LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

Pet Peeves

I don't know about you but starting a book that has a dog on the cover or in the title always gives me pause. I want to know beforehand that any pets in the book will be properly taken care of. Now I understand that there are times when animals get hurt in novels. Sometimes a dog's or cat's death is an important part of the plot and although I try to pass over that part as quickly as possible it's not the thing that really bothers me. What I can't stand is willful neglect.

It happens more often than it should. I remember reading a crime novel in which the protagonist took his dog for a midnight walk during which some events happened that moved the plot forward and sent the sleuth haring off to Vegas for four days. Wait a minute, I wanted to shout at him. What about the dog? The last we saw of the poor pooch was on that ill-fated walk. The author simply forgot all about him once he'd served his purpose of digging up the weapon.

This kind of thing makes me crazy and therefore I was somewhat hesitant to start Kate Atkinson's most recent novel, Started Early, Took my Dog. Was it going to end up as started early, forgot all about my dog? No. As it turned out, I needn't have worried. After a madcap scene in which an abused border terrier is rescued, the series sleuth turns out to be an admirable dog owner and the pooch turns out to be a great companion and foil for the hapless Jackson Brodie. Kate Atkinson is one of the funniest and most creative crime novelists writing today and this book is terrific.

Now, I have to confess to a little mistreatment in my own story in the January issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. The protagonist hates animals and goes to no end of trouble trying to kill her son's dog. A couple of my dog-walking friends took me to task over this and I had to explain that the animal is really the heroine of the tale. She not only survives but turns the tables on the dog-hater.

Believe me, I love dogs. I've rarely been without one since I was a kid. And the authors in whose books I know I can lose myself safely are all dog owners. In Mary Jane Maffini's Charlotte Adams novels Truffles and Sweet Marie are alter egos for her own Lily and Daisy. Charlotte nips home between bouts of sleuthing and decluttering to feed and walk them and is even undertaking therapy training with them. I'm told Joan Boswell who has three retrievers of her own is introducing a new puppy in her next book. If Hollis's care of McTee is any example, both dogs will be walked and fed regularly and I'll be able to abandon myself to the plot. Similarly Barbara Fradkin's fictional dog is as well treated as her own pair of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Indeed the majority of authors I read do attend to the needs of their pets. It's the odd one that abandons them for days on end that bothers me.

Have you got a pet peeve?


Sue Pike has published a couple of dozen stories and won several awards including an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Crime Story. Her latest, Where the Snow Lay Dinted will appear in the January issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

Sue and her husband and an opinionated Australian Shepherd named Cooper spend the winter months in Ottawa and the rest of the time at a mysterious cottage on the Rideau Lakes.

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

And now, for the good stuff...

Yesterday, feeling more under the weather than today, I blogged about the disadvantages of being a writer. Things like, not have paid sick days and such. And, that guilt thing about not writing even when ill.

Today, starting to feel better, I'm thinking about the good stuff. Like: not having to go out in the freezing rain in the morning; being able to slop around in totally unattractive, comfortable clothes while writing (see Mary Jane Maffini's blog last Monday); being there when the mail arrives, just in case that advance is in it; enjoying the company of cats, dogs and other small creatures while puzzling over plot points; being your own boss (sort of).

And then there are the post-publication joys: the media splurge, the adulation, the throngs of fans lined up at a signing, and the money! Oh, come on now -- don't tell me it's not true!

How about the satisfaction of having written and published a book? I'm working to that point but I have lots of friends who've already been there and are still writing, so it must be good.

What do you think? Any pleasures to add to this list?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
Book Club Mysteries coming April, 2012 from Berkley Prime Crime
Murder By the Book

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

Writing woes...

This will be short. Because I'm sick.

Gone are the days when I would phone in sick, either unable to physically do the trek and/or worried about spreading germs. These days, the trek is to my office just down the hall and the germs get spread to my cats, like it or not.

But, because I'm a writer, I feel the call of duty or perhaps the guilt, and turn on the computer, hoping to write this blog and also, at least a couple chapters of my book, before crawling back to bed. That's what we do.

As I said, this will be short. Because I'm heading back to bed. The chapters, possibly one, will be done this afternoon.

But I'm wondering, what are the downsides of being a writer? Have you come across any?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
Book Club Mysteries coming April 2012 from Berkley Prime Crime
Murder By the Book

MAYHEM ON MONDAY

You’re wearing what????

After fretting about dressing my characters last week, I turned my attention to myself. What was I going to wear for heaven’s sake? It was fine for Charlotte Adams to have her trendy shoes and the others to have whatever you might call their outfits. But what about the author? For years I worked in my pyjamas first thing every morning, but recently, mornings have been taken up with promotion, writing biz and, um, blogs. So I have switched to afternoon. So what should be my writer’s uniform in that case? I tried asking my writer friends the tough questions and got a number of answers, many of them revealing. Psychologically at least.

