Chris Holm's Blog, page 18
November 5, 2015
Favorite Offbeat Hitmen
Today, I'm at Strand Magazine's blog, talking about my favorite (fictional) offbeat hitmen. Make with the clicking to give my list a gander.
November 1, 2015
Getting Baked
This week marks my first trip to New England Crime Bake, and I couldn't be happier; I've heard nothing but terrific things about this conference for years. If you're also attending, here's where you can find me:
Panel: Deception on his Mind—Creating Suspense w/David Handler, Chris Knopf, Gayle Lynds, and Ang Pompano (m)Saturday, November 710:10 to 11:00 AMBallroom
Agents and Editors Roundtables: Page One Critiques (Requires advance registration; click through for details)Saturday, November 71:45 to 3:00 PMBallroom
A Suitable Vengeance—Writing Untraditional Heroes w/Joe Gannon, James Hankins, Shannon Kirk, and Hank Phillippi RyanSaturday, November 73:10 to 4:00 PMNew England Room
In addition, if you see me in the hotel lobby/hallways/bar/pretty much anywhere that's not the restroom and would like to say hello or have me sign a book (ideally, one of my own), please feel free.
Panel: Deception on his Mind—Creating Suspense w/David Handler, Chris Knopf, Gayle Lynds, and Ang Pompano (m)Saturday, November 710:10 to 11:00 AMBallroom
Agents and Editors Roundtables: Page One Critiques (Requires advance registration; click through for details)Saturday, November 71:45 to 3:00 PMBallroom
A Suitable Vengeance—Writing Untraditional Heroes w/Joe Gannon, James Hankins, Shannon Kirk, and Hank Phillippi RyanSaturday, November 73:10 to 4:00 PMNew England Room
In addition, if you see me in the hotel lobby/hallways/bar/pretty much anywhere that's not the restroom and would like to say hello or have me sign a book (ideally, one of my own), please feel free.
October 23, 2015
THE KILLING KIND a New York Times Editors' Choice
I'm elated, stunned, and not just a little confused to report that THE KILLING KIND is an Editors' Choice in this week's New York Times Book Review. As some of you know, this book nearly failed to see the light of day, so I'm incredibly grateful for all the support it's received, and all the help it's gotten along the way.
THE KILLING KIND in Mystery Scene
The current issue of Mystery Scene Magazine features a terrific review of THE KILLING KIND, courtesy of Jordan Foster. It's print-only, but here's a taste:"Chris Holm's whip-smart tale of a different kind of professional killer moves as fast as the bullets fired by his hero, Special Forces vet Michael Hendricks, and with wit as dry as the Afghani desert where Hendricks allegedly died."Many thanks to Jordan and Mystery Scene both!
October 22, 2015
THE KILLING KIND's Influences
Today I'm at Strand Magazine's blog, talking about the books that influenced THE KILLING KIND. Click through to give it a read!
October 16, 2015
THE KILLING KIND in The New York Times Book Review
There are moments in my writing career I'll carry with me forever. This review is destined to be one of them. Here's a taste (click through to read the rest):
"Chris Holm's THE KILLING KIND is my favorite thriller of the fall lineup. Here's a solid gold premise: an assassin who only kills other assassins... The cat-and-mouse game that follows is pure joy...This novel is so fast-moving, so expertly arranged, every piece fitting together with a well-oiled snap, that it feels weaponized. Read it. Or else."
The review is scheduled to appear in this Sunday's print edition of The New York Times Book Review. And I'm told THE KILLING KIND will also be an Editors' Choice in the October 25th edition!
"Chris Holm's THE KILLING KIND is my favorite thriller of the fall lineup. Here's a solid gold premise: an assassin who only kills other assassins... The cat-and-mouse game that follows is pure joy...This novel is so fast-moving, so expertly arranged, every piece fitting together with a well-oiled snap, that it feels weaponized. Read it. Or else."
The review is scheduled to appear in this Sunday's print edition of The New York Times Book Review. And I'm told THE KILLING KIND will also be an Editors' Choice in the October 25th edition!
October 13, 2015
How It Happened
Today, I'm at the International Thriller Writers' The Thrill Begins talking about THE KILLING KIND's path to publication. (SPOILER: it was rockier than you might imagine.)
