Drive it and they will come: Kim Cooper discusses and signs The Kept Girl (Esotouric Ink), a crowd-funded mystery novel supported by fans of her Esotouric bus tour of Los Angeles cultural landmarks. Esotouric covers everything noir, from Bukowski to Waits to the Black Dahlia. As a natural progression, The Kept Girl imagines what hardboiled mystery writer Raymond Chandler, his mistress and their nosy cop pal might do if an oil tycoon's nephew were relieved of his fortune by an angel-worshiping prophetess — and said tycoon wanted the money back. Of course, along the way they scratch the seedy, seamy underbelly of the city and grim affairs are unveiled to one and all. Esotouric Ink, the publishing initiative of Cooper and Esotouric co-presenter Richard Schave, is supported not only by fans but also by the Huntington Library and UCLA Library Special Collections. At the very least, it's a refreshing way to foster a literate community of like-minded Angelenos, readers and riders alike. Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; Thu., July 17, 7 p.m.; free, book is $14.99. (626) 449-5320, vromansbookstore.com.

Thu., July 17, 7 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 07/17/14)

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.