January Magazine Best Crime Novels of 2009

The Best Crime Novels of 2009 has been posted by Senior Editor Jeff Pierce at January Magazine. Compiled by Pierce and my fellow contributing editors, there were so many good crime books this year, the list is in two parts. Here and here. Lots of outstanding stuff to put on your reading lists, folks.

Alex Kava

My newest review in the Lincoln Journal Star. Kava's novel taps into several real-life scenarios that have broad terrorist implications. It's effective. It's a page turner. It's one of the best thrillers I've read this year.

Tonight, Tonight

Yup. It's here. The Lineup reading at the KGB Bar is tonight, Thursday, 10/22. The particulars are below. I hope to see y'all there.

KGB Bar

85 East 4th Street

Between Bowery and 2nd Avenue

7:00-9:00pm

The Lineup: Reading On October 22nd

You've heard this before. You're hearing it again. We're having a reading of Lineup poems at the KGB Bar in the East Village on October 22nd from 7-9pm. Contributors will be reading from their own work. Some of us will be reading selected work from those contributors not able to attend. You are all invited. It might be poetry, but remember it's crime poetry. And it's at a bar. A raucous time will be had...

Remembering 9/11

Michael Connelly

I can't think of a bad Michael Connelly book. Sure: there are some that I prefer over others. But that's personal taste (Harry Bosch is my boy). But breaking it down to the nuts and bolts of craft, character and plot: the man produces a kick-ass story each and every time. I put other books on hold when a new Connelly is available. When The Scarecrow pubbed, I went out and got it right away. (Unfortunately, not at Black Orchid). I contacted Jeff Pierce at January Magazine and said I wanted to review it. You can read that review here. I also asked Connelly some follow up questions. And I can still say: I can't think of a bad Connelly book. I can think of many outstanding ones, including his latest.

The Lineup: Start Spreading The News

I'm going to mention this a few more times over the next two months. We're having a reading of Lineup poems at KGB Bar on October 22nd. Contributors will be reading from their own work. Some of us non-poets will be reading selected work from those not present. You are all invited and urged to attend. It might be poetry, but remember it's crime poetry. A raucous time will be had...