New Touch in Promoting New Books--

My library has had a much appreciated new fiction book section where a stand-alone bookshelf housed the new books, identified by its yellow dot stickers with a date marked on them.  Convenient, it was close to the circulation desk in the front of the building.  A reasonable set-up--this was the arrangement for years until several weeks ago.    

First the books were moved across the floor to into a corner lining the wall.  They are no longer close to the circulation desk.

(Photo by blogger)

Second the revamped display appeared with some new fiction books now separated by genre.  As you can see on the photograph above the new mystery books are now on their own shelf with a modest-looking black "MYSTERY" label to identify the shelf for the library user.  And since I work in a different library department, this change was unexpected for me.

In the previous location all fiction books were interfiled although a small sticker on the bottom identifying some by genre.  Today, certain books are filed together as "mystery," "science fiction" and so forth.  I like it. I'm satisfied about the ease for the casual book browser--including me--to quickly find a "new" library mystery book.     

Murder mystery at the library--

(Photo by blogger)

It seems to me that its been a while since my library did the ole book display with an outlined body on the floor to direct library users to mystery novels.  (And what better way is there to denote the murder scene than with an outlined body on the floor with if exact position at death, huh?)

Well, that idea has resurfaced as a special "staff picks" book shelf now has that display as shown to the left.  And a knife is included in this display to the far right (my photo was taken to just include the body outline)--the murder weapon?

My co-workers picked mysteries with a lighter--and sometimes comedic--flare in books by Joann Fluke, Charlaine Harris and Bill Crider.  Death is death so why enjoy a smile when reading about the evil-doing that would sicken us otherwise.

Elmore Leonard dies at 87--

A great figure in the crime fiction genre has died earlier this week in writer Elmore Leonard.  

A monster talent with success in writing for novels and some even later adapted in movies (I read he thought "Get Shorty" was one of the best efforts of transferring his novel to the big screen) and television (I'm a steady viewer of "Justified"), Leonard enjoyed a long writing career.  

Elmore Leonard
(photo from Google)

From the library's catalog under his "Raylan" book is the Author & Notes Sketches entry which reads: Elmore John Leonard, Jr., popularly known as mystery and western writer Elmore Leonard, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 11, 1925. He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1943 to 1946. He received a Ph.D. in English from the University of Detroit in 1950. After graduating, he wrote short stories and western novels as well as advertising and education film scripts. In 1967, he began to write full-time and received several awards including the 1977 Western Writers of America award and the 1984 Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe award. His other works include 
Get  Shorty, Out of Sight, Hombre, Mr. Majestyk, 3:10 to Yuma, and Rum Punch. Many of his works were adapted into movies. He successfully conquered alcoholism in the 1970s; details of his struggle with the bottle appear in author Dennis Wholey's 1986 book The Courage to Change. His title Raylan made The New York Times Best Seller List in 2012. Library of America recently announced plans to publish the first of a three-volume collection of his books beginning in the Fall of 2014. Leonard died on August 20, 2013 from complications of a stroke he had earlier. He was 87 years old. (Bowker Author Biography)

For a list of the library's holdings for Leonard (including novels, books on CD, movies, etc.), click here.

The Unofficial Big Summer Beach Read?

Kudos to superstar writer J. K. Rowling for appearing to knock it out the park with her newest title The Cuckoo's Calling.  The "Harry Potter" author has managed a nice steal by writing under the pen name  Robert Galbraith  and garnering good buzz for the private investigator mystery novel.

When I first heard about the book this weekend on TV news (and the genuine news story now surrounding it) I missed the full title as I had hoped to place a hold on the book before the request list for copies by library users spiked up.  That didn't happen.  As of this moment, more than 40 copies of the book will be added to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system--to help fill 289 holds.

If I can take any solace, a co-worker placed a nice pristine copy of the book in my hands earlier today--before it went on its way to fill a library user's book request.  And Rowling got around to writing that rumored adult mystery.

