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Alan Cook
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Computer expert turned author, Alan writes mysteries and books about walking, as well as articles and poetry.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4ojzh755Y
My mother and grandmother wrote articles and poetry, so it's no surprise that I took after them. My preferred area for fiction is the mystery, since I am an avid puzzle solver, but I have also done a number of long walks (the coast of California, and from Los Angeles to Denver) and write on walking as well. I live on a hilltop in Southern California with my wife.
Birth Place: Buffalo, NY
Accomplishments: Alan's mystery, "Run into Trouble" has won a Silver Quill award from the American Authors Association and been named best Pacific West book by Reader Views. Alan's mystery, "Honeymoon for Three," has won 2 awards. It has received a Silver Quill Award from the American Authors Association and been named Best Mountain West Book by Reader Views. Alan's book, "Walking the World: Memories and Adventures," has been named "One of the Top 10 Walking Memoirs and Tales of Long Walks" by walking.about.com. His short story, "Hot Days, Cold Nights," appears in the Jeffery Deaver edited anthology, "A Hot and Sultry Night for Crime." It is available to read free here.
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Books
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 | Honeymoon for Three by Alan Cook
Winner Silver Quill award from American Author's Association and Best Mountain West book from Readers Views. It is 1964, 10 years after Gary Blanchard’s high school adventures in The Hayloft. He and his love, Penny, are going on the trip of their lives, and, oh yes, they’re getting married along the way. What they don’t know is that they’re being stalked by Alfred, a high school classmate of Penny...
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble.com
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble NOOKbook
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 | Hotline to Murder by Alan Cook
“I like the characters…as well as the Hotline for the setting. This is a great mystery.”
Tony Schmidt joins the Central Hotline in sunny Bonita Beach, California to improve his listening skills. Shahla Lawton joins the Hotline to fulfill a volunteering requirement for her high school. Neither one expects to get mixed up in a murder investigation.
But that is before Sh...
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble.com
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble NOOKbook
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Short Stories
Antietam Adventure by Alan Cook
Matthew and Mason trace the route of their ancestor at the Civil War battle of Antietam, not knowing that they will be called upon to save his regiment from disaster....
Have a Nice Knife by Alan Cook
Jamie Stern, cub reporter for the Palos Verdes Press, is lucky enough to be close by when billionaire Stephen Mack's body is discovered in his mansion. With the help of Arthur Brandon, the mystery wr...
Echo's Story by Alan Cook
Echo tells what happened between her, Zeus, Hera and Narcissus. See also "Echo and Narcissus" under Poetry....
Hot Days, Cold Nights by Alan Cook
Originally published in the Jeffery Deaver anthology, "A Hot and Sultry Night for Crime."...
Moon Over Murder by Alan Cook
A teenage boy in the 1950s gets a dream summer job working in a restaurant beside a lake, owned by his aunt and uncle. It doesn't hurt that three pretty female cousins are waitresses and that they li...
Hollywood's Burning by Alan Cook
It's 1961 Los Angeles and people are dying by the ocean--and then there are the photographs and the fire. Although this is a work of fiction, the fire was real....
Little Willie Chews the Scenery by Alan Cook
Little Willie poems were written long ago and tell about gruesome happenings. Does life imitate art here?...
Freedom Sneezes--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
What kinds of freedoms are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights? See quotations in my book, "Freedom's Light: Quotations from History's Champions of Freedom."...
Good Woman, A by Alan Cook
John Webster doesn't think he's a stalker. He's just in love. But after he appears in court, strange things start to happen....
Human Touch, A by Alan Cook
Let's hope the future isn't like this....
Dam, The--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
M&M Mystery #3. When Mason's friend who has cerebral palsy disappears, Mason thinks he may have an idea as to what happened to her....
Case of the Missing Presidents, The--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
M&M Mystery No. 1. When money disappears from the school cafeteria cash register, Mason discovers a clue and gets help from Matthew to solve the case....
Chemist and the Farmgirl, The by Alan Cook
Two struggling graduate students meet at the University of Michigan during the depression.
For more on Gerhard and Lura, see "How My Parents Got Rich--And How You Can Too" in Articles....
Glow of Christmas--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
What if the glow of Christmas comes from your neighbor's house that's on fire?...
Murder in Lingerie by Alan Cook
Aura isn't expecting any excitement during her shift working at an upscale department store, but......
Secret of Nim--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
M&M Mystery No. 5. When Mason sees Sue Ellen disappear from the school yard, he and Matthew are off on the adventure of their lives, with a mathematical twist. (Appendix on winning at Nim at the end.)...
Homerun--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
M&M Mystery No. 2. Matthew helps Tank Thompson get the baseball with which he set a homerun record, so when it disappears, Matthew feels obligated to help find it....
Over the Cliff--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
M&M Mystery #4. Matthew discovers a boy clinging to the side of a cliff and learns that he was pushed....
