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Killing Buddhas
Craig Allen Heath’s Killing Buddhas is a philosophical mystery that blends small-town drama with existential intrigue. Set in the eccentric town of Eden Ridge, the novel introduces a cast of flawed, layered characters navigating their personal struggles amidst a backdrop of suspense. From the troubled pastor Alan Wright to the enigmatic philosopher Branden Frank, each figure contributes to a narrative that keeps readers guessing.
Alan Wright, the local pastor, is a man at war with himself. His hidden past and struggle with faith, loss, and the weight of leadership make him a deeply human character. Many readers will see reflections of their own internal battles in his journey. Branden Frank, the philosopher with magnetic charm, exudes an allure that captivates the town, yet an undercurrent of arrogance and emotional detachment leaves a lingering unease. Heath skillfully crafts him as both fascinating and unsettling, keeping readers intrigued by his contradictions. Zack Featherstone, a teenager ensnared by family secrets, embodies the universal search for identity and purpose. His confusion and aspirations make him relatable, a character who feels both real and poignant.
Heath’s strength lies in giving his characters moments of raw vulnerability and unexpected resilience, though at times the reader might yearn for deeper psychological exploration. I feel the dialogue, while often thought-provoking, occasionally veers into territory that feels somewhat overly crafted, pulling the reader out of the flow. However, the camaraderie among the amateur sleuths known as the Little Red Hens offers genuine, refreshing moments of connection. Their interactions bring warmth and levity, balancing the novel’s heavier themes. The ending leaves some threads unresolved, inviting contemplation but potentially frustrating readers who crave definitive closure. Yet this ambiguity aligns with the book’s philosophical undertones, challenging readers to grapple with their own interpretations.
Killing Buddhas captures the imperfections of humanity through its complex characters and unpredictable plot. It’s a story about faith, identity, and the messy beauty of being human. For those who appreciate nuanced storytelling with a touch of mystery and a dash of philosophy, this book is a thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.
Pages: 392 | ASIN : B0DK7X3ZHL
Animal Traffickers
Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry follows a writer living in the Florida Keys who is researching a cold case from her childhood when she discovers a baby chimpanzee locked in a crate on her dock. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setting had to be somewhere on the water, a place where a boat could drop off a delivery, so I chose the Florida Keys, which are beautiful. The main character has just bought a house that was idle for several years. She doesn’t know her dock has been used as a drop-off point for animal traffickers. Ha, surprise, surprise!
I enjoyed the depth of the main character, Nola. What was your process to bring that character to life?
That was easy. Nola is a lot like me. She’s intrigued by a cold case from her past, where she witnessed some very suspicious behavior from one of her neighbors. He was in it up to his neck. I once saw some very unusual activities, possibly criminal, though probably not, taking place as I rode past the home of one of my family’s acquaintances, so I know what it’s like to have a strange situation kind of take hold of you and not really let you go. It’s always fun to wonder just what the heck was going on there!
I found the title of this book interesting and not at all what I was expecting for a cozy mystery. How did you decide on the title of this novel?
The title just came to me one day after I saw a documentary on how animal traffickers smuggle these poor baby chimpanzees in crates. It showed this tiny, tiny creature, crawling around and making little “eek eek” noises like it was crying or whimpering. I thought, what if the box with the chimp is left in the wrong place, for the wrong person to find, and she hears it crying? That’s when it came to me: Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’ve got two more books in the works at the moment, both cozy mysteries. Well, maybe one of them is a little less cozy than the other. One is set during World War II in my parents’ old hometown, Elizabeth, New Jersey. The other I actually just started writing just this afternoon. I’m not sure where I’ll set it yet, but it’s going to involve a murder at a wedding and a lot of wacky relatives.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Who is responsible for smuggling the poor chimp into Florida? How will these elusive criminals get caught? And on top of all else, can Nola solve that old cold case from when she was a kid that’s been haunting her for fifty solid years?
Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry
Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry, written by Carolyn Summer Quinn, is a charming and engaging cozy mystery set against the vibrant backdrop of the Florida Keys. The story follows 63-year-old retired editor Nola Carmody, who moves to this remote location with plans to investigate an old bank robbery case. However, her quiet life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a mysterious box labeled “cans of cola” on her dock, only to find a chimpanzee trapped inside. This startling discovery launches Nola into a thrilling investigation of animal traffickers, even as she continues to grapple with the unsolved crime from her past.
