Chris Holm's Blog, page 8
February 26, 2017
Plattsburgh's Press-Republican Reviews RED RIGHT HAND
Thomas Grant Bruso, book reviewer for the Plattsburgh-based Press-Republican, had this to say about RED RIGHT HAND in today's issue:
*According to city-folk, at least. The people I grew up with are way likelier to say "Central New York."
"A high-octane, fast-moving read... The writing is taut, teasing and terrific, and the mind-blowing plotlines will keep readers engaged, turning pages as fast as the affairs unfold."Thanks, Thomas! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm always delighted to get reviews from Upstate New York publications, since that's where I grew up*. Believe you me, readers, it doesn't get much more upstate than Plattsburgh.
*According to city-folk, at least. The people I grew up with are way likelier to say "Central New York."
February 25, 2017
Maine Crime Wave 2017
New Englanders: On Saturday, April 22, join me, Tess Gerritsen, Gayle Lynds, Maine Attorney General Janet Mills, and many more at Maine Crime Wave!
I'll be participating in a couple panel discussions (including one on querying that features agent Ann Collette) and leading a craft session on writing gripping scenes. The lovely and talented Katrina Niidas Holm (who, okay, I'm married to, but who also happens to review for Kirkus Reviews, Mystery Scene Magazine, and Publishers Weekly) will be moderating a discussion between Tess Gerritsen and her agent, Meg Ruley. And interested attendees will get the opportunity to read aloud two minutes of their own work! (I would've killed for an experience like that when I was starting out. And, as far as you know, did.)
That's a whole lot of awesome for one day. Don't miss out. Register now!
February 10, 2017
Casting the Pod
Not long ago, I chatted with Harry Marks for his Covered podcast. Today, that episode went live. Click through to give it a listen!
February 9, 2017
The Kennebec Journal Reviews RED RIGHT HAND!
Bill Bushnell of the Kennebec Journal took a peek at RED RIGHT HAND in his latest column. Here's a taste of what he had to say:
"RED RIGHT HAND is the second thriller in Portland author Chris Holm’s excellent series featuring Michael Hendricks... This is fast-paced, action-packed adventure, with several surprising plot twists to add to the excitement."Click through if you'd like to read the rest. Many thanks to Bill for the kind words!
February 4, 2017
Give a Little, Get a Little
Fair warning: This is a political post. If you enjoy my writing but have no interest in engaging with me on that level, kindly navigate away.
If you're still reading because you're not yet sure which way I lean politically, take a moment to peruse my Twitter feed. If you and I aren't ideologically aligned, kindly navigate away, and feel free to direct any all-caps rants about how you plan to return, throw out, or burn my books to idontcare[at]nofucksgiven[dot]com.Read more »
If you're still reading because you're not yet sure which way I lean politically, take a moment to peruse my Twitter feed. If you and I aren't ideologically aligned, kindly navigate away, and feel free to direct any all-caps rants about how you plan to return, throw out, or burn my books to idontcare[at]nofucksgiven[dot]com.Read more »
January 23, 2017
Scene of the Crime
On Monday, January 30th, Portland Stage is doing something pretty cool: they're putting on staged readings of works from several local crime writers. The folks they've invited to participate are a talented bunch. Gerry Boyle. Brenda Buchanan. Paul Doiron. Julia Spencer-Fleming. And, uh, yours truly.
They asked us each for several excerpts from our novels that might play well on stage. I couldn't resist sending along a couple short stories as well. I thought it'd be a kick to see one performed in its entirety. Apparently, the fine folks at Portland Stage agreed, because in addition to killer excerpts from Gerry, Brenda, Paul, and Julia, they'll be tackling my darkly comic short "Eight Pounds," which first appeared in Thuglit in '09.
The event is open to the public and pay-what-you-can (I understand $10 is pretty standard). A complimentary wine and beer reception kicks off at 6:30PM. Performances begin at 7:00PM. If you'd like more details, you can check out the event page here. Hope to see you there!
They asked us each for several excerpts from our novels that might play well on stage. I couldn't resist sending along a couple short stories as well. I thought it'd be a kick to see one performed in its entirety. Apparently, the fine folks at Portland Stage agreed, because in addition to killer excerpts from Gerry, Brenda, Paul, and Julia, they'll be tackling my darkly comic short "Eight Pounds," which first appeared in Thuglit in '09.
The event is open to the public and pay-what-you-can (I understand $10 is pretty standard). A complimentary wine and beer reception kicks off at 6:30PM. Performances begin at 7:00PM. If you'd like more details, you can check out the event page here. Hope to see you there!
December 29, 2016
Auld List Syne
As 2016 draws mercifully to a close, I bring thee links to three new lists on which RED RIGHT HAND appears.
