CAUGHT! - The last hurrah!

Well, it isn't the total last hurrah, later today you'll have to check back to see the Crime Writers Caught Reading Crime video grand finale. For now, though, the photo finale will be an explosive finale, kinda like the end of a fireworks show. Let it roll:

At the beginning of this month, you may remember I went to see Sophie Littlefield, Brad Parks and Carla Buckley. And you may also remember that I told you they read from each other's work. Here they are, three debut authors, in all their glory:

Sophie read from Carla's THE THINGS THAT KEEP US HERE:

Brad read from Sophie's A BAD DAY FOR SORRY. He said he always hears Stella's voice with a Southern dialect, and so that's how he read it:

And Carla read from Brad's FACES OF THE GONE:

I can't imagine a better way to end this month of Crime Writers Caught Reading Crime than with a debut author reading one of the genre's legends! Here we have Ken Mercer, author of SLOW FIRE, reading James Crumley's THE LAST GOOD KISS.

Many thanks to all the folks who helped make this possible by helping me catch crime writers reading crime! We may have a go at this one again since people enjoyed the photos. So, everyone be on the lookout for your favorite crime writers reading crime!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, later today I'll have the video finale with some extra special guests chiming in! And don't forget to leave your final comments for the drawing for Michael Koryta's SO COLD THE RIVER. All the summer reading recommendation lists are coming out. Let us know what you are looking forward to reading this summer. And are you planning to read anywhere fun? Share with us!

Happy Reading!

Technorati Tags: Crime Writers Caught Reading Crime, Brad Parks, Carla Buckley, Sophie Littlefield, Ken Mercer, James Crumely

Some News, A Winner and a New Contest

Wow! It's almost the end of March. Where did this month go? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. It's moving us closer to warm weather.

This weekend I joined Audible and I'm trying to decide what book I want to choose for my free download. I'm so bad at making decisions like this, mostly because I want everything but want to make the "just right" choice. Some of the books I'm considering:

FACELESS KILLERS - Henning Mankell
NO TIME FOR GOODBYE - Linwood Barclay
PRIVILEGED INFORMATION - Stephen White

The direction I was trying to go was with someone I haven't read at all but someone I know I definitely want to start reading. These are all authors who have been highly recommended to me. Give me your thoughts. Do you have any input on any of these books? Do you have other suggestions for me? The tournament has got me excited about some new authors, too. I picked up a Brian Freeman book at the library so I can try him out. So, who else should I try? I want to put my free book to good use.

Today's the 23rd. That means it's release day for Alafair Burke's 212! As Alafair pointed out to me, 2-1-2 releases on 3-2-3. If you missed it before, here is my review of the new Ellie Hatcher. And I'm not the only one who loves it either. It's receiving great reviews everywhere. If you haven't read an Ellie Hatcher yet, now's the time to get on the ball. If, like me, you've been waiting for 212, IT'S HERE! Time to celebrate. I'm going to do just that by going to see Alafair on Saturday, so expect a recap from that event next week. Also, later this week I'll be recapping my trip to PA to meet Jo Nesbø! All kinds of fun. And the Festival of Books is quickly approaching as well.

Spinetingler had this great interview posted with Chris Grabenstein. I wanted to share it with you and remind you that May is bringing the new John Ceepak novel, ROLLING THUNDER, and you all must get a copy of this book. I've read it; it's wonderful; and I'm in it! So, I know you all want to have a souvenir of my literary debut!!

Alright, so I need to announce two items today. The first is the winner of OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE DECEPTION. And the random number generator awards the prize to Pete T. I have contacted Pete to get his mailing info and the book will go out to him ASAP.

Now you have a chance to win again! Woo hoo! And this is a great opportunity. I have a signed, first edition copy of Ken Mercer's SLOW FIRE. This debut has been receiving great reviews and just went into its second printing.

If you are unfamiliar with SLOW FIRE, it features former LAPD narcotics detective, Will Magowan. He left his job when he became addicted to the drugs he was supposed to be fighting against. With no job or wife, he's offered a position as a police chief in a tiny rural town full of dark secrets and Magowan has to try to save the town from destruction.

How about that for a thriller? Here's your chance to get your hands on it for free - signed even! If you have a U.S. mailing address complete the form below, and the random number generator will pick a winner next Tuesday. Don't delay!