Alex Segura's Blog, page 21

BOOKRAGEOUS Podcast, CRIME BOOK CLUB on SILENT CITY

Woke up to a great podcast review of SILENT CITY this morning, courtesy of the versatile Paul Montgomery. Paul, as some of you may know, is part of the excellent book podcast BOOKRAGEOUS, and he spared some of his time talking up SILENT CITY. The whole episode is worth a listen, and if podcasts are your thing – don’t I sound like a geezer? – make sure you subscribe. Each episode is a treat.

And, over at CRIME BOOK CLUB, SILENT CITY gets a nice plug as well:

Alex Segura details Pete’s struggles and captures his downward spiral perfectly. You really feel for him but also at the same time Alex makes you feel like most of it is his own doing.

Thanks to Paul, BOOKRAGEOUS and CRIME BOOK CLUB for reading!

LIZ LOVES BOOKS digs SILENT CITY

Over at LIZ LOVES BOOKS, blogger Liz Wilkins had some nice things to say about SILENT CITY, calling it “a terrific start” to a new mystery series and more:

Set in Miami, the city comes to life in the author’s hands  – rich and vivid with a definite dark underbelly, it put me in mind of “Miami Vice” a show I used to love which visually had the same feel to it – bright lights and warm nights hiding a less salubrious reality..where danger lurks around every corner.

Bringing SILENT CITY back to Miami

Happy New Year!

I can’t really complain about the frigid NY weather (though, I guess this serves as a passive way of doing so), considering I spent a few weeks in the Florida sun over the holiday break. Lots of stuff happened while I was there, too – including an amazing SILENT CITY event at Books & Books in Coral Gables.

I’m really thankful to the store for letting me do a reading of SILENT CITY in my hometown – and the setting for the book. It was a great mix of new fans, old friends, family and more. Happy to say the room was packed and we sold a lot of books – always a good sign for a book event! If you’re in the Miami area, you can probably still grab a signed copy, while supplies last. Photo above was taken by my dear friend, Rebekah Monson.

Another highlight over the break was seeing the book reviewed by the amazing Oline Cogdill, one of my favorite mystery reviewers. Her review, which called SILENT CITY “energetic” and also noted:

“Segura’s command of tight plotting and realistic characters keeps his debut on track…Segura is off to a good start with Silent City.”

Oline’s review ran on SouthFlorida.com (part of the Sun Sentinel) and in the print and online editions of The Miami Herald - as you can see below.

Both are huge for me personally, as I was an avid reader of both papers growing up and interned at the former – while working at The Herald for a few years after college. A huge, surreal and wonderful honor.

Speaking of huge honors, Crimespree Magazine was kind enough to include SILENT CITY as part of their Favorite Reads of 2013 roundup – putting the book in amazing company among some of my favorite authors, like Chris F. Holm, Jedidiah Ayres, Megan Abbott, Dana Cameron, Scott Weddle, Hilary Davidson and many more. I suggest you pick up every book on the list – definitely worth it!

And in the “Best First Line of a Review Ever” category, Son Of Spade gave SILENT CITY a nice plug, kicking off their post with: “The new George Pelecanos is here…” I’m reposting that not because I agree with it, per se, but mainly because I got a kick out of the mere mention of Pelecanos – one of my favorite writers. As some of you know, A FIRING OFFENSE is what inspired me to put pen to paper and start writing SILENT CITY, so to see a review where the writer gets the connection and applauds it…well, I’ll take it.

I think that’s it for now. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and New Year – here’s to a great 2014!

COUNTRY HARDBALL author Steve Weddle on SILENT CITY

I’ve said before and I will say it again: COUNTRY HARDBALL is a great book. One of the best books I’ve read this year. Steve Weddle channels the best of Woodrell, Crumley and Carver to create a wonderful narrative pieced together by a series of jarring short stories. Great stuff. Go buy it. Don’t believe me? Then read what The New York Times said! They called Steve’s writing “dazzling.” They’re right!

So, imagine how quickly my jaw dropped when I read Steve’s wonderful essay on SILENT CITY over at must-read group crime writer blog Do Some Damage. I was blown away. It got me to thinking about not only how supportive Steve’s been, but how great this entire community has been to me for years – long before SILENT CITY was even an idea.

That’s a post for another day – but one that’s been percolating for some time. I’m just really grateful for the advice, mentorship and guidance some of the great mystery and crime authors I’ve met have given me – free of charge, too! I’ve made some great friends and I’m surprised and grateful each day. It’s a family, and it’s great.