More with Newspaper Book Critic Salem Macknee--

(Salem Macknee during library program/
photo by blogger)

To read about a few titles from Salem Macknee's "Hot New Mystery Novels for the Summer" list from her program, click here.  The booklist features 11 novels currently available in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's catalog collection. 

With some books still be released, I'm certain that list would grow as the library system is able to add some books after their publication release date. 

Ms. Macknee's entire booklist includes 49 titles.

Newspaper Mystery Book Critic Salem Macknee Hosts Library Program

Salem Macknee holding paperback
mystery during library program
(photos by blogger)

On Thursday June 13th, The Charlotte Observer's Salem Macknee was the presenter for informative "Hot New Mystery Novels for the Summer" program at the library.  As billed, the evening showcased upcoming book titles in the mystery genre with a comprehensive breadth of the new novels for the season.

With a simple handout for program guests, Macknee zipped the list of titles and authors--some with a synopsis--from May through August.    And for any curious about Salem's favorite among the upcoming books--the first page of the handout is entitled "Salem's Top 12 for the Summer 2013."

Threatening weather didn't keep away a few hearty souls to attend the event which concluded with Macknee sharing a number of books from her work location as giveaways for those interested.

Salem going through
summer reading list

A long-time interest in mysteries and a long-time career in newspaper work combined to make an effective relationship when reviewing mystery books.  By taking available opportunities to provide local book reviews at newspapers, she was able to move to reviewing mysteries and to become a favorite with staff editors by offering compact, short reviews.

While reading, Macknee says the novels have to capture her interest very early on for her to continue on for a book review.  She has option to review books which interest her and to avoid the rest. Macknee skips Washington, D.C. stories and courtroom novels for instance.  On the writing side, she prefers to write positive reviews and to avoid "trashing" books.    

During the presentation Macknee mentioned how far along she was reading a few titles she had, adding she averages reading one or two novels per week.

New Yorker Magazine Cover Strikes Again--

Seeing this magazine at work recently, I just thought The New Yorker has nailed it again with a great cover.  I was ready to grab this new issue and to disappear for a while and read which profiled summer novels inside.

Entitled "Big City Noir" by Birgit Schossow, the silhouette of the woman and shadow of the man (both with firearms) convey that great sense of danger and menace that would pull in a reader to a book with that cover.

Here's a great art effort rocking the sense of cool and style.

Newspaper Mystery Book Critic is Library Guest--

The local newspaper, thankfully, can be a reliable source for mystery book reviews and at the Charlotte Observer Salem Macknee has held the spot of responsibility for a while.  Writing mystery book reviews for the newspaper since 1995, Macknee has given readers a quick run-down of selected new books with a few sentences per title and then its on to the next.

Salem Macknee (photo
by Charlotte Observer)

That serves her well as the reviews give a quick gist of the novel and a sense of mood or Macknee's reaction.

This long-time newspaper staffer visits South County Library next week--Thursday, June 13th--as a participant with the Adult Summer Reads series in "Hot New Mystery Novels for the Summer."

Macknee will share what we can expect new in the mystery section at  libraries and book stores.  Additionally, some lucky attendees will have the opportunity to walk away with a  gift provided for the event.  Please register at the library's webpage for programs or call the library at 704-416-6600. ext. 4. 

So instead of the monthly book club session at the library, the scheduled time will feature a guest who just may have read and finished a book or two when even if she didn't find it engaging--then she did not stop after 50 pages.    

Friends of Library Book Sale coming to its end--

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is fortunate to have advocates for its future and well-being such as its "Friends of the Library."  This non-profit organization supports the library in a few ways and assisting with the purchase of new library material as a goal.  That said, it is the sole fund raiser goal for the Friends' annual spring book sale.

Jumbo in nature to attract the greater public--vacant public space is secured for the book sale for several days so people can canvass the display areas to look for books about crafts, travel, sports, religion, children's and young adult books among others.  Tomorrow marks the end of this spring's book sale with a bonus reduction of existing items (books, DVDs, music CDs, albums, etc.).

