Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Girl with a Gun: An Annie Oakley Mystery
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://karibovee.com/
CITY:
STATE: NM
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; husband’s name Kevin; children: two.
EDUCATION:University of San Diego, B.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Previously, worked as a technical writer, teacher, and educational software provider.
AVOCATIONS:Training horses.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Kari Bovee is a writer based in New Mexico. Previously, worked as a technical writer, teacher, and educational software provider. Bovee holds a degree from the University of San Diego. In an interview with Carolyn M. Walker, which appeared on Walker’s self-titled website, Bovee commented on the general inspirations behind her writing. She stated: “I’m inspired by all the empowered women who came before us, who rose above socio-economic hurdles, societal stereo-types and norms, to be themselves, to live their passion and make their mark.”
In 2018, Bovee released her first book, Girl with a Gun: An Annie Oakley Mystery, the first volume in a planned series starring a fictional version of the historical figure. In an interview with a contributor to the Copperfield website, Bovee described the novel and discussed the inspiration behind it, stating: “It is what the title states, an historical mystery with Annie Oakley as an amateur sleuth. After watching a PBS American Experience special on Annie Oakley, I was impressed with the depth of her intelligence, her talent, and what she had to overcome in her early years. I love to write about empowered women in history, and Annie Oakley fit the bill. I thought she’d make a kick-ass amateur sleuth.” Bovee continued: “Instead of writing a biographical account of her life, I’ve put Annie Oakley—a famous and iconic person—into a situation she never encountered in real life. I think it’s fun to imagine how she would have reacted to being compelled to solve a murder.” Regarding the character of Annie in the book, Bovee told Walker: “In my novel, Annie always wrestles with what her mother and her religion (Quakerism) want from her, and what she sees as moral and empowering. Annie wants more from life than to be a housewife and mother. She knows she has talent, and she likes being famous, but she is incredibly kind and always puts others before herself. She never forgets where and what she’s come from, and she is incredibly loyal to her fellow characters, even if they aren’t always loyal to her.”
The action in the book begins in 1885, when Annie is just fifteen years old. She enters a shooting contest, and her performance impresses Buffalo Bill Cody and Chief Sitting Bull. Buffalo Bill invites her to be a performer in his traveling Wild West Show. Annie meets and becomes close friends with, Kimi, a member of the Sioux Native American tribe, who is also traveling with the show. When they and the rest of the Wild West Show crew are in St. Louis for a performance, Kimi dies and Annie’s horse, Buck becomes very ill. Annie is sure that Kimi was murdered, and she wonders if Buck was poisoned. Soon after, other members of the production are found dead, and Annie determines to identify the killer. Meanwhile, she develops a quirky romantic relationship with Frank Butler, who is also a sharpshooter performing in the Wild West Show. She also clashes with other people affiliated with the show, including Twila Midnight and her adopted sister, Lillie Smith.
Girl with a Gun received mixed assessments. A reviewer in Publishers Weekly described the book as “uneven,” but suggested: “Readers interested in strong American women will welcome this new series despite its off notes.” A Kirkus Reviews critic asserted: “The prose has a charming simplicity, which keeps the attention focused on the action and the well-developed protagonist.” The same critic described the volume as “a quick, fun read with engaging rodeo scenes.” A writer on the Historical Novel Society website commented: “Luxurious descriptions of dress and settings abound, but readers may find some anachronistic use of terms … a bit off-putting.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2018, review of Girl with a Gun: An Annie Oakley Mystery.
Publishers Weekly, April 23, 2018, review of Girl with a Gun, p. 67.
ONLINE
Carolyn M. Walker website, https://carolynmwalker.wordpress.com/ (April 7, 2018), Carolyn M. Walker, author interview.
Copperfield, https://copperfieldreview.com/ (March 17, 2018), author interview.
Historical Novel Society, https://historicalnovelsociety.org/ (August 13, 2018), review of Girl with a Gun.
Kari Bovee website, https://karibovee.com/ (September 12, 2018).
