Chet The Dog

The Book Show

This morning at 9AM ET I’ll be on Cape and Islands NPR’s book show, discussing books on painters and painting with my friend librarian emerita Jill Erickson and the host of The Point, Mindy Todd. I better think of something to say pretty quick.

https://www.capeandislands.org

RIP Brooks Robinson

Mrs. P

A recent Amazon reviewer on Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge:

5.0 out of 5 stars – Terrific new character. I love a character of a certain age who is capable, active, and gutsy even with a strike or two against her. Loretta is all that, and more. And the setting is aces.

Welcome!

Welcome to Up On The Woof Top (coming Oct. 17, preorders welcome):

Not long after that, we turned onto a single-lane road, a very unusual road paved with red and green bricks. Soon we rolled up to a gatehouse and came to a stop. A very tall dude with a tiny strip of tinsel caught in his beard stepped out.
“Merry Christmas!” he said.
“Well, it’s a little early, but – “
“And welcome to Kringle Ranch! Mr. Little, I presume?”
“Bernie,” said Bernie.
“And this must be Chet. My goodness!” He pressed a button and the gate swung open. “Second left, third right’ll take you straight to Cratchit House. Key and welcome note are under the mat. Enjoy your stay! Merry Christmas!”
“Same to you,” Bernie said.
“That’s what I like to hear! They don’t call me Santa’s gatekeeper for nothin’.”

Beginnings

Sunday is when this small business takes a look at the start of a Peter Abrahams novel, including those written under the Spencer Quinn moniker™. Since Santa 365 came up yesterday – granted, not a novel but a short story, available in digital and audio – how about we go with that?

“There’s no Santa Claus,” Charlie said.

“Who told you that?” said Bernie.

“Esmé.”

“Who’s Esmé?”

“At school.”

“Well,” said Bernie, “everyone has their own opinion.”

“It’s not an opinion, Dad,” said Charlie. “It’s a scientific fact.”

“Oh?”

“From a scientist.”

“Any scientist in particular?”

“Groucho Marx.”