This is it...my first blog as Mystery Maven Canada. A long time in coming (since I did start mentioning it in March) but life does intrude at times. What you'll find at this blogspot is news, reviews, and words from fellow Canadian crime writers! It's a celebration of crime writing in Canada and I'm inviting some friends you may know to contribute their words of wisdom as the weeks go by.

I'm hoping that the bookstore where you do your mystery shopping is well-stocked with Canadian writers and titles. And sure, that applies to on-line shopping also. But you'll see where my biases lie when you check out the 'About Me' section. As I become more proficient with blogging, I hope to add features where you can interact and post your own comments and reviews. Because, let's face it, there's never too much information on the web about Canadian crime writing.

Some new titles on my shelf right now: Closet Confidential by Mary Jane Maffini; Date with a Sheesha by Anthony Bidulka; Free Form Jazz by Lee Lamothe; and advance reading copies of In Winter's Grip by Brenda Chapman; and, Slow Recoil by C.B. Forrest.

I'll start reading right away but I have to take time out now and then to write my own series for Berkley Prime Crime which won't be on the shelves for awhile but believe me, this won't be my only BSP -- ok, it will be until I get some firm details like title and pub date. What I can tell you though is my pseudonym -- Erika Chase.

My hope is that you'll find this a useful blog when it comes to choosing your reading and also, that you'll come to know our fabulous Canadian mystery writers a bit better. This is by no means a thumbs down on mysteries written by our wonderful writing friends in the U.S. So, please continue to read your favourites, too. I just think we need a bit more promotion for those of us above the 49th parallel.

And for a start, please check the website for Crime Writers of Canada www.crimewriterscanada.com and "hang around with a great gang of authors".