Back from Bouchercon 2013

I'm home from Albany and have had a nap, so here goes.

I didn't attend as many panels as planned or see as many people as hoped, due in part to the attendees being divided among a number of hotels surrounding the labyrinthine Empire State Plaza. I stayed at the Hampton Inn, not running into many others who did. Still, I never get to see everyone I wish. I embrace the unpredictability of who I'll see and for how long. Knowing glances, quick words suffice, even at times just orbiting old friends and those I want to meet as they chat with others.

At my last B'con, 2011 in St. Louis, I only got to wave to Ali Karim, and couldn't be sure someone I'd seen was Joseph Finder. This time, I chatted with them both together, and John McFetridge snapped a photo follow-up to 2008's Gerald and Ali Go to Bouchercon. I call it Gerald and Ali Escape from Albany, coming soon.

Albany's own John DuMond, a member of two of my discussion lists and first-time B'con attendee, was a much appreciated guide. We had dinner at El Mariachi Thursday night and crossed paths and traded commentary throughout the con. Here's video of John I shot from the opening ceremonies before my Flip Mino conked out unexpectedly:




I met Short Mystery Fiction Society President Tom Sweeney and touched base with his perennial con roommate, Jack Bludis, over two cafeteria meals and several panels. I could not attend the informal SMFS lunch Friday at 12:30 or the formal PWA Shamus banquet at 6:30. There's only so much time and so much one can do in a day.

The panel I found most enlightening was one not in my original plan: What Makes a Good Villain? Saturday from 9:00-9:55 A.M., moderated by Barbara Fister with panelists Michael Dymmoch, Steve Hamilton, Joe Lansdale, John McFetridge, and Helen Smith. After that panel, leading up to one in the same room about what's taboo in crime fiction, I got to chat with David Corbett about his experience sleeping aboard a boat to attend this B'con, and his preference for "Damn!" over "Shit!"

I was assigned to the Saturday, 3:10 to 4:05 P.M. What Are We Reading Now reviewers' panel and, thanks to Twitter, felt as if I'd known my fellow panelists much longer than I have. It was a nice mix of reading tastes and voices. Thanks to all who attended, including Canadian crime author Cathy Ace, my Lineup cohort Anthony Rainone, mystery newsletter publisher Chris Aldrich, and John DuMond, who took this photo:

L to R: Gerald So, Lynn Farris, Dave Magayna, Joe Meyers, Jordan Foster, Kristopher Zgorski

Away from the con, I attended Friday and anticipated Sunday Masses at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, just steps from the Plaza's Madison Avenue entrance.

Instead of catching the last panels Sunday morning, I spontaneously had breakfast with Anthony Rainone and we talked until it was about time to pack up and check out. It seems like two days ago, not less than twenty-four hours.


Cheers to everyone I met. Apologies to everyone I didn't see. Here's a rundown of the panels and events I attended:

Thursday 1:20-2:15 P.M. - Angry Young Man - Room 2 - What drives the P.I. with moderator Ted Fitzgerald, J.L. Abramo, Jack Fredrickson, David Housewright, Tom Sweeney, and Richard Lipez.

Thursday 4:00-4:55 P.M. - The Siegfried Line - Room 3 - Crime before, during, and after World War II with moderator Peter Rozovsky, James R. Benn, J. Robert Janes, John Lawton, Martin Límon, and Susan Ella MacNeil.

Thursday 7:30-9:00 P.M. - Opening Ceremonies - Hart Theater - As part of the ceremonies, SMFS president Tom Sweeney recognized the 2013 Derringer winners, and winner Art Taylor spoke.


Friday 9:00-9:55 A.M. - Worse Comes to Worst - Room 1 - Tragedy as entertainment with moderator Art Taylor, Joe Clifford, Nik Korpon, Johnny Shaw, F. Paul Wilson, and Vincent Zandri.

Friday 10:20-11:15 A.M. - Goodnight, My Angel - Room 2 - Readers' love affair with hardboiled and noir with moderator Peter Rozovsky, Eric Beetner, Mike Dennis, Dana King, Terrence McCauley, and Jonathan Woods.

Friday 12:30-1:25 P.M. - Until the Night - Room 1 - The art of writing the P.I. novel with moderator Ali Karim, Baron Birtcher, Jack Bludis, Brendan DuBois, Charles Salzberg, and John Shepphird.

Friday 1:50-2:45 P.M. - I Don't Want to Be Alone - Room 1 - The art of collaboration with moderator Barbara Peters, Barbara Collins, Max Allan Collins, Wendy Corsi-Staub, Jonathan Greene, and Paul Kemprecos.

Friday 3:10-4:05 P.M. - Light as a Breeze - Room 4 - How far can you go and still be a cozy? with moderator Donna Andrews, Laura Bradford, E.J. Copperman, Liz Mugavero, Katherine Hall Page, and Rebecca Tope.


Saturday 9:00-9:55 A.M. - Big Man on Mulberry Street - Room 6 - Creating the perfect villain with moderator Barbara Fister, Michael Dymmoch, Steve Hamilton, Joe Lansdale, John McFetridge, and Helen Smith.

Saturday 10:20-11:15 A.M. - Shameless - Room 6 - Dead Cats & Bad Girls: The True Taboos in Crime Fiction with moderator Laura Lippman, Megan Abbott, Alison Gaylin, Lauren Henderson, Greg Herren, and Alex Marwood.

Saturday 3:10-4:05 P.M. - A Room of Our Own - Room 4 - What are We Reading? with moderator Dave Magayna, Lynn Farris, Jordan Foster, Joe Myers, Gerald So, and Kristopher Zgorski.


Tell me about your B'con in the comments.

At The 5-2: "A Typical Night in Western Hill" by Terry Trowbridge

This week's poem, by Toronto poet and Ph.D. candidate Terry Trowbridge:




Terry is guest-editing The 5-2 in October. Submit to him by September 30.

Burn Notice: The Final Season

Burn Notice aired its final episode last night, with Michael Westen taking down yet another criminal mastermind. I didn't like every direction the show took, especially in the last two seasons. Its humor and helping the underdog fell by the wayside as Michael became consumed with trying to get "un-burned", a concept I never thought was plausible.

Season 7 gave us the deepest exploration of Michael's psyche and, as a side effect, threw his moral compass out of whack. It wasn't much fun to watch. The major message of Seasons 6 and 7 seemed to be that Michael and friends had to pay for their years of exacting personal justice, but it was a mixed message with Sam and Jesse ultimately getting passes. I did appreciate Michael and Fiona escaping an exploding building so narrowly that perhaps only Sam and Jesse knew they had survived. Being presumed dead was the only way the couple could worm out of the trouble they were facing.

The series would have worked better for me if the CIA weren't depicted as a fairly standard government agency. That raised a tough question for the writers: How do we clear Michael for government work with all the less-than-legal stuff he's done since getting burned?

The realm of spies has leeway to be murky. In the pilot, Michael said he didn't work for anyone officially. If he worked for a fictitious, off-book subsection to begin with, the protocol for getting cleared back to work could have been made up, and the show could have delivered the same message: Working with a small group of trusted friends is better than working for a larger organization.

All this said, Burn Notice ended the way I wanted, with Michael giving up his old life, embracing a new life with Fiona.

Derek Jeter

Jeter, who had been trying to come back from a broken ankle suffered in the playoffs last season, has been shut down for the rest of this season.

Much like the ACL tear that sidelined Mariano Rivera for much of last season, Jeter's injury throws the rest of his career in doubt. He no longer seems to have the durability that allowed him to break many Yankee records. Then again, he is thirty-nine.

Jeter, Rivera, and Andy Pettitte could have retired in 2009 and I'd be happy. I don't like seeing players play until injuries leave them permanently hobbled.

September 11

I was home on Long Island on September 11, 2001 when a friend IM'd me that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. I felt far away and helpless, feelings that came back every year on the memorial until 2011. bin Laden had been killed, and I finally felt some closure and peace.

Leading up to this year's anniversary, I had the familiar feeling of helplessness about U.S. military action in Syria. I don't think it should happen, and now there is some hope it won't. As often as I pick at politicians' words, diplomacy is what ultimately prevents or ends conflict; there are no greater achievements.

