Every Wednesday, we here at Criminal Element will put together a list of Staff Picks of the books that published the day before—sharing the ones that we are looking forward to reading the most! This week, a new Hap & Leonard novel from Joe R. Lansdale combines with C. J…. Read more
More award news! Left Coast Crime will be oceanside in Monterey, California this year (thus the monikker Calamari Crime), and here is its recently announced list of nominated honorees!
2013 is in full swing, which means the awards are coming in for 2012’s best books. In addition to the winners of the Loveys and the nominees for the Lefties, last week we heard the announcement of the nominees for the Agatha awards, the winners of which will be announced… Read more
Left Coast Crime is an annual event sponsored by mystery fans, where readers, writers, librarians, and other mystery and thriller enthusiasts gather to share their mutual interest in the genre. It’s held during the first quarter of the calendar year in Western North America, as defined by the Mountain Time… Read more
Sure, we told you about the ITW International Thriller award nominees, but what if you prefer mysteries? Well, check out this list! The Macavity Awards are for mystery readers, voted on by members and supporters of Mystery Readers International and subscribers to Mystery Readers Journal. Winners will be announced at… Read more
The period immediately following World War I was a time of particular social turmoil, involving issues such as labor, class, and colonialism. People were changed as individuals, too. Former soldiers had to deal with their return from battle to families who might not understand them any longer. Those who’d stayed… Read more
I’m not a mystery convention junkie like some. Much of my decision to attend these annual events depends on book publication dates, vicinity, and how much cash is in my wallet. Since I live in Southern California, Left Coast Crime, the “western” convention, usually is the best fit for me… Read more
The annual Agatha Awards are also known as The Hardest Possible Way to Get a Ceramic Teapot. If most of us wanted such an item, we’d go to a swanky kitchen shop or even seek out an artisanal potter. Rather than doing that or stealing someone else’s—which would seem like… Read more
For years, the “Lefty” for best humorous crime novel has been awarded at the annual Left Coast Crime convention. Later, the The Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award was added for best mystery set before 1960. This year, the organizers have added two new awards (it’s unclear whether they will… Read more
