Seven years ago, in 2007, Crime Writers of Canada held its first Arthur Ellis contest for Canada’s Best Unpublished First Crime Novel (The Unhanged Arthur). The five authors on that year’s shortlist were:
Jennifer Hemstock, Murder in a Cold Climate
Meika Erinn McClurg, Ego Tenderloin
Rosemary McCracken, Last Date
Phyllis Smallman, Margarita Nights
Kevin Thornton, Condemned
All five of us attended the Arthur Ellis awards banquet on June 7 of that year, and I particularly remember Meika McClurg. She was lovely, with a pretty face, long blonde hair and an outgoing personality. She suggested that, when she and I ware published, we go on a book tour together.
I’ve often wondered what became of Meika. I’d assumed that her novel would be published in short order, and her winning ways would help market it to the moon. But I never heard anything more about her.
Today Kevin Thornton emailed this link: http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2012/10/missing-person-meika-erinn-mcclurg.html In October 2012, Meika apparently went missing in California. My attempts to find anything subsequent to the report proved fruitless.
I’d like to know the outcome. I only hope it’s a happy ending.