Mary Jane Maffini and friends ...

OTTAWA Dec 7, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini will be at Chapters Kanata. Kanata Centrum 400 Earl Grey Drive for a sign and schmooze session. Signed books make wonderfully mysterious stocking stuffers.

OTTAWA Dec 13 6:30 pm CKCU-FM Radio 93.1 in Ottawa www.ckcufm.com
Mary Jane Maffini will discuss her latest book, Too Hot to Handle, on Literary Landscapes, Jane Crosier's insightful program for book lovers.

OTTAWA Dec 23 Noon - 4 pm
Mary Jane Maffini will sign and schmooze at the annual Prime Crime Christmas Party, surrounded by wonderful mysteries, other mystery authors and readers. Drop in for Christmas cheer and chocolate. 613-238-CLUE Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore, 891 Bank St.

WAKEFIELD, QC Jan 6th, 5 pm. Solstice Booksm 721 chemin Riverside.
Join Mary Jane Maffini as she signs her latest book, Too Hot to Handle, which is coincidentally set in a beautiful village on the edge of the Gatineau River.

Friday, November 23rd found a merry group at Sleuth of Baker Street to meet Steven Owad who had flown in from Calgary during Toronto's first snow storm, and Jon Redfern, a Toronto author.

Steve read from his latest mystery, a contemporary thriller, Brother's Keeper, which begins in the streets of old Warsaw and moves to the very new street of Ft. McMurray, Alberta.

Jon Redfern read from and signed copies of his newly released mystery, Trumpets Sound No More, which takes place in London of 1840, in the theatre world of the time."

The contrast of the two very different mysteries, different centuries, different continents, made for an entertaining evening

More mysterious happenings ...

Nov. 8 Alta Vista Public Library,7 pm
Barbara joins friend and fellow mystery writer RJ Harlick in an evening hosted by the Alta Vista branch of the Ottawa Public Library. The duo will discuss the art of mystery writing with illustrations from their own writing process and their works. Lots of time for Q&A. Books will be for sale and signing after the event. 2516 Alta Vista Drive, admission free.

Nov. 14 Sleuth of Baker Street, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Come join Mary Jane Maffini and Barbara for the Toronto launch of their latest books, Dream Chasers and Too Hot to Handle, the latest in Mary Jane's Fiona Silk series. Everyone is welcome. There will be wine and nibblies, and of course lots of book talk and books for sale. Special thanks to hosts Marian and JD of Sleuth of Baker Street, 1600 Bayview Ave., Toronto.

Nov. 15 Library and Archives Canada,7:00- 9:00 pm
Barbara and Mary Jane hustle back to Ottawa for the official launch of Dream Chasers and Too Hot to Handle, at the Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St., Ottawa. Special thanks to sponsors Sylvia McConnell of Napoleon and Company and Linda Wiken of Prime Crime Bookstore. Come for the wine, music and good food, along with readings and signings. Free admission. Bring a mystery loving friend. Or two!

Nov. 16 Pinecrest Chapters,7 – 9 pm
Barbara and Mary Jane are a killer duo again at Chapters in the Pinecrest Shopping Centre, 2735 Iris St., where they will be schmoozing and signing their latest books for the pre-Christmas crowd.

Nov. 21 Champlain College, Lennoxville QC, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Barbara and Mary Jane hit the road again to visit the beautiful Eastern Townships, where they will be doing readings and informal Q&A at the Lennoxville campus of Champlain College. Free admission, everyone welcome! Special thanks to Jim Napier and Roya Abouzia for setting this up.

Nov. 22 Champlain College, Lennoxville QC, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Barbara and Mary Jane conduct a writing workshop to interested students at the college and the university on the art of mystery writing. How to plot a mystery, how to create vivid heroes and villains, and much more. Thanks again to Jim Napier and Roya Abouzia for inviting us.

Nov. 22 Brome Lake Books, Knowlton, QC,4:00 – 6:00 pm
Next, a delightful stop at Brome Lake Books, 264 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton for a chance to meet people, talk about Canadian mysteries and sign some books. Refreshments will be served, free, everyone welcome! Special thanks to host Danny McAuley.

