The Hungry Detective

I find the machismo of  UK crime cinema to be a bit tiresome..... yes... I know... Bruen hails from Ireland... so forgive the over generalization. If MICHAEL COLLINS was not such a snooze of a film I might be inclined to make a greater distinction.  In any case, the work of Ken Bruen is a notable hole in the Crime Fiction education of The Hungry Detective. Lets see if that changes in 2011. Don't hold your breath.....

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from authors, publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of November 2010. THIRD DEGREE - Maggie Barbieri - Minotaur Books

Ahhhhhhh...... the McConaughey. I happen to think that this is pretty good casting for Mickey Haller, but it is all based on looks. My problem with 'the McConaughey' is that the guy just lacks gravitas. He is a light weight.... always will be. What sells the movie for me is the fantastic supporting cast.

My favorite authors produce books so routinely that I often don't even need the requisite year for their latest to appear in my local bookshop. That sounds horribly jaded, I know. That at any moment during the year I have access to a new book from somebody I love to read is not exactly a hardship. I guess, maybe, I'm talking about the mystery of anticipation. I have a few writers that I scour the internet for any possible shred of news on their latest book. Adrian McKinty falls into that category. That I have waited this long to post news about this upcoming release is just sheer foolishness on my part.

It is pretty obvious by the lack of activity around here that Crime Fiction and The Hungry Detective are not seeing eye to eye. The reasons are many, but as I mentioned in my Fall Preview there is nothing worse than a blogger complaining about their own complacency. Suffice to say the blame lies squarely with me, but it does not help that Crime Fiction seems hellbent on being mediocre right now. A couple weeks ago I picked up the last Easy Rawlins book, BLONDE FAITH, with the hopes that through sheer nostalgia I could rekindle the love affair.  BLONDE FAITH is a very good book, but sadly I just did not feel it. All of which makes writing that THE NEAREST EXIT is undoubtedly the best thing I've to read this year all the more thrilling. I know that it should not be a great surprise. Mr. Steinhauer's first in this series was THE TOURIST. I loved that book. THE NEAREST EXIT is fantastic and it ascends to something greater. It blows away all of the paint by numbers plotting and sto...

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from authors, publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of October 2010. THE DEAD PATH - Stephen M. Irwin - Doubleday THE VIOLET HOUR - Daniel Judson - Minotaur Books A DEAD MAN'S TALE - James D. Doss - Minotaur Books OUTWITTING TROLLS - William G. Tapply - Minotaur Books

The past couple years I have been in attendance to deliver the news in a timely manner, this year not so much. This post is more for me than you because if you cared you read about the award winners from the 2010 SF B'Con over a week ago. Still, I am duty bound to report on those who walked away with the hardware. Shamus and Barry's in this post. Macavity's and Anthony's in the follow-up . Winners are in red . The Hungry Detective's pick is in blue . SHAMUS AWARDS Best Hardcover P.I. Novel THE SILENT HOUR - Michael Koryta - Minotaur WHERE THE DEAD LAY - David Levien - Doubleday LOCKED IN - Marcia Muller - Grand Central SCHEMERS - Bill Pronzini - Forge MY SOUL TO TAKE - Yrsa Sigurdardottir - William Morrow Best First P.I. Novel   LOSER'S TOWN - Daniel Depp - Simon & Schuster THE LAST GIG - Norman Green - Minotaur THE GOOD SON - Russel D. McLean - Minotaur FACES OF THE GONE - Brad Parks - Minotaur CHINATOWN ANGEL - A.E. Roman - Minotau...

Previously.... as in 5 minutes ago... I posted the belated announcement for the 2010 Shamus and Barry Awards. Again the winner will be in red . The Hungry Detective picks will be in in blue . Now bring on the Macavity Awards. I. AM . INVINCIBLE! MACAVITY AWARDS Best Mystery Novel BURY ME DEEP - Megan Abbott - Simon & Schuster TOWER - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman - Busted Flush Press NECESSARY AS BLOOD - Deborah Crombie - Wm. Morrow NEMESIS - Jo Nesbø , translated by Don Bartlett - HarperCollins THE BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny - Minotaur THE SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan - Minotaur Best First Mystery Novel THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley - Delacorte RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL - Jamie Freveletti - Wm. Morrow A BAD FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield - Minotaur THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stuart Neville - Soho Crime A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE - Malla Nunn - Picador Best Mystery Nonfiction L.A. NOIR: THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SOUL OF AMERICA'S...

