Bookseller David Thompson passed away yesterday. He had worked at Murder by the Book bookstore for years and owned the crime imprint, Busted Flush Press.
The bookstore website posted this tribute: “It is with deep sadness that we must share the news that David Thompson passed away suddenly on September 13th, 2010. David worked at Murder By The Book for 21 years, and he made an indelible impression on the store and everyone who met him. There will be a memorial service, and we will share the details as soon as they are available. In the meantime, David’s wife, McKenna Jordan, asks that no tributes be sent to the bookstore for now. We appreciate the loving support that customers have always given the store, and in the difficult days to come we will need it more than ever.”
Sarah Weinman has collected numerous tributes to Thompson from around the Internet. Novelist Jason Pinter shared the news on Facebook today, calling Thompson “one of the nicest, most supportive booksellers and people I’ve ever met.” Central Crime Zone has also posted a tribute to the bookseller, calling him “a champion of the genre of mystery.” (Murder by the Book photo via Walt Bistline)