Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
CT Scan---Completed
We are finally home. Sandi did her CT Scan and hydration deal with something else bags before and afterwards with no issues. The Doctor should have the results in 48 to 72 hours.
There are more than 200 e-mails in my inbox right now. I'm in very bad shape. So, if you sent me somehing and are awaiting a response please be patient.
There are more than 200 e-mails in my inbox right now. I'm in very bad shape. So, if you sent me somehing and are awaiting a response please be patient.
Review: "The Girl Who Wanted To Be Sherlock Holmes" by Bill Crider
As a junior at Harry Whittington high School, Ralph
Markley, has enough going on every day without any complications. Things have enough a tendency to happen to
him and he gets blamed a lot. It really
isn’t his fault. He just is in the wrong place at the wrong time and because of
that gets blamed for stuff.
Of course, before now, he had never picked up a section of pipe that had blood and maybe something more on it. If he hadn’t tripped over it, he would not have picked it up. Of course, if he hadn’t gone into the school boiler room in the first place he would not have discovered the body of Oscar Mullen who worked on maintenance for the school. If none of that had happened Ralph Markely would not have been standing there near the body while holding the murder weapon when a number of campus security folks arrived on scene.
Now that he is in trouble and with accusations
swirling around him it is a good thing that his childhood friend, Shirley
Holmes, is around to help him. Shirley
is not only beautiful and smart as Ralph has started to notice, but she is also
is sure that she is related to the fictional Sherlock Holmes. Because of that
belief she is sure the case of who killed Oscar and why won’t be solved unless
she, Ralph, and their friends Reed and Franny uncover the truth. Before long
the kids are at work and the suspect list grows longer in a delightful read.
The
Girl Who Wanted To Be Sherlock Holmes is a fun young
adult read that also works well for adults. Especially the secondary storyline
of Ralph’s father who writes men’s adventure books that discerning readers
realize are a bit more literary than they appear by covers and titles. Interesting
characters, a case with a lot of suspects, and interesting secondary storylines
make this another excellent read from Texas author Bill Crider. One worthy of
your attention just like all his other books.
The
Girl Who Wanted To Be Sherlock Holmes
Bill
Crider
Self-Published
April
2011
ASIN:
B004WKQJGS
E-Book
147
Pages
$2.99
The author supplied a word file for my use in an
objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Via PW-- Lee Child On Why He Signed with Authors United
As we have learned the hard way with my son's store that Amazon closed a month ago over three customers who filed multiple complaints over allegedly defective products they still have not returned, having all your eggs in the Amazon basket is a very bad idea long term. They are still reviewing the situation I fully detailed here. The only reason I am an Amazon Associate after what they have done to Karl is simply because we need every single penny. Medical debt and other money issues continue to worsen and Amazon's actions with Karl's store have really hurt us badly.
Lee Child On Why He Signed with Authors United
Amazon can and will turn off the pipeline any time they want. While e-books and Amzon have clearly helped a great number of authors--including myself-- there are no assurances what they will do in the future as they control more and more of the publishing landscape as well as the retail world.
In case you are interested Karl is now on e-Bay. Anything in his store at Amazon is available --despite their posted nonsense--- and some of those items have made it to e-Bay. Anything else that has not gotten there yet can be ordered directly from him if you so desire. He often passes on the savings when folks order direct.
If you send me an e-mail I can help you get what you need or want.
Lee Child On Why He Signed with Authors United
Amazon can and will turn off the pipeline any time they want. While e-books and Amzon have clearly helped a great number of authors--including myself-- there are no assurances what they will do in the future as they control more and more of the publishing landscape as well as the retail world.
In case you are interested Karl is now on e-Bay. Anything in his store at Amazon is available --despite their posted nonsense--- and some of those items have made it to e-Bay. Anything else that has not gotten there yet can be ordered directly from him if you so desire. He often passes on the savings when folks order direct.
If you send me an e-mail I can help you get what you need or want.
Via Mystery Fanfare: 2014 Shamus Award Nominees
Mystery Fanfare: 2014 Shamus Award Nominees: The Private Eye Writers of America announced the finalists for its 2014 Shamus Awards . Winners will be named during a banquet at...
Background On An Upcoming Review--- "The Girl Who Wanted To Be Sherlock Holmes" by Bill Crider
I have written before here about how I go about writing a review in longhand, Scott or sometimes Sandi (if she feels well enough) types it for me, and then I go back over the review and edit. I think doing things that way works out for a better review.
As part of that editing process after I am happy with what I wrote, I usually go read a bunch of reviews to see what other folks have said about the material. If a number of folks mention the same thing-- as happened recently with Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child that was reviewed here-- I consider whether or not to mention it in my review. I also go poking around to see what else is out there on the book. If there is a back story I always read that.
Such was the case here by way of Ed Gorman's excellent blog. One you should be reading if you are not already. I found on his blog a post written by Bill Crider back in late April 2011 explaining the backstory behind The Girl Who Wanted To Be Sherlock Holmes. You ought to go read it and can do so here.
Back when I was doing Sample Sunday deals here on the blog, Bill contributed Chapter One of the book and you can read that here if you like.
The book is a good one and I review it here on the blog tomorrow.
As part of that editing process after I am happy with what I wrote, I usually go read a bunch of reviews to see what other folks have said about the material. If a number of folks mention the same thing-- as happened recently with Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child that was reviewed here-- I consider whether or not to mention it in my review. I also go poking around to see what else is out there on the book. If there is a back story I always read that.
Such was the case here by way of Ed Gorman's excellent blog. One you should be reading if you are not already. I found on his blog a post written by Bill Crider back in late April 2011 explaining the backstory behind The Girl Who Wanted To Be Sherlock Holmes. You ought to go read it and can do so here.
Back when I was doing Sample Sunday deals here on the blog, Bill contributed Chapter One of the book and you can read that here if you like.
The book is a good one and I review it here on the blog tomorrow.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
KRL This Week Update-- Denise Hamilton, Victoria Abbott, Josie Belle, Coming Attractions, short story, giveaways & much more in KRL
As posted elsewhere earlier today....
Happy reading,
Lorie
--
Up this weekend in Kings River Life Magazine reviews &
giveaways of 4 more Penguin mysteries- "Marked Down for Murder" by
Josie Belle, "Murder of a Needled Knitter" by Denise Swanson, "Nightmares
Can Be Murder": A Dream Club Mystery by Mary Kennedy, and "The Wolfe
Widow": A Book Collector Mystery by Victoria Abbott http://kingsriverlife.com/09/27/more-september-penguin-mysteries/
Also up a review & giveaway of "Mistress of Lies"
by Holly West
along with an interesting interview with Holly http://kingsriverlife.com/09/27/mistress-of-lies-by-holly-west/
We also have a mystery short story by RE Donald
http://kingsriverlife.com/09/27/joggers-a-mystery-short-story/
And we have the latest mystery Coming Attractions by Sunny
Frazier which includes a giveaway of the latest mystery from Nancy
J Coco http://kingsriverlife.com/09/27/coming-attractions-fall-mystery-reading-suggestions/
For those who also enjoy fantasy we have a review and
giveaway of "Black Water", a Jane Yellowrock short story collection
by Faith Hunter http://kingsriverlife.com/09/27/black-water-a-jane-yellowrock-short-story-collection-by-faith-hunter/
And a review & giveaway of "Codex Born" (a
mystery series involving a librarian) by Jim C. Hines http://kingsriverlife.com/09/27/codex-born-by-jim-c-hines/
And lastly over on KRL Lite we have a review of "The
Bad Wife" by Jacqueline Seewald
http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-bad-wife-by-jacqueline-seewald.html
Happy reading,
--
KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for
mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com
Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/
mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com
Via Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time--Hawthorne: Tales of a Weirder West
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time: Hawthorne: Tales of a Weirder West - Kindle edition by Heath Lowrance. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. : There are mons...
Senior News Newspaper Book Review Column-- September 2014
For my monthly newspaper book
review column in the Senior News
Newspaper, I usually make sure to choose one fiction and one nonfiction
book in the hopes of interesting more readers. For September I went with The
Contractors by local area resident Harry
Hunsicker
who I have been a huge fan of since
reading his first book, Still
River. For the non-fiction book I went with Playing
with Stencils: Exploring Repetition, Pattern, and Personal Designs by Amy Rice. For a number of years before
Sandi had cancer she did a lot of stencil work. These days her eyes as well as
her hand/eye coordination won’t allow it, but she still looks at the books when
I bring them home for use in the column and on the blog. Longer reviews of both
were run here on the blog earlier this year and can easily be found by clicking
on the above book titles.
Included
below are the relevant book covers for my September 2014 column…
The
Contractors: A Thriller
Harry
Hunsicker
Thomas
& Mercer (Amazon)
ISBN-13: 978-1477808726
E-Book
(available in paperback and audio)
514
Pages
Anyone who has read the Lee Henry Oswald series
by Harry Hunsicker knows that the author does not write the Dallas Chamber of
Commerce ad copy type of books. Bad things happen to all on the streets of
Dallas in his books. The Contractors: A Thriller raises
that bar to all new levels.
While nearly everyone has heard of the private
contractors working in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere overseas, they also are
working here at home. Jon Cantrell and Piper are contractors for the DEA as
well as being romantically involved. As the book opens, they are on the trail
of Lisa, a missing 14 year old teenager. Hired by a retired crooked cop named
Sinclair they need to find the girl and get her back home. Not only will that
get them paid, it will allow them to focus on another job where their violent
skills will be put to the test.
Those who expect a serious mystery in the style of
the excellent Lee Henry Oswald series will be disappointed in The
Contractors: A Thriller. This is a fast paced action orientated novel
where nearly everyone has very few redeeming qualities. A thriller in every
sense of the word where character development is limited and told in occasional
bursts of backstory to give readers a break from the frenetic forward pace. The
Contractors: A Thriller by Harry Hunsicker takes readers on a violent
and bloody rampage from one end of Texas to the other in a read that constantly
twists and turns in ways that should keep readers hooked to the very end.
Playing
with Stencils: Exploring Repetition, Pattern, and Personal Designs
Amy
Rice
Quarry
Books (Quayside Publishing Group)
ISBN#
978-1-59253-829-4
Paperback
144
Pages
Playing with Stencils: Exploring
Repetition, Pattern, and Personal Designs by Amy Rice features variety
in design of others while teaching readers how to go about creating their own
personal touches in various projects. Along with plenty of information there
are a number of photographs depicting the various ideas covered in the book.
Broken into three main
sections along with several resource sections the book features projects that
go from floor to table and runs the gamut. While skill level is not addressed
in this 145 page book it is clear that like any other art form patience and
practice will be needed to perfect the image you are trying to create. This is
a good resource featuring plenty of colorful projects to help you get started
while also providing plenty of inspiration.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
Via The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog: Injustice
The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog: Injustice: I like games with superheroes, mostly because I'm a big comic book geek. Injustice: Gods Among Us is therefore my jam. You've ...
