The Day Miriam Hirsch Disappeared
by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Price: Free! 4200 words.
Published on May 12, 2012. Fiction.
In 1938, teenage Jake Foreman spends time in Lawndale, a prosperous Jewish community on Chicago’s near west side where he develops a crush on Miriam Hirsch, an actress in the Yiddish theater. But Miriam only has eyes for Skull, who might or might not be a gangster. This short story became the prequel to the Ellie Foreman Mystery Series, which itself is the prequel to the Georgia Davis PI series.
Location: United States
Member Since: Jan. 06, 2010
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Libby Fischer Hellmann
Biography
Crime fiction author Libby Fischer Hellmann claims she’s “writing her way around the genre.” With nine novels and twenty short stories published, she has written thrillers, suspense mysteries, historicals, PI novels, amateur sleuth, police procedurals, and even a cozy. At the core of all her stories, however, is a crime or the possibility of one.
She is a transplant from Washington, D.C., where, she says, “When you’re sitting around the dinner table gossiping about the neighbors, you’re talking politics.” Armed with a Masters Degree in Film Production from New York University, and a BA in history from the University of Pennsylvania, she started her career in broadcast news. She began as an assistant film editor at NBC News in New York, but moved back to DC where she worked with Robin McNeil and Jim Lehrer at N-PACT, the public affairs production arm of PBS. When Watergate broke, she was re-trained as an assistant director and helped produce PBS’s night-time broadcasts of the hearings.
In 1978, Hellmann moved to Chicago to work at Burson-Marsteller, the large public relations firm, staying until 1985 when she founded Fischer Hellmann Communications. Currently, when not writing, she conducts speaker training programs in platform speaking, presentation skills, media training, and crisis communications. Additionally, Libby also writes and produces videos.
Her first novel, AN EYE FOR MURDER, which features Ellie Foreman, a video producer and single mother, was released in 2002. Publishers Weekly called it a “masterful blend of politics, history, and suspense,” and it was nominated for several awards. That was followed by three more entries in the Ellie Foreman series, which Libby describes as a cross between “Desperate Housewives” and “24.”
A few years later, Libby introduced her second series featuring hard-boiled Chicago PI Georgia Davis, which Chicago Tribune describes as, “a new no-nonsense detective …. tough and smart enough to give even the legendary V.I. Warshawski a run for her money.” There are three books in that series so far: EASY INNOCENCE (2008) and DOUBLEBACK (2009), which was selected as a Great Lakes Booksellers’ Association “2009 Great Read,” and TOXICITY (2011), a police procedural ebook thriller that became the prequel to the Georgia Davis series.
Her 7th novel, SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE, (December, 2010) was a standalone thriller that goes back, in part, to the late Sixties in Chicago. Publishers Weekly describes it as “top-rate” and says, “A jazzy fusion of past and present, Hellman's insightful, politically charged whodunit explores a fascinating period in American history.” It was short-listed for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of 2010 in the suspense/thriller category.
A BITTER VEIL, Her most recent novel, a political thriller set in revolutionary Iran was released in April, 2012.
Libby has also edited a highly acclaimed crime fiction anthology, CHICAGO BLUES (October, 2007). In May, 2010, she published a collection of her own short stories called NICE GIRL DOES NOIR. In 2005-2006 she was the National President of Sisters in Crime, a 3,400 plus member organization committed to strengthening the voice of female mystery writers.
Libby blogs at “SAY THE WORD And You’ll Be Free,” http://libbyhellmann.com/wp, and also at “The Outfit Collective” at www.theoutfitcollective.com.
She is a transplant from Washington, D.C., where, she says, “When you’re sitting around the dinner table gossiping about the neighbors, you’re talking politics.” Armed with a Masters Degree in Film Production from New York University, and a BA in history from the University of Pennsylvania, she started her career in broadcast news. She began as an assistant film editor at NBC News in New York, but moved back to DC where she worked with Robin McNeil and Jim Lehrer at N-PACT, the public affairs production arm of PBS. When Watergate broke, she was re-trained as an assistant director and helped produce PBS’s night-time broadcasts of the hearings.
In 1978, Hellmann moved to Chicago to work at Burson-Marsteller, the large public relations firm, staying until 1985 when she founded Fischer Hellmann Communications. Currently, when not writing, she conducts speaker training programs in platform speaking, presentation skills, media training, and crisis communications. Additionally, Libby also writes and produces videos.
Her first novel, AN EYE FOR MURDER, which features Ellie Foreman, a video producer and single mother, was released in 2002. Publishers Weekly called it a “masterful blend of politics, history, and suspense,” and it was nominated for several awards. That was followed by three more entries in the Ellie Foreman series, which Libby describes as a cross between “Desperate Housewives” and “24.”
A few years later, Libby introduced her second series featuring hard-boiled Chicago PI Georgia Davis, which Chicago Tribune describes as, “a new no-nonsense detective …. tough and smart enough to give even the legendary V.I. Warshawski a run for her money.” There are three books in that series so far: EASY INNOCENCE (2008) and DOUBLEBACK (2009), which was selected as a Great Lakes Booksellers’ Association “2009 Great Read,” and TOXICITY (2011), a police procedural ebook thriller that became the prequel to the Georgia Davis series.
Her 7th novel, SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE, (December, 2010) was a standalone thriller that goes back, in part, to the late Sixties in Chicago. Publishers Weekly describes it as “top-rate” and says, “A jazzy fusion of past and present, Hellman's insightful, politically charged whodunit explores a fascinating period in American history.” It was short-listed for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of 2010 in the suspense/thriller category.
A BITTER VEIL, Her most recent novel, a political thriller set in revolutionary Iran was released in April, 2012.
Libby has also edited a highly acclaimed crime fiction anthology, CHICAGO BLUES (October, 2007). In May, 2010, she published a collection of her own short stories called NICE GIRL DOES NOIR. In 2005-2006 she was the National President of Sisters in Crime, a 3,400 plus member organization committed to strengthening the voice of female mystery writers.
Libby blogs at “SAY THE WORD And You’ll Be Free,” http://libbyhellmann.com/wp, and also at “The Outfit Collective” at www.theoutfitcollective.com.
Where to find Libby Fischer Hellmann online
Website: http://libbyhellmann.com
Twitter: Libbyfh
Blog: http://theoutfitcollective.blogspot.com
Twitter: Libbyfh
- libbyfh: So how come nobody told me about the #movie "Bernie?" It was wonderful! I #recommend it highly!
- libbyfh: @TaniaLT Oh Jeez... now I have to think about it!
- libbyfh: Going to #BEA next week? I'll be there. Come by Booth 3792 @RTCPublicity and say hi. #Froeignrights #Film
- libbyfh: @TaniaLT You're really making me think. How far is Farnham from Surrey??
- libbyfh: RT @CJLyonswriter interview with @Blakebooks a blockbuster! Great discussion of craft with a bestseller. http://t.co/krer38BI
Blog: http://theoutfitcollective.blogspot.com
Where to buy in print
Books
The Georgia Davis PI Series: Boxed Set of Three
by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Price: $9.99 USD. 267240 words. Published on November 15, 2011. Fiction.
PI Georgia Davis burst on the scene in Libby Fischer Hellmann's EASY INNOCENCE (2008). That was followed in 2009 by DOUBLEBACK, which reunited Georgia with Ellie Foreman. TOXICITY, the prequel to the series was released in 2011. Now all three are together in one volume. We hope you enjoy this highly acclaimed crime fiction thriller series.
Price: $9.99 USD. 267240 words. Published on November 15, 2011. Fiction.
PI Georgia Davis burst on the scene in Libby Fischer Hellmann's EASY INNOCENCE (2008). That was followed in 2009 by DOUBLEBACK, which reunited Georgia with Ellie Foreman. TOXICITY, the prequel to the series was released in 2011. Now all three are together in one volume. We hope you enjoy this highly acclaimed crime fiction thriller series.
The Last Page
by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Price: $3.99 USD. 32430 words. Published on July 18, 2011. Fiction.
Barbara Adams, head of the Windbrook Library in suburban Chicago, has died, apparently from a fall down the stairs of the library's basement. But when Julia Fairbanks, her closest friend's daughter pokes around, she finds troubling emails that indicate Barbara was not the victim of a heart attack, but a vicious killer instead. Can Julia find the murderer? Or will she end up on The Last Page too?
Price: $3.99 USD. 32430 words. Published on July 18, 2011. Fiction.
Barbara Adams, head of the Windbrook Library in suburban Chicago, has died, apparently from a fall down the stairs of the library's basement. But when Julia Fairbanks, her closest friend's daughter pokes around, she finds troubling emails that indicate Barbara was not the victim of a heart attack, but a vicious killer instead. Can Julia find the murderer? Or will she end up on The Last Page too?
Your Sweet Man -- A short story
by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Price: $1.99 USD. 6310 words. Published on June 29, 2011. Fiction.
My story in the CHICAGO BLUES anthology (Bleak House,2007) was way out of my comfort zone, but that’s why I write stories. They allow me to stretch, to experiment with characters, plots, eras, and settings. This story is about a Blues bass player whose ability to love and forgive is tested by events beyond his control. There’s also a historical element:the story occurs in the '50s and'80s.
Price: $1.99 USD. 6310 words. Published on June 29, 2011. Fiction.
My story in the CHICAGO BLUES anthology (Bleak House,2007) was way out of my comfort zone, but that’s why I write stories. They allow me to stretch, to experiment with characters, plots, eras, and settings. This story is about a Blues bass player whose ability to love and forgive is tested by events beyond his control. There’s also a historical element:the story occurs in the '50s and'80s.
Top Suspense Short Story: The Jade Elephant
by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Price: $1.99 USD. 4360 words. Published on June 28, 2011. Fiction.
"The Jade Elephant" was originally published in the EXPLETIVE DELETED anthology (Bleak House, 2007(, and then in the TOP SUSPENSE anthology, 2011. I loved researching the seamier, sleazier parts of Chinatown where menus are stained, kitsch is king, and even walking down the street after dark is risky. Add in two older criminals seeking redemption, and the result was irresistible. At least to me.
Price: $1.99 USD. 4360 words. Published on June 28, 2011. Fiction.
"The Jade Elephant" was originally published in the EXPLETIVE DELETED anthology (Bleak House, 2007(, and then in the TOP SUSPENSE anthology, 2011. I loved researching the seamier, sleazier parts of Chinatown where menus are stained, kitsch is king, and even walking down the street after dark is risky. Add in two older criminals seeking redemption, and the result was irresistible. At least to me.
Doubleback
by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Price: $4.99 USD. 106670 words. Published on January 12, 2010. Fiction.
Little Molly Messenger is kidnapped on a sunny June morning. Three days later she’s returned unharmed. Then the brakes go out on her mother's car. An accident? Except that her mother may have may have misappropriated three million dollars. Doubleback reunites PI Georgia Davis with video producer Ellie Foreman, who track leads from Chicago to Wisconsin to the Arizona border.
Price: $4.99 USD. 106670 words. Published on January 12, 2010. Fiction.
Little Molly Messenger is kidnapped on a sunny June morning. Three days later she’s returned unharmed. Then the brakes go out on her mother's car. An accident? Except that her mother may have may have misappropriated three million dollars. Doubleback reunites PI Georgia Davis with video producer Ellie Foreman, who track leads from Chicago to Wisconsin to the Arizona border.
Libby Fischer Hellmann’s tag cloud
1930s
arizona
bank fraud
bass guitar
bibliomystery
blues
border security
chicago
chinatown
cozy
crime fiction
drug smugglers
ellie foreman
female protagonists
georgia davis
historical
illegal immigrants
jewish
lawndale
libby hellmann
library
murder
mystery
novella
novella new release
pi novel
procedural
romance
security contractors
south side
suspense
thrillers
top suspense
wisconsin
women sleuths
world war ii
yiddish
yiddishkeit