Laura Lippman on Craig Ferguson.

There are many reasons to like Craig Ferguson, the primary being he is damn funny. But another is that he has authors on his show.

Jon has been putting up stuff from Craig's show recently so I thought I would start putting up clips of authors on Craig.

We are going to start off with the very nice, award-winning Laura Lippman. This is from May 14th, 2009.

FIVE FOR SUMMER

You’ve been to the gas pump and the price is still hovering at 50 dollars a tank and not the seventy you’ve been afraid of. Spring was cold with the only advantage being those gas and electric bills were low despite increased cost. Fresh produce is here and that means the grocery bills have taken a dip. What am I getting at? Well, none of us have extra money right now, but for those of us who’ve planned out how much we’re going to need, it almost feels like there’s a surplus flowing (at least and heaven forbid until the truck says I’ve had enough). So buy a book. Did you pick up the Connelly or the Child yet? Are you caught up with Sookie Stackhouse? Last week hubby picked up the Entertainment Weekly, looked at the best sellers and declared, “Holy S8#t, look at this list, It’s true when all goes to pot, people turn to the Crime Novel.”

But go beyond that best seller list, help create a strong sales base for a great book.



TREAT YOURSELF; Out this week is TRUST NO ONE by Gregg Hurwitz. Jon gave you his opinion right here and my review is in the magazine for all to see. Those of you who know of my penchant for this writer may be going what else do you recommend Ruth? Ready to move on. But let me say again, a writer I’ve loved from the beginning has hit a stride. The story is about a man who’s been escaping his past for half a life time. Full of politics, terrorist threats, a “non” love story, and a past that may not be as it seems, Hurwitz plays every chord and you’ll kick yourself if you miss it. This book, is for me, like Rankin’s BLACK BOOK, Lippman’s SUGARHOUSE. When I read it months’ ago I facebooked and people agreed, Hurwitz has hit the mainstream while remaining true to himself as a writer.
Get Trust No One

And now you can get a signed copy of Greg Rucka’s WALKING DEAD. He’s been on an abbreviated tour, due entirely to the economy. Go to his website for a list of bookstores with signed copies. This book sits with me still and for anyone who loves a great mystery is a must book.
Get Walking Dead

Also, if you’re a Jeffrey Deaver fan and even if you’re not ROADSIDE CROSSES is a must read. I’m always wary of saying, “It’s my favorite in forever” but if you’re a Deaver fan you’ll understand. His books hit different points and in this book about the blogosphere he peppers information with a great mystery in perfect proportions.
Get Roadside Crosses

Once again I’ll mention the Adrian McKinty’s FIFTY GRAND. Here’s a writer with chops to spare. This book, about a murder in Colorado and its international repercussions will win over anyone not already a fan.

Get Fifty Grand


And I’ve been working on a piece about Elaine Viets for two months now. Why isn’t it done? Well, every time I get stuck in my “article” I pick up another book. For those of you who like a great cozy, everything this woman has written is outstanding. Pick up her newest, KILLER CUTS and visit the blog again, I should get this article done before too much longer. I only have three books...
Get Killer Cuts: A Dead-End Job Mystery

TEDDY MUST GO!!!

