FAN MAIL WEDNESDAY #333: Pamir Writes, Jimmy Remembers

January 14, 2024 / jimmy / No comments

I have friends in Istanbul. One particular school, in fact, that reads my Jigsaw Jones books — even ones that are long out-of-print.

It’s the story of my career at this point. More books that are out-of-print than there are available.

Oh well!

The price of hanging around in this business for nearly 4 decades.

Here we go.

A reader writes . . .

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Dear Mr. Preller,

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My name is Pamir. I am 12 years old and I like to play games and I also like to read books. I live in Istanbul and I am studying in Hisar schools .I read your book “THE CASE OF THE DETECTIVE IN DISGUISE” two weeks ago. It was beautiful and I’m writing this email because I wanted to tell you why I liked your book. In your book my favourite character is Mike because he wants to find the secret and become a detective. My favourite part is the first part because it was a funny part. They went to the attic and found detective clothes. I think that part 10 because It was less exciting but still good.

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Make more books like this and don’t forget to come to visit Turkey.

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Goodbye,

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Pamir

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I replied . . .

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Pamir,

Thanks for the invitation to visit Turkey. Boy, that would surely be an amazing adventure for me.

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I wrote that book so long ago it took me a few minutes to remember it all. When I wrote that story, I had a small office above a cozy sandwich shop called The Yogurt Shop, owned and operated by Mike & Mary. They made the best chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever eaten — and wonderful cookies, too. In the afternoons, I’d often go down there to get a cup of coffee and chat with them. Sometimes Mike would even help me with ideas. So when it came time to write The Detective in Disguise, I decided to weave me friends into the story.

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Since that time, I’m sorry to report that Mike and Mary got divorced. She moved to Cape Cod. Mike is still around but I don’t see him much anymore. But pulling that book off the shelf helped me remember those happy times we shared together. Isn’t that amazing? I think it’s one of the best parts about writing. When we make art, we can store those memories forever.

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I’m so glad you reminded me!

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Your friend,

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James Preller

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