THE PERFECT OBIT by Melodie Johnson Howe The actress Yvette Vickers has died. She starred in two 1950s horror cult films: “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman” and “Attack of the Giant Leaches.” She was a Playboy Playmate, had an affair with Cary Grant and a 15 year relationship with Jim Hutton, who played Ellery […]

I had planned to return to The Scribbler this week, but when I received this submission from Stephen Ross, I knew I’d have to wait until my turn rolled around again. I really have nothing to add to what others have written already about that wonderful final week in April, especially to what Stephen has […]

TAKEDOWN by Leigh Lundin A week ago, the moneyman and motivator behind the greatest crime of the new millennium faced the consequences. This week, like the rest of the world, we’re trying to sort out what happened. Booted out of his own country as a religious madman, bin Laden found like-minded souls among the Taliban […]

FOUR PLAY by James Lincoln Warren, Janice Law, Melodie Johnson Howe, Rob Lopresti, Deborah Elliott-Upton, Steve Steinbock, John M. Floyd, and Leigh Lundin Stop the presses, put on your dancing shoes, and pop the cork on that bottle of champagne. Today marks the fourth anniversary of Criminal Brief: The Mystery Short Story Web Log Project. […]

JABBER-WALKING by Steven Steinbock He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought – So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! […]

BENEATH THE SURFACE by Deborah Elliott-Upton I feel like I’m treading water in a sea of Olympic swimmers sailing past me. My friend Jennifer Archer just published her first hardback, Through Her Eyes, a young adult novel that has a touch of mystery and a ghost and a fabulous cover. My friend April is in […]

DEFINE YOUR TERMS by Rob Lopresti Last time I tried to write this piece I wound up with this one instead. Second time’s a charm, I hope. I’m not trying to replace Noah Webster, but I do love a certain type of definition: a witty or at least pithy one. I collect those related to […]