Great Crime Authors!

One of the best crime fiction writers out there right now is Jo Nesbo. Many critics have compared him to Stieg Larsson, but I think Nesbo is in a league of his own. His books are set in Oslo, Norway and follow Detective Harry Hole. When he was rising to fame, not many of his books had be translated into English so the first book I read was Redbreast (#3 in the series now). The series is up to eleven books now. I think they are all good but the one that really sucks you into the world of Harry Hole is Redbreast. 








If you are in the mood for an Irish setting, then Tana French is the author for you. She writes crime fiction that revolves around the Dublin Murder Squad and each book follows a different detective. There are six books in the series and she writes one about every two years. Start with In the Woods.







Another great but overlooked author is Tania Carver. She is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Martyn and Linda Waites. These crime novels are set in England and follow Detective Inspector Philip Brennan and psychologist Marina Esposito as they solve serial murders. This eight book series is not for the faint hearted because of graphic murder scenes, but they are fantastic at showing the points of view of both the killer and the police. You should read this series in order and start with The Surrogate. 




And finally, try crime novelist J.T. Ellison. She has two well-known series: Taylor Jackson is an Nashville detective introduced in All the Pretty Girls. The second series stars Tennessee medical examiner Samantha Owens, beginning with A Deeper Darkness. Read Jackson's story first because Owens first appears in the this series and you learn her back story.




So, consider reading one of these great crime series...you won't be disappointed.

Finders Keepers

When we last left retired detective Bill Hodges and his friends Jerome Robinson and Holly Gibney in Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes, they’d just put the wraps on murderous nutjob Brady Hartsfield (a.k.a., the Mercedes Killer), preventing him from detonating a bomb (and himself in the process) at a music concert. Despite suffering a heart attack during the final pages of Mr. Mercedes, Hodges recovers with a new outlook on life and opens his own private detective agency, which brings us to the second book in the Bill Hodges Trilogy, appropriately titled Finders Keepers. This one involves the thirty-year-old unsolved murder of famed (and reclusive) writer John Rothstein, author of the famous Runner trilogy, at the hands of his number-one fan, Morris Bellamy. That’s not a spoiler, by the way, as this crime takes place in the first chapter. No, it’s the long-reaching consequences of this crime that drive the plot of Finder Keepers.

See, Mr. Bellamy not only got away with murder (he was incarcerated for something else, mind you), he also got away with some very extremely valuable items filched from Rothstein’s house, items a collector would pay a fortune for. Unfortunately, decades after Bellamy stashed them near the house he grew up in, a good kid named Pete Saubers (now living in that same house) stumbles upon their hiding place and seizes an opportunity to help his struggling family out of a rough spot. But with Bellamy recently released from prison, it’s only a matter a time before the rabid old wolf comes sniffing around his hidey hole, and when he discovers his ill-gotten gains missing, he won’t stop until he finds them, no matter who he has to kill to reclaim them.

Unless Hodges can stop him first.

Just like Mr. Mercedes before it, Finders Keepers is the kind of wild ride only Stephen King can give you. I enjoyed this book immensely, and I loved the slapstick chemistry between Hodges, Jerome, and Holly as they worked together to stop Bellamy. My only criticism would be that it was sometimes frustrating waiting for Hodges and the gang to catch up with what’s already been revealed to the reader, but that aside, the story—particularly Bellamy’s backstory—makes for some serious page turning. And, King lays out a few unsettling hints (of the supernatural variety) about what to expect in book 3 of the Bill Hodges Trilogy. Next summer can’t get here soon enough. 

Westerns Are Not Dead--Part 2

Last time we highlighted some western novels including award-winners, historical novels, and a few other different types.


We want to again point out that the western is nowhere near dead and authors continue to create new and diverse stories for every type of reader.


So, try one of the following and saddle up with a great book!


James Carlos Blake--Country of Bad Wolves (Mystery/Crime)


Thomas Cobb--With Blood in Their Eyes (Mystery/Crime)


Sandra Dallas--Fallen Women (Romance)




Rob DeBorde--Portlandtown: a Tale of the Oregon Wyldes (Zombies)




Loren D. Estleman--The Adventures of Johnny Vermillion (Mystery/Crime)




Jo Goodman--The Last Renegade (Romance)




Anne Hillerman--Spider Woman's Daughter (Award-Winning Mystery)




Diana Palmer--Protector (Romance)




Cherie Priest--Dreadnought (Steampunk)


Mike Resnick--The Buntline Special (Weird West)


Michael P. Spradlin--Blood Riders (Western horror)


Let us know what you think!  What's your favorite western story?

The New Latin American Literature--Not Magical?

