MAKE ME LAUGH! by Angela Zeman Someone asked recently, are “cozy” series selling less these days? Are they? Despite a lack of reliable statistics, I do seem to find ever-increasing numbers of new ones—new to me anyway—for which I am humbly grateful. Some days you feel like a nut, know what I mean? On the […]

CONJUNCTION JUNCTION by Angela Zeman Sometimes I wonder why we readers and writers have such a love affair going with the written word. I’m proceeding on the premise that we get just one life. (Reincarnation would be great, but suppose it’s not true?) Time passes. No matter what we do with it, time does not […]

WHO ARE YOU AND WHY AM I READING ABOUT YOU? by Angela Zeman I’m in a funny spot in my writing life. My desk is bare. Meaning, I’ve fulfilled all writing plans and obligations to date. I don’t know what your writing life is like, but mine has always been in a constant state of […]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS MACY! by Angela Zeman Today is my granddaughter’s first birthday — and I’m missing it. In the sour tradition of “Biology is Destiny,” I had a recent back operation and am not yet allowed to travel. So out of my sore heart, I dedicate this column to her: in anticipation of all […]

SPEAK LOUDER, PLEASE by Angela Zeman Last week I went to (no, not Manderly again) a neighborhood party. A fun party. I have fun neighbors. Not unexpectedly, because I live about twenty seconds south of Wall Street, I met some men and women who work in the Financial Sector. Now these lovely people were not […]

VIOLENT REACTION by Angela Zeman Excuse me, guys, but I’ve yet again been castigated—for the fortieth time (full disclosure, I’ve never actually counted)—for my “shallow” taste in fiction. As a way to forestall criticism, I usually claim to be a writer of, and believer in, ‘cheap entertainment.’ But I lie. I actually believe much of […]

Ye who read Criminal Brief, please welcome Angela Zeman as our new regular Saturday correspondent. I could wax long on her many virtues, but shall instead refer you to her CrimeSpace profile, as well as her website, which should amply satisfy the curious. I speak for the entire Criminal Brief crew in pronouncing our delight […]