Crime Fiction Links of the Week for January 5, 2019

It's time again for Crime Fiction Links of the Week, our weekly round-up of interesting links about crime fiction from around the web, this week with yet more best of 2018 lists, series 5 of Luther, season 3 of True Detective, Escape at Dannemora, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, season 2 of The Punisher, a new adaptation of Les Misérables and much more.

Crime fiction in general: 

• Crime Fiction Lover looks ahead at the most hotly awaited crime novels of 2019.
• The Real Book Spy looks ahead at the thrillers coming out in 2019. 
• dead good shares a list of debut crime novels to watch out for in 2019.
• Nuala McCann reports about the boom in Northern Irish crime fiction and its relationship to the so-called "Troubles" of the 1970s and 1980s. 
• Catherine Lloyd explains why Regency England is the perfect setting for a historical mystery.
• Tessa Lunney takes a look at the crime fiction of and set during the 1920s. 
• Sara Blaedel shares five great small town crime novels. 
• Clea Simon shares five fabulous fictional felines for the crime fiction fan.
• John Loughery profiles S.S. Van Dine and his detective hero Philo Vance.
• Edward Sorel traces the spiritual life of Arthur Conan Doyle.
• Rosie Knight discusses the importance of zine libraries. 
• John Scalzi weighs in on the death of the author. 
• Brian Skupin remembers Jane Langton.
• Prolific western and thriller writer Brian Garfield, whose 1972 novel Death Wish was filmed with Charles Bronson, has died aged 79.

Best of 2018:

• Joan Smith and John Dugdale share the fifty best crime novels and thrillers of 2018. 
• Ayo Onatade shares her favourite crime novels of 2018. 
• Sarah Weinman shares her favourite thrillers and crime novels of 2018. 
• Raven Crime Reads shares their ten favourite crime novels of 2018. 
• Bloomin' Brilliant Books share their favourite crime novels of 2018. 
• Sandra Mangan shares her top five crime novels of 2018.
• Jessica Ferri shares her nine favourite mysteries and thrillers of 2018.
• Scott Butki shares his ten favourite crime novels of 2018. 
• Colman Keane shares his favourite crime novels of 2018. 
• John Dwayne McKenna shares his favourite crime novel of 2018.
• Lesa Holstine shares her favourite mysteries and crime novels of 2018. 
• L.J. Roberts shares her favourite crime novels of 2018.
• Steven Nester shares his favourite crime novels of 2018. 
• Scott Montgomery shares his top five debut crime novels of 2018.
• Murder by the Book share their favourite crime novels of 2018.
• Mrs. Bloggs, the Average Reader shares her outstanding crime books of 2018.
• dead good asked nineteen authors for their favourite crime novels of 2018.
• The Killing Times shares its top twenty crime dramas of 2018.
• Lyndsay Faye shares the most interesting takes on Sherlock Holmes of 2018.
• Jax Motes shares the twelve most WTF? pop culture moments of 2018. 
• iO9 remembers all the creative and inspiring people we lost in 2018.

Film and TV:

• Steve Charnock shares twelve crime movies we shouldn't miss in 2019.
• Steve Charnock also shares twenty crime TV shows we shouldn't miss in 2019.
• Laura Barcella shares the true reason why we cannot stop watching true crime documentaries. 
• Lance Charnes shares his thoughts on the recent BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's Ordeal by Innocence.
• Jamie Bernthal shares his thoughts on the recent BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot novel The ABC Murders.
• Guy Lodge praises Nicole Kidman's performance in the tough cop thriller Destroyer. 
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the Finnish crime drama Deadwind a.k.a. Karppi. 
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the Canadian gangster drama Bad Blood.
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the latest episode of Counterpart.
• Rebecca Nicholson shares her thoughts on the true crime documentary Waco: Madman or Messiah? 
• Marah Eakin interviews actor Shea Wigham, who has appeared in Boardwalk Empire, Homecoming, Fargo, Waco, Agent Carter and many others. 
• Charles Pulliam-Moore interviews Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, creators of Runaways. 
• Paul D. Brazill revisits the 1983 French noir film Tchao, Pantin. 
• William Hughes reports that Holmes & Watson tested so poorly with audiences that not even Netflix wanted it. 
• Jennifer Maas reports that the Sherlock Holmes based crime show Elementary will end with season 7.
• Kimberly Roots reports that Midnight, Texas has been cancelled. 
• William Hughes reports that actress Allison Mack, best known for her role in Smallville, defends herself against allegations that she was involved in a sex slavery cult by declaring that Scientology did it first.
• Film and TV composer Norman Gimbel, who wrote the theme song for the 1970s Wonder Woman series among many others, has died aged 91.  
• Actor Frank Adonis who appeared in a lot of gangster films has died aged 83.
• Ringo Lam, director of Hong Kong crime films such as City on Fire, has died aged 63.
• William Hughes remembers Ringo Lam.
  

