Today I’m hosting a fellow mystery writer. Stacie Verdick Case recently released An Intimate Murder. She is sharing some of her thoughts about mystery writing with us. When you write mysteries, the biggest challenge an author faces is leaving the reader wanting more. I don’t just mean at the end of a book but at […]
New Reviews–The Clock Strikes Midnight
New Review–Sara Jayne Townsend When she finds out she has three months left to live, Janie Knox returns home #museitup #theclockstrikesmidnight Click To Tweet and faces the past she has spent so long running from, to try and put right some wrongs before it’s too late. As the story unfolds we learn more about Janie, […]
Spotlight on Thriller Writer Paul Carr
We are fortunate today to welcome three-time published author, Paul Carr. Paul will talk about his experience as a writer of mystery/thriller fiction and his latest book, Black Palmetto. JC: Hi Paul and welcome to my blog. It’s great having another Southern born writer to talk today. Tell me how has living in the South affected […]
Ordinary Grace is Far from Ordinary–A Book Worth More Than 5 Stars
“ Sometimes, you’re given a story. It comes, just comes, and it’s so compelling that it haunts you until you’ve written it #ordindarygrace #wnkentkrueger #joancurtis Click To Tweet For me, that was “Ordinary Grace”…I put everything I know about storytelling into this book,” said William Kent Krueger about his 2014 Edgar Award winning novel. Many […]
A Surprisingly Fun Read–Deception Al Dente
I picked up Deception Al Dente because I liked the way the reviews sounded, not to mention the cool name. People called it a great mystery with a twist. But, what I liked most about the reviews was the description of the PI. Most said she was likable if not a bit flawed. Who could […]
Think You’re A Mystery Writer? Take this Quiz
What’s it take to write a mystery? Do you think you can do it? Take this quiz and find out True False 1. Everything I know about mysteries I’ve learned from Law and Order. 2. Blood and gore must be in all mystery-writing for it to be any good. 3. Sitting down to write a […]
Martha Grimes Spoofs the Publishing Industry
Recently I read The Way of All Fish by Martha Grimes. If you want a good laugh or two, pick it up. Grimes, one of the best crime/mystery writers of our time, created the delicious Richard Jury, Scotland Yard hero, as well as casts of characters that kept readers inthralled for years. In this new […]
What is Your Writing Style
Recently I read a blog interview with Beverly Bateman in which she talked about her writing style. I was intrigued to hear the way she “plots” out her books. Clearly her style and mine are different. Bateman is a plot driven writer. When asked whether her characters or her plot came first, she quickly responded, “No, […]
What is it with Antiheroes?
As a writer I’m fascinated by the trends in popular entertainment. Recently I’ve noticed the plethora of antiheroes. First, there was Walter White of the Breaking Bad ilk. As an avid viewer, I sat their gnawing on my nails, fearing our hero (or anti-hero) would be captured by his brother-in-law, DEA agent, Hank. What was […]
Getting Lucky and Getting Sassy–Must Reads
I just finished an excellent cozy mystery series, Getting Sassy and Getting Lucky. Both books star Robyn Guthrie, a forty-something, single woman who is a writer. Robyn is both interesting and amusing. It is hard for me to find a book that makes me laugh out loud. I did with both these books. Robyn is […]
