KRL Mystery Short Story: A Failure to Communicate by Jan Christensen

 KRL Mystery Short Story: A Failure to Communicate by Jan Christensen 

KRL This Week Update For 4/2/2022

Up on KRL this morning a review and ebook giveaway of "Barista Bump-Off" by Tonya Kappes  https://kingsriverlife.com/04/02/barista-bump-off-by-tonya-kappes/ 

And a review and giveaway of "Lost Coast Literary" by Ellie Alexander along with a fun guest post by Ellie about getting lost in books https://kingsriverlife.com/04/02/lost-coast-literary-by-ellie-alexander/

 

We also have a review and giveaway of "Something's Guava Give" by Carrie Doyle (and the winner also gets the first book in the series as well) https://kingsriverlife.com/04/02/somethings-guava-give-by-carrie-doyle/

 

And a mystery short story by Jan Christensen https://kingsriverlife.com/04/02/a-failure-to-communicate-mystery-short-story/

 

Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Ripley Hayes about writing her series set in Wales, and about the new book just released "An Allotment of Time." You can also enter to win ebook copies of either the new book or a boxed set of the first three

https://kingsriverlife.com/03/30/writing-crime-novels-set-in-wales/

 

And another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Anne Louise Bannon about turning her books into serials and the release of her latest book "My Sweet List" https://kingsriverlife.com/03/30/making-a-book-a-serial/

 

And an article about Killer Workshop being put on by 2 Sisters In Crime Chapters this May, both in person and virtual. https://kingsriverlife.com/03/30/a-killer-workshop/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "The Secrets We Share" by Edwin Hill https://www.krlnews.com/2022/04/the-secrets-we-share-by-edwin-hill.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Sins of the Family" by Hy Conrad https://www.krlnews.com/2022/04/sins-of-family-by-hy-conrad.html

Happy reading,
Lorie

KRL This week Update for 7/17/21

Up in KRL this week we have reviews and giveaways of more fun food and craft mysteries for your summer reading-"Four Cuts Too Many": A Sarah Blair Mystery by Debra H. Goldstein, "Murder in a Scottish Garden": A Scottish Shire Mystery by Traci Hall, and "Murphy’s Slaw": An Alaskan Diner Mystery by Elizabeth Logan https://kingsriverlife.com/07/17/craft-food-mysteries-for-your-summer-reading/ 

And reviews of the latest seasons of 2 BritBoxTV shows, "Death in Paradise" and "New Tricks" https://kingsriverlife.com/07/17/a-pair-from-britbox-death-in-paradise-new-tricks/

 

We also have a review and giveaway of "Midnight Spells Murder" by Mary Angela along with an interesting interview with Mary https://kingsriverlife.com/07/17/midnight-spells-murder-by-mary-angela/

 

And a look at the Hannah Smith books by Randy Wayne White https://kingsriverlife.com/07/17/meet-randy-wayne-whites-hannah-smith/

 

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL you can find the player here for the latest episode featuring the first chapter of "Haunting Dreams" by Jan Christensen read by local actor Ariel Linn https://kingsriverlife.com/07/17/new-mysteryrats-maze-podcast-featuring-haunting-dreams/

 

Up during the week we posted a Q & A with mystery author Joe Cosentino about his latest Nicky and Noah mystery to come out in audiobook, "Drama Luau." You can also enter for a chance to win a copy of one of the first three Nicky and Noah mystery audiobooks https://kingsriverlife.com/07/14/qa-with-joe-cosentino-author-of-drama-luau/

 

And another special midweek guest post went up, this one by mystery author Holly Danvers about how her book "Murder at the Lakeside Library" came to be https://kingsriverlife.com/07/14/from-mind-to-page/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "A Trail of Lies" by Kylie Logan https://www.krlnews.com/2021/07/a-trail-of-lies-by-kylie-logan.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Diamonds, Pies, and Dead Guys" by Jennifer Fischetto https://www.krlnews.com/2021/07/diamonds-pies-dead-guys-by-jennifer.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit" by Krista Davis https://www.krlnews.com/2021/07/the-diva-serves-forbidden-fruit-by.html

 
Happy reading,
Lorie,_

Short Story Wednesday Review: Warning Signs by Jan Christensen

For this final Wednesday of December 2020, it is another repeat review this week. That was not the plan, but as often has happened this year, things got away from me. It is also more reading courtesy of Texas author Jan Christensen and her short story collection, Warning Signs. 

 

Warning Signs by award winning author Jan Christensen is made up of three short stories that were previously published in print and online markets. This collection is a bit less than 19,000 words and each story is a good one. Each story has a small intro, a brief explanation of how the story came about, and details on where the piece first appeared. 

 

The book opens with the longest story “Warning Signs.” Rhoda isn’t happy with her ex-husband Hank for a lot of reasons. For one thing, he isn’t paying his child support for their daughter Tiffany. To draw attention to the problem, Rhoda had a bright idea to put up a few wanted posters with Hank’s picture prominently displayed along a local highway. He owes fourteen thousand in back child support and with Tiffany in kindergarten and other issues, Rhoda is desperate. 

 

Somebody put up a “For Sale” sign in her front yard and Rhoda is sure Hank did it. She decides to retaliate by placing “garage sale” signs in his new more expensive neighborhood so that Hank and his new wife Melanie can get a dose of their own medicine. It is going to be a busy Saturday for Hank and his wife and serves them right.

 

The war takes a new turn that Sunday morning when she comes outside to find her ex dead beside her car with the apparent murder weapon, one of her old iron skillets, on the ground next to him. Rhoda takes the skillet, washes it, and puts it away where it belongs in her kitchen before calling 911. Rhoda soon learns she wasn’t the only one angry at Hank and possibly wanted him dead. 

 

28 year old Connie is not divorced yet but the divorce is coming in “Overkill.” She is supposed to meet with her divorce attorney, Jerry, but one thing after another happens delaying her arrival at his office. When she finally does get there she finds him apparently dead at his desk. The murder weapon still embedded deep in his chest. 

 

Soon named as a suspect and arrested, Connie has no choice but to take help anywhere she can get it to clear her name. That includes her soon to be ex-husband Howard who has more on his mind then clearing her name. 

 

The final story titled “Quack” involves a kidnapping.  Awhile back Josie defended a guy, Harley Summers, who shot up a local coffeehouse. Fortunately, he didn’t hit anyone but he still ended up serving jail time. He is now out supposedly none too happy about having had to serve jail time. That makes him the obvious suspect when Josie disappears and her aunt Reba is told that the ransom is 50K. The police can’t be involved and fortunately, Reba is not only also a lawyer, but a resourceful woman who has people she can trust.

 

Coming in a bit less than 19,000 words this small short story collection is a fun and fast read full of mystery and double dealing with the occasional flash of humor. These three stories feature women who can handle their business and deal with whatever comes their way. Feisty and independent, the heroines don’t wait to be rescued but take action on their own to get the job done. Violence is kept at a minimum in these three stories as are the body counts and descriptions of the death scenes. Instead, the focus in Warning Signs is more on the psychology of people and their relationships and how folks may interact in ways that are not revealed until the aftermath of a murder.

 

The award winning author has publicly stated Warning Signs is the first of a collection series with more around various themes planned in the future.  

 

 

Warning Signs (Warning Signs #1)

Jan Christensen

http://www.janchristensen.com/ 

April 2012

ASIN# B007ROBUOC

E-Book

$1.99

  

 

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012, 2020

Short Story Wednesday Review: Artie And The Long-Legged Woman by Jan Christensen

Another Wednesday means it is time for another short story review. Various things have conspired against me in recent days in one way or another, so on the docket today is a repeat review from way back in my dusty files. Today I offer you a reminder of Artie And The Long-Legged Woman by Jan Christensen.

 

If reading crime fiction has taught us anything it should be that a beautiful woman with sexy legs often means trouble. Years ago when Artie and Henry were teens and friends, Artie first noticed that Henry’s mom had great legs.  They were distinctive and he would recognize those great legs anywhere. Nearly twenty years later they still are incredible as is the rest of Mrs. Henderson. The same Mrs. Henderson who just stepped out of a white limo to talk to him in an alley. It has been a long time since he saw her and these days Mr. and Mrs. Henderson own a jewelry store. The same jewelry store Artie just successfully robbed.

