Congratulations to @joelnedecky.bsky.social on being shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Best Crime First Novel. Attached is my review of The Broken Detective for @crimefictionlover.bsky.social.

The Broken Detective by Joel Nedecky | Crime Fiction Lover

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I was fortunate to jump on Connecting Winnipeg on CJOB with Hal Anderson yesterday. We talked about the selection of my short story, “Juror Number Three,” in Best Mystery Stories of 2026. If interested, the podcast is available on all platforms, and I’m on at 24:56.

In my February newsletter I discuss my propensity of writing characters who ‘squint into the light’ too much. open.substack.com/pub/joelnede... You can find it on Substack. #crimefiction #tanafrench

Action Tags in Dialogue

How many times can my characters pause and stare out the window?

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Just arrived! The Parrots Come Again by Carlotta Dale. #mystery #detectivefiction

The first chapter of my debut novel The Broken Detective is now FREE to read on jnedecky.com. For fans of True Detective The Wire Breaking Bad Ozark The Killing and Michael Connelly James Lee Burke Robert Crais Dennis Lehane George Pelecanos #crimefiction

Joel Nedecky

Crime Fiction Author

jnedecky.com

My January newsletter is live now. joelnedecky.substack.com/p/african-dw... This month I comtemplate how I’ve discovered a bond with two African Dwarf frogs. The frogs are my son’s but he’s never showed much interest in them. 🐸🐸 You can also join my email list at jnedecky.com.

African Dwarf Frogs and John Turturro

January 2026

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Season 1 of The Lowdown was excellent. A great blend of gritty P.I. noir and humour, Highly recommended. I’m also going to seek out some of showrunner Sterlin Harjo’s films. #thelowdown #ethanhawke #tulsa

THE BROKEN DETECTIVE is set in Winnipeg in October. In case you’re wondering what the city is like in the winter, here’s our current temp in degrees Celsius. Side note: Book 2 in the Jake Joelsen series is set in January and February. #coldasf #winnipeg #thebrokendetective

It’s finally here! Some great authors reading tonight at Sookram’s Brewing. Hosted by @badguybirnie. 7:00 pm start. If you’re in Winnipeg, come on out! #winnipeg #thebrokendetective

I’ve been told to read LA CONFIDENTIAL many times, and I’m finally tackling it. My first impression is that Bud White is a maniac. #jamesellroy #laconfidential

My ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER review: jnedecky.com/reviews/.

Reviews

Long Bright River – January 11th, 2026 One Battle After Another – January 19th, 2026 I don’t watch many movies anymore, but I finally got the chance to see One Battle After Another.&nbs…

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I’m stoked to be part of the next Wild & Wonderful Words event. If you live in Winnipeg, come on by and check out readings by @KeersteeMack, Matt Horseman, AW Glen, Tiff Bartel, Sheldon Birnie, and myself. #writers #winnipeg #thebrokendetective

I had a great time on the Thriller Pitch Podcast. Mark and I discussed my debut novel The Broken Detective, and: -Winnipeg as a setting -Unlikeable characters -Character before plot -Redemption You can listen here: markpjnadon.ca/the-broken-d... #noir #crimefiction #gritlit

The Broken Detective | Thriller Pitch Ep 26 - Mark P.J. Nadon

A conversation with Joel Nedecky about character-first crime fiction, setting as character, and stories that don’t rely on easy redemption.

markpjnadon.ca

Some big writing news: my debut novel, VENUE 13, will be published by Ravenstone in 2026! Read the official announcement here: www.turnstonepress.com/news/in-the-...

The writing in this one is so good, and the reflective, optimistic tone got me. So much of life is like that. Those small moments can have a major impact. Great work, once again, by Charlie Kondek and you can read it online at mrbullbull.com/newbull/fict... #shortstories

Hi everyone, I have a monthly newsletter about storytelling, crime fiction, life in general, and anything else I find interesting. The new post looks back at 2025. Check it out here joelnedecky.substack.com/p/a-year-in-... Or sign up at jnedecky.com. Cheers

A Year In Review and A Look Ahead

2026, here I come!

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Five Great Books I Read in 2025 1. Prairie Fire by Conor Kerr It’s got stolen bison and takes place on the Canadian prairies. I absolutely loved this literary crime novel from Conor Kerr. It’s beautifully written and heartbreaking in so many ways. #bison #prairieedge #conorkerr

Five great books I read in 2025 2. The Strip by Ian Ryan With a style that reminds me a bit of Jordan Harper, Aussie Ian Ryan is on the way up. Note: This is book one in series. Book two is out and three releases soon. #ianryan #thestrip #australiannoir

Five Great Books I read in 2025 3.Dark Neon & Dirt by Thomas Trang Smart. Well written. Likeable characters. Exceptional dialogue. See my Goodreads review here: www.goodreads.com/book/show/22... #darkneon #losangeles

Dark Neon & Dirt

Shaun Nguyen is a Vietnamese war orphan who made it to …

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Five great books I read in 2025: #4. Fever House by Keith Rosson I don’t read much horror, so it surprised me how much I liked this one. I think that’s because in addition to being a fast-moving crime story, it’s a character study. #horror #feverhouse #keithrosson

Folks, we have an addition to the lineup for our Jan 21 edish of wild & wonderful words reading series. Joining locals @awglen.bsky.social @tiffbartel.com @joelnedecky.bsky.social and Matt Horseman is northern Ontario’s @keersteemack.bsky.social Hope to see y’all there. 7 pm free all ages

Five great books I read in 2025 5. Call of the Void by @JEREMYSIEMENS This book takes readers into the seedy bars, hotels, and alleyways of Vancouver that most of us never see. If you like a hard hitting crime novel that’s intense, but with a soul, this one’s for you.

My latest newsletter is about the time I drove to Somerset, Wisconsin for Warped Tour/ Ozzfest. Read it here: joelnedecky.substack.com/p/warped-tou...

Warped Tour and Ozzfest 98

I was there.

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TRAIN DREAMS, directed by Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton, is based on the novella by Denis Johnson. It’s a beautiful film, and heartbreaking, one that’s going to stay with me for a long time. #traindreams #denisjohnson

My top artists of 2025, according to Spotify. #music #punkrock

“I saw glass monoliths, the headquarters of financial institutions, and couldn't decide if they should be admired or burned to the ground.” -The Broken Detective (p. 154) #crimefiction #noir #mystery#thebrokendetective

New read is WHERE WHEN IT RAINS by @SmashedEars This one has been on my list since I heard John on @thedadlitpod Love the first few pages! #picketfirepress #drunklit

Brolin’s memoir is indulgent, but there are great parts that resonate with me. Of his youth: “All that was needed was one guy saying yeah.” I remember living this way. I explore the wild aspects of life in my writing now, and find it in the work of others. #memoirs #brolin

I was stoked to get the chance to be on the @thedadlitpod and chat with Dan. To merge the roles of a parent, writer, and reader is super cool, and Dan has a knack for finding interesting ways to discuss them. #thebrokendetective #dadlit #podcast

I was stoked to get the chance to be on the @thedadlitpod and chat with Dan. To merge the roles of a parent, writer, and reader is super cool, and Dan has a knack for finding interesting ways to discuss them. #thebrokendetective #dadlit #podcast