Writing a mystery is doing a lot of just supposin’. Come with me a moment into the mysterious realms of the fourth Ned McNeil mystery. Just suppose that it was part of Ned’s job to take a picture of an old farmhouse for her boss, Daisy. But, suppose that when Ned goes inside the dark […]
Jan 19, 2026
Powerful Words
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“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” – Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s The Raven has been taken apart and analyzed, looked […]
Jan 14, 2026
Footprints Around the World
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Recently, I’ve had the honor of traveling around the world. I mean to far-off places I’ve only heard about. You know how? Some friends in Austria and also in India bought my cozy mysteries! With a click of the mouse on their computers, there I was! Now, isn’t that neat? Many other authors have had […]
Jan 5, 2026
Twelve Days of Christmas
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The Twelve Days of Christmas. With my family’s help, I added words that might be appropriate for a writer of cozy mysteries. Thanks, Matt, Dawn, Sara, Nathan! A Cozy Mystery Writer’s Sizzling Twelve Days of Christmas On the first day of Christmas, Santa brought to me: a creative cozy mystery. On the second day of Christmas, […]
Jan 4, 2026
Mom in Mysteries
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I’ve heard women say, “I don’t want to become my mother as I grow older.” How sad. If someone tells me I’m like my mom, I consider it a huge compliment. My mother and I were best friends. I think you’d have liked her. If you never had that privilege, you can get just a […]
Nov 24, 2025
Strange, Dark Night
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The Strange, Dark Night by Blanche Manos I sat before the fireplace, A book upon my lap Outside, the wind was howling Inside, the fire was crackling. A perfect night to nap. I closed my eyes for just a minute It could have been no more When someone stepped upon my porch And knocked upon […]
