Sunday, 04 March 2012
Jonathan Kellerman's Milo

kellermanjon_victimsI worry about Milo Sturgis' eating habits.

It's not that I stay up nights fretting about Milo, the L.A. detective who is psychologist Alex Delaware's sidekick in Jonathan Kellerman's novels, the latest of which is Victims.

But Milo packs away a lot of food and I worry that his over mega meals.

It's also a chance to live vicariously as Milo goes through practically an entire buffet at an Indian restaurant, waxes poetic about a pizza, longs for a special breakfast. Leftovers are not a problem because Milo will make sure they are cleaned out.

I appreciate Milo's zest for food and I admit to a bit of vicarious living through the detective's eating habits.

After all, as described by Kellerman, Milo is a big guy—a "bear of a man" who is at least 6-foot-3, weighing 240 to 260 pounds.

Despite his love of food, Milo never comes across as a glutton.

Instead, he's a bit of a foodie, who embraces all kinds of food, from fine dining to fast food.

Even when he's downing a quart of orange juice and a quart of milk, it doesn't seem excessive.

At least not for Milo.

Next to Blanche, the adorable French bulldog, Milo is my favorite character in Kellerman's series.

In creating this big, insightful detective, Kellerman never stooped to clichés. Milo may have been one of the first openly gay detectives in a crime fiction novel written by a straight author. Milo's sexuality is weaved into every story as naturally as Alex's relationship with his girlfriend, Robin.

Milo has been in a 22-year relationship with Richard Silverman, the head ER surgeon at a hospital. Like Robin, Rick stays in the background, occasionally on the phone or at a restaurant when he and Milo double date with Alex and Robin.

Each Alex Delaware novel leaves me wanting more of Milo.

While the Alex and Milo team has been Kellerman's main series, the author took a mini break when he introduced half-brothers Aaron Fox and Moses Reed in intriguing True Detectives. Since that novel, Aaron and Moses make frequent appearances in the Alex Delaware series.

I think it's time that Kellerman focused a novel on Milo.

Wouldn't you love to know more about Milo, his family, his early life, how he and Rick met? I know I would.

Milo deserves no less.

Jonathan Kellerman's Milo
Oline Cogdill
jonathan-kellermans-milo

kellermanjon_victimsI worry about Milo Sturgis' eating habits.

It's not that I stay up nights fretting about Milo, the L.A. detective who is psychologist Alex Delaware's sidekick in Jonathan Kellerman's novels, the latest of which is Victims.

But Milo packs away a lot of food and I worry that his over mega meals.

It's also a chance to live vicariously as Milo goes through practically an entire buffet at an Indian restaurant, waxes poetic about a pizza, longs for a special breakfast. Leftovers are not a problem because Milo will make sure they are cleaned out.

I appreciate Milo's zest for food and I admit to a bit of vicarious living through the detective's eating habits.

After all, as described by Kellerman, Milo is a big guy—a "bear of a man" who is at least 6-foot-3, weighing 240 to 260 pounds.

Despite his love of food, Milo never comes across as a glutton.

Instead, he's a bit of a foodie, who embraces all kinds of food, from fine dining to fast food.

Even when he's downing a quart of orange juice and a quart of milk, it doesn't seem excessive.

At least not for Milo.

Next to Blanche, the adorable French bulldog, Milo is my favorite character in Kellerman's series.

In creating this big, insightful detective, Kellerman never stooped to clichés. Milo may have been one of the first openly gay detectives in a crime fiction novel written by a straight author. Milo's sexuality is weaved into every story as naturally as Alex's relationship with his girlfriend, Robin.

Milo has been in a 22-year relationship with Richard Silverman, the head ER surgeon at a hospital. Like Robin, Rick stays in the background, occasionally on the phone or at a restaurant when he and Milo double date with Alex and Robin.

Each Alex Delaware novel leaves me wanting more of Milo.

While the Alex and Milo team has been Kellerman's main series, the author took a mini break when he introduced half-brothers Aaron Fox and Moses Reed in intriguing True Detectives. Since that novel, Aaron and Moses make frequent appearances in the Alex Delaware series.

I think it's time that Kellerman focused a novel on Milo.

Wouldn't you love to know more about Milo, his family, his early life, how he and Rick met? I know I would.

Milo deserves no less.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Lisa Gardner on D.D. Warren

gardnerlisa_Lisa Gardner has introduced readers to a variety of characters in her 16 novels.

But her latest Catch Me gave the author an opportunity to revisit some of her previous characters.

