Sean Chercover Interview

Suspect: Sean Chercover
Known Aliases: Shifty Canuck, Secret New Yorker...
Occupation: Writer, Troublemaker
Last Known Location: Chicago, IL & Toronto, Canada


Listen in as Sean talks about tackling "The Outfit" (no, not the blog) in his 2008 Shamus award winning debut, Big City, Bad Blood, his hot-off-the-presses follow-up, Trigger City, and the strange (and alcohol induced) genesis of P.I. Ray Dudgeon's name. Sean also reveals his dirty little culinary secret...the traitor!







To listen to the interview, click on the player above, subscribe via RSS reader (button in the side bar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Declan Burke

Victor Gischler Interview

Suspect: Victor Gischler
Known Aliases: Mr. Apocalypso (yes, I made that up)
Occupation: Writer, College professor
Last Known Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Listen in as Victor talks about his latest novel, Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse, his "Gun Quartet" crime novels, the Punisher comic extravaganza and his founding involvement (or lack thereof) with Plots with Guns. Victor also reveals his picks to star in the movie version of Go-Go Girls and the five, er...six essential items for the Post-Apocalyptic Survival Kit. And, an IFQ first! Gischler fails to produce 3 titles on his TBR pile and is forced to answer a dreaded penalty question.





To listen to the interview, click on the player above, subscribe via RSS reader (button in the side bar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Sean Chercover

J. D. Rhoades Interview

Suspect: J. D. Rhoades
Known Aliases: Dusty Rhoades (he wouldn't cop to any others)
Occupation: Lawyer, Columnist and Writer
Last Known Location: Carthage, N.C.

Listen in as J.D. talks about his latest standalone thriller, Breaking Cover, what's in the works with his Jack Keller series, and his growing interest in writing for comics. He also reveals the location of the best barbecue in North Carolina and which fictional character he'd least like to meet in a dark alley.


To hear J.D. read the first chapter of Breaking Cover, click here.

To listen to the interview, click on the player above, subscribe via RSS reader (button in the side bar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Victor Gischler

Anthony Neil Smith Interview

Suspect: Anthony Neil Smith
Known Aliases: The Enforcer, Dubh, Opinionated Jackass
Occupation: Writer, Assistant Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Southwest Minnesota University (whew!)
Last Known Location: The Great White North...er, southern Minnesota


Listen in as Neil talks about his latest book, Yellow Medicine and the revival of the infamous e-zine, Plots with Guns. He also reveals who he'd tap to write the score for The Drummer: The Musical, admits to having seen a few musicals himself, and discloses his dangerous lack of familiarity of mukluks.




To listen, click on the player above, subscribe via RSS reader (button in the side bar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: J.D. Rhoades

Ian Rankin Interview

The Bloody Scots - Part 5

Suspect: Ian Rankin
Known Aliases: King of Tartan Noir, God
Occupation: Writer
Last Known Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Listen in as Ian talks about his Inspector Rebus series, the recent explosion in the Scottish arts scene, and how his years in London and France influenced his use of Edinburgh in his books. He also reveals what fictional characters he'd pay good money to see in a cage fight and the weirdest question he's ever been asked in an interview (and no, it wasn't one of mine).


To listen, click on the player above, subscribe via RSS reader (button in the side bar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Anthony Neil Smith

Stand-by

Just an FYI...

My external hard drive crashed - the one with all my music & my editing program on it! So...Ian Rankin's interview won't be available until late this week. Gotta wait for the new hard drive to arrive, then try to rescue all the stuff off the crashed drive. Blah, blah, techie badness, blah. Fingers crossed the transfer from dying drive to brand-spanking new drive goes off without a hitch-a-rootie.

Ray Banks Interview

The Bloody Scots - Part 4

Name: Ray Banks
Known Aliases: Knucklebuster, DangerBalls
Occupation: Writer, Day Job Drone
Last Known Location: Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England (but he was born in Scotland...swear!)

Listen in as Ray talks about his Cal Innes P.I. series (Saturday's Child, Donkey Punch, No More Heroes, etc.), what kinds of characters he likes and the challenges of writing a P.I. novel set in the U.K. He also reveals his leading picks for "Saturday's Child: On Ice," the P.I. cliche that needs to be retired, and explains how he'd manage the caber toss with his giant coconuts.

*Lovely (and evidently rare) photo of smiley Ray by Mary Regan.

To listen, click on the player above, subscribe via RSS reader (button in the side bar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Ian Rankin

Stuart MacBride Interview

THE BLOODY SCOTS: PART 3

Suspect: Stuart MacBride
Known Aliases: Bearded Wonderboy, Stuart MacBeard, Crime Write-ist
Occupation: Write-ist, General Naughtiness
Last Known Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Listen in as Stuart talks about his Logan McRae books, his new novella Sawbones, and his latest idea for Skeleton Bob. He also spills about what two writerly folk he'd pay to see thumb wrestle and, and answers the essential sporran question - furry, or smooth?

*Warning, those seeking an in-depth exploration of the finer points of Stuart's work will likely be appalled by the pervasive naughtiness and lack of seriousity in this interview. If the terms 'cock weasel' and 'nipples' offend you...well, you have been warned & should act accordingly.

To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: The Saturday Boy, Mr. Ray Banks.

Donna Moore Interview

THE BLOODY SCOTS, PART 2

Suspect: Donna Moore
Known Aliases: Kafka, Queen of Shoes!
Occupation: Writer, Reader, Some Scary Day Job Involving Financial Stuff
Last Known Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Join us this week as Donna talks about her Lefty Award winning P.I. spoof, Go to Helena Handbasket, her love of reading, and her Alaskan school adventures. She also reveals the real purpose of Scotland's super sweet soda (Irn Bru), her thoughts on the Loch Ness Monster, and why Johnny Depp could play all the male characters in the movie version of Go to Helena Handbasket.



To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up next: Scottish write-ist and Bearded Wonderboy, Stuart MacBride.

Russel D. McLean Interview

THE BLOODY SCOTS: PART ONE

Suspect: Russel D. McLean
Known Aliases: Badgerboy, Russ-poo, Crimey Crimerson
Occupation(s): Writer, bookseller, reviewer, columnist
Last Known Location: Dundee, Scotland

Listen in as Russel spills about Crime Scene Scotland (the original and Crime Scene Scotland Review), his love of hand-selling books and his upcoming debut novel, THE GOOD SON (coming this Fall from Five Leaves). He also gives practical sporran advice for the novice kilt-wearer, shares the best book-as-weapon story I've ever heard, and explores the perils of gastronomical upset at a mystery convention.




To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Scottish author and avid reader, Donna Moore.

Steven Torres Interview

Suspect:Steven Torres
Occupation: Writer, English professor
Known Aliases: None
Last Known Location: Ellington, CT

Listen in as Steven talks about his Precinct Puerto Rico series (see, Steven...I got it right!) and his latest effort, The Concrete Maze. He shares some personal experiences that inform his writing, discusses why war is a recurring theme in his work and gives a very practical reason for wanting to spend a day with Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade.




To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Scottish author (and all 'round crime fic dude) Russel McLean

Steve Mosby Interview

Suspect: Steve Mosby
Known Aliases: The Notorious B.O.M. (Boring Old Me)
Occupation: Author
Last known location: Somewhere in Leeds (that's in the U.K. for you non-Brits)

Listen in as Steve talks about his take on serial killers in The 50/50 Killer, the influence of science fiction on his writing, and his thoughts about research. Steve also reveals what's on his desk, what he was like in high school & what fictional character he'd like to hang out with for a day.

Steve's latest book, Cry for Help, is available for pre-order (release date is May 29, 2008).


To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up next: author Steven Torres.

David Morrell Interview

Suspect: David Morrell
Known Aliases: Rambo's Daddy
Occupation: Writer
Last Known Location: Santa Fe, NM

Listen in as David talks about his most famous creation, John Rambo, the secrets of his career longevity, and his role in the International Thriller Writers (ITW) organization. He also reveals what writer he'd most like to spend an afternoon with, what crime fiction cliche needs to be retired and talks a bit about his first holiday book, The Spy Who Came for Christmas.

Up Next: British crime writer Steve Mosby.

To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Forgotten Books Friday

When Patti Abbott asked me to participate in her Forgotten Books Friday, I jumped on it. The general idea is to talk about a book that's a 'near classic' that may have gotten lost in the shuffle. Pretty cool, huh? I think so, too. So...here goes!

Ever heard of Sally's in the Alley by Norbert Davis? Unless you're a massive fan of deep pulp/hard-boiled crime fiction, probably not. And that's too bad, 'cause ol' Norbert is one of the few writers who managed to pull off humor and hard-boiled. When I say humor, I'm not talking black humor (which I also dig). Nope, I'm talking breezy, laugh-out-loud, almost screwball humor.

