Tuesday, June 30, 2026
SleuthSayers: Using Real Life in Fiction
Publication Day Review: Storm Tide: A Novel by Paul Doiron
In some sense what began in The Poacher’s Son
long ago is about to come full circle. As Storm
Tide: A Novel by Paul Doiron begins, Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch,
who had a very problematic relationship with his own father, is about to be a
father. His wife, Stacey, is just a few weeks away from giving birth. The clock
is ticking on the arrival of their child in a world that has seen dad demoted
back to patrol and about to lose his career with the Maine Warden Service.
On this October night others have lost far more. The
roaring blaze in the shattered remains of the house means people have lost
their lives. Somehow, a baby made it out, and a nearby neighbor has the child.
Allegedly, the father brough the baby out and went back in for his wife. Bowditch
had made it to the scene fast after the call came out and tried the same feat.
The intense heat almost killed him as he entered and saw a man in flames collapsing
to the floor. Bowditch managed to pull the man out of the raging inferno, but
it was too late.
It is only in the aftermath with the arrival of Detective
Sergeant Delphine Cruz of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit that Bowditch
realizes something is up. Originally from Boston, she has made it to the scene
before the Arson Investigator. So too has her attitude as she doesn’t like
Maine or, as she sees it, what Bowditch represents. Through her, while
answering her questions, he learns this is the home of the Malloys.
Specifically, the home of the infamous Brian Malloy
who has been in the news for over a year due to his infidelity, a child out of
wedlock, and the disappearance of the child shortly after he was ordered to pay
child support. Many in the area searched for the missing child that has yet to
be found. The court of public opinion has found them both guilty as people
think dad took and killed the child and his wife lied for him. Their alibis had
proven unshakable. There is a lot of anger amongst the locals who believe the Malloys
got away with it all.
Now, both are thought to be dead in what is left of
their relatively new home. Bowditch is pretty sure that something is off about the
fire and the situation, in general, but he isn’t an investigator anymore, and
never has been one for arsons anyway. Nobody is going to listen to him on this.
Especially with his record and the fact that he is about to lose his job due to
his recent actions.
Then some really weird things start happening.
Somebody is once again toying with Bowditch. To mess with him is one thing.
But, now Stacy and the baby are at risk.
What follows is a complicated read full of twists,
turns, and links to the past. If Maine Game Warden Mike Bowdicth does not
figure it out fast, he and his family may not survive.
Storm Tide: A Novel
by Paul Doiron is the latest outing in a strong series best read in order. It finds
Bowditch contemplating faith, fatherhood, and family, while also trying to
prove that he isn’t just a conspiracy nutcase with a badge and gun. Sometimes
you aren’t paranoid if they really are trying to get you.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Mia20a
My digital ARC reading copy came by way of the publisher,
Minotaur Books, through NetGalley, in early November 2025, with no expectation of
a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Monday, June 29, 2026
In Reference to Murder: Media Murder for Monday
Little Big Crimes: One For Yes, Two For No, by Will Ferguson
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Books Read in May 2026
Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: McKenna's Guy by Mike Lawson
Mike Lawson
is a consistently good author whom I wish were better known. His stories have
been shortlisted for Edgar, Barry, and Shamus awards. His political thrillers
with unofficial fixer Joe DeMarco skewers the Washington establishment
thoroughly while giving his resourceful hero yet one more problem to solve. Lawson
branches out into a stand-alone in his newest book, McKenna’s Guy,
scheduled for release by Blackstone in early July 2026.
Roger Smith
is a retirement age widower living quietly in a modest neighborhood in
Washington, DC. He is closing in on a pension from his civil service job, the
only job he’s had in his adult life. Smith has one daughter who is married with
a child of her own. Predictable and inoffensive to the point of dullness. So
why a masked man dressed in black should break into Smith’s house one night and
attempt to kill him is a mystery to everyone, especially Smith. Had Smith still
been asleep, he would not have survived, as the assassin fired four or five bullets
into the bed. Smith fortunately heard the intruder break in and had time to find
a baseball bat and retreat behind the bedroom door before the killer entered
the room shooting. Then Smith hit the man as hard as he could with the bat,
knocking him to the floor. Fear bolstered Smith’s swing, the single blow killed
the intruder.
