Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Ken Bruen Tour - The Los Angeles Leg...

Well, well, well. Ken Bruen is alive and well and touring the west coast of the United States. I finally was able to meet The Pope of Galway last night at the Mystery Bookstore. Words can not describe what it is like to be in the presence of sheer genius and talent. Well, maybe that's not true. However, a fun time was had by all. Here are a few pics from last night:




Here I am with the Pope. I asked for a Papal dispensation, but that was not in the works. When I told him that I was half Irish, which is true (my relatives live in the next county over), things started to look up.


Here is Ken, signing one of the over 100 books that were sent to the store for his signature. Many of his inscriptions are in Gaelic.


The multitalented Ralph Pezzullo was in attendance. Ralph is a screen writer and a talented author. His first mystery book Eve Missing is excellent. He has a new book coming out later in the year called JawbreakerThe CIA War in Afghanistan by the Commander Who Fought It. A manuscript is also making the rounds called Blood of My Blood.


Ken and Ralph signed the Sacramento City Jail ledger. This book is maintained by the store for all the visiting authors. We spent a good half hour reviewing who has signed the book, discussing the crimes that they were guilty of, and what their sentence was. If you visit the store, this is must reading, really!


Ken was escorted around town by Chuck Morrell. Chuck is a veteran of the business and he knows all the stores in the area. Yesterday they hit the stores in the general Los Angeles area. Today they plan to hit Mysteries To Die For in Thousand Oaks and make their way down to San Diego ( 7 stores in a 125 miles trip) before Kent gets on a plane to head out to the Arizona.




Finally here is a pic of Mystery Bookstore manager Bobby. Bobby is a big time fan and was a great host.


After the signing I was invited to dinner with Ken and Ralph. For the next 2 1/2 hours we talked about books, Cabana Boys, blogs, Milwakee, Jason Starr, Jim Winter, Sarah Weinman, Olen and NY lunch, Ken's future projects, David Soul. I can't tell you about the rest of the sorid conversations that were discussioned in a confessional format with the Pope. Those tales are kept in the sanctity of his holiness. I will add that hearing these stories and trying to eat food at the same time is dangerous. Ken and Ralph, the secrets are safe with me.

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