About
Kari headshotI love to write about empowered women in history, horses, unconventional characters, and real-life historical events. My enthusiasm for these subjects gives my life purpose and meaning, and I am dedicated to putting these passions on paper and online to share with the world. I make it a point to continue to learn and hone my craft to provide readers the joy of an escape from their everyday lives into a mystery from the past.
It is so fun for me to take the spark of an idea and grow it into a full-length book of mystery and intrigue, usually in a historical setting. The spark often comes from something or someone in history that moves me or makes me think about how people in the past might have thought about or reacted to a mystery in their life.
I’m working on three separate series, all about empowered women in history, and I have been honored to receive some awards for some of these unpublished novels. My manuscript Grace in the Wings was placed in the Romantic Suspense category of the 2012 LERA Rebecca contest, the 2014 NTRWA Great Expectations contest, and the RWA 2016 Daphne du Maurier contest. In 2012 the unpublished manuscript Girl with a Gun placed in the NHRWA Lone Star Writer’s contest.
I am proud to announce that Girl with A Gun – An Annie Oakley Mystery was released in June 2018.
I’ve written stories for as long as I can remember. I still have a note my third-grade teacher wrote to my mother telling her, “Kari loves writing stories in class.” That love of telling a story only grew stronger as I grew older. While working towards a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of San Diego, I finessed my coursework to include independent studies in my senior year. Those independent studies consisted of short story writing, playwriting, novel writing, and a debut as a theater director.
When I graduated, I took a job as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, one of the world’s largest science & technology solution providers. There I wrote articles for the company newsletter, worked on video scripts, and completed an inter-company teleconferencing manual. To feed my creative side during this time, I volunteered in community theater and worked as a stage manager.
After marriage and children, I continued to work part-time. I wrote for magazines and newsletters, and also worked as a teacher of literature, reading, and drama. Later, I worked as an educational software provider and instructor. But, my passion for writing historical stories of romance, mystery, and intrigue could not be ignored. In my thirties, I wrote my first two novels and acquired my first agent. After several magnanimous rejections, combined with the demands of motherhood, I temporarily set aside my writing passion.
“Temporarily” because one’s passions never die. Several years later, I resurrected my writing career and completed three more novels. I continue to work on my three historical mystery series and hope to share them with the world, soon.
In addition to my passions for writing and my family, I am an avid horsewoman (see EquusPlus here). I train my own horses and compete at the local, regional, and national levels. I have won numerous awards in Dressage, Sport Horse, Western Dressage, and Western Trail. Always interested in improving my horsemanship skills and my relationships with my horses, I study and practice natural horsemanship with the Parelli Program. I am currently on hiatus from competition, but enjoy playing with and riding my four horses several times a week.
My husband, Kevin, and I live in the beautiful Land of Enchantment, New Mexico. We own a beautiful horse property nestled along the Rio Grande where we live with our cat, four dogs, and four horses. Our two children are our greatest achievements, and I am proud to say they live happy, productive lives as entrepreneurs and professionals.
QUOTED: "I’m inspired by all the empowered women who came before us, who rose above socio-economic hurdles, societal stereo-types and norms, to be themselves, to live their passion and make their mark."
"In my novel, Annie always wrestles with what her mother and her religion (Quakerism) want from her, and what she sees as moral and empowering. Annie wants more from life than to be a housewife and mother. She knows she has talent, and she likes being famous, but she is incredibly kind and always puts others before herself. She never forgets where and what she’s come from, and she is incredibly loyal to her fellow characters, even if they aren’t always loyal to her."
Author Interview with Kari Bovée
7 apr 2018 by miss write wise, posted in authors, interview, spotlight, writing
Reader and Writer Friends! Today, we’ll be interviewing the amazing Kari Bovée and discussing her debut novel Girl with a Gun – An Annie Oakley Mystery, releasing in June with Spark Press! Read on to learn more about her book and the author behind the words!
