—————————————————— Lisa Lutz and David Hayward: Heads You Lose | Calendar | Houston | Houston Press | The Leading Independent News Source in Houston, Texas

Lisa Lutz and David Hayward: Heads You Lose

Most people can’t stand to be in the same room with an ex, much less co-author a novel with them. And yet such a collaboration — fueled by a bit of healthy rivalry — led to Heads You Lose, a mystery novel by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward. Lutz, best known for writing the Spellman series, about a family of private detectives, contacted Hayward to ask him to collaborate, even though their romantic relationship was long past over.

They wrote chapters back-to-back and gave each other notes. So while the fictional tale, of two twenty-something, pot-smoking farmers who find a dead body on their property, is dysfunctional enough, the reader is also treated to these notes (one, from Lisa to David, reads, “Simply correct my spelling and grammar, rather than mock me for it”). Lutz and Hayward — who are still getting along, apparently — will discuss and sign Heads You Lose at Murder by the Book. 2 p.m. 2342 Bissonnet. For information, call 713‑524-8597 or visit www.murderbooks.com. Free.
Sun., April 10, 2 p.m., 2011

KEEP THE HOUSTON PRESS FREE... Since we started the Houston Press, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Houston, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
JULIA RAMEY SERAZIO