Yes, summer is officially sneaking up on us in the
Another month in the crime world, and how time flies. As I type this, we're gearing up for Bond, James Bond, but at least we won't be at the centre of the madness in Piccadilly where it looks like Waterstone's HO are preparing for Bond Mania.
But in between all that, I've been keeping an eye on all the best in thriller writing from the
PAINT IT BLACK
Having had a chance to read Tony Black's (www.tonyblack.net) brilliant Edinburgh based debut a couple of months back, I'm inclined to agree with Scotland's King of Noir, Allan Guthrie that... "Black is the new noir." The novel's released next month, but as a tasty treat, here's a video to whet your appetite and introduce you to the darker side of
THRILLER UP 4(4) DESMOND ELLIOT AWARD
Okay, it's a tenuous headline, but... The Desmond Elliot Award (in its first year) has announced the official shortlist and - what's this? - there's a thriller in the ranks. Tom Rob Smith's much lauded (and, I'm ashamed to admit I still haven't read it) debut thriller, Child 44 is up against Nikita Lalwani's novel Gifted and John Walsh's Sunday at the Cross Bones. Nice to see a thriller getting in with some less genre specific works in this new award that was designed to, "highlight first novels which are page-turners with strong word-of-mouth appeal".
CACTUS THRILLS
Television channel ITV and producers Cactus (responsible for the Oprah-like Richard and Judy Book Club here in the UK) have teamed up to not only promote a six week crime thriller seas on ITV, but also the ITV thriller awards which will culminate in a glitzy award ceremony to be broadcast on ITV3. Awards will include a viewer's choice for top crime author.
Its another attempt to marry books and television after some damp squibs over the last couple of years including Murder Most Famous which was only the latest in a series of dull and unimginative attempts to capture a new audience for fiction. Will this do any better? Let's hope so, as ITV's plans to capture "strong international support" sound ambitious enough that it might just work.
MFI OR MI5?
Another book trailer for your delight from those wonderful chaps and chappesses at MIRA for The Last Exile which sounds rather intriguing, and I think we've all had days like that at the office where we just shot an innocent woman in cold blood.
Oh, just me, then?
I DO WANNA TALK ABOUT IT...
Without wanting to delve into the realms of self promotion, I was interviewed recently by the charming Angie Johnson-Schmit for her regular podcast, In For Questioning (www.inforquestioning.blogspot.com) which regularly grills crime and thriller writers as well as booksellers, editors and those with a stake in the crime fiction business. As well as hearing a Scotsman make some jokes, you can also listen to previous editions of the program with Mark Billingham, Ken Bruen, Zoe Sharp and so many others providing an entertaining and occasionally informative look at the world of crime fiction. But this month... it's a month truly close to my heart. Its Bloody Scots month which means Angie will be talking to some truly thrilling and talented folks, so subscribe, tune in and listen to some of the very best interviews the podcast world has to offer.
THRILL ME, THRILL ME, COME ON AND THRILL ME...
The latest (maybe even greatest) thrillers looking for release in June...
Timebomb by Gerald Seymour, Bantam Press, 978-0593060056 - A nuclear suitcase buried for sixteen years, an exchange gone wrong and a really badly timed case of Stockholm syndrome set pulses racing in the latest from
Dead Man's Footsteps By Peter James, MacMillan, 978-1405092043 - Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is sent on a globe-spanning chase against time in the latest entry from James, whose switch from horror to crime has really rocketed his sales.
The Last Straight Face by Bruce Kennedy Jones and Eric Allison, Old Street Publishing, 9781905847457 - Authentic underworld thriller from a crime reporter and a reformed con detailing the return to the streets of a long term prisoner in the early nineties, as he tries to figure who killed his nephew. Gritty and compelling stuff.
Bloodlines by Grace Monroe, Avon Books, 978-1847560414 - Second Edinburgh set novel from Monroe who, like Mo Hayder, seems to intent on disturbing her readers in the best possible manner!
Yes, its that time again. I hate to say goodbye, but fear not for we'll be back next month as I prepare for the Harrogate International Crime Festival and continue to look ahead to more thrilling words from truly thrilling authors.
Until then, my friends...
Be well
Russel D McLean
Contributing editor Russel D McLean is a Scottish bookseller working for a national chain. He has run webzines, agonized over reviews for various publications both in print and online, and written several short stories, several of which have been published in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine as well as various other crime and noir markets. His debut noir novel, THE GOOD SON, will be available in the UK in November 2008 published by Five Leaves Press.
