Sunday on a book tour can feel like wasted time - often, you're half way home, so although you appreciate having a day off, at the same time you'd like to keep working. But when you're English and find yourself in California, obviously the sun puts a whole different complexion on the situation.

After a lunchtime book signing and talk, in the wonderful Book Passage - where I bought yet more books (suitcase is dangerously close to the weight limit now) and was handed a note from a friend, crime writer Denise Mina, who'd appeared at the bookshop a week before - I visited a few other bookshops in the city. It can be a salutary experience, as an author, walking in unannounced and off the street and offering to sign stock - first, they might not have any copies at all; second, they might have so few that they can't find them; third, it might just put the poor floor staff under too much pressure ...

But Borders in Union Square, San Francisco, was amazing. Not only had they plenty of copies of Sepulchre and prominently displayed, but we set up an informal signing sitting cross legged in the Mysteries department and chatted to customers passing through. It reminded me, as always, of how booksellers, both here and at home in the UK and France, are so passionate about what they do. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and very interesting. You learn more from a bookseller working the shop floor about what's selling and what is not than ever from the review pages or even the publishers!

So, a huge thank you to Borders in Union Square for their welcome and hard work on Sepulchre's behalf. (And sadness at the loss of another independent bookstore, Cody's, on the corner opposite.)



A bientôt.

Kate