I’ve looked out my kitchen window and seen many things: children, cats, dogs, rabbits, squirrels, birds, but yesterday was the first time I’ve looked out and seen a chicken. Where did it come from? I don’t know and can only guess. It was thirsty. It hopped up on the bird bath and drank and drank. […]

Moonstruck and Murderous
Moonstruck and Murderous, the third Ned McNeil cozy, is in its finishing up stage. I thought you might like to read an excerpt. Ned needs a quiet place to think about the mysteries swirling around her and what could possibly be behind them. She goes to her old home place just to feel the […]

I Need to Talk to My Lawyer
For some reason, my protagonists, Darcy, Flora, Nettie, are always running into problems. Well, let’s be honest – they run into lots of problems and that’s what makes the story. They face danger, death, and desperation with the same fear and trembling that you or I would but, due to their firm resolve to […]

Untangling the Web
Why do you pick up a cozy mystery and read? Is it because you like the characters or is it the setting? Do you like to try to untangle that snarled web of a mystery before the protagonist does? Have you noticed that in the cozy mystery genre, there’s a lot of leeway, a lot […]

What Did You Mean When You Said Hello?
What Did You Mean When You Said, “Hello?” “What on earth are you talking about, Cub?” I asked the big, red-faced man who jumped off the seat of his dirt mover. “What did you mean there’s something in the well?” The whole book is based on that question and Darcy wondering if it was Best […]

My Coffee, Gregg Shorthand, My Wicked Imagination
Coffee has gotten me through some difficult situations. So has Gregg shorthand. Oh yes, those shorthand instructors in high school and college would be proud of me. After yea, these many years, I still remember. And, boy! Does it come in handy. When I’m in a situation where I’m uncomfortable or bored or a bit […]

