WELCOME TO
THE GUMSHOE SITE
(Opened on January 08, 1996)
I wish you, all visitors of The Gumshoe Site, a happy joyful and peaceful new year. I can't believe that I have been managing this site for 14 years. Since there are many good mystery websites and blogs around, I don't feel it necessary to update this site as frequently as 14 years ago. I hope you enjoy this site and come back once in a while. Thank you very much for your support. (January 06, 2010)
Warning to bloggers! -- When you re-use my info, please do not copy-and-paste it word for word, but quote it or paraphrase it, at least. My wording is so awkwardly distinct or so distinctly awkward, I can easily spot copy-and-paste non-artists, and so can smart blog-readers.
Raymond Hawkey Dies
Raymond Hawkey died after a long illness on August 22 in London. He was most famous as a graphic designer for the Daily Express and the Observer, and he designed book covers for his friend Len Deighton's THE IPCRESS FILE, for the Pan editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and for the Coronet editions of Richard Stark's Parker novels. In addition, Hawkey wrote three thrillers: WILD CARD (Cape, 1974; with Roger Bingham); SIDE-EFFECT (Cape, 1979); and IT(NEL, 1983; retitled END STAGE, Sphere, 1988). He was 80. (September 02, 2010)
Joan Chase Bowden Dies
It has been found out that Joan Chase Bowden died on June 23 in San Diego. The prolific author for children's books was also one of the ghostwriters of schoolgirl shamus Trixie Belden mystery novels under the Kathryn Kenny house name. She wrote at least 4 Trixie Belden books: THE MYSTERY OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN (1979); THE MYSTERY OF THE GHOSTLY GALLEON (1979); THE MYSTERY OF THE MIDNIGHT MARAUDER (1980); and THE MYSTERY OF THE WHISPERING WITCH (1980; all from Golden Press). She was 85. (September 02, 2010)
Baantjer Dies
Albert Cornelis Baantjer, a prolific Dutch crime writer, died on August 29 in Alkmaar, Netherland. His first non-series book was published in Holland in 1959, and his first novel in the popular series featuring Amsterdam police inspector Jurriaan DeCock (somehow Anglicised as DeKok) in 1963. However, his first DeCock novel translated into English was DeKOK AND MURDER ON THE MENU (intercontinental, 1992). Since then, a number of DeCock novels have been translated into English and reissued by Speck Press recently. Baantjer was an ex-homicide detective in the Amsterdam Municipal Police. He was 86. (August 31, 2010)
Richard Timothy Conroy Dies
Richard Timothy Conroy died of heart disease on August 6 at Hillhaven nursing center in Adelphi, Maryland. The retired Smithsonian worker wrote two memoirs about his years as a State Department employee, and three Smithsonian mystery novels featuring Henry Scruggs: THE INDIA EXHIBITION (1992), MR. SMITHSON'S BONES (1993), and OLD WAYS IN THE NEW WORLD (1994; all three from St. Martin's). Incidentally, his wife, Washington journalist Sarah Booth Conroy, who died in 2009, received the 1991 Raven Award as Reader of the Year. He was 82. (August 30, 2010)
Dorothy Sucher Dies
Dorothy Sucher died of thyroid cancer on August 22 at her home in Silver Spring, Maryland. The retired psychotherapist wrote two mystery novles: DEAD MEN DON'T GIVE SEMINARS (1988) and DEAD MEN DON'T MARRY (1998; both from St. Martin's) featuring detective agency owner Sabina Swift. She was 77. (August 29, 2010)
Jackson Gillis Dies
Jackson Gillis died of pneumonia on August 19 in Moscow, Idaho. He mainly wrote for television programs such as "Columbo," "Perry Mason," "The Fugitive," "Murder, She Wrote," "Hawai Five-O" among others. He also authored two detective novels: THE KILLERS OF STARFISH (Lippincott, 1977) and CHAIN SAW (St. Martin's, 1988). He was 93. (August 25, 2010)
Shamus Award Nominees Announced
The Private Eye Writers of America has announced the nominees for the 2010 Shamus Awards. The nominees in the best hardcover novel category are as follows:
Best Hardcover PI Novel:
THE SILENT HOUR, by Michael Koryta (Minotaur/St. Martin's), featuring Lincoln Perry
WHERE THE DEAD LAY, by David Levien (Doubleday), featuring Frank Behr
LOCKED IN, by Marcia Muller (Grand Central), featuring Sharon McCone
SCHEMERS, by Bill Pronzini (Forge), featuring Nameless Detective
MY SOUL TO TAKE, by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (William Morrow)>, featuring Thora Gudmundstdottir
