The Incidental Spy — Giveaway

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

Need Your Input…

  Hi, everyone. I’m happy spring is trying to settle in Chicago. On the left is  Oak Street beach. It doesn’t quite look like this yet, but I’m counting on it soon. And hoping we’ve seen the last of the tornadoes.           I have some fun things for you: not one, … Read more

My China TV Interview– Ferris Bueller was Right

Remember when Ferris Bueller says to the camera “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around for a while, you could miss it?” Well, I just had one of those days. It started Monday evening with an email from a producer who works for CCTV America. What’s that you ask? “CCTV News” … Read more

Jury Duty in Chicago — A follow-up

My daughter has been called for jury duty next week, and yesterday sent out a message to my newsletter recipients with a link to my original blogpost about the My Day at the Daley Center back in June. Turns out several people have their own stories about serving on a jury in Cook County, so I thought it would be fun for … Read more

The Mystery of Vivian Maier

In the mood for a mystery? Well, this is a different type of mystery, especially if you love photography and the visual arts. As you undoubtedly know by now, I’m from Chicago, and one of the most fascinating stories I’ve come across recently  is about photographer Vivian Maier. This quiet woman was born in New York in … Read more

Why Did We Hold our Breath?

It’s been a week or so, but I’m still thinking about Nik Wallenda’s stunning feat. Talk about a thriller where your heart leaps into your throat, your blood pressure shoots through the roof, and you can’t sit still for more than a second! How can anyone walk a tightrope across the Chicago River without a … Read more

Killer Femmes: The Stories Behind The Stories

Killer Femmes

The Killer Femmes “bundle” (also available on Nook, Kobo, and iBooks) is special because I’m sharing space with some of my favorite  authors in the crime fiction community. They are all terrific writers, and I gobble up their books as soon as they come out. But I realize you might not know them… so today I’m … Read more

WYCC Mystery Marathon and Me

A couple of months ago, I was honored to be included in the “Mystery Marathon”, an entire weekend of mystery shows sponsored by WYCC, a Chicago public station.  Over the weekend they interviewed me during some of the breaks between the shows. I’ve tried to edit out the pledge parts, so what remains is about 20 minutes of a … Read more

I Moved To Chicago For The Weather

About six months ago, the Mystery Readers Journal edited by Janet Rudolph (Btw, if you don’t get these quarterly magazines, you should) released a “Chicago Mysteries” edition. An essay I wrote—well, actually it’s a love letter—was included. I’m reprinting it here, so you understand my love affair with this city.  I’m also including the video … Read more

I Moved to Chicago for the Weather

This is a reprint of an essay that appears in the current Mystery Readers’ Journal, Fall edition, which is all about Chicago. The magazine also includes essays by nearly two dozen other Chicago authors, including Marcus Sakey, Michael Sherer, Jack Fredrickson, Sheldon Siegel, and others. For more, check it out here.  Um… actually that’s a … Read more