Blog Archives
The Stanton Falls Mysteries – Dead Reckoning
Dead Reckoning follows a tight-knit group of Stanton Falls detectives and their families as they head out on what should have been a relaxing Mediterranean cruise. Instead, the trip unravels into a tangled mess of missing passengers, eerie shipboard mysteries, emotional tension, and danger that creeps up on them when they least expect it. The story shifts between calm family moments, unsettling turns, and sharp revelations. It keeps the focus on relationships and teamwork while pushing the characters into situations that test them in new ways.
While reading, I kept feeling this warm mix of comfort and suspense. The writing leans heavily into character bonds, and I liked that a lot. There is a genuine sense of history between them, and the quieter scenes made the high-stress moments hit harder. At times, the dialogue felt a little straightforward, but the emotional weight underneath kept me hooked. I appreciated how the author balanced cozy slice-of-life beats with creeping dread. It created this enjoyable tension that made me want to keep turning pages.
Some ideas in the book surprised me in a good way. The ship’s strange happenings, the shifting cabin numbers, the subtle horror beneath the surface, all of it gave the mystery a fresh vibe. I loved that the story didn’t try to outsmart the reader with cheap tricks. It felt honest. There were moments when the pacing slowed, and I caught myself wishing for quicker movement, but the payoff eventually landed with enough emotional punch to make up for it. By the end, I felt oddly proud of the characters for what they’d pushed through.
I’d recommend Dead Reckoning to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with a touch of creepiness and a whole lot of heart. It’s great for anyone who wants a story that mixes friendships, family, and danger in a setting that feels fun at first and unsettling once things start going wrong. If you like mysteries that make you care about the people as much as the puzzle, this book will be right up your alley.
Pages: 187
A Haunting Mix
The Light of Faded Stars follows a retired detective on his deathbed who is reflecting on his final, unsolved case—the brutal murder of a young woman. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setup for The Light of Faded Stars emerged from a blend of literary influences, personal observations, and a deep sense of duty to honor my friends’ experiences. Stylistically, I was heavily inspired by the works of American writers like Cormac McCarthy, William Faulkner, Jack Kerouac, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Fante, J.D. Salinger, and Jack London. Their mastery of raw, evocative prose and their ability to portray the complexities of the human spirit left a lasting impression on me and shaped the tone and style of my novel.
The idea for a crime story took root as I explored Saint John, often called Fog City. Its streets, steeped in a haunting mix of faded grandeur and lost promises, struck me as the perfect setting for a noir narrative. Despite its challenges, Saint John is a city on the cusp of renewal, and that tension between its past and its potential added depth to the story’s backdrop. In this place, shadows conceal untold stories, yet hope flickers on the horizon.
I also wanted to weave in a backstory about Afghanistan as a tribute to my friends who served there. While I served in the military, I didn’t deploy to Afghanistan, but I witnessed its profound impact on those who did. Including this element felt like a duty to honor their sacrifices and to explore how such experiences ripple through lives and communities. Together, these threads—the literary influences, the atmospheric setting of Saint John, and the Afghanistan backstory—formed the foundation for a tale of mystery, reflection, and remembrance.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The human condition offers endless inspiration for fiction, particularly in its messiness and contradictions. One aspect I find compelling is how people wrestle with their pasts—how regret and unresolved questions can linger like ghosts. In The Light of Faded Stars, the retired detective, facing his final days, is consumed by his last case with Marcel, his partner: the brutal murder of a young woman with such promise. This allowed me to explore the human yearning for closure and the burden of carrying unfinished business to the grave, and to tie it all together with the unfulfilled promise of the city.
Another fascinating element is the tension between memory and truth. As the detective revisits his life, he grapples with his recollections of the case, questioning what’s real and what’s colored by his biases. This mirrors a universal struggle—how we reshape our stories over time, often blurring the line between fact and perception, and how many things fall in the cracks of unremembered time. I think it ties well with the life of small-town folks. There are whispers and stories about everyone, and people’s reputations become more real than the real person sometimes. I wanted my narrator to be from a village like mine, where memory and truth can be two separate things.
Finally, the enduring impact of trauma captivates me. Whether it’s the detective’s decades-long career in law enforcement or the Afghanistan backstory reflecting my friends’ service, trauma shapes people in profound, often invisible ways. It influences their choices, relationships, and sense of self, making it a powerful lens for fiction that resonates with readers on a visceral level. And I wanted to explore the gritty outlook of hard-boiled characters in a philosophical and poetic way, which the reviewer noted and truly appreciated.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In The Light of Faded Stars, I wanted to explore themes that reflect the weight of a life fully lived. Regret stands at the forefront. The detective’s curse is that he meets the body before the person and only uncovers the humanity of his victim as he goes along. Basically, he is always too late, and that has to affect his psyche and outlook.
