Category: murder mystery

Guest Blogger ~ Claudia Riess

~ patyjag ~ 6 Comments

 The Love Imperative  

 by Claudia Riess

Love.  What state of being—or deprivation of being—requires a more expansive lexicon?  What adjective hasn’t been used to describe its properties or intentions?  Transformative, destructive, blissful, shattering, blessed, accursed. Love is entangled, in one form or another, in the entire spectrum of human experience.

     Besides being the most comprehensive of subjects, isn’t love, at least in its quintessential form, also the most compelling? Admit it, how many times have you read—or watched, in their numerous iterations—the stories of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, An Affair to Remember?  We know the endings, they’re etched in memory, but we’re drawn to reliving—or reviving—them, with the same imperative every time.  As if through repetition, we can make the endings, or the ultimate fulfillment of love, or indeed, life itself, never end.

     If my take on the subject of love is biased, maybe it’s because I’m an incurable romantic with no wish to be cured.  I find it necessary, emotionally and tactically, for the element of romance to be a strong factor in my narratives. However, my focus on love, as both a predisposition and a means to enhance the plot, is not limited to the convolutions of romance.  Deep friendship, family loyalty, devotion to a political or humanitarian cause are, among others, forces that drive the narrative forward.

     To illustrate, I’ve excerpted a couple of passages from the books in my Art History Mystery series.  The protagonists are Erika Shawn, an art magazine editor, and Harrison Wheatley, an art history professor.  Book one, Stolen Light, brings them together to solve an academic mystery.  The mystery turns deadly; their relationship, stormy.  The series takes these initiates to the world of art-crime-solving through a number of multiple-murder, continent-hopping cases.  At the same time, it follows their evolving relationship, from roller-coaster romance to passionate partnering to devoted parenting.  Having an intimate story arcing alongside one with a more far-reaching effect, adds texture to the narrative as a whole—like musical instruments, which in concert highlight not only their own unique qualities, but in counterpoint, each other’s.

     From Stolen Light…  In a London hotel, Erika’s protective armor against falling in love begins to crack.  This is the prologue to their romance, which changes not only the course of their relationship, but affects the mystery’s narrative:

She didn’t want to be alone though she never minded it, mostly enjoyed it, in fact.  Except that in this moment being alone was uneasy solitude, and vaguely threatening.  She wanted to snuggle into conversation, hear her voice mingle with another’s…Minutes later she was poised in front of Harrison’s door…

     From False Light…By its very nature, Harrison’s playful and caring interaction with a little boy cannot but reflect his empathetic character.  It will impact the way he approaches people and situations:

Erika wasn’t sure if Sammy had been heading straight for Harrison or if Harrison had stepped into his trajectory, but within seconds, he was scooping the boy off the floor, legs still pedaling…Sammy, taken by surprise, smiled.  He stuck his clenched hand in front of Harrison’s face.  Chicken pâté was oozing from between his fingers.  “Yech!” he said, teasing a reaction out of Harrison…Erika stopped dead in her tracks as Harrison was opening his mouth to allow Sammy to jam it with a glob of pâté on crushed toast point.  “Yummy,” Harrison crooned dreamily, sending Sammy into gales of laughter.

     From Knight Light… On his own in Paris, Harrison’s faithfulness is tested by a beautiful colleague.  For both Harrison and Erika, loyalty, real and perceived, will figure in the arc of their love story and their progress in the investigation at hand:

It was impossible to miss the twinkle in her eye toying with the bluntness of her invitation. He thought it best to go with the least circuitous response: “That’s kind of you, but I’m married.”  Mugging confusion, Raquel looked about, as if for the stalking wife.  “And?” 

He shrugged. “There’s nothing to add.” 

She smiled in disbelief. “How about life is short?”

“Exactly. There’s no time to lose, perfecting a relationship. Call me a pompous prude—”

“You’re a pompous prude.”

“—but that’s how it is.”

     From To Kingdom Come…  Erika and Harrison, are in London, for the first time away from their toddler, Lucas. They are in the throes of a complex murder mystery pivoting around the looting of African art during the colonial era. At this moment, they are attempting to escape a life-threatening situation, and the power of love is over-riding the primal force of self-preservation:

“Go!” John barked, grabbing Erika’s forearm as she reached out for Harrison with her free hand. “It’s okay, he’s right behind us!”

