Mystery 
Criminal Element
This site was recently featured the July 2011 issue of Library Journal. Launched in April, the site is spearheaded by Macmillan, but is a “publisher-neutral crime and mystery community.” The site features original crime stories, exclusive excerpts, blog posts, giveaways, and more. Everything seems to be covered here from mystery novels, thrillers, true crime, TV series, and… Read More ›
Character vs. Plot
It is the quandary of mystery writing. Which is more important to readers–and writers–of mysteries? The Character-driven story or the Plot-driven one? This is not to say that character-driven stories don’t feature a strong puzzle plot or plot-driven stories can’t have good characterizations. Generally though, most mysteries fall to one side or the other. For example… Agatha… Read More ›
Type M for Murder
The newest addition to my blogroll is Type M for Murder. Boasting an award as one of the 100 best online blogs for creative writing, a variety of authors give voice to this blog. Presenting their perspective of the mystery genre and the writing process are Frankie Bailey, Rick Blechta, Donis Casey, John Corrigan, Barbara Fradkin,… Read More ›
Death at La Fenice II
Having finished this Donna Leon mystery set in Venice, I’m a bit disappointed. This first Guido Brunetti story is marvelously written. The language, dialogue, characterizations are all superb. (See previous post here.) The mystery aspect of the story, however, is not up to par. A famous German conductor, Maestro Helmut Wellauer, is poisoned during a performance of… Read More ›
Death at La Fenice I
Normally I don’t like to review a book before I’ve finished reading it, but in the few chapters I’ve read so far, Death at La Fenice has thoroughly captured my attention. I don’t yet know how strongly the mystery aspect will play out, but the writing and characterizations are excellent. This first Guido Brunetti police… Read More ›
InkSpot
The newest addition to my blogroll is InkSpot. Alternatively known as Midnight Writers, this blog began in March 2007 and features a corps of crime fiction writers who publish with Midnight Ink Press. The authors represented publish a varierty of mysteries ranging “from countryside cozies to big city thrillers, from traditionals and amateur sleuth novels… Read More ›
A Weekend for Murder
Here is a look at the beginning of the prologue to my second original murder mystery novel, Death at Danforth House. Edith Baxter–who appears in Death on Stoneridge (click here)–is among the select group of guests invited to a famous suspense author’s estate, and it is she who will solve the murder mystery to unfold…. Read More ›
The Clairvoyant Countess
I foresee a mystery in your future… The Clairvoyant Countess was one of the first mysteries (not by Agatha Christie) that I read. At the time, I was intrigued by the occult element in mystery stories, and the idea of a psychic detective was a “new” curiosity. Originally written circa 1975, I picked up a… Read More ›
An Expert in Murder
Using “real” people as the detective in fiction seems to be growing in popularity these days. Of course, this isn’t a new phenomenon. Eleanor Roosevelt solved political mysteries in a series by son Elliott Roosevelt. Benjamin Franklin finds adventure in the humor-filled pages of Robert Lee Hall’s books, and Jane Austen turns detective in Stephanie… Read More ›
The Little Blog of Murder
The newest addition to my blogroll is The Little Blog of Murder. Giving an Ohio perspective on the mystery genre, this blog features the voices of Ohio writers: Don Bruns, Casey Daniels, Amanda Flower, John and Toni , and Jeffrey Marks. Of particular interest, a recent post, Slush Pile, questions the potential eroding quality of e-self… Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 