Block is Back!

One of the delights of Bouchercon Baltimore 2008 was seeing Hard Case Crime Publisher and author Charles Ardai interview Larry Block [pictured above]. One of Ardai’s questions to Larry Block was considering the economic crisis, would he be writing anything new? Well it seems that Larry Block is penning something special, and for publisher Ardai too boot.

Charles Ardai kindly sent me some information that will be great news for Crime Thriller Fans -

Lawrence Block, one of the most decorated and popular authors in the crime fiction firmament (four-time Edgar winner, four-time Shamus winner, MWA Grand Master, New York Times best seller), is writing a brand new book for Hard Case Crime, and it's going to be our debut title when we re-launch the series in September 2011.

Titled GETTING OFF: A Novel of Sex and Violence, the book tells the story of a beautiful and self-confident young woman who sets herself a mission and carries it out with ruthless single-mindedness -- to track down and murder every man she's ever slept with. (And it's not a small number, especially since she finds herself sleeping with a few more along the way.) The character is one of Block's most memorable, the first new series character he's introduced since J.P Keller in HIT MAN a dozen years ago. Like Keller, she first appeared in a short story Block found himself writing, and after she'd stuck around for a second tale and then a third, he realized he had a novel-length story to tell about her.

Thus was GETTING OFF born.

These days, it's hard to describe any book as shocking -- it's 2010, sex doesn't shock us anymore, nor even, really, does violence -- but I promise, this book is shocking. In the best possible way. There are moments in the story when I predict even the most jaded reader will find his or her jaw dropping.And in recognition of the fact that the book is, shall we say, somewhat...spicy...the author has decided it's appropriate to revive a pseudonym he hasn't used in nearly 40 years, under which he wrote seven highly erotic novels in the 1960s and 70s. Accordingly, GETTING OFF will be published as by "Lawrence Block, writing as 'Jill Emerson'." As a long-time fan not only of Larry's work but of Jill's, I have to say it's exciting to see her return after too many after decades of Salinger-like silence...Couple of other bits: GETTING OFF will not only be our re-launch debut title but also our first ever hardcover original. We plan to bring it out in paperback as well, of course -- but it felt like an occasion like this deserved a hardcover to commemorate it. The cover is being painted by Greg Manchess, winner of multiple gold medals from the Society of Illustrators and creator of such iconic cover images for Hard Case Crime as FADE TO BLONDE and THE VENGEFUL VIRGIN.

The book will be the first published under our new collaboration with UK-based Titan Publishing and will be distributed in the U.S. and Canada (as all of Titan's books are) by Random House.This is easily one of the most thrilling announcements I've had the privilege to make since creating Hard Case Crime. I grew up reading and loving Larry's books, and the idea of getting to collaborate with him to bring a new one into the world is...beyond words. We're honored that he chose us as the home for this book and look forward to giving GETTING OFF the kick-off it so richly deserves.

More information on the world of Hard Case Crime available here and the dark world of Lawrence Block is available here

Newsy Stuff

La Bòbila reports the Spanish Crime Fiction Awards in 2010.

The Pepe Carvalho Award to the Spanish writer Andreu Martín is not included here, the award ceremony will take place in 2011.

Premio L'H Confidencial 2010, premio internacional de novela negra: Caminos cruzados, (Cross Roads) Erlantz Gamboa (Roca)

Premio Pepe Carvalho: Ian Rankin

IV Premio internacional de novela negra "Ciudad de Carmona": La Frontera Sur, (Carmona City: The Southern Border) José Luis Muñoz (Almuzara)

III Premi Crims de Tinta: Negres tempestes, (Black Tempest) Teresa Solana (La Magrana)Premi Ferran Canyameres de Novel•la: Detalls culinaris, de Josep Torrent (Pagès)

Premios Brigada 21

Best novel written in Spanish (Catalan): Emulsió de ferro, (Emulsió of ferro) Sebastià Jovani (La Magrana)

Best novel translated to Spanish (Catalan): La dona de verd, (Silence of the Grave) Arnaldur Indridason (La Magrana)

Best first novel: Tarde, mal y nunca, (Better Late than Never) Carlos Zanón (Saymon)

Best novel in Spanish (Castilian): La playa de los ahogados, (Death on a Galician Shore) Domingo Villar (Siruela)

