Critical praise for Christy!

For "Murder Hooks a Mermaid:"
"Author Christy Fifield creates the kind of characters that stay with you for a long time. Fifield’s new Haunted Souvenir Shop mystery, Murder Hooks a Mermaid has it all: a sunny, relaxed setting, captivating locals, delicious food, and—of course—murder! Delightful amateur sleuth Glory Martine is back with her wisecracking parrot and charming group of friends in this thoroughly entertaining adventure. Don’t miss it."—Julie Hyzy, National Bestselling author of the Manor House Mysteries and the White House Chef Mystery series
"A whodunit with a dose of the supernatural, "Murder Hooks a Mermaid" is a worthy successor to the series opener and showcases Fifield's talents for plotting, characterization and humor." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Quirky and unique, a heroine for whom you can't help but root. The story sucks you in." - The Maine Suspect
"With a lovable cast of characters, good conversations and a great setting, this well-written book is a terrific read." -- Dru's Book Musings

For "Murder Buys a T-Shirt:"
A refreshing new sleuth! - Lynne Maxwell, Mystery Scene Magazine
"A fun book that will make the dreariest of days a little brighter! Socrates' great Book Alert" - Socrates' Cozy Cafe
"An entertaining and clever Florida whodunit" - Harriet Klausner
"Hilarious! A great murder mystery with well-written characters" - Paranormal & Romantic Suspense Reviews
For the Georgiana Neverall Series:
"Christy Evans will find legions of fans with this new series" - Sheldon McArthur, Lincoln City News Guard
"Funny and entertaining -- a solid mystery filled with likable characters." - RT Book Reviews"
Cute cozy mystery debute -- wry humor -- adorable dogs" -Publisher's Weekly
"Will have you giggling out loud! Four Stars." - Kathy Fisher, The Romance Readers Connection"The Book is good! Keep them coming, Ms. Evans!" - Mystery Scene
"Evans delivers a fast-paced mystery with admirable finesse!" - Sharon Galligar Chance, FreshFiction.com
"Christy Evans has a hit on her hands" - Harriet Klausner, Bookreview.com
"Christy Evans is aces. I'll be very suprised if Sink Trap isn't an instant hit with cozy readers!" - CozyLibrary.com

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Schedule Updates, and More News!

New books, fresh from the publisher!  It's like Christmas!!
As you can see from the post below, RT loves the new book.  It got a great review and 4 stars!  Makes a writer happy to see readers enjoying their books.

Things around Christy-land have been a bit discombobulated lately, and this blog was one of the things that got set aside while we worked it out.  But now I can bring you up-to-date a little on what's coming in the next few months - and tell you about TWO special no-longer-secret projects.

UPDATE:  Christy Evans, and DRIP DEAD, are featured on the RT Book Review site!  Read an excerpt, or the review.  And, as a bonus, a letter from Christy should be live this week!

First, the schedule:

February 17, 2011 -  (Man, where did 2010 go?)  Dialogue, blog radio interview with Joshus Graham and Susan Wingate. 10 am.  Also available as streaming audio following the live broadcast.  And, by the way, I also did an episode with them in January, which is available at the blog radio archive.

February 26, 2011 - Signing at North by Northwest Books, Streetcar Village, Lincoln City, Oregon - I don't have a time yet, but they're usually scheduled for 12-2 pm.  If you can't make it but you want a signed book, contact Sheldon McArthur at North by Northwest, 541-994-3087.  He'll be glad to help you out!

June 30-July2, 2011 - North American Mensa Annual Gathering, Portland, Oregon.  I don't have my specific schedule yet, but I have been asked to present, and plan to talk about "The Promiscuous Writer."

August 17-22. 2011 - World Science Fiction Convention - Renovations, Reno, Nevada.  Worldcon is a large, eclectic gathering of fans, writers, editors, agents, and artists.  It promises to be a good time, and we plan to be there for the festivities.

October 28-31, 2011 - Scribes At Sea, where I will be teaching aboard a cruise ship!

So, that's the schedule for now.  There may be additions, and I'll post them as soon as I set them up.

