The Hungry Detective

Spring arrived at The Hungry Detective offices in early March. Weather was so amazing that posting the Spring Preview seemed ridiculous. I was certain the cruel joke of Rochester weather would dump a ton of snow on us. But yesterday I threw away the ice scrappers, and fertilized the lawn. The fact that the lawn mower might be dead is a minor inconvenience. It was then I knew it was time to post the Spring Preview. FUN HOUSE - Chris Grabenstein - May 1 A series that is a lot of fun, even if the quality has fallen off over the last couple books. John Ceepak is still a role model for living this life as a better man. HARD COUNTRY - Michael McGarrity - May 10 I have never been let down by Mr. McGarrity. And, although this is a straight up Western, I'm still excited to see what this capable storyteller has in mind. AS THE CROW FLIES - Craig Johnson - May 15 Day of release purchase. Boom! I blew through four of Mr. Johnson's books last fall. They were all a blast...

Hello. Spring appears to be here. I say appears because the other day we got about three inches of snow. Stupid snow. Spring Preview arrives with more than a few books I would like to add to my permanent collection. I'm sure some of them will make it. The rest I will lament like friends who I never call (or blogs I never update). Sigh. Of course my thanks go to Fantastic Fiction and The Bloodstained Bookshelf in helping THD to compile this list THE FIFTH WITNESS - Michael Connelly - April 5 I've warmed up to the Haller books ever so slowly. HEADS YOU LOSE - Lisa Lutz and David Hayward - April 5 Ms. Lutz is pretty hilarious even if her books are a little too caught up in stylistic flourishes. A book by dueling authors sounds like fun. HELL IS EMPTY - Craig Johnson - June 2 Finally got around to giving this guy a read last year. He is pretty good. NOW YOU SEE ME - SJ Bolton - June 7 Reminds me of early Minette Walters, I'm hooked. THE RIDGE - Michael ...

Spring is about to be sprung on the unsuspecting masses of the Midwest and East coast who will enjoy the 6 hours of nice weather before it all turns to an insufferable sweltering Summer heat. I might have done this in the past, but The Hungry Detective would like to thank Fantastic Fiction and the Bloodstained Bookshelf for being the primarily resources from which this list is drawn up. Cheers, mates! EXPIRATION DATE - Duane Swierczynski - March 30 I mentioned this in my Winter Preview as well. I dig most of what Duane has written so I don't have a problem giving EXPIRATION DATE another plug. Read this dude! INFAMOUS - Ace Atkins - April 15 Baby Face Nelson is the focus of Mr. Atkins next reality based fiction. I really thought the WHITE SHADOW was one of the finest things I read in 2009. It reminds me that I need to get back to WICKED CITY and DEVIL'S GARDEN . THE THIRD RAIL - Michael Harvey - April 20 Chicago. What are you gonna do? I'm a sucker for this place. Fun...

Gasp... is that the sun. Sweet excelsior of life, here to wash the putrescence of winter off my skin. Okay, so the The Hungry Detective is very happy to welcome Spring. My diatribe aside I generally love the winter, but right around the second or third week of February Winter becomes a heavy burden crushing my soul. A plethora of Crime Fiction will appear in the coming months. Let's not waste a moment longer. The Long Fall - Walter Mosley (March 24) With the Easy Rawlins books in Mr. Mosley's rearview mirror... I give that 5 years... Mr Mosley switches his focus from LA to NYC. Mr. Mosley is one of the reasons I read crime fiction. However, my real concern is that most of Mr. Mosley's non Easy Rawlins work has left me cold. The Dark Volume - GW Dahlquist (March 24) Huh. Sometimes a book makes this list because of a jacket cover or interesting title. In this case the first book in the series was titled, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters. It is even fun to type, The Glas...

Spring is here in name only. It snowed at THD's World Headquarters early today. Spring should mean consistently warmer temperatures of about 55-70 degrees. That does not happen around here until mid-May. Let me extend my thanks to ClueLass and Fantastic Fiction . Most of the books featured here were drawn from their authoritative lists. Empty Ever After - Reed Farrell Coleman - April 1 The latest in the Moe Prager series. The previous entry was nominated for an Edgar and I am going on record and calling that book the favorite to win. Don't be left out in the cold on who many feel is the best writer you are not reading. A Carrion of Death - Michael Stanley - April 1 Botswana is a hot bed. First Alexander McCall Smith. Now Michael Stanley. The axiom of never trusting someone with two first names will be put to the test with this author as Mr. Stanley is actually Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip . My attraction is the exotic locale and the promise of a slightly more gritty ...

Spring is just around the corner. Sadly, in name only. Everyone here at THD has been gathering the latest information on upcoming releases. This preview will cover the time period to mid June. Right now the list is heavily on male perspectives... when I say heavily... I mean exclusively. We will have to work on that. Anyway look for the list on Monday. Cheers!