The independent crime imprints Tyrus Books and Busted Flush Press said they would merge back in August. Busted Flush Press publisher David Thompson passed away in September, and the merger has now been terminated.
Tyrus Books posted this statement: “The continued process of settling Mr. Thompson’s estate necessitated substantial reconsideration and subsequent termination of the proposed deal. McKenna Jordan, Mr. Thompson’s widow, will assume full legal and financial control of Busted Flush Press. Tyrus Books will no longer be involved with the operation of Busted Flush Press.”
When Thompson died last year, Sarah Weinman collected numerous tributes to Thompson from around the Internet. Novelist Jason Pinter called Thompson “one of the nicest, most supportive booksellers and people I’ve ever met.” Central Crime Zone called him “a champion of the genre of mystery.”