Via Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: New Western Fiction E-Zine
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: New Western Fiction E-Zine: Check It Out: Welcome to Saddlebag Dispatches , Where Stories Of The West Come To Be Told. If you like stories of the Old West, you’ve c...
Via Mike Monson's Blog-- Sneak Peak of Tussinland — Coming October 7 From All Due Respect Books
I really enjoyed Mike's THE SCENT OF NEW DEATH as well as WHAT HAPPENS IN RENO when I read and reviewed them earlier this year. Mike has a blog and has announced his new full length novel at...
Via A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: OUR STATE FAIR IS A GREAT STATE FAIR!
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: OUR STATE FAIR IS A GREAT STATE FAIR!: Here we are with Fall begun and in Texas, that means the State Fair. Personally, I love the fair and hate to miss it this year because of r...
FFB Review: "A Werewolf Named Wayne" by Bill Crider
Friday
means Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted by Patti
Abbott.
Having read and reviewed A Vampire NamedFred by Bill Crider last week it seemed appropriate to do the second in the
series this week. Like the previous book this one is a fun read that works for all ages making it
very much worth your time. Seems to me the author should start working on the
rest of the creatures of the night series with A Zombie Named Bruce coming next….
A Werewolf Named Wayne
Readers who have read A Vampire Named Fred are
well aware that Hermie and Al helped Fred and his assistant, Carl, with a
couple of issues. While Kermit felt it wasn’t easy being green, being a vampire
in these times of extreme prejudice caused by bogus Hollywood movies isn’t easy.
Not to mention the fact that cats don’t like vampires and will come by the
hundreds to the home and yowl in the yard. Neighbors don’t like that sort of
thing.
Thanks to Hermie and Al’s friendship and efforts, things
are far better for Fred and Carl these days. So much so they are moving to
Vegas and that means the house has been sold again. Al and Hermie are really
going to miss Fred and Carl. But, people as well as the creatures of the night
move on when circumstances change. Fred has made it clear to the new owner how
helpful the boys were and that is a good thing. The new owner is Wayne and he
is a werewolf. Good thing the boys are in 7th grade now as he needs
their help with a far more complicated problem than Fred ever had.
While not as humorous as the previous book, this is
another very good read that will appeal to both adults and kids alike. Wayne’s
issues are far different than Fred and his concerns are far different. With characters
and expectations firmly established in the preceding book, A Werewolf Named Wayne
focuses primarily on his unique situation and the help he needs. The result is
a very good fun read that keeps the adventure going.
A Werewolf Named Wayne
Bill
Crider
Delabarre
Publishing
July
2011
ASIN# B005EM9L4U
E-Book
71
Pages
$1.99
Material was picked up during a recent author
promotion for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Via Crime Watch: 9mm: An interview with JA Jance
Crime Watch: 9mm: An interview with JA Jance: One of my favourite things about being a keen reader is discovering new-to-me authors who have written many books that I haven't tried...
Via Rough Edges: Now Available: Outlaw Ranger - James Reasoner
Rough Edges: Now Available: Outlaw Ranger - James Reasoner: G.W. Braddock was raised to be a Texas Ranger and never wanted anything else. But when he's stripped of his badge through no fault of...
Review: "A Case of Noir" by Paul D. Brazill
A
Case of Noir by Paul D. Brazil takes readers on a
dark and twisted road through five chapters. Even though each one is a fairly
contained short story, the five chapters link together to form a complex tale
featuring Luke Case.
Except his name isn’t really Luke Case. Not that
readers know that as the first installment, “Red Esperanto” opens. Instead, readers
know it is Warsaw in winter and our narrator prefers Jack Daniels with Coke
only after he is so drunk already that he shouldn’t be drinking at all, a Ukrainian
hooker by the name of Tatiana, and hanging out with a fellow ex-pat by the name
of Sean Bradley. Sean has his reasons why he drinks heavily as does Luke and their
lives are going to be intertwined as the months and pages pass.
It is while with Sean in their favorite watering
hole, “Rory’s Irish Pub” that the stunning C. J. walked in very late one night.
Known as Crazy Jola, she is the wife of Robert Mohawk who is a mid-level a
gangster of some repute. Despite being warned off about his reputation as well
as hers, Luke manages to talk her into a drink and eventually quite a lot more.
Considering his past, he should have stopped while
he was ahead. A Case of Noir is a complicated stylistic read full of visual
imagery that moves across Europe adding and dropping people and clues as it
goes. While Luke Case has a fake name and a fake cover he has his vices no
matter what and that means he leaves a trail in his wake. A complicated dark
trail as strikingly depicted on the cover with the maze and one that isn’t at
all easy to figure out from start to finish.
A
Case of Noir
Paul
D. Brazill
Lite
Editions
ISBN#
978-8866655053
May
2014
Paperback
(also available e-book)
134
Pages
$8.99
E-book version supplied by the author some time ago
in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Via Mystery Fanfare: Crime Fiction during the Days of Awe
Mystery Fanfare: Crime Fiction during the Days of Awe: The Jewish calendar is lunar, and Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, begins this Wednesday night. The Days of Awe are th...
