Friday, May 15, 2026
In Reference to Murder: Forgotten Books Friday - The Long Shadow
FFB Review: See Also Murder: A Marjorie Trumaine Mystery by Larry D. Sweazy
From the archive....
Living on a farm in Stark County, North
Dakota in July of 1964 is hard, but it isn’t winter and that helps a little
bit. Things are harder for Marjorie Trumaine than most because she is trying to
manage it all pretty much by herself. It has been that way since her husband,
Hank, had his hunting accident that left him blind and paralyzed. He spends his
days, except for a rare trip away from home, lying in their bed unable to care
for himself or the farm they both love.
The Knudsens on the next farm over were
there for Hank and Marjorie long after everyone else in the small community got
on with their lives and forgot about them. Erik, the father, supervised his
sons, Peter and Jaeger, while they did chores on the place after they had
finished work on their own farm. Lida, their mom and Erik’s wife, brought food
for months while Marjorie and Hank slowly adjusted to the catastrophic change
in their lives. Over time that help as well as Marjorie’s ongoing job as a
freelance indexer has allowed them to survive in their new normal post-accident
reality.
The news that Sheriff Hilo Jenkins
brings Marjorie this July morning is hard to deal with on any level, but
especially now after everything that has happened in recent months. Erik and
Lida have been brutally murdered while they slept in their bed. Their sons,
Erik and Jaeger, are physically fine as they slept through the murders in their
home. Sheriff Jenkins does not believe the boys had anything to do with it
though he does intend to question them about the murders. He does believe an
amulet found in Erik’s dead hand plays some role in the case.
Marjorie has a reputation, one that she
has tried hard to control and stifle, as being the smartest person around. She
can’t help using words that many in the area don’t know or understand. Her love
of books and knowledge has only increased the last several years as she has
built a career of freelance work of writing indexes and meeting deadlines. What
began as a source of extra income is now her sole escape from reality as well
as the primary source of income for the
family. Sheriff Jenkins wants Marjorie to figure out what the amulet means so
that he might figure out who killed Erik and Lida. It is his only real clue and
he wants her role in the case kept secret. She reluctantly agrees to help it is
the least she can do for the Knudsens – the living and the dead.
What follows is a very complex and
highly atmospheric mystery by award winning author Larry D. Sweazy. The North
Dakota landscape is a constant character presence in this novel that blends
history and lore, a mystery full of twists and turns, and the role of family
(by birth and other means) into a read that quickly pulls the reader into a
different time and place far from home. Recently published by Seventh Street
Books, See Also Murder: A Marjorie Trumaine Mystery is a highly
addictive read that will keep you reading far past your bedtime. It is very
much well worth your time.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3RF8CiV
Material supplied for my use by the good
people of the Plano Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2015, 2018, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange
Criminal Minds: Old Dog, New Tricks from James W. Ziskin
Thursday Treats: 5/14/2026
The latest reading opportunities…
Fellow SMFS list member Gerald Elias announced on
the list that his short story collection, Murder on Vacation, is
about to be released by White City Press. Releasing in a
variety of formats, the book contains sixteen crime fiction tales billed as Stories
from the Case Files of Maury Gross, NYPD (Ret.). You can get a copy at
the White City Press
store.
Last October, author Jeannette de Beauvoir was here on the blog to share some background on her book, The Everest Enigma: An Abbie Bradford Mystery. At the time, I set up an Amazon alert on her so that I would get updated regarding her books. I got an alert last week that her latest book, Trafficking In Murder: A Sydney Riley Provincetown Mystery was now out. Published by Becket Books, this 11th book in the Sydney Riley Series, is available in eBook format at Amazon as is the entire series.
An Amazon
alert was also how I found out that O'Neil De Noux also had a new book out this month. Ain't That New
Orleans is now out. This 11th book in the LaStanza New Orleans Police Series is available in eBook
and print formats at Amazon and other vendors.
