Among the shadows of early morning, a small, darker shadow moved, sometimes crouching close to the ground as a shell burst overhead. A cold, mizzling rain matted his fur, dribbled into his eyes. He shook his head and kept going. A little further and he’d be at the general’s tent. He knew which tent […]

The Furtive, Mysterious, Weird Life of a Mystery Author
Many of you will remember seeing old western movies with store buildings that had false fronts, making them appear much larger than they were. Let me tell you that people have false fronts too, sometimes without even being aware that they have them. For example, how many of you may be a secret cozy mystery […]

When a Few Words Will Do
Have you ever asked someone the time and she tells you how to build a clock? Sometimes a simple answer is better than a long one. This morning, I’ve listed my six cozy mysteries and described each one with only three words. Do you agree? How would you describe each of them, using only […]
Moonstruck, Murderous, or Slightly Mad?
Nettie Elizabeth Duncan McNeil–Ned to most of her friends. She was curious. She was adventuresome–character traits she was born with. Daisy grinned. “Ned, you have certainly livened up this old town. I guess you can’t help it if you are involved in every suspicious death that happens. But, sometimes meddling is risky business.” […]

Meandering into Monday
It is cold and dark this Monday morning, but compared to tomorrow’s forecast, it is balmy. Once again, winter’s frigid breath will make its way down from northern parts and blow into Arkansas and Oklahoma. In talking with my brother in Minnesota last night, I asked about the below zero temperature. “Do you have […]


