Meet Trooper (and happy #FelineFriday)

Six-week-old Trooper was injured and overheated when Mass. State Trooper John DeNapoli found him. Now fully recovered (and in his forever home), he was reunited with his rescuer for a happy ending. (Full story here.) You're welcome!

"Great story and eerily authentic..." Thank you, Tanya Donelly!

“WORLD ENOUGH illustrates the community-unifying power of music and the community-rending power of drugs/alcohol, and the fact that those two forces often meet in the same rooms at the same time ~ plus, it’s a thriller! Great story and eerily authentic, which is not surprising ~ Clea has been documenting the Boston music scene for some time now, and knows her subject.” – Tanya Donelly, Throwing Muses/The Breeders/Belly


I'm so honored!

The story behind the story...

No, I'm not researching a book. Rather, I'm avoiding writing. I started going through some of the boxes of my mom's stuff this weekend (she died six years ago, so ... overdue) and found this. My mother's mother, my grandmother, Anna ("Annie" here) is top right. I remember her quite well - that expression.....

Helping the feral cats of Boston... (for #FelineFriday)

All it takes are a few strays... (this great article in the Boston Globe tags along with some local "cat ladies" doing TNR - trap, neuter, return – in the Boston area: click here.)

Do you ever doubt yourself?

Do you ever doubt yourself when writing or doing something creative/dear to your heart? (AKA, are you human?) Well the brilliant Caroline Leavitt just posted this technique over on her page: A brilliant friend of mine told me to name that stupid, ugly voice inside of me that says you can't, you're stupid, you have no talent, because once you name it, you can dismiss it and take away its power.

I am calling that voice the Laughing Face, and I am slamming the door on it NOW.

Revisiting old friends...

That's what summer is for, right? So this summer, as I await the U.S. publication of my dark new World Enough, I'm revisiting one of my favorite heroines, a gal I haven't spent time with in a while. And, of course, her irascible tabby ... more news as I have it!

Happy #FelineFriday, wildlife division!

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, so let's celebrate the comeback of the Florida panther! And, yes, this proud panther mom even has kittens!

And, yes, I did write about the New England version of this beautiful wild cat in my "Panthers Play for Keeps" (now available in paperback and e-book!)

What do you read when you've got the time?

If you're Hillary Clinton, the list includes a lot crime fiction (and some poetry) too. See her list here.

The bones in the basement...

I don't write historical mysteries, although I love to read them. But this discovery - of human remains in the basement of Benjamin Franklin's London home, dated to the period when he lived there – might cut a bit close to the, uh, bone. Still, this would be a great prompt for somebody. Anyone out there write historicals? (Read the news story here.)

See you in Toronto!

Just got the great news that I'm invited to be on the "la femme cherche" (female sleuths) panel on Thurs., Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. at Bouchercon. That means I get to play the rest of the weekend! (And seriously, please do contact me if you want to get together.) What is Bouchercon, you ask? Why only the biggest mystery/crime fiction party of the YEAR. Already, over 700 authors have signed up... Check it out here.

Happy #FelineFriday!

Purrs out....

Calling all reviewers and book bloggers!

You've been hearing me go on about my upcoming rock & roll mystery, World Enough. You've seen that Catriona McPherson notes its "authority," calling it "highly recommended." And that Joe Finder calls it "excellent," with "just the right mix of edge and nostalgia." Well, now you can request a review copy from NetGalley here.(If you're a critic or book blogger and don't know about NetGalley, you should! It's free to join up and most publishers now make ARCs – advance reading copies – available through the site.)

Celebrating a free and independent press

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, let us celebrate and continue to support the free press, which holds the powers that be accountable by asking the questions and digging up the answers. The press is a vital part of our democracy and must be protected. So on this holiday, let's share favorite films or TV shows about journalism...

Favorite films about writing...

Besides the beach, a holiday is a chance to catch up on some favorite movies (ideally, in an air-conditioned setting)! Dana Cameron, a lovely writer of killer mysteries (who also just had her "Site Unseen" made into a movie for the Hallmark channel), started a Facebook thread about movies about writing. She was watching "Impromptu," which stars Judy Davis as the novelist George Sand (and Hugh Grant as her real-life love interest, Chopin!). I, of course, immediately thought of the great line laughed out by one of her exes, "The horse is a critic!" (You have to see it.) And then I remembered "Topsy Turvy," which has the single best film moment of a writer getting the idea for a creation (in this case, the wonderful Jim Broadbent playing Wm S. Gilbert in the moment that he conceives of "The Mikado"). And so I have to ask: What are your favorite films or TV shows about writers, writing, or the creative process?

Holiday weekend tips for pets

Enjoy the Fourth of July weekend but keep your pets safe and healthy too. These smart tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association cover everything from fireworks to picnic safety: tips