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Ultra-Criminal Types
Once Upon a Safehouse follows a woman who receives a large inheritance from her uncle, thinking that it’s a life-altering fortune and a mysterious mansion, but it turns into a legacy she never expected or wanted. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
During the pandemic, I watched a whole lot of streaming shows, and one of them was all about the Nazi ratlines to South America. Those shows were astonishing because a lot of the “hideouts” that were located had secret rooms, or escape tunnels, built right into their architecture. Talk about bizarre! Who would do that – unless they had something to hide that was major. And that was enough to get me thinking about it and wanting to turn it into a story!
Were you able to relate to your characters while writing them?
I was able to relate to most of them, yes – the decent characters, especially. It’s always a challenge to try to get into the heads of the more nefarious ones, and this book had some ultra-criminal types in it. Still, I tried putting myself into the place of hunted people who had convinced themselves they’d done “nothing wrong” and took it from there.
What intrigues you about this time period enough to write such a thrilling period piece?
Thank you for calling it thrilling! I look at it this way. The whole World War II era was bizarre in so many ways, and the wrong people had taken over dozens of countries in the world. Everything was upside-down. Decency towards marginalized groups was outlawed, murders of persecuted groups were legalized, and bombs were being dropped all over the place. It was insane. Germany was ruling half of Europe in an atrocious manner, and Japan was just as bad, if not worse, in the countries they took over in Asia. So there are a lot of possibilities for material! And I always try to tell a story where there’s plenty of hope in spite of it all, too.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can fans expect it to be released?
I’m working on one mystery involving suffragettes, and another about a school that closes down under very odd circumstances. I’m having fun with them both!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Former American paratrooper Glenn Halliday and his British-born wife Ivy think they’ve struck gold when they inherit a sprawling mansion in Argentina in 1963. But the house has other plans.
A poorly concealed door hidden off the parlor. A Nazi-era coin found in their daughter’s room. Strangers watching the house with unnerving intent.
As Glenn and Ivy dig deeper, they uncover a chilling legacy—one that links wartime crimes, hidden identities, and a past that refuses to die. What was this house really used for? And why does it seem to be calling them into its shadows?
Some inheritances come with strings. This one comes with living ghosts.
Once Upon a Safehouse
The story begins in Dobbs Ferry, New York, in the early 1960s, when Ivy Halliday receives a letter out of the blue from Argentina. Her uncle, a wealthy banker, has passed away and left her a sprawling fortune, a mysterious house called Casa Florencia, and a legacy she never expected. What starts as a thrilling surprise inheritance quickly spirals into something far more complex. As Ivy, her husband Glenn, and their two children travel to Buenos Aires to claim the estate, they’re drawn into a web of secrets connected to the aftermath of World War II, old family mysteries, and unsettling ties to the shadowy presence of Nazis who fled Europe after the war. The book unfolds with a mix of domestic charm, suspense, and lurking danger that creeps in through hidden doors, whispered rumors, and strangers who may not be what they seem.
I found myself pulled into this one almost immediately. The writing has a warmth to it, especially in the early chapters with Ivy’s family, that made me want to sit at their breakfast table and listen in. The descriptions of Buenos Aires were lush and inviting, and yet every time the narrative turned toward the darker threads, like the Nazi fugitives, the shadowy history of Casa Florencia, I felt my stomach tighten. That balance between light and heavy is tricky to pull off, but Quinn manages it well. At times, the prose leans a little old-fashioned, but that suits the period setting. I liked that it didn’t try to be flashy. It let the story carry the weight. The mystery around the wallpapered door in the mansion had me grinning like a kid, and the way tension built slowly but surely kept me hooked.
What really got me, though, was the emotional undertone of Glenn’s memories from the war. Those scenes were haunting, and they gave the book a gravity I wasn’t expecting. I could feel his reluctance to face Argentina, knowing the place had become a hiding spot for men he once fought against. As someone who loves mysteries, I appreciated that the danger didn’t just come from some masked villain lurking in the night but from history itself pressing down on the present. The family scenes sometimes lingered, and I caught myself itching to get back to the secrets. But when those secrets came forward, they delivered. The mix of personal drama, historical shadows, and good old-fashioned hidden-room intrigue made for a rewarding read.
Once Upon a Safehouse is the kind of book I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys mysteries laced with history, family drama, and just a touch of gothic atmosphere. If you like stories about ordinary people stumbling into extraordinary secrets, this will hit the spot. Fans of historical mysteries or readers curious about how World War II echoes could ripple into later decades will find plenty here to sink into.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0FPHQG2CQ
The Excruciating Assignment
In Fate Can Toss a Boomerang, a detective faces his own teenage trauma when he investigates the murder of a loathed gym teacher with a dark past. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
I attended several different schools growing up. Decades later, I began to hear horror stories from other former students, and they revealed that not one, not two, but three of the female teachers I had known in two different schools had targeted children for perverted purposes.