Comments on series 5 of Luther:

• Steve Charnock calls series 5 of Luther highly entertaining, if a tad formulaic and points out that Idris Elba was born to play John Luther. 
• Steve Charnock also shares his thoughts on episodes 2 and 3 of Luther.
• Lucy Mangan calls the series 5 premiere of Luther an old-fashioned whodunnit and seems inordinately fascinated with Idris Elba's coat. 
• Ed Cumming complains that Luther no longer feels as fresh as it once did and also isn't quite sure why Idris Elba is so popular.
• Gerard Gilbert finds series 5 of Luther a bit ridiculous, but strangely compelling.
• Roxanne Hughes is bothered by the fact that John Luther drives without a seatbelt in series 5 of Luther.
• Leo Barraclough reports that a big screen version of Luther is forthcoming.
• dead good shares eight must-read books for Luther fans.
  

Comments on season 3 of True Detective:

• Allison Keene calls season 3 of True Detective an engrossing return that has learned from past mistakes. 
• Alexandra August calls season 3 of True Detective an engaging mix of the old and the new. 
• Ben Travers declares that season 3 of True Detective gets back to the basics and gets good again
• Garrick Webster looks ahead at season 3 of True Detective and also believes that the show is back to form after a lackluster season 2.
  

Comments on Escape at Dannemora:

• Laura Bogart shares her thoughts on the final episode of Escape at Dannemora.
• Paul Levinson shares his thoughts on the final episode of Escape at Dannemora and wonders why the show is called "Escape at" rather than "Escape from Dannemora".
  

Comments on Black Mirror: Bandersnatch: 

• Natalie Zutter calls Black Mirror: Bandersnatch its own perfect example for the illusion of free will. 
• Elizabeth Rayne calls "Bandersnatch" a new Alice in Wonderland.
• Narayan Liu declares that "Bandersnatch" isn't the "Choose Your Own Adventure" episode many people wanted. 
• Janko Roettgers declares that "Bandersnatch" takes interactive storytelling to the next level.
• Linda Holmes declares that the interactivity is merely a gimmick in the new Black Mirror special "Bandersnatch". 
• Lucy Mangan calls "Bandersnatch" the TV of tomorrow.
• Stuart Heritage calls Black Mirror: Bandersnatch a meta masterpiece.
• Zack Handlen calls "Bandersnatch" an entertaining experience that is not going to knock anybody's socks off.
• Adam Chitwood declares that "Bandersnatch" questions the idea of free will and leaves viewers and characters paralysed by choice.
• Ed Cummings calls "Bandersnatch" an intriguing but imperfect postmodern adventure. 
• Gita Jackson calls "Bandersnatch" a let-down. 
• James Poniewozik compares "Bandersnatch" to The Sopranos, which premiered twenty years ago and finds similarities in their approach to stories and storytelling.
• David Streitfeld calls "Bandersnatch" an experiment on the viewer and the grimmest Black Mirror episode yet. 
• Roisin O'Connor discusses the interactive experience of watching "Bandersnatch".  
• Alissa Wilkinson shares three non-spoilery things to know before watching "Bandersnatch". 
• Jackie Strause shares all the "Bandersnatch" endings and how to reach them.
• Beth Elderkin discusses her favourite ending of "Bandersnatch" and how to get it.
• William Hughes shares some Black Mirror related Easter eggs to be found in "Bandersnatch".
• Bryan Menegus explains how to play one of the games in "Bandersnatch".
• Jackie Strause interviews Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones, creators of "Bandersnatch" and discusses the many alternate endings with them.
• Jackie Strause also explains how "Bandersnatch" fits into the Black Mirror universe. 
• Ross Johnson ranks every episode of Black Mirror to date.
• Kate Abbott reports that actor Will Poulter, who plays Colin Ritman in "Bandersnatch", has been driven off Twitter by attacks on his performance and character.  
• Inspired by "Bandersnatch", Jeff Somers shares ten choose-your-own-adventure books for adults.

