I'll be back to normal soon

I'm wrapping up a week at the beach with my brother, his wife, and my two nephews, Chum and Shark Food. I recommend North Carolina's Outer Banks heartily as a holiday destination, and I can offer some constructive advice: Don't wear your glasses into the ocean if the waves are over your head. Happily, I had brought a spare pair.

Until I resume my usual volume of reading, I point you toward an intriguing note on Crime Down Under about The Nelson Conspiracy: "As a bit of background to the story around which it is based, the Juanita Nielsen murder is one of Australia's most intriguing mysteries and all began when she went to an appointment at a Kings Cross nightclub and disappeared. She had been leading a vigorous campaign against a redevelopment in the Kings Cross area at the time of her disappearance."

The theme may well resonate with fans of Peter Temple, several of whose works involve shady property development deals. Author Barry Ward weighs in with a dissenting comment, and I'll take the liberty of adding the Nelson/Nielsen killing to my list of What real-life events have inspired waves of crime fiction?

© Peter Rozovsky 2007

Clichés come alive!!! (A domestic vignette that has nothing to do with crime)

The plumbers came to my house today. They fixed my pop-ups and flappers, and they put in a new toilet. One problem, however, will have to wait until they or I buy the necessary replacement part. And that is why they fixed everything but the kitchen sink.

This is the best thing that has happened to me since I arrived in New York by train for a concert and asked an Amtrak police officer at Pennsylvania Station: "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?"

© Peter Rozovsky 2007