The Notting Hill Mystery features insurance investigator, Ralph Henderson, who is building a case against the sinister Baron ‘R___’, suspected of murdering his wife in order to obtain significant life insurance payments. During his methodical investigation, Henderson encounters a maze of intrigue including a diabolical mesmerist, kidnapping by gypsies, slow-poisoners, a rich uncle’s will and three murders. Fabulous!

___________________________________________________

Over at Faber’s Thought Fox blog, Stav Sherez writes about the opportunities – and challenges – of writing a series, rather than standalone thrillers:

What I wasn’t prepared for were the difficulties that writing the second book in a series created. I realised (far too late) that whatever I’d said about my protagonists and setting in A Dark Redemption, I would now have to stick to. A throwaway line about the type of music a character listens to, or the food they eat, becomes etched in stone. In a standalone, you create characters, give them attributes and emotional baggage, always secure in the knowledge that at the end of the book you can start all over again. With a series, whatever you wrote in the past has to be carried over into the next instalment; a bit like life, I suppose.

Read more

___________________________________________________

The fabulous Phryne Fisher makes her (Australian) small screen debut tonight! (8.30pm on ABC1, in case you weren’t aware. Of course you can always iView it later should you have other plans…) And if you are still feeling a little concerned – a little, as the Alien Onions say, trepidatious – then go here see what Phryne’s creator Kerry Greenwood has to say about the series… Spoiler: she loves it.

Retailers are joining in on the celebration with some stunning window displays featuring costumes from the show – here are just a few snaps from the bookselling coal face!

At Kinokuniya, Sydney

At Better Read than Dead, Newtown

At Booked, Unley SA

At Dymocks on George St, Sydney

To paraphrase Alice in Wonderland – ‘Gorgeouser and gorgeouser!’

We were absolutely thrilled to catch up with C.J. recently for a chat about books, writing, and what he’s working on next. (It involves Cody Hoyt, so we’re happy).

What was the first crime novel or story you can remember reading? How old were you?

It was probably a young adult novel in the Encyclopedia Brown series.  He was a teenage sleuth.  I remember the librarians feeding me book after book when I showed interest.

Do you have a favourite crime series (be it book, TV or film)? What do you love about it/them?

Wow — I don’t know if I can choose one over all the others.  I’m a huge fan of series written by Michael Connelly, John Sandford, and James Lee Burke.

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer? Are there any authors in particular who you would cite as inspiration/influence?

I realized it early on but I didn’t know what I wanted to write exactly.  I never really thought about writing a crime series or thrillers and I still don’t.  I write books that interest me and I hope readers will enjoy.  The book that really got me going was Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.  It’s still one of my favorites.  And I don’t write anything even close to it.

The wild landscape is vividly drawn in your books – practically a character in its own right. Is that a conscious literary device, or does it spring simply from living close to the land yourself?

It’s what I know and love.  In some ways, rural settings enhance the suspense and tension rather than detract from it.  For example, it’s much easier to get lost in a crowd than it is to get lost in a town of 2,000 people.  My settings are important and add elements to each novel, whether extreme weather, or isolation, or wildlife.  For example, Joe Pickett rarely has backup in bad situations because he’s in locations that are hard to get to.  This adds an element of desperation that wouldn’t exist in an urban location with cell phones and lots of other law enforcement personnel.

Tell us when, and where, you do your writing?

I write in one of two places; a basement office in my home or at my cabin on a river in Wyoming.  Unlike the idealized location for writing that includes lots of big windows and wonderful scenic views, I do my best work stuck in a dark corner.  Otherwise, I’d spend all my time gazing outside to look at pronghorn antelope or to see if the trout are rising.

If you could choose one of your characters to meet in real life, which would it be?

Probably Jess Rawlins, the rancher in BLUE HEAVEN.  He is a noble man. [We agree. Much as we love Cody Hoyt, that would be a little like meeting a bear! - AU]

And finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about your next book? And will we be meeting Cody Hoyt again?