Review: "Piano Man" by Bill Crider
Originally published in the excellent anthology, On
Dangerous Ground: Stories of Western Noir, Bill Crider’s very good
and very dark tale “Piano Man” is now available as a short story. Somewhere
near Fort Laramie in the year 1880 there sits a place known as the “Bad Dog
Saloon.” It is the home for a man who forsook nearly everything else because of
the booze. He is known as the “piano man” and most don’t pay any attention to
him in the corner of the saloon as their focus is on drinking, gambling, and the
whores.
Then, in the wake of a card game that went very
wrong for at least one of the participants he got an idea. It wasn’t a particularly
good idea, but it took over and slowly became an obsession. An obsession, much
like his obsession with alcohol, is going to change everything.
Bill Crider
Brash
Books
2014
ASIN:
B00KAJX6J8
E-Book
17
Pages
$0.99
Material was picked up during a recent author
promotion for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Proving The Point.....
Proving the point that two heads are always better than one.....
and that one needs to be aware at all times what your wife may be doing to distract you from working on a review.....
 |
| Scott and I |
and that one needs to be aware at all times what your wife may be doing to distract you from working on a review.....
Review: "Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel" by Lee Child
Jack Reacher was on the west coast when it happened.
A sniper, loose in Paris, took a shot at the President of France. The shot was
fired from 1400 yards out by someone on an apartment balcony. Some kind of new glass
held saving the life of the politician. As the situation was investigated and
the reality of just how difficult a shot it was to pull off a list of potential
snipers with that kind of skill level was drawn up by those who should know.
It has been determined that several snipers from
around the world are the best of the best for this particular situation. One sniper
in particular is an American that that Reacher knows well having put him in
jail a number or years ago. As the intelligence services of the various countries
are brought in to chase their sniper in advance of the upcoming G8 summit in
England, old contracts of Reacher’s put him in to help with this as he owes a
favor to one of those heavily involved. Just one of the ways-- and there are several--
that this situation is Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel.
Reacher is back and in good form in this latest installment
of the long running series. Duplicity is rampart among all involved as there
are many hidden agendas are at work in this complex thriller. Reacher spends a
lot of time talking to people by way of the Socratic method to sift through the
conflicting information and figure out multiple situations as they arise
throughout the entire book. This is done through page after page of dialogue in
a way that is far different stylistically than earlier books in the series.
In fact the entire novel, while good, is far different
stylistically and not just in terms of dialogue than earlier in the series. Legendary
for his traveling light with only a toothbrush--if that-- resulting in needing
to buy clothes to replace whatever he is wearing, this Reacher hardly ever buys
clothes. In previous novels, Reacher was always interested in the girl and
almost always got her. In this case there is zero sexual attraction at work as
he acts more like her grandfather or mentor.
Considering the age of his parents Reacher could be her grandfather and
yet he can still fight like the Reacher of old in the few fight scenes
scattered throughout the novel. One of which immediately puts the reader in
mind of the classic movie Bond villain, Jaws.
Reacher, often dealing with characters that are little
more than stereotypes, when the time comes is still busting heads and/or various
limbs while taking names as the chase takes him across the globe. He certainly
isn’t mellowing with age and gets the job done-- even when the odds are stacked
against him by both friend and foe. While not nearly as good as early ones in the
series, Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child is a good one that
keeps reader interest page after page and is certainly much better than his
last couple of books.
Personal:
A Jack Reacher Novel
Lee
Child
Delacorte
Press (Penguin Random House LLC)
September
2014
ISBN#
978-0-8041-7874-7
Hardback
(available in e-book and audio)
368
Pages
$28.00
ARC was provided as a result of my winning a copy by
way of LibraryThing
for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Banned Books Week
Again the local media is reporting various stories regarding banned books in the local area districts. I'm tempted to get up on the old soapbox and point out the stupidity of all of this and the fact that maybe one should read what their kids read and discuss it with them, but I have a feeling anyone that reads this blog is part of the choir pointing out the stupidity.
Via Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: The Girl Who Wanted to be Sherlock Holmes
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: The Girl Who Wanted to be Sherlock Holmes: The Girl Who Wanted to be Sherlock Holmes : In my continuing effort to become incredibly rich, I'm trying to gin up some sales for this...
Sunday, September 21, 2014
RTE Update--- Sept. 20 issue of RTE
As posted elsewhere earlier today.....
The current issue of RTE, out on September 20th, includes fifteen new reviews as well as a new interview:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Plus
John Florio in the 'Sixty seconds with . . .' interview hot seat:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/interviews.html?id=187
Reviews this week:
TITLE AUTHOR REVIEWER
TITLE AUTHOR REVIEWER
THE PAYING GUESTS Sarah Waters Yvonne Klein
When Frances Wray lets rooms to a married couple, she only expects much needed revenue, but her life and that of the Barbers becomes closely intertwined.
BLIND MOON ALLEY John Florio Diana Borse
Jersey Leo is an albino, a man for Aaron Garvey who protected him from bullying through school. Garvey escapes from prison just before he is to be executed and now the cops are beating on anyone who knows him; Jersey is, of course, hiding him.
THE CHILDREN ACT Ian McEwan Yvonne Klein
High Court Judge Fiona Maye, who presides over family court cases, must decide whether the adolescent son of Jehovah's Witnesses may be transfused against his and his parents' wishes in order to treat his leukemia. Her judgement affects not only the boy, but herself as well.
REMAINS OF INNOCENCE J. A. Jance Cathy Downs
A young man with cognitive disabilities is found murdered and tortured, then the medical examiner of Cochise County is discovered in his home, tortured to death.
