CHRIS HOLM

I'm honored (see also: stunned, floored, elated) to report that The Boston Globe has named RED RIGHT HAND one of the Best Books of 2016 ! Here's what Daneet Steffens, curator of their mystery selections, had to say: In his second Michael Hendricks thriller, Holm performs authorial acrobatics, elegantly and nimbly leaping between various locations and voices to produce not just a suspenseful tale kicked off by a San Francisco terrorist attack, but one imbued with multiple fine characters to boot. Many thanks to Daneet, and congratulations to everyone who made the list. I'm incredibly grateful to feature alongside such talented authors.

I'm chuffed (yes,  chuffed ) to report that the UK's Daily Express named RED RIGHT HAND a Best New Thriller! Here's a taste of what they had to say: "RED RIGHT HAND is an explosive, fast-paced follow-up to THE KILLING KIND... With strong characters and a complex plotline, RED RIGHT HAND has the essence of a great action movie. Ultimately, Holm has done exactly what a good writer should do: he makes you desperate to know what’s coming next." I confess, I didn't expect to find myself in a British tabloid today, much less that I'd be so happy about it. Oh, and don't take the fact that they also championed the Brexit as evidence my book is terrible; I'm pretty sure that wasn't their Arts Editor's doing.

Today, I'm at Literary Hub , talking about the dark side of viral fame. I find virality fascinating. It's one of the stranger consequences of spending so much of our lives online. Too often, writers concoct excuses to avoid incorporating technology into their stories. Think of all the times you've seen someone's cell phone signal drop out in a horror movie, and you'll know precisely what I mean. One of my goals when I sat down to write RED RIGHT HAND was to incorporate the technology we rely upon in interesting ways. That's why a viral video is essential to the story, and why the thrilling climax of the story hinges on— You know what? On second thought, I'll let you discover what it hinges on for yourself. In the meantime, click through to read my Lit Hub piece . Oh, and if you'd like to see an example of a horror movie that uses technology (and its failings) brilliantly, check out Hush on Netflix . But maybe don't watch it alone.

Northern New Englanders: Tonight, on 207, Rob Caldwell and I will be chatting about RED RIGHT HAND! (7PM, WCSH 6.) Don't miss it!

I'm pleased to report that Strand Magazine featured  RED RIGHT HAND  as one of their recommended reads for September , alongside books from Sophie Hannah, Stuart Neville, Thomas Mullen, and Carol O'Connell! They declare it a "hard-hitting sequel to the Anthony Award-winning THE KILLING KIND," and go on to say, "Holm manages to write a book about terrorism that isn’t about terrorism, a book about violence that isn’t about violence, and succeeds without precedent on both counts. A surefire winner for thriller fans and beyond."

I've just returned from Bouchercon New Orleans, and it was every bit as crazy as you might imagine. Good food, good drink, good programming, and good company—all in such excess that I'm utterly exhausted now. I won't dare try to summarize my convention here, for fear I'll inadvertently omit someone or something and wind up feeling like an idiot. There is one thing I ought to mention, though:  THE KILLING KIND won the Anthony Award for Best Novel . I'm truly honored. My fellow nominees—Catriona, Hank, Louise, and Matt—are such talented writers, I'm grateful to be counted in their company. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, and congratulations to everyone who took home an award last week (Anthony, Barry, Derringer, Macavity, Shamus, or otherwise), with particular shout-outs to Megan Abbott, Lou Berney, Susanna Calkins, Joelle Charbonneau, Glen Erik Hamilton, Jon Jordan, Ruth Jordan, David Morrell, Taylor Stevens, and Art Taylor.

As of today, RED RIGHT HAND is now available wherever books are sold. I really hope you guys enjoy it. If you'd like a copy, you can order one at the links below or hit up your local bookseller. And if you're stuck at work, unable to pleasure-read, this annotated soundtrack for RED RIGHT HAND might help pass the time. (US): Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Indiebound (UK): The Book Depository

My mom, a fellow Portlander, is an early riser who loves flipping through the Sunday paper. Thanks to her, I don't have to read the Maine Sunday Telegram's review to find out if they liked my book; if it's favorable, I'll wake to find a copy on my porch. This morning, I woke to find a copy on my porch. Here's a peek at what reviewer Michael Berry had to say: "In RED RIGHT HAND, Holm succeeds in developing Michael Hendricks as a complexly conflicted protagonist, while keeping the level of action and intrigue running high. Smart, unpredictable and well-constructed, the novel is a worthy follow-up to THE KILLING KIND, a satisfying thriller on its own terms and likely a harbinger of pulse-quickening adventures still to come." I'm thrilled that he enjoyed it. There's something doubly sweet about getting a rave from your hometown paper.