Even in his
shock Smith knew he needed a lawyer despite acting in self-defense. He called
his friend John McKenna, who had an extensive network, and asked for help, then
he called the police. Detective Grace Lillinthal of Homicide was sent to the
scene. She assumed she was dealing with a home invasion until she learned that
the lawyer that showed up was referred by McKenna, when all her antennae went
straight up. McKenna had a reputation as a criminal middleman. No matter what
devious or illicit act someone might need assistance with, McKenna knew a guy
who could help. That Smith thought to call McKenna first made his entire story
suspect in Lillinthal’s mind.
While she relentlessly
sought to establish the illicit connection between the two, Smith was trying to
find out who cared enough about him to hire a professional hitman and why.
This is
another fast-moving, well-written thriller with a unique spin, great characters,
and a clever resolution. Readers unfamiliar with Lawson’s work might find this
book a good place to start. Recommended!
Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.
·
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing, Inc.
·
Publication date: July 7, 2026
·
Edition: Hardcover
·
Language: English
·
Print length: 272 pages
·
ISBN-13: 979-8228358188
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4oR3k0j
Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2026
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal
It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
KRL Update 6/28/2026
Up on KRL this week as we reach the end of Pride month, this week we have a review and giveaway of "Beneath a Broken Sky" by Joshua Moehling, along with an interesting interview with Joshua https://kingsriverlife.com/06/27/beneath-a-broken-sky-by-joshua-moehling/
We also have reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun cozies for your summer reading--"Dungeons and Danger" The Ravensea Castle Book #2 by Elizabeth Penney, "The Body in the Kitchen Garden" A Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery #2 by Paula sutton, & "Ode to the Bones" by Carolyn Haines https://kingsriverlife.com/06/27/end-of-june-mystery-catchup-2/
And the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/06/27/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-july-2026-hidden-truths-and-unlikely-detectives/
Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Lynda Allen about how her Liv Wilde Mysteries came to be https://kingsriverlife.com/06/24/menopause-as-a-superpower/
And another special midweek guest post, this one from mystery author Randy Overbeck about his new historical spy novel "Abigail Trench" https://kingsriverlife.com/06/24/women-in-the-revolution/
Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Pour Choices" by Adrian Andover https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/pour-choices-by-adrian-andover.html
And a review of "Masher of Ceremonies" by Victoria Hamilton, and a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gift card https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/masher-of-ceremonies-by-victoria.html
And a review and giveaway of a 4th of July mystery, "The Diva Hosts a Murderer" by Krista Davis https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/the-diva-hosts-murderer-by-krista-davis.html
SleuthSayers: The Beat of the Drums, Loud and Bold
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 84 Calls for Submissions in July 2026 - Paying markets
Jerry's House of Everything: UNCLE SAM QUARTERLY #5 (WINTER 1942)
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: London Bridge is Falling Down by Christopher Fowler
Scott's Take: Batman and Robin: Year One by Mark Waid and Illustrator Chris Samnee
Batman and Robin: Year One by Mark Waid, Illustrator
Chris Samnee is a miniseries that is set in the past of the current DC Universe.
In this story, Robin (Dick Grayson) and Bruce Wayne are still in the early days
of their partnership and do not fully trust or understand each other. Can they
become true partners? Is Robin ready to be a hero for Gotham? Can they become a
family? Is Bruce ready to be a father? These
major questions are at the heart of their dynamic in this story.
The actual plot is way more complicated
than the plot synopsis. I can’t explain how without including details that are
not in the little plot synopsis snippet. To avoid any chance of spoilers, I
would say that this is more of a conspiracy/mystery read with those character
beats as part of the ongoing narrative.
There are a few villains in this story.
The art is pretty good with good character expression. This is a humorous
story, overall, with some dark elements and a lot of death.
Robin is funny as he is a showman
throughout the story. Bruce gets to play the exasperated partner and father
figure. Alfred and Bruce Gordon also get to play major roles which is nice
since in the present day both are currently benched and not prominent anymore.
