May 2013
5 posts
National Crime Writing Month: a month-long spree... →
National Crime Writing Month May 31st to July 15th 2013 in the UK
“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one…just remember that all the...”
– The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are ‘It might have been.’”
– Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle (via mynameiscollins)
Ohio Kidnapper to Face Death Penalty?
New information has come to light in the investigation of the kidnapping of three Cleveland, Ohio women. Information that could land Ariel Castro the death penalty.
The death penalty is reserved for the most heinous of crimes. Jodi Arias could face the death penalty for her conviction yesterday of first-degree murder of her ex-boyfriend (her sentencing was post-poned today). The murder was...
Get to Know Your Neighbors
The news out of Cleveland, Ohio is startling and disturbing. Three woman, Amanda Berry, Georgina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were kidnapped between 2002 and 2004 from Lorain Avenue. Ariel Castro kept the women bound and chained in his home. Neighbors had no idea the women had been held captive and restrained for almost ten years.
This is a stark reminder that we should get to know our...
April 2013
10 posts
Terrorism or small town feud?
While the media was reporting on the Boston Bombings and subsequent manhunt, another story got some airplay only because they thought it might be connected. Once it was proved there was no connection the story dropped from many news organizations. But this was just when the story got interesting.
Letters poisoned with ricin, a lethal toxin made from caster beans, were mailed to President Obama,...
Festival of Books recap
I wanted to thank everyone that stopped by the Sisters in Crime booth at the LA Times Festival of Books this past weekend. I had a great time meeting new readers and new authors and seeing a few repeat customers. It was a pleasure to spend the beautiful day around so many book lovers. I even made it on the local KTLA news!
If you were unable to attend or had missed my signing, my books are...
Guess I’m not as observant as I thought...
It was quiet in my house this morning, the only sound the clicking of my keyboard. The sun hadn’t come out yet, hidden by coastal clouds and I hadn’t glanced outside. I had heard children walking to school along the street as they do every morning and paid it no attention. I needed to get some work done.
Then at 10:30 this morning, I glanced outside. Expecting the quiet solitude that comes when...
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
– William Shakespeare
Forensic Science Simplified →
A simplified guide to Forensic Science
The Official Site of the Los Angeles Chapter of... →
An International Organization of Crime Writers & Readers
BlueInk Review of CHASING DEMONS by Melissa M.... →
Check out what BlueInk Review thought of my latest novel, CHASING DEMONS.
California "Swatting" Bill
California lawmakers are about to increase penalties for false 911 calls. The bill passed the senate today in an attempt to fight the recent upswing in “swatting” calls. These are false 911 calls, usually to celebrities homes, in order to garner a SWAT or other emergency services response. Although unfamiliar to many people, the practice of swatting has been around for almost a...
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Signing Information for the LA Times Festival of...
I will be signing all three of my novels at the LA Times Festival of Books on Sunday, April 21st. I hope you can come out for a fun-filled day in Los Angeles to celebrate the art of storytelling.
The festival will be taking place both Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm at the University of Southern California. The Festival is FREE to attend and has booths and stages for children, cooking,...
March 2013
6 posts
4 tags
I'm attending the Writer's Police Academy!
I’m all signed up for this year’s Writer’s Police Academy in North Carolina. I’m looking forward to flying across the country to learn how the East Coast handles crime. There will be police, fire, crime scene investigators and science experts. So much information and hands-on activities are planned.
I also get to meet two wonderful writers I haven’t had the chance to...
US Review of Books Review of CHASING DEMONS by... →
Check out what The US Review of Books thought of my latest novel, CHASING DEMONS. Review posted today.
“If I got rid of my demons, I’d lose my angels.”
– Tennessee Williams
Paperback Swap →
Have a bunch of old paperbacks sitting around collecting dust? Swap them with other readers and pick up something you haven’t read yet.
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Special FREE E-Book Offer - Chasing Demons by...
Through the month of March, download my latest crime novel, CHASING DEMONS from @Smashwords for FREE. Use Coupon Code: PQ28S
Download now in your preferred format (epub, mobi, pdf, rtf, etc) and start reading today!
I hope you enjoy the free offer. Please leave a review to let me know what you thought of it.
About CHASING DEMONS:
Journalist and ex-car thief, Luc Actar has finally decided to...
Pulled from the Headlines
It’s been awhile since I wrote, mostly because I’ve been busily writing the first draft my latest novel, Next of Kin. But I’ve been watching some great (intriguing) cases closely.
Heating up - The Jodi Arias Case
This case is heating up with Jodi taking the stand this week in her own defense of killing Travis Alexander in June 2008. Jodi Arias is accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend in the face,...
“He jumped when he heard the single gunshot ring out. As the officers rushed past...”
– “Faith Departed” by Melissa M. Garcia
February 2013
8 posts
Save the Date - Los Angeles Times Festival of... →
In 59 days, the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will be held at the USC Campus. I will be on hand signing my novels, including my latest, CHASING DEMONS. Signing information will be posted soon.
Saturday, April 20-Sunday April 21.
Chasing Demons now available on Sony E-Reader →
Journalist and ex-car thief, Luc Actar has finally decided to settle down and stay out of trouble. So when detectives arrive to inform him of the death of his father, he’s hesitant to get involved. But a powerful leader in the mental health industry is pulling the strings and Luc unknowingly steps right into the crosshairs of a deranged killer.
Available for download at the Sony Reader...
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How I Would Re-Write the Manhunt
Yesterday, as the massive LAPD manhunt scoured the Southern California region for fired LAPD officer Chris Dorner, I realized this was an amazing story. I mentioned to several people that this would have been a great suspense or thriller novel. A disgruntled and dishonored veteran and ex-police officer releases a manifesto and attempts to clear his name by resorting to the only option left, a...
