Review: Mystery Weekly Magazine: November 2017

Mystery Weekly Magazine: November 2017 opens with “The Sugar Witch” by R.S. Morgan. Melissa wants Angelo dead and wants his help. The 500K Angelo has stashed in the house is another inducement beyond what Melissa has already given him.

Cilly had a plan and pulled it off in “Her Father’s Killer” by Joseph D’Agnese. The blindfolded man strapped to the chair at the end of the dock has no idea how much trouble he is in. Waylon is his name and he will soon know how much trouble he is in as Miss Priscilla Mae Gregson is going to settle some old scores and get answers in this tale set during WWII.

Betting on just about anything include the Thanksgiving dinner is tradition in the family. A tradition that encourages some folks to kill and others to take elaborate precautions in “Day After Thanksgiving Soup” by Debra H. Goldstein.

Mrs. Box likes to play games with people when she is out and about. She often does that with a spider in her purse despite her husband warning her such activities are a bad idea. “In The Last Evil” by David Vardeman, Mrs. Box has her target picked out on the train and is looking so forward to his reaction at the final moment.

The concept of ghosts and a lot more is at work in “A Passionate Belief In Ghosts” by Tom Tolnay. As the dinner conversation/ argument continues between George Putnam and Herbert Jarvis continues, dusk settles across London the gas lamps light the streets below. Before long the argument between the authors is interrupted by the arrival of the neighbor from downstairs, Mrs. Edward Whitby, who has a problem and needs their help.

There is always that one kid in class.  In “Only We Know” by Stef Donati that one kid is quite the challenge for the class clown.

Andrew and our narrator have a plan in “Search For Bread” by Edward Palumbo. It starts with dinner and the waiter named Doug. Doug has a secret and the narrator wants it.

The issue closes with the mysterious meatball autopsy by Peter DiChellis. Two detectives have a murder on their hands as the victim was shot in the back of the head in case that might have been retaliation. The answer to the November You-Solve-It it can be found in the December issue of Mystery Weekly Magazine.

The issue concludes with the answers to the October You-Solve-It puzzles.

Mystery Weekly Magazine: November 2017 is not one of those issues often seen during the holidays which would be all about the given holiday. Only one story in the issue uses Thanksgiving as a reference point. That story and all the others in the issue have plenty of surprises as the complicated characters go about their business. Along the way they entertain readers in tales that don’t easily fit the mold of predictability.

Mystery Weekly Magazine: November 2017

http://www.mysteryweekly.com/

ASIN: B0771PSNK4

eBook (available in print format)

70 Pages

$2.99

For quite some time now I have been gifted a subscription by the publisher with no expectation at all of a review. From time to time I will be reviewing each issue. To date, I have never submitted anything to this market and do not intend to as long as I review the publication.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2018

In Reference To Murder Blog: Mystery Melange for 2/7/18

In Reference To Murder Blog: Mystery Melange for 2/7/18

Only days left to win books by Victoria Gilbert, Cindy Brown, Kate Dyer-Seeley, Tracy Weber & more from KRL

Only days left to win a copy of "A Murder for the Books" by Victoria Gilbert & while there check out an interesting interview with Victoria http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/a-murder-for-the-books-by-victoria-gilbert/

And to win a copy of "The Phantom of Oz" by Cindy Brown, author http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/the-phantom-of-oz-by-cindy-brown/

Also to win a copy of "In Cave Danger" by Kate Dyer-Seeley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/in-cave-danger-by-kate-dyer-seeley/

And to win a copy of "Tastes Like Murder" by Catherine Bruns, when you go check out our review of her book "Silenced by Sugar" & while there check out a fun cookie recipe for your Valentine's Day http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/silenced-by-sugar-by-catherine-bruns/

And on KRL News & Reviews to win a copy of "Pre-Meditated Murder" by Tracy Weber http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/pre-meditated-murder-tracy-weber.html

While there don't miss our review of the latest new Hallmark Mystery Movie and a mystery short story!

Happy reading,
Lorie

--

KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for
mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com

Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Nevermore: Deep Dark Descending, Christmas Hope, R...

