Next week at Maine Crime Writers there will be posts by Brenda Buchanan (Monday), special guest Shelley Burbank (Tuesday), Jule Selbo (Thursday), and Joe Souza (Friday).

In the news department, here’s what’s happening with some of us who blog regularly at Maine Crime Writers:

Matt Cost was quite excited to get a blurb from the legendary King of the historical thriller, William Martin, for Velma Gone Awry. His review is spot on and ends with a bang. “Before you’re done, you’ll find a mountain of entertainment, a book filled with action, suspense, plot twists, and a sense that you’re actually living back there in the fantastic world that author Matt Cost brings so vividly to life. Velma may have gone awry. But don’t let her get away. Read the book.” This follows an outstanding review from the Midwest Book Review, as well as a blurb from our very own Jule Selbo. “…a smooth, captivating, twist-y mystery… 8 Ballo is a grand combo of brawn, intellect, empathy, and fast wit.He’s a sleuth worthy of hire, and this reader is looking forward to his next adventure.” The cover artist for Encircle Publications, Deirdre Waite, has updated the cover of Velma Gone Awry with these comments, and the book is ready to go for the April 12th release date.

An invitation to readers of this blog: Do you have news relating to Maine, Crime, or Writing? We’d love to hear from you. Just comment below to share.

And a reminder: If your library, school, or organization is looking for a speaker, we are often available to talk about the writing process, research, where we get our ideas, and other mysteries of the business, along with the very popular “Making a Mystery” with audience participation, and “Casting Call: How We Staff Our Mysteries.” We also do programs on Zoom. Contact Kate Flora