The Hungry Detective has made the decision to group all of his predictions into one uber-prediction post for the multiple award ceremonies that will be occurring during the Bouchercon weekend. I'm not getting too adventurous with my picks. After doing this for a couple years I have learned that when I get creative with my 'picks' I only look like an idiot. I'm predicting the Barry, Macavity, PWA Shamus, and Anthony Awards. First up the Shamus Awards. The full list of nominations is here . Best Hardcover P.I. Novel THE SILENT HOUR - Michael Koryta - Minotaur   Best First P.I. Novel CHINATOWN ANGEL - A.E. Roman - Minotaur Best Paperback Original P.I. Novel: VENGEANCE ROAD - Rick Mofina - Mira Best P.I. Short Story: • “BLAZIN' ON BROADWAY” - Gary Phillips from Phoenix Noir, edited by Patrick Millikin; Akashic   Next? How about the Barry Awards? Full list of nominations is here . Best Novel: THE LAST CHILD -  John Hart - Minotaur Best First ...

Our picks for Thursday and Friday went up yesterday. Today I'll look at Saturday and the shorten Sunday panels. I am super jealous of anyone who will be in San Francisco. Saturday 8:30am - 9:30pm LETTERS FROM THE GRAVE The Endurance of Sherlock Holmes Les Klinger(M), Steve Hockensmith, Laurie King, Michael Kurland, Graham Moore Holmes, Hockensmith, King. Done. Saturday 10:00am - 11:00am Denise Mina interviewed by Val McDermid No competition for this panel, but it would not matter if there was. I dig both these writers, and need to read more from both of them. Saturday 11:30am - 12:30pm INNOCENT NO MORE East coast/ west cost Authors discuss attraction/differences of the coasts. F. Paul Wilson(M), Naomi Hirahara, Walter Mosley, S.J. Rozan, Brett Battles Walter Mosley is at the core of why I read Crime Fiction. I'll hate to miss 'The Drop' with Billingham, Connolly, et. al., but Mr. Mosely is fundamental to why I read. Saturday1:30pm - 2:30pm GUEST OF HONOR LEE C...

The program for this year's San Francisco Bouchercon has been released. Loyal readers... if there are any of you left... know that for the past two years I have picked what I think is the best of the panels during the run of the 'Con. This is in no way to disparage any of the other panels. Every panel is a good one. Normally the picks coincide with what The Hungry Detective anticipates on seeing himself.  But this year it is not to be. I am already breathless for Bouchercon 2011 in St Louis. This post is in two parts. Today I'll cover Thursday and Friday. I'll cover Saturday and Sunday in a follow up post  in the next day or so. Also look for my predictions for the many awards that will be presented during the run of the 'Con. Those probably won't appear until the Tuesday or Wednesday before Bouchercon begins. Thursday 10am - 11am MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED Our favorite books – fan/reviewer panel Ali Karim(M), Chris Aldrich, Sarah Byrne, Janet Rudolph, An...

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from authors, publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of September 2010. VOYEUR - Daniel Judson - Minotaur Books THE KILLER OF LITTLE SHEPHERDS - Douglas Starr - Knopf

The leaves are changing faster than I have posted around here. The summer was a hot sweaty mess. And once the final decision was made not to attend the SF B'Con , The Hungry Detective was all at sea. However, there is nothing worse than a blogger complaining about the morass of complacency. Fall 2010 looks to be fruitful. Everything on the list is a distant second to MOONLIGHT MILE. The return of Mr. Lehane is giving me a panic attack. I am actually being more careful in life lest some horrid accident befall me before November. Do yourself a favor, find yourself a hammock and read these books! My thanks to Fantastic Fiction and The Bloodstained Bookshelf . THE HANGING TREE - Bryan Gruley - In stores now! Mr. Gruley returns with his follow-up to STRAVATION LAKE. I am not along in thinking that Mr. Gruley's first was a winner from the word go. The book has been out a few weeks now, but I'll be looking for this in the coming months. THE BODY AND THE BLOOD - Michael Lis...

