Guest Post: Time, Mystery and Murder

On By Susan HolmesIn Authors You Might Like, Writing4 Comments

RSVP to Murder by Carol Pouliot Banner

November 6 – December 1, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

RSVP to Murder by Carol Pouliot

Guest Post: The Challenges of Time Travel

Creating a series with protagonists who are normal, everyday people but who discover the ability to time travel has been challenging but lots of fun. How do they travel from one time to another? What are the rules? What happens if they break the rules? Do they confide in their friends? How do they pack for a few days in another time?

In the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, Depression-era cop Steven Blackwell and 21st-journalist Olivia Watson share the same house eighty years apart. He lives there in 1934, she in 2014. They know nothing about the other person until one night when time folds over and they see each other across a doorway.

Here was my first challenge: how to make this experience believable to the reader? I relied on Einstein and borrowed his theory that there is no past, present, or future; all time happens simultaneously; and time can fold over and reveal another time. Okay. That takes care of that. I mean, Einstein is a pretty reliable source, right?

Next, I felt it was important to ground the time travel in reality. The more normal everything else in Steven’s and Olivia’s lives is, the more normal the time travel will feel. An ordinary doorway in their house serves as the portal. When they first see each other, Steven and Olivia sit on the floor of “their side” to talk. Later, they discover the doorway allows them to pass into each other’s time as long as they are touching—they hold hands to guide each other into the different era.

Steven is a cop and spends his days in search of evidence. When he sees Olivia and she explains Einstein’s theories, he’s skeptical. He tells her he wants concrete proof, hard evidence to prove that she really lives in 2014. He thinks his fellow police officers and friends are playing a joke on him. I won’t spoil that scene when Steven and Olivia prove to each other that they are who they say they are. It’s one of my favorites and I want you to enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. (It’s in the first book Doorway to Murder.)

As the series progresses, Steven and Olivia take more and more risks, eventually leaving the house in the other person’s time and mixing with the community. Since Steven is always investigating a murder and needs to stay in 1934, and Olivia gave up working as a reporter and now owns her own business, her time is more flexible, so she’s the one that does most of the time traveling. This brought a whole new challenge.

Think about the last time you packed your overnight bag for a weekend getaway or your suitcase for a vacation. You wondered: What do I bring? What will I need? Are we going to do a lot of walking or hiking? Go swimming? Attend the theater and explore fancy restaurants? Take the kids, t-shirts, and jeans? What will the weather be like? Now, imagine that you’re packing to travel back in time to spend a few days. What do you take? What do you leave behind? How critical is it if you make a mistake?

Steven’s beloved mother recently passed away, and he hasn’t been able to face cleaning out her closets. Luckily, she and Olivia take the same size, and Steven offers the fantastic wardrobe to Olivia, who revels in the designer pieces and chic 1920s and early 1930s outfits. Steven cautions her to wear the same pieces over and over again because times are hard and most people don’t have as many clothes as his mother did.

Olivia has to remember to leave all of her 21st-century electronics behind—days without her phone are a challenge. She must get used to working on her writing projects using pencils, pens, and paper notebooks. She can’t take any pictures (no phone) to show her two best friends when she goes home. She googles hair and make-up trends to be sure she’ll blend in. And of course, she can’t bring any money. She and Steven spend considerable time working that out!

In RSVP to Murder, the latest release, Steven and Olivia undertake their most daring time-travel experiment so far. They travel one-hundred miles from home to an Adirondack Great Camp for a Christmas party. Their big question is: Will Olivia go to sleep in 1934 and still be there when she wakes up in the morning? Little do they know that their host will be murdered and the bigger question is: Can Steven and Olivia unmask the killer before he kills again?

Synopsis:

A new twist on the 1930s English country house mystery.

Embarking on their most daring time-travel experiment to date, Depression-era cop Steven Blackwell and his 21st-century partner-in-crime Olivia Watson travel to the Adirondack Mountains for a Christmas party at one of the legendary Great Camps. Their host, a wealthy New York publisher, has planned a weekend filled with holiday activities, but, as the last guest arrives, temperatures plummet and a blizzard hits. Before long, the area is buried in snow, the roads are impassable, and the publisher is poisoned. Unwilling to wait until the local police can arrive, the victim’s widow convinces Steven to launch an unofficial investigation. Soon, a family member goes missing and Steven and Olivia discover a second victim. Trapped with a killer, Steven and Olivia race against the clock before the murderer strikes again.

RSVP to Murder by Carol Pouliot

Praise for RSVP to Murder:

“A classic holiday movie and Agatha Christie novel mashup” ~ Shawn Reilly Simmons, author of the Red Carpet Catering Mystery Series

“RSVP to Murder is Agatha Christie with a time-travel twist. Pouliot supplies us with just what we crave in a great locked-room mystery: a blizzard, closed roads, dead phone lines, roaring fires, and lots of suspects and motives—all set in a luxurious Adirondack Great Camp in 1934. Snap on your seatbelt and travel with Steven and Olivia, you’ll be happy you did!” ~ Tina deBellegarde, Author of The Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery Series.

