Kevin's Corner: February 2018

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

REMINDER: Dallas Mystery Writers this Saturday, March 3, 2018

March 3, 2018 - Social Media Expert Fred Campos

Fred Campos, previous owner of Fun City Social Media, now DFW Website Designers, has run social media campaigns for several hundred small businesses. For the past eight years, he has taught social media marketing classes throughout the country and even on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Winner of Toastmasters “Humorous Public Speaking” contests at the regional and district levels, Fred is sure to both educate and entertain.

Fred is married to an amazing elementary school teacher super mom. Together they are blessed, yet outnumbered, with three very different children. Fred plays mafia monitoring dad to his Stephen F. Austin college drama daughter, reality debater to his Sheldon Cooper nerdy gifted 9th grade son, and ultimate Lego builder with his adventure bound highly social 2nd grade son.

Fred’s passion is working with parents caught in child custody issues, and he drags down the average IQ by serving on the HEB ISD school board.

DFW Website Designers

ALSO: The Northeast Texas Writers Organization (NETWO) short story contest is in full swing. Dead line is April 1, 2018. Any genre other than erotica. 2500 words or less. For further submission information check out our web site www.netwo.org

LOCATION:

The Dallas MWASW group meets the first Saturday of each month (except January) at the Olive Garden, 4240 Belt Line, Addison, TX, 75001. Meeting time is 10:00 AM – Noon, followed by lunch.

There is a $10 fee (cash only – please bring fives or ones) for the program and drinks-only attendees. The fee is reduced to $5.00 (cash only) for those staying for lunch. All who attend are encouraged to remain and break bread(sticks) with your fellow writers.

Contact info: james@gaskin.com

Thanks,

James

James E. Gaskin
http://www.gaskin.com
Writer / Consultant / Speaker

Member Internet Press Guild

Portfolio

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Ellsburg, Halbertham, Wolff, Pullman, ...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Ellsburg, Halbertham, Wolff, Pullman, ...: Reported by Jeanne Nevermore opened with Doomsday Machine by Daniel Ellsberg. Ellsberg, who copied and released the Pentago...

io9: Fantasy Author Terry Goodkind Wants Everyone to Know How Much He Hates His New Novel's Cover Art

Fast Company: Facebook’s vaguely worded face recognition “announcement” coincided with a legal setback

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: GEEKS AND THINGS COZY MYSTERY SERIES

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: GEEKS AND THINGS COZY MYSTERY SERIES: Pains and Penalties A Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries Novella #1 by Sarah Biglow Genre: Cozy Mystery A new amateur...

KRL NEWS: Only days left to win books by Miranda James, Vicki Delany, MC Bearton, & many more from KRL

Only days left to win copies of 5 pet related mysteries-"Claws for Concern": A Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James "The Fast and the Furriest": A Second Chance Cat Mystery by Sofie Ryan, "Death by a Whisker": A Cat Rescue Mystery by TC LoTempio, "The Cat of the Baskervilles": A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany, and "Unbridled Murder": A Carson Stables Mystery by Leigh Hearon http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/5-fun-pet-mysteries-for-march-reading/

And to win a copy of "Death of an Honest Man" by M. C. Beaton http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/death-of-an-honest-man-by-m-c-beaton/

Also to win books by Amy Reade & Sherry Harris when you check out the latest mystery Coming Attractions http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/coming-attractions-the-lent-edition/

And to win a copy of the first book from a brand new mystery writer-"Sunny Side Up" by Daniel Stallings. We also have an interesting interview with Daniel & info on his upcoming talk at the Fresno chapter of Sisters in Crime http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/sunny-side-up-by-daniel-stallings/

On KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy of "Murder as Sticky Jam" by Diana Orgain http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/murder-as-sticky-as-jam-by-diana-orgain.html

And to win a copy of "Murder on the Rocks" by Shawn Reilly Simmons, http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/murder-on-rocks-by-shawn-reilly-simmons.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/

Crime Watch Blog: Review: MR MAJESTYK by Elmore Leonard

Crime Watch: Review: MR MAJESTYK: MR MAJESTYK by Elmore Leonard (1974) Reviewed by Craig Sisterson Frank Renda is scared stiff he's losing his touch. It used to be ...

Review: Styx & Stone: An Ellie Stone Mystery by James W. Ziskin

It is late January of 1960 as Styx & Stone: An Ellie Stone Mystery begins and Ellie Stone gets some bad news from the local sheriff. Her father was found unconscious in his New York City apartment and is now in the hospital in critical condition. Eleonora “Ellie” Stone, a reporter and the only living child of Professor Abraham Stone, is going to have to take some time off from her job in New Holland and go back home to see about her dad. Their relationship is not a good one as they are estranged and now she is faced with dealing with their past issues as well as the current crisis.

Upon arrival she soon learns that it was not a stroke or a heart attack that put her father in the hospital. He was violently assaulted and his home office and library was ransacked. This occurred just days after her brother’s grave was severely vandalized. While the police believe the events are not related and the assault on her father, a renowned Dante scholar and esteemed professor, was nothing more than a random burglary, Ellie has her doubts. Especially since another professor, well known to her father and a colleague, died in somewhat mystery circumstances in close proximity time wise to the assault on her father.

That fact, what happened to her brother’s grave, the very specific damage in her father’s apartment, and more makes Ellie question the police investigation from the start. Ellie considers herself a “modern woman” and has no problem with asking questions and pushing for answers when she isn’t thinking about the past or enjoying the pleasures of the present. She drinks, she smokes, she likes a good time with a man who strikes her fancy, and Ellie won’t put up with nonsense from others.

Styx & Stone: An Ellie Stone Mystery is the start of a series and a good one. While all the characters are complicated in this tale to some degree (no cookie cutter cardboard cutouts need apply), Ellie Stone is exceedingly complicated. There is depth and nuance to this character that is rarely found in the first novel of a series. She also has a subtle sarcastic streak that appealed very much to this reader.

While historical mysteries are not my usual reading material, I thoroughly enjoyed Styx & Stone: An Ellie Stone Mystery. A complicated tale with characters of depth and nuance, the mystery itself was a difficult one to solve kept this reader engaged, and the read was flat out very entertaining on all levels. Styx & Stone: An Ellie Stone Mystery was a very good book and is strongly recommended.

Styx & Stone: An Ellie Stone Mystery

James W. Ziskin

http://www.jameseziskin.com

Seventh Street Books

http://www.seventhstreetbooks.com

October 2013

ISBN# 978-1-61614-819-5

Paperback (also available as an eBook)

270 Pages

$15.95

Material supplied by the good folks of the Dallas Public Library System.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Unlawful Acts (Small Press Crime Fiction): Incident Report No. 30

MysteryPeople Review: Walter Mosley is back at it with DOWN THE RIVER UNTO THE SEA

AnneLouiseBannon.Com: Suzanne Adair and The American Revolution From the Other Side

The Rap Sheet: Revue of Reviewers for 2/26/18

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 38 Calls for Submissions in March 2018 - Paying ma...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 38 Calls for Submissions in March 2018 - Paying ma...: Johann Peter Hasenclever Wikimedia There are over three dozen calls for submissions in March. All of these are paying markets, and non...

Patti Abbott – The BOLO Books Interview

Review: Mystery Weekly Magazine: January 2018

Mystery Weekly Magazine: January 2018 opens with “One And Done” by Arthur Carey. It is a hot afternoon in late summer in the park as Charlie Anson watches birds through old binoculars. He is about to call it a day when an argument between two men further along the trail turns violent. Witness to a murder, Charlie leaves as fast as he can in a tale that constantly shits point of view between numerous characters with no warning.

Chris had a house guest that just won’t go away in “The International (Marketing) Incident” by Rickey Sprague. Using food and not replacing it was bad enough. Now Dan is over at Marcella’s and wants press kits and other items. Chris is going to have to comply as Marcella Ginty is a member of the Hollywood International Press and therefore very important to the studios. One such studio employs Chris and that means he has to give her everything she wants. The fact that Dan is requesting loads of stuff is irrelevant. The fact that Marcella is in her early 80s and Dan is her latest boy toy means that Dan is working an angle. Chris just does not know what that angle is yet.

After the divorce, Dee got the house out on Staten Island and he didn’t care. His heart was in Manhattan and he’d never liked the house or the drive back and forth to the precinct. She’d gotten remarried to a seemingly decent guy. He had died some time ago and now Dee is dead. He has questions in “Arthur Kill” by Jeff Sommers and he will get answers in this locked room mystery.

Politics in academia can be ruthless. Roberto is in real trouble in “The Adventure Of The Dead Frog” by Carlos Orsi. The Research Ethics Committee is going to meet and evaluate his conduct regarding a certain frog specimen Roberto brought back to the institute. The frog was seized as evidence and it is now missing from the locked safe inside the locked vault. A locked room mystery is at work here and it is a very good one.

Ephraim Harris used to be a pickpocket artist. That was until a certain person began teaching him far better skills in “The Pale Shadow And the Conjuror” by Tim Major. The art world will never be the same.

The You-Solve-It puzzle this month is by Rhonda Howard. In “Smoke Test” Detective Gary Trager of the 14 Precinct is on his final day of service after thirty years on the force. Tiffany Trustwell was robbed, got a bit banged up, and is in the hospital. She knows important people and therefore has connections that matter. So Chief Hudson wants him to look into the matter and figure out quickly who did it.

The issue concludes with the solution to the December You-Solve-It puzzle also written by Rhonda Howard.

The stores in Mystery Weekly Magazine: January 2018 are all solidly good ones. They are complex tales in a variety of settings that feature characters dealing with threats and worse by others. While my personal favorites were the two locked room mysteries, the entire issue is another fun to read solidly good one.

Mystery Weekly Magazine: January 2018

http://www.mysteryweekly.com/

ASIN: B078PHHMGP

eBook (available in print format)

105 Pages

$2.99

For quite some time now I have been gifted a subscription by the publisher with no expectation at all of a review. This month I made the decision to read and review. I expect to do more of that going forward depending on my usual personal time constraints.

Monday, February 26, 2018

In Reference To Murder Blog: Media Murder for Monday for 2/26/18

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai: Reviewed by Kristin Lucy Hull enjoys being a children’s librarian in Hannibal, Missouri. She’s one of the young ones on staff...

Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers for 2/26/18

Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers | ErikaDreifus.com

TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 2/26-3/4

TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 2/26-3/4: Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of February 26-March 4, 2018: Special Events: Humanities Texas presents Texas Storytime: A Family...

Aubrey Hamilton Reviews: Dangerous Sea by David Roberts

Dangerous Sea by David Roberts (Carroll & Graf, 2003) is the fourth book in the historical mystery series featuring Lord Edward Corinth and Verity Browne. Lord Corinth is the second son of a duke and Verity is a committed Communist and journalist for left-wing publications. Set amid the political mayhem of the 1930s, this book highlights the growing but unacknowledged attraction of the two, who recognize their very different philosophies of life can only doom the budding relationship. That doesn’t stop them from embarking on adventures together: the two recently returned from retrieving Corinth’s teenage nephew who ran away from school to fight in the Spanish Civil War at Verity’s unwitting instigation.

In the first pages of this book Corinth is approached by someone well-placed in the British government to accompany an eminent economist on a trip to the United States, where the economist will take part publicly in conferences and privately plead with the President for his financial assistance to England in the war everyone sees coming. Security officials believe the economist is in danger from German agents who are aware of his mission, so Corinth enlists Verity and his nephew, who is refusing to return to school, to assist in seeing that the economist is never alone. Everyone is excited about a trip to the United States aboard the great ship Queen Mary, including avowed Communist Verity, who has pangs of guilt about traveling in First Class luxury. Within a day of embarkation the body of the guard assigned officially to protect the economist is found, obviously murdered, and the search for the killer begins.

While an ocean liner in the middle of the Atlantic has little in common with a country manor house full of snowed-in guests, the two are quite similar when a murder occurs. The assassin perforce is unable to leave and there is a finite pool of potential candidates from which to pull the culprit. The story makes the most of the diverse personalities onboard but the guard’s killer was more or less obvious early on. The motive was the only element not immediately apparent. The weak mystery in no way affects the story, which has compelling characters, interesting subplots, and an authoritative description of life on a passenger cruise ship.

