Barbara Fradkin's Blog, page 185

New Beginnings

I don't like this time of year.  August is still officially summer but it's chilly now in the early morning and the heat has gone out of the sun; it's as if it's tired and just putting in the time until the excitements of the brand new season of mellow fruitfulness and harvest festivals.

Newspapers and magazines are still dutifully promoting barbecues and swimsuits and recipes for salads but

What's In A Name? Guest Post by V.M. Escalada

 by Vicki Delany



One of my closest writer friends isn’t a mystery writer, but
the fantasy author Violette Malan. Or is that really her name?  Read on to find out.

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So I'm in my brother's bookstore, and I'm looking for my
latest book, and I'm not finding it. Just as I'm thinking "oh
really?" it strikes me that I'm looking for the wrong name.



I'm not sure how much of a

Too Sad For Words

Usually I try to stay out of politics when writing my blog or on social media sites. We are all inundated with opinions. From the left. From the right. And everywhere in between. I figure mine doesn't add much.

But today, when I feel I must speak out I find that I don't have the words to express my overwhelming sense of sadness over the events in Charlottesville. I can tell you what I think.

Summer Musings

Summer is nearing the end, and it’s time to reflect.


It was a summer of travel –– my day job took me to Tampa, Fl.; Bozeman, Mt.; and Fitchburg, Mass.; vacation took me to Baxter State Park and Old Orchard Beach, Maine. I spent lots of time with my family, including the real DA Keeley (daughters Delaney, Audrey, and Keeley).



(from left) Delaney, Audrey, and Keeley


I wrote about 125 pages,

My Reading List

I’m always looking for reading recommendations so I read Vicki’s recent post with interest.

I don’t really distinguish between what I read during the summer and other times of the year. That's probably because while here in Southern California we do have some change of seasons, the changes aren't as dramatic as other areas.

Here are a few books I’ve read this year that I found particularly

Yet another apology

by Rick Blechta



Here’s what I look like at the moment.

To everyone here at Type M, I'm really sorry but I just don't have time to write a post this week. You can blame it all on Bouchercon 2017, though. I am charged with handling the design and layout of the programme book and it is a horrendously large job.

I hope you understand. And you will likely get the same sorry excuse next week, as

Summer Reading

By Vicki Delany

We're moving into late summer now. Here in Southern Ontario, basically we haven’t had one. I am a heat-freak and this summer has been anything but.  Rain upon rain upon rain and otherwise generally cool and cloudy.  Not a single day with temps above 30.  (Sad face here).



Nothing I like more than to sit in the sun by the pool with my
book while everyone else huddles inside

Having a Plan

The news this week -- that my laptop insists on delivering to me as breaking news -- has been distracting. Particularly because I'm racing to finish the draft of my nonfiction book while outlining my 1939 thriller. But I realized something important this week. Rather than going along and trying to ignore the news, I need to "go there." I don't do well when I practice positive thinking. Over the

A Trip to the Homeland

Donis here. I would love to write about regional idioms till the cows come home, but I'll spare you, Dear Reader, and share several pieces of news instead.

First of all, I've been invited to speak at nine libraries in the Eastern Oklahoma Library District, so I'll be touring the homeland on the Backroads of Eastern Oklahoma. From Sept. 12 through Sept 16, I'll be visiting libraries in Sallisaw,

'Ow's she cuttin', me cocky?

The ongoing posts about dialect, accent, and unique sayings have made me smile, and also made me think about the challenge writers face when creating dialogue in a region or among a group of people with a special lingo. It doesn't have to be an ethnic or geographical group; cops, for example, have their own shorthand for talking among themselves, often referring to the number of the criminal