On April 9, Rick attended a reading arranged by the Lucan Library and attended by about fifteen mystery buffs. Rick read the first chapter of Death at the Bend and fielded questions about his writing methods, idea sources and Jack’s favourite haunts. Wrapping up, he enjoyed a number of one on one conversations.
Lucan reading
April 20, 2009 - 10:42 pm
Author reading: Grand Bend, Grand Coves Estates – 10:45 AM, Dec 9, 2008
March 4, 2009 - 9:20 pm
Organized by Valerie Tonkin, Rick was lucky to follow an appearance by Santa Claus. There was a small thinning of the crowd. Still, at a guess, the audience topped 40 book fans.
After reading chapter 1, Rick was asked a number of great questions to do with:
- his writing habits
- why he picked Grand Bend as a setting
- the origins of his characters (is that my creepy neighbour in the book? The answer was ‘not to my knowledge.”)
Author reading: Goderich Library – 2 PM Dec 13, 2008
March 4, 2009 - 9:20 pm
With thanks to Marg Bushell, the Goderich Library supervisor, Rick joined participants for cookies, cold drinks and coffee. While the numbers were small, Rick was thrilled to see friends Wayne and Deb Caldwell, fellow writer Dave Scott (a playwright. Have you seen the Ballad of Stompin Tom?) and Fauxpop TV principals Randall Lobb and Mark Hussey in the audience.
Author reading: Wingham Library – 2 PM, Jan 20, 2009
March 4, 2009 - 9:19 pm
Thanks to Margaret Day of the Friends of the Library and Paula Mackie the Branch supervisor for inviting Rick to their meeting and for arranging a gorgeous sunny, winter afternoon.
After reading parts of the opening chapter and a knock ‘em down fight scene, Rick fielded some excellent questions about the writing process, getting published, his next book and finding inspiration.
During casual conversations over cookies and coffee, Rick chatted with Mrs. Kaufman (among others). Her son Andrew Kaufman wrote the award winning book, ‘All My friends are Super-Heroes.’
Footnote – Wingham is home to the annual Alice Munro Writers’ Festival.
Author reading: Seaforth – 7 PM, Jan 26, 2009
March 4, 2009 - 9:19 pm
Thanks go to Anne Dodington, Branch supervisor for organizing another lively crowd to hear Rick talk about ‘Death at the Bend.’
Participants included fellow writer Patricia MacGregor, and Leesa Bedard the recreation manager for the municipality (and life guard for Rick’s swim earlier in the day). Another surprise guest was Mrs. Scott, Dave Scott’s mother (see Goderich reading). In addition to being a writer, Dave is a former mayor of Seaforth. Mrs. Scott was gracious in putting up with Rick’s wisecracks about former politicians.
Following the meeting, Rick had a very nice chat with reporter, Dan Schwab of the Huron Expositor.
Feb. 17, 2009. Meeting with Village of Hensall Book club
March 4, 2009 - 9:18 pm
Susan Windle invited a lively group to the back room at the Hensall Public Library to chat with Rick about his book, his favourite authors and his approach to writing. The event ended with informal conversation over cakes, cookies and drink.
Rick was thrilled to see that many of the club members already had copies of ‘Death at the Bend.’
The group also spent some time considering how Jack Beer might go about solving his next case. And in an interesting sidebar, Rick noted that he decided to borrow the name ‘Beer,’ a common family name from the Hensall area, soon after he created his protagonist.
Goderich Library Reading
December 8, 2008 - 2:22 pm
On Saturday, December 13 Rick will be giving a reading at the Goderich Public Library (519-524-9261 – link to directions is here).
The event will begin at 2:00 pm, and Rick will be selling and signing copies of Death at the Bend for Goderich area murder-mystery fans interested in giving an early Christmas gift to themselves this year.
Hope to see you there.
Lakeshore Advance Article
December 4, 2008 - 4:08 pm
Exeter author pens Death at the Bend
Mystery and intrigue in new book
Posted By LYNDA HILLMAN RAPLEY (Lakeshore Advance staff)
A death in the Bend? Author Rick Hundey sees it that way as his new book, by the same name, staged in Grand Bend, screams of mystery and intrigue. This is a must-read book with twists and turns from cover to cover.
This long-time Exeter family man brings his first book to light, when full-time coffee shop owner and part-time investigator Jack Beer’s new client turns out to be a ghost from his own shameful past, a ghost packing more trouble than his hourly rate can cover.
