It’s almost officially spring in New Jersey…the birds are singing off and on, the weather is mild off and on, the rain comes and goes. Off and on. Nature has been a little confused this season. With no snow to speak of and a few balmy days in February, flowers are poking their heads above ground, taking a look around, and deciding if they should stay or go!
I am finishing up a couple of writing projects—a new play and an old novel—and beginning the promotion for my next Dodie O’Dell mystery: Killing Time, due out June 2. Wait til you see what Dodie and the Etonville Little Theatre are up to now. Yikes! Well, you’ll have to wait for a later post to find out…
Meanwhile I caught up with some of my favorite mystery writers. And what a bunch of fun reads they were. First, there was Megan Abbott’s Give Me Your Hand, a psychological thriller that kept me guessing til the last page. Then Sunburn by Laura Lippman. She’s a master of suspense who creates unforgettable characters. Lori Rader-Day’s Under a Dark Sky had enough twists to keep me up late, and Vivian Barz’s Forgotten Bones scared the dickens out of me from time to time. And, of course, there is Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache novels. I am working my way through the series, savoring life in Three Pines, Québec. All of these authors provided expert plotting, character development, and scene setting. I recommend them heartily.
So…until spring actually does arrive, hunker down with some good crime fiction. Even if it does keep you awake late into the night, it’s okay…we’re into Daylight Savings Time!