CRIME ON MY MIND

Cool Canadian Crime!

If you have time for a breather over the holiday weekend, I hope you'll grab a mystery by a Canadian author and just chill out for a while. Since we're celebrating the birthday of our wonderful country, it's a good time to also revel in the accomplishments of so many talented Canadians. I mean the entire gamut of folks who shine in the arts, sports, humanities, medicine, technology, military, yes, even the government. And so many more. We owe them a lot because they make this country so amazing.

I could never list all the Canadian mystery writers out there but you could check the Crime Writers of Canadian website for a fairly extensive list. http://www.crimewriterscanada.com. And there are many others, too. But I'd like to compile a list (yes, another list but different from the Summer mystery reading list -- which I'm hoping to post over the weekend).

I'll start...hope you'll add your favourites in the comments section. In no particular order:

Gail Bowen, William Deverell, Joan Boswell, Peter Robinson, Barbara Fradkin, Mary Jane Maffini, Thomas Rendell Curran, C.B. Forrest, Brenda Chapman, Vicki Delany, Sue Pike, Lou Allin, Pam Curran, D.J. McIntosh, Elizabeth Duncan, Robin Spano, Garry Ryan, Peggy Blair, Anthony Bidulka, R.J. Harlick, Melodie Campbell, Maureen Jennings, Eric Wright, Howard Engel, John Brady, Jose Latour, Janet Kellough, Giles Blunt, Linwood Barclay Howard Shrier, Phyllis Smallman, Rick Mofina, Cathy Astolfo, Brad Smith, Alison Preston, Dave Hugelschaffer, John Moss, John Lawrence Reynolds, David Russell, Janet Bolin, Erika Chase, Deryn Collier, Sylvia Maultash Warsh, Anne Emery, Rosemary McCracken, Janice MacDonald, Jill Edmondson, Alison Bruce, Gloria Ferris, Susanna Kearsley, Robert Rotenberg, Hilary MacLeod...

Okay...I'm all worn out. Your turn!

Congratulations to all our hot writers of cool Canadian crime! Happy Canada Day!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

CRIME ON MY MIND

Hanging out with some cool Canadians...

Happy Canada Day!

What a gloriously sunny day it is, although the humidex may get bit too high later today, for my tastes anyway. Which is part of the reason I won't be joining in the William & Kate lovefest at the Hill. But mostly, it's because of the hordes, already assembling in the early hours.

I'm delighted the Royal newlyweds are celebrating our national holiday with us, here in the capital. But I think I'll stay at home, in my shaded backyard, with some cool Canadians. Reading, that is.

Besides celebrating our nation's birthday, we should also celebrate the wealth of criminally-minded writers that call Canada home. Not only do we have the numbers, we have the talent! And the variety. You can wile away the humid afternoon in quaint but slightly sinister Three Pines, Quebec. Or in Halifax, Victoria or Algonquin Bay. And of course, Ottawa!

You can get some great tips on organizing your home, mixing an alcoholic beverage, or take in a bit of history about Victorian Toronto. Canadian authors will also transport you to Easter Island, Costa Rica or Dublin.

Spend some time with Gail Bowen, Barbara Fradkin, C.B. Forrest, Lou Allin, Joan Boswell, Garry Ryan, R.J. Harlick, Anthony Bidulka, Mary Jane Maffini, Vicki Delany, Kay Stewart, Robin Spano, Pam Callow, D.J. McIntosh, Giles Blunt, Phyllis Smallman, Brenda Chapman, Peter Robinson, John Moss, Tom Heneghan, John Brady, Thomas Rendell Curran, Janet Bolin, William Deverell, The Ladies' Killing Circle, Suzanne Kingsmill, Hilary MacLeod, Donald Hauka...the list goes on and on. I knew I shouldn't start naming names -- I would certainly end up leaving out some very important Canadian mystery authors. No disrespect meant & in no way does that mean they're not on the 'A' list of crime reading. But you can fill in the blanks with your own personal favourites.

The point is...we have some terrific mystery and crime authors and we should wave the flag when it comes to their books. So, Happy Canada Day and Happy Reading!

To find out more about Cool Canadian Crime, visit the Crime Writers of Canada website, http://www.crimewriterscanada.com


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime