Archive for Blues in the Dark

2021 : BOOKS, MUSIC, AND MORE!

As the year 2021 rolls forward, Raymond would like to share with you some items of interest.

FIRST, Raymond’s ghost story novel, HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir, was published in September 2020 by Crossroad Press, and is available as an e-book, trade paperback, and a spectacular audiobook from Audible.

WHAT IF YOU, AS A GHOST, HAD TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER? “HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir” is a ghost story with a distinctive noir sensibility mixed with David Lynchian surrealism.

Hotel Destiny Cover

ALSO, Raymond has written the Introduction to the fabulous anthology, TURNING THE TIED, which contains short stories by members of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW). These new tales feature public domain characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein’s Monster, John Carter of Mars, Dracula, the Three Musketeers, and more. Sales will benefit the World Literacy Foundation. Now available as an e-book and trade paperback.

Turning the Tied cover

FINALLY, over the past pandemic year, Raymond has been recording piano solos at home during quarantine and uploading them to YouTube. To date he has uploaded 92 and the goal is to reach 100 by the time of the one-year anniversary of lockdowns in mid-March.

Raymond Benson Plays Piano

Raymond Benson plays piano at home.

Subscribe to Raymond’s YouTube Channel to see and hear his eclectic repertoire of classic rock, movie music, and original compositions!

OF COURSE, Raymond’s other recent books like BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, and the five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO, are all still available. Find them on the Books–Fiction & Non-Fiction page, and the Books–Tie-Ins page!

RAYMOND SENDS HUGS TO EVERYONE AND SAYS, “BE SAFE AND BE HEALTHY!”

2019 and The Decade–That’s a Wrap!

As the entire decade of the 2010s comes to a close, Raymond humbly shares with you what an amazing and busy ten years it has been.

Blues in the Dark Cover

In 2010, HUNT THROUGH NAPOLEON’S WEB was published, along with CHOICE OF WEAPONS, an anthology containing three of Raymond’s earlier James Bond novels.

2011 saw the publication of the first entry in a five-book serial that Raymond calls his “magnum opus”–THE BLACK STILETTO (from Oceanview Publishing). Additionally, two other novels were published as e-books (and subsequently became available in print and audiobook)–ARTIFACT OF EVIL and TORMENT–A LOVE STORY. Finally, Raymond’s tie-in, co-authored with filmmaker John Milius, HOMEFRONT–THE VOICE OF FREEDOM, was published. Crossroad Press also began publishing Raymond’s BACK LIST of original novels as e-books and audiobooks.

In 2012, THE BLACK STILETTO–BLACK & WHITE and HITMAN: DAMNATION were published. Additionally, all six of Raymond’s JAMES BOND NOVELS (originally published between 1997 and 2002) were made available as e-books.

James Bond Ebooks

In 2013, THE BLACK STILETTO–STARS & STRIPES made its debut from Oceanview Publishing.

The year 2014 was a busy one. THE BLACK STILETTO–SECRETS & LIES premiered, followed by Raymond’s collaboration with fellow 007 author Jeffery Deaver as co-editors of the annual Mystery Writers of America anthology, entitled ICE COLD–TALES OF INTRIGUE FROM THE COLD WAR. The collection contained short stories by both Raymond and Jeff, along with many other terrific authors and members of MWA. The year closed with the publication of the final book in the serial, THE BLACK STILETTO–ENDINGS & BEGINNINGS.

In 2015, Crossroad Press published an anthology of Raymond’s unpublished and previously published short stories, along with a stage play, entitled 12+1–TWELVE SHORT THRILLERS AND A PLAY. Raymond’s tie-in to the popular videogame, DYING LIGHT–NIGHTMARE ROW, was published in Poland. Finally, Oceanview published as an e-book anthology, THE BLACK STILETTO–THE COMPLETE SAGA.

12 + 1 by Raymond Benson

2016: DYING LIGHT–NIGHTMARE ROW was published in English.

In 2017, Raymond began a relationship with Skyhorse Publishing with the appearance of THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE. His short story, THE MacGUFFIN, was published as an e-book after appearing as “The Purple Bag” in the online magazine, HOP Media, in 2016.

2018 saw the publication of IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT.

In 2019, Raymond’s latest suspense novel, BLUES IN THE DARK, was published by Skyhorse’s new imprint, Arcade CrimeWise, and his musical score for the short film, GHOSTS IN THE INK, won the award for Best Score at the Vegas Movie Awards.

All of these works, as well as Raymond’s back list from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, are available for purchase on the various Books pages:
Fiction and Non-Fiction
The Black Stiletto Serial
James Bond Novels
Media Tie-Ins

RAYMOND WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ONWARD TO THE 2020s!

“Blues in the Dark” October 2019!

Raymond’s new suspense novel, “BLUES IN THE DARK,” a Hollywood crime drama set in the 1940s and present day that tackles racism, sexism, and murder, will be published on October 8, 2019, by Skyhorse/Arcade CrimeWise.

Karissa Glover is a movie producer who moves into a decrepit but functional old mansion in the West Adams Heights area of Los Angeles, where black celebrities of yesteryear–Hattie McDaniel, Louise Beavers, and others–once resided. The former owner was a white actress, Blair Kendrick, who often starred as the “bad girl”–a femme fatale–in films noir of the 1940s. However, Blair’s career was cut short when she was tragically killed by the mob after allegedly witnessing the slaying of a corrupt studio head in 1949. As Karissa and her producing partner decide to develop a modern film noir about Blair Kendrick, malevolent forces from the past attempt to stop them–first with intimidation, and then with the threat of murder. Is this because Karissa has learned that Blair was involved in a then-taboo interracial relationship with jazz musician Hank Marley? What really happened on the night that death struck in a dimly lit studio mogul’s office? The consequences of Blair and Hank’s doomed love affair still resonate in the present day as Karissa attempts to unravel Blair’s secrets. Seeping with mystery, intrigue, Hollywood history, and forbidden romance, Blues in the Dark is Raymond Benson at his most insightful and page-turning best.

“This lovingly and sharply evoked homage to the glory days of film noir works on every level: as a gripping thriller, as an insightful look at racism in Hollywood, and as a perfect entree into the ever-fascinating world of moviemaking.” (Booklist STARRED Review)

See the Books/Fiction Page to pre-order the hardcover or e-book!

Bonus! Raymond’s 2017 novel, “THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE,” will be available in trade paperback with a new cover on September 1, 2019!

New Novel “Blues in the Dark” for 2019

As the year 2018 comes to a close, Raymond is pleased to announce that his next novel is titled BLUES IN THE DARK and will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in the Fall of 2019. In keeping with his previous two novels from Skyhorse, BLUES is a stand-alone suspense tale. This one is set in Hollywood in both the present day and the 1940s. Watch this space for future news regarding BLUES IN THE DARK!

Raymond’s previous novels of suspense from Skyhorse, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, have received very positive reviews and are still available in hardcover, audiobook, and e-book. See the Fiction Page for links to purchase.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!