SHAMUS AWARD NOMINEES 2024: The Private Eye Writers of America

2024 Shamus Award Nominees: The Private Eye Writers of America! Congratulations to all!

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL
Hard Rain by Samantha Jayne Allen
Go Find Daddy by Steve Goble
The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey
The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen 
Heart of the Nile by Will Thomas 

BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL
Drums Guns ’N’ Money by Jonathan J. Brown 
Gillespie Field Groove by Corey Lynn Fayman 
The Truth We Hide by Liz Milliron 
Bring the Night by J.R. Sanders 
Liar’s Dice by Gabriel Valjan 

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

“Errand for a Neighbor” by Bill Bassman 
“Beyond Belief” by Libby Cudmore 
“The Soiled Dove of Shallow Hollow” by Sean McCluskey 
“Imperfect Data” by Bob Tippee 
“Making the Bad Guys Nervous” by Joseph S. Walker 

FOURTH OF JULY MYSTERIES // FOURTH OF JULY CRIME FICTION

The Fourth of July (Independence Day) is one of my favorite holidays, maybe because I was born in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation. So for today's blog, I'm posting my updated list of Fourth of July Crime Fiction. Even if you're not celebrating Independence Day, you can celebrate this great group of mysteries! Something for everyone's taste! 

And don't miss my Summertime Mysteries List, Summer Sleuthing: Lazy, Hazy, Murderous Days of Summer! 

As always, let me know if I've missed any titles. This is an updated list.

Fourth of July Mysteries

The Fourth of July Wake by Harold Adams
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon
Murder on Parade by Donald Bain (as Jessica Fletcher) 
Home of the Brave by Donna Ball
Bomb Pop Threat by Christy Barritt 
Hair of the Dog by Laurien Berenson 
Murder by Fireworks by Susan Bernhardt
Jealousy Filled Donuts by Ginger Bolton
Plot Boiler by Ali Brandon 
The Cat Who Went Underground by Lilian Jackson Braun
Rockets' Red Glare by Lynn Cahoon
The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up by JoAnna Carl

Gone with the Whisker by Laurie Cass
Dead on the 4th of July by Meg Chittenden
Someone to Watch Over Me by Jill Churchill
Independence Day by Anne-Marie Clark
Twanged by Carol Higgins Clark
Independene Day by Ben Coes

Oh Say Can You Fudge by Nancy Coco

Star Tangled Murder by Nancy Cohen
BlackBuried Pie by Lyndsey Cole
Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle
The Carousel of Death by Elisabeth Crabtree
A Catered Fourth of July by Isis Crawford
Murder on the 4th of July by P. Creeden
Red, White, and Blue Murder by Bill Crider
Firework Fiasco; Fireworks in Paradise by Kathi Daley

Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis
Guilty as Charred by Devon Delaney
Blood Red, White and Blue by Kathleen Delaney
Dead on the Fourth of July by R. E. Derouin
Four Dog's Sake by Lia Farrell
Blackberry Burial by Sharon Farrow
One Fete in the Grave by Vickie Fee
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Independence Slay by Shelley Freydont
Booneville Retribution by S. Furlong-Bollinger
Mistaken Identity by Patricia Gligor

Katelyn's Killer by John Gordon
Tool & Die, Triple Witch; Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake by Sarah Graves
Red, White and Blueberry Murder by Susan Gillard
Light my Firecracker by Carolyn Gregg
Act Of Darkness by Jane Haddam
Bowled Over by Victoria Hamilton
Yankee Doodle Dead; Dead, White and Blue by Carolyn Hart
Fourth of July Fatality by Kelly Hashway

Past Imperfect by Kathleen Hills
Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis
The Ghost Who Lied by Bobbie Holmes
The Falls: Fourth of July by George Jackson
Exit Wounds by J. A. Jance
Fourth of July Forgery by Tonya Kappes

The Fourth of July by J.D. Kincaid

4th of July in Sweetwater Country by Clara Knight

A Star-Spangled Mayfair by Kassandra Lamb
A Timely Vision; A Watery Death by Joyce and Jim Lavene
Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson
Die Like a Hero by Clyde Linsley
Knee High by the Fourth of July by Jess Lourey
Dahlias and Death by London Lovett
Death on Nantucket by Francine Mathews
Left Hanging by Patricia McLinn
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Cold Hard News by Maureen Milliken

Flag Cake Felonies by Addison Moore
Manic in Christmas River; Mayhem in Christmas River; Mutts & Murder by Meg Muldoon
Bats and Bones Karen Musser Nortman
A Fifth for the 4th of July by Doug Olsen and Julie Gollan
Foal Play by Kathryn O'Sullivan 
Iron Ties by Ann Parker
4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The Body in the Birches by Katherine Hall Page
4th of July by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

