The Housetrap Chronicles - Two and Three

“Dial M for Mudder” is the second episode I wrote that fell into the Housetrap Chronicles format. It is also the only one that broke the opening mode I finally decided on. This tale starts off with the detective tracking a suspect through the gloomy city streets. From then on I used an opening chapter with the detective, and usually his secretary, sitting in the office bickering when a client walks in. Decided it was much simpler for someone reading the stories out of order and easier for the author too. With “Mudder” in the title I thought of mud, and the old pulp version of Venus, this one Terraformed. This is a case with a missing statue (I channeled my bird and Bogart) and a nasty curvaceous assassin.

“The House on Hollow Hill” is a take-off on those lovely English tales of guests locked in haunted mansions and murders abound. The folks in their coffins under the hill added to the fun.

Along with “Housetrap” these three were gathered together in a single print version under the moniker, “The Housetrap Chronicles, Volume 1” The three individual tales are also available as single ebook versions. The collection, originally just in print, is also available now as an ebook.

An excellent way to break a writer's block (which I claim I never have) or to just have a change of pace, The Housetap Chronicles is my comfort blanket when I really want to run wild.