 

Artie is good at his job and usually gets away with no one able to prove he did it. But, this time, Mrs. Henderson has security camera footage of what he just did. Not to mention the fact that she just caught him literally holding the bag with the loot. He can keep the loot he lifted as a down payment and she won’t use the security footage as long as Artie does the job she wants done.

 

This is a well written and highly entertaining tale by Texas author Jen Christensen much like her novel, Sara’s Search. A lot of character depth is packed into this fast moving and complicated tale.  Like her tale “Going Where the Wind Blows” in the anthology On Dangerous Ground: Stories of Western Noir there is more than one twist in Artie And the Long-Legged Woman available from Untreed Reads.

 

Good stuff. Period.

 

Artie And The Long-Legged Woman

Jan Christensen

http://www.janchristensen.com/

Untreed Reads Publishing

https://www.untreedreads.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_224&products_id=1932

eBook

21 Pages  

 

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2011, 2014, 2020 

Jan Christensen on Medium: ARE YOU MAKING TIME TO WRITE?

Jan Christensen on Medium: ARE YOU MAKING TIME TO WRITE?

Earl Staggs Reviews: HAUNTING DREAMS by Jan Christensen

I’ve read Jan Christensen’s novels and short stories for a number of years and she has never disappointed me.  Her characters shine as if they were people living next door, and her plots are believable and relatable.  She’s written three previous novels featuring Paula Mitchell, a private investigator in Springfield, Rhode Island. Her new one is HAUNTING DREAMS.   

Paula shares an office with her BFF, lawyer Geri Smithfield, and shares her life with her boyfriend, Steve Grady, an IT Consultant.  Steve lends his expertise if Paula needs it in her investigations, but at the same time, he wishes she didn’t work in such a dangerous profession.

Although Paula’s experiences do not involve a lot of gunplay, I liked that HAUNTING DREAMS begins with a bang.  Literally.  Here are the opening lines:

Shouting from the restaurant’s kitchen caught everyone’s attention, and the clatter of cutlery, dishes, and people talking ceased.  I heard a gunshot, someone screamed, and everyone else scrambled to either get under a table or rush to the door. I rose from the booth, grabbed my gun from its holster at my side, and dashed toward the kitchen door.

In the kitchen, she sees a cook has been shot and sees the shooter run out the back door.  She follows but the shooter makes his getaway.  The victim is only wounded and will survive, and the restaurant owner hires Paula to take on the case and find out who shot his employee.

What seems at first to be a simple case turns out to be anything but.  Paula begins by checking out the victim and other employees as well as the restaurant owner.  She is unable to find a record of some of them prior to twenty years ago.  When a second employee of the same restaurant is shot and wounded, Paula still has no clue who the shooter is or what his motive might be.    

Paula then learns an enemy of hers from an old case has recently been released from prison and is stalking her.

There are more twists, turns, and surprises for Paula before she figures it all out, and you’ll enjoy watching her do it.  I said before I’ve never been disappointed by this author.  Trust me.  You won’t be either.

HAUNTING DREAMS

By Jan Christensen

November, 2019

Amazon Digital Services LLC

ASIN: B081K9HR85

355 pages

Available in ebook and print

Earl Staggs ©2019

Earl Staggs Earl Staggs is the author of the books, MEMORY OF A MURDER,  JUSTIFIED ACTION, among others,  as well as numerous short stories. He has twice received a Derringer Award for Best Short Story of the Year. Past president of The President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, Earl also served as Managing Editor of Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine. His website is at https://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com/  and by email at earlstaggs@sbcglobal.net

FFB Review: Organized To Death: A Lighter-Side Mystery Story by Jan Christensen

As the heat and the severe weather continue to do their dance here in my part of North Texas, Organized To Death by Jan Christensen recently came up in my Facebook feed by way of the memories deal. It seemed a good time remind you about this first book in the Tina Shaw Mystery Series that I reviewed way back in June 2013. That review is below. For more reading suggestions, head over to Todd Mason’s Sweet Freedom blog.

Life was supposed to be less stressful and a bit simpler in the fall of 2007 when Tina Shaw came back home to Newport, Rhode Island. Having given up her psychology practice at age 29 in favor of a new profession as a professional organizer, life should be less stressful with her new career as her clients should not die. Her first job should also be easy, all things considered, as she will be working with a client, Rachel, whom she has known since they both were kids. Rachel obviously needs her help as her house is packed. Clutter has filled every nook and cranny except for the perfect baby nursery that is in pristine condition.

