Author of Maine Massacre dies at 77

Those of you who have discovered the work of detective fiction master Janwillem van de Vetering through his books about Dutch policemen Grijpstra and de Gier will be sad to know that he succumbed to complications due to cancer at the age of 77 on July 4th. That same police team that charmed so many of us won him the French Grand Prix de Littérature Policiere for their antics in The Maine Massacre, which landed them out of their Amsterdam element, here in the Pine Tree State.

Back in 2003, the Portland Phoenix printed an article by Christopher Thompson about the author and his relationship to the state of Maine, please click here to read.
It's well worth the look -- it contains a look at van de Wetering's daily environment here in Maine, and tales of his battle with cancer, and, during the throes of WWII, with an attempt at suicide stopped by a surprising savior: "I was still going to kill myself," he explained, "but I had to figure out this Hieronymus Bosch business first."

We will miss you!!!

His New York Times obituary can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/books/13wetering.html

He set another of his books in Maine, Murder By Remote Control, which appeared in graphic novel form with illustrations by Paul Kirchner. The very interesting NY Times review of it appears here.

Joe Black benefit show SUNDAY

For those of you who knew Joe, possibly one of the nicest guys around, here is a final send-off for him, and some help for his family.

In case you missed it, here is what has been going on. Strange Maine it is, but some of the saddest Strange Maine I've ever seen.

Joe's death is finally in the paper.

Click here to read the Press Herald article.

I'll post the text here in case the link eventually expires, so folks can read it. To see it in print is a strange feeling. Barely a hint.

Missing man found dead in elevator shaft
By David Hench, Portland Press Herald Staff Writer
September 10, 2007 12:52 PM

Portland police say a man who was reported missing Friday was found dead Saturday night at the bottom of an elevator shaft in the building where he lives.

Joseph Black, 25, was found at the bottom of an unused elevator shaft at 18 Casco St. Police do not suspect foul play, but instead believe Black fell the six stories – 74 feet – by accident.

Black had been on the roof of his apartment building Friday night shortly before he disappeared and there were indications he may have fallen then, Lt. Tony Ward said.

Friday night at 6:00 is the get-together at Norm's on Congress Street for a memorial gathering. So far as I know the family is not holding any kind of public funeral service, and it is their hope that everyone can gather and toast Joe at these two meeting points. They are also hoping that anyone with photos of Joe will bring them to share.

It makes sense to find out that Joe was the youngest in his family. It's strange to hear him referred to as a "missing man." He was a perennial boy more than anything. So damn excited about everything, even when he was trying his damnedest to be cynical and hard. He could never quite seem to manage it convincingly because of all his enthusiasm. Here's to Joe, and here's to those left missing him.