Miss Scarlet in the library with the candlestick…or was it the revolver…or the wrench…or the…
Warning: This article contains “spoilers.” One of the most difficult things a mystery writer needs to do is to find a unique way for her, or his, victim to die. Let’s face it. Gunshot, stabbing, poison…it’s all been done. If you take a poll and ask mystery fans what the most unique way the victim met their end, chances are everyone will say. “The leg of lamb thing.” They may not remember that it occurred in the story, “Lamb to the Slaughter” (1954) or that
Libraries Are Great!
In One Bad Day After Another, Baker Somerset uses the library for her research. Writers love libraries too. The New England Library Association (NELA) is having its annual conference this October in Manchester, New Hampshire at the Doubletree Inn. If you are attending, stop by the Sisters in Crime booth. (#111 in the Vendor's Hall) I'll be there on October 24th (Monday) from 12:15 to 2:15. I'd love to talk with you and you can check out the cover for the new Baker Somerset novel.
Update on Searching for Peter Griffiths
The most frequent question I'm asked these days is: "When will the next Baker Somerset mystery be out?" The good news is that the editors at the printers should be done their first cut & slash any day now! It's going to be tight, but hopefully it will be available in time for holiday gift buying! Put Searching for Peter Griffiths on your wish list! Somerset is the best female private investigator in Ottawa. UPDATE: October 31st NEWS FLASH! SEARCHING FOR PETER GRIFFITHS IS OUT NOW!
A LITTLE ARSENIC WITH YOUR TEA, MUM?
Writing my second Baker Somerset novel, Searching for Peter Griffiths, I realized that one of the characters was going to get killed. The victim’s death was necessary, but the person hadn’t played an on-stage role, so to speak, and a death by stabbing, shooting, or suffocation seemed far too dramatic, calling more attention to the character than necessary and narrowing the possible list of suspects. One possibility, however, was poison. There are so many readily available poisons (in the golden age of mysteries cyanide,
New England Crime Bake 2021
Crime Bake is one of the major events for mystery writers, agents, and publishers in New England. The attendance is kept small so that writers have a chance to meet and talk with presenters, agents, and editors. This was the 20th anniversary event and the first in-person event since Covid. The Guest of Honor was Hank Phillipi Ryan, mystery writer extraordinaire and investigative reporter, who has won more awards than a person can keep track of for both of her callings. She talked, gave