MISS DEMEANORS

People often ask if you have to read a mystery series in order. The answer is, if the series has been written properly, you don’t. Having said that, I and a million other mystery readers still believe a series is best savored if you read the books in order.             I started reading Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series with book nine and enjoyed it so much, I read the rest of the series in order one-by-one. I was having a difficult time and her setting, bucolic Three Pines, and her quirky characters offered me escape and comfort.             The third book in the Sabrina Salters series, Tropical Depression, is set to launch by the end of the month. I wrote No Virgin Island first, followed by Permanent Sunset. Here’s a snapshot of the series. Disgraced former Boston meteorologist Sabrina Salter fled Nantucket after being acquitted of her husband’s murder and took refuge in the Virgin Islands where she and her friend Henry established a villa rental business. Unfortunately, trouble follows Sabrina to St. John where dead bodies keep finding her. Already unpopular with the police for being found not guilty, Sabrina must turn to the survival skills she developed as […]

This started off a great year for me. It began with finding out that my daughter was expecting a baby. A great joy! Then I found out I was long-listed for the Margery Allingham prize for the short story, which was a thrill. And for the next few months, I felt like I could do no wrong. My Maggie Dove books were to be re-released in paper back. I sold some short stories to places I could only dream about. My classes were great. My church had a wonderful new minister. My son in London got a great job, and I planned a trip to visit him. I had lots of public appearances lined up. I spoke to a crowd at Bryant Park. And then, one day in August, I noticed I was having a little trouble breathing. Called my doctor. She said to take Claritin. Called a few days later. She said to get a chest X-ray (which was fine.) But when I reached the point that I couldn’t climb three steps without gasping for air, and I kept feeling a terrible pounding in my ears, I suspected that more than allergies were involved. Called another doctor and he […]

I’ve always loved to read. If a book isn’t handy, I’ll read advertisements or old newspapers—even, in a pinch, the labels on household products. For me, reading is the ultimate relaxation. That’s why my experience this past week was troubling.

I want to share with you this touching poetry reading I ran across on Twitter : https://twitter.com/i/status/1431755848678658049 Sometimes our souls can use soothing. I know mine can. Do you have a favorite poet?

Procrastination and writing seem to go together (though not for all of us. Read on.), and as a result many writers have very clean closets, fridges, and bathrooms, and their friends/family are often nicely outfitted with hand-knit thingies. Staring at a screen or a notebook can be so intimidating, the critic’s voice so snarky, that I, for one, will invent any project to free me from the angst. And I like writing!

So, I asked the Misses if this was a thing for them.

Looking for authors to guide you through Hispanic Heritage month? Here are 5 you might like.

Author Raquel V. Reyes teaches us a little Spanglish today. Read her primer to whet your appetite for her upcoming cozy, Mango, Mambo, and Murder! @missdemeanors6 #cozymystery #foodiecozy #cubanamerican @latinasleuths

Sometimes, the most treacherous creature you meet underwater is another diver.

How do you feel about making your characters suffer? Could you be too nice?

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