We have just gotten home as Sandi had a multi hour infusion this morning of IVIG. This is the stuff that supports her immune system and keeps it from collapsing. Sandi did fairly well though there were concerns over her high blood pressure when we first got there. That seemed to resolve on its own so they went ahead with the infusion.
She does not have to be back at Texas Oncology until the 15th of December. At that time they will do blood work and she will have a visit with the doctor. At that time they will also schedule another IVIG deal for the end of the year between Christmas and New Years Day.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: Society Members' News: November 2016
The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: Society Members' News: November 2016: The members below reported their publishing successes this month: Micki Browning, “Sleighed” in Mystery Weekly Magazine: December 201...
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Guest Post: Dave Seaman on "Turning Short Stories Into A Computer Game, And Back Again"
Please
welcome Dave Seaman to the blog today. I have known Dave for a few years now
stretching back to when we both were writing various things at the late
Epinions.Com. He has two books out now and this is one of them.
Turning Short
Stories Into A Computer Game, And Back Again
Let me tell you a
story. Back in the late 90s I was a teenager with a dream of becoming a
published author. Well to be honest I never really got very far with
that, at least until self-publishing became ridiculously easy, but I did at
least achieve a little success in the Indie Press, or the “Small Press” as we
tended to call it then. Slightly before the millennium I got a story
published in a tiny magazine (photocopied and with a distribution of about 150
for the first issue I think) called “Visions”. It was the first of quite
a few short stories and poems I have published in the Small Press over the next
few years – never coming anywhere close to hitting the big time unfortunately –
but the very first story I ever had published was Captain Disaster Episode One
– The Planet Eater of Acturus. A further 5 episodes would be published in
Visions before the magazine closed down.
In years to come I
would try to create a point and click adventure game featuring the puzzle, I
seem to remember getting a decent-ish prototype working in around 2003, but it
all fizzled out. I eventually got up to 11 episodes and tried
self-publishing them to the total lack of interest of the rest of the world.
More recently I tried again to create a computer game featuring the character,
and this time instead of going it alone assembled a small team In
2012 we released a demo, which won the Best Demo Award at the AGS (Adventure
Game Studio) awards that year, and after a few enforced team changes and a lot
of difficulties to plough through, we are almost ready to release Captain
Disaster in Death Has a Million Stomping Boots in 2017. Originally I had
planned to make small games based on the 11 existing episodes, but it quickly
became apparent that this was not a plausible concept, so a new storyline had
to be created from scratch.
Betwixt times I also
designed another, shorter Captain Disaster game (The Dark Side of the Moon),
which I made with the help of a different coder. The graphics are pretty
awful because I made them myself, but overall it’s a good little game and I’m
proud of it, it’s really the first “proper” point and click adventure game the
I designed all the way from concept to completion. More recently I
released a fully voiced version (I did all the voices myself, which was a lot
of fun) – both the original and voiced versions can be downloaded at http://gamejolt.com/games/captain-disaster-in-the-dark-side-of-the-moon/16772
“But wait!” you might
think, “what has this all got to do with writing?” Well I’m just in the
process of finishing the eBook of the game – it’s not really a “novelisation”
as it’s far too short for that, but it’s a fun story in its own right and also
(more or less) serves as a walkthrough / hint book for the game
itself. I’m 99% decided to release it as a free ebook to try to get
more people introduced to the Captain Disaster universe. So basically, as
Obi-Wan might say... the circle is complete. I have gone from writing
stories about Captain Disaster to making games about him, to writing a story
about a game I already made. Groovy, huh?
Captain
Disaster Collection: Amazon Kindle Edition
is available for $2.99 (or $1.23 if you happen to catch it between 11th
and 15th December 2016)! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3W1MNY
Dave Seaman ©2016
Dave Seaman has been
spending the last few years mainly focusing on game design and play-testing
with a fair amount of sound effect editing and voice acting thrown in,
but more recently has been drawn back towards fiction writing and is
currently working on his first novel. His writing blog can be found at http://backtofictionwriting.blogspot.co.uk/
Monday, November 28, 2016
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: He's So Not Worth It by Kieran Scott: Reviewed by Ambrea Ally Ryan had her entire school year ruined when her former friend, Shannen, decided to publicly ridicule h...
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: LINDA RAE SANDE'S NEW RELEASE!
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: LINDA RAE SANDE'S NEW RELEASE!: The Gossip of an Earl (The Widows of the Aristocracy Book 1) by Linda Rae Sande Genre: Historical Romance Extra! E...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 11/28-12/4...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 11/28-12/4...: Bookish events in Texas for the week of November 28 - December 4, 2016: Special Events: 8th Annual Humanities of Texas Holiday Book F...
Guest Post: Jeanne on "Sidney Chambers, Ian Carmichael, and The Nine Tailors"
Please welcome back
Jeanne of the Bookblog of the Bristol Library on this final Monday of November….
