Chet The Dog

Posts Tagged ‘Flaco de Vargas’

What’s In A Name?

Mrs. Publicist: Fifteenth of the month, when Peter Abrahams aka Spencer Quinn discusses a character name from one of his books, often a Chet and Bernie. What’ll it be today?

Pete: How about Heart of Barkness?

Mrs. P: The latest Chet and Bernie? Take it away!

Pete: Well, then, let’s take a look at Flaco de Vargas, the aging and half-blind wrangler at Rancho de la Luna, a supporting character.

Mrs. P: The one whose brother Hector co-wrote How You Hung the Moon with Lotty Pilgrim, whose secret past is central to the story?

Pete: Whoa! Spoiler alert. But yes – that’s him. Country music – and country music from down on the border – is pretty much always in the background in Heart of Barkness. The truth is I set out to write a novel reminiscent of a murder ballad. I stole the name Flaco from Flaco Jimenez, the great Mexican musician.

Mrs. P: What if I told you I hunted around on YouTube and found him playing on an actual murder ballad?

Pete: That would be great, but not exactly a surprise.

Mrs. P: Thanks, Pete! See you next month for more of What’s In A Name!