Category Archives: Blog
What’s In a (Mystery) Name?
Let’s be honest: most mystery novels do not come with “Wow! Holy heck!” titles.
You know what I mean: A title so punchy, you find yourself buying the book before you know what the plot is about, or which sub-genre the book explores. We’ve all done that. But honestly: we don’t do that every week. Hell, we probably don’t do that every year.
The great and venerable Walter Mosley just released an e-book titled ALL I DID WAS SHOOT MY MAN. There you go; perfect example. Show of hands – who wouldn’t pick that up off the shelf? (OK, “e-shelf….”)
In 1991, Northwest author Earl Emerson released HELP WANTED, ORPHANS PREFERRED. Boom. What a great title. I picked that one up without ever reading the back-cover blurb. In this case, I chose well. Hell of a book.
Raymond Chandler’s THE BIG SLEEP. Poetry in three words.
Meg Gardiner’s THE NIGHTMARE THIEF. Snagged it off the shelf en passant to the cashier. Wasn’t disappointed.
I’m stupid to post this publically (all right, I’m stupid for many, many other reasons…) but I always wanted to write a mystery titled WHO PUT THE ‘LAUGHTER’ IN ‘SLAUGHTER?’” I just haven’t found the right story yet. If you steal it, I will hunt you down like the dog you are.
Your turn: nominees for greatest, punchiest mystery titles of all time. Ready? Go!
The Gospel According to Sam Spade
One of my all-time-favorite motives for the hero of a mystery novel dates back to 1930.
Sam Spade, in THE MALTESE FALCON, decides he has to investigate — and avenge — the murder of his partner, Miles Archer. Why? Because the guy was his partner, and when your partner gets killed, you’re supposed to do something about it.
It didn’t matter that Sam didn’t like Miles and Miles didn’t like Sam. It didn’t matter that Sam was having an affair with Miles’ wife, Iva, behind Miles’ back. It didn’t matter that, with Miles dead, Iva’s not looking so good to Sam any more.
At best, Sam Spade could be called morally adrift. At worst, a shit-heel.
But still. When a guy’s partner gets killed, you’re supposed to do something about it.
I love the moral ambiguity but steadfast rightness of that motivation.
Maybe It’s Just a Crais
Robert Crais’ TAKEN rockets to the top of the New York Times Best Seller List!
Bob is as close to anyone I know in the mystery/thriller world to the definition of the term, “money in the bank.” His novels are dependably terrific reads. His two primary protagonists are among the very best in the genre.
Crais is at the top of his game. No fan of mysteries and thrillers should miss this ride
