Tip of the Hat to JA Konrath
The earl here. Though plagued by many woes, not the least of which a recent rejection letter from a beloved ueber agent, I was cheered by the news that JA Konrath, author of Whiskey Sour and Bloody Mary has linked to this blog. Thank you Joe.
The investigation into the headless German dressmaker case is suspended for the weekend. DCI Borchardt was unable to secure a ‘weekend special’ rate from the local hotel as the region is flooded by members of the X Augusta Legion reenacting the Roman invasion Under normal circumstances, I’d be commanding a cavalry wing and hacking my way through a horde of local savages defending Bath. Last year’s event was made memorable by the discovery of the Honorable Regimental Colonel Gatling-Barfield in flagrante with a purveyor of South Beach Diet accoutrement; the scandal echoes to this very day, although the Colonel looks trim and fit, members of the Historical Society continue to snub him.
Inspector Dalgliesh, of New Scotland Yard, may take control of the investigation come Monday. DCI Borchardt, for all his fulminations and leaks to the tabloid press, has been unable to locate the body of the unfortunate tourist, presumed to be in close proximity to his head. I remain under house arrest, and forced to wear an ankle bracelet equipped with a satellite uplink in the event that I bolt. Mine is the Martha Stewart model 5417 with matching carrying case and designer colour that complements my forest green cords and Norfolk jacket. I think even Chalfont-Smythe must acknowledge I cut a dashing, if encumbered, figure. The Dutchess recommends that my ‘author photo’ be included in my latest epistle to Miss Snark; I’m certainly not going to entrust my letter of enquiry into the hands of Depew this time. He’s back to sulking on the lawn, distracting passersby. I can only beg Miss Snark’s indulgence and ask that she disregard the previous missive as spurious. Perhaps it was discarded unread or lost in the post. It is a wonder that I persevere in the face of this adversity; I remain, YHS, The Earl of Watership Down.