Michael Connelly Accepts Harper Lee Prize

HOS reviews: Billingham, Burke, Hallinan,

Crime picks

Rush of Blood
By Mark Billingham (Little, Brown)

Taking a breather from his excellent DI Thorne series, Billingham’s latest thriller delves into the aftermath of a Florida vacation. Three British couples, each with their own secrets and issues, continue to stay in touch after the sunburn has faded. But is one of them a killer? What really happened to the girl who went missing on the final day? Billingham delves nicely into the domestic dramas and frustrations of everyday people, explores the psyches and motivations of characters, while setting readers’ minds racing as to ‘whodunnit’. Enjoyable more than excellent, Rush of Blood finishes strong.

Creole Belle
By James Lee Burke (Orion)

Septuagenarian investigator Dave Robicheaux finds himself battling an old enemy, addiction, as he recovers from a brutal shootout. Did Tee Jolie Melton, a troubled young woman now missing, really visit him, or was it a morphine-induced dream? Meanwhile, a Gulf oil spill threatens the bayou environs, and Dave’s pal Clete Purcel discovers an illegitimate daughter who might be a contract killer. The ‘heavy weight champ’ of crime writing pens a complex, layered Louisiana tale as only he can. Themes abound. A tasty gumbo: lush, lyrical, and intoxicating, Creole Belle is crime writing of the highest order.

A Nail Through the Heart
By Timothy Hallinan (Harper)

Expat travel writer Poke Rafferty has a talent for finding trouble. He’s fallen for Bangkok, is trying to play happy families with a former go-go dancer and a wary street kid, but his desire to help others keeps tripping him up. Agreeing to search for a distraught Aussie tourist’s missing uncle leads to all sorts of upheaval, and Poke finds himself caught up with nasty subcultures, corrupt police, degradation, torture, revenge, and sins of the past. Excellent: captivating prose and point-of-view; pacy storytelling; intriguing characters; thought-provoking themes and events; and a wonderful setting.


This is the online version of my latest crime novel review column for the Herald on Sunday newspaper, published in the paper this past weekend, 16 September 2012. Reprinted with permission.

Review: RUSH OF BLOOD

RUSH OF BLOOD by Mark Billingham (Little, Brown, 2012)

Reviewed by Craig Sisterson

Taking a breather from his excellent series starring DI Tom Thorne that earned him a reputation as one of Britain’s top crime writers, former comedian Mark Billingham changes tack with this standalone thriller delving into the aftermath of a Florida vacation.

Perfect strangers, a perfect holiday … a perfect murder?

Three British couples, each with their own secrets and issues, meet around a swimming pool during their holiday in sunny Florida, sipping cocktails and swapping tales, before continuing to stay in touch after the sunburn has faded. But their trip away ended on a tragic note: the ‘challenged’ teenage daughter of another holidaymaker goes missing, only to later turn up floating in the mangroves, dead. What really happened to the young girl on that final day?

Spanning the two sides of the Atlantic, and overly enthusiastic young British cop and a jaded American detective work the case, trying to bring answers, and justice, to the grief-stricken mother of the dead girl. Then a second girl goes missing in England. Does one of the British holidaymakers harbour a dark secret? Is one of them a killer?

Rush of Blood cuts between the two-pronged investigations in Florida and England and the catch-up dinners the trio of holidaymaking couples conduct in the weeks after their vacation. While it’s a device that could work for building tension and intrigue, for some reason it delivers unevenly. Perhaps surprisingly, the best bits of this book are actually the Florida scenes, with the US detective and the heartbroken mother more believably fleshed out and interesting characters than the British cop. The scenes back in England, Billingham’s traditional stomping ground, almost seem thin or forced at times. Like the pieces are there, being moved around in an interesting way, but something is missing.

There is a good narrative drive to the tale, and the dinner parties certainly provide some interesting insights into the machinations of human relationships, as the tension mounts as the authorities swirl around the holidaymakers and they begin to suspect each other and deal with the tragedy in a variety of ways. Billingham delves nicely into the domestic dramas and frustrations of everyday people, and explores the psyches and motivations of his characters, while setting readers’ minds racing as to ‘whodunnit’.

There is plenty of good stuff here, but for whatever reason Rush of Blood just doesn’t seem to hit the heights of Billingham’s other books.


Enjoyable more than excellent, Rush of Blood finishes strong.

