Mysteries to Die For

S9E5: Flat

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

In the world’s most dangerous working environments it can seem like everything is out to kill you. The equipment you use. The materials you work with. The very air you breathe. Stored energy is a coiled viper waiting for the right moment to lash out. Owners, manufacturers, contractors, and beyond have developed safety protocols to combat STCKY, that is, Stuff That Can Kill You. Gravity, Motion, Mechanical, Electrical, Pressure, Sound, Radiation, Biological, Chemical, Temperature. This season is all about the means of murder as authors put our STCKY detective skills to the test. This is Season 9, Stuff That Can Kill You.

This is Episode 5, where gravity is our STCKY means of death. This is Flat by Robert J. Binney

Henri has real motivation to put his state certificate to use. He’s accused of helping developer Austin Coleman go splat. He needs our help if he’s going to avoid being sentenced to life in prison orange. Here are his suspects in the order we met them:

Carl, construction site foreman
Desiree Normandy, ex-wife #1
Crystal Watters, almost ex-wife #2
Quentin Lockwood, Commissioner and candidate for governor
Wesley Brownstein, one-man protester

ABOUT Robert J. Binney

Seattle screenwriter Robert J. Binney has chronicled Henri’s adventures previously on Mysteries to Die For. His essays on being the butt of Jimmy Carter’s jokes, joyriding with the Salt Lake City police, find-ing career advice in the Himalayas, and hanging with Peter Frampton have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, the Kelp Journal, and more. “Restoration Software” was recently featured in Level Best Books’ The Best Private Eye Stories of 2025. He is a regular contributor to Thrill Ride magazine and the Starlite Pulp Review. A former titan of industry with movie-star good looks, he holds an MBA from Emory University and an MFA from UC Riverside.

Website: www.ThirdActMedia.com

Facebook: RJBinney

Instagram: RJBinney

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website m2d4podcast.com for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Flat was written by Robert J. Binney. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where electricity is our STCKY means of murder. It’s Charbroiled by Jim Winter.

TT88: Zigzag Girl

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is Zigzag Girl by Ruth Knafo Setton

TG Wolff Review

Zigzag Girl is mystery suspense. It’s opening night for Magician Lucy Moon and her partners Van and Stormie, who are as close as sisters. Amid the bright lights and sparkle of illusion, murder lurks. Performing the sawing a woman illusion, Lucy lifts the lid to enter, when she finds the space is already taken. Her best friend, a black rose, a prop that has killed before—no, Lucy is not going to leave this one to the cops.

Bottom line: Zigzag Girl is for you if you like your illusions, suspense, mystery twisted together with a sprinkling of Irish magic.

The Zigzag Girl was released from Black Spring Crim and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

https://www.amazon.com/ZigZag-Girl-Ruth-Knafo-Setton/dp/1917788037

About Ruth Knafo Setton

RuthSetton.com

Born in Morocco and raised in the Lehigh Valley, Ruth Knafo Setton is the author of the novel, The Road to Fez (Counterpoint Press). Her honors include awards and fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts, PEN, CineStory, Nimrod, Cutthroat, Writer’s Digest, and residencies at Hedgebrook, Yaddo, MacDowell, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is a multi-genre author whose fiction, creative nonfiction, screenplays, and poetry have won many awards and appeared in journals and anthologies. A former Fiction Editor of Arts & Letters, she has taught Creative Writing and Multicultural Literature at Lehigh University and on Semester at Sea.

Wondering what to read after you finish Zigzag Girl? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connectwith other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media – partnersincrimevbt.com.

And Authors, whether you’re looking to promote your latest thriller, discover a new mystery series, or connect with fellow fans of the genre, PICT has you covered. Check out their promotion options that come with the personal attention of a dedicated coordinator.

Join us next week for the next original story in Season 9 Stuff That Can Kill You. Robert J. Binney and hairstylist extraordinaire Henry Beauchamp are back in the morgue with FLAT, where gravity is the STCKY means of murder.

S9E4: Huey & Madelyn, Dead Heat

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 4, where chemical is our STCKY means of death. This is Huey and Madelyn, Dead Heat by Wil A. Emerson

Detective Farrell has a strange case on his desk. He needs our help if he’s going to move the case of Huey and Madelyn to the closed pile. Here are the people involved in the case in the order we met them:

Huey McPherson, accountant, dead guy
Madelyn McPherson, insurance clerk, dead gal
Alexia Finkbeiner, Huey’s boss and mistress
Tula Cunningham, Madelyn’s boss
Walter Duggan, hardware store owner
Mrs. Doyle, put out neighbor
Mickey, unhappy lawn boy

ABOUT Wil A. Emerson

Wil A. Emerson is a Reg. Nurse turned full time writer. She’s lived throughout the U.S. and spent a few years in Europe, too. Her stories feature people she’s met on her travels. A novel for women’s fiction was her first sale, but her characters kept telling more deadly tales. Thus, a long list of releases appeared with the dead or deadly as main characters. When her muse rests, she paints. No idle fingers. Look for her work in Crimeucopia or Black Cat Weekly.

