Blog Posts - A.B.PATTERSON

The (New) Thrilling Detective website - a must visit if you love the PI genre!

28/7/2019

Image copyright of The Thrilling Detective website - used to publicize their website.

I've been an admirer, and supporter, of this superb website for some time now.
The Thrilling Detective is the ultimate compendium for lovers of the PI genre of crime fiction. Its creator, Kevin Burton Smith, has just relaunched on a new platform, having been running the website for 21 years.
Yes, when you see just how much superb material is on there, you'll recognise just how much work Kevin has put into this project, clearly a labour of love for him.

Here's the link for the new website:
The Thrilling Detective

I was fortunate enough to meet Kevin in Los Angeles when we were there recently. And, guess what? We had a beer or two together!

I have always loved savouring the work of people who are seriously dedicated to their projects. Kevin is a stand-out example.

And if you love the genre like I do, then consider slinging a contribution in Kevin's direction - support the ongoing existence of this Mecca for the gumshoe genre.

Cheers,
ABP

Listen to the podcast of the Switchblade Authors Reading Evening at Skylight Books in Los Angeles

28/7/2019

Today I discovered, with great pleasure, that Skylight Books in Los Angeles has loaded the Switchblade Authors Reading Evening onto their website as a podcast.

So you can listen to the whole evening here:
Switchblade Evening
It's a hell of a collection of hard-boiled and noir crime writing assembled here.
Many thanks again to Switchblade Magazine and its wonderful managing editor, Scotch Rutherford, for organizing the awesome evening.

My reading was an excerpt from an as yet unpublished Harry short story, "A Sex Kitten for a Cabinet Meeting".
My segment starts at about 1:08:00 on the counter. But, do listen to all the readings - you'll love the talent I was honoured to line up with.

Cheers,
ABP

Nour at the Bar LA - I'll be dishing out some more Harry to Los Angeles.

3/7/2019

Looking forward to my second author event in Los Angeles. I'm honoured to be lining up with local crime writing talent for the legendary Noir at the Bar event. Many thanks to Eric Beetner, an author whose work I love, for the invitation to join him and the noir crew.
If you're in LA this coming Sunday evening, 07 July, come and join us for noir and drinks at the Mandrake Bar.
Cheers,
ABP

The sizzling "Switchblade" evening at Skylight Books in LA!

3/7/2019

I had a ball last Friday at my first ever author reading in the USA, and the audience at Skylight Books in Los Angeles for the Switchblade magazine evening were certainly enthusiastic in their enjoyment of an excerpt from a new PI Harry Kenmare short story.
It was typical Harry - gritty, raunchy, and completely politically incorrect. And he went down well. Yeah, that is Harry's MO!

My huge thanks to Switchblade's managing editor, Scotch Rutherford, for the invitation to join the great line up for the evening. Aside from reading and enjoying the live work of seven other authors, it was fabulous to meet, in the flesh (although not Harry's idea of meeting in the flesh!) all these people I'd known from the online world. And it was a privilege to be able to line up with so much talent in the world of hard-boiled and noir crime.

Here are, in the order of reading, the fellow Switchblade authors from the evening, along with their websites as available:
Switchblade magazine: www.switchblademag.com
Andrew Miller
Rick Risemberg: crowtreebooks.com/author/rickrise/
Renee Asher Pickup: www.reneeasherpickup.com
Jon Zelazny: www.jonzelazny.com
Lisa Douglass
Rex Weiner: rexweiner.com
Ashley Erwin: ashley-erwin.com

Check out their work - one hell of a great range of noir and hard-boiled crime writing in this gang.
And if you haven't become a Switchblade fan yet, you simply must. Here's the purchase link for the most recent, Issue 9.

Cheers,
ABP

Friday 28 June - a seriously criminal evening will be had with the "Switchblade" evening at Skylight Books in Los Angeles!

27/6/2019

Yes, my friends, I am currently in California and loving it.
Only two days to go now until my first author event in Los Angeles.

Can't wait to join the fabulous line up of fellow authors for the Switchblade magazine evening at Skylight Books in LA.
Come and join us if you can - Friday 28 June at 7 p.m.

Hosted by Scotch Rutherford, the Switchblade managing editor.
My fellow authors, all Switchblade veterans, are: Rex Weiner, Renee Asher Pickup, Andrew Miller, Rick Risemberg, Jon Zelazny, Ashley Erwin, and Lisa Douglass.

It's going to be hard-boiled and noir in the extreme.
It'll be a seriously criminal evening!

Cheers,
ABP

A lively library talk at Cessnock!