3.5 STARS

Going West: Paul Thomas in Auckland

It's been great to New Zealand crime fiction on the menu at all the major New Zealand arts/books festivals this year - from the Hamilton Garden Arts Festival, to the New Zealand International Arts Festival in Wellington, the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival, and the recent Christchurch Writers Festival. Our four biggest cities all included local crime writers in their festivals in 2012 - which I think might be a first.

This weekend the trend continues, with another terrific New Zealand crime fiction event at the fantastic Going West festival's Books and Writers Weekend in Titirangi (west Auckland). Acclaimed and award-winning New Zealand crime writer, biographer, and columnist Paul Thomas will be speaking about his crime and thriller titles on Sunday afternoon.

Thomas is 'the godfather' of contemporary New Zealand crime writing, the man credited with dragging our local version of the crime and thriller genre into the modern world with his witty, life-filled tales in the mid 1990s. He even won the inaugural Australian crime writing award, the Ned Kelly Award, for INSIDE DOPE, his second crime novel. After a decade-long absence, he returned to the scene earlier this year with the well-reviewed DEATH ON DEMAND.

Thomas will be onstage at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall at 2pm this Sunday, 16 September 2012. You can read more details about his session here.

For more about Thomas and his return to crime writing, click here.

Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher?

I'm not entirely sure what to say. I haven't read all of Child's books, but - apart from the obvious height/presence questions - I'm not sure if I really get the Reacher 'feel' from the way Cruise - who has put in some excellent performances and great films - talks and what he says etc in this trailer.

 I'd love to know what you think. Please share your thoughts.

Ian Rankin to open Dunedin's 2012 Scottish Festival!

In some terrific news for New Zealand-based crime fiction fans, legendary British crime writer Ian Rankin, who is bringing back his iconic investigator John Rebus after a five-year retirement in this year's STANDING IN ANOTHER MAN'S GRAVE, will be visiting New Zealand in mid November.

Along with events in Auckland and Wellington (I will share specific details once those events have been confirmed), Rankin will also be opening Dunedin's 2012 Scottish Festival. Appropriate really, that one of the biggest names in contemporary Scottish writing will open the festival in New Zealand's 'Scottish City'.

A free ticketed event too - so no excuses Southerners. Make sure you grab a ticket and head along!

Review: LAZY BONES by Mark Billingham

LAZY BONES by Mark Billingham (Little, Brown, 2003)

The third in the DI Tom Thorne series of novels that over the past decade or so has established comedian turned crime writer Mark Billingham as one of the biggest names on the British crime writing scene. Following on from the excellent debut SLEEPYHEAD and the follow-up SCAREDY CAT, LAZY BONES sees Thorne and his colleagues once again delving into the darkness.

Overall, I found LAZY BONES to be explosive, gritty, well-plotted, and full of fascinating and realistic dialogue and absorbing characters. It is an excellent read from a crime writer that was already really hitting his stride at that early point in his career. From the writing alone (leaving aside plot etc), within a few pages you can tell you are in 'safe hands', that you will be taken on terrific ride.

There's punch to the prose, energy and life.

In LAZY BONES, Thorne and his London-based serious crimes unit must track down a serial killer who is targeting and brutally killing rapists. Of course, this scenario immediately raises issues of whether the approach to and view on the case by the media, members of the police, and the broader public (or at least, the most vocal parts of the public) changes when the victims are seen to be less 'pure and innocent'.

After all, it would, of course, be easy for some (many) to think the victims were merely perpetrators finally getting the punishment the justice system was too lenient and forgiving to mete out itself. Just desserts.

When the forensics team can't find "the life sentence hidden in a dustball" (ie DNA evidence that could lead to a killer's conviction), Thorne must follow up a mountain of less-than-promising leads while generating a sea of new ones in an investigative cycle that starts afresh with each body found bound, gagged, mutilated, and violated. Already beset by slow-witted bosses, minuscule resources, and a tabloid press rooting for the killer, the detectives are further hobbled by problems in their own personal relationships.


A particular aspect I enjoyed was that the book takes a look at how the killer came to be, not just who they are, delving into the ongoing effects of childhood trauma. How a psyche can be twisted based on the things that can happen to us. How we can seek to justify our actions, no matter how horrendous. LAZY BONES is more than just a breezy 'airport thriller'; there is plenty of depth beneath the quick pace and great tension.

