Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
|
Remembering a reporter who loved to read
|
|
My former colleague Nick Martin died last week at age 77. A longtime reporter for the Free Press, he finished his career on the education beat, where he reported vigilantly and passionately, but I feel I knew him best through his book reviews.
After his retirement, he devoured mysteries and thrillers, which he reviewed regularly for the Free Press books section, doing both stand-alone pieces and a Suspense column. He had an inimitable folksy style and a unique voice that he brought to bear on cosy mysteries, British police procedurals and grisly murder tomes alike.
Nick Martin
He and I didn’t always agree — he loved Canadian lawyer-turned-author Shari Lapena’s thrillers and I hated her — but I read his assessments regularly and discovered many great page-turners at his recommendation.
I wrote recently about The Associated Press’s decision to stop providing book reviews, and how it greatly underestimates their value to readers. But well-written, insightful reviews are also a boon to authors.
I happened to Google Ruth Ware yesterday — I was reading about the adaptation of the blockbuster British writer’s The Woman in Cabin 10, which came to Netflix recently — and I came upon this tweet from a year ago, with a screen shot of Nick’s review of her book One Perfect Couple. “Oh my gosh, DREAM review in the Winnipeg Free Press,” Ware wrote on X. “Thank you, Nick Martin!”
Author Ruth Ware on Nick Martin’s review. (X)
That Ware, an internationally bestselling author whom one does not imagine would pay much attention to reviews of her work in regional newspapers, took the time to single Nick out is notable (her literary agent also quotes liberally from the review on her website).
I hope Nick saw that shoutout and knew how much his work was appreciated, by readers and writers alike. He will be much missed.
|
Jill Wilson
|
|
|
|
If you enjoy my newsletter, please consider forwarding it to others. They can sign up for free here.
Did you know we have many other free newsletters? You can gorge yourself on food and beverage news from my Arts & Life pals Eva Wasney and Ben Sigurdson, who write the bi-weekly Dish newsletter, or you can follow a weekly exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences in Niigaan Sinclair’s Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre.
You can browse all of our newsletters here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisement
Why this ad?
|
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
David Sanderson:
On the beat
Percussionists plenty proud to pound out rhythm at Blue Bomber games
Read More
Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
|
NEW IN MUSIC
Eva Wasney:
Aces high
Rock band made up of current and former air traffic controllers taking off
Read More
|
NEW ON STAGE
|
NEW ON SCREEN
Melissa Martin:
Hope in the ‘hood
History of violence draws popular YouTuber to Winnipeg, but he discovers ‘good people’, caring community
Read More
|
NEW IN BOOKS
Ben Sigurdson:
Knockout debut
Toronto author’s first novel 'Pick a Colour' finds links between sweet science and grind of nail salon
Read More
Reviewed by Jen Zoratti:
Sweet as Candy
Biography of beloved, complicated comedic icon ensures legacy lives on
Read More
Reviewed by Joseph Hnatiuk:
Labour pains
Contributions and plight of migrant workers detailed in vital account
Read More
Reviewed by Barry Craig:
Code red
Duo surmise next pandemic could be far more deadly than COVID-19
Read More
Reviewed by Jordan Ross:
Slanted and enchanted
Exploration of indie rock’s history, from scrappy DIY recordings to lifestyle brands, hits all the right notes
Read More
Gowda good to go for October book club
The Free Press Book Club, McNally Robinson Booksellers are pleased to welcome Toronto-born, California-based author Shilpi Somaya Gowda to the next virtual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
Read More
|
|
Share:
|
Download our News Break app
|
|
|