Nov. 29 Literary Landscapes, 6:30 – 7:00 pm
Barbara joins radio host Jane Crosier for a half hour discussion of books, Inspector Green and the latest release, on the Carleton Radio Station CKCU, at 93.1

Dec. 1 Perth’s Valley Book Shop, 10:30 – 12:00 noon
Barbara and Mary Jane are back on the Eastern Ontario highways for a book signing at Perth's wonderful heritage bookstore, 17 Wilson St. East. A personalized, autographed book makes a wonderful gift for the mystery lover on your list! Admission free. Thanks to host Ken Norris for setting this up.

Dec. 1 As the Plot Thickens, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
From Perth, Barbara and Mary Jane head down to Kingston for an afternoon of schmoozing, nibbles and book signing at Kingston's charming mystery bookstore As The Plot Thickens, 66 Brock St. Thanks to host Brian Fenlon for setting this up.

Dec. 7 Kanata Chapters, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Just as the festive season heats up, Barbara and Mary Jane turn up back in Ottawa for a Friday evening signing at Chapters in the Kanata Centrum, 400 Earl Grey Drive, Unit 1.

Dec. 16 Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore , 2:00 – 4:00 pm
As part of Prime Crime's festive season events, Barbara will spend the afternoon schmoozing and signing her latest Inspector Green mystery Dream Chasers, along with the backlist. Drop by Prime Crime at 891 Bank St, in the Glebe, and browse. Personalized, autographed books makes wonderful gifts for the mystery lover. Thanks to good friend, fellow writer, and Prime Crime owner Linda Wiken for hosting this.

Calgary, Alberta, Oct. 30, 2007.

Steven Owad launched his new novel, Brother's Keeper, at McNally Robinson's bookstore in Calgary. Bestselling thriller writer Jeff Buick was on hand to introduce the author, and other special guests included award-winning memoirist Gordon Cope, Steven's daughter Sara, Democratic Party luminary Hillary Clinton and the Dalai Lama.

All copies of Brother's Keeper were sold shortly before crowbar-wielding henchmen infiltrated the party, mistaking it for an Alberta Oil Royalty Review Commission meeting.

Injuries were minor, though Buick was later found wandering the streets of his Willow Park neighborhood wearing only pajama bottoms and muttering, "I did the best I could, I did the best I could."

McNally Robinson Events Coordinator Thor Maxiflex told the Calgary Herald, "It was just awful. We was all there slobbering over this killer author, and these fellas jump in and act like we're some scum from over there in Ontario or something."

"I never seen Owad so scared," Cope told the National Post. "It was like the time he figured out that clothes can get stuck in the escalator. I gotta put this in my next book."

Police Spokesperson I. Hangem assured McNally Robinson that the incident will be investigated with a sense of haste befitting such a tragic affair, right after they finish installing those new Parkomat machines on 4th Avenue.

Dear Friends and Family of RendezVous Crime

It's that season, but we know that you never get enough of books and launches and signings and all those other good things.

Please come and join us at Sleuth of Baker Street, details below, for a signing by Toronto's own Jon Redfern and Calgary's own Steven Owad, signing their latest fall releases from RendezVous Crime.

The mysteries are very different, different centuries even, so we know there will be something for everyone.

MARY JANE MAFFINI EVENTS

WINDSOR, ON Nov 1 CBC-Radio. I'll get to chat with CBC afternoon show host Barbara Peacock during an interview sometime between 4:10 and 4:30 pm.

WINDSOR, ON November 3 BookFestWindsor 2007 (Nov 2-4) I'll be at the Art Gallery of Windsor, 401 Riverside Drive West Windsor, ON Tickets: $10 per day or $25 for the weekend. Students free!
3:00 pm How to Build a Better Sleuth. Mary Jane Maffini (Mystery Writers Workshop) Lecture Room
8:00 pm To Make a Long Story Short. I'll be joining Paul Glennon, Alistair MacLeod and John Metcalf. Moderator: Paul Vasey, will entice us to talk about short stories - and other things. Wilkinson Room
Please see www.bookfestwindsor.ca for a full schedule and a complete list of participating authors and artists. Contact: Lenore Langs Tel: 519-945-8106E-mail: langs@cranberrytreepress.com

TORONTO Tuesday, November 13 2:00 p.m.
Reading and discussion. Agincourt Library 155 Bonis Ave.
416-396-8950

