SleuthSayers: Old Myths, New Stories

SleuthSayers: Old Myths, New Stories: If you read this space regularly you may be aware that I am a fan (is that the right word?) of mythology, especially the Greco-Roman varie...

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: SANDY THE TINKER

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: SANDY THE TINKER:  "Sandy the Tinker" by Charlotte Riddell  (first published anonymously in London Society , Christmas 1880; reprinted in her collec...

Little Big Crimes: The Million Dollar Legs Matter, by Richard Helms

Little Big Crimes: The Million Dollar Legs Matter, by Richard Helms: "The Million Dollar Legs Matter," by Richard Helms, in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2026. This is Helms...

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 4 mysteries featuring Halloween, fall, and the supernatural-"Murder at a Scottish Halloween" The Scottish Shire Mysteries by Traci Hall, "Death at a Scottish Halloween" The Scottish Isle Mysteries by Lucy Connelly, "Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cedar Falls Festival" Macki Smith Mysteries by Traci Hall, and "Any More Questions for the Corpse?" by J. J. Unthank https://kingsriverlife.com/09/26/halloween-spooky-fall-mysteries-for-your-october-tbr/

And a review and giveaway of "A Cold November Murder" by Patricia Smiley, along with an interesting interview with Patricia https://kingsriverlife.com/09/26/a-cold-november-murder-by-patricia-smiley/

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/09/26/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-november-2026/

Up during the week we posted a mystery short story by Stephen M Pierce https://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/mystery-short-story-rattle-the-gates-of-your-cell/

And we had a special guest post by mystery author Matthew Hieti about his new book "One Soft Infested Summer" https://kingsriverlife.com/09/23/dead-mans-canyon/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review of "Get a Candle on Crime" by Sarah E. Burr along with a giveaway for a $15 Barnes and Noble gift card https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/get-candle-on-crime-by-sarah-e-burr.html

And a review and audiobook giveaway of "Half Double Murder" by Marshall Thornton https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/half-double-murder-by-marshall-thornton.html

And a review and giveaway of "Where There's Smoke..." by E.J. Copperman https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/where-theres-smoke-by-ej-copperman.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #289: HOUR By J. N. Williamson

 George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #289: HOUR By J. N. Williamson

Little Big Crimes: The Walkout, by Kevin Egan

Little Big Crimes: The Walkout, by Kevin Egan:   "The Walkout," by Kevin Egan, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2026. Last year I mentioned being s...

The First Two Pages: “The Portuguese Sailor” by Ellen Byerrum

 The First Two Pages: “The Portuguese Sailor” by Ellen Byerrum

Little Big Crimes: The Ordnance Special, by James D. Crabtree

Little Big Crimes: The Ordnance Special, by James D. Crabtree: "The Ordnance Special," by James D. Crabtree, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2026. There are war c...

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "Purranormal Activity" by Cate Conte https://kingsriverlife.com/09/12/purranormal-activity-by-cate-conte/

And a review and giveaway of "The Art Critic's Last Forgery" by Elaine Orr https://kingsriverlife.com/09/12/the-art-critics-last-forgery-by-elaine-orr/

And a review and giveaway of "Don't Look Close" by Jaima Fixsen along with an interesting interview with Jaima https://kingsriverlife.com/09/12/dont-look-close-by-jaima-fixsen/

We also have a mystery short story by Joli Huelskamp https://kingsriverlife.com/09/12/mystery-short-story-the-missing-employee/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "The Corpse With The Steely Gaze" by Cathy Ace https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/the-corpse-with-steely-gaze-by-cathy.html

And a review and giveaway of "Treasures and Treachery in Tenerife" by Victoria Tait https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/treasures-and-treachery-in-tenerife-by.html

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Board to Death" by J.C. Eaton https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/board-to-death-by-j-c-eaton.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: KUDZU

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: KUDZU: "Kudzu" by Ace Atkins (from Birds of Prey , edited by Harlan Coben & C. J. Box, 2026; also available in Kindle) Mook and Juani...

Patricia Abbott: SSW-"August Heat" by William F. Harvey

 Patricia Abbott: SSW-"August Heat" by William F. Harvey

The First Two Pages: “The Cave Man” by Shannon Taft

 The First Two Pages: “The Cave Man” by Shannon Taft

Little Big Crimes: No Property in a Witness, by Mat Coward

Little Big Crimes: No Property in a Witness, by Mat Coward:  "No Property in a Witness," by Mat Coward, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2026. This is the eleve...

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun cozy foo mysteries-"Murder at First Slice" A Baker Street Mystery by Valerie Burns, "Savvy Summers and the Po’boy Perils" Savvy Summers by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, and "Killer Donuts" A Deputy Donut Mystery by Ginger Bolton https://kingsriverlife.com/09/05/delicious-fun-food-cozy-mysteries-for-your-september-tbr/

We also have the latest Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair https://kingsriverlife.com/09/05/mystery-current-coming-attractions-september-2026/

And a review and ebook giveaway of "A Golden Opportunity" by Rebecca Saltzer, along with an interesting interview with Rebecca https://kingsriverlife.com/09/05/a-golden-opportunity-for-murder-by-rebecca-saltzer/

And a review of the latest season of "The Chelsea Detective" on Acorn TV https://kingsriverlife.com/09/05/the-chelsea-detective-season-4-on-acorn-tv/

During the week, in honor of Labor Day weekend, we posted a labor-related mystery short story by Edith Maxwell https://kingsriverlife.com/09/02/mystery-short-story-labors-peril/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week, we have a review and giveaway of "Trapped" by D.E. Beckler https://www.krlnews.com/2026/09/trapped-by-d-e-beckler-reviewgiveaway.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

The First Two Pages: “Screaming Jenny” by Pat Remick

 The First Two Pages: “Screaming Jenny” by Pat Remick

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE COFFIN BEARER

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE COFFIN BEARER: "The Coffin Bearer" by Tess Gerritsen  (from Birds of Prey , edited by Harlan Coben and C. J. Box, 2026) Maggie Bird is a fifty-ei...

Little Big Crimes: Treat or Trick, by Mark Thielman

Little Big Crimes: Treat or Trick, by Mark Thielman:   "Treat or Trick," by Mark Thielman, in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Sept/Oct 2026.   This is the twelfth appearance in t...

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE MAGIC WHITE SUIT

Jerry's House of Everything: SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: THE MAGIC WHITE SUIT:  "The Magic White Suit" by Ray Bradbury  (first published in the Saturday Evening Post , October 4, 1958; republished as "The...

Patricia Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: "The Birds" Daphne DuMaurier

 Patricia Abbott: Short Story Wednesday: "The Birds" Daphne DuMaurier

Little Big Crimes: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, by Joseph Goodrich

Little Big Crimes: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, by Joseph Goodrich:  "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," by Joseph Goodrich, in What the World Needs Now: Mystery Stories Inspired by the Music of Bur...