King Suckerman by George P. Pelecanos
Murder is No Picnic by Amy Pershing

Final Resting Place by Jonathan Putnam
Three Woofs for the Dead, White and Plus by Laura Quinn

Dead, White, and Blue by Amy M. Reade

Can't Never Tell by Cathy Pickens

Spilling the Spice by Sheri Richey
Firecrackered by Patricia Rockwell
Death by Deep Dish Pie by Sharon Short
The Dam Committee by Earl H. Smith
Killing Grounds by Dana Stabenow
And Four to Go ("Fourth of July Picnic") by Rex Stout
Independence Day Plague by Carla Lee Suson
Doggone Dead by Teresa Trent
Prepped for the Kill by A.E. H. Veenman
The 4th of July Can Be MURDER! by Dianne Warth Vereen
Thread and Gone by Lea Wait

A Medium's 4th of July by Chariss K. Walker and Marty Parker

Firework Kisses and Summertime Wishes by Linda West
Independence Day Murder by Linnea West
Kaboom by J.A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy
Some Welcome Home by Sharon Wildwind
Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton
Star Spangled Murder by Valerie Wolzien
Happy 4th of July Murder by Rachel Woods

Embarking on Murder by Sue Owens Wright

Short Stories

Rex Stout's "Fourth of July Picnic" in Century of Great Suspense Stories, Edited by Jeff Deaver
S. Furlong-Bolliger's "Booneville Retribution: 4th of July Mystery Short Story" in Kings River Life.
A Sparrow Falls Fourth of July in A Sparrow Falls Holiday by Donna McLean

Children’s Mysteries

Fireworks at the FBI (Capital Mysteries Series #6) by Ron Roy, Timothy Bush (Illustrator)
Murder On The Fourth of July by Carolyn Keene
The Philly Fake by David E. Kelly
Calendar Mysteries: July Jitters by Ron Roy and John Steven Gurney
The Fourth of July Fiasco by Jim McNeal
The Case of the July 4th Jinx by Lewis B. Montgomery and Amy Wummer

True Crime  

Death on the Fourth of July: The Story of a Killing, a Betrayal, and Hate Crime in America by David A. Neiwert

As always, I welcome additions and comments.

KINKY FRIEDMAN: R.I.P.

Very sad news. Kinky Friedman: R.I.P.  Known for songs like "Sold American," Kinky was a journalist, a songwriter, and mystery writer. He also ran for Texas governor.  I first saw him in the 70s when he performed in Berkeley: Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys! But I got to spend some time with Kinky when he was the 1996 Left Coast Crime Guest of Honor in Boulder, CO, in 1996. Such a character. Theme of the convention: Murder with an Attitude! Kinky had a lot of that. He entertained us, made us laugh, and made us think. He will live on in his books and songs. 

From Rolling Stone:

Kinky Friedman, the eccentric country singer-songwriter whose musings, novels, one-liners and quixotic gubernatorial run made him a folk hero, died Wednesday at age 79 at his home in Texas.

“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends,” a statement on X read announcing his death. “Kinkster endured tremendous pain & unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.” The cause of death was Parkinson’s disease, according to Texas Tribune.

Friedman’s oddball magnetism and “fearless Texas chutzpah,” as his friend Taj Mahal once described it, in his writings, stump speeches, songs, and interviews, cemented him as a media darling and a songwriter’s songwriter who befriended several presidents (George W. Bush, Bill Clinton) and considered Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson some of his closest friends. Read more here

2024 McILVANNEY PRIZE Longlist

The longlist for the McIlvanney Prize has been announced by Bloody Scotland. The award, previously known as the Bloody Scotland Prize for Scottish Crime Writing, will be presented on Friday, September 13, on the first night of the Bloody Scotland Festival. Congratulations to all!

McILVANNEY PRIZE LONGLIST

D V Bishop – A Divine Fury (Pan Macmillan) 
Chris Brookmyre – The Cracked Mirror (Sphere) 
Val McDermid – Past Lying (Sphere) 
Charles Cumming – Kennedy 35 (HarperCollins) 
Andrew James Greig – The Girl in the Loch (Storm Publishing) 
Doug Johnstone – The Collapsing Wave (Orenda) 
S G Maclean – The Winter List (Quercus) 
Abir Mukherjee – Hunted (Vintage) C S Robertson – The Trials of Marjory Crowe (Hodder & Stoughton) 
Kim Sherwood – A Spy Like Me (HarperCollins) 
Doug Sinclair – Blood Runs Deep (Storm Publishing) 
Douglas Skelton – The Hollow Mountain (Polygon)

CARTOON OF THE DAY: Interrogation

From WUMO:

 

Cartoon of the Day: On the List

 

GRANTCHESTER: Series 10 News!

