MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION // MARDI GRAS MYSTERIES

Mardi Gras aka Carnivale. Whatever you call it, it's a great setting for Murder! Busy streets, crowds, costumes, drinking ..  mix it all together, and you have the perfect recipe for a crime novel.

So in honor of Mardi Gras, here's my updated list of Mardi Gras Mysteries, mostly set in New Orleans, but skip to the bottom for other countries and cities (Carnival - Carnevale). As always, I welcome additional titles. 

MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Jessica Arden
The Mardi Gras Mystery by Henry Bedford-Jones
Death Visits Mardi Gras by J.J. Boortz

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof, A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
The Mardi Gras Muders: A Golden Age Mystery by Gwen Bristow

Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite
Fat Tuesday; Sunny Chandler's Return by Sandra Brown
Thrill Kill by Don Bruns
Purple Cane Road, Dixie City Jam, The Tin Roof Blowdown, Creole Belle by James Lee Burke
Mardi Gras 1975 by Frank W. Butterfield

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron
Krewe of Souls by Elaine Calloway
Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice by Holli Castillo 
The Secret of the Other Mother by Laura Cayouette
Murder Comes to Mardi Gras, Death Swatch, Keepsake Crimes, Death by Design; Glitter Bomb by Laura Childs
Fat Tuesday Fricassee by J.J. Cook 
Izzy Rio's Wild and Pretty by Stacey L. Cooley

Randolph Solves the Mardi Gras Mystery by Pat Hornsby Crochet (Children's)
Havana Storm by Clive Cussler
Mardi Gras Murders by Nicole Daines and Robert Daines
Bullets and Beads; Sinister by Jana Deleon 
Ms America and the Naughtiness in New Orleans by Diana Dempsey 

The Mardi Gras Murders by Ricardo S. Dubois
No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson
Shelter from the Storm; Crooked Man by Tony Dunbar
Fat Tuesday by Earl Emerson
The Big Uneasy-Terror Strikes Mardi Gras by Murray C. Fincher
The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan

Carnaval Capers by Jody Ford
Carnival by Charlotte Foryan
Venetian Mask by Mickey Friedman
Mardi Gras and Mayhem by Jann Franklin
Jass, Rampart Street by David Fulmer

Dead Velvet Cheesecake by A. Gardner
Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah E. Glenn
Mardi Gras Madness by Alison Golden with Honey Broussard
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran

The Mardi Gras Murder by Jackie Griffey
A Free Man of Color, Fever Season, Sold Down the River by Barbara Hambly
The Exorcist by Lily Harper Hart
The Wrong Side of Revelry by Jeffry A. Head

Nightmare Before Mardis Gras: 14 Days of Madness, Mayhem, and Murder by Robert Sterling Hecker

Mardi Gras Mambo; The Orion Mask by Greg Herren
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
Murder at the Mardi Gras by V. Hurst
The Assassin's Gift by Ian C.P. Irvine
Mind Games by Polly Iyer

Burgundy Doubloons by TJ Spencer Jacques
The Mardi Gras Mystery by H. Bedford Jones

Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Linda P. Kozar
Murder at Mardi Gras by Doug Lamplugh
Mardi Gras Murder by Leslie Langtry
Krewe by Jayson Livingston
The Devil's Muse by Bill Loehfelm
A Masquerade of Saints by Nicole Loughan
Voodoo Dreams by Alana Lorens 

Chaos by Judith Lucci
The Mardi Gras Murders by Gwen Bristow & Bruce Manning
Mardi Gras Madness by Ken Mask
Mardi Gras Gris Gris by A.C. Mason
The Gay Mardi Gras Murders by Sylvia Massara 

Rescued by a Kiss by Colleen Mooney
Mardi Gras Eyes by Phyllis Morris
The Chef by James Patterson with Max DiLallo
Krewe by Seth Pevey
Masques by Bill Pronzini
Up Jumped the Devil by Martha Reed

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis
Mardi Gras Murders by Phillip Scott
Now Let's Talk of Graves by Sarah Shankman
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Elisabet M. Stone
A Hall of Mirrors by Robert Stone
The Mardi Gras Murders by Brian W. Smith

New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith
New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith
The Mardi Gras Murders by Jemma Stark

Murder at the Mardi Gras by Elisabet M. Stone
The Mysterious Masks of Mardi Gras by Connie Trapp
Mardi Gras Marathon Murders by Diane L. Twilley
Mardi Gras Two-Step by Barry M. Vass
Mardi Gras Ghost by Erin Wade
A Mardi Gras Murder by Vesper Wilde

A Diamond Before You Die by Chris Wiltz

Children's Literature: 

The Mardi Gras Mystery; The Mardi Gras Masquerade by Carolyn Keene

Short Stories: 

Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah E. Glenn
Mardi Grad Madness: Stories of Murder and Mayhem in New Orleans, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg

Goffman, Barb:  "Man to Man" in The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell.

