Where Are THE HIDDEN THINGS?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: One of the most enduring mysteries in Boston, maybe anywhere, is the unsolved case of the missing paintings from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. You know the story:  in a weird break-in that defies all explanation, irreplaceable masterpieces were swiped from the museum. 

The crooks got clean away, and the paintings have never been seen again. It’s tragic, and breathtaking, and even though massive rewards have been offered--five million dollars!-- police have not been able to track down the culprits, or the dozen masterpieces they took, including one Vermeer, three Rembrandts, and five Degas. 

In the museum now, there are only empty spaces.

Worth as much as $500 million, the missing masterpieces have become one of the nation's most extraordinary unsolved mysteries--and the largest art heist in history.

Are the paintings in someone’s basement? Are they destroyed? Were they buried in someone’s backyard--and forgotten? Will they ever be found? If you ever want to start a conversation with someone from Boston, just bring up the Gardner heist, and then listen. Everyone has an opinion.

That in mind, the amazingly talented Jamie Mason, in her newest book, has come up with a solution, and you will love it! The Hidden Things is a terrific book, brilliantly written, as multi-layered as the title implies, with a unique and irresistible main character. (Talk about voice!) It is a true page turner. And her explanation of what happened in this perplexing crime is…kinda possible. Especially how one of the paintings came to light.

Today she has some inspiration for us, and it is a treat to read. And then she’ll be here to answer your questions. ( We can see if she has any inside information.)  

And a copy of THE HIDDEN THINGS to one extremely supremely lucky commenter! 

Why “Write What You Know” Is One of the Best Things About Being a Writer

       by Jamie Mason

Some of us lead lives that make the advice “write what you know” a given. The axiom earns an of course-kind of shrug. A duh.

If you’re a writer who is overburdened with expertise and find yourself perpetually batting away a fog of intrigue so thick you can barely see your next adventure bearing down on you, you might not understand that “write what you know” can feel like a bit of an indictment for the rest of us.

On that other hand, if what you know feels brown-paper normal on its very sparkliest days, and mundane to outright dull on the rest of them, a heightened fiction—the reading and the writing of it—might be the whole damned point.

So, write what you know?

You’d better believe it.

And it’s not only great advice, it’s great news, too. An utter privilege.

The first thing you must know in this endeavor is yourself. And it’s no small task. It requires attention we’re not necessarily practiced at.

Like any job, working to get the right words around an idea or a plot has a thousand ways to frustrate. So you have to know what in the process brings you satisfaction—then lean into those things to sustain you over the speed bumps and the minutes, hours, days, weeks where your will and your want aren’t on speaking terms with your can-do.

Do you love inception, getting the spark of an idea that sends you running for your notepad or the voice recorder on your phone? Do you love building the iceberg of the backstory that will never reveal its true leviathan scale? Do you love crafting a villain, mining the things that are awful in the world to sculpt a worthy adversary for your heroes? Do you love outlining, the puzzle of organizing all the what-ifs that have gotten loose in the labyrinth? Do you love the music in the rhythm of the words? Is there a thrill in imagining what the reader will want and feel? Do you love typing The End?

Whatever it is, notice it. And know yourself in these things, to color those facets of the work as you encounter them. Love it while you’re loving it. Mindfulness of what’s a pleasure will show on the page. It will make the story richer. And it will make your life bigger, a gift you never lose no matter what happens with the story you’re working on.

The second gift in “write what you know” is getting to know what you need to. Of course, the internet is such an incredible boon to writers. Access to information and easy consultation with people who practice in life what you need to borrow for fiction is fish in a barrel. The shooting is easy. What an incredible time to be curious.

But what has ever been true is that people love to be the experts of their own perceptions. The people around you, in person and online and at the other end of phone connections, are the foremost authority of verisimilitude. And they’ll tell you anything if you tell them you’re writing a book.

It’s the on-ramp to cold calls and chitchat with strangers. In research, I’ve out of the blue called zoos, police, grocery stores, churches, schools, laboratories, and even a septic-and-irrigation company.

But it’s the crossed-paths conversations that I’ve loved the most, yielding not only colorful and useful information, but details and perspectives that I wouldn’t have even thought to inquire after. They’ve made story mountains out of throwaway small-talk molehills.