At The 5-2: "Day 7" by Tiffany Washington

The 5-2 begins its third year with Hartford, Connecticut teacher Tiffany Washington:




Submissions are open for guest editor Terry Trowbridge through September 30.

The 5-2 Volume Two ebook of all of the poetry from Year Two will be available in October.

Keeping Genres Fresh and Relevant

I'm a longtime fan of Peter Rozovsky's blog, Detectives Beyond Borders. I met Peter at my first Bouchercon, 2008 in Baltimore, and know him to be a fine moderator. One of his panels at Bouchercon 2013 in Albany will be "Goodnight, My Angel", about readers' love affair with hardboiled and noir fiction.

I commented today on a re-post of Peter's from 2012, in which he asks, "How do your favorite crime writers keep well-established sub-genres fresh, relevant, and contemporary?"

At The 5-2

This week, Robert Cooperman "On Hearing The Supreme Court's Ruling Against the Voting Rights Act":



Submissions for 5-2 guest editor Terry Trowbridge are open through September 30.

My Bouchercon 2013 Plan

Here are my first and second choices for the panels I want to take in at Bouchercon, September 19-22, in Albany. I'm arriving Thursday, possibly late for the noon panels, but if not:

Thursday 12:00-12:55 P.M. - River of Dreams - Room 1 - The road to being a debut author with moderator Erin Mitchell, Sean Chercover, Elizabeth Haynes, Gilbert King, Lisa Lutz, and Alex Marwood.

2nd Choice - Thursday 12:00-12:55 P.M. - Can I Get a Witness - Room 7 - On William Morrow's planned digital-first mystery line, Witness, with moderator Danielle Bartlett, James Heyman, Dan Mallory, and Meg Ruley.

Thursday 1:20-2:15 P.M. - Angry Young Man - Room 2 - What drives the P.I. with moderator Ted Fitzgerald, J.L. Abramo, Jack Fredrickson, David Housewright, Tom Sweeney, and Richard Lipez.

Thursday 2:40-3:35 P.M. - Leave a Tender Moment Alone - Room 6 - Levels of intimacy with moderator Lauren Henderson, David Corbett, Heather Graham, Julie Kramer, William Kent Krueger, and Jess McConkey.

Thursday 4:00-4:55 P.M. - The Siegfried Line - Room 3 - Crime before, during, and after World War II with moderator Peter Rozovsky, James R. Benn, J. Robert Janes, John Lawton, Martin Límon, and Susan Ella MacNeil.

Thursday 7:30-9:00 P.M. - Opening Ceremonies - Hart Theater - As part of the ceremonies, SMFS president Tom Sweeney will present plaques to the Derringer winners.


Friday 10:20-11:15 A.M. - Goodnight, My Angel - Room 2 - Readers' love affair with hardboiled and noir with moderator Peter Rozovsky, Eric Beetner, Mike Dennis, Dana King, Terrence McCauley, and Jonathan Woods.

Friday 12:30-1:25 P.M. - Until the Night - Room 1 - The art of writing the P.I. novel with moderator Ali Karim, Baron Birtcher, Jack Bludis, Brendan DuBois, Charles Salzberg, and John Shepphird.

2nd Choice - Friday 12:30-1:25 P.M. - Somewhere Along the Line - Room 6 - Guess the true first line with moderator Rhys Bowen, Lucy Burdette, Deborah Crombie, Hallie Ephron, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Julia Spencer-Fleming.

Friday 1:50-2:45 P.M. - I Don't Want to Be Alone - Room 1 - The art of collaboration with moderator Barbara Peters, Barbara Collins, Max Allan Collins, Wendy Corsi-Staub, Jonathan Greene, and Paul Kemprecos.

Friday 3:10-4:05 P.M. - Light as a Breeze - Room 4 - How far can you go and still be a cozy? with moderator Donna Andrews, Laura Bradford, E.J. Copperman, Liz Mugavero, Katherine Hall Page, and Rebecca Tope.


Saturday 10:20-11:15 A.M. - Shameless - Room 6 - Dead Cats & Bad Girls: The True Taboos in Crime Fiction with moderator Laura Lippman, Megan Abbott, Alison Gaylin, Lauren Henderson, Greg Herren, and Alex Marwood.

Saturday 3:10-4:05 P.M. - A Room of Our Own - Room 4 - What are We Reading? with moderator Dave Magayna, Lynn Farris, Jordan Foster, Joe Myers, Gerald So, and Kristopher Zgorski.


Sunday 9:00-9:55 A.M. - Pressure - Room 2 - The trials and tribulations of a modern author with moderator Russel McLean, Frankie Y. Bailey, John Burley, Aric Davis, Barb Goffman, amd Koethi Zan.

2nd Choice - Sunday 9:00-9:55 A.M. - Heartbreak Hotel - Room 3 - Being a writer doesn't come with room service with moderator Tom Sweeney, Maggie Barbieri, Suzanne Chaizin, Chris Ewan, Terry Shames, and Andy Siegel.


I hope I've left enough time for spontaneity. Feel free to contact me and rope me into something not listed.

THE OTHER WOMAN by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Embroiled in a lawsuit, TV reporter Jane Ryland protects her source and is let go by her station. Jane lands at the Boston Register newspaper, where she's assigned to look into why a Senate candidate's wife has dropped off the campaign trail. Jane's search overlaps a police investigation into possible serial killings.

My interest in The Other Woman was piqued last summer, when I saw it described on Twitter as "Basic Instinct meets The Manchurian Candidate." I'm still not sure what that means, but the book plays on readers' expectations of political corruption and collusion. It's not much a stretch to say everyone is involved with everyone else.

The book is told from the viewpoints of Jane, her friend Boston Det. Jake Brogan, and a handful of key players, but is nonetheless full of eye-popping revelations. Quite a feat.

Perception: "Warrior"

TNT's Perception had its summer finale last night, a great episode that brought to a head Season 2's storylines so far. I was wary of Scott Wolf joining the cast, thinking Donnie might be a shallow character introduced just to throw a wedge between Daniel and Kate. That is how things began, but with each episode, Donnie was fleshed out. This season has seen not just Daniel at low points, but Donnie and Kate as well, and in each case, the other characters have come through as you'd hope friends would.

The Cumulative Effects of Violent Entertainment

Earlier this week, I joined a discussion on Tyrus Books publisher Ben LeRoy's blog about the repercussions of crime fiction. Ben conscientiously asks:

Even if all of the violent media consumed doesn't cause copycat acts of violence, what does it do to the hardwire of our brain as far as our perception of those around us, most notably the strangers on the “other side” goes?

Also taking the discussion to Twitter, Ben asks to what extent violent entertainment perpetuates real violence and contributes to a cycle whereby writers depict violence, cynicism, and other negativity in their efforts to depict our world accurately.

I replied on Twitter that—though I enjoy some violent fiction, TV shows, and movies—a lot out there doesn't appeal to me. I choose not to immerse myself in violent entertainment even knowing it's not real.

I'm not saying, "It's not a problem for me, so it's not a problem." I just think we should equip future generations to be discerning consumers of entertainment as well.

At The 5-2: "Crime Story" by Alan Catlin

This week's poem is by well-published Alan Catlin:

Ben Affleck is Batman?

I've just read Variety's report that Affleck has been cast as Batman opposite Henry Cavill's Superman in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel sequel. I'm in disbelief given Affleck's professed disappointment at having played my favorite superhero, Daredevil, and his resulting vow never to play a superhero again.

The report is probably true, though. I liked Ben well enough as Daredevil. I don't know that I'd believe him as a darker, broodier Batman, but his Batman may not be as dark as Bale's anyway. The key will be for the characters to balance each other. Since Cavill's Superman is darker, Affleck's Batman may be lighter. There's room for that without reentering Joel Schumacher territory.

Here's what I thought when news of the movie broke at San Diego Comic-Con.

"I'm going to Bouchercon 2013."

Yes, Bouchercon would be my vacation of choice if I won an NBA championship. If you'd like to meet me in Albany next month, I'll be attending the opening ceremonies Thursday night, during which SMFS President Tom Sweeney will present plaques to the 2013 Derringer Award winners.

I'm also on the "A Room of Our Own" panel, Saturday 3:10–4:05 P.M. in Room 4. Reviewers Dave Magayna, Lynn Farris, Jordan Foster, Joe Meyers, Kristopher Zgorski and I will discuss what we're reading now.