Quinn expertly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and humor, making the novel a delightful read for fans of crime fiction. The exploration of animal trafficking adds a thought-provoking layer to the plot, shedding light on an important issue while keeping the story engaging and accessible. The setting in the Florida Keys is vividly described, capturing the essence of the island region and immersing readers in its unique atmosphere. Nola’s character is a refreshing protagonist—an older woman with wit, determination, and a sense of humor. Her interactions with a colorful cast of characters, including the dashing Shamus and the lovable chimpanzee, Lollapalooza, are heartwarming and entertaining. Even the villains are crafted with depth, adding tension and intrigue to the story. Quinn’s lighthearted tone and sharp storytelling keep the pace lively, though I feel certain portions of the novel feel slightly drawn out with details that don’t significantly advance the plot.
Cans of Cola Just Don’t Cry is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Quinn deftly handles the dual motifs of an old bank robbery and present-day animal trafficking, weaving them into a compelling narrative that balances mystery with moments of romance and humor. This cozy mystery will appeal to readers who love crime fiction with a twist of lighthearted fun and a focus on timely issues.
Pages: 186 | ASIN : B0DH85KL9K
Out of Balance
The Teetotaler’s Bar follows a woman who inherits her aunt’s fortune, her New City apartment, complete with a puppy, and the bar on the first floor, which also happens to be a murder scene. What inspired the setup of your story?
It just came to me one day out of the blue. I like to create stories using situations that don’t add up. So I was thinking, what could be more out of balance than a young girl who lives healthy and doesn’t drink but suddenly inherits a bar? She inherited plenty more besides, from a relative she hardly knew, and I was off and running with another mystery!
Jazz is a fascinating character that has an overwhelming amount of things happen all at once. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
I liked writing the scenes in the beginning that started to establish who Jazz is, and the ones that gave her an idea of who the estranged relative who got murdered was, too. The aunt who left her the bar is her mother’s half-sister, and she was one of those know-it-alls who runs around telling everybody else what to think, how to feel, and who to be. Ha, I based that on the worst co-worker I ever had! It raises the question, did the woman’s big mouth cause her to be murdered, or was it, perhaps, something else? And if it was something else, what?
There is a lot of time and care spent with descriptions and building the setting and tone of the story. Was this out of necessity to develop the depth of the story, or was it something that happened naturally while you were writing?
It was a little of both. I wanted to make the bar that Jazz initially is reluctant to inherit to be a whole lot nicer than she feared it would be. There’s an unsolved murder hanging over it like a cloud, but she slowly starts to like the idea of owning the place. She’s also immediately enchanted with owning the Art Deco apartment building where the bar occupies the first floor, but when she enters the stairwell, finds it’s neglected and rather grungy, so that gives something of a shadowy atmosphere to it. Yes, it’s gorgeous on the outside, but it’s certainly not perfect all the way around, and neither is the whole situation.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’ve got two more mysteries in the works at the moment! One deals with bumbling animal traffickers. The other one is set during the American homefront in World War II, where two young brothers find an abandoned baby. I think they should be available around the holidays. I’m having a wonderful time working on them both!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
A Toxic Friend
There’s No Cure for Impossible follows a young woman working in the news industry who finds herself increasingly entangled in a former friend’s web of dangerous lies that threaten her career. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I had heard that when a baby is abducted from a hospital setting it’s usually done by a woman who is not a career criminal at all. It’s by a gal whose motivation is needing a child to try and bind herself to a man, and to pass the baby off as “theirs,” when it isn’t. She doesn’t want her man to get away. Well, that intrigued me no end! It’s bizarre, and so extreme, and I was off and running with creating a story around the idea of a woman who would be crazy enough to try to pull off that sort of a kidnapping. This one doesn’t happen in a hospital setting, though, the baby is snatched at a store, yet it’s done for the same wacky reason. The character of Mila has recently miscarried and takes an infant because she wants to hold on to her boyfriend. He’s gotten fed up with her, as just about everyone in her life eventually does…
What was the inspiration for the relationship between Selena and Mila?
I think everybody has had a situation or two where they have a toxic friend, and are pushed to the point that, for their own sake, they have no choice but to go their own separate way. You can only take so much. Decades ago I had a friend at an entertainment industry job, one who turned out to be a pathological liar and was prone to throwing spectacular tantrums if she didn’t get her way. It was unreal and it had to be seen to be believed. After I left that job, I put a stop to any further contact with that one. Enough! So that’s where Selena is at the start of this story. She’s written Mila off because she just can’t take all the drama and craziness that Mila generates any longer. She wants out of the friendship, and she gets out, but when Mila’s latest stunt of grabbing a baby makes headlines, Selena is working for a television news station and accidentally lands in the middle of another Mila mess…
What was your favorite scene in this story?
