by Clea | Feb 3, 2020 | Five Questions, Writers on Writing, Writing
I’d like to say I met the writing team of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip on safari. In truth, we were driving around Pittsburgh, looking for a wonderful (now defunct) author event sponsored by the (still there!) Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA. I had...
by Clea | Feb 2, 2020 | criticism
Before I post, let me explain. My editor had agreed to let me substitute another review for the one (on “AD”) originally assigned. But then “AD” became news and I gather his bosses asked why the Globe hadn’t covered it, and so I was asked...
by Clea | Feb 1, 2020 | criticism
When I first (tried to) duck out of reviewing “American Dirt,” I asked if I could try Rita Woods’ debut instead. My editor and I had talked about the two books before settling on “AD,” so it wasn’t a leap, and I was so glad to be...
by Clea | Jan 27, 2020 | Five Questions, Uncategorized, Writers on Writing
I first heard of Shawn Cosby when he won an Anthony for his short story “The Grass Beneath My Feet,” at last year’s Bouchercon. I mean, the first line alone slayed me: “Anyone who tell you that they don’t mind going to jail is a goddamned...
by Clea | Jan 22, 2020 | An Incantation of Cats, Criminal Element, Reviews
“Clea Simon stays very true to cat psychology throughout these books despite their fantastic premise. In fact, a large part of the series’ charm comes from the cats and their idiosyncratic view of Becca’s doings. Humans are portrayed with no less affection: it’s...
