YOU'RE INVITED TO A PARTY

I'm throwing a Book Launch Party for The Marathon Murders on Saturday afternoon, February 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the restored showroom of the old Marathon Motor Works just beyond downtown Nashville. We'll have refreshments, 1912 Marathon touring cars to ogle, and I'll have a few words to say about the origins of the new book. The Marathon Murders (in both hardcover and trade paperback) will be available for purchase and signing, along with the first three books in the Greg McKenzie Mystery Series.

Okay, if you live in Timbuktu and can't get a flight out in time to make the party, you're excused. You can order the new book from your favorite bookstore, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or from my website (for an autographed copy). However, if you're anywhere in the vicinity, we'd be happy to greet you and shake your hand, or give you a hug if you're of the female persuasion.

WEATHER, WEATHER EVERYWHERE . . .

I was going to paraphrase The Ancient Mariner, but what can I say? Have you ever seen such meterological wackiness? Up to 60 degrees one day, down to 11 a few days later. Then back up again. Somebody must be tinkering with the jet stream. If you're suffering from the cold part of the snap (I suppose that's a half-proper way of putting it), curl up beside the fireplace with a copy of The Marathon Murders. It takes place during a scorching hot August.

IT'S A WEIRD, WEIRD, WEIRD, WEIRD MALL

My wife and I try to walk two miles a day at the mall (though we miss one now and then). Last Saturday afternoon, we hit the mall in the middle of rush hour. It was more of a stroll than a walk. It occurred to me that a writer could plop down on a chair or bench there and watch an example of just about any type of character he could imagine, plus a few who would tax the imagination to its limits.  Remember the old comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World? Well, our mall on a Saturday is madder than that. Guys with their pants hanging down so low they'd have to bend over to reach their pockets. Others in black sporting earrings, nose rings, lip rings, brow rings, tongue rings—I hesitate to guess what else might be pierced. And enough chains dangling to rival Morley in A Christmas Carol. The ladies (if I may be pardoned for using such a term) flaunt bare midriffs, with tattoos displayed from bosom to bottom, both of which appear in glorious technicolor when they lean over.

Another thing you notice is that this is the Year of the Boot. Short boots, tall boots, solid heels, spiked heels, leather, fur—makes a person almost feel out of place in sneakers. Some of the more spiky models make the gals' legs resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Of course there are plenty of normally-dressed folks, although "normal" seems to be a relative term. Needless to say, I came away with a mental notebook chock full of characters. Now if I can just fit 'em into a plot.

I'VE JOINED THE BOOK TRAILER BRIGADE

I trust you've seen the parade of book trailers on places like Youtube. For the uninitiated, they're mini-movies. Mine runs just under two minutes. I put it on Youtube and Crimespace. It's also on my website at BookTrailer.htm. The video gives a thumbnail sketch of the first three Greg McKenzie Mysteries. It's fast-paced, so you have to read quickly. Now I need to get to work on a new trailer for The Marathon Murders.

GREG IS AVAILABLE IN E-BOOK FORMAT FOR THE KINDLE

Are you familiar with Amazon.com's new e-book reader, the Kindle? All four Greg McKenzie Mysteries can be downloaded into the device. It's kind of pricey, about $399, I believe. Don't know if the economy slowdown has slowed sales, but apparently lots of people have bought them. The big attraction is that if you're in the vicinity of Sprint's cell phone system, you can download books instantly, no connection required. You can find mine by going to Amazon, clicking the Kindle link, then click on Kindle Books and type in a book name.

All four print books are available from Amazon. The first three can only be bought there or through my website. I still have the 33% discount deal, where you can mail a check or use a credit card with PayPal. If you have a mystery-loving Aunt Bea or Uncle Nabob, they make great gifts, at a price . . . well, it's a deal you can't refuse.

WHERE WE'RE HEADING

With a new book out, it's back on the road again. At the end of February, we'll be at Deerfield Beach, FL for the annual SleuthFest conference. I'll be on a panel titled "Dust and Sepia Tints: Historicals Come to Life." I'll do a couple of bookstore signings in the area, but they're not firmed up yet. Then on Saturday, March 15th we'll be in Evansville, IN for the Midwest Writers Guild Book Fair at the Washington Square Mall. Closer to home, I'm doing a signing Feb. 22 at Barnes & Noble in Brentwood, TN and the next day I'll be on a Sisters in Crime panel at the Smyrna (TN) Public Library. Details on all these are on my website. I'll be adding more signings, so check again soon to see if I'll be somewhere near you.

Have a warm rest of the winter, read good books, and get ready for spring.