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What’s With the Lobster in Handcuffs?
My barely noticed decision in 2008 (the Great Recession) to forget any profit from our shared book business, Kingdom Books, opened the door wide for Dave and me to just have fun. We drove all over New England, and sometimes to New York City, to meet authors and have them sign immaculate first editions of their books for us. Dave’s list of authors’ home addresses grew, and he corresponded happily with people who wrote powerful mysteries.
Our stash of books grew, too. After rearranging the house to let Dave’s office occupy two rooms instead of one, I also began rearranging and adding to our shelving. Didn’t everyone line the powder-room walls with bookshelves? Wasn’t a bedroom designed for a thousand of the best novels and poetry?
There were organizations we checked out, too — no, not self-help for book addicts (!), but groups that held annual conferences with dozens of important published authors giving talks, hosting signings, promoting their work … even dressing up to fit with the novels they’d written.
In 2010 Kingdom Books became officially part of the New England chapter of Sisters in Crime (originally helping get mysteries by women noticed) and registered for the group’s annual conference, the New England Crime Bake. Suddenly, Dave’s meticulous book hunting and buying had a new focus: Who’ll be on hand in person for the…