Best novel translated to Spanish (Castilian): El poder del perro, (The Power of the Dog) Don Winslow (Mondadori)

Florenci Clavé Award to the best book cover: Trago Amargo, (Bitter Drink) F.G. Haggenbeck (Roca)

Premio Dashiell Hammett: Ciudad Santa, (Holy City) Guillermo Orsi (Almuzara)
XII Premio Francisco García Pavón: Frío de muerte (Cold Death), Manuel Nonídez (Rey Lear)
VIII Premio Novelpol: El poder del perro, Don Winslow (Mondadori)
XIV Premio Ciudad de Getafe de Novela Negra: No hay perro que viva tanto, (No Dog Live as Long) Francisco Balbuena (Edaf)
Premio internacional de novela negra RBA 2010: Live Wire, Harlan Coben (RBA)

Thanks to Mystery Fanfare for the information

There is an excellent interview with crime critic Barry Forshaw on Five Books about Film Noir.

Fans of espionage and The Wire should toddle in down to Killer Reads where there is an excellent interview between Dominic West and Charles Cummings whose latest book Trinity Six will be published next year (February 2011). Dominic West will be helping in the promotion of Trinity Six which has already been rteceiving rave reviews from reviewers.

What more can one say about the phenomenon that is Stieg Larsson? The Telegraph has a piece on the real life murder case that is said to have inspired Larsson.

The Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel has been awarded to Cut and Run by Alix Bosco. The Award was originally scheduled to be given in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday September 10 at Christchurch Writers Festival but had to be postponed until Tuesday 30 November 2010.

Congratulations also go to Daniel Woodrell whose 2006 novel Winter'sa Bone has won the Best Film Award at the Gotham Film Festival. Winter’s Bone also won the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize.

Brief newsy post

Excellent article in the most recent edition of The Spectator (27 November) from Andrew Taylor about the best recent crime thrillers that have urban settings and are well worth having under having under your tree. They are all worthy books for one to have for Christmas as well. In my opinion Andrew Taylor’s own book – The Anatomy of Ghosts should also be on this list . An elegant gothic tale which was recently shortlisted for the 2010 Ellis Peters Award.

According to Publishers Weekly, Juliet Grames at Soho Press has bought three books in Helene Tursten's bestselling Swedish crime series featuring detective Irene Huss. Anneli Høier at Leonhardt & Høier brokered the deal, and Soho plans to start publishing the books in 2012.

Newsy Stuff

According to Nordic Bookblog The Best Swedish Crime Novel for 2010 has been won by Leif G.W. Persson with his novel Den döende detektiven (The Dying Detective).

As can be expected with the run up to the end of the year, “the best books of the year” are still being revealed. Margaret Cannon has revealed in the Globe and Mail what is called the deathly dozen for 2010. The full list can be found here and it includes such luminaries as Carl Hiaasen , Louise Penny, Philip Kerr, Michael Connelly and Giles Blunt to name some of them.

The Guardian has also selected its best books of the year and I have to admit to being profoundly disappointed with the number of crime novels that made the list. The only two novels to make the list were C J Sansom’s Heartstone and the excellent The Ghost of Belfast (aka The Twelve) by Stuart Neville. It makes me sometimes wonder whether or not people actually read crime novels. I know that they do. The full list can be found here.

Laura Wilson’s crime fiction review round-up can also be found in The Guardian. She reviews the new Anne Holt novel, Edward Wright’s From Blood, Aline Templeton’s Cradle to Grave and Horace McCoy’s 1935 novel They Shoot Horses, Don’t They (reissued by Serpent’s Tail).

The Daily Telegraph have published Part 1 of their fiction books of the year. Sadly, like The Guardian so far only two crime novels have been suggested. Sadie Jones nominates The Existential Detective by Alice Thompson (Two Ravens Press), whilst Mark Billingham puts forward Truth by Peter Temple (Quercus).

The Independent have also released a list of their books for Christmas. The full list can be found here. In the list crime fiction critic Barry Forshaw nominates (under crime and thriller) his selection which includes Heartstone by C J Sansom, Jo NesbØ’s The Snowman and The Holy Thief by William Ryan amongst others.

In the New York Times Jane Maslin has listed her fiction books of 2010. The full list can be found here and includes Don Winslow’s Savages and Lee Child’s 61 Hours.

Excellent article on the Scandinavian invasion by Jordan Foster can be found in Publishers Weekly.