Website: https://www.wilemerson

Facebook: https://facebook.com/wila.emerson

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Huey and Madelyn, Dead Heat was written by Wil A. Emerson. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where gravity is our STCKY means of murder. It’s FLAT by Robert J. Binney

TT87: The Haunting of Emily Grace

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor

TG Wolff Review

The Haunting of Emily Grace is a suspense. Emily Grace Turner is a master carpenter, single woman, and grieving mother. As she claws her way out of grief, depression, and the drugs meant to numb the former, she is given an opportunity to complete the carpentry on a one-of-a-kind home. But nearly from the start, she and the home’s owner, Cameron Lang, are plagued by unexplained happenings. With Cameron’s wife, Katrina, missing for a year and accusation of her murder as well as the sudden appearance of his estranged (and strange) daughter, Emily Grace has many reasons to think things aren’t as they seem. And unraveling them may just be her path to salvation.

Bottom line: The Haunting of Emily Grace is for you if you like psychologically intense suspense where seeing isn’t believing.

About Elena Taylor

Elena Taylor spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning her storytelling skills to novels. Her first series, the Eddie Shoes Mysteries, written under Elena Hartwell, introduced a quirky mother/daughter crime fighting duo.

With the Sheriff Bet Rivers Mysteries, Elena returned to her dramatic roots to bring readers more serious and atmospheric novels. The Haunting of Emily Grace is Elena’s first standalone suspense novel. Her favorite place to be is at Paradise, the property she lives on south of Spokane, Washington, with her equines, dogs, cats, and hubby.

www.ElenaTaylorAuthor.com

S9E3: Occupation Hazard

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 3, where motion is our STCKY means of death. This is Occupational Hazard by KM Rockwood

Clint is paid to make fiberglass, not solve mysteries, but he’s in the middle of this one. He’s relying on us and Detective Conrad to get him back into safe harbor. Here is a list of the people working Clint’s shift in the order we met them:

Hank, not quite a boss
Margie, the hot end tech
Gonzo, the forklift operator
Julio, the dispatcher

ABOUT KM Rockwood

KM Rockwood draws on a varied background for stories, among them working as a laborer in a steel fabrication plant, operating glass melters and related equipment in a fiberglass manufacturing facility, and supervising an inmate work crew in a large medium security state prison. These jobs, as well as work as a special education teacher in an alternative high school and a GED teacher in county detention facilities, provide most of the background for novels and short stories.

Website: kmrockwood.com

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website https://m2d4podcast.com for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Occupational Hazard was written by KM Rockwood. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where chemical is our STCKY means of murder. It’s Huey & Madeline, Dead Heat by Wil A. Emerson.

TT86: Who Killed One the Gun

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and I'm here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is Who Killed One the Gun by Gigi Little

Who Killed One the Gun is a cozy noir. Third-rate PI One the Gun is one minute from dead. Just as he realizes his time is up, he wakes up back in his head. Two the True Blue is by his side, but the question remains who made One die. Now as the day runs on repeat, One must find his killer or die in defeat.

Bottom line: Who Killed One the Gun is for you if you like your noir more witty than gritty

Who Killed One the Gun was released from FOREST AVENUE PRESS and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Gigi Little

Gigi Little is a freelance book designer and a longtime bookseller. She’s the editor of the popular anthology City of Weird and the art director of the picture book A Tree of My Own. Her writing can be found in journals and anthologies including Portland Noir, Spent, Dispatches from Anarres, and The Magic We Miss. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, fine artist Stephen O’Donnell.

www.GigiLittle.com

S9E2 Walking the Grain

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 2, where pressure is our STCKY means of death. This is Walking the Grain by H.K. Slade

DELIBERATION

Detective Friday Hampton has heard and seen enough to know that Greg Vester’s death was not a tragic accident but murder. She needs our help to separate the beans from the hull. Here are her suspects in the order that we’ve met them:

Ted Brunner, farm owner and family patriarch
Marty Brunner, eldest son
Little Jimmy Brunner, youngest son
Carolyn Brunner, daughter who was dumped by Greg

ABOUT H.K. Slade

H.K. Slade is a writer living in North Carolina who specializes in police procedurals with occasional forays into horror and science fiction. When not writing or playing with his dogs, he spends his time designing an elaborate custom game each year for Halloween. You can find more of Friday Hampton’s adventures in Mystery Weekly, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and multiple anthologies. You can also find links to these other stories his website, hkslade.com.

Website: hkslade.com

Facebook: hkslade.writer

TT85: Forewarned

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Featured release is FOREWARNED by Tracy S. Phillips

FOREWARNED is a suspense. It’s the summer of 1976 in Carlson, Indiana and the lives of two teens intertwine in a way that will change both their lives forever. Still reeling from her parents’ divorce, 15-year old Daphne Post sees the family next door as having everything she doesn’t. But Lara Vaughn is tired of doing what her parents expect and is working to break out of the box she was born into. Daphne senses tragedy is about to fall but who will be the dead and who will be the guilty.