Another key theme is the passage of time. On his deathbed, the detective feels time slipping away, heightening his urgency to make sense of his past. Time is a palpable force in the story, underscoring how fleeting opportunities for resolution can be. Aging is a universal reality, and by exploring that subtheme, I wanted to offer an answer as to the best way to approach it. In my book, I did not shy away from darker themes, since literary fiction is not just there to entertain but also to help us confront real problems.
The search for closure ties closely to this. The case is an open wound—not just for the detective but for everyone touched by the crime. It extends itself like dominoes in multiple directions and affects various characters. I wanted to explore how people chase that elusive sense of completion and what happens when it remains out of reach. In real life, a detective investigation does not necessarily meet a resolution for all its threads. I read and researched about the experiences of real detectives to help me integrate a sense of realism into my investigation narrative.
Lastly, the impact of trauma runs through the narrative. From the detective’s years confronting violence to the Afghanistan backstory, the story examines how such experiences leave lasting marks. These themes—regret, time, closure, and trauma—intertwine to create a portrait of a man seeking meaning at the end of his journey. It makes it an existential novel at the core, but, as the reviewer mentioned, there is some humour, entertainment, and poetry to keep the reader positive and engaged.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next project is a collection of short stories about the people of Saint John. It will be a fresque of the colorful people of the Maritimes—a vibrant tapestry of characters who embody the region’s spirit, struggles, and resilience. I’ve already written many short stories for this collection and aim to publish it in 2025 or early 2026. One is currently competing in a literary competition in New Brunswick, which is an exciting step forward. I’ll keep my readers updated on progress through my social media, and I’m eager to share these tales with them!
Author Links: GoodReads | Indigo | FriesenPress | YouTube | Amazon
Shell Shocked: An Ocean Mystery
Kathleen Welton’s Shell Shocked: An Ocean Mystery introduces readers to 16-year-old Alex, whose passion for sea turtles transforms her summer into a thrilling yet treacherous adventure. Alex starts by volunteering at a local turtle rescue center, but her idyllic island life takes a dark turn as she and her best friend, Avery, uncover threats to the turtles she cherishes. Together, they navigate a dangerous mystery that puts both the turtles and their own lives at risk.
Welton captures the spirit of conservation beautifully, weaving Alex’s love for sea turtles into a compelling narrative. I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Cataluna Island, where the ocean’s beauty contrasts starkly with the shadowy threats beneath its surface. One standout moment for me was when Alex first encounters an injured loggerhead turtle, its scarred shell a haunting reminder of human negligence. The emotional weight of that scene stuck with me and underscored the importance of the book’s environmental message. Key moments, like the discovery of the mysterious markings on the turtles’ shells, carried significant intrigue, but some plot developments happened off-page or lacked depth. For example, Alex and Avery’s decision to confront the poachers directly felt rushed, and I found myself wishing for more buildup to heighten the tension. The stakes were clear, but the execution didn’t always deliver the urgency the story demanded. Alex is a relatable and determined protagonist, and her mentor, Maya, adds depth with her wisdom and wit. Avery’s role felt underdeveloped. His contributions to the plot were overshadowed by Alex’s larger-than-life drive, making him more of a sidekick than an equal partner in their shared mission. While their bond was endearing, I wanted more nuance in his character to balance the dynamic.
Shell Shocked offers an engaging tale for readers who love stories with environmental themes and strong-willed protagonists. The book’s heart is in the right place, and its vivid imagery and sincere message make it a worthwhile read. I’d recommend it to teens and young adults who enjoy eco-mysteries or are passionate about wildlife conservation. It’s a story that will make you think twice about the impact of human actions on the world’s oceans—and leave you rooting for every turtle that makes it to the sea.
Pages: 121 | ASIN : B0DRPC38HR
There Are No Superheroes
A Small Mountain Murder delivers a high-stakes investigative thriller where three reporters unravel a web of murder, corruption, and intrigue against the unique backdrop of skiing culture. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was a journalist on television and the radio for over 40 years. I covered a lot of crime and murder. I also spent decades competing as an amateur ski racer. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing great people, greater racers than I ever was and some influential people in the ski industry.
My novel, A Small Mountain Murder, is about a small ski area. Small ski areas are just like most other small businesses, they run on a shoestring budget and a lot of passion. Passion can get you to do strange things. And if you think a line has been crossed, you might even kill for your passion. Don’t believe me? Just read the headlines. Police call it a “Crime of passion.”
Presently, there are small ski areas across the United States being purchased by much larger ski resorts who are in the process of creating a nationwide network. Some of the employees and customers of those little ski areas are resentful. They didn’t ask for change. The result has been a great deal of resentment. Is that a good reason to kill someone? How often do you really hear of a good reason to kill someone?
Did you base the characters of JC, Milt, and Robin on real-life journalists, or are they entirely fictional?