TORONTO Tuesday, November 13, 7:00 p.m.
Reading and schmooze. North York Central Library
5120 Yonge St.
416-395-5637

TORONTO Wednesday, November 14; 2:00 p.m.
Reading and schmooze. Deer Park Library, 40 St. Clair Ave. East
416-393-7673

TORONTO Wednesday, Nov 14, 6:30 pm

Book Launch: Barbara Fradkin will be launching Dream Catcher, her latest Inspector Green mystery and I'll be kicking off Too Hot to Handle, the second in the Fiona Silk series. Join us for readings, signings, refreshments and more. Sleuth of Baker Street, 1600 Bayview. 416-483-3111 for more info.

OTTAWA Nov 15, 7 -9 pm
Book Launch: Library and Archives Canada. 395 Wellington Street, Sunken Lobby.
613-238-CLUE for information. Join the Ottawa kick-off for my new Fiona Silk mystery, Too Hot to Handle, and for Dreamcatchers, Barbara Fradkin's latest Inspector Green tale. We've stockpiled the chocolates and the suspense is mounting.

OTTAWA Wednesday, Nov 28th 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Ottawa Public Library North Gloucester Branch 2036 Ogilvie
Ottawa ON K1J 7N8
613-748-4208
I'll be talking about my first Charlotte Adams mystery: Organize Your Corpses.

PERTH, ON December 1, 10:30 - Noon. Book signing and schmooze with Barbara Fradkin - just in time for Christmas. Valley Books, 17 Wilson St. East, Perth.

KINGSTON, ON Dec. 1, 2 - 4 pm. Barbara Fradkin and I will be chatting and signing in the always welcoming atmosphere at Kingston's mystery bookstore As The Plot Thickens, 66 Brock St. Thanks to host Brian Fenlon.

OTTAWA Dec 13 6:30 pm. Radio interview Literary Landscapes on CKCU-FM with Jane Crosier. I always look forward to host Jane Crosier's insightful questions when I drop in for a visit to this program for book lovers.

RendezVous Crime authors Rick Blechta and Barbara Fradkin at Word on the Street in Toronto, September 30, 2007. Rick was signing his latest crime novel, When Hell Freezes Over and Barbara was signing her new release, Dream Chasers, the latest in the Inspector Green series.

Barbara Fradkin Events

Casa Loma Mystery series Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Barbara is joining fellow mystery author Linwood Barclay for an evening of readings, signings and book talk in the first of a series of mystery events hosted at the appropriately haunting Casa Loma, 1 Austen Terrace, Toronto. Admission $12

Sharbot Lake Library
Oct. 3, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Barbara will be joining fellow author and good friend Mary Jane Maffini for an evening of readings at the Sharbot Lake branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, 1037 Robert Street in the village. Admission free. Book will be for sale.

Books N' Beer in Almonte Oct. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Barbara and Mary Jane Maffini continue their frolic through Eastern Ontario with an evening of readings, signings and beer, sponsored by The Miller's Tale Bookstore and hosted by the Ironworks Pub, 79 Little Bridge Street, Almonte, ON.

Literary Landscapes Oct. 25, 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Barbara joins radio host Jane Crosier for a half hour chat about books, Inspector Green and her latest release, on the Carleton Radio Station CKCU, at 93.1 FM

New Robin Harlick events

Sat. Sept 15, 11:00 am -3:00pm - Lyndhurst, Ontario
RJ Harlick will be signing copies of her latest book, Red Ice For a Shroud, at the Lyndhurst Turkey Fair.

Fri. Sept. 21, 2007 - International Plowing Match, Crosby Ontario
12:00 am-1:00 pm, R.J. Harlick will be reading from her latest Meg Harris mystery, Red Ice for a Shroud, in the Living Country Theatre Tent.

2:00 pm - 3:00 - R.J. Harlick will be chatting about Red Ice for a Shroud at the IPM Book Club which takes place at the Croskery Woodlot.

For more information go to www.ipm2007.ca.

Sun. Sept. 30, 2007, 5:30 pm - Wakefield, Quebec
R.J. Harlick will be reading and discussing Red Ice for a Shroud at the Solstice Bookstore, 721 Riverside Rd.

Also check out an interview with R.J. Harlick on the Veronika Asks Blog.