“A Great Camp in the Adirondacks serves up a sumptuous setting of plump armchairs, roaring fireplaces, and the heady scent of Christmas pines—all begging to be settled into with this thumping good vintage whodunit set in the 1930s. Cleverly plotted with plot-twists aplenty and some time-travel to boot, this immersive mystery is a gem.” ~ Laurie Loewenstein, Author of the Dust Bowl Mystery Series

“Readers are invited to the glamour of the Thirties, where the rich are putting on the Ritz, until there’s a murder to solve. Join time-travelers Blackwell and Watson in a race to the Racines’ Adirondack Great Camp to catch a killer. A clever…and a thoroughly unique must for fans of the paranormal and historical. RSVP today!” ~ Gabriel Valjan, Author of the Shane Cleary Mysteries series

“The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries’ latest installment, RSVP to Murder, combines the thrilling and “timeless” aspects of Jack Finney’s classic TIME AND AGAIN mixed with the wit and charm of a modern, puzzling mystery. Highly recommended for all lovers of time travel, history, romance and wily sleuths.” ~ L.A. Chandlar, Best-selling author of the Art Deco Mystery Series

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional mystery Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: September 2023 Number of Pages: 305 ISBN: 9781685123857 Series: The Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, #4 Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

December 31, 1902 New York City, New York
She was marrying the wrong man. With a silk-gloved hand, Margery Belleville lifted the bottom of her wedding gown and peeked around the heavy, carved doors into the nave of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Several hundred guests—ladies in expensive finery, wool coats trimmed with ermine and fancy hats with brims reaching out over their shoulders, and tuxedoed men in black silk top hats—awaited the wedding of the decade. St. Patrick’s reminded Margery of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris with its Gothic-style pointed arches and rich stained-glass windows set in lacey webs. The soaring, vaulted ceiling, lit by crystal chandeliers suspended on long rope-like cables, rose hundreds of feet in the air. Light from the chandeliers reached into the far corners of the church and mingled with the glow of candles twinkling in wrought-iron stands. Inhaling the scent of balsam fir from the many holiday decorations, Margery gazed down the long center aisle, where she would soon walk with her father. Margery stepped back into the vestibule, her pure-white gown rustling softly as she moved. She was, at least, happy her parents had allowed her the choice of her wedding dress, if not the groom. Margery and her mother had searched in several shops, nearly deciding to have the dress custom made when they came upon this elegant, sleek gown. The moment Margery laid eyes on it, she knew it was the one. The high neckline draped in soft folds beneath her chin, flattering her face. The form-fitting bodice hugged her curves, yet avoided the dreaded hourglass silhouette, with its yards of smooth satin skirt billowing around her. Margery’s unadorned veil revealed topaz eyes and soft lips, but covered her rich auburn hair and cascaded down her back. This was the gown of a modern, independent woman. If only her life matched the dress. His conversation with the bishop finished, Anthony Belleville joined his daughter. “Are you ready, my dear?” The organ began Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” and a rumble echoed throughout the nave as the guests stood and turned toward the back of the cathedral. Trembling, Margery took her father’s arm. He must have felt her shaking because her father leaned over and, to Margery’s astonishment, whispered, “I know he’s not your first choice. But you will be well cared for and you know Gil adores you. I don’t know which man has captured your heart, but you won’t lack for anything with Gilbert Racine. The publishing empire he’s going to inherit will provide a comfortable, even pampered, life. He’s the best choice to keep you in the style your mother and I have provided. I can’t bear the thought that you would ever lack for anything, my dearest daughter.” Margery was further shocked when her father wiped a tear from his eye. It was at that moment when Margery Belleville, soon to be Margery Racine, accepted her fate. She would be a good wife for her successful businessman husband. She would provide him with children and a well-run home. She’d bury her feelings deep inside, lock them away in a cupboard, and throw away the key. She could not marry the man she loved. But she might grow to love the man she married. Margery forced a smile and reached up to give her father a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be alright, Papa. Gil will be a good husband.” She patted his hand. Straightening her spine, Margery gave a sharp nod of her head. “I’m ready.” *** Excerpt from RSVP to Murder by Carol Pouliot. Copyright 2023 by Carol Pouliot. Reproduced with permission from Carol Pouliot. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

Carol Pouliot

A former language teacher and business owner, Carol Pouliot writes the acclaimed Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, traditional police procedurals with a seemingly impossible relationship between Depression-era cop Steven Blackwell and 21st-century journalist Olivia Watson. With their fast pace and unexpected twists and turns, the books have earned praise from readers and mystery authors alike.

Carol is a founding member of Sleuths and Sidekicks, Co-chair of the Murderous March Mystery Conference, and President of her Sisters in Crime chapter. When not writing, Carol can be found packing her suitcase and reaching for her passport for her next travel adventure. Learn more and sign up for Carol’s newsletter on her website: www.carolpouliot.com

Goodreads

BookBub – @cpouliot13

Instagram – @carolpouliotmysterywriter

Facebook – @WriterCarolPouliot

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Thanksgiving, Canine Style

On By Susan HolmesIn American Kennel Club, Dogs, Home page7 Comments

Image courtesy of the American Kennel Club

Holiday festivities often include foods and treats that can have your dog begging at the table. It’s important to know which foods dogs can safely enjoy, and which foods can be hazardous to their health.  Writing for the American Kennel Club (AKC), dog expert and author Mary Kearl offers detailed information here to help you keep your pup healthy and happy at holiday gatherings.

Another helpful guide is the image below, courtesy of the Dog Food Advisor. This guide organizes food commonly enjoyed at Thanksgiving and other holidays into three easy-to-see categories.

Please note: I’ve added an important warning from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) about the danger of products containing Xylitol. Find that just below the Dog Food Advisor’s list.

*Warning: Xylitol is being marketed as wood sugar, birch sugar, and birch bark extract. This product is deadly for dogs. Call your veterinarian, emergency animal clinic, or animal poison control center if you think your dog may have ingested something containing Xylitol.

The FDA provides detailed information about the dangers of Xylitol for dogs. Find that here.

***

Whatever and wherever you celebrate, may the days to come be filled with peace and joy for you and your loved ones!

From Myth to Murder

On By Susan HolmesIn Art, Authors You Might Like, Cats, Home page6 Comments

The Medusa Murders by Joy Ann Ribar Banner

Virtual Book Tour

by Author Joy Ann Ribar November 13-24, 2023

As a retired college professor, I welcome new additions to the field of academic mysteries. This cozy mystery adds to the genre with a main character whose esoteric field of study offers a new aspect to sleuthing.  