I'm glad this was the second year in a row I was able to volunteer to help in the Friends book sale, on a warm Sunday afternoon no less.  I'd like to think that the Friends group appreciates seeing library staff pitch in to make this project work.  And I was pleased to receive a freebie for volunteering for an afternoon shift.

For the bibliophile, there are a lot of items donated which may include some nice surprises.  My nice surprise was to find a copy of  Gillian Flynn's mystery-themed Gone Girl.  I had hoped to read a copy of this title at some time--a still very popular book--but I wasn't sure when.  Now, my chances have vastly improved.

No doubt, I want the book sale to succeed.  It is great to see the interested people come in, find good things and make purchases. The library benefits.  The public benefits.

Book club favorite title 2012--

During an earlier book club session this year, I asked those present which book selection for the past year was their favorite.

I was curious which title stuck with them and decided it would be good to get a consensus of the best liked mystery novel.  I didn't know quite what to expect among the various books we read (and some prodding was needed to remember them all).


Mark de Castrique
(photo by blogger)

As I recall, I asked for written responses on paper slips and the runaway favorite--after some brief discussion--was Mark de Castrique's  The 13th Target.  It was his newest book, published earlier in the year.  The book follows  Russell Mullins, a former Secret agent now working bodyguard assignments for a private security company. His currently assigned client is found dead and he is convinced the matter deserves further investigation than the police's conclusion of a suicide.  Matters compound for Mullins with a murder and tracking a suspicious money trial from the Federal Reserve.

The book club also benefited from a visit from this local author who was the guest for the November book club session.  Those in attendance found him a pleasant, affable guest.

Kudos for Walter Mosley!

After the rush (it appeared to me), I finally joined Facebook and started "friending" old classmates and the like.  I also---again, in time--spend time with my profile for the account and added book "Likes" in the favorite entry.  Under book, I added Walter Mosley, author of the great "Easy Rollins" series and others.  Ezekiel "Easy" Rollins is a Los Angeles private detective on the job from the 40s through the 60s.

Walter Mosley
(photo from author's website)



To my surprise last month, I received a Facebook message about Mosley as a Facebook fan.  Mosley was recognized on the list of "New York's 100 Most Important Living Writers" from the Flavorwire website.  The entry notes his various awards along with his writing range including "science fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, and at least one book of erotica."   

I've been impressed with Mosley's novels and  broad creative reach for a while.  It's good to see him get this recognition. 

Book club discusses "These Dark Things"

 The book club's September selection was Jan Merete Weiss' Italian mystery These Dark Things.  The book cover says at the bottom under the title: introducing the Captain Natalia Monte series set in Naples.   

Jan Merete Weiss
(photo from Google) 

An ancient practice of praying over skeletons in the city's crypts,  performed by the Jesuits centuries ago, is still continued some parishioners today with the assistance of those faithful who go to wash  the bones of loved ones as an act of sanctification.  One such "bone washer" goes about this unique duty when she discovers a young woman in the crypts--a recent murder victim.  Enter Captain Monte and her partner Sergeant Pino Loriano into a case where the murder investigation and suspects range from the academic, the clerical and the local organized crime (or the "Camorra").  

And set in Naples, the book pulls back the cover to show an old world city that does not take too many steps away from its past.   

Comments about the novel included the following: 

• so many shires are located throughout the city
• one said the use of inserting Italian language and phrases broke up one's concentration to understand the story (if you didn't know the language) but another thought the book did a good job of sharing Italian language and translations 
• Natalia has an interesting set of dilemmas at the end of the book 
• the book's writing was choppy
• the book's title can have multiple meanings with the darkness of the hearts of  people involved in the story and even how the bones of skeleton turn dark after a period of time
• the book didn't grab the attention of one book club attendee
• a map of Naples would have helped the reader.

