Mystery Solved…The Who, Why & How Of It All

“The writer of murder, like all writers, must be a miser, conceding revelations bit by bit; for every novel is a puzzle, every writer a murderer, and every reader a sleuth.”

Ah, the allure of a tantalizing, twisty plot! In these curated titles you will find no swift resolution, no failure of the writer in keeping you glued to the page, no lack in the pushing at the bounds of plausibility. You will find yourself in the company of characters that are all plotting in one way or another; to further their ambitions, for true love, for revenge, and even for sheer entertainment. Certainly, for your entertainment dear reader.

Familial(ish) Sagas Of The Fictional Kind…

Finding oneself part of an ideal family or friendship must be a kind of harmonic bliss. The traditions! The matching sweaters! The heart to hearts! But where’s the fun in that? Write about such euphoric contentment and you’re at risk of putting people to sleep. Where’s the misbehaving parent, the pesky sibling, the friend who sucks you into their drama, the crush you love from afar, the drama queens and the bad boys who keep readers turning pages? The spectacle and the discord that propel the plot forward? Right here, that's where!

Who I Want To Be When I Grow Up…

Coming of age stories are not just for the young…they resonate at all ages and stages of a life, and to this day I hold a reverence for these narratives. It’s been proven across centuries that they are rich fodder for good literature. My hunger wasn’t for the stories of the normal rites of passage, it was for discovering my hidden superpowers or for being the sole person capable of saving the world. For seeing things and doing things that adults couldn’t begin to fathom. And in these reads, my dreams, and maybe your own, are realized!

A Literary Odyssey Of Good & Evil…

Contrary to popular belief, right and wrong, moral and immoral, are not always on opposite ends of the spectrum of good and evil. The line between is much finer than that. Heroes and villains represent an embattled dichotomy, and they require one another to propel a story forward. Some of our most iconic fictional characters are rivaled by equally magnetic baddies. Thank goodness! If the vexing villain were to be removed from the tale, what fun would that be? Here I have gathered for you the stories of the saints, and the sinners. The devil himself might not show up, but I make no promises.

Let Horror Fiction Reign…

When it comes to the dark Fu*ckery of the human heart, there are no limits.” Stephen King

Horror fiction, at its finest, feeds whatever crazed deviance you are exploring, or depraved hunger you are attempting to satiate. And those of us brave enough have an invitation to vicariously experience all our worst possible nightmares on those pages. In my latest feature I’ve got all the angles covered. So follow me…if you dare!

It’s Your Move…Game Fiction

People are hard-wired to seek answers, to fill in any blanks. So, it’s no surprise we are predisposed to extrapolate clues from our environment to solve puzzles, whether it’s to move, to advance, or even to survive. Every game we play requires thoughtful consideration, a series of choices and navigations that shapes the course of play. With all this in mind, is it any wonder game theory and culture has resulted in so many well plotted books? I think not. So, tap into your inner child, embrace your inherent nerdiness, spark those creative juices, and come play with me.

Fiction To Feed Your Wanderlust…

We've all heard it, we've all said it; put one foot in front of the other, keep moving forward. At times, our feet may need a little inspiration. And if that inspiration comes in the form of a literary road trip, tales told from aboard a train, or a luxurious fictional flight, I’m all for it! Whatever path you choose, even if it’s an exploration of the road not taken, I hope the wanderings you find yourself on as an armchair traveler through the reads gathered here invite you to immerse yourself in an adventure. Bon Voyage!

Steal Like An Artist…

If you delve deeply enough into the books we choose to read, more often than not you will reveal a connection to something recognizable. That in fact they capture contemporary narratives from the bones of centuries of storytelling. Mythologies, legends, classics and fairytales have all been plundered for plot in myriad of ways and an upon myriad of occasions. So, open the door and take a peek.  A bevy of beauties, an abundance of adversaries, a cast of creatures, kings and queens, hags and ingénues, stepmothers and godmothers, pixies, giants and gladiators; which will you find? And what else might await you…

No Happy Endings Here…

Noir fiction offers an alternate reality, one rife with vice, temptation, corruption, and deep-seated desperation. At its best, noir is a roadmap to the subversive. It is where the clarity of moral division disintegrates, where the black and white blur into gray. Where flawed characters are revered, and the truth wielded with blunt force. These novels are not for the faint of heart or those looking for a happy ending. Or even a satisfying one. If you like your prose gritty, your verbs punchy, your settings darkly lit, your plots twisty and unpredictable, and your protagonists utterly, irrevocably doomed…here we go.

“Just One More Thing”…

I have wonderful memories of watching television mysteries with my mom. Sunday nights were must-see TV, hobnobbing with Jessica Fletcher as she ambled into yet another murder in her quaint hometown. Thursdays were all about Columbo, our eyes were riveted to the boob tube in stupefied fascination as the seemingly bumbling detective laid it all out. The chagrin of the dastardly culprits as they were unmasked by either of these genius sleuths was priceless. Is it any surprise that love translated to books? Enjoy a read that celebrate sleuths of all kinds!