Need a Father’s Day gift? Want to up your crime/mystery/thriller-writing game? How to Write a Mystery, the new collection of essays from Mystery Writers of America, is now out. It includes my piece on thriller writing, and you don’t have to listen to me telling you this is a great book. The Washington Postsays, “Is Dad always grumbling about how he could write a mystery novel? This collection of essays by the best crime masters will get him off the couch and into the library with the candlestick.
To say 2020 has not gone as expected… yeah, no kidding. I hope you’re all holding up. We’re going to get through this, and light is actually showing at the end of the tunnel.
Amid all the uncertainty and difficulty and overwhelming disruption that this year has poured over us, I was reminded that some things are always true. And I was reminded in the best way, by a gift from my littlest fan, who made me this bracelet.
Writing rocks. Always has. Always will.
And I’m beyond lucky that I get to express my creativity through writing.
BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival INTO THE MIND OF A PSYCHOPATHIC KILLER Meg Gardiner in conversation with LA Larkin FRIDAY JULY 17 5PM Pacific / 7PM Central / 8PM Eastern / SATURDAY JULY 18 10 AM Sydney, Australia The event is free, but click the link to register for the video via Zoom.
A little while ago I talked to the Walmart blog, Favorite Reads, about the inspiration for my UNSUB series, the research that goes into the novels, and why mystery writers don’t necessarily make good real-life detectives.
We sat down for an exclusive interview with Edgar Award-winning author Meg Gardiner to discuss her latest release, The Dark Corners of the Night, one of the most highly anticipated thrillers of 2020, that is already garnering rave reviews as her best thriller yet. In The Dark Corners of the Night, FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix returns to hunt down a terrifying new UNSUB—unknown subject—The Midnight Man, who Gardiner based on the real-life serial killer, The Night Stalker.
Welcome to spring 2020, when events have scrambled to move online. It has of course been hugely disappointing to cancel celebrations — like the Edgar Awards banquet, which I was supposed to emcee in New York City — but so many organizations are making the best of this situation. And that means that you can all attend.
Here’s what’s coming up in the next few weeks.
The Edgar Awards Thursday, April 30, 2020 11 AM Eastern The awards will be announced by Mystery Writers of America via Twitter: @EdgarAwards
Bay Area Book Festival Unbound Queens of Mystery: Writer to Writer with Meg Gardiner and Rachel Howzell Hall Moderated by Laurie R. King Program will air Tuesday May 5th, 7:00 PM Pacific
Noir at the Bar Queens Friday, May 8, 2020 7 PM Eastern Watch via Crowdcast Books sold by Kew & Willow
The Poisoned Pen bookstore put me In the Hot Seat ahead of my event in Phoenix on Monday, February 17 (with Tess Gerritsen!) where I’ll be launching my new novel, The Dark Corners of the Night. Take a look.
I’ve read this, but many readers may not have. Your UNSUB books are based on actual crimes. Would you tell us about that?
Every novel in the series takes a real crime as its starting point. The books are fiction, but grow from a kernel of fact. Partly that’s because UNSUB cases are some of the most difficult and fascinating investigations in law enforcement history. Partly it’s because I want to understand what motivates serial predators. And I want to explore what drives the people who take on the burden of stopping them. UNSUBwas sparked by the Zodiac—probably the most notorious unsolved serial murder case in America. The second novel was inspired by Ted Bundy. The Dark Corners of the Night was kindled by a killer who cast a pall of fear over Southern California: the Night Stalker.
I talk about The Dark Corners of the Night, Caitlin Hendrix, living in London, winning Jeopardy! and more.
And at the Writer Types podcast, I guest co-host with pod host Eric Beetner to interview Dana Hayes and Brad Taylor. Give it a listen.
And here’s your reminder that The Dark Corners of the Night drops February 18th, and you can preorder!
This weekend I’ll be speaking at Texas Writes in ATX. It’s going to be a great two days of presentations on writing, and I hope I’ll see some of you there.
Texas Writes in ATX Sunday, November 10, 2019 ACC Riverside Campus 1020 Grove Boulevard, Austin, TX
My schedule:
Sunday, 2:55-3:25pm: HARD CHOICES: PUTTING YOUR CHARACTERS TO THE TEST How do you create compelling characters and put them in memorable conflict? Meg Gardiner, author of fourteen acclaimed thrillers, will talk about heroes, antagonists, and how, by forcing them to face hard choices, you can ramp up the suspense and tension in your story.
This year, Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention, is being held in Dallas from October 31 — November 3. I’ll be there, because where else do I get to hang out for a few days with mystery and thriller fans, talking dawn to midnight about books and writing?
