Last January was the first time I wrote about my favorite books of the year, and now I’m doing it again for 2025. I didn’t experience as many reading highlights this year as I did in 2024, but I’ve still had fun thinking back and picking out which novels I could barely wait to getContinue reading “My Favorite Fiction of 2025”
Category Archives: Mysteries
Listen to PESTICIDE for $12.99
I just found out that the audiobook of Pesticide, the first Linder and Donatelli mystery—the book in which Renzo and Giuliana fall for each other while solving two murders—is available at half price. Click below if you’d like to listen to the first half hour or buy a copy! https://www.audiobooks.com/promotions/promotedBook/595022/pesticide?refId=209459
A Discovery Award
Last month, I was blowing my own horn about the May launch of Splintered Justice, and today I’m tooting away again—this time about my third book, A Fondness for Truth, which I submitted last year for a 2025 Indie Reader award. Indie Reader (IR) was founded in 2009 to provide support for self-published, hybrid, andContinue reading “A Discovery Award”
Newest Mystery Launched at Bern’s English Bookshop
Splintered Justice, the fourth of my Linder and Donatelli mysteries, was released in the US on April 15, and last night it was launched at the Stauffacher branch of Orell Füssli, Switzerland’s largest bookselling chain. Over 100 people were in the audience yesterday evening to hear Clare O’Dea, a novelist (Voting Day, Before the LeavesContinue reading “Newest Mystery Launched at Bern’s English Bookshop”
SPLINTERED JUSTICE
I had more trouble finding a title for this fourth Linder and Donatelli mystery than for the others. Because the novel starts with an attempted murder in Bern’s largest Gothic church, the Berner Münster, I always thought of it as “the Münster book” and got stuck on that name. My research for this new bookContinue reading “SPLINTERED JUSTICE”
The Books I Enjoyed Most in 2024
Forgive me; it has been six weeks since I wrote anything here. First, my husband and I went to Ecuador, and then, when we got back, it was close enough to Christmas that the holidays seemed to absorb all my energy. Because I’ve been busy, I haven’t been diligent about keeping up with the book-relatedContinue reading “The Books I Enjoyed Most in 2024”
The Process of Producing a Book
For me, completing (notice I didn’t say writing!) the first draft of a new book is the most thrilling part of being an author. The second most exciting moment is when I finish what I hope will be the final draft of the text, usually after months of rewriting. Once the publisher’s editor has approvedContinue reading “The Process of Producing a Book”
When Mystery Writers Party
I read a lot of fiction: both straightforward novels and genre fiction, including fantasy, romance, science fiction, and, of course, mysteries—more mysteries than anything else. Mysteries are divided into sub-genres; the type I read most is what I write, police procedurals. For five days just before Labor Day, I attended an annual conference called Bouchercon*Continue reading “When Mystery Writers Party”
How Stories Take Shape
A Fondness for Truth is now officially launched into the world! The Münstergass bookstore co-owners Susanne Bühler and Monika Steiner sponsored the launch, which was held in Bern’s PROGR (short for Progymnasium), a former school building that has been turned into an artists’ cooperative and cultural center. In front of an audience of fifty, myContinue reading “How Stories Take Shape”
Reading under the Cherry Blossoms
Thanks, dear friends and readers, for listening to me go on about Swiss politics the last time I blogged. Today, I thought I’d mention some of my favorite mystery authors—at least, from among the ones who are alive and writing books—and ask if you have some recommendations for me. I’m happy to have you suggestContinue reading “Reading under the Cherry Blossoms”
Kim Hays 