Robin Agnew
Here's a post I never thought I'd be writing. Kim Malo, our Sunday blogger, reviewer, mystery lover and web mistress extraordinaire, has passed away. I think I "knew" her the best of anyone on this blog, as she has been the web mistress for Aunt Agatha's for many years now. I came upon her on the recommendation of another bookseller, and I don't think I have ever experienced a more fortuitous partnership.
Along with her voluminous knowledge of computers, her knowledge of, and love for, mysteries as a genre was strong and deep. She was a voracious reader - she was a shut in who didn't watch television, and so along with her various computer duties two things she truly enjoyed were reading and the Boston Celtics.
She lived in Boston so we never met, though we spoke on the phone during a long hospitalization a year or two ago. Her voice sounded as I thought it would, and she said the same about me. Despite her various health problems she was never a complainer, usually finding much more interesting things to talk and think about. She was always polishing up our store website - just because she enjoyed it. She would add some cool little detail and then ask me if that was OK. She was absolutely a delight in every way.
She also was passionate about historical mysteries, one of her favorite writers being Margaret Frazer, something else on which we were in agreement. In addition she managed the Crime Thru Time website, a resource I have found invaluable through the years. If you are an historical mystery fan and haven't heard about it, check it out - it's wonderful.
The passing of a "virtual" friend seems as real to me as the passing of someone I had met. I suppose in a farther off time it might equate to the passing of a pen pal, a pen pal with whom you were able to exchange ideas and share interests. Kim's opinions were funny, smart, measured, logical and passionate. Never boring. She and my husband connected over the Celtics - another topic on which she had strong opinions. At the end of this last season she appeared on a Boston radio show talking about the Celtics, something that sounded to me as though it were a real life highlight for her.
She also wrote wonderful book reviews, notably for Reviewing the Evidence. She was terribly modest about it and only every so often would she forward a review of hers, recommending a book for the store. I was always pleased and honored to have her input.
I regret that she died so young (she was only 52) but I can never regret having been lucky enough to have known her, in however small and brief a manner. For me she leaves a big space to fill, virtual or no. I can never look forward to opening another of her funny and insightful e-mails. Kim, you will be very much missed. Aunt Agatha's salutes you.
