The news has been driving me to distraction: crappy economy, global conflicts, and of course, the pandemic. Things are scary and the potential consequences loom over us. What can you do? What ultimately happens is not up to us but some things are still in our control. Who we are during all of this matters. If you’re feeling down, or overwhelmed, focus on that. Don’t be afraid, work hard, give back and be good. Those traits will serve you well.

 

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

 

3 LINKS

• The LARB talks to BLACKTOP WASTELAND author SA Cosby about the economy as a plot complication, rural noir and place, finding hope, and ordering hash browns.

• The new 4k box set of Hitchcock films will finally include the long-rumored “uncut” original theatrical version of PSYCHO .
  

• Are lavish audiobook productions then new hot trend? James Patterson just signed a deal with Audible for original stories and Gaiman’s Sandman is in production.

 

2 QUOTES

Two quotes from Alfred Hitchcock this week:

• “The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture.”
  

• “The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture.”

 

1 QUESTION

• I listen to a lot of audiobooks throughout the year. I find them perfect for prepping dinner, weeding the garden, or walking the dog. I will say, my preference is for a solitary narrator, over a radio production-style cast. How about you? Do you prefer bigger audiobook productions with multiple voice actors and sound effects?
  

 

Until next Thursday, happy reading,

Mike

Author the Max Strong thriller series