“Go!” Harrison echoed, wanting her to forget him, beat him to the gate. Clinging to him now would hamper her movement.

But she resisted John’s tugging and both their urgings—even Lucas, calling her from across the ocean, failed to change her mind—and there was nothing Harrison could do but grab onto her hand and slow her down.

From Dying for Monet… Harrison is temporarily confined to a wheelchair after suffering a traumatic injury in London.  Erika is helping him handle the use of a commode; putting the inconvenience into broader perspective:

“We’re dealing with bodily functions.  News flash.  Everybody’s got them.”  She’d adopted a tone somewhere between a dental hygienist and a nun.

“I appreciate your stoicism, but I find this humiliating,” he said.

“I love you,” she said, maintaining the firm demeanor.  “This is another level of knowing.  Think of it as a dry run for old age, when we will be helping each other manage such challenges as hip replacements and incontinence.  Think of it as a new facet of devotedness.”

     There’s a caveat to keep in mind when writing a mystery with a romantic component: in a bona fide mystery, the mystery should remain the driving force.  I have a tendency to get swept into an emotional digression, and it’s only later, when reading through the section where the interlude occurs, that I realize the main thread’s been lost and I’ve got some pruning to do; even a major excision.  For love, a small price to pay.

Dying for Monet, Book 5 in the art history mystery series

A gala evening auction at Laszlo’s, an upstart auction house in New York City, is in progress.  Without notice, a much sought-after Impressionist painting is withdrawn from the block.  Moments later, its broker is found dead at the foot of an imposing statue in Laszlo’s courtyard.

Amateur sleuths Erika and Harrison Wheatley are once again drawn into an investigation involving an art-related homicide, this time sharing an unnerving coincidence with violent crimes occurring abroad.

As Harrison searches for clues in the archives at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, Erika is on a stakeout in Brooklyn Heights gathering information on the owner of the hijacked still life.  After Harrison experiences a disastrous encounter in London, he returns home, where he and Erika, along with a few of their usual cohorts, find themselves ever more deeply at odds with the movers and shakers of the dark side of fine arts commerce.

For links to purchase books in the series, visit www.claudiariessbooks.com.

Claudia Riess has worked in the editorial departments of The New Yorker and Holt, Rinehart and Winston, and has edited several art history monographs.  Stolen Light, the first book in her art history mystery series, was chosen by Vassar’s Latin American history professor for distribution to the college’s people-to-people trips to Cuba.  To Kingdom Come, the fourth, will be added to the syllabus of a survey course on West and Central African Art at a prominent Midwestern university.

www.claudiariessbooks.com

Would Someone Slap Me!

~ patyjag ~ 5 Comments

It seems like lately my brain makes decision without consulting my day planner.

First I was stewing and brewing up book 2 in my Cuddle Farm Mystery series and after writing two chapters, my brain decided that book shouldn’t come next. That I needed one in between to make the storyline of that book make more sense to the reader. (After all I know why a sister is acting they way she is, but no one else does, not my main character or any of my readers.)

I wrote a short story about the scene that is causing the trouble for Andi and Nina, the Weber sisters, in the Cuddle Farm Mysteries. After book 3 releases, I can put it in my newsletter for my readers. But they will have already learned why there is a conflict from the end of book 3.

Back to my brain. It decided that what I was working on was book 3, which meant I had to come up with another murder to solve in book 2. That’s where I incorporated my trip to 1912 Opera House and came up with Monologued to Death. It was a fun book to write, giving some of the secondary characters more color and starting a slight truce between the sisters.

Making the premise of what I thought was book 2, book 3, has made this a stronger series, I think. I hope the readers see it that way as well.

My process is I usually know what the next book I’m writing in a series is by the time I finish the current book in a series. I kind of had an idea of what the next Spotted Pony Casino Mystery book was going to be, but not really. Then I audited classes given by a Nez Perce Professor about Nez Perce History. The real history, not what is sugarcoated by history books. I have learned a lot and will continue to sit in when he starts up another class later this month.

Something he talked about seemed like a good topic that most non-tribal people don’t know about and is still a problem. I decided to make the murder in the book around fractionated allotments. (If you don’t know what it is, you’ll have to read the book. 😉 ) But I wanted the book to be not too far after the main characters were married, (the last book Full House).