Good news! MASTERPIECE on PBS has commissioned a 10th season of Grantchester. Stars Robson Green and Rishi Nair will both return as DI Geordie Keating and Reverend Alphy Kottaram respectively.

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Susanne Simpson says, “I couldn’t be happier to recommission Grantchester for a 10th season. This is hands-down one of our most popular series, and I know the fans will be thrilled to see it continue with the outstanding Robson Green and Rishi Nair back for more crime-solving.” MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.

Writer and Executive Producer Daisy Coulam notes, “This show is a testament to our lovely team - the cast and crew. I’m so grateful and proud that we get to come back together for our tenth season and another glorious summer in Grantchester!”

Emma Kingsman-Llloyd, Executive Producer adds, “We are so delighted by the audience reaction to Grantchester and appreciate that they have enjoyed so many episodes. We are overjoyed to be filming our tenth series and bringing more of Geordie and Alphy's adventures to the screen.”

In addition to Green and Nair, other returning cast members include Al Weaver as Leonard Finch, Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs. C, Kacey Ainsworth as Cathy Keating, Oliver Dimsdale as Daniel Marlowe, Nick Brimble as Jack Chapman, Bradley Hall as DC Larry Peters and Melissa Johns as Miss Scott.

Filming on Season 10 will begin in the UK in July.

Season 9 is currently airing Sundays at 9/8c through August 4. The series is also available to stream now on the PBS App, PBS.org and the PBS MASTERPIECE Prime Channel.

Karen Pirie, Season 2 News

Good news! Karen Pirie, Season 2, has started filming in Scotland. It will be a three episode season based on Val McDermid's A Darker Domain. Lauren Lyle returns as Karen Pirie. 

Lauren Lyle's portrayal of Karen Pirie has received critical acclaim. She was awarded the Best Actress in Television and Audience Award for Favorite Scot on Screen at BAFTA Scotland.

Plot summary of Season 2 (A Darker Domain): In 1984, when young Catriona Grant, heiress to the Grant oil fortune, is kidnapped at gunpoint with her young son, it is assumed that the motivation is political. The huge investigation creates a press storm, but when the culprits unexpectedly fall silent, the case runs cold and Catriona and her son are never seen again. Forty years later, when a man’s body is discovered, Pirie is assigned to reopen the case in complete secrecy.

Karen Pirie, Season 1, is available on BritBox. 

DETECTIVES AND THEIR DRINKS

I was reading the Wall Street Journal a few years ago and came across a cocktail that seemed destined for this blog:

The Cheap Detective 

(from Michel Dozois of Ray's and Stark Bar, LACMA, L.A.)

2 ounces T. Germain
1 ounce Cynar
3/4 ounce Campari
Grapefruit wedge
Stir with ice and strain into a coupe.
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge

O.K. the drink instructions had me going to the dictionary. I've never tasted cynar or Germain.. and a coupe? well that's the wide mouth champagne glass you see in so many old movies.

So this got me thinking. I've posted many martini and champagne cocktail recipes, mostly at the New Year and on special James Bond posts, but what other 'detective' drinks were out there? Here's a sampling. Be sure and scroll down to the Nick and Nora video!

Black Dahlia Martini at the Gallery Bar
The Black Dahlia is named after Elizabeth Short, the notorious victim who walked out of the Millennium Biltmore and was later found mutilated in Leimert Park. She later became known as the “Black Dahlia,” a derivative of Raymond Chandler’s popular novel, The Blue Dahlia, and the crime became one of the most publicized in the history of the city.

Fill a mixing glass with ice
3 1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka
1/4 oz Black Raspberry Liqueur
1/4 oz Coffee Liqueur
Stir
Strain into chilled glass
Garnish with orange

Chandler Cocktail
A Chandler cocktail is a very strong, fruity cocktail that has a mildly sweet taste, followed by a heavily alcoholic finish.

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice.
Add lime vodka, mango vodka, orange gin, vanilla schnapps, heavy cream and sweetened lime juice to the cocktail shaker.
Cover the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. Don't worry about bruising the gin.
Strain the contents of the shaker into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish the finished cocktail with a freshly sliced lemon wheel and serve while ice cold.

