Want To Be A Guest?

 

As we stare in the face of summer when the flaming Sky God tries to kill us all, I thought I would remind you that I welcome guest posts here. If you have read this kind of post before, and have an interest, please read this updated post today as I have added a couple of things.

 

Guests are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Unlike some folks and their places, I don’t have a lot of forms to fill out or hoops to jump through as I have made the process as easy as possible. Most questions you are already answered here so please read the post before reaching out.

 

First and foremost, No AI for anything. Period. 

 

With that out of the way…. Depending on my reviews—Open days are currently Tuesdays and Sundays. Sometimes other says are as well as I don’t read that fast anymore. I usually run excerpts from published or about to be published works on Sundays as excerpts seem to work best on those days.

  

Topic--pretty much anything goes. While my blog is mainly aimed towards items of interest for readers and writers of mystery and crime fiction, I am open to pretty much anything. I do ask that folks avoid the topics of religion and politics unless either or both directly relate to the work being discussed or promoted.

 

Please Note --- I am not going to run anything that advocates big pharma is hiding the cure for cancer. Folks that come up with that stuff deserve a special place in hell.

 

Before contacting me, please have an actual idea in mind. I absolutely do not assign topics. That means I am NOT going to tell you what to write about. This is your opportunity to write what you want to write about. You know your books, your expertise in topics, etc. I do not. Your idea does not have to be set in stone. It does need to have some detail. Have something to say beyond the fact that you have a new book coming out and you want to talk about it in a guest post.  Have at least a couple of things that you know you want to have in your piece and tell me that in your pitch.

 

And, yes, book reviews are very popular here. Several folks regularly contribute book reviews. I would love to have more book reviews from guests.

 

Word Count: Totally up to you. I do not set a maximum or a minimum word count.

 

When your piece is ready, you send it to me by email and include a 100 words or fewer bio. Also send any pics that you think should be included in the piece. While some guest posts are super heavy in pictures, I think it works best to have two or so. While I can and do lift author photos and book covers from Amazon and author websites, it is easier if you just send it from the start as well as any other pics you believe should be included.

 

Exclusivity: The period should be original to my blog. I request that you allow me to be the exclusive home for the piece for 90 days. This allows me to make multiple posts about your guest post on social media and still bring in readers.

 

I have had folks write for me one weekend and, within two weeks, ignore the exclusivity period, and run the exact same piece elsewhere. Rather kills the point of my efforts to bring attention to your post.

 

This is, as always, a nonpaying opportunity. Yes, I absolutely value your work. I also have no income other than SSD (and that is just a few hundred each month) and am supporting myself, my adult son, and this old house on what little I inherited when my Mom passed. The bank account is steadily shrinking and I am doing the best I can to hang in here. Scott has been without work since mid April and that has made things massively worse. Things are going downhill, rapidly, but as long as I can keep this place going, I will.

 

While I have no funds to pay you, I can promise to promote the heck out of your appearance. You will be seen. I can’t promise a certain number of sales, but most guests do see a spike in their sales. Guests who are on the blog on a semi regular basis do far better than one off appearances, but everyone does see an impact.

Questions/ pitches should be sent to me at Kevinrtipple AT Verizon.net

 

I hope you choose to be a part of things here. Looking forward to hearing from you.

  

 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2026 

Guesting On The Blog

  

It has been a few months, almost six now, so I thought I would remind you that I welcome guest posts here. If you have read this kind of post before, and have an interest, please read this updated post today as I have added a couple of things.

 

Guests are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Unlike some folks and their places, I don’t have a lot of forms to fill out or hoops to jump through as I have made the process as easy as possible. Most questions you may have been already answered below so please read the post before reaching out.

 

Depending on my reviews—Open days are currently Tuesdays and Sundays. I usually run excerpts from published or about to be published works on Sundays as excerpts seem to work best on those days.

 

No AI for anything. Period.