Bottom line: FOREWARNED is for you if you like Americana suspense with a whisper of the paranormal and historical fiction.

At its heart, this suspense is built around skewed ideals and what happens when the veils fall. The story opens on Daphne’s 15th birthday, the day her family arrives at her grandmother’s lake home. It’s the first summer without her father, the first summer after the divorce. Daphne blames her mother and has gone to calling her by her first name. She’s trapped in a house with her mother and aunt, brother and two cousins, all younger. What from the outside looks like teen angst and defiance masks heartbreak and anger. Daphne looks to the house next door and sees the “perfect” family – society leading mother, uber successful father, three popular kids.

The Vaughn family does look perfect, but behind the screen is a father in a political role obsessed with appearances and control, a mother who lives for society life (and her tennis instructor), an older brother who has been all but cut off for not falling in line with his career, and a younger brother who figured out how to suck up to his father. That leaves Lara, queen of the popular girls, utterly miserable. She’s expected to go to college, get her Mrs. degree, and land a ladder climbing husband. Lara dreamed of a modeling career.

As Daphne joins the partying Vaughn siblings, its clear everything is not merry and well. Daphne has been able to see images of the future when she touches others. Her senses are working overtime with the Vaughns and her mother’s too slick new boyfriend. Daphne sees enough to know dark days are coming and someone won’t survive but she doesn’t know who, and she has no one to talk to about it.

The central characters are between 15 and 25 years old, and is classified as a Young Adult novel, but this is really a story for suspense readers of any age. The struggles the kids face are universal – the grass is always greener … until you climb the fence and realize its been spray painted.

In all genres, there is a spectrum from light to heavy, for suspense, we’re going to use nail biters. FOREWARNED is at the lighter end and I give it two nail biters. The tension is high enough to keep the pages rapidly turning.

The setting back in 1976 does give a flashback of Americana and the prospective of an upper class. For children of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, its filled with little “I remember that” treats. I loved Philips “product placement” naming brands and foods that were part of my childhood including Bottle Caps, wax candy bottles, Necco Wafers, and Bubble Yum. For children of the 80s and on, it paints a picture of American society and the gains women have made in divorce, education, and careers.

The logic in this one stands up well. It is a straightforward story with Daphne and Lara being true to their characters. I personally would have like to see the paranormal be more of a story element. Daphne’s “sensing” popped up regularly and acted to build the suspense, but she didn’t use it as a tool to direct or control the story line prior to the inevitable unfolding.

FOREWARNED was an enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy light suspect, stories set in historic Americana, and dramatic tension between being who you are and what is expected of you will find a lot to savor.

FOREWARNED was released from 3 Elements Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Tracy S. Phillips

Award winning author, Tracey S. Phillips has played the piano since age three. She considers herself a serial artist who is an avid gardener, musician, piano teacher, artist, and author. She writes psychological thrillers and romantic suspense. BEST KEPT SECRETS won a Hugh Holton Award and she is a two-time finalist for the Claymore Award. In 2020 she created Blackbird Writers, a community of like-minded mystery authors. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and like some of her characters, she occasionally speaks with spirits on the other side.

www.TraceySPhillips.com

S9E1: Phidias Quinn and the Butterfly's Wing

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 1, where chemicals is our STCKY means of death. This is Phidias Quinn and the Butterfly’s Wing by Erica Obey

DELIBERATION

Phidias Quinn has more than the Watchers to worry about with someone suffocating Hank. He needs our help to solve Hank’s murder so he can get back to the butterflies. Here are the people in the Crystal Cave of the Watchers in the order we met them:

Eunice / Crystal Barre, the hot, wannabe starlet
Professor Theobold / Artie Mills, who keeps losing his lines
Lady Cartwright / Delores del Marimba, Hank’s almost ex-wife
Peg, the workaholic script girl and Mel’s secret weapon
Mel Moskowitz, B-movie director extraordinaire
Dr. Mylo E. Christos, supposed entomologist
Angry father / Mike Howe, guy who found the body

ABOUT Erica Obey

There are three places you can find Erica Obey when she isn’t writing: Pottering in her garden; out on the trail, looking for birds; or taking Trivia Night far too seriously at a local establishment. She is the author of The Brooklyn North Murder, the first full-length Watson & Doyle mystery, as well as five other novels set in the Hudson Valley, including the award-winning The Curse of the Braddock Brides. Erica is the Past President of the MWA-NY chapter, and a frequent reviewer and judge. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and published academic work on female folklorists before she decided she’d rather be writing the stories herself.