That is except for the dead body sprawled across the floor in a pool of blood with several bullet holes in the back.

Crystal is very much dead and for Rachel the loss is tremendous. Crystal could be over bearing and judgmental, but they were sisters and Rachel loved her dearly. If Rachel already needs mental health help, as Tina suspected considering the stat of the house, she certainly does now.

She might not be the only one who needs someone to talk to in Tina's circle of friends and acquaintances. Not only does a killer walk among them, but nearly everyone has a major secret. Some of those secrets unite the characters in various ways, while other secrets will ultimately destroy relationships and cost lives.

Organized To Death: A Lighter-Side Mystery Story by prolific short story and novelist Jan Christensen is a suspenseful page turning read. First in a new series, it features Tina Shaw a complicated young lady with secrets of her own. She also can't get a decent home cooked meal to save her life, has three potential romantic partners who annoy and intrigue her, and the serious unwanted interest of the police who see clear evidence linking her to at least one murder. A rich dynamic character who has yet to find herself, this first novel of a planned series is a tale of personal exploration weaved into a suspenseful cozy style mystery. Rich in detail and populated with complicated multi-dimensional characters in every role, this latest book from author Jan Christensen is another good one.

Organized To Death: A Lighter-Side Mystery Story

Jan Christensen

http://www.janchristensen.com

CreateSpace (Self Published)

December 2012

ISBN# 978-1481139779

Paperback (also available as e-book)

234 Pages

$11.99

Material supplied by publicist PJ Nunn owner of BreakThrough Promotions.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013, 2019

FFB Review: Warning Signs (Warning Signs #1) by Jan Christensen

Back in April 2012 I first told you about Warning Signs by Jan Christensen. For this final Friday of March 2019, I remind you why this short story collection is a good one. For the full list of other reading suggestions, head on over to Todd Mason’s Sweet Freedom blog. Sadly, that blog still has nothing at all about the sweet freedom of not wearing pants, but maybe someday.

  

Warning Signs by award winning author Jan Christensen is made up of three short stories that were previously published in print and online markets. This collection is a bit less than 19, 000 words and each story is a good one. Each story has a small intro, a brief explanation of how the story came about, and details on where the piece first appeared.

The book opens with the longest story “Warning Signs.” Rhoda isn’t happy with her ex-husband Hank for a lot of reasons. For one thing, he isn’t paying his child support for their daughter Tiffany. To draw attention to the problem, Rhoda had a bright idea to put up a few wanted posters with Hank’s picture prominently displayed along a local highway. He owes fourteen thousand in back child support and with Tiffany in kindergarten and other issues, Rhoda is desperate.

Somebody put up a “For Sale” sign in her front yard and Rhoda is sure Hank did it. She decides to retaliate by placing “garage sale” signs in his new more expensive neighborhood so that Hank and his new wife Melanie can get a dose of their own medicine. It is going to be a busy Saturday for Hank and his wife and serves them right.

The war takes a new turn that Sunday morning when she comes outside to find her ex dead beside her car with the apparent murder weapon, one of her old iron skillets, on the ground next to him. Rhoda takes the skillet, washes it, and puts it away where it belongs in her kitchen before calling 911. Rhoda soon learns she wasn’t the only one angry at Hank and possibly wanted him dead.

28 year old Connie is not divorced yet but the divorce is coming in “Overkill.” She is supposed to meet with her divorce attorney, Jerry, but one thing after another happens delaying her arrival at his office. When she finally does get there she finds him apparently dead at his desk. The murder weapon still embedded deep in his chest.

Soon named as a suspect and arrested, Connie has no choice but to take help anywhere she can get it to clear her name. That includes her soon to be ex-husband Howard who has more on his mind then clearing her name.

The final story titled “Quack” involves a kidnapping.  Awhile back Josie defended a guy, Harley Summers, who shot up a local coffeehouse. Fortunately, he didn’t hit anyone but he still ended up serving jail time. He is now out supposedly none too happy about having had to serve jail time. That makes him the obvious suspect when Josie disappears and her aunt Reba is told that the ransom is 50K. The police can’t be involved and fortunately, Reba is not only also a lawyer, but a resourceful woman who has people she can trust.

