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January 21st, 2021

Writing this down so I don’t forget. Maybe it will help you, too.

Things that will threaten my writing and author goals this year: Trying to please everyone. Do not freak out at poor reviews. It’s what happens when you put something out in the world.

Don’t try to do too many things at once.

Ok, let’s get to it.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• The nomadic New York Times thriller column returns with a look at the latest down under suspense tale from Jane Harper plus a locked room mystery from southern India.

• The LAT takes a long look at Audrain’s debut thriller THE PUSH, which might look familiar on the surface but stands out due to the authentic depictions of motherhood, its perceptions, and taboos.

• Lisa Gardner talks to ABR about her newest thriller, the standalone, BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED, it’s origins, inspiration and lead character.

2 QUOTES

Patricia Highsmith would have turned 100 this year. She had a… unique outlook on life.

• “One situation – maybe one alone – could drive me to murder: family life, togetherness.”

• “Life is a long failure of understanding … a long, mistaken shutting of the heart.”

   

1 QUESTION

• Are you a Highsmith or a Ripley fan? I’ve read many, my favorite, if that’s the right word is the disturbing Strangers on a Train. What about you?

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

January 14th, 2021

I’m in the middle of editing the fifth Max Strong. Some days editing can feel like slogging through a workout on the treadmill. It can be difficult to motivate and get my butt in the chair. It’s very necessary but hardly the most enjoyable part about being a writer. Willpower alone will not get my in front of my manuscript every day. I’m not that strong.

Instead, I’m only challenging myself with sitting down with it for five minutes a day. No excuse that I can’t find five minutes each day. That’s usually enough as those five minutes often turn into at least an hour, or a chapter done.

Make it so easy you can’t so no!

Ok, let’s get to it.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• The long-delayed adaptation of the long-bestselling thriller WOMAN IN THE WINDOW will finally see the light of day via Netflix “in the first half of the year.” At this point, the story of the author and the long road to adaptation is almost as interesting as the book.

• Still trying to parse my feelings on this one. CBS passes on the Connelly series adaptation of THE LINCOLN LAWYER (might be good), Amazon doesn’t jump on it (might be bad), or Netflix outbid them (might be good).

• Novel Suspects casts a nostalgic eye on MURDER SHE WROTE. I credit watching Jessica Fletcher and the deadly Cabot Cove with 90% of adult mystery obsession.

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from the venerable Jessica Fletcher this week:

• “Just as I suspected, When under stress, the English always head for the teapot”

• “Real drinkers don’t mix Scotch whisky with diet cola”

   

1 QUESTION

• Did you watch Murder, She Wrote? What was your favorite episode? I definitely watched many, many eps with my Mom after The Disney Sunday Night movie ended. Is there any doubt the best episode is Who Killed J.B. Fletcher?

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

January 7th, 2021

And we are back with the first post of crime fiction links and news for the new year. A commitment to keeping this going each week is just one of my 2021 goals.

Let’s get to it.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• The adaptation of Jane Harper’s first Aaron Falk, THE DRY, with Eric Bana had a great premiere in Australia. Still no word if/when/how we might see it in the US.

• ABR looks at some of the ongoing and popular mystery and thriller series returning this winter. Personally, I’m looking forward to the next installment of Orphan X and Peter Ash in January and IQ in February.

• CrimeReads looks at Hemingway’s politics and prose coalescing in his only crime novel.

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from Australian thriller writer Jane Harper this week:

• “To look out and see not another soul between you and the horizon could be a strange and disturbing sight.”

• “Life out here is hard. We all try to get through the best way we can. But trust me, there’s not a single person here who isn’t lying to themselves about something.”

   

1 QUESTION

• What is your favorite Australian crime book? Garry Disher, Peter Temple and Candice Fox jump to mind along with Jane Harper. What do you think?

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

December 17th, 2020

One positive thing that 2020 provided was plenty of time to think. I’ve come to believe that life instantly improves when you don’t blame other people and focus on what you can control.

I know 2020 didn’t turn out the way any of us expected but a focus on service, and gratitude, and things within our sphere of influence will help get us through. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We’ll make it. Together.

OK, let’s get to it this week.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• As if 2020 was intent on pouring acid in the wound until the very end, the week started with news of the passing of John le Carre. If you want to read some le Carre, here are some suggestions on where to start.

• The NYT’s obit/remembrance/retrospective of John le Carre’s career is well worth reading.

• Speaking of codes and code breaking, one of the infamous Zodiac’s puzzles has been deciphered. Fascinating to read how they did it but the actual message was sort of disappointing.

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from John le Carre this week:

• “A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.”

