CHSO June 2012 : Page 86
86 | ChiCago | Confidential write on Bryan Gruley hangin’ in his Lakeview ’hood Mystery Man! Chicago author Bryan Gruley unveils his latest thriller. | By Jim McFarlin | Photography by Kristyna Archer | Bryan Gruley is a long way from “starvation.” The North Sider’s third novel, The Skeleton Box ($25, Touchstone), released June 5, completes what he calls “an accidental trilogy” of mysteries. In it, northern Michigan newspaper editor Gus Carpenter searches for the killer of his mother’s best friend and in the process uncovers a lockbox filled with secrets best left forgotten. Native Detroiter Gruley’s first novel, Starvation Lake: A Mystery , was nominated for the 2010 Edgar Award; its follow-up, The Hanging Tree , was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Mystery of 2010 and has been optioned for film rights. How gratifying is it to receive so many awards? Well, that’s I think so. This was a difficult book to write because there are many layers to the plot and things happen in different decades. But the feedback I’m getting from booksellers is that this is the best one by far. And you’re happy with it? nice. But the best part is writing the books, and the best praise comes from readers who shell out their hard-earned dollars for them. I think it’s a good story, and by accident it kind of wraps up the trilogy. I didn’t plan it that way. I wrote one book and they gave me a three-book deal, then I wrote a second book I threw away, then I wrote The Hanging Tree . And The Skeleton Box, through no prior planning of mine, completes a kind of story arc. In the end, all three books are about Gus’ relationship with his mother. Hockey is such an integral part of each of your novels, and you still play wing here in a seniors league. Gotta ask: Blackhawks or Red Wings? Oh, Red Wings! I pal! I have friends and relatives who jump around with their teams depending on where they live, but I’m with the Wings all the way. I truly appreciate that the Hawks have a good team, and I think Chicago is a great hockey town. I’m a member of the Blackhawks Alumni Club; I skate with those guys, they’re great guys. I think Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith are fun to watch. It’s fun to go to a Hawks game. It’s more fun when the Red Wings aren’t playing because I don’t have to listen to the ‘Dee-troit Sucks!’ cheer the whole game. C’mon! Chicagoans think the rivalry is bigger than Detroiters do. If it wasn’t for Detroit, they’d all be shouting that cheer in German! Are you a goal scorer? Do you think you’ve evolved as an author? Is The Skeleton Box your best novel to date? was born and raised in Detroit, Now and then I score a goal, but I just love being out there. Calling me a goal scorer is probably a stretch. But even a blind pig finds a turnip sometimes. ( Gruley’s ChiCaGo favorites ) restaurants? “My wife Pam and I love trying out new restaurants; you could live here for 100 years and not hit all the restaurants. Chilam Balam, RoseAngelis and El Nuevo Mexicano are three of our go-to spots. And downtown we love Sunda and Sayat Nova.” anythinG else? “We really love going to the theater, particularly since we have two great theaters within two blocks of our house: The Wit and Stage 773.” | June 2012
The Radar Chicago Confidential
Jim McFarlin
Mystery Man! <br /> <br /> Chicago author Bryan Gruley unveils his latest thriller.<br /> <br /> Bryan Gruley is a long way from “starvation.” The North Sider’s third novel, The Skeleton Box ($25, Touchstone), released June 5, completes what he calls “an accidental trilogy” of mysteries. In it, northern Michigan newspaper editor Gus Carpenter searches for the killer of his mother’s best friend and in the process uncovers a lockbox filled with secrets best left forgotten. Native Detroiter Gruley’s first novel, Starvation Lake: A Mystery, was nominated for the 2010 Edgar Award; its followup, The Hanging Tree, was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Mystery of 2010 and has been optioned for film rights.<br /> <br /> How gratifying is it to receive so many awards? <br /> <br /> Well, that’s nice. But the best part is writing the books, and the best praise comes from readers who shell out their hard-earned dollars for them. <br /> <br /> Do you think you’ve evolved as an author? Is The Skeleton Box your best novel to date?<br /> <br /> I think so. This was a difficult book to write because there are many layers to the plot and things happen in different decades. But the feedback I’m getting from booksellers is that this is the best one by far. <br /> <br /> And you’re happy with it? <br /> <br /> I think it’s a good story, and by accident it kind of wraps up the trilogy. I didn’t plan it that way. I wrote one book and they gave me a three-book deal, then I wrote a second book I threw away, then I wrote The Hanging Tree. And The Skeleton Box, through no prior planning of mine, completes a kind of story arc. In the end, all three books are about Gus’ relationship with his mother. <br /> <br /> Hockey is such an integral part of each of your novels, and you still play wing here in a seniors league. Gotta ask: Blackhawks or Red Wings? <br /> <br /> Oh, Red Wings! I was born and raised in Detroit, pal! I have friends and relatives who jump around with their teams depending on where they live, but I’m with the Wings all the way. I truly appreciate that the Hawks have a good team, and I think Chicago is a great hockey town. I’m a member of the Blackhawks Alumni Club; I skate with those guys, they’re great guys. I think Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith are fun to watch. It’s fun to go to a Hawks game. It’s more fun when the Red Wings aren’t playing because I don’t have to listen to the ‘Deetroit Sucks!’ cheer the whole game. C’mon! Chicagoans think the rivalry is bigger than Detroiters do. If it wasn’t for Detroit, they’d all be shouting that cheer in German! <br /> <br /> Are you a goal scorer? <br /> <br /> Now and then I score a goal, but I just love being out there. Calling me a goal scorer is probably a stretch. But even a blind pig finds a turnip sometimes.<br /> <br /> Gruley’s ChiCaGo favorites <br /> <br /> Restaurants? “My wife Pam and I love trying out new restaurants; you could live here for 100 years and not hit all the restaurants. Chilam Balam, RoseAngelis and El Nuevo Mexicano are three of our go-to spots. And downtown we love Sunda and Sayat Nova.” anythinG else? “We really love going to the theater, particularly since we have two great theaters within two blocks of our house: The Wit and Stage 773.”
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