Sunday, March 5, 2017

Reed Farrel Coleman

Called a hard-boiled poet by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and the noir poet laureate in the Huffington Post, Reed Farrel Coleman is the New York Times bestselling author of Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series. He also writes the Gus Murphy series for Putnam. The first novel in that series, Where It Hurts, is nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel of 2016. He is a three-time recipient of the Shamus Award and four-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories. He has also won the Audie, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards. He lives on Long Island.

Coleman's new novel is What You Break.

Recently I asked the author about what he was reading. His reply:
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

One of the unfortunate side effects of writing as much as I do is that I enjoy reading less and less. I have little patience for obvious ploys and ruses. It’s almost like having x-ray vision, because I can see through weak writing and I refuse to push myself to finish novels I don’t enjoy. That’s why I turn more and more to great writers like Michael Connelly. I so thoroughly enjoy watching a pro do his or her thing. I have to say that Michael’s current hit might be my favorite. Harry Bosch is a wonderful protagonist, but there is a level of emotion in this novel that raises it to another level. I loved it. In fact I’m about to email Michael to tell him as much.

Some other books that have been recent reads and should be on everyone’s radar screens are, Dr. Knox by Peter Spiegelman. Peter is perhaps the best writer I know, but many more people should know him and Dr. Knox is a great gateway read. I loved Megan Abbott’s You Will Know Me. I don’t think I need to explain. And my up and comer is Duplicity by Ingrid Thoft.
Visit Reed Farrel Coleman's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Hollow Girl.

The Page 69 Test: Where It Hurts.

The Page 69 Test: What You Break.

--Marshal Zeringue