17/6/2019

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Cessnock Library last week, to chat about my writing, crime, and Harry's Quest.
It was a small crowd of about a dozen (that winter weather doesn't help), but were they lively?! Hell, yes! Susan Davy (the Events Manager at the library - and thank you so much for the invitation, Sue) had to pull me up for being out of time at the hour and a half mark.
Yes, bucket loads of great chat about crime, and corruption, and my writing.
And just about everyone bought a Harry book. Bonus.
It was great, too, that some of the audience were people who had come along to my first talk at Cessnock a couple of years back. They wanted to come back, and that is the greatest compliment.
Love you, Cessnock. I'll be back soon.
Cheers,
ABP

USA here I come - less than a week now!

16/6/2019

Madly trying to get a whole lot of things done here before the big trip on Thursday.
Yes, my first author trip to the US is almost here.
Can't wait to unleash, in person, my PI Harry Kenmare on our great cousins over in the US.
So, the evening of 28 June is the Switchblade authors evening at Skylight Books. I'm lining up with some serious talent - I've read them all - so hugely excited about this evening.
Then it's Noir at the Bar LA on 07 July. Not sure who's in the line up yet, but going on past events it'll be awesome.
Harry is heading for the home of hard-boiled. Cool.
Cheers,
ABP

Los Angeles here I come, along with PI Harry Kenmare!

9/6/2019

Less than a fortnight now until we're on that big metal bird heading over the vast Pacific Ocean from Sydney to California.
This is my first visit to the USA and I am seriously excited about it. Despite recent events, the US for me represents one of the beacons of western liberal democracy, alongside France. The symbolism of the gift of the Statue of Liberty is strong between these two great countries and their stand for freedom. And we as authors must value freedom, because without it our voices are silenced. I love liberty and free speech.
But enough of the philosophy soap-box.
The US is also the home of hard-boiled and noir crime fiction, my reading and writing milieu.
I am thrilled to be lining up with so much talent in the indie crime writing world for the Switchblade evening on 28 June at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. I've read stories from all my fellow Switchblade veterans, and the prospect of meeting them all, and having a drink or three, still seems almost surreal. Still, I'll be flying the Aussie flag at the bar. Rest assured my American friends, I'm a seasoned campaigner!
And I'll be unleashing my PI Harry Kenmare in the place where so much of the hard-boiled tradition started.
Then a week later, on 07 July, I'll be reading again at the Noir at the Bar evening, also in Los Angeles. I haven't seen the final line up for that event as yet, but it'll be another cool evening not to miss.
If you're in or around LA, I'd love to meet you at one or both of these evenings.
Cheers,
ABP

My short story, "Blue Angel", is out in "Econoclash Review" Issue # 4.

8/6/2019

Absolutely thrilled to have my short story, "Blue Angel", published in the excellent Econoclash Review magazine (Issue # 4).
If you haven't tried this anthology yet, then get yourself onto Amazon and try it out. The editor, J.D.Graves, does a great job at putting together a collection of pulp stories across several genres, so it's not just crime in here.
And my first offering in Econoclash is my first (published) attempt at merging genres, with a crime story mixed with the supernatural. You'll find my usual blend of detectives, vice and corruption, but a sexy ghost joins the party! Go on, take a read.
I'm also humbled to be lining up alongside some names whose work I love and respect: Rex Weiner, C.W.Blackwell, Matthew X. Gomez, and Jon Zelazny. I'm looking forward to reading their stories here, and to discovering the other voices in these pages.
The editor, Mr Graves, in the Amazon blurb says, "A.B. Patterson closes the show with the most transgressive thing I've read outside a public lavatory." I'll take that as high praise.
Take a look, my friends.
Buy a copy here.
www.amazon.com/s?k=econoclash+review+4&crid=2193MLQITGPO1&sprefix=econoclash%2Caps%2C766&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8

Cheers,
ABP

COPS WRITING CRIME - another 6 members join The Squad today.

25/5/2019

Another 6 colleagues join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 170.
That's 170 cops and ex-cops (and some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

And a huge thanks to Phil Stewart (in Canada, I think) who again has found new members for The Squad. The first 5 joining today are all from Phil's contribution. Thanks, mate!

We have joining us today:
1. Ron Crouch - served as a police officer in both the UK and Canada, where he has remained (so I'm counting him as a Canadian). A couple of crime fiction novels, and he writes in other genres.
2. James Heneghan - also served as a police office in Liverpool in the UK, before moving to Canada and serving as an officer in Vancouver. He also remains in Canada, so is counted for that country. He writes in various genres, including crime fiction.
3. J. Mark Collins - still a serving officer with the Cobourg Police in Canada. One crime fiction novel so far.
4. Mark A. Di Giacomo - served in the USA with the New York State Police, the NYPD, and the FBI. Three crime fiction novels so far.
5. Jeff Dosser - served with the Tulsa PD in the USA. Mainly writes horror, but some crime/horror blends.
6. Larry Darter - served as a police officer for 20 years in both Oklahoma and Texas in the USA. Several crime fiction novels to date.

