February
2005 Meeting Click here for photos of
the meeting
Mt Diablo Branch Welcomes
Mystery Writer John Billheimer
John Billheimer has
published four
mystery novels - all are
centered in his native West Virginia. The latest is Drybone
Hollow, [St. Martin's Press,
Minotaur Books, Apr 2003.] It’s subtitled “A Memoir.” Hmm . . .
probably a trick to make the book appear twice in the genre lists. His
first novel, The Contrary Blues, was named one of the 10
best mysteries of 1998 by The Drood Review. In between were Highway
Robbery (2000) and Dismal Mountain (2001).
His storiess are variously described as “quirky,” “engaging,” “a fun
blend of humor and excitement.” It would probably be a mistake to label
the books either ‘plot driven’ or ‘character driven.’ One
review cited “appealing and strong characters and intricate plots.”
Forbes lauds "a wonderful blend of numerous, superbly developed - and
often eccentric characters; wry, politically incorrect humor; surprises
and suspense…" Booklist also praised Billheimer's ability to create
believable characters, “so vividly drawn they threaten to wander off
the page into the real world."
John Billheimer holds an engineering Ph.D from Stanford and for the
past
thirty years has been Vice President of a small consulting firm that
specializes in transportation research. He lives in Portola Valley, is
married with two children, is an avid tennis player and movie buff.
And, he is on the board of directors of the NorCal Chapter of Mystery
Writers of America.
Visit the author's website to learn
more about him and his books. There's even an eight minute track of him
reading from one of his novels.
Join us and learn of this author's experience with research
in mystery writing - February 12th, 11:30 a.m. for
socializing, luncheon to
follow.
The luncheon public meeting will be at THE HUNGRY HUNTER, 3201 Mt.
Diablo
Blvd., in Lafayette.
The Hungry Hunter restaurant is at 3201 Mt.
Diablo Blvd., Lafayette (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd./Pleasant Hill Rd.)
Take the Pleasant Hill Rd. SOUTH exit off Hwy. 24 freeway. HH is just
south
of the freeway. In case you get lost, call (925) 938-3938 for
directions.
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