Sunday, August 23, 2026
Little Big Crimes: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, by Joseph Goodrich
Mystery Fanfare: Malice with Friends: Virtual Conversations
Guest Post: Finding My Funny Bone by Catherine Dilts
Please welcome author Catherine Dilts to the blog today. She and her daughter, Melinda Bass, co-authored Grandpa’s New Year’s Relocation. Published by Top Hat Cat Publishing LLC, the read released last December, with the second book in the series, Grandma's Valentine Abduction, releasing last February.
Finding My Funny Bone by Catherine Dilts
In the animated movie Finding Nemo, the father and son main characters are clownfish. When Marlin meets the other fathers in Nemo’s school, the guys have high expectations for humor.
PHIL: Hey! You're a
clownfish. You're funny, right? Hey, tell us a joke.
MARLIN: Well, actually
that's a common misconception. Clownfish are no funnier than any other fish.
PHIL: Aw, c'mon, clowny.
TED: Yeah, do somethin'
funny.
Marlin butchers a joke, totally deflating
expectations.
I empathize with Marlin. Finding the humorous angle in
a life situation is way different than popping off a wisecrack spontaneously.
But I found that I continuously injected humor into my short stories and
novels.
The downside to discovering my skill at writing
humorous tales was my fear that readers would expect me to be that witty in
real life. I’m actually pretty drab and socially awkward.
How am I supposed to sell my laugh-out-loud books when
my presentation is so boring?
My family has endured the usual tragedies over the
generations, and then some. One thread that ran through the decades is that my
ancestors had a sense of humor. As far back as I’m aware, they had the ability
to laugh at their dire situations.
My philosophy has been, if you can laugh or cry, why
not laugh? It’s not always possible or appropriate, but when I’m able, I choose
laughter.
This is a trait I’m proud to have passed on to my
daughter, Merida Bass. When we decided to co-author a young adult science
fiction novel, we had the most fun creating Ellis. The absurd, lovelorn scammer
had the funniest moments. We were both discovering a knack for comedy.
Then one fateful night, while standing in a Texas
hotel parking lot in the dark, my sister warned us about the dangers of human
traffickers. She made sure we were listening as she informed us that ruthless
people would snatch anyone off the streets. Anyone! The sharp look she gave us
both indicated that even we, despite our obvious status as mature women, a mom
and grandma, were still potential victims.
Of course we thought the scenario was ridiculous. But
we didn’t tell her that! The humor gene didn’t pass down to everyone in my
family equally.
Stressed from our trip – a memorial service for my father – my daughter and I did the only thing we could. On the flight home, we erupted in giggles as we crafted a humorous angle out of my sister’s dire warning. What if followed what if, and the Ninja Grandparent Placement Mysteries was born.
But would our attempts to sell the book in person
result in a scene like Marlin, trying to be funny on demand and failing?
I’ve had the privilege of speaking at events recently.
To my surprise, when I chat about real-life inspirations for my fiction, people
find them humorous. Mishaps during my factory worker life? Taking out my
frustrations by killing an office co-worker in a murder mystery? Even the fear
of being kidnapped as a senior citizen could elicit laughs.
Like Marlin, my deliberate attempts to make people
laugh often fall flat. Letting scenarios build, creating recurring jokes and
callbacks, and placing characters in absurd situations, seems to work best.
Sometimes, hitting your funny bone can be
excruciatingly painful. In Grandpa’s New Year’s Relocation, my co-author
and I found our funny bones. The result has been laugh-out-loud fun.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4hFszBm
SERIES Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4quSH4r
Catherine Dilts ©2026
After being tormented by a co-worker, Catherine Dilts took out her
homicidal frustration in fiction, resulting in her first short story sale to
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. She has since had a dozen stories
published in AHMM. After a career in environmental compliance for a global
corporation, Catherine now writes fiction full-time. Author of the Rose Creek
Mystery series, she also co-authors The Tapestry Tales YA science fiction
series and the Ninja Grandparent Placement Mysteries with her daughter, Merida
Bass. Grandpa’s New Year’s Relocation won the 2026 Colorado Authors League
award in the humor/satire category.
You can find Catherine’s website at https://www.catherinedilts.com/
Her free newsletter is on Substack at https://catherinedilts.substack.com/
Saturday, August 22, 2026
KRL Update
Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 2 more fun cozies-"All Aboard for Murder" Golden Motel Mystery by Ellen Byron and "Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble" Tea by the Sea Mystery by Vicki Delany https://kingsriverlife.com/08/22/pair-of-cozies-from-ellen-byron-vicki-delaney/
Bitter Tea and Mystery: Floating Hotel: Grace Curtis
Scott's Take: Fantastic Four: The Coming of Galactus Prose Novel by James Lovegrove
Fantastic
Four: The Coming of Galactus Prose Novel
by James Lovegrove is another adaption of the comic book story arc. This time
in a novel. There have been a lot of stories either directly adapting this arc
or inspired by this arc like the last Fantastic Four movie. The Sliver Surfer, Herald of Galactus, The
Devourer of Worlds, has made his way to Earth. He has an announcement to make.