Getting it the crime novel right--

While reading books for the book club and having our book club discussions, I find myself either flipping to the back or the front of the book to check on the "Acknowledgements."  I'm curious how the writer gets to develop "the voice" for the novel to give an authentic sense of place or the right dialogue.  I guess you'd have to have the assistance or support of those who either work in the field or had worked in law enforcement--for mysteries in this case.  Of course, that is not the same in every case (listed in print, anyway) but I look for it.



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That might even become a discussion point during the book club sessions to see whom the author credits in acknowledgements.  Does it appear to be a back bone for what is in print or a deficient that more help is needed? 

As it goes, a number of us carefully watch television to follow crime on the news, serialized dramas and some news magazine shows.  Though it's not that these readers and TV watchers want to join law enforcement to live out the printed page or screen, there are questions about what crime investigation is actually like.  And enter the writer to build that bridge.

So what's out there for the writer who might want help to write realistically about police crime investigations?  A former policeman has offered and an answer in the creation of a new company.  Crime Writers Consultants created by Sgt. Derek Pacifico offers writers help through consultations or a two-day writing program.  Pacifico had retired from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in Southern California after working nearly 6 years in homicide and handling roughly 200 murder investigations.

When I heard about this on public radio, I thought "aha!"  How many writers work this hard to try to get it from the horse's mouth (so to speak).  I just wonder about that attention to detail.

A Gem of a Writer

Yesterday a patron stopped at the library desk to ask for a copy of the Agatha Christie standout title The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.  He commented that it is said to be one of the best mysteries ever as he had his finger placed in a book of his possession (I guess that book mentions Roger Ackroyd.)  and the Library Journal description (as shown on Amazon) mostly agrees. 


Agatha Christie
photo from Google

It says, "written in 1927, [it] is considered the best and most successful of the early mysteries.  It met with no small outrage when it appeared, as it uses a plot device many readers thought 'unfair.' There is a full complement of characters populating the cozy English village of King's Abbot: Major Blunt, Colonel Carter, Miss Gannett, the butler, the housekeeper, the narrator, Dr. Sheppard, and his know-it-all sister (the precursor of Miss Marple, according to Christie), and, of course, the redoubtable Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells. There are clues with a capital C to mislead us, and the listener gets so involved with these red herrings (or not) that the very simple truth eludes the puzzler."

That book request reminded me how Christie received nationwide acknowledgement earlier in the month at the Democratic National Convention.  Key note speaker San Antonio mayor Julian Castro spoke of his grandmother learning English by "reading her Agatha Christie novels late into the night."  

All and all, Christie has been a gem as a writing treasure in more ways than one.

Recommended reading--

"What's the best book you've read this year?" asked the librarian patron.  He was a one-time regular book club attendee and I was glad to see him so I took a few moments to contemplate on the question.   

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 I was certain he was asking about mystery novels and this question came earlier this month, roughly midyear through the monthly sessions of book club mysteries for the year.  The last title read was Jo Nesbø's The Snowman which stuck with me but the part of the ending left me cold (pun intended).  I liked the somewhat offbeat Killed by the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill but considered it might be closer to an acquired taste. 

I finally decided to suggest Elly Griffiths' The Janus Stone as a satisfying mystery and story to pass the mustard. And in part, the recommendation was for the reader's taste too--a nice English mystery with a likable amateur sleuth.  This situation also repeated itself so later with a former co-worker who likes mysteries and I suggested this same title to her.  Again, a good read but also likely to fit her reading tastes.

 

Book club discusses "The Snowman"

The book club's July selection was Norway's crime writer Jo Nesbø's The Snowman. It is the seventh in the series featuring Oslo police Inspector Harry Hole.  A trained expert serial killers, Hole receives a letter telling of the arrival of a "snowman" with the first season's snow and the threat of death. In closing, the letter makes mention of a deceased serial killer Hole had investigated.