This week
saw the publication of The Emperor's Palace (The Turner and Mosley Files
by LynDee Walker and Bruce Robert Coffin. Released by
Severn River Publishing, this is the fifth book in The Turner and Mosley
Files series, and is available in a variety of formats at Amazon and elsewhere. I am way behind in my
reading of this very enjoyable action adventure series.
The latest issue of Black Cat Weekly
also came out. Black Cat Weekly #245 includes short stories by SMFS list
members Teel James Glenn (That’s Shoe
Biz) and Anna Scotti (Man or Bear)
among others. Also in this issue is a novella and a novel. You can pick up the
latest issue of this weekly, multi genre, magazine here.
The latest roundup of publishing news of
members was compiled and posted by SMFS President Joseph S. Walker. Among other
items covered in the post
on the SMFS Blog was the news that the latest issue of Dark Yonder is
now out. Per Mr. Walker, fellow SMFS list members Mark Coggins, Christina
Hoag. Veronica Leigh, and Steve Liskow, all have short stories in the issue.
Yet another deal that I am way behind in reading.
Finally, author and editor Michael Bracken sends word that
Michele Slung (first reader for Otto Penzler) is asking printed copies of
original (i.e., first published in 2026, from January 1st to December 31st)
stories to be mailed —- in paper form only, including all relevant publication
info —- to:
Otto Penzler
BEST MYSTERY STORIES 2026
58 Warren Street
New York NY 10007
[Please understand that such material
arriving in a variety of formats simply is too difficult to deal with.]
Until next time….
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Personal Note: Thank you to those who saw my plea and donated. Much appreciated. I am not sure what the future holds for us as Scott is still home. Today marks one month without work. What was supposed to be just a few days maybe a week has gone on far longer. He is still looking for a job. But, AI has really done a number on the job market in the last two to three months. Things do not look good at all.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Short Story Wednesday: More Stories from Three for the Chair
Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE DEAD SPEAKETH NOT, THEY JUST GRUNT NOW AND THEN
Short Story Wednesday Review: Blaze Orange: A Short Story by Paul Doiron
The latest novella, while billed on
Amazon and elsewhere as part of the Mike Bowditch Mysteries, does
not have a trace of him in the read. Blaze Orange: A Short Story
by Paul Doiron is a prequel of sorts built around young Maine Game Warden Kathy
Frost. With a year under her belt, the first and only woman in the Maine Warden
Service has been transferred to a new district where she is still being ignored
and treated like a rookie. Being the first woman in the service comes with a
heavy burden and that is not the only thing she deals with on a daily basis.
Her new field training officer is
Charley Stevens. Already a legend among all, he has quite a few years on her
and, more importantly, an openness to her presence in the service. At attitude
that is almost as rare as her status.
He shows up at her new home one Sunday
morning seeking her company on a call. It is November and deer hunting season
is well underway. Earlier today a man has been shot in the area of Wilton. He
was shot and killed by a hunter.
The case should have been hers from the
start, but nobody bothered to alert her. Instead, Charley Stevens has come by
to collect her and take her to the scene. According to Charley, Douglas Ludwig
is dead after being shot by Don Sands. Both the shooter and the victim await
their arrival.
Charley Stevens takes her to the
isolated scene being held down by a Maine State Trooper who is clearly less
than thrilled to see the female game warned. The trooper has already decided it
was clearly an accident.
Was it?
Or, was it murder?
That question is one that Charley
Stevens and Kathy Frost work to answer as they investigate in this fast-moving
read. During the course of this enjoyable novella, readers learn quite a lot about
the background of Maine Game Warden Kathy Frost. The same figure that will play
a large role in Mike Bowditch’s professional and personal life in the coming
years.
Also included with the novella are the
first three chapters of the upcoming book, Storm Tide. Having
already read that book by way of the ARC by way of the publisher through
NetGalley, I skipped the approximately 20 paged excerpt. My review of that book
will appear here on the blog on the scheduled publication day of June 30th.
