By Jordan Kelly Bingham from Victoria Abbott’s book collector mysteries
It’s good to be back at Killer Characters again. A lot has happened since I last visited here. Usually I get to tell you about my wonderful life as researcher to the well-known curmudgeon and book collector, Vera Van Alst. I may even brag a bit about the crumbling historic pile that is Van Alst House and the terrific meals prepared by Signora Panetone.
I pussyfoot around my relationship with Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker of our Harrison Falls police. I know he’s got a thing for me and I really would like to reciprocate fully, but as I am the first person in my family to go straight, my relatives continue to be horrified that I would make a life with a police officer. Even though they accept that I am living as an honest citizen, having a cop in the family seems just plain wrong to them. Has the clash between our two worlds let to friction between us? Oh yeah. Bigtime. As some of you may remember, I figured we were over more than once. The man in your life should never arrest you!
Smiley has made two big steps to make things work: first he sold his house and got a job in another town. That helps with the conflict of interest problem. Then in a dramatic flourish, he purchased non-refundable tickets and upscale accommodation for a week for the two of us in San Francisco. That’s right. The city by the bay. The city where Dashiell Hammett tapped out most of his novels. After a lively ‘discussion’, Vera agreed to give me the time off as long as I came back with a rare signed first edition of Hammett’s Red Harvest. Nothing could go wrong there, right?
Of course, some of you suspicious types will not be surprised to learn that Smiley has been keeping a big secret from me. I was stunned, but even more startled to be pushed from a cable car by an unseen pair of hands, nearly run over and, well, you won’t believe what happened to me in that elegant little hotel. Luckily, I still have some of those skills I learned growing up to help me get into and out of tight spots. And I have the many Kelly family legends about Uncle Seamus who could escape from any jam.
Still will it be enough? The lesson we learn from Dashiell Hammett’s game-changing books is that you can’t trust anyone. Should I trust Smiley? Will we get out of this latest mess with both of us alive, intact and speaking? Can I live happily ever after?
If you’re brave enough to leave a comment about any of this, please do. Your name will go into the hat for a draw to receive this snappy fedora in a nice shade for fall. What? You were expecting lockpicks? A signed first edition? Sorry. You will love the hat.
We hope you’ll also love The Hammett Hex. You can ask your favourite bookseller to pre-order it for you or click on one of these links. We like to make it easy.
Amazon Chapters/Indigo Barnes & Noble The Book Depository
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Posts
Love Jordan, her uncles, good cat/ bad cat, Vera and the rest! Please keep these stories coming!! One of the best series ever!!
ReplyDeleteCute post! Great series! Super cool hat! Happy Wednesday and here's looking forward to release day!
ReplyDeleteBec
Rlewis11797 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Pushed from a cable car by an unseen pair of hands and nearly run over in beautiful San Francisco? I hope Jordan survives her San Francisco adventure! Cute fedora prize! grace dot koshida at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMy husband retired from the police and he had a friend whose wife had lots of contacts that helped him.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
I want to LIVE in their world, lol. Super series, my mom and I are hooked. Can't wait for the Hex!
ReplyDeleteWhat, you mean there's not an option for the lockpicks prize? Okay, fine. Can't wait to see where this one is going, you know Jordan will manage to get into a lot of trouble. Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletesallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com
I can believe the hands were unseen the way they pack people on those cable cars. Jordan is fortunate she didn't get run over with traffic being what it may in San Francisco. Even with all these daring adventures, I would still want to visit. Thanks for putting such great books out there for those of us who live through the books we read. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI love this series and am really looking forward to this book! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI need to read some more Jordan Bingham. At some point I'd really like to have print copies of each of A Book Collector series.
ReplyDeleteThe fedora is perfect for The Hammett Hexham.
donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
** Hex - hate auto correct!
Delete** Hex - hate auto correct!
