Forty years ago, Nancy Eldredge suffered some of the worst imaginable torments a mother could possibly endure. After being convicted for the murder of her two children, Peter and Lisa, she was released on a technicality. In an effort to make a fresh start for herself, she moved across the country, changing her name and…
It’s not an exaggeration to say that my heart broke a bit with the news that Mary Higgins Clark, America’s “Queen of Suspense,” died last Friday at the age of 92. Any time a person passes who has been part of your life for as long as she was mine, the loss is profound. And…
One of the most memorable highlights of the five years I lived in London took place one sunny summer afternoon when I was invited to Buckingham Palace to have tea with the Queen of England. Okay, I was one of 10,000 people who also attended that garden party, though you wouldn’t have guessed—the Queen has…
Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke follows television producer’s Laurie Moran investigation of the unsolved Met Gala murder—in which a wealthy widow was pushed to her death from the famous museum’s rooftop. America’s “Queen of Suspense,” Mary Higgins Clark, has been a mainstay in reader’s hearts and on bestsellers lists since…
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 was a powerhouse of releases, with a new Patricia Cornwell, David Morrell, and more! See what else came out…
Susanna Calkins, author of A Death Along the River Fleet — the 4th Lucy Campion Mystery — was kind enough to answer some of Criminal Element's questions about her love for the mystery genre, writing about 17th century England, and being nominated for this year's Mary Higgin's Clark Award. What authors have inspired your writing? Like most…
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! Check back every Wednesday and see what we're reading for the week!
As traditional as counting down the shopping days to Christmas or making plans to visit out of town family is the appearance of Christmas and holiday mysteries. When did the tradition start? Why are these books so popular? Are they primarily English and/or historical? Who deserves the top of the tree, gold star accolade for…
Watch this and up your classy quotient! The Librarians’ Breakfast during Bouchercon was sponsored by Mystery Writers of America—thanks, and sorry I bogarted the coffee! It was hosted by the inspirational Mary Higgins Clark, crime writing’s acme of loveliness and graciousness. (How does she do it?! I admit I suspect a crabby-faced, unkempt portrait in…
Bouchercon is a guaranteed good time. Seriously. Even if you never leave the bar and spend all your time listening to conversations, you’re bound to meet up with some great people and hear some really cool stuff. Here are some of the gems we overheard this year: “John Connolly smells am-ayyyyyy-zing.” “Lee Child smells pretty…