Sidney Chambers, Ian
Carmichael, and The Nine Tailors
I have been reading my way through the Sidney Chambers aka Grantchester
books by James Runcie and was intrigued by a particular aspect of one of the
stories. In it, Sidney is persuaded to
take a bit part in a movie production of “The Nine Tailors” by Dorothy Sayers. Sidney is rather put off by having to do several stereotypical vicar things—shots of him
riding his bike are described, for instance—but is soon sidetracked by a
mystery. Which I can’t quite remember,
because I was sidetracked by the idea of a filmed version of “The Nine Tailors.” (In case you aren’t familiar with the
structure of the Chambers books, there are generally at least four novellas in
each book with a mystery—not necessarily a murder—attached to each.) I had read
the book years before and remembered it as being difficult for me because so
much of the plot revolved around the formal ringing of the church bells (the
“tailors”) and I got more than a bit lost.
For what it’s worth, reviewers seem to think it’s one of the best of the
series but Sidney and I were not convinced.
Curious, I checked the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) just to see what filmed versions
existed and found only one listed: a
four part series with Ian Carmichael as Wimsey.
I had enjoyed that series and knew I owned at least one episode, but I
was delighted to discover I actually owned the complete set. There must have been a good sale at some
point. So I settled in to watch.
As I said, I really enjoyed the Ian Carmichael Wimsey
series. Many have pointed out that
Carmichael was actually too old to play Wimsey—he was in his 50s at the
time—but I liked the way he talked piffle: he was very good at playing Wimsey
as air-head aristocrat when needed, but
always allowing the audience to see the sharp intelligence behind the
pose. For me, that was one of Lord
Peter’s best investigative techniques, just as it was Miss Marple’s: the ability to appear to be harmless and a
bit air-headed so that suspects would let down their guard.
For those unfamiliar with the book or series, the plot
revolves around the theft of a very valuable emerald necklace from a guest at
the Thorpe family’s manor house near the village of Fenchurch St. Paul. The thieves are caught—one of them being the
manor’s butler-- but the necklace is not recovered, and its loss drives the Thorpes
into near bankruptcy as the family feels obligated to pay for the loss. Some twenty years later, Lord Peter and
faithful valet Bunter end up at the village in time for a ringing of the bells
just as Lady Thorpe dies of influenza. Not many months after, Lord Thorpe dies
but in the process of digging his grave next to his late wife’s, a mutilated
body is found to have been added to her grave. The news reaches Lord Peter, who believes
there may be a connection between the body and the theft of the necklace.
The first thing I noticed was that the series must have been
shot on tape instead of film. It has
that faded, grainy quality one gets from tape.
A good bit of the action took place in winter or early spring, which
added to the drab look.
The other unfortunate choice was that the program opened
with a young Lt. Wimsey headed off to war.
This was accomplished by putting a mustache and a lot of makeup on
Carmichael which to my eyes made him appear older than ever and was actually
kind of confusing when later (20 years later, in story time) he looks much
younger than he did at the beginning. Apparently, the idea was to show
audiences how Bunter—Lord Peter’s batsman in the War—came to be his
butler. This is absent in the book, by
the way.
The plot is more than a bit convoluted in both book and
movie. I had to watch parts of it twice
to get some of the characters straight for reasons I can’t explain without
spoilers, and I still do not grasp the finer (or coarser, for that matter)
points of bell ringing which is essential to the plot. (For one thing, cracking a cipher depends on
knowledge of bell ringing.) Still, I found it worth watching which was good,
because it took a couple of viewings to get some of the plot points straight.
As for the story which inspired the original question, I
concluded that the scenarios Runcie described came from reading the original
story and not from the filmed version.
There were also a couple of pointed comments from Sidney’s POV about the
plot of the original novel. I gathered
that Sidney—and I presume Runcie—are not fans.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Gravetapping: BEATING THE BUSHES by Christine Matthews
Gravetapping: BEATING THE BUSHES by Christine Matthews: Vincent Lloyd is broken. His six-year old daughter disappeared a few years earlier, and he was the prime suspect. He was suspected by the...
Crime Review Update
We feature new 20 reviews in each issue of Crime Review ( www.crimereview.co.uk), together with a top industry interview. This time it’s author Simon Mason in the Countdown hot seat: http://crimereview.co.uk/page.php/interview/4135 We’re on Twitter at: Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia This week’s reviews are: THE PROMISE by Alison Bruce, reviewed by John Cleal Maverick DC Gary Goodhew returns to duty after injury to help investigate the strange killing of a down-and-out and part-time informant and finds a chain of events which all point to an obsessed killer. EPIPHANY JONES by Michael Grothaus, reviewed by Ewa Sherman Jerry Dresden, deeply troubled and unhappy, is accused of murdering his work colleague and of stealing a Van Gogh painting from the Chicago museum. While on the run he becomes involved with Epiphany, an emotionally damaged young woman who listens to voices from God. HURRICANE GOLD (audio) by Charlie Higson, narrated by Nathanial Parker, reviewed by Linda Wilson On an island full of criminals, the young James Bond has to face a series of terrifying ordeals to win his freedom. CAMILLE: AND THE LOST DIARIES OF SAMUEL PEPYS by Bob Marshall-Andrews Bawdy Restoration England is threatened by a renewal of the war between King and Parliament. A chance meeting between the beautiful Camille, a fugitive French actress and Royal advisor Samuel Pepys leads to an improbable love story in an atmosphere of political intrigue and danger. WAKING LIONS by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, reviewed by Chris Roberts Driving in the desert late at night, Dr Eitan Green hits and kills Asum, an Eritrean immigrant. Asum’s wife Sirkit finds Eitan’s wallet at the scene and pressures him to make his medical skills available to those in need. HARD WIRED by JB Turner, reviewed by Linda Wilson Ex-Delta Force operative Jon Reznick is top of the list of someone with a grudge against his former unit, and whoever wants him dead is closing in fast. THE UNFORTUNATE ENGLISHMAN by John Lawton, reviewed by Arnold Taylor Joe Wilderness is in a West Berlin jail after having unintentionally shot a woman whom he was trying to smuggle to the West. Just when it seems that he is going to be there for a long time, his father-in-law, a senior member of MI5, comes to his rescue - but it is at a price. AN HONEST MAN by Simon Michael, reviewed by Chris Roberts Driving in the desert late at night, Dr Eitan Green hits and kills Asum, an Eritrean immigrant. Asum’s wife Sirkit finds Eitan’s wallet at the scene and pressures him to make his medical skills available to those in need.
