I always end each year with a list of authors who died. In 2017 three whom I admired very much left us: Colin Dexter, Robert James Waller, Sue Grafton.
I always looked forward to Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse and have read all the books except the last one in which the character died. Somehow I keep putting it off.
Robert James Waller, the Author of The Bridges of Madison County, also died this year. I always admire an author who can capture the attention of a huge audience with a first novel. Perhaps that's every novelist's dream.
And last, just a few days ago, Sue Grafton died. Of the three, she inspired me the most. When she published her first novel in 1982, I was writing the draft of my first novel although it was not the first one I published. Grafton published an alphabet series that sadly ends with Y. One can only wonder how she was going to end the series. But her alter ego Kinsey Millhone will hopefully live on forever for readers who love a good mystery. I have not yet read W, X and Y. At least I can look forward to reading them.
4 comments:
I, too, was especially saddened by Sue Grafton's demise. It taught me a lesson. Believe it or not, I get shy when it comes to approaching well-known or famous people. I was at Malice the year Sue was a special guest. I should have gone up to her and told her how much I enjoyed her books, but I didn't. My usual "why would she want to meet me?" "I don't want to bother her" ran through my head. And so we never exchanged words. I have no special, personal memory of this woman I admired. In the future, I will do my best to overcome this inhibition.
I recently moved and I was putting books in the bookcases. Sadly, as I placed them in order, I realized there are too many who have left us. And now I add Sue Grafton to that list. Nice memorial, Pat!
Marilyn, I understand how you feel about not going up to Sue Grafton and telling her how much you enjoyed her books. However there was no way you could know you would never get another chance. I probably would have done the same as you did. But at least you got to see her in person.
Marja, sometimes when I am going over a list of favorite authors, I am dismayed to realize there will be no more books from so many of them including Sue Grafton who was just a few months younger than I!
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