The Gimlet (from Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide) 
The Gimlet was first popularized in America when Chandler’s detective Philip Marlowe introduced the cocktail in The Long Goodbye. To quote Chandler: “A real Gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats martinis hollow.”

2 oz. gin
1 oz. Rose’s Lime Juice
Garnish: Lime wedge
Glass: Cocktail or Rocks
Pour gin and lime juice into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wedge. The Gimlet can also be served on the rocks in an Old-Fashioned glass.
See also: The Rap Sheet: A Gimlet for Mr. Chandler (4/15/09)

Perhaps Nick Charles is the most famous sleuth imbiber of cocktails. The constant drinking of this bantering couple never hampered their investigative skills - quite the opposite, in fact. "Can't you say anything about the case?" a detective asks. "Yes," Nick grumbles. "It's putting me way behind in my drinking." Here are two:

The Bronx Cocktail (Nick and Nora Charles in the Thin Man)
1 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 oz orange juice
Shake well (to a two-step time, as Nick suggests). Strain and garnish with orange peel. (recipe from Nightcapped)

Knickerbocker from The Thin Man (1934)
50ml gin
Large dash dry vermouth
Small dash sweet vermouth
Add the gin and both vermouths to a mixing glass filled with ice. Once well mixed, strain into a frosted martini glass.

Of course, most detectives just keep a bottle of whiskey in their desk drawer. Not as much fuss. Always available.

DAVID THOMPSON SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD: Bouchercon 2024 news

The National Bouchercon Board annually presents the David Thompson Special Service Award to a recipient/recipients recognizing extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the mystery and crime fiction field. 

This year the Board selected the Crime Writers of Color, and its founders: Kellye Garett, Walter Mosley, and Gigi Pandian. 

Congratulations to Crime Writers of Color. 

The David Thompson Award presentation will be part of the Bouchercon 2024 Opening Ceremony in Nashville. 

Grace, Season 4, news

Grace, Season 4, premieres July 2 on BritBox. Detective Roy Grace tackles four dangerous crimes in the new series. Yes, only 4 episodes, but they're all feature length. 

• “Dead Man’s Time“: A massive amount of jewels and valuables is stolen from a mansion in Brighton, leaving the lonely elderly resident close to death. 
• “Want You Dead“: In one of their most unusual cases yet, two victims are found who both died in similarly bizarre circumstances. The post-mortem brings up more questions than answers. 
• “You Are Dead”: A woman vanishes in broad daylight without a trace from an underground car park. Elsewhere, the remains of another young woman are discovered. Is there a connection?
• “Love You Dead“: A known Brighton burglar is found dead in his car, and though his wife claims he had turned over a new leaf, he might have been active the night he was killed.

Grace, based on the gripping Roy Grace novels by Peter James, follows the trials and tribulations of the talented yet haunted Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (John Simm), still reeling from the disappearance of his wife, Sandy, years earlier. 

If you want to catch up on the series, Grace seasons 1-3 is still available on BritBox.

***

Peter James, author of the Roy Grace novels has a new mystery coming out this July:  THEY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD. I can't wait for this one. Definitely a spin on the series

This new companion to James’ detective Roy Grace series allows Sandy (the much-talked- yet little-heard-from character) speak for herself starting on the day she vanished on her husband's thirtieth birthday. The story follows Sandy as she decides that “I no longer exist” in the eyes of those around her and follows her on her journey to a place where people will believe her dead.

 

SUMMER SOLSTICE: SUMMERTIME MYSTERIES

Today marks the Summer Solstice! It is my favorite day of the year because it's the longest, and I love light! Today is also the first day of summer. 

Summertime, and the living is easy. Or is it? So many mysteries taking place during Summer are filled with murder and mayhem -- on the Beach, at the Lake, and in the 'hot' City! What follows is a list of Summer Crime Fiction that exudes the heat and accompanying crime of Summertime. I've omitted most Fourth of July and Labor Day Mysteries from this list because I'll be updating those specific lists later this Summer. 

And, the latest Mystery Readers Journal focuses on Murder Takes a Holiday (40:2). Plenty of summertime mysteries in this issue. I will gradually add some of the reviewed books to this list. I've also added a short list of Summer Camp mysteries. I'm sure there are more. Love to hear from you.

As always I invite you to add any titles I've missed. Post a note in the comments or shoot me an email. This is far from a definitive list, but it's been updated since last year. I've included thrillers, cozies, traditional, suspense, and more. Put a bunch of these mysteries in your beach bag and enjoy the reads!