Soon Galactus will come and consume the Earth. He will kill everything to fill
his belly and stop the hunger. It is up to the Fantastic Four to come up with a
plan to stop something that has destroyed countless worlds. Can the Fantastic
Four once again stop the end of the world?
This
is an action-packed story set sometime in the 80s that keeps references to the
comic book for that time. For example, Iron Man is Tony Stark’s bodyguard. The
Avengers are just Captain America and three former criminals. The X-Men are
just five students led by Professor X. They also keep some elements that
overall might not matter that much to some readers like Johnny Storm’s romance
with Crystal of the Inhumans.
This
is a good version of the story about the first encounter with Galactus. But
there are so many versions, whether direct adaptions like in this case or
inspired ones like in the movies and the cartoons, so it’s not a must read. If
you are a fan of the original comic book story arc, I think you will enjoy it.
I read this through my local library which had filled my request for this book
to be bought.
Amazon
Associate Purchasing Link: https://amzn.to/4fgyLwQ
My
print paperback reading copy came from the Central, aka Downtown Branch, of the
Dallas Public Library System.
Scott
A. Tipple ©2026
Friday, August 21, 2026
A Writer's Life....Caroline Clemmons: Montana vs. Texas: Caroline’s Two Western Worlds
In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books: Death on Remand
Jerry's House of Everything: FORGOTTEN BOOK: CLEMMIE
Thursday, August 20, 2026
In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange
In Reference to Murder: The Indie Mystery/Thriller Bestseller List
Jerry's House of Everything: BBC NORTHERN IRELAND SATURDAY-NIGHT THEATRE: THE UNFORTUNATE FURSEY (FEBRUARY 24, 1990)
Beneath the Stains of Time: Murder in the Gilded Cage (1929) by Samuel Spewack
Thursday Treats: 8/20/2026
Some reading opportunities of interest this week. Yes, it is a little light this week as that is the way of publishing.
The
new issue of the online publication Yellow Mama is now out. Yellow Mama #117
includes short stories by SMFS list members Armand
Rosamilia (Breaking the Chains), John A. Tures (Eureka), and Marty Zeigler
(Dinner Plate Writer). You can read the issue online, and for free, here.
Black
Cat Weekly #259 is out and includes short stories by
SMFS list members Teel James
Glenn (The Gift of Song), Paula Messina (Once Hot,
Always Hot), and A.L. Sirois (Paul Is Dead)
. You can pick up the latest issue here.
A
reminder that that my short story, A Plan Comes Together, is in issue 254.
Folks seem to have really enjoyed it too. If you have not read it yet, go here, and grab a copy. I am very proud of this tale which was
partly inspired by real life events here and what Sandi believed. It also
stands as proof of a basic fact that many writers know in their bones--- a rejection just means that you have not yet
found the right market. When it hits the right market, and is read, and liked, you know you have done good.
The
latest read from author, D.
V. Berkom, False Dawn: A Mackenzie
Reynolds Thriller, was released earlier this week by Duct Tape Press.
You can pick up this first book of the planned three book series at Amazon and other vendors.
.jpg)
A
reminder that the upcoming new anthology, Capital Crime Writers Presents:
A Capital Mystery (Volume 2) is coming later this month. Edited by Bernadette
Cox and Mike Martin, these short stories take readers back to Ottawa, Canada,
and follows the first book, A
Capital Mystery. Available at Amazon now for preorder, it
will also be on Kindle Unlimited when it releases on August 31st.
Also,
later this month, The Tipping Floor, comes out. This is the
latest in the 509 Crime Stories series by Colin Conway.
Published by High Speed Creative, LLC., the read is available for preorder on Amazon.
Until next time….
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
SleuthSayers: You Are Entitled to Read My Story
Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY; THE FORGOTTEN LAND
Guest Post: An Interview with Carolyn Haines by Joan Leotta
Earlier
this week, Joan Leotta reviewed the new book, Joy to the Bones. Today, she has
an interview with the author, Carolyn Haines.
An Interview with Carolyn Haines by
Joan Leotta
Author,
Carolyn Haines, was gracious enough to expand on the small paragraph that
appears in the back of Joy to the Bones through an interview for this blog.
I found her replies to my questions a lot like a guide to starting and
finishing a mystery series.
Q: What
made you decide to stop writing this very successful thirty-odd book series? Are
you planning another mystery series?