ABOUT THE NOVEL:
GirlWithAGun_FINALFifteen-year-old Annie Oakley is the sole supporter of her widowed mother and two younger siblings. An expert markswoman and independent spirit, she hunts game to sell to the local mercantile to make ends meet instead of accepting a marriage proposal that could solve all her problems.
After a stunning performance in a shooting contest against the handsome and famous sharpshooter Frank Butler, Annie is offered a position in the renowned Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Finally, she has a chance to save the nearly foreclosed family farm and make her dreams come true.
But, after her catapult to fame, a series of crimes take place in the Wild West Show including the death of Annie’s Indian assistant. The coroner claims the death was due to natural causes, but Annie is unconvinced. When her prized horse Buck—a major part of her act—is stolen, Annie soon realizes that someone is out to get her.
With the help of a sassy, blue-blooded reporter, Annie sets out to find her horse, solve the crimes, and clear her good name.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
Q. What inspires you to write?
I find inspiration all the time—in literature, nature, art, television and podcasts. I love learning about people and places, especially women in history. I’m inspired by all the empowered women who came before us, who rose above socio-economic hurdles, societal stereo-types and norms, to be themselves, to live their passion and make their mark on the world despite their sex, like Annie Oakley.
Q. Why did you decide to write Girl with a Gun?
I saw a PBS American Experience special on Annie Oakley. Before I’d seen the show, I’d always thought of her as a “goody two-shoes,” almost cartoonish character. When I saw the special, I was so surprised at the depth of her intelligence, her talent, and what she had to overcome in her younger years. She became hugely famous, and it never impacted her integrity. Aside from the fact that she had a career that most men craved, and she could outshoot all of the men in the Wild West Show and beyond, she was also incredibly philanthropic. She felt that every woman had a right to defend herself and taught thousands of women to shoot. She had some pretty tough obstacles to overcome in her life, but she always did so with courage and integrity. She was just a bad-ass woman, although she never thought so. She is a great role model for all women, young and old.
Q. What makes your main character(s) unique or worth caring about?
In my novel, Annie always wrestles with what her mother and her religion (Quakerism) want from her, and what she sees as moral and empowering. Annie wants more from life than to be a housewife and mother. She knows she has talent, and she likes being famous, but she is incredibly kind and always puts others before herself. She never forgets where and what she’s come from, and she is incredibly loyal to her fellow characters, even if they aren’t always loyal to her.
Q. Can you share a little bit about your writing process?
It is still evolving. I usually have to have a plan—an outline, but when I’m writing, if my characters do or say something that might change the story, I listen to them and then decide if I need to change up the story-line. I’m all about having a plan, but then also being open to adjusting and changing the plan. Because I write historical fiction, I do a fair amount of research in the beginning, but find that I have to continue with the research during the writing process, so things change a lot. I have to remind myself to be flexible, and to not stress if things don’t work out exactly as I have planned.
Q. Who are your favorite author(s)?
Gosh. There are so many. I have a degree in English Literature and still love to read the classics. I have always been inspired by the 18th and 19th century greats like, Jane
Austen, the Bronte sisters, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dickens. I’ve been influenced by Larry McMurtry, Anne Perry, Stephanie Barron, and Kerry Greenwood. Some of my recent favorites are C.W. Gortner, Cara Black, Hallie Ephron, Louise Penny, and Erika Robuck.
Q. What are you currently reading right now?
I just finished Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck. I couldn’t put the thing down! That hasn’t happened to me in a while. I loved her telling of story of the relationship between F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, and the nurse who experienced first-hand Zelda’s decline into schizophrenia. It was fascinating. Now, I am reading my book club’s pick, Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides, about the life of Kit Carson. Being a native New Mexican, I love to read about New Mexico and southern Colorado. There is such rich history in this part of the U.S.
Q. What’s harder, writing that first sentence or the last sentence of your book?
First sentence. I change the beginning a few times. I usually write about 50 pages before I really know what the story is about and where it is going. Beginnings are always the hardest for me. Once I get into a flow, it’s much easier. The ending just sort of happens, which is really cool.
