Blog Archives
I First Figured Out The Crime
The Scarecrow’s Secret follows Detective Cal Nowak as the murder of a migrant worker in a small-town corn maze exposes buried family secrets, prejudice, abuse, and a past that refuses to stay hidden. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Inspired by fall in a small Catskill Mountain town, I explored harvest festivals and other seasonal activities, which provided a suitable backdrop for the established characters in the series. The new characters introduced in the story grew out of the rural farm setting, and the crime developed from their means, opportunities, and motivations.
Cal and Demetrius’s relationship gives the dangers of police work a personal cost. How did you approach balancing their relationship story with the murder investigation?
To weave the mystery and the romance storylines together, I first figured out the crime, and then considered how the investigation might impact their relationship.
The novel explores racism, homophobia, domestic violence, disability, and prejudice toward migrant workers. How did you work to make those issues integral to the mystery rather than separate from it?
The crime and the players involved, Cal and Demetrius’s interracial gay relationship, and the heated mayoral election, inspired the social issues and themes explored in the novel.
The discoveries surrounding the O’Leary family reveal how deeply the present crime is connected to the past. How early in developing the story did you know what the scarecrow’s “secret” would ultimately represent?
From the beginning, I knew the part the scarecrow played in the crime. But the full extent of the secrets the O’Learys were hiding deepened in subsequent drafts.
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Detective Callum “Cal” Nowak expects nothing more dangerous than crowd control at Nyes Landing’s annual harvest festival and a long-awaited getaway with the man he loves. Instead, the festivities turn deadly when a young migrant worker is found murdered deep within the O’Leary farm’s corn maze.
As Cal investigates, he uncovers a web of prejudice, secrets, and forbidden relationships that stretches far beyond the victim’s final hours. With suspects ranging from the victim’s devoted boyfriend to the family that employs her, every new clue draws him closer to a ruthless killer determined to keep the truth buried. Meanwhile, the relentless demands of the case threaten the fragile future Cal has begun to build with Demetrius.
Set against the backdrop of autumn in the Catskill Mountains, The Scarecrow’s Secret is a gripping small-town mystery that blends a twisting murder investigation with the warmth—and heartbreak—of found family and enduring love.
The Scarecrow’s Secret
S. F. Williams’s The Scarecrow’s Secret is a character-driven small-town crime mystery that places a murder investigation inside the close, complicated community of Nyes Landing. When migrant worker Blanca Sanchez is found murdered in a corn maze during the town’s harvest festival, Detective Callum “Cal” Nowak is drawn into a case crowded with possible suspects, conflicting accounts, buried family secrets, and local prejudices. Williams makes good use of the festival setting, moving from bonfires, scarecrows, farm animals, and autumn crowds into an increasingly serious investigation. The mystery develops methodically as Cal follows physical evidence, revisits assumptions, and gradually discovers that Blanca’s death is connected to secrets extending well beyond the night of the murder.
Cal gives the novel much of its personality. He’s capable and persistent, but he’s also impulsive, sarcastic, emotionally guarded, and still learning what it means to be both a detective and a dependable partner. His first-person narration allows the procedural elements of the case to sit comfortably beside humor, friendships, family history, and the routines of life in Nyes Landing. Williams also gives substantial attention to Cal’s relationship with Demetrius, particularly as the dangers of police work begin affecting their life together. Demetrius’s admission, “I love you, Cal. I love you, too. But I don’t love your job,” distills one of the book’s strongest personal conflicts: loving someone whose profession repeatedly exposes both partners to consequences neither can fully control.
The novel’s larger concerns deepen the mystery without displacing it. Blanca’s murder unfolds amid racism, hostility toward migrant workers, homophobia, political opportunism, domestic violence, disability, and the unequal ways people are treated according to their status in a community. These issues become part of the investigation because they shape what witnesses notice, whom people suspect, whose testimony receives attention, and what victims are able to say safely. Williams is particularly effective when the case forces Cal to reconsider an apparently simple explanation and continue investigating after others are ready to settle for an easier conclusion. The eventual discoveries involving the O’Leary family give the title real significance and connect the central murder to a longer history of concealment and abuse. The recovery of human remains beneath the barn further reinforces how thoroughly the present crime is rooted in the past.
