The Long, Fond Good-bye

Earlier this week, Texas bookstore owner and crime-fiction publisher David Thompson died at age 38. For anyone who would like to participate in a coming “celebration of [his] life,” here are the particulars, copied from the NoirCon Web site:

Please join McKenna Jordan and the Murder by the Book family for a celebration of the life of David Thompson, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, September 13, 2010. David loved a good party, and we will honor him by celebrating the life of an extraordinary young man who touched the lives of many in his 21 years at the bookstore.

Place: The Briar Club, 2603 Timmons Lane, Houston, 77027 (for map & directions, click on this link to the Briar Club website)

Date & Time: Sunday, September 26, 2010, 2 to 5 p.m.

There will be margaritas and Mexican hors d’oeuvres--great favorites of David’s--along with other drinks. No RSVPs are necessary.

Many have asked about tributes to David’s memory. Alafair Burke has set up a fund for those who would like to make a donation in David’s name. The charity will be determined later. For those wishing to contribute, here are the details:

Checks to the order of “In Memory of David Thompson” (NOT simply David Thompson)

Mail for deposit to: 7 E. 14th St. #1206, New York, NY 10003

For those who would like to make a direct payment, please contact alafair@alafairburke.com for account information.

We at Murder by the Book want to thank you all for your generous and unstinting support during this most difficult of times.

I hope that lots of people--readers, authors, and bookstore patrons--will be able to attend this memorial/wake.