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Thursday Treats

Welcome back to “Thursday Treats.”  The first column last week proved to be incredibly popular. More than I had thought possible. Thank you to those who commented here and elsewhere, shared the post, and made it clear that it was a hit. Thank you. The bar has been set high so I hope I can keep meeting it.

 

Cameron Trost recently announced on Facebook that Dead on the Dolmen, the first Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable novel, will be released on the 30th of January.  https://mybook.to/deadonthedolmen. I took advantage of the pre order deal and used funds in my Amazon Associate account to snag the eBook copy.

 

Authors Barb Goffman, Dave Zeltserman, and many others appear in Black Cat Weekly #230. BCW is a weekly publication featuring short stories and novellas in multiple genres. You can buy individual issues or one of the far better subscription deals at blackcatweekly.com.

 

Craig Johnson announced on Facebook that The Brothers McKay: A Longmire Mystery is coming out in late May. Amazon has the listing for it. Based on the synopsis there, it seems like Walt is closer to home this time. Been a big fan of this series, so I am hoping I get a shot at it on NetGalley or through the Dallas Library System. NetGalley has added it, so I put in my request. Viking is the publisher. I do not have a good track record with them in being granted the approval to read stuff.  

 

Michael Connelly also announced on Facebook that Ironwood is coming out in mid-May. Amazon has the listing for it. This is the second book in the police procedural series that started with Nightshade. I very much enjoyed that book so I am very much looking forward to this. No sign of it, yet, at either NetGalley or the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Also on Facebook, Kevin Wade announced that One Good Eye: A Jeep Mullane Novel is coming out in August. This is the second book in the police procedural series that began with Johnny Careless. I really liked that book a lot, so I am glad to see a second book in the series is coming out. The Dallas Public Library System does not list it yet. NetGalley has it, but the publisher is, apparently, gauging interest by asking folks to “wish for it.” That wishing for something on NetGalley has never worked for me, but I still did it.

 

I am a big fan of the works of Steven F. Havill. His Posadas County Mystery series has gone on for many years, and it is mighty good. I told you about the most recent one, If It Isn’t One Thing… A Posadas County Mystery, last March. Knowing he does very little social media, I have been checking Amazon for the new one. They now have it listed. Reverse: A Posadas County Mystery comes out in May. NetGalley got it listed yesterday and I grabbed it. I got it right away as it is with Severn House who has me preapproved on NetGalley for everything they do. 

 

By the way, if you don’t already know, Lesa Holstine does a blog post every Thursday where folks, including yours truly, share what we are reading. Make sure you check it out at Lesa’s Book Critiques. It will, guaranteed, make your TBR pile grow.

 

Which in one way is not helpful at all as my long standing order for the READ FASTER, DAMN IT! brain implant is still on backorder at Amazon. Apparently, there are supply chain issues. 😉

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Thursday Treats

Welcome to what will be, I hope, the first of many weekly columns highlighting cool stuff to check out. Publishing news of books, short stories, interviews, and more, that I have seen and think might be of interest to you. So, you will see a lot of publishing news related items as, more than anything else, I am a reader. A reader who reads both eBooks and print.

 

I’m not a true crime kind of guy. Many of you are, and so I mention that authors Judy Penz Sheluk and Amanda Capper are writing a book on the Helen Grier murder case. Judy explains the background and their plans in her post earlier this month on The Stiletto Gang. Even though I am not a true crime guy, the post is intriguing. Her post is well worth the read.

 

Ed Ridgley’s short story “The Blue Lincoln” is up at the Guilty Crime Magazine website. A flash tale and a free read. And, if you missed it, the latest issue of the magazine, Guilty Crime Story Magazine: Issue 015 - Summer 2025 is available over on Amazon. I have my copy in the TBR pile along with several other issues. Just way behind in my reading.

 

As Lesa Holstine announced on Lesa’s Book Critiques back in November 2024, Bill Crider’s books are being republished by his daughter, Angela, and her husband, Tom. In recent days, Jan Grape wrote about her love for Bill, the Dan Rhodes series, and more in a post that includes an interview with Angela. Check out her  SluethSayers post. By the way, if you have not read the mystery series set in East Texas with the good sheriff, you should do so. Begin with Too Late To Die and read in order. I have reviews of the books here on the blog as well if you want to know more. Been a big fan for decades.

 

The new issue, Starlight Pulp Review #7, is out. Features short stories by numerous folks including SMFS list members, Robert J. Binney with “Gifts of Providence,” Ron Clyburn with “Send in the Killers,” Martin Hill Ortiz with “Not Enough Corpses,” and Jennifeer Slee with “The Apex.”

 

Mystery Writers of America put out their monthly roundup of publishing news from their members. New Books by MWA Members – January 2026 also lists short stories. This month, all the stories are found in the pages of AHMM or EQMM. SMFS list members are featured in the books as well as the short story categories.

 

Speaking of SMFS, the latest publishing news post as compiled and issued by SMFS President Joseph S. Walker came out last week. With winter weather making things dangerous outside coming for most of the nation, including my part of NE Dallas where we are being threatened with a crippling ice storm this weekend (God, no), this is a good time to stock up on reading materials.

Also, get your submissions in to the Derringers. All the details are up on the SMFS blog. Deadline is 1/30/2026.

