Fellow Lieutenant lovers, I’ve been bowled over by the response to the release of The Columbo Companion and simply must take this opportunity to bellow a huge THANKS to you all for your support.
I’m not party to sales figures, but have been informed that the book has been selling ‘briskly’, and I’ve received numerous social media alerts from readers that their copies of the book have been received. The book has, I’m told, even topped some niche crime charts on Amazon in the US, so I’m officially declaring it a “NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER” until some killjoy slaps a ban on me doing so, claiming ‘false advertising’ infringements.
If you have bought the book and are a happy customer, please consider leaving a review (or even just a star rating) on Amazon. The more ratings, the more likelihood of other Columbo fans discovering the book and, in turn, the online Columbo community that we know and love. If you bought the book and didn’t like it, please address your concerns directly to TRICON Industries, where an austere but industrious receptionist will know exactly how to deal with you…
And, of course, if you haven’t yet bought it, or have missed the hoo-hah surrounding the launch, full details can be found here.
CP to host Facebook Live Q&A
To discuss the book launch (and Columbo fandom in general), I’ll be staging a Facebook Live Q&A on Sunday, October 2. Time zones are a bit of an issue due to my location (Western Australia), so I’m staging it at midnight my time, which will equate to early evening UK time and morning/lunch in US and Canada.
If you are able to join in, that’d be fabulous! You can signify your interest here, or by clicking on the image below, which will direct you to Facebook. If you can’t make it, the Q&A will be available to view on FB at your leisure, so if you have a question you’d like to ask you can email it to me and I’ll do my best to answer it for you during the session.
I think that really is all for now, gang. Please again accept my thanks for your general niceness and my apologies for still not having published the Strange Bedfellows review. I promise you it’s not far away…
Under Oddities: Dagger of The Mind – in the men’s club scene Columbo’s cigar accidentally hits the bottom of the plate as it’s handed to him and makes a definite ‘clink’ sound, and no ashes drop off; a metal prop?? Just a thought…
Finally got hold of my copy! I’ve only read a short way in so far, but I’m really enjoying it and will definitely write a review when I’m a bit further along.
Never ever do I order books online – they should be bought in bookstores is my firm conviction – however this time no bookstore could supply me with The Columbo Companion so it was amazon that I had to turn to for once. Received it on Friday afternoon, took the night off and let my wife take care of our 1 year old, and contrary to Columbophile’s advice I read it front to back.
In short, it’s everything I hoped it would be. We don’t always agree you know, on the quality of certain episodes (Dagger of the Mind, A Matter of Honor, The Conspirators), but that doesn’t matter at all. The fact that we’re reading the subjective analysis of such an expert and fan speaking his mind only enhances the fun.Your observations and style of writing are spot on as always and your enthousiasm for the show is contaminating to say the least.
So again, many congratulations on your book and a big thanks! Next time I’ll watch a 70’s episode (which as always can be any day now) I’ll have my companion with me.
P.S. Of course I left a (positive) review on the amazon website.
Thanks David, my heart fairly SINGS to hear this glowing endorsement. I dread looking at Amazon reviews in case haters have savaged the book, but you have emboldened me to have a peep. I hope the book continues to provide pleasure each time you return to it.
Most welcome and well deserved! And I wouldn’t worry too much about any haters among the reviewers; from wat I’ve seen Columbo fans from all over the world have nothing but praise for your work.
At the risk of sounding like Columbo with a newfangled gadget (aren’t those electric typewriters something?), I don’t do much with Facebook, so I have no idea what a live Q&A entails.
Is it entirely via text, like a Reddit AMA? Or do I have to send the rumpled raincoat out to be cleaned for a group video chat?
I appear on video for folk to watch, and those watching can interact/ask questions in the text box below the video.
Thanks for that. Looking forward to picking up the (physical) book this week. Break a leg, m8!
Very funny as usual!
In Strange Bedfellows we see the worst disguises of the whole series, worse than those by Willu Shatner (,both episodes)
Bought the book and posted a review on Amazon.
Thanks Angelo! I hope you enjoyed the book (I haven’t seen the review yet)!
Good reminder to write a review. Just did so on the Amazon Netherlands website. I’m sure it will be shown elsewhere as I wrote it in English. Love the book! Best, Sjoerd
Many thanks Sjoerd, that’s much appreciated!
TRICON receptionist lady will put you in your place! So no nonsense! 😉
I propose that we ALL dress in one of George Wendt’s disguises for the occasion! Choose from: a. Glaringly Obvious Spy, seen above, or b. Lumberjack Fly Fisherman.
Love this column and especially love the photos! 😄
Congratulations on your new book release! I just ordered it! Now that the cold weather is returning to upstate New York, I will enjoy more Columbo episodes and reading your new book!
Are you bidding? Sir, please do not gesture with your catalog if you are not bidding!
Congratulations, always enjoy your posts and hilarious captions.