All of these women were surly, unpleasant, and seemed to deliberately try to make themselves look like “plain Janes.” Two of them had flown completely under the radar, and you couldn’t have picked them out of a crowd for any reason. The third one, on the other hand, had body language that would have been more suitable for an actress playing a stripper in the musical Gypsy, and she behaved seductively around everybody, kids, adults, boys, girls, just whoever was standing in front of her at the moment. This was a sight to behold, let me tell you! She was constantly, ahem, “shaking her maracas” right in everyone’s faces. I thought she was “crazy,” but I was just a child and couldn’t really add all of this up. Nobody was cognizant of child molesters back then, in the early 1970s, and somehow this bizarre situation never got addressed. I’ve always wondered, though, if I could see there was something extremely wrong with this pathetic excuse for a human being when I was just a kid, where were the adults who worked at that school? Were they blind as bats, or what? So when I heard it was even stranger than I had thought back then, and this creature had been trying to seduce little boys, that, and the stories I’d been hearing about the other two teachers as well, was what gave me the idea for writing this book. Everything I’d picked up on about all three of these creepy gals went into the story.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
It’s a story of a contrast in opposites. I created the main character of Detective Knox Wanamaker as a guy with a very strong moral fiber who always tries to do the right thing. He fought off Petra the child molester when he was a boy, and she didn’t get her way with him. Naturally, she hated him for it. Now he’s stuck with the job of solving her murder, and even though he thinks his town is better off without Petra in it, he goes about fulfilling the excruciating assignment. In contrast, there’s Petra, who couldn’t care less about doing what’s right, and probably doesn’t even know the definition of the word. She’s all about taking whatever she wants for herself, and that includes children’s innocence. She made a mess of her life, and several other people’s lives besides, and now she’s the victim in a whopper of a murder case that falls in Knox’s lap. Some people think their job assignments are bad, but get a load of his!
How did you decide on the title of this novel?
Oh, that one was so much fun to come up with! I was brainstorming a title and zeroed in on the whole idea of “what goes around comes around.” Murder may never be the right course of action to take, yet there is some sense of poetic justice at play with this one, given what Petra was doing to children. It finally caught up with her. So, “Fate Can Toss A Boomerang!”
Can you give readers a glimpse inside the next book you are working on?
I’ve got two more in the works at the moment. The one that should be finished soon involves an American family that inherits property in Argentina during the 1960s, but they don’t realize the lovely mansion they’ve been handed had an outrageous former purpose. That mystery starts up from there!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Now Petra is dead, and Knox-older, wiser, and harboring long-buried truths-gets stuck with leading the investigation. As he tries to unravel the mystery behind her violent end, questions spiral. Who killed Petra, and why? Was it revenge? How could it not be? And can Knox finally expose the secrets Petra took to her grave, once and for all?
Fate Can Toss a Boomerang: A Murder Mystery
After reading Fate Can Toss a Boomerang: A Murder Mystery by Carolyn Summer Quinn, I can say it’s a mystery that sticks with you for more than just its plot. At its core, the book follows Detective Knox Wanamaker, who is called to investigate a murder in his small Wyoming town. The victim turns out to be Petra Turkett, a long-feared and loathed gym teacher with a dark, abusive past, a predator who managed to evade justice for decades. As Knox peels back the layers of Petra’s history, we’re drawn into a town’s underbelly and a personal reckoning that ties back to his own teenage trauma. The mystery unspools through sharp dialogue, emotional memory, and slow, gritty uncovering of truth.
I was impressed by how bold the writing was. Quinn doesn’t shy away from ugly topics or watered-down feelings. Knox isn’t your slick, emotionless detective. He’s wounded, he’s angry, and he carries his past like a second badge. His voice is raw and real. It felt like listening to a guy telling you his life story. The writing’s straightforward and personal, not fancy or overly stylized, which works here. And the small-town setting, all claustrophobic and cold and oddly cozy, adds to the pressure-cooker feeling. I was invested not just in solving the mystery, but in how Knox would come out the other side.