Don’t know how this was missed by Jordan Foster has also interviewed Denise Mina for Publishers Weekly.

The BBC’s version of Douglas Adams's Dirk Gently is due to be shown on BBC4 on Thursday 16 December 2010 at 9:00pm. Hopefully it will be received a lot better than 2005's Hitchhiker's Guide movie.

Faster the latest film featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Billy Bob Thornton has just been released. The trailer can be seen below.

After being seen in a number of family (and sometimes annoying) films. Johnson is making his way back into action films where he initially made his name.

In Faster After 10 years in prison, Driver (Dwayne Johnson) has a singular focus - to avenge the murder of his brother during the botched bank robbery that led to his imprisonment. Now a free man with a deadly to-do list in hand, he's finally on his mission...but with two men on his trail - a veteran cop (Billy Bob Thornton) just days from retirement, and a young egocentric hitman (Oliver Jackson-­Cohen) with a flair for the art of killing and a newfound worthy opponent. Whilst already released in the United States, it is not due for release in the UK until February 2011.

Sherlock wins more awards

Congratulations go to the BBC drama Sherlock which won three out of the five awards that it was nominated for at the Royal television Society Craft and Design Awards.

The show won best picture enhancement, best tape and film editing in a drama, and best original title music. The award ceremony took place at the Savoy Hotel on Wednesday 24 November 2010. The full list of nominees and winners can be found here. The crime drama which is an updated and modernised version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes has been a massive hit worldwide since it has been shown. A second series is due to be shown.

Newsy Stuff

According to the Bookseller, the former head of MI5 Dame Stella Rimington is to chair the Man Booker Prize for 2011. Rimington has written 5 fiction novels so far since her retirement as Head of MI5 and her latest novel Deep Secret is due to be published in July 2011.

Susan Hill has also become a judge for the Man Booker Prize according to the Bookseller. Hill known for her novels The Woman in Black and Mrs de Winter (the sequel to Du Maurier’s Rebecca) is also currently the author of five crime novels featuring Detective Simon Serailler. The most recent being The Shadows in the Street (2010)

According to the Bookseller, Serpent’s Tail have acquired the rights to the drug dealing memoir of Nigel Fielding. Fielding was heavily involved in one of the largest LSD drug busts that took place in 1976 which was known as Operation Julie.

This year the Courmayeur Noir Festival is due to take place from 7 to 13 December 2010. It will be celebrating its 20^th edition. The full press release can be found here. Michael Connelly will be honoured with the Raymond Chandler Award.

As part of the Festival the shortlist has been announced for the Premio Scerbanenco award. The finalists are:-

Il giorno dei Morti by (The Day of the Dead) by Maurizio de Giovanni

Tu la Paragas (Thou Paragas) By Marilu Olivia

Ti voglio credere (I want you to believe) by Elisabetta Bucciarelli

Il libro di legno (Wood’s Book) by Gian Mauro Costa

Cicatrici (Scars) by Gianluca Morozzi

For those of you that watch Alibi TV on the satellite and cable channels, you may wish to look out for the following coming in the New Year. On Sunday 2 January 2011 Andie McDowell will be playing DA Monique Lamont in Patricia Cornwell’s At Risk. MacDowell's character is trying to re-open an unsolved 20-year-old murder case when a shocking moment of violence throws her and her colleagues into chaos. The character will return again on Saturday 8 January 2011, this time in Front where she takes on Boston’s most famous criminal. Both programmes will be shown at 9:00pm.

Peter May has written an interesting and insightful article on his blog about how he came to write the novel The Blackhouse which is due out in February 2011.

Quercus have joined forces with Jo Fletcher to launch a new imprint. Jo Fletcher will join Quercus at the start of next year. The imprint will be known as Jo Fletcher Books and will publish Sci-fi, Horror and Fantasy.

London Boulevard (Part 2)

The Daily Telegraph also have an interview with Collin Farrell which can be seen below.

Shortlist have also got an interview with Colin Farrell which can be found at this link

London Boulevard

The UK release of the film London Boulevard takes place tomorrow 26 November 2010. Based on the novel by Ken Bruen it stars Kiera Knightly, Ray Winstone and Colin Farrell.

The official trailer can be found here




Of course the media blitz has already been in operation. BBC entertainment interviewed Colin Farrell about his role and the interview can be found here.