As to this read, while I was very disappointed
that Mike Bowditch was nowhere to be seen, I did enjoy the novella. Most of the
background of the first female game warden was already known to series readers, such as myself, so this tale just
fleshed it out a little more. We also got to see Charley in action and that is
always a treat. How successful this novella will be in attracting new readers
to the series, since it does not have one whiff of the signature series
character, I have no idea, but I did enjoy it.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4nvqx7W
Because I thought the Dallas Public Library System was not getting it, I used a little bit of my funds in my Amazon Associate account to obtain this eBook. I should have waited as it is now listed in the Hoopla system through the library.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
John McMahon and his offer: YOUR NAME in my NEXT BOOK
Readers of this blog know that I am a big fan of John McMahon and his books. If things were not so grim here, I would do this in a heartbeat. As I can't, I asked Mr. McMahon if I could share the news here on my blog to help raise visibility of this very cool opportunity. He enthusiastically gave his support so the relevant part of his latest newsletter, THE OFFER, is below. Do it and help some folks and get the opportunity to be in the next book. And, if you have not read his books, get yourself to your favorite bookstore, library, or book selling portal. He writes great stuff! His author website is here.
This newsletter – I come to you with an offer.
• Would you like to see – YOUR NAME – as a character in my next book?
• You could live on in immortality in print (and digital).
I was challenged to help raise money for some good causes.
• Maybe your name is a judge killed under mysterious circumstances?
• Or you’re the Director of the NSA?
Not sure if there will be a demand for this or not – but trying something new.
So – ground rules:
1) Donate $250 to one of four charities. I will match donations with my own $250. So together, we could raise $500 x 4 causes = $2,000.
2) You get your name as a character in my next Gardner Camden/Patterns and Recognition book (coming out next Summer).
And if you already support good causes – you could just shift your focus this year – and support one of these.
OK. Here are 4 great causes we would together support:
charity: water – building wells; ending the water crisis in the world; 100% of our donation goes directly to fund clean water projects. No admin cost.
St. Jude Hospital – amazing pediatric research hospital, focusing on children with cancer and leukemia.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – non-profit parent company of the San Diego Zoo; their mission is simple- to save species worldwide.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – supporting research to find a cure for CF and improve the lives of those living with it.
2) I will make you sign an agreement about your name in the book so you don't sue anyone. Don’t worry. I will not make you a child predator. (I save that for critics of my books (Kidding :))
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED – respond to this email – mcmahonjohn@att.net
SleuthSayers: Things I Heard at Malice Domestic
Beneath the Stains of Time: Flower O' the Peach (1916) by W.A. Mackenzie
Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Sheep Detectives, aka Three Bags Full
Monday, May 11, 2026
In Reference to Murder: Media Murder for Monday
Little Big Crimes: Intervention, by Terry Black
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Tatiana: Martin Cruz Smith
Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: An Enigma by the Sea by Carlo Fruttero and Franco Lucentini
Carlo Fruttero and Franco
Lucentini were a well-known literary duo in Italy for several decades until
Lucentini’s death in 2002. For about forty years they co-wrote newspaper and
magazine articles, literary essays, edited numerous anthologies, and published
six groundbreaking and best-selling mystery novels. Their first novel, The
Sunday Woman, was adapted for film in 1975 starring Marcello Mastroianni,
Jacqueline Bisset and Jean-Louis Trintignant.
An Enigma by the Sea, their third book, was first
published in Italian in 1991 as Enigma in luogo di mare by Arnoldo
Mondadori Editore S.p.A., Milano. It was published in the UK in 1994 by Chatto
& Windus Ltd, London. Bitter Lemon Press has issued a fresh edition with a
translation by Gregory Dowling, an Oxford graduate now residing in Venice.
Dowling is no stranger to crime fiction, he’s the author of a half dozen
historical mysteries.