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The Rap Sheet: Revue of Reviewers for 2/6/18

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Buried Under Books Blog--Book Review: Grand Lac by Carl Brookins—and a Giveaway!

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Davy Crockett's Almanack of Mystery, Adventure and The Wild West: BILL CRIDER goes to BOUCHERCON Part 8 (2003)

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Guest Post: It’s Not a Bug by Jeanne of the BPL

Jeanne is back today with a few thoughts about the state of the cozy….

It’s Not a Bug

The recent very cold weather has meant that I’ve had to walk more than usual on my treadmill which means I have read a LOT of cozies in a row.  It’s also given me ample opportunity to reflect on the similarities.  (Note:  I’m using the word “hero” for the main character but since most cozy leads are female, I’m also using the feminine pronoun.)

In no particular order:

      1. Hero does something life-threatening and dangerous and stupid, but it’s okay because she says she knows it’s stupid before doing it anyway.

2    2. Hero is single and constantly on the lookout for eligible mates, sizing them up by attractiveness.

3    3. If hero has been married, then spouse cheated on her, often with some trusted person (i.e., best friend or colleague) or else died.  This has no bearing on point 4.

4. If hero is involved in a relationship, she worries constantly that significant other is tired of her or having an affair.

5    5. There is no situation that can’t be made worse by the two people involved refusing to talk to one another.

6    6. Hero is compelled to investigate crime because she, family, friend, or pet might possibly in some universe be accused of murder.

      7. Someone will refuse to give a perfectly good alibi for a perfectly ridiculous reason.

\

      8. There will be a character who exists for no other reason than to cause trouble for the hero.  Said character is universally disliked and has no redeeming characteristics. This is an ongoing character, not to be confused with “victim.”  (see below) Character from Hell will reoccur throughout the series, popping up to create some sort of upset and/or delay our hero from snooping—er, investigating.  

9. The victim will be someone who is strongly disliked, giving everyone a motive to murder him.  In short, someone who “needs killing.”

10.  Hero or family member will comment on the need for killing (or say prospective victim should “drop dead”) and said statement will become a reason to arrest the utterer.

11.  Hero will whip up a batch of some treat and a recipe will appear at the end; alternately, hero will craft something, and craft instructions or tips will appear at the end of the book. This happens even if cooking or crafting is not an important part of the book.

12.  Hero will have unruly curly hair which she will complain about frequently.  Color will vary, but red is a popular choice.

      Bonus:  A character will comment on the high rate of homicide in the area and reference Cabot Cove or Jessica Fletcher (or just flat out name “Murder, She Wrote”).  

 A few days ago, when we were having problems with a piece of software I commented to a younger colleague that the problem “wasn’t a bug, it was a feature.” Her blank look made me reconsider how well known the saying is today.  I knew it as common quip, meaning the software company refused to consider a problem a problem and wouldn’t fix it.I have concluded that the above listed items aren’t bugs but are actually features of a cozy.   

 Can they be annoying?  Sure.  But as far as I’m concerned, if the book is well written with strong characterization and a clever plot, all the above can be amusing-- a nod to type so to speak. 

 Equally, in a book with one dimensional characters or far-fetched plot, the same things are very irritating—a checklist of items, not a novel. It makes me think of a paint by numbers picture: some have such nice brushwork that I can believe the work original while other have the lines peeking through the paint.

 So a tip of the hat to those authors who have the skill to take the clichés and stock characters and standard plots and spin them into something that keeps me on the treadmill, turning pages and earning blisters!

Relevant History Blog: Shell Shocked! by Donis Casey

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FROM DUNDEE'S DESK: Another Look: FIVE GUNS WEST (1955 Western, direct...

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Daily Beast: Can the Best Magazine in Texas Be Saved?

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Review: Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent by Mike and Anne Howard

There is an airline based here that has a market slogan built around the idea “want to get away?” If you do, Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent might be the way to plan. Written by Mike and Anne Howard, creators of honeytrek.com, experienced a honeymoon to blow your mind and subsequently have led an incredible travel journey for over five years. 