The Independent have a video interview with Colin Farrell which can be found here.

The Telegraph also have a video interview that can be found here.

Over on the Spinetingler website there is also a review of the film by Scottish Crime writer Russel D McLean.

More news

The Return of Bulldog Drummond?

According to Variety and Britmovie.co.uk Harry Potter producer David Barron is joining with Australian company Fork Films to develop a feature film on the fictional World War 1 character Bulldog Drummond. The full article can be found here. There has also been a renaissance of the radio plays featuring Bulldog Drummond and they can be currently heard on Old Time Radio Podcasts.

Anti-heroes! So why do we love anti-heroes?

Mystery critic Sarah Weinman and Troy Patterson recently discussed this oh so important topic on Minnesota Public Radio.

It looks as if another series by Charlaine Harris is coming to the small screen. CBS are to develop a series based on her Harper Connelly series. The full article from the Examiner can be found here.

According to PR Newswire James Ellroy is due to host a weekly show starting in January 2011 on Investigation Discovery called James Ellroy’s LA: City of Demons. The six part series will showcase Ellory’s personality as he looks into some of Hollywood’s most notorious crimes. The programme has also been written by Ellroy. The first edition of the programme is due to be shown on 19 January 2011 at 10:pm (ET).

According to Hollywood Reporter, Universal have issued the release date for some of its forthcoming films. The release dates include dates for the next Bourne film which is called Bourne Legacy, Safe House which features Denzil Washington, Contraband (a remake of the Icelandic thriller Reykjavik-Rotterdam) staring Mark Whalberg and Kate Beckinsdale.

Lee Child has been on CBS 60 minutes. Part of this interview appears to have been filmed at Bouchercon in San Francisco.


Whilst Sara Paretsky has been on KUOW to chat about heroes and tough women. You can listen to the audio version here.

Library Journal best of 2010

The Library Journal have announced their best books of 2010. The complete list can be found here but the Mystery and Thrillers list are as follows:-

Mystery

The Killing Storm by Kathryn Casey (Minotaur: St. Martin's).
Danse Macabre by Gerald Elias (Minotaur: St. Martin's).
Hazard by Gardiner Harris (Minotaur: St. Martin's).
Liar, Liar: A Cat DeLuca Mystery by K J Larsen (Poisoned Pen)
The Masuda Affair: A Sugawara Akitada Novel by I J Parker (Severn House)

Thrillers

The Reversal by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown).
Bodily Harm by Robert Dugoni, (Touchstone: S. & S)

Velocity by Alan Jacobson (Vanguard: Perseus)

Strong Justice by Jon Land (Forge: Tor).

The Book of Spies by Gayle Lynds, (St. Martin's)

Newsy Stuff

He may be dead but Stieg Larsson is still in the news. The Wall Street Journal has an article on previously unpublished emails by Larsson which show how he set out to defy what is considered to be the conventions of the crime fiction genre. The emails published in the book "On Stieg Larsson" is being published as part of the deluxe boxed edition. The book contains four essays about the author as well as emails between the author and his editor Eva Gedin.

In Saturday's Guardian (20 November) there is a round up of John O'Connell's choice of thrillers which include James Lee Burke's new Dave Robicheaux novel The Glass Rainbow, The Last Talk With Lola Faye by Thomas H Cook, Crimson China by Betsy Tobin and Andrew Klavan's The Identity Man. The full round-up can be found here.

Also to be found in the Guardian is a review of the new Eoin McNamee novel Orchid Blue. The review by John Burnside looks at the novel which is once again based on on an historical case which took place in Northern Ireland. Those of you that are familiar with his work will recognise the connection with his 2001 Booker Prize long-listed novel Blue Tango

Jenny Turner (again in the Guardian) has written an article about John Ajvide-Lindqvist's excellent novel Harbour. Lindqvist's latest novel is set on a fictional island where the hero is investigating the disappearance his daughter who has gone missing after he and his wife and the daughter have gone back to the island on a visit.

Maxim Jakubowski's top 10 crime locations are discussed in the Guardian. His book Following the Detectives has been published recently.

The Independent have listed what they consider the 50 best winter reads. The complete list can be found here. At least there are a number of crime novels on the list.

The Independent also have a review of the paperback issue of Arnaldur Indridason's novel Hypothermia.