I just finished a Joe Pickett book called FORCE OF NATURE,  which focuses on his outlaw buddy Nate Romanowski.  I think it’s a really good one.  I’m currently working on a thriller called THE HIGHWAY featuring Cody Hoyt.  The subject matter scares me.  It’s about long-haul truckers who are serial killers. [Squeeeeee!!!! - AU]

————————————————————————————-

]]> http://crimecityafterdark.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/think-outside-the-box-a-chat-with-the-great-c-j-box/feed/ 0 crimecityau Cold Wind Open Season Savage Run Winterkill Trophy Hunt Out of Range In Plain Sight Free Fire Blood Trail Below Zero Nowhere to Run Blue Heaven Back of Beyond Three Weeks to Say Goodbye http://crimecityafterdark.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/the-writer-writes-meet-chevy-stevens/ http://crimecityafterdark.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/the-writer-writes-meet-chevy-stevens/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:08:34 +0000 crimecityau http://crimecityafterdark.wordpress.com/?p=363 Continue reading →]]> In 2010 Allen & Unwin published a remarkable debut thriller, Still Missing. We knew this was white-knuckle, read-in-a-single-sitting material, and we wondered how we could build up the excitement that we were feeling so that the Australian book trade would be buzzing with anticipation too. We decided – in a slightly sadistic manner – that we would print the advance reading copies sans the final three chapters. Instead, readers were left on the most precipitous of cliff hangers and were required to sign an online ‘secrecy pledge’ in order to access those last chapters.

Well! The messages we’d come in to on our answering machines in the morning, from readers who’d run out of book at 3am and were jonesing for the ending… let us just say they were passionate. By the time the book was released we knew the word was out there: this is a writer to watch. (And we were right. Still Missing won the Best First Novel award at the International Thriller Awards in 2010).

Chevy’s latest book – and just as gripping as her debut – is Never Knowing, the story of an adoptee searching for her birth parents and coming up with some truly disturbing answers. Chevy kindly took the time to answer some questions we had for her – read on!

What was the first crime novel or story you can remember reading? How old were you?

I’m not sure if it would be classified as crime, but I do remember reading the series by VC Andrews when I was still quite young, under twelve-years-old, because I “borrowed” them from my mom when she wasn’t looking. I was captivated by the dark and twisted stories. They were disturbing, but in an intriguing way. Heaven in particular had an impact on me. VC Andrews wrote about a lot of taboo subjects.

Do you have a favourite crime series (be it book, TV or film)? What do you love about it/them?

I’ve read a lot of Ed McBain and I loved all the 87th Precinct novels. They’re just so gritty and real. With TV, I enjoy ‘Dateline’ or ‘48 Hours Mystery’ but I can’t watch too many of them or I start getting depressed about all the terrible things people do to each other.

Tell us about writing Never Knowing – what inspired you? Did you have all of the story worked out when you began writing? Did the finished book end up as you’d imagined it would?

Never Knowing was inspired by a conversation I had with my editor about what it would feel like, if you were adopted, to find out that your birth father was an infamous serial killer—who’s never been caught. While researching some other story ideas, I’d learned about a horrific crime in Wells Gray Park that occurred years ago and was still haunted by the image of this lonely provincial park and the brutal murder. I started thinking about all the parks across BC and the terrible things that could happen in them. The story took root and grew from there. I had an outline before I started, but many things unfolded organically once I began writing. The finished book is still very close to my original concept.

What was the last book you read, and did it live up to your expectations?

The last book I read was an early copy of Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes, a UK writer. I thought it was fabulous, very dark with a gripping plot. Before that, I read Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton and that was another excellent read. Rosamund writes wonderfully gripping literary thrillers that have a strong emotional pull.

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer? Are there any authors in particular who you would cite as inspiration/influence?

For a while growing up I was convinced I was going to be a lawyer, which my father thought fitting because I argued with him constantly, but writing books was certainly one of my dreams. I was raised on a ranch and spent most of my time trying to avoid chores by hiding out in a shed, or in the woods, reading books, usually accompanied by a dog or cat. One of my first attempts at a book starred a mouse with pink cheeks and a bike, but that’s all I remember, which is probably a good thing.

In high school I enjoyed my writing class, but when I graduated my plan was to go to art school, which I did for a brief time before getting into business. Through my adult life I worked in sales, but in the back of my mind I would daydream about writing a book. My grandfather wrote a memoir about his escape from Russia and I bought a copy off the Internet. Sometimes I would fantasize about setting my book next to his, but I never had anything I wanted to write about until the premise for Still Missing came to me.