October 6, 2015
Michael Hendricks Interview
Recently, I attempted to interview the protagonist of THE KILLING KIND, Michael Hendricks, for Crimespree Magazine. It... didn't go well. But you don't have to take my word for it; click through and see for yourself.
October 3, 2015
The Stalker's Guide to Finding Chris at Bouchercon 2015
It's hard to believe, but Bouchercon 2015 is nearly upon us. If you're Raleigh-bound, as I am, here's where to find me:
SigningFriday, October 910:45 to 11:15 AMMystery Mike's Table, Book Room
Panel: Where Crime and Mystery Meets Horror and the Weirdw/Reece Hirsch, David Morrell, Tim Weaver, and Nanci Kalanta (m)Saturday, October 108:30 to 9:20 AMMarriott, State AB
In addition, my lovely and talented wife is moderating the following panel, so you'll find me front and center:
Panel: Danger and Death in SuburbiaLou Berney, Greg Herren, Lori Roy, Mary Sutton, and Katrina Niidas Holm (m)Saturday, October 102:30 to 3:20 PMMarriott, State AB
And lastly, while I'll be landing too late Thursday to catch it, I'd highly recommend you check out this panel, too:
Changing Face of Publishing for Writers and ReadersJim Azevedo, Juliet Grames, Bob Gussin, Joshua Kendall and Andrew Gulli (m)Thursday, October 811:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Josh is the Editorial Director of Mulholland Books, and one of the smartest, savviest people I've ever encountered in this business (which is saying something). His guidance was instrumental in shaping THE KILLING KIND. It bums me out I'm missing this one.
That's it for my formal schedule, but I'm always* happy to chat with fellow book-folk, so if you see me and you'd like to say hello and/or get a book signed, please feel free. See you in Raleigh!
*Restrooms, as ever, are excluded from this offer—and lurking in my hotel room is strongly discouraged**
**Unless you bring pie***
***That was a joke; please don't actually stalk me
SigningFriday, October 910:45 to 11:15 AMMystery Mike's Table, Book Room
Panel: Where Crime and Mystery Meets Horror and the Weirdw/Reece Hirsch, David Morrell, Tim Weaver, and Nanci Kalanta (m)Saturday, October 108:30 to 9:20 AMMarriott, State AB
In addition, my lovely and talented wife is moderating the following panel, so you'll find me front and center:
Panel: Danger and Death in SuburbiaLou Berney, Greg Herren, Lori Roy, Mary Sutton, and Katrina Niidas Holm (m)Saturday, October 102:30 to 3:20 PMMarriott, State AB
And lastly, while I'll be landing too late Thursday to catch it, I'd highly recommend you check out this panel, too:
Changing Face of Publishing for Writers and ReadersJim Azevedo, Juliet Grames, Bob Gussin, Joshua Kendall and Andrew Gulli (m)Thursday, October 811:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Josh is the Editorial Director of Mulholland Books, and one of the smartest, savviest people I've ever encountered in this business (which is saying something). His guidance was instrumental in shaping THE KILLING KIND. It bums me out I'm missing this one.
That's it for my formal schedule, but I'm always* happy to chat with fellow book-folk, so if you see me and you'd like to say hello and/or get a book signed, please feel free. See you in Raleigh!
*Restrooms, as ever, are excluded from this offer—and lurking in my hotel room is strongly discouraged**
**Unless you bring pie***
***That was a joke; please don't actually stalk me
October 1, 2015
The Boston Globe Reviews THE KILLING KIND
I'm not gonna lie to you: as a New Englander, just getting to type that post title gave me a charge. So imagine how thrilled I am that the review is an unqualified rave! Here's a glimpse:
"...an ultra-strategic cat-and-mouse game of mind-blowing proportions... Holm, an award-winning short-story writer and author of the fantasy-pulp fiction trilogy 'The Collector,' is terrific at rendering characters with empathy and humor... As the second half careers along with roller coaster speed and twists, meting out some seriously emotionally wrenching moments and showing that Hendricks is more than a match for MacGyver, you’ll want to go along for the ride—but keep that seat belt fastened."Many thanks to Daneet Steffens for the lovely review.