BETWEEN THE CROSSES by Matthew Frank, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor DC Joseph Stark, war-hero-turned-copper, is unconvinced a double murder is a botched up burglary. TALL OAKS by Chris Whitaker, reviewed by Chris Roberts A small American town gains notoriety when three-year-old Harry is abducted. His mother Jess is devastated, but others have problems too. THE ACCIDENTAL AGENT by Andrew Rosenheim, reviewed by Arnold Taylor James Nessheim, having resigned from the FBI, is now studying law at university. His former boss, Assistant Director Harry Guttman, asks him to go under cover and establish whether a Nazi spy has managed to infiltrate the Chicago team working on the first atom bomb. A SPRING BETRAYAL by Tom Callaghan, reviewed by Chris Roberts Exiled to remote Karakol, Inspector Akyl Borubaev of the Bishkek Murder Squad becomes involved when the bodies of seven small children are found together, all bearing wristbands from a Kyrgyzstan orphanage. CUCKOLD POINT by Patrick Easter, reviewed by John Cleal River policeman Tom Pascoe tries to track down a consignment of stolen silk and becomes involved with brutal criminals and international espionage in a case which threatens his life, his family and his country. THE STROKE OF DEATH by Jessica Mann, reviewed by Linda Wilson Tamara Hoyland is left to deal with the aftermath of her father-in-law’s death, and the return of the black sheep of the family, her grasping brother-in-law. BROKEN HEART by Tim Weaver, reviewed by Jim Beaman A woman drives to a secluded beauty spot and disappears. Her sister calls in missing persons’ investigator David Raker. For him the mystery of where she went is only the start. FALLING SUNS by JA Corrigan, reviewed by John Barnbrook Rachel has given up her job as detective inspector to raise her son. Her son is murdered and Rachel’s cousin is convicted for his murder and placed in a secure psychiatric unit. When it becomes clear that he is likely to be freed, Rachel is driven into a determined and elaborate plan for revenge. ENDGAME by Chris Ryan, reviewed by Linda Wilson Teenage agent Zach Darke has to go up against an old adversary to save the life of two friends. KILL ME TWICE by Anna Smith, reviewed by John Cleal Reporter Rosie Gilmour investigates a trail of abuse and murder from the sink estates of Glasgow to the corridors of Westminster. DEAD GROUND IN BETWEEN by Maureen Jennings, reviewed by Chris Roberts On a cold winter’s night in late 1942, an old farmer goes missing and is later discovered, stabbed, in a secret bunker. Detective Inspector Tom Tyler investigates. DARK FORCES by Stephen Leather, reviewed by Linda Wilson Spider Shepherd has to infiltrate a dangerous criminal organisation as well as help to counter attacks by IS terrorists. Best wishes Sharon
A Bookseller Recommends: Mistborn (A Book With More Than 500 Pages)
A Bookseller Recommends: Mistborn (A Book With More Than 500 Pages): Pro: Some really unique stuff I've never seen in fantasy before. Con: I got nothing. The Bottom Line: I had a great time reading t...
The Cajun PI and Other Matters Cajun: Searching for Lilith
The Cajun PI and Other Matters Cajun: Searching for Lilith: When part time Criminal Justice teacher and detective, John Legrand, answers chemistry teacher, Zack Miller's phone call wanting hi...
Saturday, November 26, 2016
A Message From Amazon
I just got this with
the subject line of "Top Reviewer Notification: Non-Verified Purchase
Reviews Policy Change." Right there, you know that Amazon is fiddling with
the review program again and it won’t be anything good. They write:
"Hello!
As a frequent reviewer of products on
Amazon, we want you to be among the first to know about our review policy
changes. Shoppers consistently tell us that they value reviews from other
shoppers who they know have purchased the product on Amazon. As a result, we
are introducing a policy change around customer reviews. Customers can now only
submit a limited number of non-Amazon Verified Purchase reviews each week. The
count is calculated each week from Sunday at 12:00am UTC through Saturday
11:59pm UTC. Your ability to submit Amazon Verified Purchase reviews will not
be impacted. This policy also does not apply to Vine reviews or reviews on
digital and physical books, music, and video.
