On November 30, RendezVous Crime author David Russell launched his debut novel, Deadly Lessons, at the library of Dr. Charles Best Secondary School in Coquitlam, B.C., fitting, given the subject of the novel is a murder at a high school at which the protagonist, Winston Patrick, is a new teacher. Equally fitting, given that Russell is a teacher at that school. The event was well attended by family, friends and former students, despite the massive snowfall (by West Coast standards!) that more or less paralyzed the rest of the city.

See pictures of the event here!

In the new year, the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse in Toronto, Ontario, will be hosting a series of lectures by mystery writers who set their books in Toronto. There is a general admission charge of $8 per lecture or three lectures for $20.

On Tuesday, February 6th, RVC author Mel Bradshaw will be kicking off this series with a lecture on the following topic:

"Rules out of School"
What was the legal world awaiting the Enoch Turner School’s graduates? And how was that world affected by the science and religion of the time? (dealing with these issues as they arise in his novel "Death in the Age of Steam", a historical mystery set in 1856.)

Refreshments are served from 7 p.m. and the lecture starts at 7:30.

The location of the schoolhouse is 106 Trinity Street, one block east of Parliament, just south of King Street East in Toronto. The King 504 streetcar stops right at Trinity Street.

The organizer is Shirley E. Hartt, Curator, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Phone: 416 863 0010.

Photos from the busy fall release of Red Ice for a Shroud, including the RendezVous Crime Spree book tour of RJ Harlick, Barbara Fradkin and Rick Blechta, are available here:

View RJ Harlick's book happenings

Thanks, RJ!

Pictured L to R are Alex Brett and RendezVous Crime authors Barbara Fradkin and R.J. Harlick at the Capital Crime Writers panel, November 8th, 2006.

Photos of the Mississauga and Ottawa stops of the Fradkin, Blechta and Harlick "Crime Spree" book tour.

On October 28th, RendezVous Crime authors Mel Bradshaw and Rick Blechta read from their respective novels "Quarrel With the Foe" and "When Hell Freezes Over" at the London Public Library (London, Ontario). The event was followed by a meet and greet and book signing.

The good folks at Mysterious Affair put together the following video presentation after a recent visit by Barbara Fradkin, Rick Blechta and R.J. Harlick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRlyB9ZzRsM

A missive from R.J. Harlick -

The RendezVous Crime Spree has been on the road for two weekends now. Rick Bechta, Barbara Fradkin and myself have signed at various bookstores in Ottawa, Montreal, Perth, Peterborough, Kingston, Belleville and Brockville. It's been a 'if it's Friday then we must be in ......' sort of schedule. But although it has been busy and a little bit tiring, we've met some terrific people and have signed lots of books, many of them intended as Christmas presents for family and friends.

I will say it is quite a thrill to have someone come up and say "You signed your first book for me. I can't wait to get a personally signed copy of your new book." This past weekend we stayed at Barbara's cottage, which gave us a peaceful break from our hectic schedule. Next weekend we hit points west of Toronto, such as Guelph, Kitchener and London.

The three of us have taken pictures which we’ll get up on the site as soon as we have a chance to take a breath.

And our busy fall continues

Barbara Fradkin and I have more signings planned with our new releases of ‘Honour Among Men’ and ‘Red Ice for a Shroud’.

Sun. Nov. 5, 2006 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Rideau Chapters in Ottawa

Sat. Nov 25, 2006 - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Books on Beechwood in Ottawa

And Mitchell Caplan of CHUO 89.1 will be interviewing the both of us on his radio show ‘Click Here’ on Wed. Nov. 22, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

I also have another radio interview scheduled for Thurs. Dec. 14, 6:30 pm on Jane Crosier’s wonderful show Literary Landscapes on CKCU, 93.1 FM

I mustn’t forget to remind Quebec readers of my Quebec launch for 'Red Ice for a Shroud' on Fri. Nov 3, 7:00 pm at La Foret La Blanche Nature Reserve in Mayo QC. There will be a reading and author signings, nibbles and a cash bar and, of course, lots of books.

And on Sat. Nov. 4, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm I will be signing 'Red Ice for a Shroud' at the Bake and Craft Fair in the Royal Legion Hall in Buckingham QC - That'll be me sandwiched between the pickle jars and lace doilies. I did it a couple of years ago when 'Death's Golden Whisper' came out and had a terrific time. Met lots of interesting people from the area where my cottage is and upon which the setting for the Meg Harris series is based.

That’s it for the moment. But I’m busy organizing other events, so shall let you know once they are confirmed.

Hope to see you at one of my signings.

RendezVous Crime invities you to help us celebrate the launch of a new musical mystery by Rick Blechta, "When Hell Freezes Over".

Also signing their new fall titles are authors Barbara Fradkin ("Honour Among Men") and R.J. Harlick ("Red Ice For a Shroud").

Where:
Chick'n'Deli
744 Mt. Pleasant Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
M4S 2N6
416.489.7931

Festivities begin at 7:00 pm, November 9th, 2006
7:45 pm - introduction of authors
8:00 pm - musical entertainment by Rick Blechta and an all-star band (including RV's own Allister Thompson).

Featuring a Mellotron MK2 FX Console! Oooooh! Finger food, cash bar. Authors will be signing their books, which will be on sale for $15.00 (tax incl.)

