by Helen Currie Foster November 24, 2025 Writers live in trepidation that they’re failing a much-publicized writing test: a great first line. Maybe that’s not a fair burden. If I already like a writer’s work—a favorite mystery-writer, for instance–I don’t demand a blockbuster first line. But I do need reassurance that I’m going to like that writer's new book as well as the last.

In a world where the news is filled with violent crimes against other humans, it’s almost refreshing to hear of a daring, Hollywood-esque jewel heist, where no one was hurt, although it lacked the romance of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 thriller, To Catch a Thief. This most recent shocking, daring, and scandalously simple heist of French crown jewels on display at the Louvre in Paris, France, took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., when brazen perpetrators dressed as construction workers parked a basket lift on the side of the museum.

By Kathy Waller In late October, I spoke at the J.B. Nickells Memorial Library in Luling, Texas. An author talk, although I feel like an imposter calling it that. I write slowly, have published only a few short stories plus a novella co-written with a real author, haven't published a novel of my own, . . .  I'm not really…

By Helen Currie Foster Travel thoughts. It’s fall in Paris. The rows of chestnuts flanking the Seine are turning golden-brown; gingko trees sport their distinctive yellow leaves, preparing to fling down, on one afternoon they keep secret, all their leaves at once. Fall fashion? Long hair for women, slim tan trench coats at mid-calf, midi-length swishy skirts. Anyone can wear jeans and sneakers (male, female, old, young) with a blazer-cut jacket.

By F. Della Notte Ideas for stories are often triggered by research into family members, alive or deceased, strangers and their stories and the histories of different cities, countries, and states. The information may never appear in a book, but it gives the writer a more profound sense of historical events that color the author’s senses. And of course, the older the city, town, or state, the deeper the hidden gems that may be found.

Kathy Waller I’m working on a mystery novel—I’ve been working on it for years, but am now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel—and am faced with dilemmas too numerous to whine about in only one post, so I’ll move along. I will instead write about the one pleasure of the writing life: creating and naming characters.

By Helen Currie Foster It’s September! New school year! New shoes, after a hot barefoot summer! New outfit, for the first day of school! And then––new classes! New subjects, new teachers, new tools! New friends! New lockers, new classrooms, new hallways.... New season—new teammates, new coach, new plays. Remember all that?  Your first day back at school? Back to college, back to university?

by Francine Paino, a.k.a. F. Della Notte According to BondVet.com, cats are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet. Scientists believe that cats are uniquely smart when compared to dogs and other animals, which makes it understandable that, like their human counterparts, cats have witching hours. (PetMed.) During those episodes, which generally take place at dusk or dawn, felines may suddenly have bursts of extra energy and display athletic and agile abilities.

by Kathy Waller I'm rereading novelist Nancy Peacock's  memoir, A Broom of One's Own: Words on Writing, Housecleaning & Life.  I liked the book when I read it the first time, sixteen years ago, and I like it even more now. I posted the following review on my personal blog in 2009. The disclaimer preceding it is a reference to a recent FTC rule designed to…

By V.P. Chandler Have you ever researched something—like a purse, a computer, or even a car—only to suddenly notice it everywhere, even though you hadn’t before? Inspiration for stories works the s…

by Helen Currie Foster Just before a trip I get anxious: is there enough stored in my Kindle to keep me happy? You constant readers know that feeling. Did you upload enough for the waiting room at the airport? For the plane? For a sleepless first night, jet-lagging? Enough to keep you happy even if weak (or no) wi-fi at the (tent, cabin, hotel, boat, campsite, rental) precludes another download?

By Francine Paino, a.k.a. F. Della Notte Research for book four of the Housekeeper Mystery Series brought me to legends and myths connected to jewels and gemstones, many of which have traveled a long way in storytelling traditions. Often, a mystical aura goes beyond the material value of some precious stones and metals, and these stories show us how jewelry is not only beautiful to look at but also carries the power of love, misfortune, and protection.

Today's post is by our friend and former Austin Mystery Writer Kaye George, author of several successful mystery series. When I asked Kaye to do a guest post, I told her to pick her own topic. She's chosen to write about her newest project, a departure from the mystery. *** Kathy Waller gave me free rein, so I can write whatever I want here, right?

By Helen Currie Foster ~  June 9, 2025 I’ve always loved Guy Clark’s version of “Stuff that Works.” Dublin Blues, 1995. Listening, I can just see, just feel, that “old blue shirt” that “suits him j…

by V.P. Chandler Previously posted on vpchandler.com My most recent blog post announced the publication of my short story, “Under The Blackjack Tree” in Killer Nashville magazine and now …