Comments on season 2 of The Punisher: 

• L.D. Nolan reports that some members of The Punisher cast thought that the show would be another casuality of Netflix's cancelling spree.
• Noah Dominguez reports that Karen Page, played by Deborah Ann Woll, will appear in season 2 of The Punisher.
• Meagan Damore reports that villain Billy Russo, played by Ben Barnes, will not be called by his comic nickname Jigsaw in season 2 of The Punisher. 
• Charles Pulliam-Moore reports that Billy Russo's character was altered to make The Punisher feel more grounded.
• Meagan Damore also has some more on the villain of season 2 of The Punisher.
• Vinnie Mancuso interviews Josh Stewart who plays the villain John Pilgrim in season 2 of The Punisher.
• Watch a teaser for season 2 of The Punisher.
• Watch a trailer for season 2 of The Punisher.
• Watch a clip from season 2 of The Punisher.

Comments on the BBC adaptation of Les Misérables:

• Lucy Mangan calls the BBC's latest adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Misérables a rich feast and mercifully song-free. 
• Viv Groskop is quite pleased with the latest adaptation of Les Misérables, even though everybody knows the basic plot already. 
• Rosanna Greenstreet interviews Dominic West who place Jean Valjean in Les Misérables.
• Michael Hogan interviews David Oyelowo who plays Javert in Les Misérables.
  

Awards: 

• The winner of the 2018 Reprint of the Year Award has been announced.
• The nominees for the 2018 BAFTA Rising Star Awards have been announced with several nominees of genre interest.
• The winner of the 2018 Darth Vader Parenthood Award for Outstandingly Horrible Fictional Parents has been announced.
• The 2019 New Year Honours List includes several names of genre interest.
  

Writing, publishing and promotion:

• The Puppet Show shares ten new year's resolutions for crime writers. 
• The Puppet Show shares nine ideas for crime fiction titles.
• Robert Repino explains what Mister Rogers can teach us about storytelling.
• C. Hogan explains how to develop a writing habit that sticks.
• Ayodeji Awosika shares the ultimate guide to writing your first book. 
• Eris Young shares seven things writers get wrong about language. 
• Rayne Hall shares some tips for writing night scenes. 
• Stephen Spatz explains what John Locke's career teaches us about self-publishing the wrong way. 
• Kristine Kathryn Rusch takes a look at the state of the publishing business in 2019.
• Brian Peters shares marketing advice from thirteen social media experts.
  

Interviews:

• Garrick Webster interviews Will Dean. 
• Dietrich Kalteis interviews Paul D. Brazill. 
• Victoria Goldman interviews Alex Reeve.
• Debbie Mack interview K'Anne Meinel.
  

