by the actual Churchill secretaries that you researched, tell us a little about them.

When you go to the Churchill War Rooms, you get an audio guide. For one part, when you’re looking at the typists’ office, an actress reads a portion of Elizabeth Layton Nel’s memoir, about her experiences as a young girl coming to work for Mr. Churchill during the Blitz. The book was out-of-print at the time, but I was able to track it down and read it. It was invaluable for learning about the day-to-day duties of Churchill’s secretaries. Later, I was able to find Mrs. Nel’s address and had the great honor of being able to correspond with her before her death. She was very supportive of the novel, but insisted that they (the typists) had no time whatsoever for mysteries or romances!

Do you have anything special you do before writing, particular music or a special room/location that helps you get in the zone and write?

There’s a quote from the choreographer George Balanchine that I love: “My muse comes to me on union time.” Meaning that when he had the studio and the union-paid dancers in front of him, he’d better create something then and there. That’s my attitude, too. If I have a bit of time, I make the most of it.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing and how long does it take you to write a book?

The first book, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, took me a long, long time to write, in fits and starts. Overall, it took about ten years from the initial trip to the Churchill War Rooms until publication. I was very lucky that Random House offered me a multiple-book contract at that time — with a due date of just one year for Princess Elizabeth’s Spy. I wrote that in a year, and then took another year to write His Majesty’s Hope. I’ll be starting the untitled Maggie Hope mystery #4 in August — I have a year for that, too.

    Generally, I write in the mornings and edit and do other freelance work projects in the afternoon. Then I pick up my seven-year-old son from school at three and “Mommy time” begins.

What in your background prepared you to write not just intrigue novels but historicals?

I’ve always loved history in school, and have always read history books, as well as historical fiction. Reading is an amazing form of time-travel, isn’t it? But to research Mr. Churchill’s Secretary and the other books, I really had to roll up my sleeves and just read, read, read (and take notes and talk to experts). At the end of each book, I like to provide a list of source material I used, so people can always investigate further, if they want.

Who is your favorite Mystery/Suspense character?

I absolutely love Nick and Nora Charles (and their dog, Asta, of course) from The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett. 

Which author has influenced or inspired you the most?

The book I’ve read the most over the course of my life is Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. I even wrote my senior thesis in college on the stories and novellas of Louisa May Alcott. My editor once asked where Maggie Hope came from, and I said she’s part Jo March, part Nora Charles, and part La Femme Nikita.

How did you get your first break to getting published? Was it at a writer's conference or mailing a query letter?

Getting published was an odyssey for me. The short answer is I mailed a query letter to a literary agent, was taken on as a client, and then my amazing agent sold the book (as a series) to Random House. However, the short version omits all of the rejection letters, the weeping in bed in the fetal position, the endless rewrites, and the nail biting.

What are you currently reading?

I’m proud to say I’m just finishing the first draft of His Majesty’s Hope and I’m taking a two-week vacation — reading is number one on the agenda! The stack of books I’m bringing includes: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (aka The Bloggess), The Paris Wife by Paula McClain, Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin, and an ARC of Invisible, the new novel by Carla Buckley.

If your Maggie Hope Adventures were to be made into a movie, who would you cast in your top character's roles?

Ooooh! What a fun question! In this wonderful dream world, I would love to cast Claire Danes as Maggie Hope, Kit Harington as John Sterling, James McAvoy as David Greene, and Emily Blunt as Sarah. I’d love to see Brendan Gleeson as Winston Churchill, Dean Winters as Michael Murphy, Jason Isaacs as Peter Frain, Heather Matarazzo as Chuck, and Mia Wasikowska as Paige Kelly. And Hugh Laurie as Edmund Hope and Emma Thompson as Aunt Edith.

Claire Danes as Maggie Hope

 

Tell us about the next book in the series, Princess Elizabeth's Spy.  What was your biggest challenge with it?  What was your greatest joy with this book?

Well, in writing Princess Elizabeth’s Spy, I had the opportunity to create new characters and also a new setting — Windsor Castle — which I found a bit intimidating. But once I got into the story, it was so much fun to write. I think one of the most amazing things for me was putting together a fictional Windsor Castle and town of Windsor from books and documentaries. Then, when I was done with my first draft, I was able to travel to the real Windsor. It was an incredible experience to walk along the same corridors in the Castle  as my characters — it really took my breath away. I hope people find Princess Elizabeth’s Spy as much fun to read as I did to write.

