Me? My favourite was probably Declan Hughes' THE COLOR OF
BLOOD.
But for those Rare Birds who can't get enough of "Best Of"
lists, the new "issue" of THRILLING DETECTIVE is now
up.
It being our annual Holiday issue means, of course, that it's
time for the CHEAP THRILL AWARDS, possibly the most bogus
awards in mystery fiction (not counting those bestowed to POD
publishers and self- published writers). The "Thrillies" are
our annual survey of the last year in private detective
fiction. As always, we're asking you what YOU think. Vote
early, vote often.
Who knows? You might enjoy being involved in something where
what you think actually matters. Plus it beats having to go
all the way to Iowa.
But right now, lemme tell ya, already BIG CITY, BAD BLOOD
seems to be edging way ahead of the field.
Not that we're just all about the Thrillies, mind you. As
usual, fiction editor and Santa's Helper No. 1 Gerald So has
dug through his goodie bag to come up with a fistful of
hard-boiled treats, for all you good little boys and
girls.
We kick off with Dick Stodghill's "Step Into My Parlor", a
leisurely jaunt through the 1930s featuring his wide-eyed
reporter, Bram Geary, and his considerably more jaded private
eye pal/hero, Jack Eddy.
Paul Sundeson also gives us a juicy period piece featuring
two buddies. "Piece by Piece" is an early 60s tour of duty
through the pre- Civil Rights Big Easy that will stick to
your ribs.
And just in case you think we're stuck in reverse this time
out R. Narvaez gives us "El Bohemio", a taut little jaunt
through the mean streets about as dated as today's
newspaper.
We've also got a very special treat for long-time fans of the
genre, courtesy of the boys at HardCaseCrime. We're very
pleased to present an excerpt from the new Ms. Tree novel,
DEADLY BELOVED, by Max Allan Collins.
If, after all this time, you guys still don't know who Ms.
Tree is, this is the perfect time to get a clue. Created
originally as a comic book by Collins and cartoonist Terry
Beatty (who did the snazzy painted illo on this issue's
cover), Ms. Tree is simply one of the best -- and arguably
the toughest -- private eyes to ever slip on a dress and a
pair of stillettoes (what Mike Hammer did in his spare time
is another story).
If you've never read anything featuring Ms. Tree, you are in
for a good time -- Deadly Beloved is her first novel-length
appearance in prose, a bold new retelling of her origin and
hopefully, marks the return of one of the all-time great
characters in detective fiction. In any medium. This is pure
pulp for now people.
(Can you tell I'm a big fan?)
OH, and if anyone has any ideas on how we should celebrate
our tenth anniversary, coming up this Spring, I'm all
ears.
Well, that's about it. Put a bow on it. We're done.
Kevin Burton Smith www.thrillingdetective.com
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