I’ve always read books by many authors in all kinds of genres, anything I could get my hands on. But Stephen King is an author who I really respect and admire. His voice is incredible, so distinct, and he isn’t afraid to write about anything. His book IT haunted me for weeks. I didn’t just read that story, I lived it. He’s truly a master storyteller.

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions for this year? Are you sticking to them?

I made a resolution to stop eating junk food and I did very well for a couple of weeks, but the lure of a bowl of popcorn was just too strong for me to resist for long. [AU: Popcorn is junk food? oops...]

Tell us when, and where, you do your writing?

I have an office at home. I work all day—and usually every day in some capacity—but mornings are my best time. I am not a night person at all.

If you could meet any historical or real-life person, living or dead, who would you choose?

I would love to meet Stephen King. In my own family I would’ve loved to have met my grandfather, who was a writer. He died in a plane crash when my father was four.

If you could meet any fictional character, who would you choose?

Peekay, in The Power of One, which is another of my favorite books. He was a fabulous character, noble and brave, but so real and flawed and vulnerable at the same time.

And finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about your next book?

Always Watching is about Nadine, the psychiatrist who’s in my first two novels. I’ve enjoyed working on this story as most of it takes place in Shawnigan Lake, where I grew up, and I’ve found the research on cults and psychology fascinating. It’s also been fun to explore a character who played such a pivotal role, though a silent one, in my previous books.

Keep up with Chevy at chevystevens.com

——————————————————————–

Look who’s making a comeback… Sydney’s favourite PI Cliff Hardy is back and on form in Peter Corris’s 37th Hardy novel Comeback. Worried that you haven’t read any of his previous adventures? Fear not – Fair Dinkum Crime hadn’t either.

I don’t feel particularly well qualified to be reviewing this book given it’s the 37th in a series of which I can’t recall reading a single earlier instalment (though I may have done in the years before I kept note of such things). For at least the last few years I’ve thought I really ought to read one given my growing interest in local crime fiction but it is rather daunting to come to such a long running series so late in the game. I was somewhat surprised then to find COMEBACK very easy to get into. Sure I was meeting someone who clearly had a past but enough was explained for me to make sense of the present story and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on insider jokes or anything similar. Conversely, it feels like I could easily go back and read some of the earlier novels without there being too many spoilers from having read a later book in the series. I suspect this particular balance is not as easy to pull off as Corris made it appear.

Read the rest of Fair Dinkum’s review

Over at AustCrimeFiction, Karen confessed that she had started to lose interest in Cliff somewhere around the halfway mark of the series… a shocking admission for us of delicate temperament at A&U HQ! However happily enough she has been won back by the past few books, and we have to agree that they are particularly cracking reads.

Whilst I’d normally confess to having very little interest in following traditions, the over Christmas read of the latest Cliff Hardy instalment has become… let’s call it a rather addictive habit.  COMEBACK is really continuing the fantastic resurgence in this Australian crime fiction stalwart.

Read the rest of Karen’s review

And our very own reader-reviewers were blown away as well (sign up for our Crime City newsletter for your chance to read & review books before they are published!)

There’s nothing like riding shotgun through Sydney with Cliff Hardy. – K. Kovacic

I started reading Comeback with some trepidation, as I am not a huge reader of Australian fiction. How pleasantly surprised I was at what was a well worked, fast paced totally enthralling ride. – A. Brown

Peter has developed a character to whom I warmed and I avidly followed Cliff from one adventure to another. So much so, I couldn’t put the last few chapters down as I wanted to see whether he ‘got his man’. – M. Mardel

Read the rest of these reader reviews at the Crime City website

__________________________________________________

Another long-running character is featured in the latest book from bestselling American crime writer C.J. Box – his much-loved creation Joe Pickett. Cold Wind is beautifully plotted and we defy you to correctly predict just how the various storylines will play out and along each other!

Over at the LipMag blog, Jessica Barlow reckons Cold Wind is a perfect weekend read – we agree, if only so that readers can avoid being tired at work the next day when they find they can’t stop reading!

