Elena Hartwell's Blog, page 11

February 24, 2025

You Will Know Me by My Deeds: Historical Crime Fiction

You Will Know Me by My Deeds by Mike Cobb

Author Guest Post +Excerpt + Book & Author Info + A Giveaway!

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You Will Know Me by My Deeds
You Will Know Me by My Deeds by Mike Cobb

Billy Tarwater thought he had left the troubled past behind, until a series of ominous incidents threaten to destroy everything he and his wife hold dear.

Someone is out to get them, and he is determined to uncover the truth before it’s too late. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the dark forces at play may be connected to the events of seventeen years ago.

And to the Atlanta Child Murders.

Join him on a heart-pounding journey of suspense and intrigue as he navigates the dangerous waters of his past and fights to protect the ones he loves.

In a race against an unknown enemy, Billy must confront his darkest fears. Will he be able to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will he and his wife become victims of the sinister forces at play?

Praise for You Will Know Me by My Deeds:

“Mike Cobb’s You Will Know Me by My Deeds is a taut, propulsive tale set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1980’s Atlanta Child Murders. Entertainingly addictive and menacing.”
~ Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of The Cicada Tree and Georgia Author of the Year

“Mike Cobb’s Atlanta-based historical fiction easily holds its place on the bookshelf next to Caleb Carr’s Alienist novels.”
~ Joey Madia, author of Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of M and the Stanton Chronicles historical fiction series

“Mike Cobb’s enthralling and meticulously-researched mystery, You Will Know Me by My Deeds, sets a lofty standard for contemporary thrillers. Set in the heart of the ‘new’ south, Cobb’s vividly-wrought tale propels his readers through the tumult of an era and illuminates race relations at a difficult moment in Atlanta’s modern history. Grab this book for a satisfying and uplifting read.”
~ Steve Klein, Civil Rights Activist

“I couldn’t put this book down and had to finish it in one sitting! Once again Mike Cobb has crafted a plausible story with strong characters, a sense of place, and rich historical detail regarding a tragic chapter of my beloved Atlanta’s history – the missing and murdered children from 1979 to 1981.”
~ Lisa Land Cooper, Author and Historian

“Mike Cobb’s prose is powerful, and his plot is dark, complex and full of surprises. You will find a rich, earthy view of old Atlanta complete with all its beauty, weaknesses and the diverse attitudes of the Old South.”
~ Jeff Shaw, author of Who I Am; The Man Behind the Badge and Lieutenant Trufant

“A bracing historical thriller that further enriches this top-notch series.”
~ Kirkus Reviews

“This is an excellent book with an engaging mystery and an intriguing conclusion. It’s clear that research is paramount to Mike Cobb’s writing. I could really identify with how he wove true crimes into this fictional one. I look forward to reading more from him.”
~ Ed Begley Jr., Award-winning actor, producer, environmental activist, and author of To the Temple of Tranquility…and Step On It!: A Memoir

You Will Know Me by My Deeds Trailer:

Book Details:
Genre: Historical Crime Fiction
Published by: Waterside Production
Publication Date: January 2025
Number of Pages: 444
ISBN: 978-1962984720
Series: Sequel to The Devil You Knew

To purchase You Will Know Me by My Deeds, click any of the following links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Guest Post by Mike Cobb
Why I Write About Crime

Think back to when you were sixteen or seventeen? Were you caught in a whirlwind of self-discovery, grappling with questions about your identity and future? Eager to explore the world but uncertain of the path you would follow? What if a young, attractive twenty-three-year-old had entered your life at that time? What if she had taken you under her wing? Showed a singular interest in you? Helped you begin to grow into the man you would become?

What if, early one fall morning, you awakened to the news of her brutal murder? Your eyes fell upon her picture above the fold on the front page of the morning paper. You read that her bullet-riddled body had been discovered on a construction site across town. Would it have shattered your world? Would it have forced you to confront the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface?

This happened to me. Let’s call her Kathleen, not her real name. Her murder set me on a course that would ultimately lead to a passion for writing about crime and the lives of those impacted by it. I primarily write fiction, but my writing is based in part on historical events. Unlike many crime stories, plot is secondary in everything I write. My characters mean everything to me and always take center stage. I tell about their hopes and dreams. The vicissitudes and harsh realities that can bring those hopes and dreams crashing down. But that sometimes ignite a deeper quest for understanding and resilience. For justice. And, in some cases, for redemption.

My third book, You Will Know Me by My Deeds, embodies all these things. It continues where my second book, The Devil You Knew, left off and follows the lives of Billy Tarwater and his wife.

They thought they had left the troubled past behind, until a series of ominous incidents threaten to destroy everything they hold dear. Someone is out to get them, and they are determined to uncover the truth before it’s too late. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, they realize that the dark forces at play may be connected to events from the distant past. And to the infamous Atlanta Child Murders, one of the most horrific serial crimes in the annals of American history.

My fourth book, Muzzle the Black Dog, will be released in April. It is a psychological whodunit and is based in part on Eric Rudolph and the Centennial Olympic Park bombing.

You can learn about these works as well as my first book, Dead Beckoning, on my website, www.mikecobbwriter.com.

Back to my friend and her brutal murder, which is still, after five decades, a cold case. I set out several years ago to tell the story of her death and its impact on me. But until now, I haven’t been able to bring myself to do so. Finally, after four books and years of anxious anticipation, I am ready to commit to the task of writing my fifth book, Kathleen, a fictionalized account of the story I have been wanting to tell for way too long.

After Kathleen, I may move on to another genre. But first, her story must be told. Her death set me on my journey of crime writing, and it is only fitting that she now commands my full attention.

Read an excerpt of You Will Know Me by My Deeds:

Chapter One
Cynthia Tarwater

Monday, December 14th, 1981

Two blurred headlights, ragged halos in the rearview, broke the Stygian pitch.

Cynthia gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles blanched.

The rain cascaded down the windshield in gelid sheets. The wiper blades thwacked the edge of the Suburban’s cowl like a metronome.

For the past twenty-four hours, Atlanta had been beset by a heavy downfall and scant visibility.

She struggled to make out the road ahead.

For the first five minutes of the drive, Billy Jr. and Addie had jabbered away in the back seat like sugar-high Energizer Bunnies. Then they sank into oblivion. Just like that, she thought. Nothing like a weekend sleepover at Grandma Alice’s to wear the kids out.

She stopped at the intersection of Flat Shoals and Glenwood. The barbershop to her left was long gone, a victim of white flight, its plate glass windows boarded up with fly-posted plywood. She could almost hear the snip snip of Mr. Batson’s clippers beckoning from yore. The snap of Sam Jepperson’s shoeshine cloth beseeching a generous tip. The redolence of Bay Rum and Kiwi polish. Not that she ever got her hair cut—or her shoes shined—there. But her father Cecil dragged her along on more than one occasion with the promise that they’d go next door for a vanilla shake if only she’d sit like a “good girl” and watch him get trimmed. She had often wondered whether he did things like that just to piss her off. His way of controlling. Or did he really want her company?

The car that had been following her since she pulled out of Billy’s mother’s driveway lingered half a block behind. When the light changed, she turned left onto Glenwood. She looked in the mirror. The car turned left and kept its distance. Probably nothing.

At the Gresham Avenue intersection, she glanced over at what had been Harry’s Army Surplus. Now, like the barbershop, just another padlocked casualty.

A long-suppressed memory welled up. Saturday, September 28th, 1963. She was thirteen. So capricious and carefree, like most girls her age. She left the East Atlanta Pharmacy by the front door and headed west toward Moreland Avenue. Just past Harry’s, she looked back and saw a car following her. When she stopped, it stopped. When she went, it went.

That had been her last recollection from before the erasure—what she later came to know by its medical name. Localized psychogenic amnesia. For seventeen years, the next thing she had remembered was waking up at Grady Hospital with an officer standing guard outside her door. The nurse had said You’re not Cynthia now. You’re Patti. With an i. Or something to that effect. She would later learn that the police had contrived the alias to protect her from her abductor.

It wasn’t until October a year ago that everything began coming back to Cynthia in a torrent. What had been an eradication of five weeks of her past, leaving in its wake a deep, dark abyss, had begun to come back in a matter of days. This wouldn’t have happened without Billy’s help. And his dogged determination.

Did she welcome the recovered memory? There were times when she wondered whether knowing was better than incognizance. Closure would feel right. But knowledge alone doesn’t bring closure.

And could closure ever come for the families of the girls who didn’t survive? Why had she made it out alive, and the others hadn’t?

She inched her way down Glenwood past Moreland Avenue. At the Boulevard intersection, she glanced across the street at Fire Station No. 10. A half dozen firemen were huddled under the overhang in front of the station. For a moment, she thought she saw Billy’s brother Chester standing there smoking a cigarette and chatting up the others. But Chester hadn’t lasted a year as a fireman before bugging out for the merchant marines, thinking he could avoid the draft. He ended up on the SS Mayaguez ferrying supplies through combat zones in Vietnam. Came home intact but with a chip on his shoulder.