Carnivale in Brazil:

The Lost Manuscript: Vast Emotions and Imperfect Thoughts by Rubem Fonseca

Carnevale in Venice:

Carnival for the Dead by David Hewson
Venice Noir, edited by Maxim Jakubowski
The Venetian Masquerade by Philip Gwynne Jones
The Mascherari by Laura Rahme
Venice Black by Gregory C. Randall
Scerzo by Jim Williams

To celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to have some Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Chocolate  Pecan Pie or Chocolate "Cupped" Cakes with Coffee & Chicory or Chocolate Beignets or Chocolate Filled King Cake! If you're celebrating Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or along the Gulf Coast, have a Moon Pie. Read more here. They're a favorite 'throw' in Mobile. I've also posted other Mardi Gras recipes on DyingforChocolate.com

SUPER BOWL CRIME FICTION AND OTHER FOOTBALL MYSTERIES: Super Bowl Sunday!

Super Bowl Sunday! I'm stoked, of course, because my original home team will be playing! Go, Eagles (or Iggles as they say in Philly)!!!

There's lots of real crime surrounding the Super Bowl: drugs, money, gambling, egos, and so much more. All fodder for the crime writer. So in 'honor' of Sunday's Super Bowl Game, I've updated my short lists of Super Bowl and other Football Mysteries. This is in no way a definitive list -- just some football crime fiction for you to enjoy in case you're not watching the Super Bowl! As always, I welcome additions!

If you're interested in other Sports Mysteries and essays on Football Mysteries, Mystery Readers Journal has had several Sports Mysteries issues. The last Sports Mysteries Issue of MRJ was Volume 25:4 (Winter 2009-2010). Available as PDF download

Super Bowl Mysteries

The Hidden Key by George Harmon Coxe
Super-Dude by John Craig
Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl by John Feinstein (YA)
Black Sunday by Thomas Harris
Paydirt by Paul Levine
The Last Super Bowl by Robin Moore & David Harper
4th and Fixed by Reggie Rivers
Murder at the Super Bowl by Fran Tarkenton and Herb Resnicow
Life's Work by Jonathan Valin
Killerbowl by Gary K. Wolf

Movie:  
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
 
Other Football Mysteries (not including British Football, of which there are many titles)

The Professor by Robert Bailey
Memory Man; The Might Johns by David Baldacci

Rough and Tumble by Mark Bavaro
Pass Judgment by Jerry Brewer
Sweeper by Steve Bruce 
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
Coliseum by Barney Cohen
Et Tu Brady by Joseph Collum

Football is Murder by Kathy Cranston
All Saints Day: A New Orleans Football Mystery by Sean Patrick Doles
Backfield Boys by John Feinstein

Under the Stadium Lights by Hunter Mills Gallo

Day of the Ram by William Campbell Gault
Murder at Cleaver Stadium by Douglas Lee Gibboney
Quarterback Trap by Dallas Gorham
Double Reverse; Ruffians by Tim Green
Playing for Pizza; Bleachers by John Grisham
Bleeding Maize and Blue by Susan Holtzer
Crown of All Virtues by Reece Kepler
The Prophet by Michael Koryta
Two-Minute Warning by George LaFountaine
Bump and Run by Mike Lupica
The Draft by Wil Mara
Dead Ball Foul by Kayla McGrady
A Cardinal Offense by Ralph McInerny
Parker's Blood by William Miller
Foul Play; Dead Ball; Off Side; Killer Pass; Foul Play: Own Goal by Tom Palmer

12th of Never by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The Jook by Gary Phillips
Foul by Will J. Robson

Winter and Night by S. J. Rozan
A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril
Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt
Marked Man; Red Card by Mel Stein

The Footballer by Ben Stevens
The Football Manager Murders by Chris Tookey
A Touch of Death by Charles Williams

Short Stories:  

The Mighty Johns, edited by Otto Penzler

Nonfiction: 
Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime and Complicity by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry (winner of the 2011 Edgar for Best Fact Crime)
All-American Murder by James Patterson & Alex Abramovich

Children's:

Bones and the Football Mystery by David A. Adler, Barbara Johansen Newman (Illustrator)
The Mystery of the Stolen Football by T. J. Edwards, Charles Tang (Illustrator)
The Big Bling Blitz; The Two-Minute Warning by David A. Kelly

The Football Fiasco by Mike Lupica
Courtney Case and the Missing Football by Jeannie Meekins

MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION // MARDI GRAS MYSTERIES

Mardi Gras aka Carnivale. Whatever you call it, it's a great setting for Murder! Busy streets, crowds, costumes, drinking ..  mix it all together, and you have a recipe for the perfect crime novel.

So in honor of Mardi Gras, here's my updated list of Mardi Gras Mysteries, mostly set in New Orleans, but skip to the bottom for other countries and cities (Carnival - Carnevale). As always, I welcome additional titles. Make a comment.

MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION

Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah Glenn
The Mardi Gras Mystery by Henry Bedford-Jones
Death Visits Mardi Gras by J.J. Boortz
Cake on a Hot Tin Roof, A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite
Fat Tuesday; Sunny Chandler's Return by Sandra Brown
Thrill Kill by Don Bruns
Purple Cane Road, Dixie City Jam, The Tin Roof Blowdown, Creole Belle by James Lee Burke
Mardi Gras 1975 by Frank W. Butterfield

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron
Krewe of Souls by Elaine Calloway
Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice by Holli Castillo 
The Secret of the Other Mother by Laura Cayouette
Murder Comes to Mardi Gras, Death Swatch, Keepsake Crimes, Death by Design by Laura Childs
Fat Tuesday Fricassee by J.J. Cook (Children's)
Randolph Solves the Mardi Gras Mystery by Pat Hornsby Crochet (Children's)

Havana Storm by Clive Cussler
Mardi Gras Murders by Nicole Daines and Robert Daines
Bullets and Beads by Jana Deleon 

Ms. America and the Naughtiness in New Orleans by Diana Dempsey 

The Mardi Gras Murders by Ricardo S. Dubois
No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson
Shelter from the Storm; Crooked Man by Tony Dunbar
Fat Tuesday by Earl Emerson
The Big Uneasy-Terror Strikes Mardi Gras by Murray C. Fincher
The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan
Carnaval Capers by Jody Ford
Carnival by Charlotte Foryan
Venetian Mask by Mickey Friedman
Jass, Rampart Street by David Fulmer

Dead Velvet Cheesecake by A. Gardner
Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah E. Glenn
Mardi Gras Madness by Alison Golden with Honey Broussard
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran
Mardi Grad Madness: Stories of Murder and Mayhem in New Orleans, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg
The Mardi Gras Murder by Jackie Griffey
A Free Man of Color, Fever Season, Sold Down the River by Barbara Hambly
Mardi Gras Mambo; The Orion Mask by Greg Herren
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
Murder at the Mardi Gras by V. Hurst
The Assassin's Gift by Ian C.P. Irvine
Mind Games by Polly Iyer
The Mardi Gras Mystery; The Mardi Gras Masquerade by Carolyn Keene
Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Linda Kozar
Krewe by Jayson Livingston
The Devil's Muse by Bill Loehfelm
A Masquerade of Saints by Nicole Loughan
Voodoo Dreams by Alana Lorens 

Chaos by Judith Lucci

The Mardi Gras Murders by Gwen Bristow & Bruce Manning
Mardi Gras Madness by Ken Mask
Mardi Gras Gris Gris by A.C. Mason
The Gay Mardi Gras Murders by Sylvia Massara 

Rescued by a Kiss by Colleen Mooney
Mardi Gras Eyes by Phyllis Morris
The Chef by James Patterson with Max DiLallo
Krewe by Seth Pevey
Masques by Bill Pronzini
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis
Mardi Gras Murders by Phillip Scott
Now Let's Talk of Graves by Sarah Shankman
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Elisabet M. Stone
A Hall of Mirrors by Robert Stone
New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith
New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith
The Mysterious Masks of Mardi Gras by Connie Trapp
Mardi Gras Marathon Murders by Diane L. Twilley

Mardi Gras Two-Step by Barry M. Vass
A Diamond Before You Die by Chris Wiltz

Carnivale in Brazil:

The Lost Manuscript: Vast Emotions and Imperfect Thoughts by Rubem Fonseca

Carnevale in Venice:

Carnival for the Dead by David Hewson
Venice Noir, edited by Maxim Jakubowski
The Venetian Masquerade by Philip Gwynne Jones
The Mascherari by Laura Rahme
Venice Black by Gregory C. Randall
Scerzo by Jim Williams

To celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to have some Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Chocolate  Pecan Pie or Chocolate "Cupped" Cakes with Coffee & Chicory or Chocolate Beignets or Chocolate Filled King Cake! If you're celebrating Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or along the Gulf Coast, have a Moon Pie. Read more here. They're a favorite 'throw' in Mobile.

ANTHONY AWARD WINNERS 2021: Bouchercon: Blood on the Bayou Postmortem

Bouchercon 2021 Anthony Awards. Since Bouchercon 2021: Blood on the Bayou in New Orleans. was cancelled (postponed to 2025!), the organizers did an online Awards presentation hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan. It was very moving, especially knowing that a 'real' hurricane was bearing down on New Orleans. The awards ceremony are up on the Bouchercon YouTube channel, so tune in. Congratulations to all the award winners.

Best Hardcover Novel

• Blacktop Wasteland - S.A. Cosby - Flatiron Books

Best First Novel

• Winter Counts - David Heska Wanbli Weiden - Ecco Press

Best Paperback Original/E-Book/Audiobook Original Novel

• Unspeakable Things - Jess Lourey - Thomas & Mercer

 

Best Short Story

• "90 Miles" - Alex Segura - Both Sides: Stories From the Border - Agora Books

 

Best Juvenile/Young Adult

• Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco - Richie Narvaez - Piñata Books

Best Critical or Nonfiction Work

• Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession - Sarah Weinman, ed. - Ecco Press

Best Anthology or Collection

• Shattering Glass: A Nasty Woman Press Anthology - Heather Graham, ed. - Nasty Woman Press

 DAVID THOMPSON AWARD SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD

• JANET RUDOLPH
  

TWO-NIGHT BLOCKBUSTER NEW ORLEANS BOUCHERCON 2021 EXTRAVAGANZA

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE TIME! 

