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, Steve Berry's latest Cotton Malone thriller combines with the final completed Mickey Spillane novel… Read more
Last night, the Mystery Writers of America presented the 71st annual Edgar Allan Poe Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. Celebrating the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and television published or produced in 2016, the yearly event gathers a veritable who's who in the genre. Below… Read more
The Will to Kill is the latest Mike Hammer novel, originally started by the now-deceased Mickey Spillane and finished by the deft hand of Max Allan Collins. Mike Hammer predates James Bond and was a contemporary of Phillip Marlowe. Let that history sink in, and then celebrate that we have… Read more
With so many mysteries set in big cities, Kristen Lepionka spreads the love to the Midwest, outlining some of the best mysteries in the region! Read her exclusive guest post, and make sure to sign in and comment for a chance to win her debut novel, The Last Place You… Read more
Cinemax is really amping up their original series lineup! Outcast has been everything it promised and more—seriously, I was hooked from the terrifying roach-and-finger dinner from the opening scene. If you haven't seen it yet, go watch Outcast and read Angie's great reviews! Now, they've got a new series premiering… Read more
Read this exclusive guest post from Max Allan Collins, author of Better Dead, comparing his own Nate Heller series to finishing Mickey Spillane's posthumous Mike Hammer manuscripts, and then make sure you're signed in and comment for a chance to win a copy of his newest Nate Heller thriller! I have been… Read more
Better Dead by Max Allan Collins is the 15th Nathan Heller Thriller (Available May 3, 2016). It's the early 1950's. Joe McCarthy is campaigning to rid America of the Red Menace. Nate Heller is doing legwork for the senator, though the Chicago detective is disheartened by McCarthy's witch-hunting tactics. He's… Read more
Here are the winners' lists from three of the sets of awards announced at this weekend's Bouchercon! Anthony Award Winners (voted on by Bouchercon attendees) Best Audiobook: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith Best Television Episode Teleplay: “Pilot” for The Blacklist by John Bokenkamp Best Children's or Young Adult… Read more
When J. Kingston Pierce of The Rap Sheet brought back the crime cover contest this year, we were delighted—so here's more from him, including a chance to share with you! I come from a very visually oriented family—my father was an architect, my mother had worked in the field… Read more
After last month's announcement of two new Grandmasters and the Raven Award winner, Mystery Writers of America has announced the rest of the shortlist of award nominees and special winners. The Edgars banquet—an annual black-tie gala celebrating crime fiction, non-fiction, and television writing—will be held on Thursday, May 1st, 2014… Read more