All of it was fun to write. I think the part where Selena meets with an FBI agent and finds out a few tidbits she hadn’t known before is my absolute favorite part of this one. That throws everything in disarray and for quite a loop besides. And while I don’t want to add any spoilers here, I’ll say this. I also really like the way I ended this story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Believe it or not, this past winter and spring I worked on three books at a time! UNTIL THE STARS ALIGN, a historical novel about the Kindertransport and World War II, has already been released and it’s doing well. Then there was this one, THERE’S NO CURE FOR IMPOSSIBLE, and finally the third, THE TEETOTALER’S BAR. All of them were enjoyable to write. THE TEETOTALER’S BAR is about a young woman whose distant relative is murdered and leaves her a fortune, a puppy, a whole apartment building filled with tenants she has to contend with, and a bar and grill. But the girl is a healthy-living teetotaler. She initially isn’t thrilled with owning a bar, and she also wants to figure out the reason behind the murder. It’s going to be available soon! I’m also already hard at work on yet another one, a mystery involving exotic animal traffickers.
If I may add this, I’d like to encourage anyone out there who hasn’t already done so to go for it if they have a creative idea they’d like to put into action and pursue. It has worked so beautifully for me! Just give it a shot. And as the old adage goes, “No guts, no glory!”
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Blog | Amazon
There’s No Cure for Impossible
Carolyn Summer Quinn’s There’s No Cure for Impossible presents a captivating tale centered around Selena Lawrence, a news industry professional grappling with the fallout of her past relationships. The story kicks off with Selena discovering that her former boyfriend-loving, drama-prone friend Mila is embroiled in scandalous headlines. Anticipating a plea for help from Mila, Selena tries to distance herself from the impending chaos. However, her attempts to stay away are futile, as she finds herself increasingly entangled in Mila’s web of complications. The pressing question becomes whether Selena can break free from Mila’s toxic influence before it’s too late.
Quinn excels in creating detailed and unique characters, each with their own compelling narrative. Selena, the protagonist, is vividly portrayed, eliciting empathy from the reader as she navigates her dilemma. The portrayal of Mila, a magnet for drama, adds layers of tension, while the dynamic news crew injects further intrigue and excitement into the plot. The novel’s tone strikes a perfect balance between upbeat and suspenseful, maintaining a pace that keeps readers fully engaged. Quinn’s storytelling shines through in memorable scenes—from Selena’s desperate hideout in a hotel to the riveting moments when the news crew uncovers her connection to Mila. The book is packed with drama and surprises, culminating in a shocking conclusion that defies expectations.
There’s No Cure for Impossible is a thoroughly enjoyable read, with no shortage of excitement or twists. Quinn’s adept character development and gripping narrative make this novel a standout. I eagerly anticipate more works from this talented author.
Pages: 170 | ASIN : B0D8KJJRMB
Laugh to Keep From Crying
In a Pickle follows a man trying to find his way out of a business deal gone wrong and a reverend determined to help solve the mystery that surrounds his fate. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the setup for the story is found in one of the quotes from the book: The Reverend Sweetie Bird Charles declares, “…it taught me one lesson for sure. It sure enough drilled into my noggin not to count my chickens before they hatched, even when I could see them eggs in the nest what seemed to be tucked away safe and sound. Yes, sir, someone comed to rob the henhouse, and I didn’t hear a cluck or a cock-a-doodle-do or nothing.”
Your story is a wonderful blend of mystery and humor. How do you manage to create a successful blend of drama and levity?
I think it’s probably the sarcasm and the absurdity of the situations that The Reverend Sweetie Bird Charles finds herself in that make for the levity. I write from my experiences (not necessarily those of The Reverend) and have learned through a lot of livin’ that life can throw crazy things anybody’s way. Sometimes we laugh to keep from crying… and sometimes it’s just damned funny.
Do you have a favorite among your colorful cast of characters?
