From Asbury Park to St. Louis

As part of this year's BoucherCon World Mystery Convention in St. Louis next month, I've put together a "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.!" basket for the convention's Charity Auction, this year benefiting the St. Louis County Library System. Any attendees can bid. Contents are:

- Signed first edition hardcovers of my first two novels THE BARBED-WIRE KISS (St. Martin’s Press, 2003) and THE HEARTBREAK LOUNGE (St. Martin’s Press, 2005), both set at the Jersey Shore.

- A signed copy of “MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER: Stories Inspired By the Haunting Bruce Springsteen Song,” (Bloomsbury 2005), containing my Shore-set short story “Lovers in the Cold” (also featuring stories by David Corbett, Eddie Muller and others).

- An authentic t-shirt from the one and only Stone Pony. Brand-new, black, XL (comes with authentic Stony Pony merchandise bag).

- An autographed copy of the new updated edition of ROCK & ROLL TOUR OF THE JERSEY SHORE, an exhaustive guide and map to the places Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Jon Bon Jovi and others made famous (and not so famous) at the Jersey Shore. Signed by authors Stan Goldstein and Jean Mikle (and me). The definitive book on Shore rock ‘n’ roll history.

- “MORE GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK: The B’Con 2011 Mix.” A one-of-a-kind personal mix CD gathering 16 classic tracks and lost gems from the Jersey Shore music scene, past and present. Compiled, mixed and mastered exclusively for Bouchercon 2011. All songs copyright their respective artists.

7.) “LOST TRACKS: Springsteen Rarities 1975-2005.” A one-of-a-kind personal mix CD featuring 17 rare Springsteen recordings. Compiled, mixed and mastered exclusively for Bouchercon 2011. All songs copyright Bruce Springsteen.

8.) Two vintage Asbury Park postcards.

9.) Handmade Palace Amusements bookmark featuring the iconic ”Tillie” face.

10.) Authentic Salt Water Taffy from Asbury Park’s Criterion Candies.