tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post529123921270799290..comments2024-03-29T09:03:34.140-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: In the Land of NoirJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24060570720556458182015-05-19T19:52:44.314-04:002015-05-19T19:52:44.314-04:00I abhor too much violence, especially against chid...I abhor too much violence, especially against chidren and women. I love américain cozies and have no doubts that yours will make it in UK.<br /><br />I once visited Bristol and Bath and prefered the last one, marvelous city. And after visiting the abbey, I went to an hour of prayers and could feel all the centuries of faith wash over and around me. Never did I have this feeling elsewhere.danielle-momohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02004302871652952720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72474041121163199722015-05-19T18:02:10.241-04:002015-05-19T18:02:10.241-04:00Rhys, you are wonderful and I trust unintimidated ...Rhys, you are wonderful and I trust unintimidated by the current differences in crime fiction across the ocean. What a disconnect! I suspect it will level out as things do. And I expect your books may very well help move that along.<br /><br />I smiled on reading of that hug from Lee Child. You once walked across a room to give me a hug at a time when I had little notice in a group I belonged to and was, rather, always directed to the back. A gracious action from a kind woman helped me reconcile with being "invisible." xoxoxMaureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31759324846093022342015-05-19T17:15:28.716-04:002015-05-19T17:15:28.716-04:00I'm pretty sure I'm considered a cozy writ...I'm pretty sure I'm considered a cozy writer in the UK. And it took my agent forever to place my series with a British publisher - editors kept reading the books and saying how much they liked them...BUT the stories simply weren't dark enough.<br /><br />It's interesting to see the converse in the US - it's much more difficult to sell an old-style noir mystery to a major publisher. Of course, the Scandinavians are everywhere - maybe for real success, we Jungle Reds should change our names! Just call me Júlía Jóhannsdottir...Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17174199302325854252015-05-19T13:17:07.288-04:002015-05-19T13:17:07.288-04:00Rhys, I have been living vicariously through you v...Rhys, I have been living vicariously through you via your Facebook postings. It's too bad the pictures wouldn't post here because your sister's manor house in Cornwall is so lovely. You have the perfect place to rest and have tea for a few days, although I think you should give yourself at least a week doing that. <br /><br />I cannot imagine a crime or mystery gathering where Rhys Bowen wouldn't be approached by ogling fans. How surreal that must have been. With the publication of your books in the UK, that recognition will quickly come. <br /><br />It's so interesting that with all the wonderful cozies set in England, that the country doesn't embrace cozies more. Having read British author M.C. Beaton's cozies with Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth, I wonder if those two series are more popular here than in Britain, even though it says she's the "3rd most borrowed adult author in UK libraries" on her Web site. Maybe Beaton is just the exception, as I'm having trouble thinking of another British cozy writer with that success. And, even though I've enjoyed M.C. Beaton's series, Rhys, your writing is going to knock their socks off in merry ole England. I think, as Debs points out, that books like your Molly Murphy and her Duncan and Gemma books aren't considered cozy here but are in England. Different ideas indeed of what cozy is. <br /><br />Like Kristopher, I do admit that I love British authors, which includes Scottish. I am quite the Anglophile, and many of my favorite authors live across the pond, with England and Scotland being my favorite settings for books. Of course, I have many favorites here in the states and love getting to know more about the settings to which I can travel more easily. <br /><br />Debs, I'm so glad that you mentioned Elly Griffiths. Her new book, Ghost Fields, is out today and just arrived on my doorstep. For those of you who aren't familiar with Elly, whose actual name is Domenica de Rosa, well, why aren't you familiar with her? Hehehe! She writes the Ruth Galloway series, and last fall published a stand-alone, the fabulous Zig Zag Girl. I met Elly/Domenica at the 2013 Bouchercon, and we hit it off instantly. She will be in Raleigh this year, and I urge you all to read her books and introduce yourself. <br /><br />Another British author with a book coming out today is Sharon (S.J.) Bolton. I have adored her books since her first few stand-alones and then her series with Lacey Flint. The current one is a stand-alone. Then, there is Catriona McPherson, who lives in California, but who will always be a Scottish lass. Oh, my, I've turned this post into a favorite British author post. Sorry, didn't meant to do that.<br /><br />Rhys, I hope you enjoy the remaining days of your England trip to the max. I don't think you mentioned that your sister's Cornwall house was considered as a location for the Poldark series. I remember you saying that on FB. How great is that! And, if you do have that Jungle Red Manor House retreat, I'll volunteer as a gofer, fetching anything you all need. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73288911656605838032015-05-19T11:43:14.715-04:002015-05-19T11:43:14.715-04:00I am in the midst of Jeffrey Archer's Harry Cl...I am in the midst of Jeffrey Archer's Harry Cliften novels set in Bristol, and would love to see pictures. Is is still a rough port city? Any pictures of England, any time!!!<br />I am so surprised to hear that the British are cool to cozies. You'll show them!!!<br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12634738570759599402015-05-19T11:19:13.082-04:002015-05-19T11:19:13.082-04:00Bummer the pictures wouldn't show!