Their book isn’t a romantic getaway book featuring a few nights in a fancy motel, candle lit dinners, and all that as they make clear in the intro. Their book is about experiencing the sights, the places, the culture, the people, and more in locations all around the globe. Over 500 destinations are in this book. Also included are stories and tips from eleven of their favorite couples who share their passion to see and experience it all.

After a chapter on figuring out where you and your partner are with regards to travel, traveling as a couple, as well as other issues including and how to get some space to need it because no matter how much you love and care about your partner being with him or her 24/7 will make you a little crazy at some point, the book moves on to the traveling with each chapter based on natural features. If you want to experience mountains, you are in luck with the first chapter. Titled “Mountains” and starting on page 23 with a stunning picture of the mountain Torres del Paine in Chile, the book tells you all sorts of important information about this location.

Chapter One continues for nearly a dozen pages as it features other multiple travel destinations featuring mountains around the world. Each location has bullet points with “when to go” and “where to stay” and suggested “couple adventures” while there among other helpful suggestions. The pictures are impressive and give you an idea of what you are in for should you go to these locations. Chapter One concludes with “Top 10 Unbelievable Day Hikes” which are places you can hike to, have an incredible experience, and be back before dinner.

This same format continues throughout the rest of the book as chapters cover “Beaches & Islands” (Chapter Three), “Deserts & Dunes” (Chapter Seven), and “Road Trips” (Chapter Ten), among other types of natural features. For those who want an out of this world experience check out Chapter 11 titled, “Supernatural.”  Mud pools, volcanoes, and the like are the focus of this chapter that starts on page 219 with Koh Ker, Cambodia.

Now that you are inspired and have some ideas, you need to plan. That is the goal of the “travel smart” section beginning on page 239 along with a chart telling you the best month for different places.  For example, the artic peninsula is good this time of year. The authors offer a lot of advice and tips regarding matters such as what you need in your travel fund, making the most of your currency as well as airline points, and how to do the land travel portion of your trip. Packing for your trip is important as is lodging at the destination. They decipher the code words and explain how to set everything up.

An eight page “resources” list that spans the globe, a two page acknowledgements section, and a three page index brings this visually stunning and informative book to a close.

Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations On Every Continent is geared towards those of a young age that can go out there and do stuff. Advice about travel issues with kids, the disabled, etc. won’t be found in this book as it was not designed for such situations. It was designed for those who have the funds and the energy to go far beyond staying in a nice hotel to see London or Paris for a few days. This is a book designed for those who want to get to a place and really experience the people and culture. For folks that can and want to do that, Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent  by Mike and Anne Howard is a very good book to begin the journey.

Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations On Every Continent

Mike and Anne Howard

https://www.honeytrek.com

National Geographic

http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2017/09/05/ultimate-journeys-for-two-extraordinary-destinations-on-every-continent/

September 2017

ISBN# 978-1-4262-1839-2

272 Pages

$26.99

Material was picked up to read and review during a recent trip to the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2018

Tipple At Home At Work

Been working on the SMFS blog and a few other things tonight. My mind is absolute mush so things took far longer than planned. Scott did another without warning drive by snap of the camera on his phone and got this as I sat at the kitchen table. Apparently, I am not safe anywhere.

Mystery Fanfare: Links to All the Nominated Agatha Award Short Stor...

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Writers Who Kill: Reading as Escape and Relief by Linda Rodriguez

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Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Question of the Missing Head by E.J. Copperman...

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Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers for 2/5/18

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Aubrey Hamilton Reviews: Let’s Choose Executors by Sara Woods

Starting in 1962, British author Lana Hutton Bowen-Judd (1922-1985) published 48 mysteries under the name of Sara Woods, three under the name Anne Burton, three under the name of Mary Challis, and three under the name Margaret Leek. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, she emigrated to Canada with her husband and there undertook her astonishingly prolific writing career, averaging two books a year, using her experience in a solicitor’s office as the basis for many of the plots.

Antony Maitland, the protagonist of the Sara Woods books, is a London barrister much like his legal cousin Perry Mason in that he is not content to simply practice law, he is compelled to investigate the cases that he undertakes. Maitland is surrounded by supportive family and friends who often ride shotgun with him on his investigations, since a war injury to his shoulder has left him unable to drive. He is devoted to his wife, with whom he grew up and married when they were still teenagers. (This is unusual, as most mystery protagonists are divorced, unhappily married, or desperately single.) His uncle with whom he practices law is often highly critical of Antony and his vagaries but deeply protective all the same.

While a number of his cases play out in London, Woods sent him to her birth place of Yorkshire to visit friends and to stumble into crime there often enough to give everyone a change of scenery. In addition, he is sometimes called to represent clients in Chedcombe, a rural village in central England, where he is practicing on the West Midland circuit when Miss Vera Langhorne, a local solicitor, approaches him to help her in Let’s Choose Executors (Harper & Row, 1966). She’s been retained to represent a young woman named Fran Gifford, who has been accused of murdering a wealthy resident who quite shockingly disinherited her family in favor of Fran in her latest will. The fact that some of the relatives were known to have quarreled with old Mrs. Randall seems to have carried no weight with the police and Crown Prosecutor, and Fran was arrested within days after the discovery that the death was not due to natural causes. Antony delves into the motive and alibis of the people around Mrs. Randall while the general populace of Chedcombe views his efforts as a big city mouse interfering with their country mouse ways. The family relationships are far more complex than they appear to be on the surface, yet the actual culprit turns out to be quite a surprise.

After this book Maitland finds cause to visit Chedcombe often, which happily makes Miss Langhorne, who is an interesting lady, a recurring character. One of the most entertaining aspects of these trips to Chedcombe is the suspicion with which the locals view Maitland and his efforts to find justice for his clients. This suspicion sometimes finds expression in violence of all kinds, including gunplay and arson.

I first encountered this series a good many years ago and it holds up well under the passage of time. I highly recommend these excellent, well-plotted legal mysteries with durable, convincing characters. No one has seen fit to re-issue them in any form recently, electronic or otherwise, so check thrift stores and eBay to locate reading copies.

·         Hardcover: 246 pages

·         Publisher: Harper & Row; First Edition edition, 1966

·         Language: English

·         ASIN: B002J9V9VY

Aubrey Hamilton © 2018

Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal IT projects by day and reads mysteries at night.

Eagles WIN SuperBowl 52

Congrats to the EAGLES for winning Superbowl 52!

SuperBowl Sunday

Like a lot of things these past weeks, today marks another first I hate.....the first SuperBowl without Sandi here. Today is made worse because the team she loved, The New England Patriots, are once again in it. She would have screamed herself hoarse as she cheered for them.

I don't like either team. Quite honestly, if I had my way, neither one would have made it this far. It almost makes the game unwatchable for me. Though, I will be watching as I still love football despite the made up controversy over some players taking a knee and the very real issues regarding injuries, CTE, and concussions. Having had five concussions myself --not caused by organized football-- and having dealt with post concussion syndrome for almost a year after the last one, I know something about what can happen when your brain bounces around in your skull.

So, I will be watching though I am not rooting for anyone. I think the Patriots win going away. I have no faith at all in Foles. And while the Eagles defense is something to fear, Brady is a malicious surgeon and will carve them apart.

I also expect this to be Brady's final game. As I said on FB earlier this week, I think Belchick's celebrations after each post season victory this year and his behavior at Media Day back on Monday indicate a man that knows this is his final SuperBowl appearance. I believe that in a manner of hours to a few days after their win today we will learn that he is retiring effective immediately. That will cause Brady to decide that he is also retiring as he won't want to learn new schemes or deal with a new coach. Those decisions will end the New England Dynasty that began on this date yesterday with NE win at the SuperBowl in 2002.

There you have it....place your bets accordingly as we approach kickoff.

And lift your celebratory drinks to Sandi who I choose to believe is still with us in spirit.

Scott, Facebook, and the Picture

Scott has a cellphone. He has become used to taking my picture shortly after we arrive on campus at UTD. He usually gives me some warning, snaps the pic, and then posts the picture to FB. This week I received no warning. There was simply a flash out of the corner of my eye just after I had sat down and started digging in my computer bag. Thus, the picture below was generated.