 

Topic--pretty much anything goes. While my blog is mainly aimed towards items of interest for readers and writers of mystery and crime fiction, I am open to pretty much anything. I do ask that folks avoid the topics of religion and politics unless either or both directly relate to the work being discussed or promoted.

 

Please Note --- I am not going to run anything that advocates big pharma is hiding the cure for cancer. Folks that come up with that stuff deserve a special place in hell.

 

Before contacting me, please have an actual idea in mind. I absolutely do not assign topics. That means I am NOT going to tell you what to write about. This is your opportunity to write what you want to write about. You know your books, your expertise in topics, etc. I do not. Your idea does not have to be set in stone. It does need to have some detail. Have something to say beyond the fact that you have a new book coming out and you want to talk about it in a guest post.  Have at least a couple of things that you know you want to have in your piece and tell me that in your pitch.

 

And, yes, book reviews are very popular here. Several folks regularly contribute book reviews. I would love to have more book reviews from guests.

 

Word Count: Totally up to you. I do not set a maximum or a minimum word count.

 

When your piece is ready, you send it to me by email and include a 100 words or fewer bio. Also send any pics that you think should be included in the piece. While some guest posts are super heavy in pictures, I think it works best to have two or so. While I can and do lift author photos and book covers from Amazon and author websites, it is easier if you just send it from the start as well as any other pics you believe should be included.

 

Exclusivity: The period should be original to my blog. I request that you allow me to be the exclusive home for the piece for 90 days. This allows me to make multiple posts about your guest post on social media and still bring in readers.

 

I have had folks write for me one weekend and, within two weeks, ignore the exclusivity period and run the exact same piece elsewhere. Rather kills the point of my efforts to bring attention to your post.

 

This is, as always, a nonpaying opportunity. Yes, I absolutely value your work. I also have no income other than SSD (and that is just a few hundred each month) and am supporting myself, my adult son, and this old house on what little I inherited when my Mom passed. The bank account is steadily shrinking and I am doing the best I can to hang in here as inflation, my worsening health, and other issues are making it even harder. Things are going downhill, rapidly, but as long as I can keep this place going, I will.

 

While I have no funds to pay you, I can promise to promote the heck out of your appearance. You will be seen. I can’t promise a certain number of sales, but most guests do see a spike in their sales. Guests who are on the blog on a semi regular basis do far better than one off appearances, but everyone does see an impact.

 

Questions/ pitches should be sent to me at Kevinrtipple AT Verizon.net

 

I hope you choose to be a part of things here. Looking forward to hearing from you.

  

 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2026

Guesting On My Blog

It has been a while, so I thought I would remind you that I welcome guest posts here. If you have read this kind of post before, and have an interest, please read this updated post today as I have added a couple of things. 

Guests are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Unlike some folks and their places, I don’t have a lot of forms to fill out or hoops to jump through as I have made the process as easy as possible. Most questions you may have been already answered below so please read the post before reaching out.

Depending on my reviews—Open days are currently Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I usually run excerpts from published or about to be published works on Sundays as excerpts seem to work best on those days.

No AI for anything. Period.

Topic--pretty much anything goes. While my blog is mainly aimed towards items of interest for readers and writers of mystery and crime fiction, I am open to pretty much anything. I do ask that folks avoid the topics of religion and politics unless either or both directly relate to the work being discussed or promoted.

Please Note --- I am not going to run anything that advocates big pharma is hiding the cure for cancer. Folks that come up with that stuff deserve a special place in hell.

Before contacting me, please have an actual idea in mind. I absolutely do not assign topics. That means I am NOT going to tell you what to write about. This is your opportunity to write what you want to write about. You know your books, your expertise in topics, etc. I do not. Your idea does not have to be set in stone. It does need to have some detail. Have at least a couple of things that you know you want to have in your piece and tell me that in your pitch.

Word Count: Totally up to you. I do not set a maximum or a minimum word count. 

When your piece is ready, you send it to me by email and include a 100 word or fewer bio. Also send any pics that you think should be included in the piece. While some guest posts are super heavy in pictures, I think it works best to have two or so. While I can and do lift author photos and book covers from Amazon and author websites, it is easier if you just send it from the start as well as any other pics you believe should be included.

