WICKED WEDNESDAYS

New and coming to a bookshelf near you!

The fall season is a booksellers' delight. We're moving towards Christmas, after all. And think of all those new titles to tantalize readers. Many of these books will end up under the Christmas tree or stuffed into a Christmas stocking. (Sorry to mention the "C" word...but it's coming!)

These new titles are ordered at the various book fairs, usually in June...so when they arrive at a bookstore, it's a delight to unpack them, revel over them and offer them to customers. It's like...well, Christmas!

When I first started in the bookselling business, this was the premier season. Every author wanted his or her book to be on the fall list. Translation -- bigger sales. That's shifted slightly over the years as publishers realized readers need books throughout the year. Imagine that! So each seasonal list is now larger and has more variety. A bonus for those of us anxious to add more books to our already bulging shelves.

The Canadian mystery scene is also dynamic throughout the year. A good way to keep

up with new releases by checking out the Crime Writers of Canada webpage -- http://www.crimewriterscanada.com. Or check in with your local bookseller for the details.

Here are just a few of the new fall titles from Canadian writers:

Orchestrated Murder -- Rick Blechta
The Shadow Killer -- Gail Bowen
Gold Mountain -- Vicki Delany
Camouflaged Killer -- David Gibb
Creep -- Jennifer Hillier
Picasso Blues -- Lee Lamothe
Hang Down Your Head -- Janice MacDonald

Malabarista -- Garry Ryan
Murder in Hum Harbour -- Jayne E. Self
Sitting Lady Sutra -- Kay Stewart

Tantalizing selection, isn't it? So I'd suggest you get reading!


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April 3, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

Beautiful B.C.

Indulge me, please. I was born and raised in B.C. and although I've said I'd never move back, a part of me felt a longing as the plane descended into Vancouver airport. The ocean, the mountains -- these account for the pull to return to the place I said I wouldn't move back to. And, although I've never lived on Vancouver Island, if I chose to, Victoria would be the city. It's similar to Ottawa, so no big adjustment there. Victoria must have been what they had in mind when the slogan, Beautiful B.C. was coined.

However, beside all that natural beauty, what also tugs are the people. I'm spending the week before Bloody Words visiting with family and old friends. So wonderful to be able to do, as my visits out here are infrequent.

The people of Victoria are friendly, too. Always quick with a smile or to say 'hi' on my early morning walks. Talkative but not pushy merchants. Helpful wherever I go.

And then, there are the B.C. mystery writers. A great group of voices, continuing with Mary Jane's theme from yesterday. The Bloody Words co-chairs, Lou Allin and Kay Stewart, have been visible on bookshelves for several years.

William Deverell -- well, what can I say about him. I'm one of his biggest fans and always enjoy seeing him. He's Local Guest of Honour at this year's conference. Michael Slade's name has long been prominent on crime lists and he's the Guest of Honour. Denise Dietz, is MC and if her books are any indicator, we'll be laughing a lot.

Other B.C. mystery authors include Deryn Collier, Debra Purdy Kong, Roy Innes, Don Hauka, Linda Richards and Phyllis Smallman. (My apologies if I've left anyone out! It's been a busy weekend.) That says a lot for the West Coast voice! And, let's not forget Vicki Delany who sets one of her series in B.C.

The entire country is rich with mysterious voices! There'll be a very vocal representation here in Victoria for Bloody Words 2011. Hope to see you, too!



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

CRIME ON MY MIND

Read any good books lately?

I'll bet you're a reader. You wouldn't be reading this if that wasn't so. What we read reflects our lifestyle and interests but also can influence what we write.

I know of some mystery writers who won't read a mystery while they're writing their own books. That's to ensure nothing bleeds into their writing, be it the other author's style or information.

While I do agree with that premise, I've found myself reading the latest cosies from Berkley Prime Crime as quickly as they're hitting the shelves (in the Independent bookstores, I might add). Since that's my publisher, I feel I need to stay on top of what they're looking for and where their line is heading. Publishing trends change so quickly and by the time mine is published (2012), I may already be lagging. And this month it just so happens that Mary Jane Maffini's latest Charlotte Adams, the 7th in the series, The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder, is one of those. It's hot off the press!

So, I have a stack of books on my bedside table, on two ends tables in the living room, and in my purse (never leave home without it). And these are just the books I have on the go -- more than one at any given time. I have books I've bought, books I've been given, library books and advance reading copies.

Along with the mysteries, I've just finished reading, a bit after last month's deadline for my Book Club, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. I loved it! The writing flows, with well-chosen words and descriptions that take you right into the story. And, what a wonderful love story. I'll say no more! Hate to ruin it for you.

This month we read Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, also a feel-good story. Seems we're on a roll here. For me, there was the added benefit of a cast of wonderfully eccentric Southern women and although the state was Georgia, that's not far from where I've set my novels.

There are a variety of books on my TBR piles but those I'll review in the near future, as their publication dates approach, are Among the Departed by Vicki Delany, Reluctant Dead by John Moss, and Dead Ends by Don Easton. And I have it on good authority Thomas Rendall Curran's latest Eric Stride, Death of a Lesser Man, will soon arrive, along with The Witch of Babylon by Dorothy McIntosh. So many books...so little time! Don't you love it!!

I'm not at a loss for books to read, as my TBR piles now spills onto the floor. How these will influence my writing remains to be seen because even though we try to remain a unique voice in the writing world, all things that touch our lives end up influencing what we write.

I think I've made some good choices here and I welcome what they have to show me. Why do you read? And, what are you reading right now?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
Mystery Book Club series coming from Berkley Prime Crime,
April, 2012