In contrast to the generic college professor often depicted in cozy mysteries, there’s an intriguing depth to the main character L.L. Browning, known to others as Bay. The author portrays Bay as professional, compassionate, and intelligent, traits  reflected in the way Bay interacts with many of the characters, although less often with family.

An adversarial relationship between amateur sleuths and law enforcement is often seen in cozy mysteries; that communication pattern is first evident in early interactions, and most notably when Bay decides to willfully ignore the homicide detective’s strict instructions to not discuss details of the investigation with anyone. (Professors do seem to have a passion for charging ahead, right into the action!) As the plot progresses, the relationship between amateur and professional morphs into something more personal and cooperative. This bodes well for the next book in the series.

Family is a continuing thread woven through the plot. The drama appears based on unresolved conflict which influences current relationships and family dynamics. From the start, Bay’s father and sister seem to take it for granted that Bay will adapt her carefully ordered life to accommodate their own needs and desires. The father, Barrett, uses “family” as an emotional cudgel and convinces Bay to shoulder the obligations brought about by the unexpected arrival of her sister, Cass.

On his own, Barrett seems an incomplete, even vague character through the story, while in contrast, the character of Bay’s sister quickly caught my attention, along with her cat, Minerva. I’d like to have seen much more of Minerva; here, she seems more of a prop than a character. Despite that, the names themselves suggest a backstory not yet revealed. What we do learn is that Cass was recently released from prison after serving a three-year sentence for larceny and fraud. Now on parole, Cass moves in, uninvited, with Bay and secures a job in security–surely a  surprising occupation for a felon. I hope future books in the series will include Cass and Minerva.

Bay’s unique studies in mythology, enhanced by a colleague’s knowledge of iconography, prove vital in unraveling the tangled web of art, literature, and family. If you enjoy an unusual mystery with an academic flair, this may be a good choice for your own bookshelf!

Praise for The Medusa Murders:

“This first-in-series held me captive on the edge of my seat where I frantically turned the pages of this intricately crafted story, desperate to solve the mystery. And, oh, what a revelation it is!” Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels

“A gritty and intense mystery that grabs you and won’t let go until the end. The personal relationships are complex, just like many in real life, and the familial drama pulls you in.” Kelly Young, author of A Travel Writer mystery series and Haunted and Harassed paranormal mystery series

“Ribar effectively wraps mythology, academia, archeology, and a touch of paranormal phenomena together to produce a more than satisfying read. Looking forward to spending more time with Bay.”  Debra H. Goldstein, author of The Sarah Blair Mysteries

“A well-written, fast-paced and vibrant debut novel. A highly recommended new series.”  Christine DeSmet, writing coach and author of The Fudge Shop Mystery series and Mischief in Moonstone series

Synopsis:

Professor Bay Browning has more snake problems than the Garden of Eden in this twisted mystery. The English Literature instructor is busy preparing for a new semester when a serial killer, known as Medusa, bites her quiet life in the behind. A wild ride ensues when Bay and her grifter sister, Cass, assist a perturbed Detective Downing with the investigation. What else can the sisters do, once they become Medusa’s targets? Will the slithering trail of mythology, art history, and family secrets help them catch a killer before she turns them to stone?

Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Mystery, Crime Published by: Wine Glass Press Publication Date: November 2023 Number of Pages: 316 ISBN: 9781959078203 Series: Bay Browning Mysteries, #1 Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | BookBub | Goodreads

The Medusa Murders by Joy Ann Ribar

Read an excerpt:

Back at the parking space, Bay opened the passenger door and looked at the white particles in brighter light. They were sprinkled like powdered sugar over the right side of the back seat, directly underneath the bag of clothes Bay had gone through last night. She felt certain the particles must have come from the lululemon coat pocket. She remembered seeing Detective Harris turn the pocket inside out over one of the evidence bags. Had there been feathers in either of the pockets? The empty parking lot at Giorgio’s put a smile on Bay’s face when she parked the Subaru a few minutes later. She was impatient to get to the bottom of the dry-cleaning mix-up and anxious to shake some details out of Giorgio. She could see him standing behind the customer counter, grooming his dark slicked-back hair and straightening his blue and white polo shirt that matched the building. “Good morning, L.L. I see you have nothing in your hands, so what can I do for you today?” Giorgio’s velvety voice was smoother than grease. “Cut the crap, Giorgio. You know why I’m here. Obviously, you sent the police to see me about my lululemon. What’s the story?” Bay frowned and her dark eyes narrowed. Giorgio backed away as if Bay might punch him, marring his handsome face. He was Stasia’s youngest brother, probably around Bay’s age. Bay had learned more Andino family facts than she cared to after attending the mandatory gatherings at Stasia’s home the past year. He held up both hands, placatingly. “I’ll tell you what I know, which isn’t much. My niece, Aria, was working on the day of the mix-up. She’s in back. I’ll go get her.” “Get my lululemon, too, while you’re back there.” Might as well kill two birds as they say. Aria was short and pretty with wide dark eyes and thick black hair pulled into a neat bun on top of her head. She wore the same blue and white polo over hospital-style light blue pants. Bay guessed she was barely out of high school. What was that expression: fear or guilt on Aria’s face? “Good morning, Professor Browning. My uncle is looking for your raincoat.” Aria didn’t look Bay in the eyes. Dialing down from accusatory to neutral tone, Bay began her questions. “I understand you were working when my lululemon was switched with the one the police confiscated.” No point in lollygagging her way to the matter at hand. Aria looked down at her fingers, which were drumming methodically on the counter as if playing a tune on a piano. One hand stopped while the other slowed to a quiet tapping. “Yes. There were three other coats almost identical to yours when he brought in the one the police were after.” Bay registered the information. “Who is he that brought the coat in, please?” The girl seemed quite fragile, so kid gloves were in order for this interrogation. Bay was accustomed to communicating with students Aria’s age, and she knew the best methods for building trust and rapport. The finger tapping continued at a leisurely pace. Bay could almost pick out a rhumba beat. Aria continued to focus on her fingers, not looking up. “He said his name was Chance.” She closed her eyes, conjuring his image. “He was wearing a black hoodie but took the hood off to talk to me. He had short dreadlocks swept up to one side and had smart glasses on. You know, his glasses made him look smart.” She smiled, caught up in the memory. It was clear to Bay the boy had charmed Aria, and just maybe she would do anything for him. “Did Chance ask you for a favor, Aria?” She blushed, then turned a deep red. “He used me…” She choked back tears. “Yeah, boys are scum,” Bay empathized, glaring at Giorgio who had emerged from the back room empty-handed. The finger tapping quickened as the incident unfolded, from a waltz to a cha-cha, Aria’s eyes remained closed during the telling. “He asked me if people brought their expensive clothing here. Like could we be trusted with their stuff, you know. He said he had his mom’s lululemon, and he was kind of flirting with me.” She paused, thinking. “I told him we had three of those same coats in the back right now, and they were already cleaned and ready to pick up. I offered to show him, so he would know he could leave his mom’s coat here.” Aria stopped tapping and looked at Bay’s face where empathy greeted her like a warm embrace. “I didn’t know Chance wanted to swap coats until he asked if I could swap one of the clean coats for his mother’s dirty one.” I figured that he was responsible for getting it dirty, and he didn’t want her to know about it. “So, you randomly chose my coat and made the switch.” Bay wanted to sound helpful by filling in details, so Aria’s head shake surprised her. “No. That’s when things got weird. He asked me if we had L.L. Browning’s coat. He specifically wanted to trade his coat for yours.” Giorgio interrupted his niece, casting a warning look with shifty eyes. Bay couldn’t be fooled. “Why didn’t you call me Friday to let me know about the switch or the police? You knew they were coming to question me.” She darted daggers at Giorgio, who winced and backed away. “I didn’t think you were in danger, or I would have called you. How could I know that the lululemon was murder evidence? *** Excerpt from The Medusa Murders by Joy Ann Ribar. Copyright 2023 by Joy Ann Ribar. Reproduced with permission from Joy Ann Ribar. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