To see the nominees in the other categories, click here. The winners will be announced during Bouchercon to be held in San Francisco this coming October. (Augustu 13, 2010)
CWA Dagger Award Shorter-List Announced
Don't blame me for this cofusing selection process. I have never seen this kind of PR process in the Dagger Award history. The Crime Writers Association of Britain and its coporate partners (Specsavers, Cactus TV and ITV3) have announced the shorter-list for 2010 Gold, Steel, and New Blood Dagger Awards with the four finalists in each category as follows:
Gold Dagger:
BLACKLANDS, by Belinda Bauer (Corgi)
BLOOD HARVEST, by S. J. Bolton (Bantam Press)
SHADOWPLAY, by Karen Campbell (Hodder & Stoughton)
THE WAY HOME, by George Pelecanos (Orion)
Ian Fleming Steel Dagger:
A LOYAL SPY, by Simon Conway (Hodder & Stoughton)
THE DYING LIGHT, by Henry Porter (Orion)
INNOCENT, by Scott Turow (Macmillan)
THE GENTLEMEN'S HOUR, by Don Winslow (Heinemann)
John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger:
ACTS OF VIOLENCE, by Ryan David Jahn (Pan)
THE PULL OF THE MOON, by Diane Janes (Robinson)
RUPTURE, by Simon Lelic (Picador)
THE HOLY THIEF, by William Ryan (Mantle)
The winners will be announce on October 8 in London. (August 12, 2010)
TJ Parker Award Nominees Announced
The Southern California Independent Booksellers Association (SCIBA) has announced the nominees for "its annual awards that reflect Southern California culture or lifestyle." The nominees in their mystery category (named "T. Jefferson Parker Award") are as follows:
BOULEVARD, by Stephen Jay Schwartz (Forge, 2009)
THE FIRST RULE, by Robert Crais (Putnam, 2010)
SILVER LAKE, by Peter Gadol (Tyrus Books, 2009)
The winners in all the categories will be announced on October 23 at the Author's Feast & Trade Show to be held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa. (August 03, 2010)
Jon Cleary Dies
Jon Cleary, Australian best-selling writer, died on July 19 in Sydney after a long illness. He wrote his first novel, YOU CAN'T SEE AROUND CORNERS (Scribners, 1947). He started his Sydney police inspector Scobie Malone series with THE HIGH COMMISSIONER (Morrow, 1966) and ended with DEGREES OF CONNECTION (HarperCollins Aus, 2003). He won the Edgar award in 1975 for PETER'S PENCE (Morrow, 1974), and the Ned Kelly award from the Crime Writers Association of Australia for his lifetime contribution in 1996. His last novel was FOUR-CORNERED CIRCLE (Severn, 2007). He was 92. (July 28, 2010)
Juan Hernandez Luna Dies
Juan Hernandez Luna died of a kidney disease on July 8 in Mexico City. He won the International Dashiell Hammett prize twice in 1997 and 2007. His novels have not been translated into English yet but his short story, "BANG!," is included in MEXICO CITY NOIR (Akashic Books, 2010; edited by Paco Ignacio Taibo II). He was 47. (July 26, 2010)
Iris Gower Dies
Iris Gower died on July 20 at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, Wales after a short illness. She was a best-selling author of more than 30 historical novels set in Swansea. According to Allen J. Hubin's CRIME FICTION, She wrote a couple of historical crime novels such as THE GREEN CAPE (Lenox HIll, 1973) as by Susanne Richardson; later republished as EMERALD as by Iris Gower from Severn in 1998) and WHEN NIGHT CLOSES IN (Corgi, 2000). She was 75. (July 25, 2010)
Martin Beales Dies
Martin Beales, Welsh lawyer, died of cancer on July 11 at his home in Powys, Wales. He was interested in Herbert Rowse Armstrong, the Hay poisoner, because Beales moved into the Armstrong's Victorian house. Armstrong was hanged in 1922 for poisoning his wife with arsenic. Beales believed that Armstrong had not received a fair trial and that he may have been innocent. Beales' book DEAD NOT BURIED (1994; later reissued as THE HAY POISONER) won the Gold Dagger in Non-Fiction from the Crime Writers' Association of Britain in 1995. He was 64. (July 25, 2010)
Johan Theorin Wins Int'l Dagger
The Crime Writers' Association of Britain announced the first set of winners for its 2010 Dagger Awards as follows:
International Dagger: THE DARKEST ROOM, by Johan Theorin (Doubleday, translated by Malaine Delargy)
Non-Fiction Dagger: AFTERMATH: THE OMAGH BOMBING AND THE FAMILIES' PURSUIT OF JUSTICE, by Ruth Dudley Edwards (Harvill Secker)
Dagger in the Library: Ariana Franklin (Random House)