The Scarecrow’s Secret succeeds as both a murder mystery and another chapter in Cal’s continuing personal story. Williams balances investigative developments with an unusually populated community, giving Nyes Landing the feeling of a place whose residents have histories with one another that extend beyond the immediate crime. That continuity makes the final portion especially effective: solving the case brings consequences rather than simple closure, while Cal’s relationship troubles, his unresolved search for his mother’s killer, and the changing lives around him remain active parts of his story. By the end, the book’s interest in justice has broadened beyond identifying a murderer to include responsibility, protection, prejudice, and the damage people leave behind. It’s an engaging, compassionate crime novel whose mystery matters because the people caught inside it matter.
Pages: 301 | ASIN: B0HBQWCDJH
A Constant State of Change
A Fatal Affair follows a small town detective investigating the death of an actor that is determined to be caused by drug and alcohol toxicity, but he thinks there is something more sinister at play. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Agatha Christie has inspired me in so many ways. I wanted to write a mystery that honored her work. She was a master of poisons. My background is in theater, and many of my friends and fans are actors, directors, musicians, and playwrights so that world is very special to me. I needed a crime that involved poison and a scenario that centered around the production of a play. Many small theaters in the region feature actors from New York City alongside local talent. The rest of the story grew naturally from there.
I found all the characters to be unique and intriguing, each with a story to tell and secrets to hide. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
We human beings are fascinating creatures. I’m intrigued by the light and dark sides to us and how we cope with those (or don’t). We all have needs and desires. Some we express, some we suppress. Some we aren’t aware of at all. And we live in a constant state of change, which is more fun in fiction than in life.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
All the elements of storytelling are interwoven for me. Once I find my characters, I figure out the crime, and the major discoveries of the investigation, and I improvise from there.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Nyes Landing and the direction of the next book?
A Scarecrow’s Secret opens during Nyes Landing’s annual harvest festival. A young migrant worker is murdered, and Detective Callum Nowak must catch her killer. Tensions between the migrant workers and the townspeople, a mayoral election, and the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays complicate matters.
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A mysterious death, a town on edge, and a relationship on the rocks—can Officer Nowak uncover the truth before he loses everything?
When an outbreak of food poisoning disrupts the opening night party for the Nyes Landing Players’ debut production, paramedics rush a drunken actor to the hospital—where he later dies. The medical examiner rules his death was due to “acute mixed drug and alcohol toxicity.” But Officer Cal Nowak has seen his share of overdoses, and something doesn’t sit right. He suspects there’s more to the incident than a bad batch of meatballs.
A cheating wife, a ruthless husband, feuding neighbors, a skittish housekeeper, and a mysterious woman with a dark secret all test Cal’s investigative skills at every turn. But his relentless pursuit of the truth comes at a personal cost. His relationship with Demetrius—a divorced father navigating his first relationship with a man—begins to fracture under the strain. As Cal’s obsession with the case deepens, Demetrius questions their future together.
Tensions rise as the mayor pressures the police chief to rein Cal in, delivering an ultimatum: drop the case or lose his badge. Undeterred, Cal risks his career—and his heart—to bring a killer to justice.
Set in 2003, A Fatal Affair is the second novel in the Nyes Landing Crime Mystery series. If you enjoy small town murder mysteries that feature a gay romance, like Joseph Hansen’s Fadeout, Michael Nava’s Lay Your Sleeping Head, or Pretty Pretty Boys by Gregory Ashe, don’t miss this absorbing mystery layered with emotion and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
A Fatal Affair
A Fatal Affair is a cozy mystery with a sharp, sly, character-rich story set in the sleepy town of Nyes Landing, where drama unfolds both on stage and off. The plot kicks off with Officer Callum Nowak dealing with a belligerent actor at a local tavern, and it snowballs into a tangled mess involving poisoned meatballs, backstabbing actors, an ambitious theater production, and one very chaotic opening night. As the small-town cops try to uncover what made a dozen townsfolk sick and nearly killed Oliver Crispin, the reader is treated to a fast-paced, often hilarious, and sometimes poignant whodunit.
