These are some of the most personal books I’ve ever written. Hefty collections of writing I’ve done over the years, mostly about my love of mysteries, the writing life, and crazy family stories.
Two books written. A third on the way.
In these two volumes, Joe collects nearly 100 essays from all the writing he has done in the world of mystery fiction—and beyond.
These are all nonfiction—true stories—in which he uses his skills as a journalist to research and tell amazing stories about the world of writing.
Some of the stories you'll find in these two collections:
How Edgar Allan Poe gave up the soldier’s life to crank out bizarre tales for low-paying magazines
How the most beloved Christmas poem was probably plagiarized.
What disease afflicts Tiny Tim in the famous ghost story, A Christmas Carol?
What horrifying tale did Edgar Allan Poe think was appropriate for a special family Christmas book?
Is the film Jaws a horror movie, a thriller, or a “howdunnit”?
When money got tight, what did the brilliant William Faulkner do to avoid pawning his father’s mules?
How did George Washington once use his skills for deduction at Mount Vernon?
What famous New York City bar was a hangout for poet Walt Whitman?
What advice on writing thrillers did John Grisham impart to a newbie writer?
What's the story behind the real-life wild goose chase inspired by a Sherlock Holmes story?
Along the way, you'll also get some deeply personal essays about Joe's love for food, family, travel, and the writing life.
Quick, comical, easy-to-digest nonfiction from a master of conversational prose.