Bitter Lemon Press seems to
specialize in exquisitely written mysteries, although this particular title is
more of a comedy of manners than crime fiction. Readers who enjoy snark and
eccentric characters along with their whodunnits will adore this book. The aforesaid
eccentrics inhabit 153 villas set among the pine trees of the forest Gualdana
along the coast of Italy. Most of them use their villas as vacation residences
but some inhabit them year round and rely on the tiny village nearby to supply
their needs. There’s Signor Monforti, chronic depressive and inveterate
naysayer who yearns after the beautiful Signora Neri. He is sure if she would
just marry him, his negativity would fly away, never to return. Signora Neri is
of a more practical turn of mind and questions just how happy she could be with
someone who never is.
Then there’s Signora Baldacci,
known to be straying outside her marriage with the much younger Dino
Fioravanti. It was popularly supposed that Signor Baldacci was in ignorance of
this arrangement until the two men encountered each other outside a local bar
and blows were exchanged. Threats were also uttered and the local police fear
the threats will be carried out; they were specific and detailed, these
threats, and both parties have the means to execute them. Much time and worry
is expended within the police office, trying to decide what to do.
Then there’s the villa
infested with rats and the daughters of the family shrieking and huddling on
the beds. And Signor Salvini who is sneaking a girl into his wife’s vacation
villa for the usual reasons, but she is so clearly no better than she should be
that he cannot be seen publicly with her for fear of word getting back to his
wife. He makes up all sorts of reasons to stop along the way to the village so
as to arrive after dark. And the pair of comedy writers who have encountered
writers’ block. And on and on.
The story seems never to get
around to any crime to speak of but the villa residents and the village
storekeepers are so amusing I didn’t really mind. Until about midway in the
book one character after another realizes this person or that one hasn’t been
seen for awhile. They each make their way to the Marshal’s office to report a
missing person, who is overwhelmed by the report of the fourth unexplained
absence. Watching the local police investigate is quite entertaining.
A list in the back of the book
itemizes the characters and their role in the book. It would be more helpful up
front where the reader could consult at the first moment of confusion, of which
I had many.
Readers who require frenetic
action should pass on this story. But I found it to be a witty, beautifully
written book. Kirkus summed it up neatly: “A juicily acerbic mystery
that’s more lurid soap opera than whodunit.”
·
Publisher:
Bitter Lemon Press
·
Publication
date: April 21, 2026
·
Language:
English
·
Print
length: 416 pages
·
ISBN-10:
1916725198
·
ISBN-13:
978-1916725195
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Pwxtoz
Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2026
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal
It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Paula Messina Reviews: Before Midnight by Rex Stout
Please welcome author Paula Messina back to the blog today…
Before Midnight
by Paula Messina
I
knew it was my lucky day when I found Before Midnight, a Nero Wolfe
mystery I hadn’t read. I’ve lost count of the Rex Stout mysteries I have read.
He’s an author I often return to. Before Midnight didn’t disappoint.
All the elements that make Rex
Stout a popular mystery writer are here. The crime is so complicated only a
genius of Nero Wolfe’s ilk can solve it. Archie’s as witty and charming as
ever. Nero Wolfe is his stubborn, inflexible self.
It’s
his way or the highway when Attorney Rudolph Hansen, accompanied by Messrs.
Oliver Buff, Patrick O’Garro, and Mr. Vernon Assa, descends on West 35th Street
uninvited and demand Wolfe abort his
eleven o’clock tete-a-tete with the orchids on the brownstone’s top floor.
And what matter is so dire the
orchids should be abandoned? Not the murder of Louis Dahlmann. Oh, no, not
that. It’s Dahlmann’s missing wallet, which contained the answers for a contest
to promote Pour Amour cosmetics, that is the pressing issue.
Hansen
represents Lippert, Buff and Assa, an advertising agency. LBA’s major client is
Heery Products, which sells the Pour Amour cosmetics line. Dahlmann, LBA’s late
wunderkind who conceived the idea for a contest with its million dollars in
prizes, had the audacity to take a bullet to his chest when the contest was in
its waning days.
