The Tao of Doo


In his kind and generous review of my first mystery, DEATH NOTICE, author James Reasoner said the plot was vaguely reminiscent of something found in Scooby-Doo, only played seriously. He meant it as a compliment and I took it Read more

BAD MOON Rises


Another October, another release date. Since BAD MOON is my second book, you would think I'd be used to it. But nope, I'm not. BAD MOON's publication date feels as surreal as DEATH NOTICE's did last year. For readers, the Read more

Writing With ... Louise Penny


I am thrilled beyond words to welcome one of my favorite writers, Louise Penny, whose Armand Gamache mysteries have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide.  Her last book, BURY YOUR DEAD, won the Ellis for best mystery in Canada, and Read more

Is Browsing Dead?


I'll be the first to admit that I was a nerdy teenager. Not pocket protector nerdy, but no sports star, either. I was bookish, I guess you could say. I read A LOT back then, and nothing pleased me Read more

Why We Left Earth


Outer space has always been a mystery. Even before mankind fully grasped its vastness, they wanted to go there. Early astronomers, fascinated by the stars, invented ways to get a closer view. Think Copernicus, Galileo, Cassini. Writers not content Read more

Just For Fun

The Awesome List No. 1

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In the Internet age, it has become easier than ever to share likes and dislikes with a whole swath of people. Think Yelp. Or Amazon.com reviews. Or even blogs devoted solely to cool and quirky things. Personally, I love hearing what other people think is cool and worthy of attention. In that spirit, I’m starting a new feature — The Awesome List, which chronicles five things that have rocked my world this week.

The World Series

Associated Press

How epic was Game 6 of the World Series? So epic that this non-baseball fan with no rooting stake in either team stayed up until 1 a.m. to watch the end of this riveting, nail-biting, outlandishly good game.

Reef

On Saturday, I dined at a fantastic restaurant in Houston called Reef. The seafood is great, but it’s the little things that put it over the top. I love their fried mac and cheese, and the jalapeno jelly that’s served with the bread made my tastebuds do the lambada.

Murder By The Book

Speaking of Houston, the reason for my trip there was a book signing at Murder By The Book. The store is awesome in every way, from the cozy atmosphere to the fact that it’s filled to the rafters with crime novels. Added bonus: While there, I picked up a signed first edition of THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern.

Creepy Costumes

Boing Boing featured a collection of vintage Halloween costumes collected in a book called HAUNTED AIR. The images, in sepia and grainy black and white, are simultaneously innocent and menacing. Those homemade costumes capture the spooky, surreal spirit of Halloween far better than any slasher flick or store-bought disguise.

THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR

On Twitter, I sought suggestions for something scary to read. Author Will Lavender came through, recommending this Anne Rivers Siddons spookfest. Written in the seventies, it’s like a fun, chill-inducing time capsule. And yes, it’s creeping me out quite nicely.

Hitchcock or Disney No. 6

Posted on by Todd Posted in Hitchcock or Disney, Just For Fun | 2 Comments

It’s time for another round of Hitchcock or Disney. I post a quote from a movie and you have to guess who made it, Alfred Hitchcock or Walt Disney. (Bonus points if you guess the name of the movie.)

Here is today’s quote:

Oh, George, you didn’t jump into the river. How sensible of you!

Think you know which man it came from? Post your guess in the comments section.

Hitchcock or Disney No. 5

Posted on by Todd Posted in Hitchcock or Disney, Just For Fun | 2 Comments

It’s time for another round of Hitchcock or Disney. I post a quote from a movie and you have to guess who made it, Alfred Hitchcock or Walt Disney. (Bonus points if you guess the name of the movie.)

Here is today’s quote:

Give a bad boy enough rope, and he’ll soon make a jackass of himself.

Think you know which man it came from? Post your guess in the comments section.