A Cry for the Cosy- Lesley CookmanWe’re a quietish bunch in the UK, us Mystery Writers. There’s me and a few others, some of whom cross into historical crime. But we are largely ignored by the media, rarely reviewed (except on Amazon)...
CRA Monday Giveaway -CrimeFestWe are delighted to announce our August giveway – a complimentary weekend pass to CrimeFest 2014. CrimeFest was recently listed by the Guardian as one of the best crime writing festivals in the...
Felix Francis: The Low DownWriter: Felix Francis Area: North Oxfordshire Day job: Ex-physics teacher but now full time writer, and dog-minder Refusal (Dick Francis Novel) is by Felix Francis. Here, we take a look at both w...
Book sales and maternity wards bloomed with the publication of Fifty Shades of Grey. As a bit of fun, I had a look at the CWA’s Diamond Dagger award winners over the years, and wondered how some of t...
Crime Writing Tips: The Importance of CharacterCrime fiction is plot driven. Yet however clever and intriguing the storyline, no novel succeeds without strong characters. They need to be credible so readers can believe in them. It is also importan...
Monday Competition: Barbara NadelAlthough we have finished Crime Writing Month we are still going to run some great competitions over the next few weeks. Starting with this one a mystery selection of 3 Cetin Ikmen hardback books by t...
Saturday Sixers: On being 60The Crime Writer’s Association is 60 this year and so am I. I passed that dubious landmark just a few weeks ago. There, that is my confession, out in the open. And while I am getting things off my ch...
Dagger Focus: CWA Dagger in the LibraryBelinda Bauer wins the CWA Dagger in the Library Sponsor: Dead Good, The Random House Group Belinda Bauer has won the 2013 CWA Dagger in the Library. Mobeena Khan, who chaired this year’s judges, made...
Saturday Sixers: Six Hours Can Change Your Life11:00 It’s a busy day at work today and probably the first time in a few hours that I haven’t checked my e-mails. I have been working with a wonderful editor from Harlequin who I call ‘the lovely Anna...
The CWA DaggersAs you will have seen the Crime Writers’ Association, the sister organisation of the CRA, is gearing up for our annual Dagger Awards ceremony on Monday 15th July. It is a very exciting time of t...
Ian Rankin GiveawayAs this is the last full week of Crime Writing Month 2013 we are so pleased to offer this fabulous giveaway. September sees the eagerly anticipated opening of Dark Road the first play written by Ian R...
Author Mary Bale reflects on 60 minutes that helped realise a life long ambition. At 8 am on 4 January 2012 a storm blew up. It hadn’t been forecast to hit this area. Weeks of rain had loosened roots...
Case Files no 5 now available to CRA membersSo, you like reading crime? You want to know what thrills and spills are coming your way – the books that will make your pulse pick up, even though you’re sitting down. Books inhabited by the type of...
The Daily Grind: Chris CollettWriter: Chris Collett Workspace: I work in our office (ie. box room) overlooking a leafy street on the Bournville Village Trust. While working, I am closely monitored for productivity by our ageing Yo...
Win one of six copies of Footsteps on the Shore: DI HortonFriday the thirteenth begins badly for DI Andy Horton when he wakes to find his Harley has been vandalized and his boss, DCI Lorraine Bliss, has returned early from her secondment to HQ. Then, convict...
Saturday Sixers: 6 Common Maladies That Affect Crime WritersCrime writing is not without its occupational hazards. A number of rather serious disorders have been known to affect writers of mystery. As a crime writer and hence long-time sufferer of these ailmen...
The Low DownWriter: Richard Godwin Area: London Day job: Full time writer One Lost Summer is by Richard Godwin. Here, we take a look at both writer and his forthcoming work. So, why should we read it? It is a...
Martin Edwards: Publishing a New BookHow does it feel to have a new novel published, when you’ve published plenty of books before?” An interesting question, I think. Of course, the appearance of one’s very first novel is a unique a...
Anya Lipska: My top 5 true crime readsAnya Lipska, author of Where the Devil Can’t Go, a crime thriller set among London’s Poles, chooses her top five true crime reads. 1. Shot in the Heart– Mikal Gilmore, 1994 In 1977, Gary Gilmore’s dem...
Saturday Sixers: Jane FinnisPondering the sixty-year anniversary of the Crime Writers’ Association, Jane finds herself wondering: what was I doing in 1953? I’d like to say I don’t recall 1953, it was before my time. But I’d be l...
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