TRUE CRIME TUESDAY for November 12, 2013

“I came from a real tough neighborhood. Once a guy pulled a knife on me. I knew he wasn't a professional, the knife had butter on it.”
                                                                                                        ― Rodney Dangerfield


Burglar Breaks into the Wrong Home. Is That an Ax?

A man who broke into a woman's home to rob her got the shock of his life when she grabbed an ax and chased him from her property. He was arrested by police, but he should count his blessings. The victim was an ax throwing champ, who could have easily turned the burglar into swiss cheese had she wanted. "I could have thrown it", Robin Irvine stated.

And I bet she wouldn't have missed.


Pittsburgh Mayor Elect Bill Peduto Fights Crime...at his Victory Celebration

Newly elected mayor Bill Peduto held a victory party at the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum a few days ago and has already made a dent in crime when a fugitive in attendance was arrested. Ernie Daniels, who jumped bail several months earlier on an assault charge, was arrested after he showed up, no doubt attracted because of his keen interest in the political process.

Or maybe it was the free food and beer.

In any event, the new mayor is already taking a bite out of crime. Hopefully, this bodes well for the city of Pittsburgh. At least it will make a great campaign button for his next election race.


Be On The Lookout For These Baaaaad Boys

Police reported that 160 sheep have been stolen in a small town called Wool.  They assume the criminals will try to sell their ill gotten goods on the cheap, so if a man in a dark alley tries to sell you a side of mutton at a big discount, call the cops. But don't approach them. They may be armed with a pair of shears.


Man Arrested For DUI...On A Horse

A man who wanted to attend his brother's wedding in Utah decided to get there on horseback, which would have been OK if he hadn't been drinking. Witnesses saw the man strike his horse and force pedestrians from the sidewalk as he rode along, all the while carrying a dog in one arm. Police arrested the man and charged with him cruelty to animals and DUI, among other charges. The beer cans were in his saddle bag (of course, where else would you keep them?)

And the reason he was on horseback instead of in a car? He lost his driver's license. Why doesn't that surprise me?

On Veteran's Day Help A Warrior Tell His Story

He was still a teen when he enlisted the army. By the time the war ended two years later, he'd seen brutal combat in the Battle of the Bulge, won three medals and been badly wounded. He saw fellow soldiers treat Native American warriors with contempt, and it made a lasting impression on him when he returned home.

He got employment as a journalist and professor. In his spare time he began writing fiction. Deeply influenced by the Indian culture of the Southwest, he wrote his first novel about a Navajo tribal policeman. Although his first agent urged him to dump the "indian stuff", he persevered, and won an Edgar Award for Best novel with his third one, Dance Hall of the Dead. He went on to write 18 mystery novels, many of them best sellers.

His name was Tony Hillerman. And he was a veteran.

As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq wind down, hundreds of thousands of veterans have returned home. Many of them have seen horrific combat and witnessed the death of close friends. Although their physical wounds will disappear in time, the emotional scars often remain. For many of these vets, writing down their experiences may be the best way to heal and move forward with their lives.

The Veteran's Writing Project is helping vets tell their stories, so that they can re-integrate with society and their families and neighbors. Donations to their organization are tax deductible.

Perhaps the next Tony Hillerman will emerge from their workshops. You can read more about them in this New York Times article, Warrior Voices.  Are you a teacher? You can also read about how to conduct a successful writing workshop for veterans.

Either way, your support can make a difference for our veterans. They deserve it.

MYSTERY WEEKEND ROUNDUP for November 9, 2013

Author Appearances

Raymond Benson is at the Beth Am Book Fair today until 3 PM in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

On Wednesday, November 13, Jenny Milchman appears at the New York Public Library with P.M. Carlson, Dirk Robertson and Wendi Corsi Staub. They'll be discussing with Jillian Abbott the topic, "How Did You Become A Mystery Writer?" The program is at the mid-Manhattan library and starts at 6:30 PM.



Crime Fiction Talk on Radio

Looking for an idea for your next murder mystery? Why not try a little poison? To learn more about exotic ways to kill that character, check out this audio broadcast on Suspense Radio with Deborah Blum, author of the Poisoner's handbook. She'll be discussing The Infancy of Toxicology.

Check Out Books Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Suspense Radio on BlogTalkRadio

And Sarah Weinman sat down with Ian Williams of Catskill Review of Books to talk about the critically acclaimed anthology, Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives.  Sarah edited the collection and chose some excellent stories from female writers we should all get to know. Spend some time at home with these masters of Domestic Suspense.