The story centers around Doan, a P.I. ne'er-do-well, and Carstairs, a Great Dane the size of a Shetland pony. Carstairs is both the brains and the brawn of the duo. I suspect that Doan exists mainly to keep our canine hero in steaks and tea biscuits. Set in WWII, the adventure starts off in Hollywood and follows the detecting duo as they travel to the tiny town of Heliotrope in the Mojave Desert. Why, you ask? (Okay, you didn't, but pretend you did anyway). Because the gov'ment wants Doan to pretend to be a Japanese spy in search of a mineral mine. Huh? Yep, that's right. See, there's a guy who knows where the mine is, but he flippin' hates the government & so fake spyness ensues. The plot gets more twisty and complicated from there, & the bodies pile up at an alarming rate, but it is absolutely always fun. So, y'know, check it out! The fab folks over at Rue Morgue Press were awesome enough to reissue the book a few years back, so the current paperback version is both available and affordable.

To keep the Forgotten Books Friday ball rollin', I'm officially tagging Daniel Hatadi for next week's continuing adventures. And don't let him pull his 'I'm a rebel, I ain't gonna tag nobody' routine. This book thang is too good to let die!

Charles Ardai Interview

Suspect: Charles Ardai

Known aliases: Richard Aleas, Charles Gordon Lemuel Cork, and a bunch of other ones I don't know about...watch him - he's shifty!

Occupation: Author, Editor for Hard Case Crime

Last known location: New York City, NY

In this week's show, Charles talks about his two novels (Little Girl Lost and Songs of Innocence, why Las Vegas can be a cool place to write, and why "Schizophrenia Can Be Fun" may be the title of his autobiography. He also shares his pick(s) for who he'd like to write the score for Little Girl Lost - The Musical, and why he doesn't get sick of reading 'n writing.


Up next: Big Daddy of the modern Action novel, David Morrell.

Christa Faust Interview

Suspect: Christa Faust
Known aliases: Faust Fatale
Occupation: Author
Last known location: Los Angeles, CA

In this week's show, Christa Faust talks about her latest book, Money Shot, her thoughts on why both men and women will dig the novel, and the ultimate silliness of the cozy vs. hard-boiled/noir divide. She also explains why writing tie-in novelizations (Snakes on a Plane) is like working in a cheese doodle factory, talks about why she's a "now girl" and what is likely to appear as the epitaph on her tombstone.



To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Brett Battles Interview

Suspect: Brett Battles
Known aliases: The Brett-in-ator (okay, I made that up)
Occupation: Thriller writer, entertainment industry computer graphics something-or-other
Last known location: Los Angeles, CA

Listen in as Brett talks about the crazy ride to publishing his first novel, The Cleaner and his latest projects - the Killer Year anthology and the forthcoming second book in the Jonathan Quinn series, The Deceived. A self-avowed seat-of-the-pantser, Brett explains his writing process and reveals the one item no self-respecting international spy will leave home without.

To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Zoë Sharp Interview

Suspect: Zoë Sharp
Known Aliases: Ummm...can't think of any
Occupation: Thriller writer, Freelance photographer, world traveler, motorcycle maven
Last Known Location: Lake District, England

Listen in as Zoë talks about her Charlie Fox series, her foray into noir with her short story in the anthologyA Hell of a Woman. She also spills about where the best place to go for a motocycle ride in England is and explains why she has spent shells dug out of a piece of body armor on her desk.

If you want to hear more from Zoë, check out her bi-monthly blog posts over at Murderati.


To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Ken Bruen Interview

Suspect: Ken Bruen
Known Aliases: Benign Thug, the Pope of Galway
Occupation: Reigning King of Irish noir/hard-boiled crime fiction (that's a writer to you...)
Last Known Location: Galway, Ireland

Listen in as Ken talks about his Jack Taylor series (and how Inspector Brant is threatening to take over), the swans in Galway, and some of his more, uh, colorful book events. He also reveals (and answers) the one question he hasn't been asked that he really wants to answer - namely, what he really thinks of the Irish police.

*Original photo by Mary Regan of NYC Photo (I confess that I cropped it...sorry, Mary and Lawrence Block!)

Next week's suspect: British author, Zoë Sharp.

To hear Ken's interview, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Kris Neri Interview

Suspect: Kris Neri
Known Aliases: Hmm, can't think of a single one!
Occupation: Author, Writing Instructor, Independent Bookstore Owner
Last Known Location: Sedona, Arizona

Listen in as Kris talks about the juggling act of writing, teaching and running The Well Red Coyote. She also talks about some of her fave reads of the year, the mysteries of where to shelve books, and what fictional character she'd like to take on a hike in the red rocks of Sedona.

Click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).