Glenville Lovell is the author of three novels, several short stories and a number of prize-winning plays.
In 1995, his first novel, Fire in the Canes, was published by Soho Press to wide acclaim, as was his second novel, Song of Night, published in 1998.
Already his new novel from Putnam, Too Beautiful To Die, introducing volatile black ex-cop Blades Overstreet as a new though somewhat reluctant hero, has garnered praise and comparisons to some of the most illustrious names in the mystery genre. Set in New York, Too Beautiful To Die is available everywhere. Mr. Lovell won the 2002 Frank Collymore Literary Award for his play Mango Ripe! Mango Sweet! His novels and plays have represented Barbados on several occasions at CARIFESTA (Caribbean Festival of Arts), the premier arts festival in the Caribbean, which this year will be held in Belize.
Having toured the globe as a dancer before he became a writer, Glenville sometimes resorts to music and choreography to help understand and develop his characters.
Born in a chattel house in Parish Land, Christ Church, a village on the island of Barbados, he grew up surrounded by sugar cane, shadows and word-magicians. With storytelling all around him: in kitchens, under flamboyant trees at night, in rum shops, he spent as much time picking dunks and golden apples from his backyard as he did "pickin' words from big-people mouths," as his grandmother used to say. Many of these stories turned up in his first novel Fire in the Canes. Glenville now lives in New York and is currently working on a new Blades Overstreet book and another novel set in Barbados.
He wants to say thanks to all those who continue to support him, especially the Caribbean massive everywhere, and to all Bajans who share the pride: Large up wunna self!
Advance Praise for Too Beautiful To Die