What is an Amazon Verified Purchase
review?
• When
an Amazon Verified Purchase badge appears next to a review, it means we have
verified that the person writing the review purchased the product at Amazon and
represents a typical customer experience with the product.
• Reviews
that are not marked “Amazon Verified Purchase” are valuable as well, but we
either can’t confirm that the product was purchased at Amazon or the customer
did not pay a price available to most Amazon shoppers.
For more details, please see our
Community Guidelines at https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201929730.
We're always innovating on behalf of
our customers, and we'd love any feedback or ideas you have for how we can
improve. You can contact us directly at community-help@amazon.com.
Regards,
Your Amazon Community Team"
Of course they don’t just tell you what
the limited number is…you have to go looking for it. Eventually one discovers
that they have decided, in their Borg like wisdom, the magical number to cap
submissions at is FIVE. Yes, no matter whether you write quality reviews like I
do or one and two sentence garbage “reviews” like many folks do, everyone is
equally capped at five. This is not innovation---this is flat out stupid.
Not only is it an unnecessary hassle
for me as I often submit a number of reviews over a couple of hours and clean
the decks here, it does nothing to improve the quality of reviews at Amazon.
Many shoppers complain about the worthlessness of the reviews at the site and
this change does nothing to improve anything.
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: POINCIANA ROAD BY MARGARET WAY
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: POINCIANA ROAD BY MARGARET WAY: Poinciana Road by Margaret Way ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GENRE : Contemporary Romance ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POINCIANA ROAD Blurb: A...
KRL This Week Update for November 26, 2016
Up in KRL this morning a review & giveaway of
"Eggnog Murder" by Leslie Meier, Barbara
Ross
& Lee Hollis
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/eggnog-murder-by-leslie-meier-lee-hollis-barbara-ross/
Also up a review & giveaway of "Deck the
Hallways" by Kate Carlisle along with a fun Christmas guest post by Kate
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/deck-the-hallways-by-kate-carlisle/
And we have a post by mystery author Amanda Flower about her giveback program for her latest book "Prose and
Cons"--you can buy her new book & help the poor all at the same time
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/prose-and-cons-giveback/
And a review & giveaway of "Something Buried,
Something Blue" by Wendy
Corsi Staub along with an interesting interview with Wendy
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/something-buried-something-blue-by-wendy-corsi-staub/
We also have a review & giveaway of "First Degree
Mudder" by Kate
Dyer-Seeley http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/first-degree-mudder-by-kate-dyer-seeley/
We are thrilled to have Sunny Frazier back to provide us with a December mystery Coming Attractions
column! And with it we have giveaways of books by Lynn Cahoon & Vickie Fee
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/december-coming-attractions-seasons-greetings-edition/
And we have a mystery short story by John M. Floyd
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/26/survival-mystery-short-story/
Over on KRL Lite a review & giveaway of "A Killer
Location" by Sarah T. Hobart
--
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
Small Business Saturday and Sandi
If you are buying today as part of Small Business Saturday, please consider heading over to Sandi's store on iOffer. Everything is made by her hands with sales going to help pay for her cancer treatments. So, if you are looking for that gift with a personal touch check out what she has to offer.
Lesa's Latest Contest: Cozy Mystery Giveaway
This week, I'm giving away cozy mysteries by Miranda James & Ali Brandon.
Miranda James' Digging Up the Dirt & Ali Brandon's Twice Told Tale are the
prizes. Check my blog at http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com for
details. Entries from the U.S. only, please.
Lesa Holstine
Friday, November 25, 2016
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Head Ball Coach: My Life in Football by Steve Spurrier ...
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Head Ball Coach: My Life in Football by Steve Spu...: Reviewed by Jeanne Love him or hate him, Steve Spurrier left his mark on SEC football starting with his years as a player and t...
No FFB Today--I'm Sorry
If you came looking for the FFB review this week, I apologize for not having something up. Thanksgiving for us is/was a tough day. This year marks five years since Sandi was first diagnosed. Our lives permanently changed around 1:45 in the afternoon when the doctors came in and broke the news. While she has survived far longer than anyone expected and, make no mistake we all are very grateful for that, we are acutely aware of her increasing limitations and what is going to come. So, it was a tough and very emotional day for us.
I need a break and did NOT want to run another repeat. So, I took today off FFB wise.
I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.
I need a break and did NOT want to run another repeat. So, I took today off FFB wise.
I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thanksgiving 2016
Happy Thanksgiving from Sandi, Scott, and myself. May it be a great day for you and yours.....
and no matter how it goes, keep your sense of humor. It is the only way to cope. Sure, there is booze, but for some of us that does not work so well. So, hang in there, laugh, and let whatever it is go as best as you can.
and no matter how it goes, keep your sense of humor. It is the only way to cope. Sure, there is booze, but for some of us that does not work so well. So, hang in there, laugh, and let whatever it is go as best as you can.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: Little Big Crimes Review: The Long Black Veil by V...
