NEWSLETTER
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Happy New Year, Faithful Readers. Let’s start with answers to questions you’ve asked in your e-mails: About Mars Bahr #5: Yes, I’m working on the next book. Working Title: A Lesser Evil. I’ve always found it easy to give a thumbnail description of books I’m writing, e.g.: Third Person Singular: A book that is as much about a homicide’s impact on family, friends, and investigators as it is about the victim. The Dead Survivors: A flag captured on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg has deadly consequences generations later. The Last Witness: Did a Minnesota Timberwolf (two-legged, basketball-carrying variety) with a perfect alibi murder his wife? Alone at Night: A twenty-year old case that begins as an investigation of convenience store violence opens a Pandora’s Box of risk for Mars Bahr and the people he loves. But A Lesser Evil has, to this point, defied quick description. When people ask what it’s about, I tell them an old joke. Maybe you’ve heard it: A man wakens on May 5 at 5:55 am. He takes a cab to work, and the fare is $5.55. There are five people at his first meeting of the day and when he meets with his boss for his annual salary review, he’s told that he’s getting a 5 percent raise. It is at this point that he leaves his office, takes a cab to the race track (and, yes, the fare is $5.55), arriving at the betting window in time to place a $500 bet on the fifth horse in the fifth race (the odds are 55-5 against the horse). Then he hurries to the rail just as his horse comes in—fifth.. |
What can this possibly have to do with A Lesser Evil? Therein lies the mystery. One more clue (that will be no more helpful than the above joke): A phrase in the 9/11 Commission’s report—“A failure of Imagination”—is relevant. I’m still several months away from finishing A Lesser Evil. When a more succinct description of its plot has emerged (and maybe the first couple of chapters, too), I’ll pass it on through my website. Anything Else in the Works? Glad you asked. I’ve long wanted to write a book with a seriously flawed protagonist who manages to be sympathetic. Such is my character in Thirteen Steps. She is an individual who's a third-rate journalist who’s spent most of her adult life pickling her first-class brain in alcohol. But not until she wakes up in a Vegas hotel room with a strange man does she realize just how much trouble she’s in. Thirteen Steps is totally different from my Mars Bahr series: it’s written in first person, with a female protagonist and is not a police procedural. For those of you looking for a Mars Bahr experience, I advise you to read the first (draft) chapter of Thirteen Steps on my website; this might not be your cup of tea. In any event, let me know your reaction to Chapter 1—bricks or bouquets are equally welcome. And then there’s Silence of the Loons and Twin Cities Noir… I got talked into writing two short stories for mystery anthologies. Never again. I would rather write a whole book than write a 15-page short story. Silence of the Loons was published in September 2005 and includes my contribution, “Mickey’s Last Mark”—in which an airport thief reflects on his career in crime. “Noir Neige”—featuring a cast of three male misfits from the Minneapolis auto impound lot—is included in Twin Cities Noir, |
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one of a series of crime story anthologies that are city-based (the first was Brooklyn Noir) and will be available in June 2006. Mars Bahr is not a character in either anthology. But if you are a fan of Twin City crime writers—Ellen Hart, Mary Logue, William Kent Krueger, Deborah Woodworth, Judith Guest, David Housewright, Carl Brookins, Lori Lake, M.D. Lake, Mary Monica Pulver, and Pete Hautman, among others—check it out. A tribute to Independent Bookstores Let me be blatantly self-interested about this. I would not have a career as a mystery writer without the support of independent bookstores. And I daresay that most writers owe the same debt. Why? And why should you care? First, independent bookstore owners and their staff actually read most of the books they sell. Which means if a book merits recognition, the IBS will hand sell it. Second, they keep up to date on new writers and the work of established writers by paying attention to a wide range of reviews and
Pat Frovarp, William Kent Krueger, me, and Gary Shulze at a Sisters in Crime dinner honoring Once Upon a Crime and TC writers who won awards in 2005. No, Kent isn’t pointing to Pat’s breast; he’s holding up a gold star given to honorees by SiC. their customers’ responses to what they’re reading; then they spread the word on what reviewers and readers are recommending. Third, they support book collectors by paying attention to quality control in books sold—and collectors often prime the pump, especially for debut authors. Fourth, they work hard, sponsoring events and author signings, publishing newsletters and e-mails, keeping in contact with local media to |
