Gumshoes, Sleuths & Snoopers, at the University of Buffalo Libraries, is a database that offers “an in-depth look at 185 detective and mystery novels originally published during the period 1930-1960.” Included is cover art and extremely detailed information about plot, motives, setting, characters, weaponry, violence level, ethnicity, sexuality, gender roles, etc. They’re looking for volunteers […]
Filed under: booklists, crime fiction, database on April 29th, 2008 | No Comments »
Booktrade announced today that UK newspaper The Times will serialise Patricia Cornwell’s latest novel, The Front, “in its entirety prior to UK publication” on 15 May 2008, starting with the first of ten daily instalments this Monday. The book, the second to feature Massachusetts State Investigator Win Garano and only 208 pages, won’t be released […]
Filed under: readers advisory, publishing, crime fiction, series, bestsellers on April 18th, 2008 | No Comments »
Japanese mystery writer Miyuki Miyabe is “prolific [46 novels], popular and prize-winning” in her own country but largely unknown in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. She is finally seeing some of her work published for the English-language market, including her fifth novel, The Devil’s Whisper, which just came out. Brief interview at Reuters.
Filed under: crime fiction, international fiction on December 31st, 2007 | No Comments »
Apparently best-selling writer Stephen King thinks short stories are alive, but barely, while short story writer Jack Livings in Newsweek is a bit more optimistic, though given the evidence and arguments he presents, I’m not sure why.
Among Livings’ faint-praise responses to King’s short story death-knell:
“There’s evidence that the size of the audience for literary short […]
Filed under: fiction, crime fiction, magazines, short stories on November 5th, 2007 | No Comments »
Sarah Statz Cords at The Reader’s Advisor Online Blog focuses on mysteries featuring paranormal detectives: “These mysteries … ‘blend the detective story with elements of speculative fiction; particularly science fiction or horror. The detectives often have supernatural powers, or may be witches or vampires.’” She recommends a few titles; more are listed here.
Filed under: readers advisory, booklists, crime fiction, paranormal on October 24th, 2007 | No Comments »
Jeffrey Trachtenberg interviews Jeff Lindsay (Dexter in the Dark) in the WSJ about what makes his serial killer, Dexter — “the introspective serial killer with a ghoulish sense of humor” — and others’, so darned likable. Part of the appeal of Dexter, no doubt, is that the Miami crime scene investigator-by-day kills only (other) […]
Filed under: readers advisory, crime fiction, author interviews on September 30th, 2007 | No Comments »
I feel like I’m pushing the season but since I just received my LL Bean catalog in the mail today, with a big balsam wreath plastered on both front and back covers, talking about Halloween doesn’t seem so unseemly …
Fiction Addiction offers title and author for 15 Halloween Reads. I’ve got links to lots of […]
Filed under: readers advisory, booklists, fiction, holidays, crime fiction on September 25th, 2007 | No Comments »