Q. What good advice would you give to aspiring authors out there?
I would say if you want to be an author make sure that writing is your passion, because if it isn’t, it’s hard to keep going. There is a lot of rejection and a lot of criticism that comes with being a writer, and if you aren’t in love with the craft, it can eat you up. Resilience and persistence are the names of the game in this career. That said, listen to the critics, take in what they have to say, and then decide for yourself. Believe in yourself and your work. What you have to say matters.
ABOUT KARI:
Kari Bovée HeadshotEmpowered women in history, horses, unconventional characters, and real-life historical events fill the pages of Kari Bovée’s blog posts and manuscripts. Bovée is an award-winning writer: She was a finalist in the Romantic Suspense category of the 2012 LERA Rebecca contest, the 2014 NTRWA Great Expectations contest, and the RWA 2016 Daphne du Maurier contest for her unpublished manuscript Grace in the Wings. She was also honored as a finalist in the NHRWA Lone Star Writer’s contest in 2012 with the unpublished manuscript of Girl with a Gun. Bovée and her husband, Kevin, live in New Mexico with their cat, four dogs, and four horses.
QUOTED: "It is what the title states, an historical mystery with Annie Oakley as an amateur sleuth. After watching a PBS American Experience special on Annie Oakley, I was impressed with the depth of her intelligence, her talent, and what she had to overcome in her early years. I love to write about empowered women in history, and Annie Oakley fit the bill. I thought she’d make a kick-ass amateur sleuth."
"Instead of writing a biographical account of her life, I’ve put Annie Oakley—a famous and iconic person—into a situation she never encountered in real life. I think it’s fun to imagine how she would have reacted to being compelled to solve a murder."
An Interview With Kari Bovée
by COPPERFIELD posted on MARCH 17, 2018
Kari Bovée is the author of Girl with a Gun – An Annie Oakley Mystery.
When and why did you begin writing, and did you always write historical fiction?
I started writing stories in the third grade. I’ve always wanted to be a writer. After college I took a job as a technical writer—which at the time I thought was soul-sucking—but, I actually learned a lot from the experience. I started writing novels when I was in my early thirties but then took a long hiatus from that to raise our children. During that time, I worked as a freelance writer from home for a couple of magazines and newsletters, etc. I just couldn’t get writing out of my system. I started writing novels again when my youngest was a junior in high school. I love historical fiction and historical mystery, but also like to write contemporary mysteries, too.
What is your latest novel? How would you describe it to potential readers?
My latest novel is Girl with a Gun – An Annie Oakley Mystery. It is what the title states, an historical mystery with Annie Oakley as an amateur sleuth. After watching a PBS American Experience special on Annie Oakley, I was impressed with the depth of her intelligence, her talent, and what she had to overcome in her early years. I love to write about empowered women in history, and Annie Oakley fit the bill. I thought she’d make a kick-ass amateur sleuth.
What makes this book different?
Instead of writing a biographical account of her life, I’ve put Annie Oakley—a famous and iconic person—into a situation she never encountered in real life. I think it’s fun to imagine how she would have reacted to being compelled to solve a murder. I took what we know of her through history and created a different reality for her.
All authors have a different path as they seek publication. What was your journey to publication like?
I’ve spent a lot of time and years working on craft and learning about the business of writing and publication. I went the traditional route for a long time. I’ve had two different agents at different times in my writing journey, but with the advent of independent publishing, I realized that traditional publishing isn’t the only path. I wasn’t quite ready to go it all on my own, so I sought out a hybrid publisher – SheWrites Press/Spark Press. So far, I’ve been really happy with the working relationship I have with them. I can make my own decisions, but have someone to guide me and help me through the publishing process. I feel like I have a good deal of control, but I don’t have to do all the millions of tasks that are required to birth a book into the world!
What are the joys/challenges of writing historical fiction for you?
I love research. I’m an academic at heart, so I love to get lost in all the details of history. I like to research historical figures and the events which made them famous (or infamous) and then try to imagine how it affected them psychologically. What motivated them? Why did they make the decisions they made? What were they thinking about when they were making history? Did they realize they were making history? What would have happened if they were faced with x situation or y characters?
