Melodie Johnson Howe is in Vermont, dashing through the snow in her brand new Uggs. Melodie kindly asked award winning journalist Kathleen Sharp to fill in, and we’re pleased as punch to have her. Her fascinating essay reminds me of two things: first, that all good writing is creative writing, and second (with apologies to […]

Some time ago, I was interviewed by the inimitable Elaine Flinn for her erstwhile column on Murderati, “On the Bubble”. In the interest of posterity, and also because I couldn’t think of anything I really wanted to pontificate about this week (as hard as that may be to believe), I reproduce that interview here, together […]

The HOCH SHOP by Leigh Lundin I stopped at a book store off Orlando’s International Drive, called Best Used Books II. At leat I think it was II; it could have been 11, but I doubt it, considering the ongoing doom and gloom about reading in America. You’ll recognize the store without my having to […]

The diabolical ingenuity of spammers has recently enabled several illicit posts to slip by Criminal Brief‘s spam detection software. Effective immediately, only registered members of the site will be allowed to post responses to articles. Registration is a relatively painless procedure, and you have our word that the only use to which your registration information […]

READING QUEEN’S QUORUM Barry T. Zeman The First Fifty Years, the initial chapter of Queen’s Quorum detailing the first fifteen selections, encompasses important developmental works in the detective-mystery story genre. Except for a few however, reading them for enjoyment rather than scholarly intent will be a frustrating effort. The initial entry on the list is […]

BANDERSNATCHES by Steve Steinbock Honesty and Sensitivity This past Tuesday, after praising Janet Hutchings and EQMM in her column, Melodie lamented that political correctness is leading too many of us to write (and talk and even THINK) like we’re walking on eggshells. She used a beautiful metaphor of a bodice worn too tight. I had […]

WHERE NOBODY KNOWS MY NAME by Deborah Elliott-Upton It’s good to have a place where everybody knows your name, but sometimes, being anonymous is what soothes my soul. I love visiting places where I know nobody knows my name, which sounds strange. Isn’t one of my dreams for readers to clamor for my next short […]