Old News, New News and a Wee Bit of Both!

First, some Link Love. A new site by the name of Scandinavian Crime Fiction in English has hit the webosphere running, and put me in mind of the recent K O Dahl novel I read; a dark, noir trip into Norwegian detective fiction. And when you're in the mood for Viking chills why not check out the sister blog, Scandinavian Crime Fiction?

Talking about bleak crime fiction, guess what's happening with Sam Millar? Bloodstorm's only gotten itself some excellent reviews on its US release (and check out the new cover above). Look:

Bloodstorm is the first in a powerful new crime series from Irish author Millar. Extremely original, it is a chillingly gripping book, and the consistently tough prose should help gain Millar more fans in the U.S. with a taste for the hard-boiled.

Publisher Weekly, USA

Irish crime writer, Sam Millar (The Redemption Factory) is back with a brand new anti-hero, Karl Kane…crime noir doesn’t get much darker or grittier than this shocking tale of corruption and revenge…

Booklist, USA

And not to be outdone, Brian McGilloway is blogging for the week at Moments in Crime in preparation for his own US release. Borderlands will be available in across the pond on 2nd September 2008. And here's what they're saying about him:

The pacing of the book never falters and McGilloway builds suspense gradually but inexorably... This is an excellent new procedural series, especially notable for its realistic and sensitive portrayal of life in modern Ireland. Essential for mystery collections.

Booklist Starred Review

McGilloway skillfully weaves Irish politics - from the shadow of the IRA in the North to the tensions between the travellers and the locals in the South - into his multilayered story. A keen observer, Devlin has just enough flaws to make him an empathetic hero. An assured debut.

Publishers Weekly

Exceptionally mature prose and a hero as charismatically volcanic in his own way as Louisiana's Dave Robicheaux.

Kirkus Reviews

This debut novel, which was shortlisted for the 2007 New Blood Dagger, will appeal to readers who like clean plotting and characters facing the complexities of modern life while still living the old ways.... [A] worthy addition to the growing body of police procedurals set in Ireland.

Library Journal

Of course, this would all have been much more impressive if that lousy so-and-so from Crime Always Pays wasn't the scooping devil that he is.