Reviews
“Up From the Streets” – NOLA music on film
In a better world, I’d be just back from New Orleans. Every spring since 1989, I’ve attended at least one weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jon has joined me since 1993). This annual festival — always the last weekend in April and...
Reading While Distracted
Librarian and blogger Lesa Holstine has started a wonderful series for the independent Poisoned Pen Bookstore, asking authors what we're reading in these strange times. Today was my turn. I'm sharing the entire post below. If you'd like to see the others, from authors...
Bookshelves of the Rich and Famous
Is there a lighter side to this odd and horrible time? Just maybe – in the peek it has allowed us into the homes of celebrities. (This piece ran in the Boston Globe.) OPINION Bookshelves of the rich and famous Was that ‘Pride and Prejudice’ on Amy Klobuchar’s shelf?...
#NoContact Book Tour with Nina MacLaughlin
Be careful what you wish for. After the publication of Nina MacLaughlin's masterful Wake, Siren last fall, I was lucky enough to attend a reading at Harvard Book Store, where she brought several of these profound and stunning pieces – retellings of Ovid's...
Missing Malice and so much more
Hi, all! How are you? I know you can’t see me, but I am waving madly at you all from my home in Somerville, Massachusetts. As I write this, Gov. Baker of Massachusetts is extending the stay-at-home advisory from May 4 to May 15. This isn't a surprise – it looks like...
#NoContact book tour with Tilia Jacobs
Welcome to the #NoContact Book Tour! While we all stay inside and stay safe, books have become even more important. But book events and conferences, alas, are canceled – as are most schools!. With that in mind, I’m particularly honored to have Tilia...
#NoContact book tour with Victoria Zackheim
Welcome to the #NoContact Book Tour! While we all stay inside and stay safe, books have become even more important. But book events and conferences, alas, are canceled. So today I am thrilled to welcome Victoria Zackheim, whose Private Investigations:...
“The King of Warsaw” review
My review of Twardoch's brutal, moving novel ran in the April 19 Sunday Boston Globe. BOOK REVIEW ‘The King of Warsaw’ is a Holocaust novel with a twist By Clea Simon Globe Correspondent,Updated April 16, 2020, 12:00 p.m. Jakub Szapiro knows about the...
#NoContact book tour with Tim O’Mara
Welcoming crime fiction master Tim O'Mara to the #NoContact Book Tour! Tim and I went to high school together, and after a lapse of decades reconnected through the mystery world, and I was thrilled to contribute to Tim's anthology Down By the River (Down and Out),...
#NoContact Pub Day with Sarah Smith
Today, let's welcome Sarah Smith to the #NoContact Book Tour – and get ready to celebrate her new book, Crimes and Survivors. While we all stay inside and stay safe, books have become even more important – and with Sarah's latest, we can actually set sail! Hey, Sarah!...