VILLIANS by Melodie Johnson Howe We tend to focus on the protagonists when discussing mysteries, but I think we should give the villains their do. Without them there would be no heroes. Villains illuminate our fears more than heroes illuminate our bravery. There is a need to make our heroes more human, so many writers […]

Melodie’s back. To quote Kermit the Frog, “YA-A-A-A-A-AY!” —JLW JOHNSONHOWE or WHAT’S in a NAME? by Melodie Johnson Howe As many of you know I’ve been in the hospital. (I’m going to milk this as long as I can.) As good as the hospital is at saving life they don’t care much for the individual, […]

Regular readers of Criminal Brief may recall a recent column by Melodie describing in tragicomic detail her recent visit to the hospital. Well, Melodie has had to return briefly, since there were some complications from her fall, but we’re expecting her back at full vigor soon. In the meantime, she asked me if I could […]

PRETTY LITTLE GIRLS by Melodie Johnson Howe Due to circumstances beyond my control (so to speak) I found myself watching more TV than usual. Thank God for baseball, the Olympics, and interior decorating shows. I now know how to decorate on a dime. Baseball was perfect for me. I could nap and wake up to […]

Melodie asked previous Criminal Brief contributor and award-winning journalist Kathleen Sharp to fill in for her today. Melodie should be back next week. —JLW CAN’T TAKE A JOKE by Kathleen Sharp Parody is on life support and I’m holding a vigil. What prompted this is the recent emotional reaction to a few mild-mannered stabs at […]

I HEAR VOICES by Melodie Johnson Howe Sometimes when writing my blog I need to look something up to make sure my dates, quotes, etc. are correct. I have become aware that I usually sit for a moment deciding if I want to Google or walk into my library and search for a particular book […]

DEAD WRITERS by Melodie Johnson Howe Last Sunday I was walking with my friend Kathleen Sharp, a nonfiction writer. She said if I could pick any dead writer to discuss my work with, or use as a sounding board, who would it be? I immediately asked if I could have two writers, and knowing my […]