What is the research process like for you?
I try to learn as much as I can about a person or event that I am writing about. The internet is a great place to start, but it’s wise to cross-reference what you are researching. The “facts” can vary. That’s why I’d much prefer to write fiction than non-fiction. It gives you some license to play with history, which is also great fun for me. You have to be accurate enough to be believable, but since the work is fiction, you have some room to be creative. I also try to find books on my subject matter or characters or try to interview historical “experts” who might know about my time period, the setting, or a person I’m researching.
Do you travel for research? If so, what role does travel play in your writing process?
Instead of coming up with an idea for a story, and then traveling to the destination where the story will take place, it usually happens the other way around for me. I travel quite a lot, domestically and internationally, and I’m often inspired by the places I’ve seen or the people I’ve learned about. Then I come home and research further. Sometimes the story requires that I go to the destination again, but I always take lots of notes and photos when I travel, so I have some good information at my fingertips.
Which authors are your inspiration—in your writing life and/or your personal life?
Gosh. There are so many. I have a degree in English Literature and still love to read the classics. I have always been inspired by the 18th and 19th century greats like Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dickens. I’ve been influenced by Larry McMurtry, Anne Perry, Deanna Raybourn, Stephanie Barron, and Kerry Greenwood. Some of my recent favorites are C.W. Gortner, Cara Black, Hallie Ephron, Louise Penny, and Erika Robuck.
What advice do you have for those who want to write historical fiction?
Historical fiction has been one of the genres that go in and out of popularity. If you love history and want to write historical fiction, don’t worry about whether or not it is selling at the moment. It will always come back. Readers have a desire to know about the people and events that came before them. It helps us to understand our world today. Putting your characters, whether real or imagined, in a story that helps explain how our society has changed or not, gives people that reference. It can also provide an escape from what is currently going on in the world. History will never go out of fashion.
What else would you like readers to know?
I have three blogs where I write about my three passions in life; empowered women in history, empowered women writing, and empowered horsewomen of the world. (Go to www.Karibovee.com to access all three.) The first two are obvious, but I am also an avid horsewoman and have had horses in my life since I was 11. I’ve competed for years, and have been practicing natural horsemanship for the past decade. I consider my horses my “soul food.” They are such amazing creatures who have a depth of sensitivity and understanding that astounds me all the time. I cannot imagine my life without horses. They inspire me to be a better person and enrich my life in ways that I discover every day. They are magical!
Thanks for sharing!
QUOTED: "The prose has a charming simplicity, which keeps the attention focused on the
action and the well-developed protagonist."
"a quick, fun read with engaging rodeo scenes."
8/13/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Print Marked Items
Bovee, Kari: GIRL WITH A GUN
Kirkus Reviews.
(June 15, 2018):
COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Bovee, Kari GIRL WITH A GUN SparkPress (Indie Fiction) $16.95 6, 19 ISBN: 978-1-943006-60-1
Murder and mayhem strike Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in St. Louis right after Annie Oakley and her
horse, Buck, join the entourage.