Upcoming Lou Allin events:

September 8-9 Sooke Fall Fair: Reading and selling along with Denise Dietz

September 27-30 Bouchercon in Anchorage. Lou plans to participate in the Authors in the Schools program which sends writers by bush plane or other wilderness travel options to remote areas.

Barbara Fradkin Events

Sept 18. Barbara will be reading and signing her newly released Inspector Green mystery Dream Chasers, at 12:00 - 1:00 pm in the Living Country Theatre Tent, on site of the International Plowing match, Crosby, Ontario. Daily admission to the Match is $12

Sept. 30, Barbara will signing at the Crime Writers of Canada booth at Toronto's Word on the Street. The latest Inspector Green mystery Dream Chasers will be available for sale. Time TBD

Harold Ritchie from A Loft of Books in Alliston has been keeping us up to date on the sales of Lucky Strike. His report:

July 7
The book tally at 4.15 P.M. July 11 is 81 (we are closing in on the 100.) It's always a pleasure to sell Lucky Strike as the first book of the day.
Harold Ritchie

July 13
Here are the scores for the races today, total in the lead at 84 - Lucky Strike in second place with 2, Harry Potter in the lead at 3 - another order of Lucky Strike 10 more. This update was brought to you by the Alliston Racing Form as off 12 noon to day. Harold

July 13 – reply
The bookie at Cormorant Harbour is putting odds 6 to 1 in favour of Lucky Strike over H.P. in the overall race, with a short rally by H.P. this week.
Cyril ("Bopper") Bizwanger has a sterling track record, having called the Charles/Camilla wedding date, the Harper/Martin election, the Stronach/MacKay break-up and the annual Cormorant Harbour Lobster weigh-in (seven years running).
So, we're betting the farm on L.S.
Keep us updated.
Pat

July 14
Here are the 3 P.M. race results for Sat. July 14th.
The track was muddy but the horses were hot to trot.
The seventh race was spectacular! As Harry Potter surged out of the gate leaving most of the other horses behind in a spray of mud and water, the jockey J.K.R. goaded her horse to lead the pack until the three quater mark. Suddenly Lucky Strike pounded the track with amazing speed to take the lead. The crowd were in a frenzy, cheering, screaming, jumping up and down. Lucky Strike passed the finish line to the roar of thousands. The jockey Wood Wilson said it was the most elated feeling she had ever had. Lucky Strike paid 90 to 1 (total books) and Harry Potter finished last as her jockey slide from the saddle, to land face down in the mud. The horse crossed the finish line alone 3 minutes later.
Harry Potter was pegged at 60 to 1 to win, but was disqualified.

Beaver Harbour, Nova Scotia. June 30, 2007:
When Pat Wilson and Kris Wood decided to launch their new book, “Lucky Strike”, they chose the venue of their book for the occasion - the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. As Father Donald, “Lucky Strike’s” winsome priest might have said, “Oh my stars! Oh my soul!” The afternoon turned out to be more like an old-fashioned Maritime kitchen party than a book launch. McCourt's Oceanside Retreat Studio was bulging at the seams as friends, neighbours, tourists, passers-by and the idle curious dropped in. More than fifty people enjoyed home-made cookies, lemonade and the ever-flowing pots of coffee and tea. The fabulous view, the glorious sunny day and the non-stop laughter and conversation kept the party going. By the end of the afternoon, the entire stock of “Lucky Strike” was sold out and pre-orders were taken for the next shipment. As Dawn McCourt, owner of the Oceanside Retreat Studio said, “If we ever do this again, I’m going to have to clone myself. This was the busiest day we’ve ever had!”

Pat Wilson and Kris Wood have aptly chosen an Eastern Shore location for the launch of their new book, "Lucky Strike", a laugh-out loud mystery set, where else, but on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia.
The launch will take place on Saturday, June 30, from 2 - 5 p.m. at the Oceanside Retreat and Gallery in Beaver Harbour. You'll find the Gallery on Highway 7 (also called Marine Drive), about halfway between Port Dufferin and Sheet Harbour. Come for tea, chocolate mallow cookies, lots of laughter and a great view!

