A miscellany of thoughts about dogs, cats, writing, life in the Ozarks, & occasional book reviews
We're celebrating Buddy The Wonder Cat's 15th birthday! It's been an adventure sharing our home with this cat, who wandered into our lives as a 10-week-old feral kitten weighing just 2.5 pounds. In the years since, he's grown into a wonderful and easy-going companion. On occasion, though, his wild side has landed him into chaotic …
Continue reading For the Love of a Cat
Looking for a multi-dimensional mystery with plenty of action and a high-tech twist? You'll find it—and much more—in Dying With A Secret, the fourth book in the Dead Detective Casefiles written by award-winning author Tj O’Connor. Some categorize this book—and the series—as a paranormal mystery or PI mystery, while others might shelve it among crime …
Continue reading The Dead Detective Returns
If you've ever watched a character in a TV show reconstruct a skull and produce a near-instant match of a victim's face before the credits roll at the end, you might be forgiven for thinking facial reconstruction is a quick, reliable way to identify missing persons and solve crimes. The reality, however, is quite different. …
Continue reading Forensics & Fiction
This year, I've explored new-to-me authors writing in a multitude of genres and styles. Many of these discoveries came to me as a reviewer for Partners in Crime Tours--a "one-stop for all things mystery, crime, thriller or cozy!" One of these discoveries is the work of award-winning indie author Gledé Browne Kabongo, who writes psychological …
Continue reading A Tangled Web
Most writers have heard the advice (generally attributed to Mark Twain) to "write what you know." In other words, your personal experience and the knowledge you’ve acquired can be a good foundation for your writing. That’s just a starting point—especially when writing fiction. Moving beyond personal experience and knowledge takes time, talent, and a willingness …
Continue reading Death in the High Desert