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for November 2010

I trust everybody had a great Halloween.  It is time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  Below is the line-up.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural Book Review

YA Book Nerd reviews Naked Heat by Richard Castle

Buried Under Books reviews Thrilled to Death by L.J. Sellers

Private Investigator Book Review

It's a Crime (Or a Mystery) provides a review of Think of a Number by John Verdon

Tell Me a Story reviews Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

Amateur Sleuth book Review 

The Mystery Bookshelf provides a review of Freeze Frame by Peter May


Bippity Boppity provides a review of Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn
 

The Merry Genre Go-Round reviews The Midnight Show Murders by Al Roker

Only Detect reviews Sharpshooter by Nadia Gordon

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Me, My Book and the Couch provides a review of The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee


Just One More Paragraph provides a review of Key Lime Pie by Josi Kilpack


Kittling: Books provides us with a review of A Cotswold Killing by Rebecca Tope



Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review 

Find Your Next Good Read reviews The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

The Mystery Librarian reviews Don't Look Twice by Andrew Gross

Mostly Fiction Books review Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan

Author Interview

Fiction for Dessert interview Debbi Mack

Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Margaret Coel

Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Rhys Bowen

Writing Tips and Advice

Writer Sense gives us Showing not Telling: Infodumps

Plot Whisperer gives us Goal Setting for Protagonists in Middle

Time to Write gives us The Secret of Writing Good Dialog

#####Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. ####### 
 Submit your blog entry for next month's Carnival here: (http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_8796.html)
 Spread the word far and wide!!!
 Post a widget on your blog for this carnival here (http://blogcarnival.com/bc/widget_2_demo_8796.html)

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) CLICK HERE and also as best Hobby Blog CLICK HERE. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival June 2010

Enrich your children's summer with this fun mystery reading program (ends August 1) http://www.childrensmysterybooks.org/hot-summer-reading.html.  Your child can also join the year long celebration at Year of the Children's Mystery Book at http://www.childrensmysterybooks.org/

The blog carnival relies on submissions from bloggers - so please pass this along to mystery and crime fiction bloggers to join us each month.  It is easy to submit an entry by going here http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_8796.html.

Police Procedural Book Review 

 KerrieS presents THE SILENCE OF THE RAIN by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza.  Set in Rio de Janeiro, translated from Portuguese, the first novel in the Inspector Espinosa series.

A Few More Pages presents A Dangerous Mourning by Anne Perry.   William Monk is an inspector for London's new Metropolitan Police Force set in Victorian England in the mid-1800s.

KerrieS presents THE SNOWMAN, Jo Nesbo.  Scandinavian crime fiction that you shouldn't miss.

Reactions to Reading gives us A Death in Tuscany by Michele Giuttari.

Mark presents Rolling Thunder by Chris Grabenstein. 

  Private Investigator Book Review 

 Mysteries in Paradise presents B-Very Flat by Margot Kinberg.  In true Agatha Christie style the reader is led to consider a range of evidence, to discount the red herrings, and work out who is not telling the truth.

Mysteries and My Musings presents the historical mystery Serpent in the Thorns by Jeri Westerson.

Amateur Sleuth book Review 

 S Krishna's Books presents Haunt Me Still by Jennifer Lee Carrell. The greatly anticipated second book after Carrell's Interred With Their Bones brings an original manuscript of Macbeth, one that Kate, our Shakespearean expert and sleuth, has to find.

Jules' Book Reviews gives us The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton.
The murder of a renowned expert in Mayan history lures Lara into the jungles surrounding Merida, Mexico. For in this lush paradise are the temples of the Mayan gods--and the camps of modern-day rebels fighting to save their Mayan heritage. As the body count escalates, Lara must uncover the secrets of the Mayan underworld known as Xibalba--and the journey into the very heart of darkness.

Mysteries and My Musings presents A Cast Off Coven by Juliett Blackwell.

Cozy Mystery Book Review 

Book girl's Nightstand presents Pretty in Ink by Karen Olson. Another madcap adventure awaits talented tattoo artists and business owner, Brett Kavanaugh in Pretty In Ink, the entertaining second installment of the Tattoo Mystery series.

Mason Canyon presents Half-Price Homicide by Elaine Viets.

Mysteries and My Musings presents Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett.

 Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review 

 Missy Frye presents The Ark by Boyd Morrison.  With a chilling premise and a blistering pace, Boyd Morrison combines all the best elements of a blockbuster thriller with an intelligent and fascinating exploration of one of the Old Testament’s great mysteries. 

Blogging Mama Andrea presents Deadline Man by Jon Talton. It is a wonderful first thriller for Jon Talton whose fast pace style and likeable but flawed characters keep the reader wondering what else is peeking around the corner.

Chick Lit Reviews presents Desire by Louise Bagshawe. Lisa Costello is leading a charmed life - until she wakes up the morning after her glamorous Thailand wedding to find her new husband Josh dead in their bed, the murder weapon in her hand.

Mark presents The 9th Judgment by James Patterson. 

Author Interview 

Mysterious Writers provides a great interview with Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Lawrence Block, bestseller and winner of four Edgar and Shamus awards.

Nigel Beale provides us with an audio interview with William Deverell on How To Write a Great Crime Novel.

 Mysterious Writers provides another great interview with Chris Grabenstien.

Nigel Beale provides another audio interview, this time with crime novelist Denise Mina.

Writing Tips and Advice

Writer Sense gives us Writing Scene Transitions.

Writer Sense gives us Setting Part 1 and Part 2

Heidi Thomas give us Bookkeeping for Writers.

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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.

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *

Now for a grin and giggle:

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for May 2010

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

Winners of the TOMORROW RIVER book giveaway are Stella (Ex Librus) and Giada.  You should have received an email requesting your mailing address to send your copy to.

Police Procedural Book Review

Bernadette reveiws Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indriðason The subtle drama of these exquisitely depicted, intertwining stories is as compelling as any explosively dramatic book. Quite beautiful.
Alexia's Books and Such reviewed Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
 
Jennifer at Crazy For Books reviewed Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
 
Hey Lady!  Whatcha Reading? reviews The Tunnels by Michelle Gagnon
 
Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews gave us Deception by Jonathon Kellerman
 
Private Investigator Book Review


Lesley's Book Nook reviewed the Maisie Dobbs (audio) by Jacqueline Winspear

 
 
Amateur Sleuth book Review
 
 A Million Words reviews the novel The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley  
 
Christy at Readin' and Dreamin' reviews the book Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
 
Cozy Mystery Book Review
 
Mark reviews three cozy novels in his post Recent Nightstand Visitors sharing "the post includes reviews of comedic mysteries Corpse on the Cob by Sue Ann Jaffarian, Revenge for Old Times' Sake by Kris Neri, and Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine"
 
Lesa's Book Critiques reviews Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton
 
Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review
 
KerrieS reviewed BLEED FOR ME, Michael Robotham saying this will be a strong contender for this year's Ned Kelly Awards.
 
Missy Frye reviews the novel The Right Call by Kathy Herman saying "with information that could solve a series of murders but endangers the girl he loves, a college boy grapples with what to do—and whom to trust."
 
Amanda at Bookshelf Monstrousity reviews The Ghost Writer by John Harwood
 
Author Interview
 
Mysteries and My Musing interviewed M. Louise Locke
 
Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Martha Grimes
 
Writing Tips and Advice
 
Writer sense gives us Creating a Villain Pt 1


Writer sense gives us Creating a Villain Pt 2

Research for background of Forensic Science JohnQ Stakes presents Top 10 Most Famous Forensic Scientists of All Time

 
 
*******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.

 

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for April 2010

We have reached 100 followers!  I am so tickled, please, overjoyed.  "Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music." 

* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

 

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for April 2010

It is the first Monday of April and time for our fifth blog Carnival. It is another chocked full directory of mystery and crime fiction reviews across the blogosphere.

Police Procedural Book Review

 KerrieS reviews A CARRION DEATH by Michael Stanley.  She tells us it is "one of my best reads for 2010. an impressive debut novel structured in a way that gets the reader thinking. For example, the events are layered in time rather than sequential, so you are forced to take notice of chapter headings. There are little puzzles to solve and as one is resolved, the next presents. It is also populated with engaging characters such as Kubu Bengu, his wife Joy, and his boss Mabake."

The Book Mole presents an oldie but goodie Gallows View by Peter Robinson

Mason Canyon reviews An Axe To Grind by F.M. Meredith

Private Investigator Book Review


Ms. SP...as in Smarty Pants presents The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
 
Marie Burton reviewed 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan  and says it was an unforgettably nostalgic journey through 31 Bond Street in New York City that I would not hesitate to recommend to fellow mystery lovers.
 
Amateur Sleuth book Review

Bernadette at Reactions to Reading reviews Borderline by Nevada Barr

Beth Fish reviews Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Mayhem and Magic reviewed It Happened One Knife by Jeff Cohen

Jennifer reviewed Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich

Tiny lIttle Reading Room reviewed The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Violet at The Mystery Bookshelf reviews Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Child

Mark  gives us a mini review of The Last Illusion by Rhys Bowen

Pudgy Penguin reviewed Devil's Food Cake by Josi S. Kilpack

hristina reviewed Death in Kashmir by M.M. Kaye and says it is an entertaining mystery, in the tradition of Agatha Christie

Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Matt Fullerty presents his book The Murderess and the Hangman

Missy Frye reviewed Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll

Elena reviews the classic Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Douglas Cobb reviews Drood by Dan Simmons

Author Interview


 You can hear the Bookhabit PodCast (a 23-minute interview) with British Author Matt Fullerty by clicking here.


Mysteries and My Musings inteviewed Wendy Roberts
 
Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Diane Stuckart 
 
Writing Tips and Advice
 
Author2Author gives us Mystery Stucture

For research Angela Martin gives us The 100 Best Crime Books Ever Written

Rowena Hebert gives us 37 Lectures Every Writer Should Listen To

More research aids Isabella Smith gives us 50 Fascinating Documentaries for Forensics Science Junkies

Rowena Hebert presents 100 Twitter Feeds That Will Improve Your Writing

For research and perhaps a plot idea Mia Taylor presents The Top 10 Art Heists of All Time



*******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.



 

  

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - Feb 2010

February is here all ready!  2010 is already flying by.  It is time for the Blog Carnival again and we have another chock full carnival.  I hope you enjoy it and a special thank you to all the contributors who submitted their work.  Another celebration of the Mystery and Crime Fiction Genre - wahoo.  Hey, if you haven't become a member or follower of the blog, please do.  We have the Google followers and also Facebook Blog Network.

Police Procedural Book Review


Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise presents TRUTH by Peter Temple. Kerrie says it is the latest from an Australian master and Ned Kelly Award winner. It is excellent, both for crime fiction and a taste of Australia. This one will be short listed in this year's Ned Kelly awards.

Bernadette at Reactions to Reading presents Whack A Mole by Chris Grabenstein.  The third book in a feel-good series featuring charming characters, suspense-filled stories and, for audio book fans, a brilliant narrator.


Susan at You Can Never Have Too Many Books reviews The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke set in Louisiana after Katrina

Lesa at Lesa’s Book Critiques reviewed Assassins of Athens by Jeffrey Siger. She says "It's a complex police procedural involving politics, powerful, wealthy people, and men who have their own motives for violence."

Bernadette presents The Rule Book by Rob Kitchin. A brilliant debut that depicts the desperation that police must feel when faced with a lack of evidence and a city screaming for answers.

Maxine (Petrona) presents Dead Before Dying by Deon Meyer. Translated from the Afrikaans by Madeline van Biljon.

KerrieS presents SKELETON HILL by Peter Lovesey. Wonderfully told tale from a master story teller - two of the dead share a beer during a Civil War re-enactment near Bath, England, and one goes missing.

Maxine (Petrona) presents Truth by Peter Temple.  Excellent novel by superb Australian author. A sort of sequel to The Broken Shore (winner of 2007 Gold Dagger).

Gaby at Starting Fresh reviewed  When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson

Maxine presents Blood Sunset by Jarad Henry. Australian police procedural thriller set in Melbourne, well worth a read.

KerrieS presents THE BRASS VERDICT by Michael Connelly. Top-notch legal thriller set in Los Angeles. Winner of 2009 Anthony Award for best crime fiction.

Mostly Fiction Book Reviews reviewed Blood Sins by Kay Hooper.  Featuring highly trained Special Crimes Unit of the FBI all of whom have one or more psychic ability that they use in their work.

Bernadette presents The Killing Hands by P D Martin. This procedural by Australian author P.D. Martin offers a unique slant on the genre by featuring an FBI profiler who has psychic abilities which she can sometimes use to help her investigations

KerrieS presents BLOOD OF THE WICKED by Leighton Gage. Set in Brazil: the first in the Mario Silva series: only 3 to read in this series so far. A bishop steps from a helicopter and his head explodes in a red mist.

Kris at Not Enough Books reviewed the novel Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs.

Private Investigator Book Review

Maxine (Petrona) presents City of the Sun by David Levien. Supense-filled page-turner as parents try to find their son who vanished a year ago.