Tripping over dirty business deals and vicious bike gangs, dodging bullets, blows and a woman scorned, Jack eventually falls through a tangle of deceit and uncovers the deadly secrets that lurk beneath the surface of small-town Grand Bend.
Born in Windsor Ontario, Hundey’s career in community planning, management and consulting led him to Toronto, London, Southampton and Exeter over the years. In 2005 his first place award in the Alice Munro Writer’s Festival Short Story contest was all the encouragement he needed to leave the safety of suits and ties for the unknown world of mystery writing.
Hundey has always loved to write. When his three children Eric, Tim and Beth were young he wrote children’s stories. When they grew up- so did his writing to the world of adolescence.
After leaving his full-time job at the Municipality of South Huron, becoming a consultant, Hundey had more time to write. Death in the Bend grew from excerpts in another short story he was writing, plotting out characters and story lines. In less than a year the story was complete and published by FauxPop Media.
Hundey said placing the book in Grand Bend was not accidental and should attract regional interest. He says with its seasonal population, the location may also attract a larger market.
This new author says he used to think you could just sit down and write- and there are writers who can do that- “they’re unusual.” Hundey says you need a plan or the process does not work. He says he had a story line and mapped out plots and characters.
Many of his ideas come from walking and nature hikes. He said when he and wife Jane were on a bird-watching adventure they met a man who was rather unscrupulous. This man’s character became the base for a character in Hundey’s story.
Finding a publisher was not an easy task until he found FauxPop Media in Goderich through his writer’s group and plans to market the book through local libraries, book clubs and the web site.
He credits his family, brother-in-law and seasoned writers and history buffs Cathy Brown, Luise Hoffman (former owner of Saga Bound bookstore in Grand Bend), writers Dave Scott and Paul Ciufo and former Exeter mayor Bruce Shaw for their guidance in this book.
Paul Ciufo, 2008 Governor General’s Award finalist says “Death in the Bend is an engrossing page-turner with unforgettable characters. Hundey’s witty and intelligent writing is a delight – I can’t wait for the next book.”
As you read Death in the Bend you will see it is based locally, but the characters are created through Hundey’s imagination. You may though find the “sarcastic, weird at times, former athlete who is losing his hair” may just remind you of someone. This is a great read and will make a terrific Christmas present for any avid reader on your list. It is a page turner that you will find difficult to put down.
This Exeter author is already deep into his second novel, another Jack Beer mystery.
The book is available at the Lakeshore Advance office in Grand Bend or through the web site at www.rickhundey.fauxpop.tv
(courtesy of the Lakeshore Advance)
Exeter Public Library Reading
November 30, 2008 - 6:13 pm
On November 22, Rick Hundey made his first public reading of Death at the Bend in the library of his hometown, Exeter, Ontario. He was met by a good crowd of mystery fans who were eager to hear a sample chapter and buy a copy (or in many cases, multiple copies) of the book.
The initial reception to Death has been great, even better than we’d expected, and we thank those who turned up to meet Rick on a snowy day, as well as all those who have already bought the book, for their support.
Other public readings are being arranged throughout Huron County over the next few weeks, and we’ve been rushing more orders in to the printer’s to meet with the increase in demand.
Following are a few user submitted photos of the event.
Death at the Bend now available!
November 18, 2008 - 3:43 pm
November 18, 2008
FauxPop Media Press Release
Re: Book Launch, Death at the Bend.
FauxPop Media is pleased to announce the release of Death at the Bend, a murder-mystery set in the Southwestern Ontario resort town of Grand Bend.
Huron County writer Rick Hundey’s debut novel will introduce readers to part-time private eye, full-time coffee shop owner Jack Beer, whose wry sense of humour and sarcastic tone belie this ex-cop’s cleverness and determination to close every case at any cost.
Hundey brings a taste of the hard boiled to small town life, pulling dirty municipal politics, bikers, brawlers and dangerous women into an engaging mystery that pushes Jack Beer to confront the long-buried secrets of his own troubled past.
2008 Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist Paul Ciufo says “Death at the Bend is an engrossing page-turner with unforgettable characters. Hundey’s witty and intelligent writing is a delight — I can’t wait for his next book.”
After a thirty year career in community planning, municipal management and consulting, Rick Hundey has taken to writing on a full-time basis. A past winner of the Alice Munro Writers’ Festival Short Story contest, Hundey is already deep into in his second novel, another Jack Beer mystery.
Death at the Bend can be bought directly from the author through the web at www.rickhundey.fauxpop.tv.
FauxPop Media is a grassroots media production company taking advantage of current technology and the Web for independent artists and creators.