The novel is fast-paced, executed with flawless precision and filled with characters so intimately relatable that their actions will stun you. … Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and perfect for a weekend treat.

Read the full review at Lip Lit

Book’d Out wonders if she may have been even more satisfied with Cold Wind if she had read any of the previous Joe Pickett books… but ultimately it doesn’t matter.

I do think being familiar with the history of the characters would have enhanced my satisfaction with the book, instead I am simply tempted to pick up this series from the beginning.

Read the full review at Book’d Out

__________________________________________________

Is it wrong of us, that every time we see Adrian McKinty’s name, we immediately think “Mrs McGinty’s Dead”? It is the title of a novel by Agatha Christie, so not too wide of the mark, we suppose… except that if the Queen of Crime can be described as being on one side of the crime writing street, Adrian McKinty is most definitely from the opposite kerb.

Over at Bite the Book, Jon Page is a huge fan of McKinty’s work and The Cold, Cold Ground does not disappoint:

I have been a fan of Adrian McKinty ever since I picked up DEAD I WELL MAY BE. I knew he had me hooked the moment Michael Forsythe began listening to Nirvana’s Nevermind on a New York Subway Train. I’ve always had a soft spot for Irish writers but that book took my breath away and I’ve eagerly awaited every book since. His new book begins with a reference to my favourite novel, THE THIN RED LINE by James Jones, and I knew straight away he had me. And no exaggeration, this is one of the best crime novels I have ever read. McKinty’s last books, FALLING GLASS, was superb but THE COLD, COLD GROUND blew me utterly away. It is easily his best book to date and is also the start of a new trilogy. I cannot wait to see where he takes it.

Read the full review here (and don’t forget to check the comments, where Mr McKinty himself shows up!)

And Karen at AustCrimeFiction had to make a plan of attack:

THE COLD COLD GROUND arrived announcing the beginning of a new series, with a new character by Adrian McKinty and I was intrigued… and worried.  It’s been stinking hot in these parts, so I’m already sleep deprived.  I wasn’t sure I could cope with another all night reading session.

So I got cunning, and started the book early in the day.  And ended up with an all day reading session.  Simply could … not … put … the thing down.

Read on for Karen’s full review of the book (hint: the word ‘outstanding’ is used several times)

And possibly the last word on this remarkable and satisfying book comes from Fair Dinkum Crime:

THE COLD, COLD GROUND is  a damned enticing story. It is at times funny, uncomfortable, violent, frightening and sad and sometimes all of these at once. It is an eye-opening look at a time I feel blessed not to have lived through (because my grandparents emigrated a few decades earlier) as it exposes harsh realities about difficult lives. It isn’t an easy read but, due to its humour and the humanity of its protagonist, it isn’t unremittingly bleak either.  I liked it so much that even though I’ve just finished reading it I bought it today in audio format narrated by the beautifully voiced Gerard Doyle so I can ‘read’ it again (though this time with a proper Irish accent instead of the one I did in my head because even my imagination is crap at accents). I think this is a book all readers should take a chance on.

Read the full review

If you’d like to take a chance on The Cold, Cold Ground, we recently posted an excerpt to the A&U tumblr – read it here. Want to get to know Adrian McKinty a little better? Visit his blog.

__________________________________________________

I just wanted to report back in, after extremely enjoying the first two episodes of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on Sunday. I took my best friend from high school, who hasn’t read the series so it was all new to her. We arrived a little late (I blame traffic!) but they very kindly re-started the show for us. We’d only missed three or four minutes.
 
The show itself was everything I hoped for. Funny and exciting, with brilliant performances from all involved. My friend enjoyed it just as much as I did and is now eager to read the series. During the break between the episodes she whipped out her mobile phone to text her family about how good it was and that they NEED to watch it when it airs.
 
I agree, everyone should watch this highly enjoyable series. I plan on making my husband watch it with me when it airs. My only regret is being too shy to approach the actors. I would have liked to congratulate and compliment them, but in the end settled for standing around near them for a little while.
 
Thank you, Allen & Unwin. Thank you Kerry Greenwood, and Thank you Phryne Fisher.