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from authors, publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of August 2010. SIX SUSPECTS - Vikas Swarup - Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V   X Y Z

The 2010 PWA Shamus nominations made their appearance last week. And like a lot of things with The Hungry Detective they are pretty late in showing up here. As in most cases I have read very few of the nominated books. Still I'd love to see Michael Koryta win. THE SILENT HOUR is fantastic. The Hungry Detective extends our congratulations to all of the nominees and wishes them the best of luck when the awards are handed out at this year's San Francisco B'Con . Best Hardcover P.I. Novel THE SILENT HOUR - Michael Koryta - Minotaur WHERE THE DEAD LAY - David Levien - Doubleday LOCKED IN - Marcia Muller - Grand Central SCHEMERS - Bill Pronzini - Forge MY SOUL TO TAKE - Yrsa Sigurdardottir - William Morrow Best First P.I. Novel   LOSER'S TOWN - Daniel Depp - Simon & Schuster THE LAST GIG - Norman Green - Minotaur THE GOOD SON - Russel D. McLean - Minotaur FACES OF THE GONE - Brad Parks - Minotaur CHINATOWN ANGEL - A.E. Roman - Minotaur Best P...

Out of the loop for so long that I missed this bit of recent greatness. 11.2.10!

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from authors, publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of July 2010 DEVIL'S TRILL - Gerald Elias - Minotaur Books VILLIAN - Shuichi Yoshida - Pantheon THE CHARMING QUIRKS OF OTHERS - Alexander McCall Smith - Pantheon STRONG ENOUGH TO DIE - Jon Land - Forge Books STRONG JUSTICE - Jon Land - Forge Books

Small confession. If you throw the word 'spy' into the title of your novel, I am probably gonna read it. I have two sources for my obsession, neither of them are James Bond. Now, I love James, but I have never mistaken what 007 does for anything remotely resembling real tradecraft. TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY is about the zenith of fictional spy reality. If you have not seen the 6 hour miniseries from the early 80's do yourself a favor and hole up on some rainy Saturday and let Alec Guiness as George Smiley teach you life lessons about spying for Queen and Country. The other source for me is THE SANDBAGGERS. A wonderful ITV show that played in the UK from 1978 to 1980. Both of these are hyper-realistic... or what I imagine to be hyper-realistic... depictions of the work a day world of the counter-intelligence officer. So that is the short story to why Keith Thomson's ONCE A SPY ended up on my plate. The hook for ONCE A SPY is Alzheimer's. Drummond Clark is the leg...

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of June 2010 CRASHERS - Dana Haynes - Minotaur Books THE CHILL OF THE NIGHT - James Hayman - Minotaur Books THE BONE FIRE - Christine Barber - Minotaur Books THE DROWNING RIVER - Christobel Kent STILL MISSING - Chevy Stevens - St. Martin's Press THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY - Gianrico Carofiglio - Minotaur Books THE TILTING HOUSE - Tom Llewellyn - Tricycle Press 

My Summer Preview 2010 is almost a week late, but that is ok. Mrs. Hungry Detective had a birthday and it was a gigantic production. Dominoes, 90 degree heat, an art happening, Karaoke, a trip to the emergency room, hitting a deer, driving to Syracuse and the World Cup were all accomplished in 48 hours. This summer is even more bountiful then it has been in the past. A lot of books caught my eye. There are 22 books here, and that certainly must be a record. I wish I had the time to read them all. If I am lucky 2 or 3 will cross my already full summer reading schedule. As always The Hungry Detective encourages you to buy books! STRONG JUSTICE - Jon Land - June 22 The long history of the Texas Rangers has always fascinated me. James Lee Burke has put it to effective use in his Billy Bob Holland books. Plus the Rangers have one of the great all-time slogans. One riot, One Ranger. Balls! I guess I should mention that Mr. Land's protagonist is Catlin Strong a 5th generation Texas Ran...

