Neon Panic
@neonpanic.bsky.social
Charles Philipp Martin, author of the Inspector Lok suspense novels Neon Panic and Rented Grave. Born in NYC, assembled in Hong Kong, living in Seattle. Find me at neonpanic.com.
For the first time in my life, I made money off a medical procedure. Minor surgery (I'm fine, thanks) and the surgical technician found out I wrote mysteries. He pulled out his phone and bought Rented Grave on the spot. Royalties won't even cover my co-pay, but it was a lovely gesture. Thanks!
July 29, 2025 at 6:16 PM
For the first time in my life, I made money off a medical procedure. Minor surgery (I'm fine, thanks) and the surgical technician found out I wrote mysteries. He pulled out his phone and bought Rented Grave on the spot. Royalties won't even cover my co-pay, but it was a lovely gesture. Thanks!
Some reviews are enthusiastic, some quick and dirty. And some, like this one from Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, are beautifully written and filled with insight. Many thanks!
[FIRST IMPRESSIONS] “The Legacy and Brilliance of Hong Kong Crime Novels: Charles Philipp Martin’s 𝑅𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒” by Susan Blumberg-Kason
📁 RETURN TO FIRST IMPRESSIONS📁RETURN TO CHA REVIEW OF BOOKS AND FILMS Charles Philipp Martin, Rented Grave: An Inspector Lok Novel, Level Best Books, 2024. 305 pgs. There is something about Hong Ko…
chajournal.blog
June 13, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Some reviews are enthusiastic, some quick and dirty. And some, like this one from Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, are beautifully written and filled with insight. Many thanks!
Good reviews are always welcome, but I particularly enjoy accolades from unusual quarters. As Neon Panic was set in the world of orchestral musicians, the journal of the Australian Strings Association gave it their recommendation. Many thanks to AUSTA. (Rated V for excessive violins).
June 12, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Good reviews are always welcome, but I particularly enjoy accolades from unusual quarters. As Neon Panic was set in the world of orchestral musicians, the journal of the Australian Strings Association gave it their recommendation. Many thanks to AUSTA. (Rated V for excessive violins).
When is the president going to get serious and put a tariff on foreign mystery/suspense novels. We need to protect local authors from unfair competition by English, Scottish, Irish, and Australian crime novelists, not to mention translated works by (gasp!) French and Italian writers.
June 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
When is the president going to get serious and put a tariff on foreign mystery/suspense novels. We need to protect local authors from unfair competition by English, Scottish, Irish, and Australian crime novelists, not to mention translated works by (gasp!) French and Italian writers.
Fake book recommendations via AI in a major newspaper. How to insult readers and writers in one go. This is absolutely inexcusable.
Chicago Sun-Times prints summer reading list full of fake books
Reading list in advertorial supplement contains 66% made up books by real authors.
arstechnica.com
May 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Fake book recommendations via AI in a major newspaper. How to insult readers and writers in one go. This is absolutely inexcusable.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of discussing whom to murder, and how to do it, with mystery authors Erica Miner (l) and Tessa Floreano (r) at the wonderful Edmonds Bookshop in Edmonds, WA. Everyone made it out alive, BTW.
May 17, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Yesterday I had the pleasure of discussing whom to murder, and how to do it, with mystery authors Erica Miner (l) and Tessa Floreano (r) at the wonderful Edmonds Bookshop in Edmonds, WA. Everyone made it out alive, BTW.
If you're in the Seattle region, please drop in to Edmonds Bookshop Thu 5/15 to hear three mystery writers chat about their work. Musican Erica Miner, author of the Julia Kogan mystery series, and Tessa Floreano, who writes wonderful Italian historical mysteries, will join me for a diverting hour.
Third Thursday Art Walk: Music, Mayhem, and Mystery!
edmondsbookshop.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:12 PM
If you're in the Seattle region, please drop in to Edmonds Bookshop Thu 5/15 to hear three mystery writers chat about their work. Musican Erica Miner, author of the Julia Kogan mystery series, and Tessa Floreano, who writes wonderful Italian historical mysteries, will join me for a diverting hour.
From TG Wolff at Mysteries to Die for, a delighful and perceptive deep dive into Rented Grave, including a music-enhanced reading of the opening. Thanks so much for this brilliant work and perceptive comments.
TT65: Rented Grave
Quickly and easily listen to Mysteries to Die For for free!
player.captivate.fm
April 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
From TG Wolff at Mysteries to Die for, a delighful and perceptive deep dive into Rented Grave, including a music-enhanced reading of the opening. Thanks so much for this brilliant work and perceptive comments.
A sincere thank-you to Pegasus Book Exchange in West Seattle for supporting a local writer (2nd from top). And thanks also to the alphabet, for placing me right under Ngaio Marsh!
March 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
A sincere thank-you to Pegasus Book Exchange in West Seattle for supporting a local writer (2nd from top). And thanks also to the alphabet, for placing me right under Ngaio Marsh!
A delightful promo video from Partners in Crime Tours, who have done some fabulous work for Rented Grave and its humble author.