Joy Ann Ribar

Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. She loves to bake, read, do wine research, and explore nature. Joy’s writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people. Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.

Catch Up With Joy Ann Ribar:
JoyRibar.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @ribarjoy
Instagram – @authorjoyribar
Facebook – @JoyRibarAuthor

Want to mention her on Twitter/X? Use #JoyAnnRibar and share the love!

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My thanks to Partners in Crime Tours for a complementary advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

A Legacy of Honor

On By Susan HolmesIn Dogs, History4 Comments

I come from a long line of patriots. Among them is American Naval Commander John Paul Jones, born in Scotland, who helped establish the United States Navy during the Revolutionary War. (He was my third cousin seven times removed on my father’s side.) World War I saw my paternal grandfather James Mackenzie Holmes in action with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. His son, my father, served in the Army Air Corps during the next World War, as did my maternal uncle Douglas Hilgerson who was part of the legendary Merrill’s Marauders during that war. My own time in uniform came a year after the fall of Saigon, with service through the Cold War years and the first Gulf War.

Over the centuries, those in uniform were often supported by dogs. There are countless stories of canines who, throughout history, saw action in the military lines. Of these, perhaps the most famous is Stubby, a stray dog of uncertain origin  who is thought to be the most decorated canine in American history. Digital publisher We Are The Mighty relates this story:

In 1917, Stubby joined a group of American soldiers training for the trenches of World War I. He deployed with the men overseas and proved himself in battle multiple times, waking soldiers as he sensed incoming artillery attacks and infantry assaults that human sentries hadn’t yet detected.

His most heroic moment came when he found and seized a German spy moving near the American position. He bit into the German’s pants and raised a ruckus, holding the spy in place until the infantrymen could relieve him of his prisoner.

Despite being caught in multiple gas attacks, Sgt. Stubby survived the war and the supreme commander of American Forces in World War I, Gen. John Pershing, personally awarded him a gold medal in 1921 for his efforts.

Salute!

Dog-Themed Websites

On By Susan HolmesIn Dogs, Writing3 Comments

Longtime followers of this blog know I like to share information about dogs, cats, and the beautiful Ozark Mountains where I live. Also on this site, you’ll find works by selected artists, photographers, and authors writing in myriad genres. As a reviewer for Partners in Crime Tours, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to feature new-to-me authors whose work you might like, too.

Here’s something else you might enjoy: a list of blogs and other websites that focus on a specific topic. In today’s post, I’ll share a “starter list” of ten sites (primarily) relating to dogs. Some are personal narratives, some focus on behavior and/or training, and still others present a variety of views.

All for the Love of Dogs: Health, recipes, and enrichment activities.

Another Good Dog: Adventures of a foster dog family.

Change is Hard: Photography, personal narrative, and Shelties.

 Dog Trotting: News, info, and stories about global travel with your dog.

Hiking Girl with Dog: Blog posts, trail info, and hiking gear for dogs.

Learning from Dogs: Photos, narratives, and what dogs can teach us.

The Blog All About Dogs: Dog basics, training, wellness, and product reviews.

The Spruce Pets: Fact-checked content about dogs, cats, and more.

Whole Dog Journal: A collection of articles focused on wellness and training.

Yes Biscuit!: A mix of personal narrative, pet/people issues, and vintage tales.

Want to tell us about a site that would be a good addition to this starter list? You’re welcome to share the link in the comments! Blogs, newsletters, breed-specific websites–if it’s dog related, share it here!

 

P.S. Did you know that many breed-specific organizations have websites? The American Shetland Sheepdog Association is just one example; the site includes historical information, health research, legislative issues, and information about obedience, agility, tracking, herding, and other activities in which Shelties excel.

