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MICHAEL DIBDIN
April 9, 2007

Something that Mist Place was weighing last week was what to do with news received before it is commonly known news. A phone call had come at home on March 31 with the word that Seattle-based British novelist Michael Dibdin had passed away the day before. Details weren't precise on any front. Word had come from a friend who'd heard from another, that person being closer to Michael.

Even without writing about it here, there was some weighing to do - the message, however minimally informed, could have been sent along to people that worked with him in New York. But ... so many times it has been the bearing of such news to others in recent years. By phone calls, emails, in-person statements or announcements. Word, with more news, I knew, would get back where it should.

It was and is sad and untimely. Michael Dibdin had just turned 60, with many more books, it would have seemed, yet in him. A new, Venice-set Aurelio Zen mystery, End Games, is due out from Pantheon in the fall.

Once word did make it out, there were expressions of surprise, along with the sadness. The obituary mentioned a 'brief illness.' All I know was that I last saw Michael at a small lunch in February, given at Salumi by Armandino Batali and his daughter Gina, in honor of Jim Harrison. I made it over - a three-block walk - for the last hour of what was a three-hour midday repast. Michael was there, full of appetite and lively attitude - there was good, boisterous laughter going on - but he did not look well. He will be missed, in more ways than one.

Posted by Rick Simonson on April 9, 2007 | Comments (0)