Do I have a favorite? Not really. Do other people have a favorite? Most definitely. And the winner is: Agnes! People have shared with me that they love Agnes because she says what they have always thought but were afraid to say out loud. Agnes becomes their spokesperson, as it were. I think that a lot of people have an ‘Agnes’ in their mind—sometimes they acknowledge that entity and give her space, but most of the time they don’t due to societal constraints. The fact that she tends to lay things out clearly and minces no words makes her a popular gal.
Is this the first book in a series? What are you currently working on?
The next book in the series is available on Amazon and is titled The Church of Unrealized Fantasies—it’s the continuing story of The Reverend Sweetie Bird Charles, Agnes, Mama, and assorted characters we’ve met in In a Pickle and a host of new friends as she stumbles upon Destiny. Yes, I meant to capitalize the word…Destiny. Read the book and find out.
I am currently working on Book 3 in The Reverend Sweetie Bird series… but I never tell what I’m working on until I’m finished. Suffice it to say, the adventure continues.
Author links: Website
Charles Madison Montgomery Washington finds himself in a mess of trouble after his business dealings lead him to the Gray Bar Hotel. As events unfold, his fate becomes shrouded in mystery, leaving questions about the whereabouts of valuable diamonds. Shorty and Bruno are on the hunt for answers, while Dick E. has his version of events, and Father Murphy, seated in the confessional, only wants to keep his wayward flock together. What sets the Reverend apart is her keen insight into slick-talking folks.
With the assistance of Mama and Agnes, the voices that some consider madness, the Reverend might be the only one capable of piecing together this convoluted tale. Can she untangle the threads of this crazy quilt and shed light on the truth?
“A Microcosm of Eccentricity”
A Charm Without a Chain follows a teacher and his daughter as they stumble upon a gruesome murder, driving him to solve the mystery and protect his community amidst a web of suspicion and secrets. Could you share the initial idea that motivated you to write this novel?
I always wanted to write a mystery set in a high school. I attended the grammar school where my mother taught and the high school where my father taught, which was unusual for a kid, to say the least. In both cases, I was privy to all kinds of behind-the-scenes information about what was going on in the schools and also at the two respective Boards of Education. Both were excellent, wonderful schools. However, at the one where my dad taught, I used to say the faculty was like “a microcosm of eccentricity” because of all the various personalities on the staff. All of it provided inspiration for A CHARM WITHOUT A CHAIN.
The book is filled with unexpected twists and intriguing characters. Can you share your process for crafting a complex plot and maintaining suspense throughout the story?
I start writing with an initial idea and just keep on going with it. Monty is called to the school in the summertime by the principal that no one can stand, his daughter goes along because she’s about to start attending it and wants to get the lay of the land regarding where each of her classes will be held, and kaboom! They find the principal’s dead body. It takes off from there. And here’s a little secret: whenever I start to write a mystery, I have some idea of who is going to be the one “whodunit,” but don’t strictly hold to that if a better possibility comes to mind.
Monty is a unique character with an interesting background. How did you develop his character, and what made you decide to give him aspirations of becoming a detective?
Easy question! I should have become one myself! I had a grandfather who was a Federal Postal Inspector and my mind seems to work a whole lot like his did. So I created Monty as this terrific teacher, but one who had regrets about not becoming a cop, which would have been his first choice of a profession until his mother put a stop to it. He’s a good teacher and a good man, but finding this body is finally giving him his chance to do what he’s always wanted. He wants to not only solve this case but prove he can do it. I may write a sequel and give him another one to solve.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
It’s called THE HOLLYWOOD BACKLASH MOON and it’s available as of right now, January 2024. A CHARM WITHOUT A CHAIN was set in a calm lakeside community in Colorado, but THE HOLLYWOOD BACKLASH MOON takes place in Los Angeles in 1964. A nice girl from Brooklyn lives with her wacky aunt and uncle, who just happen to be television actors. It’s a murder mystery set within the culture clash of Brooklyn sensibilities – I live there, and the people are so wonderfully down to earth and blunt – and the whole Hollywood competitive “notice me” nonsense. I once worked for a motion picture company so I have a good handle on both Brooklyn and Hollywood. It was so much fun to write!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
It’s bad enough that Monty and his daughter Jessica are the ones to find the principal’s dead body, but the next thing they hear is that a beloved teacher, Naomi Sutherland, was done in a day earlier as well. Why were two school staff members killed within two days? Who could possibly be behind this? And what is the significance of the silver rose charm that Jessica found near the murder scene?
Figuring out the solution to the two murders may initially seem impossible, but look out, Lake Covington, because Monty’s on the case!
LITERARY TITAN 