Hello, how are you this Friday?

I read the other day that J.K. Rowling was writing a mystery novel and I wasn’t a bit surprised. I believe everyone loves a good mystery or detective novel. When you think about it Ms. Rowling’s can write anything she chooses and of course do it wonderfully so why did she choose the mystery genre? Oh, there are so many reasons: the challenge of writing a great mystery, one that is complex and layered but understandable and readable complete with surprises, twists and turns that don’t conclude until the last page; character development: the memorable, original characters you can create, an ensemble, readers can’t forget and want to follow from novel to novel; the situations—endless situations--that create a mystery needing badly to be solved for life or death and finally the detective defined as you want him or her to be, a policeman, a hotel maid, a taxi cab driver, an oil magnet, your choice and you can give him all the life you can imagine—good or bad.

So I’m not surprised Ms. Rowling’s is writing a mystery novel, so am I (a few of them) for all the right reasons I’ve given and one more: the love of the mystery/crime/detective genre and wanting to be a part of the renowned list of great writers who’ve created the best work in it: Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, Chester Himes, Ed McBain, Ruth Rendell, John D. MacDonald, Sue Grafton to name only a few; who wouldn’t want to join that list? I know I do and it looks like Ms. Rowling does too.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori