Holiday cheer

Theresa Schwegel is ready for her closeup. She joins Clute & Edwards as they get gritty "Behind the Black Mask".
Miz Schwegel's Edgar award-winning and Anthony nominated OFFICER DOWN joins fellow DHS champ Sean Doolittle's THE CLEANUP on the November bestseller list.

Doolittle also gets a superb review from Otto Penzler, who calls our boy "one of the bright stars among the galaxy of talented young authors who write with style and authority…The Cleanup is…the perfect noir movie”.

Michael Koryta's SORROW'S ANTHEM is another all-star, as one of the best mysteries of the year.

Pat Hunt is the guy for you, whether you're a fan of George Pelecanos or seeker of Love Romances & More.




Why would THE BLONDE by Duane Swierczynski "make a cracking good movie”? It's either a result of the author being a sensitive, paranoid, walking innuendo, whose previous book THE WHEELMAN is the first pick for NY Mysterious Bookshop's brand spanking new hardboiled mystery discussion group. Or, it might have something to do with the THE BLONDE being "so much more than a terrific action-packed thrill ride” that “rockets forward with inventive ferocity.” If this fantastic review in Mysterious News still doesn't convince you, then it's time for a visit from our dear friend Kowalski.

It's no surprise that THE UNRESOLVED by T. K. Welsh (J. G. Sandom) has been nominated for a 2006 Cybill award in the YA fiction category. After all, it is one of the Washington Post's Top Ten Children's Books of 2006.


Another thoughtful book - and perfect gift for the holidays - is THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP by Roger and Sally Horchow. Check out Sally and her childhood buddy Owen Wilson in the December issue of People magazine.

Fingers crossed

Congrats to Troy Cook's 47 RULES OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BANK ROBBERS, which is a finalist for the 2007 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery. We're in suspense until February 3!

Face time

Check out the fantastic Elizabeth Somer on The Today Show with Al Roker, where she talks about 5 easy ways to live longer and healthier.

Love for the DHS Crew

Look who's landed on Sarah Weinman's Picks of the Week list!


"Doolittle...is in absolute command of every element and infuses this novel with a strong sense of wistfulness. Read it soon. Hell, read it now."




"Schwegel's second novel is...a damn fine crime novel - one that builds up hopes of even greater work from the Edgar-winning author."

One-on-one

Click here for a great interview between Laura Lippman and our favorite Pole. Beware love lobsters, armadillo cozies and the many incarnations of Dave White.

Good sense

THE BLONDE by Duane Swierczynski has been selected as a December BookSense Pick. Also on the December list as a Notable Book is THE CLEANUP by Sean Doolittle. Keep up the good work, gentlemen.

Young love

THE UNRESOLVED by T. K. Welsh -- J. G. Sandom's alter ego in the Young Adult category -- has been nominated for the 2007 Best Books for Young Adults list (BBYA). Discussions and voting will take place at the American Library Association's Midwinter conference (ALAMW) in Seattle next January.

Hale Smith Hails Hollywood

Alan Peppard reports in The Dallas Morning News:

"Lethal Weapon and Matrix producer Joel Silver's decision to raise $240 million directly from Wall Street is sweet music to Dallas literary agent David Hale Smith. The first film Joel's Dark Castle Productions plans to make is based on Greg Rucka's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Whiteout. David and his Dallas-based DHS Literary represent Mr. Rucka. The Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb.com) has already suggested Reese Witherspoon is attached to star.

"I can't confirm or deny that," says David."

So Fresh and So Clean

Dim the lights and turn up the volume. Here's a sneak peek at what Michael Connelly calls "a wonderful discovery. Tight, taut, and tough". Behold Sean Doolittle's new noir masterpiece, THE CLEANUP.

Big love from Kirkus

"What looks like a routine traffic stop ends with Deputies Chris Hummel and Wade Childers shot to death. Lt. George Hastings, of St. Louis Homicide, might think the shooting was unpremeditated or drug-induced if a machine gun hadn't been the weapon. But the evidence suggests that the two victims were lured into a trap…Mike Dillon, the machine-gunner, has already executed his own driver in his determination to cover his tracks; and more murders will follow apace. The search for Dillon, who's hiding out from cops and criminals alike, will reveal deep fault lines in both communities—fractures Hunt traces as deftly as George Pelecanos.