Thank you Ning! Talk about whetting our appetite!

(If you’d like to be part of exclusive competitions and share random bookish thoughts, join us on Facebook).

Fabulous? Moi? Merci.

If you need some background on just who this young lady might be, visit phrynefisher.com for the lowdown on the much-loved series of books; or the ABC have created a nice little site for the upcoming show, complete with video (all pictures in this post are from their gallery of gorgeous shots).

On the eve of Phryne’s big debut on the small screen (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries begin screening on ABC1 on Friday 24 February, 8.30pm) we managed to catch up with Phryne’s creator, the one and only Kerry Greenwood.

What was the first crime novel or story you can remember reading? How old were you?

I was seven years old and it was The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes. I didn’t know all the big words  though I learned them fast) but I was enthralled.

Your creation Phryne Fisher is coming to life on the small screen this month. Do you have a favourite crime TV series and/or movie? What do you love about it/them?

I really admire the Mrs Bradley mysteries, because I love Diana Reed with a pure passion (I was thinking of her when Phryne came into my life, among other people) and because the original mysteries by Gladys Mitchell are not very good. The TV versions are stylish and ingenious and puzzling, without being too gory (and have now disappointed me by bringing in that most trite of story lines, the serial killer mastermind, such a pity). Although Sherlock had his Moriarty. I also like Brother Cadfael. Both are extremely accurate historically and really engrossing.

You were lucky enough to visit the set during production of the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mystery series – what can you tell us about that? Any behind-the-scenes revelations or gossip?

Sorry missed out on the goss – unless it is intriguing to know that John Wood prefers salad for lunch or Miriam Margolis can do an imitation of her elderly relative speaking Glasgow with a Yiddish accent which reduced my favourite cafe to hysterics. Or that I first met Essie Davis in the flesh when she had just returned from her initial tango lesson  (she is SO perfect for Phryne).

On the set of the circus, where I play a fortune teller and David Greagg a wizard (he was typecast) I met most of the crew, all of whom were delighted to be there. There were a lot of fanatical Phryne readers who had demanded a part. They were charming and delightful and very patient with my endless questions. There was a lovely feeling of shared endeavour about the set.

As for acting, I’m glad I’m a writer. I would go bats sitting around with nothing to do, then repeating something over and over and OVER again. I think whoever does this for a living is VERY skilled. But to be an interloper was a lot of fun.

The circus set was a strange experience, like a dream or possibly an hallucination. I remember inventing Farrells Circus, thought of the name, typing away, three in the morning,  the rain outside on my Footscray window, Belladonna the cat asleep on my desk. Then to go to Altona and see a yellow and red big top with Farrell’s Circus on it – was wierd. A little like being God. Or a paranoid schizophrenic. I thought of it and it was made real.

The attention to detail has been remarkable. The circus even included my Sherlock Holmes joke. Watson mentions that Holmes was engaged in solving the case of the Giant Rat of Sumatra but doesn’t tell us anything else. I put it in Blood and Circuses as a tent show and there it was – giant and rodentlike and very convincing, painted in the correct style and colours for 1928.

I also saw the set for Phryne’s house. Another dream like experience. Not only all the things which I have SAID were there, but all the things I have implied were there. For instance, a Clarice Cliff coffee set, which is only referred to when Dot hears a crash and hopes it isn’t the coffee set. A Fantin-Latour of white roses which refers to Phryne arranging flowers in that manner at the end of Queen of the Flowers. The lalique glass birds of exactly the right year. Warrander’s esences in the kitchen. Wonderful. Wonderful. I felt very honoured.

Phryne and some friends from officialdom

Was it confronting or odd to see your characters being personified by the cast members? How have you enjoyed (or not, depending) the whole experience of having your novels adapted for the screen?

It’s been very interesting. Luckily I am familiar with what happens to the play once it gets into the hands of the actors, so the process was not too shocking for me. One cannot fit the whole of none of my books into one hour (minus three minutes). But I have been in on it through all of it, from the initial script conference in Byron Bay to the actual writing. I have read and vetted every script and advised extensively. Although I have not necessarily agreed with every plot line, I have not disagreed, either. Throughout, Deb and Fiona have been the eseence of kindness and patience. It’s going to be amazing. Not all Phryne fans will like it. I expect to get a lot of emails saying “that wasn’t in the book”. But most should like it. It may not be the actual words, but they have caught the essence.