In telling the story of Charlie Grant, a young woman who needs to learn to defend herself, Catch Me also offers a reunion of sorts of characters from other novels.

Catch Me gives readers a chance to catch up with J.P. Dillon from The Perfect Husband. (“I always liked that character and I still get mail from readers about him,” Gardner said.)

Also making appearances are Sergeant Roan Griffin (The Survivors Club), FBI Agent Kimberly Quincy (Say Goodbye, The Killing Hour) and ex-FBI profiler Pierce Quincy (Gone, The Next Accident, The Third Victim).

Gardner weaves these other characters seamlessly into Catch Me and makes them a brief part of the investigation. “I like all my characters. It was nice having them back,” said Gardner.

Catch Me continues Gardner's series on Boston police detective D.D. Warren. But Catch Me offers readers a different side of Warren, who is just back from maternity leave.

"For the last few books, D.D. Warren felt unfinished," said Gardner. "In Catch Me, I felt she had arrived. Part of being a reader and a writer is we are always looking for a sense of closure. What we can't get in real life."

Gardner often thinks about bringing back some of her previous characters. "Tess from Love You More tugs at me," she said.

"All my characters are my favorite. I like them all in their own way," she said.

"Charlie [from Catch Me] got under my skin. I appreciate the everywoman-ness of her. She doesn't have an identity and has to figure out how to become a person. I felt for her. We can recognize in her our own weaknesses."

The latest issue of Mystery Scene features my interview with best-selling author Lisa Gardner. I am a bit biased here, but the profile is quite good. Check it out.

Our talk lasted about two hours and while the story is quite long, some of our conversation, such as her comments on her characters, just wouldn't fit. That's why we have this blog.

 

Lisa Gardner on D.D. Warren
Oline Cogdill
lisa-gardner-on-dd-warren

gardnerlisa_Lisa Gardner has introduced readers to a variety of characters in her 16 novels.

But her latest Catch Me gave the author an opportunity to revisit some of her previous characters.

In telling the story of Charlie Grant, a young woman who needs to learn to defend herself, Catch Me also offers a reunion of sorts of characters from other novels.

Catch Me gives readers a chance to catch up with J.P. Dillon from The Perfect Husband. (“I always liked that character and I still get mail from readers about him,” Gardner said.)

Also making appearances are Sergeant Roan Griffin (The Survivors Club), FBI Agent Kimberly Quincy (Say Goodbye, The Killing Hour) and ex-FBI profiler Pierce Quincy (Gone, The Next Accident, The Third Victim).

Gardner weaves these other characters seamlessly into Catch Me and makes them a brief part of the investigation. “I like all my characters. It was nice having them back,” said Gardner.

Catch Me continues Gardner's series on Boston police detective D.D. Warren. But Catch Me offers readers a different side of Warren, who is just back from maternity leave.

"For the last few books, D.D. Warren felt unfinished," said Gardner. "In Catch Me, I felt she had arrived. Part of being a reader and a writer is we are always looking for a sense of closure. What we can't get in real life."

Gardner often thinks about bringing back some of her previous characters. "Tess from Love You More tugs at me," she said.

"All my characters are my favorite. I like them all in their own way," she said.

"Charlie [from Catch Me] got under my skin. I appreciate the everywoman-ness of her. She doesn't have an identity and has to figure out how to become a person. I felt for her. We can recognize in her our own weaknesses."

The latest issue of Mystery Scene features my interview with best-selling author Lisa Gardner. I am a bit biased here, but the profile is quite good. Check it out.

Our talk lasted about two hours and while the story is quite long, some of our conversation, such as her comments on her characters, just wouldn't fit. That's why we have this blog.

 

Sunday, 26 February 2012
Sookie, Charlaine Harris' Companion

harrischarlaine_sookiecompanion

Long-running series will, naturally, have a slew of characters who come in and out of the novels. Some will be in for the long haul; others will be in only one or two books before vanishing.

It's hard to remember everyone.

Take the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Haven't you always wanted a guide to every character (human and nonhuman), and term used in the books?

Maybe a Sookie Stackhouse family tree? A sort of Sookie encyclopedia? Or maybe a map of Bon Temps.

Although the Sookie novels could never be confused with culinary mysteries, Harris does feature a lot of delicious sounding dishes in her books.

And for true fans of Sookie, and the Showtime series True Blood, there is nothing like trivia to pique your interest.

All that, and more, are in the fan-friendly The Sookie Stackhouse Companion. Harris has even written a novella "Small Town Wedding" featuring Sookie, Sam and Quinn.