The eponymous Jenn of Jenn's Bookshelves included RED RIGHT HAND on her Best Books of 2016, alongside such killer writers as Megan Abbott, Alafair Burke, Joe Hill, and Lisa Lutz.It also made Ayo Onatade's Favourite Reads of 2016 list for Shots Magazine alongside Gregg Hurwitz, Laura Lippman, and more. (Excuse the utterly unnecessary u. Ayo's from the [ahem] UK, where I'm told they've such a surplus of the vowel in question, they sprinkle them atop their fish and chips.)And finally, writer/editor/crack-speller-of-the-word-favorite Alex Segura included RED RIGHT HAND among his Favorite Books of 2016. Megan, Laura, and Lisa made the cut on his list, too, as did Rob Hart, Noah Hawley, Todd Robinson, David Swinson, Dave White, and loads of other talented authors.My thanks to Jenn, Ayo, and Alex. And to everybody reading this, best wishes for the coming year. 2016 was tough for many, but—like any year—it had its shining moments. Here's hoping 2017 has a whole bunch more of 'em and eases way up on the hardship. Catch you on the flipside*.
*Nope. Can't pull that phrase off. Eh. Next year, maybe.
The eponymous Jenn of Jenn's Bookshelves included RED RIGHT HAND on her Best Books of 2016, alongside such killer writers as Megan Abbott, Alafair Burke, Joe Hill, and Lisa Lutz.It also made Ayo Onatade's Favourite Reads of 2016 list for Shots Magazine alongside Gregg Hurwitz, Laura Lippman, and more. (Excuse the utterly unnecessary u. Ayo's from the [ahem] UK, where I'm told they've such a surplus of the vowel in question, they sprinkle them atop their fish and chips.)And finally, writer/editor/crack-speller-of-the-word-favorite Alex Segura included RED RIGHT HAND among his Favorite Books of 2016. Megan, Laura, and Lisa made the cut on his list, too, as did Rob Hart, Noah Hawley, Todd Robinson, David Swinson, Dave White, and loads of other talented authors.My thanks to Jenn, Ayo, and Alex. And to everybody reading this, best wishes for the coming year. 2016 was tough for many, but—like any year—it had its shining moments. Here's hoping 2017 has a whole bunch more of 'em and eases way up on the hardship. Catch you on the flipside*.
*Nope. Can't pull that phrase off. Eh. Next year, maybe.
December 17, 2016
Shave and a Haircut
Today, I bring you two bits of me-related news.
First up, Steven Nester, host of PRX's Poets of the Tabloid Murder, included RED RIGHT HAND among his Favorite Crime Fiction of 2016 for The Rap Sheet.
Second, Nick Martin of the Winnipeg Free Press took a peek at RED RIGHT HAND in his round-up of recent crime fiction. His brief review is full of gems. Here's a taste:
First up, Steven Nester, host of PRX's Poets of the Tabloid Murder, included RED RIGHT HAND among his Favorite Crime Fiction of 2016 for The Rap Sheet.
Second, Nick Martin of the Winnipeg Free Press took a peek at RED RIGHT HAND in his round-up of recent crime fiction. His brief review is full of gems. Here's a taste:
"It’s a recipe for a chaotic mess of a hack’s book, but hey, Chris Holm’s RED RIGHT HAND is pretty darned good... It’s a crackerjack read and, unlike many books of its kind, this one frequently flaps its left wing."Thanks to Steven and Nick both.
December 13, 2016
Hand-y Links
Yeah, yeah. As blog post titles go, that was pretty awful. Gimme a break. I've been writing here since 2005, and have only so many link-based jokes at my disposal.
Anyway. I know you're all busy decking halls and nogging eggs, so here, in bullet form, is all the news that's fit to print from the land o' me:
I read Sarah Weinman's newsletter religiously. If you care about crime writing, you should too. She's a tastemaker, and better-read than any ten other people (save, possibly, my lovely wife). That's why I'm delighted to see RED RIGHT HAND got an honorable mention in her Best of 2016 newsletter.Author and "passionate foodie" Richard Auffrey also included RED RIGHT HAND among his Favorite Mystery/Crime/Thriller Novels of 2016.Lastly, Brandon Sears of Every Read Thing reviewed RED RIGHT HAND, declaring it a "great book" (and saying a whole bunch of other nice stuff, too, which you can click through to read).Many thanks to Sarah, Richard, and Brandon.
Anyway. I know you're all busy decking halls and nogging eggs, so here, in bullet form, is all the news that's fit to print from the land o' me:
I read Sarah Weinman's newsletter religiously. If you care about crime writing, you should too. She's a tastemaker, and better-read than any ten other people (save, possibly, my lovely wife). That's why I'm delighted to see RED RIGHT HAND got an honorable mention in her Best of 2016 newsletter.Author and "passionate foodie" Richard Auffrey also included RED RIGHT HAND among his Favorite Mystery/Crime/Thriller Novels of 2016.Lastly, Brandon Sears of Every Read Thing reviewed RED RIGHT HAND, declaring it a "great book" (and saying a whole bunch of other nice stuff, too, which you can click through to read).Many thanks to Sarah, Richard, and Brandon.
December 7, 2016
A Boston Globe Best Of!
I'm honored (see also: stunned, floored, elated) to report that The Boston Globe has named RED RIGHT HAND one of the Best Books of 2016! Here's what Daneet Steffens, curator of their mystery selections, had to say:
In his second Michael Hendricks thriller, Holm performs authorial acrobatics, elegantly and nimbly leaping between various locations and voices to produce not just a suspenseful tale kicked off by a San Francisco terrorist attack, but one imbued with multiple fine characters to boot.Many thanks to Daneet, and congratulations to everyone who made the list. I'm incredibly grateful to feature alongside such talented authors.
