Yes, there's a Liverpool FC supporter living in Kentucky...

I'm positively mad for the Reds. Okay, so there are the Cincinnati Reds, the Communists, and the Liverpool Football Club. With all due respect to Johnny Bench and Leon Trotsky, I'm talking about footie here.

Back in January 2005, I began writing a murder mystery novel and decided, not exactly by random, to set my story on Merseyside. I wanted a port city with ethic and cultural diversity, and in doing my reading online I settled on fair Liverpool.

I'm so glad I did. In the course of researching the people of the area, I inevitably came upon the vast following of the Liverpool Football Club. What on earth are these people singing so passionately about? I wondered. 2005 and the exploits of one Mr Steven Gerrard against West Ham effectively answered my question. That, and being reassured that "You'll Never Walk Alone". It also became apparent to me that there's definitely an affinity between the local supporters and the players beyond being red-clad Carlsburg billboards: they all work hard. They all dig deep. They all give a shit. And at the end of the day, they all pour their hearts and souls back into the club. I realized it's fun because it is hard work, damn hard work, to wear the red shirt out there. I was well-poised to join the vast worldwide Kop as a vocal and loyal member.

Much to my surprise I eventually finished that book, called Mersey Killings, which starts with a dead body in a deserted warehouse. The second book I wrote involving those characters was called Creep, which leads up to a murdered woman discovered in Stanley Park. That is, it was called such until this very morning. Now it's called Never Walk Alone, and my aim (as with the ten other books I've somehow pounded out over 4 1/2 years) is to get it published.

This blog is called 'It's a Fair Kop', and while it clearly proves the point I have a bad habit of choosing too-cute-by-half titles for things, it's intended to offer myself an outlet for both Liverpool FC and writing matters. The other blog of mine, 'Serial Quiller', may well focus on just mystery writing in general or on my other non-Merseyside works.

Now, in addition to writing up a couple of short stories, I'm pondering what 2009-10 will look like at Anfield. Will LFC say cheerio to Tevez and ta-ta to Alonso? (I kinda hope not, no offense to Mr Tevez.) Will Gerrard and Torres get more than a handful of matches together? (Almost have to, wouldn't they?) Will those drab draws last season turn to spectacular wins? (Yes.) Will there be hardware in the case at Melwood in May 2010? (Hell, yes.)

I love to write, and I love my club. I'll type , and they'll kick arse. Enough said.