Exclusivity: The period should be original to my blog. I request that you allow me to be the exclusive home for the piece for 90 days. This allows me to make multiple posts about your guest post on social media and still bring in readers.

I have had folks write for me one weekend and, within two weeks, ignore the exclusivity period and run the exact same piece elsewhere. Rather kills the point of my efforts to bring attention to your post.

This is, as always, a nonpaying opportunity. Yes, I absolutely value your work. I also have no income other than SSD (and that is just a few hundred each month) and am supporting myself, my adult son, and this old house on what little I inherited when my Mom passed. The bank account is steadily shrinking and I am doing the best I can to hang in here as inflation, my worsening health, and other issues are making it even harder.

At the rate things are going, if I am still alive, I fully expect to be homeless by the summer of 2026. So, this blog won’t matter. In the meantime, I do what I can, as I can.

While I have no funds to pay you, I can promise to promote the heck out of your appearance. You will be seen. I can’t promise a certain number of sales, but most guests do see a spike in their sales. Guests who are on the blog on a semi regular basis do far better than one off appearances, but everyone does see an impact.

Questions/ pitches should be sent to me at Kevinrtipple AT Verizon.net

I hope you choose to be a part of things here. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2025

Guesting On My Blog

 

As the blog soars over four and a half million page views, and since I have not mentioned this in some time, I thought I would remind you that I welcome guest posts here.

 

Guests are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Unlike some folks and their places, I don’t have a lot of forms to fill out or hoops to jump through as I have made the process as easy as possible. Most questions you may have been already answered below so please read the post before reaching out.

 

The open days are currently Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I usually run excerpts from published or about to be published works on Sundays as excerpts seem to work best on those days.

 

Topic--pretty much anything goes. While my blog is mainly aimed towards items of interest for readers and writers of mystery and crime fiction, I am open to pretty much anything. I do ask that folks avoid the topics of religion and politics unless either or both directly relate to the work being discussed or promoted.

 

Please Note --- I am not going to run anything that advocates big pharma is hiding the cure for cancer. Folks that come up with that stuff deserve a special place in hell.

 

Before contacting me, please have an actual idea in mind. I absolutely do not assign topics. That means I am NOT going to tell you what to write about. This is your opportunity to write what you want to write about. You know your books, your expertise in topics, etc. I do not. Your idea does not have to be set in stone. It does need to have some detail. Have at least a couple of things that you know you want to have in your piece and tell me that in your pitch.

 

Word Count: Totally up to you. I do not set a maximum or a minimum word count.

 

When your piece is ready, you send it to me by email and include a 100 word or fewer bio. Also send any pics that you think should be included in the piece. While some guest posts are super heavy in pictures, I think it works best to have two or so. While I can and do lift author photos and book covers from Amazon and author websites, it is easier if you just send it from the start as well as any other pics you believe should be included.

 

This is, as always, a nonpaying opportunity. Yes, I absolutely value your work. I also have no income other than SSD (and that is just a few hundred each month) and am supporting myself, my adult son, and this old house on what little I inherited when my Mom passed. The bank account is steadily shrinking and I am doing the best I can to hang in here as inflation, my worsening health, and other issues are making it even harder.

 

While I have no funds to pay you, I can promise to promote the heck out of your appearance. You will be seen. I can’t promise a certain number of sales, but most guests do see a spike in their sales. Guests who are on the blog on a semi regular basis do far better than one off appearances, but everyone does see an impact.

 

Questions/ pitches should be sent to me at Kevinrtipple AT Verizon.net

 

I hope you choose to be a part of things here. Looking forward to hearing from you.

  

Kevin R. Tipple © 2025

Call for Guests

As the blog crosses the four million page views point, it seems a good time to remind you that I welcome guest posts here.

 

Guests are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Unlike some folks and their places, I don’t have a lot of forms to fill out or hoops to jump through as I have made the process as easy as possible. Most questions you may have been already answered below so please read the post before reaching out.