From the very first chapter, I was thoroughly engaged. Callum emerges as a compelling narrator, direct, introspective, and burdened with a complex personal history that adds real depth to the narrative. From the opening barroom confrontation with the volatile Crispin, a character who consistently tests the boundaries of acceptable behavior, it’s clear this is no conventional detective story. Williams’s writing is sharp and kinetic, with brisk dialogue and a narrative pace that rarely lets up. Scenes unfold with a kind of controlled chaos, where tension builds only to erupt in the most unexpected ways, such as the unforgettable moment during the theater scene, when guests begin hallucinating and turning on each other in a frenzy of accusations. It’s outrageous, unpredictable, and thoroughly compelling.
Williams also handles the emotional undercurrents of the story with remarkable sensitivity. Callum’s relationships, particularly with his boyfriend, Demetrius, and his longtime friend, Annie, are portrayed with nuance and authenticity. His emotional distance and reluctance to fully embrace intimacy add a compelling layer to the central mystery. Moments like the tense camping discussion, the uneasy dinner with Demetrius and Annie, and the confrontation at the crime scene reveal a man grappling not only with external conflict but with internal scars that refuse to fade. This is as much a story of emotional survival as it is of uncovering the truth.
Some of the dialogue occasionally veers into melodramatic territory. Characters like Daphne, the self-styled diva, and her theatrical circle often feel as though they’ve stepped out of a reality television set, with moments of exaggerated flair that strain plausibility. Lines such as “They’re witches!” or Ernest Drucker’s over-the-top reactions can be both amusing and distracting. However, this heightened drama ultimately suits the tone of the novel. Nyes Landing is a town brimming with unresolved tensions, long-standing feuds, and relentless gossip, and it’s this very turbulence that fuels the narrative’s energy. Even the local goat farm is not without its share of theatrics.
A Fatal Affair is sharp-witted, queer-friendly, and packed with snappy dialogue and messy humans. If you’re into small-town mysteries with theater kids, found families, emotional baggage, and a touch of camp, this book’s for you. Fans of Only Murders in the Building, Knives Out, or even Gilmore Girls with body bags will feel right at home in Nyes Landing.
Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0F9X8ZZR1
Refusing To Let A Killer Walk
The Lost Boy follows a NYC cop who returns to his hometown, where he witnessed his mother’s murder, and must face and overcome his trauma to save a boy who is missing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was intrigued by the idea of exploring a story about a man whose father left when he was seven and whose mother spiraled out of control before being murdered in front of him at thirteen. From there, I developed the character of Officer Callum Nowak and his backstory, which ultimately became the foundation for The Lost Boy’s plot.
I found Cal to be an interesting character. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Outwardly, Cal is quite different from me—he’s a cop, a former athlete, grew up in foster care, and indulges in excessive drinking and casual sex. However, we share the same Enneagram type: a Type 1, also known as the Reformer or Perfectionist. Because of this, he often reacts to situations in ways I might. He also deeply wants to be seen as a good person. The Enneagram is a personality typing system rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, describing people based on their core motivations, desires, and fears. While Cal is more impulsive—being an Aries—I’m more contemplative as an Aquarius. I enjoy using tools like the Enneagram and the zodiac to distinguish my characters’ motivations and make them more distinct.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I didn’t really set out with any particular theme(s) in mind, but as the story developed, I found myself considering the ghosts of our past and whether or not we can ever be whole until we confront them.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
A Fatal Affair, the second book in the Nyes Landing Crimes Series, releases this spring.
At the afterparty for the opening night of the Nyes Landing Players’s inaugural production, an outbreak of food poisoning disrupts the festivities. When a womanizing actor in the cast is rushed to the hospital and later dies, the corner rules his death an accidental overdose. But Officer Callum “Cal” Nowak suspects foul play.
A colorful cast of characters that includes a cheating wife, a jealous husband, feuding neighbors, and a housekeeper harboring a secret put Cal’s investigative skills to the test. Things heat up when the mayor pressures the police chief to close the case, leaving Cal with an ultimatum: back off or risk losing his badge. Refusing to let a killer walk free, Cal defies orders and puts his career on the line to uncover the truth.