 

Finally, as Lorie Ham of Kings River Life Magazine has shared on Facebook and elsewhere, “We've had some big unexpected expenses come up lately, so I'm running another big ad special for KRL. So if you are interested in knowing more reach out via email at kingsriverlife@gmail.com.”

Until next time...  

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

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Guest Post: First Lines in Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense-- Part 2 by Judy Penz Sheluk

Please welcome Judy Penz Sheluk back to the blog today as she shares some of the first lines from the stories in the new anthology, Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, releasing Tuesday. Part 1 ran last Sunday on the SMFS blog. The anthology was released last Tuesday and includes my short story, The Hospital Boomerang.

 

 

Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense

First Lines: Part II

 

That’s right. Part II. If you missed Part I, you can find it on the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s blog spot, where it was posted on June 16^th. And now, here’s Part II (or, for those of you not keeping up, the first lines of the final 11 stories in Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense):

 

No Good Deed by Kate Fellowes

 I’ll just say, that Bible should have been mine in the first place.

 

Incidents & Intentions by Wil A. Emerson

Lily unlocked the back door of the thrift shop using a key that didn’t belong to her.

 

A Tight Squeeze by Larry M. Keeton

My wife, Denise, was dead.

 

Not This Time by Mary Wills Fraser

I’m hiding in my ex-husband’s closet when my phone rings.

 

Wheel of Fortune by John Bukowski

Karl slid his last token into the slot and pushed the glowing button.

 

Robbery at The Birdcage by Cate Moyle

Deputy Michelle Simmons received the dispatch call at 05:49 and steered her cruiser toward the village of Dunecrest.

 

The Crimson Salamander by Tracy Falenwolfe

Since her induction into The Modus Operandi Supper Club, Billie Burgess often said Mark Luxor was the devil.

 

The Case of the Pilfered Parka by Gina X. Grant

Five minutes into the interview, Noah was ready to confess.

 

A Promise Kept by Karen Grose

The only reason I’m working at Big Jim’s is because no one else wanted the job, let alone applied.

 

The Pool by Brenda Chapman

Greg opened the gate to his neighbor’s backyard and surveyed the wide expanse of fresh sod, his gaze coming to rest on the newly installed, inground pool that sparkled like a box of gems in the June sunshine.

 

The Last Chance Coalition by Judy Penz Sheluk

I watch Jake McFadden strut into O’Leary’s Bar & Grill with the swagger of a man who’s dabbled with the big time and likes to flaunt it.

Have a favorite? Leave a comment. We really do love comments.

 

About the anthology

Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense

Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk

Publication Date: June 18, 2024

 

Sometimes it’s about doing the right thing. Sometimes it’s about getting even. Sometimes it’s about taking what you think you deserve. And sometimes, it’s your last, best, hope. Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk and featuring stories by Christina Boufis, John Bukowski, Brenda Chapman, Susan Daly, Wil A. Emerson, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate Fellowes, Molly Wills Fraser, Gina X. Grant, Karen Grose, Wendy Harrison, Julie Hastrup, Larry M. Keeton, Charlie Kondek, Edward Lodi, Bethany Maines, Gregory Meece, Cate Moyle, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Kevin R. Tipple, and Robert Weibezahl.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4bq7wwo 

 

Judy Penz Sheluk ©2024 

Judy Penz Sheluk is a former journalist and magazine editor and the bestselling author of two mystery series, several short stories, and two books on publishing. She is also the publisher and editor of four Superior Shores Anthologies. Find out more at www.judypenzsheluk.com.

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SMFS News Post

I sent the below to a list I am on and then had the thought I should mention such things here. So, below is the news that went up today on the SMFS blog as well as something else. Hope you find it helpful. 

In case you have not made it to the SMFS blog today, we have had today several news posts that may interest you. For example: 

Black Cat Mystery Magazine #12 is now out and focuses on cozy mysteries. We have several members with short stories in the new issue. Learn more at https://shortmystery.blogspot.com/2022/09/smfs-members-published-in-black-cat.html 

Fellow member Veronica Leigh’s short story, Lost Souls, is now out in ParABnormal Magazine: September 2022. Learn more at  https://shortmystery.blogspot.com/2022/09/smfs-member-publishing-news-lost-souls.html 

If podcasts are your thing, there is a new one at EQMM. Each month they feature a short story. This time, Sandra Murphy reads the short story, Sit. Stay. Die., that she wrote with Michael Bracken. The details of the free podcast are at https://shortmystery.blogspot.com/2022/09/smfs-member-podcast-news-episode-155.html 

Finally, in case you missed it last Sunday, the latest Black Cat Weekly includes a short story as well as a novella by two SMFS members. Details regarding Black cat Weekly #52 are up on our informative blog at https://shortmystery.blogspot.com/2022/08/smfs-members-published-in-black-cat_28.html  Remember the new issue will be out tomorrow featuring more mysteries and other tales. A year subscription is definitely the way to go. 

Happy Reading!

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Been Very Busy

Been very busy this afternoon though you could not tell it by here. Been doing stuff for the SMFS. Some of that will go up tomorrow. Most of it is now up on the blog there. So much getting published including a new book from Barry Ergang.

And....I still have to make dinner. Sigh. Where the hell did I put the Calgon......