Another of the many good points about LAZY BONES is that the investigators are notably rounded, human, and fallible. They are not supercops, or forensic investigators that can do no wrong (without a hair falling out of place). They question themselves, and the passion they have for their jobs. Issues are raised in readers' minds, while we are hurtled along a dark, twisting, exciting journey.

Fairness and justice. Revenge and retribution. Billingham dials up both the action and the thought-provoking themes, harnessing his considerable talents into a terrific example of the darker, grittier part of contemporary crime fiction. If you haven't yet discovered Mark Billingham... pick one of his novels up and read it today - see why he has attained a seat amongst the upper echelon of contemporary British crime writers.

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I originally read this book several years ago, and have previously written a short online review. This review is an expanded look at the book, as I endeavour to share more of my thoughts on the many good, great, and otherwise crime novels I have read (and usually enjoyed) in recent years.


For more on Mark Billingham and LAZY BONES:

• A 2003 Metro interview with Billingham about LAZY BONES
• Barbara Franchi reviews LAZY BONES at Reviewing the Evidence
• Kirkus Reviews take on LAZY BONES
• Joe Hartlaub's review at Book Reporter

Have you read LAZY BONES, or any other books in Billingham's Tom Thorne series? Would be interested to know what you think of the series, and his writing. Comments appreciated.

Paul Thomas to appear at Going West

Now that the dust has settled from the magnificent The Press Christchurch Writers Festival 2012 (okay, maybe that's not the best turn of phrase for a Christchurch festival), it's time to look ahead to the next tasty morsel on the local menu for fans of crime, mystery, and thriller fiction.

In a little over a week, the terrific Going West Festival's Books and Writers Weekend will kick-off, showcasing a wide variety of fantastic writers of all types, from legendary New Zealand songwriter Dave Dobbyn to poet laureate Ian Wedde to human rights lawyer and activist Marianne Elliott, and much, much more.

And yes, we also have some crime. Here's the official blurb from the programme:

SUNDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 
2.00pm: The Godfather

Paul Thomas, journalist, sports biographer and novelist brings maverick, loner cop, Detective Sergeant Tito Ihaka back from the wilderness. The Ihaka trilogy exploded onto the crime fiction scene in 1994 and then disappeared; 'not planned – just the way it turned out.' Death on Demand, released this year, is a rollicking read. To interrogate the return, Craig Sisterson, lawyer‐turned‐journalist and crime fiction aficionado, will join Paul on stage. Long unanswered questions may be asked.

Paul Thomas
Paul Thomas is the author of seven novels. His latest, Death on Demand, is the fourth featuring Maori detective Tito Ihaka. The earlier books, which have been widely published internationally and translated into several languages, were recently re‐published as The Ihaka Trilogy. Inside Dope won the Crime Writers’ Association of Australia’s inaugural Ned Kelly Award for best crime novel of the year. He has also written a book of short stories and nine books on sport, including collaborations with All Black greats Sir John Kirwan and Tana Umaga. His weekly columns appear in the New Zealand Listener and the New Zealand Herald.

Craig Sisterson
Since devouring Hardy Boys novels and scribbling Santa‐inspired detective stories at primary school in Nelson, lawyer turned writer, reviewer, and columnist Craig Sisterson has been fascinated by crime writing. Now Deputy Editor of NZLawyer magazine, murder and mystery remains Craig’s mistress: he’s interviewed the biggest names in crime writing for publications including the New Zealand Listener, New Zealand Herald, and Sunday Star‐Times; cast his reviewers eye over crime novels for several newspapers, magazines, and websites here and overseas; and is the creator and Judging Convenor for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. He blogs about crime writing at http://kiwicrime.blogspot.com.

So yeah, sorry, a bit of blatant self-promotion there too. But it should be a terrific session - Paul is a great writer and a very interesting man to talk with and listen to. I'm sure the audeince will really enjoy it, so if you are anywhere near Auckland next weekend, I certainly hope you will come and join us at the festival. As those who went to the Christchurch Writers Festival can attest, it's really great to dive into such a creative and passionate atmosphere, surrounded by like-minded people who love books, words, and writing.