Recently, I was interviewed for Hachette's newsletter. If you'd like to read the interview, but you're not subscribed, you'll find it here . Fair warning: the author pic is damn near actual size.

While I can't link to it directly, Library Journal's starred (!) review of RED RIGHT HAND was reprinted in its entirety at Barnes & Noble, so I think it's safe for me to share it here. "★ Years ago, FBI informant Frank Segreti was presumed to be dead when his safe house was blown up. Yet, the video of a terrorist attack in San Francisco shows Segreti to be very much alive. Determined to protect her witness until he can testify, FBI Special Agent Charlie Thompson hires Michael Hendricks, a military covert operative-turned-hit man (of bad guys). His best friend and tech guru was killed by the same mob organization that's trying to take down Segreti, and now Hendricks is determined to burn down the group. VERDICT This follow-up to the acclaimed THE KILLING KIND (nominated for four major mystery awards, including the Anthony) is a real thrill ride. Jeff Abbott fans and adrenaline fiction junkies will appreciate how vividly the shadowy world of military contracto...

Wanna read a brand new Michael Hendricks short story and get a sneak peek at RED RIGHT HAND ? Then today's your lucky day! "The Approach" is now available in all e-formats for the rock bottom price of $0.99! And as an added bonus, the ebook features an excerpt of RED RIGHT HAND ! So what're you waiting for? Download a copy today!

Today's the day! THE KILLING KIND is now available in trade paperback! And look, I know I'm biased, but damn if that ain't a pretty cover. You might want to pick up one to read and another to display.

Though their complete review is paywalled, I'm thrilled to report that Booklist  gave RED RIGHT HAND a big thumbs-up! Here's a taste of what they had to say: "The novel brims with nice turns on genre conventions, like Hendricks' PI code—similar to Sam Spade's—and the wisecracking moll, here a computer whiz mocking Hendricks' efforts to sound hip. Good story, good action, some startling turns of phrase: 'The last thing you'll ever see,' Hendricks warns a baddie, 'is your teeth leaving your face.'" Not too shabby, that. I wish I could share the rest!

I'm elated to report that Publishers Weekly awarded RED RIGHT HAND a starred, boxed review! Here's a taste of what they had to say (click through to read the rest): "Explosive and timely... Holm expertly balances weighty issues of national security with more intimate personal losses, and makes it clear that the best stories happen in the gray area between good and evil." I'll admit to being honored, stunned, and relieved in equal measure. I feel as if I took some big risks writing RED RIGHT HAND. I'm glad to hear that they (might've) paid off.

Gregg Hurwitz knows a thing or two about writing a thrilling tale. His books, the most recent being ORPHAN X, have topped bestseller lists worldwide. He's written such iconic comic characters as Batman and Wolverine. (His limited PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE run is a favorite of mine.) He's even got a master's in Shakespearean tragedy. So imagine my delight when he had this to say about RED RIGHT HAND : "Like most people in Crime Fiction Land, I’ve been hearing about the talented Chris Holm for some time—and now I understand why. RED RIGHT HAND is that rare treat—a tightly constructed, crisply written, fast-as-hell thriller. Strap in tight because the chapters whip by in a blur. Such is the view from a roller coaster." Many thanks, Gregg! So glad you enjoyed it.

RED RIGHT HAND doesn't come out until September 13th, but the first review is already in, from the notoriously prickly Kirkus. So... what'd they think? "Fast-moving... entertaining... Readers will root for Hendricks, even though he’s on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, because he has a more solid moral code than your average murderer. A good choice for thriller fans." Whew! I'll take it. Feel free to click through if you'd like to read the rest.

I just got the go-ahead from the fine folks at Mulholland to reveal the cover for the paperback edition of THE KILLING KIND ! So, without further ado... Personally, I love it. If you do too, keep your eyes peeled; it hits shelves August 2nd.

Holy heck!  THE KILLING KIND has been nominated for the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery ! (Yes, I've written three prior books in a different genre. The organizers assure me that's why it's called Best First Mystery .) Many thanks to all who voted, and congratulations to my fellow nominees!

I'm elated to report that THE KILLING KIND has been nominated for the 2016 Anthony Award for Best Novel! Many thanks to everyone who included it on their ballots, and congratulations to my fellow nominees! I'm psyched to be in such terrific company.

Behold! (What? I hear brevity is the soul of wit.)

I'm delighted to report that THE KILLING KIND  has been  nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller ! Thanks to the fine folks at Deadly Pleasures, and congrats to my fellow nominees. It's an honor to be in such terrific company.

This evening, I received word that THE KILLING KIND has been nominated for Left Coast Crime's Lefty Award for Best World Mystery Novel ! I'm truly honored. Thanks to everyone who voted for THE KILLING KIND, and congratulations to my fellow nominees!