I understand that in some quarters this will be viewed as heresy; however, Lord Corinth and Verity Browne remind me strongly of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. In all the attempts I’ve seen at emulating that iconic couple, this pair comes closest. This series has been on my TBR list for a long time, and I am sorry I waited so long to tackle a title in it. I definitely will be looking for the rest of the books, ten in all, to see how well they live up to this one.

· Hardcover: 320 pages

· Publisher: Carroll & Graf; 1st Carroll & Graf Ed edition (October 16, 2003)

· Language: English

· ISBN-10: 0786712155

· ISBN-13: 978-0786712151

Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal IT projects by day and reads mysteries at night.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Mystery Fanfare: Call for Articles: Gardening Mysteries

Mystery Fanfare: Call for Articles: Gardening Mysteries: CALL FOR ARTICLES: Gardening Mysteries The next issue of Mystery Readers Journal (Volume 34:1) will focus on Gardening Mysteries...

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Inner City Blues: Paula L. Woods

Bitter Tea and Mystery: Inner City Blues: Paula L. Woods: From the description of this book at W. W. Norton : Meet Detective Charlotte Justice, a black woman in the very white, very male, and some...

Would You Like To Be A Guest?

Just another irregular reminder here that I welcome guests on my blog Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends. The topics of religion and politics should be avoided UNLESS either one or both directly relate to your book, short story, project, etc. Everything else is pretty much fair game.

WRITEALOT Blog: Blog guest - Jane Risdon

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Fire and Fury, Ghost of the Innocent M...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Fire and Fury, Ghost of the Innocent M...: Reported by Ambrea This week, Nevermore started out with a brand new book: Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff . In...

SleuthSayers: Vancouver Author Sam Wiebe Talks About "Cut You Down" ...

SleuthSayers: Vancouver Author Sam Wiebe Talks About "Cut You Do...: by Brian Thornton One of Canada's Finest: Sam Wiebe For today's blog entry it's my pleasure to introduce to you Vancouver ...

Do Some Damage: Noir at the Bar Tips

Do Some Damage: Noir at the Bar Tips: By Sam Belacqua So last weekend we had two east coast Noir at the Bar events. I don't know if there are any scheduled this weekend, bu...

SleuthSayers: Style and Formula in The French Connection - a gue...

SleuthSayers: Style and Formula in The French Connection - a gue...: Let me introduce Chris McGinley, a writer and reviewer whose work has appeared in Shotgun Honey , Out of the Gutter , Near to the Knuckle , ...

KRL This Week Update for 2/24/18

A special treat for mystery reading pet lovers in KRL this morning-reviews & giveaways of 5 pet related mysteries-"Claws for Concern": A Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James "The Fast and the Furriest": A Second Chance Cat Mystery by Sofie Ryan, "Death by a Whisker": A Cat Rescue Mystery by T.C. LoTempio, "The Cat of the Baskervilles": A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany, and "Unbridled Murder": A Carson Stables Mystery by Leigh Hearon http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/5-fun-pet-mysteries-for-march-reading/

We also have a review & giveaway of "Death of an Honest Man" by M. C. Beaton http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/death-of-an-honest-man-by-m-c-beaton/

And we have the latest mystery Coming Attractions from Sunny Frazier, along with a chance to win books by Amy Reade & Sherry Harris http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/coming-attractions-the-lent-edition/

We also have a review & giveaway of the first book from a brand new mystery writer-"Sunny Side Up" by Daniel Stallings. We also have an interesting interview with Daniel & info on his upcoming talk at the Fresno chapter of Sisters in Crime http://kingsriverlife.com/02/24/sunny-side-up-by-daniel-stallings/

And up on KRL News & Reviews a review & giveaway of "Murder as Sticky Jam" by Diana Orgain http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/murder-as-sticky-as-jam-by-diana-orgain.html

Also on KRL News & Reviews this morning a review & giveaway of "Murder on the Rocks" by Shawn Reilly Simmons http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/murder-on-rocks-by-shawn-reilly-simmons.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/

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: A RIVER OF SILENCE!

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: A RIVER OF SILENCE!: Mystery Date Published: January 24, 2018 Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing When Detective Winston Radhause...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Everybody’s Baby by Lydia Netzer

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Everybody’s Baby by Lydia Netzer: Reviewed by Kristin Jenna and Billy are the quintessential millennial couple. Jenna owns the Rock Star Yoga studio, offering...