Dahlmann’s
sins are even greater. The afternoon before his inconvenient demise, he waved
the sheet of paper with the answers in front of the final five contestants.
Now LBA and Heery Products are
in a very sour pickle. Dahlmann’s dead, and no one knows who has the contest’s
answers.
After much wrangling, Wolfe
agrees to undertake a search to discover who removed the wallet from Dahlmann’s
pocket and made away with the contest answers. For once, Wolfe—and
he is absolutely adamant on this point—is not
investigating a murder.
Is
the murderer the wallet thief, or was each crime committed separately? Is the
wallet thief Attorney Hansen? Someone from LBA? Heery Products owner Talbott
Heery? Or one of the final five contestants? The murder scene provides no
clues. Interviewing the lot proves fruitless. With nothing to go on, Wolfe’s
genius is of little value.
Then
a second body drops.
Wolfe
blames himself for the death and takes to his bed. But Wolfe finally puts his
genius to work, earns his substantial fee, and throws in the solution to
Dahlmann’s murder gratis.
As
a reader, characters are important to me. They need to be individuals I’m
willing to spend time with. Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe fill that bill. The
introduction to Before Midnight is by Robert Crais, and he lays out a
convincing argument that the power of this mystery series is the friendship
between Nero Wolfe and his chronicler, Archie Goodwin. I concur.
Crais
quotes Rex Stout: “Here are two friends. Here are two people sharing their
lives. As you wish for friendship, share in theirs. As you seek companionship,
share in theirs. As you search for love, search in theirs.”
After
listing many literary couplings, Craig says, “The appeal of friendship is old,
and the pleasures inherent in such fictional pairings are no less valid today
than they were in the days of Holmes and Watson, or in the thirties, forties,
fifties, sixties, and seventies—the incredible five decades
through which Stout published Nero Wolfe.”
In
creating Nero Wolfe, Stout clearly was inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle. Just as
the strength of the Holmes mysteries is the friendship between Sherlock and
John Watson, Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe’s relationship is paramount. It
contrasts with that of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Goodwin is not a
sidekick. He is Wolfe’s partner in crime solving. The housebound Wolfe
acknowledges that Goodwin is the eyes and legs of the partnership. They’re
equals. Holmes, on the other hand, often acts more as a teacher, lording over
Watson with his superior intellect and vast knowledge.
Archie’s
needling to rouse the lazy Nero to get to work might suggest otherwise, but the
pair share a deep respect and filial love. If you have any doubt, read Death
of a Dude in which Wolfe doesn’t just venture outside into the wilds of New
York, he flies to Montana to assist Archie.
There’s another reason Stout is
admired by so many writers. His simple style is deceiving. His descriptions are
always unique. For example, in Midnight, he doesn’t tell us contestant
Gertrude Frazee has a crooked smile. That would never do.
“When she spoke her lips wanted
to move perpendicular to the slant, but her jaw preferred straight up and down.
You might have thought that after so many years, at least sixty, they would
have come to an understanding, but nothing doing.”
The description is pure Archie
Goodwin. His wit is another reason the series has never gone out of print.
Archie’s intelligence is often overlooked. Maybe he isn’t the genius Wolfe is,
but he’s no slouch when it comes to those gray cells.
For my money, Nero is
misunderstood. Yes, he’s hardly the cuddliest guy in the literary world, but
he’s not callous. While Archie guarantees a fun time whether it’s watching a
Mets game or dancing into the wee hours, Nero is a fantastic host. You might not
want to dine with him every night as Archie does, but you can take this to the
bank: The food would be five-star Michelin and the conversation scintillating.
Just as Arthur Conan Doyle
occasionally drops the veil hiding Sherlock Holmes tender side, Stout gives us
glimpses into Wolfe’s sensitivity. If you doubt this, check out The Golden
Spiders.