FOX Sports 1

FOX debuted its latest sports channel Saturday, and so far I'm not wowed. It seems a blatant copy of ESPN with lesser known personalities and not as much cachet, yet it's already lampooning itself in on-network commercials.

At The 5-2: "High School Memory" by Casey Zella Moir

New Mexico teacher Casey Moir brings us this week's poem:

Noir at the Bar NYC 5: Sunday, August 18

I arrived at Shade later than expected, due to a pedestrian struck by the LIRR train ahead of mine, but others were delayed by traffic on the L.I.E., so I didn't miss anything.

I had the pleasure of sitting with Tom and Sarah Pluck, caught up with Charlie Stella and Jack Getze, and turned some new people on to crime poetry. Thanks to Glenn Gray and Todd Robinson for the warm welcome.

Photos courtesy of Glenn Gray.



I read "Witness Protection", "Redemption", and "Life Sentence".



With Tom Pluck and Todd Robinson



(L to R: Tom Pluck, Charlie Stella, Gerald So - crouched, Glenn Gray, Suzanne Solomon, Jack Getze - seated, Teel James Glenn, Todd Robinson, Scott Adlerberg, Bradley Sands)

Bishop to NCIS

On August 13, TVLine's Michael Ausiello reported on NCIS's casting to fill the void left by Cote de Pablo.

According to exec producer Gary Glasberg, the plan is to feature a handful of guest agents in the same way Paul Cassidy (Jessica Steen) filled for Kate until Ziva gained acceptance or the way rotating interns replaced Bones's Zack Addy (Eric Millegan). I assume from the amount of detail given about Agent Bishop, she will eventually be the new full-time team member:

[Bishop] is bright, educated, athletic, attractive, fresh-faced, focused and somewhat socially awkward. She has a mysterious mixture of analytic brilliance, fierce determination and idealism. She’s traveled extensively, but only feels comfortable at home.

The description sounds a bit scattered, but clearly geared to appeal to younger female viewers. NCIS is still tops in the ratings going into its eleventh season, but even the best need occasional shakeups.

At The 5-2: "Stealing Poetry" by Elisa Albo

This week's poem is by Fort Lauderdale teacher Elisa Albo.



Through September 30, I'm accepting submissions for 5-2 guest editor Terry Trowbridge.

Alex Rodriguez and the Biogenesis Scandal

Let me say upfront, as a lifelong Yankee fan and an admirer of Derek Jeter's character, I've always rooted against Alex Rodriguez. There was a time I believed he was naturally a great shortstop, but he was in Seattle, and for about as long as he's played, New York has had the solid-fielding, much more composed Jeter at shortstop.

When 2003 ALCS hero third baseman Aaron Boone went down with a boneheaded pickup basketball injury, I didn't see Alex and Derek on the same team. A-Rod wasn't a third baseman. He would have to voluntarily move to third for the chance at a championship. That was a lot to ask of a star who commanded MLB's richest contract, crippling the Texas Rangers. I didn't think he'd make the switch, but he did. From his months of yips at third, though, I can only assume he didn't come to terms with the switch for some time.

Then there were the rumblings that Derek didn't embrace Alex as a teammate. There was the speculation that if Derek only showed more approval, Alex would feel more comfortable and get back to being MLB's best all-around player. I thought, if Alex really was the best, he wouldn't need anyone's approval to play well. He would play well because that's who he was.

Then came his admission of buying and taking performance-enhancing drugs while with the Rangers. Because MLB had no penalties for the drugs at the time, he couldn't be punished retroactively. Even though I'd never warmed to Alex, I was disappointed to hear he had used.

Finally in 2009, Alex seemed comfortable with himself and came through when the Yankees needed him, helping them to a twenty-seventh championship. I still was no fan of his, but I respected him as someone who had come back from rock-bottom.

Little did I know he would be caught in another, potentially more damning drug scandal. That said, I think his 211-game suspension is unfair by MLB's current 50- and 100-game standards for PED violations. It does show how seriously MLB takes Alex's alleged actions, and if the players' union has genuinely come out against PED use, stiffer penalties will be written into the next collective bargaining agreement. I'd like to see full-season suspensions for first offenses, lifetime bans for second offenses.

At The 5-2: "The Survivor of a Slasher Flick in Middle Age"

This week's poem is by Massachusetts author Peter Swanson.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX

My review of Warner Bros.' latest DC animated movie is at Crimespree Magazine's blog.

At The 5-2: "Long Distance" by Steve Hood

This week's poem reflects on the Boston Marathon bombing.



I'm now accepting submissions for The 5-2's third year.

Superman vs. Batman

One of the scoops at San Diego Comic-Con this year was that, in the sequel to Man of Steel, Superman would be pitted against Batman, bringing to mind their battle in The Dark Knight Returns.

There is already much speculation as to how the movie will be plotted. Zap2it.com Contributing Editor Billy Nilles calls the premise a bad idea, asserting that writer David Goyer and directer Zack Snyder have "irreparably altered Superman's philosophy".

While I also found Man of Steel's final battle clumsily contrived, the rationale behind the sequel may be as simple as profit. Thanks to Tim Burton, Bruce Timm, and Christopher Nolan, Batman is probably Warner Bros.' most lucrative property. Meanwhile, though Superman hasn't been as successful at the movies, he remains popular enough to have afforded TV's Smallville ten seasons. Regardless who plays Batman or how problematic the plot, people will go see it. The powers-that-be are risking very little.

Photo Opportunity

Thanks to The Cosby Show, I grew up fascinated with the bacon burger dog, not certain such a tantalizing treat actually existed. Thanks to the Web, I found recipes for it and enlisted grill master John Ricotta to one day make it a reality. That day was yesterday, my first chance to meet five-month-old Anando Paul, son of my friends Deshant and Tracy.

I assist in Anando's superhero training.

Flanked by John, Kelly, and young John Ricotta on the left; Julie and Emma Ricotta, Anando and Deshant Paul on the right.

At The 5-2: "$25 a Day, Plus Expenses" by Peter M. Gordon

This week's poem commemorates the birth of P.I. fiction icon Raymond Chandler on July 23, 1888.

BLACK APERTURE by Matt Rasmussen

As a member of the Academy of American Poets, I received a copy of Black Aperture, winner of the Academy's Walt Whitman Award for poets' first books. I did not intend to read the book in three sittings, wanting to give each poem space, but the overarching subject—the poet's brother's suicide—is darkly absorbing.

The poems are tightly written, yet figurative and purposeful; the book an example of where poetry, crime, and noir can meet.

Visit Matt Rasmussen's website.

CUCKOO Commotion

You may have heard that the author of recent "debut" private eye novel The Cuckoo's Calling was actually beloved children's author J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. As a P.I. fiction fan, I've been hesitant to jump on the Harry Potter bandwagon but am intrigued to compare Rowling's work in the different genres.

Pseudonyms are a time-honored way for authors to branch out. I wouldn't hesitate to use one, but I'll always be grateful to have broken into print under my own name, indeed Gerald So.

At The 5-2: "Glock Nine" by George Dila

This week's poem is by Michigan poet George Dila.




I'm seeking two more poems to round out The 5-2's second year.

BEWARE THE BATMAN

Cartoon Network's computer-animated Batman series premiered today. I like its quirky villains, its new take on Alfred as a more action-oriented bodyguard, and, most of all, that he and Batman were hurt as a result of all that running and jumping. The voice acting was also fine. I'm just not sure the generically clean look of computer animation fits Batman as well as it did Green Lantern.

Noir Riot Journal

Friends of The Lineup and The 5-2 Lou Boxer and Cullen Gallagher, along with Gutter Books publisher Matthew Louis, announce Noir Riot—a biennial journal of noir fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to be published in conjunction with Philadelphia's NoirCon:

Our goal is to create a high quality journal that reflects emerging trends and showcases the best current writing in noir and, more generally, crime fiction (and nonfiction). We want to explore the relationship between classic crime fiction and the issues that affect all of us today. All noir/crime-related submissions are welcome, but we will give special consideration to work that is contemporary and/or socially relevant.

Here are the full guidelines.

Silver Birch Press NOIR Erasure Poetry Anthology - Deadline: September 1

5-2 alum Catfish McDaris tells me of an upcoming anthology of poems made by blacking out passages from noir and hardboiled novels. Here are the guidelines.

Cote de Pablo Leaving NCIS

TVLine's Matt Webb Mitovich reports, with NCIS's eleventh season due to start production next week, Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) has announced she is leaving the show. de Pablo's contract expired last season, but she will appear at the start of Season 11 to wrap up Ziva's arc.

Several characters have left NCIS over the years, but not a character this important, a field agent, since Kate Todd was killed by Ari Haswari and replaced by Ziva. That change succeeded, in part because Kate and Ziva were very different characters fleshed out over time. I'd like to see a new female field agent added to maintain the show's overall appeal, but things could go in another direction.

At The 5-2: "On the First Hot Night in May" by Alison Morse

Guest editor Charles Rammelkamp selected this week's poem.



Submissions are open for the final poems of our second year.

Murray Wins Wimbledon

Beating Novak Djokovic in straight, if tightly contested sets, Andy Murray is the first male player from Great Britain to win tennis's most storied tournament since Fred Perry in 1936. What a way to end a fortnight that saw Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer eliminated early. I'm happy for Andy, and for his coach, Ivan Lendl, who was frustrated at Wimbledon in his playing days.

If I Wrote a Superman Movie...

As pleased as I am with Man of Steel, Superman brawling with bad guys has always seemed crude to me. This has long been his m.o. in comics and cartoons. In Warner Bros. Animation's 2001 Justice League cartoon, Superman was deliberately powered down so he would need his super friends' help.

My Clark Kent/Superman would have traveled the world, gaining insight into every culture and himself. He would be aware of how powerful he was, of how much damage he were capable of, and would be firmly against aggression. His instinct, like a Jedi's, would be to defend, not to attack. He would not punch, but would slip, block, and use submission holds. Not adding to villains' violence, he would not cause as much collateral damage.

He would be a rescuer and would use his power to nullify villains' power such that, when Superman arrived, they might simply give up.

I know. It would probably never sell. But I'll keep dreaming.

At The 5-2: "Mentality" by Max West

This week, Sacramento poet Max West offers a poem about his lemon tree.

You can now look up 5-2 poems or contributors via a Google search bar.

More MAN OF STEEL

Crime author and friend Russel D. McLean weighs in on Man of Steel at Do Some Damage. I offered a spoilery comment.

At The 5-2: "Public Access" by Stephen D. Rogers

Stephen D. Rogers returns to The 5-2 with a concise, powerful poem.

How Superman Saved Me

Like Kevin Costner, I never aspired to be Superman. My mother made me a cape and bought me a Superman knit cap, but I knew I couldn't fly. I knew I wasn't particularly strong or fast. Much later, though, in college, I did identify with Superman. I liked a girl who wasn't the same race or religion, who didn't grow up where I did. I liked her so strongly I believed none of our differences would matter—if she liked me as strongly.

Meeting her in second semester, junior year on the lit magazine staff, I immediately felt a time crunch to get to know her, to see if our friendship could overcome our differences before we graduated and went who-knows-where.

(At the same time, ABC was airing Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman with non-nerdy, part-Asian Dean Cain in the lead.)

I finally, stammeringly asked her to lunch, and she replied she considered me a good friend, but didn't like me "in the that way".

I tried to smooth things over, said I understood. Part of me wanted to quit the magazine so I wouldn't see so much of her, but that seemed selfish. I got along with the rest of the staff, and from my relatively low position, I was often a voice of reason, keeping us united in purpose. It would be hypocritical if my own hangups caused me to walk away.

Committing to the magazine didn't help bury my feelings. There were many times they flared to the surface that I regret. How much worse would it have been had I not tried to emulate Superman's restraint, his commitment to seeing the good in people who might hurt him in the moment? Thanks to that, we remain friends. She's happily married to a good guy. I have peace of mind and look forward to meeting someone I like, who likes me in that way.

MAN OF STEEL

My friend and fellow Superman fan John Ricotta and I watched Man of Steel tonight in IMAX 3D. Arriving forty-five minutes before the show, we sketched out how we would show both Superman's origins and his current ordeal, and the movie unfolded just as we wanted.

This is the first live-action movie to focus on Clark Kent's search for identity. Meanwhile, Lois Lane is first on the trail of a mysterious savior. The heart of any Superman story for me is Clark's relationship with Lois, and Amy Adams' Lois gets to know Clark before anyone else, even before Clark discovers Jor-El and puts on the jammies.

Clark, Lois, Zod, and Jor-El are all well served. I do agree with the criticism that there is too much destruction. Superman's handling of Zod in the end keeps to the post-Superman Returns grittier mission statement, but the dialogue telegraphs it, so it seem drawn out. Nevertheless, Warner Bros. now has a Superman on whom to build a new franchise. Godspeed.

At The 5-2: "Memories of Holden, MO" by David S. Pointer

David Pointer returns to The 5-2 this week with a poem of his time as a chemical plant security guard:

Father's Day

My father, a pediatric surgeon, was not very good at expressing himself to me. He could be very sociable when he wanted, but I don't know that that was the real him. We argued a lot, but mostly because, according to my mother, he enjoyed hearing me logically and passionately defend myself. I, on the other hand, didn't enjoy arguing for sport.

There were times I wished my father would tell me he was proud of me; he apparently told everyone but me. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1995 and underwent an operation that gave him almost six more years of life. In those years, I learned not to expect what I wanted from him, but to accept what he offered, to enjoy the times nothing was said but a lot was shared.

Guest-blogging at Deb Lacy's Mystery Playground

Deb Lacy, who participated in this year's 30 Days of The 5-2, invited me to contribute to the Friday summer reading series on her blog, sharing a book recommendation and a drink recipe.

Joan Parker Dies

Spenser's Sneakers member Fred Gillis posted today that Joan Parker, widow of author Robert B. Parker, has died. She was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in August 2011, but did not slow her activities. Unmistakably her husband's inspiration, she reminds me to make the most of life.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

In the J.J. Abrams-directed sequel to 2009's Star Trek, the bombing of a London archive puts Starfleet on high alert. A strategy meeting ends with a second attack by the fugitive John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) that kills Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) and several senior staff.

The top remaining commander orders Kirk, recently demoted to Pike's first officer, to pursue Harrison into Klingon space and kill him.

I had heard several negative reviews going in and thought the major plot twist had been leaked/publicized/spoiled years in advance. Added to my general pessimism for sequels, I was prepared to just tolerate this movie, but there was a lot more I didn't know, a lot of meat.

Into Darkness is most ingenuous in echoing the original Star Trek II but upending it. Some well-known lore was glossed over, making some twists feel abrupt, but nothing stopped me from enjoying. If another is made, I'm there.

The Continuing Mission

William Thomas, a member of Spenser's Sneakers, posted today that he had read Ace Atkins' first Spenser continuation novel, ROBERT B. PARKER'S LULLABY. Though he enjoyed it, he thought Atkins fell short of imbuing the characters with the particular attitude Parker seemed to bring to his fiction and his life. William called it "sincere nonchalance". Others might call it amused disinterest.

I replied:

I often wonder how much of his attitude was a face he showed the world. I've heard he was the same person privately and publicly. But his son David's eulogy mentioned that he was like three men: the caricaturish "Ace", Robert B. Parker the author, and Bob the family man.

One way or another, Atkins will fall short of Parker. The only one who wouldn't fall short is Parker himself. Each of us is inimitably different, making it so special to get to know and befriend anyone. When that person is gone, he's gone. But Atkins knows this and doesn't psych himself out trying too hard to imitate Parker.

He's doing what John Gardner did with Ian Fleming's James Bond, bringing Spenser and friends somewhat up to date, picturing how their lives might have continued, because readers want great characters to live on. When I read a Travis McGee book, for example, I imagine what Travis would think of 2013. Part of me wants to believe he's still out there.

At The 5-2: "Went Right" by Pete Simonelli

This week a poem of urban renewal by Brooklyn's Pete Simonelli.



Submissions are open for 5-2 guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through Saturday, June 15.

Steeling Myself

As I await the June 14 release of Man of Steel, Variety reports its budget was $175 million, with an additional $150 million spent on marketing. Warner Bros. motion pictures group president Jeff Robinov has predicted it will be the studio's best performer ever, but I worry that its high price tag will put a crimp in profits. 2006's Superman Returns grossed $391 million, but cost $363 million after marketing.

