Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of August 9, 2026

 Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of August 9, 2026

The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: More Sizzling Summer Reads from the Short Mystery Fiction Society!

The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: More Sizzling Summer Reads from the Short Mystery ...: It's time for another roundup of recent publications from the outstanding writers of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Human stories fr...

Thursday Treats: 8/06/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week... 

 

My flash fiction piece, Consequences, went up at Guilty Crime Story Magazine Flash earlier this week. It can read it for free here.

 

Black Cat Weekly #257 is out and includes cover short story by SMFS list member Anne Swardson (Lost in Paris) and others. You can pick up the latest issue here. 

 

I have long been a fan of Larry D. Sweazy. He has announced on Facebook that the Literary Garage will publishing his short story, A Knock at the Door, on August 13^th. So, next week. And go get his books. Great reads.

 

Speaking of being a fan, I also have long been a fan of the works by Russ Hall. Especially the Al Quinn novels. His latest in that series, Gold in Them Texas Hills, was reviewed here last week by yours truly. He has a new two book series just out featuring Brett Crutherstone and private investigator Ketch. You can pick up this small-town Texas suspense series on Amazon.

 

This month marks another resurrected book from author Beau Johnson. Shotgun Honey has now released, All of Them to Burn: Stories. Part of the Bishop Rider series, the read is available at the publisher and Amazon.

 

 

SMFS list member Michael Bracken also announced on Facebook that the anthology, Sleuths Just Wanna Have Fun: Private Eyes in the Material World, will once again be in print. The new publisher is Crimson Gate Books and the read is up at Amazon for preorder. Pub date is August 10th. Also in the read are SMFS list members, John M. Floyd (Redwood Creek), Debra H. Goldstein (Who Shot J.R.?), Kathleen Marple Kalb (Diana and the Princess), and SMFS President Joseph S. Walker (The Right Size of Favor).

 

 

Edited by SMFS list members, Editors Gigi Pandian and Tom Mead, All the Crime in the World: Locked Room Mysteries and Impossible Puzzles, has been released.  According to the synopsis, the anthology will feature 14 short stories by “Victor Bonini, James Scott Byrnside, Shelly Dickson Carr, S.A. Cosby, Anne van Doorn, Martin Edwards, Sulari Gentill, Paul Halter, Christopher Huang, Vaseem Khan, Josh Pachter, Masaya Yamaguchi, Ovidia Yu, and a brand-new collaboration from the editors.” Available from the publisher, Crippen and Landru, and Amazon, the read was reviewed here earlier this week by Aubrey Nye Hamilton.

 

As Gigi Pandian posted to the SMFS list recently and I quote: “We've got several SMFS members in the anthology. Josh mentioned his story, "The Allegory of the Five Senses," which is terrific. Tom Mead and I wrote "The Problem of the Poison Garden" as a nod to our favorite author, John Dickson Carr. I had no idea co-writing could be such fun!”

 

Finally, as you may have already seen on Facebook, after more than two decades of being bandied about on the SMFS list, something very cool comes this way. This October will see the first issue of SMFS Mystery Magazine. Not only did I suggest the title to Publisher John Connelly of Murderous Ink Press (Crimeucopia series), but I also have a couple of pieces in this first issue. The plan is for 3 issues a year that will have short stories, essays, and interviews, with all the material involving the world of crime fiction and mysteries. It should be very cool. More details on where and how to buy are coming, and it should be available at Bouchercon.

 

Until next time…. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Lesa's Book Critiques: What Are You Reading?

 Lesa's Book Critiques: What Are You Reading?

Thursday Treats: 7/30/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 

SMFS list member Armand Rosamilia announced that his flash fiction short story, Coffee And A Glazed Donut, was published online at The Yard: Crime Blog. You can read it for free here.

 

SMFS list member Chuck Brownman announced that his short story, Rendering the Truth, was released as Episode 13 of Season 9 of the Mysteries to Die For podcast anthology series. You can listen for free at https://m2d4podcast.com/. As is done at the close of the season each year, a book will be generated of all the episodes and available at a variety of vendors.

 

Black Cat Weekly #256 is out and includes short stories by SMFS list member Michael Bracken (Satan’s Wings) and others. You can pick up the latest issue here. 

