Mystery & Crime

Book critic John Leonard reviews, "In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead," by James Lee Burke.

Maureen Corrigan reviews the new Patricia Cornwell mystery, "Cruel and Unusual".

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Saturday Morning Murder," by Israeli writer Batya Goor.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "Strange Loyalties," the latest novel by William McIlvanney.

Novelist James Lee Burke. He's been writing for 35 years but he's best known for his more recent detective novels about Dave Robicheaux (ROW-bah-show), a recovering alcoholic, who is also a troubled Vietnam vet, and a New Orleans police lieutenant. The books are: "The Neon Rain," "Heaven's Prisoners," "Black Cherry Blues," and "A Morning for Flamingos." His fifth Robicheaux novel is, "A Stained White Radiance." (published by Hyperion).

Veteran crime novelist Lawrence Block. He's written nine novels staring Manhattan private eye Matt Scudder. His latest is called "A Ticket To The Boneyard."

Mystery writer Sara Paretsky. Paretsky's just written the seventh in her series of mysteries starring tough-nails female private eye V.I. Warshawski. (Published by Delacorte Press). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Writer Edward "Hacksaw" Jones -- so named for his many prison escapes. He was the only criminal put on the FBI's most-wanted list without a history of physical violence. When he was still in prison he began writing. He's written two novels, "Cage," and "Awake," as well as an autobiography, "Hacksaw." He's got a new novel, "Stoneface." (published by Donald I. Fine, Inc., New York).

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Song Dog," by James McClure, and "Personal Effects," by Marissa Piesman.

Writer Carl Hiaasen (produced "hi-ah-sen"). Hiaasen's latest crime novel, "Native Tongue," continues his tradition of poking fun at his native Florida. When he's not writing crime stories, Hiaasen is an investigative journalist and columnist for the Miami Herald. (It's published by Knopf). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Writer D. Keith Mano. He often combines the spiritual and the profane in his writing.

Book critic John Leonard reviews, "Topless: a Novel" by D. Keith Mano, a thriller about a young priest who returns to his former New York neighborhood to help manage the family business. The family's business turns out to be a topless bar and the "girls" there begin to get murdered. Mano's other books include, "Bishop's Progress," "War is Heaven," and "Take Five." ("Topless" is published by Random House.)

Mystery writer Sue Grafton. She's known for her "alphabet series" with female detective Kinsey Milhone, "A is for Alibi" through "G is for Gumshoe." Grafton's latest mystery is "H is for Homicide." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews detective novelist Robert B. Parker's newest Spencer novel, "Stardust."

Writer Walter Mosley. His first book, "Devil In A Blue Dress," is a hard boiled detective story starring a black gumshoe up against white prejudice. It's published by Norton.

Critic Maureen Corrigan gives us her family's version of how to celebrate St. Patricks Day, and recommends the novel "Motherland" by Timothy O'Grady as perfect St. Patrick's Day reading.

Book critic John Leonard reviews the novel "Dorit in Lesbos" by Toby Olson.

Mystery writer Ed McBain (also known as Evan Hunter). He's known for his finely detailed "87th Precinct" mysteries. Mystery fans call McBain's books "procedurals" for their close attention to police procedures. McBain also wrote, under a his real name (which he legally changed in 1952), the screenplay for the movie, "The Blackboard Jungle." (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Book critic John Leonard reviews two new mysteries, "The Good Fight," by Lia Matera, and "Devices and Desires" by P.D. James.

Commentator Maureen Corrigan looks at the Nancy Drew mystery series. The venerable series of girls' books have been updated for the 90s.