THE REVERSAL named winner of The Strand Magazine Critics Choice Award for Best Novel

Thanks to one of the best book blogs on the Internet, The Rap Sheet (a must-read for any crime fiction fan), I've ltoday learned that Michael Connelly's excellent crime novel THE REVERSAL, which brought Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch together to 'solve' a case, was this week named the winner of the Critics Awards, organised by Strand Magazine. I'm pleased to see THE REVERSAL get this recognition, as it was one of my very favourite reads of 2010 (out of 70-plus crime novels), and Connelly remains one of my all-time favourite crime writers.

You can read my 2010 Weekend Herald article based on an interview with Connelly about THE REVERSAL, here.

It was the second win in a row for Connelly, as he also won the Critics Choice Award last year for NINE DRAGONS, a tale that takes Harry Bosch to Hong Kong. Debutant author Paul Doiron won Best First Novel for THE POACHER'S SON.

Recognising excellence in the field of mystery fiction, the Critics Awards were judged by a select group of book critics and journalists, including Dennis Drabelle (The Washington Post), Dick Lochte (Los Angeles Times), Jordan Foster (Publishers Weekly), Jack Batten (Toronto Star), Jeff Ayers (Associated Press), Mary Ann Gwinn (Seattle Times), Jeff Johnson (Chicago Sun Times), Sarah Weinman (Los Angeles Times), and Larry Gandle (Tampa Tribune). In the Best Novel category Connelly had been up against:

• Faithful Place by Tana French (Viking)
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (Knopf)
• Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane (William Morrow)
• I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman (William Morrow)

"This was a great group of nominees," said Andrew F. Gulli, the managing editor of The Strand. "Connelly’s win is a true testament to his talents as a crime writer and Paul Doiron is a writer who has a great future."

Read my recent New Zealand Listener article on Connelly, about his latest novel THE FIFTH WITNESS and the film version of THE LINCOLN LAWYER, here. You can also read 2010 Ngaio Marsh Award finalist Neil Cross's interesting piece on Connelly from the same issue of the Listener, here.

Michael Connelly talks to Radio New Zealand (interesting interview)

Last night Michael Connelly entertained a crowd of around 300 in Auckland during a fantastic evening that combined author talk, audience Q&A, a special New Zealand screening of the film adaptation of THE LINCOLN LAWYER, and a book signing session. He'd made a whistlestop trip to New Zealand as part of a longer Australian tour (he'd appeared at the Sydney Writers Festival and this morning returned to Australia for further events in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth) in support of his latest Mickey Haller novel, THE FIFTH WITNESS. It was a terrific night here in Auckland, and I will blog more about this at a later time.

In the meantime, I thought some of you may like to have a listen to a 30-minute interview Connelly had with Kathryn Ryan on Radio New Zealand yesterday morning. The full interview is now available to listen to online - CLICK HERE.

Riding with the Lincoln Lawyer: my large feature article on Michael Connelly in the New Zealand Listener

While I was away in Turkey and Greece, my large feature article based on a recent interview with Michael Connelly, one of the world's most consistently outstanding crime writers and a modern great of the genre, was published in the Arts & Books section of the New Zealand Listener, one of NZ's best magazines. "Riding with the Lincoln Lawyer" is my second large feature for the Listener, following my article on Henning Mankell in April. As of yesterday, you can now read the article in full online.

READ THE FULL VERSION OF MY ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE.
In the same issue, New Zealand-based thriller writer Neil Cross also wrote a great piece on Connelly's writing ("he’s still the only writer whose novels I buy on the day of publication”).

I particular like Neil's observation that "Connelly’s not a stylist – he’s far too good a writer for that, with too much respect for the reader. But he’s a subtle and fabulously deft craftsman, happy to step back and conceal his guiding hand. This allows his prose to do what only the best prose can do: get out of your way and let you enjoy the book you’re reading by letting you forget you’re reading a book." You can read Neil's article in full here.

Have you read THE FIFTH WITNESS, THE LINCOLN LAWYER, or any of Connelly's other crime novels? What do you think of his writing? Will you be going to one of his upcoming New Zealand, Australian or US events? Comments welcome - on Connelly, my article, or anything else...