Cashbox--Avid Reader Mystery by Alan Cook
M&M Mystery No. 6. What would you do if you found a box full of money?...
First Kiss by Alan Cook
When you're a junior in high school, everybody assumes that you've kissed a girl--even in the fifties....
Schedule C by Alan Cook
An IRS mystery....
Compute This by Alan Cook
Return with us now to those days of big computers in icy rooms with raised floors. But wait--something is terribly wrong......
Sure Bet by Alan Cook
Peavy has always been a cautious man, that is until he finds a gambling strategy that is foolproof....
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Poetry
Corporal Ed Lincoln, 23rd New York by Alan Cook
My great grandfather, Lansing Edgar Lincoln (1842-1916), fought in the Civil War....
Can-Can by Alan Cook
I first saw Can-Can on Broadway with the original cast, including Gwen Verdon and Lilo (whew!). Saw a revival recently in which we were asked to make up our own lyrics. Here are mine....
Limericks--Lady from France by Alan Cook
Limericks are 5 line poems, usually racy. Here are some about the lady from France....
Eyeful by Alan Cook
The 2 sections of this poem are based on actual media reports. One I believe was the subject of a letter to Ann Landers....
Olympians, The by Alan Cook
A salute to the athletes who particpate in the Olympic Games...
Hugs by Alan Cook
This is the hugging generation. Enjoy!...
Berlin Wall (1961-1989) by Alan Cook
Watch and listen to a Berlin Wall graffiti animated version by Reallusion on YouTube. Link below poem.
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Echo and Narcissus by Alan Cook
The Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus. For Echo's side of the story, see also, "Echo's Story" under Stories....
Holy Summer Day by Alan Cook
Watch out for those trainee priests!...
Old Codger by Alan Cook
We all grow older, but we don't have to grow older gracefully....
Risk by Alan Cook
Ratings by Alan Cook
We've all done it....
Your Smile by Alan Cook
Freedom Goes Softly by Alan Cook
Like the frog in the pot of water slowly being heated, we may not realize what's going on until it's too late....
Keep on Truckin' by Alan Cook
Written before "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell, but I think it expresses one of his themes quite nicely....
Global Warming by Alan Cook
Topless Lass by Alan Cook
Well, what would you do?...
Saga of Bill the Hermit, The by Alan Cook
Bill is tired of the single life, but his quest for a bride is fraught with peril....
Minotaur, The by Alan Cook
The myth of the Minotaur...
32 Years by Alan Cook
When you're married this long it deserves a poem....
War by Alan Cook
Love Thy Neighbor by Alan Cook
Of course we all love our neighbors......
Love Through the Ages by Alan Cook
I've always loved you......
Go for It by Alan Cook
Sweater Girl by Alan Cook
Remember the sweater girls of yesteryear?...
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Articles
Giving Directions by Alan Cook
I am the author of "Walking the World: Memories and Adventures."
As a walker, I've often been asked to give directions to motorists. Sometimes I even get them right....
Psychology of Panties by Alan Cook
A Psychology class outdoors in the fifties with surprising results....
Amazon Kindle Publication by Alan Cook
If you've written a book, published or not, you can publish it on Amazon Kindle...
War Games by Alan Cook
War has always been with us and always will be, but perhaps we can make it less destructive....
Amnesia Mystery--The Making of Forget to Remember by Alan Cook
How I came to write my amnesia mystery, "Forget to Remember."...
Amsterdam by Alan Cook
Amsterdam is a great walking city--if you don't get run over by the trams, motor bikes or bicycles....
Sex, Girls and Me in the Fifties by Alan Cook
If you think there wasn't any sex in the fifties, you're right--at least as far as I was concerned. See my mystery novel, "The Hayloft" for more stories about high school in the fifties....
My Parents Could Teach Governments Good Financial Management by Alan Cook
Government officials should be able to balance a checkbook--and a budget. And how about making them do their own tax returns?...
Travel Mysteries--the Making of Honeymoon for Three by Alan Cook
When you write a "road mystery" it helps if you've actually been to the places you're writing about....
Academic Mysteries--The Making of The Hayloft by Alan Cook
My academic mystery, "The Hayloft," takes place in a high school in the fifties, B.E. (before everything. This article originally published in Mystery Readers Journal....
Mysteries Set in the South--The Making of the Lillian Morgan Mysteries by Alan Cook
Originally published in Mystery Readers Journal...
Los Angeles Mysteries--The Making of Hotline to Murder by Alan Cook
Originally published in "Mystery Readers Journal"...
Running the California Coast: The Making of Run into Trouble by Alan Cook
The making of RUN INTO TROUBLE, my mystery about running the California coast, set during the Cold War, which may be heating up. Originally published in Mystery Readers Journal...
