Just now heard about the death of David Thompson, who ran Houston's premiere mystery bookstore, Murder By The Book. David hosted one of my first signings ever when The Tenth Justice was FIRST published. For the first hour, nobody showed. Not one person. Then, two friends showed up (a law school pal and her Mom). That was the grand total: two customers and one was her Mom. I know we were supposed to look at that signing as a disaster, but David and I never did. We went out to the movies after and laughed our asses off watching South Park. I remember thanking him so much for taking a chance on an unknown like me. At the time, the bookstore around the corner from my parents' apartment wouldn't invite me to sign there -- but David said, "No. We need to support the first time authors. Come to Houston."
That was his great gift. I owe him forever for that.
In fact, for the past few books, my publisher had stopped sending me to Houston (media was too sparse there) -- but David and I conspired when The Book of Lies was published. I was going back. The day before I got there, the hurricane hit Houston, shutting the entire city down. I still tried to get in. And when one friend in Houston told me her living room was knee-deep in water, I called David and he was in the store, all set for business. Man, we should all love books like that.
For me, the highway from Austin to Houston was shut down, so no Murder By The Book for me. But David and I were still determined, and months ago, we rebooked my return visit for The Inner Circle this January.
I'll be there. David won't. And I don't care if there's another hurricane -- or only two more people join us -- we'll be raising a glass in his honor.
Miss you , pal. And thank you.
- b
6 comments:
Hear, hear, Brad. David was one of the first bookstore owners to invite me after my first book was published, too. He invited me to be on a panel with Duane Swiercynski, Jason Starr, Allan Guthrie, and Ken Bruen, Can you believe that?
He was a great guy and a great host. He will most definitely be missed.
This just made me cry all over again, Brad.
David's generosity to me was stunning, and his enthusiasm... fuck. I just don't know what to say. This is so sad and horrible.
David is my brother. On behalf of his family, I would like to say thank you for your kind words. He is a hell of a great guy who is truly missed.
Oneal, you are fortunate to have had such a wonderful brother. Everyone I know who knew David is in mourning today. I'm kinda with Cornelia - there just are no words to express the sadness I, and so many others, feel. He will be greatly missed.
Oneal, you are fortunate to have had such a wonderful brother. Everyone I know who knew David is in mourning today along with you and the rest of your family. I'm with Cornelia - there are just no words to express how sad we all feel.
Statue of Liberty show:
The blonde woman spews about scientific method and being non-biased through the process of discovery, yet clearly and visibly rejects all things she doesn't like hearing, and quickly accepts the things she wants to hear.
The nature of Illuminati is that they operate in secret, swear an oath of secrecy, then when you can't find any of them that publicly admit their allegience on your little TV show, you say this proves they don't exist. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. I see you didn't cover the Bilderberger meetings, all of which are in secret. But no matter, I'm sure you'd come up with a nice warm cozy explanation that the blonde lady would like.
Mr. Metzler's narration, is clearly slanted when he takes swipes at others by referring to himself as "sane", in effect calling all others insane. This has a subtle but powerful psycological effect on the unaware viewer, because the voice of a narrator is always latently accepted as the voice of reason and neutrality. But I'm sure Mr. Metzler knows this.
Thank you for yet another installment of disinformation. You are a tool whether you realize it or not.
Post a Comment