Tuesday, March 07, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish People I'd Like to Meet

 
 
 
When I headed over to That Artsy Reader Girl and learned that this week's topic was bookish people I'd like to meet, I had to join in-- especially since it included authors, book characters, and just about anyone else who's related to our favorite field of BOOKS.
 
I'm really looking forward to checking out other participants' lists. You see, my list is weighted more toward fictional characters in my favorite genre of crime fiction, and there's a reason for that. I've been incredibly spoiled by living in close proximity to The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, and I've met almost every single one of my favorite authors (and then some) by attending live events. The ones I didn't meet at the bookstore, I met by attending Left Coast Crime back in 2016 when it was here in Phoenix. See what I mean? I am soooo lucky! 
 
So... who did make my list? Let's find out!
 
 
As you can tell by this photo that I took, I have met Nevada Barr, but I would love to meet her Park Ranger Extraordinaire, Anna Pigeon.

 
Of course, I'd have to meet Ann Cleeves' DCI Vera Stanhope and go for a ride in her Land Rover. I enjoy the TV series based on Cleeves' characters, and I was floored to learn that the actress who portrays Vera is 77 years old. I wish I were as well-preserved!

 
Val McDermid's DCI Karen Pirie is another favorite. Give me a brilliant, complicated, strong female copper any day-- especially if she's a stubborn Scot.

 
Who could resist a trip to Sicily to watch Andrea Camilleri's wily Inspector Salvo Montalbano in action-- especially when he knows all the best restaurants to go to after a hard day's crime solving?

 
This is the first book in another favorite series, Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu mysteries. Inspector David Bengu solves crimes in Botswana, and I'd love to be with him as he solves a crime as well as meet his family and perhaps see all the wildlife in that area. Definitely a chance to wear out some camera batteries, and since "Kubu" loves to eat, I'd get to sample some traditional food from the area. (Do you sense a theme developing here?) 

 
This is the first book in Martin Walker's wonderful series set in the south of France. I want to walk along the streets of St. Denis with Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges. I want to meet everyone and to watch a crime being solved... and I want Bruno to cook for me. (Definitely a theme here, eh?)

 
And now for the authors whose books I love but whom I haven't met. Yet. All of them are based in the UK.
 
 
 
Well, that's my list. Now it's time to check out all the others!

26 comments:

  1. Those are some fantastic choices, Cathy. I'd have to do some thinking to come up with that sort of list for myself, but I like your choices a lot. I'll bet they're interesting people...

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    1. It took some thinking for me to come up with this list, Margot! LOL

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  2. Surprised Walt Longmire isn't on list.

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    1. He was on my first list, Lynn, but didn't make the cut. (1) I didn't want to be quite so predictable, and (2) I've met Craig Johnson so many times that I feel as though I've already met Walt. :-)

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  3. I love Vera so much! I can't believe I didn't think abut her when I made my list!

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    1. It's impossible to remember everyone. I remembered two that I wish I'd included after this posted!

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  4. How fun! I live in Mesa and I love crime fiction, but I've only been to The Poisoned Pen once. Can you believe that?? I'm not big into author events, but I did attend one at TPP years ago for Joanna Fluke because a friend was a big fan. I probably need to get out more. Ha ha.

    Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!

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    1. If you love crime fiction, it does surprise me that you've only been to The Pen once!

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  5. What a great list! Coincidentally, I have only recently made the acquaintance of Elly Griffiths. I'm currently reading the first of her Ruth Galloway series and enjoying it immensely.

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    1. Wonderful! I love it when someone enjoys one of my favorite authors!

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  6. Great list, and lucky lady to have met so many of your faves. I know authors come to Seattle all the time but the events are always downtown and ...... well, driving/parking downtown isn't for me anymore. So I just keep reading their books! Thanks for stopping by.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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    1. I've driven in downtown Seattle several times and have no desire to do so ever again! LOL

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  7. You really are lucky to have met so many of your favorite authors. I was not surprised to see Bruno on your list of characters you would like to meet. I would love to meet Vera Stanhope too!

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    1. I must've been a bit peckish (as my English husband would say) when I made my list!

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  8. What a great list! I didn't even know where to begin with this TTT.

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  9. Happy International Women's Day to you, Cathy, and to all women authors and readers!

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    1. Thank you, Kathy. The very same to you, although belated.

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  10. Nice list, Cathy! And I was lucky enough to get to meet Brenda Blethyn at Malice Domestic in 2018 (think that was the year). She is a bit more glamorous than Vera, as you would imagine. I still remember meeting Ann Cleeves at that Phoenix Left Coast Crime! You might have been a 'bit' excited - ha! Just watched the latest Vera season - loved it! I still have the latest Vera book to read.

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  11. I do miss Nevada Barr and Anna Pigeon. By the way, Barr and her spouse have a beautiful house in New Orleans, which they painted and decorated, and he built rooms. And their garden is beautiful.

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  12. I am surprised Elly Griffiths hasn't made a pass thru Poisoned Pen! You have met and shared so many great author events with us.

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    1. She and Barbara keep talking about it. Even she and I have talked about it on Twitter. I think that if she ever attends one of the big mystery conferences over here, we'll be seeing her in Scottsdale-- and I will insist on a front row seat!

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  13. Well, since I'm across the country, I've been glad to see her on Zoom. I settle for that. I wish a PP was right down the block, but no such luck.

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    1. No, Barbara is very happy here in the desert.

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