Website: www.ericaobey.com

Facebook: EricaObeyAuthor

Instagram: EricaObey

TT84: Maximum Pressure

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Maximum Pressure by Sheila Lowe

TG Wolff Review

Maximum Pressure is an amateur sleuth mystery. Handwriting expert Claudia Rose is headed to her 25-year high school reunion and a cold case. Lucy Valentine was a junior when she walked out of the high school and was never seen again … but she did leave a note. Now, her ex-boyfriend and current filmmaker Matt Macedo is making a documentary and enlisting Claudia’s help. As they start interviewing people, the reluctant witnesses reveal there was much more going on than a girl unhappy at school.

Bottom line: Maximum Pressure is for you if you like cold case mysteries where there is more than meets the eye.

Maximum Pressure was released from Write Choice Ink and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Sheila Lowe

Sheila Lowe is a forensic handwriting examiner, author, and educator with over fifty years of experience decoding the written word. Her nonfiction books include Reading Between the Lines: Decoding Handwriting and her memoir, Growing From the Ashes. In the bestselling Forensic Handwriting suspense series, Sheila’s real-world expertise drives unforgettable fiction as she bridges science and mystery with every stroke of the pen. Her Beyond the Veil paranormal suspense series features a woman who talks to dead people.

SheilaLoweBooks.com

Wondering what to read after you finish Maximum Pressure? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media - links are in the show notes.

Join us next week for Mysteries to Die For and the start of season 9. It’s all about the means of murder with Stuff That Can Kill You or STCKY. Erica Obey leads us off with Phidias Quinn and the Butterfly’s Wing where chemical is the STCKY means of murder.

TT83: Crime Writer

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Crime Writer by Vinnie Hansen

TG Wolff Review

Crime Writer is a suspense. Writer Zoey Kozinski is looking for inspiration for her next crime fiction novel and she’s hoping to find it in a ride along with Playa Maria PD Officer Stan Austin. She gets more than she bargained for when Austin pulls over a sedan for a broken tail light and ends up the victim of a shooting. Zoey is a witness to the violent crime. The police want to hear what she knows … while the shooter wants to silence her. Permanently.

Bottom line: Crime Writer is for you if you like cat-and-mouse suspense in a small-town setting

Crime Writer was released from Level Best Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Vinnie Hansen

A Claymore and Silver Falchion finalist, Vinnie Hansen is the author of the Carol Sabala mystery series, the novels LOSTART STREET, ONE GUN, and CRIME WRITER, as well as over seventy published short works.

She is a member of Mystery Writers of American, Sisters in Crime, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society. A retired high-school English teacher, she lives with her husband and the requisite cat in Santa Cruz, CA.

www.vinniehansen.com

S8E23: Det. Connolly Gets Filmed in 4K

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and I’m here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

Our social media is alive and kicking. Check out Instagram @mysteriestodiefor (all spelled out) and on Facebook @m2d4podcast for the pulse on the shows happenings. And explore our website, M2D4Podcast.com for all our episodes and authors.

The rules for law and order create the boundaries for civil co-existence and, ideally, the backdrops for individuals, families, and companies to grow and thrive. Breaking these rules puts civil order at risk. And while murder is the Big Daddy of crimes, codified ordinances across municipal divisions, counties, states, and countries show the nearly endless ways there are to create mayhem. This season, we put our detective skills to the test. This is Season 8, Anything but Murder.

This is Episode 23, something is the featured crime. This is Detective Connolly Gets Filmed in 4K by Jack Wolff

Well, Connolly’s gotten himself into another fine mess. He knows Danny Slaw is the bad guy…but what’s his crime?

Kidnapping, ’cause there’s a missing person
Smuggling, ’cause there’s a tunnel
Menacing, ’cause there’s a creepy house
Coercion, ’cause something’s scaring Silva
Conspiracy, ’cause Danny isn’t working alone

Here’s what Connolly (thinks) he knows:

Husband and father Marvin Young disappeared from Mackinac Island. He was last seen going into an abandoned house after an argument with his wife. Recently, there have been Marvin sightings. Locals think it’s his ghost.
Marvin had a good friend, Jenna, who worked on the docks. She left Mackinac shortly after Marvin disappeared, and showed up in Montana.
Deputy Dippersby shared the file with Connolly. Dorthy called Shaw to let him know Connolly was investigating.
Almost a year after Marvin disappeared, Danny Shaw arrived on the island with a grant to make a documentary about Marvin.
Silva Young admits to arguing with Marvin. He wanted to turn their spare bedroom into an art studio while she wanted it for soon-to-come baby.
In the old house, Connolly is warned against going into the basement because Deputy Dippersby said it could collapse.
Connolly discovers a tunnel in the basement. When he investigates, Shaw locks him in. It leads to a harbor.

Turn up the collar on your trenchcoat and decide: What do we collar Shaw for?

ABOUT Jack Wolff

Jack Wolff is a Ball State University student studying Media Production and Music Recording. He has been podcasting for five years now, and has written a number of short stories for the Mysteries To Die For show. When he’s not podcasting, he is teaching marching percussion to high schoolers, writing and shooting films for his own enjoyment, or playing with his psychopathic border collie puppy. You can follow him on instagram at @wackjolff, that’s jack wolff with the first letters of his first and last name flipped around, or if you are bored and want to email with him, don’t worry, he’s bored too, and can be found at j-w-i-l-d-e-317@gmail.com, that’s jwilde317@gmail.com.

