...****, according to me, from what I read in The Sunday Times. (Thanks to booktrade.info for the link.)
The article concentrates on North American authors and thrillers at the start, but when it comes to considering the Brits, the opener is this little gem:
"In Britain, publishers are also releasing a Milky Way of star autobiographies. Celebrities who have titles out for the holiday season include Adam Ant, Peter André, Gary Barlow, Rupert Everett and David Hasselhoff."
Note: it's only Monday here and another celebrity book diatribe has hit my decks. What about fiction, I ask you? Good fiction and crime fiction in particular?
But, words of wisdom are not too far away, thanks to Giles Elliott of industry magazine The Bookseller. The Sunday Times article, (page 2), tells us "Elliott believes that celebrity fatigue may take its toll".
Finally, we have a quote from the erudite Jon Howells, Waterstone's spokesman. "Howells said every Christmas season was a big one 'but with two Harrises (Thomas and Robert), Charles Frazier and John le Carré, this season looks rather special'”.
Sunday Times reporter Dominic Rushe concludes with the words "There’s still time to buy a bigger Christmas stocking."
I conclude with the words "Yes, there is and I hope you have some quality fiction in your stocking". (As opposed to some celebrity lifestyle hype...)
I went to M&S last week and was shocked to see Christmas cards on display just inside the door. (It's only September!) If you're looking for some quality crime fiction for Christmas, come back in early November. I'll have some suggestions for you.
Do let us know if it turns out to be a charicacture, Peter!
Posted by: crimeficreader | 01 October 2006 at 21:47
I got an advance reader's copy of Hannibal: The Early Years. In this chilling excerpt, Hannibal is seven years old:
Why can't you be like you brother and sister, young Hannibal Lecter, and eat your vegetables?
No!
========================
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Peter | 01 October 2006 at 19:54
Rich, meaty chunks -- and not a speck of cereal!
Posted by: Peter | 27 September 2006 at 23:27
And God knows what might make the cranberry sauce so runny!
But seriously, I did not appreciate Hannibal - far too far fetched, extreme and unrealistic in my mind, with Lecter as a charicacture. I hope the early years get back to a generous dollop of (near) realism and a good, well explained and illustrated build up to what we have already read (the good stuff).
Posted by: crimeficreader | 27 September 2006 at 22:19
I can envision the "Have Christmas dinner with Hannibel Lecter" ad campaign for the new Thomas Harris novel.
Posted by: Peter | 27 September 2006 at 22:03
Peter,
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment, just as I was typing on into yours!
You said, "What better way to celebrate the blessings of peace and family than with a good, meaty book about David Hasselhoff?"
We already have turkey every Christmas here!
Posted by: crimeficreader | 27 September 2006 at 21:24
What celebrity fatigue? What better way to celebrate the blessings of peace and family than with a good, meaty book about David Hasselhoff?
This reminds me of the Guardian's bemoaning the flood of English football/soccer "auto" biographies after the World Cup http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,1835780,00.html Could a reader actually read any of these books, Marina Hyde asked. "If you were heavily medicated, perhaps. If you stumbled across one after 25 book-free years on a desert island."
Detectives Beyond Borders:
"Because Murder is More Fun Away From Home"
Posted by: Peter | 27 September 2006 at 21:14
Maxine, I'll be doing some research for good reads for Christmas, including getting others' opinions on novels not to be missed.
Karen, Linda's publication is very timely! It's been a while coming, but I'm pleased for her that she's made it into print and just in time for the Christmas rush! I've met Linda a couple of times. Like you, I don't know the novel, but I can assure all that Linda does know her panto and is a lover of crime fiction. I'm looking forward to taking a look at this novel!
Posted by: crimeficreader | 26 September 2006 at 20:23
I started getting charity xmas card/gift catalogues before I even went on my summer hols. Some of them have sent me several copies monthly. Why don't they spend their donations on their charitable mission instead of the junk mail?
And yes, quite agree with you about the celebrity blahhh, am more than happy to wait for your recommendations (and EuroCrime's!).
Posted by: Maxine | 25 September 2006 at 22:39
I can't comment on the quality, as I've not read it (yet) but I've put details of a crime book by Linda Regan which revolves around murders at a panto, on my blog just a few mins ago.
Posted by: Karen M from Euro Crime | 25 September 2006 at 21:45