CH: Age
made me decide. I have always felt awful that Sue Grafton never got to finish
the alphabet books. I also wanted the resolution of what happened to Sarah
Booth’s parents to be the final book. At 73, I wanted to make sure it ended the
way I envisioned. I owe Sarah Booth and the gang that much. They have been
loyal friends and characters.
No,
I am not writing any other series at this time. I’m going to venture into
supernatural thrillers, I think. Just for a change. I love humorous mysteries,
but I am keenly feeling the loss of Sarah Booth and her friends in my life.
They have been with me for over 30 years, a big part of each day. I love what I
call British horror (no gore). And the challenge of melding that into the
structure of a thriller fascinates me. And if I’m going to do it, I’d better
get in the saddle and ride.
Q: So,
this new book you are working on, is that going to be a singleton then? Will
you expand your use of supernatural characters like the” haint”, Jitty, or will
aliens take over the page? Or maybe you will use both or haven’t you decided
yet?
CH: I
am co-writing with Daryl Marcus, a former student of mine. He and I both love
horror. We are writing a book with space to go into a series or one that can be
a single title, depending on what the publishers are looking for.
It
melds the world of the Fae with a very real South Mississippi local and a
serial killer. It’s a handful, but we are enjoying the process.
Q: Back
to Sarah Booth! One of the things that made reading Joy to the Bones so
much for me is how much I immediately related to Sara Booth. She is feisty and
fun in ways that made me wish I could sit down and meet her. Is she a lot like
you?
CH: Sarah
Booth is very much like I was when I was 34--except she is far more limber! I
do have a 501c3 animal refuge where I take care of old, unwanted animals in
their final years. I've done this my whole life. I have, right now, eight dogs,
twelve cats, and two horses. A few crows hang about, but no ravens. I love this
so much, but I am getting older now and I am responsible enough to know I have
to stop taking in animals. Sarah Booth also adores her friends and, boy,
have I been blessed in the friend department. A lot of my friends have died in
the last decade, and that is a huge, huge loss. And ending Sarah Booth is
another emotional blow. As crazy as it sounds, she was a best friend to me.
Q: Are
some of the larger issues Sarah Booth addresses, also issues that you find
interesting and have worked on?
CH: There
is much emotional truth in the Sarah Booth books. She focuses on issues that I
am interested in, afraid of, or concerned about. She has more courage than I
do. But she is connected to the land, the natural world, and the people around
her, just as I am. I wrote a book in 1994, SUMMER OF THE REDEEMERS. In
that book I gave Bekka the emotional fabric of my childhood. Not factually
true, but emotionally true. Horse crazy, wild in the woods, ghost stories,
adventures not far from home. But Sarah Booth is more the grown up me, only a
better version.
Q: So, Summer
of the Redeemers was a single book, not part of any series? Did the
experience with that book lead you to Sarah Booth?
CH: It
was a two-book contract with Dutton for SUMMER and then followed by TOUCHED.
Learning plot and structure took some time, and I loved writing both of these
books. They could both be classified as Southern Gothic mysteries, but I didn’t
know that when I wrote them. They were published as general fiction.
Q: Would
you share a bit about how you developed Sarah Booth over the course of the
series and how you handled the timing/aging of your cast of characters? When
she started out, how old was Sarah Booth? How old is she when the series ends? And
if the books cover only a few years, how did you work in the twenty- year past death
of her parents?
CH: When
the series opens, she is 33. Thirty-one books later, she is only 34 and ½. It
is criminally wrong that when I started the series I was 45 and now I am 73?
The math isn’t mathing (sic) for me. The whole series arc covers 1and ½ book
years--though twenty-eight “human” years.
The
car wreck (that caused the death of her parents)happens off screen and years in
the past. The books pick up when Sarah Booth is grown and has just returned
home to Zinnia from NYC. The thirty-one books cover roughly, twenty months.
Q: Has Sarah
Booth’s cast of friends been consistent since the beginning of the series? Was Sarah
Booth always a PI? If not, when in the series does Sarah become a PI (this last
book of yours is my first read in the series) How does that choice of
profession help shape her?
CH: Yes,
the primary characters are in the first book and continue throughout. But the
relationships grow and change. In THEM BONES, Sarah Booth does a
really bad thing out of desperation. She steals Tinkie’s little dog, Chablis.
(Jitty supports this plan) and ransoms her back to Tinkie. Tinkie is so
impressed, she hires Sarah Booth to solve a mystery. In the third book, SPLINTERED
BONES, Sarah Booth and Tinkie begin working together to solve mysteries.
Prior to being, a detective, Sarah Booth was in NYC attempting to be a stage
actress. Things didn’t work out. (The not working out of her acting career is
what prompted Sarah Booth to return to Zinnia)
Q: What
prompted you to make the word “Bones” your title “Signature.” Can you tell us a
little about how the titles help shape the series and, in your opinion, do the
titles help add to its success?
