Books for 2023 and 2024

I have three mystery novels that will be published in 2023 and 2024. The first two are the second and third books in the Ominpodge Trilogy, Last Gasp Motel and A Mystery Yarn.

Last Gasp Motel - When one of the residents of an aging motel shows up dead in the swimming pool, the quirky older characters living there must rally to find the murderer before the city replaces their home with a shopping mall.

A Mystery Yarn - Pru Pendergast becomes entangled in more than yarn when her obnoxious landlord shows up dead in her driftwood creations shop. Pru must escape attacks on her own life and the threat of being arrested while trying to solve the crime and catch the eye of her new sort of boyfriend.

 

The next book is Murder in the Museo Kircheriano. Strange circumstances surrounding a dead body found in Father Athanasius Kircher’s museum in Rome in1656 lead to a web of intrigue involving a mysterious nephews circle. Using his eclectic and eccentric skills, Father Kircher along with his assistant, Filippo, and new convert Queen Christina of Sweden must use all their resources to solve the murder.

Contract for Historical Mystery Novel

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve signed a contract with Mystic Publishers for my historical mystery novel, Murder in the Museo Kircheriano (working title).

 Strange circumstances surrounding a dead body found in Father Athanasius Kircher’s museum of unusual artifacts in Rome in 1656 lead to a web of intrigue involving a mysterious nephews circle. Using his eclectic and eccentric skills, Athanasius Kircher, known as “the last man to know everything,” teams up with Queen Christina of Sweden, one of the most powerful women in Europe, to solve the mysterious death.

Tenth Anniversary of Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder

Today is the tenth anniversary of the release of the fourth book in my Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder. Cantankerous octogenarian Paul Jacobson becomes involved in a series of crimes while struggling with the problems of his short-term memory loss. On an Alaskan cruise, he must deal with mayhem, missing people and murder and use all his geezer resources to solve a case of international intrigue.

What others say about Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder: 

“Befeler's fourth series entry is enjoyable for the scenery, the observations about cruise ship operations, and the Agatha Christie-like summation.”—Library Journal

“The murder keeps you guessing, and the subject of memory loss is sensitively treated.”—Kirkus Review 

“Lively fourth mystery featuring octogenarian Paul Jacobson. The story’s endearing zaniness keeps boredom at bay.”—Publishers Weekly

“Take a geezer on an Alaskan honeymoon cruise, stir in a few dead bodies, sprinkle with icebergs, and you have the makings for a fabulous mystery romp in Mike Befeler's Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder. Laugh out loud funny with quirky characters galore.”—Joan Johnston New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author

Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder was a finalist for The Lefty Award for best humorous mystery of 2012.

Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder is available in print, e-book and audio book editions: 

Print: Amazon.com: Cruising in Your Eighties is Murder (4) (Paul Jacobson Geezer-Lit Mystery): 9781893035874: Befeler, Mike: Books

e-book: Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder (Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series Book 4) - Kindle edition by Befeler, Mike. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

e-book box set first four books of Paul Jacobson series: Box Set: Retirement Homes Are Murder, Living with Your Kids Is Murder, Senior Moments Are Murder, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder (Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Befeler, Mike. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. 

Audio book: Amazon.com: Cruising in Your Eighties Is Murder: Paul Jacobson Geezer Lit Mystery, 4 (Audible Audio Edition): Mike Befeler, Jerry Sciarrio, Books in Motion: Audible Books & Originals

Christmas story for the whole family: The Jolly Effect

This is a reminder about my daughter's Christmas book, The Jolly Effect.

‘Twas twenty days before Christmas, when all through the house everything was stirring, including a computer mouse. Even though nobody was home!

Something jolly and magical is causing Christmas decorations to spring to life. Which is nothing unusual for them until they discover a decoration from another holiday. Suddenly, everything is in question. What exactly is it that powers the decorations to awaken? Do they themselves have this power? Can they even stay awake until Christmas? Will the crotchety old nutcracker ruin the fun? Will Ugly Sweater ever stop singing her holiday opera?

This book is a whimsical journey into the heart, soul and magic of that elusive holiday spirit. Get ready to share the Jolly Effect.

