Favorite author for April 2008: Linda Hall
Another Canadian author. Her books are set in Maine, and she uses water images throughout. I particularly enjoyed Black Ice.
Favorite author for February 2008: Louise Penny Louise Penny
Canadian author who sets her books in Ottawa and her characters in your heart. Kirkus Review gave her credit for developing that hardest of the hard, “a psychologically acute cozy.” Her topics are thought-provoking and her style is wonderful.
Favorite author for December 2007: Lois McMaster Bujold Lois McMaster Bujold
Multiple-award winner, she successfully combines mystery, romance and science fiction. She has several series, my favorite of which is the Miles Vorkosigen series. Space opera at it’s finest with a touch of mystery and a few dead bodies thrown in for good measure. I just reread A Civil Campaign, which is an absolute delight.
Favorite author for November 2007: Elena Santangelo Elena Santangleo
The past is also the present, at least for series character Pat Montella. Gifted with the ability to visit the past, Pat solves mysteries dating from the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the 18th century. Wonderful writing and a compelling atmosphere in each book. By Blood Possessed was an Agatha Award Finalist in 1999 for the Best First Novel.
Favorite author for October 2007: Jane Haddam Jane Haddam
The Gregor Demarkian mystery series. I love Cavanaugh Street, that little bit of Armenian-American Philadelphia that time forgot. I love Father Tibor Kasparian, Lida, Donna Moradanyan, the old-old women, and the Ararat Cafe. I even love Zed and Zedalia, which is a fictional creation inside a fictional creation. Except, in the last few books, Gregor is actually getting out of Cavanaugh Street more often, and the world is beginning to intrude. Those changes only make the series better.
Favorite author for September 2007: Sharon Fiffer Sharon Fiffer
Five books in her Jane Wheel series. Jane is a picker—a person who finds treasures and murder—at garage and estate sales, flea markets, and anywhere that people have collected stuff to sell. A rollicking fun treat. Learn more about Sharon, Jane, and the wonderful stuff people collect at
Favorite author for August 2007: Earlene Fowler Earlene Fowler
Not only is her Benni Harper series one of my perennial favorites, but I think The Saddlemaker’s Wife, is a stunning example of breaking a whole list of “never do this” rules and getting away with it.
Favorite author for July 2007: Stephen Booth Stephen Booth
An English writer whose police procedurals, featuring Ben Cooper and Diana Fry, are set in England’s rugged Peak District. Dark stories in a beautiful, wild setting. His web site is http://www.stephen-booth.com/.
Favorite author for June 2007: Victoria Thompson Victoria Thompson
Author of the Gaslight Mystery Series, featuring 19th century nurse-midwife Sarah Brandt, and New York Police Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy. Each story takes place in a different section of New York city.