Dead Girl Blues

<p>You might as well know this going in: Lawrence Block’s new novel is not for everyone. It’s recounted in journal form by its protagonist and begins when he walks into a roadhouse outside of Bakersfield California and walks out with a woman.<br /><br />And rapes and murders her.<br /><br />But um not in that order.<br /><br />Right. But it’s what he does with the rest of his life that’s really interesting…<br /><br />Lawrence Block has been writing and publishing crime fiction for sixty years. He’s received recognition for lifetime achievement in the US and the UK. His books have won awards and occasionally show up on bestseller lists. Several of them have been fimed.<br /><br />Here’s what he’s said about DEAD GIRL BLUES:<br /><br />“I don't think it's terribly commercial. And there are elements that will put off a lot of readers.<br /><br />“But see Dead Girl Blues doesn't owe me a thing. I hadn't planned to write it so it doesn't have to bring in money to justify the time I spent on it. The book is its own justification. I'll publish it myself on my 82nd birthday and all of y'all can buy it or not buy it read it or not read it and like it or not like it.<br /><br />“I've shown it to some friends whose opinions I trust and they told me that Dead Girl Blues is one of the very best things I've ever written. And then they added that they could see where it might have problems.<br /><br />“So I read it again last week and I realized DGB was exactly the book I wanted it to be. And how often does that happen? And what more could an old man possibly ask for?”</p>