Any number of people have suggested that I write a story about my life. I’m grateful to have led a pretty interesting existence, so far. But a book about me didn’t sound very interesting. However, a book based on my experiences with some embellishment? That sounded like some interesting fiction.
JC Snow is a television reporter. I was a television and radio reporter for over 40 years. The crimes that I describe in my books are often based on crimes that I really covered as a journalist. And the outdoor adventures I describe are based on some of my own outdoor adventures. That includes decades of ski racing and some jarring crashes while in a race course.
And there are pieces of Milt and Robin that also come from real stories and people that I really knew. Milt is a compilation of talented news photographers that I’ve worked with. Some were a little eccentric. The beautiful and talented Robin reflects the adoration and exchanges that I have with my own wife, Carolyn. But Robin also serves another vital purpose. She is often the sound of reason and reflection.
How did you balance the multiple storylines to create such a seamless resolution?
I want my stories to be plausible. I want the reader to feel that this story they are participating in could really happen. It resembles real life. There are no superheroes. And real life isn’t neat. It doesn’t follow a straight line. Events in life overlap. So, that’s how events unfold in my books. There is already stuff going on when something else crops up. When I was a journalist, I just had to juggle all the balls that I found circling in front of me. I was covering one good story when another good story came up and I just had to figure out how to cover them both.
And it wasn’t unusual to find that a career criminal was responsible for more crimes than the one he or she was being investigated for. Criminals are, in most ways, like the rest of us. When they find a way to get something done, they become comfortable with that technique. That’s their modus operandi. So, when investigating a criminal’s behavior, sometimes you’d stumble over other devious deeds they are responsible for. You also stumble across things someone else is responsible for. Life is complicated. But I do try to resolve most of the issues on the table by the time the book ends.
Can we expect a sequel or future stories involving these characters and the intriguing world you’ve built
Thank you, I do find this world I have contrived to be intriguing. So do a growing number of readers. Now, I have published six Murder on Skis Mysteries. A Small Mountain Murder is my 6th. And more are on the way. They tend to arrive at stores each November. To keep up with our plans and publications, go to our website at murderonskis.com.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Red Herrings
Torment – A Harper Jones Novel follows a detective haunted by the unsolved murder of his former partner who winds up investigating a gruesome crime leading him to suspect a serial killer is on the loose. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
One of my all-time favorite series is Criminal Minds, and I have always been fascinated by how/why an evil mind works the way it does…the motivations/experiences that contribute to a person’s character. Nature vs. Nurture?
I felt this novel’s supporting characters were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
I would have to say I enjoyed writing for Medora. She was cast as both a victim and a vigilante/antagonist. Somewhere in her captivity, a switch flipped, and she became empowered and independent. Her methods of retribution and revenge were obviously not preferred, but they allowed her to achieve her goal of revenge.
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
You pretty much nailed the most difficult part, which is giving enough to tease the reader without giving away the ending. My biggest difficulty was that I wanted to offer enough “red herrings” to keep the reader guessing, while at the same time not making the storyline too convoluted to where the reader gets frustrated or confused. I tried to walk this line by having a lot of dialogue, and have the characters “think out loud.”
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
Pawns is about half-written. It revolves around a series of political murders in Wolf Hollow, as well as delving into Harper’s past, with an old foe from his military days coming back to haunt him, endangering those that he cares about. At the same time, Harper and Angie’s romantic rebirth will be tested as the tension in the seaside town begins to ratchet up.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
On an early fall morning, the sleepy oceanside town of Wolf Hollow awakens to a gruesome crime. Alison Newton, an innocent young woman who was senselessly murdered six months ago, has been dug up and brutally violated.
Veteran Detective Harper Jones, the lead investigator in her murder, is called upon to track down the offender, and he quickly realizes that this isn’t some random act. Instead, he discovers that a ruthless serial killer has descended upon Wolf Hollow with his own cruel motives.
Harper and his new partner, Medora Dunning, must track him down quickly before he strikes again, all the while slowly learning that not everything and everyone in this unsuspecting paradise is what they seem.
Meatball Man Head Detective Book 1: Case of the Missing Pepper Shaker
In the idyllic community of Town-City, Meatball Man, the head detective of the local police force, spends his days mildly enforcing the law. With virtually no crime to combat, Meatball Man often finds himself playing cards with his trusty sidekicks, Bread Stick and Cheese Stick. That is until Sally Saltshaker presents him with a new mystery: her husband, Petey the Peppershaker, has gone missing, and it’s up to Meatball Man to crack the case and save the day.