I don't have the faintest idea of the internal machinations of Northern Ireland over the last 90 years. It is daunting particularly because the events are treated as sacrosanct. What I know falls into whatever THE CRYING GAME, MICHAEL COLLINS, SUNDAY, BLOODY, SUNDAY, HUNGER, and IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER have decided to tell me. It is an overwhelming historical event that intimidates rather than ingratiates the uneducated to come to some half-baked understanding of its causes. I mean is it trite to say that the whole thing is a mess and both sides have blood on their hands? However, as a cultural and societal phenomenon Northern Ireland and the Troubles are terribly fertile grounds. Stuart Neville tries to tackle the whole bloody mess with THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST . Gerry Fegan is a button man, an assassin. When he was ordered to kill he did so with the understanding that he was helping to bring about a free Northern Ireland. But now it is years later. The younger generation is more...

Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine released their Barry award nominations a few days ago. The winners will be announced at the San Francisco B'Con.  Of course the most curious award is the Mystery/Crime Novel of the Decade. I'm sure I have something to say about it... I just don't know what that might be. The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations to all of the nominees and wishes them the best of luck. Best Novel: THE GATES - John Connolly - Atria THE HIDDEN MAN - David Ellis - Putnam SPADE & ARCHER - Joe Gores - Knopf THE LAST CHILD -  John Hart - Minotaur LOCKED IN - Marcia Muller - Grand Central SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan - Minotaur Best First Novel: BEAT THE REAPER - Josh Bazell  - Little, Brown THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley - Delacorte A TRACE OF SMOKE - Rebecca Cantrell - Forge A BAD DAY FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield - Minotaur Black WATER RISING - Attica Locke - Harper THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stu...

Mystery Readers International recently announced their 2010 nominations. And like the Barry's and Anthony's the winners will be announced at this year's B'Con in Shake Town. The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations to all of the nominees and wishes them the best of luck. Best Mystery Novel BURY ME DEEP - Megan Abbott - Simon & Schuster TOWER - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman - Busted Flush Press NECESSARY AS BLOOD - Deborah Crombie - Wm. Morrow NEMESIS - Jo Nesbø , translated by Don Bartlett - HarperCollins THE BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny - Minotaur THE SHANGHAI MOON - S.J. Rozan - Minotaur Best First Mystery Novel THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley - Delacorte RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL - Jamie Freveletti - Wm. Morrow A BAD FOR SORRY - Sophie Littlefield - Minotaur THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST - Stuart Neville - Soho Crime A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE - Malla Nunn - Picador Best Mystery Nonfiction L.A. NOIR: THE...

Anthony nominations appeared on Friday. Sorry for the delay. All sorts of non-THD things happened on Friday and Saturday to delay me getting this post up in a timely fashion. Sunday, well I was just being lazy. My only concern with the list is the number of repeat Edgar nominees. One in PBO, two for Best Novel, three for Best First Novel, Four for Short Story and Nonfiction. A good book is a good book. And,I am not saying these aren't worthy nominees, just lacking a bit in imagination. Surprisingly, I have read a good number of them. I'll probably be able to pick of a few more between now and when the awards are handed out at the San Francisco B'Con . Which, unfortunately, I'll be passing up this year. Boo. There is a word that describes having to pay $269 dollars a night for a room, but this is a family blog.... The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations to all of the nominees and wishes them the best of luck. BEST NOVEL THE LAST CHILD - John Hart   - Mino...

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of May 2010 AWAKENING - S.J. Bolton - Minotaur Books BLOOD HARVEST - S.J. Bolton - Minotaur Books CUT, PASTE, KILL - Marshal Karp - Minotaur Books THE TERRORIST - Peter Steiner - Minotaur Books BUY BACK - Brian M. Wiprud - Minotaur Books

CIA Agent Milo Weaver is one hot mess at the beginning of Olen Steinhauer's THE TOURIST . Strung out on a variety of chemical enhancements, Milo is protecting a low level government functionary when everything well and truly falls apart. We spring forward a handful of years where Milo has woman in his life and a young daughter to care for. He has extracted himself from the deepest part of his despair with their help, but like the all the best Crime Fiction the past is a door to your future problems. Of course, Milo is dragged back down into the shadowy world when an assassin, Milo's rival, turns up inauspiciously in a small town jail. There he weaves a tale of deceit and betrayal at the very heart of the CIA. Concurrently, Milo's boss tells him that a colleague is leaking information to the Chinese. These two events combine to reveal to Milo what a pawn he has been all along. I mentioned in a previous post that I thought THE TOURIST was a 4/5th masterpiece. But writing...

