Saturday, March 01, 2014
Free for Kindle For a Limited Time
Amazon.com: The Year I Died Seven Times Book #2 eBook: Eric Beetner: Kindle Store: Ridley has already died once trying to find his missing girlfriend, Miho. When a mysterious phone call rouses him from his recovery he is off on the trail of clues again. Reenergized for the hunt, Ridley will follow clues all the way across the country and enter a world darker than he imagined and face off against men--and women--more vicious than he expected. This time Ridley has traveled a long way--and death is there to meet him. But it will take more than dying to keep him from finding the truth.
Book #2 of this thrilling adventure is more non-stop action. Watch for book #3 in April.
Paris Hilton Update
Mail Online: 'I don't consider myself a DJ': Paris Hilton explains new gig is just a 'fun job'... as she poses in pink lingerie for risque photo shoot
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
How famed “Hanging Judge” Isaac Parker lost his power
Beginning of the End: How famed “Hanging Judge” Isaac Parker lost his power.
Friday, February 28, 2014
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Attention to Books of Possible Interest
Edgar Award finalist Ben Rehder's novels have made best-of-the-year lists in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Field & Stream.
PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Attention to Books of Possible Interest
Amazon.com: The Hungry 5: All Hell Breaks Loose (The Sheriff Penny Miller Series) eBook: Steven Booth, Harry Shannon: Kindle Store: Sheriff Penny Miller of Flat Rock, Nevada, has always done her duty. On the first night of the zombie apocalypse, she swore an oath to protect her friends from the ravenous hordes. However, now that the virus is rapidly spreading to the rest of the country it has become clear that Miller and her friends, Scratch, Sheppard, and Rat, are winning battles but losing the war. And that’s just not good enough for Penny. Too many people have already died. Determined to stop the maniacs who have been funding the research that created the undead, and with the key to stopping the virus in hand, Miller and crew embark on a long and dangerous journey north. Their route cuts through the very heart of zombie occupied territory, but this time they are out to end the apocalypse once and for all. Unfortunately, the elite committee of government officials who control the Super Soldier program knows exactly where Miller and her friends are headed, and they are determined to capture or kill them at any cost.
Sheriff Miller doesn’t stand a chance. Of course, lousy odds never stopped her before. She gives the order to move out.
And that’s when all hell breaks loose.
Nancy Bell, R. I. P.
From Susan Rogers Cooper's Facebook page: I'm sad to announce that Nancy Bell, creator of the Biggie series and the Judge Jackson Crain series, died last week. Her funeral was on Sunday. Nancy was a generous, funny, gregarious woman, the mother of five, grandmother of many, and great-grandmother to a lot more. Some of her titles included BIGGIE AND THE POISONED POLITICIAN and BIGGIE AND THE FRICASSEED FAT MAN, as well as RESTORED TO DEATH in the Jackson Crain series. I was proud to call her my friend and I, along with many in our writing community, as well as her family and her many friends in Pittsburg, Texas, will miss her deeply.
I Suspect Many of You Haven't Forgotten Them
And Robert Forster should've been nominated for Alligator.
20 Oscar-Nominated Actors We’ve Forgotten
20 Oscar-Nominated Actors We’ve Forgotten
Aaron Allston, R. I. P.
TheForce.net: It is with heavy hearts that we report the death of veteran Star Wars author Aaron Allston, who collapsed earlier today at VisionCon in Springfield, Missouri, from what is believed to be massive heart failure. He was 53.
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
Cedar Park SWAT police searching tire shop: Harmon said a man called police saying he had work done on his vehicle and may have received used parts that were considered new.
Assouline Publishing: Coffee Table Luxury
FFB: A Forgotten Magazine Issue -- Mystery Scene, Volume 1, Number 2
A few days ago I got an e-mail from someone who used to attend our writing workshops at Alvin Community College. She'd been going through some old magazines and had run across a copy of Mystery Scene Volume 1, Number 2, postmarked December, 1985. She said she'd opened it up and seen my article on selling the first book in the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series and wondered if I'd like to have the magazine. You're durn tootin' I would.I hadn't seen the magazine in years nearly 30 years. My copy is in deep storage somewhere in the depths of the Cushing Library at Texas A&M University if they haven't given it away. So naturally I jumped at the chance to see it again. As soon as it dropped through the mail slot here at Casa de Crider, I tore open the envelope and started turning the pages. Holy galloping nostalgia, Batman! It was overwhelming.