Meatball Man, Head Detective Book 1: Case of the Missing Pepper Shaker, by Sandy Whiting, is a delightful and engaging read. This gentle and humorous adventure takes young readers on a rollicking journey through Meatball Man’s investigation, filled with numerous twists and turns. Rather than focusing on a mystery for kids to solve, this chapter book offers a playful romp through Meatball Man’s world, making it a lighthearted and fun experience. The story is enriched by Meatball Man’s sarcastic attitude, which adds a layer of humor as he races against time to find Petey Peppershaker, ideally before Sally floods his office with her salt-crystal tears.
The unique illustrations and the creative setting in a world of “foodlings” add to the charm of this narrative. Told from a first-person perspective, the book is perfectly sized for a summer afternoon read, making it a charming addition to any child’s bookshelf. Meatball Man’s debut adventure wraps up nicely while leaving plenty of room for future escapades. As an added bonus, the book includes an interview with Meatball Man and his friends at the end, giving readers a closer look at their favorite characters.
Meatball Man’s sarcastic yet endearing personality, coupled with a fast-paced plot and entertaining side characters, ensures that this debut is both captivating and enjoyable. Suitable for children aged 7 and up, Meatball Man, Head Detective Book 1: Case of the Missing Pepper Shaker, marks a promising start to what is sure to be a beloved mystery series for kids. Don’t miss out on this whimsical journey—Meatball Man is ready to bring his quirky charm to your bookshelf today.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0CYZ15HXN
Severed Echoes
In Severed Echoes, author D.V. Chernov weaves a compelling mystery centered around Detective Nick Severs, who stumbles upon a perplexing case. A tip from an old school friend leads Nick to investigate a suspected murder, initially disguised as a suicide. The story gains complexity as Nick’s friend’s honesty comes into question, and he grapples with a haunting, recurring nightmare.
Chernov skillfully uses sharp, succinct sentences to escalate tension, exemplified in lines like “woman’s startled shriek. Short, sharp, and clear.” This narrative style not only builds suspense but also immerses the reader in the role of a detective, encouraging them to piece together the mystery alongside the characters. Parallel to Nick’s story is Kat, engaged in a quest for retribution with the aid of the hacktivism group ‘f8sabitch’. The connection between their paths remains an intriguing aspect of the plot. The book’s opening line, “The boy’s skull cracked, and the sound made Nick open his eyes,” sets the tone for the unfolding mystery. From the outset, Chernov captivates readers with questions that can only be answered by delving deeper into the narrative.
Severed Echoes incorporates contemporary themes, including references to COVID, which adds a layer of relatability for modern readers. This novel is a compelling read for those drawn to mysteries, providing a rich blend of suspense, character development, and relevant societal commentary. Chernov’s storytelling is engaging, making it a challenging book to put down for anyone captivated by unraveling a good mystery.
Severed Echoes is an intricately crafted narrative that masterfully balances suspense and character-driven storytelling. D.V. Chernov presents a modern mystery that not only engages readers in a complex plot but also resonates with contemporary themes. The book’s strength lies in its ability to immerse the reader in the detective’s journey, turning each page into a step deeper into its enthralling mystery. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the genre or new to mystery novels, this book offers a captivating reading experience, marking D.V. Chernov as a noteworthy voice in mystery fiction.
Pages: 348 | ASIN : B0B65Q8K78
I’m Undeniably a Pantser
We Are Shadows: An Irish Ghost Story follows three sisters with unique abilities who use their talents to solve cold-case murders. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration came initially from stories about my Irish ancestors. My Connolly great-grandfather emigrated from Ireland in the Famine Years and panned for gold with his brothers in Alaska during the Alaskan Gold Rush in the Klondike. The three sisters are named for my Irish cousins whom I finally met in person this past year. They were extremely helpful in getting the slang correct.
Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing or did the character’s personalities grow organically as you were writing?
I’m undeniably a pantser; the story and characters developed as I wrote. I would put the sisters in a scene then listen to what they said to each other and frantically try to write it all down before I lost it. They definitely took on a life of their own!
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I write a scene, then let it simmer and stew for a while to see where it will go. Ideas often come in the liminal state before waking each morning. I keep a notebook by my bed to jot down keywords then hope I remember the gist when I’m fully awake and ready to write.
Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
I traveled to Ireland this past summer and got several ideas for the Gallagher Girls’ continuing adventures. Two of my favorite spots were Brú Na Boínne and the Aran Islands. These locations will be the setting for the next book, which is about half-way written. I hope to get it finished and edited, ready for release in the Spring 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Moira’s ability to talk with the dead gives her detective agency, Gallagher Investigations, an edge in uncovering secrets the past has buried. With the help of her sisters, Nuala and Deirdre, she assists those unsettled spirits in finding peace by righting the wrongs done to them before they found themselves on the Other Side. The past collides with the present as these Irish sisters solve cold-case murders and mayhem through their dreams, paranormal visitations, and spunk.
If you enjoy a cozy mystery, ghosts of the friendly and not-so-friendly variety, or anything Irish, you’ll love We Are Shadows.
LITERARY TITAN 