Now, I promised you news about a secret project, right?  OK.  OK.  I promised you news about TWO secret projects.

The first is a collaboration for Story Portals out of Green Bay, Wisconsin.  I just finished my part of a new fantasy series about Bel Thorne, Hedge Witch.  In a world where magic is an accepted part of life, there are those who fear and despise it, a few who abuse it, and those - like Bel - who strive to wield their Power in an ethical manner.  The first book in the series will be completed later this year, and I'll be sure to let you know when the wonderful people at Story Portals release it.

And (drum roll, please) the OTHER big news - a new mystery series, from a new name!!

If you look at the logo at the top of this blog, you'll notice a slight change.  It no longer says "Christy Evans Mystery."  It says "Christy Mystery, the Mysteries of Christina F. York, Christy Evans, and Christy Fifield."  Those are some of the names I write under, and the newest series will be written as Christy Fifield.  I just got the contract for three books, again for Berkley Prime Crime, and I'm stoked!

Glory Martine owns a gift shop in the Florida Panhandle, inherited from her great-uncle, Louis George.  Along with the shop, she inherited Bluebeard, a foul-mouthed parrot.  Bluebeard isn't the only one living in the shop, however.  When things get moved, or displays fall off the walls, Glory finally has to admit the shop is haunted by the ghost of Uncle Louis.

MURDER IN A SHOT GLASS, the first book in the series, revolves around the drunk driving death of a high school football star.  Things are never what they seem, and with Uncle Louis urging her on, Glory can't accept the single-car wreck was an accident.  With the help of her best friend, radio personality Karen Freed, and the rest of her pals, Glory is determined to find the real culprit - even if it puts her own life in danger.

I have books 2 & 3 planned, and will be writing like crazy.  I don't have release dates as yet, but look for the Hauntedd Gift Shop mysteries starting in the spring of 2012.

Well, I think that's enough for now.  I'll try to be better about stopping by here and updating you on my books and stories, appearances, and maybe even a new name or two.  I blame it on being a Gemini - one name just isn't enough!

4-Stars for "Drip Dead" from RT Book Reviews!

Read the review HERE.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

More Great Moments in Detective Plumbing History!

Actor Mark Harmon on the popular CBS Series "NCIS"
Number 1 Fan Steve Here:

The other day I revealed the secret history of detectives wielding pipe wrenches.  You might think that genre (other than Georgiana Neverall) had long ago faded away.  And that's where you'd be wrong!

I bring you further pictorial evidence to the contrary. Here's actor Mark Harmon (in his role of Special Agent Gibbs) on the top-rated CBS crime series "NCIS" displaying our crime-busting tool of choice. Now, to be honest, I'm not sure if this was a current episode (I spotted this and snapped the picture back in October) or a re-run, but I'll bet if you look around Agent Gibb's house, you'll almost certainly find a pipe wrench among the boat-building tools, so we stand by our case!

Meanwhile, don't forget the new Georgia book, "Drip Dead," now in stores!

It may not be NCIS, but it's pretty popular too!  Get your copy while the getting is good!  (And drop by the hardware store and pick up a pipe-wrench too.  You know -- just for household defense and stuff!)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Great Moments in Detective Plumbing History!

Detective Comics #27, 1939, first appearance of Batman
#1 Fan (and husband) Steve here:

People seem to think that the conjunction of plumbing and detective work in Christy's Georgiana Neverall series is unusual, unprecedented, and occasionally even a little bizarre.

But Georgiana isn't the first amateur detective to wield a pipe wrench. In fact, she's part of a long and proud tradition, and we have some evidence here for you today!

The art at left is from Detective Comics #27, published in 1939, the first-ever appearance of Batman (then known as "the Bat-Man").

We'll admit that Batman has since traded his pipe-wrench in for a Bat-a-rang, but he still wears a tool-belt utility-belt.

So, Georgie is far from the first crime-solver to sling a wrench, and she may not be the last!  We'll just have to wait and see...

(Batman art via Bleedingcool.com)