Sunday, August 21, 2016
Little Big Crimes: Playing the Ace, by Loren D. Eslteman
Little Big Crimes: Playing the Ace, by Loren D. Eslteman: "Playing the Ace," by Loren D. Estleman, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2016. This is the second appear...
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: And the winners are . . .
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: And the winners are . . .: Steven Silver sends word of the winners of this years Sidewise Award. I'm thrilled to be one of them. The winners of this year's ...
Lesa's Latest Contest--Kate Carlisle mystery giveaway
I'm giving away copies of two of Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile mysteries,
Ripped from the Pages and Books of a Feather. Details on my blog,
http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only,
please.
Lesa Holstine
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Gravetapping: THE GIRL WITH THE DEEP BLUE EYES by Lawrence Block...
Gravetapping: THE GIRL WITH THE DEEP BLUE EYES by Lawrence Block...: Jay Walker “Doak” Miller is a retired NYPD detective. He left the job for sunny small town Florida supplementing his pension as a part-ti...
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: This is what we've have been waiting for since the last Harry Potter book, The Deathly Hallows and were teased at the end by the ad...
KRL This Week Update for August 20, 2016
Up this morning in KRL a review & giveaway of
"Murder in the Secret Garden"
by Ellery Adams Author
http://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/murder-in-the-secret-garden-by-ellery-adams/
Also up a review & giveaway of "The Cat, The
Collector, and the Killer" by Leann Sweeney & an interesting interview
with Leann http://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/the-cat-the-collector-and-the-killer-by-leann-sweeney/
And we have a review & giveaway of "Deep Six"
by DP Lyle http://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/deep-six-by-d-p-lyle/
Also a review & giveaway of "A Most Curious
Murder" by Elizabeth Kane
Buzzelli http://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/a-most-curious-murder-by-elizabeth-kane-buzzelli/
And a fun mystery short story by Gail Farrelly
http://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/the-eyes-have-it-a-mystery-short-story/
For those who also enjoy sci-fi, we also have a review &
giveaway of "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers
Over on KRL Lite a review & giveaway of "Nine
Lifelines: A Psycho Cat and the Landlary Mystery" by Joyce Ann Brown
--
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
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The Escape Room Challenge
WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The Escape Room Challenge: While not necessarily a new thing, the escape room challenge concept has been sweeping the country of late. The Bride and I recently sa...
Guest Post: Jeanne on "To Smoke or Not to Smoke?"
Jeanne
of the Bristol Public Library is back today with another interesting guest blog…
To
Smoke or Not to Smoke?
Recently I blogged
about how certain things can date a work, whether an author intends for it to
or not: use (or lack of) certain technological devices, brand names, or social
customs. This time I’m turning the
question around to ask how these things work in historical fiction, especially
social custom.
The idea was prompted when a patron commented on a
recent episode of the series Endeavor. She felt it was
inappropriate that there were so many people smoking because it set a bad
example. I’d heard a similar comment
about the amount of smoking and drinking in Grantchester, and of
course much was made of all the smoking and imbibing in Mad Men. All these series
are set in a time before the general public was aware of the dangers of smoking
and are, I feel, true to their time. An
article in the NY Times about Mad
Men interviewed a number of former advertising folk and while some of
them felt the smoking, drinking, and other attributes were exaggerated, others
felt it was the right amount—or not enough.
To bring this back to books, when I read Mary
Stewart’s first novel, Madam, Will You Talk? I was struck by all the
smoking and drinking. Were I to read
this in a modern book set in the 1950s, I suspect I would think this all
overdone; but this book first appeared in 1954. Is it a more or less accurate
picture of its time period? Certainly my
reaction to it is based on current trends or else I probably wouldn’t have even
noticed.
Which brings us to the question, accuracy or
adaptation? When writing a piece set in
another time period, should an author try for authenticity or adjust for modern
sensibilities? This isn’t a question I
have an answer for, but it’s one I’ve pondered.
In many cases, it seems to me, the author’s solution is to have a cast
of unusually enlightened folk and allow the unpopular contemporary notions to
remain with non-sympathetic characters or else poke fun at an outmoded idea.
My gut reaction is to remain true to the time, but
that can bring with it a host of problems often in regard to attitudes toward
women, other races, or other social questions whose answers are very different
today than they would have been even a decade ago. For example, a recent article reprinted a
number of “Dear Abby” letters from the 1960s; by today’s standards, most of the
advice was cringe-worthy, but reflected the attitudes of the times and—as the
article’s author points out—reflects a reality modern readers may not fully
understand. For me, that was never done
better than in Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. A student from our future goes back in time
to study the “contemps” of the 14th century. Kivrin is an enlightened young woman who has
studied the era extensively and tries very hard not to render judgments but
whose observations are strongly influenced by her modern views. By the end of the book she has had to revise
some of her feelings because for the first time she truly understands what life
is like for the ordinary person of that era.