She turned right.

She drove up Boulevard past Memorial Drive, hugging the eastern edge of Oakland Cemetery before assuming a northwesterly course past the shuttered Fulton Cotton Mill and through the railroad underpass.

She looked back. The car continued to follow her. That’s when she realized that it wasn’t nothing.

Perhaps she should have taken the expressway. But she had chosen not to. Visibility was bad enough on the surface roads.

As she neared the intersection with Ponce de Leon, the light turned yellow. She accelerated and took a hard left, hoping the car would stop on red. It didn’t. When she turned right on Peachtree, then left on Fifth, the driver continued to dog her.

Cynthia eased into The Belmont courtyard. The other car stopped briefly at the turn-in then crept down Fifth. She craned her neck, trying to get a good look at it. At the driver. But she could see little through the relentless downpour and the fogged windshield.

She parked the Suburban at The Belmont entrance. She waited for the rain to abate enough for her to get the kids inside without a drenching. Then she hurried them into the lobby under her flimsy throwaway umbrella made for one.

She closed the umbrella and hooked it on her wrist. She held Billy Jr. and Addie’s hands tight, lest they slip on the marble floor.

They crossed the threshold into the elevator cab, leaving a trail of dripping water behind. She punched 4.

When the doors opened, Billy was standing in the fourth-floor vestibule. He was in his light beige mackintosh and floppy yellow rain hat.

“Clairvoyant, are we?” Cynthia said.

“I saw you out the window and was on my way down to help. But you beat me to it.” He placed his hand on her upper arm. “Cynthia, you’re trembling.”

“It’s just the biting cold. I’m fine. I need to get these rug rats out of their wet clothes and into their PJs. And then sit for a while. You can park the car if you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind. That’s the least I can do.”

She held out the umbrella. “Want this?”

“No thanks.” He knelt in front of Billy Jr. and Addie. “How’s Grandma?”

“Feisty as ever,” Cynthia answered. “She sure knows how to cut a look. But the kids adore her, and that’s what matters most. And compared to my mother…let’s just say you’re the lucky one and leave it at that.”

When Billy returned, Cynthia was already curled up in her favorite overstuffed chair with a glass of Merlot. Her socks and Clarks slip-ons lay pell-mell on the floor about her. The open umbrella stood atilt in the corner of the room.

“That was quick,” he said.

She took a sip. Notes of black cherry, of vanilla and sandalwood, teased her throat. “I’m sure the kids are deep into sugar-plum dreams by now. Grab a pour and join me. There’s something you need to know.”

Billy, glass in hand, plopped into the chair beside her. “What is it?”

“I need to tell you about a flashback I had. And about a car.”

He listened as Cynthia told him about the car that had followed her from his mother’s house. “Could you tell what kind it was?” he asked.

“I couldn’t tell a thing, Billy.” She ran her finger along the chair’s piping, tracing in her mind the path she had taken. “All I know is it looked big. Maybe a sedan.”

“I don’t think you should be out late at night by yourself, Cynthia. It seems like every day more shit happens. Carjackings. Murders.”

“At least Wayne Williams is locked up.” She searched her thoughts. “Those poor children. And their grieving families.”

Billy’s hesitation baffled her. He just sat there for a minute without saying a word. He finally spoke. “Tell me about the flashback.”

“The whole thing with the kidnapping came rushing back tonight. It hit me hard, just as I passed the old army surplus. I guess it was my being right there where my thirteen-year-old self had been lured away.” She held her glass in the air. “More, please.”

He refilled it and topped his off. He set the bottle on the side table, leaned over, and took her hand. “I’m so sorry, Cynthia.”

“It wasn’t what I expected. I thought I had finally put it all behind me, with Kilgallon…excuse me, the Reverend Kilgallon…dead and Sam Jepperson exonerated and freed. But now I’m not so certain. Maybe it’ll haunt me forever.”

“I hope not. I just wish there was something I could do to make things better.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Life goes on, doesn’t it? And I don’t believe I have a choice in the matter.”

***

Author of You Will Know Me by My Deeds — Mike Cobb

You Will Know Me by My Deeds

Mike’s body of literary work includes both fiction and nonfiction, short-form and long-form, as well as articles and blogs. He is the author of three published novels, Dead Beckoning, The Devil You Knew, and its sequel You Will Know Me by My Deeds. His fourth novel, Muzzle the Black Dog, a novella, is scheduled for release in May 2025. He is also working on Kathleen, a fictionalized account of a cold case murder from 1970.

While he is comfortable playing across a broad range of topics, much of his focus is on true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction. Rigorous research is foundational to his writing. He gets that honestly, having spent much of his professional career as a scientist.

A native of Atlanta, Mike splits his time between Midtown Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia.

To learn more about Mike, click any of the following links: www.MikeCobbWriter.com, Amazon Author Profile, Goodreads, BookBub – @cobbmg1, Instagram – @cobbmg, YouTube – @mikecobbwriter, X – @mgcobb, Facebook – @MGCobbWriter & LinkedIn – @mgcobb

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You Will Know Me by My Deeds

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Published on February 24, 2025 01:01

February 22, 2025

Serial Burn: A Romantic Thriller

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason

An Excerpt + Book & Author Info + A Giveaway!

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Serial Burn

LAKE CITY HEROES
She’s out for justice. But the arsonist she’s tracking is out for retribution.

Now the fire marshal of Lake City, Jesslyn McCormick is determined to find the person who started the fire that robbed her of her family when she was just seven years old. As the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy approaches, a string of fires–including at Jesslyn’s church–brings up all those old feelings and offers new evidence.

Because church fires are considered a hate crime, FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle is called in to work with local law enforcement. Nathan has his own past–one he’d prefer not to revisit. And focusing on helping Jesslyn track down the arsonist is a great distraction.

As both the case and the chemistry between Jesslyn and Nathan heat up, memories will come flooding in from the past to bump up against hopes for the future. And when Jesslyn comes face-to-face with her worst nightmare, she’ll have to confront her fears and rely on Nathan and her community of friends in order to survive.

Praise for Serial Burn:

“Eason resumes her Lake City Heroes series with a propulsive game of cat and mouse between a fire marshal and an arsonist who’s eerily familiar with her past. . . .The result is a thrill ride worth taking.”
~ Publishers Weekly

Book Details:

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780800741211 (ISBN10: 0800741218)
Series: Lake City Heroes (Amazon | Goodreads)

Author of Serial Burn — Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Double Take, Target Acquired, and Serial Burn, as well as the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series.

She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. S

he is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College.

Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children.

To learn more about Lynette, click any of the following links: LynetteEason.com, Amazon Author Profile, Goodreads, BookBub – @LynetteEason, Instagram – @LynetteEason, Threads – @LynetteEason, X – @LynetteEason & Facebook – @lynette.eason

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Published on February 22, 2025 01:01

February 18, 2025

A Detection Club Mystery: The Case of the Christie Conspiracy

A Detection Club Mystery: The Case of the Christie Conspiracy, by Kelly Oliver

Book and Author Info + Guest Post!Don’t miss any blog tours! Click the link here.

A Detection Club Mystery: The Case of the Christie Conspiracy

Agatha Christie is about to embark on a new, gripping murder case. But this time, she’s not the author – she’s a suspect…

1926 – Christie is a darling of the literary circuit and the most desired guest in London’s glittering social scene. She can often be found at meetings of the Detection Club – where mystery writers come together to share ideas, swap secrets and drink copiously. But then a fellow author’s initiation ceremony takes a gruesome turn, and one of the group ends up dead. Now, Agatha is no longer just the creator of great mystery plots – she’s a player in one.

And when Agatha disappears the day after the murder, she’s widely assumed to be guilty. Only Eliza Baker, assistant to the Club’s enigmatic secretary, Dorothy Sayers, is interested in investigating the case. But in a world where murder is the ultimate plot device, can Eliza piece together the evidence and find the killer before it’s too late?

The Case of the Christie Conspiracy: A Detection Club Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – London, England
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (February 16, 2025)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1836175469
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175469
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DFXWPCFP

To purchase The Case of the Christie Conspiracy, click any of the following links: Amazon US – Amazon CA – Amazon AU – Amazon UK – Barnes&Noble – KoboA Detection Club Mystery Guest Post

The Detection Club Mysteries

By Kelly Oliver

My new mystery series is set in the late 1920’s and 1930’s features the original London Detection Club, including founding members Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Gilbert Chesterton. The first in the series, The Case of the Christie Conspiracy is out February 16th.

The Detection Club is the stuff of literary legend—a gathering of the greatest minds in mystery fiction who turned the art of whodunits into a collaborative pursuit. What started as a few friends gathering for supper at the home of Anthony Berkeley in North London in the late 1920’s, officially became the Detection Club in 1930 and began meeting monthly at London restaurants.

Among its early members were some of the brightest stars of the genre, including Anthony Berkeley, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton, who served as the first president.