Get Ready! Get Set! A two-night blockbuster Bouchercon New Orleans 2021 extravaganza is coming to a screen near you. 

From the Bouchercon Committee:

We couldn’t let Blood on the Bayou: Postmortem vanish into thin air. So we found a way to offer something everyone will remember forever. We are creating two extraordinary online/virtual events, free and open to everyone. 

On Friday, August 27 

7 pm ET / 6 pm CT / 5 pm MT / 4 pm PT / Midnight GMT Bouchercon 2021 presents Alafair Burke in conversation with James Lee Burke, hosted by Heather Graham and Introductions from Rachel Howzell Hall. 

On Saturday, August 28 

7 pm ET / 6 pm CT / 5 pm MT / 4 pm PT / Midnight GMT we are excited to bring you the 52nd 2021 Anthony Awards Ceremony! Only previously registered attendees will receive an Anthony ballot. 

On August 28, join us online for a spectacular evening (black tie optional…or watch in your PJs!) featuring the Anthony nominees and our Award Presenters, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, Dennis Lehane, Caroline (Charles) Todd, Charles Todd, Jonathan Maberry and a special welcome from Craig Johnson. 

Having to cancel the in-person New Orleans Bouchercon was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make, but, as the saying goes, the show must go on! 

These events will be free and open to everyone (so please tell your friends!). Please watch for details on how to watch online in upcoming emails from bloodonthebayou@bouchercon2021.com. 

From our hearts to yours, turn on your computer (or whichever device you prefer) and enjoy two nights of Blood on the Bayou: Postmortem New Orleans Bouchercon 2021. We hope to see you there! 

-- Mike Bursaw, Heather Graham and Connie Perry Blood on the Bayou: Postmortem New Orleans Bouchercon 2021 Co-Chairs Bouchercon2021.com

NEW ORLEANS BOUCHERCON NEWS!

After much deliberation but with the safety and health of attendees in mind,  Bouchercon organizers cancelled this year's Bouchercon in New Orleans. Hats Off to the chairs, Mike Bursaw, Connie Perry, and Heather Graham, to the committee, and to all the volunteers for their dedication and hard work over these many past years.  As someone who has served on several Bouchercon committees, I know how much work it is, but we all do it because we love Bouchercon--a place where we meet every year to share with old friends and new ones our love of mysteries. The good news is that Bouchercon will be held in New Orleans in 2025.

A virtual Bouchercon at this late date is untenable. However, there will be an Anthony Awards ballot sent to those registered attendees (as of July1) and an Anthony Awards ceremony will take place at a future date.

 The Guests of Honor will remain the same in 2025!

Here's the full Announcement from the Bouchercon organizers: Thank you all.

BOUCHERCON 2021: BLOOD ON THE BAYOU POSTMORTEM

Bouchercon 2021 will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 25-29. 

Here's an update from Bouchercon 2021 on COVID: 

To All Bouchercon Attendees!

We are incredibly excited to be bringing Bouchercon 2021 to New Orleans. Our team will be waiting to help make this one of the most memorable and enjoyable Bouchercon’s you have ever attended.  If this is your first Bouchercon, we want to make sure you will have such a wonderful time, you will come back year after year.

We know everyone is very concerned about the rising Covid Delta Variant. We want to assure you that we are following the State, the City and the Hotel guidelines during the convention. The Mayor of New Orleans has sent out an advisory that everyone should mask indoors again for now, or at least until the numbers of the Variant go down. 

The Marriott is very excited about us being there in August. As you know, this has hit tourism extremely hard everywhere. The hotel will help us with social distancing, We will do everything within our power to make this as safe a convention as possible. Everyone’s health is a great concern to us.

There will be exceptional panels and great special events. Laura Lippman and Dennis Lehane are attending, and A. Martinez, who played Jacob Nighthorse in the Longmire Series, will be chatting with Craig Johnson, creator of the series and our American Guest of Honor.

The Marriott has huge ballrooms and we will have plenty of space to social distance. We also plan to have “I am vaccinated” stickers (You will have to show your vaccination card to receive one) for people to wear to show they have been fully vaccinated. Even though this is going to be voluntary, authors and readers are great people, and we are hoping that each and everyone one of us will want to make our friends feel relieved and make an effort to wear one.

The following link will take you to the newest advisory from the New Orleans Mayor. https://ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/safe-reopening/

See you soon in NOLA for the next great Bouchercon!!!!

Mike Bursaw

Heather Graham

Connie Perry

Co-chairs Bouchercon 2021, New Orleans

BOUCHERCON 2021 Anthony Award Nominations

Bouchercon 2021 Anthony Award Nominations. Winners will be announced at Bouchercon 2021: Blood on the Bayou in New Orleans. Congratulations to all!

