A Blast-from-the-Past
By Jackie King
Getting into an
altercation with a mystery reader and avid fan was the last thing I ever
expected to do. I write mysteries,
for goodness sake. But such an unforeseeable thing happened at the 2011
Bouchercon in St. Louis, where I had a slight altercation with a reader/fan. |
| Robert Crais on Tour for SENTRY |
The great Robert
Crais was present and handing out, “I Like Pike,” buttons, and of course, I took
one and pinned it to my jacket. After all, I’ve been in love with Joe Pike for
years. Although the main hero of Crais’ best-selling series is Elvis Cole,
who is both brave and handsome, my heart was stolen by his dark-hero sidekick,
Joe Pike.
This is how such
an anomaly came to pass while chatting with a reader and bonified fan.
“I’m in love
with Bob Crais,” this ultra-respectable looking woman said. “I would drive
hundreds of miles to see him or hear him speak.”
“I can
understand that,” I rejoined. “He’s a good-looking guy and a dynamite writer,
but it’s Joe Pike that I fancy. You’re welcome to his creator.” I flashed my
Pike pin.
“I’ll bet I’ve
been in love with Joe longer than you.” Her eyes took on a proprietary glint,
and to my surprise, a surge of jealousy rose inside my chest. Just as swiftly,
the absurdity of the situation dawned on me, as I guess it did with her,
because we both grinned and backed away. (Just after I handed her one of my own
bookmarks, of course.)
I blame this whole kerfuffle on Robert Crais. If he didn’t create such sublime characters, none of this would have happened. That writer has made addicts of thousands of women. Maybe I should tattle to his wife?
I blame this whole kerfuffle on Robert Crais. If he didn’t create such sublime characters, none of this would have happened. That writer has made addicts of thousands of women. Maybe I should tattle to his wife?
Carolyn Hart, Jackie King and Judy Rosser at Bouchercon 20l11