The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: Little Big Crimes Review: The Long Black Veil by V...: Little Big Crimes: The Long Black Veil, by Val McDermid : "The Long Black Veil," by Val McDermid, in Crime Plus Music, edited by ...
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The 2016 TCM Classic Cruise
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The 2016 TCM Classic Cruise: Sadly, it was with bittersweet feelings that The Bride and I attended the 2016 Turner Classic Movies Classic Cruise , as it had been ann...
Review: Fast Women and Neon Lights: Eighties-Inspired Neon Noir Editor Michael Pool
Eighteen complex
short stories make up the anthology Fast Women and Neon Lights. As made
clear by the subtitle, Eighties-Inspired Neon Noir” the
tales in this book are noir in style and heavily steeped in the glitz and
glamour of the 80s. The music, the hair, the clothes all play their atmospheric
role in these short stories where things often take a very dark turn under the neon
lights.
After a short introduction
by publisher and Editor Michael Pool and a forward by Will Viharo, the read starts
with “Valley Girl” by Kat Richardson. Detective Willet has a serious problem
and she sits across from him in interrogation. Kimberly Peterson knows what she
did and yet, at the same time, does not really seem to grasp what she did. The
social worker isn’t really helping either. Detective Willet would like to give
them both an attitude adjustment. As made clear in the first sentence, the fact
that “the Interrogation room smells of Pine-Sol, Love’s Baby Soft, and vomit”
does not help either.
Hot and humid in
Orlando, but at least the car ac in the Chevy Celebrity is working in “Alone Now”
by Patrick Cooper. The alarm is supposed to be off according to cousin Harv, so
Trip and Nash should have no problem stealing what they came for.
If Gary could stay
sober for a bit, their big payday might just happen in “Big Shots” by S. W.
Lauden. Murphy, the moneyman, is in New York and counting on Gary to do a good
job with the band down from Seattle for the big show in Los Angeles. Some major
labels are going to be at the show and, as group managers, Gary and Murphy
stand to make some serious bank.
Connie Jackson is
working hard in the yard as “The Deep End” by Dietrich Kalteis begins. Emmett
Granger, a senior investigator with NorthWest Lifeco, just caught her lying
about her claim though she doesn’t know it yet. What he is going to do about that
is just one small piece of the tale.
Wrestling is the
game in “Parts Unknown” by Sam Wiebe. A chance to wrestle in the holy mecca
known as “The Garden” in NYC is too good to pass up. Sure, he has to get thrown
by the wrestler known to all as the Giant as he loses the match, but it will be
worth it. Hett also gets the chance to reconnect with some folks and make
friends with others.
The show sold out in Los
Angeles and because Tiffany didn’t think to buy them when she had the chance, now
Pia and Tiffany can’t go. Unless Pia can work a deal and trade some coke for
the tickets. First Pia has to score the coke in “Besties and Blow” by Sarah M.
Chen. That and not kill her ex and his new girlfriend. Sure, they ought to die,
but they have the tickets so she needs them for when she gets the coke.
Lake Castor Police
recovered the body of Jessi Spangler on a dark and grey morning in September
1985. What happened to her and why she is dead is a big part of “It’s Morning
Again In Lake Castor” by Eryk Pruitt.
Tokyo is the location
for “Widowman” by Matthew J. Hockey. Aki is ready to take out Junko, but she
wants some answers first. Secret and lies have to be uncovered before she can
go home to her 24rth floor apartment.
Ryan thinks they
should go to Calgary in “The Envelope” by Linda L. Richards. Bonnie is not at
all thrilled with the idea. Ten long years after high school the envelope has
the potential to change their lives in so many ways unthinkable before.
Crockett and Tubbs
are hard at work in “Meantime” by Will Viharo. It is a typical Miami night
as they conduct surveillance on the art deco style mansion down the street. The
subject of the surveillance, Enrique Salazer, picked up where the recently and
very violently deceased, Tony Montana, left off.
Suzanne wants to be
the next female superstar on the pro wrestling circuit. In “Big Hair, Banana
Clips, And The Figure-Four Leg lock” by Nina Mansfield, Suzanne has a plan.
Part of that plan is to attend a job interview over at the local roller rink.
Good thing Laura is around to talk about reality.
People only pay when
you make them. Like sin, payment comes in many forms. Timmy has a very
specific payment in mind “Dutch” by C.S. DeWildt. He knows going in that the
payment is going to be expensive. Whether the plan will solve the issue is the
real question.
Andie tries her best
to keep up in “In The Swimming Pool” by Jen Conley. Being in the pool at
Jimmy’s and trying to throw the ball just as hard as the guys isn’t working out
for her. At least Alan didn’t go after her and try to humiliate her.
Pardo and Bobby are
watching television when the press conference with Britney Jackson and Sheriff Brad Daniels begins. She somehow
survived being shot in the head during an armed robbery. For Pardo and Bobby
the story by Greg Barth is all about “Getting Seconds.” This also is the winner
hands down for the most seriously disturbing tale in the book. The last few
paragraphs blow away the competition.