The Jolly Effect is available in a print edition https://amzn.to/33npmQ0 and an e-book edition https://amzn.to/3meWmBt. For more information go to https://lbefeler9.wixsite.com/author

About the Author:

When not putting up or taking down holiday decorations with her son, Laura Befeler can be found dreaming up new book ideas and working at one ad agency or another. Originally from Boulder, CO, she misses the chance to wake up to a white Christmas. She now lives in a festive little house in Southern California, which currently has decorations up from two holidays ago.

About the Illustrators:

Asher and Kasey Befeler were both born and raised in Iowa, where Christmas is at least cold, if not white. Kasey works as a graphic artist and Asher has been a natural artist for as long as his aunt can remember. In addition to drawing, Asher loves fishing (and going on family trips to Southern California). He is currently in the 10^th grade.

Kids and Jokes

I have several books and a calendar with a joke-a-day with what I call dumb dad jokes. These are jokes we dads tell to our kids and grandkids to make them groan. Recently, our seven-year-old grandson picked up the calendar and started reading the jokes to us. This is an extension of my last post that he has begun reading things to us. In addition to the reading, he has a good sense of humor and gets most of the jokes.

Young Readers

Our seven-year-old grandson has become excited about reading. We’ve read to him for years, but now he is reading his favorite books to me. He’s currently reading Dogman books that have humorous names of classic books such as Fetch 22, Brawl of the Wild and Mothering Heights. These are kids’ graphic novels with lots of humor. Not only is he reading, but he is reading with expression appropriate for what the characters are saying. I can identify. I was a reluctant reader as a boy. One day I was messing around in the school library, and the librarian asked what I was interested in. I replied, “Baseball.” She led me to a section with baseball stories, and I got hooked on reading.

Geezer Jokes

In the fifth book of the Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series, Care Homes Are Murder, Paul and his twelve-year-old granddaughter Jennifer tell each other politically incorrect geezer jokes. Paul’s daughter-in-law (Jennifer’s mom) disapproves of this activity so Paul and Jennifer sneak off to tell these jokes to each other. Here’s a sample of these very sophisticated jokes:

-        Why didn’t the geezer cross the road? Because he was no longer a spring chicken.

-       A doctor, a lawyer and a geezer take a walk together. They start talking about the most important things they could do. The doctor said, “I’d like to cure cancer.” The lawyer nodded and added, “That’s important. I’d like to prove the innocence of all people wrongly jailed.” The geezer looked at the other two and said, “I’d like to find a restroom.”

-      What’s the difference between a leprechaun and a geezer? One has a pot of gold and the other is a pot of old.

-    What’s the difference between a geezer and the Easter bunny? A geezer has fuzzier ears.

-       Why didn’t the geezer vampire bite the young woman’s throat? Because he forgot his false fangs.

-       How old do you have to be to be a geezer? You’re a geezer when you’re too old to take advice but still young enough to give it.

-       You know you’re a geezer when you spend more time trimming hair from your nose and your ears than the top of your head.

-       You know you’re a geezer when you wake up in the morning and something hurts but you have no clue what caused it.

-       You know you’re a geezer when you keep telling the same story over and over again, but people your age don’t notice any difference.

-       You know you’re a geezer when the highlight of your day is taking a nap.

-       And you know you’re a geezer when the small print really is.

-       You know you’re a geezer when it’s easier to pop your joints than a pop top. 

-       You know you’re a geezer if the mortician offers you a senior discount. 

Anniversary of My First Novel Contract

Seventeen years ago, I signed a contract for my first published novel, Retirement Homes Are Murder. After many rejections, I became an author. This novel was published in 2007, the first of my nineteen published books.

 

Mystery Conferences

Mystery conferences are gatherings of mystery readers and mystery authors. Last Saturday, I attended Men of Mystery, a one-day event with several hundred attendees including over 30 mystery authors. It was an enjoyable day of chatting with old friends and new. I’ve attended this event since 2009. In March, I’ll be going to the Left Coast Crime Conference in Tucson. This typically has 300 to 500 attendees over a four-day period. I first went to this conference in 2007. Then the biggest one of them all: Bouchercon. I’ll be in San Diego for this at the end of August, my fourth Bouchercon. This can have as many as 1500 to 2000 attendees. It’s good to be back to in-person events again.

