Blood-Letter #109

Sep 3, 2011 | Blood-Letter


In this issue, we open up the 2011-2012 Bloody Thursday season with a visit from Mike Lawson, remember friend and founder of Friends of Mystery Stanley Johnson, get a look at the Anthony Award nominees, and more!

September 2011
CONTENTS:

September 22 BLOODY THURSDAY EVENT Welcomes Mike Lawson

Mike Lawson

Starting off our 26th season of Bloody Thursday programs will be political thriller writer Mike Lawson. His most recent book, House Divided, was published in June 2011, and is the sixth in the Joe DeMarco series. The novels are set in Washington, D.C., where Joe is a “fixer” for House Speaker John Mahoney. If there is a problem that needs some unorthodox solution, Joe is the guy to take care of it. In House Divided, Joe is planning a much deserved golf vacation when his cousin in D.C., Paul Russo, is murdered. As the closest relative, he is designated as the person to settle his cousin’s estate. However, he becomes a pawn of the National Security Agency in its investigation to discover why Paul was murdered, and who was responsible.

The book is fast-paced, and Joe DeMarco is a smart and witty character, which gives the reader an entertaining experience.

Mike was a senior executive civilian employee of the U.S. Navy for over thirty years. He directed the overhauling of nuclear powered submarines, cruisers and aircraft carriers. Mike and his family live in the Seattle area.

We hope you will be able to join us for this event. The program will begin at 7:30 pm and will be held at Terwilliger Plaza in the White Auditorium. Directional signs will be posted in the building. The meeting is free and open to the public. Free parking is available in the Terwilliger Plaza employee parking lots across 6th Avenue from the lower level entrance, and on Sheridan Street. Handicapped parking is available at the upper level entrance. Tri-met bus #8, Jackson Park, stops just in front of the lower level entrance. Click here for directions to Terwilliger Plaza, including a map which shows parking in the area.

Date: Thursday, September 22, 2011, 7:00pm
Location: Terwilliger Plaza, 2545 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR

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Stanley L. Johnson

October 6, 1920 – July 27, 2011

Co-founder of Friends of Mystery, Stan Johnson, passed away on July 27, 2011, after suffering a massive stroke. A memorial was held on Friday, July 29th at Calaroga Terrace in Portland, and was followed by an additional service in Brigham City, Utah, where he was interred in his family plot.

Stan was always a welcoming presence at FOM meetings, especially in earlier years when he would often introduce the speakers, and could be counted on to bring cubed cheddar cheese and crackers for refreshments. He contributed book reviews for the Blood-Letter and was a gentle guiding force in the organization.

The following is a brief synopsis of information that Stan had written to be read at his memorial service.

Stanley Lewis Johnson was born in Garland, Utah, the first of seven children. He grew up on the family farm in Garland, attending Garland Grade School and Bear River High School. He attended Weber College for two years, then moved on to the University of Utah, where he graduated in May, 1942.

Immediately after graduation he began basic training in the army. His unit was shipped out to the South Pacific, where they participated in the invasion of the Palau Islands. After the war ended he was discharged and arrived home directly from his last duty with the occupation forces in Japan.

He completed his PhD. exams at the University of Southern California in 1949, and in January of 1950 he left for Portland, Oregon to take a position in the English department at a new college that eventually became Portland State University. He taught at PSU for 35 years, retiring in 1985. He taught courses in American Literature and contemporary literature.

In retirement he continued to work in several organizations, including the Senior Studies Institute and Friends of Mystery. He also belonged to the Sherlock Holmes Society and the Portland State retired faculty association, whose award for community service he received in 2001.

Stan’s full story can be read here.

Stan will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

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Bouchercon 2011: Anthony Award Nominees

The Anthony Awards will be presented on September 18, 2011 during Bouchercon 2011. The nominees are:

Best Novel

  • Bury Your Dead – Louise Penny
  • Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter – Tom Franklin
  • Faithful Place – Tana French
  • I’d Know You Anywhere – Laura Lippman
  • The Lock Artist – Steve Hamilton

Best First Novel

  • Damage Done – Hilary Davidson
  • The Poacher’s Son – Paul Doiron
  • Rogue Island – Bruce DeSilva
  • The Sherlockian – Graham Moore
  • Snow Angels – James Thompson

Best Paperback Original

  • Drive Time – Hank Phillippi Ryan
  • Expiration Date – Duane Swieczynski
  • The Hanging Tree – Bryan Gruley
  • Long Time Coming – Robert Goddard
  • Vienna Secrets – Frank Tallis

Best Short Story

  • The Frame Maker – Simon Wood
  • The Hitter – Chris Holm
  • Homeless – Pat Morin
  • Scent of Lilacs – Doug Allyn
  • So Much in Common – Mary Jane Maffini
  • Swing Shift – Dana Cameron

 Best Critical / Non-Fiction

  • Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks – John Curran
  • Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvous with American History – Yunte Huang
  • Sherlock Holmes for Dummies – Steve Doyle and David A. Crowder
  • Thrillers: 100 Must Reads – David Morrell
  • The Wire – Truth Be Told – Rafael Alvarez

Best Website / Blog

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Upcoming Events in the 2011-2012 Bloody Thursday Season

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DVD Viewing Suggestion

by Jeannette Voss

Are you a gardener besides being a mystery lover? May I suggest a series that I just discovered: Rosemary & Thyme. Laura Thyme is a former policewoman. Rosemary Boxer a former professor. They share a passion for horticulture and a talent for sleuthing. The series was filmed on location in English and European countryside settings, and stars Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris.

There are three series, and I checked them out from my library system.

Happy viewing!

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Mystery Conventions

Mystery conventions are a great place to meet and hear your favorite authors and to be in the company of mystery fans from all over the world. If you get a chance to attend one, you will want to be at another.

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Submissions Needed

Members and readers are encouraged to submit book or film reviews, comments on authors, and recommendations for books to read or questions about mysteries, crime fiction and fact. You can mail these to our PO Box 8251, Portland, Oregon 97207 or send to our email address at info@friendsofmystery.org.

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