Pat and Kris will be signing books on a Maritime tour. The dates and locations are as follows:

12-2pm, Friday July 27 - #421 Smithbooks Scotia Square
12-2pm, Saturday July 28 - #119 Coles Penhorn Mall
3-5pm, Saturday July 28 - #914 Chapters Dartmouth
12-2pm, Saturday August 4 - #175 Coles Truro
3-5pm, Saturday August 4 - #152 Coles New Glasgow
2-4pm, Saturday August 11 - #234 Coles New Minas
12-2pm, Saturday August 25 - #793 Chapters Halifax
3-5pm, Saturday August 25 - #221 Coles Halifax Shopping Centre
2-4pm, Saturday September 1 - #439 Coles Bridgewater

Napoleon & Company attended the BookExpo Canada in Toronto, June 10 and 11. It was a busy booth with nine of our children's and adult authors signing over two days.

Photos: Editor Allister Thompson chats with RVC writer Rick Blechta; RVC authors Mary Jane Maffini (left) and Joan Boswell (second from the right) share a laugh with Cheryl Friedmann of the Crime Writers of Canada; Rick Blechta gets serious with an attendee; R. J. Harlick signs 'Red Ice for a Shroud'.

As graduates of the University of Toronto, Barbara Fradkin and R.J. Harlick were invited to sign their latest mysteries at the U of T Alumni Book Fair on June 2, 2007. The fair took place in the Great Hall of Hart House during the university's Spring Reunion.

RendezVous Crime celebrates at the 24th annual Arthur Ellis Awards!

RendezVous Crime and Barbara Fradkin celebrated last night, June 7th, 2007 at the Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre, as Barbara won her second Arthur Ellis for Best Novel for her 2006 mystery, Honour among Men. Even though Barbara won the same award in 2005 for the previous novel in the series, Fifth Son, it never becomes old hat. Her three children were for the first time present at the event and ten other friends were also there to make it a really joyous occasion for the family.

RendezVous had two other nominations for Arthurs, David Russell's first novel Deadly Lessons, and (once again) Barbara Fradkin's short story, Voices from the Deep.

Above, from top: publisher, Sylvia McConnell, celebrates with fourteen RendezVous Crime friends and family; Barbara Fradkin accepts her second Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel; Mary Jane Maffini toasts the win of her friend Barbara at the RendezVous Crime table; the happy winner Barbara Fradkin shows off her Arthur; Sue Pike and Lyn Hamilton are all smiles.

Upcoming Events for David Russell:

Saturday, June 9th
Murder Most Foul: A Mini-Conference on Crime for Writers and Readers
Victoria Public Library
735 Broughton Street
Victoria, B.C.

Russell will speak on a panel with fellow mystery writers Lou Allin and Ron Chudley.

Sunday, June 10th
Chapters Victoria
1212 Douglas Street
Victoria, B.C.

Russell will sign copies of his Arthur Ellis Award nominated novel, Deadly Lessons.

Upcoming Lou Allin events:

June 8th All-day Crime Week in Canada seminar/panels at the Victoria BC Main Library along with other Crime Writers in Canada members.

September 8-9 Sooke Fall Fair: Reading and selling along with Denise Dietz

September 27-30 Bouchercon in Anchorage. Lou plans to participate in the Authors in the Schools program which sends writers by bush plane or other wilderness travel options to remote areas.

Book Launches: May 23, 7-9 p.m. Mary Jane Maffini

Come out and celebrate the launch of a new series by author and CCW member Mary Jane Maffini at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. in the SunkenLobby. Organize Your Corpses, the first Charlotte Adams book, will be let out of the starting gate. Author Joan Boswell will unveil her second Hollis Grant mystery, Cut to the Quick. For more info or to phone ahead to reserve books: call Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore at 613­238­CLUE.

Fri, Apr 27, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Van Houtte Coffee Shop & Bistro, 272 St. Catherine St. E.
Montreal, PQ

RendezVous Crime authors R. J. Harlick, Rick Blechta and Barbara Fradkin will be discussing and signing their books at Crime Writers of Canada’s Interactive Showcase. There will also be live jazz, nibbles, a cash bar, and door prizes. A $5 donation at the door will be gratefully accepted on behalf of Handicap International, an organization working to ban land mines and cluster bombs.

RVC author Lou Allin will be reading and signing at the Pacific Festival of Books on March 24. The reading will be at the open mike at 1:30 and the signing/selling at the Crime Writers of Canada booth from 2-4.