Roberto Razetta’s
appliance-shop in Korea town is less than five miles away from Hollywood but is
a world away in reality. It is hanging on thanks to a secret side income Roberto
makes in the course of his video repair work. In “Caught on Video” by Brian
Leopold, Roberto’s latest client this spring morning seems to be typical
in his urgency to get his Sony product fixed.
The plan was to get
in and out of the Gryphon Sportsbook as quickly and quietly as possible. She
needs to place the $8500 bet on Buffalo to win and leave. That is all. It won’t
be that simple in “Fleckman’s Fix” by Preston Lang.
“Last Dance at the
Glimmer Lounge” by S. A. Cosby involves the DJ Chaz, drugs, and his special
girl, Lydia. Of course, a plan for getting out is involved. That is not going
to be easy since there is a connection to the Philly Mob.
Bringing up the end
of the anthology is the tale from the editor, “Night Thief.” A stolen 81
Camaro, a dead hooker in the trunk, and the overriding need to stay alive and
get the job done are just some of the elements at work in this one.
The eighteen stories
that make up Fast Women and Neon Lights: Eighties-Inspired Neon Noir are all
solidly good ones. Often twistedly funny, the tales here pay homage to the
bright colors and big hair decade in a variety of ways. Drugs are often
present, plans are sure to go wrong as one would expect with noir style tales,
and your lover may not have your best intentions at heart as greed always
rules.
Fast Women and Neon Lights:
Eighties-Inspired Neon Noir
Editor Michael Pool
Short Stack Books
November 2016
ASIN# B01M2541HM
eBook (also available in paperback format)
222 Pages
$3.99
Digital ARC supplied by the editor Michael Pool to read and
review if I so desired with no expectation that I would do either.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Crime Time : MURDER IN THE WINGS -- Ed Gorman
Crime Time : MURDER IN THE WINGS -- Ed Gorman: Were I Police Detective Edelman and I had the faded TV star Stephen Wade in my custody I'd lock him up, close the case and take a long,...
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Arrow S05 E06: So It Begins
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Arrow S05 E06: So It Begins: Well, I'll give it an A for effort and dramatic effect, but the opening to this episode, with Green Arrow and Spartan walking into wh...
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: DOUBLE POSTS - TURKEY TROT AND STEPHANIE BURKHART
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: DOUBLE POSTS - TURKEY TROT AND STEPHANIE BURKHART: Be sure to check below this post for another giveaway! WooHoo! Lots of giveaways today! A Princess is Always Right by Stephani...
Mystery Fanfare: Thanksgiving Mysteries: A Crime Fiction List
Mystery Fanfare: Thanksgiving Mysteries: A Crime Fiction List: Thanksgiving . I have a lot to give thanks for -- my family, my friends, and the wonderful mystery community . We'll be going ...
Monday, November 21, 2016
Beneath the Stains of Time: Passio Christi
Beneath the Stains of Time: Passio Christi: " Men may keep a sort of level of good, but no men has even been able to keep on one level of evil. That road goes down and down. ...
SleuthSayers: Dreaming the Life: Self-Publishing Part I
SleuthSayers: Dreaming the Life: Self-Publishing Part I: by Steve Liskow Before I say anything else, if you don't already know this, no legitimate publisher will charge you money up front to ...
RTE Update for November 19
The November 19 2016 issue of RTE is out and includes fifteen new
reviews as well as a new interview:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Matthew FitzSimmons in the 'Sixty seconds with . . .' interview hot seat:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/interviews.html?id=232
REVIEWS THIS WEEK:
NIGHT SCHOOL by Lee Child Reviewed by Anne Corey
RATHER BE THE DEVIL by Ian Rankin Reviewed by Jim Napier
THE GIRL FROM VENICE by Martin Cruz Smith Reviewed by Anne Corey
THE WONDER by Emma Donoghue Reviewed by Yvonne Klein
CITY ON EDGE by Stefanie Pintoff Reviewed by Nicole Leclerc
SAN JUAN NOIR by Mayra Santos-Febres, ed Reviewed by Lourdes Venard
HEART ATTACK AND VINE by Phoef Sutton Reviewed by Susan Hoover
STRANGE THINGS DONE by Elle Wild Reviewed by Lourdes Venard
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware Reviewed by Karen Chisholm
THE HERMIT by Thomas Rydahl Reviewed by Barbara Fister
FACE BLIND by Lance Hawvermale Reviewed by Christine Zibas
MURDER ON BRITTANY SHORES by Jean-Luc Bannalec Reviewed by Christine Zibas
RECKLESS CREED by Alex Kava Reviewed by Caryn St Clair
ALL THE LITTLE LIARS by Charlaine Harris Reviewed by PJ Coldren
SERGEANT CLUFF STANDS FIRM (1960) by Gil North Reviewed by Rik Shepherd
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
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Matthew FitzSimmons in the 'Sixty seconds with . . .' interview hot seat:
http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/interviews.html?id=232
REVIEWS THIS WEEK:
NIGHT SCHOOL by Lee Child Reviewed by Anne Corey
RATHER BE THE DEVIL by Ian Rankin Reviewed by Jim Napier
THE GIRL FROM VENICE by Martin Cruz Smith Reviewed by Anne Corey
THE WONDER by Emma Donoghue Reviewed by Yvonne Klein
CITY ON EDGE by Stefanie Pintoff Reviewed by Nicole Leclerc
SAN JUAN NOIR by Mayra Santos-Febres, ed Reviewed by Lourdes Venard
HEART ATTACK AND VINE by Phoef Sutton Reviewed by Susan Hoover
STRANGE THINGS DONE by Elle Wild Reviewed by Lourdes Venard
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware Reviewed by Karen Chisholm
THE HERMIT by Thomas Rydahl Reviewed by Barbara Fister
FACE BLIND by Lance Hawvermale Reviewed by Christine Zibas
MURDER ON BRITTANY SHORES by Jean-Luc Bannalec Reviewed by Christine Zibas
RECKLESS CREED by Alex Kava Reviewed by Caryn St Clair
ALL THE LITTLE LIARS by Charlaine Harris Reviewed by PJ Coldren
SERGEANT CLUFF STANDS FIRM (1960) by Gil North Reviewed by Rik Shepherd
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
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: A DOUBLE LIFE--TEMPTING THE EARL!