Jo Nesbø
(photo from author's website)

The threat turns real as one missing woman has a snowman placed at her home with her scarf around its neck.  Later, her part of her dismembered body is bizarrely attached to the snowman and the police investigation turns to homicide and the exploration of a trail of murders which form the ritual of a killer.  A new partner, Katrine Bratt, joins Harry and he assembles a small detective team for a case which can burn him professionally if anyone missteps.

   

Borrowing from the noir tradition, Nesbø's Hole is a recovering alcoholic with an uneven personal life.  His long-time girl friend broke off the relationship because of his devotion to the job and he works in a stressful and troubled environment.  Despite it all, including physical scars here and there, Hole is committed and determined to see his cases through.

One book club attendee had read Nesbø's work before.  The comments about The Snowman included the following:

• the story shows good detective work
• the detectives thought outside the box with the investigation
• noticed the people in the community are "more inward and protective," not inclined to shard feelings and also very conscious about their image
• good benefits may come from a small(er) team of investigating detectives on a case (as Harry requests and receives in the book) 
• "hard time reading it" and "kept putting it down"
• hated the "eerie, creepy, weird" elements of the story
• "dark and stupid" 
• Harry drinks a lot--common for detectives in mystery stories. 

And in a move that doesn't happen often, two different attendees read passages from the book which they liked.

The author's website notes this novel won "Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize 2007 for Best Novel of the Year and with The Norwegian Book Club Prize (Den norske leserprisen) 2007 for Best Novel of the Year."

The "Harry Hole" story is expected to receive a big screen treatment as famed Hollywood director Martin Scorsese is reportedly set to direct a movie based on The Snowman .

Author Mark de Castrique Visits Library

Local mystery writer Mark de Castrique visited my library recently for a special program in arrangement with the adult summer reading program for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.  Billed the "Writing a mystery series," program,  de Castrique talked about development of his mystery series and components for effective fiction writing. 

De Castrique has two adult mystery series under his belt which are set in North Carolina. Combining the concepts that appealed to him to share in a narrative story and in locales he likes, the first series features a funeral director named Barry Clayton (Mark's father was a funeral director).  It is set in a fictional mountain town, resembling his childhood hometown.  Adding built-in personal conflicts for Barry to confront (such as self-sacrifice) along with murder investigations--a mystery series was created.  The second series features an Iraq veteran Sam Blackman set in Asheville.   

Some other points de Castrique shared included:

Mark de Castrique  (photo by blogger)

• likes to connect people and stories from the past to a present day story with interesting characters
• had worked from outlines to develop stories in earlier novels but works mostly from following the characters' stories now
• likes to include irony in stories
• when writing, he likes to pose the "what if" question
• hopes to write another Barry Clayton novel in the future
• works to be careful that too much research shared in a book doesn't turn it boring
• looks to a book editor to help shape a novel about when it should start and when it should stop
• "I'm a big believer everyone reads a different book" by the nature of experiences one brings to the story

de Castrique (photo by blogger)

De Castrique's newest book is the recently released is The 13th Target and set in Washington D.C. with a new central character former Secret Services agent Russell Mullins. De Castrique lived in the nation's capital briefly in the 70s and likes visiting the area.  He gave his first public reading of a passage from the new book which included a storyline about the Federal Reserve which interested him.

And de Castrique is careful to check facts in his writing as he shared this little story: in a pivotal scene for his newest novel, he wanted to re-examine a scene for accuracy so he took a day trip from North Carolina to Washington to settle the matter.  After arriving in the capitol, within an half hour the goal was accomplished to de Castrique's satisfaction.  Then he was free to visit family in the area--a second reward of the trip.

Book club discusses "Ghost Hero"

In June, the book club selection was S.J. Rozan's mystery novel Ghost Hero.  It is the 11th of the "Lydia Chin/Bill Smith" series pairing the frequent private eye team in New York.  This is the second selection the book club made from this series (the October 2003 selection was Winter and Night).