SWOON.

Now some more general questions. What was the last book you read, and did it live up to your expectations?

Bleak House. I always read Dickens when I am writing a novel. And he never fails to elevate, amuse and instruct.

When did you realise you wanted to be a writer? Are there any authors in particular who you would cite as inspiration/influence?

I was about six when I hungered to have a book of my very own with KERRY GREENWOOD on the cover. Dorothy Sayers taught me how to write a satisfying, re-readable detective story. And Wodehouse taught me how to be funny. He is the Master.

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions for this year? Are you sticking to them?

To finish the new Phryne book on time. So far it’s going well.

Tell us when, and where, you do your writing?

Whenever it strikes me, and always at my desk in the front of the house. I used to write late at night, now I seem to prefer early mornings. Both times are quiet and there are no phone calls or visitors. Or if there are it is either 1) an emergency or 2) burglars, both of which need to be attended to immediately.

If you could meet any historical or real-life person, living or dead, who would you choose?

Eleanor of the Acquitaine and her troubadours. That would be a VERY good party.

If you could meet any fictional character, who would you choose?

Probably Hercule Poirot, to smack him with a brick right in those little grey cells. And I’d love it if Phryne swanned in and sat down on the corner of my desk and sipped her cocktail while relating the latest story. In fact, that seems to happen now…

And finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about your next book?

The new Phryne involves Soldier Settlers, Socialism, the Abbotsford Convent’s Magdalen Laundry, White Slavery. apple jelly and brothels. I will watch my future progress with much interest.

More: Kerry recently appeared on the 13th Street channel in conversation with fellow crime author Tara Moss – you can see their chat here.

——————————————————————————————————-

Kerry Greenwood is the author of more than forty novels, six non-fiction works and the editor of two collections. Previous novels in the Phryne Fisher series are Cocaine Blues, Flying too High, Murder on the Ballarat Train, Death on the Victoria Dock, Blood and Circuses, The Green Mill Murder, Ruddy Gore, Urn Burial, Raisins and Almonds, Death Before Wicket, Away with the Fairies, Murder in Montparnasse, The Castlemaine Murders, Queen of the Flowers, Death by Water, Murder in the Dark, A Question of Death: An illustrated Phryne Fisher Treasury, Murder on a Midsummer Night and most recently, Dead Man’s Chest. She is also the author of the Corinna Chapman crime series, Earthly Delights, Heavenly Pleasures, Devil’s Food, Trick or Treat, Forbidden Fruit and Cooking the Books.

If you are up to the challenge, Faber Academy’s Armed and Dangerous: The Craft of Crime Fiction course could be the perfect accomplice for you.

The course offers the opportunity to work with two established authors of crime fiction (Lenny Bartulin and P.M. Newton), who will assist writers in discovering the many tools and techniques that constitute great crime writing. Week by week, the many elements that contribute to creating a piece of crime fiction will be examined, including plot, place, dialogue and characters.

15 February – 31 March 2012
Allen & Unwin
83 Alexander Street
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Course fee: $1,200 (inc GST)
Maximum of 15 students

For more info on the course and how to apply click here.
Go on. We dare you!
Don’t make us double dare you …

Except, of course, for all those sneaky cold days we’ve been having.

The Week in Review

A new crop of monthly releases are now out in bookstores across Australia & New Zealand! Check out our ‘latest releases’ page for more info

‘The Drop is Bosch at his complex best, and if anything Connelly weaves a web so tight that the series of revelations at novels end function like a stone skipping across water—and leave enough uncertainty about Harry’s future to make his own drop, or Drop, ambiguous. It’s Connelly at his best, and there aren’t many better.’ – Michael Carlson reviews Michael Connelly’s latest

‘A knight errant, a labyrinth of deceit, a sure bestseller.’ – Kirkus Review’s verdict on The Quest for Anna Klein by Thomas H. Cook

‘I can’t read Kerry Greenwood’s Corinna Chapman books when I’m hungry. It’s torture.’ – I Prefer Reading reviews Cooking the Books