Review: MILKSHAKE by Matt Hammond

MILKSHAKE by Matt Hammond (2011)

Reviewed by Craig Sisterson

On the day David Turner is supposed to emigrate to New Zealand, he witnesses a savage murder and becomes caught up in ruthless global conspiracy. A thirty year-old technological discovery threatens his own future and jeopardises the lives of millions of others as David discovers that starting a new life is about to become a deadly game of cat and mouse... and, somewhat surprisingly, cows.
I found MILKSHAKE to be a relatively enjoyable, if flawed, debut political and environmental thriller. Overall, there is a good narrative drive, and plenty of action - but sometimes the writing isn't as smooth as some readers might like. Personally, I was frustrated by a little too much exposition and 'telling' (sometimes repeatedly - which is a pet peeve of mine, but doesn't bother some other readers as much), and Hammond seems to feel the need to regularly remind the reader of the situation the protagonist, David Turner, finds himself in (a bit too much 'spelling it out'). 

But despite some irritating flaws - which in all honesty aren't unexpected for a debut book that hasn't come through the editing process of a major publisher - I still found myself compelled to keep turning the pages. There is just something about this tale that even if the dialogue or exposition was bothering me, kept me wanting to find out what would happen to Turner. Hammond has brought together some really good ideas and interesting concepts, and also now and then shows a nice turn of phrase and descriptive passage, in amongall the action, with some good 'visuals'. 

I was certainly intrigued, or hooked, to find out how it all comes together. And whether my home country would just become a testing ground for fuel-hungry Americans. I got a sense that MILKSHAKE could make a very good film. 

Overall, I would say that MILKSHAKE is a good solid debut, that might have moved into the very good/great category with some further editing, rewriting, and tweaking before it was published. In all fairness, there are plenty of big-name, hugely popular bestsellers that suffer from the same flaws - plot and action-centric conspiracy thrillers where the writing is a little 'on the nose' (eg Dan Brown etc) and the dialogue a bit wooden or unrealistic.

I imagine many people would enjoy MILKSHAKE, which is entertaining and interesting.

M is for A MURDER OR THREE by Laurie Mantell

Once again, in 2012, thanks to the fabulous Kerrie of Mysteries in Paradise, crime fiction afficianados around the world are sharing posts about a variety of crime fiction authors, books, themes, and more - in an alphabetical sort ot way.

The 2012 edition of the Crime Fiction Alphabet (CFA) kicked off back in May (yes, this year, unlike previous incarnations, I've badly slipped behind so far, only doing the "C", "E", "F", and "O" posts), and this week we are up to the letter P'.

As I don't like leaving things incomplete, I've decided to go back and revisit some of the letters I've missed so far, in addition to posting about the remaining letters P-Z over the next few weeks. Hope everyone doesn't mind.

So for today, I'm returning to the letter "M", but featuring some 'forgotten fiction' by New Zealand mystery writer Laurie Mantell (who passed away a couple of years ago), A MURDER OR THREE. 

From 1978-1984, Mantell wrote five Wellington-set murder mysteries featuring Detective Sergeant Steve Arrow of the NZ Police. She also wrote a sixth crime novel, the standalone MATES, in the late 1990s. I understand that, particularly her first five books, were actually reasonably well-received and popular, being read and published in several countries. Mantell is referenced, along with Dame Ngaio Marsh, under the "New Zealand crime fiction" section of at least one US reference text I've seen (the only two NZ authors). 

In A MURDER OR THREE, three women are murdered, each with a pair of pantyhose. Detective Sergeant Steve Arrow of the Wellington Police knows the first victim, a shy teenager he met as part of an investigation into a flasher seen in nearby bush. 

The body of the second victim, older, extremely attractive, is found in this same bush, and, later, a flirtatious wife dies in her own home with the tell-tale pantyhose around her throat. Residents are in near panic, and Arrow and his colleagues have little to go on as they try to investigate the murder of three women who seemed to have little in common. Could a serial killer, some kind of sex maniac, be loose in 1980s suburban Wellington?

A MURDER OR THREE definitely reads as a book of 'another era', so to speak - but it is well-written, and very enjoyable nonetheless. I would imagine that Mantell may have been a fan of the classic Golden Era 'puzzle' detective fiction of the likes of Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh, as A MURDER OR THREE shows many of the hallmarks of the, rather bloodless and sex-free, 'cosy' style. But this 'traditional' storytelling of course still remains a style that has many, many fans - as evidenced by the popularity of Malice Domestic and the annual Agatha Awards etc.