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Luc Actar’s Thoughts on Gun Control
Luc Actar*:
“I’m not sure when it happened, but at some point American’s started depending on other people for everything. It was probably a slow process. First we gave companies the right to provide us with water and power so we didn’t have to get it ourselves. It was just easier that way. Probably sometime around the Great Depression, we started expecting the government to help us out when we...
“Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is the best defense.”
– www.melissamgarcia.com
The Standoff is Over
The Alabama standoff that started almost a week ago with the abduction of a 5-year-old boy from a school bus is over.
The suspect in the case has been identified as 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes. Last Tuesday, Dykes boarded a school bus and demanded the driver hand over two children. The bus driver refused and was killed as he tried to allow numerous children to escape. Dykes grabbed a boy,...
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STRANGER: A DEATH VALLEY MYSTERY on Sale
Amazon has the Kindle version of Stranger: A Death Valley Mystery on sale for only $0.99. If you haven’t read it, download it today.
Visit http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Death-Valley-Mystery-ebook/dp/B008U9SWFI
About Stranger
There is a dead body in room 110 of the Death Valley Motel, and the evidence points to murder. Managers Ric and Alex Delgado, siblings with police work in their...
January 2013
12 posts
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… but...”
– To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“Dogs, monkeys, and parrots are a thousand times less miserable than we are.”
– Candide by Voltaire
Crime Writers Consultations →
Crime Writers Consultations provides a seminar entitled “Writer’s Homicide School.” If you interested in writing crime, mystery, or suspense novels, this is a great two-day seminar.
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Review Chasing Demons
Have you read Chasing Demons? If so, I’d love to hear what you thought. Leave a review on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. Share what you thought of the characters, the story, the mystery or what you would like to see in the next one!
About Chasing Demons:
Journalist and ex-car thief, Luc Actar has finally decided to settle down. He’s traded in his life of crime for the life he’s always...
Why I Didn’t Become a Journalist
I was a journalism major when I enrolled in college. I wanted to write and it was before the downsizing of print media, so I thought it was a great fit. But it wasn’t. Here are the reasons why I’d make a lousy journalist:
1. No mystery. You are taught to provide the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW in the first paragraph of your story. You can get the gist of the story in less than two...
Man convicted in mob crimes says he's 'certain'... →
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Unplanned Entry?
The Interim Los Angeles Coroner Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran has released an update to the Natalie Wood case.
Natalie Wood, a child actress who grew up in the Hollywood system and then married actor Robert Wagner, died in 1981 under mysterious conditions. While boating with her husband and his friend, Christopher Walken, and consuming large amounts of alcohol, Woods disappeared. When Mr. Wagner...
Follow Author Melissa M. Garcia on Facebook →
“Keep in mind that I’m crazy, won’t you?”
– The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Kindle Book Lending →
Join Lendle today to begin lending and borrowing Kindle™ books with a community of ebook readers.
Illinois man killed by cyanide poisoning after... →
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Featured Mystery Authors Suggest Titles
Barnes & Noble asked some of the most popular Mystery Authors what titles they would suggest to new readers in the genre. Here are their suggestions. How many have you read?
Click the links for full list of suggested novels.
Michael Connelly - Suggests novels spanning from Robert Crais to Harper Lee
Robert Crais - Suggests novels from mystery superstar Michael Connelly and legend Raymond...
December 2012
10 posts
7 tags
STRANGER Book Club Questions
1. Stranger takes place in Death Valley in the middle of the hot summer. What is your opinion of Death Valley? Did your image of Death Valley change after reading the novel? What do the characters in the novel feel about it? 2. During his interview with a possible witness, Detective Will Stellar tells Alex Delgado she has issues with control. Discuss other instances in the novel where Alex...
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FALLING ANGELS Book Club Questions
1. What is your view of Luc Actar? What motivates him to find out more about Spencer’s disappearance?
2. Discuss the other characters’ motivations for their actions, both the “villains” and “heroes” in the story, including Mattie Hardwin, Spencer Hardwin, Detective Ward, and John Carliss.
3. What did you find to be most compelling about Falling Angels — the action scenes, the characters,...
1 tag
Check out the Official Web Site of author Melissa... →
Why I Still Believe in Santa
Who is Santa? It’s not an easy question to answer for anyone.
But we can describe Santa. He’s jolly. He’s a bit on the obese side. He likes cookies. And he gives gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Santa gives gifts to people without wanting to be seen, without wanting recognition. He just wants to bring happiness to the world He gives to put a smile on someone’s face. To brighten a day, or to...
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“These people have rights, too. Just because they’re homeless doesn’t...”
– Chasing Demons by Melissa M. Garcia
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Time to Give
Although we should donate to charities throughout the year, December tends to be designated as the “time to give.” People feel more charitable around the holidays and tax season is just around the corner. If you’re looking to help those in need, I’ve listed a few charities that I’ve been proud to help. Please remember to research any charity you wish to help to ensure...
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Time is running out...
There are only 13 shopping days until Christmas. Worse than that..there are only 10 days until the Mayan calendar ends!
So, have you purchased Chasing Demons yet? There’s still time to get your copy and read it before the end of the world or to give it as a gift this holiday season.
Chasing Demons is available at:
Amazon.com (Paperback & Kindle)
Barnes & Noble.com (Paperback...
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STRANGER: A Death Valley Mystery - on Sale!
For a limited time, Amazon.com has the Kindle version of STRANGER for only $2.99. What a great deal!
If you prefer a paperback, you can order an autographed copy of STRANGER for only $7.00 (includes shipping!) at AuthorsDen.com. The novel will be autographed and shipped directly to you. Just in time for the holidays.
About STRANGER
There is a dead body in room 110 of the Death Valley Motel,...
“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.”
– How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess 