This year, 2016, was another terrific year for the Mesdames with several new books and short stories published! We love our readers – we wouldn’t be here without you. There’s no greater reward than hearing: “I loved your characters – I couldn’t put your book down.”

So, dear readers, this holiday season, do give books! The gift of reading is a gift like no other: it’s a dream, a passion, an escape and a gateway to new and wonderful worlds.

We’d like to give a special thanks to our favorite bookstore, Sleuth of Baker Street! A big hug to Marian, J. D. and of course, Sir Percy, for their support of the Mesdames and Canadian crime fiction. You will find most of our books there and Marian will be happy to order for you if the title is out of stock.  Other places to find our books: Chapters / Indigo, Amazon and of course, the Toronto Public Library!

GREAT READS FOR YOU!!

Cathy Astolfo

Operation Babylift is Arthur Ellis winner, Cathy Astolfo’s latest book in the Kira Callaghan series. (Imajin Quickies).

When Florence gives up her spot at ReVisions Retirement Residence and is found dead, retired journalist Kira Callaghan and the Flower Pots have no choice but to investigate! And the solution goes back to a forgotten incident during the Vietnam War.

Rosemary Aubert

The Midnight Boat to Palermo (Carrick Publishing) features short crime fiction by Arthur Ellis winner, Rosemary Aubert. These beautifully crafted stories range from comedy to noir. The gripping title story is a must-read and an AE winner.

M.H.Callway

Glow Grass and Other Tales (Carrick Publishing) includes two novellas as well as 7 short crime stories by Arthur Ellis finalist, M. H. Callway. They  range from comedy to noir suspense; many are winners or finalists of awards, like the Derringer and the Bony Pete.  Includes this year’s AE novella runner-up, Glow Grass.

Melodie Campbell

The Goddaughter Caper (Orca Rapid Reads) is the latest Gina Gallo mystery by our Queen of Comedy and Arthur Ellis winner, Melodie Campbell.

A body shows up at Gina’s uncle’s restaurant and then in the trunk of Gina’s car. Wouldn’t you know it, her elderly relatives at the Holy Cannoli Retirement Home are involved – up to their scrawny necks! Gina and her cousin, Nico, The Lone Re-arranger, have to put things right.

Donna Carrick

North on the Yellowhead (Carrick Publishing) features short crime fiction by author, publisher and Arthur Ellis finalist, Donna Carrick. Her dark and thought-provoking stories in this new collection include the Arthur Ellis nominee, “Watermelon Weekend”.

Lisa de Nikolits

The Nearly Girl (Inanna Press) is the latest book by Ippy winner and tour de force, Lisa De Nikolits, who also designed the cover!

This dark comedy pokes fun at modern-day psychotherapists, group therapy, dysfunctional families, quirky friends and relatives –  and how our set-upon heroine emerges  from it all.

Earlier this year, Lisa together with friends Marilyn Riesz and Gilean Watts, published the cookbook, Bake Your Way to Happiness which pairs delicious recipes with life strategies to nourish your body and spirit.

Rosemary McCracken

Raven Lake (Imajin) is the latest book by Arthur Ellis finalist, Rosemary McCracken and the third book in her popular Pat Tierney series. Pat, an ethical financial advisor, uncovers more than one nasty scam while trying to take the summer off in cottage country.

Earlier this year, Rosemary showed her dark side, when her story “Crazy” was reprinted in the noir anthology, Black Coffee.

D. J. McIntosh

Dorothy McIntosh’s third book in her Mesopotamian trilogy, The Angel of Eden, was nominated for the 2016 ITW award for Best Paperback Original novel.

Be sure to read this thrilling adventure and the other books in the John Madison series: The Witch of Babylon and The Book of Stolen Tales.

Lynne Murphy

Ed Piwowarczyk

Lynne Murphy, Lisa De Nikolits and Ed Piwowarczyk all have stories in the latest anthology by Toronto Sisters in Crime, The Whole She-bang 3, launched just in time for the holidays! The book features outstanding stories by 16 Sisters (and two Brothers) in Crime.

Joan O’Callaghan

Early this year, Joan O’Callaghan published her late husband, J. Patrick O’Callaghan’s memoirs: Maverick Publisher, J. Patrick O’Callaghan, A Life in Newspapers (Carrick Publishing). Editing was done by our Monsieur, Ed Piwowarczyk. An award-winning teacher, Joan has also updated her teaching guide, Amazing Days (Carrick Publishing) now available as an e-book.

Jane Petersen Burfield

Caro Soles

Caro Soles and Nancy Kilpatrick are the editors of nEvermore, a critically acclaimed Poe tribute anthology, featuring the works of established authors such as Margaret Atwood, Michael Jecks and Barbara Fradkin. nEvermore was a finalist for this year’s Bram Stoker award and Robert Lopresti’s story, based on the “Murders in the Rue Morgue” will appear in Otto Penzler’s Best American Mystery Stories. Jane Burfield’s  gothic tale has been singled out for very positive reviews.

And last but not least, sample our writings in our two anthologies, Thirteen and 13 O’clock!

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

Annual Holiday Party!

The Mesdames will be celebrating with fellow crime writers at the Crime Writers of Canada and Toronto Sisters in Crime Holiday Party to be held at Pauper’s Pub, Toronto on Monday, December 5th at 6 pm. For information on tickets, visit the SinC website: http://www.torontosistersincrime.ca/holiday.html

13 Claws Contest!

Calling all writers new to the crime fiction genre! You are invited to submit up to two stories for inclusion in our upcoming anthology, 13 Claws. For submission rules, follow this link: https://mesdamesofmayhem.com/13-claws-contest-submission-rules/

Bony Blithe Award – A Reminder from Cheryl Freedman!

Cheryl Freedman

Forget the ubiquitous countdown to Xmas! The deadline for submissions to the 2017 Bloody Words Light Mystery Award (aka the Bony Blithe Award) is much earlier and is fast approaching. We must have your submission(s) in hand by December 15, 2016.

 If you’re (a) an author with a light mystery published in 2016, and (b) a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can submit your book. The award consists of a lovely colourful plaque…and a cheque for $1000!

Your novel must be at least 60,000 words long and published between January 1 and December 31, 2016. No YA or noir please. Your book can be traditionally published, indie-published, or self-published. We welcome submissions from both authors and publishers.

Light mysteries include cozies, capers, satires, and humorous books; in short, anything from laugh-out-loud books to gentle humour to good old-fashioned stories with minimal overt violence or gore. We’re not looking for books with gravitas that make us think; we’re looking for fun-read books that make us smile.

For more detailed info on how to submit your book, visit http://www.bonyblithe.com/submissions.html or contact us at bw-award@bloodywords.com.