You can ask specific questions, but sometimes just inviting people to tell you what’s interesting in their experiences will draw fascinating things into the light. I’ve polled social media for anecdotes about all kinds of things: about using a motorcycle as a primary mode of transportation; about what it’s like to do battle with a days-long migraine; about what it’s like to have to keep secrets as a condition of employment; and about living with someone who has to keep secrets.

I ask hairdressers, DJs, doctors, bus drivers, waitstaff, teachers, anyone who seems game to talk, to tell me about a customer, client, patient, coworker, or boss who was terrible or wonderful.

A reporter once told me that there are three questions guaranteed to ignite an interesting conversation (and interesting conversation is cheek to jowl in importance with cold, hard facts for arming writers with what they need): Do you know the circumstances of your birth? Have you ever been close to death? Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do?

They’ll talk to us. We writers end up in that privileged club with bartenders, priests, therapists, and best friends. And it will yield snippets and gems that will then be yours, lucky you. These things will become knowledge, your knowledge, and thereby satisfy the Prime Directive: Go forth, ye writer, and write what you know.

HANK: So wise! But Jamie, who did you talk to about the Gardner  theft? And what do you think really happened? And  how about you, reds and readers? What’s your theory? Don’t forget—one lucky commenter will win THE HIDDEN THINGS!

Jamie Mason was born in Oklahoma City and grew up all over the Washington, DC area. She’s most often reading and writing, but in the life left over, she enjoys films, Formula 1 racing, football, traveling, and, conversely, staying at home. Jamie lives with her husband and two daughters in the mountains of western North Carolina. She is the author of Three Graves Full, Monday’s Lie, and The Hidden Things, all from Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books.  

Margaret McLean on IT'S A CRIME radio...

HALLIE EPHRON: Margaret Mclean shares her fascination with crime, courtrooms, and law enforcement by hosting radio's "It's a Crime" on KCAA NBC NEWS RADIO 1050 AM. Listeners can stream the show live from her web site Saturdays, 3-5 (ET) -- or listen to programs that have aired.

Margaret interviews attorneys, cops, investigators, forensic experts, and writers on her two hour show. The best part is how much fun she seems to having doing it.

Margaret, you've argued cases in courtrooms and written two terrific legal thrillers (UNDER OATH and UNDER FIRE). How did that prepare you to host your own radio show?

MARGARET MCLEAN:  As an attorney, I became skilled at interviewing witnesses in preparation for trial.  I had to meet with them, listen to their stories, and build trust.  I would explain courtroom procedure and how to best present their version of events on the witness stand. 

The strongest cases are built on the testimony of witnesses.  My novels draw strength from the same skill set.  For example, to build solid characters, I had to interview seasoned investigators, a Senegalese Muslim woman, and parents whose children were killed in the Charlestown code of silence murders.  In order to get them to open up, I had to build trust and make them feel comfortable.  I learned to be a good listener.

Hosting a vibrant radio show boils down to telling a story through an interviewee.  Preparation is key.  I’ll also ask if they’ve collected any evidence throughout their research.  One guest shared his exclusive Ted Bundy murder kit as it was laid out on his dining room table—ice pick and all.

HALLIE: Yikes. Bundy was a truly scary guy.

You've had some fascinating guests talking about some of the most controversial crimes and criminals. Could you share with us something surprising that you learned about...

BLACK DAHLIA

MARGARET: I never knew much about the notorious 1947 Black Dahlia murder until I interviewed former L.A.P.D. Homicide Detective Steve Hodel.   Elizabeth Short’s body had been surgically bisected and displayed at the crime scene and her murder inspired the largest manhunt in Los Angeles history. 

In 1999, Steve’s father, Dr. George Hodel, died.  As Steve sifted through his father’s papers, he discovered old photographs of the Black Dahlia in sensual poses which were taken while she was alive.  Steve was chilled as if the dead Elizabeth Short had reached out to him from beyond the grave. 

He immersed himself in an intense investigation, and uncovered extensive evidence that his father was the Black Dahlia killer.  Steve also discovered that Dr. George Hodel had been a prime suspect for some time.  

