Terrible news this morning: David Thompson, co-owner of Murder By the Book in Houston, publisher of Busted Flush Press and husband to McKenna Jordan died last night of a heart attack.
David had been in the book biz for decades. He'd been at MBTB since 1987. He met McKenna when she started part-time at the shop in 2003. Here's a charming story about them from the Houston Chronicle. After working together for years, they bought the shop from founder Martha Farmington earlier this decade.
In 2005, David followed the lead of many other mystery booksellers and started Busted Flush Press, publishing new fiction as well as favorites he wished were not out of print. In late August it was announced that Busted Flush had been sold to another small independent mystery press, Tyrus Books. David was to continue doing what he was doing, bringing lost and recent classics back into print (such as Daniel Woodrell, Don Winslow, Reed Farrell Coleman and Zoe Sharp).
He was a cheerful man to work with. Occassionally, we'd send books to him for signature and get books signed for them. He was a tireless advocate for mystery and crime fiction. He will be missed within the mystery world. He was 38.
Our thoughts are with his widow, McKenna, family, and with his loyal customers and fans.
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Posted by: Puertas automaticas precios | April 20, 2012 at 12:10 PM
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Posted by: Discount Pandora Store | March 14, 2012 at 08:12 PM
Moved away from Houston & just learned of David's death - he helped me many times in years past to find books he thought I'd enjoy - I'll never forget him and his kindness to me.
Posted by: Lynne Fort | June 07, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Lovely couple. Very smart!
Posted by: gynecologist arizona | January 31, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Thank you all for sharing bits of how he touched your lives. I am truly amazed at the global reaction his passing has caused. Thank you again for your prayers and kind words.
Posted by: ffxiv gil | October 18, 2010 at 08:35 PM
David was the most enthusiastic friend - and publisher - a mystery writer could ever hope to have. I shall cling to the good memories.
The world is a poorer place without him.
Posted by: Zoë Sharp | September 15, 2010 at 02:39 AM
Dave is my brother. Thank you all for sharing bits of how he touched your lives. I am truly amazed at the global reaction his passing has caused. Thank you again for your prayers and kind words.
Posted by: Oneal | September 14, 2010 at 04:43 PM
I don't know that the cause of death is official as yet, altho they do suspect a massive heart attack. It must have been big to fell such a wholeheartedly wonderful young man. Dave's mom and McKenna, please accept our sincerest sympathies. We will continue David's legacies.
Posted by: Sandie Herron | September 14, 2010 at 03:04 PM
So, so sad. Hard to believe. We were going to have dinner with David and McKenna
Cara
Posted by: Cara | September 14, 2010 at 01:56 PM
David was my friend and teacher in the world of Mystery. My heart is broken and I am at a loss for words for someone taken so early in his life. My thoughts are with David's family and friends.
Posted by: Lou Boxer | September 14, 2010 at 01:38 PM