The picture generated a lot of amusement over on FB during much of Wednesday and into Thursday. It also generated a couple of questions. The primary one was with regards to the edge of the mural seen on the left side of the picture.

The mural is a painting that goes along for several feet on one wall of the Student Union. It faces as outdoor seating area next door the "The Pub" which is the bar on campus. We both like to sit out there as the open space is somewhat protected from the winds that snake through the multi story buildings on campus and is usually far less crowded than other areas on campus. The picture below shows most of the mural as well as our table and my laptop on the far right side.

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Bitter Tea and Mystery: Cold, Cold Heart: Christine Poulson

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SleuthSayers: "I said, 'He said,'" she said.

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February 2018 issue of Gumshoe Review now online

Gumshoe Review February 2018 now Online at


US Book Reviews:
The Big Book of the Continental Op by Dashiell Hammett
Death Below Stairs (Below Stairs) by Jennifer Ashley
The Memory Detective by T.S. Nichols
Pekoe Most Poison (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs
The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone
The Vineyard Victims (Wine Country) by Ellen Crosby
The Witches' Tree (Agatha Raisin) by M.C. Beaton
Written Off (Forensic Handwriting) by Sheila Lowe
Zero Day: China's Cyber Wars (Logan Alexander) by TL Williams

-- Gayle Surrette
Brandywine, MD 20613
Email: davinci@amperzen.com
Blog: http://amperzen.com/blog

The Guardian: The best recent thrillers – review roundup

Your definition of thrillers may not match theirs. For example, the latest from James Lee Burke which I am reading now, is in this list. It is not a thriller, in my opinion.

The Guardian: The best recent thrillers – review roundup

Lesa's Latest Contest: Brooklyn Mystery Giveaway

This week, I'm giving away mysteries set in Brooklyn - Lawrence H. Levy's
Last Stop in Brooklyn & Triss Stein's Brooklyn Wars. Details on my blog,
http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com.  Entries from the U.S. only,
please.


-- 
Lesa Holstine
lesa.holstine@gmail.com

http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

1-Minute Book Reviews: The Haunting of Hill House

1-Minute Book Reviews: The Haunting of Hill House

New Issue of Crime Review

We feature new 20 reviews in each issue of Crime Review (
www.crimereview.co.uk), together with a top industry interview. This time
it’s author Alafair Burke in the Countdown hot seat.

We’re on Twitter at:
Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK
Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer
Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia

This week’s reviews are:

THE FORCE by Don Winslow, reviewed by John Cleal
Detective Sergeant Danny Malone leads an elite unit fighting drugs, guns
and gangs in Manhattan at the heart of a criminal justice system riddled
with corruption, cronyism and lies.

THE SILENT DEATH by Volker Kutscher, reviewed by Arnold Taylor
It is March 1930 in Berlin and silent movie actress Betty Winter is killed
when a lighting system falls on her. Inspector Gereon Rath is determined to
find out the cause.

THIS IS HOW IT ENDS by Eva Dolan, reviewed by Linda Wilson
Molly and Ella are bound together by more than years of friendship. They’re
now accomplices in covering up a fatal accident.

LINCOLN IN THE BARDO by George Saunders, reviewed by John Barnbrook
President Lincoln’s son is dead, existing in a place between life and
death. His father can’t stop visiting his body, but others are conspiring
to enable Willie Lincoln to pass on.

A DAMNED SERIOUS BUSINESS by Gerald Seymour, reviewed by John Cleal
MI6 officer Edwin Coker known as Boot for his obsession with the Duke of
Wellington and Waterloo, puts together a daring plan to combat Russian
cyber terrorism and recruits a British mercenary to carry it out.

ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan, reviewed by Chris Roberts
A politician close to the centre of government stands accused of rape. The
barrister for the prosecution is certain he is guilty and is determined to
make him pay.

SNARE by Lilja Sigurðardóttir, reviewed by Ewa Sherman
Sonja survives on a cocktail of cocaine smuggling and love for her young
son. She's desperate to escape drug barons’ snare and to win full custody
of Tomas, so must become more daring and entrepreneurial. But things are
getting dangerous.