Halloween

We had a busy Halloween night. Our grandson and daughter came over for dinner, and then then went to a carnival at the park near us. Our grandson trick-or-treated in his Minecraft costume and then returned to give out candy at our house (he enjoys doing this). Given our proximity to the park carnival, we had 282 trick-or-treaters. We had just enough candy to get through the evening.

 

SinC into Great Writing

I’ll be on a Sisters in Crime zoom panel along with Rae James and moderator Michelle Richter on Saturday, October 29, at 10:30 AM Pacific time. I’m a sibling in crime and have been a member of SinC for over ten years. Our panel will be discussing alternative ways to make money from our published mystery novels. Specifically, I’ll be speaking about audio books in addition to print and e-book editions.

Date: Saturday, October 29

Whole Event Time: Noon-4pm ET/ 9am-1pm PT

Panel Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm ET/ 10:30am-11:30am PT

Panel Name: Get Paid: Try Different Ways of Making Money

 

You can register here: https://www.sistersincrime.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1663198

Men of Mystery

One of my favorite mystery conferences, Men of Mystery, is being held Saturday November 5 at the Grand in Long Beach, CA. I’ve been attending this event since 2009. Each author is given a minute to describe his latest mystery novel. Over lunch, we have a chance to speak with readers at our table. We sign books and chat with everyone. The headline speakers are Kwei Quartey, Stephen Mack Jones, Chris Hauty, and Connor Sullivan.

What Is Important in Life?

Over the last year I have had surgery three times on one knee. I’ve had my ups and downs: feeling sorry for myself and wondering why me? On the other hand, I’ve pulled myself out of these funks by realizing so much that I’m grateful for: my family, my health other than the knee, and good friends. I would have preferred to have had two of these surgeries to replace my remaining arthritic hip and knee, but that was not to be. As I’m recovering my ability to walk again, my knee is doing great by my arthritic hip is acting up. I don’t relish the thought of another surgery, so I’ll have to see what the future holds. In the meantime, I have the second and third books of the Omnipodge Trilogy, which will be published in April of 2023 and April of 2024. Onward.

 

Our Grandson

Our grandson is now seven and in second grade. He’s the one who kept us going during the pandemic, and I was his Zoom assistant for kindergarten. My wife and I moved back to Southern California in 2015 when he was about to be born. We’ve been delighted to take care of him since his parents work and child care is so expensive. Our routine now is I pick him up after school and he spends the afternoon at our house until Mom or Dad pick him up at the end of the day. My wife does homework and sticker books with him and I oversee the computer homework which includes Jiji (math), core 5 (English) and Raz Kids (reading). He is into Minecraft, and when he gets together with friends, they invent Minecraft related games to play. My day is made when he comes running out of school with a smile on his face and gives me a big hug. 

In-person Events

I’m starting to get requests to give in-person presentations to service organizations and non-profit organizations. Groups are returning to in-person meetings after many had deferred meetings or held them through zoom. I enjoy giving these talks, meeting new people and selling some books.

Looking Forward to Mystery Conferences

As I gain more mobility after my knee replacement surgery in August, I’m now making plans to attend a number of mystery conferences. In my last post I mention Bouchercon in San Diego next year. Two others I’ve signed up for are Men of Mystery in November in Long Beach and the Left Coast Crime Conference next March in Tucson. These conferences always provide the joy of mystery writers and readers mingling.

Bouchercon

I’ve enjoyed seeing pictures and posts about this year’s Bouchercon Conference. Next year it is in San Diego, which is a short drive for me, so I plan to attend. Look forward to seeing mystery writing and reading friends again.

Knee Surgery Rebound

I’m making progress with my knee surgery rehab. Started Physical therapy. Now it’s the balancing act of managing pain and gaining more range of motion.

Knee Surgery (continued)

I’m living life primarily on the physical level as I recover from knee replacement surgery. Finding the right balance of pain medication, getting some exercise but not too much, and resting often all play into the equation. I have a post-op appointment with the surgeon this week and will find out about physical therapy and next steps.

Knee Surgery (continued)

Successful knee surgery. Now I need to deal with the pain and getting the range of motion back.

Dumb Dad Jokes

I have blogged before about dumb dad jokes. These are the jokes we dads tell our kids and grandkids to make them groan. For two years I have shared these with a select few friends, and I also post them periodically on Facebook. Here’s an example of one of my recent favorites: How much did the pirate pay to get his ears pierced? A buccaneer.

