In this issue

Louise Penny’s thoughtful, deeply humane brand of crime fiction has won her a large and devoted following. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec is, as his creator describes him, “a serene, content man who, at his core, is happy.” Penny’s novels have increased tourism in Quebec’s beautiful Eastern Townships, the locale of Gamache’s beloved village of Three Pines. You’ll want to get on the road to Three Pines yourself after reading Oline Cogdill’s chat with the author in this issue.

The lives of mystery writers are as varied as their books. In this issue, Jon L. Breen has put together a wide-ranging survey of memoirs and autobiographies by crime fiction authors as disparate as Agatha Christie, Chester Himes, and Sara Paretsky.

Ed Gorman’s Sam McCain, featured in a series that ranges from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, has been described as a “small town hero.” He’s more than that, though. Sam is living through—and bearing perceptive witness to—the social upheavals that will transform the United States. Change has its price, though, and as Tom Nolan notes in “Riders of the Storm,” Sam is paying it more and more as the years go by.

The irresistibly corrupt Frank Underwood, played to oily perfection by Kevin Spacey, is the moral vacuum at the center of the political drama House of Cards. Frank and his equally formidable wife Claire (Robin Wright, in an astonishing performance), are the Washington power couple from hell. As Jake Hinkson notes in “High Crimes & Misdemeanors,” it’s not democracy—but it sure is entertaining.

Also in this issue, Joe Goodrich looks at the life of David Goodis, who has belatedly come to be appreciated as a master of noir, and Michael Mallory considers Phoebe Atwood Taylor’s Yankee sleuth, Asey Mayo, also known as the “Codfish Sherlock.”

Plus, of course, we have hundreds of reviews of mystery novels, reference books, short story collections, audiobooks, and more. Enjoy!

Mystery Scene Magazine Description:

Published since 1985, the award-winning Mystery Scene Magazine is the world's leading and most authoritative guide to the crime fiction genre. Our thoughtful articles, in-depth author interviews, and expert reviews examine all of crime fiction, from cozies to noir to thrillers. We consider work from past masters to today's top talents and tomorrow's bright new stars.

Review coverage includes novels, TV shows, films, reference works, audiobooks, short stories, plays, young adult books, and much more.

Throw in news, contests, quotes, and a fiendishly clever crossword, and we think you'll find Mystery Scene Magazine is your essential partner in crime!

Recent author interviews include: Michael Connelly, Sue Grafton, Lawrence Block, Sara Paretsky, Alexander McCall Smith, Nevada Barr, C.J. Box, Lisa Unger, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, Robert Crais, Val McDermid, Stephen Hunter, Karin Slaughter, Michael Koryta, Susan Elia MacNeal, Ben Winters, Chris Pavone

Recent article topics include: "Veronica Mars: Millennial Mystery Icon," "New Legal Mysteries," "Why Elmore Leonard Matters," "Hidden Gems: 5 Writers You Should be Reading," "Mary Stewart: Teller of Tales," "Night and the Country: Rural Film Noir," "The Amazing Clayton Rawson," "Death & The Maiden: A Genre's Woman Problem," "Breaking Bad: 21st Century Scarface," "A Lock Without a Key: The Unknowable Dashiell Hammett," "Gifts for Mystery Lovers"

HONORS
- Ellery Queen Award from The Mystery Writers of America
- The Anthony Award from Bouchercon, The World Mystery Convention
- The Poirot Award from The Malice Domestic Mystery Convention

"A true inside look at the whole world of crime fiction. Indispensable." —Lawrence Block, New York Times bestselling author

"Highly recommended." —Library Journal

Mystery Scene Magazine features 4 issues per year (published in February, May, August, and November).