I could see Man of Steel as a world-beater if this were 1978, when Richard Donner's Superman attracted fans of heroes who weren't getting movies. In 2013, with each superhero movie expected to outdo the last, I doubt Superman surpasses Marvel's The Avengers or Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.

Sick

Read my poem "Sick" today at Martian Lit.

At The 5-2: "Flight" by Matt Forrest Esenwine

The 5-2 begins June with a poem by New Hampshire poet and voiceover artist Matt Forrest Esenwine.



Follow Matt on Twitter @MattForrestVW.

Submissions are open for 5-2 guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through June 15.

New Look, Same Blog

The new background reflects New York's first heat wave of the year. While I was at it, I flipped and shortened the sidebar to make the yoga practitioner visible. I still visit many sites no longer in the sidebar, but I doubt you scrolled my entire blog to find them. As always, if a site catches my eye, I'll link to it in a post. Any site I visit regularly will make the Links page.

Action!

For comparison's sake:


Real Action Heroes Superman Returns (2006) action figure (image from The Superman Homepage)



Mattel's Man of Steel (2013) Superman action figure

The first five comments are reaction to the first photo.

THE BROKEN PLACES by Ace Atkins

Atkins' third Quinn Colson novel is out today. Here's my Amazon review. I have a longer one coming to Crimespree Magazine.

Remember

While Veterans Day salutes living and deceased members of the military, Memorial Day honors those who died while serving. Those last three words are a powerful reminder of how much our armed forces sacrifice, that they accept the possibility of death from their first day of service to their last.

Avengers Assemble

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes was, in my opinion, the best Marvel cartoon in decades, finally rivaling Warner Bros. Animation's DC Comics projects. Yesterday, Disney XD previewed its follow-up, Avengers Assemble, which will air in earnest this summer.

I was concerned that Avengers Assemble might be too full of itself with the success of the live-action movie and that it might be similar in tone to Ultimate Spider-Man, too jokey for my taste. Neither is true. I'll miss Earth's Mightiest Heroes' voice cast, but Assemble's is fine at first listen. I'm on board for at least the next episode or two.

At The 5-2: "Aunt Jemima and Me" by P.M. Pearce

This week, a prose poem of purloined pancakes.



Submissions are open for guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through June 15.

SUPERMAN UNBOUND

At the Crimespree blog is my review of the latest DC Universe animated Superman release—starring the voices of Matt Bomer, Stana Katic, John Noble, and Molly Quinn.

At The 5-2: "Silk" by Josefine Petersen

This week, "Silk" by Los Angeles-based Swedish poet Josefine Petersen.

Submissions are open for guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through June 15

ELEMENTARY: "The Woman" and "Heroine"

I've enjoyed this telling of a present-day Sherlock Holmes aided by a female Watson in New York. CBS aired the final two episodes of Season 1 last night, revealing Holmes' femme fatale Irene Adler and his elusive nemesis Moriarty, both powerfully played by Natalie Dormer.

"The Woman" showed Holmes falling for art expert/forger Adler. His belief that she had been murdered drove him to drugs. Her reappearance as the victim of brainwashing compelled him to aid in her recovery. Dormer affected a convincing American accent as Adler and switched to British as she told Holmes she let him to think she was dead to stop him investigating crimes that would eventually point to her.

Moriarty's weakness, though, was her fascination with Holmes to the point she didn't want him harmed. On the verge of letting Moriarty get away with a plot to rig Macedonian currency, Holmes and Watson appeared to have a falling-out and Holmes appeared to overdose. As he lay in the hospital, he was visited by Moriarty, who unwittingly incriminated herself.

I expected the season to end instead with Moriarty's escape, as popular as nemeses have become. But Moriarty appeared sparingly in Doyle's works, most notably in the tale he intended to be Holmes' last. Drawing things out with Moriarty weakens Holmes' crime-solving reputation.

THE BIG BANG THEORY: "The Bon Voyage Reaction"

Leonard gets the opportunity to go on a four-month research cruise for Stephen Hawking. He's concerned how it may affect his relationship with Penny, but she encourages him to go. Meanwhile, Raj pushes Lucy to meet the rest of the gang, but his eagerness threatens to scare her away.

Leonard's departure was not the big, season-ending cliffhanger. Leonard and Penny's bond, solidified this season, should prove strong enough to handle it. The cliffhanger was Lucy's breakup with Raj. In the aftermath, Raj discovered he could talk to women while sober, leaving him optimistic about patching things up. I hope he does. It would be one of the bravest things he's done; it would show how special Lucy is; and Big Bang will have expanded from a show about four friends to a show about four couples, each with dynamics as nuanced as the characters themselves.

ARROW: "Sacrifice"

Arrow has been The CW's biggest hit in years and, as I hoped, I've been able to watch this season for sheer entertainment. The writers envisioned Oliver Queen as a human hero. No powers, no magic. He's been indecisive, stubborn, scared at times, making for unpredictable, watchable television.

My favorite moment of last night's season finale was Ollie admitting to Diggle that Malcom Merlyn (John Barrowman) would probably kill him. He had lost two fights to Merlyn and didn't know how to stop him.

My other favorite moment was Tommy (Colin Donnell) saving Laurel from the earthquake, but getting trapped himself. In an interview with Zap2it.com, Donnell points out that Ollie, Laurel, and Malcom all loved Tommy, which makes his death a fine catalyst for Season 2.

Malcom Merlyn's engineered earthquake threatened all the characters, and did not feel like a ratings stunt because "The Undertaking" had been foreshadowed all season. It compelled Moira to admit to the press her collusion with Malcom, resulting in her arrest. Thea headed into the earthquake's path to save Roy (Colton Haynes).

When Ollie removed his hood in front of Tommy earlier this season, the expectation was that Tommy would become Ollie's nemesis. Instead, he, along with Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), became Ollie's conscience, never condoning his use of deadly force. Though I'll miss Tommy, I'm glad he, like NCIS's Kate Todd, was a fully realized character allowed to finish an arc.

NCIS: "Damned If You Do"

My interest in NCIS is only occasional these days. The show has been around for ten seasons and will be around for at least eleven. Even its biggest fans are hard pressed to say it's doing anything new. I remember how fresh it seemed in comparison to the stately JAG. While CSI tried to add flash to forensics, NCIS peppered its procedure with humor, a tack that has also worked for Bones. But while Bones' lead relationships have steadily progressed, NCIS's Gibbs has stood pat for several seasons.

Gibbs was a buttoned-down, closed-off ex-Marine until Jenny Shepard's appointment as director showed his softer side. Season 3 ended with a bombing that revealed the painful past of losing his first wife and daughter. This was real character development. Another step could have been Gibbs marrying again. At the very least, his three ex-wives show he's not afraid of commitment. His last serious relationship was with Army CID Col. Hollis Mann (Susana Thompson) in Season 4. Thompson left for a role on NBC's Kings, and Don Bellisario left after Season 4, taking some storylines with him. Remember the possibility that Director Shepard's father was alive?

For the last several seasons, the show has touted Gibbs' integrity. It doesn't jibe to call his character into question now. My biggest complaint about the finale, though, is it doesn't deliver on the threat to Gibbs. That threat is abruptly pulled back in the name of letting Gibbs go on a secret mission for national security. So, at least three episodes of posturing. If I were more invested, I'd feel cheated.

At The 5-2: "Rock-a-bye, Baby" by Tonia Kalouria

Tonia Kalouria returns to The 5-2 for Mother's Day with "Rock-a-bye, Baby".

Submissions are open for guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through June 15

IRON MAN 3

After lunch at Bill's Bar and Burger on 9th Avenue at 13th Street, I took the subway up and ducked into the AMC Loews 34th Street 14 for a 2:00 P.M. show of Iron Man 3.

The original IRON MAN is the new standard in superhero movies. IRON MAN 2 is a movie I enjoyed on first viewing but have liked less each time since. IRON MAN 3 has highs and lows. It's better than 2, but surpassing 2 is not all that hard.

After the latest in a series of bombings by The Mandarin puts Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) in a coma, Tony Stark vows personal revenge, going so far as to give The Mandarin his home address. Well spoiled by previews, The Mandarin levels Tony's house and leaves him for dead, forcing armor-less Tony to regroup off the grid.