At the heart of the Detection Club was a sense of camaraderie mixed with a touch of theatricality. Meetings often involved elaborate dinners, where new members were “inducted” through a humorous initiation ceremony, swearing an oath on a skull named Eric. Members pledged to adhere to the rules of fair play in their writing, ensuring that all clues necessary to solve a mystery were presented to the reader. Ronald Knox codified the rules of fair play into what he called his ten commandments, which new initiates had to swear to uphold.

The Club also became a creative hub, where authors exchanged ideas and even co-wrote works, such as The Floating Admiral (1931) and “Ask a Policeman” (1933), where members collectively crafted intricate mysteries. Members appeared together on BBC radio broadcasts and other literary readings.

Over the years, the Detection Club has included many illustrious members and has continued to attract leading figures in crime fiction. Current members include Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid among others. Under the presidency of Martin Edwards, the Detection Club continues to thrive and has produced recent anthologies like “Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club” (2020), featuring contributions from current members.

Last summer, I had the good fortune to visit the Dorothy L. Sayers and the G.K. Chesterton archives at the Wade Center of Wheaton College. Their archives include documents from the Detection Club. Dorothy Sayers was the first club secretary and was devoted to making the club a place of convivial conversation and good cheer.

With the wine flowing and Dorothy and Gilbert in their capes, along with Eric the skull atop his silk pillow, and Agatha and Anthony and other great mystery writers trying to solve true cold cases over roasts and puddings, the dinners must have been a jolly good time

A Detection Club Mystery Author Kelly Oliver

A Detection Club Mystery

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning and bestselling author of four mystery series: The Jessica James Mysteries (7-book contemporary suspense); The Pet Detective Mysteries (3-book middle grade); The Fiona Figg Mysteries (9-book historical cozies).

The Case of the Christie Conspiracy, the first in her new series The Detection Club Mysteries just came out (February 2025).

Kelly is Distinguished Emerita Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. And currently, she is the Immediate Past President of Sisters in Crime. To learn more about Kelly and her books, go to www.kellyoliverbooks.com.

To learn more about Kelly, click any of the following links: Facebook, BookBub, and TikTok.

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A Detection Club Mystery

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Published on February 18, 2025 01:01

February 17, 2025

Chocolate Can Be Deadly: A Cozy Mystery

Chocolate Can Be Deadly, A Cupcake Catering Mystery Series by Kim Davis

Author Guest Post + Book and Author Info + A Giveaway!

Don’t miss any blog tours! Click the link here.Chocolate Can Be Deadly

Chocolate Can Be Deadly

Catering a post-Valentine’s Day Death by Chocolate dessert party should have been a delicious way to wrap up a week of romantic festivities. But when the new fiancé of the hostess is found dead during the event, clutching one of Emory’s chocolate cupcakes and a heart-shaped box of chocolates close by, the guests and the police put her at the top of their suspect list. With her cupcake catering business melting away as word spreads about the poisoning, Emory, and her octogenarian pal, Tillie, will need to pry into the sticky, dark secrets of the attendees. Will they uncover who’s been hiding a rotten center, or will the killer stir up danger and frost Emory for good?

Includes chocolate recipes!

Chocolate Can Be Deadly (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cinnamon & Sugar Press (January 28, 2025)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 284 pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CZRM17YF

To purchase Chocolate Can Be Deadly, click the following link: Amazon Guest Post from Chocolate Can Be Deadly Author Kim Davis

I generally find the start of writing a new book daunting. Staring at a blank page on my screen, the cursor blinking at me causes near panic. When that happens, I often open up Pinterest and start browsing recipes and themes that fit what I think my book is going to be about. As a pantser—i.e. writing by the seat of my pants—type of writer, I may have a general idea, but sometimes I’m never quite sure until I get a chapter or two written to see what the characters want.

In the case of Chocolate Can Be Deadly, (I had NO idea what the title would be when I started and it took about a month after I finished the first draft to land on this title), I knew chocolate was going to be a theme. Which made me think of Valentine’s Day. Which led to a general theme for the book. But yet that blank page taunted me, so I fell down the rabbit hole of Pinterest. Oh. My. Word. Don’t go hunting for chocolate recipes while hungry! While I typically aim to have about ten recipes included with each book, I ended up pinning at least twenty recipes, or more, that sounded absolutely amazing… and then I had to dig into a box of chocolates to satisfy my cravings while I whittled down the list.

Now you may wonder how an author (or even a cookbook author) comes to create new recipes without plagiarizing already published recipes. An author friend, formerly an attorney, explained that ingredients and titles can’t be copyrighted. It’s the text of the instructions that can’t be copied. In my case, when creating recipes to include in my books, I use other recipes for inspiration. I’ve been baking and cooking long enough to be able to substitute and tailor the recipe to fit my tastes and the tastes of my family. And as I create the recipes, the wording of the instructions change every time I make it, providing more clarity or cutting down on unnecessary wording.

I have to admit that the recipes in Chocolate Can Be Deadly are probably my favorite out of all the books I’ve written, and my taste tasters all swooned over the decadent goodies! Well, except my husband who isn’t a huge fan of chocolate, lol. It just meant there was more for me to eat and share. And I wish I could share some with you today!

Thanks so much for hosting me today and giving me the opportunity to introduce my new release to your readers!

Chocolate Can Be Deadly Author Kim Davis

Chocolate Can Be Deadly

Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines.

When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.

To learn more about Kim, click any of the following links: Website, Facebook, Bluesky , Goodreads, Bookbub & Pinterest

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Published on February 17, 2025 01:01

February 15, 2025

Twist of Time: A New Thriller

Twist of Time by Gy Waldron [image error]

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Twist of Time
Twist of Time by Gy Waldron

A fast-paced thriller by Emmy Award-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director Gy Waldron

Detective Sgt. Kate Flynn of the Santa Barbara Police Department is called in to investigate a gruesome decapitation and homicide. Her first clue comes from a most unlikely source: an Anglican monk and Celtic studies expert.

Brother Thomas has been expecting the hand-delivery of a priceless diary of a fourteenth-century Templar Knight, but instead he finds the messenger has been murdered.

Kate and Thomas are pulled deep into a centuries-old mystery with roots in medieval Europe and branches that lead to government intelligence, the Vatican, and a top-secret private lab where untold powers were being alchemized that could alter the face of humanity forever.

It’s a race against evil to uncover a plot that could lead them to centuries-old treasure-or to their own demise at the hands of a deranged tech billionaire who has nothing to lose.

With parallel quests for the truth taking place centuries apart, and a touch of mysticism, readers will be taken on a suspenseful journey with one twist after another in Twist of Time, an electrifying novel of intrigue and history.

Readers of thrillers and novels of suspense by Dan Brown, Ken Follett, David Baldacci will savor every surprise in screenwriter Gy Waldron’s fiction debut.

Book Details:
Genre: Thriller
Published by: First Fruits Publishing
Publication Date: August 20, 2024
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 9798869378163

To purchase Twist of Time, click any of the following links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Gy Waldron

Gy Waldron is an Emmy Award-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director who has written chart-topping television sitcoms, dramas, miniseries, and movies.

He has created three network series, including The Dukes of Hazzard, and is known for the action-comedy film Moonrunners, which he wrote and directed.

He started his writing career in Hollywood working as a staff writer for legendary producer Norman Lear on hit shows such as One Day at a Time.

After an eight-year run with The Dukes of Hazzard, he segued into true crime limited series. He received an Emmy Award nomination for the six-hour limited series Billionaire Boys Club, and wrote other projects, including The Menendez Brothers, Brotherhood of the Rose, Innocent Victims, and The Unabomber.

His creative work for theater received an American National Theater and Academy (ANTA) Award.In 2024, Gy Waldron received a Grady Fellowship from his alma mater, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia.

Whether writing for screen, for the stage, or for readers around the world, Waldron is widely known for his unique blend of action, comedy, and suspense, always leaving audiences highly entertained.

With a background of serving in U.S. counterintelligence in Europe, Gy (a.k.a. Gyneth) has written about the fields of intelligence and crime. Stationed in Germany in the late 1950s, he was on the KGB desk working with captured Gestapo files and monitoring CIC (Counter Intelligence Corps) operations against various Communist intelligence services during the Cold War. Additionally, he worked with American operatives in executing orders from U.S. Command.

He draws heavily on his experiences when writing fiction. Prior to his career in Hollywood, Gy worked in broadcast television at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. There, he was a director of specials, sports, and documentaries. Gy worked on many civil rights documentaries and directed feeds to NBC’s Huntley-Brinkley Report that focused on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his associates.A native Southerner, he now lives in Malibu, California, in a canyon between the mountains and the ocean where he is writing his next novel, Fugue.

To learn more about Gy, click any of the following links: www.gy-waldron.com, Amazon Author Profile & Goodreads

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Twist of Time

Elena Hartwell/Elena Taylor

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Published on February 15, 2025 01:01

February 9, 2025

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts: Cozy Mystery

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts, a Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery by Jennifer J Chow

Guest Post + An Excerpt + Book & Author Info + a Giveaway!