Here’s my schedule, including an off-site event at the Half Price Books Flagship store.
Halloween Mystery Panel Thursday, October 31, 7 PM Half Price Books Flagship 5803 E. Northwest Hwy Dallas, Texas
Friday, November 1, 3:30 PM Mystery Writers of America signing table Bouchercon Book Room
Saturday, November 2, 11 AM Panel Moderator: The Rogues
Saturday, November 2, 1 PM Panel: The Name of the Game Was Murder
Sunday, November 3, 10 AM Panel: Beyond This Point There Be Monsters
I hope I’ll see some of you there. All y’all, if possible.
I’ve got several events coming up this month and next. If you’re in the neighborhood, check them out.
Noir at the Bar Tuesday, September 10, 7:30 p.m. Radio Coffee & Beer 4204 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX With Meg Gardiner, Amy Gentry, Puja Guha, Edwin Hill, Laura Oles, May Cobb, and host Scott Montgomery
Author Visit: Barnes & Noble Round Rock September 16, 2019 — 1 p.m. Meg will speak to the Round Rock New Neighbors Book Club — free and open to the public Barnes & Noble La Frontera Village 2701 Parker Road Bldg A Suite 700 Round Rock, TX 78681 512-600-0088
Texas Writes at the McCulloch County Library, Brady, TX September 21, 2019 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM McCulloch County Library 401 E. Commerce Brady, TX 76825 With Meg Gardiner and Rachel Starnes Free and open to the public If you’re interested in attending, please contact the library to pre-register at (325) 597-2617.
FallCon 2019 Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Trade Show and Conference Thursday, October 10 – Saturday, October 12, 2019 Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel Friday, October 11: Thrilling & Mysterious Author Panel
Bouchercon October 31 — November 3, 2019 Dallas, Texas
Hey, I have news! My next novel is now available for preorder. The Dark Corners of the Night comes out February 18, 2020. Here’s a taster:
I am the legion of the night.
He appears in the darkness like a ghost, made of shadows and fear — the Midnight Man. He comes for the parents but leaves the children alive, tiny witnesses to unspeakable horror. The bedroom communities of Los Angeles are gripped with dread, and the attacks are escalating.
Still reeling from her best friend’s close call in a bombing six months ago, FBI behavioral analyst Caitlin Hendrix has come to Los Angeles to assist in the Midnight Man investigation and do what she does best — hunt a serial killer. Her work is what keeps her going, but something about this UNSUB — unknown subject — doesn’t sit right. She soon realizes that this case will test not only her skills but also her dedication, for within the heart of a killer lives a secret that mirrors Caitlin’s own past. Hesitancy is not an option, but will she be able to do what must be done if the time comes?
You can preorder it in hardcover, digital, and audio. And preorders make an author, and her publisher, extremely happy. But don’t just listen to me. The Real Book Spy lists The Dark Corners of the Night as one of “15 Thrillers Coming Out in 2020 that Should Already be on Your Radar.”
Why you should be excited about it: Meg Gardiner’s scary-good new series is one of the best in crime fiction today, and after switching publishers—a move that resulted in delaying its publication to 2020—absence has surely made hearts grow fonder, making her next UNSUB book one of next year’s most anticipated new releases.
I’m excited that this week I’ll be attending BookExpo America and its fan cousin, BookCon. Both will take place at the Javits Center in New York City.
If any of you are in the NYC area, I’d love to see you there!
BookExpo America
May 29 – June 1, 2019
Javits Center, New York City
Audiobook New Titles Showcase
May 29, 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM, Choice Stage
With panelists Meg Gardiner, Guy Oldfield, Caitlin Garing, Maggie Stiefvater, Mo Rocca, and Dan Zitt
Blackstone In-Booth signing:
Thursday, May 30th: BookExpo
10:30AM — 11:15AM
What a fantastic night in New York City. Mystery Writers of America celebrated the 73rd Edgar Awards with a gala at the Grand Hyatt. And, as 2019 MWA President, I was privileged to emcee the ceremony.
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated, and especially to this year’s winners. The entire list is here.
It was great to see so many friends and writers I idolize, including MWA’s outgoing president, Jeffery Deaver, who presented the Raven Award to the New York Times crime fiction critic, Marilyn Stasio (and introduced me with a Jeopardy!-style quiz, in the form of questions).
Now to put my feet up. And read a whole bunch of amazing books.
I write thrillers, including the UNSUB series, the Jo Beckett novels, and the Evan Delaney series. You can find me in Austin, Texas. Read here about the writing life and the lies that pay my bills.
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