Like an anthropologist...

I've started reading WOLVES OF THE CALLA as part of my continuing reread of Stephen King's The Dark Tower for Macmillan's Criminal Element blog. Ava has been intrigued by the covers and especially the artwork in this particular edition of CALLA. So she asks me to tell her what they are about, and, of course, I often dilute it for the six-year-old ears. When she realizes I have read more pages, she asks me to update her on my progress but to start from the very beginning of the novel. This, I don't mind, but becomes quite lengthy and still her attention holds. (I'm not sure I was ever that patient at her age.) A recent passage in CALLA reminded me of our little coconut's devout rumination. Susannah explains to Eddie Dean exactly how Roland of Gilead pays attention. She says, "Like an anthropologist trying to figure out some strange culture by their myths and legends." YES! That's Ava exactly. Love her so much! Ok. My dad moment is over. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Today...

Managed to ready another BEAT to a PULP book for release, added a load of gravel to our driveway (with my father-in-law, Little d, and Ava's help) which was in desperate need, played a close game of Scrabble coming in second to my lovely charmer, and now am settling in to enjoy some Saul Bellow (I'm rereading HUMBOLDT'S GIFT). Hope you all in Blogger Land are doing well. Peace.

Come join me … before the world moves on.

My reread of The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole has been posted at Macmillan's Criminal Element.

Continuity Girl

I hope you don't mind a little plug here to let you know the third book in the Knightly & Cole series is on the way soon. It's titled Continuity Girl and is written by Nik Morton and published through BEAT to a PULP books. Here's the first two in the series.

3.14159...

I'm a math enthusiast and love any chance to write an article dedicated to the subject. And stoked even more because March 14 is Pi Day. So here's five films where math is fused with the mystery/thriller and sci-fi genres.

Bill McNeal, of WNYX NewsRadio, Quotes

"Dave, there comes a time in every friendship when you have to say, 'I never liked you, get lost.'"

"I'm off to astonish the world with more feats of ade-quata-quaticism."

"Have you ever heard the expression when life gives you lemons, make lemonade and then toss it in the face of the person who gave you the lemons until they give you the oranges you asked for in the first place?"

"Do I hear the plaintive cry of the crested North American quitter?

"Freedom of speech is one thing, the word 'penis' is another."

"Going to the bathroom is a privilege you just may lose if you sit idly by in these troubled times, my friend."

"I mean, nobody cares how beautiful the souffle is if the appetizer is turds in a blanket."

"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow."

"Envy not that which not need be possessed."

"Screw your problem, I'm talking about me."

The Dark Tower 4.5

My review for Stephen King's THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE has just been sent to the editor. And I hope you will join me this coming Tuesday, at Macmillan's Criminal Element, as we discuss what is referred to as The Dark Tower 4.5.

My Favorite Founding Father Reminds Us That...

*I'm contributing to @QuotablePaine on Twitter.

Scorched Noir

The Border … an alkaline limbo between two worlds, where desperation and violence loom like the ever-present sun.