Address: Victoria Arts Connection Building, 2570 Quadra St., Victoria, BC

At the behest of a friend, Deadly Lessons author David Russell entered the Talk Show Idol contest on BC’s powerhouse radio station CKNW. Like the Canadian Idol phenomenon that inspired it, the contest seeks to find the next rising talk show host talent. Admittedly, having been a talk show host on local television for six and a half years in the 1990’s, Russell was mostly looking at it as an opportunity to plug his book on the province’s biggest radio station – which, of course, he duly did when he took to the airwaves for his segment on February 25th. But once he got behind the mic, the old juices kicked in and he had a lot of fun. Apparently the judges and listeners did too: later in the week CKNW called to say he’d been advanced to the quarterfinals that take place sometime in April. Stay tuned!

In mid-March, Russell will shoot an interview as part of a new Global TV documentary series called True Pulp Fiction. Each episode of the series will focus on a true crime with reenactments and interviews with police detectives who originally investigated the crime. Each episode will also feature a Canadian crime writer who will comment on parallels between the true crime and that which was featured in the author’s fiction. One of the crimes on True Pulp Murder has interesting parallels to the story in Russell’s Deadly Lessons. No word yet on when the series will air so again...stay tuned!

New dates for Joan Boswell:

Ottawa Launch, National Library of Canada, Wellington Street, Wednesday, May 23rd
Kingston Signing, As the Plot Thickens, Saturday, June 2, 2-4
Toronto Launch, Badminton and Racquet Club 25 St. Clair Ave W., Saturday June 9th 2-4
Book Expo Toronto Sunday, June 10th

FEBRUARY 21 – MONTREAL

Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini will present a program on 'The Allure of the Mystery: Canadian Style' at the Jewish Public Library on February 21st at 6:30 pm, 5151 Côte Ste-Catherine, Montréal. Admission: $3 JPL members*/students, $8 non-members. For information, please call (514) 345-2627 ext. 3017. Michael Blair will do the ceremonial introductions as CWC FIRST VEEP.

FEBRUARY 28 – OTTAWA

Politics and the Pen: Ottawa’s Great Literary Dinner – Mary Jane Maffini will be one of the authors at this glitzy annual fundraiser sponsored by the Writers Trust. Barbara Fradkin will be there too. Let’s hope they behave! http://www.writerstrust.com/events_politics.html

MARCH 13 - VANCOUVER – Mary Jane Maffini will be interviewed for the taping of a segment of 'True Pulp Murder', a documentary being produced by Make Believe Media at an undisclosed location. How mysterious is that? Other mysterious Canadian crime writers and police officers will be interviewed as well. Watch for this program on Mystery! and Global.

MARCH 31st - KINGSTON Volunteer & Information Kingston (VIK) is hosting a fund raising event from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall at Kingston City Hall. This fund raiser is a customized, interactive mystery game, a scenario which involves the audience in solving the murder of a fictitious “Volunteer of the Year.” The mystery will be preceded by a “meet and greet” dessert reception and book signing. VIK partners sponsoring the event are “As The Plot Thickens” Mystery Bookshop, Pan Chancho Catering, Bakery and Take-out, Studio 22 and Fruitalicious – Fabulous Fruit Creations. Hosting the reception and book signing are The Honourable Peter Milliken, MP, Mary Jane Maffini and Therese Greenwood, local mystery author and founder of the Wolfe Island “Scene of the Crime” mystery festival. Attendees will be encouraged to come ‘in costume’ dressing up as ‘earnest do-gooders’ for the event and participating and interacting spontaneously to solve the murder mystery.

There will be door prizes, prizes for best costume and the audience member who identifies the fictional murderer. Book signings will precede the murder mystery during the dessert reception.
• Prizes – door prize, best costume and murder winner
• Ticket cost - $35.00 – event, dessert and $15.00 tax receipt
• Book signing of my latest book “The Dead Don’t Get Out Much”
• Book signing of Ms. Greenwood’s anthology “Dead in the Water”
• Signed souvenir posters of the event will also be available for purchase

For information about purchase of tickets contact: dpatterson@volunteerkingston.ca

MAY 4 – 6 ARLINGTON, VA Malice Domestic, Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel,

Mary Jane Maffini will be attending this excellent conference that honours the traditional mystery. There are excellent panels, a book room and many meet and greet opportunities.