To be more specific would constitute a spoiler, but one scene in
particular made a strong impression on me—and made me think of things a bit
differently.
What do others think?
Mad Men article link
Dear Abby link
Friday, August 19, 2016
New issue of Crime Review
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 Mike Thomas in
the Countdown hot seat. We’re on Twitter at: Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia This week’s reviews are: DEAD MAN’S BLUES by Ray Celestin, reviewed by John Cleal A group of Chicago city leaders is poisoned; a white gangster found dead and mutilated in a poor black area; an heiress vanishes. Pinkerton detectives Michael Talbot and Ida Davis must find the links between the three events. THE INVESTIGATIONS by Mark Lawson, reviewed by Jim Beaman A celebrity historian is arrested following allegations of sexual assault. His friend and colleague is accused of bullying in the workplace. They must try to defend themselves against the allegations as both face personal and professional ruin. REMEMBRANCE by Meg Cabot, reviewed by Linda Wilson When property tycoon Paul Slater threatens to tear down Suze Simon’s old family home and unleash an ancient curse, Suze is faced with a dilemma. Give in to blackmail, or save her boyfriend’s soul by herself. IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT by John Ball, reviewed by John Cleal When a well-known musician is found robbed and clubbed to death in the small city of Wells, the first suspect picked up is black. The local police chief is embarrassed to discover the man is a homicide detective and reluctantly enlists his help. THE BIRDWATCHER by William Shaw, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler Sgt William South is happy with being a community bobby amidst the bleak landscape of Dungeness. And he has very good reason for not wanting to be on a murder enquiry. THE MISSING by CL Taylor, reviewed by Linda Wilson Fifteen-year-old Billy Wilkinson went missing six months ago. His mother, Claire, is convinced he’s still alive, but her case isn’t helped when a press conference goes wrong and the spotlight is turned on her own family. A QUIET PLACE by Seicho Matsumoto, reviewed by Chris Roberts When Tsuneo Asai’s wife dies unexpectedly, it is some time before he discovers that an apparent accident is more than it seems, and takes steps against the person he deems responsible. THE SEARCHER by Chris Morgan Jones, reviewed by Arnold Taylor Isaac Hammer runs an investigative agency with his partner, Ben Webster. Or, at least he did until, following a raging argument, Webster disappears. Hammer’s office is then invaded by the police with a search warrant.
THE HANGING CLUB by Tony Parsons, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler DC Max Wolfe tangles with social-media savvy vigilantes GIRL WAITS WITH A GUN by Amy Stewart, reviewed by Chris Roberts When their buggy is demolished by a badly-driven automobile, Constance and her sisters demand compensation. The driver refuses, and initiates a campaign against the trio, using mob methods to intimidate them. THE HOUSE OF EYES by Kate Ellis, reviewed by John Barnbrook Reports of a missing model and the subsequent murder of her father lead DI Wesley Peterson into an investigation which throws suspicion onto many of the residents of the rural Devonshire town. The causes of the crime appear to have historical origins. THE NIGHT CHARTER by Sam Hawken, reviewed by Chris Roberts The night charter of a sport fishing boat to bring a Cuban dissident to the USA is the first act in a dangerous and bloody dispute. THE CROSSING by Michael Connelly, reviewed by Linda Wilson Lawyer Mickey Haller wants former cop Harry Bosch to get a client off a murder charge. But Harry isn’t keen. Investigating his former colleagues seems like a step too far, even for him. SIX FOUR by Hideo Yokoyama, reviewed by Chris Roberts An unsolved case of kidnap and murder continues to resonate in the Japanese police even after fourteen years, because of mistakes that were made, and worse because those mistakes were never acknowledged. MEDUSA by Torkil Damhaug, reviewed by Ewa Sherman Local doctor Axel Glenne is linked to the deaths of two women who seem to have been mauled by a bear. He needs to prove his innocence as the net of suspicion around him tightens with surprising speed. THE TEACHER by Katerina Diamond, reviewed by Linda Wilson Maverick cops DS Adrian Miles and DS Imogen Grey struggle to find the connection between a series of increasingly brutal killings. THE CHILDREN OF SILENCE by Linda Stratmann, reviewed by John Cleal A body is found in the Paddington canal basin and a woman claims it is that of her husband, who disappeared three years before. She appeals to Frances Doughty, the lady detective, to help her prove her case. PARADISE SKY by Joe R Lansdale, reviewed by John Cleal A young black man escapes lynching and is pursued across America’s south west by a vicious racist in a chase to the death. QUARRY by Max Allan Collins, reviewed by John Cleal When successive contract killings go wrong, his partner is killed and he injured, Vietnam vet-turned-assassin Quarry loses trust in the ‘Broker’ who sets up his ‘jobs’ and sets out to deliver his own brand of justice. EDEN SUMMER by Liz Flanagan, reviewed by Linda Wilson Jess Mayfield’s best friend has gone missing, and no one knows why, but Jess is determined to find Eden. Best wishes Sharon www.crimereview.co.uk
Sweethearts Of The West: Prairie Madness by Sarah J. McNeal
Sweethearts Of The West: Prairie Madness by Sarah J. McNeal: Settlers Crossing the Great Plains Most of you who live on the Great Plains of the United States probably already know what Prai...
