A groggy, bleary-eyed Chris Holm here. As I write this, my wife and I are recovering from a whirlwind road trip to Bar Harbor for the Jesup library’s inaugural Murder by the Book.
Despite some hiccups getting there (an actual, honest-to-god manhunt halted traffic on Route 3 and added nearly two hours to the drive), the event was a blast. The Jesup’s staff is as ambitious as they are enthusiastic, and they put together two days of fantastic programming, most of it free (which is darn near unheard of). And the setting, both town and library, was stunning. To cap it off, I got to spend time in the company of dear friends and talented writers (many of whom are featured in the sidebar of this blog), and meet loads of passionate readers. I hear tell the Jesup’s planning another Murder by the Book for next fall. Be sure to check it out.
Hmm. What else was I gonna tell you guys? I feel like there was something. Eh. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be that big a deal.
Oh, wait. I remember. THE KILLING KIND came out last Tuesday!
I can’t tell you how pleased I am it’s finally out in the world. There was a time I worried this book would never see the light of day. My prior agent was so unenthusiastic about it, she sat on the manuscript for nine months without reading it. Parting ways with her was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. It’s also proven one of the best, because thus far, the response to THE KILLING KIND has been astonishing. It’s garnered raves from NPR, Huffington Post, and the Maine Sunday Telegram. It’s been highlighted as a top read for September by Strand Magazine, Barnes & Noble, and MysteryPeople. For five crazy minutes, it was even a trending topic on Twitter.
Maybe the hype will continue to build. Maybe it’ll fade. But either way, I’m very grateful to everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today. Here are but a few who deserve my thanks. Most of all, I’m grateful to the readers, librarians, and booksellers who make it possible for me to live my dream. Without them, I’m just some nutball making up stories in my pajamas.
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
Congratulations on The Killing Kind! Great title by the way.
Last week was a nutty week for traffic in Bar Harbor. Far worse than anything we’ve had all summer. Thanks for making the trip. The Jesup is awesome for offering such excellent programming for free.
I did manage to listen to a little of your suspense talk while chasing around my daughter.
It was great to have the chance to hang out at Murder by the Book and hear you read from Hendricks #2. It is such fun to be around a guy who is having so much fun doing what he loves.
Thanks for coming out, Michelle! And your daughter was adorable. We could’ve handed the session over to her, and the audience wouldn’t have minded a whit.
And likewise, Brenda! I’m looking forward to COVER STORY!
Congratulations, Chris! What a fun ride. I hope the momentum continues to build and build.
Congratulations on the success of The Killing Kind! Had a blast at the Jesup. Looking forward to the Crime Bake.
Thanks, Barb and Bruce! I’m looking forward to Crime Bake, too. It’ll be my first!
A most enjoyable post – thank you.
Fantastic news, Chris (about the raves). Can’t wait to read it. Sorry I missed you guys at Murder by the Book. I had a chance to go to Boston to watch my son coach his college soccer team to their first win of the season. I think I’m now the mascot. By the way, I wonder if you or other Maine Crime Writers might blog about when and if to leave an agent?
Thanks, Peggy! And Kate, it sounds like you had a great excuse for missing the event.
As for your agent question, I’m happy to offer whatever insight I can, but it might be a topic more easily discussed via email.
Enjoyed the post. Congrats.