Friday, February 23, 2018

Lesa's Latest Contest: Mysteries with police giveaway

This week, I'm giving away two books involving the police. One is The Long
Arm of the Law, a collection of classic British stories, edited by Martin
Edwards. The other is the latest Samuel Craddock mystery, A Reckoning in
the Back Country by Terry Shames. Details on my blog,
http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only,
please.


-- 
Lesa Holstine
lesa.holstine@gmail.com

http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

Mystery Fanfare: KILLER COOKBOOKS

Mystery Fanfare: KILLER COOKBOOKS: Today on The Rap Sheet there was a mention of a new cookbook: Cooking with Columbo: Suppers with the Shambling Sleuth by Jenny Hammerton...

Gravetapping: DEAD RECKONING by Sam Llewellyn

Gravetapping: DEAD RECKONING by Sam Llewellyn: Sam Llewellyn is an author I discovered in the late 1980s as a teenager. He wrote a series of suspense novels set in the British fishin...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 50 Free Writing Contests in March 2018 - No entry fees

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 50 Free Writing Contests in March 2018 - No entry ...: Pixabay Spring is right around the corner! The birds are singing, the flowers are (almost) blooming, and there are new opportunities for...

Finally Home

Finally home as we had to run a couple of errands after we got our physicals done. Pending bloodwork, both Scott and I are doing okay. Thankfully, based on my primary care doctor's assessment, my congestive heart failure does not seem to have gotten any worse since he saw me about 14 months ago. I still have to have a physical at the cardiologist and go through their more extensive testing, but things seem to be relatively stable.

He is very concerned about the stress and grief I am under with losing both my Mom and Sandi last year and everything else I have been dealing with during the last year. At this point, time is the only relief I am going to get from the grief and that will not be anytime soon. We discussed in depth where I am at and how I am dealing with things (or not as the case may be) and he assures me that I am where I should be three months later today. He did stress that if my emotional state gets worse than it is, he wants me to call and come in for help. I have promised to do that.

So, at this point, we await the test results, but nothing is currently indicating any new issues. Just glad that today is over.

Physicals

By the time this post appears, Scott and I will be at our primary care physician having physicals. Something neither one of us likes as it is. As a cardiac patient, I go into these things as it is scared that EKG will freak folks out and suddenly I will be in an ambulance dealing with an issue.

Today will be much harder than normal as we are forced to talk about Sandi as our primary doctor had known her since 1980 and cared about her tremendously. It is 12 weeks as of today and I cry every time I talk about it or think about it.

This is going to be hell.

The Rap Sheet: A Grab Bag of References

FFB Review: Map Of Murder: Original Stories of Mystery and Suspense Edited by Susan Budavari and Suzanne Flaig

For this final Friday of February, I blew the dust off this review and decided to run it again today. More reading suggestions can be found today at the blog of Todd Mason.

Originally published in early 2007, Map Of Murder: Original Stories of Mystery and Suspense anthology showcases murder at various locations across the country. Edited by Susan Budavari and Suzanne Flaig, each story is complex and interesting as the involved authors took the mission concept in different ways. Of course, it really isn’t possible to go into any depth about any of the stories without ruining the story for the reader. Suffice it to say, there isn’t a bad one in the bunch and each weaves its own spell. With 20 stories involved, hopefully the ones I have chosen below will reflect accurately the scope and breadth of this engrossing anthology.

In Robert L. Iles’ story “Fast Eddie”, Eddie has a plan. Help the young female traveler store her luggage at the Vegas bus terminal and then lift it from the storage locker later. He’s a small hustler and thief who get far more than he thought when he grabbed the suitcase.

We have all had those days where one bad thing happens after another. So has a Vegas show girl named “Stella” in “An Off Day” by S. J. Smith. You will get a kick out of this one.

Frank Zafiro brings the border country near El Paso alive “In the Shadow of El Paso.” A beautiful bartender causes problems and pulls a lawman along a journey of love, hate, desperation and despair. This is a powerful story and one that packs quite a punch.