Thriller Fiction Gets Some Respect

Still derided as pulp or lowbrow literature by some, the thriller novel is getting a boost from an unlikely source. Robert Stone, whose previous work has made him a recognized master of the literary novel, has just released his first thriller, Death of the Black-Haired Girl. His usual work involves exotic locations with complex story lines. Previously, he produced seven novels in 47 years.

Stone is hardly the first literary giant to take on genre fiction. Other pillars have taken a stab at it, including Thomas Pynchon and Joyce Carol Oates.

Writers Born Today - Bram Stoker

Today is the birthday of Irish writer Bram Stoker, born in Dublin on November 8, 1847. As a sickly child, he spent most of his time in bed, listening to stories told by his mother. He wrote 18 books, and published his first horror story, The Primrose Path, in 1875.

His most famous novel is Dracula, published in 1897. It was not the first piece of fiction to feature vampires, but became the standard by which all subsequent vampire stories are measured, and is considered a masterpiece of the genre. Stoker's main character was originally named Count Wampyr. But he changed it to Dracula after reading that the Romanian translation of Dracula meant "Devil". The story is set in Transylvania and he did research for the geography at the British Museum.

Despite being well received by critics, the novel made little money for Stoker, and he died in poverty. His widow was forced to sell his notes and outline for the novel at auction for just a few dollars.

Stoker wrote the first adaptation of the story for the theater, and Dracula made his first appearance in film in 1922 with Nosferatu.

Over 200 Dracula films have been made, including the 1931 release Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi. It was the first full length supernatural horror film by a Hollywood studio, and newspapers reported that some members of the audience fainted at the horrific scenes. Despite the reports, or perhaps because of them, the movie was a huge success.

Bela Lugosi was not the first choice for the starring role, but eventually was cast after he agreed to a reduced salary. He received only $3,500 for his work.

After the censorship code went into effect in Hollywood, some of the scenes were cut from the movie because they were either considered too intense or due to fears that religious groups would object. As recently as 1994, the novel was removed from a required reading list for senior students at a high school in Lewisville, Texas because of "sexual references".

Bram Stoker continued to write horror and science fiction until his death in 1912. Other works of note include The Lair of the White Worm and The Jewel of Seven Stars. The Horror Writers Association has a coveted award named after him, the Bram Stoker Award. Some of the most famous winners of the award include Thomas Harris, Peter Straub and Stephen King.

TRUE CRIME TUESDAY For November 5. 2013

Man Refuses To Stop at McDonald's, Girlfriend Has Big Mac Attack!

The next time your significant other asks you to stop for fast food, think it over before you say no. One man did and his girlfriend ran him over with his own truck. The Hamburglar has nothing on this felonious female. According to the story in the Daily Mail, Crystal Brooks hit the gas after moving into the driver's seat and while her boyfriend was still standing in front of the truck. She struck him two more times, just for good measure.

Naturally, she told the police it was an accident. They weren't buying it, and she is now in county lockup on a $15,000 bond.


Intelligence Chairman Claims No Privacy Violations by NSA - You Didn't Know Anything!

According to Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the Congressional House Intelligence Committee, the NSA did NOT, in fact violate the privacy of millions of law abiding Americans,
simply because those citizens were unaware that their privacy was being violated!

This ranks up there with other famous contradictory statements by government officials, such as "We had to destroy the village in order to save it."  and ‎"We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it."

At the end of the video clip, Rogers suggests they discuss the idea further over a bottle of wine. Judging from the logic of his statement, I think it's quite possible he's already had one too many.


Man Arrested For Overdue Library Book

If you've ever returned a book late to your local library, better beware. Our lending institutions are cracking down on you scofflaws, as one unfortunate man discovered.  Jory Enck of Texas was arrested for failing to return a book he checked out three years ago.

I better check my nightstand. I think I may have a couple of overdue books. Is that a police car in my driveway?




Author Appearances

If you're in Panama City today, stop by the The Purple Grape on Beck Avenue. Michael Lister is having a book signing for his new thriller, Separation Anxiety.  

And Beth Groundwater is releasing a new mystery in her Claire Hanover series on November 8th, A Basket of Trouble. 

If you haven't read their work, check out these events and pick up their books. It would be a crime if you didn't.

