Mystery Mavens aka East Bay Crime: November 15

Toby Gottfried, Mystery Maven extraordinaire, will moderate a program with authors Sharan Newman, Ona Russell and Rita Lakin on Sunday, November 15 at the Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA.

Newman created the Catherine LeVendeur mysteries set in 12th-century France. Russell authored “The Natural Selection” mystery about a Jewish detective who’s involved with a murder investigation during the Scopes Monkey Trial in the early 1900s. Lakin, a Marin County author, writes the “Getting Old” series-- “Getting Old is to Die For” and “Getting Old is the Best Revenge” --set in present-day Miami about a group of retirement home dwellers who solve crimes.

Toby Gottfried, a long time member of Mystery Readers International and a personal friend, picked the authors and will moderate the program. She volunteered for the Jewish Book and Arts Festival because she knows many mystery authors who use Jewish themes in their stories. O.K., Toby knows everyone, but you have to decide on a few to make the program vibrant.

Toby and her husband Bill Gottfried have been active in the mystery community since 1985. They've worked on and chaired several mystery conventions, run a regular summer mystery reading group, attend mystery conventions, and so much more. Toby, in her 'other' life is a molecular genetics researcher.

“Mystery Mavens aka East Bay Crime” will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Tickets are $15. For details, visit http://www.jfed.org/book09.

Original Agatha Christie story, Incident of the Dog's Ball

Strand Magazine will be publishing a "found" Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot 5000 word story, "Incident of the Dog's Ball". This story that was one of two found in the attic at Greenway, Christie's home. It eventually became the 1937 novel Dumb Witness. I overheard this 'rumor' at Bouchercon, and it was confirmed by Andrew Gulli, the editor of The Strand. However, I wanted to wait until it was official to mention it. Very exciting.

This is the first appearance of a new Agatha Christie story in the U.S. since 1975. This story was published in the U.K. in September, in John Curran's Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks (HarperCollins).

John Curran, an "arch-fan" found this story and "The Capture of Cerberus" in the attic. Both stories also appear in his book Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks (HarperCollins). In this wonderful book (a must for Christie fans), Curran reproduces notes, stories, sketches of St. Mary Mead, as well as information about and from Agatha Christie. Curran previously published pieces in Christie fan magazines. There were 73 notebooks covering her working life from the 20s until the year of her death. What a job!

Lionel Davidson: RIP

I was very sorry to read that Lionel Davidson died on October 21 at the age of 87, I was so sad that I didn't post anything. Last night in my mystery bookgroup we read a book set in Tibet by another author, and I couldn't help comparing it to The Rose of Tibet by Lionel Davidson. Davidson was a remarkable writer.

My favorite mysteries by him were The Rose of Tibet, The Night of Wenceslas, and The Menorah Men (A Long Way to Shiloh-UK), but I enjoyed all of his 'thrillers.' It's interesting to me that I often meet avid mystery readers who have not read his books. I think it's because his books are hard to categorize. Some readers want a certain type of book. His books range from history, adventure, mystery, and espionage. His writing style is superb, and his books are all very different, even in style. His characters are well drawn, his plotting great and his description of locale rich.

Davidson won the CWA Debut Dagger for Night of Wenceslas which was later made into the 1964 film Hot Enough for June. He was also a three time CWA Gold Dagger winner and in 2001 he won the Cartier Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement.

The good news is that all eight of his adult novels will be reissued in the U.K and the U.S. by Faber and Faber. The bad news, of course, is that there will be no more.

Rest in Peace, Lionel Davidson

Read the obits: Guardian obit NY Times Obit

Veteran's Day Mysteries

November 11 is Veteran's Day. Originally known as Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) November 11 commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning — the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" 1918.

Although the official date to mark the end of the war reflected the cease fire on the Western Front, hostilities continued in other regions. The date was declared a national holiday in many allied nations, to commemorate those members of the armed forces who were killed during war

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day as November 11, 1919. The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. The 11th of November is"a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'." It was later changed to Veteran's Day. Too many wars.