Best Hardcover Novel

• What You Don't See - Tracy Clark

• Blacktop Wasteland - S.A. Cosby - Flatiron Books

• Little Secrets - Jennifer Hillier - Minotaur Books

• And Now She's Gone - Rachel Howzell Hall - Forge Books

• The First to Lie - Hank Phillippi Ryan - Forge Books

Best First Novel

• Derailed - Mary Keliikoa - Camel Press

• Murder in Old Bombay - Nev March - Minotaur Books

• Murder at the Mena House - Erica Ruth Neubauer – Kensington

• The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman - Pamela Dorman Books

• Winter Counts - David Heska Wanbli Weiden - Ecco Press

Best Paperback Original/E-Book/Audiobook Original Novel

• The Fate of a Flapper - Susanna Calkins - Griffin

• When No One is Watching - Alyssa Cole - William Morrow

• Unspeakable Things - Jess Lourey - Thomas & Mercer

• The Lucky One - Lori Rader-Day - William Morrow

• Dirty Old Town - Gabriel Valjan - Level Best Books

Best Short Story

• "Dear Emily Etiquette" - Barb Goffman - EQMM - Dell Magazines

• "90 Miles" - Alex Segura - Both Sides: Stories From the Border - Agora Books

• "The Boy Detective & The Summer of '74" - Art Taylor - AHMM (Jan-Feb) - Dell Magazines

• "Elysian Fields" - Gabriel Valjan - California Schemin' - Wildside Press

• "The Twenty-Five Year Engagement" - James W. Ziskin - In League with Sherlock Holmes - Pegasus Crime

Best Juvenile/Young Adult

• Midnight at the Barclay Hotel - Fleur Bradley - Viking Books for Young Readers

• Premeditated Myrtle - Elizabeth C. Bunce - Algonquin Young Readers

• From the Desk of Zoe Washington - Janae Marks - Katherine Tegen Books

• Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco - Richie Narvaez - Piñata Books

• Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall - Alex Segura - Disney Lucasfilm Press

Best Critical or Nonfiction Work

• Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy - Leslie Brody - Seal Press

• American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics and the Birth of American CSI - Kate Winkler Dawson - G.P. Putnam's Sons

• Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club - Martin Edwards, ed. - Collins Crime Club

• The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia - Emma Copley Eisenberg - Hachette Books

• Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman behind Hitchcock - Christina Lane - Chicago Review Press

• Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession - Sarah Weinman, ed. - Ecco Press

Best Anthology or Collection

• Shattering Glass: A Nasty Woman Press Anthology - Heather Graham, ed. - Nasty Woman Press

• Both Sides: Stories from the Border - Gabino Iglesias, ed. - Agora Books

• Noiryorican - Richie Narvaez - Down & Out Books

• The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell - Josh Pachter, ed. - Untreed Reads Publishing

• California Schemin' - Art Taylor. ed. - Wildside Press

• Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic - Nick Kolakowski and Steve Weddle, eds. - Polis Books

 

PINCKLEY PRIZES FOR CRIME FICTION AND TRUE CRIME WRITING

The Women’s National Book Association of New Orleans established the Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction in 2012 for women writers to honor the memory of Diana Pinckley (1952-2012), a longtime crime fiction columnist for The New Orleans Times-Picayune, and her passion for mysteries.

New this year, the Pinckley Prize for True Crime Writing is intended to honor a book which illuminates the reality of women’s lives; it need not be a debut work.

C.S. Harris (Candace Procter) and Angie Kim are the recipients of the 2020 Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction. Emma Copley Eisenberg is the inaugural winner of the Pinckley Prize for True Crime Writing. The prizes will be presented during the 2021 Bouchercon which takes place in New Orleans in August.

 

MARDI GRAS and CARNIVALE CRIME FICTION // MARDI GRAS MYSTERIES

Mardi Gras aka Carnivale. Whatever you call it, it is a great setting for Murder! Busy streets, crowds, costumes, drinking ..  mix it all together, and you have a recipe for the perfect crime novel.

So in honor of the Day, here's my updated list of Mardi Gras Mysteries, mostly set in New Orleans, but skip to the bottom for other countries and cities (Carnival - Carnevale). As always, I welcome additional titles, additions and omissions.

MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION

Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah Glenn
The Mardi Gras Mystery by Henry Bedford-Jones
Death Visits Mardi Gras by J.J. Boortz
Cake on a Hot Tin Roof, A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite
Fat Tuesday, Sunny Chandler's Return by Sandra Brown
Thrill Kill by Don Bruns
Purple Cane Road, Dixie City Jam, The Tin Roof Blowdown, Creole Belle by James Lee Burke
Mardi Gras Murder: A Cajun Country Mystery by Ellen Byron
Krewe of Souls by Elaine Calloway
Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice by Holli Castillo 
The Secret of the Other Mother by Laura Cayouette
Murder Comes to Mardi Gras, Death Swatch, Keepsake Crimes, Death by Design by Laura Childs
Fat Tuesday Fricassee by J.J. Cook (Children)
Havana Storm by Clive Cussler
Mardi Gras Murders by Nicole Daines and Robert Daines
The Mardi Gras Murders by Ricardo S. Dubois
No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson
Shelter from the Storm; Crooked Man by Tony Dunbar
Fat Tuesday by Earl Emerson
The Big Uneasy-Terror Strikes Mardi Gras by Murray C. Fincher
The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan
Carnaval Capers by Jody Ford
Carnival by Charlotte Foryan
Venetian Mask by Mickey Friedman
Jass, Rampart Street by David Fulmer
Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah Glenn
Mardi Gras Madness by Alison Golden with Honey Broussard
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran
Mardi Grad Madness: Stories of Murder and Mayhem in New Orleans, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg
The Mardi Gras Murder by Jackie Griffey
A Free Man of Color, Fever Season, Sold Down the River by Barbara Hambly
Mardi Gras Mambo; The Orion Mask by Greg Herren
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
Murder at the Mardi Gras by V. Hurst
The Assassin's Gift by Ian C.P. Irvine
Mind Games by Polly Iyer
The Mardi Gras Mystery; The Mardi Gras Masquerade by Carolyn Keene
Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Linda Kozar
Krewe by Jayson Livingston
The Devil's Muse by Bill Loehfelm
A Masquerade of Saints by Nicole Loughan
The Mardi Gras Murders by Gwen Bristow & Bruce Manning
Mardi Gras Madness by Ken Mask
Mardi Gras Gris Gris by A.C. Mason
The Gay Mardi Gras Murders by Sylvia Massara
Mardi Gras Eyes by Phyllis Morris
The Chef by James Patterson with Max DiLallo
Krewe by Seth Pevey
Masques by Bill Pronzini
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis
Mardi Gras Murders by Phillip Scott
Now Let's Talk of Graves by Sarah Shankman
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Elisabet M. Stone
A Hall of Mirrors by Robert Stone
New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith
New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith
The Mysterious Masks of Mardi Gras by Connie Trapp
The Mardi Gras Two-Step by Barry M. Vass
A Diamond Before You Die by Chris Wiltz

Carnivale in Brazil:

The Lost Manuscript: Vast Emotions and Imperfect Thoughts by Rubem Fonseca

Carnevale in Venice: (Sadly just cancelled in Venice due to the spread of the Corona Virus)

Carnival for the Dead by David Hewson
Venice Noir, edited by Maxim Jakubowski
The Venetian Masquerade by Philip Gwynne Jones
The Mascherari by Laura Rahme
Venice Black by Gregory C. Randall
Scerzo by Jim Williams

To celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to have some Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Chocolate  Pecan Pie or Chocolate "Cupped" Cakes with Coffee & Chicory or Chocolate Beignets or King Cake! If you're celebrating Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or along the Gulf Coast, have a Moon Pie. Read more here. They're a favorite 'throw' in Mobile.

BOUCHERCON 2021: Blood on the Bayou, New Orleans, August 25-29, 2021

Bouchercon: The World Mystery Convention
Blood on the Bayou
New Orleans
August 25-29, 2021

Join the mystery community — from authors, fans, and publishers to reviewers, booksellers, and editors — for 5 days of panels, parties, and pure mystery fun. Registration is now live!!! Go for it and get that $175 price!

Bouchercon 2021 Guests of Honor 

Steve Berry: Thriller Guest of Honor

Craig Johnson: American Guest of Honor

Charles and Caroline Todd: Historical Mystery Guests of Honor

Jo Nesbo: International Guest of Honor

Alafair Burke: Toastmistress

Ali Karim: Fan Guest of Honor

Jonathan Maberry: Kid's Bouchercon Guest of Honor

CONVENTION RATE: 
First 200 Registrations $175 ​ After Initial 200 Registrations rate is $195
Register Here.

Tattoos of Bouchercon

Last week Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention, convened in New Orleans for the first time. What a fabulous Bcon! Parades, Awards, Panels, and so much more. Hats off to Connie Perry and Heather Graham for throwing such a fantastic party!!

Since it was hot..hot..hot.. the tattoos were showing! Some friends even got tattoos while they were there. So here are a few on some of the participants at Bouchercon. Go Mystery Writers and Readers! Did you see any others? Post below...or send me to add to the astonishing array. Some of the tattoo hosts: Josh Stallings, Katrina Holm, Kay Wilkinson Barley, Joe Clifford, Nikki Bonanni, Jordan Foster, Erica Ruth Neubauer...

Anthony Awards 2016

Anthony Awards were presented at Bouchercon in New Orleans tonight.