Short Story Dagger: "Can You Help Me Out There" by Robert Ferrigno (in THRILLER 2, edited by Clive Cussler; MIRA)
Debut Dagger: A PLACE OF DYING, by Patrick Eden (UK)
To see the nominees, click here. (July 24, 2010)
CWA Dagger Award Shortlist Announced
On July 23 in Harrogate, United Kingdom, The Crime Writers' Association of Britain announced the second set of nominees for its 2010 Dagger Awards. The nominees in the Gold Dagger category
CONMAN, by Richard Asplin (No Exit Press)
BLACKLANDS, by Belinda Bauer (Corgi)
BLOOD HARVESTS, by S.J. Bolton (Bantam Press)
RAIN GODS, by James Lee Burke (Orion)
SHADOWPLAY, by Karen Campbell (Hodder & Stoughton)
THE STRANGE CASE OF THE COMPOSER AND HIS JUDGE, by Patricia Duncker (Bloomsbury)
STILL MIDNIGHT, by Denise Mina (Orion)
THE WAY HOME, by George Pelecanos (Orion)
To see the nominees in the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Awards, click here. The winners in these categories will be announced on October 8 in London. (July 24, 2010)
Lisa Gardner Wins Thriller
On July 10 in New York City, The International Thriller Writers announced the winners of the 2010 Thriller Awards as follows:
Best Hardcover Novel: THE NEIGHBOR, by Lisa Gardner (Bantam)
Best Paperback Original Novel: THE COLDEST MILE, by Tom Piccirilli (Bantam)
Best First Novel: RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL, by Jamie Freveletti (Morrow)
Best Short Story: "A Stab in the Heart," by Twist Phelan (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, February 2009)
ThrillerMaster: Ken Follett (in recognition of his legendary career and outstanding contributions to the thriller genre)
True Thriller Award: Mark Bowden
Silver Bullet Award: Linda Fairstein
Silver Bullet Award (Corporate): US Airways
(July 11, 2010)
Connelly Wins Strand Critics
On July 7 in New York City, The Strand Magazine announced the winners for the 2010 Strand Critics Awards as follows:
Best Novel: NINE DRAGONS, by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
Best First Novel (tie): BEAT THE REAPER, by Jose Bazell (Little, Brown)
and STARVATION LAKE, by Bryan Gruley (Touchstone)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Elmore Leonard
(July 10, 2010)
Lesley Himes Dies
It has been reported that Lesley Himes died on June 1 in Finca San Antonio, Spain after a long illness. The widow of Chester Himes (1909-1984), author of the Coffin Ed & Grave Digger Jones novels, helped Edward Margolies and Michel Fabre write his biography, THE SEVERAL LIVES OF CHESTER HIMES (University Press of Mississippi, 1997), and contributed the introduction to THE HARLEM CYCLE, VOL 2 (Payback Press, 1996), ominibus of Ed & Jones novels. She was 82. (July 09, 2019)
Ann Waldron Dies
Ann Waldron died of heart failure on July 2 at her home in Princeton, New Jersey. She may be famous for writing EUDORA: A WRITER'S LIFE (Doubleday, 1998), an unauthorized biography of Eudora Welty, a renowned admirer of Ross Macdonald's works, she also authored books for children and young adults. The ex-journalist started to write five mystery novels featuring McLeod Delaney, journalist-turned-professor at Princeton University, starting with THE PRINCETON MURDERS (Berkley, 2003) and ending with THE PRINCETON IMPOSTOR (2007). She was 85. (July 07, 2010)
Beryl Bainbridge Dies
Beryl Bainbridge died of cancer on July 2 at a London hospital. The two-time winner of the Whitebread novel award wrote a number of novels, most of which involve crimes and end tragically, such as HARRIET SAID (Duckworth, 1972), INJURY TIME (1977), and WATSON'S APOLOGY (1984). She was 75. (July 03, 2010)
Nero Wolfe Award Nominees Announced
The Wolfe Pack has announced the nominees for the 2010 Nero Wolfe Award as follows:
THE FLEET STREET MURDERS, by Charles Finch (St. Martin's Minotaur)
THE CRACK IN THE LENS, by Steve Hockensmith (St. Martin's Minotaur)
FACES OF THE GONE, by Brad Parks (St. Martin's Minotaur)
The winner will be announced at the Black Orchid Banquet coming December in New York. (June 04, 2010)
WHAT YOU CAN FIND ON THIS SITE:
THE GUMSHOE SITE is designed to offer you mystery-related news. So, if you have some hot news to post, happy and sad, good and bad, exciting and obsecure, useful and secret, please feel free to let me know. [My email address: jkimura (at) nsknet (dot) or (dot) jp]
As you may know by now, this site is managed by Jiro Kimura.
copyright 1996-2010 by Jiro Kimura
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