Dennis Hopper: R.I.P.

Dennis Hopper died today at the age of 74.

Hopper, who directed and starred in "Easy Rider", one of the most important films of the counter-culture generation, had a career resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s playing alcoholics and  psychopaths in films including "Hoosiers," "Blue Velvet" and "Speed." He was diagnosed last year with cancer.

Hopper was an innovative director, photographer, sculptor, artist and great actor. He'll be missed.

Read Adam Bernstein's Obit in the Washington Post HERE.

Memorial Day Mysteries

Memorial Day is Monday, and there are a few mysteries that are set during Memorial Day. This holiday has become part of a three day holiday weekend. Many think of this weekend as the beginning of Summer, a time for barbecues (Barbecue Mysteries), the beach, the cabin in the mountains, but the true meaning of Memorial Day aka Decoration Day is a day of remembrance of those who fell to protect us, those who didn't come home.
Many people go to cemeteries and memorials on the last Monday in May. There is a tradition to fly the flag at half mast and wear poppies, although since that's a WWI observance, not sure if it still happens.

Memorial Day Mysteries

Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
The Decoration Memorial Day War by David H. Brown
Memorial Day by Harry Shannon

I also found a collection of short stories on the Internet. I'm not familiar with the writers, but I read a few of the stories, and some were quite good. The Memorial Day Mystery short stories on the web.

One more for the young set: The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire by Kathryn Kenny, a Trixie Belden mystery.

Have a good holiday. Be safe and Remember.

Lambda Literary Awards in Mystery 2010

The Lambda Literary Awards were announced May 27 at the School of Visual Arts Theater in New York.

Winners in Mystery Fiction:

Best Lesbian Mystery: Death of a Dying Man by J.M. Redmann (Bold Strokes Books)
Other Nominees:
Command of Silence, by Paulette Callen (Spinsters Ink)
From Hell to Breakfast, by Joan Opyr (Blue Feather Books)
The Mirror and the Mask, by Ellen Hart (St. Martin’s/Minotaur)
Toasted, by Josie Gordon (Bella Books)

Best Gay Mystery: What We Remember by Michael Thomas Ford (Kensington Books)
Other Nominees:
All Lost Things, by Josh Aterovis (P.D. Publishing)
Killer of Orchids, by Ralph Ashworth (State Street Press)
Murder in the Garden District, by Greg Herren (Alyson Books)
Straight Lies, by Rob Byrnes (Kensington Books)

For all the nominees and winners in every category, go HERE.

Arthur Ellis Awards 2010: Crime Writers of Canada

Crime Writers of Canada announced the winners of its 2010 Arthur Ellis Awards.

Best Crime Novel: High Chicago by Howard Shrier (Vintage Canada/Random House)

Best First Crime Novel: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (Doubleday Canada)
 
Best French Language Crime Novel: Le mort du chemin des Arsène by Jean Lemieux (La courte échelle)

Best Juvenile Crime Novel: Haunted by Barbara Hayworth Attard (HarperCollins)

Best Crime Non-fiction: Murder Without Borders by Terry Gould (Random House of Canada)

Best Crime Short Story: “Prisoner in Paradise” by Dennis Richard Murphy (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine [EQMM])

Best Unpublished First Crime Novel (The Unhanged Arthur): Corpse Flower by Gloria Ferris

Peter Robinson was given the Derrick Murdoch Award, “Crime Writers of Canada’s Presidential prize for outstanding contributions to crime writing.” Robinson said that it was “a great honor” to be given that commendation, adding: “So many fine people connected with Canadian crime writing over the years have been given it, and I’m honored to be in such august company. But if it gives anyone the least idea that it’s the culmination of anything, forget it! I’m not packing it in yet.”

Thanks to The Rap Sheet for Peter Robinson's comments.

Prison Dining: Fortezza Medicea Restaurant

Looking for a unique dining experience? Book early for dinner at Fortezza Medicea Restaurant in Volterra, Italy (near Pisa). This restaurant is located inside a prison and staffed almost entirely by inmates.

Dinner is served inside the deconsecrated chapel set behind the 60 ft. high walls watch towers, searchlights and security cameras. The Fortezza Medicea is 500 years old. Cutlery is plastic, in case you were worried.

Signature Dish: Gnocchi with fava bean purée. What? You expected something else?

The long wait is further intensified, in that every diner must be screened by Rome's Ministry of Justice.

Fortezza Medicea Restaurant
print
Via del Castello
Volterra
39-058-886-099

Barbecue Mysteries

Today on my Chocolate blog, DyingforChocolate.com, I posted a recipe for Chocolate Barbecue Sauce. Got me thinking about all the ways one could murder someone at a barbecue, from the sauce to the skewers to the grill. So I've put together a shortlist of Barbecue Mysteries. Let me know if I've forgotten any!

Barbecue Mysteries

Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams
Several of the recent Dan Rhodes books by Bill Crider
Murder at the Blue Ridge Barbecue Festival by Gene Davis
Finger Lickin' Fifteens by Janet Evanovich
The King is Dead by Sarah Shankman
Stiffs and Swine by J.B. Stanley
Revenge of the Barbecue Queens by Lou Jane Temple

Short Stories: "Gored" by Bill Crider in Murder Most Delicious

Want a little more chocolate on the barbecue? Check out my recipe for S'mores on the Grill and Banana Boats.