For the last week or so, I’ve been working on the first draft of my fourth book. It’s amazing how much housework gets done when you ought to be writing.
Every month or so, I do an internet search on myself to see if any new reviews or comments have come out. I always find something. I’m expecting to find comments on Hornswoggled right now, since it’s just been out since September, but every once in a while, I find something new to me concerning The Old Buzzard Had It Coming, as well. I’m glad to say that comments are generally good, and sometimes they’re weird and interesting, too. Just recently, I’ve found a couple of online reviews/mentions of Buzzard that left me gratified and amused at once.
The first is from a web site called Book Concerns (http://book-concerns.kaios.com), a post called “Key Ingredients” by Karyn from Montana, dated June 8, 2006. The post is about a Smithsonian Institution touring exhibit of the same name which at the time was being hosted by several Montana museums. She mentions an article in a Montana Committee for the Humanities publication in which the author speaks of the “parallel creative processes between cooking and other arts — especially writing.” Karyn goes on to say that she has noticed the use of food in more books lately — including mysteries where the sleuth is a chef or a caterer. And now I quote: “…one book I just finished, The Old Buzzard Had It Coming by Donis Casey, has several yummy recipes at the end of the book as well as interesting scenes that have preparing food as a backdrop while farm wife Alafair Tucker attempts to learn who killed the much-hated Harley Day. Casey’s well-constructed mystery is a period piece set in 1912 Oklahoma, and warns at the beginning of the recipe section ‘These are not health foods’. And they sound delicious. The mystery was quite good, too.”
I especially enjoyed the last thought, Karyn, thank you. Just today, I had lunch with friend and fellow writer, the spectacularly-named Judy Starbuck, and we were discussing how readers will often love something about your writing that you never anticipated. For me, I’ve been amazed at how readers have taken to the recipes in the books. Apparently people love to read about food.
The second recently discovered Buzzard review that I particularly enjoyed comes from another web site called My Reading Corner — A Book Review Blog (http://cmbs.cnc.net/readingcorner). This review was posted on Feb. 11, 2006. The reviewer summarizes the plot, then notes: “The writing style is humorous, and odd. Here is the discovery of the deceased: (following is a quote from the book – D.)
‘It was young Frances Day who spotted her father’s ear protruding from the melting snow that drifted against the house. She sat for several hours next to the wall in the sun, playing with her corn cob doll and watching fascinated as the rest of the man emerged from the snow. He was lying on his right side with his hands pillowing his head, as though he had lain down against the house for a little nap. When he was pretty much uncovered, Frances notified her mother that she had found Daddy.’ page 17.
(The reviewer then continues – D.) “What I really loved about this book is the picture of life in 1912 Oklahoma that the author paints. I always do love learning how people lived in other times and places.
“The book was pretty short, and pretty amusing. Some things I could see coming, other things surprised me. All in all, a nice enjoyable book. Thumbs up.”
I loved this review. Especially the reviewer’s comment that the style was humorous, and odd. That pretty much summarizes my view of humankind. All it’s members are very humorous and odd.
More Places to Go
Donis on Facebook
Type M for Murder