Densely woven, economical and utterly assured. Relative newcomer Hunt plots like a veteran of urban warfare."
- Kirkus Reviews

Greg Rucka's WHITEOUT Goes to Hollywood

Greg Rucka's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel WHITEOUT is going to be adapted for the big screen via Joel Silver's new "mini-studio within the studio" at Warner Brothers. After this story about it ran in the New York Times yesterday, Variety reports today that Silver's Dark Castle Prods. has raised $240 million from half a dozen investment firms to make 15 films over the next six years, with Warner Bros. aboard to distribute the entire slate. WHITEOUT has been announced as the first First Dark Castle film to be made under the deal. The pic is expected to start production this winter for release in the first quarter of 2008.

Of course, we've known about this for a while, but its nice to see it "officially" announced to the world. Congratulations, Greg. The fun is just beginning.

Shine on

After describing Theresa Schwegel's Edgar-winning OFFICER DOWN as an "impressive, gripping first novel", Publishers Weekly is smitten again.

"Seems like everyone in Chicago is crooked, and starry-eyed rookie patrolman Ray Weiss learns the cops are no exception when he’s told to rob a jewelry store as part of his initiation onto the force in Edgar-winner Schwegel’s fast-paced second crime novel (after 2005’s Officer Down)...the genuinely intriguing story leaves no time for impatience or disengagement."

For a good time...

Pick up The Blonde. She plays dirty and brings her own cuffs. Satisfied customers write:

"Swierczynski’s The Wheel Man (2005) was an adrenaline-charged thrill ride through the streets of Philadelphia, and this one is, too. But where Wheel Man offered an inventive take on a traditional crime scenario—the heist gone wrong—The Blonde serves up more high--concept fare....If the premise sounds hard to swallow, it’s worth taking the bait. This is another fast, funny, and action-packed outing from a writer who, fortunately for us, doesn’t seem to know how to slow down."
Booklist

"Imagine an episode of 24 written by Robin Cook, and you've got a pretty good idea of Swierczynski's (The Wheelman) second novel. Two parts adrenaline rush, one part medical thriller, this twisted story starts with a bang and rarely slows down....Full of offbeat characters, excruciatingly reckless twists, and sardonic humor, this fun ride shows great promise for a rising author. Recommended for most thriller and crime fiction collections."
l Library Journal Starred Review

Bouchercon 2006

Madison, WI capitol building

Downtown cows

Duane Swierczynski, Angela Cheng Caplan

The Great Dane Pub
Duane Swierczynski, Allan Guthrie, Pat Hunt, Theresa Schwegel + Friend, DHS, Sean Doolittle

Ken Bruen, DHS

Gary Phillips, Shannon Clute

Sean Doolittle, Ken Bruen, Duane Swierczynski, Reed Coleman...

Jim Hime, Harry Hunsicker

Theresa Schwegel, Jamie Lavish

Ken Bruen, Sean Doolittle

Pat Hunt, DHS, Theresa Schwegel, Duane Swierczynski, Sean Doolittle

THE BLONDE strikes again!
Pat Hunt, Kelley Ragland, DHS, Theresa Schwegel, Duane Swierczynski, Sean Doolittle

Anthony Awards: OFFICER DOWN nominated for Best First Novel
Kelley Ragland, Andrew Martin, Theresa Schwegel

¿Se Habla Español?

Brush up on your second language or read it in your native tongue. It's the new Spanish language edition of Bill Minutaglio’s THE PRESIDENT’S COUNSELOR: THE RISE TO POWER OF ALBERTO GONZALES aka EL ASESOR DEL PRESIDENTE: EL ASCENSO AL PODER DE ALBERTO GONZALES.

The original Swierczynski-cast

Be the first kid in class to listen to the inner workings of the mind of crime mastah Duane "Schooly D" Swierczynski, brought to you by the podcasting pioneers responsible for this portable audio candy: Behind the Black Mask and Out of the Past.

Oooh La La...

