Monthly Archives: December 2010

December 15
Day 15

David Liss

There are two authors featured in “25 Days of Books” who, while they aren’t the reason I’m a writer, they are certainly big reasons for what I’m writing.

One of these authors is David Liss.

Before I continue, I’d like to note that David’s debut writing the new BLACK PANTHER: THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR #513 comes out today (12/15).

Now back to the really important stuff. David Liss is one of the reasons I write what I write. I don’t want to go into a long explanation of why this is. Suffice to say I knew I wanted to write a historical set in the England of Charles II (1660-85) for as long as I can remember. I’d always assumed it would have to be a romance. Unfortunately, romances never really interested me, and it never occurred to me I could write a historical crime novel (I know. Sometimes I’m dense).

Until I read David’s novel A CONSPIRACY OF PAPER.

Something clicked, and although I did not actually begin writing DIARY OF BEDLAM for a few years after that, I can, with great conviction, say that David Liss is one of my primary influences.

And if you know David, you understand that’s a somewhat frightening prospect.

CONSPIRACY OF PAPER and the subsequent novels in the series, A SPECTACLE OF CORRUPTION, and THE DEVIL’S COMPANY, are set in early 18th century London. They feature Benjamin Weaver, a former boxer turned thief-taker, who, as a Jew in Christian England, is an outsider. He uses his wits and his brawn to make his living bringing criminals to justice, often mixing with London’s elite, who loathe him almost as much as they need his services.

More than the plots of David’s novels, which are, of course, compelling, I am attracted to the voice and setting. The glimpse they give into 18th century London feels authentic, and though David makes this look easy, I can tell you, acheiving this in a historical novel is a daunting challenge. Furthermore, Benjamin Weaver is now one of my favorite literary characters; the kind that women fall in love with and men want to be. I hope to see more of him soon.

David also contributes short stories to many anthologies. An example is WHAT MAISIE KNEW in THE NEW DEAD Zombie Anthology. It is a deliciously creepy story that actually haunted me for a few days afterward. Good stuff.

David was kind enough to grace us with his presence on my blog by answering a few questions:

1) You are now writing the new Black Panther. Which is more fun to write, comics or novels? Bonus points for why.

They are differently fun, which sounds like a cop-out, but it’s true. Comic books are inherently fun, but they are also tightly contained – each issue is 22 pages, pages should be no more than six panels, in general, and most times less than that. It’s fun to work with the characters and stories, and it’s nice that a script doesn’t take nearly as long as a novel, but it’s also hard to experience the pure creative burst you get when writing in prose.

2) You’re known for your historical novels. What attracts you to writing historicals?

I knew a lot about a particular period in history. I started out with the idea that I wanted to write a novel, and then I had to figure out what I ought to write about. I was doing my dissertation research on 18th century England, so I thought I’d write about that. I had previously enjoyed some historical novels, but I didn’t consider myself a fan of that particular genre. I still don’t read a lot of them (reading books to similar to what I do often feels more like work than pleasure), but I absolutely enjoy writing them.

3) What is your dream bottle of wine?

If I had to choose one favorite, I’d probably say syrah from Northern Rhone. Hermitage is way too expensive for me to drink on any kind of regular basis, but I’ll certainly accept all gifts.

4) What trait(s) do you share with Benjamin Weaver?

We both have feet.

What about the Black Panther?

Even less than I have with Benjamin Weaver, especially in his old incarnation as the king of Wakanda. Now that he has been stripped of his powers and his kingship, he’s a much more human character, and so easier to identify with. I think we can all relate to his experience of being in a strange place, surrounded by strange people, not really knowing what to do or say. In fact, I just had that experience at my son’s preschool holiday sing-a-long.

5) Can I buy you another drink?

Just one?

Thanks for letting me interview you, David. I hope to buy you many drinks, and even a bottle of Hermitage, in the future. Oh, and sorry I made you look like an alcoholic in this post.

If you’re buying books as gifts this holiday season, please consider purchasing from your local independent bookshop. The level of customer service you’ll receive is unmatched, you’ll have the added benefit of making new friends of the staff, and you’ll help support a local business.

Books featured in this post can be purchased from the Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles (orders@mystery-bookstore.com).

December 9
Day 9

Stephen Jay Schwartz

One day I walked past my local coffee shop and I saw a flyer in the window. It was advertising a book called BOULEVARD by an author named Stephen Jay Schwartz. Apparently, much of the novel had been written in the shop, and I made a mental note to check it out.

Fast forward to March 2010 and the Left Coast Crime conference in Los Angeles. Stephen Jay Schwartz was there, and I made a point of introducing myself (and I will totally forgive him for not remembering). I bought the book during that conference, and I read it shortly after.

 

BOULEVARD was a book that made me, for lack of a better word, squirm. It's protagonist, Hayden Glass, is a vice cop who happens to also be a recovering sex addict, and his job often places him in the role of protector to the same women he at one point (and sometimes, still does) exploited–prostitutes.

The story itself is intense and unflinching. Hayden is called to a murder scene involving the homicide of the niece of a prominent LA politician. As he attempts to solve this crime, more murders happen and Hayden is led by the investigation to believe that the homicides are linked, not only to each other, but to him and his addiction.

The most important aspect of this novel isn't the plot, but Hayden Glass himself. Stephen Jay Schwartz nails what I call the "addict mentality" so accurately that I actually felt uncomfortable at times, being in Hayden's head. For this I say to Stephen, "bravo!" for such an experience is a rare and wonderful thing.

BEAT, the sequel to BOULEVARD, was released in September 2010, and is set not in LA but San Francisco. Hayden Glass on the streets of San Francisco? You can't go wrong.

Since that first meeting at Left Coast Crime, I have met and spoken with Stephen on many occasions, and I'm fortunate to be able to call him a friend. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for this post:

1) Hayden Glass is a great cop, but a fairly troubled man. What gives him hope?

It is his desire to change that gives him hope. He wants to be a better person. It is sometimes hard for him to see that he is innately good. But others see it, and they help lead him to the light.

2) What inspires you (writing or otherwise)?

My children inspire me. As with all children, they are innately good. My job is to encourage this goodness, to give it room to grow and a place in this universe to play.

3) What is your favorite meal, beverage included?

Favorite meal is the eggplant parmesan at the North Beach Restaurant in San Francisco. I’ll take a bottle of Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon to go with it.

4) Besides writing, what is your most important aspiration?

First, to be a good father. After that, to direct feature films. Next, to learn jazz guitar.

5) Any hints on what might be next for you (or Hayden Glass, or both)?

Looks like I’ll be doing a screenplay rewrite on a zombie-action film. That’ll be cool. I’ll juggle that with writing my next novel, which is an international thriller set in the U.S. and Europe. It won’t be a Hayden piece, but it will be dark, fast and furious. I’ll come back to Hayden in a year or two.

Thanks for answering my questions, Stephen. I can't wait to read whatever you publish next. It's sure to be great.

If you're buying books as gifts this holiday season, please consider purchasing from your local independent bookshop. The level of customer service you'll receive is unmatched, you'll have the added benefit of making new friends of the staff, and you'll help support a local business.

Books featured in this post can be purchased from the Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles (orders@mystery-bookstore.com).

December 8
Day 8

Rebecca Cantrell

Earlier in the year, I was shopping at the Mystery Bookstore and when I picked up Rebecca Cantrell's debut novel, A TRACE OF SMOKE, store manager Bobby McCue said "Oh, that book is so good." As usual, he was right.

In A TRACE OF SMOKE, it's 1931 and Berlin crime reporter Hannah Vogel recognizes a photo of her brother Ernst in the Hall of the Unnamed Dead at the police station. The novel follows Hannah as she searches for Ernst's killer, uncovering the dark secrets of some of the highest ranking members of the rising Nazi party.

It's a haunting novel that transports you to a place that is on the cusp of one of the most evil periods in human history. Hannah Vogel is strong, yet vulnerable, and seeing this world through her eyes makes it that much more powerful.

Rebecca's second novel, A LONG NIGHT OF KNIVES, the sequel to A TRACE OF SMOKE, was released in June 2010 and October 2010 saw the release of IDRAKULA (writing as Bekka Black), a cell phone novel based on Bram Stoker's DRACULA.

I downloaded IDRAKULA as soon as it became available on the iPhone and found it to be an engaging and fun experience. It's the perfect antidote to that long train commute or a wait in the doctor's office.

In spite of her busy schedule, Rebecca took a moment to answer some of my questions:

1) IDRAKULA was released earlier this year. It's formatted very differently than a traditional novel–was writing it more or less difficult than writing your Hannah Vogel novels?

Writing IDRAKULA was less intense, since I don't have to do the same kind of research and I know that no actual teenagers or vampires were harmed in the world where the novel is set. It was a stretch trying to tell an complicated story using only media found on a phone, but that's the kind of writing challenge that I love.

2) What's your next project, and when will it be released?

My next project is A GAME OF LIES. It's the next book in the Hannah Vogel mystery series and it's set during the Berlin Olympics in 1936. It will be released July 5, 2011.

3) What trait(s) do you share with Hannah Vogel?

Hannah and I have a strong hatred of injustice. It's a dangerous trait. Hannah obviously indulges hers more strongly than I do.

4) What is your ideal meal, beverage included?

This one's tough as I adore food in many forms. Today I'd say Rouladen (a kind of German stuffed and rolled steak) with potato dumplings and red cabbage and fresh raspberries with whipped cream for dessert with a strong Earl Grey tea. Tomorrow I might have a different answer.

5) What attracts you to writing a historical series?

I love to research. I love to see how people lived their everyday lives 70 years ago. I've been struggling to understand how the Nazis rose to power and the aftermath for decades. I know many more facts, but am no closer to an answer.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Rebecca!

If you're buying books as gifts this holiday season, please consider purchasing from your local independent bookshop. The level of customer service you'll receive is unmatched, you'll have the added benefit of making new friends of the staff, and you'll help support a local business.

Books featured in this post can be purchased from the Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles (orders@mystery-bookstore.com).