Mark Waid works best when he can write
stories set far away from current time so he really shines here. I very much enjoyed
this limited miniseries. I think people who are a fan of the duo will enjoy
this read.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4dbtPrX
I read this twelve-issue miniseries as
it released on the DC Infinite App.
Scott A. Tipple ©2026
Friday, June 26, 2026
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 48 Writing Contests in July 2026 - No entry fees!
In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books: Death Watch
Market Call: Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder and Mayhem
As you may have recently seen on social media, Jay Hartman of Misti Media announced four submission calls.
One of the four is for the anthology, Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder
and Mayhem. Yours truly has been given the privilege and the honor of
editing the project.
Yes, you read that correctly. I am the editor.
Guidelines are at https://www.mistimedia.com/calls-for-submission/santa/
And, of course, check out the first
book for ideas.
I look forward to reading your submissions. Deadline is August 31st.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange
Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 30 Great Writing Conferences and Workshops in July 2026
Thursday Treats: 6/25/2026
Some reading opportunities of interest this week….
Fellow SMFS list member Norman Birnbach
announced that his short story, An Eye for an Eye, was published online at Literary
Garage. Read the tale for free here.
Fellow SMFS list
member Abe Margel announced that his short story, Honoured Guest, was
published online at The Piker Press. The story is free to read here.
Black Cat Weekly #251
is now out. Among the various reads is the cover story, The Grudge, by Robert Lopresti. His story is also the
latest in a long line of SMFS list members being featured on the cover. You can
pick up the latest issue here.
SMFS list member C. Mathew Smith
announced that his novel, The Ones in the Corner, was now out.
Published by Winding
Road Stories in a variety of formats, you can pick
up the crime fiction read at Amazon
and other vendors.
Rock and a Hard Place
Press published Curtis Ippolito’s new crime fiction read, Waves of Burden.
Learn more at the publisher
with vendor links to pick it up in either print or eBook formats, or go to Amazon for the eBook only. It released on June 24rth.
SMFS list member and
the force behind Guilty Crime Story Magazine, Brandon
Barrows, latest book, The
Darker the Night, is scheduled to be released on July 7th.
The mystery, published by Rowan Prose Publishing, is available to preorder in multiple formats at Amazon and other
vendors.
A reminder that the anthology, Streets of Your Town: PI Stories, is coming out on June 27th. Per the Amazon author listing, Frank Zafiro, Phillip Thompson, Meagan Lucas, Gary Phillips, Craig McDonald, Douglas Corleone, Chris Bauer, Jo Ayker, Mark Newman, and Sean O'Leary, all have stories in read. You can preorder it at Amazon now for $6.99.
Finally, Boots, BBQ, and Bloodshed: Metroplex Mysteries Vol. V, is coming out on July 1st. Edited by SMFS list member Michael Bracken, published by Sisters in Crime North Dallas, the read has short stories by SMFS list members Karen Harrington (We Have Lost The Plot), M.E. Proctor (Five-Pointed Stars), Tiffany Seitz (The L-Knife Murder), and Shannon Taft. You can pick up the digital read at Amazon.
Until next time….
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Bitter Tea and Mystery: The City in the Middle of the Night: Charlie Jane Anders
Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THREE BY MICHAEL FESSIER
Short Story Wednesday Review: "Swifty Brown" by R. A Currie (Thriller Magazine: February 2026)
A good suntan has always been a solid shield
against the real world in "Swifty Brown" by R. A. Currie in Thriller
Magazine: February 2026. A successful small business was built around the
power of the suntan. None of that is going to help him now as the police are
involved in his business. A break in at his salon in Glasgow, Scotland,
resulted in William Peter Brown being brought in to the Glasgow Central Police
Station.
While the claustrophobic small room ins
one thing, Mr. Brown, a victim of bullying and his skin issues going back many
years, is less than impressed with his interrogators. Detective Inspector
Steven Ferguson and Detective Inspector Ian McManus. Seems a bit excessive for
a minor break-in.
That break in is about to be the least
of his problems in “Swifty Brown” by R. A. Currie. A twisty crime fiction tale
and a good read.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4owW0XR
My digital reading copy came by way of
my ninety-day free Kindle Unlimited trial.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
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