MURMURS OF INSANITY Gerrie Ferris Finger Sharon Mensing
Dru helps one of Lake's relatives who is a person of interest in a college student's disappearance and potential murder while a performance art troupe wreaks havoc on the investigation
SORROW BOUND David Mark Barbara Fister
It's hot in Hull and Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy has a feeling that the exceptionally brutal murder of a middle-aged woman may be just the first.
MURDER IN RETRIBUTION Ann Cleeland PJ Coldren
Newlywed Detective Constable Kathleen Doyle adjusts to her new marital status and pregnancy while working on a very complicated case which may or may not involve her husband, Chief Inspector Michael Acton.
THE LONG WAY HOME Louise Penny Ann Pearson
When Peter Morrow fails to return from his yearlong separation to his wife, Clara, she enlists the help of Armand Gamache in finding him on a trip that leads to the Lower North Shore of the St Lawrence River and beyond.
THE HEIST David Silva Anne Corey
When his friend discovers a brutal murder, Gabriel Allon is recruited to track down not only the killer but also a stolen masterpiece and in doing so uncovers a money trail that leads directly to one of the world's worst dictators.
EVIL IN RETURN Weyman Jones Sharon Mensing
A woman is kidnapped by a Native American seeking to avenge historical wrongs.
HAUNTED Randy Wayne White Megan Sweeney
Hannah Smith is asked to help prove development property is stigmatized and unmarketable.
MARGERY ALLINGHAM'S MR. CAMPION’S FAREWELL Completed by Mike Ripley Jim Napier
Mike Ripley completes an unfinished MS left starring Albert Campion that takes him from a small village to Monte Carlo.
THE LATE SCHOLAR Jill Paton Walsh Caryn St Clair
A college in Oxford is faced with selling a treasured manuscript or financial ruin. As the college's new Visitor, Lord Peter is summoned to help resolve the issue.
PRISON NOIR Joyce Carol Oates, ed Lourdes Venard
A collection of 15 short stories presents a new perspective on prison literature from those who know what it's like on the inside.
CONVERSION Katherine Howe Ben Neal
The girls at St Joan's boarding school are exhibiting symptoms like the girls in early 18th century Salem that resulted in the witch trials. What is going on?
We post more than 900 new reviews a year -- all of them are archived on the site -- as well as a new interview with a top author every issue.
Yvonne Klein
Editor: ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com
The current issue of RTE, out on September 20th, includes fifteen new reviews as well as a new interview:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Plus
John Florio in the 'Sixty seconds with . . .' interview hot seat:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/interviews.html?id=187
Reviews this week:
TITLE AUTHOR REVIEWER
TITLE AUTHOR REVIEWER
THE PAYING GUESTS Sarah Waters Yvonne Klein
When Frances Wray lets rooms to a married couple, she only expects much needed revenue, but her life and that of the Barbers becomes closely intertwined.
BLIND MOON ALLEY John Florio Diana Borse
Jersey Leo is an albino, a man for Aaron Garvey who protected him from bullying through school. Garvey escapes from prison just before he is to be executed and now the cops are beating on anyone who knows him; Jersey is, of course, hiding him.
THE CHILDREN ACT Ian McEwan Yvonne Klein
High Court Judge Fiona Maye, who presides over family court cases, must decide whether the adolescent son of Jehovah's Witnesses may be transfused against his and his parents' wishes in order to treat his leukemia. Her judgement affects not only the boy, but herself as well.
REMAINS OF INNOCENCE J. A. Jance Cathy Downs
A young man with cognitive disabilities is found murdered and tortured, then the medical examiner of Cochise County is discovered in his home, tortured to death.
MURMURS OF INSANITY Gerrie Ferris Finger Sharon Mensing
Dru helps one of Lake's relatives who is a person of interest in a college student's disappearance and potential murder while a performance art troupe wreaks havoc on the investigation
SORROW BOUND David Mark Barbara Fister
It's hot in Hull and Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy has a feeling that the exceptionally brutal murder of a middle-aged woman may be just the first.
MURDER IN RETRIBUTION Ann Cleeland PJ Coldren
Newlywed Detective Constable Kathleen Doyle adjusts to her new marital status and pregnancy while working on a very complicated case which may or may not involve her husband, Chief Inspector Michael Acton.
THE LONG WAY HOME Louise Penny Ann Pearson
When Peter Morrow fails to return from his yearlong separation to his wife, Clara, she enlists the help of Armand Gamache in finding him on a trip that leads to the Lower North Shore of the St Lawrence River and beyond.
THE HEIST David Silva Anne Corey
When his friend discovers a brutal murder, Gabriel Allon is recruited to track down not only the killer but also a stolen masterpiece and in doing so uncovers a money trail that leads directly to one of the world's worst dictators.
EVIL IN RETURN Weyman Jones Sharon Mensing
A woman is kidnapped by a Native American seeking to avenge historical wrongs.
HAUNTED Randy Wayne White Megan Sweeney
Hannah Smith is asked to help prove development property is stigmatized and unmarketable.
MARGERY ALLINGHAM'S MR. CAMPION’S FAREWELL Completed by Mike Ripley Jim Napier
Mike Ripley completes an unfinished MS left starring Albert Campion that takes him from a small village to Monte Carlo.
THE LATE SCHOLAR Jill Paton Walsh Caryn St Clair
A college in Oxford is faced with selling a treasured manuscript or financial ruin. As the college's new Visitor, Lord Peter is summoned to help resolve the issue.
PRISON NOIR Joyce Carol Oates, ed Lourdes Venard
A collection of 15 short stories presents a new perspective on prison literature from those who know what it's like on the inside.
CONVERSION Katherine Howe Ben Neal
The girls at St Joan's boarding school are exhibiting symptoms like the girls in early 18th century Salem that resulted in the witch trials. What is going on?
We post more than 900 new reviews a year -- all of them are archived on the site -- as well as a new interview with a top author every issue.
Yvonne Klein
Editor: ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com
Via LRHallBooks: Summer Short Story Spectacular, Season 1, Episode ...
LRHallBooks: Summer Short Story Spectacular, Season 1, Episode ...: With this blog, the Summer Short Story Spectacular ends. Season 1 has come to a close. Tuesday marks the Fall Equinox, a beautiful time o...
Via Mystery Fanfare: Deanston Scottish Crime Novel of the Year
Mystery Fanfare: Deanston Scottish Crime Novel of the Year: Hats Off to Peter May, winner of the Deanston Scottish Crime Novel of the Year for Entry Island was announced tonight at Bloody Scotland ...
Buy My Book--Please!
That is the heart of it.....buy my book......Please!
My short fiction has appeared in magazines such as Lynx Eye, Starblade, Show and Tell, and The Writer's Post Journal among others and online at such places as Mouth Full Of Bullets, Crime And Suspense, Mysterical-e, and others.
I am the author of Mind Slices and a contributor to the Carpathian Shadows, Volume II anthology at http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Tipple/e/B009Q5J8T4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 and other platforms.
The books are good and both the publisher in the case of Carpathian Shadows II and me with the other could really use some sales. So, buy my book--please!
My short fiction has appeared in magazines such as Lynx Eye, Starblade, Show and Tell, and The Writer's Post Journal among others and online at such places as Mouth Full Of Bullets, Crime And Suspense, Mysterical-e, and others.
I am the author of Mind Slices and a contributor to the Carpathian Shadows, Volume II anthology at http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Tipple/e/B009Q5J8T4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 and other platforms.
The books are good and both the publisher in the case of Carpathian Shadows II and me with the other could really use some sales. So, buy my book--please!
Saturday, September 20, 2014
KRL This Week Update--- More food mysteries, Jan Christensen, Sue McGinty, new mystery TV shows, mystery short story, giveaways & more in KRL
As posted elsewhere earlier today.....
Lastly, over on KRL Lite a review & giveaway of "Murder
in Mariposa" by Sue McGinty http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2014/09/murder-in-mariposa-by-sue-mcginty.html
As always, all of these except the Lite one, and much
more, can also be found by going to our home page and scrolling down
http://KingsRiverLife.com
Happy Reading,
Lorie
--
Up this morning in Kings River Life Magazine a mystery
short story by Barry Wiley http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/the-cry-of-sister-angel-a-john-randall-brown-mystery-short-story/
Also up, reviews &
giveaways of 3 more fun food mysteries-"Death is Like a Box of Chocolates": A
Chocolate Covered Mystery by Kathy Aarons, "Rebel Without a Cake" by Jacklyn
Brady and "The Wedding Soup Murder" by Rosie Genova http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/september-penguin-food-mysteries/
And a review &
giveaway of "Lost Legacy" by Annette Dashofy http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/lost-legacy-by-annette-dashofy/
We also have a look at some
of the new TV shows premiering this month --including several
interesting
looking mystery ones like "How To Get Away With Murder" and "The
Mysteries of Laura"
http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/five-september-tv-premieres-to-watch/
And we have a review &
giveaway of "Blackout" by Jan Christensen http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/blackout-by-jan-christensen/
And a review and
giveaway of "The Executioner's Hood" by Vickie Britton and Loretta
Jackson
http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/the-executioners-hood-by-loretta-jackson-and-vickie-britton
And for those who also love fantasy, a review &
giveaway of "Hidden" by Alex Jacka http://kingsriverlife.com/09/20/hidden-by-alex-jacka/
Happy Reading,
Lorie
--
KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for
mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com
Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/ mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com
Via WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Z Nation
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Z Nation: If there's anything better than a movie by The Asylum, it would have to be a TV series by The Asylum, and "Z Nation," their...
Friday, September 19, 2014
Sandi Update
Finally back home as they were running way behind. At this point, things seem relatively stabale so they have cut back her dosages on the steroids and a couple of other things. By doing this, it should help with her diabetes numbers so that just maybe--assuming insurance does not cause more issues--she can finally have the much needed PET Scan.
Extra blood was taken from her today so they can run some extra tests to look at various issues. The IVIG infusion went well once it goits started so that was also a good sign.
As it stands right now, we wait to hear on the PET Scan and her next appointment is a month from now on October 17 when she will have another full workup and IVIG infusion.
Sandi also got a real kick out of the fact that all of her hats she donated have again been taken and according to the nurses they were a huge hit.
Extra blood was taken from her today so they can run some extra tests to look at various issues. The IVIG infusion went well once it goits started so that was also a good sign.
As it stands right now, we wait to hear on the PET Scan and her next appointment is a month from now on October 17 when she will have another full workup and IVIG infusion.
Sandi also got a real kick out of the fact that all of her hats she donated have again been taken and according to the nurses they were a huge hit.
FFB Review--- "A Vampire Named Fred" by Bill Crider
Friday
means Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott. Having just read this
earlier in the week the book seemed a perfect choice for FFB this week. A Vampire Named Fred by Bill Crider is
a fun read that works for all ages making it very much worth your time.
