Letter to the Fans of Hydra Seetre

Did you know that Hydra Seetre was the pen name of Tyra D. Sheere? Did you know that she also wrote children's books under the name Esther Rayde? Did you know that all her names were anagrams? As her mystery book editor I have the sad task of informing you that Tyra (which is the name all of us called her) died on May 6, on the island of Borneo, after slipping and hitting her head on a rock.

That's called burying the lead. And it was something for which I always took her to task, so it seems appropriate to do it now in writing her obituary.

What you also need to know is that moments before her death she was sketching. That was her favorite activity—that and yacking away on any topic under the sun. (That's a digression, since you loved her work, you'll understand that.)

Tyra's will contained very specific wishes for the handling of her remains. You're going to hear it from someone so you might as well hear it from me. It is true that immediately following her death her body was processed (just imagine that part) and her bones were burnt and ground into pigment. A small paint company (that wishes to remain anonymous, but was a favorite with Tyra) made a gouache paint from those remains, appropriately called, "Shadow Girl." At her memorial service on May 18 I saw the paintings her friends made using it.  I have to say it really is a lovely paint. The granulating properties of the paint added texture and atmosphere to the works. I can't think of a more appropriate way for her to be memorialized.

We can pause, reflect, and look back over her productive life and see the stories she gave us, the characters she created, and we can let go of our sadness. There are 13 Peregrine Jones Mysteries. She would have appreciated that final number. She would also be glad that Peregrine Jones makes a cameo appearance in her final mystery, "The House Captain Murders," which was finished just before she departed on her trip. It will be released at the end of this year. Soon we will have film versions of Grim Jones to enjoy. Tyra was crazy-delirious about that.

If you are fan of Tyra's work, you can help keep her memory alive by involving yourself in nature conservation. Know also that she lived every day grateful that you enjoyed reading her books almost as much as she enjoyed writing them.

Patricia Lincoln
editor, Suspicious Ink Press

Grim Goes to the Big Screen

It's official. Some of the best news ever: "Murder at the Back of Beyond," is going to become a movie. My script will be used (with some changes, eek). Casting has started. At the end of May I'm going to be in Sydney, Melbourne, and Alice Springs, for meetings.  After thirteen adventures with Peregrine Jones he's going to have a new outlet. I can't wait to see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Second best news ever—on my way to Australia, I'm going to stop off for some vacation time!

Steal this Idea, Please

Well, I've pitched it to my editor twice, in two different configurations and each time she slaps me back. Most recently she told me that my readers didn't want to read a hard, gritty forensic book from me. "They expect your snarky tone." Yep she actually said that.

Remember back in 2006 when there were a bunch of horse shootings in a crescent pattern just south of the Twin Cities? It got my mind going in all the most conspiratorial and paranoid ways. I'm sure it got law enforcement thinking too.

But just because I can't go gritty, and I can't think how to bring snarky into it, doesn't mean it isn't going to be fruitful for someone else. So check out horse shootings, and plot on a map, and do a little thinking of your own.

My conclusion was pretty chilling. And it didn't involve the insurance scam my editor suggested.

My Wicked Mind

Click on the image to view an enlargement.

I went to the Mall of America yesterday (I know, I know, what was I thinking) and while I was there I came across a man living in a glass box. (I did not tap on the glass!) He had encouraged a line of pre-teen boys to play air guitar with him, shades of Jack Black in School of Rock. All the while he lept on furniture and bounced around. I wish this man and his experiment well, but I must admit my mind couldn't help but think this was the perfect situation for a closed-room murder. Wonder what it's like being at the Mall after closing?

Welcome, Nothing Much To Say at Present

I've been asked to keep a blog while I write additional Grim Jones books. I hope you'll check back here for updates.