On January 9, Season 9 Stuff That Can Kill You begins dropping. It will be all about the weapons but not trite guns and knives. We’re talking about murders done using gravity, motion, mechanical, electrical, pressure, sound, radiation, biological, chemical, and temperature. Be sure to join in … it’s gonna get messy

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our NEW website m2d4podcast.com for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Detective Connolly Gets Filmed in 4K was written by Jack Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then we will be back in January with Season 9, Stuff That Can Kill You

TT82: The Long Shadow of Murder

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Long Shadow of Murder by Eleanor Kuhns

TG Wolff Review

The Long Shadow of Murder is an amateur sleuth mystery. Seven children—soon to be eight—and a large farm Will keep Rees busy, but he still has time for murder. A visitor to Durham, Maine is missing. Rees and Rouge, the tavern owner and constable, find the man’s body in a valley outside of town with his wallet and his jewelry intact, the search is on in Durham and the nearby Shaker community of Zion. When another body is found and then a third, the question is what connects the victims and will lead to a killer.

Bottom line: The Long Shadow of Murder is for you if you like whodunnit mysteries immersed in historical fiction.

The Long Shadow of Murder is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Eleanor Kuhns

Eleanor Kuhns is the 2011 winner of the Minotaur/Mystery Writers of America first novel prize for A Simple Murder. The Long Shadow of Murder is the twelfth in that series. She also has written a Bronze Age Crete series.

A lifelong librarian, she transitioned to full time writing at the start of the pandemic. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and her dog.

Catch Up With Eleanor Kuhns: www.Eleanor-Kuhns.com

Wondering what to read after you finish The Long Shadow of Murder? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media - links are in the show notes.

Join us next week for the last episode in Season 8 Anything but Murder. It’s Detective Connolly Gets Filmed in 4k by Jack Wolff where, well, Connolly is still trying to figure out what the murderless crime was.

S8E22 Toxic

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 19, cyberbulling is the featured crime. This is Toxic by Robert J. Binney

ABOUT Cyberbullying

The first known use of the term “cyberbully” was in 1998 according to Merriam Webster. The formal definition is “the electronic posting of mean spirited messages about a person (such as a student) often done anonymously.” Research and stories are often focused on children and teens, but also happens to adults, just as it did to Hope and Henri. From Very Well Mind comes this list of cyberbully types:

• Flaming or roasting – using language including insults, to solicit an emotional response – common in politics

• Outing – sharing personal / embarrassing information

• Trolling – content including comments with the goal of creating division and chaos

• Name calling – says it all

• Spreading false rumors

• Sending explicit images or messages – without the consent of the victim

• Cyber stalking / harassing / physical threats – repeatedly target the same person / people

Cyberbullying causes real injury to victims. From mental health incidents to PTSD to suicidal thoughts, cyberbullies can completely disrupt victims lives. Sadly, there are too many examples of cyberbullying being linked to victim’s suicides including Megan Meier (13), Tyrone Unsworth (13) Amanda Todd (15), Choi Jin-Ri aka Sulli (15), Phoebe prince (16), Rehtaeh Parsons (17), Tyler Clementi (19), Hana Kimura (22), Kelly Fraser (26).

The US Department of Health and Human Services maintains the website stopbullying.gov with resources and support for victims, kids, parents, and teachers. All states require schools to intercede when cyberbullying is reported. Check out stopbullying.gov to recognize signs of the abuse in children and teens. Support for adults can be found from the Cyberbullying research Center at cyberbullying.org

While more attention is given to children and teens, adults are just as vulnerable. The Cyberbullying Research Centers offers resources, references to laws, research, and advice including the importance of documenting everything, utilizing the terms of use for the social media – most prohibit harassment – to intervene, and, importantly (and probably most difficult) do not retaliate. While it might feel good, it could work against you as you pursue legal and other remedies. Legal coverage may come from other laws, such as menacing which was the subject of our Halloween episode, Audubon’s Ghost.

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it

https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-cyberbullying-5086615

https://cyberbullying.org/advice-for-adult-victims-of-cyberbullying

ABOUT Robert J. Binney

Seattle screenwriter Robert J. Binney has chronicled Henri’s adventures previously on Mysteries to Die For. His essays on being the butt of Jimmy Carter’s jokes, joyriding with the Salt Lake City police, find-ing career advice in the Himalayas, and hanging with Peter Frampton have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, the Kelp Journal, and more. “Restoration Software” was recently featured in Level Best Books’ The Best Private Eye Stories of 2025. A former titan of industry with movie-star good looks, he holds an MBA from Emory University and an MFA from UC Riverside.

