They say life is short...

[Nichole R. Bennett]

and it is.

You would think that someone who really desires to make her living writing about murders would realize that, wouldn't you? But no. It takes a slap in the face to realize it.

I found out this week that author Susan Smily has an extremely aggressive breast cancer. I met Susan and her writing partner, Honora, at Mayhem and hit it off with both ladies. This is one of those things that reminds me not to take any day for granted.

Keep Susan and Honora in your thoughts. Find a copy of one of their books, "The Chef Who Died Sauteing" or "The Lawyer Who Died Trying" or one of the cookbooks, and you'll get a glimpse at the humor these ladies have.

Frankly, I have no doubt that Susan Smily will keep smiling through this. And I will tell those people I admire, and those people that I love, just how I feel as I'm reminded how very short life really is.

[Elizabeth Zelvin]

I met Susan and Honora at Malice, and they had a unique presence with their chef hats and judges' robes. My thoughts are with Susan too. I wonder if there's anything we can do. I was blown away by how the mystery community responded to Elaine Viets' sudden stroke a few months ago: including her and the new book she couldn't tour with on their book tours and websites. I have the impression the book is doing great, and so is she.