I’m in the same camp as Dame Agatha Christie. I
read Stout for Archie, not Wolfe. This is from the Wolfe Pack website: Dame
Agatha Christie was a huge Rex Stout fan. She was known to go to her local
bookstore and enquire after the latest Archie Goodwin novel. The clerk would
gently remind her that they're referred to as Nero Wolfe mysteries, to which
Christie would reply, "Nonsense! Everyone knows that Archie does all the
work!"
Amazon
Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/48OLPag
Puala Messina ©2026
Paula Messina
writes the Donatello Laguardia stories, which are set in Boston’s North End
during the 1940s. They appeared in the Best New England Crime Stories 2024 and 2025 and another Donatello Laguardia short story is scheduled to
appear in Black Cat Weekly. She lives near America’s first public beach.
Saturday, May 09, 2026
KRL Update
Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "Cat on a Hot Tin Woof" by Spencer Quinn. This was the last review that Sandra Murphy wrote for us shortly before her sudden passing, which is appropriate as this was one of her favorite series https://kingsriverlife.com/05/09/cat-on-a-hot-tin-woof-by-spencer-quinn/
And the latest Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair https://kingsriverlife.com/05/09/mystery-current-coming-attractions-may-2026/
And a review and giveaway of "A Deadly Episode" by Anthony Horowitz https://kingsriverlife.com/05/09/a-deadly-episode-by-anthony-horowitz/
Up on KRL last night another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Julian M Coleman about her new book "Stolen Prophet" https://kingsriverlife.com/05/06/stolen-prophet/
Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Two Purloined Pillows" by Allie Pleiter https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/two-purloined-pillows-by-allie-pleiter.html
And a review and giveaway of "Robbie McNeil's Hit List" by Brianna Heath, along with an interesting interview with Brianna https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/robbie-mcneils-hit-list-by-brianna.html
And a review and ebook giveaway of "The Case of the Petrified Potter" by Cathy Ace https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/the-case-of-petrified-potter-by-cathy.html
And a review and ebook giveaway of "Tunnel Vision" by Eloise Corvo https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/tunnel-vision-by-eloise-corvo.html
Scott's Take: Predator Kills The Marvel Universe by Benjamin Percy, Marcelo Ferreira (Illustrator), Daniel Picciotto (Illustrator), Brent Peeples (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art)
Predator Kills The Marvel
Universe
by Benjamin Percy, Marcelo Ferreira (Illustrator), Daniel Picciotto
(Illustrator), Brent Peeples (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art), is the
fourth book in the series. This is the sequel to Predator
vs Spider-Man.
In this book, the Earth suffers a sneak
attack from the Predators which quickly wipes out several major heroes. It is
up to the survivors of the ambushes to rally together and take the fight to the
Predators. The Predators are armed with arsenal of vibranium and are also getting
help from Kraven the Hunter to turn the Earth into a hunting zoo.
The main trio of people who actively
fight back is Spider-Man, Iron Man and Wolverine. Many heavy hitters are nerfed
(weakened or written poorly) and have unrealistic deaths in this particular universe
to make this bloody and violent book work. The heroes have to be taken by surprise
continually for more than half of the read, along with being dumb, to make
things work.
In Predator versus Black Panther,
it was directly asserted that the Panther would be playing a big role in this
book. He does not. He stays on the sidelines for most of this book.
There is a lot of fighting which happens
off screen that I would of like to see. Like the Punisher vs Predators or Dr.
Strange and She Hulk vs the Predators. Instead
of seeing the battles, we see the aftermath repercussions.
The characterization of Iron Man, Spider-Man,
and Wolverine is really good. But, one can tell these are favorites as they are
some of the very few characters who actually stay in character for the read.
The book is over quickly as once the
heroes rally together in issue four, there is one more issue, and done. There
is setup for a fifth book, but we will see if the series continues. Whether it
will or not has yet to be announced. If one was done, I would like to see how
the world rebuilds with just the survivors, the arsenal of alien technology now
scattered across the planet, and the surviving Predators still on Earth.
I read this through the Marvel Unlimited App.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4mo3z1C
Scott A. Tipple ©2026
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