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Star-Crossed Egg Tarts
Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J Chow

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J Chow

A MAGICAL FORTUNE COOKIE NOVEL

Jin Bakery has been asked to cater the Lum-Wu outdoor wedding at Pixie Park. The day of the ceremony, Felicity is finishing the “cake” of tiered egg tarts as the wedding party arrives for the ceremony. When one of the groomsmen, Miles Wu, doesn’t arrive, Felicity’s best friend and local florist Kelvin generously steps in for him and the wedding goes smoothly―until cake cutting time.

That’s when Felicity finds Miles’ dead body beneath the table with her egg tarts display, stabbed by Kelvin’s gardening shears. With the detective’s sights on Kelvin, Felicity starts sleuthing away to prove his innocence, revealing dark secrets about all the wedding’s attendants. They each had something to hide―and a reason to quiet Miles forever. To make matters worse, Felicity’s powers of prediction are on the fritz thanks to the emotional turmoil of a surprise visit from her estranged father.

When the groom gets poisoned at the send-off party and winds up in a coma, the stakes are even higher, not to mention Felicity’s feelings for Kelvin are beginning to feel more than friendly. Will Felicity’s magic return in time to catch the true culprit and rescue her budding relationship with Kelvin?

Praise for the Magical Fortune Cookie series and Jennifer J. Chow:

“A spellbinding whodunit unfolds in the first installment of Jennifer J. Chow’s Magical Fortune Cookie series.”
~ Woman’s World

“The story itself is light, sweet, and delectable. The ensemble of interesting characters adds a crispy texture to the narrative, and, true to the cozy mystery genre, a central mystery―the ill-fated fortune―keeps readers engaged from start to finish.”
~ The Big Thrill

“This first in a new series featuring a likable Chinese American heroine will appeal to fans of Jenn McKinlay, Eve Calder, or Joanne Fluke.”
~ Booklist

“Nobody writes cozy mysteries quite like Jennifer J. Chow. No matter what is going wrong in my life, I know that all I need to do for some comfort is turn to one of Chow’s books. Chow has done it again with Ill-Fated Fortune. I did not want to leave Felicity’s side even for a moment, and you won’t want to either.”
~ Jesse Q. Sutanto, Edgar Award-winning author of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

“A magical new culinary cozy mystery series filled with family, friendship, and heart―and a pinch of real magic.”
~ Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author of the Secret Staircase Mysteries on Ill-Fated Fortune

Book Details:
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Asian American fiction
Published by: Minotaur
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781250351623 (ISBN10: 1250351626)

Series: The Magical Fortune Cookie series, #2

Purchase your copy of Star-Crossed Egg Tarts at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Minotaur

The Importance of Egg Tarts
By Jennifer J. Chow

I love egg tarts, I really do. Even though we owned a Chinese restaurant, my family and I had a regular tradition of going out for dim sum at a local eatery. My favorite dish was, of course, egg tarts. The mini golden pastries with their flaky crusts and creamy custard centers tasted like mini suns to me—or so I imagined. The taste of them made me seriously believe in food as magic … and eventually led me to write the Magical Fortune Cookie series, where the baked treats are truly enchanted.

Cantonese Egg Tarts

Brief culinary lesson: There are two main types of Chinese egg tarts. One is the Cantonese kind (see above), and the other is the Portuguese version. The first style of egg tart was created due to the influx of British to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou (or previously, Canton). The second came from the influence of the Portuguese who settled in Macau. The Portuguese version features a more caramelized topping, akin to crème brûlée.

The best ones I’ve ever eaten I had in Taiwan. It was during a trip I made to visit relatives, and they treated me with a box of Portuguese egg tarts from a well-established bakery. (Historical side note: When Portuguese explorers spotted Taiwan, they named it “Ilha Formosa,” or “Beautiful Island.” Some people still remember Taiwan as Formosa.) Whether it was the familial atmosphere or the deliciousness of the pastries, I sincerely enjoyed those egg tarts. For sure, though, food does have a way of bringing about connection and culture. It’s why I wanted to have a mother-daughter pair working together at my fictional Jin Bakery. Not only do they appreciate each other, but they often celebrate ties to their past ancestors.

These days, egg tarts come in many varieties: You’ll find pastries with matcha or ube fillings, or mochi or cookie crusts … I really do appreciate the innovation and am always willing to try a new variation. The latest generation of bakers, including my own Felicity Jin, bring an inventive attitude to their shops; Felicity encourages her mom to be imaginative when baking and often tries new spins on her own pastries. She’s also willing to branch out from a fixed storefront and participate in exciting ventures, including solo catering a wedding, like in Star-Crossed Egg Tarts.

Here’s to many egg tarts—or other delicious foods—in your life and in your reading choices!

Read an excerpt of Star-Crossed Egg Tarts:

Chapter 1

I put the last egg tart in place on the tiered circular display, stepped back, and admired my handiwork. From a distance, if you squinted and tilted your head just right, you might actually mistake it for a wedding cake made of gold, or Jin. Fitting, since “Jin” was both my surname and the Mandarin word for “gold.” I grinned. Guess I’d been fated for this job.

Happily, I even got to rope in loved ones as other vendors. My best friend, Kelvin Love (who has the most fitting name to cater a wedding), handled the elaborate floral displays. And my godmother, Alma Paz, made the candle arrangements, including the votives for the cake table. She’d even handcrafted bowl-shaped lace holders for each votive candle.

Once the late afternoon dissolved into evening, the small candles would be lit, and the cake made of egg tarts would turn into an enchanting display. Quite literally, because my mom had used her magic to bake joy into every last bite. After all, that’s what we Jins do—pour joy into our signature recipe treats to flow out to others. Except my own brand of magic came with an extra bonus: I made special fortune cookies that provided happiness and accurately predicted future happenings.

I added a stash of business cards to the table. I’d been made official co-owner of Jin Bakery with my mom, and I now had business cards to attest to that exciting fact. Besides, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have my contact info out there. If people were in the area for the wedding, maybe they’d decide to check out our local bakery, too.

Plus, many of the guests were from nearby Fresno, the bride’s hometown, though a fair share hailed from up north, where the groom’s relatives lived. It wasn’t too much of a trek from NorCal to visit Pixie, right? Not for delicious egg tarts, pineapple buns, and fortune cookies, all coated with magic.

“It’s beautiful,” someone whispered from near my shoulder. I would have startled at the interruption, but the voice was so gentle, it didn’t scare me in the least.

A bridesmaid must have snuck into the main tent without my noticing. Maybe the soft grass surrounding the tent had masked her footsteps. Or she’d minced along in those stiletto sandals.

She was a wisp of a young woman, just a few years past twenty. Even though I was twenty-eight, I couldn’t imagine having ever been so bright-eyed and hopeful as the girl before me. The twin honey-colored braids wrapped around her head only added to her youthfulness.

“Haley, was it?” I asked.

She nodded, almost bouncing on her heels. “You remembered my name.”

“It’s distinctive. Very pretty.”

She flushed a sweet shade of pink. “I like your name, too. Felicity is lovely.”

“Is that a rose tucked behind your ear?” I asked, pointing to the blossom, the full pink petals brushing up against a tiny golden ear cuff lined with diamonds.

She widened her green eyes at me. “Uh, is that okay? I mean, do you mind? Are you and Kelvin together—”

“It’s fine,” I said, waving away her concern. “Kelvin and I are just friends.” Best friends, technically. “I take it he’s still working on the flower arch outside?”

“Said he was ‘securing the petals.’” Kelvin was a stickler for floral quality. Guess that’s what made us good entrepreneurs in our little town of Pixie.

I glanced at Haley’s T-shirt and jeans. “What time is it? Do you need to change?”

“Four forty-five,” she said. “I better get ready.”

The wedding guests would show up at six. Right now, only us hired help and the wedding party, plus the parents of the bride and groom, were roaming the surrounding green space.

“Jada’s in our tent doing makeup, and she said she’d help me,” Haley said.

“I should get going, too.” I’d promised the bride, Leanne, that I’d check on the tea ceremony. Not that I’d be super helpful. I’m third-gen Chinese American and had had to google what the traditional tea ritual entailed.

I followed Haley’s bouncing steps out of the larger main tent into the lush green of Pixie Park. Our town’s biggest park definitely had enough space for the Lum-Wu ceremony. The bride and groom had asked to pitch four tents for the event: a reception tent for food, his and her tents for wedding prep, and a tent for the traditional tea serving ritual.

Pixie Park also boasted a large hill, and it was sure to look magnificent with its aerial view for the actual wedding ceremony and exchanging of vows. Kelvin was on the hill now, fussing over the flowers on the custom arch he’d made.

I waved at him. He bobbed his head at me, his fingers still patting petals into place. Kelvin looked good fancied up, in a dress shirt and pressed slacks. His usual go-to was a casual Henley and jeans.

There was a rainbow of beautiful blossoms decorating the immense arch he’d constructed. I didn’t know why Kelvin was so worried. There wasn’t a breeze to be found. It was perfect, and the flowers should stay put.

