Temporary Perfections – Gianrico Carofiglio
Posted: February 21, 2012 Filed under: Book Review, Books | Tags: Bitter Lemon Press, Gianrico Carofiglio Leave a comment »
Translated by Antony Shugaar.
Temporary Perfections sees the counsel for the defence, Guido Guerrieri taking on a case outside the more usual perimeters of his work. He is persuaded by a friend to look into the disappearance of Manuela Ferraro, the daughter of a rich couple from Bari. The police have lost interest, long ago thwarted in their attempts to find leads, but the friend wants Guerrieri to see if there is any chance of re-opening the case.
Guerrieri may be diligent in his approach to the work, but there is a great sense of accompanying him as he operates through the haze of his ponderous, introspective, navel fluff-inspecting mid-life crisis, and as he reflects back on his life. Alone, the former amateur boxer’s company ranges from the punch bag in his home with which he engages both physically and verbally, to a former prostitute and client, Nadia who now runs a local gay bar called The Chelsea Hotel, with whom he drinks, walks and talks. Read the rest of this entry »
Paul O’Grady on chat shows, PR and books…
Posted: February 20, 2012 Filed under: News, Promotion, Publishing | Tags: Paul O'Grady 1 Comment »And yes, it’s not only readers who are fed up with the great sleb haul. Said Paul:
‘ … I felt I was part of the PR machine. There was so much interference. They’d want this guest or that guest. Every question had to go through the lawyers. I was just another plug for someone’s book or film.
‘And I can tell you I saw some dross and read some rubbish, but I was too polite to say, “This is shameful. How you’ve got the nerve to publish this is beyond me.” So I’d say, “Oh, I really enjoyed your book,” but I was thinking, “I can’t do this any more …” ‘
You can read the rest in Saturday’s Daily Mail here.
Cats as Fonts
Posted: February 20, 2012 Filed under: Humour, Writing | Tags: Fonts 1 Comment »From one of my favourite sites: I Can Has Cheezburger. If you’re on the home page click through to see the picture – it’s a long one. Read the rest of this entry »
Launching today: A Dark Redemption by Stav Sherez
Posted: February 16, 2012 Filed under: Author News, Book Launch, Book News, Publishing | Tags: Faber & Faber, Stav Sherez Leave a comment »
Click here for PB on Amazon.
Kicking off a series featuring DI Jack Carrigan and DS Geneva Miller, A Dark Redemption introduces the pair as they investigate the brutal rape and murder of a young Ugandan student. Plunged into an underworld of illegal immigrant communities, they discover that the murdered girl’s studies at a London college may have threatened to reveal things that some people will go to any lengths to keep secret…
Faber & Faber say “Unflinching, inventive and intelligent, A Dark Redemption explores a sinister case that will force DI Carrigan to face up to his past and DS Miller to confront what path she wants her future to follow.” The novel is already receiving some great reviews and comments online: Mike Ripley in his Shots Mag column; Sarah Ward at Crimepieces; Michael J Malone.
Click on the image to find the paperback at Amazon and here for the Kindle ebook.
The author writes about the novel at his own site here and on the Faber site here. Congratulations to Stav on the publication!
If I wasn’t busy reading CWA John Creasey Dagger submissions, I’d be reading this novel right now.
Government Plans to Change the Regulations on Copying of Copyright Materials for Educational Purposes
Posted: February 14, 2012 Filed under: Academic, Copyright, Writing | Tags: ALCS, PLR, Rights Leave a comment »Yes, the UK government has plans to change the regulations and the plans do not respect the copyright income for authors.
Writer Anne Rooney has posted up two articles on the subject to which I draw your attention.
- Licensed piracy? on 12 Feb.
- License to steal – Just say NO on 14 Feb.
Music for Monday
Posted: February 13, 2012 Filed under: Music | Tags: BAFTAs, BBC, Chi Mai, Ennio Morricone, The Mission Leave a comment »During last night’s BAFTA Awards ceremony Ennio Morricone’s music from the 1986 film The Mission was played when the roll call of the industry’s departed was announced. It’s a beautiful and haunting piece, as is another of his: Chi Mai. Chi Mai was the theme music for the BBC’s 1981 series The Life and Times of Lloyd George, penned by the fabulous Elaine Morgan and which starred Philip Madoc, Elizabeth Miles, Kika Markham and David Markham. Both follow…
Whitney Houston dead: RIP
Posted: February 12, 2012 Filed under: Music, News | Tags: Whitney Houston Leave a comment »Shocked to learn of Whitney Houston’s passing tonight and may she rest in peace.
She had many songs I link to my formative years, but the one I will always remember will come later when I can get a good link. Until then, here’s possibly her most memorable song, from the movie, The Bodyguard (please forgive the advertisements & skip if you can).
What a talent! That is always the way I will remember her. No contemporary voice compares to hers in her early years. And never will. Whitney Houston’s voice caused a quake in the 80s; she also caused a quake in some people’s lives. Let us never forget her talent.