Coming in a bit less than 1900 words this small short story collection is a fun and fast read full of mystery and double dealing with the occasional flash of humor. These three stories feature women who can handle their business and deal with whatever comes their way. Feisty and independent, the heroines don’t wait to be rescued but take action on their own to get the job done. Violence is kept at a minimum in these three stories as are the body counts and descriptions of the death scenes. Instead, the focus in Warning Signs is more on the psychology of people and their relationships and how folks may interact in ways that are not revealed until the aftermath of a murder.

The award winning author has publicly stated Warning Signs is the first of a collection series with more around various themes planned in the future.  

Warning Signs (Warning Signs #1)

Jan Christensen

http://www.janchristensen.com/ 

April 2012

ASIN# B007ROBUOC

E-Book

$1.99

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012, 2019

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FFB Review: Warning Signs (Warning Signs #1) by Jan Christensen

Back in April 2012 I first told you about Warning Signs by Jan Christensen. Four years later and for this first Friday in November, I remind you why this short story collection is a good one. For the full list of other reading suggestions, head on over to Patti Abbott’s blog.

Warning Signs by award winning author Jan Christensen is made up of three short stories that were previously published in print and online markets. This collection is a bit less than 19, 000 words and each story is a good one. Each story has a small intro, a brief explanation of how the story came about, and details on where the piece first appeared.

The book opens with the longest story “Warning Signs.” Rhoda isn’t happy with her ex-husband Hank for a lot of reasons. For one thing, he isn’t paying his child support for their daughter Tiffany. To draw attention to the problem, Rhoda had a bright idea to put up a few wanted posters with Hank’s picture prominently displayed along a local highway. He owes fourteen thousand in back child support and with Tiffany in kindergarten and other issues, Rhoda is desperate.

Somebody put up a “For Sale” sign in her front yard and Rhoda is sure Hank did it. She decides to retaliate by placing “garage sale” signs in his new more expensive neighborhood so that Hank and his new wife Melanie can get a dose of their own medicine. It is going to be a busy Saturday for Hank and his wife and serves them right.

The war takes a new turn that Sunday morning when she comes outside to find her ex dead beside her car with the apparent murder weapon, one of her old iron skillets, on the ground next to him. Rhoda takes the skillet, washes it, and puts it away where it belongs in her kitchen before calling 911. Rhoda soon learns she wasn’t the only one angry at Hank and possibly wanted him dead.

28 year old Connie is not divorced yet but the divorce is coming in “Overkill.” She is supposed to meet with her divorce attorney, Jerry, but one thing after another happens delaying her arrival at his office. When she finally does get there she finds him apparently dead at his desk. The murder weapon still embedded deep in his chest.

Soon named as a suspect and arrested, Connie has no choice but to take help anywhere she can get it to clear her name. That includes her soon to be ex-husband Howard who has more on his mind then clearing her name.

The final story titled “Quack” involves a kidnapping.  Awhile back Josie defended a guy, Harley Summers, who shot up a local coffeehouse. Fortunately, he didn’t hit anyone but he still ended up serving jail time. He is now out supposedly none too happy about having had to serve jail time. That makes him the obvious suspect when Josie disappears and her aunt Reba is told that the ransom is 50K. The police can’t be involved and fortunately, Reba is not only also a lawyer, but a resourceful woman who has people she can trust.

Coming in a bit less than 19,000 words this small short story collection is a fun and fast read full of mystery and double dealing with the occasional flash of humor. These three stories feature women who can handle their business and deal with whatever comes their way. Feisty and independent, the heroines don’t wait to be rescued but take action on their own to get the job done. Violence is kept at a minimum in these three stories as are the body counts and descriptions of the death scenes. Instead, the focus in Warning Signs is more on the psychology of people and their relationships and how folks may interact in ways that are not revealed until the aftermath of a murder.

The award winning author has publicly stated Warning Signs is the first of a collection series with more around various themes planned in the future.  

Warning Signs (Warning Signs #1)

Jan Christensen

http://www.janchristensen.com/ 

April 2012

ASIN# B007ROBUOC

E-Book

$1.99

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012, 2016

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Guest Blog: Travels With Jan with author Jan Christensen

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Jan Christensen – A Broken Life: A Lighter-Side Mystery

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