It was quite fascinating to attend Gerry Boyle’s talk last week at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Mr. Boyle shared some very interesting stories about his career as a reporter and writer. I was most impressed with the way he spoke about watching and listening. Clearly these are two well-developed skills encouraged by years working as a newspaper reporter in a variety of locations. The talk provided much usable information.

Mr. Boyle’s first reporting job was in the paper mill town of Rumford, Maine, where I think he became very familiar with the inner workings of the massive industry’s impact on the lives of a small town and associated politics. He began as a reporter there with the weekly Rumford Falls Times.

In many ways I could relate to those vital connections, growing up in a small coal mining town. Being overwhelmed by a giant company and so totally committed to it for personal survival creates a relationship fraught with interesting and critical dependence. Under the surface there are many significant stories, twists and turns. For a good listener and a dedicated observer, this is a rich environment.

Gerry Boyle came to Maine, and Colby College via his family’s move to Rhode Island. He graduated from Colby College in 1978, majoring in literature. I have read online about his college experience and the influence of his teachers there. It would seem that Mr. Boyle benefited greatly from his experience at Colby which continues to be a significant part of his life after his college years.

Crime novels have been part of the Doyle stable for a long time. His reporting years served him well and became a major source of ideas and stimulus for his more than a dozen crime novels. His most recent book, noted in accompanying photo, “Robbed Blind,” a Jack McMorrow Mystery, was recently published by Islandport Press. I got an autographed copy from Mr. Boyle after his chat at the library, and am just now beginning to read it. I suppose I should have started with the first novel in the Boyle series but I really didn’t know about the books. Thanks to the Harbor library for introducing me.

One funny and familiar “aside” Mr. Boyle shared during his visit really hit home. He told a story about visiting the “dump,” now referred to as a “transfer station,” near his central Maine home. We have seen a similar transition here at our own facility. Mr. Boyle described his interesting visits to the dump’s “Pick Pile,” a place he described as a source of things set aside. We have one of those. For me, when my wife makes a run to the “dump,” she often returns with some of those items which have been “set aside.” I hold my breath! We have a good collection of “transferred” items. Gerry Boyle got some good stuff, too!

The Jack McMorrow series is coming to a close. The next Boyle novel will be the last for Jack, so I really need to get going! Thank you Mr. Boyle for your interesting visit and your books.