TEDDY MUST GO
You’ve arrived at this destination because you are a mystery fan. You are also a fan of Crimespree. Many have looked at Jon and Ruth over the years and thought they are the perfect couple. Mainly, mostly, we agree. But sometimes we look at each other and wonder, “Why doesn’t she/he get it?”
It happens a lot when the T.V. goes on. This is an area where my husband’s level of tolerance is much higher than my own. The one thing we’ve always agreed upon is no reality T.V. Granted, we’ve both strayed…. Queer Eyes for the Straight Guy, Trading Spaces, Project Runway (me) , Dancing with Stars (me). We quickly regroup. Time sucks are at a minimum.
When we discovered we had the Food Network on our most basic of cable packages we checked it out. And we’re hooked. And so it was with anticipation we looked forward to the “Next Food Network Star-season 5”.
Our virgin voyage and no, I don’t think we’ll go back but we are entertained and at this point invested. We agree or not on many points about the remaining seven chefs but we both agree….
TEDDY MUST GO.
The main reason…. Teddy is trying to play the Richard Hatch strategy. You remember him? The naked fat guy who lost a lot of weight on Survivor, season one and was later jailed for tax evasion.
I’ll sit down for dinner with Richard Hatch before I’ll eat one or attempt to cook one conceived by Teddy…. Attention waning, Jordan’s regrouping. About to take channel 67 off of the favorite list.
TEDDY MUST GO.
He is evil, a personality who knows how to cook but plays his fellow competitors in the way of the worst master chef. Now Teddy was saved from elimination this week by Bobby Flay (we love you Bobby). Bobby’s argument was that Teddy is a better Chef than Eddie. What the hell does that have to do with it? This man has intentionally undermined competitors in each of the first three weeks of the challenge. Helping Mom Melissa plate her dish and then letting Brett present a competence question during evaluation? HISSSSS. This week, after a week where he managed to get one cook tossed off and another’s integrity questioned he had a partner. Good luck to her. Debbie managed to shine. The appetizer she presented to the dinner party sang to all. Then came the collaborative effort. The fact that these two chefs created a meatloaf that foodies raved over? Amazing. And then the words.. from Teddy… “I consider this my dish” Okay, so
Debbie only created the sauce and conceived of the spices, Teddy actually mixed the meat and egg… PLEAAZE.
And here’s a question. Why, when we all know that the most quickly a meatloaf (at any temp.) can cook is thirty minutes, why oh why did Teddy not start on his dessert any sooner than the five minute mark? It was the worst dish I’ve ever seen presented on Food Network (like all five months worth, ever). Could he have worked on it, conceptualized it and made it great? Shortcake, Vanilla, fresh strawberries and whipped cream?
TEDDY MUST GO.
It must also be noted that Debbie (pre-backstabbing) made Teddy shine, she allowed him to reach a presentation level where he came off as pure and not phony for the first time. And then he dissed her. He failed, miserably. Don’t drag this out Food Network. Don’t allow him to succeed with a season one trick in season five. All of us who have been or worked with chefs know about personality. We’ve dealt with it and stood or run.
TEDDY MUST GO!
His personality is unacceptable and would make any kitchen in this country an unhappy one. Happy food never comes from an unhappy kitchen. This is a truth. I’d never work in a TEDDY kitchen and JON would never sous.
Back to the mystery of it all….. Ladies and Gents who write “culinary” or “recipe” mysteries… if the food network doesn’t see the light could you PLEASE put this in words for us?
Passion,

TEDDY MUST GO.

Jordans x 2

We noted that only four percent of the food networkers are voting for a TEDDY ELIMINATION, but come on people, do not take away our reality TV.

Will Eisner's The Spirit Archives Volume 26

Well, it's at an end, this wraps up the archive series for The Spirit by Will Eisner. This final hardbound collection has everything from 1952 to 2005.

After the strip stopped running in 1952 it looked as though that was it, but like his character Denny Colt, The Spirit, Will Eisner and his creation did not lie down and softly into that sweet night go. Eisner's creation was in a number of homes, one of the most notables was Kitchen Sink Press, but also had two issues at harvey comics. Volume 26 has the last of the original stories, a mother load of semi finished pieces and a lot, I mean A LOT of great comics covers. There are also a nice selection of pieces done for various publications including the overstreet guide.Coming in at 252 pages this is a fitting end to the run of Archived editions. And I think I can safely say that if for some reason you are not a huge fan of this man's work already, this is a perfect book to introduce you to the genius that is Will Eisner.

The fact that DC has gone and published 26 volumes of this work, plus a number of related titles shows how much they love what they do. There is a reason this man has an award named after him. The work holds up, it looks great and is still great reading.

Treat yourself and pick this up.
And maybe treat yourself a lot and get some of the earlier volumes too!
And I would also check out Darwyn Cooke's run on The Spirit as well.

Buy The Spirit Archives, Volume 26
Buy The Spirit Archives, Volume 25
Buy The Spirit Archives, Volume 24
Buy The Spirit: Femmes Fatale
Buy Spirit Vol. 1 by Darwyn Cooke
Will Eisner's The Spirit, Vol. 2 by Darwyn Cooke

Whiteout Trailer (2009)

Finally!
Can't wait.