By Edward Nawotka

I was shocked to learn this morning that David Thompson, co-owner of Houston’s Murder by the Book, died suddenly earlier this week.

David was a stellar bookseller and one of the most knowledgeable people I ever met with regards to mystery and thriller fiction. He was a true champion of reading and a publisher in his own right — he founded Busted Flush Press in 2005 and only recently sold it to Tyrus Books in August.

David worked at Murder by the Book for 21 years, met his wife — McKenna Jordan — at the store, and together they purchased it several years ago. I had the privilege to profile them as a couple for Publishers Weekly. A well known figure among the global community of mystery writers, he will be missed.

Photo: by Gary Fountain, courtesy of CultureMap Houston