But his relentless pursuit of justice comes at a cost. Cal’s relationship with Demetrius, already complicated, begins to show cracks. Demetrius, a divorced father navigating his first relationship with a man, struggles with Cal’s obsession with the case and his own doubts about their future. Can Cal solve the murder without losing the man he’s come to love?
Set in 2003, A Fatal Affair is the second book in the Nyes Landing Crime Mystery series. Fans of small-town murder mysteries with a gay romance twist—like Joseph Hansen’s Fadeout, Michael Nava’s Lay Your Sleeping Head, or Gregory Ashe’s Pretty Pretty Boys—will relish piecing together the clues in this gripping whodunit.
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“The Lost Boy, by S. F. Williams, is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant tale that combines mystery, introspection, and heart. It’s a story that stays with you and one that leaves readers eager for the next installment in the series. A truly remarkable debut.” —Literary Titan
“A cozy hometown mystery to wrap yourself in when you need yourself a lovely cop to follow around.”
–Reedsy Reviews
Can Officer Callum Nowak face his childhood phobia of the woods in time to catch a killer and save a missing boy?
When Callum “Cal” Nowak aged out of foster care at the age of eighteen, he fled his small hometown in the Catskill Mountains, hoping to leave his traumatic childhood in the past. Landing in New York City, he joined the police force.
Fourteen years later, while placed on administrative leave for roughing up a suspect, Cal returns home for a visit. Everywhere he turns, he’s reminded of his mother’s brutal murder, which he witnessed when he was a child.
When the husband of the woman he dated in high school before he came out dies in his arms from a gunshot wound, he must find the killer before she goes to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Having no official jurisdiction in the town, though, he must be discreet, which proves no easy feat.
Aided by a handsome stranger who awakens feelings Cal didn’t know he could have, he ventures into the woods where he spent five of the worst days and nights of his life hiding from his mother’s killer, and together they uncover important evidence in the case.
But when a local boy goes missing, can Cal face his phobia alone and save the boy? Or will his childhood trauma defeat him?
Set in 2002, The Lost Boy is the first novel in the Nyes Landing Crime Mystery series. If you enjoy small town murder mysteries that feature a gay romance, like Joseph Hansen’s Fadeout, Michael Nava’s Lay Your Sleeping Head, or Pretty Pretty Boys by Gregory Ashe, don’t miss this gripping and emotional read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Lost Boy
Callum “Cal” Nowak fled the confines of foster care and his small-town upbringing in the Catskill Mountains when he turned eighteen. In New York City, he joined the police force, determined to escape the shadows of his traumatic past and carve out a new life. Fourteen years later, after being placed on administrative leave, Cal reluctantly returns to his hometown, where every street and memory resurrects the pain of his mother’s murder. When the husband of his ex-girlfriend dies in his arms, Cal finds himself thrust into a gripping investigation. Convinced of her innocence, he’s determined to uncover the truth and expose the real killer before she’s wrongfully imprisoned.
How do we confront the weight of our past while forging a path forward? The Lost Boy: A Small Town Murder Mystery Gay Cop Romance by S. F. Williams explores this question poignantly. This enthralling series opener pulls readers in from the first page, weaving a narrative that balances the unraveling of Cal’s childhood trauma with the suspense of a high-stakes murder mystery. It’s a compelling, emotional, and unforgettable read.
What truly stands out is the nuanced portrayal of Cal. Through his perspective, readers are invited to reflect on their own struggles and resilience. Williams writes with a compassion that makes Cal not a perfect hero, but an authentic, flawed, and deeply human character. His journey is raw, relatable, and profoundly moving.
I do feel the storyline occasionally feels a little weighted with unnecessary details. Within the narrative, there seems to be a blending of genres which I believe can sometimes detract from the central storyline. Even so, these moments do not overshadow the book’s many strengths.
The Lost Boy‘s approach to representation is significant. The story offers a refreshing perspective, a gay protagonist whose challenges stem more from his personal history than his sexuality. This kind of storytelling is vital and refreshing, delivering both inclusivity and depth without resorting to clichés.
In the end, The Lost Boy, by S. F. Williams, is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant tale that combines mystery, introspection, and heart. It’s a story that stays with you and one that leaves readers eager for the next installment in the series. A truly remarkable debut.
Pages: 285 | ASIN : B0DK41MW5J