‘In another writer’s hands a plot that plunges Elizabeth and Darcy into the midst of a murder investigation could have been disastrous. James, with her fine writing skills and lifelong passion for Jane Austen’s work, takes the challenge in her stride.’ – the Daily Express reviews Death Comes to Pemberley

Ten leading crime writers are competing for the honour of having a new morgue at Dundee University named after them, reports the BBC. Crime fiction fans can vote for their favourite author online – authors taking part in the “Million for a Morgue” campaign are: Tess Gerritsen, Kathy Reichs, Lee Child, Harlan Coben, Mark Billingham, Jeffrey Deaver, Jeff Lindsay, Stuart MacBride, Peter James and Val McDermid.

See you next week!

Anyway, here are some choice pieces of interweb goodness for you to enjoy this afternoon while pretending to do some work!

>> More on the juicy topic that is gender bias in the literary world

AKA ‘Tara Moss vs Cameron Woodhead’ (spoiler: Tara – and most of her commenters – kick ass!)

And here’s Tara’s ‘After Blog’, with a fantastic round-up of reactions from all over the internet.

>> Davitt Awards announced

Congratulations to A&U authors Colleen (Murderer No More) Egan and Leigh (Thrill City) Redhead!

>> The best bookshelf for crime fiction you will see this year

Who did push Humpty Dumpty?

>> ‘Her charmingly conceived murder mystery unfolds like a big soft comfort blanket just in time for the nights drawing in’

We completely agree. The Evening Standard reviews Death Comes to Pemberley

>> Max Allan Collins lists his favourite PI novels

So hard-boiled they are in danger of solidifying completely.

>> Five crime writers nominate their favourite living author in the field

Aussie Peter Temple gets a mention! But the best bit is reading through the arguments in the comments.

>> If you’ve ever wanted to dress like Lisbeth Salander…

… then H&M have a collection for you.

>> The crime writer’s alter ego

Matt (Mozart’s Last Aria) Rees wonders what his public persona should be. (We like ‘teenage shoplifter’…)

>> An eye for an eye?

Margie (Daddy’s Girl) Orford on the death penalty in South Africa

>> Authors ranked by beard weight

Disclosure: this has nothing to do with crime writing

Yes, the NEW P.D. JAMES NOVEL!! <does a happy dance>

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a bookseller, in the run up to Christmas must be in want of a new P. D. James novel… And this year, ready yourselves for a thrilling and very different P.D. James book!

Death Comes to Pemberley masterfully recreates the world of Pride and Prejudice, and sets a murder at its heart. It will be in stores across ANZ from 28 October (the same day, in fact, as Michael Connelly’s new Harry Bosch thriller The Drop. Looks like we’re going to need another October long weekend!!)

Speaking of Mr Connelly, there’s exciting news for fans waiting impatiently for the release of The Drop: we are absolutely thrilled to be publishing two new short story collections from the bestselling Michael Connelly as exclusive ebook editions! You heard right: Suicide Run and Angle of Investigation will be available only as ebooks. Each collection includes three brand-new stories featuring Harry Bosch, plus the first four chapters of The Drop. You can find out more here

In the meantime, here’s a video of Michael talking about The Drop:

Some linky goodness!

Writing the perfect crime novel – listen to authors Tess Gerritson and Michael Robotham discuss their advice for writers on ABC Radio National’s The Book Show

From the Guardian – Robert McCrum’s pick of the master spy novelists

Hundreds of hard-core crime readers, viewers, writers, screen producers and forensic specialists are expected to plot together at SheKilda 2011, which kicks off on October 7 and features our very own Kerry Greenwood, Catherine Jinks, Rochelle Jackson and many others

Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre has announced a Law & Order week to be held in November – check out the line-up of events here

‘a zippy, chortle-inducing romp filled with dry humour, laconic small-town locals, and a mystery so ridiculous from the outset that you’ll take every bizarre twist in your stride’ – Read in a Single Sitting reads Love, Honour & O’Brien and finds it delightful

Lee Child tries to defend the casting of Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher (our favourite quote: “What people forget is that Tom Cruise is quite possibly the best actor of his generation”… )

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!