Knee Surgery

I’ll be going through the third knee surgery in a year next week. It was infected two times and I’ve been using a walker since February. This next surgery will put permanent parts back in my knee. Then after a recovery period, I should be back to walking normally again.

School Is Almost Upon Us

This summer has sped past us. Our grandkids in Iowa will be starting school in three weeks and our grandson here in Lakewood, CA, will be starting second grade on Aug. 31. There have already been the back-to-school advertisements and hints of Halloween. For me, August will be knee surgery month with pre-op and other appointments as well. 

Cousins Gathering

Our son and his two boys from Iowa are visiting. They went to Disneyland with our other son and his son. The Iowa contingent are staying with us, so our grandsons are having an opportunity to do things together. I’ve enjoyed watching the cousins build creations, play games and go on excursions.

Priorities

Right now, I’m focused on physical priorities to stay healthy in preparation for knee surgery in August. I’ve been using a walker since knee surgery in February because temporary spacers were put in by the surgeon due to an infection. I’m looking forward to getting my mobility back after the upcoming surgery.

Grandkids Getting Older

These grandkids keep getting older. Growing from infants to young adults, we now have five grandkids between seven and twenty-two. It’s enjoyable to see how they progress and what their interests are. One has graduated from college and one from first grade with three others in between. We like seeing all of them and hearing about their activities.

Nikola Tesla’s Birthday

This weekend will be the birthday of eccentric genius Nikola Tesla. He was a dichotomy. He had a brilliant mind and could invent in that mind and go to prototype without a blueprint. He gave us alternating current technology for the lights in our homes and offices. But he was also on the autism spectrum with many weird quirks. When he went to a restaurant, he insisted on having multiples of three napkins (3, 6, 9), and he didn’t like being touched.

My international thriller, The Tesla Legacy, is a modern-day story of an Afghani terrorist and a secret government agent trying to get their hands on a weapon of mass destruction designed by Tesla but includes a lot of background about Nikola Tesla, the historical figure.

The Tesla Legacy is available in print, e-book and audio editions:           

Print https://amzn.to/3mz4rlf 

e-book https://amzn.to/3d45whL

Audio download https://bit.ly/3rZtlvD          

Audio CD https://bit.ly/3dP9LNp

 

Keeping in Touch with Friends

Periodically, I call old friends to check in to see how they’re doing. I did this during the pandemic and again recently. My friends include those from school, college, graduate school, work, writing and Boulder, CO. It’s always a joy to catch up but fraught with illnesses and disabilities. All in all, I find it a worthwhile activity.

Pet Peeve

When contacting an organization that provides a service I’m interested in, my pet peeve is that no one responds. Recently, I wanted to sign my grandson up for private swim lessons. I was given a phone number to do this, but no one answered the phone after multiple attempts. Finally, I left a message to call me back. No response. Then I sent an email. No response. After several weeks of frustration, I found another organization where someone answered the phone immediately and I got my grandson signed up within five minutes. If the other organization ever responds, I’m tempted to say, “You have my condolences.” I’ll pause. “Apparently, you had a major family emergency because you never answered the phone or responded to voicemail or email.”

Book Talk at Bach Library in Long Beach, CA

Mike Befeler : Lessons Learned as an Author

Friday, June 24, 2022, 11:30am – 12:30pm

Bach Neighborhood Library, 4055 Bellflower Blvd

I’ll be speaking about Lessons Learned as an Author and my latest mystery novel, Old Detectives Home. 

Gun Violence

Usually, I blog about things I’m doing or book related activities. Today, I’m taking a detour because of the serious nature of a vital issue in our country: gun violence. A minority in our nation has placed unlimited gun ownership above the value of human life. We, as a civilized nation, need to change this priority and place human life above unlimited gun ownership. Common sense measures of background checks, red flag laws and limiting access to assault weapons need to be enacted. Encourage your representatives to change our priorities.

Reading Fiction or Non-fiction

Do you read fiction or non-fiction? I read both. Since I primarily write mystery novels, I read a lot of mysteries, but I also read many other fiction genres. I also enjoy non-fiction, particularly on a subject I’m trying to learn more about. I remember one author giving a cautionary note of not reading something very similar to what you’re writing at the time. This makes sense. My wife enjoys going to My Little Library book boxes in our neighborhood, so she’s always trading in and bringing interesting books to read. I also belong to three book clubs and read numerous good books I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. Finally, my best source is recommendations from friends. All of this provides me with a wide source of reading material.