Puzzles, Games and Murder: The Making of Thirteen Diamonds by Alan Cook
Puzzles, games and murder in a retirement community: the making of "Thirteen Diamonds."...
Crisis Hotline Listeners Help People by Alan Cook
Working on a crisis telephone hotline can be fulfilling--but don't take it home with you. (See also "Listening on a Crisis Hotline.") Read my mystery novel, "Hotline to Murder."...
Walking Saved My Life by Alan Cook
Walking improves your health, physical and mental. Many more walking stories in my book, "Walking the World: Memories and Adventures"...
How My Parents Got Rich--and How You Can Too by Alan Cook
We can all learn from how the people who lived through the depression managed their money.
For more on Gerhard and Lura, read "The Chemist and the Farmgirl," in Stories....
Listening on a Crisis Hotline by Alan Cook
Before you can be a listener on a crisis hotline you have to take a couse in listening, but that doesn't completely prepare you for the calls you get. But it did help me write my mystery/suspense nov...
Falling is Bad For Your Health by Alan Cook
If you want to live a long and healthy life, don't fall....
Ayers Rock by Alan Cook
Ayers Rock (Uluru) is one of the highpoints of a trip to Australia. Also see my article on Australia....
Australia by Alan Cook
Interesting walks in Australia. Click on Download above to see the same article with pictures. Also see my article on Ayers Rock...
Ipanema Beach (Rio) by Alan Cook
Some of us still remember "The Girl from Ipanema."...
Egypt by Alan Cook
To read the same article with pictures included, click on Download above....
Iguazu Falls by Alan Cook
Bigger and more spectacular than Niagara, Iguazu Falls is a popular travel destination in South America....
My Career as a Football Player by Alan Cook
I wasn't big enough to be a football player, but to make up for it I was slow....
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News
11 books at .99 on Kindle by Alan Cook
Now 11 books on Kindle....
My books can be borrowed from Amazon Kindle by Alan Cook
You can now borrow my e-books on Amazon Kindle....
Now 10 E-books for .99 by Alan Cook
I now have 10 e-books available on Amazon Kindle, Nook Book and other places for .99.
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Amnesia Mystery Catching On by Alan Cook
My new mystery, "Forget to Remember," is finding an audience among mystery lovers and genealogists....
9 E-books for $.99 by Alan Cook
Nine of my books are available as e-books for $.99, 7 of which are mysteries....
My Books on Smashwords by Alan Cook
My books are on Smashwords....
Awards for Run into Trouble by Alan Cook
What's better than winning a book award? Winning 2 book awards in the same month....
Article in Palos Verdes Peninsula News by Alan Cook
Newspaper Article...
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books by Alan Cook
I will be signing my books at the LA Times Festival of Books, April 25, 4-6 p.m., Sisters in Crime Booth #355 in front of Royce Hall....
Amazon Kindle Books on iPhone, iPod by Alan Cook
Amazon Kindle books are down downloadable to iPhone and iPod....
Run into Trouble published by Alan Cook
Run into Trouble, my new mystery/suspense novel has been published....
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Events
Bloody Words Mystery Conference 6/3/2011
Mystery conference featuring top mystery writers....
National Writer's Association 5/21/2011
I will be speaking on humor and irreverence in writing, from Chaucer to Twain to Asimov....
Love, Marriage and Murder 2/5/2011
A panel discussion sponsored by Sisters in Crime on Love, Marriage and Murder...
National Writer's Association 3/20/2010
I will be speaking on "The History of the Mystery"...
Left Coast Crime 2010 3/11/2010
I will be on the panel, "Spies Amongst Us," Friday morning, March 12 at 8:30....
Men of Mystery 11/21/2009
50 mystery writers, including Michael Connelly and me, will be there....
Funny Poems and Limericks 10/19/2009
I will be reciting funny poems and limericks written by some of the world's great humorists....
Mystery Writers at Barnes and Noble 8/14/2009
A herd of mystery writers will be at Barnes and Noble, Rancho Cucamonga. See you there!...
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 4/25/2009
I will be signing my mystery novels at the Sisters in Crime Booth #355 in front of Royce Hall Saturday, April 25, 4-6 p.m....
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Links
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| Alan Cook, Mystery and Walking Writer
Information about my books, including reviews, sample chapters and where to purchase them.
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Smashwords
Download my books as e-books in many different formats.
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Amazon Kindle
Download my books from Amazon Kindle
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Berlin Wall
Watch and listen to a Berlin Wall graffiti animated version of my poem, "Berlin Wall" by Reallusion on YouTube.
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Additional information
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| Recent books: "Run into Trouble"; Gary Blanchard mysteries: "Honeymoon for Three" and "The Hayloft: a 1950s mystery." Also: "Hotline to Murder," a California mystery. Recent walking book: "Walking the World: Memories and Adventures," with walking stories and inspiration. Many of his books are available on Amazon Kindle and as e-books through Smashwords.com |
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Contact
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