News & Newsletter Archive

Click any of the links below to view an archived newsletter.

December 2023
July 2023
December 2022
July 2022
March 2022
December 2021
August 2021
March 2021
December 2020
March 2020
August 2019
August 2018
September 2017
June 2017
December 2016
October 2016
August 2015
December 2014
August 2014
June 2014
February 2014
November 2013
April 2013
March 2013
January 2013
November 2012
August 2012
March 2012
January 2012

December 2011
August 2011
March 2011

March 2010
September 2009
June 2009 Newsletter
March 2009 Newsletter

November 2008 Newsletter
September 2008 Newsletter
June 2008 Newsletter
May 2008 Newsletter

News 2014

Congratulations to Jane Linden! Jane's name will appear as one of the characters in The Darkness Hunter, the next John Santana novel. 

Use-Your-Name Contest

In order for your name to appear as one of the characters in the next Santana novel, you’ll need to (1) sign up for my mailing list and to (2) correctly answer the following five questions from Death’s Way.

Use-Your-Name Contest Questions

1.) What kind of bird did Sammy Malik fear?

2.) How were escorts smuggling heroin?   

3.) What was the name of the deadly poison?

4.)What is the name of Santana's boat?

5.) What was the one remaining question about the investigation that Santana was unable to answer?

Send your responses to my e-mail address at cjvalen@comcast.net by November 1, 2014. I’ll be drawing one winner from those of you who are members of my mailing list and who have submitted the correct answers.

News 2013

Congratulations to Rosanne George, winner of the Bone Shadows contest! Rosanne's name will appear as one of the characters in the next John Santana mystery.

News 2012

Listen as Christopher discusses Bone Shadows with host Cyrus Webb.

Use-Your-Name Contest

In order for your name to appear as one of the characters in the next Santana novel, you’ll need to (1) sign up for my mailing list and to (2) correctly answer the following five questions from Bone Shadows.

1) What was the name of Jeff Tate’s dog?

2) What type of car did Monica Vail drive?

3) What was the relationship between Montrell Grissom and Devante Carter?

4) What was Greg Ward’s job in the Air Force?

5) What was the problem with Hank Rafferty’s Walther PPK?

Send your responses to my email address at cjvalen@comcast.net by March 1, 2013. I’ll be drawing one winner from those of you who are members of my mailing list and who have submitted the correct answers.

 

News 2011

The Bad Weeds Never Die Contest

Congratulations to all four of the mailing list winners who won an advanced, signed copy of Bad Weeds Never Die.

The Winners:

Week 1 - Juan Ruiz- New Windsor, New York
Week 2 - Bill Waskosky - Maplewood, Minnesota
Week 3 - Rita Conrad - Afton, Minnesota
Week 4 - Joan Stein - San Diego, California

News 2010

Hear Christopher reading from and discussing The Black Minute on KSJE Four Corners radio in New Mexico. 

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/ksje/.jukebox?....

Hear Christopher reading from and discussing The Black Minute on KFAI radio.

(Download mp3, 10.8MB)

March 2010

Reader Views Annual Literary Awards: Best Mystery of 2009Reader Views Annual Literary Awards: The Black Minute is Reviewers Choice Best Mystery of 2009.

Lynda Goldman Award for Best Novel Of The Year.

Read more about the winners in each category and more about the awards.

News 2009

March 2009

Reviewers Choice: Best Mystery of 2008 AwardReader Views Annual Literary Awards: White Tombs is Reviewers Choice Best Mystery of 2008

Garcia Award for Best Fiction Book Of The Year

Read more about the winners in each category and more about the awards.


News 2008

May 30

To listen to Christopher's interview with David Ewen from Boston's Blog Talk Radio show, click here.

May 20

Congratulations to the five readers who correctly answered the April mystery question and received a free, signed copy of White Tombs. The correct answer was John Leguizamo.

April 17

I'm giving away a copy of White Tombs to the first 5 people who correctly answer the following question:

This Colombian born comedian, writer, producer and actor has appeared on Broadway, television and in over 50 movies including Carlito's Way, Assault on Precinct 13, Collateral Damage and Love in The Time of Cholera.

E-mail your response to cjvalen@comcast.net.

March 5, 2008

Thanks to everyone who came to my publication party at the Once Upon A Crime bookstore on Saturday, March 1. It was a tremendous success. We sold out all the books in the first hour! Fortunately, I had extras in my car. 

A special thank you to Pat and Gary, the owners of Once Upon A Crime, for their wonderful support. I’ve added a picture of the three of us along with some other pictures of the event to my photo gallery. Please take a look.

I’ll be back at Once Upon A Crime for the 6th annual “Write of Spring” event on March 22 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Over 50 local mystery and crime writers will be signing books that afternoon.

I will also be signing books at the Book Corner in Woodbury from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. that morning. If you didn’t get a chance to come to the party, I hope to see you on March 22nd at one of the locations.