Attitude Check

I’ve continued to work on a positive attitude after my knee surgery in February. I’m in a holding pattern with my knee that contains temporary parts. The orthopedic surgeon took fluid out of my knee to be tested to determine if the infection is gone. The results will be back in early June. If the infection is gone, I will have surgery in August to get permanent parts put in. I’d like to get this all over with but will have to be patient. On the positive side, I’ve done five book talks and signings in the last month: two non-profit fund raisers, two bookstores and a Rotary Club. I’m scheduled for a library presentation next month. I’m fortunate that it’s my left knee so I can drive.

Positive Sports Tradition

Our second son works in the children’s hospital that overlooks the football stadium for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. He told us about the tradition of “the wave” from the stadium. This is performed at the end of the first quarter, so my wife and I like to watch the end of the first quarter for Iowa home games. This tradition started in 2017. Initially, the Iowa team waved to the top floor of the children’s hospital where large windows allowed patients to gather to watch. As the tradition expanded, opposing teams and fans joined in to wave to the hospitalized kids. One source stated that the idea was born on social media: an Iowa fan suggested that the team should think of something to cheer up the children in the hospital. This is the most positive tradition in football and a joy to watch.

Watch Out When You Can’t Hear the Crickets

When we lived in Boulder, CO, there were times of the year when the crickets were noisy at night. When this kept me awake, I would try different sleeping position. On my back or right side of my head against the pillow they were loud. Then I tried putting the left side of my head against the pillow. The result: the cricket noise disappeared. This wasn’t some miracle. I found out during a hearing exam that I have a deaf zone in my hearing. It turns out this is the frequency of the crickets so the chirping was in the lost part of my hearing.

A Favorite Story

Here’s one of my favorite stories, The Tinderbox: two Native American braves were chosen to compete to be the next chief. The challenge was to be the first to arrive at the top of the Sacred Mountain at night and light a fire. They were each given an ember in a tinderbox to carry with them. They set off and halfway up the mountain the first brave encountered an old man, shivering in the cold. The old man asked the brave to let him use the ember in the tinderbox to relight his fire. The brave replied, “I don’t have time. I must reach the top of the mountain and start a fire there to become the new chief.” He left the old man. Soon after, the second brave encountered the old man and was asked to borrow the ember from his tinderbox. This brave wanted to win the competition but realized he couldn’t leave the old man to die of cold. He took the ember out of the tinderbox and used it to relight the old man’s fire. Once the fire was going, he took an ember out of the fire and placed it in his tinderbox. He realized he was behind in the competition but continued onward. Down below, all the people watched to see when a fire would appear on the top of the mountain. Finally, a fire appeared. It was set by the second brave. When the first brave reached the top of the mountain, his ember had burned out. The second brave still had a live ember from replenishing the old man’s fire. 

My Baby Has Escaped into the World

As of April 27, my latest mystery novel, Old Detectives Home, has officially been released. It’s been said that a writer has to love what he’s writing if he expects readers to love it. Once I got the idea for this novel, I had a wonderful time researching, creating quirky characters, writing a rough draft and then tuning it through numerous editing cycles.

It can be purchased in print or e-book editions:

Print:  https://amzn.to/3wWYo14

e-book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WZ5H6S5  

I’ll be giving a presentation and signing at the following bookstores in Southern California:

Mystery Ink Bookstore 7552 Warner #101, Huntington Beach, CA, on Sat., May 7, at 1 PM.

Book Carnival 348 S. Tustin, Orange, CA, on Sun. May 15 at 2 PM

 

I’m also available to give presentations to book groups, libraries and service organizations via Zoom or in-person. Mikebef@aol.com

Omnipodge

My upcoming trilogy is set in a fictional town called Omnipodge on the coast of California below Monterrey. There is a new cast of characters in each book, but what ties them together is the place of Omnipodge. You’ll find a few crossover references to characters that appear in more than one of the books in the trilogy. You can think of Omnipodge as a state of mind, with mysteries to solve in each book. The first book in the trilogy, Old Detectives Home, will be released Wed. April 27. In the second book that will be published next April, The Last Gasp Motel, I transport a description of a Colorado town to California. That’s the beauty of fiction writing. I focus on interesting and quirky characters and plots that can keep the reader guessing.