• “Do you know what love is? I’ll tell you: it is whatever you can still betray.”

   

1 QUESTION

• What is your favorite modern espionage book? Red Sparrow and The Trinity Six come to mind.

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

December 9th, 2020

Working from home during all of this definitely puts some stress on trying to remain creative and keep the family happy. You need to be both flexible and disciplined, both in your habits and your environment. The more disciplined your environment, the less disciplined you need to be. In theory…

OK, let’s get to it this week.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• Really liked that Stasio’s NYTs best crime novels of ’20 list goes beyond the traditional big names, big books. You’ll find something new here to read.

• CrimeReads examines the back catalog of David Fincher and his obsession with noir. I need to re-watch PANIC ROOM.
  

• An interesting look at US library borrowing data from the middle of this year. What are people really reading during the summer of the pandemic?

2 QUOTES

Two quotes about libraries this week:

• “You want weapons? We are in a library! The best weapons in the world!” – Dr Who

• “A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.” – Henry Ward Beecher

   

1 QUESTION

• What is your favorite book that involves a library or bookshop? The Eyre Affair and Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore come to mind for me.

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

December 3rd, 2020

Lifelong learning is something I truly love. Funny how getting out of school is what really inspired me to find things I love and keep learning. Every skill you know today was once something you had no idea about. I spent the last month learning about audio production and recording and I just sent out a short story to my advance team for feedback. I love having a new way to get stories to readers. I think audio will only continue to grow in the future.

OK, let’s get to it this week.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• The LA Review of Books looks at the recent Hard Case collection of Ray Bradbury’s lesser known works: his crime stories.

• NPR’s year-end picks for best of 2020 plus the interactive book concierge is back. This will kill at least an hour.

• Hachette has an excerpt for Connelly’s 2006 non-fiction work CRIME BEAT which is getting a wider release now.

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from Ray Bradbury:

• “There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.”

• “If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you’ll never learn.”

1 QUESTION

• Spent the weekend reading the latest Lincoln Lawyer book from Michael Connelly. What is your favorite ongoing Connelly series? Bosch? Haller? MacEvoy? Ballard?
  

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

November 19th, 2020

We’re still neck-deep in the pandemic but at least the election is over. I’m trying to get back in a groove and form good habits – and kick bad ones. The best strategy I’ve found so far? Awareness.  Working hard to eliminate thoughtless habits frees up much more time for deliberate action.

OK, let’s get to it this week.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• CrimeReads looks at the tropes and expectations and popularity of the odd couple/buddy mysteries.
  

• David Baldacci talks to Novel Suspects about his new found love for classic 30 and 40’s crime noir.

• CrimeReads talks to CJ Box about finally seeing one of his books adapted for television, writing overlapping series, and working with David Kelley .

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from film noir classics:

• “I never confuse business with sentiment. Unless it’s extremely profitable, of course.” Clifton Webb in The Dark Corner (1946).
  

• “I want him to be fully conscious. I don’t like to shoot a corpse. I want to see the expression on his face when he knows it’s coming.” Raymond Burr in His Kind of Woman (1951).
  

1 QUESTION

• What books are on your holiday wish list? I’m looking forward to Thomas Perry’s fourth Butcher’s Boy book and Anthony Horowitz’s Moonflower Murders.
  

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series

November 12th, 2020

It’s been quite a week in the US, to say the least. I’ve been feeling a volatile mix of emotions, from relief, hope, and optimism to sadness, fear, and doubt. It’s proven to be an exhausting and tricky maze to navigate. I’m just trying to take it moment-by-moment and day-by-day with as much patience, compassion, kindness, and gratitude as I can muster.

Let’s get to it.

Here are 3 crime fiction links, 2 quotes, and 1 question for this week:

3 LINKS

• The NYTs finds Nesbo’s latest standalone THE KINGDOM much tamer and (initially) slower than the typical Hole books but eventually it slams to a conclusion.

• Bleeding Cool looks at the latest Reacher and points out a few things I’d also noticed in the last few books. To be fair, re-read a number of early JR this year and he’s not as taciturn but was always unstoppable.
  

• In the Guardian, Val McDermid reflects on the timing, inspiration, and changes that resulted from writing and publishing THE MERMAIDS SINGING.

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from Vac McDermid:

• “A society gets the criminals it deserves.”
  

• “He frowned as he struggled to remember. It was like watching an elephant crochet.”

1 QUESTION

• Lots of big books coming out for the holiday season. What book are you most looking forward to in November? I’m excited about Connelly’s return to Mickey Haller in the latest Lincoln Lawyer book.
  

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series