Its like Netflix for used CDs! How about this for a cool and responsible way to trade music? And the company says that 20% of each transaction fee will be forwarded to the original artist or to a nonprofit legal foundation that provides health care funding, legal services and other support to musicians. Guys, can we talk about adding used books to your business model?

Beyond the cool

Not only does Theresa Schwegel like to play with photoshop and write award-winning novels -- but she also gives a heck of an interview.

Smash-tastic

Greg Pak's head is exploding for one of Marvel’s biggest events of 2007 -- WORLD WAR HULK.

The people have spoken

Congrats to Greg Rucka for his Barry award-nominated novel PRIVATE WARS hitting the Seattle Mystery Bookshop's August 2006 bestseller list -- and the mass market of A GENTLEMAN'S GAME on their bestselling paperbacks of 2005.

The love fest continues

Publisher's Weekly also shined its light on Sean Doolittle's newest one:

“The unlikely tale of an unsuccessful cop, a cute grocery check-out girl and her dead boyfriend gives Doolittle (Rain Dogs) plenty to chew on in his latest crime novel…. Doolittle has penned a character-driven yet suspenseful novel about choice and consequence, with a well-crafted lead and a narrative style that’s punchy and sincere. Though Worth’s motivation is sometimes unclear (even, at times, to himself), readers looking for a tense crime drama—hold the procedure—will enjoy getting inside the head of this well-meaning sad sack.”

And in more review news, find out why James Clar thinks this book "is a flat out pleasure to read.”

It's good to be loved

Today’s issue of Publisher’s Weekly begins a beautiful friendship with a certain BLONDE.

“Swierczynski chronicles a long, frenzied and near-fatal night in Philadelphia…Rapid-fire pacing, hard-boiled dialogue and excellent local color make up for the unlikely twists and turns of this entertaining thriller.”

Sad news from where we come from

This site dedicated to the section of downtown Dallas known as Deep Ellum. With its unique history, historic buildings and legendary live music scene, it was always a fun walk on the wild side. Our office was there for six great years and we were proud to call it home. We shared space in this building at 2528 Elm Street.

So this news last week of the shuttering of two pioneering downtown restaurants, including The Green Room in Deep Ellum, broke our hearts a little.

Hope for those manic Mondays

Dr. John Maxwell is a believer. Check out his generous review of innovation guru Andrew Razeghi's inspiring new book, HOPE: HOW TRIUMPHANT LEADERS CREATE THE FUTURE.

Schwegel nets a star

lKirkus Starred Review

PROBABLE CAUSE

Author: Schwegel, Theresa
Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur
Publication Date: 1/2/2007
Category: FICTION

"What Schwegel's second novel (after Officer Down, 2005) might lack in innovation it makes up for with convincing local color and the winning depiction of Weiss. Hotheaded, hormonal, yet vulnerable and eager to please, the 23-year-old's bright future in the genre seems inevitable. Solidly writtencoming-of-age tale with an endearing and believable hero."
l A star is assigned to books of unusual merit, determined by the editors of Kirkus Reviews.

The Gischler gets some love

Here is a dead on review of Victor Gischler's new thriller SHOTGUN OPERA. The unique style really does set our man Gischler apart. And not only just his books are cool. Find out about more unique things here.

That's Executive Editor Kelley Ragland to you

Good word on the street is that editor extraordinaire (and proud alumna of our beloved alma mater Kenyon College) Kelley Ragland has been promoted to executive editor of St. Martin's Minotaur. Way to go, Kelley. Keep up the great work. Now try catching up on your reading.

The online Madness of Emerson LaSalle

Sports Fans, be sure you don't miss this one: Count Pulpula: the online Zone of Emerson LaSalle

Welcome to the DHS Literary blog

Inspired by the ongoing greatness of Swierczynski's secret dead blog, I've decided to take a real leap into the blogosphere (does anyone even call it that anymore - is that term too 2005?) . I’m not going to bore the world with my own journal-keeping, but rather dedicate this space to doing what I love to do. That is, connecting my favorite people with other people, and exchanging and linking to a bunch of information about books, music, movies, and of course, food and drink, along with whatever else strikes my fancy. Along the way, I hope to provide a forum to talk about all the incredibly cool goings on of the DHS crew and our associated friends and loved ones. Thanks for stopping by to check it out. Please come back early and often.