Publishing Plans

I have a three-book contract with Encircle Publications for my Omnipodge trilogy. Here’s the schedule: Old Detectives Home to be published April 27, 2022; The Last Gasp Motel April 2023; and A Mystery Yarn April 2024. I also have a number of completed manuscripts that I will plan to get published. From the time I retired in 2007 until 2015 when we moved to Lakewood, CA, I had a very productive period, writing every morning (except when doing family activities). My wife is a night person and I’m a morning person, so I had each morning to write. Since 2015 I have only written one new book that I self-published in 2020, Coronavirus Daze. From our move until now I have focused on tuning some of my unpublished manuscripts. Currently, I’m working on a non-fiction book. More to come on this as it progresses.

The Importance of a Positive Attitude

I've learned in dealing with adversity that I have 4 alternatives: I can change my situation, change my attitude, suffer, or get out. As I'm recuperating from my third surgery on my left knee with one more surgery to go this summer, I've been testing these four alternatives. I'm not going to suffer; if it gets too bad I have pain meds. I'm not going to get out through suicide. But here are two small examples of changing the situation and changing my attitude.

Change the situation: I kept knocking things off my nightstand or misplacing them. Simple solution: I reorganized my nightstand and put some items in the drawer below.

 Change attitude: when I first came home from the hospital my attitude was I HAVE TO brush my teeth and shave. Now my attitude is I GET TO brush my teeth so my mouth will feel fresh and I GET TO shave so I won't have a scratchy face. I’ve had my ups and downs, but I’ve learned a positive attitude is key when dealing with adversity.

 

Getting Close to Publication Date

The first book in my Omnipodge Trilogy, Old Detectives Home will be released April 24. It’s always exciting to go through the launch of a new book. It’s now available for pre-order from Amazon:  

Old Detectives Home: An Omnipodge Mystery (Omnipodge Trilogy): Befeler, Mike: 9781645993438: Amazon.com: Books

Here’s a short preview: Imagine a retirement home populated with residents such as an aging Hercule Poirot and a dementia-suffering Sherlock Holmes and run by staff including Art Doyle, Dash Hammett and Dot Sayers. In this light-hearted spoof of the mystery genre, every character is either a namesake of a person from the mystery writing world or a character from a mystery novel. On anything but a dark and stormy night, a dead body is found. The staff managers find themselves unable to control the unruly old detectives. Mix in clues and red herrings galore as the cast of suspects investigate each other. Hold on to your rockers as the top detectives of all time reunite at Old Detectives Home to solve their most difficult whodunit—but first without killing each other.

Handling Daily Ups and Downs

As I recovery from knee surgery, my mood swings between good and bad during the day. I have a flurry of activity when I get up and then settle into a pattern of activity and rest. There are lots of daily frustrations to deal with and all the physical therapy and medication to apply. We get a newspaper delivered every day and I look forward to relaxing in bed and reading the news. I’m also more interested in reading than I was a few weeks ago, so that’s progress as well. My appetite is coming back and I’m more interested in meals now. Still, by the end of the day I’m tired and ready to fall into a good sleep.

Importance of Attitude

As I have been spending most of the day in bed recovering from my knee surgery, I’ve explored my own attitude about the situation. Victor Frankel in his book Man’s Search for Meaning describes his experience being in a Nazi concentration camp. Although his whole physical existence was controlled by others, he learned that he was still the master of his own attitude. I’ve gone through the various reactions to my medical condition: Why me? This isn’t fair. How long am I going to have suffer through this? I also have moments of appreciation: my family is taking good care of me; we have medical insurance and good doctors; this too shall pass. This is an ongoing challenge.

Recovery from Knee Surgery

I’m trying to get my life back in order after my recent knee surgery. I’m not supposed to put much weight on the bad knee, and I’m moving around with a walker. I have to work in short spurts with a rest in between. It’s taking me a long time to get things done, but I’m plugging away on my to-do list.

 

Life Throws Its Curves

My last post was about moderating the Meet the New Authors Breakfast at the Left Coast Crime Conference in April. This isn’t going to happen as I had emergency surgery for a knee infection, so no getting on airplanes for me. I also missed my post last week because I was in the hospital. My family has been terrific is helping me. On to recovery.

Meet the New Authors Breakfast at the Left Coast Crime Conference

I have the honor of hosting the Meet the New Author Breakfast at the Left Coast Crime Conference in Albuquerque on Friday, April 8. I will be introducing 23 authors who will give a one minute pitch on the most important thing readers should know about their debut mystery novel. This is a tradition that has been taking place at each Left Coast Crime Conference since 2008.

Speaking to an ESL Class

I had the opportunity last week to speak to an English as a Second Language (ESL) class via Zoom. I gave a presentation about my writing journey and then opened it up for questions. I received excellent and thoughtful questions and enjoyed the discussion with the students.

Getting Ready for a Book Launch

I’m getting ready for the release of my humorous mystery novel, Old Detectives Home, in April. Now that the edits are complete and the publisher has designed the cover, I need to prepare for my promotional activities. Once the publication date is set, I’ll send out an email notification to my list of interested readers. I’ll also, with the assistance of my graphic artist daughter-in-law, have a postcard produced for mailing to my snail mail list of interested readers. This will also serve as handouts at conferences such as the upcoming Left Coast Crime Conference. I’ll also finalize dates at three bookstores within driving distance to do a book talk and signing. Finally, I’ll complete a new presentation to give at bookstores, libraries, book groups and service organizations.

Cover for Old Detectives Home

I’m pleased to share with you the cover for Old Detectives Home, the first book in the Omnipodge Trilogy of mystery novels, which will be published in April by Encircle Publications.

 

Here’s a preview:

Imagine a retirement home populated with residents such as an aging Hercule Poirot and a dementia-suffering Sherlock Holmes and run by staff including Art Doyle, Dash Hammett and Dot Sayers. In this light-hearted spoof of the mystery genre, every character is either a namesake of a person from the mystery writing world or a character from a mystery novel. On anything but a dark and stormy night, a dead body is found. The staff managers find themselves unable to control the unruly old detectives. Mix in clues and red herrings galore as the cast of suspects investigate each other. Hold on to your rockers as the top detectives of all time reunite at Old Detectives Home to solve their most difficult whodunit—but first without killing each other.

 

I’m also available to give presentations to book groups, libraries and service organizations via Zoom or in-person. Mikebef@aol.com

COVID in Elementary School

Our grandson is in first grade. There are two classes of first graders at his school. In the other class, the teacher is out with COVID this week, so there is a substitute teacher. In his class, one of the students tested positive, so our grandson came home with a rapid test kit. I swabbed the inside of his nose and waited the fifteen minutes. The good news: he tested negative. We’re supposed to test him again at the end of the week. I’m glad the school is taking precautions but staying open.

 

Edits for Old Detectives Home

My editor provided very constructive edit suggestions for my upcoming mystery novel, Old Detectives Home. One very useful change was to eliminate the redundancy of reviewing the clues too often, as this slowed the pace of the story. The story is much tighter now with the changes made.

Here’s a preview of Old Detectives Home, due out in April: Imagine a retirement home populated with residents such as an aging Hercule Poirot and a dementia-suffering Sherlock Holmes and run by staff including Art Doyle, Dash Hammett and Dot Sayers. In this light-hearted spoof of the mystery genre, every character is either a namesake of a person from the mystery writing world or a character from a mystery novel. On anything but a dark and stormy night, a dead body is found. The staff managers find themselves unable to control the unruly old detectives. Mix in clues and red herrings galore as the cast of suspects investigate each other to figure out who done it. 

Left Coast Crime Conference 2022

One of my favorite conferences for mystery fans and authors is The Left Coast Crime Conference. This year it’s being held in Albuquerque April 7 – 10. Typically, 400 to 500 people attend. In 2020 the conference was cancelled after one day, and last year it was virtual. The name of the conference comes from it being located in a city in the western part of the country. During the four days, attendees can choose from a wide variety of panels about the mystery genre. I will be hosting the Meet the New Authors breakfast at which we’ll introduce debut mystery authors. The best part of the conference is the opportunity for mystery authors and readers to mingle, chat and share stories and experiences.