Juan Gabriel Vasquez

I came across a really interesting article in Wired Magazine called "No More Magical Realism..." and it talked about how literature in Latin America has moved away from the fantastic and more towards the gritty, noir-like, crime novels.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez may not have invented magical realism but he introduced it to the English-speaking world.  He started a "Latin American boom" that flourished into the late 1970s.  When the boom faded, readers wondered whether magical realism could tackle the social and political conflicts of a new generation.

In the late 1990s, Alberto Fuguet helped form a literary movement called McOndo and they declared themselves anti-magical realism.  Then a long list of neo-realist writers like Roberto Bolano began writing hard-boiled crime novels.

And then last year Colombian novelist Juan Gabriel Vasquez's novel about the drug wars branded him as one of the best new writers and maybe even the future of Latin American literature.

He said in the Wired article: "My work is a reaction to the idea of magical realism as the only way to discover Latin America."  And this is something I strongly oppose.  I don't feel Latin America is a magical continent. I feel Latin American history is, if anything, tragedy."  And it's this tragedy that I'm trying to tell in my novel."

So try some of these talented authors and discover the gritty and tragic side of Latin America.

Roberto Bolano--2666 and The Savage Detectives

Edmundo Paz-Soldan--Turing's Delirium

Arturo Perez-Reverte--The Queen of the South

Juan Gabriel Vasquez--The Sound of Things Falling

Juan Pablo Villalobos--Down the Rabbit Hole and Quesadillas

Don Winslow--The Power of the Dog



And the following are available through SearchOhio:

Giannina Braschi--Empire of Dreams and Yo-Yo Boing!

Jorge Franco--Paradise Travel and Rosario Tijeras: a Novel

Alberto Fuguet--The Movies of My Life and Shirts: Stories

Pedro Juan Gutierrez--Cuba (short stories) and Tropical Animal

Juan Rulfo--Pedro Paramo

Martin Solares--The Black Minutes

Fernando Vallejo--Our Lady of the Assassins

 

 

 

 

 

Crime Writers Not from Sweden

A year or two ago I wrote a blog entry on Swedish crime writers and their extreme popularity.  However, Sweden is not the only Scandinavian country with talented mystery and thriller authors.  Try some of these other great books from the cold, dark North:

Jussi Adler-Olsen--Denmark--his best-selling crime thrillers about Dept. Q are all set in Denmark and are: Keeper of Lost Causes, The Absent One, and A Conspiracy of Faith (on order).

K. O. (Kjell Ola) Dahl--Norway--he writes crime novels with a psychological twist.  They feature Oslo detectives Frank Frolich and Inspector Gunnarstranda: The Fourth Man, The Man in the Window, and The Last Fix.

Tom Egeland--Norway--his series of thrillers star albino archeologist Bjorn Belto: Relic (on order) and Guardians of the Covenant.

Thomas Enger--Norway--he is a journalist, children's author, and thriller writer.  His series features crime journalist Henning Juul:  Burned and Pierced.

Karin Fossum--Norway--she is known as the "Norwegian queen of crime" and for her award-winning Inspector Konrad Sejer series: In the Darkness (on order), Don't Look Back, He Who Fears The Wolf, When the Devil Holds the Candle, The Indian Bride, Black Seconds, The Water's Edge, Bad Intentions, and The Caller.

Peter Hoeg--Denmark--his thrilling novel Smila's Sense of Snow made him an international literary celebrity.  His newest book (not a thriller) is The Elephant Keeper's Children.

Anne Holt--Norway--she is one of the most successful crime novelists in Norway and writes two series: Hanne Wilhelsen, a lesbian police officer featured in Blind Goddess, Blessed Are Those Who Thirst, and 1222 plus the Vik and Stabo series: What Is Mine and What Never Happens.

Jo Nesbo--Norway--he is a rock musician and author of the award-winning Inspector Harry Hole series: The Bat (on order), The Redbreast, Nemesis, The Devil's Star, The Redeemer, The Snowman, The Leopard, and Phantom.

Now the following authors' books are being ordered and should be here soon:

Jorn Lier Horst--Norway--Chief Inspector William Wisting series.

Arnaldur Indridason--Iceland--award-winning Reykjavik Murder Mysteries series.

Leena Lehtolainen--Finland--Detective Maria Kallio series.

Yrsa Sigurdardottir--Iceland--sexy lawyer/investigator Thora Gudmundsdottir series.

And if you still can't make it through your day without a little Swedish mystery then try these authors from my old blog entry:  Swedish crime writers.

