From the Booking Desk
I was first introduced to Jeff Siger by the one and only Judy Bobalik. We were all sitting in the concierge level lounge at Bouchercon — I believe in Albany — and of course conversation turned to books and panels, as things are wont to do at crime fiction conventions. Of course, I knew who Jeff was before this point, but this was back when I was too shy to introduce myself. Since then, Jeff and the lovely Barbara are people I always look forward to seeing at each Bouchercon – they are part of what makes that yearly event feel like a family reunion. Needless to say, along with writing a series of books that easily transports readers to the Greek Isles, Jeff also works tirelessly behind the scenes to support the crime fiction community and I am thrilled to add him to the roster of profiles in this Composite Sketch series.
Name: Jeffrey Siger
Location: Mykonos, Greece
This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:
I’ve been blessed with loving and supportive parents, bright and honorable children, gifted and talented grandchildren, and of course Barbara, but I’ve been most inspired by my brothers, Ken and Alan. Both younger than I, we followed very different career paths, Ken toward the highest rungs of corporate America, and Alan reinvented a family business. We grew up amid true family values, learning to cherish and respect our siblings, because no matter who else might come into our lives we would never have another brother. I watched my brothers apply the lessons of our youth to their careers, and from that learned true success comes from buoying up those about you with laughter and wisdom, caring and patience, understanding and compassion.
One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:
There are so many in the crime fiction community I admire, but when I read this question Martina’s name was the first to pop into my head. Thank you, my subconscious, for making such a difficult choice so simple. We all know Martina is true royalty among UK crime writers, possessing a pioneering spirit and determination—not to mention depth of talent—that’s brought her success and acclaim across so many differing media formats. But that’s not why she’s my top pick. Yes, I admire her for all of that, but there’s a deeper reason for my choice. She has never forgotten her roots, and is as accessible, selfless, and encouraging a soul as any writer could ever hope to call a friend. Martina embodies the camaraderie of the crime fiction community so many of us treasure…even among we non-smokers.
STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:
Judge Holden, better known as “The Judge,” from Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian: Or The Evening Redness in the West (1986).
Call me crazy, because this character just might be the most powerfully villainous one in modern literature, but I’d love to study him up close to see what makes him tick. “An enormous, pale, hairless man who often seems almost mythical or supernatural; possessing peerless knowledge and talent in everything from dance to legal argument, Holden is a dedicated examiner and recorder of the natural world and a supremely violent and perverted character,” is how one reviewer described him. The only downside to my fascination with The Judge is that I doubt he’d resort to something as civilized as a restraining order to curtail my curiosity.
People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):
John Wayne.
Not for his politics, but for his hat, swagger, and on screen persona.
My personal catch phrase is (or should be):
“The only people who lose in life are those who give up when they’re down.” I’ve repeated that phrase to my children so often they must feel as if it’s tattooed inside their eyelids. For my British friends, it could be translated as, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”
Nice to read this piece on Mr. Siger here.
I saw a recent profile on him over on the Jungle Red blog and since I’d never read his work before I ordered Murder on Mykonos because it sounded so fascinating to me.
As for his personal motto, the British “translation” was slightly bastardized by metal singer Dee Snider for a solo album he did entitled “Never Let The Bastards Wear You Down”, which I thought was a great motto to live by.
Jeff has a way of predicting current events in his Greece-set novels, so they are excellent reads.
I need to remember that motto myself.
Another great profile as always.
Thanks, Mark.