Website: www.ThirdActMedia.com

Facebook: RJBinney

Instagram: RJBinney

TT81: Silent Killer

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Silent Killer by Tracy Burnett and Ross Weiland

Silent Killer is a suspense thriller. Special Agent Gordon Stone with the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation is on loan to a terrorism joint task force led by the FBI. After weeks of being relegated to grunt tasks, he’s finally got his own case and it’s in his field of expertise—wholesale food. His target is Jummal Adeyami, vice president of a grocery chain who is exhibiting behavior odd enough to send up red flags on the terror watch. While Stone is ordered to shut the investigation down, he’s sure there’s more to the story. Is it enough to save him from insubordination charges? There’s only one way to find out.

Bottom line: Silent Killer is for you if you like intellectual thrillers where questions aren’t as simple as black and white.

About Tracy Burnett and Ross Weiland

Tracy Burnett began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff at the Palm Beach County, Florida Sheriff’s Department. His next stop was with the Drug Enforcement Administration where he became a special agent and went through training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia as well as DEA US Army Ranger Training. That began a 25-year federal law enforcement career leading investigations on behalf of the US Departments of Justice, State, and Defense, among others, working both domestically and around the globe. Tracy now works as an Adjunct Professor for the School of Public Affairs in the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University in Washington, DC.

Ross Weiland was a journalist in New York City before attending law school and joining the US Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 1998. He served as a prosecutor, criminal appeals attorney, and civil litigator in the Navy before transitioning to federal civil service where he spent 21 years in the Office of Inspector General community as counsel, investigator, and senior executive at the National Archives, Department of Defense, and NASA. Ross now works as an administrative executive supporting oversight and law enforcement in the private sector in Washington, DC.

Wondering what to read after you finish Silent Killer? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media - www.partnersincrime.com.

Join us next week for Season 8 Anything but Murder. It’s the treat every Thanksgiving weekend needs – that hairdresser extraodinare Henri Beauchamp is back! Cyberbullying is the murderless crime in Toxic by Robert J. Binney

S8E21 Karen and the Cul-De-Sac Caper

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 21, home burglary is the featured crime. This Karen and the Cul-De-Sac Caper by Kyra Jacobs

About home burglary

Let’s start with the difference between robbery and burglary. Robbery is stealing from a person using force or fear. It can occur anywhere and is classified as a violent crime. Burglary is unlawful entry of a structure—a home, a hotel, a bank, etc. There is no confrontation between the bad guy and a person. This is considered a property crime. In looking for examples, actors, athletes, and other rich and famous have become targets of organized rings. Some of the cases are burglary with the bad guys breaking in while the homes were empty. Other are robberies where the owners were at home, some with their children. Sadly, some victims were held at gun point or threatened with other violence while others hid or fled their homes. In February, 2025, the Justice Department unsealed indictments against 7 Chilean Nationals charging them with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property associated with the burglarization of the homes of professional athletes around the county. We’ve included a link in the show notes to an episode of Inside the FBI Podcast, intercepting the South American Theft Group.

Inside the FBI Podcast

ABOUT Kyra Jacobs

http://www.kyrajacobsbooks.com/

Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who’s always called Indiana home. Growing up in the Midwest means she’s well-versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloins that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves humor and chaos into her stories, which range from sweet romance to mysteries and even fantasy. Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with Kyra on social media.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Karen and the Cul-De-Sac Caper was written by Kyra Jacobs. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where cyber bullying is the featured murderless crime. It’s Toxic by Robert J. Binney

TT80: Mild Mannered Men

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Mild Mannered Men by Walter Horsting

Mild Mannered Men is a crime thriller. It’s 1999 and a small group of international players quietly have the wheels in motion to disrupt the micro-chip industry. Then, a simple mistake happens. The group’s leader picks up the wrong disc after a video conference and suddenly their secret has the potential to be revealed. As the deal moves forward, a no-holds-barred mission is launched to recover the disc from an innocent man as the FBI and an investigative reporter close in.

Bottom line: Mild Mannered Men is for you if you like your thrillers edgy and high concept.

The Mild Mannered Men is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Walter Horsting

At age nineteen, Walter Horsting started his first career as a teenage soundman in the music industry and formed a concert audio company. He engineered over three thousand live shows in ten years. Walter branched into media systems integration of government hearing rooms, military command rooms, entertainment complexes, and Fortune 500 headquarters. He has developed national and international business for leading media and technology providers for airports, smart cities control rooms, network control centers, and global briefing centers.

Walter lives with his wife, Sherry, in Sacramento, California.

