IT'S A CRIME! (OR A MYSTERY...)

Where the Shadows Lie – Michael Ridpath

Magnus Jonson was born and spent his early years in Iceland before moving to Boston in his teens.  Now a homicide detective, he has overheard a colleague’s conversation, grassed on him and fallen foul of a local drugs cartel as a result.  For his own safety, and with the assistance of the FBI, Magnus is despatched to Iceland to lie low and assist their Metropolitan Police with the investigation of newer and more serious cases as Iceland’s crime demographic changes.  Magnus arrives in his homeland just as the philandering academic, Professor Agnar Haraldsson is found murdered, and rumours abound of the discovery of a previously lost ancient manuscript that concerns the saga of a ring of considerable power.

Terror’s Reach – Tom Bale

An exclusive off-shore island paradise on a scorching summer's day, its residents unaware that they are just hours from annihilation... This is Terror's Reach, home to feuding billionaire businessmen Valentin Nasenko and Robert Felton, and target of a gang for whom murder is a mere sideshow, a light amusement in their deadly mission of those next few hours.
 
Tom Bale produced what was surely one of the thrillers of the year in 2009 with Skin and Bones, and now he returns with, literally, all guns blazing in this tight, claustrophobic tale of menace and depravity.
 

National Crime Fiction Week – Charity Auction of P D James’s Talking About Detective Fiction

As promised – albeit starting a bit later in the week than originally planned – this blog’s event to mark National Crime Fiction Week is an auction of P D James’s Talking About Detective Fiction to raise money for The Book Trade Charity (whose Action Week was last week).

Oxford’s Bodleian Library Publishing has very kindly donated a copy of the book and it’s a signed and slipcased edition with a RRP of £30.  What better collectible could you hope for?  Who do you know who might appreciate this book for Christmas?  Or for a birthday?  On the weekend of Father’s Day, whose Dad might be prepared to wait a bit longer for something far more supreme than socks?

Further Update & Emails

I am behind in replying to blog-related emails. Please bear with me.  I have tendonitis in my right shoulder and some pinching on my radial nerve.  Typing priorities remain with job applications for the moment.  Battery donations for my TENS machine will be gratefully received.  It's the 9v model...

Queen’s Birthday Honours in the Publishing World

Here are the publishing (and related) honours of 11 June:

Knighthoods

(Theodore) Wilson HARRIS Author. For services to Literature.
Ronald HARWOOD, CBE Playwright and Screenwriter. For services to Drama.

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Simon ARMITAGE Poet. For services to Literature.
Dr Michael LONGLEY Poet. For services to Literature.
Marguerite, Mrs PATTEN, OBE Cookery Writer. For services to the Food Industry.
Susan Carroll, Lady SAINSBURY For services to the Royal Shakespeare Company and to the Arts.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Ms Susan BRADBURY Lately Editor-in-Chief, Folio Society. For services to the Publishing Industry.
Brian CLEMENS Screenwriter. For services to Broadcasting and to Drama.
Ms Wendy COPE Poet. For services to Literature.
Barry CUNNINGHAM Chief Publisher and Managing Director, Chicken House Books. For services to the Publishing Industry.
Ms Bonnie GREER Playwright, Author and Critic. For services to the Arts.
James HERBERT Author. For services to Literature.
Julian PETTIFER For services to Journalism and to Wildlife Conservation.
Professor Rodney Paul STURGES For services to Libraries in the UK and Overseas.

Members of the Order of the British Empire

Miss Moira Elizabeth ARTHUR Lately Managing Director, Peters Bookselling Services. For services to Children's Libraries.
Jeremy Robert COWHIG Managing Director, Institute of Physics Publishing. For services to Science.
John Alexander FULLERTON For services to Sports Journalism and to the community in Northern Ireland.
Philip WALTERS For services to the Educational Publishing Industry.

Update

There have been various reasons for lighter blogging over the last few months, but for a couple of pressing reasons I now need to take a complete break for some time.  I hope to be back for the promised auction during National Crime Fiction Week, 14-20 June.  Thank you for your ongoing support and apologies for outstanding email replies, of which there are a few.  Sorry.