Guest Chick: Gigi Pandian

Ellen here, and I’m so thrilled to welcome Gigi Pandian. Gigi was one of my first mystery pals and we’ve shared some adventures together. Today she shares about the silver lining of a terrifying health ordeal. June 2021 is a strange anniversary for me. Ten years ago this month, my life turned upside down when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had just turned … Continue reading Guest Chick: Gigi Pandian

Guest Chick: Hank Phillippi Ryan, and #Giveaway

We are so excited to welcome the incomparable Hank Phillippi Ryan to her first post as a Chicks guest. If you’re wondering what took so long – so are we! And not only is Hank visiting with us today, she’s giving away a copy of her incredible new mystery, The First to Lie to one lucky commenter… BOOK LAUNCH CRAZIES I was trying to look at … Continue reading Guest Chick: Hank Phillippi Ryan, and #Giveaway

Agatha Best Short Story Nominees

We asked the Agatha Award nominees in the Best Short Story Category the following question: what can you tell us about your title? Art Taylor: “Better Days,” which appeared in the May/June 2019 issue of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, is the sequel to another story, “A Drowning at Snow’s Cut,” published in EQMM in 2011 and inspired by a boat trip that my dad and … Continue reading Agatha Best Short Story Nominees

Gone to Malice Domestic 2019

This week, some of the Chicks are attending Malice Domestic. Be sure to join us Sunday at 10 am for the Chicks on the Case panel…featuring Mystery Trivia. And many of us will be attending the Author-Media Mixer on Friday night in the Korby Kitchen bar area as well. Please say hello! We are scheduled to appear in the following places. Ellen Byron Best Mystery … Continue reading Gone to Malice Domestic 2019

Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees: We Asked, They Answered

We put some interesting questions to this year’s nominees for the Agatha Best Contemporary Novel award. Here are their answers, plus a special mini-interview with nominee and legendary mystery author, Margaret Maron…   QUESTION: What would you do differently if you were starting out as a writer again? LOUISE PENNY: I think I’d enjoy it more.  I’d spent decades dreaming of what it would be … Continue reading Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees: We Asked, They Answered

Central Casting with the Agatha Award Nominees for Best First Novel

For the third straight year, we’re thrilled to host this year’s Agatha Award Best First Novel nominees on our blog, including someone we know very well around here. We decided to once again have them answer one of all-time favorite questions: Who would cast as a character in your debut novel? Continue reading Central Casting with the Agatha Award Nominees for Best First Novel

Casting Call for Agatha Best First Novel Nominees

We invited this year’s nominees for the Agatha Best First Novel award to fantasize about what film or TV stars they’d cast in their mysteries should Hollywood come calling. TESSA ARLEN: Aha, I have already done this exercise with the wonderful Marshal Zeringue over a year ago. It is such a great question. So, for Clementine Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Montfort -my amateur sleuth, who … Continue reading Casting Call for Agatha Best First Novel Nominees