The Marlow Murder Club, Season 3 News!

Well, this is great news. I really enjoyed the first two seasons of The Marlow Murder Club, and now Masterpiece Mystery! on PBS shared the news that The Marlow Murder Club will return for Season 3! Sarah Alexander, Peter Davison, and many more will be joining the cast for Season 3! The Marlow Murder Club, Season 3, will air in 2026. 

Can't wait! 

Cartoon of the Day: Little Free Library

 

2025 NGAIO MARSH AWARD WINNERS

2025 Ngaio Marsh Awards Winners

The winners of the 2025 Ngaio Marsh Awards were announced in three categories: Best Novel, Best First Novel, and Best Non-Fiction. 

The Awards celebrate excellence in mystery, thriller, crime, and suspense writing by New Zealand authors. 

The winners were announced as part of a special event in conjunction with WORD Christchurch and the Court Theatre on Thursday, 25 September. Congratulations to all. 

Thanks, Craig Sisterson, for all you do for New Zealand crime writers, as well as  the entire mystery community. 

BEST NOVEL

• Return To Blood by Michael Bennett (Simon & Schuster)

BEST FIRST NOVEL

• The Defiance Of Frances Dickinson by Wendy Parkins (Affirm Press)

BEST NONFICTION

• The Crewe Murders by Kirsty Johnstone & James Hollings (Massey Uni Press)

Cartoon of the Day: The Plot

ANN GRANGER: R.I.P.

Sad News. British mystery writer Ann Granger, author of the Campbell and Carter Mysteries, Alan Markby series, Fran Varady series, and Mitchell and Markby Series, as well as other crime novels and short stories, died at the age of 86. My sympathy goest out to her family, friends, and readers.

Books by Ann Granger.

From The Bookseller:

Her first crime novel Say it With Poison published in 1991. 

Granger was born in Portsmouth and studied modern languages at the University of London before working for the Foreign Office and receiving postings to British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She settled in Oxfordshire with her family and started writing romance under a pseudonym in the 1970s, before moving into crime novels in the 1990s. 

Her series include the Mitchell and Markby series, the Fran Varady mysteries, and the Victorian crime series featuring Scotland Yard’s Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie. Headline said it has sold more than one million copies of Granger’s novels and her work has been published in 10 languages, including German. She achieved more than 30 top five appearances on the German bestseller lists. 

Her editor at Headline, Clare Foss, said: "It was an absolute joy and a privilege to publish Ann’snovels. She was inspirational, wise and incredibly witty and we will all cherish our memories of her. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time." 

Her agent, Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann, said: "It has been a great joy to work with our beloved Ann Granger over my 30 years at Blake Friedmann, an honour to continue Carole Blake’s work, and a pleasure shared with all my colleagues and the Headline team. We loved Ann for her wit and warmth and wisdom, her kindness and curiosity, all those sterling characteristics woven through her brilliant writing too. She was one of a kind and she leaves a great gap in our lives. One consolation is that we can still share her books with readers, but I will miss our conversations more than I can say."

Slow Horses, Season 5

Slow Horses, based on Mick Herron's Slough House series, Season 5, is now available on Apple TV+. What a great show! This amazing spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents--and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman)--as they navigate the espionage works smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.The show is filled with humor, as well as gore. It's topnotch!

If you're new to the series, you'll want to start with Season 1. And be sure to read Mick Herron's Slough House Thrillers. They're great. He is such a terrific writer. 

Watch the trailer!

Cartoon of the Day: The Tutorial

 

Cartoon of the Day: Rom-Com Essentials

 

Rosemary and Larry Mild: Recipients of Hawai‘i Literary Arts Council Elliot Cades Award for Literature

Husband-and-wife mystery novelists Rosemary and Larry Mild have been named recipients of the 2024 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature, Hawaiʻi’s most prestigious literary honor.  An annual award presented by the Hawaiʻi Literary Arts Council, the Elliot Cades Award honors established writers who live in Hawai’i.

Novelists Rosemary and Larry Mild have lived in Honolulu since 2013 and visited every winter from Maryland for 20 years before then. Larry grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He spent most of his post-military career designing electronic equipment for the U.S. Government. He met and married Rosemary, a Smith College graduate and former assistant editor at Harper’s magazine, after his first wife, Hannah, died in 1986. Rosemary grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On their blind date Larry told Rosemary, “When I retire, I’m going to write a novel and I want you to help me.” Since then, the Milds have collaborated or worked separately on 22 published books, including mystery and suspense novels, short story collections, and memoirs. Two of their novels, Cry Ohana and its sequel Honolulu Heat, are set in Hawaiʻi. The 13 detective stories in Copper and Goldie are also set in Hawaiʻi.  

The Hawai‘i Literary Arts Council was founded in 1974 to encourage and promote literature and literary activity of all sorts in Hawai’i. The Cades Award has been presented since 1988. 

