Terry Shames's Blog: 7 Criminal Minds, page 20

My Best Reads of 2024

 

And that’s a wrap for 2024 from mydesk to yours. I wish departing fellow Minds Susan C. Shea and Josh Stallings all thebest. It’s been a blast. And now for a recap of my Best Reads (andRecommendations) from 2024.

 

Edwin Hill, WHO TO BELIEVE? New EnglandEdwin Hill author returns with another mystery set in the fictional New Englandtown of Monreith. A popular restaurateur is murdered, and suspicion falls onthe spouse. Readers know nothing is that straightforward. There...

What's Better Than a Gift of Juicy Crime Fiction Stories?

 from Susan

 

This was a serious reading year for me, for some reason. I’ve gobbled my way through scores of books, only about half of which are in the crime fiction genre. But, even within that ocean, a handful stood out and I’m recommending them enthusiastically. For a good read, for a juicy story, for something a bit different, these got my stars in 2024. I have also included one from 2022 because I only read it this year.

 

Taking the prize for what may be the most inventive alternative Sherlock...

An Anthology of Indian Crime Fiction - and 3 Books on Ecology - by Harini Nagendra

It's the time of the year when gift-giving is being considered. Book suggestions please! 

Harini, writing on a Sunday instead of my usual Friday blog - talking about my book suggestions for the holidays. My fellow Minds have given us some great lists of books to look at, and I'm looking forward to dipping into some of these over the holidays. The posts have also been bitter-sweet to read - sweet because this month marks the end of my first year with the Minds, which I have enjoyed tremendously - ...

Terry here, on an unexpected day. I’m so thrilled that I...

 

Terry here, on an unexpected day. I’m so thrilled that I got a second chance to connect with readers, after I let my Tuesday post slip by without me. I love year-end reading lists. For mine, I’m breaking them down into non-mystery and mystery. And I know at this time of year readers may not have a lot of time to digest long descriptions, so I’ve kept them short and sweet. I read many, many books this year and these swam to the top for one reason or another. I recommend them all. 
 Here are m...

Surprising Reads from James W. Ziskin

It's the time of the year when gift-giving is being considered. Book suggestions please!  

Over past few years, I’ve read a lot of books. Each December, we make these lists of our favorite reads. This year I wanted to try something a little different. I’d like to make a list of books that, for one reason or another, surprised me. In some cases, these were authors who were new to me. Even if I’d met them at a conference or a book presentation, I hadn’t actually read their work. These are not the o...

My best reads for ‘24

by Dietrich

At this time of year, it’s kind of a tradition here at Criminal Minds to list our favorite books of the year. I hope our suggestions give you some ideas for your own reading list, or better yet, for gift-giving ideas — because who doesn’t love getting a book, right? You might also consider the fine novels by our own talented authors right here at Criminal Minds. 

Topping my own list of favorite reads this year is Clete (2024). It’s #24 in the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burk...

Book Recommendations from 2024

It's the time of the year when gift-giving is being considered. Book suggestions please! 

Happy holidays, everyone!

Books make the best gift. I always spent time in the bookstore when my daughters were younger, choosing a selection for them to read over the break. I still love to give and receive a good book and believe this is one of the best presents one can give.

Looking back over 2024, I didn't read a great deal of crime fiction, which is unusual for me. I completed writing a manuscript, Who Li...

Farewell, Adiós, Kawsaypuni, 안녕히 가세요, by Josh Stallings

My first post with Criminal Minds was March 2021. That seems like a blink ago. When I I received the email from Catriona McPherson asking if I’d “consider joining the squad.” I went three steps beyond chuffed. I screamed “yes,” at my keyboard, not knowing how actually great working with this amazing group of writers would be. And it has been wonderful. Every one of these writers has taught me important lessons about the craft and business of writing. I’m sure many of our readers will agree Crimi...

It's not lying if you write it down, by Catriona

When you look back over your childhood and early life, can you see where being a writer, or indeed a crime writer, began for you? Were there definitive moments that sealed your fate?

I *am* going to look back today - briefly over the fate-sealing days of childhood - and then at the origins of the first book in the failed trilogy that is the Last Ditch Motel series. Failed because Book 7 is slipping off its chocks and into the open sea this week and that's not how trilogies are meant to go. 

Yes...

It's always been there by Eric Beetner

 When you look back over your childhood and early life, can you see where being a writer, or indeed a crime writer, began for you? Were there definitive moments that sealed your fate?

I never used to think I was one of those people who knew very early on I wanted to write. Certainly not crime novels. 

When I started writing anything, I started with screenplays because I loved movies and I knew I wanted to make it my career. I was an eclectic screenwriter, something I soon learned is not valued in ...