Since Heath found out about a son, he didn’t know he had in the last book, I decided that they would have their first Christmas together in this book. Great! Except, I either have to get it written quickly to get out this holiday, or wait a whole year. I’m pretty sure my fans won’t like waiting, and I don’t want a book in between this one and the last one. Part of this story deals with what Heath and Dela did on their honeymoon. Which happened at the end of Full House. What they did and found out on their honeymoon was always going to be part of the next book.

The other stuff all changed.

Sooo, long post short, I am busting my fingers and my fanny to get this book, Santa’s Beard, finished, through beta readers and my line editor so I can get it released, hopefully, either the end of November or first of December. Would someone just slap me for letting my creative side of the brain take over and not even ask the logical side if it could happen.

Finding or Making Time To Write

~ patyjag ~ 6 Comments

As we head into the busy time of year, meaning the holidays and shorter days, I am feeling a bit frazzled. My goal was to have one more book out before the end of the year. Preferably in November where, it being a story set around Christmas, would be in demand.

At this time I have only 13k words written in said book, and feeling the pinch to get it done having just spent 6 days on the road selling books at the State Fair, came home with a cold, then headed 2 hours away to attend an event for research that will be in my next Gabriel Hawke book, then home for two days and I’m headed to another book selling event 7 hours away for 6 days.

When am I going to find time to write?

After talking to half a dozen writers at the last event I attended, I’m glad I am a persistent person who likes to hit my goals. Those writers either can’t find the time to write, or have written but weren’t sure of the next step, or they have ideas and don’t know what to do with them.

Finding time to write: I took my laptop with me with my WIP on it. I managed to write 5000+ words on it while sitting in the Fair Building waiting for the doors to open and people to arrive every morning. I plan to take it with me when I go to the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, and when there are enough authors in the booth, I’ll leave and go write. I don’t believe it’s about finding time to write, it’s about making time to write.

If a writer truly wants to write, they will sit down and do it, if it means getting up at 4 a.m. or staying up past midnight, if they have day jobs or a family to attend. It’s kind of like the people who say, I do like to read but I don’t have the time. I read when I’m eating my lunch and right before I go to bed. I read paperback books, so the screen doesn’t keep my brain racing. If they truly wanted to read, they would make the time to relax and read.

Those writers I spoke to who have books, poems, or stories written that don’t know what to do next, I suggested they connect with a couple of writer’s organizations that I am a part of in Oregon. I told them to reach out to me if they have any questions. There were people, writers and authors, along the way who helped me out with writing, publishing, and promoting. I’m all about paying it forward.

And the people who had ideas. I told them to get a notebook and write down their ideas for when they do have time to explore them and begin writing. I have ideas hit me a couple times a day. If it’s something that keeps coming back and won’t leave me alone then, I take it seriously and figure out how to work it into a book, or in the case of the Cuddle Farm Mysteries, a new series, I didn’t really need to start.

Which segues me into, book 2 in the Cuddle Farm Mysteries is now on pre-order with a release date of 10/10/26.

Monologued To Death

When Andi Clark and her therapy dogs are invited to audition for a play at the historic Auburn Opera House, she expects a fun evening of helping local children build confidence. Instead, she meets a director whose razor-sharp tongue leaves a trail of hurt feelings wherever she goes.

Then, during a rehearsal, the director plunges from the theater’s balcony.

While Sheriff Skala follows the evidence, Andi and her best friend, Betty, trust Cocoa’s instincts. The gentle therapy dog had witnessed someone on the theater balcony before the fatal fall and caught the scent of something behind a locked door no one else thinks to question.

Between therapy animal visits to the local retirement home and hospital, Andi, Betty, and Cocoa discover a second body, proving the killer isn’t finished yet. As the suspects multiply and the danger grows, Andi realizes someone is determined to silence anyone who gets too close to the truth.

Can Cocoa sniff out the truth before the final curtain falls on another victim?

Pre-order Link: https://books2read.com/u/49zJyJ

Guest Blogger ~ Suzanne Baginskie

~ patyjag ~ 3 Comments

Crafting the Fifth Novel in my FBI Affairs Series

After setting three of my four standalone novels in Florida towns, I decided to set the fifth book, Dangerous Triangle in Tampa, Florida. About forty minutes from my home, Tampa is a rapidly growing Gulf Coast city known for its sunny climate, diverse economy, and rich cultural history, including the historic Ybor City district. Visitors are drawn to attractions like the scenic Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River, as well as its vibrant nightlife and iconic Cuban sandwich, which dates back to the cigar factory era of the late 1800’s.