Dogs in Law Enforcement

On By Susan HolmesIn Dogs, Home page, TrainingLeave a comment

Source: The American Bloodhound Club

Dogs have been used in law enforcement for at least a century, and there is some evidence to suggest dogs worked in support of the police as far back as the Middle Ages. Melven Peña, writing for dogster.com in 2015, notes some of the earliest “police dogs” were Bloodhounds, utilized since the 12th century specifically for their tracking abilities. The editorial staff of the Private Security Professionals of America provide more detail:

Dogs have been used for law enforcement since at least the middle ages. Money was then set aside in the villages for the upkeep of the parish constable’s bloodhounds that were used for hunting down outlaws. During King Henry I of England’s reign, the constable in charge of the Royal Palaces would ‘maintain the stables, kennels and mews, and be responsible for protecting and policing the whole court’. In France, dogs were used in the 14th century in St. Malo. Bloodhounds used in Scotland were known as “Slough dogs” – the word “Sleuth,” (meaning detective) was derived from this.

….

It was in Continental Europe that dogs were first used on a large scale. Police in Paris began using dogs against roaming criminal gangs at night, but it was the police department in Ghent, Belgium that introduced the first organized police dog service program in 1899. These methods soon spread to Austria-Hungary and Germany … The dogs were systematically trained in obedience to their officers and tracking and attacking criminals.

***

Source: The Detroit News

Today, canines in law enforcement complete specialized training before being deployed to working in the public arena, and at airports in particular. Around the world, canines have been a vital asset when  screening cargo, baggage, and people for everything from prohibited foods to explosives to illegal drugs and other contraband. And, in recent years, dogs have been trained to catch antiquities traffickers, detect electronic storage devices, and even sniff out excess currency.

To learn more about these hard-working canines, check out the links I’ve included.

Guest Post: Thriller Tropes

On By Susan HolmesIn Authors You Might Like, Books, Home page, Writing1 Comment
Advertising banner for "The Water Tower" by Amy Young
October 9 – November 3, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

As a writer and a reader, I find the thriller genre a rollercoaster ride of tension, suspense, and high-stakes challenges. I’m fascinated by fast-paced, complex plots, and relatable characters I care about. That’s why I’m attracted to writers like Amy Young, and why I’ve invited her to share her thoughts about writing thrillers. Enjoy this week’s guest post!

***

All genres of fiction rely on certain conventions that define their space. In thrillers, red herrings abound, intelligent psychopaths hide in the shadows, and a clock slowly ticks away as the main character tries to solve the puzzle. And as a reader, there are a few thriller tropes that I cannot get enough of.

Dual (or Triple) Timelines or Narratives

The dual timeline setup is a popular method for creating suspense within a thriller narrative. Whether it’s done by alternating chapters or having one half of the book told from one perspective and the second half from another (or a third, as the case may be), this is one of my favorite thriller tropes. As a reader, we believe what a narrator tells us as the story goes along; but when a writer incorporates dual narratives, they create the opportunity to show that perspective is everything when it comes to buying into someone’s story.

Isolated Locales

Five people on an island, one of them turns up dead or goes missing? I’m sold. The isolation trope is used over and over again in thriller writing, and it never gets old for me. I’m drawn to titles like “The Island” or “The Getaway” for the seclusion and separation they promise. Throw in a good old fashioned “no cell phone service” layer and I’m hooked.

A Closed Circle of Suspects

The closed circle of suspects can go hand in hand with the isolated locale trope. In a setting like a city, there are endless possibilities for suspects. Trap everybody in a cabin or on an island during a storm, and the circle becomes much, much smaller. This trope appeals to me because it allows the reader to really get to know the characters (suspects) without the noise of the outside world.

The Unreliable Narrator

Unreliable narrators are by far my number one favorite of the thriller tropes. From the moment we meet the narrator in The Tell Tale Heart, he assures us that he is trustworthy and rational. Never mind that he’s the one who murdered the person buried below the floorboards. Admittedly, this is a trope that has been used quite a bit in recent writing, so much so that it’s difficult to trust any narrator now. However, it still remains one of my favorite twists in a story, no matter how many times I come across it. And it also leads me to ask the question: are any first-person narratives really reliable?

***

Now that we’ve heard Amy’s views on thriller tropes, let’s take a closer look at the first in her Lakeview Mysteries, The Water Tower. 

Synopsis:

The Water Tower by Amy Young

Josie Ashbury was a successful Hollywood actress with a booming career—until an on-set breakdown sends her back to her small Ohio hometown to recover. Taking a job teaching at her old high school, Josie is beginning to put the pieces of her life back together when one of her students dies under suspicious circumstances. The police close the case quickly, without any real answers. Josie is determined to find the truth behind the girl’s death. At the same time, Josie is battling demons of her own. As she faces debilitating insomnia that leaves her with gaps in her memory, she dives into the tangled secrets surrounding the investigation. When she finally unravels the web, she discovers that the truth lies much closer to home than she could have ever imagined.

Praise for The Water Tower:

“Start with a suspicious death of a beloved student, add a devoted former starlet turned drama teacher, and a dash of the police closing the case far too quickly, and you have the makings of a twisting and propulsive mystery. Amy Young’s The Water Tower will keep you flipping the pages to find out who killed the politician’s young daughter, and then have you checking if your teenager is where they should be tonight.” ~ Mary Keliikoa, multi-award nominated author of HIDDEN PIECES and the PI Kelly Pruett mystery series

“The Water Tower is an electrifying work of suspense that depicts a wonderful hometown setting. This slow-burn mystery with sparkling prose has a well-crafted plot that is at once engrossing and fully realized from beginning to end. I highly recommend this engaging mystery.” ~ David Putnam, Bestselling author of the Bruno Johnson series and Dave Beckett series

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery    Published by: Level Best Books 

Publication Date: June 20, 2023  Number of Pages: 290

ISBN: 9781685122775   Series: The Lakeview Mysteries, Book 1

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

She stood on the water tower, looking at the skyline she had only observed from the ground. You really could see the whole town from up here. Funny how your whole life can fit into one 360-degree glance. Peering down at the ground, she was no longer able to see individual blades of grass, all of them blurring into a sea of perfect emerald green. To her right was the roof of Lakeview High School, looking small from this vantage point. She felt as though if she leaned over far enough, she could almost touch it. But that was ridiculous; the school had to be several hundred feet away. Her vision came in and out of focus as she swayed, thinking about her life, her past, her future. In her three years at the school, she had never been up on the tower. No one she knew had been up here, either. Most students wouldn’t dare to scale it. Too scared of getting caught, too scared of breaking the rules, too scared of living. When she looked down at the ground, she thought she could see movement, like little grass men dancing and hopping around through a crowd of their peers. Kind of like high school. More like, exactly like high school. Everyone looks the same; maybe some are a bit taller, a bit shorter, a bit wider, but everyone dressed in essentially the same uniform, hopping over one another, trying to make their mark. How many feet above the ground was she—50, 60 feet? Was that high enough to kill you, or maybe just break a few bones? It would probably depend on how you hit the ground. Here she was, high above the town, pondering the angle at which you might hit the ground and live through the fall, the velocity at which an object might fall from here. Her body felt warm all over, despite the crisp air of late fall, and she took off her jacket and threw it aside. She leaned against the rail and spread her arms, allowing the breeze to blow through her, inhabiting every cell for just a moment, before moving off in another direction to go dance with someone else. Her 17 years had all been spent here, in this one place, in this small, boring town where, it seemed, nothing was all that was destined to happen. The clock tower chimed; it was 11:00. She felt she had eternity in front of her, the rest of this night, the rest of her life, stuck here in this town. Would she ever get out? Did it even matter if she did? She thought about the college catalogs arriving at home, the hundreds of pages of sales pitches clamoring for her family’s money. The sprawling campuses, the smiling students, the serious, but friendly, professors—what was the point? She would just end up back here, raising the same family as her friends, living the same life that her kids would eventually live. Reaching out her slender arm, she twirled her wrist. She could hardly wait for graduation when, everyone said, “real life” would begin. “I can’t wait to get out of here,” her friends exclaimed, dreaming of big cities and even bigger lives in far off places: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, anywhere but here. But she knew they would return, just like their parents, raising 2.5 kids with a Labradoodle and a balding husband in one of the best-little-suburbs in the country. Was it really so bad? She watched all these super-educated women who had given up their careers to stay home and clean up after the kids and drive to soccer practice, instead of changing the world as they’d so hopefully planned when plotting their escape years earlier. Was that her fate? Was that what awaited her now? Dozens of similar thoughts swirled and crashed like waves in front of her, mixing in a fantastic spray of colors, lights, and sounds. She was dead before she hit the ground. *** Excerpt from The Water Tower by Amy Young. Copyright 2023 by Amy Young. Reproduced with permission from Amy Young. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Amy Young

Amy Young is an author, comedian, and actor based in Cleveland. After spending a decade in Los Angeles working in the entertainment industry and writing her debut novel, The Water Tower, she returned to Ohio to be closer to family. Amy is working on her second book, a thriller, and in her free time she enjoys going to the theatre, bingeing reality TV, and spending time with her husband and many, many cats. She has a B.A. in English from Kenyon College.

Catch Up With Amy Young:

AuthorAmyYoung.com Goodreads BookBub – @authoramyyoung1 Instagram – @amypcomedy Twitter – @authoramyyoung Facebook – @authoramyyoung TikTok – @amypyoung1

 

Continue reading “Guest Post: Thriller Tropes” →

The Beauty of Dogs Through Art

On By Susan HolmesIn Art, Dogs, Writing2 Comments

When writing about people and places and dogs, my imagination supplies a vivid image of each that seems to magically transform them from bare words on a page to something akin to a living, breathing character. Some writers–and readers, too–have suggested it’s a bit like having a movie play in your mind while you’re immersed in a book. And when you come across something that reminds you of stories and characters you’ve enjoyed, the pleasure continues.

That happened to me when I saw the dog portraits created by the artist J.R. Cotner featured in his online store. Having worked as a publicist for several artists in the past, I can appreciate the time, talent, and skill involved to create original designs of any kind, and even more skill required to transform that art into a digital format.

Of the dozen-plus the artist has created so far, I’ve already purchased several, including the three included in this post!

This was the first mug I saw in The Canine Collection. I immediately thought of Sam, the young yellow Lab owned by my protagonist Maggie Porter in the Waterside Kennels mystery series. Sam is intelligent, alert, and a loyal companion–all hallmarks of the Labrador Retriever breed.

In the series, Sam is officially registered with the American Kennel Club as Samson’s Blue Delight. He’s adventurous and a fast learner who likes to be challenged, and has the potential to excel in tracking, search and rescue, and other service-related  scenarios. You’ll see Sam in multiple roles  as the series progresses.

 

The Cocker Spaniel featured on this mug looks like a younger version of Sweet Pea. She’s known officially in the AKC world as Champion Penelope’s Yorkshire Windsong and has an impressive collection of awards and certification to her credit. Long retired from competition, Sweet Pea has reached the age where she prefers napping and slow-paced interactions to energetic rambles.

As her eyesight and hearing slowly decline, she’s content to amble through the days, greeting customers and helping Maggie demonstrate obedience commands or work with young pups in training. And despite her age, Sweet Pea still has the ability to suprise us all, as we’ll see in the next book in the series.

