I found out about this on Jim Winter's blog and I couldn't let this pass without adding my appreciation to the cause.

For those of you that already know Ken, need I say more? He's a lovely man, a great writer, and totally fun to drink with.

For those of you who don't know him, check him out at his website. His books are dark, violent, moving, enthralling. I defy anyone to put one of Ken's books down after reading it, and not be able to quote a line that touched them somehow. I found two such lines.



Here's a photo taken in Toronto during Bouchercon 2004. Ken spent an afternoon, and most of an evening, drinking with five realitvely unknowns, regaling us with stories. It's the most fun I've ever had at a Bouchercon. Going from left to right -- that's me, standing; Seattle author, Brian Thornton; Ashley, the super-waitress; Mr. Ken Bruen; and Steve Hockensmith, author of the just released ON THE WRONG TRACK, and HOLMES ON THE RANGE.