In my interview with Steve, he reveals how he felt upon uncovering evidence that his father was a psychopathic killer.  He provided exclusive crime scene and personal photos and compared the artwork of Man Ray (Les Amoureaux and Minotaur) with the way the killer had posed Elizabeth Short at the crime scene.  Dr. George Hodel and Man Ray were close friends.  Steve believes his father had attempted to imitate art through murder.

HALLIE: Fascinating. And it segues nicely to...

ART THEFT AT THE GARDNER

MARGARET:  I hosted Anthony Amore live in my studio to discuss the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum heist and his book, STEALING REMBRANDTS: THE UNTOLD STORIES OF NOTORIOUS ART THEFTS. 

In preparation for the show, Anthony gave me a private tour of the Gardner museum and explained how in 1990, thieves disguised as Boston police officers stole thirteen pieces of art including works by Rembrandt, Degas, Vermeer, and Manet.  When Mrs. Gardner opened the museum in 1903, she donated her priceless collection to the public because Boston needed a great museum. 

The empty frames hanging on the walls haunted me as I walked through Mrs. Gardner’s rooms.  I am now following the most recent developments on the FBI investigation into the Gardner heist and hope they will be returned soon. 

Before the show, I barely knew Anthony and now he has become a great friend.  In fact, Anthony recently introduced me to Jon Leiberman, who is now my co-author for an upcoming book about the trial of Whitey Bulger. 

HALLIE: Whitey certainly is a fascinating character. Can't wait to hear your take on him. On to...

MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS

MARGARET: Another guest, Karen Scioscia, author of KIDNAPPED BY THE CARTEL, shared a personal story about how her close family member, a twenty-two year old American woman, was yanked right out of her car, kidnapped, and held hostage by a cartel for eleven days.  Cartel members drugged the young woman and were about to sell her into the thriving sex trafficking trade when Karen’s family hired private security to conduct a daring rescue with guns.

HALLIE: I see you enjoy covering history and crime.

MARGARET: I often view my show as a personal history book. 

Certain chapters of American history have always fascinated me. The radio show enables me to call on leading experts in various time periods.  It’s like having my own private professor. 

For example, Veteran journalist Don Fulsom, author of NIXON'S DARKEST SECRETS discussed his career covering Richard Nixon. He shared recently declassified documents and recordings revealing an even more troubling side of our 37th President, and how he deceived the American public. 

William Martin (THE LINCOLN LETTER) enlightened listeners about President Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and civil war Washington. 

Sherry Fiester, a senior crime scene investigator and blood spatter analyst, delved into a forensics analysis of the JFK assassination by providing trajectory diagrams for the website and explaining her theory of the assassination. 

Boston College History Professor and author, Alan Rogers, discussed the historical impact that the Boston Strangler murders had on Boston and Cambridge, the uncoordinated investigative techniques, and theories that Albert DeSalvo may not have been the real killer.

HALLIE: Finally, tell us who you've got coming up as guests in weeks to come on It's a Crime?

MARGARET:  This Saturday, I’ll be joined by Rick Baker, to discuss the McStay family disappearance, and Jenice Malecki, a New York based attorney and Today Show contributor, will inform us about consumer fraud and identity theft. 

On April 6th, Hallie Ephron will talk about her new novel of suspense, THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN, and Scott Raab, writer for Esquire Magazine, will discuss the upcoming HBO documentary on the controversial Phil Spector trial. 

Later in the month, I’ll be featuring a panel discussion on the latest developments in the Amanda Knox case, which will include Paul Ciolino, the leading private investigator for the Knox family, and Dan Hale, attorney and author.  Casey Sherman will be joining me again to discuss his latest book, ANIMAL: THE BLOODY RISE AND FALL OF THE MOB'S MOST FEARED ASSASSIN.

HALLIE: Utterly fascinating. Thanks for joining us, Margaret.

For more information on upcoming shows, check itsacrimeradio.comhttp://itsacrimeradio.com and follow Margaret on twitter @margaretmclean_

Margaret will be checking in today, so if you have any questions about crimes she may have covered on her show, now's your chance to ask!