The story is emotionally heavy. This isn’t your clever-whodunit-with-a-twist kind of mystery. It’s soaked in anger, regret, and trauma, especially around child abuse and how communities fail to deal with it. Sometimes that made it hard to read, especially when the past crept into the present in vivid, painful ways. I found myself torn between cheering on justice and wincing at what justice actually costs. Petra isn’t just a victim, she’s a monster, and the book never lets us forget that. But that raises complicated feelings when you’re rooting for her killer to stay free. It’s messy. But life’s messy, too. I appreciated that honesty.
I’d recommend this book to readers who like character-driven mysteries with emotional depth and moral gray zones. If you like stories that push buttons and leave you chewing on them after the last page, this one delivers. It’s angry and heartfelt and kind of exhausting, but in the best way.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0FDDCJ1RW
It’s A Lot of Fun To Write
Not a Shovel in Sight follows a bestselling author as she goes undercover at a shady nonprofit to uncover a million-dollar theft only to find herself tangled in a dangerous mystery. What inspired you to create Alana Lorenz as both an author and an investigator?
Having the character of Alana work as an author means she writes books by herself at home. That way, she was available to help out “undercover” at the nonprofit when the head honcho, Elliott, who is also her best friend’s father, asks her to come back after the theft is discovered.
The dialogue in the book is especially sharp. How do you craft such witty and engaging conversations?
I figure out what kind of person each character is, then just try to imagine how they would express themselves and interact with the other characters. It’s a lot of fun to write. I guess I have a pretty good ear for conversations, too, which helps.
The New York setting feels incredibly vivid. What real-life experiences or research helped you bring it to life?
Oh, I didn’t have to do any research on this part of the story. I’ve lived in New York for thirty-eight years. I put a whole lot of my own experiences of navigating around the city into this book. It’s a great place to live and work! But it also seems to attract a lot of nefarious types or opportunists, too. Ha, I put plenty of those in NOT A SHOVEL IN SIGHT.
If you had to cast Alana and Elliott for a film adaptation, who would be your dream actors?
This is the best interview question I’ve ever been asked! It’s also a tough one. For Elliott: Liev Schrieber or George Clooney. For Alana: Sophie Turner.
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Not A Shovel In Sight
Not a Shovel in Sight kicks off in New York City with a bang or, more accurately, with a million-dollar theft and a missing woman. Our protagonist, Alana Lorenz, is a bestselling author who finds herself drawn back into a former workplace, a nonprofit called Golden Sunrise International Foundation. But this isn’t just a sentimental return, it’s an undercover mission. Money has vanished, employees are acting shady, and Alana’s old boss, Elliott Zane, needs someone he can trust. What starts as a favor quickly turns into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where nothing is quite what it seems.
The writing style is engaging and crisp, and Quinn doesn’t waste time with unnecessary flourishes. This book reads fast and fun, with dialogue that crackles and characters that pop off the page. I particularly enjoyed Alana’s voice; she’s sharp, witty, and just a bit cynical. Her internal monologue is pure gold, whether she’s sizing up an old acquaintance or mentally rolling her eyes at an obvious red flag. The moment she steps into her old office, you feel the history and tension in the air. Some colleagues are warm and welcoming. Others like the hilariously awful HR guy Hans Holtzapple seem hostile from the jump. That immediate sense of suspicion keeps the pages turning.
What really shines here is the plotting. The mystery unfolds naturally, with just enough misdirection to keep you guessing. The missing woman, Razima, is an especially intriguing element. She’s the one who first noticed the financial discrepancies before disappearing without a trace. Coincidence? Not likely. And then there’s Lance Alderman, a former employee who quit suddenly, giving a flimsy excuse that doesn’t add up. Alana’s skepticism is infectious. She’s asking the same questions we are, and as she peels back layers of deception, the tension builds.
There were a few spots where I wanted a little more depth. Some characters, like Beverly Bannon, feel like they could have been developed further. She’s abrasive and problematic, sure, but I wanted to understand why she was the way she was. That said, the book’s fast pace and sharp humor more than make up for any minor shortcomings. Plus, the setting is a treat, New York in the summer, with its sticky heat and bustling energy, adds a layer of atmosphere that makes everything feel real.
Not a Shovel in Sight is clever, fast paced, and packed with twists that will have you second-guessing every character. Whether you’re a longtime mystery reader or just looking for something fresh and fun, this book is worth picking up.
Pages: 138 | ASIN: B0DX6VF4DG
A Commotion on the Ocean
Carolyn Summer Quinn’s A Commotion on the Ocean kicks off with Ashley Calloway, a seasoned cruiser, embarking on a long-awaited voyage to escape the stress of personal loss and estate management. What starts as a relaxing getaway quickly turns into an eerie trip down memory lane when Ashley runs into a nightmarish former coworker, Delphina Durand. As if that wasn’t enough to shake her, the ship is also hosting a notorious film director whose wife mysteriously vanished years ago. Old tensions and unresolved history collide in an unpredictable storm of past drama and potential danger.