Summertime Mysteries 

Foxglove Summer by Ban Aaronovitch
The Corpse with the Garnet Face by Cathy Ace
A Cat on a Beach Blanket by Lydia Adamson
A Deadly Cliche; Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
Moon Water Madness by Glynn Marsh Alam
A Tangled June by Neil Albert
Meet Your Baker; Hold on for Beer Life by Ellie Alexander

Mint Chocolate Murder by Mere Allen

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando  
Gone Gull: Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews

Sunset Beach; High Tide Club; The Home-Wreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Tiger's Eve by Barbara Annino
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea by Nancy Atherton
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon
Live and Let Chai; Partners in Lime by Bree Baker
Gold Medal Threat by Michael Balkind (Kids: 7-15)
A Midsummer Night's Killing by Trevor Barnes
Milwaukee Summers Can Be Deadly by Kathleen Anne Barrett
One Hot Murder by Lorraine Bartlett
Love, Lies and Liquor by M.C. Beaton
Summertime News by Dick Belsky
Pups, Pilots and Peril by Cindy Bell

The Hiding Place by David Bell
The Summer School Mystery by Josephine Bell
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Murder by Fireworks by Susan Bernhardt
A Death in Summer by Benjamin Black

The Beach Hut Murders by Peter Bland
Another Man's Ground by Claire Booth
The Down East Murders by J.S. Borthwick
Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen

Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
Deadly Readings by Laura Bradford
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Tour de Force by Christiana Brand

Pot Boiler by Ali Brandon
The Cat Who Saw Stars, The Cat Who Went Up the Creek by Lilian Jackson Braun
Chill of Summer by Carol Brennan
Death by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge
Death at the Seaside by Frances Brody

Devils Island by Carl Brookins
Killer in Crinolines; Braking for Bodies by Duffy Brown
Tall Tail by Rita Mae Brown
Scrappy Summer by Mollie Cox Bryan
A Fatal Fettucinne by Julia Buckley

Death on the Riviera by John Bude

Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates
Wonton Terror by Vivien Chien 

Twanged; Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark
Footprints in the Sand by Mary Jane Clark
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Thin Air by Ann Cleeves
Dead and Berried by Peg Cochran
All You Need is Fudge, To Fudge or not to Fudge; A Midsummer Night's Fudge by Nancy Coco
BlackBuried Pie by Lyndsey Cole
Murder at the Mansion; Digging Up History by Sheila Connolly
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
Claws for Alarm by Cate Conte

Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Death on a Summer Night by Matthew Costello
Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle
A Shoot on Martha's Vineyard by Philip Craig
The Trouble with a Hot Summer by Camilla Crespi
A Poisonous Page; Digging Up Trouble by Kitt Crowe

Never Say Pie by Carol Culver
Barkley's Treasure, Bikinis in Paradise; Beach Blanket Barbie; Camp Carter; Maui Madness; Bikinis in Paradise by Kathi Daley
The Alpine Recluse; The Alpine Zen; Clam Wake; Dune to Death by Mary Daheim
The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss by Krista Davis

Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany
A Summer in the Twenties by Peter Dickinson
The Gold Coast, Plum Island by Nelson DeMille
Dead & Buried by Leighann Dobbs

The Safe Place by Anna Downes
He Started It by Samantha Downing

Dead in the Water; Fall of a Philanderer by Carola Dunn
Kilt at the Highland Games by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Murder at the Bridge by Frances Evesham
Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein

Cloudy with a Chance of Murder by Gerald Elias

Margin for Muder by Lauren Elliott

Four Dog's Sake by Lia Farrell
Blackberry Burial, Dying for Strawberries; Killed on Blueberry Hill by Sharon Farrow
One Fete in the Grave by Vickie Fee
Murder Sends a Postcard; Murder Buys a T-shirt by Christy Fifield
The Angel of Knowlton Park by Kate Flora
Lord James Harrington and the Summer Mystery by Lynn Florkiewicz
Apple Turnover Murder, Blackberry Pie Murder, Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Wrinkle in Thyme by Sarah Fox

Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
Independence Slay by Shelley Freydont
A Death Long Overdue (and others) by Eva Gates
A Dish Best Served Cold by Rosie Genova

Murder Makes Waves by Anne George
The Caleb Cove Mystery Series  (3 in the series) by Mahrie Reid Glab
Summertime, All the Cats are Bored by Philippe Georget
Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

The Cats that Watched the Woods by Karen Anne Golden
A Fatal Fleece, Angora Alibi: Murder at Lambswool Farm by Sally Goldenbaum
A Fatal Booking; Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

Sunflower Street by Pamela Grandstaff
Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake; Knockdown; Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves
Sound Proof by Barbara Gregorich
Spirited Away; Whole Latte Murder by Lena Gregory