 

The open days are currently Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I usually run excerpts from published or about to be published works on Sundays as excerpts seem to work best on those days.

 

Topic--pretty much anything goes. While my blog is mainly aimed towards items of interest for readers and writers of mystery and crime fiction, I am open to pretty much anything. I do ask that folks avoid the topics of religion and politics unless either or both directly relate to the work being discussed or promoted.

 

Please Note --- I am not going to run anything that advocates big pharma is hiding the cure for cancer. Folks that come up with that stuff deserve a special place in hell.

 

Before contacting me, please have an actual idea in mind. I absolutely do not assign topics. That means I am NOT going to tell you what to write about. This is your opportunity to write what you want to write about. You know your books, your expertise in topics, etc. I do not. Your idea does not have to be set in stone. It does need to have some detail. Have at least a couple of things that you know you want to have in your piece and tell me that in your pitch.

 

Word Count: Totally up to you. I do not set a maximum or a minimum word count.

 

When your piece is ready, you send it to me by email and include a 100 word or fewer bio. Also send any pics that you think should be included in the piece. While some guest posts are super heavy in pictures, I think it works best to have two or so. While I can and do lift author photos and book covers from Amazon and author websites, it is easier if you just send it from the start as well as any other pics you believe should be included.

 

This is, as always, a nonpaying opportunity. Yes, I absolutely value your work. I also have no income other than SSD (and that is just a few hundred each month) and am supporting myself, my adult son, and this old house on what little I inherited when my Mom passed. The bank account is steadily shrinking and I am doing the best I can to hang in here as inflation, my worsening health, and other issues are making it even harder.

 

At this point, I am probably going to be forced to sell the house next Spring and downsize massively to an apartment. At that point, I probably will fold the tent and call it a day on the blog, reviewing, and being online.

 

But, in the meantime, while I have no funds to pay you, I can promise to promote the heck out of your appearance. You will be seen. I can’t promise a certain number of sales, but most guests do see a spike in their sales. Guests who are on the blog on a semi regular basis do far better than one off appearances, but everyone does see an impact. Questions/ pitches should be sent to me at Kevinrtipple AT Verizon.net

 

I hope you choose to be a part of things here. Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2024

Guesting On My Blog

As the blog soars ever closer to four million page views, and since I have not mentioned this in some time, I thought I would remind you that I welcome guest posts here. 

Guests are more than welcome and very much appreciated. Unlike some folks and their places, I don’t have a lot of forms to fill out or hoops to jump through as I have made the process as easy as possible. Most questions you may have been already answered below so please read the post before reaching out. 

The open days are currently Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I usually run excerpts from published or about to be published works on Sundays as excerpts seem to work best on those days.

Topic--pretty much anything goes. While my blog is mainly aimed towards items of interest for readers and writers of mystery and crime fiction, I am open to pretty much anything. I do ask that folks avoid the topics of religion and politics unless either or both directly relate to the work being discussed or promoted.

Please Note --- I am not going to run anything that advocates big pharma is hiding the cure for cancer. Folks that come up with that stuff deserve a special place in hell.

Before contacting me, please have an actual idea in mind. I absolutely do not assign topics. That means I am NOT going to tell you what to write about. This is your opportunity to write what you want to write about. You know your books, your expertise in topics, etc. I do not. Your idea does not have to be set in stone. It does need to have some detail. Have at least a couple of things that you know you want to have in your piece and tell me that in your pitch.

Word Count: Totally up to you. I do not set a maximum or a minimum word count.

When your piece is ready, you send it to me by email and include a 100 word or fewer bio. Also send any pics that you think should be included in the piece. While some guest posts are super heavy in pictures, I think it works best to have two or so. While I can and do lift author photos and book covers from Amazon and author websites, it is easier if you just send it from the start as well as any other pics you believe should be included.