If anything, the temperature was slightly too warm today. Thankfully, it was dry heat, typical of the San Joaquin Valley. Whoever thought tea was a great idea in July had not factored in the weather. Then again, traditions were important. I headed over to the tea tent, and as soon as I put my head through the flap, Leanne squealed.

“You came to help. Thank goodness,” she said. The bride-to-be wore a red qipao with a golden phoenix trailing down the front. Her hair was pinned up, and pearls were scattered across the hairdo as decoration, matching the dangling pearl earrings she wore.

“How can I assist?” I asked.

“With the hot plate. You’re good in the kitchen. Er, bakery. Can you get it started?”

“I can try.” I mean, I was hired to cater the cake, not the tea. But I’d done the bare minimum online research. Maybe I could fake my way through.

***

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts Author, Jennifer J Chow

Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Lilian Jackson Braun Award-nominated author. Jennifer J. Chow writes cozy mysteries filled with hope and heritage.

To learn more about Jennifer, click on any of the following links:
www.JenniferJChow.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub – @jenniferjchow
Instagram – @jenjchow
Threads – @jenjchow
Facebook – @JenJChow

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Star-Crossed Egg Tarts

Elena Hartwell / Elena Taylor

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Published on February 09, 2025 01:01

February 8, 2025

Water Grave: A New Crime Novel

Water Grave: The Detective Abbey Rhodes Mysteries by Mitchell S. Karnes

Excerpt + Book & Author Info + A Giveaway!

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Water Grave

DETECTIVE ABBEY RHODES
When a young pastor is found dead at the bottom of his baptistery, detective Abbey Rhodes must search in the one place she swore never to return…the church.

Fledgling Homicide detective Abbey Rhodes investigates the murder of a young East Nashville pastor found dead in the bottom of his own church baptistery. Paired with Sam Tidwell, an apathetic, aging detective just biding his time until retirement, Abbey must convince her partner the obvious suspect is not the real murderer. Then, she must overcome her own deep prejudice against churches and a dark secret that anchors her to a painful past.

As Abbey and Sam discover the pastor’s plans to eliminate the church’s corruptive elements and implement a new vision, they realize their list of suspects multiplies and includes church leaders whom the young pastor considered friends. The case of the Water Grave triggers painful memories and pushes Abbey to her breaking point.

Book Details:
Genre: Christian Crime/Mystery
Published by: WordCrafts Press
Publication Date: January 29, 2025
Number of Pages: 280
ISBN: 978-1962218-69-6
Series: An Abbey Rhodes Mystery, Book 1

To purchase Water Grave click any of the following links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | WordCrafts Press

Read an excerpt of Water Grave:

Chapter One
Monday, October 23, 9:15 am – Living Water Church

Mark Ripley rushed into the baptistery changing room, slammed the door, and locked the handle. He scanned the room for his phone.

A loud thud reverberated through the tiny room as the entire doorframe shook. Mark searched under the towels. Another thud accompanied by the sound of cracking wood. He found the phone and glanced down at his lock screen, a picture of his wife and two children. He held the phone to his face to unlock it. Before he could dial 911, the frame splintered, and the door swung open. Realizing there was nowhere to run, Mark turned and tried to talk through the situation.

The wooden club struck the right side of his head with such violence that Mark spun sideways and toppled into the open clothes rack, dragging several white baptismal robes down with him. His phone flew from his limp hand and bounced off the wall, sliding into the opposite corner of the eight-by-eight changing room. It rested beneath the small bench.

His attacker nudged him with his foot. A few moments passed, and he nudged him again. Mark moaned. He touched his right cheek and temple, the source of his pain, and felt the warmth of his own blood. The man watched as Mark pushed up on all fours. The pastor’s only thoughts were his phone and 911. Before he could move, the man swung the club again, landing a solid blow to Mark’s back. The young pastor collapsed like a pile of soaking wet towels.

Chapter Two
Tuesday, October 24, 9:41 am – Living Water Church

Sergeant McNally’s assignment of Detective Tidwell as my mentor frustrated me to no end. A detective who, like water, took the path of least resistance.

He snapped his fingers in front of my face, “Hey Rhodes, which way?”

“Sorry, Detective. It’s just past Riverside at the bottom of the hill.”

“What did I say about formalities? Save that for the brass. Just call me Tidwell or Sam.”

“Yes, Detective.” It came out before I could catch it.

“It’s bad enough you look like a little girl; don’t act like one.”

I hate when they do that! Ironic. When I was twelve, everyone thought I was older and treated me as such. Now at twenty-four, I looked like an overdeveloped twelve-year-old.

Detective Tidwell loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He stroked the salt and pepper beard which gave him a distinguished look and glanced down the road. He had a deep sorrow that added ten years to his appearance. I suppose we were a chronological paradox. “Church murder…that’s bad luck.”

“What do you mean?” Maybe he had a bad experience too.

“Nothing good ever comes from it,” he said.

I caught sight of the steeple and rubbed a sudden chill from my arms. I hated churches and church people.

It was a traditional small church building in the shape of an L with a one-story sanctuary connected to the two-story educational wing at the base of the L, just like so many small churches I’d seen as a kid.

When we pulled into the driveway, Detective Tidwell said, “Remember, just follow my lead. You got something to say, say it; otherwise, just observe.” As soon as he got out of the car, he straightened his tie and buttoned the first button of his suit coat. “If it’s too much, Rhodes, get some air.” He walked through the front doors and let them shut behind him.

I wanted to say, “This wasn’t my first homicide, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last,” but nothing came out. I stood there staring at the closed wooden double doors.

As I entered the tiny four-foot-deep foyer of the small church, my partner made the introductions, saying, “Detectives Tidwell and Rhodes.” I stared through the open double doors of the tiny foyer, fixated on the wooden cross on the far wall at the opposite end of the sanctuary. A Metro officer greeted us and printed our names and titles in the crime scene logbook.

He directed us to Officer Lee, the lead officer, who extended his hand to Detective Tidwell. Tidwell shook his hand then ducked under the crime scene tape dividing the foyer from the sanctuary. He glanced around the fifty-by-one-hundred-foot box of a room and walked down the center aisle. Officer Lee brought him up to speed.

I listened from the foyer as he recited the particulars of the crime scene from his memory and notes. He pointed to the baptistery which was situated behind a wall on the sanctuary stage and could be seen through an arched open space that began about chest high and ended two feet from the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Detective Tidwell walked across the hardwood-floored stage and stopped halfway between the pulpit and the baptistery window. He turned and listened to the rest of Officer Lee’s report. “Officers Hernandez and Smith are mapping out the crime scene and taking photos. Officer Grant has the church leaders spread out in the fellowship hall. CSI is on the way.” He pointed to the baptistery. “Our vic’s at the bottom.”

I stood frozen at the entrance of the sanctuary. My eyes locked on the wooden cross hung at the back wall of the baptistery, powerless to turn away. I stood there like an idiot, holding the crime tape in my hands. The officer behind me asked, “Hey, Rhodes, How’s the new gig?”

“Still learning where I fit in,” I muttered. “For now, I’m just the shadow.” I pointed to Detective Tidwell. “He’s the lead.”

The moment I said it, Detective Tidwell turned and said, “Hey, Rhodes, can we move on, or would you rather stay there and socialize?”

I rolled my eyes as I ducked under the tape. As I forced myself down the center aisle, I counted thirteen rows of pews. The décor was a mix of old and new. New ceiling, but old fixtures. Stained glass windows on the side walls, each depicting a scene from Jesus’s life, with a can light pointed at each one. A modest stage with drums, keyboard, guitars, and a baby grand in the opposite corner. Classic baptistery in the center behind the pulpit…a clear, acrylic pulpit. Nice.

Detective Tidwell stepped up to the fourteen-inch-tall baptistery glass set in the bottom of the window. He looked down into the water. “That’s something you don’t see every day.”

At five-six, I had to stand on my tiptoes to see over the glass window that allowed a view from the pews. I could hear the pump churning and noticed a slight movement in the water’s surface. A man’s body lay at the bottom, traces of a dark fluid seeping from the vic’s mouth and nose. The body was already releasing liquids as it decomposed. “Do we know who he is?” I asked.

“The pastor, Mark Ripley. Thirty-three-year-old white male, married, father of two.”

Detective Tidwell stared at the body. “Family been notified?”

“Not yet.” Officer Lee flipped through his notes. “According to Faith Jones, the church secretary, the pastor’s wife and kids are on their way back from St. Louis.”

“Any witnesses?” Detective Tidwell asked.

“No, but the church leaders all have theories as to his death. He was discovered when they arrived for their Tuesday morning leadership meeting.”

“How many leaders?” Detective Tidwell asked.

Officer Lee looked through his notes. “Twelve.”

“That explains all the vehicles,” I said. “Who called it in?”

“Owen Jenkins, the Men’s Ministry leader.” Lee led us out of the sanctuary to a small hallway at the side of the stage that led to the main hall of the educational building. From there we turned left to the doors of the changing rooms, one for men, and one for women. The door to the women’s side was cracked, and the frame shattered.

