Couldn't be happier

Filled up the Poisoned Pen Saturday with eager citizens oohing and ahing over "my" guys!

Shotgun survivor Paul Patrick mustered the strength to attend....and this time brought me chocolate! I was too greedy to share and will be gobbling it down myself at home. Paul's presence left everyone in awe of him.

Phx PD Officer Darren Burch blushed a little as we made him come up front. I was beside myself to be able to show him off. When you read the book, you'll see what his quick thinking was able to do with a rubber shoe in a life and death moment. If you've already read the book, I know you're oohing and ahing right now--yes, the rubber shoe guy! We even convinced Darren to join the "assembly line" we had set up and sign autographs.

Homicide Detectives Cliff Jewell and Ron Rock autograph books, author Kimball signing, center

Homicide Detective Cliff Jewell brought his private photos and tidbits. The crowd forgot I existed as he took over and gave the inside view of the case. I couldn't be happier!

We even grabbed a big imaginary shepherd's hook and pulled Tolleson Detective Ron Rock up to the front and before he could stop himself, he was taking questions, too.

Our Henry Ford style signature factory started with me (who doesn't count, at all), then people moved on to Ron Rock, then to Cliff Jewell, then to Paul Patrick (who only has one very damaged hand to do this with) then finished up with Darren Burch. That's a whole pack of heroes for less than 8 bucks! Can you really afford to miss one of these events? ;)

If you were there, please send in your photos to asuddenshot at gmail.com so I can post them! If you make hard copies, write me there and I'll give you an address to mail them and I'll put them in the big scrap book for the next event.

And thanks again to Paul for the chocolate! I did put out Cerreta's Jumping Cholla taffy--which everyone loved!--for everybody else, but I had to hoard Paul's gift for myself!

P.S. (next stop, West Valley, check list at right)
P.P.S. ( a wee confession: Paul, I'm having chocolate truffles for breakfast!)

(click on a title below to buy)

Camille Kimball's books:

**What She Always Wanted** as seen on TV!

                 **A Sudden Shot** as seen on TV!

        The Mammoth Book of Tough Guys

Coming soon: Masters of True Crime-Chilling Stories of Murder and the Macabre

Thoughts on this or any article at this site? To the next person whose comment I use for a post I will send a free signed book!  (If you post as "anonymous" for convenience, try to include an identifying website or name in your remark so no one else can claim your prize!)  For an example, please click here.

Private files....exposed!

Anything goes...now that Homicide Detective Cliff Jewell has retired. I happen to know he's poking through his private files right now, seeing what he can bring to the Poisoned Pen on Saturday afternoon to share with you.

Hey! I've got private files, too! I wrote in the book that even 325 pages is not enough room to tell all the stories so my office is still chock full of photographs and tidbits that haven't seen the light of day yet. Sneak a peek at them on Saturday when Cliff and I make a joint presentation.

The spirits tell me that Tolleson's Ron Rock, the first detective to get his Spidey senses going, will be in the audience. I promise to make him sign books and tell a few stories of his own.

Get at least three autographs (you never know who else might show up that you'll want to have sign your copy!) and see extra photos and material on Saturday. Think I might just have to bring some of that Jumping Cholla taffy from Cerreta's with me, too!

Where: Poisoned Pen Book Store
When: Saturday Sep 26
Time: 2-4 pm
Address: 4014 N. Goldwater (In Scottsdale, on block south of Indian School, just west of Scottsdale Road)
Link: (hyperlink at right) http://www.poisonedpen.com/event-calendar/kimball-camille-1
Yummies: from Cerreta's!

Hollywood vault!

What a charming little strip of Los Angeles did I discover when Chevalier's Books welcomed me and KNX Friday. The bookstore has been in the same spot for decades. Before the books came, there was money, and it was locked up in that vault behind me and Chevalier's French speaking Norman Dixon.

Yup, this cute little pied a terre started the 20th century as a bank. Note the giant hinges you can see just above my shoulder--that's a big cast iron (or bronze?) vault. That newspaper clipping is hung from the open door. No longer home to bags of money, the vault now houses stacks of bookstore treasures like....books!

Our saltwater taffy from Cerreta's in the unique Arizona flavor of Jumping Cholla was a big hit. The flavor has quite a little kick to it. If you have ever tangled with the sinister Jumping Cholla cactus for real, you'll understand why!

At 126 N. Larchmont, Chevalier's and its neighborhood--which is also called Larchmont--are a delightful discovery. Can I out KNX's Ron Kilgore for spying Edward Kretzler's "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean" on the shelves at Chevalier's? The Larchmont district has a pedestrian-friendly small town feel. It's as if Mayberry were dropped into the heart of Los Angeles. That is, if Mayberry were packed with culture and good food. I had the best moussaka I've ever had across the street from Chevalier's at Le Petit Greek.

Drop by Chevalier's and ask if they have any of our Jumping Cholla taffy left (we put out a big tray--it's pink, you can't miss it). Practice your French on Norman. Hey, ask them for A Sudden Shot: the Phoenix Serial Shooter while you're at it. It's only $7.99. I won't even mind if you ask for the pirate book instead. ;)

Links to Chevalier's and Cerreta's and the Larchmont district are to the right.

CRIME, GUNS, AND VIDEOTAPE: Author Camille Kimball Chronicles Hunting Human Prey

CRIME, GUNS, AND VIDEOTAPE: Author Camille Kimball Chronicles Hunting Human Prey

Hollywood and candy, what else do you want?