March 20, 2025 at 12:10 AM
A delightful promo video from Partners in Crime Tours, who have done some fabulous work for Rented Grave and its humble author.
"This is the kind of crime thriller that you do NOT stop reading..." A lovely review from @fullybookedinky.bsky.social
A thousand thanks!
www.instagram.com/p/DFu6UL4RkF...
A thousand thanks!
www.instagram.com/p/DFu6UL4RkF...
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February 6, 2025 at 9:41 PM
"This is the kind of crime thriller that you do NOT stop reading..." A lovely review from @fullybookedinky.bsky.social
A thousand thanks!
www.instagram.com/p/DFu6UL4RkF...
A thousand thanks!
www.instagram.com/p/DFu6UL4RkF...
Reposted by Neon Panic
"And what fresh hell is this?"
February 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
"And what fresh hell is this?"
If you're in Seattle, join me and 9 other writers for a night of mystery at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park. Each of us will read a bite-sized sample of something we think will grab you. Monday, 3 February at 7pm. Great fun, so don't miss it. Hat-tip: Sisters in Crime Puget Sound.
January 31, 2025 at 1:45 AM
If you're in Seattle, join me and 9 other writers for a night of mystery at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park. Each of us will read a bite-sized sample of something we think will grab you. Monday, 3 February at 7pm. Great fun, so don't miss it. Hat-tip: Sisters in Crime Puget Sound.
Yes indeed.
Financial statement today reminded me HOW GREAT IT IS when folks request that their libraries acquire books. 😍
Seriously, if you want a totally free-to-you way to help an author, submit a request with your local library. Those sales help us so much, in whatever format.
Seriously, if you want a totally free-to-you way to help an author, submit a request with your local library. Those sales help us so much, in whatever format.
January 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Yes indeed.
Me: Here's my new crime novel.
Smart, engaging 31-year-old (staring at book as if it’s a sea creature usually photographed at a 3,000 ft depth but somehow washed up on the beach : “Well, I don’t normally read things like this, but it looks like something my parents would like.”
Smart, engaging 31-year-old (staring at book as if it’s a sea creature usually photographed at a 3,000 ft depth but somehow washed up on the beach : “Well, I don’t normally read things like this, but it looks like something my parents would like.”
December 30, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Me: Here's my new crime novel.
Smart, engaging 31-year-old (staring at book as if it’s a sea creature usually photographed at a 3,000 ft depth but somehow washed up on the beach : “Well, I don’t normally read things like this, but it looks like something my parents would like.”
Smart, engaging 31-year-old (staring at book as if it’s a sea creature usually photographed at a 3,000 ft depth but somehow washed up on the beach : “Well, I don’t normally read things like this, but it looks like something my parents would like.”
I had no idea that the world of fiction publishing offered enough suspense to make a movie plot.
There's a Hallmark Christmas movie on now that's set in the world of books and I am so excited to see all the ways publishing is misrepresented!
December 28, 2024 at 5:35 PM
I had no idea that the world of fiction publishing offered enough suspense to make a movie plot.
Oof. But true.
December 25, 2024 at 12:25 AM
Oof. But true.
Reposted by Neon Panic
*stares at book-shaped present*
Please let it be a book!
Please let it be a book!
December 24, 2024 at 7:51 PM
*stares at book-shaped present*
Please let it be a book!
Please let it be a book!
Reposted by Neon Panic
Last minute gift idea:
A book.
Keep following me for more expert shopping tips.
A book.
Keep following me for more expert shopping tips.
December 24, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Last minute gift idea:
A book.
Keep following me for more expert shopping tips.
A book.
Keep following me for more expert shopping tips.
I looked up "What to do with a dead narcissus" and autocorrect gave me "What to do with a dead narcissist" and I've got a good start on my next novel.
December 22, 2024 at 4:30 PM
I looked up "What to do with a dead narcissus" and autocorrect gave me "What to do with a dead narcissist" and I've got a good start on my next novel.
What a thoughtful use of your wealth. Bravo, Mr. Patterson. abcnews.go.com/Entertainmen...
Hundreds of bookstore staffers receive holiday bonuses from author James Patterson
Staffers at Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama, San Francisco’s City Lights Books and The Nook in Cedar Falls, Iowa, are among 600 booksellers receiving $500 holiday bonuses from James Patterson
abcnews.go.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:20 PM
What a thoughtful use of your wealth. Bravo, Mr. Patterson. abcnews.go.com/Entertainmen...
The only thing I love hearing more than "I ordered your book" is: "I ordered your book from my favorite local bookstore."
December 10, 2024 at 5:20 PM
The only thing I love hearing more than "I ordered your book" is: "I ordered your book from my favorite local bookstore."
I agree, with one exception: Rented Grave (of course).
Here are my book recommendations for the new year:
Read the books you already bought.
Read the books you already bought.
December 10, 2024 at 4:47 PM
I agree, with one exception: Rented Grave (of course).
A bit of good news from NJ: www.nj.com/politics/202...
N.J. just struck a blow against banning books
It's called the "Freedom to Read Act."
www.nj.com
December 10, 2024 at 4:36 PM
A bit of good news from NJ: www.nj.com/politics/202...