Another favorite, and not just because it is set on the Texas Gulf Coast, is Carole Kilgore’s “Bunuelos for the Beach.” Pete is dead, Gina is heartbroken at the death of her friend and Detective Cantu is on the case.

Heading east and north and a few stories later, readers find themselves deep in the Smoky Mountains in Deborah J. Ledford’s “Smoky Mountain Inquest”. The middle of the night makes for the best time to detect and it is a salvation for Edgar Marconi working a case in the Swain County Sheriff’s Department substation. Heavily atmospheric with a complex character I would like to see more of, this is an excellent inclusion.

No one really wants to find a body. Especially, early in the morning, which is what happens to Sarah in “Death at the Dumpster” by Suzanne Flaig. Good thing a cop is close to help her as the cop is married to her best friend, Marie. Too bad she quickly becomes a suspect.

Beth Groundwater weaves a twisting tale up into the Colorado Mountains in her tale “The Murder Cache.” When you are a good parent, there isn’t anything you won’t do for your child.

Having read and enjoyed Simon Wood’s work before, I was pleased to note his inclusion in this anthology. His story “Prove It” is well worth it and involves a con having to prove what he did on the outside to stay alive in San Quentin.

This anthology also includes stories by Kris Neri, R. L. Coffield, Alan M. Petrillo, Larry D. Sweazy, Dean Wagner and Debi McKay, Judy Starbuck, Robin Merrill, Susan Budavari, Nancy Nielson Redd, Connie Flynn, Rachelle N. Yeaman and Sybil Yeaman and last but not least John Randall Williams. While each story occurs in a different location, each story features complex characters involved in complex cases that lead the reader through a delightful tale. The result is an excellent crisscross trail across America full of murder, deceit, and betrayal.

Map Of Murder: Original Stories of Mystery and Suspense
Editors: Susan Budavari and Suzanne Flaig
Red Coyote Press
www.redcoyotepress.com
ISBN# 0-9766733-3-9
ARC

Material provided by the publisher in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2007, 2010, 2018

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Writer Beware: HOW THE INTERNET ARCHIVE INFRINGED MY COPYRIGHTS AND THEN (KIND OF) BLEW ME OFF

The Onion: Essential Oils: Myth vs. Fact

Maine Crime Writers: Fact, Fiction, Moral Imperatives, and Jen’s New Book

Crime Time : STALLION GATE – Martin Cruz Smith

Crime Time : STALLION GATE – Martin Cruz Smith: I liked Stallion Gate so much I feel obligated to find at least one nit to pick about it so it won't look as if I'm on Martin Cruz...

Something Is Going To Happen Blog: IN REMEMBRANCE

In Reference To Murder Blog: Mystery Melange for 2/22/18

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Only days left to win books by Kathi Daley, Lena Gregory, Livia Washburn, Libby Klein, Caroline Fardig & more from KRL

Only days left to win a copy of "Fifth Night" by Kathi Daley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/fifth-night-by-kathi-daley/

And to win a copy of "Clairvoyant and Present Danger" by Lena Gregory, & while there check out an interesting with Lena http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/clairvoyant-and-present-danger-by-lena-gregory/

Also to win a copy of "Baker's Deadly Dozen" by Livia J Washburn http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/bakers-deadly-dozen-by-livia-j-washburn/

And to win a copy of "Death Below the Stairs" by Jennifer Ashley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/death-below-stairs-by-jennifer-ashley/

And to win a copy of "Class Reunions Are Murder" by Libby Klein http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/class-reunions-are-murder-by-libby-klein/

Also to win a copy of "Better Dead" by Pamela Kopfler http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/better-dead-by-pamela-kopfler/

And on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a copy giveaway of "An Eye for an Eye" by Caroline Fardig & while there check out a bit from Caroline about what it's like switching back and forth between cozies and suspense http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/an-eye-for-eye-by-caroline-fardig.html

And to win a copy of "Aria to Death" by Nupur Tustin

http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/aria-to-death-by-nupur-tustin.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/

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: MYSTERY/CRIME DUO!

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: MYSTERY/CRIME DUO!: Mystery / Crime Date Published: Fade Out: March 2016 Publisher : Short on Time Books ( www.ShortOnTimeBooks.com ) ...