CH: THEM
BONES was the first title and when Random House bought the first book at
auction, they wanted a 3-book contract. I thought Bones would be a good way to
brand the books. And it’s an easy word to work with for titles. Yes, I think
titles are really important.
Q: You once
mentioned that Zinnia, MS is modeled on your own hometown. Are there any
specific places in Zinnia that have real life counterparts with deep meaning
for you?
We
had a terrific restaurant in Lucedale, my hometown, called The Coffee Pot.
Millie’s Cafe is loosely based on that diner. It was a treat to go there for a
hamburger steak and coconut pie.
Finally,
Q: Is
there anything else you would like to tell your readers, fans of the Sarah
Booth Delaney mysteries??
CH: I
love to write both light/humorous fiction and also dark fiction. I have a 4-book
series called the Pluto Snitch: series which is set in the 1920s and deals with
a woman who can talk to the dead and is hired to solve mysteries involved
paranormal elements. The first title is THE BOOK OF BELOVED and is set in
Mobile, Alabama.
I am
in mourning for Sarah Booth and the gang. They have been such a big part of my
life—28 years. It’s hard to voluntarily let go of these stories which I love
telling. But the art of life is knowing when to let go.
Thank
you so much, Carolyn, for your willingness to spend time on these Questions! I
am sorry the series is ending since I just discovered it, but I plan to start reading
the whole series starting with the first, Them Bones, and work my
way back to Joy to the Bones, number 31—that should keep me busy
and happy for quite some time.
I do
hope you enjoy the books. I have loved every minute of writing them. And thank
you for your time in doing this interview. I really appreciate it. --Carolyn
Joan Leotta ©2026
Joan Leotta
offers encouraging words on page and stage. Internationally published as
essayist, poet, short story writer, novelist, she’s a multiple nominee for
Pushcart and Best of Net. Publications include Synkroniciti, MacQueen’s
Quinterly, One Art, Gargoyle, The Lake, Lothlorien, Ovunquesiamo, The
Mackinaw, Ekphrastic Review, Yellow Mama, Impspired, and Alfred Hitchcock
Mystery Magazine.
She also performs stories for youth and adult audiences
with programs that highlight food, kindness, family, and strong women. Her one
woman show as Louisa May Alcott focuses on Alcott’s development as a writer of
many genres and her time as a Civil War nurse. She also teaches storytelling
and writing and has done so for the North Carolina Poetry Society, NC Writers Network, ND Humanities, and
the London Arts-Based Research Center. Contact Joan at Joanleotta@gmail.com
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Jerry's House of Everything: TRUNCATED BITS & PIECES
Monday, August 17, 2026
Mystery Fanfare: MANAGING MULTIPLE WRITING PROJECTS WITHOUT GOING BANANAS: Guest Post by Linda S. Gunther
Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: Not a Word: A Novel by Linwood Barclay
Linwood Barclay’s newest domestic
thriller will be released by Morrow on 25 August in the U.S. and in September
in the U.K. It takes place in an upscale suburb west of Toronto, where Reece
Chartwell decided to visit his parents and talk to his father Brent about possible
career options. His job with the news division of a Canadian television network
recently ended as part of a major reduction in force, and Reece does not know
what his next role might look like. He did not expect find his parents dead in
bed with a gun on the floor near his father and blood everywhere. While he knew
his parents had developed separate interests over the years, Reece never
dreamed one or the other was this unhappy. He is understandably shocked beyond
words.
What initially seemed to the
investigating detective to be a straightforward murder-suicide began to look a
bit odd as she collected more details at the scene. When she asked more
questions about the victims, their relationships, and their history, Brent
Chartwell’s long-ago association with a large pharma corporation began to
assume more importance.
The story
flips back and forth in time from the present to some twenty years earlier when
Chartwell was working for Wiffel-Smith, producer of a controversial opioid. Barclay
often incorporates tense family dynamics in his books, exploring the different
ways individual members of a family experience the impact of a crime. Here, as
in Trust Your Eyes (2012), two brothers growing up in the same house
have turned out to be very different people in maturity, and they find they
need to redefine and re-negotiate their relationship after the death of their
parents.
There is no
shortage of plot twists here. This is Barclay’s 29th book. His
ability to structure a fast-moving story with suspense and create deeply human
characters is outstanding. Barclay’s fans will not be disappointed. Readers new
to his work will find this book a good place to start. An absorbing read for
anyone looking for a new thriller.
·
Publisher: William Morrow
·
Publication date: August 25, 2026
·
Language: English
·
Print length: 320 pages
·
ISBN-10: 0063276380
·
ISBN-13: 978-0063276383
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4xJj0Gh
Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2026
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal
It projects by day and reads mysteries at night
Posts