TRUE CRIME TUESDAY for October 29, 2013

'If the law supposes that,'said Mr Bumble...'the law is a ass, a idiot.'

Charles Dickens, from Oliver Twist

It's murder getting a driver's license...when you're already dead.

An Ohio man is learning the hard way that it's tough to get a driver's license when you're dead...legally, that is.  Donald Miller, Jr., who disappeared in the 1980s was declared legally dead in 1994. His ex-wife was able to collect social security survivor benefits, as is her right.

Then a strange thing happened. Donald returned home in 2005, and that's when his problems really started. Unable to get a job or a license, he naturally appealed the ruling. But Probate Court Judge Allan Davis has told Miller he is out of luck, since the ruling cannot only be reversed within three years of a decision.

From the Columbus Dispatch article, “I don’t know where that leaves you, but you’re still deceased as far as the law is concerned,” the judge said.

The ex-wife supported the judge's decision, since she would have to pay back thousands of dollars in benefits should the law resurrect Mr. Miller from the grave.

Which poses an interesting question. If Donald Miller is dead already, what happens if he dies in an accident or is murdered? Can anyone be held accountable for his death?

In a word, no.

Let's hope he doesn't have any enemies. If he was murdered, a defense attorney would only have to request a dismissal based on the fact that the victim was already dead. Based on the probate court ruling, a judge would be forced to comply and dismiss the charges.

Ridiculous? Well, maybe. But no more ridiculous than a judge staring a man in the face and telling him he's still six feet under.

Where's Oliver Wendell Holmes when you need him?



CIA Shenanigans.  Bars, Brothels and Magic...The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception!

In 1959 a famous magician was hired to write a manual of sleight of hand and deception for the CIA. It was part of the Cold War attempt to control people's minds by tricking them into taking LSD and
revealing government secrets. The CIA even employed prostitutes to lure suspects to brothels for the experiments.

 Although it was once thought all the manuals had been destroyed, one complete copy survived. And now it can be yours! And yes, it's even available on Kindle.  Seems that deception is not just relegated to government officials anymore. Imagine the fun you can have with this manual. And why not? After all, you, the taxpayer, paid for it.  Some of the best examples of deception can be found in this Boston Globe story, complete with illustrations.

Please, deceive responsibly.




The Case of The Missing Bourbon

One of the most sought after whiskies in America, 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle, has disappeared from a warehouse in Kentucky, according to a story in the New York Times. 195 bottles of the ultra rare spirit was spirited out of storage in Frankfort, Kentucky. This is hardly the work of a few winos or miscreants hoping to get drunk. The bottles have a suggested retail price of $130, and can go for much more at auction; as high as $1,190! The whiskey, which is aged for two decades, is described as "the most complex bourbon you have ever tasted" and has a cult following.

No suspects have been arrested, but Sean Brock, a restaurant owner in Nashville, has his own theory.  “I’m pretty sure it was George Clooney and the boys from ‘Ocean’s 11.’ ".

Mystery Weekend Roundup for 10/25/2013

Vincent Price and Edgar Allen Poe. A Match Made in Heaven...or Hell? (take your pick)

A new exhibit featuring Edgar Allen Poe is on display at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City, through January 26th, 2014. Although revered today as a master of horror and the inventor of the detective story, Poe was considered a pulp writer with little respect until the 20th century redeemed him. The exhibit, "Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul”, features, among other treasures, his first book of poetry, Tamerlane and other Poems, as well as the original coffin in which he was buried.

See more Poe memorabilia at the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia. On Sunday, October 27th, you can bring your child to the Poe Pumpkin Patch from 2 to 5 PM.

And on Halloween night, you can attend a concert benefiting the Poe House in Baltimore. The Black Cat Ball begins at 8 PM at the Mobtown Ballroom and continues until midnight (or the cops raid the joint).

Film fans can spend the day with Vincent Price on October 31st, or set their DVR. TCM has a full schedule of horror films starring  Price in several Poe film adaptations, including The Pit and the Pendulum and The Masque of the Red Death.

Vincent Price started as a character actor in noir films, including a supporting role in Laura, before he found his niche as a master of horror in the 50s and 60s. His distinctive voice is recognizable even among people who have never seen his films.

In addition to being an unforgettable actor, Price was a discerning art collector and gourmet cook.


Price and Poe...it's a combination to die for. Enjoy!