While Tampa continues to thrive, certain violent crimes remained a concern, which provided me with the premise for my next novel. My characters are FBI Special Agents that work in the Cybercrime, Human Trafficking, and Violent Death Unit. The story was about a gripping, high-stakes investigation that spanned a decade, weaving together a serial killer case, A.I. cybercrime, and a looming terrorist plot, forming a chilling three-sided web of danger.

I’ve always been drawn to strong FBI characters, particularly female agents and their dynamic partnerships with their male counterparts. FBI agents operate on a national level, often tackling complex, high-risk cases that naturally lend themselves to suspenseful storytelling. What makes them especially compelling to me is the balance between their professional duties and personal lives. My characters face intense, life-threatening situations, and yet they also deal with relatable family and emotional challenges. Before each mission, they are required to sign an agreement prohibiting romantic involvement as it could compromise their case. Of course, emotions aren’t so easily controlled. That tension adds another layer of conflict, as they strive to remain professional while navigating their feelings. Ultimately, their mission comes first, and they find ways to reconcile their personal lives once the case is resolved.

When I created character names for this novel, I looked for combinations that felt strong, memorable, and fitting for federal agents. Since my series features both a female and male lead, I like their names to complement each other in a way that readers will remember. In Dangerous Triangle, for example, I chose the last names London and Monroe because they felt distinctive and worked well together.

Once my book was written and published, the real challenge began, “marketing.” Many authors struggle with how to get their work noticed beyond social media, which can only take you so far. One strategy that worked well for me was tying my books to a specific location, such as my home state of Florida. I discovered that “location equals marketing.” Readers are naturally drawn to stories set in places they recognize or feel connected to.

At times, I participate in local craft shows and farmers markets to increase my sales. As a traditionally published author, I set up a table and engaged directly with potential readers. At first, simply describing my books as mystery and suspense didn’t always spark interest. But when I mentioned that my stories were set in Florida cities, people became more curious. They would browse more carefully, read the back cover blurb and often purchase one book or even the entire series. Offering autographed copies also made a difference. The in-person events created a personal connection, and I found there are many readers that genuinely enjoy supporting local authors. By the way, in 2025, Dangerous Triangle won a Silver Presidential Medalist Book Award from the FAPA (Florida Authors and Publishers Association.)

Dangerous Triangle

FBI Special Agent Olive London and her partner, Special Agent Jason Monroe, are thrust into a high-stakes investigation that spans decades in Suzanne Baginskie’s latest romance thriller, Dangerous Triangle. As they delve into the chilling case of a potential serial killer, new clues surface about the most recent victim, a young college student who may have met her fate through an online chat room. With the pressure mounting, London and Monroe turn to the Bureau’s cutting-edge A.I. program, Atlas One, and its brilliant controller, Professor Steve Dalton. But just as they begin to unravel the dark web of the serial killer’s activities, a terrorist threat against Tampa, Florida emerges, forcing the agents to pivot and confront a danger that could result in mass casualties. Amidst the relentless action and rising tension, another kind of excitement ignites between London and Monroe. Several close calls awaken a romantic attraction they can’t ignore, yet both are painfully aware that acting on their feelings could jeopardize their careers. Dangerous Triangle masterfully weaves together action, romance, and intrigue, making it an unmissable installment in Suzanne Baginskie’s gripping FBI Affair series. Will London and Monroe catch the killer and thwart the terrorist plot in time? And will they risk everything for a chance at love?

Buy Link: FBI AFFAIRS:  http://amazon.com/dp/B09JPCX2CX

Suzanne Baginskie is an award-winning author of the “FBI Affair Series.” Five books of mystery, suspense and romance set across her home state of Florida. A retired office manager/paralegal, with 30 years of legal experience, she brings authenticity to her crime stories. She loves traveling, especially on cruise ships. Most sea days on board, you’ll find her plotting stories outside on the deck while gazing at the beautiful blue ocean. Every time she sails a ship, she donates autographed copies of her books and bookmarks to their library.