For one thing, there's Ellen Nehr's "Murder Ad Lib" column, which includes an interview with Barbara Michaels and Ellen's reviews. Ellen was a fan right down to the soles of her white tennis shoes and a unique personality. I feel a little sorry for the generations of mystery readers and fans who've come along since her passing and never known her (and her eccentric spelling, sadly absent in the column, thanks to the editors). She also has a letter in the issue, informing executive editor Ed Gorman that quiche was served at the PWA luncheon at the Bouchercon (which was in San Francisco that year). "Bill Pronzini was so embarrassed that he grabbed his passport and left for two weeks in England. Can you blame him?"
William Campball Gault has a report on the Bouchercon, and he writes about running into pulpster and western writer Tommy Thompson in the lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Thompson had no idea that there was a convention in the hotel. He was there with his wife to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. So, Gault says, he and Thompson "sat in the lobby and dreamed back, boats against the current. . . . Someone has said recently that nostalgia ain't what it used to be; it is to old pulp writers." To me, too, and I'm sorry I wasn't in on that conversation. I was at the convention, and I did get to spend a good bit of time with Gault. A great guy, and I'd have loved to meet Thompson.
There's a wonderful interview with Knox Burger conducted by Jon White (it first appeared in Paperback Forum, a publication that I also gave to Texas A&M). Burger reminisces about his days as an editor at Gold Medal and Dell. Great stuff, just great. "There was another guy from that time, a wonderful guy, a madman, but very entertaining and a good writer, named William Campbell Gault. He was a fiesty little guy." Hmmm. Where have I heard that name before?
Ed Gorman's article on Dean Koontz calls Koontz "America's most successful least-known-writer." Geez, could 1985 have been that long ago? It's hard even to imagine a time when Koontz could've been called a "least-known-writer."
Max Allan Collins has a movie column, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's read his blog. He was already and established writer, as the ad in the issue indicates. Barry Gifford writes about discovering Jim Thompson. And there's a lot more. Reading this issue was like opening a time capsule, and I wallowed in nostagia for . . . well, I guess I still am. Wow. Where are the snows of yesteryear?
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Once Again Texas Leads the Way
Mesalands Community College and Texas Tech University researchers find new species of a crocodile-like phytosaur: Researchers from Mesalands Community College and the division of Paleontology from the Museum of Texas Tech University, have described and named a new species of prehistoric reptile, a crocodile-like phytosaur, Machaeroprosopus lottorum, near Post, Texas, according to a news release from Mesalands Community College.
Tim Wilson, R. I. P.
WDRB 41 Louisville News: Comedian Tim Wilson has died. His manager Chris Dipetta confirms on social media that the 52 year old died on Wednesday of an apparent heart attack.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Not to Mention the Jelly
Mirror Online: Or, as the matter-of-fact WTNH-TV News 8 reporter Bob Wilson succinctly says: "You can't make a story like this up. Two men are in jail, one cow is dead and three cars are totalled."
Dirtbag Hamlet
Dirtbag Hamlet: DIRTBAG SHAKESPEARE imagines modern remakes of Shakespearean plays with a teenage dirtbag cast. The rest is pretty self-explanatory.
Jim Lange, R. I. P.
The Hollywood Reporter: Jim Lange, the first host of the popular game show The Dating Game, has died at his home in Mill Valley, Calif. He was 81.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Didn't Freud Say That There Are No Accidents?
"MARRIAGE = ONE MAN & ONE MAN," Opponent Of Such Marriages Tweets: Following the federal court ruling striking down the Texas ban on same-sex couples’ marriage, state senator Dan Patrick tweeted
Franny Beecher, R. I. P.
ABC News: Franny Beecher, lead guitarist for Bill Haley and the Comets, which helped kick off the rock and roll era with the hit "Rock Around the Clock" in 1955, has died. He was 92.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Finally Available as an e-Book!
Amazon.com: Death By Accident (Dan Rhodes Mysteries) eBook: Bill Crider: Kindle Store: Texas Sheriff Dan Rhodes' cases usually concern the bad boys of rural Blacklin County, or the slightly wacky citizens who are causing trouble that tends to be funny rather than criminal. But although at first the dead man floating in the old swimming pool at the edge of town seems to have been an accident victim — a staggering drunk tumbling into the water — Rhodes and his small but colorful staff soon uncover murder. It's the second strange death in two weeks (the other was that of John West, killed when he blew up carrying a gasoline can across a field). But where was the Cherokee wagon John was carrying the gas to? And why is his widow so jaunty? West was a solid citizen; Pep Yeldell, the swimming pool decedent, was a man with many enemies. In his quiet way, Rhodes goes about looking for a connection and a killer — a quest that takes Rhodes, no athlete now in spite of his wife's efforts to keep him on a diet of little meat and lots of greens, up a tree and puts him at the mercy of a vicious killer.It's at B&N, too. And Smashwords.
