Yesterday, I promised to drop a line to John Seabrook, the author of that amusing New Yorker article about David Karp, the Fruit Detective, in support of an enquiry from a random web surfer concerning information obtained through CBS Sunday Morning concerning a book about the legendary fruit-hunter.

To my surprise, I received an email from none other than the Fruit Detective himself, which I quote below in part:

Hi Mike,

John Seabrook was kind enough to relay your inquiry. I was aware of your site about the NYer article but didn’t realize that it was still attracting interest.

…

I am working on a book of fruit connoisseurship for WW Norton. I’m also saving material for a fruit detective noir thriller, titled Siesta in Dogtown. I appeared briefly on a CBS Sunday Morning program about the Gourmet Institute, a shindig at Gourmet Magazine in late October, where I showcased exotic fruit.

Best regards,
David Karp

So there you have it, fruit fans! A “fruit detective noir thriller!” It appears that a book or two is indeed forthcoming.

This has been your internet headshaking moment for the day.

(UPDATE: John Seabrook, the author of the referenced article, also dropped a line. He is definitely not working on such a book, as “that would certainly drive me crazy.” However, he notes that he had a conversation with Owen Wilson in which the actor noted that he’d turned down the role – presumably of the Fruit Detective – so perhaps Mr. Karp’s thriller will be a film, rather than a book. )