I’m very flattered that I was invited to participate in the upcoming annual mystery convention, Left Coast Crime. This year’s gathering of fans and authors will be held in Reno, NV, so it’s fittingly called “Crime on the Comstock.” I’ll be on a panel exploring “Muddy Waters: Social Issues in Crime Fiction.” Although I’m a newbie crime fiction author (see previous post about my short story in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine), I’ve dealt with plenty of social issues – recidivism, the debate over the death penalty, school shootings and more – in print and on TV. The event’s in late March. Meantime, I’ll be prepping.

‘Tis the season for gift-giving. How about a Hollywood-themed book?

In the December issue of BookPage, I review a quintet of new titles: a double biography of (unlikely) best pals Henry Fonda and James Stewart; a look at the making of the seminal Sixties film, “The Graduate;”  lavish coffee table books about icons Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren; and the clever ‘Cinemaps,’ which charts plotlines of favorite films. Santa, start shopping!

Weaponry experts are locked & loaded with advice at MWA meeting

In the December issue of The March of Crime, the newsletter of the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America, I write about the use – and misuse – of weaponry. It’s per a recent MWA meeting’s panel discussion with authors David Putnam and Janet Joyce Holden, and Daric Manser, special agent with the FBI’s bomb technician program. The moderator was FBI special agent Thomas Leighton, a firearms instructor. He’s also a mystery genre fan. As is Yours Truly.

In the current (September) issue of Orange Coast, I take a look at the 50^th anniversaries of both South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island. From the signature carousel at SCP (the OC’s first enclosed shopping center) to the koi pond at the open air FI (there are 80 fish, in 11 to 12 varieties), I explore the nooks, crannies and favorite shops – as well as those that are no more. Imagine, the five-star SCP retail empire once had a Woolworth’s!

I write about my love of location – especially when the locale is So Cal – for the Ellery Queen blog “Something is Going to Happen.” It’s in conjunction with the magazine’s publication of my short story, “The Fast and the Furriest” – my first published fiction. Ruff ruff!! Here’s the link:

https://somethingisgoingtohappen.net/

Feeling very mysterious – now that I’m in “Ellery Queen” magazine

My short story “The Fast and the Furriest” is in the July/August 2017 issue of Ellery Queen! Featured in the “Department of First Stories,” it marks my fiction debut, as well as the debut of Hollywood “fixer” Casey Cummings, who solves a case involving former Blaxpoitation star “Bad” Bobby Baron and a pack of performing Chihuahuas. So pleased to have made this leap. Imagine, I’m in the same issue as Jeffery Deaver!

And now, for the annual celebration of the “Best of Orange County” …

I’m always pleased to be able to contribute to Orange Coast magazine’s “Best of” issue — cuz I get to work in some of my faves! Like El Farolito, a great little family-owned Mexican eatery in Placentia. And Casa Romantica, a truly memorable San Clemente arts venue, and an attraction in its own right. To get up to date on the O.C., grab a copy of the July issue. It’s a keeper!