MildManneredMen.com

S8E20 Audubon's Ghost

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 20, menacing is the featured crime. This is Audubon’s Ghost by Margaret S. Hamilton

Deliberation

Nick isn’t getting the crime free honeymoon Lizzie promised him. With our help, they can close the book on this bird-brained caper. A real Audubon painting was hidden away and someone is willing to menace to get it. Here are the suspects in the order that we met them

Al McGuire, actor who claimed to be an Australian tourist
Sam Broussard, professional thief and con artist
Officer Landry, police officer who saved Ed and Carol
Tony Robichaux, curator of the Audubon Museum at Oakley Plantation
Dr. Nakamura, rightful owner of the Audubon watercolors

ABOUT Menacing as a crime

In general, menacing is where a person uses a threat or action to cause another person to be in fear of serious bodily damage or death. It can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the severity. Definitions do vary somewhat by state. There aren’t “famous” cases of menacing because, alone, it is not considered a serious crime. Menacing does often end up being a component of other charges such as stalking and harassment. A few cases for you to gnaw on. In 2008, Christopher Szaz pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges for threatening employees of the National Council of La Raza and the Council on American Islamic Relations. He sent emails threatening to bomb offices and kill employees, which met the legal definition of menacing.

ABOUT Margaret S. Hamilton

Margaret S. Hamilton is the author of forty short stories, many of them set in the fictional small town of Jericho, Ohio. She has also published stories set in the Dordogne region of southwest France, Cape Cod, New Orleans, and 1950’s Cincinnati.

Margaret’s debut traditional mystery, What the Artist left Behind, is on submission. It was a 2019 Daphne Mainstream Mystery Finalist. She is writing the next two books in her Jericho Mysteries series about amateur sleuth Lizzie Christopher and her husband Nick Cameron.

Margaret is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and blogs monthly on the Writers Who Kill blog. She lives in suburban Cincinnati with her husband and two standard poodles, Jazz and Louie. She is an avid traveler, gardener, and photographer.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Audubon’s Ghost was written by Margaret S. Hamilton. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where home burglary is the featured murderless crime. It’s Karen and the Cul-De-Sac Caper by Kyra Jacobs

TT79: Whatever It Takes

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Whatever It Takes by Alan Brenham

Whatever It Takes is a crime thriller. Fort Worth PD Detective Kit Hanover has worked undercover before, but nothing like this. The FBI has been working to take down a massive money laundering scheme in Las Vegas. Thanks to a mole, their targets are one step ahead of them, killing two confidential informants. Wanting an experienced law enforcement officer with no connection to Vegas, they turn to Kit. Now she answers to Belle Starr and is a waitress / exotic danger at the Pink Kitten. Her job, infiltrate the organization, find as much evidence as possible, and get out alive.

Bottom line: Whatever It Takes is for you if you like your thrills taut enough to snap

Whatever It Takes is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Alan Brenham

alanbrenham.com

Alan Brenham is the pseudonym for Alan Behr, who served as a criminal investigator with municipal, county and federal law enforcement agencies and worked with the US Army in Berlin, Germany. His employments took him halfway around the world, from Russia to the Middle East and across most of Europe. Later, he was admitted to the Texas state bar and spent his legal career as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and staff counsel for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Today he and his wife reside in the central Texas area. He has authored twelve crime fiction novels under the pen name of Alan Brenham and is currently working on his thirteenth novel, the third book in the Kit Hanover series, titled Come And Get It

S8E19b: Have you Seen This Body (Part 2)

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

A special announcement…our social media is alive and kicking. Check out Instagram @mysteriestodiefor (all spelled out) and on Facebook @m2d4podcast for the pulse on the shows happenings. And explore our website, M2D4Podcast.com for all our episodes and authors.

This is Episode 19, Body Snatching is the featured crime. This is Have You Seen This Body? by TG Wolff

About body snatching

Resurrection Men, aka Body Snatchers, practiced their illegal trade in the mid-to-late 1800s. This was the period when medical training was expanding and so was the need for cadavers for students to learn on. Body Snatchers stole bodies from fresh graves and so them to medical schools or instructors. The trade went by the wayside as states passed Anatomy Acts or Bone Bills that allowed medical schools to legally acquire unclaimed bodies and also allowed people to donate their bodies.

From congressional cemetery.org comes the story of Resurrection Man Dr. George Christian.

On the night of December 12th, 1873, police officers noticed a suspicious carriage sitting at Washington Circle, Washington DC. After midnight, an officer approached the woman sitting inside and she explained she was waiting for her husband who was conducting business. Later, they saw one man approach the buggy and place a spade inside. Then another man appeared and placed a muddy shovel inside before the three set off towards New Hampshire Avenue and Boundary Street. The officers pursued them, suspecting they must have stolen goods on board but instead found grave robbing tools. Officers investigated nearby Holmead Cemetery and found the body of Thomas Fletcher inside a large canvas bag near the fence. The night of Dr. Christian’s arrest, a diary was found inside the carriage along with the grave robbing tools, illustrating the extent of his resurrectionist business. Excerpts from this diary were published in the newspapers and later used at his trial.

Christian had arrangements with doctors at Washington Asylum and the Almshouses where patients often died penniless and sometimes without family for records of their dying. These were potential victims for him to later dig up at the city’s potter’s fields, where the impoverished were buried in unmarked graves. Notes in his diary describe various doctors going out resurrecting with him or sending janitors and hospital stewards out with him as assistants. One local doctor offered Christian and his partner $15 each per body.