In a way, A MURDER OR THREE would probably most appeal to those who love such 'traditional' detective stories, with interesting characters and puzzle-type whodunnit plots (rather than some of the modern procedural or whydunnit styles) - but brought forward from the war and post-war years of Poirot and Alleyn into the 1970s-1980s - a Midsomers Murders or Inspector Morse type of feel and style perhaps. Not a confined mystery of the country house sense, but still 'old school', in a good way.

Mantell writes well, setting up a good plot, with plenty of red herrings and suspicion to be cast about and keep the reader guessing right until the end. Arrow is an engaging lead character, although the reader doesn't get as much background or personal life (overload) with him as you would with some present-day detectives. Mantell brings 1970s/1980s Wellington and New Zealand to life, especially in terms of the way she evokes suburban life, and the way in which even New Zealand's biggest cities were pretty relaxed in pace at the time.

Overall I really enjoyed A MURDER OR THREE. It was a bit of a nostalgic trip down memory lane, in terms of the style of writing and the era of the story - but in a good way, because Mantell writes well. If you primarily enjoy the darker end of crime, with plenty of blood and gory serial killers, you might find A MURDER OR THREE a little slow or tame for your liking. But anyone who likes cosy or traditional mysteries, whether by preference or as an occasional diversion, will find themselves very glad if they get their hands on a copy of this book.

Talking about Kiwi crime: my Radio NZ interview

Today I was interviewed by Jim Mora for the "Critical Mass" section of his popular Afternoons programme on Radio New Zealand. We talked about New Zealand crime fiction, including a little about the establishment of the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel, an off-the-cuff mini-review by me of each of the four finalists, and a brief discussion about where things are headed.

Jim is a great interviewer, and I felt completely at ease - which was good because I hadn't prepared anything, and didn't realise I was going to have to talk about each of the four finalists individually, in a mini-review type of way. Hopefully I did the books and authors justice. Listening back over the interview (click above to listen), I am pretty happy with how it went - not too many 'ums' and 'ahs', and I managed to refrain from swearing or stumbling over my words much.

Hope you enjoy the interview. Feedback always welcome.

2012 Davitt winners

While most of the crime writing focus down this part of the world in the past couple of days has been on the Ngaio Marsh Award announcement, our cousins across the ditch have also been handing out trophies to great crime writers. On Saturday night in Melbourne, the 2012 Davitt Awards (for best crime writing by Australian women) were presented at a Sisters in Crime Australia Gala Dinner.

From all reports, it was a great night. The Awards were presented by terrific Swedish tax lawyer turned crime writer Asa Larsson (THE SAVAGE ALTAR, THE BLOOD SPILT), who prior to the awards presentation talked about her 'life in crime' with Professor Sue Turbull.

The Davitts are named in honour of Ellen Davitt (1812-1879) who wrote Australia’s first mystery novel, FORCE AND FRAUD, in 1865. The winners were:


Best True Crime - Cold Case Files by Liz Porter
Best Young Fiction - Surface Tension by Meg McKinlay
Debut Fiction - Beyond Fear by Jaye Ford
Best Adult Fiction - A Decline in Prophets by Sulari Gentill
Readers' Choice - Beyond Fear by Jaye Ford and The Brotherhood by Y.A. Erskine

Congratulations to all the winners!

It's great to see terrific female crime writers being recognised and publicised.

Neil Cross and the Ngaio Marsh Award

What a terrific day at the The Press Christchurch Writers Festival yesterday, capped by the announcement of the winner of the 2012 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. Terrific sold-out event, great to see so many people there to celebrate books, ideas, writing, and particularly New Zealand crime writing.

Lots of cool pics - some of which I'll share later. For now, I just thought I'd share one of my favourites - camera-shy Ngaio Marsh Award winner Neil Cross (LUTHER: THE CALLING) with the award.

Cross gave a tremendous acceptance speech - having the audience in stitches for several minutes, with tales of crazy escapades - including a time he thought he was going to come to a Deliverance-style end in rural New Zealand on the way to a writing event, before finishing on a very heartfelt, eyes-glistening note, talking about how much he'd moved around throughout his life, but how since he came to New Zealand ten years ago, he'd really felt he finally had a 'home', and so this Award "means a lot" to him.