BEST NOVEL
The Killing Kind - Chris Holm  [Mulholland]

BEST FIRST NOVEL
Past Crimes - Glen Erik Hamilton  [William Morrow]

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
The Long and Faraway Gone by Lou Berney

BEST CRITICAL OR NONFICTION WORK
Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime by Val McDermid

BEST SHORT STORY
"The Little Men: A Bibliomystery" - Megan Abbott  [MysteriousPress.com/Open Road]

BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
Need - Joelle Charbonneau  [HMH Books for Young Readers]

BEST ANTHOLOGY/COLLECTION
Murder Under the Oaks: Bouchercon Anthology 2015, Art Taylor, Editor (Down & Out)

Blood on the Bayou: Bouchercon Anthology

Bouchercon will be invading New Orleans for its annual world mystery convention this September where every year readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers and other lovers of crime fiction gather for a weekend of education, entertainment, and fun! It is the world’s premiere event bringing together all parts of the mystery and crime fiction community.

In conjunction with this year’s event, Down & Out Books will be publishing BLOOD ON THE BAYOU: Bouchercon Anthology 2016, edited by Greg Herren.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to edit this outstanding collection of stories,” said Herren, an award-winning author of mystery and suspense novels. “It demonstrates the deep appreciation each of the contributing authors has to their craft.”

“This is the third year that we have had the privilege of publishing Bouchercon’s official anthology,” added Eric Campbell, publisher of Down & Out Books, “and I share in Greg’s enthusiasm for these stories.”

Nearly 100 authors blindly submitted a story for consideration by three industry professionals, who had the incredibly difficult task of narrowing the list down to just 22 stories.  

Kaye Wilkinson Barley, Eric Beetner, G. J. Brown, Sheila Connolly, O’Neil De Noux, Barbara Ferrer, John Floyd, Alison Gaylin, Greg Herren, BV Lawson, R. T. Lawton, Deborah Lacy, Edith Maxwell, Liz Milliron, Terrie Moran, David Morrell, Dino Parenti, Mike Penn, Gary Phillips, Thomas Pluck, Paula Pumphrey and Elaine Viets were chosen to have their stories included in the anthology. New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham will write the introduction.

Each of the selected authors contributed their stories to the anthology and the Bouchercon Committee and Down & Out Books have agreed that all proceeds from the sale of BLOOD ON THE BAYOU will go to support the New Orleans Public Library system and by extension readers and writers everywhere. 

Scheduled for publication September 1, but book will be available for pre-order (no date yet). It will be available in Trade Paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and in Kindle, Nook, and Kobo ebook formats. Blood on the Bayou Anthology will also be available at Bouchercon in the Dealers Room. 

Creating the Perfect Storm: Guest post by Private Eye Writer Grant Bywaters

Today I welcome Grant Bywaters. His novel The Red Storm won the Minotaur Books/PWA Best First Private Eye Novel Competition. Grant has worked as a licensed private investigator and is currently finishing his Bachelor's degree in psychology at Portland State University. He lives outside Portland, Oregon.

Grant Bywaters:
Creating the Perfect Storm 

Around the time I was getting my private investigators license, I was also working on my Associate degree and found myself sitting in an African American history class. I could not help but think how difficult my job would have been if I had to also deal with segregation laws. Naturally, the two things going on in my life at that time spliced together into the early concept of my detective, William Fletcher.

In the 1920s, Fletcher was a heavyweight contender in New York trying to get a chance at the crown prize of all sports, the heavyweight title.

Historically, the first black heavyweight champion was a larger than life fella named Jack Johnson. Johnson won the title in December of 1908. He was also ahead of his time and did not allow racism to slow him down. He taunted his white opponents, loved fancy clothes, beautiful white women, and fast cars.

Johnson's behavior predictably brought anger amongst the predominantly white racist public, causing Jack London to call out for a Great White Hope to beat Johnson. Eventually in 1910, one such Hope defeated an aging Johnson under the hot Cuban sun and the color line was drawn. It would not be until 27 years later that a black heavyweight contender by the name of Joe Louis from Detroit would be allowed to fight for the title.

It was during this gap between these two great champions that Fletcher, like many real life black contenders, was unable to get a title shot. Angered at his boxing career going nowhere, he starts doing muscle work for the criminal syndicates before ditching it all and starting a new career as a private detective in New Orleans.

New Orleans was a natural fit. It is a city that I have come to love and also because the town had more lax segregation laws than most southern cities during those times. This made it a bit easier for Fletcher to do his job in a very turbulent racial period of American history.

For Fletcher’s detective work, I tried to use some aspects from my experience as a private detective. One example is Fletcher does not have any office where a femme fatal can come in asking for his help. I never had an office nor did I know an investigator at the time who did. It was an unneeded added expense. Our car was our office and if we met clients it was usually at their homes or some coffee shop.

Doing the historical research for the novel came naturally. It has always been something I enjoyed doing and one of the reasons why I got into investigative work. Writing is also something I have always liked doing, which you have to do a lot of in investigative and really any legal type work.

I will say that when I finally did sit down and wrote The Red Storm, I never imagined it would win anything. It has been a surreal experience since being told it won the Minotaur Books/PWA Best First Private Eye Novel Competition. Sure, somebody has to win these competitions, you just never expect it to be you.