This is, as always, a nonpaying opportunity. Yes, I absolutely value your work. I also have no income other than SSD (and that is just a few hundred each month) and am supporting myself, my adult son, and this old house on what little I inherited when my Mom passed. The bank account is steadily shrinking and I am doing the best I can to hang in here as inflation, my worsening health, and other issues are making it even harder.

While I have no funds to pay you, I can promise to promote the heck out of your appearance. You will be seen. I can’t promise a certain number of sales, but most guests do see a spike in their sales. Guests who are on the blog on a semi regular basis do far better than one off appearances, but everyone does see an impact.

Questions/ pitches should be sent to me at Kevinrtipple AT Verizon.net 

I hope you choose to be a part of things here. Looking forward to hearing from you. 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2024

“The Hospital Boomerang" appears in the anthology, Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense (Superior Shores Press)

“Whatever Happened To…?” appears in the anthology, Notorious in North Texas: Metroplex Mysteries Volume III (Sisters in Crime North Dallas)

"Visions of Reality" appears in the anthology, Crimeucopia-Say It Again (Murderous Ink Press)

Sample Sunday: Excerpt from "Visions of Reality" in Crimeucopia-Say It Again

Back a month ago, Mysterious Ink Press released the anthology, Crimeucopia-Say It Again. The book includes my short story, Visions of Reality. The story is based on an idea I came up with while working at Bookstop back in the late 80s. I thought I would give you a small sample of the tale today. If you like what you read, and I hope you do, you can get the book from Mysterious Press Ink, Amazon, and other vendors.

 

 

 

VISIONS OF REALITY

 

“Look, John, I just want you to shelve the product.” Mr. Phillpots, the store manager, pointed with his black pen, jabbing the air for emphasis as he added, “A book is a book. Nothing more. No deep meanings. Just get them out there. Got it?"

“Books aren’t a product like a sack of potatoes, Mr. Phillpots. They mean much more. All books aren’t equal. Some of that stuff is just trash.”

This was a losing proposition because the man had no soul. How do you explain such a concept to a non-book lover?  It was hopeless, and instead of being a good and loyal yes man, I had tilted at the windmill again.

In annoyance, Phillpots tossed the pen down on the desk and rocked back in his expensive orthopedic chair.  A chair that he wouldn't need if he actually did something useful and worked the sales floor like the rest of us. The money saved could have been used to fix the aging air conditioning system that was losing the ongoing war with the brutal Texas summer heat. After staring at me for what seemed forever, he started shaking his head like I was a bad dog that had made a mess on the carpet.

“Listen, I know you’ve been having,” his pudgy fingers made the obligatory quotation marks, “some emotional problems lately.” He paused for a moment, his beady little eyes gauging my reaction. My face burned in embarrassment and I shifted slightly in the chair. Phillpots lowered his voice in an attempt to be comforting and supportive; reminding me of how my calls to the employee hotline had been handled. “It’s okay, really. I’ve thought for a long time you needed help. I’m very glad you’re getting it. So, let’s make this simple.” He paused and then did that stupid little nod he always did right before he issued one of his edicts. “While you’re here at work, I just want you to do what you’re told. Just put the product on the shelf. Don’t think about it. The books aren't alive or anything. They are just product. They can’t hurt you at all. All you have to do is put the books on the shelf. Just do it.”

The room spun and then steadied shakily as I realized he knew about me seeing the doctor. He probably knew all about the dreams and everything else. My life was not my own or private.

When the dreams started I tried to ignore them. That just made everything worse. They got more and more vivid, so real that it was as if I was living them. Then something happened and I started seeing things when I was awake—or, at least, when I thought I was awake. I wasn't sure anymore when I was awake and when I was asleep. Everyone else swore they didn’t see what I did.

Finally, my primary doctor had insurance approval and sent me to a therapist. I didn’t get better. I just quit talking to people about what I saw. They all thought I was crazy. Why give them proof?

Everything was supposed to be covered by patient/doctor confidentiality. If Phillpots knew, who else did?  It would have been cheaper to advertise my mental state in the paper.