THE GATHERING DARK by James Oswald, reviewed by Linda Wilson
A tanker carrying a toxic load crashes into a bus stop in Edinburgh. DI
Tony McLean is one of the first on the scene and must unravel the tangled
truth behind the carnage.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE by Boris Akunin, reviewed by John Cleal
A friend asks Erast Fandorin to look into apparent threats to Moscow’s
favourite artiste, a talented and beautiful actress, but the detective
compromises his quest by falling in love with her.

PARTY GIRLS DIE IN PEARLS by Plum Sykes, reviewed by Sylvia Wilson
Fresher Ursula Flowerbutton arrives for her first term at Oxford hoping for
ballgowns and determined to write for student newspaper Cherwell. When
another student is murdered, Ursula and her best friend, American Nancy
Feingold, investigate.

STRANGE SIGHT by Syd Moore, reviewed by Anthea Hawdon
Ghostly sightings, mysterious writing and blood flowing from a chandelier
lead up to the murder of a chef in an upmarket London restaurant.

SCORCHED EARTH by David Mark, reviewed by John Cleal
A former Mozambican guerrilla fighter enters England illegally bent on
revenge – and DS Aector McAvoy is plunged into a case where present crimes
lead him to an enemy from his past.

THE KILLING BAY by Chris Ould, reviewed by Ewa Sherman
A body of a woman is found following the clash between international
activists and local fishermen on the Faroe Islands. Detective Hjalti Hentze
wants to find out if there is a connection between the murder and the
slaughter of whales.

LAST STOP TOKYO by James Buckler, reviewed by Chris Roberts
Alex Malloy has fled disgrace in the UK to Japan, but his life gets even
more complicated when he meets Naoko, who like him has a past she is trying
to leave behind.

ED’S DEAD by Russel D McLean, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor
Jen is a failed writer, but she’s just about to become famous for being the
most dangerous woman in Scotland.

VETERAN AVENUE by Mark Pepper, reviewed by Chris Roberts
John Frears visits the US for the funeral of an old military buddy, and
finds a connection to a girl whose photo he has been carrying in his wallet
for over 30 years.

WHAT ALICE KNEW by TA Cotterell, reviewed by Kati Barr-Taylor
Alice and Ed have a wonderful life, but when Ed doesn’t come home one night
after attending a party, strange things start to happen. In searching for
the truth of what really took place that night, Alice risks her family and
her way of life.

STARDUST by Neil Gaiman (audiobook), reviewed by Linda Wilson
A young man travels to the realm of Faerie to find a fallen star and win
the hand of a lady.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FOUR-HANDED GAME by Paul D Gilbert, reviewed by Kati
Barr-Taylor
The robbery of a gold mandolin, an assault on a young actress and a violent
murder bearing the hallmarks of Jack the Ripper would seem entirely
disconnected to all but Sherlock Holmes.

SONGS ABOUT US by Chris Russell, reviewed by Linda Wilson
Charlie Bloom is back taking photos of world famous boyband Fire&Lights,
but cracks are starting to appear in the gloss and hype that surrounds the
band and Charlie is faced with some difficult choices.

Best wishes

Sharon

KRL This Week Update for 02/3/18

Up in KRL this morning a review & giveaway of "A Murder for the Books" by Victoria Gilbert & an interesting interview with Victoria http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/a-murder-for-the-books-by-victoria-gilbert/

Also up a review & giveaway of "The Phantom of Oz" by Cindy Brown http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/the-phantom-of-oz-by-cindy-brown/

And a review & giveaway of "In Cave Danger" by Kate Dyer-Seeley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/in-cave-danger-by-kate-dyer-seeley/

We also have a mystery short story by Diana Hockley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/a-walk-in-the-park-a-mystery-short-story/

And a review of "Silenced by Sugar" by Catherine Bruns, and a giveaway of the first book in the series, "Tastes Like Murder", along with a fun cookie recipe for your Valentine's Day http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/silenced-by-sugar-by-catherine-bruns/

We also have a review of the latest mystery movie from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel-"Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps" http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/morning-show-mystery-mortal-mishaps-on-hallmark-movies-mysteries/

And on KRL News & Reviews we have a review & giveaway of "Pre-Meditated Murder" by Tracy Weber http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/pre-meditated-murder-tracy-weber.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

--

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Comic From Barry

who is an Eagles fan....

