Monday, June 29, 2026
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
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Beneath the Stains of Time: The Pelham Murder Case (1930) by Monte Barrett
Publication Day Review: Birds of Prey: New Crime Stories, Editors Harlan Coben and C. J. Box
Birds of Prey: New Crime Stories, edited by Harlan Coben and C. J. Box, is a mighty good read. Published by The Mysterious Press, I had hoped that the C. J. Box story taking wing here would feature his signature character, Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett. Alas, that idea flew off towards the sun and was lost from view.
After a pun filled introduction by
Harlan Coben that clearly rubbed off on this reader, the anthology opens strongly
with “The Coffin Bearer” by Tess Gerritsen. Readers are taken to the coast of
Maine as Maggie returns to her isolated island cabin. Seagulls are far out at
sea and kicking up quite a bedlam so Maggie detours to investigate the ruckus.
She spots a lobster buoy in the mist that belongs to a local. Minutes later she
soon finds his eerily quiet boat. She finds signs that something has happened,
but there is no sign of the missing lobster man. The last thing she wanted when
she rented out the isolated place for the weeks to come was be a part of
anything. That included any interest in her by the locals and the authorities.
Now she is of considerable interest and that is another issue.
This short story was one of my favorites
in the read. Several more personal favorites, in order of appearance, are
below.
The person is known as “Owl.” He did
some things back in the day for the miliary. At one time, that work included
time working for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. That means the Owl has top
secret clearance. That clearance, and the skills he has, are needed in “Owl” by
Kathy Reichs. Not only is a woman missing, her occupation, and where she went
missing, are all part of a situation. There are also other troubling aspects as
well.
Getting the car at the police auto
auction was not the greatest idea Paul ever had. Maybe it was. In “The Falcon”
by Robert Dugoni, Paul had the idea, and several guys chipped in on the
project. Then the consequences started happening.
This short story struck a chord with me.
When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, my dad would tell three or four
stories about guys he knew that did this sort of thing. All these decades
later, I’m fuzzy on the details, but am crystal clear that dad was convinced it
was always a really bad idea.
It was supposed to be a fun gig in “Watchers”
by Allison Brennan. Monitor a pair of eagles and their babies in a nest located
in the towering cliffs along the Verde River in Arizona. Lily Nolan loves the
work and the experience as she takes picture after picture of the eaglets and
their parents. Her approved access to the closed breeding ground in the
Prescott National Forest has allowed her to take incredible pictures. She also
saw something that she should have never seen. Now, Lily, and her fellow watcher,
Kevin, are in real trouble.
The final tale in the anthology,
Hawkshaw Hunting by Kelly Armstrong, takes readers to the Yukon Territory of
Canada. There lies a very small and very isolated town that is the refuge of criminals
that really want to get away and have the money to pay for off the grid
isolation. As the story begins, our narrator works as a detective for Rockton. Her
husband, Eric Dalton, is the sheriff. They and their Newfoundland dog, Storm,
are at the Whitehorse Airport awaiting the arrival of Max Whitlock. A
white-collar criminal, he paid a lot of money to spend the next two years hiding
in their small town that survives by charging serious fees to killers and other
criminals that have a need to get away and an ability to pay for it. Like the opening
story, setting and atmosphere are characters in their own right in this tale
where the complications start with his arrival.
While I only highlighted five short
stories in the read that were my personal favorites, all eleven tales are good
ones. Each tale is introduced by the author who explains why they chose a
certain bird, the research involved, and/or other background details that enhanced
the reading experience for each short story.
Simply put, Birds of Prey: New
Crime Tales is chock full of solidly good crime fiction. Commissioned
by the International Thriller Writers, editors Harlan Coben and C.J. Box did a fantastic
job with the book. The read is very much worth your time.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/49Geb78
My digital ARC came from the publisher, The
Mysterious Press, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
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