Guest Post: Jeanne and Treadmill Books: Vintage Toyshop Mystery series by Barbara Early

Jeanne of the Bookblog of the Bristol Library is back this week with her latest in her Treadmill Book Review series. Even before starting this series of columns last May she had reviewed a lot of books here. You can find her other reviews here by using the search function here on the blog.

Treadmill Books: Vintage Toyshop Mystery series by Barbara Early

When Liz McCall found out her father had opened a vintage toyshop, she had mixed emotions. On the one hand, she was happy he had purpose again after having to retire from the police force after an injury. On the other hand… a toy shop? Sure, the whole family had loved toys and games, but her father has put all his savings into this venture and there’s a good chance it won’t succeed.

Things only get worse when a man who had been trying to sell her father some vintage toys is found murdered inside the shop. And unfortunately, it appears her father might have had something to do with his death.

That’s the set up for the first book in the series, Death of a Toy Soldier. Like many first in series books, this one is designed to introduce characters and setting and as such, can drag a bit at times. Liz’s father, Hank, loves puns and the first book is peppered with them. I enjoy puns, but it got a bit much at times. The puns are still present but toned down in the second book. Liz also has the cozy standard two boyfriends she is trying to choose between, one of whom is (of course) a policeman.

The vintage toys make an enjoyable backdrop. Of course to those of a Certain Age, the toys named are fond childhood memories. . . or memories of their own children’s childhoods. Interesting bits of history and toy valuation are thrown in with the nostalgia.

While the first book didn’t wow me, I had read one of Early’s other series (Bridal Shop Bouquet Mysteries, written under the name Beverly Allen) and thought the series delightful after a similarly slow start.

History seems to be repeating itself, because once again I found the second installment, Murder on the Toy Town Express, was better paced and generally more entertaining. The author seems more comfortable with both setting and characters, making the latter more likeable for me. The primary setting for the second book was a toy/train/comic book show where Liz and Hank were hawking their wares alongside a neighboring shop owner—an annoying and abrasive man who, in good cozy fashion, has “Potential Victim” written all over him. There were some nice twists and turns in the plot, and there are indications that the two boyfriend paradox may come to an end. (I base this on Liz’s awareness of the situation, not the teaser bit at the end of the book.) I find I’ll be looking forward to Death of a Russian Doll, due out in October 2018.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Spinetingler Magazine Fiction: Making Herself Useful by Linda Rodriguez

SFWA: 2017 Nebula Award Finalists Announced!

Relevant History: The Colonial Origins of Ethnographic Museums

Reade and Write Blog: Guest Blogger: John Lindermuth

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: A PIRATE AT PEMBROKE

A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: A PIRATE AT PEMBROKE: A Pirate at Pembroke by Danielle Thorne A Jane Austen-inspired Pirate Romance Sophie Crestwood is never going to catch a husband, an...

Do Some Damage Blog: Slaughterhouse Blues

Do Some Damage: Slaughterhouse Blues: At the end of Nick Kolakowski's first book, A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps , we left the less than respectable but true to eac...

Mystery Fanfare: CRIME SEEN: What to Watch Where? by Kate Derie

Mystery Fanfare: CRIME SEEN: What to Watch Where? by Kate Derie: If you're like me you're overwhelmed with choices of Mystery TV series to watch but you're never sure quite where, what, o...

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 28 Awesome Writing Conferences in March 2018

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 28 Awesome Writing Conferences in March 2018: March is officially the beginning of spring, and time for writers to come out of hibernation and congregate! There are some great confer...

Monday, February 19, 2018

Crime Watch: Review: ROBICHEAUX

Crime Watch: Review: ROBICHEAUX: ROBICHEAUX by James Lee Burke (Simon & Schuster, 2018) Reviewed by Craig Sisterson Dave Robicheaux is a haunted man. Between his r...

Mystery Fanfare: PRESIDENTIAL CRIME FICTION: Presidents Day

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Thomas Pluck Reviews: Down the River unto the Sea by Walter Mosley

In Reference To Murder Blog: Media Murder for Monday 2/19/18

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: We’ll Always Have Casablanca by Noah Isenberg

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: We’ll Always Have Casablanca by Noah Isenberg: Reviewed by Jeanne 2017 marked the 75 th anniversary of the release of “Casablanca,” the iconic film starring Ingrid Bergman, ...

Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers for 2/19/18

Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers | ErikaDreifus.com

TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Monday Roundup: TEXAS LITERARY CALENDAR 2/19-25

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Aubrey Hamilton Reviews: Dead Letters by Jane Haddam

Dead Letters by Orania Papazoglou writing as Jane Haddam is her first mystery featuring Georgia Xenakis, a New York City investigative journalist who returned to her hometown of Canfield in Connecticut to care for her ailing mother. Georgia found work teaching English in a for-profit college and managed to write a freelance article here and there to maintain her foothold in the New York journalism scene.

The failure of a local investment fund several years earlier still has everyone talking, not least because Jeff Laramie, who ran the investment fund, was killed shortly afterwards. His wife Margaret stood trial for his murder but was acquitted. She is living as a recluse across the street from Georgia while everyone in town believes she should be in jail. In the meantime no one is trying to find the real murderer.

The book opens just before Christmas, about a week after the funeral of Georgia’s mother. Georgia is still coming to terms with the huge change in her personal circumstances while the college administrators are demanding that she reverse the failing grade she gave the son of the town’s First Selectman. Since the grade was based on a paper taken verbatim from a Smithsonian journal, Georgia thinks the student should be expelled. The college administrators are more interested in revenue than ethics, however, and a painful meeting with the student, his father, and the college administration ensues.

After the meeting Georgia walks away from the university distracted and upset and ends up in a deserted subdivision of empty houses, their previous owners victims to the economic downturn. She finds an abandoned dog and searching for the dog’s owners, she stumbles onto the strangled body of her neighbor Margaret Laramie, whom Georgia just saw a few hours earlier across town.

The labyrinthine plot with multiple threads is exactly what I expect from the author of the Gregor Demarkian series. The diverse cast of characters is vividly delineated with their human frailty on full display. They include the new police chief, former head of Homicide in the Charlottesville, NC, police department, whom the First Selectman hired because he assumed a Southerner could be pushed around; the pair of childhood friends who grew up on the same street with Georgia and became the town gossips; and the free spirit owner of a coffee shop who runs a dog and cat rescue. The focus of Georgia’s suspicion bounces around like a pinball machine, and the perpetrator turns out to be someone I didn’t consider for a minute.

There are a number of enjoyable scenes. I particularly liked the bit where Georgia decides to respond to the neighborhood critics who have complained about her lack of holiday decor over the years by putting up the most tasteless display she can quickly assemble, a la Peter Shandy. Then the gossipy friends decide that the crime scene tape and police seals on a house do not apply to them and they break in to check things out, after which the police chief arrests them and they spend the night in jail. And on and on.

I look forward to seeing Georgia’s next adventure.

The occasional typo was jarring. I hope the Kindle version is corrected and a new one released.

· File Size: 1933 KB

· Print Length: 426 pages

· Publication Date: January 9, 2018

· Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

· Language: English

· ASIN: B078XJWW1C

Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal IT projects by day and reads mysteries at night.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

The Rap Sheet: Revue of Reviewers for 2/16/18

Also a review & giveaway of "Baker's Deadly Dozen" by Livia J Washburn http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/bakers-deadly-dozen-by-livia-j-washburn/

And a review & giveaway of "Death Below the Stairs" by Jennifer Ashley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/death-below-stairs-by-jennifer-ashley/

We also have a review & giveaway of "Class Reunions Are Murder" by Libby Klein http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/class-reunions-are-murder-by-libby-klein/

And a review and giveaway "Better Dead" by Pamela Kopfler http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/better-dead-by-pamela-kopfler/

We also have a mystery short story by Gary R. Hoffman http://kingsriverlife.com/02/17/mumfords-museum-mystery-short-story/

And up on KRL News & Reviews today a review & giveaway of "An Eye for an Eye" by Caroline Fardig and a bit from Caroline about what it's like switching back and forth between cozies and suspense http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/an-eye-for-eye-by-caroline-fardig.html

And a review & giveaway of "Aria to Death" by Nupur Tustin

http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/aria-to-death-by-nupur-tustin.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

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Wednesday, February 28, 2018

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