All About Gothic and DEAD ENDS, Too

September 18, 2017 by - 4 Comments

    The word “Gothic” is thrown about a lot when it comes to literature.* GothicĀ is an interesting word. You know who the Visigoths were: those unsophisticated, crusty and crude pre-Germanic types who swooped down on the slothful, stuttering remains of the Roman Empire in the fourth century and gobbled them up. They were fairly …Read More

In the Handbasket: J.T. Ellison and THE COLD ROOM

April 29, 2010 by - 3 Comments

One of my favorite J.T. Ellison quotes is, “Just how many serial killers can Nashville have?” J.T. is the bestselling author of the Taylor Jackson thriller novel series set in that fair city. In this interview, she reminds me that not all of the Taylor Jackson books are serial killer tales–but it’s certainly the case …Read More

Tour’s End

February 15, 2009 by - 4 Comments

One week ago today I was on my way home from the Love Is Murder Conference up in Wheeling, Illinois. I took the train home out of Chicago’s Union Station–the ride was pleasant, but boarding was a surreal experience. What is it about train boarding announcements that cause people to immediately become angry and aggressive? …Read More

Octoberguest! J.T. Ellison

October 21, 2008 by - 7 Comments

J.T. Ellison pulls no punches. I love her direct way of talking about her work and the business of writing. (She’s a regular contributor to the Anthony-nominated crime-writing blog Murderati.) And J.T. is definitely serious about the business: Her first novel, the acclaimed thriller All The Pretty Girls came out just last November, the second …Read More

Quick Thrills

July 15, 2008 by - 4 Comments

A review of my almost-week in the Big City wouldn’t be complete without a mention of a the Quick Thrills From Out-of-Towners reading I did at Borders Manhattan Park Avenue with several of my friends. Definitely one of my favorite parts of the week (running a hard third behind coffee with WDWF and sitting next …Read More

Road Trip

May 21, 2008 by - 2 Comments

It’s shaping up to be a busy summer. Here’s where you can catch up with me: June 7-13 Tinker Mountain Writers Workshop, Hollins University, Roanoke, VA June 10 Hollins Branch Public Library, Roanoke, VA Reading, 7 pm (the book club meeting begins at 6:30, public reading at 7) June 16 Private Book Club Appearance, Cincinnati, …Read More

How Did I Miss This, and What Must Charlie Rose Think?

April 22, 2008 by - 1 Comment

So, what’s up with the spider? I was looking for images from Bowling Green, Kentucky as I spent some time there this weekend for the Southern Kentucky Bookfest. Horses in pictures of Kentucky are so overdone–and Bowling Green is stunning and rural, but not particularly horsey. While searching the Internet for something appropriate, I came …Read More