S.J. Rozan
(photo from her website)

Set in the art world, PI Lyida Chin is hired to verify a rumor that a brilliant Chinese artist, Chau Chun, has new paintings available and circulating in the Manhattan area.  Known as "Ghost Hero Chau," the artist was a professor at the Beijing Art Institute while painting artwork valued at half a million apiece during the 1980s.  The work featured sly political messages--looked upon    disfavorably by the Chinese government--within classical and traditional-looking Chinese art.  The investigation should be considered a "shot in the dark" assignment as Ghost Hero Chau has been reportedly dead in China for twenty years. 

Bill joins Lydia in the investigation, mainly to shadow but also in the guise as a Russian mob associate with a big interest in the new art.  And to assist, Bill confers with another Chinese-American private investigator Jack Lee who is an actual art expert (unlike Lydia).  The three work together--a first, particularly as Lydia hasn't met Jack before--and in the while deal with difficult Chinese art contacts and attract the unwanted attention of a few shadowy, menacing types.

Comments about the book included the following:

• although the book is well into the "Lydia Chin/Bill Smith" series, it is a good title to start the series
• the novel handled a nice blend with good plotting for integration of a detective story in the art world "that a PI would handle"
• the meals the characters ate in the novel sounded appealing although only one entrée was familiar to one attendee
• Lydia has repeated trouble with her mother about potential romantic interests (as it was noted Chinese mothers are harsh critics in these matters)
• liked the introduction of Chinese-American Jack Lee to the book series.

New book news (author Mike Lawson)



Michael Lawson
(photo from website)

Over the years I've been picked up as a contact for a few writers as far as receiving emails about upcoming book releases and Mike Lawson, author of the "Joe DeMarco" series passed on an email about the next in his series of the private assistant to the speaker of the House of Representatives.  DeMarco is a lawyer by trade but works these days as a genuine troubleshooter (or moreso a "bagman) for Speaker John Mahoney. 

Our book club read the third book in the series House Rules for its monthly selection in 2009.  I thought the book was a reasonably good one--I liked the characters and the Washington setting storyline--but my interest was grew as one participant said the follow-up book was quite better.

With the newest book in the series, Lawson shared this: "...I have a new book available in stores now and from the usual ebook sellers. It's the seventh book in the DeMarco series and is called House Blood. Booklist gave it a starred review and Library Journal said: "Lawson’s seventh novel (after House Divided) in his Joe DeMarco thriller series is another page-turner brimming with authentic Washington, DC, detail and distinctive, engaging characters. Even the bad guys are interesting. Adventure-seeking readers will love."

Eye-catching Photo of Detective Duo



Scene from CBS-TV's "Elementary" from Google

 The other day online I spotted an eye-catching photo--I thought--of a couple in an urban setting.  It was actress Lucy Liu whom I recognized and actor Jonny Lee Miller from a scene of an new upcoming fall TV series.  Now, the actual TV show is called "Elementary" which features the two playing (another) version of "Sherlock Holmes."  This time Miller plays Holmes and she is "Dr. Joan Watson."  Okaaay.

When I saw the photo I was reminded almost immediately writer S.J. Rozan's detective team of Lydia Chin and Bill Smith.  In fact, I had hoped it would be.  It would be a different TV show to closely follow the format of the books with either Chen or Smith as the primary investigator for the case.  The two reside in New York City with the American-born Chinese Chen working usually in the Chinatown community with Smith often "shadowing" Chen.

Smith has strong American roots which go back to Kentucky although he's a full-time New Yorker these days.  His work in Rozan's books have taken him around the New York area.  Chen, however, has cases typically with her Chinese community.

Frequent investigations into Chinatown could lead to a culturally enlightening show--as the books do.  I'd imagine such a series would include--for the sake of realism--times of characters speaking only Chinese and closed captioned scenes.  How might that go over on network TV?   Of course, there's always cable, right?

I think Rozan has the thought-provoking elements for a unique TV series with her fictional detectives.