I scanned the room before entering. Something didn’t fit. “Why are the stairs and floor wet? The body’s been there at least a day.”

“According to Owen Jenkins, he saw the body and ran back to the church office to call 911. While he was doing that, the secretary and youth minister entered the church through the sanctuary doors. Noticing the baptistery light on, the secretary went up on the stage to turn it off. That’s when she saw the body and screamed. The youth minister took it upon himself to check the body, believing the pastor was still alive. Owen Jenkins heard the commotion, came back to the sanctuary. As soon as he noticed the youth minister in the water, he yelled for him to get out.” Officer Lee closed his notebook. “We taped it off the moment we arrived.”

“What an idiot!” Detective Tidwell snapped.

The officer smiled faintly and read another note. “The youth minister’s name is Jonathan Williams.”

Detective Tidwell pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re telling me a well-intentioned staff member compromised our crime scene?” Tidwell didn’t like complications. They took more time.

I recorded detailed notes in my book. “I’m sure prints won’t help anyway. A church this size probably doesn’t clean back here often.” Turning to Officer Lee, I asked, “Did someone take pictures anyway?” Officer Lee nodded. “What about a sketched diagram with measurements?” He nodded again. Standard procedure. These were officers of East Precinct. They were trained well.

“Officers Hernandez and Smith will get those down to Homicide as soon as they’re finished.”

“Smell that? Bleach.” I looked at the remains of the door and frame where someone had broken through. “Looks like someone tried to clean up.” After donning sanitary booties and Nitrile gloves, we entered the crime scene, doing our best to preserve the integrity of the remaining evidence. I knelt by the stairs and pointed to a seam where the vinyl flooring met the rubber treads of the steps leading up to the baptistery. “There’s blood here.”

Detective Tidwell knelt beside me. “Here too. Look in the grooves of the stairs.”

“Sloppy job. Must have been in a hurry.”

Detective Tidwell turned to Officer Lee. “Could you see if there’s a janitor’s closet somewhere? If so, look for a looped-end string mop. If so, bag it. We’ll have the lab check it for blood and prints on the handle.”

“More here,” I announced, holding out a white robe with spots of blood on the sleeve. “Do we have any Luminal so we can check the whole room?”

Detective Tidwell said, “CSI will.” He called out for Officer Smith to take photos of the blood stains.

Detective Tidwell’s phone rang. He answered it and listened. He lowered the phone from his ear and said, “CSI is pulling in now. If you don’t mind, have them spray the room and light it up.”

“Will do, Detective. Anything else?”

“If you have anyone to spare, I’d like to have them canvass the immediate neighborhood to see if anyone saw cars coming or going between their last church service and this morning.”

Detective Tidwell sighed and asked, “Now, where are those witnesses?”

***

Water Grave Author — Mitchell S. Karnes

Water Grave

MITCHELL S. KARNES is a husband, father of seven, and grandfather of ten. Mitchell uses his experience and insights as a minister, counselor, and educator to write and speak on challenging issues and concerns with an ever-growing audience. He has published six novels, three short stories, a one-act play, and numerous Bible study lessons.

Through two separate battles against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, God has given Mitchell a new perspective on life that challenges him to create stories to entertain audiences and call them to action. Mitchell’s mission is to reach and reconcile those disillusioned with God and His church and to inspire the church to live out the love of Christ Jesus in a broken and hurting world.

To learn more about Mitchell, click anhy of the following links: www.MitchellSKarnesAuthor.com, Amazon Author Profile, Goodreads, BookBub, Instagram – @mitchellskarnesauthor, X – @mitchellskarnes & Facebook

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Water Grave

Elena Taylor/Elena Hartwell

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Published on February 08, 2025 01:01

February 7, 2025

Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies

Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies by Vanessa Morgan

Book & Author Info + Guest Post!Don’t miss any new books! Click the link here.Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies

Meow!

Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies is the ultimate movie guide for cat lovers and cinephiles. Whether you are a fan of spine-chilling horror, fantasy worlds filled with cats, or the sudden thrill of a cat jumpscare, this comprehensive book has everything you need.

Explore an extensive list of cat horror movies that will leave you on the edge of your seat. From the eerie and mysterious to the downright terrifying, our furry friends are the central figures in these hidden gems and cult classics.

But the magic does not stop at horror. Meow! also delves into the most famous cat-centric sci-fi and fantasy movies. Find cats that have inspired fantastical adventures, mythical journeys, and futuristic sagas. This guide highlights a curated selection of films where cats play pivotal roles, embodying everything from magical felines to alien beings.

Key Features:Extensive Cat Movie List: A meticulously curated list of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy movies featuring cats (including short films), perfect for those seeking a thrilling feline fix or want to know more about the roles of cats in fantasy realms and futuristic adventures.Best Cat Moments: Detailed descriptions of iconic cat jumpscares and other memorable cat scenes, short films, and TV episodes that have left audiences gasping.Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Fascinating trivia and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of these movies.Recommendations and Reviews: Expert reviews and personal recommendations to help you choose your next movie night pick.

Whether you are searching for the purr-fect horror movie, are interested in the role of mythology in these tales, or love all things feline, Meow! is your go-to resource. Get your copy today!

Purchase a copy at Amazon.A Cat’s Guide to Famous Horror Novels by Vanessa Morgan

Curl up on the bookshelf, felines! To celebrate the release of Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies, we dive into some of the finest, most famous horror novels ever written—each one carefully selected for maximum cat appeal. Meow! references over 250 cat-centric genre movies every feline would approve of, and now we’re bringing that same spirit to the world of literature… with a touch of humor. From ghostly hauntings to prey gone rogue, these books feature everything a cat would find compelling. So flex those claws, purr up close, and prepare to paw through this list of chilling tales cats are certain to enjoy!

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

Why a Cat Would Love It: A novel about a burial ground where animals come back to life? Your cat will definitely be intrigued! Church, the resurrected cat, has just the right attitude post-resurrection—aloof, mysterious, and definitely harboring a dark secret. Church gives cats a bad name, and they love him for it.

The Rats by James Herbert

Why a Cat Would Love It: A plague of giant, flesh-eating rats overruns London. To a cat, that’s not horror—that’s opportunity! The sheer number of rodents in this novel is every feline’s dream come true. Sure, these rats are vicious and monstrous, but cats aren’t intimidated by a little extra size. The chaos these oversized vermin cause would make for an exhilarating chase. This book is practically an action-adventure tale for cats!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Why a Cat Would Love It: Coraline’s talking, sarcastic cat companion is already one of our felines’ literary idols. Not only does he speak (a rare treat for cats), but he’s also the one guiding Coraline through the dark, twisted Other World. Plus, his relaxed attitude and ability to appear and disappear at will would have any cat purring in approval.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Why a Cat Would Love It: Finally, a story about a human who appreciates food as much as cats do. Hannibal Lecter’s gourmet tendencies, even if they’re a bit…extreme, would resonate with cats that understand the joy of savoring a meal. Very feline.

Cujo by Stephen King

Why a Cat Would Love It: At last, a story that shows dogs for what they can be: unpredictable, slobbering menaces! This Stephen King tale shifts the spotlight onto dogs behaving badly, letting cats bask in their well-deserved reputation as the cool, composed masters of the animal kingdom. It’s about time humans realized they are the real heroes of the household!

Clowders by Vanessa Morgan

Why a Cat Would Love It: A cursed town that venerates cats? Now we’re talking. In Clowders, every time a cat dies, nine human lives are taken in retribution. This novel understands that cats are essential to the fabric of life itself—and gives us the respect they deserve. The cursed town’s rule about never harming cats? That should be a universal law. The chilling premise and ultimate feline power make this book an instant classic in any cat’s collection.

The Collector by John Fowles

Why a Cat Would Love It: This book follows a man who kidnaps a woman and keeps her locked away, much like humans often think they can “keep” a cat. The collector’s misguided desire to “own” someone who doesn’t want to be owned? Cats can totally relate. Cats know better than anyone that true freedom is slipping just out of reach when someone thinks they have you pinned down.

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Why a Cat Would Love It: An endless, ever-expanding maze of a house? Absolute bliss for a cat. House of Leaves follows a family discovering rooms that shouldn’t exist in their home, a concept cats adore. They know the thrill of exploring forbidden rooms and poking their noses where they don’t belong.

The Birds by Daphne du Maurier

Why a Cat Would Love It: Birdwatching is a cat’s favorite hobby! With endless flocks of birds darkening the skies and attacking humans, birdwatching becomes a thrilling, non-stop spectacle. For a cat, the sheer number of birds would be overwhelming in the best way. Tail swishing and eyes wide, your cat would chirp loudly and endlessly, trying to keep up with the chaos unfolding on the screen. It’s the ultimate feline fantasy, even if those birds are a bit more aggressive than they’re used to!

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Why a Cat Would Love It: Dorian’s obsessive pursuit of youth and beauty, all while hiding a horrifying, ever-aging portrait in the attic? Cats can relate. They, too, have mastered the art of appearing youthful with just a bit of daily grooming, while keeping their darker, messier side hidden.