The Daily Telegraph looks at the new George Clooney film The American and why filmgoers love the lone assassin. Clooney is also said to be rejoining his long-time collaborator Steven Soderbergh in the remake of the classic series The Man from U.N.C.L.E The article can be found here.

CJ Sansom talks about his life in books in the Guardian. The latest book in the Shardlake series is Heartstone and was released this year and was also shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Award.

Brighton Rock (2010) remake Trailer

The 1947 classic version of Brighton Rock is based on Graham Greene's novel of the same name and features Richard Attenborough as Pinkie Brown in a seminal role and Carol Mash as Rose Brown the girl that he marries to stop her from talking.

Pinkie Brown is a small-town hoodlum whose gang runs a protection racket based at Brighton race course. When Pinkie orders the murder of a rival, Fred, the police believe it to be suicide. This doesn't convince Ida, who was with Fred just before he died, and she sets out to find the truth. She comes across naive waitress Rose, who can prove that Fred was murdered. In an attempt to keep Rose quiet Pinkie marries her. But with his gang beginning to doubt his ability, and his rivals taking over his business, Pinkie starts to become more desperate and violent.

The new version is due for release on 4 February 2011.

Rowan Joffe's remake goes back to Graham Greene's novel and this time around stars Helen Mirren staring as Ida Arnold (the role originally taken by Hermione Baddeley), Sam Riley as Pinkie Brown and Andrea Risborough as Rose Brown. It also stars John Hurt and Andy Serkis It is set in the 1960s instead of the books original 1939.

The Lincoln Lawyer Movie Trailer is released!

The Lincoln Lawyer movie trailer has been released - See below.

Based on the novel by Michael Connelly it stars Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, William H Macey, Ryan Phillippe and John Leguziamo. It is due to be released on 18 March 2011 in the UK and the USA.

Midas PR becomes latest new Crimefest sponsor

Congratulations go to Crimefest organisers Adrian Muller and Myles Alfrey.
Midas PR is to become a sponsor of next year's CrimeFest, Britain's international crime fiction convention, which is held annually at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel. Next year's dates are
19-22 May 2011

As a sponsor, Midas will be providing their public relations services. Together with media partner The Times, this will ensure an increasingly higher profile for the annual convention.

Blackwell returns for the fourth year as the onsite bookseller. Hodder & Stoughton will launch their Mullholland Books imprint at the convention with a pre-gala drinks reception which is open to all CrimeFest delegates.

Featured Guest Authors include Deon Meyer. Don Winslow will be the Toastmaster at the Gala Dinner on 21 May. For an up-to-date line-up of participating authors visit www.crimefest.com/attend.html.

Any author commercially published in the UK is eligible for a panel when registering for a full CrimeFest pass at www.crimefest.com/register.html.

CrimeFest is quickly becoming the most popular date in the crime fiction calendar. The convention is for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fanatics. It allows readers and authors to socialise over a weekend of panels, interviews, and its crime writing and Pitch-an-Agent workshops. The latter – think of it as speed-dating for an agent – is a unique opportunity for aspiring authors to skip the slush-pile and to gain representation. Participating agents are Broo Doherty (Wade & Doherty Literary Agency), David Headley ( DHH Literary Agency) and Camilla Wray (Darley Anderson Agency).

For the second year CrimeFest will be hosting a reception for the Crime Writers' Association's announcement of shortlists for their prestigious Dagger Awards.

CrimeFest will announce the winners of their own awards at their Gala Dinner:

- eDunnit Award for best crime ebook of 2010. Prize: £500 and an eReader (sponsor to be confirmed).

- Last Laugh Award for best humorous crime novel of 2010. Prize: £500, sponsored by Goldsboro Books.

- Sounds of Crime Awards for best abridged and unabridged crime audiobooks of 2010. Prize: £1,000 to be shared amongst the winners, sponsored by Audible UK.

Publishers are invited to make submissions. Details are available at www.crimefest.com/submissions.html.

For more information visit www.crimefest.com

Or contact: Adrian Muller, CrimeFest, Basement Flat, 6 Rodney Place, Bristol BS8 4HY. Tel: 0117-9149639. Email: info@crimefest.com

Sara Paretsky - Grand Master 2011 and Raven Awards announced

According to P R Newswire and announced today (18 November 2010) in the United States, Sara Paretsky has been chosen as this year's Grand Master by Mystery Writers of America (MWA). MWA's Grand Master Award represents the pinnacle of achievement in mystery writing and was established to acknowledge important contributions to this genre, as well as a body of work that is both significant and of consistent high quality. Ms. Paretsky will be presented with her award at The Edgar Awards Banquet, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on Thursday, April 28, 2011. When told of being named Grand Master, Paretsky said, "I'm so glad to win this. I'm glad to have this for my very own."

