Crime Beat

It is always interesting to see how thriller writers process success says William Saunderson-Meyer, writing in his Killer Thriller column for the Sunday Times. Most settle into a groove of producing tiresomely similar new novels, working to a safe cookie-cutter formula. The exceptions continue to develop as writers, trying different things, taking risks. He looks at the most recent releases from a trio of hugely successful writers which prove that doing the unusual can deliver handsomely, at least in literary terms. (more…)

There are more flavours of crime novel than colours in a box of Smarties says Barbara Ludman in a recent column in the Mail&Guardian. Protagonists in police procedurals range from tough American cops to highly civilised British policemen, from deeply depressed Scandinavian detective inspectors to the Italian inspettore who tracks down the bad guys in a world where nearly everyone is corrupt. (more…)

Boys by Michael Williams is the second of the stories out of the first-ever SA crime thriller anthology, Bad Company, edited by Joanne Hichens and published by Pan Macmillan. Williams, who began writing ‘crime radio plays’ for Springbok Radio as a student at UCT, is now General Manager for Cape Town Opera and has written libretti for several symphonic operas, as well as operas for young people based on African mythology. Not to mention his ten novels… (more…)

Crime Beat continues with Crime Cameos, a series of short stories by local writers. This week’s story is ‘Old Habits’ by Denise Cruse, a student at UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing.

L. A. Norton – Private Investigator, 15 years experience.
Yes, that’s my Yellow Pages entry. Lorraine Angela Norton. Clients are surprised to find that I am a woman, but you don’t need testosterone to track people, you need patience. People soon realize that being female gives me a real edge. (more…)

Crime Beat continues with Crime Cameos, a series of short stories by local writers. This week’s story is ‘Target’ by Nicole Strauss, a student at UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing.

“I’m looking at plastic bags full of Kidz Balls all the colours of the rainbow in Baby City’s window,” Vivienne said into her phone.

“Why the hell are you at Baby City? Something you should tell me, Viv?” (more…)

Crime Beat continues with Crime Cameos, a series of short stories by local writers. This week’s story is ‘Herehuis van die Barones’ by Derick Muller, a student at UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing.

Bloed. Bloed orals. Bloed en ’n verloofring. (more…)

Crime Beat continues with Crime Cameos, a series of short stories by local writers. This week’s story is The 7.15 by Yewanda Omotoso, a student at UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing.

Something happened on the way to work. My life changed, that’s why I’m sitting here now. (more…)

Continuing Crime Beat season of short stories from the candidates at the Centre for Creative Writing, University of Cape Town, is ‘The Dark Side’ by Melissa Siebert.

He could smell the blood. Human or animal, he wasn’t sure. Detective Anton Swart pushed open the gate to the sangoma’s kraal, kicking up Limpopo dust as he walked towards his rondavel. It was mid-day in December, and Swart was sweating in his coolest bush clothes. Could have come at dusk, he thought, but reconsidered. No way in hell, not to this place. (more…)

Number three in the Crime Beat season of short stories written by candidates of UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing: ‘Disrespect’ by Kira Schlesinger,

It was a Friday, the night I decided to leave the force. Every Friday the gates of hell open and throw their filth on the township: drunken stabbings, girls raped, shacks burned. I’m telling you, it’s as bad as the scenes my dominee describes if he’s in a particular mood. But that I could deal with. I’m a large individual, if I may say so, being a farm boy. What had really started to get to me was the disrespect. (more…)

From Crime Beat’s season of short stories written by candidates at UCT’s Centre for Creative Writing. The second in the season: ‘Shotgun Shack’ by Jacqui L’Ange (more…)