CAROLINE TODD: R.I.P.

This is such sad news. Caroline Todd passed away this morning. Caroline, with her son Charles, wrote as Charles Todd. Together they wrote the brilliant Inspector Rutledge series, the Bess Crawford  series, as well as stand-alones and novellas. What an amazing duo. As much as I enjoyed the series, what I treasure most about Caroline is the time I spent with her. Caroline was one of the most gracious, warm, and charming members of the mystery community. 

I first met Caroline many years ago when I was seated next to her at her publisher dinner at the Baltimore Bouchercon. She was the perfect dining companion. She shared so many wonderful and interesting personal stories. Since that meeting, we always made sure to have coffee or a short talk at every Left Coast Crime, Malice, and Bouchercon. She was so very special and someone I counted as a friend. Over the years she was on several panels that I moderated, but my last 'meeting' with her was this summer at More Than Malice, the virtual Malice Domestic. She was on a panel I moderated on Past as Prologue. She was animated and interested, not just in her own writing and role on the panel, but in that of the other newer authors. The panelists all had such a good discussion that I was able to step back and enjoy, too. Caroline valued the younger new additions to the mystery world. And that's how I will remember her --always so gracious and welcoming. 

I will miss Caroline at conventions and online. So sad to mark the passing of one of my favorite people. My heart, love, and sympathy go out to Charles, Linda, and her other family and friends at this sad time. She will be remembered by all as someone very talented, warm, gracious, and special.