This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. In a few weeks, I head off on a trip to the south of France. Just Tony and me, I thought—but a tagalong friend has become part of the planning. This friend is a writer I greatly admire: the late Edith Wharton. Obviously, Edith Wharton and I haven’t … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. Stacks of books, Sharpie pens, a microphone. A sea of empty folding chairs—and a slight rush of nervous energy. This scene is a cliché for any author who’s been fortunate enough to have a bookseller invite you sign books. I count myself very lucky to see whatever number … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. Napping after lunch is a tradition with adherents worldwide, especially in warm seasons and places. We had 87-degree weather yesterday in Baltimore—the second hot day in a row. Cherry trees are bursting into pink heaven outside my bedroom window. As I lie down over rather than underneath the sheet because … Read more
Opening shot: Mongyr, a small town in Bihar Province, British India, in 1935. Palm trees rise up and ripple across a clear blue sky. The camera slowly moves from the lush treetops to focus on a historic yellow bungalow with a peaked roof, tall windows and a long, wrap-around veranda. A slender, intense-looking Indian man … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. I’ve been thinking quite a lot these days about human connection. Apparently, a loneliness epidemic is worsening—even though the pandemic is over. Twenty years ago, most Americans felt they had more close friends than they do today. In addition to the pandemic cutting down on gatherings that never … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. I secretly anticipated a really big storm would hit the East Coast in 2026. It’s not that I have psychic powers. I simply enjoy almanacs and folk wisdom about nature—and I keep my eyes out. One of these American folk legends is that when the acorns abound, snow … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. I’m writing to you from St. Paul, Minnesota, where many roads are ice rinks and frozen snowbanks are as hard as stone. I came for a few days to visit my parents and sisters. January always means bringing warm boots, a down coat, and a thick wool hat … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. December 31 is the grand finale of every year. This closeout of a calendar is meaningfully observed in most countries of the world. I always have a reason to anticipate New Year’s Eve, no matter whether I’m going out or staying in. And while a lot of national … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. Last night, I dreamed I was in Nafplio. In the dream, I was visiting the city in the middle of winter, yet it was warm enough for short sleeves. People were swimming in tranquil waters. Shop windows beckoned with jewelry, and I paused, not sure where to go. … Read more
This post originally appeared on Murder Is Everywhere. This fall, I took myself on a lengthy, change-as-you-go ramble through a few countries in Europe. There was no excuse of book research or conferences or overseas signings. It was just to satisfy my hunger for faraway locations, and if you are going through life in 2025 America, … Read more