Book and Special Events

Spy Tradecraft: A Baker’s Dozen

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As some of you know, World War Two has always called to me, and the research I did for An Incidental Spy was a journey of discovery into the creative ways spies communicated with each other and their spymasters. Here in the US, well before we joined the war, Nazi spies were active on our … Read more

The Incidental Spy — Where It Came From

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Hi, all. Now that the The Incidental Spy is out in print and ebook, I thought I’d tell you where I got the idea. This segment is part of an interview that I will excerpt all week on the blog. In addition, there’s a summary of wartime spies in the US that you might not know about … Read more

A Discussion About Great Writing in the Mystery Genre

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57th Street Books 10-4-15

57th Street Books 10-4-15

I hope you’ll join me along with Michael Harvey and Lori Rader-Day for a discussion about Great Writing in the Mystery Genre.

Here’s the info:

Genre fiction is widely read, even admired, but seldom considered the equal of its literary counterparts. The mere label “mystery” acts as a sort of downgrade.

Panelists Michael Harvey, Lori Rader-Day and Libby Fischer Hellmann will explore the whos, whats, whys and hows of great mystery fiction. Don Evans will moderate.

Join us Sunday, October 4, 5 pm at 57th Street Books. 1301 E. 57th Street, Chicago. Hope to see you there!

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The Manhattan Project — Chicago Style

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Everyone’s heard about Los Alamos, where they built and tested the first nuclear weapon. But few people seem to know about the role that Chicago played in the development of nuclear fission and its ultimate military application. That fascinated me when I set off on a voyage of discovery into the dark days before the bomb. … Read more

The Incidental Spy — Giveaway

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It’s getting close to the official launch of the print version of The Incidental Spy — A Novella (September 20), so I’m giving away a couple of copies on Goodreads. Check them out here:   Goodreads Book Giveaway The Incidental Spy by Libby Fischer Hellmann Giveaway ends September 25, 2015. See the giveaway details at … Read more

¡La Habana Perdida — Ahora, El Audio!

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Un thriller en gran parte ambientado en Cuba, que se extiende por tres generaciones de la misma familia. ¡Mas de 200 comentarios in inglés!  Ahora disponible en audio. En vísperas de la Revolución Cubana, la testaruda Francesca Pacelli, de 18 años de edad, huye de su despiadado padre, un Jefe de la Mafia en La … Read more

A New Look… Same Mystery/Suspense

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I decided it was time to update the Ellie Foreman series (especially since the 5th Ellie mystery, JUMP CUT, will be released next March), so here’s what I came up with. Yes, there’s a new cover for each novel, but it’s the same award-winning mystery and suspense you expect from the Chicago video producer and single mother. … Read more

It’s My Birthday, So I Got You A Present!

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  It’s my birthday next week, so… I got you a present! I’m giving away 4 of my short stories so you can celebrate with a blast of short summer reads… Download through Sunday June 21! Your Sweet Man  “Calvin waited for the man who’d been convicted of killing his mother.” Flight  “Kristin Forge spotted him … Read more

Comings and Goings

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I have a couple of live events to tell you about, and a personal share… Catch Me In-Person… — At  Printers Row Lit Fest this Saturday (only); if you’re in the Chicago area, please come on down. You can find me at the Chicago Writers Association booth (Tent “F” on Dearborn). I’ll also be on … Read more