Some of these things are pretty simple to figure out.

Being sober is better than being a drunk.

For proof of this, read James Lee Burke's Robicheaux, Pete Hautman's Joe Crow, Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder, J.A. Jance's JP Beaumont or Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse. These are just a few series that have addiction problems as a part of the main character's identity.

Any where you live or visit can be interesting.

If you can't laugh about yourself and your problems they may swallow you whole. A few series with protagonists with a great sense of humor are Sparkle Hayter's Robin Hudson, Katy Munger's Casey Jones, Donald Westlake's Dortmunder, Lauren Henderson's Sam Jones, GM Ford's Leo Waterman and quite a few others as well.

Being determined is a good thing to be. If you keep on keepin' on, eventually things will go your way.

Don't judge a book by it's cover. Many meanings here. Most true!

From what I can tell, lawyers lead very exciting lives...... :)

It's important to have friends. Especially big friends.

A few series where the side kicks or buddies play a big role: Robert Crais's Elvis Cole (with Joe Pike), Dennis Lehane's Patrick and Angie have Bubba (and who wouldn't like a friend like this?), Robert B. Parker's Spencer has Hawk, Harlen Coben's Bolitar has Win, and the list goes on and on.

Follow the money. A lot of real life mysteries and strange happenings can be figured out by who wants the money, and who has it.

If someone you don't know wants to meet you in a dark alley, don't go! (duh)

Winning doesn't always make you feel better.

If you have a really cool older car, you are one step closer to being a detective.

Going without sleep for too long is really bad.

See Marcia Muller's While Other People Sleep and Sue Grafton's K is for Killer.

Early morning is a bad time to be awake.

And most important, no matter how much you prepare, you can't be ready for everything. Life happens.

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I'm reading Steve Hamilton's latest, The Hunting Wind. I love these books. Alex McKnight is such an easy character to read. Picking up one of these books is like seeing an old friend. Memories of the last meeting come flowing back, and it's like there was no time between the last time and now. His first two books didn't last me more than one night's reading. I stayed up all night.

In this book one of Alex's old baseball buddies comes looking for him. He wants help finding a woman he met years ago.

The case will take Alex back to Detroit. And if you read the first two, you know that Detroit is a place he probably doesn't want to spend much time!

Which should prove interesting indeed!

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Kolchak the Night Stalker. How come nobody ever mentions this guy when talking about TV detectives??? This guy had guts! He chased down monsters and bad guys even though he knew no one would believe him. This could actually make an interesting book series. Maybe. hmmmmmm.

Or maybe I'm watching to much old TV?

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The "have you read any...?" bit.

Jim Thompson. Wow. I've only just recently started reading some of these. With the exception of a few phrases and little other minor details, they feel as if they were written today. Hard edged and gritty. Realistic and wonderful. I really enjoyed The Alcoholics and Nothing More Than Murder. I feel like I should ration these books, as there are only so many and then I'm out.

Another older author I really enjoyed reading is David Goodis. Someone sent me a copy of Shoot The Piano Player (originally titled Down There). A great noir book. A fella who just wants to play piano and be left alone. But his "nothing but trouble" brothers have other ideas. He gets dragged into a real cluster f*#k of a situation. Another read it in one night kind of book. I'm keeping my eyes open for more by him.

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John Farrow's new book is out!!!!

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And that's it for this one folks! Stay cool and dry!

And Ruth may stop by to do a guest column.