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion, edited by Harris, gives readers a closer look at the novels and the characters. Alan Ball, creator of the Showtime series, talks about True Blood; Harris answers just about every question in an interview pulled from fan questions. And the Companion is as delightful to read as is Harris' series.

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion recently was nominated for an Agatha Award. Harris will be the guest of honor during Sleuthfest, March 1-4, 2012, in Orlando. (Yes, it's still time to register).

In the Sookie Stackhouse series, Harris created a new mythology of vampires -- funny, sexy, living side by side with humans.

Look behind the supernatural and you will see a story about survivors, characters who can withstand a lot and yet still soldier on.

Certainly this is true of Sookie, the telepathic Louisiana barmaid who runs with vampires, werewolves and assorted creatures.

Sookie made her debut in 2001’s Dead Until Dark. Since then, mystery ficton hasn't been the same.

A guide about a long-running series makes sense and seems to be a mini-trend.

Mcfarland & Co Inc. has several literary companions, including ones on Dick Francis and Scottish politician, statesman and thriller writer John Buchan. The latest is Ed McBain/Evan Hunter: A Literary Companion edited by Elizabeth Foxwell, a short story writer and editor of eight anthologies. Foxwell also is Mystery Scene consulting editor, and a cofounder of the Malice Domestic Convention

Evan Hunter published more than 120 novels under a variety of pseudonymns as well as teleplays and screenplays, including Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, and the 1954 novel The Blackboard Jungle. As Ed McBain, he wrote the long-running series about the detectives of the 87th Precinct.

The Ed McBain/Evan Hunter guide details the author's works, characters, and recurring themes.

The Complete Patricia Cornwell Companion contains book-by-book synopses, character portraits, a profile of the author, and more.

Several guides are available for Da Vinci Code fans, including the The Unauthorized Dan Brown Companion.

Sookie, Charlaine Harris' Companion
Oline Cogdill
sookie-charlaine-harris-companion

harrischarlaine_sookiecompanion

Long-running series will, naturally, have a slew of characters who come in and out of the novels. Some will be in for the long haul; others will be in only one or two books before vanishing.

It's hard to remember everyone.

Take the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Haven't you always wanted a guide to every character (human and nonhuman), and term used in the books?

Maybe a Sookie Stackhouse family tree? A sort of Sookie encyclopedia? Or maybe a map of Bon Temps.

Although the Sookie novels could never be confused with culinary mysteries, Harris does feature a lot of delicious sounding dishes in her books.

And for true fans of Sookie, and the Showtime series True Blood, there is nothing like trivia to pique your interest.

All that, and more, are in the fan-friendly The Sookie Stackhouse Companion. Harris has even written a novella "Small Town Wedding" featuring Sookie, Sam and Quinn.

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion, edited by Harris, gives readers a closer look at the novels and the characters. Alan Ball, creator of the Showtime series, talks about True Blood; Harris answers just about every question in an interview pulled from fan questions. And the Companion is as delightful to read as is Harris' series.

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion recently was nominated for an Agatha Award. Harris will be the guest of honor during Sleuthfest, March 1-4, 2012, in Orlando. (Yes, it's still time to register).

In the Sookie Stackhouse series, Harris created a new mythology of vampires -- funny, sexy, living side by side with humans.

Look behind the supernatural and you will see a story about survivors, characters who can withstand a lot and yet still soldier on.

Certainly this is true of Sookie, the telepathic Louisiana barmaid who runs with vampires, werewolves and assorted creatures.

Sookie made her debut in 2001’s Dead Until Dark. Since then, mystery ficton hasn't been the same.

A guide about a long-running series makes sense and seems to be a mini-trend.

Mcfarland & Co Inc. has several literary companions, including ones on Dick Francis and Scottish politician, statesman and thriller writer John Buchan. The latest is Ed McBain/Evan Hunter: A Literary Companion edited by Elizabeth Foxwell, a short story writer and editor of eight anthologies. Foxwell also is Mystery Scene consulting editor, and a cofounder of the Malice Domestic Convention

Evan Hunter published more than 120 novels under a variety of pseudonymns as well as teleplays and screenplays, including Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, and the 1954 novel The Blackboard Jungle. As Ed McBain, he wrote the long-running series about the detectives of the 87th Precinct.

The Ed McBain/Evan Hunter guide details the author's works, characters, and recurring themes.

The Complete Patricia Cornwell Companion contains book-by-book synopses, character portraits, a profile of the author, and more.

Several guides are available for Da Vinci Code fans, including the The Unauthorized Dan Brown Companion.