In a year dominated by rancorous politics, divided nations, desperate refugees, and a climate morphing monstrously before our eyes, I’ve tried to maintain a sense of hope. I’m not talking about a Pollyanna view that all will be well, but rather a belief that, in the end, the human heart will always bend toward compassion, … Read more
Looking back on some favorite memories from 2018… January: The Vikings fell short—okay, far short—on their bid to be the first team to play at home in the Super Bowl. But life in Minnesota goes on. Here I am with my trusty Toro snow blower, clearing out the first ten inches dropped on us by … Read more
On our way to Carlisle to be a part of the Celebrate the Book Week, my wife and I stopped at Gettysburg, our first visit to this landmark in a terrible war. Here I am at the monument erected to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. In the great battle fought at Gettysburg, the 1st Minnesota—or the … Read more
The sky is lazy blue, the sun boldly out, the distant mountaintops sugared with new snow, and I’m feeling pretty damn happy. I’m at the end of Left Coast Crime, a wonderful mystery conference in Reno, Nevada, where six hundred people have come together to celebrate the genre for which we all share a great … Read more
Ten days ago, I participated in the Tucson Festival of Books. This coming weekend, I’ll take part in Left Coast Crime, a conference devoted to the mystery genre, which will be held in Reno, Nevada. In September, I’ll be at Bouchercon, the world mystery convention in St. Petersburg, Florida. And also that month I’ll be … Read more