Given that I love to read mysteries that reflect regions and holidays, it's only natural that I planned to compile a list for Veteran's Day. Of course, Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd's mysteries were at the top of my list, but one of the most complete lists is BV Lawson's 2007 invaluable blog of Veteran's Day Mysteries. No need for me to duplicate her effort. Be sure and read her blog, as well as all the comments. Another fine list is In Remembrance Fiction in Times of War (not all mysteries) from the St. Charles Public Library. And, I did a Memorial Day blog here on Mystery Fanfare that will round out the list.

Wikipedia has an entry about Veteran's Day Mysteries. Several hardboiled heroes have been war veterans. H. C. McNeile (Sapper)'s Bulldog Drummond from World War I, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer and many others from World War II, and John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee from the Korean War. In Bulldog Drummond's first appearance he is a bored ex-serviceman seeking adventure, Spillane's Mike Hammer avenges an old buddy who saved his life on Guadalcanal. The frequent exposure to death and hardship often leads to a cynical and callous attitude as well as a character trait known today as post-traumatic stress characterizes many hardboiled protagonists.

Read a Veteran's Day mystery today and remember the men and women who fought (and are fighting) for world peace.

CA Library to Debut Netflix-like 'Fines Free" Program

Hayward Public Library (CA) is testing a Netflix-like model in which library users can borrow three items for $2.99 a month, five items for $4.99 a month, or up to ten for $8.99 month, with no late fees. (There’s no free shipping, however. Some libraries in New Jersey offer delivery by mail but still charge late fees.)

Sean Reinhart, acting director of the Hayward Public Library, CA, says the “Fines-Free” Library Loan Program, the first of its kind, aims to lure back library users who find their accounts blocked—20% of total users—and give up on the library. (Hayward has a service population of 150,000, with a main library and a branch, and a collection of some 160,000 items.)

Read the rest of the article for details and implications, HERE.

What do you think?

Philip Kerr Wins Ellis Peters Award

Philip Kerr, one of my favorite historical crime writers, won the Ellis Peters Historical Award, given out by the British Crime Writers’ Association, for his 2009 Bernie Gunther novel, If the Dead Rise Not (Quercus).

Also nominated for this year’s award: The Dead of Winter, by Rennie Airth (Macmillan); The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, by Shona MacLean (Quercus); The Information Officer, by Mark Mills (HarperCollins); The Interrogator, by Andrew Williams (John Murray); and An Empty Death, by Laura Wilson (Orion).

Read more here in The Rap Sheet.

In September, Philip Kerr won the RBA International Award for Crime Writing. It's a good year for Philip Kerr.

Two Articles on Crime/Detective Fiction

I came across two articles recently that I think mystery fans should read. Love to hear your comments. The first article is on the State of the Crime novel by Jason Pinter. The second is Sarah Weinman's on How to Freshen up a Detective Series.

Jason Pinter in The Huffington Post on the State of the Crime Novel asked six crime fiction reviewers to weigh in with their thoughts on the Crime Novel.

I've been blogging at the Huffington Post for nearly a month now, and I haven't yet touched on my bread and butter, my passion and my current profession: the Crime Novel. I'm a crime addict, a thriller writer, a lover of everything that goes bump (and bang, and slash, and boom) in the night. Yet as a former editor I'm fascinated not only in the writing and craft of crime novels, but how they reflect our culture and how our culture inspires these books. I love to know who to read, who to watch for, who people are reading and why. From James Crumley to James Patterson, from Patricia Highsmith to Patricia Cornwell, from Dennis Lehane to Denis Johnson, crime novels have been responsible for some of the most beloved (and loathed) characters of our time, while telling some of the most important stories and peeling back society's flesh to reveal its bare bones. Crime novels can keep us entertained during a long plane ride, or comment on the most relevant issues of the day. Sometimes they do both.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-pinter/the-state-of-the-crime-no_b_342918.html&cp

Read the rest of the article here.

Sarah Weinman's column Dark Passages in yesterday's Los Angeles Times: How to freshen up a detective series.

One of the hardest tasks a crime writer faces is how to keep a long-running series fresh. The worst-case scenario is when authors let their detective run amok far longer than necessary, leading to an exasperated fan base that buys new installments out of grudging loyalty. Case in point: The bite and vigor of Robert B. Parker's "Spenser" series has diminished into softened decrepitude, with the Boston private eye more content to sit around and lob gentle sallies at his psychologist lady love Susan Silverman (and marvel at the ones he gets in return). Others know when to quit, such as Ian Rankin, who cut his Inspector Rebus opus after 20 books with "Exit Music." Continue reading here.

