Back in 1989, the late lamented Zebra Books published Goodnight Moom, a “Jack MacLane” classic. Bill Crider wrote a lot of books in various genres–mysteries, fantasies, westerns–but Bill’s horror novels like Keepers of the Beast (Zebra, 1988), Blood Dreams (Zebra, 1989), Rest in Peace (Zebra, 1990), and Just before Dark (Zebra, 1990) show off another side of his personality. In Goodnight Moom, a boy named Harry talks to Moom and gets some deadly instructions. I was hoping Goodnight Moom might be included in Paperbacks From Hell, but maybe some of the excellent covers in Bill’s “Jack MacLane” series will show up in a future edition.
As you know, Bill Crider has entered hospice care. FFB won’t be the same without him. I hope Bill enjoys all of today’s tributes to his talent, wit, and graciousness. What’s your favorite memory of Bill Crider?
I have one read his crime stuff – thanks George, love the cover!
Sergio, I love the cover on GOODNIGHT MOOM, too! If you can find a copy of BLOOD DREAMS, you’ll love that eye-popping cover, too!
Why do I get the feeling I’ll be crying a lot today?
Deb, there won’t be a dry eye in the house today.
I’ve been holding it together till now, while trying to make sure everyone got their say posted and/or accounted for. Not so much now, that it’s kinda set.
No special memory. Just used to look forward to his stuff in DAPA-EM, and POP CULTURE MAGAZINE was a daily treat. Gonna miss him.
Dan, Bill Crider’s MACAVITY was a delight every other month when DAPA-EM would arrive.
GOODNIGHT MOOM was the best cover, but I also liked the “Kids in Kages” cover for KEEPERS OF THE BEAST.
For those of us who have known Bill as long as we have – 40 years! – there are so many memories. As I mentioned elsewhere, a great day was when Bill and Judy came to New York for the Edgars (as it turned out, this was just before she got sick) and we met them on 42nd Street at their hotel and walked in stages down to the World Trade Center site, with a stop off at the Flatiron Building on 23rd Street, where Judy and Jackie prevailed on Bill to go up to St. Martin’s Press and see his editor, the legendary Ruth Cavin.
Another was in Indianapolis for the Bouchercon, where one of Bill’s shoes self-destructed, and a group of the women took him shoe shopping. He ended up with a nice pair of Eccos, even though he didn’t expect the $175 price tag.
And in 1988, we had a DAPA-EM party when Bill and Judy were in town and I got to take him to Brooklyn Heights to see the MOONSTRUCK house, and then to our old neighborhood of Carroll Gardens to see Cammereri’s Bakery, where his idol Nicolas Cage had “worked” in the movie.
But mostly, it was just the pleasure of seeing Bill at conventions and knowing you’d have a great time talking and eating and hanging out.
Jeff, Diane was part of that famous Indianapolis shopping trip for Bill’s new Ecco shoes! Being around Bill (and Judy) was always fun.
I discovered Bill’s blog years before I’d ever read any of his books, and am currently working my way through the Dan Rhodes series. There was never a day when his blog didn’t entertain me and frequently make me smile, and I’m still clicking the link every day, just in case.
Michael, like you I’m checking in on Bill Crider’s blog each day hoping for Good News.
I love the story of the shoe purchase. (Jackie did the same thing for me, getting me to get rid of crocs!!)
My favorite Crider book is One Dead Dean, one of the funniest books I’ve read
I think Bill was the first person I know to be addicted to his smart phone, and looking up things at (IIRC) the St. Louis Bouchercon while we were gathered in the lobby.
I love his soft, lazy drawl
Maggie, you’re right about Bill Crider’s humor. Bill’s dry wit made us all smile!
Hanging out in the DAPA room get-together in Seattle Bouchercon, and same at Milwaukee B’con, and having lunch. The last time I saw him, and Judy, was at the San Francisco Bouchercon. I didn’t know it would be the last, of course. That grin of his was heart warming.
Rick, Bill and Judy always lit up the DAPA room with their wit and charm.
I’m way too wimpy for most horror books, but Goodnight, Moom was terrific!
Rusty, I love the cover and I enjoyed the story between the covers!
Goodness he is leaving a big hole in a lot of worlds. He and Judy were so much fun at so many gatherings. I have this novel but have yet to read it. My post on Todd’s site was on the Truman Smith mysteries, a favorite of mine, and also a few memories.
Richard, I read your tribute to Bill Crider on Todd’s blog. Very kind words, indeed.
It is remarkable to think that I’ve been corresponding with him, and only on two occasions actually talking with him (if we count the 2001 Bouchercon as one occasion with several encounters) for nearly twenty years. I hope all this well-wishing and admiration does make things around the Crider house even a little less sad.
Todd, I join you in hoping all the complements, remembrances, and celebration of Bill Crider lifts everyone’s spirits including Bill’s.
And while I have read a fair amount of his horror and borderline horror shorter fiction, I still haven’t read the MacLane novels. More awaits me.
Todd, Bill Crider was very prolific. I have no idea when he slept!
Too many happy memories to count, but the delight I felt when he tuckerized me in his first Carl Burns book was electric!
Bob, Bill Crider enjoyed tuckerizing you as much as you enjoyed being tuckerized!
Touching tribute to a great guy!
Thanks, George. And thanks, Bill, for all the wonderful memories!
Beth, I remember some great times at the BOUCHERCON in Milwaukee!