Update from the book signing! I went last night, it was fun, we bought his two most recent books there and got them signed, and he gave a funny presentation. He is a born entertainer, I imagine he was an excellent stand-up comedian in his younger days. He recited/acted the description of Cluny the Scourge from Redwall. I absolutely love his accent! 
I started reading Doomwyte aloud to the sibs almost as soon as we got home. It’s a little bit creepy alright. He managed to make me shiver within the first couple chapters.