MARDI GRAS MYSTERIES/ MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION

Today is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras or Carnivale, whatever you call it, is a great setting for Murder! Busy streets, crowds, costumes, drinking.. mix it all together, and you have a recipe for the perfect crime novel.

Here's a list of Mardi Gras Mysteries. As always, I welcome additional titles.

MARDI GRAS MYSTERIES

Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Selina Alaniz
The Mardi Gras Mystery by Henry Bedford-Jones
Death Visits Mardi Gras by J.J. Boortz
Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown
Purple Cane Road, Dixie City Jam, The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke 
Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice by Holli Castillo 
Murder Comes to Mardi Gras, Death Swatch, Keepsake Crimes, Death by Design by Laura Childs
Mardi Gras Murders by Nicole Daines and Robert Daines
The Mardi Gras Murders by Ricardo S. Dubois
No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson
Shelter from the Storm by Tony Dunbar
The Big Uneasy-Terror Strikes Mardi Gras by Murray C. Fincher
The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan
Carnaval Capers by Jody Ford
Carnival by Charlotte Foryan
Venetian Mask by Mickey Friedman
Jass, Rampart Street by David Fulmer
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran
Mardi Grad Madness: Stories of Murder and Mayhem in New Orleans, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg
A Free Man of Color, Fever Season, Sold Down the River by Barbara Hambly
Mardi Gras Mamo by Greg Herren
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
Mind Games by Polly Iyer
The Mardi Gras Mystery; The Mardi Gras Masquerade by Carolyn Keene
Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
The Mardi Gras Murders by Gwen Bristow & Bruce Manning
Mardi Gras Madness by Ken Mask
Mardi Gras Eyes by Phyllis Morris
Masques by Bill Pronzini
Mardi Gras Murders by Phillip Scott
New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith
New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith (Akashic Books)
A Diamond Before You Die by Chris Wiltz

Carnivale in Brazil:
The Lost Manuscript by Rubem Fonseca

To celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to have some Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie or Chocolate "Cupped" Cakes with Coffee & Chicory. If you're celebrating Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or along the Gulf Coast, have a Moon Pie. Read more here. They're a favorite 'throw' in Mobile.

Mardi Gras and New Orleans Crime Fiction

Today is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras or Carnivale, whatever you call it, is a great setting for Murder! Busy streets, crowds, costumes, drinking.. mix it all together, and you have a recipe for the perfect crime novel.

I've expanded my list again to include more New Orleans books that might not take place exactly at Mardi Gras, as well as several eBooks. As always, I welcome additional titles.

The Mardi Gras Mystery by Henry Bedford-Jones
Death Visits Mardi Gras by J.J. Boortz
Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown
Purple Cane Road, Dixie City Jam, The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke 
Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice by Holli Castillo 
Murder Comes to Mardi Gras, Death Swatch, Keepsake Crimes, Death by Design by Laura Childs
Mardi Gras Murders by Nicole Daines and Robert Daines
The Mardi Gras Murders by Ricardo S. Dubois
No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson
Shelter from the Storm by Tony Dunbar
The Big Uneasy-Terror Strikes Mardi Gras by Murray C. Fincher
The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan
Carnaval Capers by Jody Ford
Carnival by Charlotte Foryan
Venetian Mask by Mickey Friedman
Jass, Rampart Street by David Fulmer
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran
A Free Man of Color, Fever Season, Sold Down the River by Barbara Hambly
Mardi Gras Mamo by Greg Herren
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
The Mardi Gras Mystery by Carolyn Keene
Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
The Mardi Gras Murders by Gwen Bristow & Bruce Manning
by Gilbert Morris
Mardi Gras Eyes by Phyllis Morris
Masques by Bill Pronzini
Mardi Gras Murders by Phillip Scott
New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith
A Diamond Before You Die by Chris Wiltz

Other Mystery Authors who set Novels in New Orleans: Laura Childs, Robert Crais (The Voodoo River) Gilbert Morris, James Sallis
 
Short Stories
New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith
Mardi Gras Madness: Tales of Terror and Mayhem in New Orleans, edited by Russell Davis and Martin Harry Greenberg

Kindle eBooks:
A Venetian June by Anna Fuller and Frederick Simpson Coburn 
Mask of the Betrayer by Sharon Donovan 
Novel Noir by Lewis Faulkner 
Bourbon Street by Leonce Gaiter 
Bourbon Street Blues, Jackson Square Jazz, Mardi Gras Mambo by Greg Herren
Mardi Gravestone by Sandy Semerad
love, murder, etc by Kahtleen Valentine
Cruel Woman Blues, Cities of the Dead, Wild Magnolias, Pontchartrain by Eric Wilder
Fair Warning by Bob Zimmerman

To celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to have some Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie or Chocolate "Cupped" Cakes with Coffee & Chicory. If you're celebrating Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or along the Gulf Coast, have a Moon Pie. Read more here. They're a favorite 'throw' in Mobile.