Okay, You Are Free to Go
Female driver uses her breasts as an excuse when stopped by Lincolnshire Police: After advice was given, police say the woman explained "it hurts my boobs".
Overlooked TV Movies: Higher Ground
What? You didn't know that John Denver was a guitar-picking action hero? Well, now you do. You can see the trailer below or watch the whole movie here. And the good news is that it's not as bad as you might think. Denver isn't a great actor, but he's passable, and he gets a chance to sing a few songs, too. He plays Jim Clayton, and FBI agent who quits and goes to Alaska for some peace and quiet. He and an old pal have a little bush pilot operation, but the friend is killed.
I have to admit that it's a little hard to accept Denver as an action hero. He's barely credible in the action scenes. But the songs are good, and the scenery's great. If you're a fan of the man and his music, you probably know about this already. For the rest of you, it's worth taking a look if you're curious.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Amazing LEGO Facts and Trivia
Amazing LEGO Facts and Trivia: You’ve seen The LEGO Movie—Now Enjoy These Amazing LEGO Facts.
Harold Ramis, R. I. P.
ABC News: "Ghostbusters" star Harold Ramis has died at 69 years old, United Talent Agency confirmed to ABC News today.
Ramis was known as much for his off-screen work -- writing the "Ghostbusters" films, along with "Groundhog Day" and "Analyze This" -- as he was for playing Dr. Egon Spengler in front of the camera.
Ramis was known as much for his off-screen work -- writing the "Ghostbusters" films, along with "Groundhog Day" and "Analyze This" -- as he was for playing Dr. Egon Spengler in front of the camera.
Awkward! 28 Cringe-Worthy Vintage Product Endorsements
Awkward! 28 Cringe-Worthy Vintage Product Endorsements
Okay, it's a slideshow, but it's totally worth it.
Okay, it's a slideshow, but it's totally worth it.
The Biggest Unanswered Question in True Detective (So Far)
Fans of the series might recall the biker gang leader, who, in episode four of the series, was last seen taped up behind the seat of Cohle's pickup. Later on, Hart asks what happened to the guy. Cohle says something like, "I left him taped up in a ditch over there." So what then? Cohle couldn't turn him over to the cops, since Cohle and Hart were accessories to any number of crimes, including murder. So that's not what happened. Did Cohle kill him? Did he leave him taped up in the ditch for land-roving gators to find? Inquiring minds want to know. Of course it's always possible that this was explained and I missed it. Sometimes I do miss things. Often, in fact.
New Poem at the 5-2
The 5-2 | Crime Poetry Weekly, Annual Ebooks - Gerald So, Editor: Lauren McBride
YOUR VOICE
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Dave Zeltserman Interview
Dave Zeltserman - LitVote: David Zeltserman lives in the Boston area with his wife, Judy, and is an award winning crime, horror and mystery writer. His crime novels have been named by both The Washington Post and NPR as best books of the year, and his mystery short fiction has won the Shamus, Derringer and Ellery Queen’s Readers Choice award (twice). Zeltserman’s first published horror novel, The Caretaker of Lorne Field, was a Black Quill nominee for Best Dark Genre Novel of the Year, was short listed by the American Library Association for Best Horror Novel of 2010, and was recently named by Library Journal as one of their horror gems. His most recent horror novel, Monster, was named on Booklist Magazine’s 2013 list of top ten horror novels. Zeltserman has an upcoming horror novel, The Boy Who Killed Demons, out later this year, and his novel, Outsourced, is currently in development with Impact Pictures and Constantin Film. It is scheduled for production later this year.
Letters of Note: Ladies & Gentlemen of A.D. 2088
Letters of Note: Ladies & Gentlemen of A.D. 2088: Back in 1988, as part of an ad campaign to be printed in Time magazine, Volkswagen approached a number of notable thinkers and asked them to write a letter to the future—some words of advice to those living in 2088, to be precise. Many agreed, including novelist Kurt Vonnegut; . . .
ASCAP Celebrates 100th Birthday with Top Songs Lists
ASCAP Celebrates 100th Birthday with Top Songs Lists
Scroll down and you can find the lists by year and by popularity. You can listen to them, too. Keep in mind that this is ASCAP, so BMI songs aren't included.
Scroll down and you can find the lists by year and by popularity. You can listen to them, too. Keep in mind that this is ASCAP, so BMI songs aren't included.
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