It feels like cheating that Daniel Waddell uses a charming and good looking male protagonist as his lead character. Genealogy never smacks of exciting young men, like Nick Barnes, combing through death notices while simultaneously avoiding being killed. Genealogy is rather left to that frumpish unmarried 60 year old Aunt who has long since mastered the 4-star Sudoku puzzle. But, it is easy to forgive Mr. Waddell in his effort to invigorate a profession that one can not help feel is one step above scrapbooking. THE BLOOD DETECTIVE succeeds in large part because of its satisfying combination of Police procedural, and historical Crime Novel. I'll admit my weakness to both subsets of the genre. Each here is balanced well, in support of and against the other, to provide a richly detailed work. Mr. Waddell's pace is easy and intuitive. His characters, especially his main creations Nick, Chief Inspector Grant Foster, and Detective Superintendent Heather Jenkins are realistic multid...

Don't let the date stamp on this post fool you. I am publishing this well after these awards have been given out. However, I posted the nominations for this year's Agatha's, so posting the winners is a just to complete the circle. I have back date the post for reasons of laziness and perceived timeliness. The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations to winners and nominees alike. Best Novel A BRUTAL TELLING - Louise Penny - Minotaur Books Best First Novel THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE - Alan Bradley - Delacorte Press Best Non-Fiction DAME AGATHA'S SHORT - Elena Santangelo - Bella Rosa Books Best Short Story "ON THE HOUSE" - Hank Phillippi Ryan, Quarry - Level Best Books Best Children's/Young Adult THE HANGING HILL - Chris Grabenstein - Random House

It is the good fortune of The Hungry Detective to now and again receive books from publishers or their associated marketing agencies. These books were received in the month of April 2010. ONE MAN'S PARADISE - Douglas Corleone - Minotaur Books THE EDGE OF RUIN - Irene Fleming - Minotaur Books BRUNO, CHIEF OF POLICE -  Martin Walker - Vintage

Nothing so over as the 2010 Edgar Awards.  The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations to all the winners and equally deserving nominees. My gratitude to Ms. Weinman's twitter reportage . Cheers! Best Novel THE LAST CHILD by John Hart - Minotaur Books Best First Novel by an American Author  IN THE SHADOW OF GOTHAM by Stefanie Pintoff - Minotaur Book Best Paperback Original BODY BLOWS by Marc Strange - Dundurn Press – Castle Street Mysteries Best Fact Crime COLUMBINE by Dave Cullen - Hachette Book Group - Twelve Best Critical/Biographical     THE LINEUP: THE WORLD'S GREATEST CRIME WRITERS TELL THE INSIDE STORY OF THEIR GREATEST DECTECTIVE edited by Otto Penzler - Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company Best Short Story "AMAPOLA" – Phoenix Noir by Luis Alberto Urrea - Akashic Books Best Juvenile CLOSED FOR THE SEASON by Mary Downing Hahn - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Books Best Young Adult     REALITY...

What amounts to Crime Fiction Oscar's...although it plays more like the Tony's*.... occurs tomorrow night.  I had such high hopes to read more of the Edgar nominees, but this is a yearly lament. I guess in the way of full disclosure is that I don't read all the books nominated. Big surprise, I know. These picks are 80% gut reaction, 15% sense of history, and 5% percent based on some unpronounceable French philosophy. I do this post for two reasons. First, the analytics bounce is nice for my ego. Two, because it is fun to be right just as much as it is fun to be wrong about these picks. In any case The Hungry Detective extends their congratulations and best wishes to all of the nominees. I'll post the winners as soon as someone's twitter account tells me. BEST NOVEL THE MISSING by Tim Gautreaux - Random House - Alfred A. Knopf THE ODDS by Kathleen George - Minotaur Books THE LAST CHILD by John Hart - Minotaur Books MYSTIC ARTS OF ERASING ALL SIGNS OF DE...