ISSUE #14 July/August 2005

I'm back, my friends, from Chicago. Bouchercon '05 was definitely one of the coolest experiences I've had in a while. I met some people I'd never known face to face, met some others I've seen before and met a whole buncha new people. I got to do the cowering fanboy act in front of writers who work I admired. I got to drink with some very cool people. I never got to see Ray Banks wrestle Ruth Rendell (but then she was in hiding, I'm sure) although actually meeting Banks himself and avoiding his fists of fury(the left one's called good, the right one night, apparently) I felt kinda cool about it. I got to meet CSS authors including Pat Lambe (who is incredibly tall and a real nice guy to boot) and also some authors we've been raving about here for some time (including the man, the legend, the icon, Ken Bruen). You can check out some choice pics from the con (including a lovely, contemplative shot of your esteemed editor wondering whether to stick with the beer or move on to the hard stuff) right here.

In this issue, I have a brief report about the con including what I feel the point of B'Con might be and whether its worth hanging out for the panels (having heard certain people mention the real fun is in hanging out at the bars). For those who want blow by blow account of my time in Chicago you should visit the blog at http://www.theseayemeanstreets.blogspot.com for more info. I mean its buried under stuff now, but search back and you'll find some really overly detailed entries.

Anyway, enough about me. This issue includes some brand new fiction including JA Konrath's "Blaine's Deal" a cautionary tale for you card sharks out there. JA's Bloody Mary was reviewed last issue, and is already available in the US. Turnaround Publisher services have already made Whiskey Sour available in the UK and Bloody Mary should be available soon as well. Also featured is Frank Zafiro's "Saving Grace" which takes us inside a individual whose world view might best be described as unique. Frank's a powerful writer and this downbeat tale just the kind of stuff we love here at CSS.

We also have reviews. Lin Anderson and Stuart MacBride provide us with the Scottish connection. Stuart's Cold Granite was released earlier in the year so we're a bit behind but if you haven't heard his name yet, shame on you: he's one to watch. Lin Anderson's Deadly Code is more up to date and sees an international conspiracy impact on home turf among the tennaments of Glasgow and the beauty of the rural Islands.

Jon Jordan was kind enough to get us an interview with MacBride this month. He reveals all (well, maybe not all: some things are too shocking for even us to print) and talks writing, Aberdeen and beards with Jon. And James Clar returns to talk about the lost Archer classics of Ross McDonald.

All this plus the usual suspects makes CSS #15 an issue well worth the admission price... And, as you'll see in this month's postbag we're always open to nitpicking about our ludicrously poor proofreading, too...

Au revoir

Russel D McLean