RSVP at rendezvous.press@transmedia95.com

RendezVous Crime is pleased to launch R.J. Harlick's new mystery novel "Red Ice For a Shroud" with a new multimedia ecard which may be viewed at:

http://www.transmedia95.com/ecardRIFS/ecardlaunch.html

RendezVous Crime Spree Hits the Road!

Rick Blechta, Barbara Fradkin and RJ Harlick, all with new novels out with RendezVous will be hitting all the book hotspots in Ontario and Quebec over several extended weekends in October and November. (All appearances listed are for all 3 authors, except where noted.)

Oct 12, Bayshore Coles, Ottawa, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Oct 13, Billingsbridge Coles, Ottawa, 2:30-4:30 (Barbara & RJ)
Prime Crime Bookstore, Ottawa, 2:00-3:30 (Rick only)
St. Laurent Coles, Ottawa, 5:00-7:00

Oct 14, Pointe Claire Chapters, Pointe Claire, QC, 11:00-1:00
Montreal Indigo, Montreal, 2:00-4:00

Oct 15, Pinecrest Chapters, Ottawa, 11:30-1:30
Kanata Chapters, Ottawa, 2:00-4:00

Oct 19, Valley Books, Perth ON, Evening Talk as well as signing

Oct 20, Peterborough Chapters, Peterborough, ON, 12:00-2:00
Belleville Chapters, Belleville, ON, 7:00-9:00

Oct 21, Kingston Chapters, Kingston, ON, 11:00-1:00
As the Plot Thickens Bookstore, Kingston, 2:00-4:00

Oct 22, Brockville Coles, Brockville, ON, 12:00-2:00

Oct 26, Square One Chapters, Mississauga, ON, 2:00-4:00
The Mysterious Affair, Waterloo, ON, 7:00-9:00

Oct 27, Guelph Chapters, Guelph, ON, 7:00-9:00

Oct 28, London South Chapters, London, ON, 11:00-1:00
London Public Library, London, 2:00-3:00 (Rick only, with Mel Bradshaw)
London North Chapters, London, 2:00-4:00 (Barbara & RJ only)

Oct 29, St. Catharines Chapters, St. Catharines, ON, 2:00-4:00

Nov 2, Royal Bank Plaza Coles, Toronto, 12:30-1:30 (Rick only)

Nov 9, Toronto Launch of all three of our books. Venue will be announced at a later date but will include live music played by Rick with help from some very good friends (and great musicians) and will feature Rick's mighty Mellotron Mk2 in all its glory. Contact me for more details!

Nov 10, Barrie Chapters, Barrie, ON, 2:00-4:00

Nov 11, Queensway Chapters, Toronto, 1:00-4:00

Nov 12, Burlington Public Ligrary, Burlington, ON 1:30-3:30. This event will feature a roundtable discussion on Canadian crime writing, where it's at and where it might be heading. This should be a terrific event. For more info: Burlington PL's website.

A few more signings and appearances will be announced very shortly.

RendezVous Crime has produced its second ecard, for Rick Blechta's new novel "When Hell Freezes Over". The card can be viewed via the following link:

http://www.transmedia95.com/ecardWHFO/ecardlaunch.html

RendezVous Crime has launched a new marketing initiative which uses electronic "ecards" to promote new titles. These interactive ecards incorpoate text, images, music, audio author commentary and more.

RendezVous Crime has produced its first ecard for Barbara Fradkin's new mystery novel, "Honour Among Men". It can be viewed here:

http://www.transmedia95.com/ecardHAM/ecardlaunch.html

Enjoy!

As part of National Crime Writing Week, a special panel called "An Evening of Mystery" was held at the Toronto Reference Library on June 7th. Pictured from top: RVC authors Mel Bradshaw, H. Mel Malton, Lou Allin and Rick Blechta; H. Mel Malton at the microphone; Julia Kurniewicz, the organizer of the event for the TRL, introduces the evening's guests while Mary Jane Maffini, Mel Bradshaw and Mel Malton get prepared; publisher Sylvia McConnell and H. Mel Malton plot a grisly murder.

On June 8th, the Arthur Ellis Awards for the best in crime writing were held at Mysteriously Yours dinner theatre in Toronto. Pictured are (from top): Mary Jane Maffini holding an Arthur after winning the Derek Murdoch Award for her outstanding contributions to crime writing in Canada; RendezVous Crime author Rick Blechta ; Rendezvous Crime author Joan Boswell and Associate Publisher Craig McConnell; Sue Pike, editor of the Ladies' Killing Circle anthologies, and author Vicki Cameron.

On June 7th in Calgary, Steven Owad and Jayne Barnard appeared at McNally Robinson bookstore. Pictured are Jayne reading from the anthology "Dead in the Water" and Steve from his novel "Bodycheck". Nothing like a little murder for a lovely spring day. Here's hoping that you guys moved a truckload of product!

Steven Owad in action!

As part of its Stampede Week celebrations, Calgary's McNally Robinson Bookstore is holding daily on-street book signings outside its store on Stephen Avenue Mall (120 8th Ave. SW). Steven Owad will be signing copies of his novel "Bodycheck" at noon on Saturday, July 15th.

Here's a cool version of the RVC logo.

Wow ... look at us! RendezVous Crime has joined the blogosphere!

This blog will be used to keep RVC readers and authors abreast of all the latest developments in the RVC world. News, photos, upcoming events, thoughts, rants ... you'll be able to find it all here.

Check back often! We look forward to your comments.

Cheers,

Craig @ RVC