Prairie Mary reviews Bill Liversidge's A Half Life of One, describing it as "one of the most chilling horror stories I’ve read. And it could happen anywhere." She also refers to Pundy as "mild mannered" -- clearly she hasn't seen his latest publicity still, which, I hasten to add before you go to the link, is not for the faint-hearted.
Leigh Russell has written a crime-fiction book called Cut Short, and has started a blog called Crime Fiction (not the greatest title I have to say) about the process of writing and publishing it. He (or she) promises a post each Wednesday. I like the tone of the blog so far, as Leigh discovers the difference between comments and posts, asks for opinions on the cover of the book, and so on. This is from Leigh's Blogger profile: "I'm a first time author of what my publisher describes as "gripping psychological thrillers" which are "seriously creepy". Under the circumstances, I take that as a compliment! CUT SHORT is coming out in April 2008 as the first of a three book deal with my publisher. The series follows a police detective, DI GERALDINE STEEL. As she solves murder cases, Geraldine also has her own demons to confront...."
Declan Burke of Crime Always Pays provides a round-up of reviews including "Benjamin Black's" second book, The Silver Swan. The first, Christine Falls, is just out in PB in the UK, so I have purchased it for the tottering heap. The Silver Swan has been enthusiastically received by The Sunday Times and The Irish Times, who even tipped it for a Booker. As Declan writes, "cripes"! Declan also rounds up a few other reviews of Irish crime fic, including one of Tara French's In the Woods on Euro Crime. The reviewer seems a little strange.
Damien of Crime Down Under is reading Skin and Bone by Kathryn Fox - her third in this series. I asked Damien in a comment if these books improve or if they are all in similar vein, as I didn't find the first one very well written or realistic. He hasn't answered yet.
Material Witness, after reviewing John Connors' latest Karen Sharpe book Falling, here subjects the author to a bit of the old Q and A. What do you think of this, though: "Q. Who would play you in a film of your life? A. No idea."? Bit feeble. I'd say from the picture accompanying the interview he could have gone for Clive Owen in a curly wig.
And last, for this post, Glenn Harper of International Noir Fiction reviews Grace Brophy's The Last Enemy, first in a series set mainly around Assisi. The review is mainly positive but Glen picks up on some poor editing and proof-reading. I mention this only because I've seen a similar comment made recently about a self-published book, with the implication that it is because the book was self-published that it contains this type of error. That may be true, but there are plenty of books published professionally that also contain editing and proofing errors -- not just the one Glenn reviews. I've just read two books by leading publishers that both contain errors that should have been caught. Long live the editor!
Hi Petrona, I found your blog and was amazed to see my own blog reviewed on it. I agree, on reflection, that 'Crime Fiction' isn't the most inspired name, but it describes what I'm about. (Emphasis on the 'fiction' I hasten to add! In real life I'm a law abiding citizen... not so much as a point on my driving licence.) I've enjoyed reading your blog. As a point of information, Cut Short is due out in March 2009 - check out my blog if you're interested in reading about the delay in publication.
Posted by: Leigh Russell | 26 July 2008 at 12:44