 

Beagle in profile on coffee mug

The artwork on this mug reminded of Mr. B, the Beagle Maggie had adopted shortly before moving to Eagle Cove and launching the new Waterside Kennels. As the first book in the series opens, Mr. B is is still recuperating from a serious injury that ended his K-9 career. Despite Maggie’s best efforts, he shows no interest in his new surroundings, leading Maggie to wonder if she’d done the right thing adopting the Beagle.

As her veterinarian says: “Look at it from the dog’s point of view—he’s lost everything he’s ever known. That can haunt you for a long time.” As the story evolves, though, Mr. B’s intelligence and natural resilience proves surprising to all involved.

***

Whether the dogs in your own life are real or fictional, I hope these dog portraits in The Canine Collection bring you pleasure and happy memories. If, like me, you enjoy collecting artwork that celebrates dogs, I encourage you to visit cotner-artworks.com and add something to your own collection, or find the just-right gift for family or friend.

By the way, J.R. is more than an artist; he’s also a published author and has written poetry, short stories, and a Celtic mystery novel. Check out his blog jackronaldcotner.com for more information.

And thanks for revisiting the dogs of Waterside Kennels with me!

Loving a Rescue Dog

On By Susan HolmesIn Dogs1 Comment

Here’s a three-minute reminder about the difference we can make in the lives of others:

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrTTf8S0C6k

Want to see more of Beckett? You can find him on Instagram (@beckettdemonfloof).

***

I’ll be posting more stories in the coming weeks about the joys (and challenges) of fostering and adopting dogs. If you have a story or info you’d like to share, I invite you to contact me by email (dogmysteries [at] gmail [dot] com). Photos welcome with attribution. If sharing content that was previously posted on another blog or website, please provide links to that source. All reblogged content remains protected by the original author’s copyright.

Note: I cannot guarantee that content submitted for consideration will be accepted.

Step Back In Time For Murder

On By Susan HolmesIn Authors You Might Like, Books, Writing2 Comments

Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman Banner

Virtual Book Tour September 18 – October 13, 2023  

As a child, the public library was a magical venue where I wandered freely, my attention captured by books and stories about different cultures, people, places, and historical times. That probably explains my passion for fiction and non-fiction alike, and for exploring unfamiliar worlds found by reading across genres. Along the way, I discovered new-to-me authors; Katharine Schellman is one of those authors whose historical fiction has earned its place in my own personal library.

In Murder at Midnight, Schellman presents an intriguing puzzle set within the context of 1815-1816, the latter years of the Regency period. As the story opens, the constraints of gender, age, marital status, and social position in a highly stratified society become evident. As a widow, protagonist Lily Adler is less confined by her age and gender, which allows her the freedom to behave in ways other women of a similar or younger age cannot. This contrast is well demonstrated when Lily offers to lend her support to a family she’s close to, and to independently investigate rumors that pose a serious threat to the family’s youngest, unmarried daughter, and to the social standing of the family itself.

As the evening continues, though, Lily finds her independence challenged by an offer of marriage from someone she considers a dear friend. Unprepared to even consider a proposal, she’s reluctant to give an answer and requests time to consider the offer. Her request proves providential as the story unfolds.

As a researcher, I appreciate the historical authenticity and accuracy evident in her work. One such authentic element was the unusual weather that caused a Christmastide ball to lead to murder and mystery. If you’re unfamiliar with the weather of that time period, consider this excerpt from the author’s notes:

In April 1815, the volcano Mount Tambora, located in what is today known as Indonesia, erupted. It was a massive event, the largest eruption the world had experienced in at least 1,300 year. Scientists believe it led to a volcanic winter that lowered global temperatures in 1816….

It was known as The Year Without a Summer. And if you’re a writer who needs an uncommon December snowfall in the middle of England that’s severe enough to  strand a houseful of people for several days, that makes 1816 a convenient time to set a book. 

Fans of Agatha Christie, in particular, are sure to recognize the impact of a heavy snowfall and icy conditions that unexpectedly make travel impossible and isolates guests in a country home. Accepting accommodations and attire offered by their hostess, the guests scatter to their assigned rooms as the snow continues to fall. During the night, the sound of tree limbs snapping beneath their burden of snow and ice masks the sound of a gunshot. The gruesome discovery of a dead man in the snow spurs Lily who, along with her magistrate brother-in-law and two dear friends—including the one who proposed—to accept her hostesses’ pleas to solve the murder.

Assumptions based on conversational excerpts and confusing clues steer our amateur sleuth and others along a series of investigative paths, leading the reader through a plot full of unexpected twists and turns.  The result is a  compelling story that will keep you engaged until the end! 

Synopsis:

Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman

Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Ashley Weaver, when a body is found shot to death after an unexpected snowstorm, Lily Adler quickly realizes that some people will stop at nothing to bury their secrets.

Regency widow Lily Adler is looking forward to a quiet Christmastide away from the schemes and secrets she witnessed daily in London. Not only will she be visiting the family of her late husband; she will be reunited with Captain Jack Hartley, her friend and confidante, finally returned after a long voyage at sea.

But secrets aren’t only found in London. Jack’s younger sister, Amelia, is the center of neighborhood scandal and gossip. She refuses to tell anyone what really happened, even when an unexpected snowstorm strands the neighborhood families together after a Christmas ball. Stuck until the snow stops, the Adlers, Hartleys, and their neighbors settle in for the night, only to be awakened in the morning by the scream of a maid who has just discovered a dead body.

The victim was the well-to-do son of a local gentleman–the same man whose name has become so scandalously linked to Amelia’s.

With the snow still falling and no way to come or go, it’s clear that someone in the house was responsible for the young man’s death. When suspicion instantly falls on Jack’s sister, he and Lily must unmask the true culprit before Amelia is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit.

