Random Observations

Wow…it’s been a crazy few weeks. Lots going on, and so it seems like a good time to round up some observations…

Clean Reader: Who’s behind it and what’s next?

In March, 2010, my friend and YA author Marley Gibson received an email from a school librarian in Riceville, Tennessee. The librarian, Cheryl, explained to Marley that while her students loved her Ghost Huntress series, she was distressed because she had to go...

Goodbye, Lisa

In December, 2013, I used this space to tell you about my friend, Lisa Adams. I got so many wonderful notes about this post, and I’m grateful that so many of you took the time to have a read of Lisa’s blog. One week ago, Lisa died. I saw the news on Saturday morning,...

How to Be a Book Snob

This post was inspired by a segment on RTE Radio 1 about THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, during which John Connolly valiantly tolerated some pretty impressive book snobbery. Click here to listen (popcorn at the ready recommended).   1. Use the phrase “transcends the...

Letter to My Tribe

Way back at the beginning of the year a mystery novel by a certain Literary Fiction Author was published, and said author proceeded to make a number of derogatory comments about crime fiction and those who read it. I had the opportunity to respond in an editorial in...

Three for Friday

I’ll say what we’re all thinking: October? Really? How did that happen? And when did stores start putting out Christmas stuff so damn early? Ok. Now that that’s done with… In case you missed it, Jeff Cohen has a new book out, called THE QUESTION OF THE MISSING HEAD....