One Image, Two Story Ideas: Broken Window
Jen and Tina love writing prompts. This month’s photo of a broken window took us to surprisingly upbeat places.
Photos as Memories
Jen writes: This week I’ve been spending more hours than I like to think about in the Sisyphian challenge of getting caught up with my photo albums. I’m the official photographer and archivist in my family, and I believe passionately in the power of photos. Photos commemorate happy occasions, they bring back memories, and they help mark the passage of time. But they don’t do any good sitting on my phone or camera (yes, I still use one). For them to work their magic, photos need to be available to be enjoyed.
Agatha Christie’s Armchair Travel Mysteries
Carol writes: In celebration of Agatha Christie’s birthday on September 15, I’m offering a list of books which speak to one of her most favorite things—foreign travel.
What We’re Reading: August 2022
A look over our shoulders to see what the women behind Sleuths & Sidekicks read in August.
Libraries. Making Book Dreams Come True Since 1962…
Tina writes: Last month I met Jeffrey Deaver. I was thrilled to stand next to him and have my picture taken because unbeknownst to him, he has been a great impetus behind getting my first book published and on a library shelf. I feel like all my stories start and end with a library.
Murder Most Unladylike: A New Middle Grade Series That’s Not Just for Kids
Carol writes: I recently discovered Robin Stevens’ Murder Most Unladylike series. Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are smart and clever, independent and adventurous. These wonderful books aren’t just for teens.
One Image, Two Story Ideas: Man at a Window
Jen and Tina love writing prompts. This month’s photo of a lonely man at a window took us in unexpected directions.
Willow to the Rescue
Lida writes: When our two elderly dogs crossed over the rainbow bridge, not only did my husband and I feel the void, so did Chico, our six-year-old shepherd. He moped and snoozed much of the time. We had to coax him to join us on walks. Chico became a couch potato. A rescue named Willow was just the spark we all needed.
Picture a Mystery: The Talented Mr. Ripley
Carol says: Patricia Highsmith takes readers of The Talented Mr. Ripley from New York City to Venice in this high-stakes thriller.
Nine Great Mysteries Set In Italy
Jen writes: I’ve been an Italophile for as long as I can remember. When I can’t visit the Bel Paese (beautiful country) in person, armchair travel is the next best thing. I’m delighted to share some of my favorite mysteries and thrillers set in Italy.
S&S Book Club: Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money
Lida, Jen, Carol, and Tina discuss Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money. Lida writes: As a long-time Stephanie Plum fan who’d stopped reading the series after Book 15 or so, I was certain a re-reading would not hold the same pleasure for me as it did some twenty years ago.
What We’re Reading: July 2022
A look over our shoulders to see what the women behind Sleuths & Sidekicks read in July.
Behind the Scenes: Research
Lida writes: When I started writing fiction, I assumed that very little research would be needed. After all, we fiction writers just make things up, right? Research belongs in scholarly, non-fiction pieces. SO not true.
11 Great Middle Grade Mysteries & Thrillers
Jen writes: My twelve-year-old son loves mysteries nearly as much as I do, and we’ve spent many happy hours reading and talking about what’s going to happen next in our favorites. Check out this list for some new favorites.
Arsenic and Cyanide and Strychnine, Oh, My! A Guide to Agatha Christie’s Use of Poison
Carol writes: Cyanide, morphine, digitoxin, ricin, strophanthin, strychnine, nicotine, chloral hydrate, hyoscine, snake venom, and more. The list seemed endless, as Agatha Christie put her knowledge of poisons to work in more than half of her novels and short stories.
S&S Book Club: Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness
Jen, Carol & Tina chat about Jen’s pick: Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness. Jen says: Rhys Bowen is a magician. Her (currently) 15-book series follows the adventures of a penniless royal 34th in line for the throne of England in the 1930s, and the books are just as fun as their premise.
One Image, Two Story Ideas: Misty Trees
Jen and Tina love writing prompts. Sometimes they turn into stories, sometimes they just get our creative juices flowing. Either way, they’re a lot of fun. This time Tina’s photo of misty trees took us to two very different stories.
Picture a Mystery: Murder in Montmartre
Carol says: In Cara Black's Murder in Montmartre, protagonist Aimée Leduc takes on another thrilling investigation in the City of Lights, where she would likely pass by the famous cabaret le Lapin Agile.
Time to Relax: A cup of coffee, smooth jazz, and murder…
Tina writes: My husband will never understand why I find murder mysteries so relaxing. I understand his point since I don’t have a violent bone in my body. In fact, I escort spiders and mice out of my farmhouse rather than kill them. But when it’s time to relax, nothing works better than a murder mystery.
S&S Book Club: Alafair Burke’s If You Were Here
Carol and Tina discuss Alafair Burke’s thriller If You Were Here. Carol writes: Alafair Burke’s skill at creating mounting tension and all-enveloping suspense is second to none. Her characters are complex and beautifully flawed, but we can relate to them. The book is filled with wonderfully crafted twists and turns to keep you turning the pages to keep you guessing.