Happy Presidents Day, Arkhamites! Since I have the day off, I got up at the crack of noon and caught up on some blog posts and articles. Here are three of my favorites:
1. 20 Tips for Writing the Cozy or Traditional Mystery
Josh Lanyon's tips are an entertaining review of the rules of the genre. I especially like that Josh admits that some rules only apply if you want a mainstream publisher:
17 - Bad words are a no-no. Cozy readers take a dim view of potty mouths. The F-word is verboten, and taking the Lord's name in vain will send you straight to publishing Hell. Obviously I’m talking to those of you with an eye on a mainstream publisher. The rest of us can do whatever the fuck we like.
2. A Life in Books: C. J. Sansom
I found this googling for more information on C. J. Sansom. It's an indepth-interview with the man, focusing on his Matthew Shardlake mysteries. I liked reading about how he knew he would have to get rid of sidekick Mark from Dissolution in favor of the "meatier" Jack Barak for the rest of the series.
3. Bankrupt!
Oy--Borders has filed Chapter 11. This post explains what that will mean to authors.
Enjoy the posts--and feel free to share your thoughts on them!
Showing posts with label Author: C. J. Sansom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author: C. J. Sansom. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Series Rec: C. J. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake Mysteries
I'm partway through C.J. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake Mysteries. They're set in England during Henry VIII's reign, and feature historical characters like Thomas Cromwell.
I'm loving these so far. Matthew Shardlake is a London lawyer who begins as an ardent Reformer but starts going through a crisis of faith as he sees that Cromwell is just as corrupt (and spilling just as much blood) as the Catholics in power before him.
Matthew solves murders with a loyal but uncouth rogue named Jack Barak, a patralineal descendant of converso Jews. Jack isn't much religious, but he has a sentimental (and potentially dangerous) attachment to his Jewish heritage.
I adore Jack and his relationship with Matthew. (Is it a bromantic friendship? More father-son? Maybe it's a bit of both.) Sadly, Jack doesn't come in till the second book, but the first one is worth reading anyway.
I love mysteries, history and religious issues, so these books are perfect for me. Overall, I think Sansom does a brilliant job of bringing the Tudor period to life. The mysteries themselves are so-so, but since I love the characters and setting, I'm ok with that.
My Goodreads Review of Dissolution: short and to the point!
My Goodreads Review of Dark Fire: more in depth!
My Goodreads Review of Sovereign: also in depth!
I'm loving these so far. Matthew Shardlake is a London lawyer who begins as an ardent Reformer but starts going through a crisis of faith as he sees that Cromwell is just as corrupt (and spilling just as much blood) as the Catholics in power before him.
Matthew solves murders with a loyal but uncouth rogue named Jack Barak, a patralineal descendant of converso Jews. Jack isn't much religious, but he has a sentimental (and potentially dangerous) attachment to his Jewish heritage.
I adore Jack and his relationship with Matthew. (Is it a bromantic friendship? More father-son? Maybe it's a bit of both.) Sadly, Jack doesn't come in till the second book, but the first one is worth reading anyway.
I love mysteries, history and religious issues, so these books are perfect for me. Overall, I think Sansom does a brilliant job of bringing the Tudor period to life. The mysteries themselves are so-so, but since I love the characters and setting, I'm ok with that.
My Goodreads Review of Dissolution: short and to the point!
My Goodreads Review of Dark Fire: more in depth!
My Goodreads Review of Sovereign: also in depth!
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