Mary Jane Maffini's new series is set to launch soon. She is planning a joint launch with her friend and colleague Joan Boswell. Email MJM if you want to be on her mailing list. detect@rogers.com

Upcoming Barbara Fradkin Events for 2007

Honour Among Men, the latest Inspector Green mystery, hit the book shelves in September and has already received excellent reviews from several major newspapers, including Margaret Cannon of The Globe and Mail, "the best one yet", and Mike Gillespie of the Ottawa Citizen, "the most masterful and compelling tale yet in the series".

Winter is typically a quieter time when Barbara has a chance to devote more time to writing, and she has been hard at work on the sixth Inspector Green book in the series, entitled Dream Chasers. However, the events calendar for the winter and spring is beginning to fill up with radio appearances, lunchtime addresses and library readings. Here is the list as it stands, but stay tuned for further details and added events as the busy spring schedule unfolds.

Feb.13 - Solway Jewish Community Centre 1:00 - 2:30 pm
A talk entitled "Is it ever too late to be a writer?". 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa

Feb. 14 - CBC Radio Literary Salon 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Lively panel on merits and pitfalls of literary awards. Sparks should fly, so tune in to 91.5.

Feb. 21 - Montreal Jewish Public Library 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Barbara and fellow mystery writer Mary Jane Maffini talk about "The Allure of the Mystery; Canadian Style". 5151 Cote Ste. Catherine. Public admission $8.

Feb. 28 - Politics and the Pen Gala 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Guest author at the annual fundraising gala in support of the Writers' Trust. Dinner and schmoozing with politicians, diplomats and business leaders at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.

Mar. 4 - LiT LiVe Reading Series 7:30 pm
Participating in Hamilton's premiere literary reading series, at The King Paisley Pub, corner of King St. W and Paisley Ave.

Mar. 15 - An Encounter with Three Jewish Authors 7:30 pm
Thought-provoking panel discussion about how being Jewish influences our writing, hosted by the Temple Israel Adult Education Committee. 1301 Prince of Wales Drive, everyone welcome.

May 7 - Canadian Association of Law Libraries 12:00 noon
Lunch speaker at the annual convention of law librarians. Justice from a fiction writer's point of view and the joys of making it all up.

May 26 - Writers in the Community Workshop 12:30 - 4:00 pm
An Arts Ottawa East workshop on writing the mystery novel, at the Dempsey Community Centre on 1895 Russell Road. Check www.artsoe.ca for registration details.

May 30 - National Crime Writing Week 7:30 pm
An evening of fun with other local crime writers at the Nepean Centrepointe Auditorium. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for further details.

July 21 - Jones Falls Writers Festival Time TBA
The second annual Jones Falls festival features readings and talks by a wide assortment of regional authors. More details to follow, but be prepared to spend a wonderful day in the country.

On Tuesday, February 6, the "Toronto the Good?" lecture series kicked off its 2007 season at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse with an appearance by RendezVous Crime author Mel Bradshaw. Drawing on his experience researching his historical mystery "Death in the Age of Steam", Mel spoke on the subject of "Rules out of School," or how the done thing in 1850s Toronto was shaped by early Victorian religion and science. Pew rents, legal oaths, marriage, and divorce were touched on as were Victorian punishments and crime scene investigation. Treats featured in the Crime Writers of Canada Dishes to Die For cookbook were served to a paying audience of roughly sixty persons. By the end of the evening, all the books the author brought were inscribed and sold, including copies of his second historical mystery "Quarrel with the Foe".

Wed, Feb 21, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Jewish Public Library, 5151 Cote Ste. Catherine Rd.
Montreal, QC

Join BARBARA FRADKIN and MARY JANE MAFFINI for wine and cheese and a discussion of “The Allure of the Mystery: Canadian Style.” Barbara and Mary Jane will also be reading from their latest books, both published by RENDEZVOUS PRESS – Honour Among Men (Barbara) and The Dead Don’t Get Out Much (Mary Jane). Author MICHAEL BLAIR (Overexposed, DUNDURN) will introduce the lethal ladies. Open to the public. Admission: members $3; non-members $8. For more info, call 514 345-2627, ext. 3017.