Woohooo! Rizzoli and Isles to be on TNT

I have to say - I am a fan of the Tess Gerritson series that features Detective Rizzoli and Medical Examiner Maura Isles.  Indeed I just finished reading The Mephisto Club which I found a lot of fun.

So I was thrilled when I learned that TNT is well into producing a TV series featuring the characters. I can only hope that it doesn't take too much away from the books!



When The Mystery Book Club read one of the Rizzoli and Isles books a few years ago, it created a bit of strong dissension during discussion. Some absolutely did not like what they described as graphic gore. I guess I'm immune? I don't know, but I have enjoyed the series and especially the characters that Gerritson created.

I am usually not a fan of screen adaptations, but I will be interested to see how it goes. Premiers on TNT on July 12, 10 pm EDT.

Deadfall - Short Stories of New England Mystery

Level Best books publishes an anthology of short stories by New England author and of course themed for mystery, including thriller, suspense, caper, and horror. Stories may or may not be located in New England, but do feature both recognized and first time New England authors.

There are currently seven books in the series and Our Mystery Book Club is reading Deadfall, the sixth anthology, published in 2008.

We are reading three of these short stories for each meeting of the book club in addition to our monthly novel. At the next meeting, February 26, we will be reading stories #4, 5, and 6.

A "scoresheet" is available for download. It allows us to rank order the three stories each week, as well as note what we felt were the good points and not-so-good points for each story.

Go here to order the book OR download a free copy of the scoresheet.

Al Blanchard Short Story Award - Entry Information

Like New England mysteries?  Want to write one and maybe win a prize?  The deadline for writing a short story focused on New England and mystery is here along with the chance to be the annual Al Blanchard Award Winner.

This prestigious short story award is given annually in memory of Al Blanchard, co-chair of the first three New England Crime Bake Conferences, NEMWA president, and a member of Sisters in Crime.
 
The deadline for submissions is April 30th (no exceptions).  The award will be presented at this year's New England Crime Bake, scheduled for November 12th-14th, in Dedham, Massachusetts (the winner is not required to attend).

THE PRIZE:   

• $100 cash award.  
• Publication in Level Best Books' eighth Crime Fiction anthology (levelbestbooks.com).  
• Admission to the Crime Bake Conference.

GUIDELINES:   

• Story must be a crime story by a New England author or with a New England setting.  
• Story must be previously unpublished (in print or electronically).  
• Story must not be more than 5,000 words in length.  
• Story may include the following genres: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, and horror. (Please, no torture/killing of children or animals.)

SUBMISSION:

• Send your story as an attachment in Word format, double-spaced, to:

                                                 contest@crimebake.org 

• Type "Al Blanchard Award" in subject line. (Without it, attachments will not be opened). 
• Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, as well as your story title and word count, in the main body of your e-mail.
• We will promptly acknowledge the receipt of your submission. Your entry will be coded to insure anonymity and be sent on to the judges. Therefore, your name should not appear anywhere in the attachment.
• There is no entry fee.
• Limit of two stories per person.
• Deadline for submission is April 30, 2010.

Details are also available at www.crimebake.org

Please feel free to share this announcement with anyone you think might be interested in submitting a story.

Vanished by Joe Finder - How'd you like it?

I'll be writing my reaction to Vanished by Joe Finder right here in this space after the due date - January 29. Yes I've read it! Our Mystery Book Club chose this latest Finder book because of two good experiences with previous books. I think this is the first book where we are giving an author a 3rd read - at least since I have been participating (a bit more than 5 years).

So there is still time to read the book and share your thoughts. Once you have read it, please click on the teensy-weensy comments button, at the end of this article (post) in the little line beginning: POSTED BY RICHARD GOUTAL .... Its OK to have "spoiler comments" if you want.

So others be warned, read the book before reading the comments!