Sarah Weinman blogs about crime and mystery fiction at www.sarahweinman.com. Dark Passages appears monthly at latimes.com/books.

National Bookstore Day

Every day is Bookstore Day for me, but I suppose I'm happy that Publishers Weekly has designated November 7 as National Bookstore Day. And, it's a Saturday, so even better. Plenty of time to hit several different bookstores. Brick and mortar bookstores have had a hard time this past year given the advent (flood) of e-books and hardcover price wars and the number of big box stores that sell books.

Independent booksellers around the country are involved in this nationwide promotion to remind people how special independent bookstores are. National Bookstore Day is also a time to reflect on the roles that bookstores play in our society. Book Passage in Corte Madera (CA) is a cultural center that offers workshops, classes, talks and signings. The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale (AZ) will be holding a workshop on collecting books which will be broadcast as a webinar. Book'em Mysteries (Pasadena, CA) is also celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a sale of 25% off all New books and 50% off previously signed hardcovers. M is for Mystery is one of my favorite local independent mystery bookstores, and I plan to stop by there today. Many other bookstores have scheduled bookclub meetings, author talks and signings today. Several mystery bookstores are involved in National Bookstore Day. For a list of Mystery Bookstores, go here. Be sure and check your favorite bookstore or search out a different (new to you) bookstore.

Here's what Publishers Weekly said in advance about National Bookstore Day:

Event organizers are hoping promotions tied to the day will attract local and national media coverage -- and, in turn, draw new customers into bookstores. “The number of stores already signed up meets our rosiest hopes for this first year. Many of the stores celebrating National Bookstore Day are recognized nationally as leaders, so we're gratified that this idea has been endorsed by these savvy booksellers,” said Ron Shank, PW group publisher. Among the offerings that bookstores are planning are author signings, children’s activities, discounts, extended hours, free refreshments, marathon “read-aloud” events, raffles and writing contests.

Visit a Bookstore today and buy a book!

Berkeley Mystery Writing Workshop: November 21 & 22

Berkeley Mystery Intensive Writing Workshop

A two-day workshop on Saturday, November 21 & Sunday, November 22 at the historic Claremont Resort & Spa. NEA grant recipient and Edgar-nominated author Cornelia Read has organized this workshop for aspiring crime fiction writers. Literary agents, published authors, and an Academy Award nominated actor/writer/director will help aspiring authors complete and sell their work. Published authors will present on a variety of topics and meet with aspiring authors face-to-face.

Barbara Poelle, a top-selling New York agent with the Irene Goodman Literary Agency will talk about trends in publishing and instruct authors on how to write project and query letters.
Law-enforcement professionals will give insights on police procedure.

The cost to attend the workshop for both days, with breakfast and lunch service, is $249 (before Friday, Nov. 6). The Claremont is offering a special room rate of $149 per night. Workshop participants are encouraged to submit their work for an additional fee if they want feedback.
For a complete schedule, fees, and workshop details, please go HERE.

A few workshop updates:

SINC President Juliet Blackwell will be a presenter. Her first book in her NEW series, "Secondhand Spirits," has been on the IMBA and Barnes & Noble bestseller lists and is going back for a second printing. She has also been nominated for the Agatha award for her Art Lover's Mystery Series.
Peter Riegert, whose films include Animal House, Local Hero, and Crossing Delancey, will discuss creating memorable characters and why storytelling matters.
Seth Harwood recently added to list of presenters. He will discuss what motivated him to finish his novel "Jack Wakes Up."
Sophie Littlefield, another workshop presenter, signed with St. Martin's for two more books in her Stella series. Her first novel, "A Bad Day for Sorry," made the San Francisco Chronicle and IMBA bestseller lists and is getting rave reviews.
The Berkeley Mystery Writing Workshop will be a great opportunity to meet with these authors, literary agents, and hear from actor/writer/director Peter Riegert about storytelling and adapting novels for the screen.

If you want to stay overnight at the Claremont during the workshop, please let the reservations clerk know that you are booking a room for the "Berkeley Mystery Writing Retreat" on Nov. 21 & 22. They will extend the special workshop rate of $149/night. The reservations number is 800-551-7266.