And here are questions for you to answer from Josh Bazell. First, though, how do you and Josh know each other?
I know Josh through you. When you first interviewed him, for reasons that remain a mystery, you kept cc’ing me on your emails like I was his Aunt Edna. FYI, I’m not his Aunt Edna.
Questions for Lisa Lutz from Josh:
Do you think it’s still considered unusual for a woman to write books primarily about people murdering each other?
No. Women have the same murderous urges as men. They just control them better.
What’s the weirdest murder you’ve ever put into a book?
I had a character murder someone with his own fibula. Preposterous, I know, but apparently you don’t really need a fibula.
Do you have any plans to write a book about people who aren’t constantly murdering other people?
No. I’m worried about overpopulation, especially in fiction.
If you had male readers, would you increase or decrease the number of murders?
If I had male readers, I’d just add more explosions and maybe a lake monster. I hear they go for that kind of crap.
When you gave the first positive blurb to Beat the Reaper, how much are you regretting that now?
I’ve been outsourcing my blurbs for years. But Sanjit assures me he really liked the book.
Article comments
1 - Laura J
I was favorably impressed last week when I read your column that suggested anyone who likes Lisa Lutz would like Josh Bazell. I had just read "Beat the Reaper' and I already loved Lisa Lutz, but I hadn't put them together. So now I am getting your columns on the RSS, and I am happy.
2 - scott butki
Wow, that's quite a compliment. I made the association first because of her blurb but then when they both use (overuse?) footnotes it seemed a natural fit. I'm not sure about my idea of having them interview each other - that's probably a one time thing. I love her aunt edna line.