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: A DOUBLE LIFE--TEMPTING THE EARL!: Tempting the Earl by Rachael Miles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GENRE : Historical Romance ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEMPTING THE EARL Blurb: ...
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Guest Post: Judy Penz Sheluk on "Writing The Book Inside Your Head"
Back in August, Judy
gave us all some advice on “Becoming
A Professional Writer.” She is back today on the topic of “Writing The Book
Inside Your Head.”
Judy Penz Sheluk: Writing
The Book Inside Your Head
This past summer, I was invited to speak at a local creative
writing group. The invitation came with the hope that I’d give the members some
insight into writing and getting published. I was happy to accept. My blog is
largely devoted to the writing life, and I’ve been very honest about my own
journey, from hope to heartbreak to happiness. Besides, there’s always the off
chance that someone in the group will purchase a book from me.As is the case with most groups, there was one member
(herein fictitiously named Grace) who overshadowed the rest with questions,
comments and running dialogue. I like to categorize these people as “Well,
enough about me. Here’s more about me.” Here’s how it went:
Grace: I’m
writing a novel about my uncle during the Second World War. He escaped POW camp
by being taken in by nuns and living in a convent.
Me: That sounds
interesting. How far have you gotten with it?
[Other members shift in their seats and study their hands.]
Grace: I’ve
written the first chapter.
Another member (let’s call him Bob): Grace has been writing
and rewriting that first chapter for six months.
Grace (defensive):
The first chapter has to be perfect, or no agent or publisher will read on.
Me: That’s true.
But you need to have a finished novel before you can start querying agents and
publishers.
Grace: But I have
the entire book written in my head.
[More seat shifting. Clearly this group has heard it all
before.]
Me (trying to be
tactful): Here’s the thing, Grace. No one can read the book inside your
head. You have to just write it.
That stopped Grace, but only for a moment. Her next worry
was whether or not to use her uncle’s real name, or make one up.
Me: Is this a biography?
Grace: No, I’m
using things that happened in his life, but he’s dead now, so I have to make most
of it up.
Me: So it’s going
to be a work of fiction?
Grace: Yes, but
I’ll be including some real facts.
Bob: We’ve all
told her to change his name. You always see that at the front of a novel. That
the names and places are from the author’s imagination.
Me: I have to
agree with Bob. It’s better to make up a name. You can always credit your uncle
in the acknowledgements. Besides, real incidents and people influence authors
all the time.
Grace: I don’t
think I can write the book without using his real name. That’s the name I’ve
been using all along.
Me: In the book
that’s been written inside your head.
Grace nodded.
Thankfully our time was up.
Did Grace buy one of my books? Of course not. But two other
members did, and one came to my local bookstore signing the following Saturday
and bought a book there. You just never know…as for Grace, I’m pretty sure
she’s still writing that book inside her head.
Do you have a writing
group story you’d like to share?
Synopsis for Skeletons in the Attic
What goes on behind
closed doors doesn’t always stay there…
Calamity (Callie) Barnstable isn’t surprised to learn she’s
the sole beneficiary of her late father’s estate, though she is shocked to discover she has inherited
a house in the town of Marketville—a house she didn’t know existed. However,
there are conditions attached to Callie’s inheritance: she must move to
Marketville, live in the house, and solve her mother’s murder.
Callie’s not keen on dredging up a thirty-year-old mystery,
but if she doesn’t do it, there’s a scheming psychic named Misty Rivers who is
more than happy to expose the Barnstable family secrets. Determined to thwart
Misty and fulfill her father’s wishes, Callie accepts the challenge. But is she
ready to face the skeletons hidden in the attic?