Paretsky revolutionized the mystery world in 1982 with her novel Indemnity. The book introduced detective V.I. Warshawski, a female private investigator who used her wits and fists, challenging a genre in which women typically played minor or passive roles. Paretsky, who lives in Chicago, has written twelve best-selling Warshawski novels. She has also penned a memoir, two stand-alone novels, a collection of short stories, and has edited four anthologies. In 1986 Paretsky founded Sisters in Crime, an organization that supports women crime writers, earning her MS Magazine's 1987 Woman of the Year Award. The British Crime Writers awarded Paretsky both the Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement and the Gold Dagger for best novel of 2004. Her books are currently published in thirty countries.

"The mystery genre took a seven-league stride thanks to Sara Paretsky, whose gutsy and dauntless protagonist showed that women can be tough guys, too," said Larry Light, Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America. "Before, in Sara's words, women in mysteries were either vamps or victims. Her heroine, private eye V.I. Warshawski, is whip-smart and two-fisted, capable of slugging back whiskey and wrecking cars, and afire to redress social injustice."

Two exceptional mystery bookstores will be honored with the 2011 Raven Award. Established in 1953, the award recognizes outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing. Once Upon a Crime, in Minneapolis, MN, and Centuries & Sleuths in Chicago, IL, will receive recognition for their contribution to the mystery community. They also will receive their awards at the Edgar Award Banquet in New York City on Thursday, April 28, 2011.

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore was named one of the Ten Best Bookstores in Chicago by the Chicago Tribune. Many customers have tagged the owner, Augie Alesky, as the coolest bookseller in Chicago. "I have always wanted a Raven. The mystery community is such a great place," Alesky said upon hearing the news.

The store has hosted hundreds of author readings and talks, with both new and established writers. Augie's programs are innovative, including mock trials, debates, and numerous "Meeting of Minds" programs similar to the PBS series. In fact, from the very first days of opening, actors and then authors themselves were encouraged to dress in period costumes to illustrate and dramatize a book. Centuries & Sleuths was nominated for the American Booksellers Association "Bookseller of the Year" award in 2008. The store marks its 20th Anniversary this year.

Once Upon a Crime Mystery Bookstore owners Pat Frovarp and Gary Schulze read, review, promote, and hand-sell mysteries, from small presses and new authors to the biggest best-sellers. Pat was thrilled to hear about the Raven Award. "What a wonderful, wonderful honor!" she said.

Their store is open late to host signings for local and traveling authors, and they host an annual Write of Spring. Every March dozens of Minnesota mystery authors are able to meet hundreds of fans and celebrate the world of mysteries. They are currently taking submissions for a Write of Spring anthology. Pat and Gary are such mystery book enthusiasts that they married at their store on August 1, 2007, five years to the day that they had bought the store from the previous owners. In their wedding photos, Pat held a bouquet of flowers, and Gary held a Maltese Falcon statue. Once Upon a Crime will celebrate 25 years in business in Spring 2012.

Previous Raven winners include Mystery Lovers Bookstore in Oakmont, PA, Kate's Mystery Books in Cambridge, MA, The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and The Poe House in Baltimore, MD.

Previous Grand Masters include Dorothy Gilman, James Lee Burke, Sue Grafton, Bill Pronzini, Stephen King, Marcia Muller, Dick Francis, Mary Higgins Clark, Donald Westlake, Lawrence Block, P.D. James, Ellery Queen, Daphne du Maurier, Alfred Hitchcock, Graham Greene, and Agatha Christie.

The Edgar Awards, or "Edgars," as they are commonly known, are named after MWA's patron saint Edgar Allan Poe and are presented to authors of distinguished work in various categories. Celebrating their 65th anniversary in 2010, MWA is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime-writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. The organization encompasses almost 3,000 members in three categories of membership that include authors of fiction and non-fiction books, screen and television writers, as well as publishers, editors, and literary agents. For more information on Mystery Writers of America, please visit the website: http://www.mysterywriters.org/