Welcome to our April 2021 Newsletter
What's to complain about? Lockdown easing in the UK, vaccination proceeding at eyewatering speed in Anglophone countries, bookshops reopening, people tiring of Netflix pablum and buying, if not always reading, more books. And yet, it feels so fragile, the virus mutating away and crossing borders with impunity.
We must in any event be deeply grateful. Book sales are holding up on both sides of the Atlantic and we have the privilege of publishing some amazing fiction this spring.
GIANRICO CAROFIGLIO'S THE MEASURE OF TIME
Translated by Howard Curtis
UK March, US April BUY HERE
“Deceptively simple and thought-provoking, this is a compelling trial tale shot-through with the distinctly contemplative personality of its flawed, charismatic protagonist, defence attorney Guerrieri. Crime fiction at its most captivating.” LoveReading
"The whole story of tangled lives, legal misdirection, crossed destinies and life in downtown Bari is a joy. This is one of Carafiglio’s very best crime novels." Reaction
To celebrate the launch of the novel, The Italian Cultural Institutes of New York and London invite you to an online event: May 6, 1PM EST and 6PM BST, in English, free of charge. Carofiglio will be in conversation with Sheldon Zenner, a former US federal prosecutor, to discuss Carofiglio's path from anti-Mafia prosecutor to full-time writer, his writing life, and an inside look at the Italian justice system: Register: NEW YORK LINK and LONDON LINK.
HOW TO BETRAY YOUR COUNTRY by JAMES WOLFF
UK April, US May BUY HERE
‘A clever, grown-up spy novel, full of intrigue and shot through with a mischievous wit.” Charles Cumming, author of BOX 88 and The Trinity Six
"Best New Thrillers for April: Wolff’s examination of the crises of conscience caused by spying, however, make this a distinctly more thought-provoking novel than is customary in the genre. Turkish delight.” The Times
“Brilliant sequel to 2018’s BESIDE THE SYRIAN SEA. James Wolff skillfully portrays an espionage agent on the verge of losing himself to his demons. This is spy fiction like no other.” Publishers Weekly
Selected by Harrogate International Festivals as Book of the Month
A HIF You're Booked interview with James Wolff HERE
LoveReading Book of the Month and Star Book award: “A stunner of a spy thriller that rockets into the middle of an Islamic State plot, this is smart, provocative, and thought-provoking."
THE FIRST AUDIO INTERVIEW OF JAMES WOLFF
Listen to a Bitter Lemon audio interview HERE of James Wolff about 'How to Betray Your Country'. Why does he write under a pseudonym? His novels probe that fine line between following your conscience and following orders. Evocations of Edward Snowden and other whistleblowers. James speaks about the ethics of espionage and how they drive his stories, the germination of his novels, and much more.
The 2021 longlists for the prestigious CWA Dagger awards, which honour the very best in the crime writing genre, have just been announced. THE NIGHT OF SHOOTING STARS by Ben Pastor is on the list for the Historical Dagger. CrimeTime wrote: "The Martin von Bora series sheer breadth and forensic examination of Germany in WW2 is close to eclipsing the late Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther series. A saga that grows and grows and traverses with assurance some of humanity’s dark times." BUY
There is also a list for the Best Crime and Mystery Publisher of the Year. It includes big fish and small fry, and this year (again) it features Bitter Lemon Press.
In these difficult times at least there is the consoling predictability of boring Oscar ceremonies and choices. A recommendation: watch Chloé Zhao's outstanding THE RIDER (2017) before watching her more pedestrian Nomadland.
