WHERE WAS I?
It’s a fair question. Almost a year has passed since the last of these newsletters in December, 2022. Many new subscribers have signed up and heard nothing from me. Why the silence?
The truth is that I believe a newsletter should include some news. My last announced two books in one year: Showstopper and Reader, I Buried Them and Other Stories. The feedback and reviews have been wonderful, a spur to write another. And that’s what I’ve been doing, head down over the keyboard. I’m the slowest writer in the business, about 300 words a day. But I do write steadily and in time a book of 90,000 words emerges. I’m delighted to report that I’ve just delivered the twenty-second Peter Diamond novel to my agents. This is such hot news that I can’t yet confirm the title or a date of publication, but it’s there, on file and in typescript and with a fair wind should appear in print in 2024.
In the meantime, I’m basking in some reflected glory.
GOOD NEWS (1)
Congratulations to James Langton, who has won the Earphones Award for his reading of the US audiobook of Showstopper.
The citation reads: “James Langton flawlessly presents the 21st entry – one of the best – in the Peter Diamond series. Listeners meet Peter Diamond of Bath, England, as he investigates a TV production’s claim to have a jinx in its midst after yet another associate meets a bad end. Unforgettably rendered are Diamond’s appealing team, the masterful text and the relatable humor, part of which involves Diamond’s disdain for technology. Langton also captures a nervous squad car passenger who is driving Diamond’s staff crazy. Langton is at his best and most entertaining as the well-spoken tramp Will Legat, and his pony-sized dog, Caesar. Behind-the-scenes observations of filming add interest and suspects. The audio format is essential to fully enjoy the on-the-set ambience, masterful dialogue and incredible climax.”
GOOD NEWS (2)
I’m thrilled for Eli Cranor, winner of the Peter Lovesey First Crime Novel Contest held by Soho Press to mark my fiftieth year of crime writing. The book I picked from over two hundred entries was Don’t Know Tough, which became one of the publishing sensations of 2022, making the prestigious best-of-the-year lists of the New York Times and USA Today. Even better in our crime-writing community, Eli won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for best first mystery novel of 2022.
Eli’s life has been transformed. A former English teacher and football coach from Arkansas, he is now writer-in-residence at Arkansas Tech University. He completed a book tour of the United States and still managed to write his second novel, Ozark Dogs, which has earned another slew of great reviews. The Financial Times calls it “a gritty authentic triumph, one howling to be turned into a film or TV series.” Watch this space.
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH
I usually write some short stories between novels. The next to appear in print will be Knox Vomica, in a collection called School of Hard Knox, due to be announced by Crippen & Landru to coincide with Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention, in San Diego at the end of this month. Each story is inspired by one or more of Father Ronald Knox’s “Ten Commandments” for detective story writers, originally published almost a century ago, in 1924. My contribution is a departure for me, written entirely in verse.
A GRAND DAY OUT
There’s a social side to crime writing as well. Recently I had a lovely outing to at the Detection Club AGM and lunch at Balliol College, Oxford.
Our group consisted of the President, Martin Edwards, with (clockwise) Mick Herron (Slow Horses); yours truly; Kate Charles, (the Callie Anderson series): David Stuart Davies (Sherlock Holmes: the Final Reckoning): L. C. (Len) Tyler (the Herring series); and Ragnar Jonasson (the Hidden Iceland series). Kate looks unimpressed by all the grinning men. The picture was taken by David’s wife, Kathryn.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
When I have more news of the next book, I’ll post another newsletter. Meanwhile, this photo taken by my Soho Press editor, Juliet Grames, is proof positive that my office isn’t aways empty. Enjoy what’s left of the summer. I certainly will.
Take care,
Peter
Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think may care to see it. They can sign up for future newsletters at my website www.peterlovesey.com