Anyway, over at Do Some Damage, Steve had this to say:

The is a thrilling read that picks up speed with each page. This book was a fantastic debut in the mystery genre, and I’m ecstatic that Pete Fernandez has his own series.

Looking forward to more from Segura.

Yeah. Jaw on the floor.

Go buy COUNTRY HARDBALL. You’ll thank me for it.

Crimespree Magazine reviews SILENT CITY

If you’re a crime fiction fan, you should be reading CRIMESPREE MAGAZINE. You knew that, right? Jon and Ruth Jordan are two of the most supportive people I’ve ever met, and they’ve been helpful to me in my career as a novelist in too many ways to list. That’s why this review is extra special. Dan Malmon took time to read SILENT CITY and seems to have liked it!:

Alex Segura nails the mood his first time out with his debut novel, SILENT CITY. He takes the reader on a rough and tumble tour of his hometown of Miami, Florida. But hold on – this isn’t the Miami of USA Network’s Burn Notice. No one is cracking wise with a drink by the ocean; Segura’s Miami is haunted by a silent killer while our hero is haunted by his failures.

Bookoisseur gives SILENT CITY a thumbs up

Over at her book blog, Bookoisseur, Rachael Berkey had some nice things to say about SILENT CITY. What a nice way to cap off the weekend!:

The story is peppered with characters unable to hide their weaknesses from friends and readers alike, a mystery spanning years and, in the case of our main character, generations, Miami’s rich cultural makeup, and the families we build outside the families we’re born into. I really enjoyed the characters, even when they gave me few redeeming features of their own, and the story drew me in and hooked me.

CrimeFictionLover.com on SILENT CITY

Also missed this nice blurb from must-read review site CrimeFictionLover.com on SILENT CITY:

Forget the neon lights. Forget the glitz. Forget the bikinis and mojitos. And get ready for the other side of Miami.

13TH DIMENSION gives Silent City a double-shot of love

Missed this over the holiday break, but 13th Dimension, a fun site run by the esteemed Dan Greenfield, had a few nice things to say about SILENT CITY.

They included the book in their HOT PICKS Gift Guide:

Want a quick, taut thriller that’s been making the rounds? Check out the under-the-radar “Silent City,” by Alex Segura, about an on-the-edge journalist (I know a lot of those!) drawn into the seamy underbelly of Miami. Segura has a way with characterization and exhibits serious promise in his debut novel.

And reviewer Ed Catto had some nice words for the book as part of their “What I’m Reading” feature:

“Silent City,” by Alex Segura, Cordorus Press. I finished this mystery thriller – and it was fresh and fun! Thrills, chills, red herrings and rolling commentary about the drastically changing nature of newspaper reporting keep the reader engaged and saying “just one more chapter before I put this down.” And this novel kind of has its own soundtrack, as the lead character and narrator has deep knowledge of and love for music.  A great start to new mystery series and I’m looking forward to more! P.S. Just when you thought you saw it all, this book offers very clever chapter headings/page design. (Dan here: This is a novel novel, not a graphic novel. I recommend it too!)

BOOKRIOT READ SILENT CITY IN NOVEMBER…AND LIKED IT

Must-read site BookRiot included SILENT CITY in their November roundup of “best books we’ve read”:

I think that’s what I liked most about Silent City. Instead of a down-on-his-luck PI who somehow manages to be a step ahead of everything, Pete stumbles to try and keep up. Surprisingly charming and doggedly determined, he’s a little bit Harry Dresden and a lot Clint Barton from Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye. Segura writes some fantastic action sequences and keeps the suspense humming throughout the story. It’s book you find yourself needing to finish, just so you can see if Pete manages to survive the mess he’s pulled himself into.

Thanks

I love Thanksgiving – it’s my favorite holiday. It centers on the things I really enjoy all year: family, friends and food. More importantly, it’s about gratitude and remembering the many people, things and circumstances that brought us to where we are. And I have a lot to be thankful for.

This year has been really overwhelming – in a good way. I got married to a wonderful woman, published my first novel and got to spend time with my amazingly supportive family, friends and colleagues. I’m feeling really blessed and lucky, and I hope everyone reading this has a wonderful holiday with those they love.

So, as you prep for a big meal and good times, I leave you all with another one of my favorite things: David Byrne dancing around and actin’ crazy. Thanks to everyone for their kind words, support and friendship.