TV show-inspired tale scoops Ngaio Marsh Award

A BOOK that tells the gripping story behind a critically acclaimed television character’s fall from grace has scooped New Zealand’s crime writing award for 2012. Wellington-based novelist and screenwriter Neil Cross was announced as the winner of the prestigious Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel, for his “unflinching, brutal, and brilliant” book Luther: The Calling, at the conclusion of the lively Great New Zealand Crime Debate event at the Christchurch Writers Festival on Saturday, 1 September.

“DCI John Luther, wonderfully played onscreen in the BBC series by Idris Elba, is one of the most compelling characters to hit television screens in recent memory, but Neil Cross adds even more layers and intrigue to the hulking, volatile policeman in Luther: The Calling,” said Judging Convenor Craig Sisterson. “While screen adaptations from popular books are relatively common, the reverse is rare – usually for good reason. Luther: The Calling, however, is a magnificent tale, tautly written yet lyrical, a prequel that hurls readers onto a dark and traumatic rollercoaster that reveals how Luther found himself standing on a precipice at the beginning of the TV show’s first season.”

It was a tough decision for the international judging panel, given the high quality of the finalists and the wider longlist, said Sisterson. “New Zealand authors have produced some truly world class crime, mystery, and thriller novels in the past year. Crime writing certainly seems to be experiencing something of a renaissance here, as readers, publishers, critics, and others begin to realise and appreciate the quality crime writers we have on these shores.”

It was a case of third time’s the charm for Cross, the British-born writer who writes his novels, as well as a variety of projects for British and American film and television, from his suburban Wellington home. Previously a finalist for the Ngaio Marsh Award in both 2010 and 2011, he finally got his hands on the distinctive Gina Ferguson-designed and sculpted trophy, which depicts Dame Ngaio’s visage on an open book, following Saturday night’s event.

The judging panel, consisting of crime fiction experts - authors, publishers, reviewers, and event organisers - from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and New Zealand, said Luther: The Calling was “outstanding” and “a stand-out novel”. One international judge didn’t think a prequel could possibly stand on its own, but “was very pleasantly surprised”, noting Cross’s “writing, plotting, and voice” was so strong that “he could write a fresh, new book” based on a well-known TV character. Luther: The Calling is “a superbly crafted, brilliant stand-alone novel”, said another judge. Cross creates “such real, credible characters, a complex plot, with brilliant dialogue,” noted another.

The Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel, established in 2010, is named for Dame Ngaio Marsh, who is renowned worldwide as one of the four Queens of Crime of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Dame Ngaio published 32 novels featuring Inspector Roderick Alleyn between 1934 and her death in 1982. With sales in the millions, and her books still in print to this day, Dame Ngaio is one of New Zealand’s most successful authors in history. Dame Ngaio’s closest living relative, John Dacres-Manning, gave his blessing for a New Zealand crime writing award to be named in her honour, saying that “I know Dame Ngaio would be so proud … to know that her name is associated with the award”.

In addition to the handcrafted trophy, Cross wins a full set of Dame Ngaio’s novels, courtesy of HarperCollins, and a cheque for $1,000 from the Christchurch Writers Festival Trust.

For more information, please contact:

Craig Sisterson, Judging Convenor: ngaiomarshaward@gmail.com

Leaving, on a jet plane...

Just about to head to the airport to board the big metal budgie to Christchurch (well, not so big metal budgie, given it's only a domestic flight) for The Press Christchurch Writers Festival 2012.

It's terrific to see the Festival back up and running after a four-year, earthquake-caused absence. From what I've heard, the first two days have gone really well. I'm looking forward to the sessions I'm involved with today (eg "Fatal Attraction?" crime panel this afternoon, etc), as well as attending a couple of other intriguing sessions, and catching up with a whole lot of passionate, creative, inspiring book-loving people. Hopefully I will be swept up in the atmosphere too - it's been a very tiring week, with a whole lot of stuff on. I'm just hoping I don't forget anything or make a blunder during my chairing this afternoon, ha ha. Fingers crossed it all goes well. It should be fun, having a chat onstage to Michael Robotham, Julian Novitz, Ben Sanders and Paul Cleave about crime writing and our fascination with the darker side of fiction, and life.

Read more about the 2012 The Press Christchurch Writers Festival, and particularly the crime fiction-related events, here. Hope to see some of you New Zealand-based Crime Watch readers there over the next couple of days. Feel free to come up, say hi, and have a chat!