The rebuilding aspect of the movie is very human and shows Robert Downey Jr. at his spontaneous best, but there are also many tangents taking away from the chance to deliver a deeper message. In addition to firing back at Tony, The Mandarin captures the U.S. President (If he's ever been seen or mentioned in the series before, I forget. The only way I could care was to ask, "What hero wouldn't save the President?"). Tony also suffers post-traumatic stress from being sucked into the wormhole at the end of THE AVENGERS, but his trauma isn't explored. It just seems to be there so Tony can bug out of the plot at random.

In some ways, IRON MAN 3 feels like a wrap-up to a trilogy, but it also feels like a James Bond movie, complete with the closing credit, "Tony Stark Will Return". I would have liked more decisiveness.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S WONDERLAND by Ace Atkins

Atkins' ambitious second Spenser novel is out today. Here's my Amazon review.

UPDATE (May 8, 2013): The sun broke out on an otherwise rainy day just before Ace Atkins signed WONDERLAND at New York City's Mysterious Bookshop. My friend and fellow Spenser fan, John Ricotta, and I attended along with Joe Guglielmelli of the East Side's dearly-missed Black Orchid Bookshop, and noir "queenpin" Megan Abbott.

Though this is the first we've met in person, I interviewed Ace for Crimespree Magazine on April 29, 2011, two days after Putnam and Parker's estate announced him as the choice to continue the Spenser novels. In his answers, I saw true knowledge of Spenser and respect for Parker. There's nothing like chatting with people who've read what you've read, watched or listened with the same fervor, but have perspectives you're hearing for the first time.

At The 5-2: "Get a Gun" by Nicole C. Scott

This week, Seattle-based poet Nicole C. Scott recounts the aftermath of a break-in.

YouTube has rolled out a redesign. Check out Ch. 5-2.

Submissions are open for 5-2 guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through June 15.

LEVERAGE: THE CON JOB by Matt Forbeck

Nathan Ford and his team of good-doing thieves, last seen on the TV series Leverage, come to the aid of aging comic book artist Simon Curtiss when forger Lorenzo Patronus, looking to make a splash at San Diego Comic-Con, cheats Curtiss of his life's work.

This is the first of three Leverage tie-in novels to date. I'm interested as a fan of the show from the beginning, but also, as a writer, I wanted to see how the show's style translated to novels. The show relied on quick cuts, flashbacks, and our heroes constantly talking with each other through earpieces. Matt Forbeck's chapters are short to keep the pace up, each one holding to one hero's view of the action for the most part. It works well, and Forbeck shows knowledge of each character's backstory and their dynamics with each other. Forbeck does not employ the show's quick flashbacks, which were effective for TV, but in a novel might have slowed the pace or disrupted the narrative.

Each of the three novels is written by a different author, which also attracted me to the books. Paging through the second, I see Keith R.A. DeCandido does use jumps in chronology (Now, An Hour Ago, Last Week...). In the right hands, the technique can work.

End of Days

Watch this space for Donora Hillard's entry to end 30 Days of The 5-2, but remember The 5-2 is open to original poetry year-round. My thanks to all the participants.

SIXKILL by Robert B. Parker

For several years before his passing, Robert B. Parker wrote three books per year. While his consistency is to be applauded, for me, it caused many of those books to seem alike, mass-produced. Parker fell into repetitive dialogue and aimless chapters. If Spenser needed months to solve a case or a year to recover from injury, he got it. I was glad to see Ace Atkins emulate Parker at his best in last year's LULLABY, and hearing this year's WONDERLAND featured Spenser's apprentice, Zebulon Sixkill, I had reason to read Parker's final Spenser novel.

Spenser's training Sixkill seems a nod to his mortality, but Mel Farman of the Parker estate tells me Parker created Sixkill to replace Hawk in a proposed new TV series because the TV rights to Hawk were still owned by the developers of the SPENSER: FOR HIRE spinoff A MAN CALLED HAWK. Spenser does come up against a sadistic killer whose competence he compares to Hawk's, and he does say confronting the killer is his appointment in Samarra, yet he survives. It's Parker's death that gives every word inescapable resonance.

At The 5-2: "Swine" by Ruth Sabath Rosenthal

This week, New York poet Rosenthal turns workplace tension into a tasty dinner.

30 Days of The 5-2 concludes tomorrow with Voice of The 5-2 Donora Hillard.

Submissions are open for 5-2 guest editor Charles Rammelkamp through June 15, 2013.

UPDATE: Crime novelist and Voice of The 5-2 J.T. Ellison blogged about her love of poetry and its influence on her books.

Back to Oaxaca

Kieran Shea discusses his contribution to The Lineup #4 on Day 28 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Bonus Entry: 5-2 alum Rauan Klassnik joins Day 28 of 30 Days of The 5-2 with a look at "Crow Tyrannosaurus" by one of his influences, Ted Hughes.

Be sure to check out Rauan's 5-2 poem and this interview about his books, Holy Land and The Moon's Jaw.

Another look at Angel Zapata's "Housekeeper"

Voice of The 5-2 John Ricotta reflects on Angel Zapata's "Housekeeper", as performed by our friend, Deshant Paul, on Day 27 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Bonus Entry: Mistress of Mystery Janet Rudolph invited me to guest-post about the tour at Mystery Fanfare.

Elizabeth A. White revisits "Kilmahog"

Reviewer Elizabeth A. White revisits "Kilmahog" by Nigel Bird on Day 26 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Jay Stringer digs Seamus Heaney

Jay Stringer, 5-2 alum ("Cold Call") and crime novelist (Old Gold, Runaway Town) blogs about his favorite poem, "Digging" by Seamus Heaney, on Day 25 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Ian Khadan looks through "Pink-Tinged Glasses"

5-2 alum Ian Khadan discusses Queens poet Hal Sirowitz's "Through Pink-Tinged Glasses" on Day 24 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

In Reference to Murder, a Flashback

Longtime friend and fellow mystery-loving poet B.V. Lawson flashes back to The 5-2's inaugural poem on Day 23 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

At The 5-2: "Christine" by Aig'ner Wilson

I'm pleased to present Aig'ner Wilson's debut poem, "Christine", inspired by the 1954 New Zealand Parker-Hulme murder case.

Submissions are open for 5-2 guest editor Charles Rammelkamp.

Patricia Abbott on Lizzie Borden

Michigan writer and Lineup #3 alum Patricia Abbott offers another look at "Eating Pears" by Kim Welliver on Day 21 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Alec Cizak on "Aftershock"

Indiana writer and editor Alec Cizak looks at Amy Pollard's "Aftershock" on Day 20 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Charles Rammelkamp discusses Robert Cooperman

Frequent 5-2 contributor and current guest editor Rammelkamp sent this entry for Day 19 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Clare Toohey reflects on Ed Gein

Voice of The 5-2 Clare Toohey features Alec Cizak's poem, "Ed Gein", at Women of Mystery on Day 18 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Clare read R.A. Allen's 5-2 poem, "On Car Theft", last year. She returns next week, reading Aig'ner Wilson's debut poem, "Christine", inspired by the 1954 Parker-Hulme murder case.

Psych: "Right Turn or Left for Dead"

Over the past two seasons, Shawn and Juliet have developed a romantic relationship to the point, in last week's episode, Juliet realized Shawn was not psychic. Most of the characters believing Shawn's act is Psych's most playful concept and the one viewers have to swallow to watch the show at all. For Shawn and Juliet's relationship to reach its potential, though, Juliet had to find out and accept the truth.

Much of this week's episode played out in Shawn's head as he weighed reality, where Juliet found him out, against how things might have gone if she hadn't. The script and the actors played out both storylines seamlessly. In the end, Shawn was teased with a dream of Juliet coming to terms with his deceit and accepting him. He then woke up to Juliet asking him to move out.

I think this will play out like the tellings of Superman where Lois discovers Clark is Superman. At first, she's thrown for a loop. Having believed in who Clark seemed to be, she feels betrayed by the revelation of who he is. Shawn has it better than Clark. He hasn't built disparate identities. His thin lie about being psychic is the only phony thing about him.

From Cop to Mom

Kathleen A. Ryan returns to the tour, this time from her personal blog, featuring "Sylvia Plath: Gaslight Left On" by Christine Aletti on Day 17 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Peter Rozovsky turns Home Again

Philadelphia copyeditor Peter Rozovsky looks at Charles Rammelkamp's "Home Again" on Day 16 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Boston Marathon Tragedy

I'm left feeling helpless hearing about the two explosions near the finish line of the Boston marathon hours ago. Grateful the toll is not worse, I've always known that each life and livelihood impacts countless others.

UPDATE (4/16/13, 10:00 A.M. Eastern): I've only visited Boston twice, both too brief, but as a fan of many Boston writers I have a vivid mental picture. I can imagine Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Jeremiah Healy's John Francis Cuddy running the marathon, and imagine their horror in the aftermath of yesterday. Yes, they are fictional characters but, longstanding and well loved, their reaction can help readers come to terms.

UPDATE (4/20/13, 6:30 A.M. Eastern): Remarkably, within days of the bombing, Massachusetts police, and federal agencies have achieved a measure of closure. As planned as the bombing was, the brothers behind it had no great escape plan after being identified by one of the victims. Best of all, one brother was apprehended alive and will be made to answer for the bombing, though no answers will satisfy the victims, including a murdered MIT police officer and a seriously-injured transit police officer.

Sports Takes

• The Knicks claim their first Atlantic Division title since 1994 and clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. I was glad to see the Knicks vault from the turning point of the season. I don't think they'll beat Miami, but they are once again a respectable contender. Kudos, Mike Woodson.

• Kobe Bryant tears his ACL. I'm not a Kobe fan, but I wouldn't wish this injury on anyone. Most recently I followed Mariano Rivera's recovery from the ACL he tore while shagging flyballs, but explosive basketball players like Kobe and Dominique Wilkins don't regain their form. I think Kobe will have to adopt a new style of play, but as many aging athletes do, I'm sure he can.

• Rutgers' men's basketball scandalized. I signed up as practice and equipment manager for the volleyball team in high school largely because I'd befriended the coach, who many classmates saw as verbally gruff and demanding. I saw that it was an act to motivate his students. Mike Rice clearly crossed the line by physically abusing his students, and everyone who allowed it in any way should answer for that. As a fan of all the old Big East schools to some degree, I wish Rutgers luck rebuilding the program.

At The 5-2: "A Close Call" by Matthew Wilson

U.K.-based writer Wilson brings us a quest for a magic potion, with audio by Deshant Paul.

Meanwhile, longtime friend of The Lineup and The 5-2 Bill Crider features "Criminal Foolishness" by Jerry House on Day 15 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

And submissions open today for 5-2 guest editor Charles Rammelkamp.

In Praise of the Pantoum

Voice of The 5-2 Deshant Paul praises Dorothy James's "Pantoum by a Puzzled Policeman" on Day 14 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

On Timeless Writing

Yesterday I commented on Patti Abbott's blog about how some writing seems dated while other, sometimes older writing seems fresh.

Emerson Appreciates Arnzen

Horror author Scott Emerson offers an appreciation of Michael A. Arnzen's "This Is How I Murdered The Librarian" on Day 13 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

"Eating Pears"

Philadephia poet, performer, and publisher Aja Beech looks at "Eating Pears" by Kim Welliver on Day 12 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Nobody Move!

Investigator John DuMond ponders "The Death of Lizzie Borden" on Day 11 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Keith Rawson's Bloody Knuckles, Callused Fingertips

5-2 alum Keith Rawson asked to feature four of his own poems on Day 10 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Thinking With My Skin; Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

Bill Cameron returns to discuss "The NRA's Modest Proposal", and poet/voice actor Matt Forrest Esenwine interviews me on Day 9 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

At The 5-2: "Clandestine" by William J. Anderson

In time for The Masters golf tournament, Minnesota writer William J. Anderson offers a tale of a secret golf course tryst.

Also on Day 8 of 30 Days of The 5-2, Marian Allen looks at Cassandra de Alba's "Broken Sestina" for Mary Bell".

Criminal Element goes to Tinseltown

5-2 performer Clare Toohey, who edits Criminal Element, there features "Tinseltown" by John M. Floyd on Day 7 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Santa Ana swirls through Mystery Playground

Californian Deborah Lacy discusses Ray Daniel's "Santa Ana Winds", a haiku inspired by Raymond Chandler, at Mystery Playground on Day 6 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

That's my last Duchess

...as seen by Alison Dasho on Day 5 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

Arnzen Provides Instigation

Seton Hill University creative writing professor Michael A. Arnzen spotlights Angel Zapata's "Housekeeper" on Day 4 of 30 Days of The 5-2. Also read Mike's 5-2 poem, "This Is How I Murdered The Librarian".

Arnzen's work inspired The Fridge of the Damned horror poetry magnets from Raw Dog Screaming Press, with which I've made this video and these poems.

The End of Fun and Games at Women of Mystery

For retired Suffolk County (L.I.) police officer and Women of Mystery blogger Kathleen A. Ryan, it's "The End of Fun and Games" on Day 3 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

(Kathy will actually be back on Day 17, posting from her personal blog.)

Bonus Entry: Longtime friend of The Lineup and The 5-2 Bill Cameron is officially posting next week, but today he offers "a sorta sestina" on his blog, Thinking With My Skin.

Jim Winter sets out for Kilmahog

Crime author Jim Winter looks at "Kilmahog" by Nigel Bird on Day 2 of 30 Days of The 5-2.

April is National Poetry Month

And once again, I join the Academy of American Poets' celebration:

My weekly crime poetry site, The 5-2, begins a month-long blog tour with Poem of the Week "Criminal Foolishness" by Jerry House.

The proceeds from all April sales of my poetry books and 5-2 merchandise will be donated to the nonprofit Academy to support poets at all stages of their careers and to foster the appreciation of contemporary poetry.

Easter Morn

You may recall this Lent I opted to continue living without something I'd given up since January 1. I succeeded, and, because my sacrifice wasn't tied to forty days, I was more focused on the moment, the true spirit of the season.

"Banalana?"

My friend John Ricotta sent me the pictured scan from a round of the word game Balderdash played circa 1996 with fellow Hofstra lit mag staffers at John's ancestral summer house in Tannersville, NY. Balderdash involves making up definitions given actual, odd-sounding words. You earn points by coming up with the closest definition, guessing the correct definition from multiple-choice, or getting others to accept your definition. Clearly, none of that was on my mind.

NCIS: Los Angeles: "Red, Part Two"

OSP and Red team continue pursuing an elusive, unknown killer as the body count rises.

Part Two had more moments between Callen and Paris and the members of Red team, Scott Grimes bringing the comic relief. I don't get the sense that a Red series will be very different from NCIS: Los Angeles, but if Part Two's ratings hold up to Part One's, CBS could make a full night of NCIS, with Red in the Tuesday 10:00 P.M. slot that has lagged for years.

If Red doesn't go to series, I'd welcome Paris or Red team back on either NCIS or NCIS: Los Angeles.
UPDATE (May 15, 2013): CBS decided against bringing Red to series. The ratings were decent, but apparently the concept wasn't strong enough to sway execs. Instead of a full NCIS night, CBS is moving Person of Interest into the Tuesday 10:00 P.M. slot, so TV's three most watched dramas will air on the same night.

At The 5-2: "On Highway 66" by Doug Draime

This week, Doug Draime gives us a look at a stretch of rural Oregon.

There is now at least one entry for each day of our April blog tour.

Frequent contributor Charles Rammelkamp will choose the 5-2 Poem of the Weekfor July 8–14, 2013.

Love the Writing, Hate the Writer

I commented on Steve Weddle's weekly post at Do Some Damage.

NCIS: LOS ANGELES: "Red, Part One"

In this anticipated backdoor pilot for a spinoff, Callen and Sam rendezvous with a mobile Red team to investigate a murder in Idaho whose details match one in Los Angeles.

I admit up front I'm spoiled by the two-part, Season 8 JAG episode introducing the cast of NCIS. It was so different in tone, pacing, and cinematography that it almost didn't fit JAG. Odd fit aside, the aforementioned qualities are what I loved about NCIS for its first seven seasons.

