A Question of Murder

A Question of Murder

As you know, I’ve written four cozy mysteries, some with co-author Barbara Burgess, some, alone. Below are things that happened in the four cozies, The Cemetery Club, Grave Shift, Best Left Buried, Moonlight Can Be Murder. See if you can match the scenes below to the appropriate book. Her uncle lay in the laundry room […]

A Mighty Mysterious Moon

A Mighty Mysterious Moon

This weekend we are supposed to have another of those blue moons. Now, a blue moon isn’t really blue; it’s what the second full moon in a month is called. Of course, this brought to mind my first Ned McNeil adventure, Moonlight Can Be Murder. I’ve re-read one of the Amazon 5-star reviews: Blanche Day Manos […]

Things Nancy Drew Taught Me

Things Nancy Drew Taught Me

Recently, I’ve been re-reading my old Nancy Drew books. The first time I read them (it was, shall we say, a few decades ago?) I did not notice any subliminal messages. I read those books because they were intriguing mysteries, taking me into the land of “What If?”  As a youngster, I learned many things from Nancy Drew […]

A Shiver, a Shudder, and a Creepy Feeling

A Shiver, a Shudder, and a Creepy Feeling

Someone once told me she wasn’t sure my books were cozies. Surprising. I thought they were. Then, I realized she meant that sometimes they lost their coziness and became downright scary. I agree they aren’t exactly bedtime stories. Here are some random excerpts, taken from Moonlight Can Be Murder: Ulysses stood, white fangs bared. Why didn’t Vermouth […]

Beautiful, Bountiful Books

Beautiful, Bountiful Books

Six of us gathered around the hundred-year old table yesterday for our time of critiquing. Fortified with coffee and cookies, we Cozy Critters enjoyed an especially hilarious two hours. I think we were glad to all be together again. Jane, fresh from her Chicago trip, had much to share. She read a recent poem, “The Longest […]

Head Down in a Well

Head Down in a Well

My publisher,Duke Pennell, sent me the audio version of Best Left Buried. I’m to listen and give him my opinion. It’s exciting to hear Michelle Babb’s voice, as Darcy, read the first chapter. Darcy Campbell and Cub Dabbins are investigating a mysterious package lying on a ledge deep inside an old, hand-dug well. As Darcy leans over […]