From the start, Quinn’s writing is smooth and full of personality. Ashley’s narration feels like a close friend venting over coffee, which makes it easy to connect with her. She’s witty, observant, and hilariously blunt. The way she describes Delphina, nicknamed Shit Fit Delphina for her explosive temper and manipulative ways, had me cracking up. Quinn’s character work is sharp, with every person on the ship feeling distinct, from the chipper cruise staff to the enigmatic Reginald Conti. The pacing is also well done; just when you think Ashley might actually get a moment to relax, another twist pops up.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the humor laced throughout the narrative. Despite the tension of running into an old workplace terror, Ashley’s sarcasm and sharp inner monologue keep the story from ever feeling too heavy. Her descriptions of cruise quirks, overpriced ship shops, mandatory lifeboat drills, the never-ending search for the perfect deck chair are spot-on. It makes the setting feel incredibly real, like you’re right there on the M.V. Exploration, trying to dodge Delphina’s piercing gaze.
That said, there’s an underlying unease that builds beautifully. The presence of Conti, a man forever under suspicion of killing his wife, adds an extra layer of intrigue. Even though he’s on board to give a talk about his film career, Ashley (and the reader) can’t help but wonder if there’s something more sinister going on. When Delphina and Conti cross paths, the tension skyrockets. Quinn weaves in these suspenseful elements masterfully, making you wonder if past crimes or new ones might unfold on the open sea.
A Commotion on the Ocean is a delightful mix of humor, suspense, and sharp social commentary, making it a must-read for fans of witty mysteries. If you enjoy a narrator with a strong, no-nonsense voice, a bit of workplace drama that refuses to die, and a cruise full of potential suspects, this book is definitely for you. Quinn’s writing is engaging, fresh, and full of life, just like a good vacation story should be.
Pages: 174 | ASIN: B0DT66QHQ1
An Unsung Neighborhood
The Mystery from Way Back When follows a man returning to his childhood church where he meets a young woman who is the baby he rescued years ago. She now needs his help to find her birth mother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My father grew up a member of a close family that were proud members of Sacred Heart Church in the Keighry Head neighborhood of Elizabeth, New Jersey. He attended Sacred Heart School and was even an altar boy. Sacred Heart Church later became Our Lady of Fatima Church. I wanted to set a mystery there, in Keighry Head. It’s an unsung neighborhood and, from my late dad’s stories, the way it once was when he was a boy during the Depression and World War II has pretty much disappeared.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
Above all, strength of character and decency! The main character, Benny, doesn’t hesitate for a second when he sees a young girl at a distance abandoning a baby on the steps of his church. He takes the baby right home to his mother, knowing she can help the little one, and then tries to identify who abandoned her. It’s World War II. The people are patriotic. The kids have their eye on a suspected spy. Maybe a lot of people these days don’t realize this, but Catholics have always taken a lot of flak in this country, even yet, and especially since the whole situation came to light about the pedophile priests. In this story, the priest doesn’t belong in jail. He’s a really good guy.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
Oh, that’s an easy question! When Benny brings the abandoned newborn baby home and his mother tends to her, she starts to sing to the baby, and naturally, the song is “Baby Face.” Benny, his brothers, and even the old grandfather who lives with them chimes in. It’s joyous! It turns the baby’s sad start into something of a celebration of her arrival.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
There were two books that I had started working on and then put temporarily aside. I picked them up again and I’m continuing with both. They’re mysteries. One is set on a cruise ship and the other in a non-profit organization where someone is corrupt to the core and stealing the funds. I also have another one in mind, and it’s a mystery that unfolds during a wedding, where the parents of the bride are divorced and it’s always a battleground when they’re required to get together. So I’ve got three books in the works, and they should be available later in the year. Somehow, for me, it works out beautifully to work on more than one book at a time. I’m loving the whole process of creating all of these stories!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The only clue to the child’s origins is a note found in the basket requesting that she be raised Catholic. The police arrive to get the baby to the hospital while the parish priest arranges for her adoption. Meanwhile, the boys try to play detective and figure out who gave the baby up. Benny even has a likely suspect, Nancy Kilkenny, but she hotly denies it.
Years later, the baby, all grown up, has an urgent reason to connect with Benny and Timmy to try and find out what really happened way back when. Who was the mother who gave her away? What happened on that memorable day in 1944? And can she ever manage to find out the truth?
LITERARY TITAN 