Praise for Murder at Midnight:

“Delightful . . . Historical mystery fans will devour this holiday treat.”
~ Publishers Weekly

“A plummy period whodunit with a colorful collection of suspects.”
~ Kirkus Reviews

Book Details:

Genre: Historical mystery
Published by: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781639104321 (ISBN10: 1639104321)
Series: A Lily Adler Mystery, 4
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Penguin Random House

Read an excerpt:

Lily sat bolt upright. Where had the sound come from? It hadn’t been loud . . . another part of the house? For a moment, in the pressing silence, she wondered if she had drifted back to sleep without realizing it and imagined the whole thing.

But a moment later, the sounds of a commotion rose just outside her window. Lily dashed to the window, throwing it open with some effort and peering out into the swirl of snow and early- morning light.

The guest room she had been given was one of the smaller ones—the better to quickly heat rooms that hadn’t been prepared in advance—and as was typical for such rooms, it lacked a pretty view. Hers looked over what she realized after a moment must be the poultry yard. Darkly clad figures who she could guess were servants stumbled through the thick layer of snow that had fallen, trying to reach the two people in the middle of the yard.

One Lily could see from her vantage only as a still, upright figure, hand outstretched and pointing toward the second person, who lay sprawled on the ground. The one on the ground was half covered by the ice and snow, unmoving.

Lily grabbed the dressing gown from the chair, pulled on her shoes, and ran from the room. In the hallway, a few guests were poking their heads out of their doors, hair tousled and faces creased with sleep, inquiring grumpily if anyone had heard an odd noise.

Lily didn’t stop to consider propriety or worry about what anyone else might think before she yelled “Jack!” as loudly as she could. She didn’t know which room he had been given, but a moment later, a door past the stairs was flung open and the navy captain’s head appeared.

“What is it?” he demanded. He was already dressed and wearing his driving coat over his clothing. That was odd at such an early hour, but Lily didn’t have time to be surprised.

“Downstairs.” In spite of the months they had spent apart, Lily knew she could depend on him to understand and act quickly. “Something happened. We have to help.”

And in spite of those months apart, he didn’t stop to ask questions. More guests were emerging, summoned by Lily’s shout, and questions were beginning to fly back and forth as she dashed down the stairs, Jack on her heels.

They didn’t need to wonder where to go; on the floor below, Mrs. Grantham was following a stately-looking woman who might have been the housekeeper or another upper servant. Their pace was just barely too dignified to be a run, but they couldn’t hide their worry as they disappeared down the steps to the kitchen. Lily and Jack hurried after them.

The servants’ staircase was narrow and cold. At the bottom, servants clustered in the kitchen, talking in shrill, anxious voices as the cook tried to keep some order. The underservants glanced uneasily at Lily and Jack as they came into the kitchen, but no one seemed to know what to do or say. The door to the yard had been left wide open, and the wind blew in gusts of snow and icy morning light. Outside, more servants were gathered, though they parted like a wave as the housekeeper led Mrs. Grantham out to see what had happened.

As Lily and Jack tried to follow, they were stopped by the frail but determined body of the butler, who interposed himself between them and the open door. “Madam, sir, perhaps you would care to return to your rooms? Breakfast will be ready shortly.”

Jack drew himself up, clearly prepared to use his rank to push his way past the aging servant. Before he could say anything, though, and before Lily could think how to reply, Mrs. Grantham turned sharply.

“What is . . .” She trailed off, eyeing Lily and Jack with trepidation. She looked ready to send them on their way with some commonplace assurance. But half a dozen emotions chased their way across her face in that moment, and she instead asked, “Mrs. Adler, how many of the rumors about you are true?”

“That depends on the rumors,” Lily replied calmly, though her heart was pounding. Behind Mrs. Grantham, she could see the limbs of the eerie, still figure sticking out of the snowbank. “Though if you refer only to the ones that are most relevant at this moment . . .” She turned her gaze pointedly toward the body in the snow. “There is indeed some truth to them.”

Mrs. Grantham hesitated, then seemed to make up her mind in a rush. She stepped aside, pulling the confused housekeeper with her. There were boots for the servants lined up next to the door, crusted with mud from repeated use. Lily pulled off her delicate evening slippers, slid her bare feet into the pair that looked closest to her size, and followed as she and Jack were ushered into the yard, their eyes fixed on what awaited them there.

A man dressed in borrowed clothes, his skin white with cold, his hair thick with clumps of ice and snow. He could have fallen, hit his head, been caught in the storm and frozen. He could still be alive, in need of help. He could have had an innocent reason for being out in the storm.

He could have. But this close, Lily could see the snow that had been kicked aside and trampled by half a dozen feet in the servants’ frantic attempts to clear it away. The icy powder was too thick on the ground for her to see the mud of the yard. But it was still stained with red and brown from where the man’s life had leaked away in the night.

The once-snowy linen of his shirt was stained the same color, jagged and torn from the bullet that had ended his life. The gun that had fired it had been unearthed beside him, as snow-logged as his own body. The man’s frozen eyes and mouth were wide open, as though he had not believed until the last moment that whoever had faced him in that yard could be capable of the shot that had ended his life.

***

Excerpt from Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman. Copyright 2023 by Katharine Schellman. Reproduced with permission from Katharine Schellman. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Katharine Schellman

Katharine Schellman is a former actor and one-time political consultant. These days, she writes the Lily Adler Mysteries and the Nightingale Mysteries. Her books, which reviewers have praised as “worthy of Agatha Christie or Rex Stout” (Library Journal, starred review), have received multiple accolades, including being named a Library Journal Best Crime Fiction of 2022, a Suspense Magazine Best Book of 2020, and a New York Times editor’s pick in June 2022. Katharine lives and writes in the mountains of Virginia in the company of her husband, children, and the many houseplants she keeps accidentally murdering.

Catch Up With Katharine Schellman:
www.KatharineSchellman.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @KatharineSchellman
Instagram – @katharinewrites
Facebook – @katharineschellman

 

 

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