Scanning the Horizon

• As part of National Crime Fiction Week in Britain (June 14-20), the Crime Writers’ Association has announced that the winner of its Young Crime Writers’ Competition is 15-year-old Nicole Hendry from Sutton Coldfield, England, author of the story “The Demolition of Lives.”

• Russell Crowe is certainly a fine actor, but he’s also too ubiquitous these days. He’s been seen so often, in so many pictures, that it’s impossible to separate the actor from the performance anymore. At least for me, he can’t disappear into his roles. So I’m a little sorry to learn that he has signed on to play secret agent-cum-private eye Robert McCall in a remake of the 1985-1989 CBS-TV crime drama, The Equalizer. Edward Woodward originally occupied the role, and did so well.

• Meanwhile, Christopher G. Moore’s 1992 novel, Spirit House, which introduced Bangkok private eye Vincent Calvino to the world, may be made into a movie.

• Some good oil-spill news for a change. More here and here.

• In addition to horror writer James Herbert, this year’s list of recipients for the Order of the British Empire (OBE), given out recently by Queen Elizabeth, included writer-producer Brian Clemens, “the main creative driving force behind The Avengers.”

• Barbara Fister submits her latest novel, Through the Cracks, to Marshal Zeringue’s notorious Page 69 Test. The results are here.

• Three things I didn’t know before today: (1) Have Gun--Will Travel “is the only significant radio show that originated on television.” (2) While the part of Paladin, a gentleman gunfighter/troubleshooter, was played on the small screen by Richard Boone, another actor--John Dehner--filled those same boots for “wireless” audiences. And (3) the radio series is now available for at-home listening.

• B.V. Lawson talks with Sandra Parshall about the latest entry in her veterinarian Rachel Goddard mystery series, Broken Places.

• Linda Castillo answers a few questions about her new thriller, Pray for Silence, the second book in her Kate Burkholder series.

• Tolerance is a damn good thing.

• In case you’re ever in the mood for what might be called “classic and manly cop and detective shows,” here’s the list you need.

• From In Reference to Murder: “This November, the first annual Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival will be held in Detroit, the city where the author grew up. Featured events include the screening of the pilot episode for the FX network’s Justified TV series ...; screenings for a short film competition; a short story contest for young writers aged 13-18; and a competition for screenwriters and filmmakers.”