DeleteWonderful series, great giveaway and interesting post. Thanks for this feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLove the fedora since I am old school from the 50's. What an interesting post and book. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI want to find out more about Smiley!!!! I have this on pre-order... [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for The Hammett Hex to release!!! Sounds like such a fun adventure in SF for Jordan and Smiley...can't beat the location. The fedora is darling, thanks for the chance to win! kimdavishb (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI never thought of myself as a fedora person, but that red one is calling my name! Have pre-ordered the Hammett Hex and can't wait for its release. Thanks so much for the giveaway! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI've been loving the series and can hardly wait for The Hammett Hex to hit my hot little hands. Who wouldn't be excited to learn the latest adventures of Jordan, "Smiley" and the crew (including four-footers). Sign me up for a shot at the fedora; kimmwrtr {at} yahoo {dot} com.
ReplyDeleteLove this series, learn a lot about the featured author and enjoy the uncles. That red hat is very handsome.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing! This will be a new series for me. Oh and I love the hat, I think hats should be an everyday affair again. Thank you for the adventure. konecny7@gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love Hammett. This book sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeletecjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net
Wonderful review thank you, I love the fedora hat! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletePenney penneyw(at)sbcglobal.net
I love the fedora hat. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy hat's off to you for this great series, and I'd love to win the fedora! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteGreat hat! This is another series I need to catch up on, loved the post. What a really great fedora for fall.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Great hat! This is another series I need to catch up on, loved the post. What a really great fedora for fall.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I do love the hat!!! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I am in love with the sound of this book! I can't believe I haven't read this series yet! Time to order!!! Thanks so much for the chance to win too! Although I'd put money on it my daughter will steal it the moment I open the package.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Being pushed from a cable car sounds scary. I'd love to win that classy fedora.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Sounds like a great book. Having a police officer in the family could definitely come in handy. Thank you for this chance. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteWell this is a new to me series, but cant wait to read it. I would love to win a fedora, who wouldnt. Thanks for the contest and the great read. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to catch up on Jordan's adventures and learn more about SF! Would love a fedora! Yumi.Webster @ gmail (dot) com.
ReplyDeleteVery nice hat. It would be a honor to have a hat like the two of you wear so well.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to this next installment.
libbydodd atocomcast dot net
Looks good! Thanks for the chance to win. jlsxstitch (at) nc (dot) rr (dot) com
ReplyDeleteLove the hat and the interview! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Kuzminczuk at aol.com
ReplyDeleteLove this Kelly clan and all the quirky characters. Looking forward to wearing that Red Fedora!!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I love the cover of this book. Looks like I just came across a great new series to me. Thank you for the giveaway, Georgia
ReplyDeletequeenvictoria50 (at) aol (dot) com
Great interview and what a snazzy hat! I need to catch up on this series. You gals are always such fun.
ReplyDeletelola777_22 at hotmail dot com
Death from mysterious hands falling from cable car. What else will befall?
ReplyDelete[email protected]
I love this book already. It's as snappy & classy as your fedora hat! It sounds like a fast feasty read & I can't wait to get my hands on it! Thanks for the fabulous giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLove the snarkiness & sass! Looking forward to the book :)
ReplyDeleteCheers-
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd look snazzy in the fedora (yeah, right). Be fun to win.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read any Dashiell Hammett but would love to try one.
thanks.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I LOVE hats and my favorite color!!! Started reading this series last month when I had surgery. Have me som
ReplyDeleteI LOVE hats and my favorite color!!! Started reading this series last month when I had surgery. Gave me something to do and I loved it!!!!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Think this will become a new favorite!
ReplyDeleteA signed first copy would be nice but a hat is so much better love the color. The book now sounds so good would love to read and review as I always do. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteLove that hat! Awesome color!
ReplyDelete[email protected] forgot to post the email! Cool hat!
ReplyDeleteMy son wants to know where I can buy one of those hats, he loves it. [email protected]
ReplyDelete