Larry Karp: R.I.P.

Sad News. Larry Karp, the author of many music mysteries passed away on October 21. I was privileged to know Larry for many years. He wrote several articles for Mystery Readers Journal, including "A Wide Canvas" for the New York City I issue of MRJ this year and "Books and Music, Music and Books for the Music Mysteries issue. I loved his enthusiasm, his love of mysteries, his music boxes, his knowledge of music, and his way with words. He will be missed.

From the Puget Sound Sisters in Crime Website:

Although Larry lived in the Seattle [Washington] area for much of his life, he grew up in [Paterson] New Jersey, as one might have guessed from the slight accent he retained. He began his career as a physician, specializing in high-risk and complicated pregnancies. He founded the Prenatal Diagnostic Center at the University of Washington as well as the Department of Perinatal Medicine at Swedish Medical Center. Residents of the Family Practice Programs at both Swedish and Providence hospitals voted him Teacher of the Year.

For years, Larry wrote articles for medical journals as well as three non-fiction works, two of which dealt with medicine and one that explored his passion for antique music boxes.

When Larry retired from medicine in 1995 he plunged into writing the mystery novels he loved, producing both standalones and two series; the Music-Box Mysteries and a trilogy of Ragtime mysteries. They are not only beautifully written, but meticulously researched. To the delight of many, he also authored a children’s book dedicated to his grandson Simon and illustrated by his friend Vic Hugo. Seymour’s First Clarinet Concerto exemplifies Larry’s versatility as a writer. He recently completed a historical biography of Brun Campbell (Brun Campbell: The Original Ragtime Kid) and the book dearest to his heart—a mystery co-authored with his son Casey Karp. The Ragtime Traveler will be available in April 2017.

HT: The Rap Sheet