Judy Penz Sheluk ©2016
Amazon International bestselling author Judy Penz Sheluk’s
crime fiction includes The Hanged Man’s
Noose, Skeletons in the Attic,
and several short stories. Find her at www.judypenzsheluk.com
and on Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/JudyPenzSheluk
Find Skeletons in the Attic in print at all
the usual suspects, and on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited on Amazon: http://www.imajinbooks.com/skeletons-in-the-attic
Saturday, November 19, 2016
KRL This Week Update for 11/19/2016
Up in KRL this morning reviews & giveaways of some fun
new food mysteries for your Thanksgiving reading-"The Chocolate Bunny
" by JoAnna Carl, "The Good, the Bad, and the Guacamole": A
Taste of Texas Mystery by Rebecca
Adler,
"A Killer Kebab: A Greek to Me Mystery" by Susannah Hardy, and
"Dying for Strawberries": A Berry Basket Mystery by Sharon Farrow
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/food-mysteries-for-your-thanksgiving-dinner/
And a review of "The Gourmet Detective" mystery
movies on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/the-gourmet-detective-movies-on-hallmark-movies-mysteries-channel/
We also have an article about an interesting new way to
enjoy cozy mysteries, and possibly a unique idea for a Christmas gift, A Cozy
Experience
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/experience-your-favorite-books-in-a-whole-new-way-with-a-cozy-experience/
And yet another Thanksgiving mystery short story, this one
by KM Rockwood
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/holiday-summons-thanksgiving-mystery-short-story/
And a review & giveaway of "Murder at the Moonshine
Inn" by Maggie
King http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/murder-at-the-moonshine-inn-by-maggie-king/
We also have a review & giveaway of "Cat Got Your
Diamonds" by Julie
Chase http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/cat-got-your-diamonds-by-julie-chase/
Also mystery author Lorna Lund Collins shares about an interesting
Thanksgiving celebrated in Japan, along with a couple of recipes for pumpkin
pie http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/pumpkin-pie-in-japan/
And we also have another Thanksgiving mystery short story,
this one by Andrew
MacRae
http://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/felony-at-farquhar-farms-a-thanksgiving-mystery-short-story/
And up on KRL Lite a review & giveaway of the anthology
"Sunshine Noir" edited by Annamaria Alfieri & Michael Stanley
http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2016/11/sunshine-noir-edited-by-annamaria.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
Review: Downfall: A Brady Novel of Suspense by J. A. Jance
The last days of
August would have been hard enough for Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady, as
it was. She has to make funeral arrangements for her mom, Eleanor, and her
stepfather, George. What was initially believed to be a simple motor vehicle
accident involving their RV as they returned to Bisbee, Arizona was actually a
crash caused by a sniper. George died at the scene and Eleanor was airlifted to
Phoenix where she soon passed as well. The killer was taken down and dealt with
just a few days ago. Now Joanna has to deal with funeral arrangements and other
family matters all made more complicated by the recent arrival into her life of
her adopted brother whom she had known nothing about.
When you are in
charge it means your personal situation often has to take a backseat to your
job. Moments after finalizing the numeral arrangements, she is called by her
Chief Deputy Tom Hadlock. He wants to make her aware that there has been a discovery
of two bodies at the base of a nearby rock formation known as “Geronimo.”
It may have been a murder/suicide or a double murder. Haddock wants her to take
a look. Quickly it becomes clear this was no suicide and it was a double
murder. That means everyone on staff including Sheriff Brady, the FBI, and law enforcement
in neighboring counties are hard at work on a case that escalates in complexity
seemingly by the hour as evidence is uncovered.
The latest in the
series, Downfall: A Brady Novel Of Suspense, is a really good read by author
J. A. Jance. The author works the heartstrings of the reader to great effect as
Brady is faced with a number of personal issues. At the same time, the
overarching mystery is complicated with tentacles that go off in many
directions. The result is a mighty good book that powers along on all levels to
one very suspenseful conclusion.
Downfall: A Brady Novel of Suspense
J. A. Jance
William Morrow (Imprint of Harper
Collins Publishers)
September 2016
ISBN# 978-0-06-229771-6
Hardback (currently also available in
audio and eBook formats)
400 Pages (more like 385)
$26.99
I was able to read and review this book
because I was able to get it by way of the good folks of the Plano Public
Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
Friday, November 18, 2016
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: JOANNA SHUPE RELEASES BARON
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: JOANNA SHUPE RELEASES BARON: Baron by Joanna Shupe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GENRE : Historical Romance ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BARON Blurb: New York City’s Gilde...
Crime Watch: Review: THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE
Crime Watch: Review: THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE: THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE by Douglas Skelton Reviewed by Craig Sisterson A missing teenage girl should be an easy job for Dominic Ques...
Lesa's Latest Contest: Giveaways
This week, I'm giving away a copy of David Rosenfelt's The Twelve Dogs of
Christmas & RaeAnne Thayne's Snowfall on Haven Point. Details on my blog at
http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only,
please.
--
Lesa Holstine
Mystery Fanfare: The Art and Craft of Writing Crime Fiction
Mystery Fanfare: The Art and Craft of Writing Crime Fiction: Peggy Lucke asked our Sisters in Crime Northern California chapter for their favorite books on the art and craft of writing crime fictio...
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: TWO POSTS MEAN TWO CHANCES AT PRIZES TODAY!
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: TWO POSTS MEAN TWO CHANCES AT PRIZES TODAY!: The Lizard’s Tale by Kurt Kamm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GENRE : Mystery/Crime Thriller GIVEAWAY INFORMATION: One randomly chose...
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