 

SMFS list member James W. Ziskin  latest novel, The Prank, is now out. “Set in Christmas 1968, a thirteen-year-old sociopath befriends his teacher, unaware she loved the man his prank accidentally killed.” Published by Level Best-Historia, the read is available in both digital and print formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Also now out is the new anthology, What the World Needs Now: Mystery Stories Inspired by the Music of Burt Bacharach. SMFS list members Joseph Goodrich (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) and Josh Pachter (Me Japanese Boy) are included in the charity anthology edited by Martin Edwards. Funds raised are for autism charities in the US and UK. It is available at Amazon.

 

 

Speaking of musical themed anthologies, In Too Deep: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Genesis, is once again released into the world. Edited by Adam Meyer, the new publisher is Audecyn Books. The read contains short stories by Kathleen Barber, Eric Beetner, Michael Bracken, Austin Camacho, Barb Goffman, Debra H. Goldstein, James A. Hearn, Smita Harish Jain, Hugh Lessig, Adam Meyer, Tom Milani, Alan Orloff, Josh Pachter, Rob D. Smith, Joseph S. Walker. You can get it at Amazon or other vendors.

A reminder that by this time next week, another anthology will be out. Edited by SMFS list members, Editors Gigi Pandian and Tom Mead, All the Crime in the World: Locked Room Mysteries and Impossible Puzzles. According to the synopsis, the anthology will feature 14 short stories by “Victor Bonini, James Scott Byrnside, Shelly Dickson Carr, S.A. Cosby, Anne van Doorn, Martin Edwards, Sulari Gentill, Paul Halter, Christopher Huang, Vaseem Khan, Josh Pachter, Masaya Yamaguchi, Ovidia Yu, and a brand-new collaboration from the editors.” It is currently available for preorder at the publisher, Crippen and Landru.

 

As Gigi Pandian posted to the SMFS list recently and I quote: “We've got several SMFS members in the anthology. Josh mentioned his story, "The Allegory of the Five Senses," which is terrific. Tom Mead and I wrote "The Problem of the Poison Garden" as a nod to our favorite author, John Dickson Carr. I had no idea co-writing could be such fun!”

 

  

Until next time…. 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Dru's Book Musings: Coming Soon ~ August 2026

 Dru's Book Musings: Coming Soon ~ August 2026

Thursday Treats: 7/16/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 

I am leading off with this publishing news as I am in the new issue this week. Black Cat Weekly #254 is out and includes my crime fiction short story, A Plan Comes Together. Also in the issue are frequent guests here, Tom Milani (Andrea Gutiérrez) and Paula Messina (A Little Help). You can pick up the latest issue here. 

 

 

Also now out is the latest issue of Kings River Life Mystery Magazine. In addition to the book giveaways, reviews, and other pieces, Leslie Budewitz announced that publication of her short story, Pepper Reece and the Ghost of Arthur Goodwin: A Spice Shop Short Mystery. You can read it for free here.

 

Janet Rudloph announced that the latest volume of the Mystery Reader’s Journal was now out. Mystery Readers Journal: Mysteries Set in France (Volume 42:2) is available here. By the way, if you are not already paying attention to her great Mystery Fanfare blog, you should be. I watch a lot of British, and elsewhere, mystery television and I get most of my news on the programs via her blog.

 

 

Author James H. Lewis announced that his latest novel, The Boy in the Mirror, is now out. You can pick it up direct from the author here, or through several vendors including Amazon.

 

 

Author Allen Wyler announced that his latest novel, Deadly Odds 9.0 was out. Published by Stairway Press, the latest in a long line of techno-thrillers is available at Amazon and other vendors. Aubrey reviews it Monday here on the blog. 

 

 

SMFS Derringer Coordinator Mark Schuster sent word that John Joseph Adams has curated the Magic & Mystery collection scheduled to be released on July 28^th. These are seven Amazon Original Tales on Kindle. Learn more at Amazon. 

 

 

Speaking of SMFS, recently re-elected President Joseph S. Walker posted his latest compilation of recent publishing news of the members. News of the various books and short stories can be found here.

 

By the way, Joseph’s post title reminded me of the great blog, Make Mine Mystery. While it is dormant now, you can still read the posts if you go to the Make Mine Mystery blog here.