None of th...Bummer the pictures wouldn't show!<br /><br />None of those books you mentioned sounded good to me. Brutal? Serial killers? I'll pass. Give me Molly and Georgie and Evan any day of the week.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71804496593529207502015-05-19T11:15:21.826-04:002015-05-19T11:15:21.826-04:00Deb makes a good point. By UK standards, some stu...Deb makes a good point. By UK standards, some stuff is considered cozy that really isn't (like her books and Ann Cleeves). And if that is the case, then a knitting or cat mystery is probably nonsensical to them. I'm going to explore this more when I see some of my friends from the UK. <br /><br />All that said, I don't think they will have any troubles embracing your books Rhys. Not to worry.Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41606262286491687292015-05-19T11:08:24.853-04:002015-05-19T11:08:24.853-04:00Rhys, that is so true about English crime fiction,...Rhys, that is so true about English crime fiction, as I've discovered much to my distress over the years. My books are considered "cozy" by UK standards. But I think what UK publishers THINK readers want--and the focus of events like Crime Fest, which puts the emphasis on noir--may not be the whole picture. Look at the success of James Runcie's Grantchester books (much better than the TV series, I think.) And Alexander McCall Smith. And lovely Ann Cleeves (not cozies, but not what I would call "noir" either. Just good detective fiction.) And terrific writers like Elly Griffiths. And Chris Fowler. I could go on and on, obviously. So be not disheartened!<br /><br />I would have posted pics of Cornwall and Bath for you!<br /><br />Which reminds me, is the UK still in the grip of Poldark Mania??? Coming here soon, so we will all be able to drool over Cornwall--and Aidan Turner--on our TV screens.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3033493539634396482015-05-19T11:04:21.582-04:002015-05-19T11:04:21.582-04:00Well, once they start reading your books more, the...Well, once they start reading your books more, they will all be adding cozies to their lists!<br /><br />Thanks for the lovely photos you have been posting elsewhere. I stayed in Bath for several weeks years ago while on a long business trip. It was my first trip to England, what a beautiful place to start.Grandma Cootiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709540756822695170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-680219661681240562015-05-19T10:05:34.970-04:002015-05-19T10:05:34.970-04:00Oh, SO fascinating! Hope you an tell us a bit more...Oh, SO fascinating! Hope you an tell us a bit more about that speech..<br /><br />With you on Lee as Cary Grant. Unfailingly wonderful. And a real role model. Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52864885013749680662015-05-19T09:43:17.977-04:002015-05-19T09:43:17.977-04:00It is interesting that the Brits seem to not love ...It is interesting that the Brits seem to not love the cozy as much as readers do here in the States. <br /><br />I suspect this has a lot to do with the legacy of Agatha Christie. While we do think of her as a cozy, really her books are traditional and close examination reveals some dark stuff, just presented in a "lighter" way - if that makes sense. Let's call it less graphic.<br /><br />This could also explain why I am drawn more to the UK authors. It's not that I don't enjoy a cozy, but for me, they are more an escape read, while often I want something that displays the social ills faced by the world. A cozy can do that, but it's still different, somehow.<br /><br />I suspect a conference like St. Hilda's (which takes a more academic look at the crime genre) would not fly here in the States. Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82666552160057411982015-05-19T09:01:26.899-04:002015-05-19T09:01:26.899-04:00I'd be on board with a Jungle Red Manor House ...I'd be on board with a Jungle Red Manor House retreat.<br /><br />I think it's funny that folks always credit the US with the ultra-dark stuff, and you go to Crime Fest and it turns out that it's the British (who I secretly think everybody imagines as Miss Marple).Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11351839502422852412015-05-19T08:42:35.026-04:002015-05-19T08:42:35.026-04:00Although I read different kinds of mysteries (cozi...Although I read different kinds of mysteries (cozies, thrillers, suspense), I'll put a book back on the shelf if the word "brutal" is used in the jacket blurb. I especially don't want to read about violence against children.<br /><br />You might not be able to post pictures, but you've given us the opportunity to use our imaginations, Rhys! (Right now it is cold and rainy here, and I felt like I was right there with you:-)Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8581721933610587882015-05-19T07:47:32.566-04:002015-05-19T07:47:32.566-04:00Jungle Reds Manor Home Retreat!
Rhys, brava for ...Jungle Reds Manor Home Retreat! <br /><br />Rhys, brava for the post and boo on silly computer glitches that won't let you post pictures. You do such a beautiful job with words that we have pictures in our minds.Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30070156599715812392015-05-19T07:47:09.318-04:002015-05-19T07:47:09.318-04:00I would LOVE to go to Crime Fest... thanks for tak...I would LOVE to go to Crime Fest... thanks for taking us there vicariously, Rhys! They had Lee Child!? How interesting. I think of him as the Cary Grant of the mystery conference world. So incredibly charming and generous.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73790272637671232712015-05-19T07:23:11.424-04:002015-05-19T07:23:11.424-04:00this is lovely Rhys--fascinating about the differe...this is lovely Rhys--fascinating about the different world of crime fiction--would not have expected that. I can't imagine what they'd have thought of Jungle red panels!<br /><br />Wouldn't your sister sponsor a retreat to her manor home? we'd be very well behaved...<br /><br />I have not visited Bath. We had planned to go the year our son rowed in the Henley, but realized we were overreaching with our agenda. Must put that on the list! Safe travels Rhys...and enjoy relaxing...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42480818938381829452015-05-19T06:37:49.061-04:002015-05-19T06:37:49.061-04:00I have a confession: all of those blurbs you descr...I have a confession: all of those blurbs you described, Rhys, would make me put the book back on the shelf. Too many serial killer books, too many violent crimes against children books--it's not that I read cozies exclusively--I don't--but I can't go that far into noir--it's too dark there.<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed Bristol--and had some down time, too in Cornwall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41318010962418311612015-05-19T06:30:28.026-04:002015-05-19T06:30:28.026-04:00I wouldn't have thought that British crime wri...I wouldn't have thought that British crime writing would be so different . . . the vanishing of Miss Marple makes me a bit sad.Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57140852312847827252015-05-19T06:27:54.260-04:002015-05-19T06:27:54.260-04:00What interesting observations on the cozy in Engla...What interesting observations on the cozy in England, Rhys. We should turn that situation around.<br /><br />The description of your sister-in-lwa's place is enough so we don't need pictures. And I've been to Bath - fascinating place.Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.com