“Well?” he asked.

Oh, great. Not only was I classified as a nut job in his mind and no doubt by now in the employee records, but now he also knew I hadn’t been listening. Playing for time, I shrugged.

“Well, okay then.”

Phillpots shifted through his papers, picked up his pen, and went back to work.  After about half a minute or so, he stopped and stared at me. He blinked twice as if he thought his beady little eyes were lying to him. He pulled off his glasses and leaned forward, being sure to make eye contact just like the employee manual said on page nine. His voice was angry calm but one could hear the traces of New England in it which always came through when he was stressed.

Moving to Texas had been a culture shock in more ways than one for him. I wasn't sure if it was because Texas wasn't as it was portrayed in the media, or that those of us who were native Texans saw the world differently than a transplanted Yankee. Sometimes I felt a little sorry for him. Those moments were fleeting and far between, as I had been called into his office way too often since he took over seven weeks ago. The man certainly did like to hear himself talk.

“So, John, go out there and shelve Romance and Horror. Alphabetize them while you’re at it. You’re one of the few people I’ve got who can read and knows the alphabet. Such a rarity here. Remember to police and face out any title that has four copies or more. Not three. Four.” He tried for a half-smile that once again reminded me of a constipated rat with a load of cheese. “Make it look good out there.”

I stiffened in my seat and swallowed hard. He knew how I felt about those books. There was something wrong with them. They had a power over me. I gulped for air and tried to speak, but he wasn’t going to give me the chance.

“Do it or quit,” boomed Phillpots. "Get out of here and decide while you work."

Quitting wasn’t an option.  I nodded and got myself together enough to rise from the chair and stumble out of his office, pulling the door shut behind me. Kathy was waiting outside in the short hallway. She smirked at me while I moved by her. I wondered how much she had overheard and then realized it really didn’t matter because she did all the records for him.

Horror and Romance—the twin seducers—and I had to shelve them. It was as if those books spoke to me, pulling me in. The therapist said there was a simple explanation. I was disassociating from the real world or some such nonsense. The answer was, of course, medication. Take the little happy pill and all would be fine. I hadn’t noticed any difference. Maybe I needed the large-sized happy pill.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2024

KRL This Week Update for 9/16/2023

Up on KRL this morning a review and giveaway of "Murder in the Book Lover's Loft" by Ellery Adams https://kingsriverlife.com/09/16/murder-in-the-book-lovers-loft-by-ellery-adams/ 

And reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun mysteries for your fall tbr-'All that Glitters Isn’t Gold": A Whit and Whiskers Mystery by Gabby Allan, "Death of a Clam Digger": A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery by Lee Hollis, and Steeped in Malice: A Tea by the Sea Mystery by Vicki Delany https://kingsriverlife.com/09/16/mysteries-for-your-fall-tbr/

 

We also have a review and giveaway of "Seams Deadly" by Maggie Bailey along with an interesting interview with Maggie https://kingsriverlife.com/09/16/seams-deadly-by-maggie-bailey/

 

And a review of the second season of "The Chelsea Detective" on Acorn TV https://kingsriverlife.com/09/16/the-chelsea-detective-season-2-on-acorn/

 

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL, you can find the player here for the new episode which features "Murder Faux Paws" by T.C. LoTempio and is read by local actor Ariel Linn https://kingsriverlife.com/09/16/new-mysteryrats-maze-podcast-featuring-murder-faux-paws/

 

Up during the week we posted an excerpt from Martin Clark's new thriller "The Plinko Bounce" https://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/the-plinko-bounce-by-martin-clark-excerpt/

 

And a special midweek guest post by mystery author Rebecca K. Jones about her latest book "Stemming the Tide" https://kingsriverlife.com/09/13/damsels-in-distress/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Desert Deadline" by Michael Craft https://www.krlnews.com/2023/09/desert-deadline-by-michael-craft.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Sliced, Diced, and Dead" by JC Eaton https://www.krlnews.com/2023/09/sliced-diced-and-dead-by-j-c-eaton.html

 

Happy reading, watching, and listening,

Lorie

Guest Post: Excerpt from Something Deadly on Desert Drive: The Accidental Detective Mystery Series by Kris Bock

Please welcome author Kris Bock to the blog today with an excerpt from her new mystery, Something Deadly on Desert Drive: The Accidental Detective Mystery Series. This is the second book of the series. Back in April, author Kris Bock shared at excerpt from the first book, Something Shady Sunshine Haven: The Accidental Detective Mystery Series here. Published by Tule Publishing, this book is scheduled to be released on Tuesday in eBook format.