Conclusion: What are your cat’s favorite horror novels?

What’s your favorite horror novel that your cat might secretly enjoy reading with you (while pretending to nap on your lap, of course)? Leave a comment below and let us know if your feline friend ever joins you for a chilling read, or if they just prefer to judge your book choices from a distance.

Meow! Author Vanessa Morgan

VANESSA MORGAN is the editor of When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampires Movies, Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children, and Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies.

She also published one cat memoir (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders).

Three of her stories became movies. She also introduces movie screenings at several European cinemas and film festivals and is a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Brussels. When she is not writing, you will probably find her eating out or taking photos of felines for her website, Traveling Cats.

To find out more about Vanessa, click any of the following links: Website, Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook.Elena Taylor/Elena Hartwell

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Published on February 07, 2025 01:01

February 4, 2025

The Department: Debut Thriller

The Department by debut author Jacqueline Faber

Author Interview + Book & Author Info + Author Pet Corner!Don’t miss any ITW Debut Author interviews! Click the link here.The Department

Some secrets we keep even from ourselves

Philosophy professor Neil Weber can’t think of one good reason to get up in the morning. His wife has left him, his academic research has sputtered, and the prospect of tenure is more remote than ever.

Until Lucia Vanotti disappears.

A college student at Neil’s Southern university, Lucia has a secret of her own—one that haunts her relationships and leads to reckless, destructive behavior. When Neil is drawn into the mystery of her disappearance, he finds new energy, purpose, and relevance. But at what cost? Each clue pulls him deeper into Lucia’ s dark past, but also into the hidden lives of his closest friends and colleagues.

What has driven Lucia to risk everything? And why does Neil, a professor who hardly knew her, care so deeply about finding her? From campus classrooms to sex dens to backwoods hideaways, The Department reveals the world through the dual perspectives of Lucia and Neil as they descend into obsession, delusion, and the dangerous terrain of memory—uncovering the traumas that drive them to behave in ways they never could have predicted or imagined.

To purchase The Department, click either of the following links: Amazon and Bookshop.org The Department features Neil Weber, a philosophy professor. Tell us about Neil and why you chose a philosophy professor as a central character?

I’m drawn to characters who are at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives.

Neil’s wife has left him for someone else in their philosophy department. His scholarly work has stalled. He’s an ethicist who often behaves in ethically questionable ways. Yet he is deeply entrenched in the vernacular of academia. He lives in his head, yet his actions have serious real-life consequences. I wanted to capture the tension between those two modes of existence.

Interestingly enough, the heaviest philosophical lifting is not done by Neil, but is mediated, instead, through Lucia’s perspective, particularly around our relationship to mortality and our experiences of loss. Lucia is a student on campus who goes missing, and we follow her narrative during the year leading up to her disappearance. Neil’s story unfolds as he pieces together the events of this young woman’s life, which bear on his own personal tragedies in unexpected ways.

The Department goes back and forth between the perspectives of Lucia and Neil. What drew you to writing your debut with two primary viewpoint characters?

I knew I wanted two primary (and sometimes conflicting) points of view because I’m interested in the inherent misunderstandings that naturally arise when we are voyeurs, outsiders looking in.

There’s a “true crime” fascination at work in The Department, as Neil tries to uncover the mystery of Lucia. But her perspective deepens, complicates, and adds layers of meaning to it. This felt important because the novel is not just a thriller about a young woman’s disappearance; it is also a story about our attempts to survive our own losses.

I needed access to deep interiority for both these characters to really explore it.

The Department digs into a dark side of academics. Did you draw on personal experiences in academia to create the world in your debut?

Academia is a unique space that many of us inhabit for only a handful of years. A world that we pass through en route to somewhere else. It’s a time of transition and intellectual and personal growth.

Often, students are away from their parents for the first time. Professors are the primary adults in their lives. They function partly as stand-ins for parental authority, but they are also the envoys of new ideas and radical lines of inquiry. It’s an exciting time full of change and possibility. But also, as you can imagine, an opportunity for things to go terribly awry.

My own experiences were very different from those in The Department, but because I was part of that world for so long, that cadence of academia feels ingrained in me.

How did your education in comparative literature impact writing a thriller?

My doctoral dissertation was on loss and language.

While writing it, I experienced a loss of my own and suddenly found myself walking the line between theory and practice. I turned to thinkers like Nietzsche, Heidegger, Virginia Woolf, and Franz Kafka, to try and understand how to navigate my own losses. I found myself asking questions about trauma, memory, and relationships–questions that seeped into the novel.

The Department is not an attempt to “answer” them or offer prescriptive solutions. Instead, it’s my way of exploring these ideas, while hopefully gripping the reader.

What can we find you doing when you aren’t reading and writing thrillers?

Traveling and spending time with my family, particularly my 7-year-old son. In my former life, I fancied myself a dancer. Hip hop, samba, salsa. If you’ve got music, I’ll bring the dance floor.

What are you working on now?

A literary suspense that verges on family drama. It’s about a woman who meets a stranger claiming to have information about her past. When the stranger’s dead body turns up, it sends her back to the hometown she fled 15 years earlier in hopes of uncovering the family secrets that lay buried there.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:

Aim for specificity. If there is a more precise way to describe a feeling, a character, a longing, a misbelief, set your sights there. Ironically, the more specific we are in our writing, the more universal and essentially “true” the experience feels to our readers.

Terrific advice! Best of luck with your launch.

Author Pet Corner!

Rest in Peace sweet Deacon.

My sidekick was Deacon. He’s no longer with us, but he was my rock for sixteen years.

He had a wild exuberance about him. He could be fiercely protective of me but then play like a puppy for hours. He and I took cross-country road trips in my little stick-shift Mini Cooper. He loved snow and the beach and getting up to trouble.

Deacon comforted me through heartbreak, love, failure, accomplishment, and the birth of my son. The most diehard friend I could’ve imagined.

Author of The Department — Jacqueline Faber

The Department

Jacqueline Faber holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Emory University and has taught at New York University.

Her work explores questions about memory, loss, language, and desire.

Steeped in philosophical, psychological, and literary themes, her writing is grounded in studies of character.

She lives with her family in Los Angeles. The Department is her debut novel.

Connect with Jacqueline online at jacquelinefaber.com

To learn more about Jacqueline, click any of the following links: X, Instagram, & Substack.

Elena Hartwell/Elena Taylor

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Published on February 04, 2025 09:05

February 2, 2025

Early Termination: New Suspense

Early Termination, A Probation Case Files Mystery by Cindy Goyette [image error]

Guest Post + an Excerpt + Book & Author Info + A Giveaway!

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Early Termination

Early Termination

A Probation Case Files Mystery

There are two ways to get off probation early. The first is to be a model citizen and complete all requirements imposed by the court. The second is to die. In Early Termination, Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson’s clients aren’t civic-minded, but they are dropping like flies.

She’s on a gang’s hit list, a detective’s suspect list, and is torn while two very hot men vie for her heart. As more clients die and a probationer accuses her of brutality, she becomes the focus of the investigation. Casey risks losing everything in her race to find the real killer, but doing so will put the target squarely on her back. She will need to find the person responsible for lightening her workload before she’s the one terminated.

Praise for Cindy Goyette’s Novels:

“A hard-charging crime novel powered by combustible realism and driven by a fresh, new heroine—probation officer Casey Carson. Buckle up for a wild, white-knuckle ride.”
~ Lee Goldberg, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A dynamite start to an excellent new series. This is the kind of book that can grow legs and take off just by word of mouth. The character Casey Carson has grit, loyalty and honor. OBEY ALL LAWS is a topnotch thriller and I can’t wait for the next one. Author Cindy Goyette is here to stay.”
~ David Putnam the bestselling author of The Bruno Johnson series

“Cindy Goyette is a master with words. And she knows how to spin a tale! Drawing from rich life experiences in law enforcement, her characters jump from the page. Don’t miss a single sentence this gifted author writes.”
~ Judith L. Pearson, author of From Shadows to Life, The Wolves at the Door and Belly of the Beast

“A rollicking ride through the gritty world of feisty Probation Officer Casey Carson, a fantastic character with a heart as big and vast as the Arizona desert she calls home. When her probationers keep stacking up as homicide victims, Casey realizes that someone is sending her a message, and they’re dead serious about it. Now, she must unravel the sinister plot before she becomes the next victim. A complex, entertaining story that includes a secondary theme of romantic frustration simmering in the background, and a twisty ending that ensures we’ll see more adventures from Casey Carson. A great read! Five thumbs-up!”
~ Kerry Peresta, author of the Olivia Callahan Suspense series and Back Before Dawn

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Number of Pages: 320
Series: A Probation Case Files Mystery

To purchase Early Termination, click either link: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

One

In probation work, there’s no such thing as a routine day at the office.

This morning, flashing red and blue lights guided me to the crime scene. Coming to a stop behind the coroner’s van, I parked my Jeep Wrangler and took a deep breath.

Coroner meant someone was dead. Not a good start to my day, but even worse for whoever I’d been called here about.

As I climbed out of my Jeep, I adjusted my sunglasses and surveyed the area. Yellow crime scene tape blocked off the entrance to the canal. Red tile rooftops peeked over six-foot walls that separated the waterway from the middle-class sea of stucco on either side. The canal, about ten feet wide, snaked smack in the middle of a dirt pathway that residents used to get their steps in.

It was nearing the end of September, and I was grateful for the hint of the cooler weather that would dip below one hundred for the first time in months. Ninety degrees might seem hot to some, but in Arizona, it was sweater weather.

I walked up to a uniformed cop and held out my badge. “I’m with probation. Detective Ramsey asked me to come.”

It wasn’t unusual for the police to contact us, but it wasn’t common practice to be called to a crime scene. My curiosity mixed with dread.

The cop glanced at my identification. “Ms. Carson. Welcome to the shit show. Don’t touch anything.” He held the tape high so I could pass. I ducked underneath and secured my badge to my belt so the other officers could tell I belonged there.

Lots of Tempe Police blue uniforms and forensic staff mulled around the area, but I homed in on the tall, balding man standing close to the water. He had on plain clothes—khakis and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I figured he might be Ramsey, so I walked over to him.

He scribbled something on a small notepad and glanced at me as I approached. “You the PO?”

I nodded and dropped my gaze to the mound covered by a tarp at his feet. I wasn’t fond of seeing dead bodies. One reason I was a PO and not a cop.

“Thinking this might be one of your charges, Ms. Carson,” he said. “I gotta warn you, it’s not pretty. He was in the water for a while and birds, and god knows what else got to him. You got a strong stomach?”

No. At the mere thought of seeing the body, my breakfast threatened to make a reappearance, but I wouldn’t admit that. “I’m fine. Why do you think he was on my caseload?”

Ramsey shrugged. “Someone stuffed your business card in his mouth.”

I gulped air. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. You ready?” Ramsey reached down and pulled the sheet back before I could respond.

A bloated, green face, missing chunks of cheek, greeted me. Bulging eyes looked skyward. Bran flakes swirled in my stomach and crested in my throat. Without a word, I ran to the canal and vomited so hard I thought I’d hack up a vital organ or two.

“You okay, ma’am?” Ramsey sounded bored.

I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and straightened. Memories of the same man, alive and animated, flashed in my mind. Not so long ago, he was proud of accomplishing a solid month of sobriety. Now, I hardly recognized him. “Could you put the sheet back?” I said, keeping my back to the body on the ground.

“Sure.”

I waited a moment to give Ramsey time to cover the corpse and to compose myself. But that would take a while, and the detective didn’t seem like he had a lot of patience. The relationship between police and probation was fickle. We often needed each other, but POs were on the lower end of the food chain.

When I finally turned around, Ramsey was tapping his pen against his notebook. “So, you know the guy, or what?”

“Brian Johnson,” I said. “He was on abscond status. Haven’t seen him for a few weeks, maybe a month. He was doing well, but then he stopped reporting. He probably relapsed. I was gearing up to request a warrant for probation violations. What do you think was the cause of death?”

Ramsey shrugged again. “Too soon to tell, but most people who die of natural causes don’t end up in a canal or send a message like your business card does. They preserved it in a plastic Baggie, so we’d get the point no matter how long it took to find him.

I felt even sicker. Was the message for me? “Couldn’t you ID him through fingerprints? I thought you had all kinds of tech gadgets for that.”

“Sure,” Ramsey said. “But then I wouldn’t have seen your reaction. Plus, some of his fingertips are missing and what’s left probably isn’t usable. Dental records take time.” He pulled a business card out of his shirt pocket and handed it to me. “Call me if you think of anything else I might need to know.”

I turned back to the canal and vomited until I had nothing left to give.

In probation work, there’s no such thing as a routine day at the office.

This morning, flashing red and blue lights guided me to the crime scene. Coming to a stop behind the coroner’s van, I parked my Jeep Wrangler and took a deep breath.

Coroner meant someone was dead. Not a good start to my day but even worse for whoever I’d been called here about.

I walked up to a uniformed cop and held out my badge. “I’m with probation. Detective Ramsey asked me to come.”

It wasn’t unusual for police to contact us, but it wasn’t common practice to be called to a crime scene. My curiosity mixed with dread.

Lots of Tempe Police blue uniforms and forensic staff mulled around the area, but I homed in on the tall balding man standing close to the water. He was dressed in plain clothes—khakis and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I figured he might be Ramsey, so I walked over to him.

He scribbled something on a small notepad and glanced at me as I approached. “You the PO?”

I nodded and dropped my gaze to the mound covered by a tarp at his feet. I wasn’t fond of seeing dead bodies. One of the reasons, I was a PO and not a cop.

No. At the mere thought of seeing the body, my breakfast threatened to make a reappearance, but I wouldn’t admit that. “I’m fine. Why do you think he was on my caseload?”

Ramsey shrugged. “Your business card was stuffed in his mouth.”

I gulped air. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. You ready?” Ramsey reached down and pulled the sheet back before I could respond.

The face before me was bloated, green, and missing chunks of cheek. Bulging eyes looked skyward. Bran flakes swirled in my stomach and crested in my throat. Without a word, I ran to the canal and vomited so hard, I thought I’d hack up a vital organ or two.

“You okay, ma’am?” Ramsey sounded bored.

I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and straightened. Memories of the same man, alive and animated flashed in my mind. Not so long ago, he was proud of accomplishing a solid month of sobriety. Now, I hardly recognized him. “Could you put the sheet back?” I said, keeping my back to the body on the ground.

“Sure.”

When I finally turned around, Ramsey was tapping his pen against his notebook. “So, you know the guy, or what?”

Ramsey shrugged again. “Too soon to tell, but most people who die of natural causes don’t end up in a canal or send a message like your business card does. It was preserved in a plastic Baggie, so we’d get the point no matter how long it took to find him.”

I felt even sicker. Was the message for me? “Couldn’t you ID him through fingerprints? I thought you had all kinds of tech gadgets for that.”

I turned back to the canal and vomited until I had nothing left to give.

***

Early Termination — Guest post from Cindy Goyette

Write what you know, is advice usually attributed to Mark Twain.

It’s a recommendation all writers have heard.

But sometimes it’s more like write what you think you know.

I’ve been in law enforcement most of my adult life. It’s natural that my books all have characters involved in the profession. I’ve been a police officer, ICE officer and probation and parole officer. In my first series, THE PROBATION CASE FILES MYSTERIES, my protagonist is a probation officer. The job I held the longest and knew best. I felt comfortable incorporating cops, detectives, lawyers, judges and counselors because those were the people I knew.

In my cozy mystery series, releasing in May 2025, my protagonist is in the police academy when a medical diagnosis forces her to rethink her future. But once again, she’s thrust into the middle of a crime she helps solve. Again, a world I know.

You would think my professional experience would make writing these stories easy. Or at least require limited research. And that’s true to a degree. But things are constantly changing. Laws, society, policies at work. Sometimes that makes it harder. If I write what I know, it might be obsolete. When I started writing the probation series, we had pagers. DNA was just becoming a thing. There were hard files, none of this electronic stuff. I catch myself slipping into the past in every draft I write. I have to make a conscious effort to bring things up to date with every manuscript.

Sometimes I envy Sue Grafton. She kept her series in the Eighties. A simpler time and she didn’t have to deal with cell phones or that everyone had a camera.

This may lead you to believe that I retired years ago and haven’t kept up with the times. I am retired, yes, but I’ve gone back to help as a “recycled” probation officer several times, with my last stint occurring in November 2024. So, I’m not totally out of the loop, but things change every day. And since it takes so long to write a book and get it published, I’m always one step behind. That’s why BETA readers are so important. I couldn’t do it without them.

I’ve also heard the advice: don’t let facts get in the way of a good story. Sometimes it’s okay to bend the rules. Just know that readers may call you out if you do.

In my opinion, if the characters are realistic—if the reader cares about them, they will follow them to hell and back, even if they are carrying the wrong gun or they’ve forgotten to charge their phone.

So, if you see one of my characters slipping into the past, know I did my best. Sometimes “knowing” can be a dangerous thing.

Early Termination Author Cindy Goyette

Early Termination

Cindy Goyette is a former probation officer who had a front row seat to the criminal justice system.

She kept her sanity by finding humor in most situations. A mix of these things helped her create The Probation Case Files Mystery Series, Book 1, OBEY ALL LAWS won a PSWA Award for best suspense, and was published in January of 2024.

Book 2, EARLY TERMINATION, released January of 2025. Her first cozy mystery, DIAMOND IN THE RUFF, will release in May of 2025.

After spending over twenty years in Arizona, Cindy lives in Washington state with her husband and two Cocker Spaniels.

To learn more about Cindy, click on any of the following links: CCGoyette.com, Amazon Author Profile, Goodreads, BookBub – @ccgoyettewriter, Instagram – @cindy.goyette, Threads – @cindy.goyette, X – @cindy_ccgoyette & Facebook

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