Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Does Your Title Work? by Andy Scheer

Three words just grabbed me.

I was scanning an email from a local library about author appearances. I didn’t expect any interesting information, but I checked anyway. Maybe something would surprise me.

Kind of like my mindset when I scan the shelves at a bookstore. I need another book like a moose needs a hat rack, but maybe I’ll find something superb. Sometimes I do.

Like today. Those three words ambushed me. They told me the author dared to stand out from the crowd. And that he had the skill to assemble his words in a way to entertain and please.

Enticed by the title, I read the blurb. They confirmed my hunch that this is an author worth investigating:

An Evening with Bestselling Author Spencer Quinn
Celebrate the dog days of summer with Spencer Quinn, the author of seven bestselling Chet and Bernie mysteries. Chet, the dog, who narrates the novels, works with PI Bernie on tough cases.

Bullseye for me, the target reader. I’m a longtime fan of detective stories. Especially ones with a sense of humor. While I’ve read a few cat detective stories (The “Big Mike” series by Garrison Allen, from the mid-1990s in Kensington’s “Partners in Crime” line) I prefer dog stories. Even dog international thrillers (Kill Switch by James Rollins and Grant Blackwood).

Prompted by Spencer Quinn’s three most important words, I plan to look into his series. I’ll start with book one. I’ll check the first line, the first paragraph, the first page. If I like what I see, I’ll jump into the story.

I hope I like it. If I do, I’ll probably read all seven.

Maybe I’ll even buy the newest and see about getting it signed on Saturday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Philip S. Miller memorial library in Castle Rock.

All because of the title’s three words: Scents and Sensibility.

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