Over at Mystery Fanfare, Janet Rudolph has a list of Valentine's Day mysteries you can cozy up with, along with your box of gun-shaped chocolates.
French is the language for lovers, n'est-c pas? Janet also announced that the next issue of Mystery Readers Journal will focus on Mysteries set in France. She's looking for articles, reviews and Author! Author! essays, with a deadline of March 10th. There's more information on the journal's website.
Join Professor Charles Rzepka for a luncheon talk on "Why Read Detective Fiction?" tomorrow at Boston University. Rzepka will explore the reasoning behind the pull to detective fiction, and the differences between reading mystery, crime fiction, and detective works, as he discusses the specific demands detective fiction makes on readers that differ from any other genre. (Check out this post for my look at Rzepka's book.)
The International Mystery Writers' Festival, "Discovering New Mysteries," has been struggling financially the past few years, but the organization announced recently that the festival is returning once again to Owensboro, Kentucky, June 14-17. The festival has hosted several best-selling authors, internationally known actors and successful TV writer/producers including Gene Hackman, Mary Higgins Clark, Josh Hutcherson, Sue Grafton, Anthony E. Zuiker (creator of C.S.I), Rene' Balcer (creator of Law and Order: Criminal Intent), William Link (co-creator of Columbo and Murder She Wrote), and dozens of others who actively participated in workshops, panel discussions, and retrospectives of their work. Other highlights of this event include author signings and premiere productions of contest-winning plays.
Mike Ripley's latest column "Getting Away with Murder" for Shots Ezine starts off with a fond farewell to the late Reginald Hill (he also penned a lovely obit for The Guardian). He also takes a look at an "American rural noir" trend, historical mysteries, news from Scandinavian crime fiction, and more.
Gerard Brennan won Spinetingler's first-ever novella award for his work "The Point." Brennan also has a new title out, Wee Rockets, via relative ebook newcomer Blasted Heath.
We're getting closer to "March Madness," and Jen Forbus has announced the 2012 Crime Fiction Bracket Tourney on her blog Jen's Book Thoughts. This year's theme is "Heroes and Villains," to pit protagonists versus antagonists. Hop on over to her blog and nominate your favorites, as many as you like, up to March 4th, and then return for voting later.
The Guardian asked several writers to choose their favorite love poems.
Tired of the usual boring heart-shaped cake? Try serving up some bleeding heart cupcakes!
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