Please join us Friday afternoon in Hollywood at Chevalier's Bookstore.

I'll bring yummy Arizona style treats from famed confectioner Cerreta's (treats are on me!)

I will also give away a copy of the book signed by detectives and survivors (I'll sign it myself, too, if you make me).

These are people you want to meet...and you will find them in the pages of A Sudden Shot: the Phoenix Serial Shooter.

"This is a superb book. For those of us who didn't live in Phoenix during the time of the Serial Shooter, the book takes us right there - we feel the terror, we feel the horror of hearing a gunshot and finding a neighbor, a friend, a pet shot.

I absolutely adored this book and can not recommend it high enough."
--Shauna Nelson, Amazon reviewer

"Hi Camille, I just finished reading your book today (couldn't put it down!). I'm in awe of the mountains of research you must have done to accomplish such an outstanding read. Your book made me realize suddenly why I write true crime--to inspire and to tell an amazing story that no one else has the guts to reveal. I'm sure it was gratifying and rewarding to see how much your book touched the lives of the surviving victims and paid tribute to the ones whose lives were lost."
--Kerrie Droban, author bestseller Running with the Devil

(links to the right!)

Classic Gold 98 WIBN

Congratulations, Marilyn Lange of Crescent City, Illinois!

Marilyn is the winner of a copy of A Sudden Shot: the Phoenix Serial Shooter

Thanks for listening, Marilyn and thanks to WIBN's talented Dan McKay for making it all happen!

Chicago/Indianapolis area interview

Tues Sep 15 tune in to Classic Gold 98 FM WIBN
http://www.classichitsradioonline.com/home.asp

Danny McKay asks about the game of hunting human prey in Phoenix at 8:20 am Eastern Standard Time.

The book is available at any bookseller in the Chicago or Indianapolis area. Look for it at Costco or Wal-Mart, too.

See you on the radio!

Los Angelenos! Fri Sep 18

Drop by the fabulous independent bookstore Chevalier's at 2pm Friday Sep 18. KNX Radio will be there with a microphone and I'll be there with a pen!

Chevalier's is 126 N. Larchmont 323-465-6093 (hint: ask for Norman!)

http://chevaliersbooks.blogspot.com/

Supersleuths Sign!

The people of Tolleson/Avondale/Litchfield Park kept ace Serial Shooter detectives Cliff Jewell and Ron Rock busy signing books on Sunday afternoon at Borders. The Chief of Police came by (I insisted on a raise for Ron!).

What a great delight it is for me to introduce these hard working detectives directly to the community who wants to shake their hands and thank them. (I tear up just writing that.)

But if it's possible to be more emotional, it's when the three of us recognize a surviving family member come through the doors. Citizens want to give them hugs of comfort and these are graciously accepted.

People sometimes ask me if it's hard for the families to read the book.

Let me tell you---the families already know what they've been through.

They've mostly gone through it alone. To feel the good wishes from their fellow citizens, hugs and handshakes that tell them, "you're not alone, your loved one will not be forgotten, your pain means something to me," does them a WORLD of good.

Scene of the Crime-TODAY!

You saw him on TV this morning...doing a much better job than moi...now meet ace Serial Shooter detective Cliff Jewell this afternoon at Borders. This time we've managed to flush out super mysterious detective Ron Rock, as well. This event is in the heart of the crimes that Detective Rock investigated...the first detective to say the word "random"......

Meet them both!

Borders

Sunday Sep 6 2-4

10100 W. McDowell Road

Scene of the Crime

Join us at our West Valley event.

Sunday Sep 6 from 2-4 pm Many of the crimes occurred in this neighborhood. Detectives and families expected. Pass the book around like a yearbook and get many signatures.

Borders

10100 W. McDowell (Northwest corner)

Ace Detective on TV Sunday

Catch Serial Shooter detective Cliff Jewell on TV Sunday morning with veteran anchor John Hook in an extended interview. Airs at 7:3o am on Fox 10 KSAZ www.ksaz.com

See Cliff's photos at the launch party below or on FaceBook (link to right). Read about him in the book!

Roses by a miracle

Sep 1, 2009 AZ Biltmore Camille & Paul

A man alive by sheer willpower and family love presents me with long stemmed red roses. Although I already gave him a copy of the book, he has purchased several more--they are in his lap. What an honor it has been to tell his story. What a personal inspiration for me. My new mantra is "if Paul can do it, so can I."

Launch Party Photos!

Photos from Maggie Brock. Long stemmed red roses from shotgun survivor Paul Patrick. What. a. Night!

Bring your camera--please!

We want lots and lots of photos of the event. Please bring your cameras tonight. Send me your best shots! If I use one, I will put your name in the next book! asuddenshot at gmail.com

I want to see lots of shutterbugs tonight!

Smoooooooth KYOT

Spent a wonderful morning in the studio with KYOT's Melissa Sharpe who is very enthusiastic about the book. Read her comments here and then listen to our interview.

http://www.kyot.com/pages/melissa-sharpe.html

Big Event is TONIGHT!

Please join us at the Arizona Biltmore this evening at 7pm as we celebrate this community's triumph over evil!

The event is FREE. The paper has it a little bit wrong--there is NO purchase required to see me or Jack Ballentine.

The Biltmore is at 2400 E. Missouri, the party is in the Gold Room.

EVERYONE SHOULD COME!!!!!