As part of the Top Suspense Group, I participated in a Round Robin short story that has recently been completed. I wrote two of the twelve segments, though authors are not identified, and in fact Top Suspense is running a contest for readers who can figure out who wrote what. Check out the contest rules and the story right here.

I think it’s going to be tough for anybody to figure out all six contributing authors, so I’m going to offer free books to the first four followers of my updates who i.d. my two mini-chapters. Write me at macphilms@hotmail.com – don’t post your entry here! I will have free books for the winners. Though Top Suspense is designed to promote e-books, these prizes will be “real” books. I haven’t picked anything out and will probably give the winners a choice between a number of things.

My friend Ed Gorman, who is also part of the Top Suspense Group, has always been a big supporter of my Quarry character. The first time we spoke, on the phone, back in the ‘80s, was about his love for those books. Since Ed is one of the very best writers in the genre, this has always meant a lot. He was kind enough recently to showcase the new Perfect Crime trade paperback reprints of the first five Quarry novels at his terrific blog.

And, oddly, a review of the forthcoming KISS HER GOODBYE has turned up on the web, and gotten fairly wide coverage. Since this book doesn’t come out till May, it’s a tad early, but it’s a near rave review, so…okay.

I am working right now on THE CONSUMMATA for Hard Case Crime. This is the long-awaited sequel to THE DELTA FACTOR, the second Morgan the Raider novel. It’s going very well, and since DELTA FACTOR was always one of my favorites among the 1960s non-Hammer Spillanes, a great deal of fun for me. Who or what is the Consummata? More later….

I wish everyone a great Christmas and happy holidays. For the record, here are the only Christmas movies worth watching (not including the original I, THE JURY):

1. Miracle on 34th Street (original)
2. Scrooge (with Alistair Sim)
3. It’s a Wonderful Life
4. A Christmas Story
5. Christmas Vacation

In that order. Accept no substitutes.

M.A.C.

Tags: Consummata, Contests, Kiss Her Goodbye, Mike Hammer, Quarry, Reviews, Spillane, The First Quarry