My Weblog: A Letter to Catriona

Hi Catriona, it's Hank.

As you well know, I went to Malice Domestic this weekend. I've been to that amazing convention, many times, and adore it. The community of writers, and readers, and mystery lovers, and truly educated and curious people who are engaged in books and storytelling and....well, each other. It's astonishing. I always come away inspired, and encouraged, and intensely motivated. Responsible.

And I know you, of course, we've known each other since sometime. I have no idea where we met. (Do you?)

So here's the thing. I was wondering, as I sat in your interview with the amazing Lori Rader-Day, what I would think if I didn't know you.

Let me ask you this: HOW MANY TIMES have you been in the audience at someone's interview and, not any time recently at least and certainly not at Malice--had your mind, shall we say wander? The person is saying something they've clearly said before, or thinks is clever or engaging, on with some ulterior motive. And you start making grocery lists in your head.

Your interview--and Nancy Pickard's and Louise Penny's--was brilliant. Instructive. Educational. Revealing. Honest. Life-changing.

If I had never met you, I would be agog. I would be in awe. As well I am now.

Sidebar: for those readers who weren't at Malice Domestic: Nancy Pickard was Lifetime Guest of Honor. and Louise Penny Guest of Honor, and our Catriona the Toastmaster. (Nice neighborhood.) WhIch meant she moderated and emcee'd every event. It's a very very tough job.

But I want to tell you, dear Catriona, It's an honor to know you. I just read your newest book, Go To My Grave, and it is astonishing. You are endlessly thoughtful, and perceptive, and surprising. And I did not guess the outcome. Ah! You got me! It's going into the stratosphere.

But I wish everyone could have been at your interview. Lori was perfect. (Here you are with Lori and Ann Cleeves!) And you were so honest, and throw-back-your-head funny. The audience was riveted. Your story about the Elvis book. Your PhD thesis. Your moment of "is that all there is." The farmhouse. Your mom. (Tell all that here someday.)

Thank you for everything.

And wow. Let me just say. That dress you wore at the banquet. Gotta say. Stratosphere. But what I liked the most was how happy you looked. May it be so forever.

Thrilled and honored to know you. Right, Femmes? Tell a Catriona story!

And isn't this just perfect?

Love you madly

Hank