Tag Archives: Crime

Episode 149: Interview with Robert Justice, author of They Can’t Take Your Name



Laced with atmospheric poetry and literature and set in the heart of Denver’s black community, They Can’t Take Your Name by Robert Justice is a gripping crime novel that pits three characters in a race against time to thwart a gross miscarriage of justice—and a crooked detective who wreaks havoc…with deadly consequences. This is the first in a three-part series of crime novels based upon the greatest injustice in our justice system-—wrongful convictions. The second in the series, A Dream in the Dark is on shelves right now, so don’t miss it!

For this episode, Robert Justice shares the very personal inspiration for his fiction debut, his love letter to Denver, his passion project, what he’s working on next, and more. Click here for more information about the Read a Book, Right a Wrong Project. Thank you so much for joining me, Robert! 

Robert Justice recommends: No One Will Save Us by Julie L. Brown; The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Listen to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast here! 

 


Episode 147: Interview with Delia Pitts, author of Trouble In Queenstown



With Trouble in Queenstown, Delia Pitts introduces private investigator Vandy Myrick in a powerful mystery that blends grief, class, race, and family with thrilling results. I could not put this book down and it started with the very first sentence! We talk about the book, Delia’s short stories, her familial influences, and her terrific Ross Agency Mystery Series. That series will be on my summer reading list and I cannot wait to start it. In the meantime, check out, Trouble in Queenstown. Thank you for joining me Delia!

Delia Pitts recommends: Devil in Profile by Kimberly GiarratanoHall of Mirrors by John Copenhaver; Blessed Water: A Sister Holiday Mystery by Margaret Douaihy; Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett; Echo by Tracy Clark

 


E115: Interview with Cheryl A. Head, author of Time’s Undoing



Times Undoing is a harrowing yet beautiful journey into the heart of darkness that beats in the center of the American Experience. A tour de force.” —S.A. Cosby, NYT bestselling author of Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland

Totally star-struck to have interviewed Cheryl A. Head for this episode and she was kind enough to let me wax rhapsodic about all her books, especially Time’s Undoing. For E115, Cheryl explained how Time’s Undoing was inspired by her own family history, and what it was like to write in the voice of her grandfather. We also talk about her fantastic Charlie Mack Motown Mystery Series, and what Cheryl is working on next. Cheryl A. Head has some marvelous things to share on that topic, so give a listen to find out what’s next for her. Thank you so much for sharing your story in Time’s Undoing, Cheryl!

Cheryl A. Head recommends: Shutter by Ramona Emerson. Authors noted: Wanda M. Morris; Denny S. Bryce; Sadeqa Johnson. 

Follow Cheryl on Twitter: @cheaddc and Instagram: @cheadwrites


E114: Interview with Deepti Kapoor, author of Age of Vice



Equal parts crime thriller and family saga, transporting readers from the dusty villages of Uttar Pradesh to the urban energy of New Delhi, Age of Vice, a stunner by Deepti Kapoor is an intoxicating novel of gangsters and lovers, false friendships, forbidden romance, and the consequences of corruption. It is binge-worthy entertainment at its literary best. Age of Vice has already been optioned as a series by FX with Deepti Kapoor and her husband sharing screenwriting duties as they work together on the TV pilot. Age of Vice is the first in a trilogy about the Wadia crime family and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the second installment! What a wonderful interview, thank you so much Deepti!

Follow Deepti Kapoor on Instagram: @deeptikp

Deepti Kapoor recommends: Cremation by Rafael Chirbes; Ice by Anna Kavan; Masahisa Fukase Retrospective – Editions Xavier Barral


Episode 101: Interview with Hayley Scrivenor author of Dirt Creek



“I’m very interested in how we define ourselves to other people…” so says  author Hayler Scrivenor about her amazing debut Dirt Creek. Dirt Creek is a suspenseful police procedural about a missing girl that takes place in a very small, rural, Australian town and it is riveting stuff!

For this episode we talk about the origin story of Dirt Creek, what Hayley is working on next, we even discuss Iced Vovos, TimTams, Twisties, and other Australian confections.

I was so fortunate to once again join forces with Cindy Burnett host of Thoughts From a Page podcast, to bring you this special episode and we just had a blast. Thank you Cindy, and thank you so much Hayley!

Hayley Scrivenor recommends: A Little Life by Hanya Yanigahara; The Year of the Horses by Courtney Maum


Episode 93: Interview with Peter Farris author of The Devil Himself



The Devil Himself thunders off the page with beautiful writing and a killer sense of place. It’s urgent, triumphant, and unflinching.”  William Boyle, author of Shoot the Moonlight Out and City of Margins

What a pleasure to sit down with the 2021 Le Prix Lire En Poche finalist, author Peter Farris. The Devil Himself is a gritty southern noir with themes of family, estrangement, and redemption; a riveting deep dive into the genre.  First published in France with enormous critical acclaim and winning multiple literary awards, The Devil Himself will mark Peter Farris as a major crime writer in America as well.

We talk about the book, his other fantastic novel, Last Call for the Living, character development, French love for his books, rattlesnakes, and so much more. Thank you so much Peter!

Peter Farris recommends these authors: Pete Fromm; William Boyle; Sara Gran; and Eli Cranor.

 

Follow Peter Farris on Instagram at peter_farris and on Twitter @authorPJFarris