They Scare Me

(L–R) Charlotte Morganti, Linda L Richards, Sam Wiebe, Glynis Whiting, ER Brown, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Dietrich Kalteis & MC Michael Karl Richards

(L–R) Charlotte Morganti, Linda L Richards, Sam Wiebe, Glynis Whiting, ER Brown, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Dietrich Kalteis & MC Michael Karl Richards at the Noir at the Bar

These people scare the crap out of me. They look friendly, but are they? I have my doubts. The guy at the back… the tall one with the big smile. His name is Owen Laukkanen. Last week I found out Owen thinks about hostage taking and what kind of guns do the most damage. So what‘s really behind that grin Mr. Laukkanen? Death and more death? Probably.

You people look so happy. You and your evil thoughts of murder. I find you all very disturbing.

I’m also embarrassed to say I happily buy what you are selling.

Books.

Crime fiction novels have been my go-to for entertainment for most of my adult life. I’m not able to watch violent movies, but the more gruesome the written word the better. My dad and I would laugh about our mutual love of the genre as we passed books back and forth. Nothing made us giggle more than when we were both reading a series about serial killers. We actually thought we should keep our mayhem addiction a secret. Wouldn’t people wonder if they knew what we did late at night?

These days I find myself in a position to chat with some of the best crime fiction writers around. It’s one of the many perks of being the Associate Producer for the CUFFED Festival. But like the event last night, The Noir at the Bar, even the public has the chance to come and share a drink with these people and listen to their dark words.

A couple of weeks ago I had a lovely dinner with Robin Spano and Deryn Collier. I was the only one at the table that did not spend days and weeks and months thinking of the best way to kill someone in a memorable way.

I appreciate the craft and thank god these people do what they do.

Maybe I just have a hard time looking at their happy, smiley faces. Take a look at the picture again… the guy at the back that seems to be hiding. His name is Sam. Sam Wiebe. I know what he thinks about will keep you awake at night.

Be afraid.

 

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