Miss Demeanors

Author: Keenan Powell

Keenan Powell is the Agatha, Lefty, and Silver Falchion nominated author of the Maeve Malloy Mystery series. While still in high school, she was one of the illustrators of the original Dungeons and Dragons. Art seemed an impractical pursuit – not an heiress, wouldn’t marry well, hated teaching – so she went to law school instead. An Air Force brat, she was ready for a new place to go upon graduation so the day after commencement, she moved to Alaska where she continues to practice law. Her career has spanned the gamut from criminal defense, family law, dog law, personal injury, workers compensation, and appeals. In addition to writing the Maeve Malloy series, she has published a number of short stories including The Banshee of Adams, Massachusetts which short-listed for the Al Blanchard award. When not writing or practicing law, Keenan can be found oil painting, studying the Irish language, or hanging out with her friends at mystery conventions.

You Wrote a Murder Mystery, Now What? Part Deux: Independent Publishers

March 23, 2022
Keenan Powell

Congratulations on writing your mystery! And you want the world to see it! Today we’re talking about independent publishers.

March 10, 2022
Keenan Powell

You want to be a published author. Perhaps you have written your first murder mystery novel and you think it’s pretty good. Don’t be shy! Pat yourself on the back! Writing an 80,000-90,000-word book is no small feat.

February 25, 2022
Keenan Powell

I’ve had mixed experiences with writer groups. So, I asked my Sister Miss D’s about their experiences and this is what they said.

February 14, 2022
Keenan Powell

Catriona McPherson asks the burning question: Now, as ever, when I think up a top five list, I am preparing to hear what I missed. Let me know your favourite romantic sub-plots and, once again, Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 1, 2022
Keenan Powell

When I was growing up in the 60’s, there were significant events not taught in history classes.

January 19, 2022
Keenan Powell

Ethical Lawyers, Really? Really, really! There are rules. Read on.

January 7, 2022
Keenan Powell

I was thrilled to ask the Miss Demeanors this absolutely original and inspired question: What are your writerly New Year resolutions? Keenan Mine is to read more outside of traditional mystery. I’m currently writing a gothic psych thriller, or think I am, so as the year goes by, I will read more of them. (I’m open to suggestions.) Completely outside of the mystery genre, I’m currently listening to Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes, which is included in the Audible plan. I haven’t read anything by her before but she’s quite popular so I was curious. So far, so good. It’s women’s fiction, about a young Irish woman living in New York City who is packed off to rehab by her family. But funny in a Bridget Jones kind of way. Right now, I could use funny. Also I’m open to suggestions on funny reading. Connie Your writerly question, if not original, is at least traditional. We all make resolutions at this time of year, and most of us break them within two weeks (or am I speaking only of myself??). I am resolving this year to have a finished manuscript in three months’ time, plus a stand-alone pretty well laid […]

December 28, 2021
Keenan Powell

Darkness is tough. It’s bleak. Endless.

December 16, 2021
Keenan Powell

ell Sweeny has disappeared.

December 7, 2021
Keenan Powell

Previously published in Sisters in Crime First Draft, December 1, 2021 The police do not have to give Miranda warnings. You absolutely do have the right to remain silent. Your right is protected by the Fifth Amendment and there are few rights so jealously guarded by the courts. But so often media gets the Miranda warnings wrong. The police do not have to Mirandize a suspect at the time of arrest. The police do not have to Mirandize people who voluntarily talk to them. However if the police do not Mirandize a suspect who is in custody and then interrogates him or her and later tries to introduce the alleged confession into evidence, the accused’s statements will be suppressed, i.e. held inadmissible, because of the failure to give the warning. Don’t leave town. What an overused trope! No one can order anyone, witness or a suspect, not to leave town. Americans have a constitutional right to travel where they please. Granted, it might look bad if the cops accuse you of murder and you jump on a plane as soon as they leave. But the only way the authorities can restrict someone’s travel is to arrest them for a committing […]