Our Squad now consists of:

86 American
41 British
12 Canadian
10 Australian
4 New Zealanders
3 Finnish
2 Dutch
2 Swedish
1 French
1 Bahamian
1 Norwegian
1 Italian
1 Czech
1 Russian
1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard
1 Pakistani
1 Irish

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

COPS WRITING CRIME - Another 9 members join The Squad!

21/4/2019

Another 9 colleagues join The Squad today, swelling its numbers to 164.
That's 164 cops and ex-cops (and some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Dennis Banahan - served over 30 years with the Chicago PD, and has written two crime novels so far.
2. Wayne Zurl - served with the Suffolk County PD. He has written several crime novels.
3. George D. Shuman - served as an officer in Washington DC, and has written several crime novels.
4. Jason E. Fort - still a serving officer, I believe in South Carolina. A number of novels to his name.
5. Gerald Petievich - one of our "related cop" cousins, he served in the US Secret Service. He has written several crime novels, and has had some turned into movies.
6. Marc Goodman - served as a police officer (unsure where in the US) and with the FBI. I found one crime novel by him, but he writes in other genres as well.
7. Merle Temple - served as a deputy sheriff (not sure where) and with the Bureau of Narcotics in the US. He has written several crime novels, and he writes in other genres.
8. Micki Browning - served with the Durango PD in Colorado. She has written several crime novels.
9. Peter Ritchie - our only non-American cousin in this Squad update, he served with the police in Scotland and in London, as well as Europol. He has written a number of crime novels.

Our Squad now consists of:

83 American
41 British
10 Australian
9 Canadian
4 New Zealanders
3 Finnish
2 Dutch
2 Swedish
1 French
1 Bahamian
1 Norwegian
1 Italian
1 Czech
1 Russian
1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard
1 Pakistani
1 Irish

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

PI Harry Kenmare - in his element in the USA!

20/4/2019

Just a blog to showcase this superb photograph of my Harry books. And isn't Harry well and truly in his element here? Gun, booze, smokes, cuffs. Just needs a naked lady to round it out. This could easily be Harry's desk, but it's not Sydney, rather over the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
American crime writer, and fellow Switchblade veteran, Danny Sophabmisay, won the Harry books in the recent competition I ran in conjunction with Switchblade.
And he paid me back with this truly fantastic picture - Danny, you're a champion, mate.
I just love it, and so had to share it with you all. I've added it to the "Works" page on my website as well.
Now I just hope Danny enjoys the books!
Cheers,
ABP

A.B.Patterson - author talk at Cessnock Library - 13 June 2019

19/4/2019

Another confirmed library talk for 2019.

Yes, back on the circuit with my new novel, Harry's Quest.

Heading up to the Hunter Valley for a morning in June and chatting with the good folk of Cessnock. Last time I visited we had a big crowd there, so hoping I created a good enough impression that they all want to listen to me again!

Cessnock Library - Thursday 13 June 2019, starting at 10.30 a.m.

Hope to see you there for coffee, crime, and a chat.

Cheers,
ABP

Book Launch for "My Name is Revenge" by Ashley Kalagian Blunt.

19/4/2019

Last week I had the great pleasure of attending Ashley Kalagian Blunt's book launch of My Name is Revenge, at the Acre Eatery in Camperdown (great venue, by the way).
I'd met Ashley before through Writing NSW, and she joined us at the launch of Harry's Quest back in January.
Ashley signed my copy of My Name is Revenge with "From one crime author to another, best wishes." And her debut novella is indeed a crime story, albeit with a very different angle.
It's based on true events - the assassination of the Turkish consul in Sydney in 1980 - but within a fictional narrative. The novella is followed by some of Ashley's essays, all connected to the subject of the Armenian Genocide in 1915-1917. This tragic chapter in the history of the Armenian people is not really well known, despite having the dubious honour of being the first modern genocide. It is also officially denied by the Turkish regime, although they are hardly known for progressive values such as truth and liberty.
I'm going to be very interested to learn more about the Armenian Genocide through Ashley's writing, and getting to savour a new crime story at the same time. I'll post a book review in due course.

You can find her website here.

And the photo below is a chocolate cake that Ashley had at the launch, the icing being a copy of her book cover!

Cheers,
ABP

Author talk at Waverley Library - 22 May 2019.

6/4/2019

My first confirmed library talk for 2019.

Yes, back on the circuit with my new novel, Harry's Quest.

Had a great crowd last time I spoke at Waverley, so looking forward to meeting those local readers again.

Waverley Library (at Bondi Junction) - Wednesday 22 May 2019, starting at 7.00 p.m.

Hope to see you there.

Cheers,
ABP