 

After an injury disrupts her journalism career, Kate Tessler has to start over at 50, figuring out how to get work, make friends, and live in the heart of her loving but interfering family. Now she and her quirky gang of sidekicks have new problems to solve.

Kate's father and his coffee group are worried. Their friend Larry married a younger woman who now claims he has dementia and won't let anyone see him. They think his wife and her lazy adult children are keeping him isolated so they can steal his money. They're determined to save Larry, and they need Kate’s help to prove what’s happening.

Before they can dig out the truth, a murder raises the stakes, and Kate's father is among the suspects. To save him and Larry, she must reveal the real murderer – but her investigation could put all their lives at risk.

 

Excerpt from Something Deadly on Desert Drive

 

“Looks like we’re the last ones to arrive.” Dad raised his hand to acknowledge his friend’s wave.

I followed Dad to the diner table where his friends sat. They greeted me warmly. This was only the second time I’d joined Dad’s twice-weekly coffee group in the month I’d been home. They were nice guys, but since I was living with my father again, I wanted to ensure he had a social life apart from me. This time, however, they had specifically requested my presence.

Which meant they wanted something.

I couldn’t wait to find out what.

I’d gotten through my first week back home, after decades of traveling the world as a war correspondent, by solving a mystery at my mother’s Alzheimer’s care unit and putting away a killer. The next month had been filled with writing articles about those events. I was ready for a new mental challenge.

I already had enough of a physical one with PT and getting used to walking with a cane.

“Thanks for coming, Kate. We need your expert advice.” Joe Washington and his wife had helped with the nursing home investigation. Joe wore his white hair trimmed close to his head, forming a handsome contrast to his dark skin.

“Glad to help,” I said. “What’s up?”

The four men looked at each other. Dad nodded to one of them. “You start, Clarence. You were the first to notice something wrong.”

“We’re worried about our friend, Larry,” Clarence said. “His wife died last year, and he remarried in the spring. We have concerns about his new wife. She is very young, maybe your age.”

While I chuckled at the thought of being “very young” at 49, I had no desire to get involved in someone’s marriage, especially if his friends’ disapproval was only due to the age difference or loyalty to the old wife.

“At first, Larry seemed happy after he married Pamela,” Clarence said. “They went on a month-long honeymoon that must have cost a fortune. After they returned, I reminded Larry to revise his will if he wanted to make sure his children got some of his money. He agreed he would. That was the last time he seemed happy.”

The other men nodded.

“He hasn’t joined our coffee group in over two months,” Dad said. “Pamela says he’s getting dementia. She won’t let him leave the house.”

I could understand being protective of an ill spouse. As a younger wife, she might be embarrassed by her elderly husband’s infirmity. But when someone was old and sick, keeping him away from his friends wasn’t helpful. Was she overprotective and perhaps making bad decisions, or was something more serious happening?

“I’m glad to help if I can,” I said, “but I’m not sure how. You need to know if Larry is really suffering from memory problems, and if so, if he’s getting the right treatments.”

Joe leaned forward. “When you were investigating Sunshine Haven, you pretended to be writing a story so you could talk to the family members.”

 

 

Kris Bock ©2022 

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with Southwestern landscapes. Sign up for her newsletter and get a free Accidental Detective short story plus a free sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café. Kris also writes with her brother, Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Sign up for their romantic comedy newsletter and get the short story Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Find the Felony Melanie books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers