Tues, Feb 24, 11:00 a.m.
Sanibel Island Bookshop, 1571 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel Island/Fort Myers, FL

The six dangerous dames of the LADIES’ KILLING CIRCLE – MARY JANE MAFFINI, BARBARA FRADKIN, LINDA WIKEN, JOAN BOSWELL, VICKI CAMERON, and SUE PIKE – have temporarily abandoned the Ottawa deep-freeze in favour of Florida sun and fun. They’ll be signing copies of their newest mystery anthology, Going Out with a Bang (RENDEZVOUS CRIME), which the Ottawa Citizen calls “an explosive mix” and “an anthology packed with lethal goodies.”

The Ontario Library Association Superconference is on at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and yesterday (January 29), the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario hosted two Napoleon & Co writers at their booth. OBPO administrator Marg Anne Morrison welcomed Mel Bradshaw at 2 p.m. Mel inscribed and gave out copies of his latest mystery Victim Impact (RendezVous Crime ) while supplies lasted, and was succeeded at 3 p.m. by Laurie Channer who did the same for her debut novel Godblog (Darkstar Fiction). Blowing snow didn't keep school and public librarians from turning out in force, and many stopped by for a chat even after the books were gone.

Rick Blechta will be taking part in a series of food, wines and "mystery" cocktails presented by the LCBO.

Date: Tuesday, February 10th
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Location: LCBO Bayview Village, 2901 Bayview Avenue (at Sheppard), North York, ON
Cost: $35
Space is limited, so you must call the store to reserve your space: 416-222-7658.

The "mystery" cocktail will be invented just for the occasion and inspired by Rick's most recent RVC novel, A Case of You. Rick himself will be discussing and reading from the book during the evening. A free copy of the book will be made available for pickup after your registration.

Because of the food and liquor (and the book), there is a $35 charge for the event.

If you haven't read the novel yet, you should because Rick has been asked to talk about "the story behind the story". He will also be reading from "deleted scenes" and discussing why they were deleted and how the story needed to be modified because of this.

These LCBO Literary Evenings are very enjoyable. Be sure to put this on your literary to-do list.

On Saturday afternoon (November 29) Mel Bradshaw signed copies of his latest novel Victim Impact at Ottawa's Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore. It was a chilly afternoon on Bank Street, but the snow held off, and the event couldn't have been more successful. Prime Crime owner (and RendezVous Crime author) Linda Wiken sold out, ringing up the last sale just as the event was scheduled to wrap up at 3:30. She promised to re-order.

The following RVC authors will be helping you make Christmas gift selection by greeting and signing their latest books in December - at the following times and places.

Sat, Dec 6, noon to 4:00 p.m.
Sooke Community Hall, 101 Eustace St.
Sooke, BC
Lou Allin will be signing all the books in her Belle Palmer series, set in Sudbury, ON, as well as book one in her new mystery series, And on the Surface Die, set in Fossil Bay on Vancouver Island.


The deadly dames of the LADIES KILLING CIRCLE and some of the other contributors to their newly published anthology, Going Out with a Bang, will be signing the anthology (and assorted backlist) at the following Ottawa-area stores:

· Fri, Dec 5, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Coles, Orleans Shopping Centre
Orleans, ON
Signing: MARY JANE MAFFINI, BARBARA FRADKIN, LINDA WIKEN

· Sat, Dec 6, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Leishman Books, Westgate Shopping Centre
Ottawa, ON
Signing: MARY JANE MAFFINI, BARBARA FRADKIN, SUE PIKE

· Sat, Dec 6, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Coles, 1000 Island Mall
Brockville, ON
Signing: VICKI CAMERON

· Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Books on Beechwood, 35 Beechwood
Ottawa, ON
Signing: BARBARA FRADKIN, LINDA WIKEN

· Fri, Dec 12, noon to 2:00 p.m.
Coles, Carlingwood Shopping Centre
Ottawa, ON
Signing: MARY JANE MAFFINI

· Sat, Dec 13, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Coles, Bayshore Shopping Centre
Ottawa, ON
Signing: MARY JANE MAFFINI and LIZ PALMER

Sun, Dec 14, noon to 4:00 p.m.
PRIME CRIME BOOKS, 891 Bank St.
Ottawa, ON
Signing: a gala event as many of the contributors and the Ladies Killing Circle meet, greet and sign for their fans and friends.

It’s also PRIME CRIME’s annual Xmas party! Come and help celebrate.

Lou Allin will be signing her Belle Palmer series and her new crime novel And on the Surface Die (both by RendezVous Crime) at two Sooke BC locales:

Saturday, Dec. 6th from 12-4 pm at the Sooke Community Hall, 101 Eustace St. Sooke BC

Saturday, Dec. 13th from 2-4 pm at the Reading Room Bookstore, Evergreen Centure, 6660 Sooke Road. Sooke BC

Contact number 250-642-0496

Sleuth of Baker Street, Toronto’s mystery bookstore, stayed open late Friday night (November 14) for the launch of Mel Bradshaw’s Victim Impact. Proprietors Marian Misters and J.D. Singh had book tables pushed back to accommodate a crowd that even so risked spilling out onto the street. The author of two historical mysteries, Mel was kept busy all evening signing and reading from his first contemporary crime novel, which he described as “a dark and twisted tale of revenge.” Napoleon & Company publisher Sylvia McConnell introduced the reading, and RendezVous Crime author Rick Blechta was among the numerous attendees.

Going Out with a Bang, an anthology of crime stories by the ladies Killing Circle, was launched in Ottawa in the rotunda of the National Library on Thursday November 20th. It was fun evening for everyone, and the boa wearing authors were well received. It was obvious that readers in the Nation's Capital really love their "Ladies".

Many, many copies of "Going Out with a Bang" were sold and signatures collected, making a fun evening for everyone.

Find your favourite Ladies in the photos!

Mel Bradshaw, the author of Death in the Age of Steam and Quarrel with the Foe, will be signing his latest crime novel, Victim Impact, at Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore, 891 Bank St., Ottawa, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 29.

Victim Impact brings Bradshaw's mystery novels firmly into the 21st century with a fictional study of the pursuit of justice, involving bikers and a criminologist, whose ideas on penalties for crime have been purely academic, right up to the point where the criminal act touches his life personally.

Ottawa will play host to Canada’s premier mystery conference Bloody Words 2009 from June 5-7, 2009. This national conference brings together authors, fans, librarians and those in the book industry from across Canada and the United States. Highlights of the conference will include panels of mystery authors, publishers and agents discussing books, the writing process and the publishing industry, while RCMP officers, private detectives, psychologists and forensic experts will deliver sessions on the intricacies of crime, criminals and detection. Author readings by the best in the mystery-writing genre will be held in English and French and will be open to the public. Confirmed authors include International Guest of Honour Denise Mina from Scotland, Canadian Guest of Honour Louise Penny and MC Mary Jane Maffini. Registrations are now being accepted at a discounted fee. For more information and registration forms, please visit www.bloodywords2009.com