Rosemary and Larry Mild’s latest work, The Morning Lisa, will be released in October. The Moaning Lisa features protagonists Paco and Molly LeSoto, an unforgettable duo who captivated readers in Locks and Cream Cheese, Hot Grudge Sunday, and Boston Scream Pie.

***

Rosemary and Larry Mild are frequent contributors to Mystery Readers Journal and Mystery Fanfare. Read this 2018 interview, Partners in Crime, in Mystery Fanfare. 

PETRONA AWARD SHORTLIST 2025: Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year

Seven crime novels from Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have been shortlisted for the 2025 Petrona Award for the Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year. 

Samuel Bjørk - Dead Island, tr. Charlotte Barslund (Norway, Bantam)
Pascal Engman - The Widows, tr. Neil Smith (Sweden, Legend Press)
Malin Persson Giolito - Deliver Me, tr. Rachel Willson-Broyles (Sweden, 
Simon & Schuster)
Óskar Guðmundsson - The Dancer, tr. Quentin Bates (Iceland, Corylus Books)
Satu Rämö - The Clues in the Fjord, tr. Kristian London (Finland, Zaffre)
Gunnar Staalesen - Pursued by Death, tr. Don Bartlett (Norway, Orenda Books)

The winning title will be announced on October 16, 2025.

The Petrona Award is open to crime fiction in translation, either written by a Scandinavian author or set in Scandinavia, and published in the UK in the previous calendar year.

There were 31 entries for the 2025 Petrona Award from six countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland). This year’s shortlist sees Norway represented with three novels, Sweden with two and Finland and Iceland with one novel each. 

Further information can be found on the Petrona Award website: http://www.petronaaward.co.uk.

MYSTERIES SET DURING THE DAYS OF AWE: Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur

According to Jewish religion, the Days of Awe are the days between the beginning of the New Year (Rosh Hashana) and Yom Kippur. There are 10 days of repentance and renewal that begin at sunset on Rosh Hashanah and close with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah starts Monday night, but you'll have 10 days to read these books -or longer. LOL. 

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. That a murder would take place on Yom Kippur (or during the Days of Awe) runs counter to Jewish belief or action. Let's hope murders only take place in fiction!

Here's an updated short list of Mysteries that take place on Rosh Hashana, during the Days of Awe, and on Yom Kippur. As always, I welcome any additions to this list. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year!

Mysteries set during the Days of Awe

Three Weeks in October by Yael Dayan
The Day of Atonement by Breck England
Days of Atonement by Michael Gregorio
The Yom Kippur Murder by Lee Harris
A Guide for the Perplexed by Dara Horn
Day of Atonement by Faye Kellerman
Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry by Harry Kemelman
The Day of Atonement by David Liss
A Possibility of Violence by D.A. Mishani

Nights of Awe by Harri Nykanen

Yom Killer by Rabbi Ilene Schneider
Devil Among Us by Jack Winnick

Short Stories:  

Murder is no Mitzvah: Short Mysteries about Jewish Occasions
Mystery Midrash: An Anthology of Jewish Mystery & Detective Fiction, edited by Lawrence W. Raphael

Jewish Noir, edited by Kenneth Wishia
Jewish Noir II: Tales of Crime and Other Deeds, ed. by Kenneth Wishnia and Chantelle Aimee Osman

"The Lord is my Shamus" by Barb Goffman 

Children's Books

Pinky Blog and the Case of the Silent Shofar by Judy Press and Erica-Jane Waters

Young Adult

The Renegade Reporters by Elisa Brent Weissman

Non-Fiction

Family Blood: The True Story of the Yom Kippur Murders by Mr. Marvin J. Elf and Mr. Larry Attebery

May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year! And, may we have Peace in the World!

Cartoon of the Day: Motivational Speaking

MURDER BEFORE EVENSONG: Acorn TV

If you're fans of Granchester and Father Brown, you'll want to check out a new series coming to AcornTV on Monday, September 29: Murder Before Evensong. There will be 6 episodes. I haven't seen it yet, but I enjoy religious mystery shows. 

Murder Before Evensong is based on the first novel in the Canon Clement Mysteries, by British author the Reverend Richard Coles, and is set in 1980’s England. Matthew Lewis stars as Canon Daniel Clement, the Rector of Champton, who finds himself unexpectedly entangled in a murder case when a dead body turns up in the church.  

Daniel shares Champton rectory with his widowed mother Audrey (Amanda Redman) – and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda. When Daniel announces a plan to modernize the church, the parish is suddenly divided. And then a body is found dead at the back of the church. As the police move in and the bodies start piling up, Daniel is the only one who can try and keep his fractured community together… and catch a killer.  

The cast also consists of all your favorite British actors whom have appeared in multiple British mystery shows. Amit Shah as DS Neil Vanloo, Adam Jamesas Bernard De Floures, Meghan Treadway as Honor De Floures, Alexander Delamain as Alex De Floures, Marion Bailey as Kath, Amanda Hadingue as Dora, Tamzin Outhwaite as Stella Harper, Francis Magee as Edgy, and Nina Toussaint-White as Jane Thwaite.  

 

Thomas Perry: R.I.P.