Bouchercon World Mystery Convention 2012

This years Bouchercon convention was in Cleveland beginning with a reception at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Several sets of awards were presented including The Anthony Awards, The Barry Awards, The Macavity Awards, and The Shamus Awards. Try one of the following winning mysterious and thrilling books:

Anthony Awards

Best Mystery Novel:  A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

Best First Mystery:  Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry

Best Critical Nonfiction Work:  The Sookie Stackhouse Companion ed. by Charlaine Harris

Barry Awards

Best Novel:  The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

Best First Novel:  The Informationist by Taylor Stevens

Best British Crime Novel:  Dead Man's Grip by Peter James

Best Thriller:  The Informant by Thomas Perry

Macavity Awards

Best Mystery Novel:  Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran

Best First Mystery Novel:  All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen

Shamus Awards

Best P. I. Novel:  A Bad Night's Sleep by Michael Wiley

Best First P. I. Novel:  Shortcut Man by P. G. Sturges


And try some of the following multiple nominated works:

Hurt Machine by Reed Farrel Coleman
Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making... by John Curran
1222 by Anne Holt
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol & Agnette Friis
Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

For a full list of winners and nominees go here.

Guest blogger: Robin Yocum

We at Fine Print are very excited to bring a series of posts by local authors. We have asked them to share their thoughts about their favorite book, something they've read recently, or the role reading has played in their lives. Robin Yocum was born in 1955 in Steubenville, Ohio, and grew up in the in the Eastern Ohio village of Brilliant, a river town that was either named after a glass factory, or because a nail factory once lit up the night sky with a brilliant light. No one seems to know for sure. Robin received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University in 1978. After two years at the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette and the Martins Ferry Times Leader, Robin spent eleven years as a crime and investigative reporter with the Columbus Dispatch. He received numerous writing awards, including those from the Associated Press and the Press Club of Ohio. His first novel, Favorite Sons, was named the 2011 USA Book News Book of the Year for Mystery/Suspense, and was a Choose to Read Ohio selection for 2013-14. will be one of the local authors at A Tasting With Friends at Benham's Grove on September 13. For more information on this event or to buy tickets, check out this page.

I receive two frequent questions from readers:  How do you get started? and  Where do you get your inspiration?
Favorite Sons had its genesis in my days as the crime beat reporter for the Columbus Dispatch. I was doing a series of stories on wrongful convictions and traveled to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville to interview Death Row inmate Johnny Spirko, who had been convicted of murdering Betty Jane Mottinger, the postmistress of tiny Elgin, Ohio. Spirko was no angel, but there were serious problems with his conviction.

Following the interview, I toured the Death Chamber, the focal point of which was Old Thunderbolt, the then-nearly 100-year-old electric chair that dominated the center of the room. Connected to the Death Chamber was a small, rectangular room, just large enough for a panel and three men. On the panel were three buttons - red, green and white. On execution days, at the superintendent’s command, three guards would volunteer to push a button, only one of which delivered the electric to the chair.

Without casting aspersions, I wondered who would volunteer for such duty.

When I sat down to write my novel, this singular act was at the center of my story, or what I refer to as the “launch point.” My original premise was to write a book about a grizzled prison guard - nicknamed “The Button Man” because he frequently volunteered to push the button at executions. He was to befriend a Death Row inmate, who he ultimately believes to be innocent.

With that in mind, I created the crime for which the Death Row inmate was to be convicted. Four chapters later, the premise of the book turned. I liked the characters I had created. They were young and trying to conceal a murder. I decided a better book would be one that focused on these boys as they dealt with life while trying to keep a terrible secret.

Not all angels are Divine

The weather is cooler. The nights grow darker and it's time for tales of suspense and thrills. The kind of story that makes you want to cover your head and hope that you are no longer home alone. Let's be honest October is the time for all things spooky and suspenseful. So naturally I found three novels that fit perfectly into the suspenseful, thriller, murder mystery whodunit category. Don't read them too late at night or you may not sleep very well. Not all angels are divine and the story of the black angel is revealed during an exciting new novel by Julie Kramer.

Killing Kate by Julie Kramer is a thriller. This is the 4th in a series, but it can stand alone. The plot twists and turns and when you suspect you have it, you don't. The novel begins with Kate's death. Riley, a newspaper reporter, speaks with her former friend. She just happens to be Kate's sister. While speaking to her friend in Kate's home, Riley notices a chalk outline on the ground and assumes the police placed it there around the fallen Kate. She can't figure out why they made Kate's arms look misshapen. It appears almost as if she had wings. Riley is tenacious and wants to solve this crime. She is sure there is more to the story, but between her boss and her boyfriend, can she find the truth? The story is told from Riley and the killer's point of view. As Riley fits the pieces together you wonder will the killer let her live or will the angel of death take Riley to her final resting place?

 Before I Go to Sleep by Steven J. Watson is truly a chilling story.  It's the story of Christine, a young woman, who has an accident and recovers. The tragedy is that although she has physically recovered, her memory is impaired. Once she goes to sleep she forgets who she is and everything about her life. Each day begins anew with untold challenges. Her doctor has her keep a journal privately and tells her not to let her husband, Ben know. Who can she trust? Is her doctor her friend? Why doesn't he want her to trust her husband? Christine wants her life back, but what kind of life did she have and can she have it if she remembers nothing about her former life? A story of terror unfolds and keeps you hanging on til its gripping conclusion. When you are sure you have figured out what is happening the author twists the plot again and takes you for another spine tingling ride. 


The Accident by Linwood Barclay fits perfectly in our recession centered world. Everyone is hard hit financially in this novel. Glen's business is failing.  He is a builder and one of his homes had a fire that destroyed everything and worse yet his wife just died in a car accident that she may have caused.  The police believe Sheila (Glen's wife) was driving drunk.  Can things get worse? Why of course they can.  His daughter is having trouble in school, his mother-in-law blames Glen for Sheila's death and things in Milford keep getting more bizarre.  Strange deaths are occurring and  it all seems to lead back to Sheila.  Can Glen prove her innocence or was Sheila living a double life.  This is an exciting fast paced whodunit that will keep you riveted to your seat.  Just when the mystery appears solved, is it? If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers this is a must read.

World Cup Caliber Authors from Sweden

This is the second week of World Cup caliber authors and this week we are highlighting writers from Sweden. Sweden's main spectator sports are football (soccer) and hockey.  The Women's National Football team has qualified for every one of six World Cups and they have participated in four Olympic Games.
They are one of the top teams in the world and continue to move up.  They placed 2nd in 2003 and 3rd in 1991 and again this year.
Try one of these talented authors and help celebrate the excellence of Sweden.

John Ajvide Lindqvist--he writes horror novels, thrillers, and short stories.

Majgull Axelsson--she is a journalist/writer who has won several important Swedish literature awards.

Marianne Fredriksson--she was a journalist for various papers before publishing fifteen novels.  She passed away in 2007.

Jan Guillou--this controversial writer has published a series of novels about a Swedish Knight Templar.

Astrid Lindgren--(1907-2002)--A classic children's author and creator of Pippi Longstocking.  She is probably the most well-known Swedish writer.

Liza Marklund--journalist and crime writer--her novels have been published in 30 languages.

Linda Olsson--born in Stockholm this lyrical novelist now lives in New Zealand.

Maj Sjowall--author and translator.  She is best known for her 10 detective novels written with her partner Per Wahloo.

If you want to read more Swedish detective fiction--try one of these authors from my Swedish crime writers blog entry.

Swedish Mysteries and Detective Novels

I recently worked on a book list for a patron who likes Swedish mysteries. I have heard of Mankell and of course Larsson but I was amazed at how many different Swedish crime authors are out there!

From the 1940's on, the mystery genre in Sweden became very popular and can be characterized by two very distinctive traits: a strong sense of place and to highlight the political and social policies of Sweden.
From the 1960's on, the American influence is felt and a great example is Henning Mankell (Kurt Wallander series) who is probably the bestselling Swedish crime novelist and the most well known abroad. In recent years the deceased Stieg Larsson (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) has caused an international sensation with his Millenium Trilogy. Many other Swedish mystery writers have become extremely popular and are writing award-winning detective fiction.  Try one of the following talented Swedes and experience the mystery that is Sweden.

Karin Alvtegen--this award-winning author is also the grandniece of Astrid Lindgren.
Ake Edwardson (Inspector Erik Winter novels)--he is a 3-time winner of the Swedish Crime Writer's Academy Award for best crime novel.
Kerstin Ekman--her taut novel Blackwater is set in the North and focuses on racial tensions between Lapps (Sami) and Swedes.
Kjell Eriksson--he won the 2002 Best Swedish Crime Novel for The Princess of Burundi.
Mari Jungstedt--her husband's birthplace, the island of Gotland, is the setting for her first three novels.
Camilla Lackberg--she is one of Sweden's youngest successful female crime writers.
Asa Larsson--she is a former tax lawyer just like the heroine of her novels, Rebecka Martinsson.
Liza Marklund--she collaborated with James Patterson on The Postcard Killers and became the second Swedish author to reach #1 on the NY Times bestseller list.
Hakan Nesser--he is known for his Van Veeteren mysteries and his Gunnar Barbarotti novels.
Leif G. W. Persson--he is a criminologist and expert commentator on notable crime cases.
Roslund/Hellstrom--this crime-writing duo is Anders Roslund a journalist and Borge Hellstrom an ex-convict & founder of a crime prevention organization.
Johan Theorin--his novels are set on the island of Oland in the Baltic Sea which is where his mother's family hails from.
Helene Tursten--she is a former nurse whose novel's main character is Detective Inspector Irene Huss.