Mystery on Mackinac Island by Anna W. Hale
Bowled Over by Victoria Hamilton
Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah

Dead Days of Summer; Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart
Pesticide by Kim Hays
Town in a Lobster Stew; Town in a Strawberry Swirl by B.B. Haywood
A Stitch in Crime by Betty Hechtman

Thunder Moon by Richard Helms
Tilling the Truth by Julia Henry
The Summer of Dead Toys by Antonio Hill
The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Summer of the Big Bachi by Naomi Hirahara
Death of a Cookbook Author; Death of a Lobster Lover; Death of an Italian Chef by Lee Hollis
Cracked to Death by Cheryl Holton
Beach Bags and Burglaries by Dorothy Howell
Murder at Wrightsville Beach by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter 

Last Summer by Evan Hunter
Magic Hour by Susan Isaacs
Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James
A Death at Candlewick Castle by Emma Jameson

A Palette for Murder by Sybil Johnson
Laid Out in Lavender by Gin Jones
Outdoors, Oars, & Oath (and others) by Tonya Kappes
One Feta in the Grave by Tina Kashian
A Summer for Dying by Jamie Katz
Murder Under a Full Moon by Abigail Keam

The Foxglove Killings by Tara Kelly (YA)
Hooked on a Feline by Sofie Kelly
Rainy Day Women by Kay Kendall

Murder in the Past Tense by E.E. Kennedy
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd
Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack

Joyland by Stephen King
Antique Auctions are Murder by Libby Klein
Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

Midsummer Malice by M.D. Lake
Dark Nantucket Noon by Jane Langton
The Bottoms by Joe Lansdale

A Timely Vision; A Watery Death by Joyce and Jim Lavene
You Only Witch Once by Amanda M. Lee
Death of a Bacherlorette by Laura Levine
A Sense of Entitlement by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan
A Tale of Two Biddies by Kylie Logan
Boarding with Murder by Kathryn Long

Murder on the Ile Sordou by M.L. Longworth
August Moon, June Bug by Jess Lourey
Nun But the Brave by Alice Loweecey
Jasmine and Jealousy: Peonies and Poison by London Lovett
A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry
The Body in the Wetlands by Judi Lynn

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack  
Berried to the Hilt, Death Runs Adrift; Claws for Alarm; Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerny
A Demon Summer; Death in Cornwall by G.M. Malliet
Grave Heritage by Blanche Day Manos
Swimming Alone by Nina Mansfield (YA)
Death in a Mood Indigo by Francine Mathews
Murder at Beechwood; Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell
Till Death Do Us Bark by Judi McCoy
Killer Honeymoon by G.A. McKevitt
Left Hanging by Patricia McLinn
Tippy Toe Murder by Leslie Meier
Summers Lease by John Mortimer

Murder Most Finicky by Liz Mugavero
Country Club Murders Series (Killing Me Softly - and others) by Julie Mulhern

Bats and Bones; Peete and Repeat, The Lady of the Lake, To Cache a Killer by Karen Nortman
Murder at Kildare Mensa by Clare O'Beara
Foal Play; Murder on the Hoof by Kathryn O'Sullivan
The Body in the Lighthouse; The Body in the Birches; The Body in the Wake by Katherine Hall Page
Murder at the Seaside Hotel by Sonia Paris
Mercury's Rise by Ann Parker  

Paws in the Action; A Timely Murder by Max Parrott
The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall
Mrs. Bundle's Dog Days of Summer: A Case of Artful Arson by Allison Cesario Paton
The Summer House by James Patterson; Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross; The Murder House by James Patterson and David Ellis
Thread and Dead by Elizabeth Penny

A Rule Against Summer by Louise Penny
Summer of the Dragon by Elizabeth Peters
5 Dan Marlowe/Hampton Beach, NH mysteries by Jed Power
Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel by Rose Pressey
The Cabin by Natasha Preston

Cat of Many Tails by Ellery Queen
Still Life in Brunswick Stew by Larissa Reinhart
Deep Green Envy by Joy Ann Ribar
Cons & Quinces by Sheri Richey 
Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley

In the Dead of the Summer; How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Gillian Roberts
Calamity@the Carwash by Sharon Rose
Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder; Milkshakes, Mermaids and Murder by Sara Rosett
Boiled Over, Clammed Up ( and others) by Barbara Ross

Murder in the Dining Room by Betty Rowlands
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
The Field of Prey by John Sandford 

Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom
Hang My Head & Cry by Elena Santangelo
Miss Lizzie by Walter Satterthwait

Have His Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers
Purl Up and Die; Yarn Over Murder by Maggie Sefton