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FFB Review: Saratoga Backtalk (1994) by Stephen Dobyns (Reviewed by Barry Ergang)

Not only is it Friday, but Barry is back to kick off February with another all new review. Make sure you check out the full FFB list over at Patti’s blog.

SARATOGA BACKTALK (1994) by Stephen Dobyns

Reviewed by Barry Ergang

The first I knew of Stephen Dobyns, most likely somewhere back in the 1980s, was as a poet. It was only sometime thereafter that I learned he also wrote novels of various types and genres, among them the Charlie Bradshaw mystery series, the titles of which all start with “Saratoga” because the stories are set in Saratoga Springs, New York. Bradshaw is a former police detective turned private investigator. 

As the entry at the Thrilling Detective Web Site about the Charlie Bradshaw series indicates, Saratoga Backtalk (my sole experience with this series to date) is the eighth title in the series and the first to be narrated by Bradshaw’s friend, unofficial colleague, self-proclaimed “rat,” and “sort of” con artist, Victor Plotz. In this one, wealthy horse-owner/breeder Bernard Logan goes to Bradshaw’s office where he meets Victor, who mendaciously says that as Charlie’s associate, it’s his job to screen prospective clients. Logan wants to hire Charlie because he’s convinced his much younger second wife of eight years, Brenda, and his foreman, Randall Hanks, are plotting to kill him. 

Logan is the major stockholder of Battlefield Farms, located in a town ten miles from Saratoga. “It’s a family-owned business,” he explains. “My wife, plus a son and stepson from my first marriage. We have a lot of horses, both our own and those we train or breed for others.” After learning more about Logan’s family members and some of Battlefield Farms’ employees and the persons to whom they’re allied, and after collecting a hefty retainer, Victor assures Logan that he and Charlie will be there the next morning. After he explains the situation, Bradshaw reminds him that he, Charlie, has jury duty starting Monday. Victor figures they can settle matters over the weekend, whereupon Charlie agrees to go with him the next morning.

They barely arrive when they “saw people running, about half a dozen of them dashing toward the horse barn. A horse was whinnying so loud that it was more like a scream, and there were banging noises as if the horse was kicking down its stall.” A moment later an employee tells them that Logan is dead, having been kicked to death by a horse they later learn is named Triclops. The question is whether this was a bizarre accident or a murder.  

  

As the story progresses, several other mysterious deaths occurring along the way, Victor stays on the case, a kind of Archie Goodwin to Charlie Bradshaw’s Nero Wolfe, reporting what he learns to Charlie, who  serves out his jury duty requirements while intermittently joining Victor at Battlefield Farms and environs whenever he can.

A couple of amusing subplots concern Victor obsessing about having to spend the summer with a twelve-year-old granddaughter who is ultra-religious in ways he definitely is not, and with him trying evict an undesirable outlaw biker-type named Ernie Flako and his girlfriend Puma from a place they’re renting from him.

Victor Plotz’s wryly comic narrative style includes occasional deliberately ungrammatical moments combined with felicitous turns of phrase reflective of author Dobyns’s poetic background. It results in a neatly-paced whodunit which melds moderate characterization, some on-screen violence (but not a lot of gore), and intelligent detection.

Caveats: a few f-bombs, and some sexual explicitness, which will undoubtedly alienate some readers.

© 2018 Barry Ergang   

Some of Derringer Award winner Barry Ergang’s work can be found at Amazon and Smashwords.

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Review: Switchblade: Issue 1, Volume 1, Edited by Scotch Rutherford

The first issue of Switchblade is an intriguing mix of both noir and hard boiled fiction. The anthology is divided into two parts consisting of flash fiction and short fiction. Per the introduction written by editor Scotch Rutherford, the tales in this magazine share a common goal of killing political correctness as violently as possible while also entertaining the reader.  Both goals are easily met in the first issue. Sensitive readers are warned that there is extensive use of adult language and/or adult situations. There is nothing cozy happening in these tales. 

