Sunday, July 31, 2011

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - August 2011

It is the first Monday of the month - time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.   Here are some books that have been reviewed around the web to help you stay cool in the summer heat. Below is the line-up.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.



Police Procedural / PI Book Review

Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Silent Voices by Ann Cleeves
Have you discovered the Vera Stanhope series? This is #4 in the series and an excellent read if you like British crime fiction.

Lynnette's Book World reviewed Self Made by M. Darusha Wehm
In Indie author/publisher M. Darusha Wehm’s second novel, released in January of 2010, we are introduced to a future world. One where day-to-day life as we now know it doesn’t exist and social activity takes place on the multitude of ‘nets’ and ‘boards’ designed by computer programmers.


Mysteries in Paradise reviewed The Diggers Rest Hotel by Geoffrey McGeachin
For me, Geoff McGeachin has hit on a winner with this new series and I hope we see more of Charlie Berlin. It appealed to me on several fronts - historical, crime fiction, Australia. 

How Mysterious reviewed The Silence of the Grave Arnaldur Indriưason

Mysteries in Paradise reviewed The Dark Vineyard by Marin Walker
I very much regret that I haven't read the first in this series, Bruno Chief Of Police. I'm going to remedy that as quickly as possible.


Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

How Mysterious reviewed Crunch Time by Dianne Mott Davidson

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Books Can be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

The Book Frog reviewed  Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan
Mysterious David Loogan just wants to live quietly in Ann Arbor, his new home. Then his friend and boss calls him and says, "I need to see you. Bring a shovel." Oh dear.

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Grace Interrupted by Julie Hyzy

How Mysterious reviewed Fear of the Dark by Walter Mosley
  
Thoughts in Progress reviewed Wined and Died by Cricket McRae

Books and Beasts reviewed Brute Strength by Susan Conant
Holly Winter is back -- with her wonderful Malamutes -- to solve another mystery while keeping up with her writing, dog training and the never ending job of sweeping up hair ...

Thoughts in Progress reviewed Finger Lickin' Dead by Riley Adams


Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Booking Mama reviewed Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Mysteries in Paradise reviewed The Wreckage by Michael Robotham
This is a great read, both for those who have been waiting for the next in this fractallated series featuring retired London detective Vincent Ruiz and clinical psychologist Professor Joe O'Loughlin, and for those new to Robotham's work.

Thoughts in Progress reviewed No Rest for the Dead by 26 bestselling authors
a spellbinding novel of murder and intrigue composed by the collaboration of 26 bestselling authors. Each brings their own unique style to the story but it flows smoothly as one incredible voice.

How Mysterious reviewed In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming


Author Interview

BlogHer gives us - Chant of Death: Interview with mystery writer and poet Diane Marquart Moore

Stuff and Nonsense gives us Jan Burke: Questions and answers
Click here for part 1

Click here for Part 2

ePublishing a Book gives us L.J. Sellers : The Interview
L.J. Sellers is the author of the famous Detective Jackson series. She tells us about how she finally succeeded as a writer.

Fair Dinkum Crime gives us an interview with Vicki Tyley
#10 in an Australian author interview series in which authors respond in their own way to a baker's dozen of questions.

Lynnette's Book World gives us an interview with Author Ivory Simone.  She talks about her novel ‘Havasu Means Blue Water’, living in Bangkok and the “legacy of injustice”


Writing Tips and Advice

The Daring Novelist gives us Thoughts on the Premise of a Mystery Series









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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Review: The Cat, the Lady and the Liar

I hope you enjoy my neighbor Ken's book reviews because he is back with a cozy this week.  Ken loves mysteries and like me, he enjoys anything from suspense to cozies.  We go to South Carolina this week for our mystery - please join us.

Author:  Leann Sweeney

Copyright:  April 2011; Obsidian (Penguin Group); 257 pages
 
Series:  #3 in The Cat’s in Trouble Mysteries
 
Sensuality: N/A
 
Mystery sub-genre:  Cozy
 
Main Characters:  Jillian Hart, cat quilter, and her sleuth-cats Chablis, Merlot, and Syrah
 
Setting:  Modern day, Mercy and Woodcrest, South Carolina
 
Obtained Book Through:  Publisher supplied in exchange for honest review

The description on the back of the book does a good job of providing the premise of the book:

When cat quilter Jillian Hart tracks down the owner of a gorgeous stray cat, the trail leads her to none other than fabulously wealthy, undeniably quirky Ritaestelle Longworth.  The gossips are questioning Ritaestelle’s sanity, and the high-society grande dame isn’t helping matters with her wild accusations that someone is drugging her to keep her away from her beloved cat.

Before Jillian can get to the bottom of Ritaesteel’s charges, a body turns up in the lake behind her house – and her cat Chablis discovers Ritaestelle standing nearby.  Can Jillian’s three wise cats aid her in solving a mystery with roots that are decades old?  Jillian knows from experience that to find the purr-petrator, she’ll have to prick up her ears and follow the paw prints straight to to a killer….

This was a fun and enjoyable book.  Leanne Sweeney really knows and understands one of our most beloved and mystical friends – the cat.  Many of us cat lovers know about the quote from an unknown source, “In ancient Egypt, cats were worshiped as gods.  Cats have never forgotten this.”  

Jillian’s three cats contributed much to the heart of this story.  They provided some clues without prematurely divulging the ending.  Isis, the lost and found companion to Ritaestelle, displays another aspect of feline mentality.  She has a habit of getting stuck in baskets and drawers.  From the book:
    “I carefully extracted Isis from the cabinet drawer while Tom crouched beside me and petted my cats.

     I said, ‘Isis apparently thinks she’s thinner than she actually is.  Maybe her whiskers are too short.  Whiskers should warn a cat about whether they’ll fit into a space.’

     ‘ I get the feeling that Isis does what Isis wants, regardless of the consequences,’ he said.  ‘Sounds like a little criminal, if you ask me.’

     I held her up and looked into her green eyes.  ‘Is he calling you names?  Doesn’t he know you’re a goddess?’  I smile and set Isis down.   She strolled away as if nothing had happened.

     I said, ‘Why do cats act like they had no part of an embarrassing situation?  Is it that little human section of their brain at work?’

     ‘I haven’t gotten stuck in a wicker basket or a drawer lately, but I’d pretend it was no big deal if my peers were watching,’ Tom said.

     I laughed.  ‘Guess I would, too.’”
The story line of this whodunit is well developed, plausible, and believable.  All the necessary ingredients are incorporated.   There is mystery, murder, suspense, and plot twists.  A wide variety of possible culprits, including ne’er-do-well relatives with means, motives, and opportunities to commit murder add to the story’s intrigue.  The hints, clues, innuendos, and misdirections, including the use of small town gossip, keeps the reader guessing right up to the surprising end.  A very satisfying read.

I will add Leanne Sweeney to my list of favorite mystery authors.


THANK YOU so much Ken for another welcome book review.

I found this very funny video featuring two cats who carry on a conversation.






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Monday, July 25, 2011

2011 Dagger Awards & Poisen Pen Giveaway

The Crime Writer's Association has announced the winners of the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award earlier in the year.

According to the website:
The Diamond Dagger, awarded for sustained excellence in crime writing, was presented to bestselling historical author Lindsey Davis during a glittering champagne reception at the newly-reopened Savoy Hotel, London. Davis is the creator of the well-loved ancient Roman private eye Marcus Didius Falco, and widely recognized as the godmother of the historical crime genre.

At the same ceremony, Arnaud Bamberger of Cartier UK announced that this would be the final presentation of the award that Cartier would sponsor. The decision marks the conclusion of one of the most longstanding literary prize sponsorships.  This will make those that have been awarded even more precious.

More recently The longlist for the 2011 CWA Gold Dagger was announced. The eight authors in contention for this year’s coveted prize are, in alphabetical order:

Tom Franklin - Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (Macmillan)
Lucretia Grindle - The Villa Triste (Mantle)
Steve Hamilton - The Lock Artist (Orion)
Mo Hayder - Hanging Hill (Bantam Press)
Michael Koryta - The Cypress House (Hodder & Stoughton)
M. J. McGrath - White Heat (Mantle)
A.D. Miller - Snowdrops(Atlantic Books)
Denise Mina - The End of the Wasp Season (Orion)

The longlist for the 2011 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger was announced. The eight authors in contention for this year’s coveted prize are, in alphabetical order:

Charles Cumming - The Trinity Six (HarperCollins)
Frederick Forsyth - The Cobra (Bantam Press)
Michael Gruber - The Good Son (Atlantic Books)
Steve Hamilton - The Lock Artist (Orion)
Chris Morgan Jones - An Agent of Deceit (Mantle)
Craig Smith - Cold Rain (Myrmidon)
SJ Watson - Before I Go To Sleep (Doubleday)
Don Winslow - Savages (William Heinemann)


The longlist for the 2011 CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger was announce for previously unpublished authors.The eight authors in contention for this year’s coveted prize are, in alphabetical order:

Conor Fitzgerald - The Dogs of Rome (Bloomsbury)
Sam Hawken - The Dead Women of Juarez (Serpent’s Tail)
Elizabeth Haynes - Into the Darkest Corner (Myriad)
Erin Kelly - The Poison Tree (Hodder & Stoughton)
Rosamund Lupton - Sister (Piatkus)
Danny Miller - Kiss Me Quick (Robinson)
SJ Watson - Before I Go To Sleep (Doubleday)
Jason Webster Or the Bull Kills You (Chatto & Windus)

Michele Rowe wins the 2011 CWA Debut Dagger for the opening chapters of her first novel What Hidden Lies. The judges described Michele’s story as “Fluid and descriptive writing with an attractive setting.”

Rory Clements has won the Ellis Peters Historical Award 2010 with Revenger, published by John Murray.

I also wanted to share about something special that Poisoned Pen Press is doing to benefit libraries.  Libraries enrich communities in many ways yet they are facing some very tough financial times as well.  During the American Library Association's Annual Conference Poisoned Pen Press announced the four libraries that would get $500 in books from the publisher. 

Robert Rosenwald, Poisoned Pen Press Publisher and President, commented, "In this age of budget cuts and library staff reductions, Poisoned Pen Press felt compelled to offer a special promotion for libraries. It was an honor to give back to the library community, a community that has supported Poisoned Pen Press, its mission, and its catalogue of titles, for nearly 15 years. We extend our congratulations to each of these winners and our special thanks to the loyal and dedicated librarians for their service to readers and communities across the country."

Let us all keep in mind what our local libraries have done for our communities. 

I want to share this video featuring a cat, two apples and scary music!  Warning, you may cry from laughing.

 


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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Review: To Sketch A Thief

I had reviewed the first novel in this new series just last month (click here.)   I simply could not wait any longer to read the second book and share it with you.  

Author:  Sharon Pape 

Copyright:  June 2011; 293 pages


Series: 2nd in the Portrait of Crime Mysteries  


Sensuality:  n/a


Mystery sub-genre:  Private Detective, Paranormal


Main Characters:  Rory (Aurora) McCain - a police sketch artist


Setting:  Modern day, Suffolk County New York 


Obtained Book Through:  Publisher for honest review


Rory is now working full time as a private investigator.  She is also adjusting to living with the ghost of 1878 Federal Marshal Ezekiel Drummond, aka Zeke.  He is old fashioned, stubborn and cantankerous.  Dogs and Ghosts don't get along well together so when a stray dog shows up at the house, Rory is quick to take it to the house listed on the tags.  This good deed brings her to the murder of Brenda, the dog's just deceased owner.  Brenda's other pet, a Maltese is missing.  Hobo, the mixed breed, comes home with Rory which makes Zeke unhappy.

A friend of Brenda's hires Rory to investigate a rash of pure-bred dog thefts on the thought that Brenda died from a dog theft gone wrong.  Rory will work the dog theft angle while the police work Brenda's death.

For the second book in the series the characters are developing nicely.  I feel like I know Rory better after this book, and I am growing fond of her.  Of course Ezekial Drummond is still a headstrong entity making her life difficult, but I really appreciate how we see them both trying to make their situation work.  Hobo is a great addition to the cast and I already adore him. 

Don't let the plot of finding dog-nappers fool you.  Rory receives threats and one threat is carried out.  There are some tense scenes and "whodunit" is not very cut and dry.  This series is enjoyable for its engaging mystery and interesting characters with humor and a few twists.  I was very tempted to list this as a cozy because it really is even though Rory is a PI. 

One feature I liked in the first book continues in this one.  Occasionally a chapter is devoted to Zeke's last investigation that got him killed.  Rory is trying to help solve this for Zeke since his own unsolved murder appears to be keeping him here.

Often times a second book after a successful debut novel is hard to pull off.  I am happy to report that I felt this book was a great follow up and definitely consider myself a fan now
.

I think the following commercial is funny so I wanted to share with you.




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Monday, July 18, 2011

Fill in Blank Game II

Let's try another game this week. I am going to list partial titles and you try to fill in the blanks. 

All the books are by the same author which is a clue. At the end of the titles, supply who the author of all the books was. I will give you a hint that these are not new books - they have been out for a while.  This should be a challenging game for mystery buffs!

You are on the honor system playing this - try completing this without the aid of the internet.  In a few days I will fill in the blanks and you can post how many you got right in the comments.  I did this in a very low tech sort of way :-)


1) The Siamese Twin Mystery


2)  Halfway House


3) The American Gun Mystery


4) Calamity Town


5) Cat of Many Tails


6) The Case of the Seven Murders


7) The Origin of Evil


8) The Scarlet Letters


9) The Finishing Stroke


10) The French Powder Mystery


The Author of all these books is Ellery Queen


ENJOY!!!

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