Reviews:

• Paul J. Garth reviews Blood Standard by Laird Barron. 
• Victoria Goldman reviews The Secrets You Hide by Kate Helm.
• Ray Palen reviews In a House of Lies by Ian Rankin.
• The Real Book Spy reviews Tear It Down by Nick Petrie.  
• The Real Book Spy reviews A Spy in Exile by Jonathan de Shalit. 
• Mrs. Bloggs, the Average Reader reviews The Chestnut Man by Soeren Sveintrup.
• Carrie O'Grady reviews My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.
• Sandra Mangan reviews The Tattoo Thief by Alison Belsham.
• Michael Patrick Hicks reviews Coyote Songs by Gabino Iglesias.  
• Rusty Barnes reviews My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby.
• Brilliant Bloomin' Books reviews Fallible Justice by Laura Laakso. 
• Mrs. Bloggs, the Average Reader reviews Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson.
• Sharon Magee reviews Harvest of Secrets by Ellen Crosby.
• John Valeri reviews Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day.
• Doreen Sheridan reviews Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day a.k.a. Edith Maxwell and tries a recipe from the book. 
• Robin Agnew reviews Death by Dragonfly by Jane Tesh.
• Paperback Warrior reviews A Grifter's Song, episode 1, The Concrete Smile by Frank Zafiro and episode 2, People Like Us by J.D. Rhoades. 
• Vicki Weisfeld reviews Amsterdam Noir, edited by René Appel and Josh Pachter.
• Justen Charters reviews Tehran's Vengeance by David Austin. 
• Brad Hawley reviews Criminal Vol. 4: Bad Night by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. 
• Kevin Burton Smith reviews The Girl Who Danced With Death by Sylvain Runberg and Belen Ortega.
• The Real Book Spy reviews Code Name: Lise - The True Story of the Spy Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Woman by Larry Loftis.
  

Classics reviews:

• Paperback Warrior revisits Hell's Paycheck, a 1931 novella in the Cardigan hardboiled detective series by Frederick L. Nebel. 
• Martin Edwards revisits James Ronald's 1938 crime thriller They Can't Hang Me!
• John Banville revisits the 1939 noir novel The Krull House by Georges Simenon. 
• Martin Edwards revisit the 1949 hardboiled mystery Murder Can Be Fun by Fredric Brown.
• Joe Brosnan revisits the 1954 mystery Beat Not the Bones by Charlotte Jay, winner of the first ever Edgar Award for best novel.
• Paperback Warrior revisits the 1960 crime novel Devil in Dungarees by Albert Conroy a.k.a. Marvin H. Albert. 
• Joe Kenney revisits the 1967 futuristic crime novel Vigilante 21st Century by Robert Moore Williams.
• Bitter Tea and Mystery revisits Corridors of Death, a 1982 Robert Amiss mystery by Ruth Dudley Edwards.
• B.V. Lawson revisits the 1984 Homer Kelly mystery Emily Dickinson is Dead by Jane Langston. 
• Bitter Tea and Mystery revisits Salamander, a 1994 historical mystery by J. Robert Janes.

Crowdfunding:

• The Best of Little Red Reviewer 2010 - 2018, a print collection of Andrea Johnson's reviews, is looking for funding.
  

  Con and event reports:

• Martin Edwards shares photos from various crime fiction related events he attended in 2018 in a three part post. 
• The Guardian reports that five teenaged girls were killed in a fire at an escape room event in Koszalin, Poland.
• Milton Griepp reports that Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, will offer a class on how to run a comic convention.  

Research:

• The Puppet Show explains how to tell when someone is lying. 
• The Puppet Show also explains how crime scene sketches work.
• Sarah Weinman profiles David W. Maurer who collected criminal slang in the 1930s and wrote a true crime book called The Big Con in 1940.
  

Free online fiction:

• "Reunion" by Graham Bowlin in Shotgun Honey. 
• "Trouble" by Ian Copestick in Punk Noir Magazine.
• "Beggared Senseless" by Ian Copetick in Punk Noir Magazine.
• "Tell-Tale" by Graham Wynd in Punk Noir Magazine.
• "The Action Hero Murder" by Peter DiChellis in Over My Dead Body.
• "Bottom of the Thirteenth" by James Blakey in Flash Bang Mysteries.
  

Odds and ends:

• Watch a trailer for You.
• Watch the US trailer for The ABC Murders.
• Watch a trailer for Carmen Sandiego.