Reviews

“Oh! Boston you’re my home!”

... no this isn't the Standell's "Dirty Water." But, hey, they weren't a Boston band. Instead, here's a clip of World Series-winning closing pitcher Jonathon Papelbon doing his dance to the Dropkick Murphys' "Tessie." (My husband - a native New Englander - says he...

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Sample chapter Sunday!

Don't know where you are, but here in New England it's rainy and damp. A good day to curl up with a good book. Want to browse without leaving the house? The blog Reviewed by Liz has started offering "Sample Chapter Sundays," where mystery authors are invited to post...

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This is brilliant.

Cats AND Crime AND Rock & Roll! Plus, if you listen to the end, a little lesson in cat care (keep that kitty amused).Thanks to the mystery writers over at First Offenders for turning me onto this, "The Mean Kitty Song." (Have I mentioned? Musetta is also a foot...

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Guest blogger: Hank Phillippi Ryan

To celebrate the launch of Hank Phillippi Ryan's second Charlie McNally mystery, Face Time, I asked Hank if she'd consider guest blogging. Despite an incredibly hectic schedule, which not only includes book promotion but also her regular serious news job over at...

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Dexter loses his rock ‘n’ roll…

At least, that's more or less the premise of Jeff Lindsay's wonderful new Dexter in the Dark, which I reviewed in today's Boston Globe. Is it a departure from the previous Dexter books? Well, yes, but what would you expect in the third of a series?There's been much...

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A life in crime…

... crime fiction, that is. Sister Mystery Writers of America member and Agatha and Anthony award-winning author Rhys Bowen penned this poem, which wonderfully sums up the experience so many of us have on the road. If you've ever wondered about the exciting world of...

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Blatant Self Promotion (thank you, Booklist)

I promise, I'm not going to flood anyone's lists with this or bring it up too often in conversation. I'm just posting this here and at Crimespace because, damn it, you write a book alone, you sit around for months wondering about it, and it's just nice to get...

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Bragging on my buddy (Boston rock)

OK, full disclosure: Brett Milano is a friend. But I'm still wowed and impressed by his new book, The Sound of Our Town, a history of Boston rock. Through lively anecdotes, interviews, and lots of fun facts, he re-creates the history of our little scene, from its...

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Cats on wheels!

One of our great local shelters here in Boston, Animal Rescue League, has launched a mobile pet adoption van. When I had lunch with two of ARL's guys last week, we talked about this and I asked about screening. After all, for someone to take an animal in while it's...

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I’ve been tagged

Cyrus, our eminence grisé:Well, thanks to Caroline Leavitt, I've been tagged.What is tagging? Well, it seems to be a form of blog chain letter. According to the rules, I'm supposed to list 7 random facts/habits about myself, here, on my blog. Then tag 7 other bloggers...

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