The Buzz

April 3rd, 2009 by Mike Nicol

Stray doppies:
Ever wondered why US publishers use such terms as mysteries, suspense or thriller to describe crime fiction? Well, here’s a possible answer. Legislation was put through in 1954 to control comics – censorship by another name. Concerned civic groups saw the trashy comics as depraved and wanted them stopped. The legislation prohibited the word ‘crime’ from being used prominently on covers. Nor could they use the words ‘horror’ or ‘terror or ‘such appellations as gruesome crimes, lurid, unsavoury, walking dead, torture, vampires, ghouls, cannibalism and werewolfism.’ I get this useful information from Men of Tomorrow – Geeks, Gangsters and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones (William Heinemann, 2005).
New krimis in the shops this month are Rob Marsh’s Beasts of Prey (Human & Rousseau) and Michael Stanley’s A Deadly Trade (Headline).
The International Thriller Writers have announced the shortlist for their 2009 Thriller Awards. The books are Hold Tight by Harlan Coben, The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver, The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver, The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross, and The Last Patriot by Brad Thor. On the list for the best debut krimi is Calumet City by Charlie Newton who once spent some time in Cape Town writing it.

Crime Beat Diary 6 April – 8 April:
Monday: Crime Beat chats to Diale Tlholwe about his debut novel Ancient Rites.
Tuesday: A bag of krimis that featured on the FMR crime fiction round-up.
Wednesday: Beverely Roos Muller with some insider biog details on Peter Temple and an appreciation of his books.
Thursday: The Buzz diary as Crime Beat is heading for the badlands for the Easter Weekend.