Minneapolis

We flew into Minneapolis today and went straight to Uncle Edgar's mystery bookstore for a stock signing, before crossing town for the evening event at Once Upon a Crime. This is a small, but perfectly formed mystery bookstore run by the irrepressible Pat and Gary (pictured above). It was my first stop on my very first US book tour in 2005, and I'll never forget the warmth of their welcome and the support they have always given to my books. So Once Upon a Crime is invariably the first event pencilled in on any tour. Lovely people, and a delightfully intimate event.

We stayed overnight with old friends Tom and Elizabeth Carr. We got to know Elizabeth through her parents, John and Bettie, who were our neighbours when we bought our very first house in France nearly 30 years ago.

John and Bettie, now in their nineties, live in Beverly Hills, and we are hoping to pay them a flying visit when we are in LA for one night next week to record my appearance on Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show, which will be aired coast to coast on a US network on the 12th.

These tours are not only great adventures of discovery, but a chance to meet up with old friends across the country.