KerrieS presents BLOOD BORN by Kathryn Fox.  Forensic physician Anya Crichton features in her 4th novel by Australian author Kathryn Fox.  Well worth looking for.

Bernadette presents Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. A historical mystery offering a delicious reading experience loaded with wit, terrific period imagery and details, an intriguing mystery and unpredictable, fascinating characters.

Amateur Sleuth book Review

Mervi’s Book Reviews gives us the novel The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters.

Kris at Not Enough Books reviewed Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Tina over at Tutu's Two Cents reviewed Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

Stephanie at Laughing Stars reviewed the book Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin, a historical kind-of private investigator story.

Julie at Booking Mama reviewed the novel Living the Vida Lola by Misa Ramirez.

KerrieS presents CONSEQUENCES OF SIN by Clare Langley-Hawthorne. Story set mainly in Edwardian London. Introduces Ursula Marlowe, suffragette, outspoken, and the daughter of one of England's wealthiest businessmen. A murder mystery.

Kris at Not Enough Books reviewed The Witch’s Grave by Shirley Damsgaard.

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Bernadette at Reactions to Reading presents Falling Star by Patricia Moyes. Bernadette says although originally published in 1964 the book is not 'dated' and is recommended for Anglophiles who like a good puzzle and no blood.

Reactions to Reading did a mini review of Snake in the Glass by Sarah Atwell.

The Friendly Book Nook reviewed Dying In Style by Elaine Viets.

Deborah at Books, Movies and Chinese Food reviewed the cozy Knit, Purl, Die by Anne Canadeo.

Tracy's Book Review gives us a young adult mystery review of The Long Way Home by Andrew Klavan.

AF Heart at Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Dial Om for Murder by Diana Killian.

AF Heart at Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Avenging Angels by Mary Stanton

April at Café of Dreams reviewed The Devil in Merrivale by Jackie Griffie.

Suspense Fiction Book Review

Amy Steele at Steele on Entertainment presents TETHERED by Amy MacKinnon.

April at Café of Dreams reviewed The Last Surgeon by Michael Palmer.

KerrieS presents DEVIL'S PEAK by Deon Meyer. A wonderfully told story of rough justice, set in South Africa, by an author you will want to read more of.

Laura de Leon at I'm Booking It reviewed the novel Exit Music by Ian Rankin.

Glenda at Book Reader's Heaven reviewed the novel Dead Game by Jennifer Chase.

Kris at Not Enough Books reviews The Last to Know by Wendy Corsi Staub.

Maxine presents Death in Oslo by Anne Holt. The presumed kidnapping of the US president on a state visit.

Bookin’ With Bingo reviewed the novel Last Snow by Eric Van Lustbader.

Petrona reviewed the novel The Reunion by Simone van der Vlugt.

Diane at The Book Resort reviewed the novel Dirty Blonde by Lisa Scottoline.

Diane at The Book Resort also reviewed Absolute Fear by Lisa Jackson.

All About Book Reviews gives us a review of The Good Guy by Dean Koontz.

Harvee Lau over at Book Dilettante reviewed the novel The Last Surgeon by Michael Palmer.

Author Interview

Beth at Mysteries and Chitchat posted a must read interview with 14 year old author Kieryn Nichols.

Mysteries and My Musings posted an interview of author Camille Minichino.

Mysteries and My Musing posted an interview of author Julie Hyzy.


Writing Tips and Advice

Livia Blackburne presents "Voice Finding Techniques from Cathy Yardley".

Jurgen at Time to Write posted "How it can help your writing to change your lens".

Meanderings and Muses has writer Robert W Walker guest blogging "On Becoming An Artful Writer".

Alan Rinzler at The Book Deal gives us "Help with Transitions and Bridges".

Gracie Turner presents "100 Little Ways You Can Dramatically Improve Your Writing".

Livia Blackburne presents "Writing Lessons from Gossip Girl".

Nancy at Nancy’s Notes from Florida posted "Printed Promo Materials" regarding all the printed materials used in promoting your book and how needed each is.

Livia Blackburne presents "The Art of Internal Observation".

Nancy at Nancy’s Notes from Florida posted a great piece on "Self Editing".

Livia Blackburne presents "Subtle Narration in the Graveyard Book".

Ashley Grayson Literary Agency has a post "Authors, Treat Your Work as an Investment".

The Write Type have posted "The Basic Tenets for Good Writing".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~WOW - what a great 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 blog posts go here.

And please help spread the word about this Blog carnival, it is very easy to submit a post and be included.

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

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.