It's 1885, and 15-year-old Annie Mosey is an instant sensation during a competition in Greenville, Ohio,
with the famous sharpshooter Frank Butler. Watching the performance are "Buffalo Bill" Cody, aka "the
Colonel," and Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, who entice Annie to join the Colonel's Wild West Show, which is on
its way to the city for a four-week engagement. They change her last name to Oakley, and Sitting Bull calls
her "Watanya Cecilia" ("Little Miss Sure Shot"). It's all quite overwhelming for the Quaker girl, who's been
supporting her mother and two younger siblings with her hunting prowess. Annie shares a tent with
Kimimela (nicknamed "Kimi"), a young Sioux girl, and her infant daughter, and they quickly bond. But
there are enemies lurking: the Colonel's mistress, a Roma woman named Twila Midnight, who's been
hostile from the start, and a new addition to the show, sharpshooter Lillian "Lillie" Smith, who's Twila's
adopted sister. One night, Annie returns to her tent after a dinner celebration and discovers Kimi's dead
body. Although Kimi is only 14, the local coroner rules it a death by natural causes. Annie is convinced that
Kimi has been murdered, but what could be the motive? Bovee's debut novel brings readers solidly into the
heyday of the Wild West shows, providing wonderful details about the elaborate costumes and the
characters' remarkable marksmanship: Frank shoots a playing card out of Annie's hand, and she shoots a
cigarette out of his mouth. The love-hate relationship between Annie and Frank is based on historical fact,
although the timetable for some of the events here is altered for dramatic effect. The mystery, too, is a
product of Bovee's imagination; Kimi's murder is only the first to hit the show. There are enough
entertaining elements to keep readers guessing, including romance, rivalries, jealousy, and at least one evil
character from Annie's past. The prose has a charming simplicity, which keeps the attention focused on the
action and the well-developed protagonist.
A quick, fun read with engaging rodeo scenes.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Bovee, Kari: GIRL WITH A GUN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2018. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A543008709/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0af5bc24.
Accessed 13 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A543008709
QUOTED: "uneven."
"Readers interested in strong American women will welcome this new series despite its off notes."
8/13/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1534195922673 2/2
Girl with a Gun: An Annie Oakley
Mystery
Publishers Weekly.
265.17 (Apr. 23, 2018): p67.
COPYRIGHT 2018 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Girl with a Gun: An Annie Oakley Mystery
Kari Bovee. Spark, $16.95 trade paper (326p)
ISBN 978-1-943006-60-1
Set in 1885, Bovee's uneven first novel and series launch charts the early career of real-life markswoman
Annie Oakley. After 15-year-old Annie performs well in a shooting contest in Greenville, Ohio, Buffalo Bill
Cody gives her a contract with his Wild West Show. Annie travels with the show to St. Louis, where she
soon finds her Sioux assistant, Kimi, dead under suspicious circumstances. Her investigation into what she's
sure is Kimi's murder is complicated by the mysterious illness of her beloved horse, Buck; a rowdy new
roommate; a sinister figure from her past; and her growing attraction to sharpshooter Frank Butler. Even for
an era when children grew up quickly, plucky Annie seems implausibly wise and perceptive for her years,
and depictions of Native American characters rely on stereotypes and cliches. A vivid setting helps offset
some stilted prose, and a fast-paced, occasionally hectic plot keeps the pages turning. Readers interested in
strong American women will welcome this new series despite its off notes. June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Girl with a Gun: An Annie Oakley Mystery." Publishers Weekly, 23 Apr. 2018, p. 67. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A536532893/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=72930868.
Accessed 13 Aug. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A536532893
QUOTED: "Luxurious descriptions of dress and settings abound, but readers may find some anachronistic use of terms ... a bit off-putting."
Girl with a Gun
BY KARI BOVÉE
Find & buy on
The first of Bovée’s new mystery series features 15-year-old Annie Oakley as its sleuth. We find Annie at the beginning of her career, in the spring of 1885, before she becomes the world-famous member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Trying to support her widowed mother and family, Annie enters a shooting contest that lands her a sharpshooter position. Fame follows quickly, as does becoming the adopted daughter of Chief Sitting Bull, a friendship with a St. Louis suffragette, and romance with her shooting partner Frank Butler. But her newfound family members are not as they seem. Annie’s seamstress and assistant is murdered, and a deadly game with many more bodies, intrigue, envy, jealousy, Civil War treasure and hostilities is afoot.
Bovée’s Annie Oakley is a trailblazer who tries to live up to her Quaker upbringing in her life and art. She loves her horse best. At practice the “image of glass flying like confetti settled her mind.” A clever and resourceful sleuth, perhaps a little too clever for her age and life station, she must sift through an intriguing set of suspects. Luxurious descriptions of dress and settings abound, but readers may find some anachronistic use of terms like “unisex” and “avant-garde” a bit off-putting.