 

The anthology, Bad Intentions: A Crime Fiction Anthology Based on the Music of Warren Zevon, has been released by Literary Garage. Edited by Michael K. Downing, the read features fifteen stories from authors, Chance Adorjan, Colin Brightwell, Jesse Binger, Geonn Cannon, Andrew Careaga, Dylan Demasi, Zakariah Johnson, Whiskey Leavins, Scott MacLeod, Bruce W. Most, Joel Nedecky, Nathan Pettigrew, Keith Roysdon, DJ Tuskmor, and Mike Zimmerman. Cover design by Frank Vatel. All proceeds go to benefit Philabundance, a Philadelphia-based charity working to end food insecurity. You can pick it up in print or digital formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

Until next time…. 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Lesa's Book Critiques: Favorite Books of 2026, So Far

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Favorite Books of 2026, So Far

Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of July 12, 2026

 Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of July 12, 2026

Thursday Treats 7/9/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

Fellow SMFS list member John A. Tures announced that his short story, Keeping Secrets, was published in the Nat 1 Publishing Presents Gaslamp Pulp: Volume 5-- Summer 2026: Superhero Adventures. Published by Gaslamp Pulp and the literary nonprofit, Nat 1 Publishing, the read can be picked up at Amazon in both digital and print formats. I also remind you of his recent  blog guest post appearance here. 

 

Fellow SMFS list member Cate Moyle  announced that her short story, The Secret Redcoat, was published online at Kings River Life Magazine. Read the tale for free here. 

 

Fellow SMFS list member Abe Margel announced the publication of his short story, Pay Phone, at The Literary Garage. You can read it for free here.

  

SMFS list member Leigh Saunders announced that her short story, To Weave the Winds, is in the recently published anthology, Sand and Storm: An Opal Kingdom Press Anthology. Billed as the fifth book in their ExtraOrdinary Beasts series of anthologies from Opal Kingdom Press, the read is available from Amazon and other vendors.

 

Black Cat Weekly #253 is now out. Among the various reads is Michael Bracken’s short story, The Tattooist, James Patrick Focarile’s short story, Last Kiss, and the cover short story, Pitchapalooza, by Robert Parker. Mr. Parker’s 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. 

 

Also out now is Guilty Crime Story Magazine: Issue 017 - Summer 2026: The Detective Annual. Edited and published by fellow SMFS list member, Brandon Barrows, the issue includes short stories by Mr. Barrows and others. I am way behind on my reading, but I have enjoyed and reviewed previous issues. You can pick it up here.

 

 

 

Until next time….

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of July 5, 2026

 Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of July 5, 2026

Thursday Treats: 7/2/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week. For a change of pace this week, we start in the world of books….

 

Tomorrow is publication day for A Fatal Flourish: An Ella Shane Mystery by Kathleen Marple Kalb. This 3^rd book in the mystery series, published by Level Best Books, is available in eBook and print formats at Amazon.

 

Boots, BBQ, and Bloodshed: Metroplex Mysteries Vol. V, is now out. 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.

A reminder that 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 7^th. The mystery, published by Rowan Prose Publishing, is available to preorder in multiple formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Moving on to short stories, and most of these are again this week, free reads…

 

Fellow SMFS list member Stephen M. Pierce announced that his short story, Six Shots for a Sharpshooter, was published online at Close to the Bone Magazine. Read the tale for free here. 

 

Fellow SMFS list member John A. Tures announced that his short story, The Ultimate Sacrifice, was published online at Exquisite Death. The story is free to read here. I also remind you of his recent blog guest post appearance here.

 

Fellow SMFS list member Andy Boyle announced that his short story, Video 191, was published online at The Temz Review. You can read it for free here.

 

SMFS list member Abe Margel announced the publication of his short story, Travis’ Benefit, at The Yard: Crime Blog. You can read it for free here.

 

Today is publication day for Rock and a Hard Place: Issue 16: Summer 2026. Features 11 crime fiction short stories including SMFS list member Christina Hoag’s “Last Night on the Track.” You can pick it up on Amazon.

 

Black Cat Weekly #252 is now out. Among the various reads is the cover story, Ship Island, by John M. Floyd. 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. 

 

And we close with an anthology ….

 

Finally, Level Best Books—Level Short is scheduled to release the anthology, What the World Needs Now: Mystery Stories Inspired by the Music of Burt Bacharach. SMFS list members Joseph Goodrich (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) and Josh Pachter (Me Japanese Boy) are included in the charity anthology edited by Martin Edwards. Funds raised are for autism charities in the US and UK. The digital version is up for preorder at Amazon.

 

 

Until next time…. 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026