IMG_3781

Bouchercon 2025: New Orleans

Blood on the Bayou: Case Closed. Between 2nd and 7th September 2025, hundreds of crime writers, readers and publishers descended on New Orleans to celebrate mystery books, films and those who create them. I was honoured to be part of the show. It was great to catch up with old friends, famous authors, and enthusiastic readers. Headliners were, Michael Connelly, Ace Atkins, Reed Farrel Coleman, and Bruce Robert Coffin. Friends are too many to list. There were even some I missed, like ships passing in the night. I took photos aplenty. The following slideshow is a happy reminder. Relive the moment, or experience it for the first time. Either way, enjoy.
Watch the video slideshow here.

CELLULOID CRIMES cover FINAL

Celluloid Crimes is here…

I am pleased to announce that CELLULOID CRIMES, an anthology of short fiction, has been released by Level Best Books. My Vince McNulty short story, Picture House Blues, closes the anthology, which features stories from many acclaimed authors. Pick it up wherever you buy your books. Available in all formats. Enjoy.

“Okay. Here’s a question for you. How do you know if she’s a femme fatale?”
McNulty threw Donk a sideways look. “What kind of question is that?”
Donk nodded at the plush red curtains that had just swished closed across the cinema screen. “In these old black and white films? When the woman’s making eyes at Humphrey Bogart? How do you know if she’s a damsel in distress or the femme fatale?”

So begins a night at the pictures that turns into anything but a relaxing trip down memory lane. Because not everybody is there to watch the films.

Buy if from Amazon.co.uk here.

Buy if from Amazon.com here.

Buy if from Barnes & Noble here.

Covers Poster 2025

Devil’s Coast: Five Star Review

“A genre remix that dares to be soft where others roar. Campbell proves he can write warmth just as well as war.”

You pick this up expecting action, grit, mystery. What you get is something softer. Stranger. More emotionally tuned than anticipated – like the genre took a deep breath and let itself feel something.

Campbell’s known for punchy, plot-driven narratives, but this one swerves. It leans into vulnerability, emotional resonance, and a kind of nostalgic femininity that feels both deliberate and refreshing. The repeated nods to When Harry Met Sally and other American classics don’t just decorate the story – they define its rhythm. Some might roll their eyes. I smiled.

“What if your favorite action writer paused the chase scene…… to show you the heart beating underneath the armor?”

If you’re into:
– Mystery plots that trade testosterone for tenderness.
– Genre subversions that feel like a wink and a hand on the shoulder.
– Romantic undercurrents braided into adventure without apology.
– Meta references and movie moments that make the whole thing feel oddly lived-in.
– Stories where character is king and tone is queen.
Then this is the curveball you didn’t know you needed. A little quirky, a little sentimental, and totally satisfying.

– Doyenne in Tbilisi

Wow. I must be doing something right. Many thanks. Colin.

Covers Poster 2025

2025 Releases

Take a look at what’s coming in 2025 from Level Best Books. Plus, Silent Flight Holy Night, which they released in 2024. And Devil’s Coast, which has just been released. After that, we’ve got; The Early Grave of Sophie Laville at the end of May; Short Ends in July; and Night Delivery in November. Roughly. Look out for more info as it arrives. Happy reading.

DEVIL'S COAST - 2

It’s Here: DEVIL’S COAST

DEVIL'S COAST, my new standalone novel, has been released by Level Best Books in hardback and e-book. Available wherever you get your fiction fix.

YOU CAN MAKE BAD CHOICES FOR GOOD REASONS
...SOMETIMES THOSE BAD CHOICES LET YOU LIVE

“How does this work?” Michelle looking at Ben on the doorstep.
“I was hoping you’d tell me.” Ben hoping the girl knew about hiring a gigolo.
“You don’t know?”
Ben shrugged. “I feel like that kid in Die Hard, asking how the limo service worked.”
“You like Die Hard?”
“Everybody likes Die Hard.”
Michelle didn’t. “I prefer When Harry Met Sally.”

Benjamin J. Green is the tennis pro at a holiday resort in Spain. Michelle Cordero Belen is the bride-to-be at a hen party staying at Laguna Park. Ben is hired as a gigolo for one night but neither of them wants to go through with it. Despite their better judgement, they fall in love and run off together. But Ben is a UK thief hiding out on the Costa del Sol, and Michelle is the daughter of a Mexican drug cartel boss. The marriage is intended to cement a merger with a Spanish cartel. Add to that, Ben steals money from the resort safe only to find there is far too much. Laguna Park is a money laundering operation. So now they have the money launderers and two drug cartels chasing them through Spain, France and Italy. Not exactly When Harry Met Sally.

Buy it from Amazon.co.uk here

Buy it from Amazon.com here

Buy it from Barnes & Noble here

Devil's Coast promo

Release date: Devil’s Coast

Level Best Books will publish, DEVIL'S COAST in hardcover on February 23rd 2025. Pre-order and review copy details will be updated soon.

YOU CAN MAKE BAD CHOICES FOR GOOD REASONS…
SOMETIMES THOSE BAD CHOICES LET YOU LIVE
“How does this work?” Michelle looking at Ben on the doorstep.
“I was hoping you’d tell me.” Ben hoping the girl knew about hiring a gigolo.
“You don’t know?”
Ben shrugged. “I feel like that kid in Die Hard, asking how the limo service worked.”
“You like Die Hard?”
“Everybody likes Die Hard.”
Michelle didn’t. “I prefer When Harry Met Sally.”

Benjamin J. Green is the tennis pro at a holiday resort in Spain. Michelle Cordero Belen is the bride-to-be at a hen party staying at Laguna Park. Ben is hired as a gigolo for one night but neither of them wants to go through with it. Despite their better judgement, they fall in love and run off together. But Ben is a UK thief hiding out on the Costa del Sol, and Michelle is the daughter of a Mexican drug cartel boss. The marriage is intended to cement a merger with a Spanish cartel. Add to that, Ben steals money from the resort safe only to find there is far too much. Laguna Park is a money laundering operation. So now they have the money launderers and two drug cartels chasing them through Spain, France and Italy. Not exactly When Harry Met Sally.

Level Best Books
mystery-writers-logo-new
itw-logo-new
cwa-logo-new

© 2025 Campbell Fiction.  All rights reserved.