promote books—something most chain bookstores and publishers won’t do and few authors are able to do on their own. Fifth, they provide personalized service to their customers, including keeping a strong backlist of titles not readily available. Sixth, these virtues combine to provide market opportunity for a wide diversity of authors and readers. Without the independent bookseller, the Grishams, Cornwells, and Pattersons of the world will continue to be sold, but the rest of us would die on the vine. To find independent bookstores near you, check out www.booksense.com and www.mysterybooksellers.com . Booksense does good reviews and has a store locator; this is also a good resource for general interest book clubs. The mystery booksellers site is just what it says it is—a mystery specialty site with member listings, what’s selling well at mystery bookstores, and contact information for members. I’d like to name just a few of the independent mystery bookstores that have been important to my career. Visit their websites for contact details and information on the special programs they provide: Once Upon a Crime This is my ‘home’ independent bookstore where publication parties for my books are always held. Incomparable service and stock (including signed copies of all my books in hard cover and mass market paper back). Pat & Gary (see photo at left) provide great support to Twin Cities crime writers and readers. www.onceuponacrimebooks.com Poisoned Pen A legend in the mystery reading community—with cause. A great store in Scottsdale, AZ, and weekly (more or less) e-mails that are savvy, literate--like conversations with a smart friend. www.poisonedpen.com “M” is for Mystery A terrific Bay Area store with a knowledgeable staff and extensive stock; located in charming downtown San Mateo. www.MforMystery.com Mystery Bookstore Would Los Angeles be believable without a mystery bookstore? In the heart of funky Westwood. |
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www.mystery-bookstore.com And two more worthy Californians: Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego (www.mystgalaxy.com) and Mysteries to Die For in Thousand Oaks. (www.mysteriestodiefor.com) Mystery Lovers Bookshop Near Pittsburgh with one of the most active events calendars in the mystery bookstore community. Aunt Agatha’s Every great university town deserve a great mystery bookstore—and AA in AA (Ann Arbor) fills the bill. The Mysterious Bookshop Another mystery legend—Otto Penzler—is in residence at a new New York City location. If it’s half as good as the previous store, it will be great. Murder by the Book Near Rice University in Houston, MbtB not only has good stock and staff—they have dogs in the store. Booked for Murder Madison, WI is the site for the 2006 Bouchercon bash, mystery’s biggest annual event ( www.bouchercon.com ) and home to this well-run bookstore. The Mystery Bookstore Omaha is the site of TMB as well as the annual Mayhem in the Midlands conference—a ( www.omaha.lib.ne.us/mayhem/index.html ) mystery event that proves the point that less can be more. Small enough to really get to know authors and other fans but always draws A-list authors. 2005 was a good year… Of the four books I’ve written, Alone at Night took the most effort and provided the least personal satisfaction. So I’m still kind of scratching my head over A@N’s critical reception and reader response. It won the Minnesota Book Award for popular fiction and was nominated for a Barry Award, given by Deadly Pleasures magazine. I didn’t win |
the Barry—but being on the same list with the likes of Lee Child, Walter Mosley, and George Pelecanos was more than enough for me. Reading recommendations… I’m always reluctant to recommend mysteries—the field is so diverse and people have such specific tastes, that one reader’s preference can be another’s poison. What I do recommend is that if you’re a serious mystery/crime fiction reader, you spend some time reading review magazines. Over time, you’ll learn which reviewers’ tastes you can trust. Most are on sale at bookstores or can be ordered online. Check out websites for these mystery/crime fiction mags: Deadly Pleasures Mystery News Mystery Scene Crimespree Magazine I’ll update my website as new dates are scheduled. Here’s what’s on the calendar so far: 2.7 Robbinsdale, MN City Hall event for senior readers. 4100 Lakeview Ave N 1:00 pm 3.30-4.2 Books in the Woods Sponsored by Valley Booksellers and the Gunflint Lodge in NE MN. I’ll be joining novelist Sarah Stonich for a weekend of discussion with readers at a 5-star lodge. Registration: 1.800.328.3325. 3.25 Once Upon a Crime’s Annual Write of Spring event brings in hordes of Twin Cities writers and readers. Noon-5 pm on the last Saturday in March. Check OUaC’s website above for authors attending. www.onceuponacrimebooks.com |
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4.8 Superior, WI Beecroft Books’ Moveable Feast luncheon with authors Mary Logue, Victoria Houston, and KJ Erickson. For registration info: 4.18 Prior Lake Library, MN 16210 Eagle Creek Avenue 7:00 pm 4.21-23 Pike’s Peak Writer’s Conference Colorado Springs, CO I’ll be doing two workshops at the conference: one on resources for non-law enforcement professionals writing crime fiction, and the other on plot, structure, and character development. Registration info: 5.16 Stillwater, MN Valley Booksellers 217 N. Main St Mystery Book Club 1:00 pm |
9.6 Edina, MN Twin Cities Chapter, Brandeis University National Women’s Committee 8th Annual Book and Author Event (membership event) And finally, thanks for writing… Thanks to the hundreds of you who take the time to share your reactions to the books. While I don’t have time to write lengthy responses, I do try to answer every email. Readers of Alone at Night might appreciate an email I received from a couple in North Carolina. They liked the Chesapeake Bay retriever in A@N and have a Chessie themselves. Their dog is named Nettie. Best wishes for good reading in 2006— |
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