This past weekend I had the good fortune to be able to attend The Festival of the Book in Greencastle Indiana. They had several really good authors there. One author made such a good impression on me that I actually went out and bought one of his books! J.A. Konrath said that he read 100 best sellers before beginning his writing journey, so he could map out the elements that make a book a best seller. I don’t think it is any coincidence that writers are actually some of the most prolific readers there are. So I decided the best thing to do would be to cut out reading the other 99 books and just read Joe’s so I could see what good points he had gotten out of the 100 books he had read and put into his own. Why take the long way around the beltway when you can cross four lanes of traffic and take the short cut?

I picked up JA Konrath’s Whiskey Sour. I’m not going to ruin the plot for you by disclosing the contents, but I will say I want to be a wise cracking female Chicago detective who drinks bad coffee when I grow up.

What can I say about JA Konrath’s books that haven’t already been said?

His books are too thick to stick under that wobbly leg on your kitchen table.

His books have that same quick wit and humor that he bubbles with when you meet him in person. (Yes, I said bubbles)

The picture on the cover of his books will make you thirsty for a mixed drink.

All true comments, but yet, none quite fully relate the true experience of JA Konrath’s books. Suffice it to say that after reading one of his books, you’ll have a sudden desire to move to Chicago and drive a 1986 Nova while sloshing down rot-gut coffee and roughing up some perps. All the while, laughing your designer mini-skirted, panty hose encased ass off.

Hail to JA Konrath for actually delivering what he promises; one hell of a good read! Now go buy a book!