In Season 6 of NCIS, the Los Angeles team was introduced in a two-part, backdoor pilot. By then, NCIS creator Don Bellisario had ceded control to Shane Brennan. Brennan and CBS developed NCIS: Los Angeles without Bellisario's input. Bellisario, in fact, sued CBS for compensation, the parties settling two months ago. I admit to being a Bellisario fan before opining that NCIS: Los Angeles's characters and chemistry weren't as well formed from the start. I say the same about Red team.

Lead agent Paris Summerskill (Kim Raver) had an interesting background in the performing arts and better romantic chemistry with Callen than anyone previously has. However, with ten minutes left in Part One, Paris's ex-partner, Roy Haines (John Corbett), was called back into action. Paris supposedly had chemistry with Roy, but she responded to his appearance by slugging him and sulking off. The rest of the team haven't distinguished themselves yet. Corbett does seem comfortable, as he usually does.

I realize I can't judge a two-parter by part one, but first impressions are important. Because NCIS hit the ground running, I had thought any spinoffs would do the same, but they haven't. That said, I prefer NCIS: Los Angeles Seasons 2, 3, and 4 to classic NCIS Seasons 8, 9, and 10. If "Red" makes a splash in the ratings, CBS is sure to afford it the same chance to grow on me.

More Damned Fridge Poems

Four more poems made with Michael A. Arnzen's Fridge of the Damned magnets, available from Raw Dog Screaming Press:

At The 5-2: "On the day a fourteen-year-old disappeared..." by Nancy Scott

Nancy Scott returns to The 5-2 with a powerful poem inspired by two newspaper stories.

There are four open dates left on The 5-2's April blog tour. Join us.

The Nerdpocalypse on the Veronica Mars Kickstarter

I've been a fan of The Nerdpocalypse site and podcasts since they interviewed Middleman creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach last year. Host Jay blogged yesterday about the Veronica Mars Kickstarter, and I commented this morning.

Crimespree Magazine at 50

I received my copy of Crimespree #50 today, including many contributors' remembrances how they came to be involved with the magazine. I wasn't asked, but allow me to gush here on my blog.

Jon Jordan, a.k.a. "NoDoze", a.k.a. "makemenachos", was a longtime and enthusiastic member of my P.I. fiction discussion DetecToday when Dave White encouraged me to pitch Jon a DVD review of Veronica Mars Season One. Jon referred me to Entertainment Editor Jeremy Lynch, and countless words later, I still love working with them any chance I get.

Over the years, I've had the thrills of turning Jon on to NCIS, of turning Jeremy on to The Middleman, of interviewing Ace Atkins for Crimespree two days after the announcement he was continuing Robert B. Parker's Spenser...

And yet, more than any piece I've done for the magazine, I've enjoyed the people behind it. Before my first Bouchercon in 2008, I blogged about whether I should use a backpack. Jon not only phoned me with luggage advice, but we chatted a good while longer. Jon and Ruth were also kind enough to do an ad exchange so I could spread the word about The Lineup in Crimespree.

I wish them continued success and look forward to many more memories.

Kickstarter

Creator Rob Thomas reached a funding goal of $2 million toward a Veronica Mars movie in one day. As a fan of the show, I was glad to see it happen, but I'm sure there are other hurdles in the way.

I've backed two Kickstarter projects so far: Seth Harwood's CrimeWAV Books and Michael A. Arnzen's Fridge of the Damned, which both reached their goals. I think Kickstarter is a good way to reach out to fans and make them feel a part of projects, but I have no plans to use it to fund my own.

My experience publishing and promoting The Lineup didn't show enough interest to warrant a campaign. If I take your money in advance, I'm obligated to you; whereas if I see something through to fruition on my own, I will have done it my way, and you can buy my product or not. Whether you buy, my product is already out there.

On the other hand, I might use Kickstarter to offer small rewards related to a base product. The goal might be lower because it wouldn't include the cost to make the product itself, and it would show how large a fan base I had.

At The 5-2: "Hopscotch" by Steve Hood

This week, a reflection on the Sandy Hook elementary school tragedy from Washington state poet and attorney Steve Hood.

Two spots are open in Week 2 of 30 Days of The 5-2. If you or a friend would like to blog about poetry for April, National Poetry Month, I'd love to have you.

5-2 alum Catfish McDaris has published a hardcover book at Lulu.com featuring poems, stories, and a 9-chapter novella.

Mariano Rivera

Today the most accomplished closer in Yankee history is expected to announce the 2013 MLB season will be his last. I've followed Mariano's whole career, drafting him as the closer on my only fantasy baseball team when he was setup man to John Wetteland.

Like most closers, Rivera didn't have the sustained stuff to be a starter. It's probably somewhat true he's gotten by all these years with one pitch, his cut fastball. But he has poise to rattle anyone else. Closers who are more than flashes in the pan usually bounce around to several teams, losing and regaining their mojo unpredictably. Mariano has been the foundation of the Yankees bullpen for eighteen years.

I've actually wanted him to retire for a few seasons now, not wanting to see his performance dip. He spent most of last season injured, which helped me prepare for today's announcement. It will still feel odd to realize he's truly retired. The Yankees may have to wait a few generations for another closer of his caliber.

You wanna know who the best is? That's him: Iceman. It's the way he flies, ice cold. No mistakes. He just wears you down. You get bored, frustrated, do something stupid, and he's got you.

"Time Contorts Memory" — a Fridge of the Damned poem

I made this poem with Michael A. Arnzen's Fridge of the Damned word tiles. See more twisted Fridge verse in this Flickr gallery.

At The 5-2: "The NRA's Modest Proposal" by Robert Cooperman

Inspired by Swift, Cooperman offers this chilling vision of an all-too-possible future.

The first week of 30 Days of The 5-2 is booked. If you're open to discovering poetry next month, National Poetry Month in the U.S., I'd love to have you.

"Start at the beginning..."

Today at The 5-2, I introduce an occasional interview feature. My first guest is provocative prose poet Rauan Klassnik.

C. Everett Koop Dies at 96

I'm saddened to learn former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop died yesterday in New Hampshire. A pioneering pediatric surgeon, Dr. Koop mentored my mother when she trained at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the 1960s and remains an example to her. I never had the honor of meeting him, but I admire his standing up to political pressure and using the nominal office of surgeon general to truly educate the public.

At The 5-2: "The Girl in the American Apparel Ad" by JD Debris

Performance poet JD Debris offers a bit of lust to close Valentine's month.

This Wednesday, February 27, I introduce an occasional interview feature by questioning 5-2 alum Rauan Klassnik, whose second book of prose poems, The Moon's Jaw, has just been published by Black Ocean.

Many spots are still open for 30 Days of The 5-2, our blog tour for April, National Poetry Month. Past 5-2 contributors are welcome to join other poetry fans to discuss their poems in more detail. You don't need a blog of your own. I'd be happy to host you at The 5-2.

At The 5-2: "The Death of the Nut Harvester" by Anne Graue

This week, New York-based poet and teacher Anne Graue draws attention to the deaths of two Amazon activists.

I'm seeking two more poems about fooling or being fooled. The deadline is February 28 for publication in April.

Many spots are still open for 30 Days of The 5-2, our blog tour for April, National Poetry Month. Past 5-2 contributors are welcome to join other poetry fans to discuss their poems in more detail. You don't need a blog of your own. I'd be happy to host you at The 5-2.

Doug Draime is coming to The 5-2 with "Highway 66" on March 25. Doug asked me to mention his print collection of selected poems, More Than the Alley, from Interior Noise Press.

THE BIG BANG THEORY: "The Tangible Affection Proof"

Leonard's Valentine's dinner with Penny is sidetracked by Howard and Bernadette tagging along after a mishap with Howard's present. Also, Penny is distracted by one of her exes, who gets engaged a few tables over. Meanwhile, Sheldon enlists Alex to help find a Valentine's present for Amy.

"The Tangible Affection Proof" balanced storylines well. Sheldon's present to Amy, making her his emergency contact person, was meaningful and nicely turned on its head by how many "emergencies" Sheldon has.

Leonard and Penny's storyline delivered, too, Penny's ordeal bringing up her fear of commitment. I'm not sure Leonard's solution relieved any of the pressure, but that's a good thing, dramatically speaking.

Finally, after a rallying speech at a Lonely People's Party at the comic book store, Raj asked a girl out, and she accepted. According to next week's log line, though, the date doesn't go well.