Of course, I started with my Canadian friends, figuring they’d have the same climate issues as I do.

I was pretty certain that Joan Boswell would be the first one up every morning so I started with her. Sure enough. Joan confessed: “Since I have to get up and walk my dogs every morning I get dressed but sweats and a t-shirt with a polar fleece vest work well. And I always wear makeup; always have even when heading for the delivery room.”

Is it my imagination or are there many many story possibilities buried in that? She always looks good. I’ll say that about her. She didn’t mention colour-coordinated or Chico’s, but I know better.

Linda Wiken (AKA Erika Chase) is up pretty early too. Apparently, it’s cold in her house (despite warm bodied cats). Her teeth seem to chatter as she filled me in: “Usually, during these cold, wintry days I'm wearing warm sweatpants, a turtleneck T & one or 2 fleece tops -- if it's 2, the top one is a vest & when I get to that stage I realize it's time to bump up the thermostat. And always earrings!”

Well, she’s sure been productive lately working on her second mystery book club novel. I am putting that down to the earrings. Unless it’s two (!) fleece tops.

Vicki Delaney has a uniform, no matter what (almost). I was thinking maybe she’d have a hat like Constable Molly Smith, but no. She states categorically, “I am always in my pyjamas. Flannel in the winter, cotton in the summer. Always pyjamas, never a nightgown. The only exception is if I am expecting someone like a workman, and then I'll put on something respectable.* Even in the summer when outside on the deck - it's the PJs.”

* Note to readers: respectable is not defined. Hmm.

“My sweats, exactly what Meg wears when she's at home,” says Robin (R.J. Harlick)who is outdoorsy like her protagonist. Of course, as she has a new puppy, I am not sure how much writing is getting done. Whatever is, will be all about the comfort level. Although she denies any makeup use, she admits to wearing earrings too. They are slightly offset by the fluffy slippers, but altogether an authorial look.

“Cold feet, no ideas,” says Barbara Fradkin. “I am also a PJs and dressing gown plus fuzzy slippers person. The fleece slippers are essential. If I am writing in the evening, I have to be in comfy clothes like a baggy sweatshirt and pants, soft on the skin, no constricting belts, shoes, etc. It looks like hell, so I'm always terrified someone will drop by.”

I was toying with the idea of paying some handsome fellow to ring Barb’s doorbell this evening, just for the hell of it, but my good angel wouldn’t let me.

Pressed to reveal more (so to speak) and talk about her warm weather and cottage gear, Barb issued the following terse statement: “Hah! That depends on the weather. You're angling for bikini, or maybe even naked, aren't you? All these polar fleeces and baggy sweats just don't liven up the page. On the dock in spring and fall, I've been known to wear my ski jacket, tuque and gloves. In summer... the less the better. I did try naked once, but it didn't produce my best work. Had to keep looking up every time I heard the growl of a fishing boat.”

This made my day and I am sure it will make yours too. No photo was included. I still haven’t figured out to wear while writing in the afternoon.

In the meantime, what do you wear when you are at work? What do you wish you could wear?



Mary Jane Maffini rides herd on three (soon to be three and a half) mystery series and a couple of dozen short stories. Her thirteenth mystery novel, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Murder (April 5, 2011), is brimming with names, no two the same.

MYSTERY REVIEW

THE WATER RAT OF WANCHAI
by Ian Hamilton
House of Anansi Press

Forensic accountant Ava Lee has a lot going for her. She's a knock-out sexy Chinese Canadian, living in a pricey Toronto condo, with both the brains and the brawn (thanks to an ancient martial art, Bak mei) to excel at her job.

Working with her Hong Kong based "Uncle", a man of many connections, some of them possibly sinister, it's her job to track down missing money and ensure it's returned. This is where the Bak mei comes in handy, but only as a last resort. She's savvy and smart enough to manipulate the situation, ensuring a favourable result.

But this time out, there's a further tie as she's tracking a missing $5 million owed to the nephew of her Uncle's friend, when a seafood importing deal goes wrong. Her efforts take her to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Guyana and the British Virgin Islands, as she tracks her slippery target. In Guyana, she's forced to make a deal with the deadly Captain Robbins,the man who controls it all -- the police, the politics, her only means of escape.

She needs his help and it's available...at a price. The stakes change as the elaborate con she's concocted races to a deadline, and all she can really hope to get out of it is alive.

Ava Lee is a Havergal grad who still maintains the close traditional family ties and all that entails. She's resourceful, attractive, and independent ... a kick-ass 'today' woman who fits the label of heroine. How she works through the ruthlessness she encounters, makes it a thrilling read. And best yet, it's the first of four.