Links:

Website:       www.suzannebaginskie.com

Facebook:     www.facebook.com.sbaginskie

Instagram:    www.instagragram.com.sbaginskie

X:                 Https://twitter.com/sbaginskie

Link Tree:    Https://linktr.ee/SBaginskie

Guest Blogger ~ T.L. Bequette

~ patyjag ~ 2 Comments

Venturing Out

I am the author of the five mysteries that comprise the Joe Turner Mystery series. Like Joe, I am a criminal defense attorney practicing in Oakland, and my thirty years in the courtroom have provided a trove of stories. Write what you know, I suppose.

Joe is a more interesting version of me—younger, better looking, drinks more, quicker on his feet, and more daring in the courtroom. Most of my stories find Joe Turner defending young black men in Oakland. They resonate, in part, because of their authenticity, as my real-world experiences make their way into the courtroom. Sometimes, the inspiration for my characters is even recognizable to my colleagues. This became a problem once when fellow attorneys began placing bets on the inspiration for a particularly incompetent judge.

However, in my latest book, Holler Whispers, I decided that it was time for Joe to get out of town. He ventured to a small town in Georgia to defend an autistic teenager accused of murdering the local high school football hero. I knew there would be research but mainly thought of the project as an enjoyable adventure. When writing about a particular jail or courtroom, I’d felt constrained by their reality. Now, I would be free to let my imagination create its own reality. While this did come to pass, the greater benefit came from researching two vital aspects of the story—autism and the Deep South—and from considering how inadequately the criminal justice system serves those in the neurodivergent community.

In many ways, writing Holler Whispers was a lesson in its own subject matter, a story of education, inclusivity, and acceptance. While someone close to me is autistic, to be fair to the neurodivergent community, I researched the autism spectrum and did my best to put myself in the shoes of one of the story’s main characters and his family members. Writing in Carl’s voice helped me to appreciate his profound daily challenges, and I strove to do so with respect and dignity.

Likewise, while my father grew up in the South and I’ve enjoyed my time there, I am not a Southerner. I enjoyed researching the area of my fictitious small town of Barton, Georgia, on the edge of the Oconee National Forest. With the help of my father’s memories of childhood adventures, I hope I accurately described not only the native plants of the region but also the hollers’ unique feel.

I hope I did justice to those who inhabit both places—the autism spectrum and the South.

Writing the story also brought into focus a problem I knew existed. As a criminal defense attorney, I have seen firsthand how poorly our criminal justice systems deal with people along the mental health continuum. Almost by definition, the rigidity of the law prevents it from considering the nuances necessary to ascribe culpability to those in the neurodivergent community accused of crime.

Writing Hollers Whispers was both cathartic and educational in this regard. If you read the book, I hope you enjoy some of these same lessons.

Holler Whispers

Oakland defense attorney Joe Turner ventures to a small town in the deep south to defend an autistic teenager accused of murdering the local high school football hero. Joe must overcome a biased jury pool, an ornery judge, and a seemingly airtight case. The roller-coaster trial is seen through the eyes of the jury—a diverse group that struggles with their own preconceptions about autism and nearly crumble under the weight of their decision. But is there a plant on the jury and whose side are they on?

Desperate to shield his vulnerable and endearing client from prison, Joe is assisted by his girlfriend, Eddy, and Chuck, his colorful investigator. Together, the three urbanites navigate a world of southern charm and hillbilly legend where secrets whisper through the hollers, just out of reach.  

Written by a trial attorney, Holler Whispers captures the raw emotion of the courtroom and depicts a criminal justice system fraught with human frailty. Enjoy unravelling this twisty whodunit that tugs at your heartstrings.

Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Holler-Whispers-Turner-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0G5L3D6VK

Todd Lewis Bequette is a criminal defense attorney turned writer from Lafayette, California. His latest Joe Turner Mystery, Good Lookin’, was just named a Kirkus Indie Award Finalist. Much of Bequette’s law practice involves defending young men from Oakland accused of murder, so his day job provides a trove of plotlines waiting to be written. A Georgetown Law Graduate, he serves on the faculty of the Stanford Law School Trial Advocacy Clinic. He enjoys playing with a tireless border Collie mix, Russet, and will remain a lifelong fan of the Oakland A’s.

https://www.instagram.com/tlbequette