Such sad news. Thomas Perry passed away suddenly on September 27.  Tom Perry was a wonderful writer, supportive and kind to writers and readers, and an all around good-guy. More to come. So  unexpected. Taken too soon. My love and sympathy go out to his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing.

Posted by Tom's wife Jo Perry. 

From The Mysterious Press:

Tom was a bestselling thriller writer who was beloved by all who knew and worked with him... His first book, The Butcher’s Boy, won the Edgar Allan Poe award in 1983. He launched his popular and critically acclaimed series about Jane Whitefield in 1995 with Vanishing Act, chosen as one of the "100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century" by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association and was included in Parade's list of "101 Best Mystery Books of All Time." The last book in the series, The Tree of Light and Flowers, will be published in March 2026. 

The author of 31 novels, he has received numerous awards, including the Barry for Best Thriller of the Year for Hero earlier this month. 

Many of his books have been acquired by Hollywood studios, most recently The Old Man, a limited run television series starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow which premiered on FX on June 16, 2022; a second series made its debut on September 12, 2024. His novel Strip has completed filming as Bear Country, starring Russell Crowe. 

BLOODY SCOTLAND CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL AWARDS 2025

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival announced the winners of two crime fiction prizes tonight. Congratulations, Tariq and David!

2025 McIlvanney Prize Scottish Crime Novel of the Year

The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani 

2025 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize Winner

A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman

Cartoon of the Day: The Menu

 

DEATH VALLEY: Second Season News

Good news, Death Valley, the British comedic mystery show set in Wales, has been renewed for a second season. Filming has already begun, and the premiere will be sometime in 2026 on the BBC and later on Britbox. Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth return as the detective duo. Paul Dolan is returning to write all six episodes of the second season. Looking forward to it!

Barry Award Winners 2025: Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine

Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine announced the winners for the Barry Awards last weekend at Bouchercon in New Orleans. Winners are voted on by readers of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine.

Best Mystery Novel: 

The Waiting, by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown) 

Best First Mystery Crime Novel: 

Ordinary Bear, by C.B. Bernard (Blackstone) 

Best Paperback Original Mystery Novel: 

Double Barrel Bluff, by Lou Berney (Morrow Paperbacks) 

Best Action Thriller:

Hero, by Thomas Perry (Mysterious Press) 

DAVITT AWARDS: Sisters in Crime Australia

Sisters in Crime Australia announced the winners of this year's Davitt Awards. 

Congratulations to all.

Adult Crime Novel: 

To the River by Vikki Wakefield

Best Nonfiction: 

The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of the Century by Lucia Osborne-Crowley

Best Young Adult: 

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

Children's Crime Novel: 

The Midwatch by Judith Rossell

Best Debut Crime Book:  

What I Would Do To You by Georgia Harper

Kerry Greenwood Readers Choice Award: 

What Happened To Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

***

HT: The Rap Sheet

Cartoon of the Day: Crime Scene

 

ANTHONY AWARD WINNERS: Bouchercon 2025

The Anthony Award Winners were announced Saturday night at Bouchercon, the world mystery convention, in New Orleans. Congratulations to all!

SHAMUS AWARD WINNERS: Private Eye Writers of America

The winners of the 2025 Shamus Awards were announced by the Private Eye Writers of America at the Opening Ceremonies at Bouchercon in New Orleans. Congratulations to all!

SHAMUS AWARDS 2025

BEST ORIGINAL HARDBACK P.I. NOVEL

Trouble in Queenstown by Delia Pitts

BEST ORGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL

Call of the Void by J.T. Siemens

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Twice the Trouble by Ash Clifton

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

“Deadhead” by Tom Andes (Issue 10.1: Cowboy Jamboree Magazine)

THE EYE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Christine Matthews

Congratulations to all.

Cartoon of the Day: Detective Fare

 

Poster of the Month: September

 

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro: R.I.P.

Such sad news. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, 82, science fiction, horror, and mystery author, passed away on Sunday, August 31. She wrote over 80 novels and 70 short works of fiction. She was probably best known for her Saint-Germain historical vampire series and spin off Olivia De Clements. She also wrote several mysteries with Bill Fawcett under the name Quinn Fawcett. Her Charlie Spotted Moon mystery series were wonderful. Quinn was an expert on the occult, a Tarot and palm reader, as well as a musical composer. Truly a woman of many talents, she was named a World Horror Grandmaster in 2003, won a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, and received a World Fantasy Award for life achievement in 2014.

I first met Quinn at a science fiction convention in the late 70s where she read my Tarot cards. We connected over her love of mystery, though, and the friends we found we had in common. At that time, we we were also both members of MWA, and she was President of our chapter. Over the years, we often met at the post office in Berkeley where we both had PO Boxes. She was witty, supportive and to the point, never faltering. She will be missed by her many fans and friends.

Read Wiley Saichek's words here. 

Cartoon of the Day: Labor Day: Labor Day

Labor Day!

Don't miss the updated list of Crime Fiction that focuses on Labor Unions.