The flash section opens with an author who has been a long time favorite of this reviewer, Paul D. Brazill. His tales always feature characters in the thick of their own mess and Tony Fowler in “Getting Away With It” fits the bill from the first sentence. Crashing a stolen BMW is bad enough and then things really go downhill.

Jim J. Wilsky is up next with “Gut Wrenching.” Wayne Lee Parsons really needs a doctor. A towel and some duct tape are just not going to get the job done.

Prison taught Bobbie a few things. Max has questions in “Re-election” by Fred Zackel.

Daylight shinning into a bar is never a pretty sight and the Rumkey is no exception in “Primed” by Scotch Rutherford.  Johnny owing Max instead is not an upgrade or is going to make things any better. Not there is any real choice for him or anyone else.

A kangaroo, a car, and a lot more is involved in the very short tale, “Urban Legend #223” by Susan Cornford.

After those five flash tales, it is on to the longer fare in the fiction section. The section opens with “The Stooge” by Tom Leins. Bradley Loomis is insane and needs to be put down like some sort of crazed wild animal. You have to do a lot of unsavory things working undercover and dealing with Loomis is just one of many.

Dave Williams died under the overpass last night. He was homeless. His family should know what happened in “Rats” by Liam Sweeny. The real world threw casted Dave out before the same thing happened to our narrator. He owes it to Dave to share his story.

Henry Eddie Nova has been coming to the home in Grosse Pointe to give the kid lessons for eight weeks now. He is supposed to be teaching the kid how to play in “That’s All Right Mama” by Steve Liskow. If the kid would practice, that would help. Everybody knows Henry Eddie Nova can play the guitar like nobody’s business. But, the kid is just not getting it.

The bright red Ferrari makes quite the statement in “A Taste For Danger” by Lawrence Kelter. So do two wise guys that step out of the car. Two of the biggest dirt bags Bensonhurst had ever produced are coming down the pier and getting on the boat. The Clip Joint is about to head into the evening sea with those two wise guys, a few other folks, and the latest batch of very expensive call girls.

There are submerged cars up and down Buffalo Bayou in Houston. Normally our narrator would be doing underwater work at oil rigs out in the Gulf. Then the layoff happened. The divorce happened. Now he is checking the cars for dead bodies and more in “The Apex Predator” by William Dylan Powell.

Nabih always makes a point to give Mr. K the nastiest twenty dollar bills he has. If he could find some cholera he would dip the twenties into that first before handing them over. He has his reasons in “North Creek Brown” by Preston Lang.

There are seven folks hanging out at the bar. Most of them are the regulars except for the stranger nursing his beer at a table in the back. Then the woman and her friend walk in and things start getting weird in “Stranger In A Bar” by Travis Richardson.

It is a cold night in Detroit and the casino has damn near cleaned out our narrator. He has five quarters left in “Killing Time So I Can Dig Myself A Deeper Grave” by Jack Bates. Then the old man shows up at the doors of The Big Wheel Casino. He just needs a little help in a tale that brings the first issue to a fitting close.

Switchblade: Issue 1, Volume 1 is a quality issue of gritty hard edged short stories. These are tales frequently filled with adult language and adult situations so sensitive readers should look elsewhere. These tales involve situations where things are headed sideways at best and into a wine filled gutter streaked with the blood of you and your enemies at worst.

While some folks have publicly complained about sloppy editing, I don’t agree. Most of what they are complaining about is actually stylistic choices made by the authors involved to tell their tales. My only complaint would be the very small typeface. Difficult to read on the iPad and nearly impossible to read in the Kindle for PC program, the typeface resisted all of my efforts to enlarge it.

If you like your reading with violence and dark edges, Switchblade: Issue 1, Volume 1 is definitely for you.  

Switchblade: Issue 1, Volume 1

Editor Scotch Rutherford

http://www.switchblademag.com/

Caledonia Press

April 2017

ASIN: B0718SWXZ9

eBook (also available in Print)

110 Pages

$2.99

Material was picked up to read and review during a promotion by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2018