A
Vampire Named Fred
The very run down house next door had been on the
market for about 15 years when it finally sold. Al, who is 12, loved exploring
the old place, but his mom worried about rotted out floors, broken stairs,
snakes in the basement, and the bugs and dirt. While his parents would not buy
the old place like he wanted them to, at least his Mom never forbade him from
going over there. He had loved going
over there and poking around as long as he could remember and often his buddy
Hermie went over there with him.
So, Al wasn’t exactly thrilled when the house
suddenly sold. Hermie was convinced nothing good for them would happen with the
new owners. Hermie was sure the new owners had to be a 100 or something to want
to live in that old place and he was sure they would not have grandkids or
anything. They probably even hate kids, according to Hermie. Neither one of the
boys counted on “A Vampire Named Fred” who needs their help and friendship.
Originally published in print on 1990 and released
in electronic format in 2011, this book aimed at the middle school aged crowd
is a very fun read. Not only does it play a bit with the vampire legend which
Hollywood movies got very wrong according to Fred, the book also mixes in
cultural references that will appeal to the adult reader. For example, Elvis (or
somebody doing one heck of an impersonation) works down at the local Tastee
Daree Freezee where they sell soft ice cream, burgers, and more. He still sings
a bit and dances in his blue suede shoes while filling orders. While small things
like that may fly by the kids, adults will get a chuckle or two over that and
quite a number of other items in this fun story that reminds all readers that
being a little different is okay.
“A Vampire Named Fred” is a fun read for all ages by
legendary author Bill Crider. It has a sequel titled “A Werewolf Named Wayne.”
A
Vampire Named Fred
Bill
Crider
Delabarre
Publishing
2011
ASIN:
B00551J10Y
E-Book
127
Pages
$1.99
Material was picked up during a recent author
promotion for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Via The Thrill Begins: 5 Tips to Keep the Momentum of Thrillerfest Alive
The Thrill Begins: 5 Tips to Keep the Momentum of Thrillerfest Alive: by Ursula Ringham It’s been two months since I attended ITW ’s Thrillerfest. I’m back to my regular work routine in high tech and lif...
Via SleuthSayers: Behind the Scenes
SleuthSayers: Behind the Scenes: Jackie Sherbow by Jackie Sherbow We SleuthSayers are very fond of the ladies at Dell’s mystery magazines. A name that often arises ...
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Via SHOTSMAG CONFIDENTIAL: Bloody Scotland - Deanston Shortlist announced!
SHOTSMAG CONFIDENTIAL: Bloody Scotland - Deanston Shortlist announced!: Bloody Scotland are delighted to announce the short-list for the Deanston Scottish Crime Book of the Year Award 2014. This year’s sho...
Monday, September 15, 2014
Lesa's Latest Contest--- Giveaway - M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin, The Blood of an Englishman
As posted elsewhere earlier today....
To celebrate M.C. Beaton's 25th Agatha Raisin mystery, The Blood of an Englishman, I'm giving away three copies, a finished one from the publisher, and two ARCs. Details are up at http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/2014/09/anniversary-giveaway-mc-beatons-blood.html . Entries from the U.S. only, please.
Lesa Holstine
To celebrate M.C. Beaton's 25th Agatha Raisin mystery, The Blood of an Englishman, I'm giving away three copies, a finished one from the publisher, and two ARCs. Details are up at http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/2014/09/anniversary-giveaway-mc-beatons-blood.html . Entries from the U.S. only, please.
Lesa Holstine
Via Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Noircon Update
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Noircon Update: SOCIETY HILL PLAYHOUSE - 507 SOUTH 8TH STREET - PHILADELPHIA PA. 19147 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOIRCON PROGRAM SET NOIRCON 2014 , a bien...
Via Monday Markets for Writers: No Fees, Paying Gigs
Sorry this is being shared late today, but doctor visits have to come first.....
Monday Markets for Writers: No Fees, Paying Gigs
Monday Markets for Writers: No Fees, Paying Gigs
Back Home
Back home from the hospital as Sandi had an appointment with her endocrinologist today. While better than she was, Sandi is still nowhere near where she needs
to be numbers wise not just for her health but the long delayed Pet
Scan.The overall trend of her blood sugar numbers lowering seems to have basically leveled out as we thought. So, the insulin dosage is being raised a little more, but Sandi is having weigh gain and other issues related to the insulin.
Under consideration is the idea of adding some new medications to the mix in the hopes of lowering her numbers. However, that is being delayed for now as Sandi has an IVIG infusion Friday and a ton of blood work as the cancer docs plan on doing the tests to see if the IVIG is working. There were concerns that adding new drugs to her cocktail could throw off those results.
So, for now, she keeps doing what she is doing and fingers crossed that the downward numbers trend will start again.
Under consideration is the idea of adding some new medications to the mix in the hopes of lowering her numbers. However, that is being delayed for now as Sandi has an IVIG infusion Friday and a ton of blood work as the cancer docs plan on doing the tests to see if the IVIG is working. There were concerns that adding new drugs to her cocktail could throw off those results.
So, for now, she keeps doing what she is doing and fingers crossed that the downward numbers trend will start again.
Via The Corpse Steps Out: Another Series Continuation...
The Corpse Steps Out: Another Series Continuation...: Thomas Chastain agreed to continue the Perry Mason series with books written by him and approved by the estate. Chastain had been a newspa...
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Euro Crime Update-- New Reviews on Euro Crime: Arlidge, Daly, Duke, Furst, Kitson, Kreslehner, Mann, Phillips, Wilkinson
As posted elsewhere earlier today....
Here are nine reviews which have been added to the Euro Crime website today, three have appeared on the blog since last time, and six are completely new.
NB. You can keep up to date with 'Euro Crime' by following the blog and/or liking the Euro Crime Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/eurocrimewebsite).
New Reviews:
Michelle Peckham reviews M J Arlidge's second book featuring Southampton's DI Helen Grace, 'Pop Goes the Weasel';
Terry Halligan reviews Bill Daly's 'Black Mail' the first in the DCI Charlie Anderson series set in Glasgow;
Susan White reviews Simon Duke's debut 'Out of Bounds' which is set in the US;
Lynn Harvey reviews Alan Furst's 'Midnight in Europe' set in the late 1930s;
Terry also reviews Bill Kitson's 'Buried in the Past', the eighth in the DI Mike Nash series;
Michelle also reviews Austrian author Gabi Kreslehner's 'Rain Girl' tr. Lee Chadeayne;
Rich Westwood reviews George Mann's 'Sherlock Holmes - The Spirit Box';
Amanda Gillies reviews 'Last Kiss by Louise Phillips, the third in the Dr Kate Pearson set in and around Dublin
and Mark Bailey reviews Kerry Wilkinson's 'Crossing the Line', the eighth in the DI Jesica Daniel series set in Manchester.
http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/review_list.html or via the blog: http://eurocrime.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/reviews-arlidge-daly-duke-furst-kitson.html.
Previous reviews can be found in the review archive (http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/review_list.html)
Forthcoming titles can be found by author or date or by category, here (http://eurocrime.co.uk/future_releases.html) along with releases by year.
best wishes,
Karen M
@eurocrime
Here are nine reviews which have been added to the Euro Crime website today, three have appeared on the blog since last time, and six are completely new.
NB. You can keep up to date with 'Euro Crime' by following the blog and/or liking the Euro Crime Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/eurocrimewebsite).
New Reviews:
Michelle Peckham reviews M J Arlidge's second book featuring Southampton's DI Helen Grace, 'Pop Goes the Weasel';
Terry Halligan reviews Bill Daly's 'Black Mail' the first in the DCI Charlie Anderson series set in Glasgow;
Susan White reviews Simon Duke's debut 'Out of Bounds' which is set in the US;
Lynn Harvey reviews Alan Furst's 'Midnight in Europe' set in the late 1930s;
Terry also reviews Bill Kitson's 'Buried in the Past', the eighth in the DI Mike Nash series;
Michelle also reviews Austrian author Gabi Kreslehner's 'Rain Girl' tr. Lee Chadeayne;
Rich Westwood reviews George Mann's 'Sherlock Holmes - The Spirit Box';
Amanda Gillies reviews 'Last Kiss by Louise Phillips, the third in the Dr Kate Pearson set in and around Dublin
and Mark Bailey reviews Kerry Wilkinson's 'Crossing the Line', the eighth in the DI Jesica Daniel series set in Manchester.
http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/review_list.html or via the blog: http://eurocrime.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/reviews-arlidge-daly-duke-furst-kitson.html.
Previous reviews can be found in the review archive (http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/review_list.html)
Forthcoming titles can be found by author or date or by category, here (http://eurocrime.co.uk/future_releases.html) along with releases by year.
best wishes,
Karen M
@eurocrime
KRL This Week Update--- Kaye George, Dennis Palumbo, Endeavour, short story, giveaways & more in KRL
As posted elsewhere yesterday.....
As always, you can find most of these and more by also going to our home page and scrolling down http://KingsRiverLife.com
Happy reading,
Lorie
--
Up this morning in Kings River Life Magazine a review &
giveaway of the first in a brand new mystery series "Fat Cat at Large"
by Janet Cantrell aka Kaye George along with a fun guest post from Janet
about the cat that inspired the cat in her book http://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/fat-cat-at-large-by-janet-cantrell/
Also up, a review & giveaway of a new anthology put
together by the New York Tri-State Chapter of Sisters-in-Crime, "Family
Matters", which includes authors such as Elizabeth Zelvin, Triss Stein,
Anita Page & many more http://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/family-matters-a-mystery-anthology-murder-new-york-style/
We also have a review & giveaway of the latest mystery
by Dennis Palumbo "Phantom Limb" http://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/phantom-limb-a-daniel-rinaldi-mystery-by-dennis-palumbo/
And we have a fun mystery short story by Sharon Arthur
Moore http://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/the-bloody-knife-a-mystery-short-story/
And a review by Bobbi Chukran of the mystery TV show "Endeavour"
http://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/endeavour-tv-review/
For those of us who enjoy fantasy with our mystery, we have
a review & giveaway of "Free Agent", a Grimm Agency novel by JC
Nelson http://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/free-agent-by-j-c-nelson/
Lastly, over on KRL Lite we have a review &
ebook
giveaway of "Prescription For Murder" by E.E. Smith
http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2014/09/prescription-for-murder-by-e-e-smith.html
Happy reading,
Lorie
--
KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for
mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com
Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/ mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com
Via Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time--THE EMPTY BADGE
Read this very good story in the original anthology Trails of the Wild: Seven Tales of the Old West....
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time: The Empty Badge (Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles Book 8) - Kindle edition by Wayne D. Dundee. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon....
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time: The Empty Badge (Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles Book 8) - Kindle edition by Wayne D. Dundee. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon....
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