It's Ian Hamilton's first thriller but he's long been a newspaper and magazine writer, plus his nonfiction book, The Children's Crusade, was a Canadian Book-of-the-Month selection.

This is the first in Anansi's new crime imprint, Spiderline and they've started out with fireworks. Readers who delight in international crime thrillers will be drawn into the fast pace, the exotic settings, and the gritty texture of the writing.

CRIME ON MY MIND

On with the awards!

Watching The Genie awards last night, I thought, we've finally arrived. Canadians do know how to throw a great party to congratulate those working in the film industry. The National Arts Centre was transformed, not that it's by any means a shabby place, but it morphed from the dignified aging lady to a vibrant, hip uptowner ready to strut its stuff.

The female attendees were decked out in glam outfits -- what did you think of Wendy Crewson in her hot pink strapless number? -- both long and short; the guys buffed up real nice in dark suits and tuxes.

The live music, and DJ intros to the film clips, were guaranteed to keep the energy level high. The presenters were easy to look at, well-behaved and did a presentable job. The winners, notably pleased and precise with their speeches. What was not to like? Even "Canadian Icon" William Shatner aced out the MCs in last month's awards ceremonies.

So, how about those Arthur Ellis Awards?

We can do glam up here in Canada, we can make a big deal of our creative types. The Arthur Ellis Awards presented annually by Crime Writers of Canada, should be taking its rightful place along with the Genies, the Junos, the GG's, the Giller...why not?

Crime Writers of Canada is working hard to raise the profile of mystery and crime writers in this country. We've got some terrific ones and this is the place to honour them. So, lets make a big deal out of it. If you live on Vancouver Island or the B.C. lower mainland area, give some serious thought to attending the Arthur Ellis Awards this year. They'll be held on Thurs., June 2nd in Victoria, the night before Bloody Words XI begins.

Tickets aren't yet available but that doesn't mean you can't mark the date on your calendar and start thinking about what you'll wear. The short-list of Ellis nominees will be announced on April 27th. I'll be you know some of those names and I hope you'll have read a lot of the books. Keep on eye on the CWC website for details http://www.crimewriterscanada.com/

Let the celebrations continue! And, don't worry -- it's not really about the glam. Come dressed as you like but do come!

Just wondering, what do you think about awards ceremonies?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
Mystery Book Club mysteries coming April 2012,
from Berkley Prime Crime
Murder By the Book

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

Freedom Road

Spring is coming (I’m assured), the days are getting longer, and the usual frenetic pace of life is about to go into overdrive. This winter, everything seems to have multiplied. I started the winter with one sedate, elderly dog, then acquired a puppy, and have been playing catch-me-if-you-can ever since. Last year at this time, I had one series, and one book to worry about. Now I have three. Three different types of books, three different areas of research, two different publishers. Launches and readings and tours… Oh my.

Over the next three months, I will be flying to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, flying to Halifax and back, then out to Vancouver and Victoria, and in between, making at least two road trips to Toronto. At least on those, I get to take the dogs. And this is all before the planned six-week road trip to the Atlantic provinces and Newfoundland to research Project #3. On this trip too, I get to take the dogs. I will be traveling with my sister, who is co-authoring Project #3 and who has a 95-pound golden retriever that is also coming along. My puppy loves him, a good thing (perhaps) since they will be sharing the backseat together, along with my sedate, elderly dog who would rather be anywhere else.

Being on a tight budget, since no one ever said this writing gig was lucrative, we are taking a tent. We are hoping to find cabins and motels willing to take three dogs which are all well over the preferred 25-lb limit, but these may be thin on the ground. They call Newfoundland “The Rock”. How hard can the ground be? As a Plan C, my sister and I hope the back of our rented van can sleep three dogs and two middle-aged women who may have lost considerable weight by the middle of this trip.

Along the way, while researching Project #3, I hope to find some opportunities to promote my two recently released books, BEAUTIFUL LIE THE DEAD and THE FALL GUY. That should appease the taxman. With any luck, I’ll have time at least to think about the sequels to both those books. One being the next Inspector Green novel, which at the moment is little more than a title and a twinkle in my eye, and the second being the next Cedric O’Toole Rapid Reads novella from Orca. Will I get a spare moment, do you think?

Meanwhile, people from my former, hectic, full-time professional life keep asking me, with a touch of envy, how much I’m enjoying retirement. Uhuh. That would be when I’m sitting in a rocking chair on the porch knitting mittens for my grandchildren?

To quote the non-geezer generation… As if.


Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. In addition to her darkly haunting short stories in the Ladies Killing Circle anthologies, she writes the gritty, Ottawa-based Inspector Green novels which have
won back to back Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel from Crime Writers of Canada. The eighth in the series, Beautiful Lie the Dead, which explores love in all its complications, is hot off the press.