Love & Death in Burgundy by Susan C. Shea
Vacations Can Be Murder; Bushel Full of Murder by Connie Shelton
Bushel Full of Murder, If Onions Could Spring Leeks by Paige Shelton
Poised to Quill by Morgan W. Silver

Summer in the Woods by Steven K. Smith
Pick Your Poison; The Cat, The Vagabond and The Victim by Leann Sweeney
Live and Let Fly by Clover Tate

Cape Cod Mystery by Phoebe Atwood Taylor
A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd
Deception in the Cotswolds; The Threlkeld Theory by Rebecca Tope
Trouble in the Tarot by Kari Lee Townsend
Rooted in Deceit by Wendy Tyson
Board Stiff by Elaine Viets
Shadows of a Down East Summer; Thread and Gone by Lea Wait
Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
The Great Chili Kill-Off; Killer Crab Cakes; Never Trifle with Murder by Livia J. Washburn
Murder and Misfortune; Sweet Avengers; Sweet Sun and Shadow by J.A. Whiting
A Sense of Entitlement by Anna Loan Wilsey

Trail of Secrets by Laura Wolfe (YA)
An Old Faithful Murder, Remodelled to Death; Death in a Beach Chair by Valerie Wolzien
Orchid Beach by Stuart Woods
Sins of a Shaker Summer by Deborah Woodworth
Summer Will End by Dorian Yeager

Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew
Heart of Stone by James Ziskin 

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Summer Camp Mysteries:

You Will Pay by Lisa Jackson
The Counselors by Jessica Goodman
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Camp So-and-So by Mary McCoy
I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Short Story Collections

Murder by the Seaside: Classic Crime Stories for Summer (Edited by Cecily Gayford)
Murder in Midsummer (not to be mistaken for Midsomer)

Any titles you'd like to add? Make a comment below.

THE THIN MAN Martini Montage: National Martini Day

Today is National Martini Day! Nick & Nora are icons of the martini. Enjoy this Thin Man Martini Montage while drinking a Thin Man Martini. 

Be sure to scroll down an watch "The Thin Man Martini Montage"

Thin Man Martini

Ingredients 

1 1/2 ounces gin 

1/2 ounce dry vermouth 

Garnish: Spanish olive (with stuffed pimento) 

Directions

Add gin and vermouth to mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. 

Strain into  chilled martini glass. 

Garnish with small Spanish olive with stuffed pimento.

Mystery Readers Journal: Murder Takes a Holiday (40:2)

Murder Takes a Holiday: Mystery Readers Journal 40:2

Mystery Readers Journal is a quarterly thematic review Journal. Each issue contains articles, reviews, and author essays on a specific theme, as well as special columns and other mystery related material. Journals run an average of 100 pages. Subscribe.

Current Issue: Murder Takes a Holiday: Available in print or as a downloadable PDF.. If you're a subscriber or contributor to this issue, please scroll down.

Recent Issues: Southern California Mysteries (Spring 2024); Animals in Mysteries II (Winter 2023); Animals in Mysteries I (Fall 2023); Hobbies & Crafts in Mysteries (Summer 2023).

Coming Up in 2024:  Partners in Crime, London Mysteries. Submit an article!

Mystery Readers Journal: Southern California (40:1) is  available as a PDF and Hardcopy. 

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If you're a PDF subscriber to Mystery Readers Journal, you should have received download instructions (let me know if you haven't). Hard copy subscription copies should be received within a  week. International subscribers will receive their issues within two weeks. PDF Contributor copies will go out tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this amazing issue.

Murder Takes a Holiday

Volume 40, No. 2, Summer 2024

Buy this back issue! Available in hardcopy or as a downloadable PDF.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLES

• The Odd Travel Note: John le Carré on Mysteries Real and Fictional by Rona Bell
• Death on the Water by Bev Hankins
• Agatha Christie Rides the Rails by Bradley Friedman

AUTHOR! AUTHOR!

• Please Proceed to Your Gate—To Begin Your (Murderous) Journey by Cathy Ace
• Monkey Business Meets the Flying Dutchman by Donna Andrews
• Travel Writer’s Revenge: A Novel Way of “Booking” a Trip by Dawn M. Barclay (D.M. Barr)
• Travel as Transition? Or Not? by Anne Louise Bannon
• Wanderlust by Kimberly Belle
• How I Learned to Write More Than Thirty Pages by Simon Brett
• When Art Imitates Life by Sally Carpenter
• On the Road Again by Taffy Cannon
• A Fatal Fan Fest by Maya Corrigan
• Too Many Deaths, Too Few Holidays by James R. Coggins
• Haunted Ofu by John Enright
• Holiday Time? No Lazing in the Sun for My Characters by Elizabeth Elwood
• Nero Does Nero by Cordelia Biddle and Steve Zettler (aka Nero Blanc)
• Crossword: Nero Does Nero 
• Sun, Sand… and Sleuthing by Kate Fellowes
• A Vacation at the Paris Exposition of 1900 by Dianne Freeman
• A Killer on Board by Jan Gangsei
• Murder on Vacation by Peter Heller
• Murder Takes a Holiday in Caper Cove by Elle Jauffret
• Mysteries Without Borders by Maria Hudgins
• An Academic Brat Settles Down and Finds Her Paradise by Leslie Karst
• Vacations and Holidays by Gay Toltl Kinman
• A Detective Takes a Holiday by J. R. Lindermuth
• Hot Grudge Crimes by Larry and Rosemary Mild
• Never Go on Vacation with Miss Marple by Catherine Mack
• From Action Scene to Ocean Liner by Edward Marston/Conrad Allen
• A Golden Getaway with Raúl and Rita by Richie Narvaez
• Murder Takes a Honeymoon by Neil Plakcy
• Murder Takes a Lot of Holidays… by Josh Pachter
• Creating the Vacation from Hell: The Origins of Devils Island by Midge Raymond
• How Is Anyone Still Alive? by Philipp Schott
• Have Pen, Will Travel by Tom Straw
• Charlie Chan Takes a Holiday by John Swann
• Crime Fiction and the Trip of a Lifetime by Leonie Swann
• Someone Else’s Vacation by Sarah Stewart Taylor
• Murder Across the Ocean by Charlene Wexler

COLUMNS

• Mystery in Retrospect: Reviews by Lucinda Surber, Lesa Holstine, Dru Ann Love
• Crime for the Holidays by Gay Toltl Kinman
• Crime Seen: Vacation Video by Kate Derie
• From the Editor’s Desk by Janet A. Rudolph

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PROFESSOR T: Season 3

Last night was a great night on PBS. Besides Season 2 of DI Ray and Season 9 of Grantchester, there was Season 3 of Professor T. This is the British version of Professor T. You can watch on PBS (real time), PBS Passport, or PBS Masterpiece. In the new series, Professor T is in jail awaiting trial. As the professor struggles to get his old life and job back, he is helped by Dan and Lisa who again rely on his brilliant criminal insight and analysis to solve tricky and intriguing crimes. It's a really quirky series. Professor T, played by Ben Miller, is obsessed with cleanliness, structure, and order. He's a genius at solving crimes, but doesn't have much time for people. 

Good News: Season 4 has begun filming.

LAMBDA LITERARY AWARDS (LAMMY AWARDS) : LGBTQ+ MYSTERY 2024 Winner

To see winners in all categories, go here: https://lambdaliterary.org/awards/2024-winners/

Of specfic interterest to the mystery reader:

LGBTQ+ Mystery

Winner

** A Calculated Risk // Cari Hunter (Bold Strokes Books)

Nominated 
Don’t Forget the Girl // Rebecca McKanna (Sourcebooks Landmark)
The Good Ones // Polly Stewart (HarperCollins Publishers)
Transitory // J. M. Redmann (Bold Strokes Books)
Where the Dead Sleep // Joshua Moehling (Poisoned Pen Press)

Cartoon of the Day: Father's Day

BLOODY SCOTLAND International Crime Writing Festival: Sneak Peek

Bloody Scotland, Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival (September 13-15, 2024) announced a Peek at the Program, just ahead of next week's launch. These are the authors released as part of the 'sneaky peek.' Sounds fabulous..and this is only part of the program. 

Richard Armitage: Headlining the opening night, one of the UK’s most popular actors will talk about his debut thriller, Geneva. His string of acting credits include The Hobbit, North and South, Into the Storm, and Spooks.

Ann Cleeves: The creator of three outstanding crime series, two television dramas in Vera and Shetland and 26 novels translated into over 20 languages will be in conversation with Lin Anderson.  

Peter May: Launching the much-anticipated fourth book in the Lewis series, will be in conversation with Craig Robertson.

Louise Minchin: The BBC Breakfast TV presenter will talk about her debut novel, Isolation Island. The book draws heavily on her TV experience.

Ruth Ware: – The international bestselling crime writer, in conversation with Louise Minchin, discussing her new mystery, One Perfect Couple, chaired by TV and radio presenter, Bryan Burnett.

Tickets for all of these events are now on sale! See https://bloodyscotland.com/whats-on/ for details.