My Herald on Sunday reviews: LIVE WIRE, THE FIFTH WITNESS and SHADOW SISTER

This year I've been asked to provide a monthly crime fiction round-up for the Herald on Sunday, one of New Zealand's most well-known newspapers. I'm very pleased to be able to contribute in my small way to getting crime fiction into the books sections of some local media.

My fourth 'column' was published while I was away in Turkey and Greece, in the 'Detours' lifestyle supplement to the newspaper, so I apologise for the delay in sharing it with you here. Here is my latest column.

Crime picks
Book blogger Craig Sisterson reveals his top picks from his recent reading

Live Wire
By Harlan Coben (Orion, $39.99)
When her musician husband vanishes following internet rumours about her fidelity, a pregnant former tennis starlet turns to sports agent-cum-amateur sleuth Myron Bolitar for help. Meanwhile Bolitar’s dealing with his own family crisis; a dying father and the possible return of his long-lost brother, with trouble close behind. Then things take a deadly turn. Bolitar is a fascinating, at times funny, hero who’s easy to follow. Coben’s storytelling hooks early, then takes us on a twisting ride towards a thrilling conclusion.

The Fifth Witness
By Michael Connelly (Allen & Unwin, $39.99)
‘Lincoln Lawyer’ Mickey Haller, who’s happy to use a few tricks to help clients facing the might of the state, has been hit hard by the recession; he’s now defending clients more from mortgage foreclosures than criminal charges. But then an outspoken protestor is arrested for murdering a bank CEO, and Haller is back in criminal court, fighting a case that will cause him to reexamine everything. A legal thriller about much more than its plot, Connelly shows once more that he’s right at the top of the crime writing tree.

Shadow Sister
By Simone van der Vlugt (Text Publishing, $39)
Lydia and Elise are twin sisters, identical in appearance but not in personality. Lydia’s an opinionated teacher with a husband, daughter, and relatively settled life. Elise is a photographer: quieter, darker, and troubled. However, it’s Lydia’s life which becomes truly troubled, starting when a student pulls a knife on her, and ending with a violent death. The second novel from ‘Holland’s Queen of Crime’ to be translated into English, this psychological thriller conveys plenty of creepiness and a brooding sense of unease.

Craig Sisterson was one of the judges of the inaugural Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel last year. He blogs about crime and thriller fiction at http://goldenglobenominees.blogspot.com/.

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This column was first published in the Herald on Sunday, and is reprinted here with permission.

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What do you think of my mini-reviews? Of having such a regular column in one of New Zealand's major newspapers? Have you read (or do you intend to) any of these titles? What are some of the upcoming titles I should definitely include in future columns? Comments welcome.

Breaking News: Michael Connelly to visit NZ on 24 May

One of the biggest authors in the contemporary crime fiction world will be visiting New Zealand soon, with news just breaking that Michael Connelly will be here on 24 May, for a 'one night only' feature event in central Auckland.

Last year I was fortunate enough to interview Connelly by phone for an article in the Weekend Herald, New Zealand's biggest newspaper (read "King of crime offers clues to success" here), and it was an absolute pleasure to talk to him for more than an hour about all manner of things. Along with being a top-drawer storyteller, he is a very intelligent and humble guy, generous with his time and insights.

The next couple of months are a pretty busy and exciting time for Connelly and his readers; not only does he have a new book coming out soon, THE FIFTH WITNESS, which continues his 'Mickey Haller series', but the big-screen adaptation of the first Haller book, the acclaimed THE LINCOLN LAWYER, will be hitting cinemas. I understand it is likely that the New Zealand event may be tied to the film release, as well as his books.

You can watch a trailer for the film, and read some exclusive comments from Connelly about the making of the film and his thoughts on the adaptation (from my interview last year), here.

You can also read my 9mm interview with Connelly here.

It's been a rough week here in New Zealand, and things are going to stay rough for many people for a long time (help out here). But I must admit, this news of Connelly's upcoming visit has brought a smile to my face this morning.

Do you read Michael Connelly? Do you prefer the Bosch or Haller books? Are you looking forward to the film adaptation of THE LINCOLN LAWYER? If you're a local, will you attend the event? Thoughts and comments welcome.