Crime Time : THE DISCOMFORT ZONE -- "Jonathan Franzen"
Crime Time : THE DISCOMFORT ZONE -- "Jonathan Franzen": I have come uncomfortably near reaching a conclusion that "Jonathan Franzen" is the most ingenious, elaborately implausible hoax ...
FFB Review: The End of Everything: A Novel by Megan Abbott
I
first told you about The End of
Everything by Megan Abbott a few years ago. Back in late September of 2011
to be exact. She has written a lot since and I have not been able to keep up.
So keep reading her and make sure you pick up this one too. Make sure you check
out the rest of the reading suggestions today over at Patti Abbott’s blog.
Before it happened it seemed to 13 year old Lizzie Hood that the Verner family next door was perfect in every way. Lizzie had been friends with Evie for what seemed like forever and spent almost every waking moment in her company. Evie’s mom is bland and unassuming. Evie’s sister, Dusty, rules home and school where nearly every guy wants her and yet none can have her. Unlike lizzie’s own father who has left the house and moved on with his life thanks to the divorce, Evie’s father, Mr. Verner, is not only constantly around, he might be the most perfect father and man on earth. All is right in the world as school winds down and the two girls have a summer to look forward to before starting High School.
Then, the unthinkable happens and Evie vanishes one afternoon. Evie and Lizzie were going to walk home but Lizzie’s mom picked her up instead so that they could go to the Mall. Evie was supposed to go on home but never made it there. Now Evie is missing and the perfect world next door is starting to crack in so many ways.
As the days pass with Evie missing, author Megan Abbott skillfully weaves in clues, backstory, and tension to show characters that are evolving and changing in many ways while the story itself becomes much more complex. The disappearance truly does bring about The End of Everything in so many ways as Lizzie comes to grips with the idea that things next door were not so perfect after all. While the Verver family fractures in ways that one would somewhat expect as well as ways one wouldn’t, Lizzie’s whole world changes. Perceptions of what was real and what was fantasy, before and after the abduction, change as does her understanding of her own motivations and feelings. In a way, there is a certain coming of age aspect to this complex novel as Lizzie is forced to confront things that were, in some form, always there but far beneath the surface.
From a reviewer standpoint, this is a difficult book to review without sharing far too much. It is also one that is hard to explain concisely as the complex book goes in many different ways at the same time raising far more questions than it answers. Adult, and sometimes disturbing, themes are very strong in this book and will produce strong reactions from some readers. Much is implied or hinted at though how seriously to take it as actual character feeling/motivation is up to the reader.
As reviews elsewhere make abundantly clear while also often telling far too much, this is one of those novels that how the reader reads between the lines will determine much more about what the book means or says to the reader than what the author actually wrote. Deceptively short at 246 pages of actual story this is a very good book. The End Of Everything by Megan Abbott is a book packed with complex characters, deep emotion, and a complex mystery that will keep you thinking long after you close the book.
The End of Everything: A Novel
Megan Abbott
A Reagan Arthur Book (Little, Brown
And Company)
July 2011
ISBN# 978-0-09779-6
Hardback (also available in
paperback and eBook formats)
256 Pages
$23.99
Material supplied by Patti Abbot via a contest on her blog several months ago with no expectation of any review.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2011, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Tales of the Star Republic -- Terence Faherty
Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Tales of the Star Republic -- Terence Faherty: This is a book I read and intended to review for my short-story column in Mystery Scene before I got my little health surprise. I enjoyed ...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Review: A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER by Yvonne Georgi...
TEXAS BOOK LOVER: Review: A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER by Yvonne Georgi...: I reviewed A Wife of Noble Character ( Henry Holt ) by Yvonne Georgina Puig for Lone Star Literary Life ! This debut novel is an update...
Do Some Damage: Your book is not my book
Do Some Damage: Your book is not my book: By Steve Weddle For whatever reason, I live on the same planet as lunatics. Sometimes they attack writers online because, heck, I don'...
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