In addition to supplying nearby medical schools with cadavers, Christian corresponded with doctors at schools in Virginia, Michigan, and Ohio. Their letters spoke of the best ways to pack bodies in whiskey barrels and prices per cadaver. One Michigan doctor wrote that he’d pay Christian $25 per body but then sell the bodies to the students for $40. ($25 in 1873 is worth $635.64 today.)

https://congressionalcemetery.org/blog/resurrection-men-body-snatching-and-grave-robbing-in-the-federal-city-part-1/

ABOUT TG Wolff

Like you, I’m not one thing. I’m a writer, an engineer, a wife, and a mother. What is first on the list depends on the day. Beyond the title I claim, I’m a person who loves learning and thoroughly enjoys a good puzzle, is creative and gets bored easily. I hold a BS in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and an MS in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State University, which gives me absolutely no background in writing, but I do it anyway. Writing mysteries and engineering isn’t as different as you’d think. Both require using logic and process to get from a starting problem to a solution.

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

WRAP UP

The anthology for the second half of this season releases in October. Add it to your Christmas, Hanukkah, or your To Be Read list.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Have You Seen This Body? was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our Halloween story where menacing is our murderless crime. It’s…Audubon’s Ghost By Margarite S. Hamilton.

TT78: The Conductor

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Conductor by Eva Shaw

TG Wolff Review

The Conductor is an amateur sleuth mystery. It is 1948. Dr. Beatrix Patterson is a psychiatrist and occasional consultant to the Santa Barbara police. She is called in to investigate the death of railroad executive Grayson Welsh. Described as a bully with wondering hands, there is no shortage of people he crossed words with. Thought to be connected to the railroad union, Bea goes undercover as a conductor to suss out motives and suspects. She uncovers persons of interest in a commune reputed for social liberties, conflicting interests of other conductors, and Welsh’s own private life.

Bottom line: The Conductor is for you if you like historical mysteries set against a background of social change of post WWII.

The Conductor was released from Torchflame and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Eva Shaw

Eva Shaw always loved a good mystery and when she took a break from her successful ghostwriting career, it was a mysterious idea than turned into The Seer, book 1 in the Beatrix Patterson series. She reads, breaths, watches and thrives on mysteries and is often shocked when the characters do a better job plotting the book than she could. When not writing, she’s kept on her toes thanks to her silly and rambunctious Welsh terrier companion, Coco Rose. She and Coco live near the beach in Carlsbad, California.

www.EvaShaw.com

S8E19a Have You Seen This Body (Part 1)

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 19, Body Snatching is the featured crime. This is Have You Seen This Body? by TG Wolff

Come back in 2 weeks for the conclusion of Have You Seen This Body?

About TG Wolff

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

TT77: The Everest Enigma

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Everest Enigma by Jeannette de Beauvoir

TG Wolff Review

The Everest Enigma is an adventure / amateur sleuth. Abbie Brandford, PHD is on the adventure of a lifetime accompanying romance novelist Emma Caulfield to Mount Everest’s Base Camp. Abbie’s task is to support Emma’s research for her next book by diving deep into the history of George Mallory, famed mountaineer who died attempting to summit to support. The journey pushes Abbie to her limits physically as it challenges her intellectually. The danger is real, moreso when rumors, thefts, and death come frightfully close.

Bottom line: The Everest Enigma is for you if you like your adventures tinted with mystery and steeped in history.

The Everest Enigma is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Jeannette de Beauvoir

Jeannette de Beauvoir is an award-winning author of historical and mystery/thriller fiction and a poet whose work has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies. She has written three mystery series along with a number of standalone novels; her work “demonstrates a total mastery of the mystery/suspense genre” (Midwest Book Review) She’s a member of the Authors Guild, the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Historical Novels Society. She lives and works in a seaside cottage on Cape Cod where she’s also a local theatre critic and hosts an arts-related program on WOMR, a Pacifica Radio affiliate.

www.JeannettedeBeauvoir.com

About PICT

Wondering what to read after you finish The Everest Enigma? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media -https://partnersincrimetours.com/

Join us next week for Season 8 Anything but Murder. Grave robbing is our murderless crime. It's "Have You Seen This Body?" by TG Wolff

S8E18 A Slow Burn

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 18, arson for hire is the featured crime. This is A Slow Burn by Chuck Brownman.

About Arson

Episode 16, First Reports are Rarely Right, was a different kind of arson story. In the episode, we talked the case of serial arsonist, Thomas Sweatt. Today, I thought we’d get a little more technical.

An article published back in June 1982 in Fire and Arson Investigator, Volume 32 Issue 4, classified arson motives based on a sample of 139 cases in New York City. The following comes directly from the article’s abstract and is rearranged to be easier to follow:

Types of arson motives identified are:

(1) pyromania (10.1 percent) The pyro firesetter usually sets the fire in an occupied multiple dwelling at night in a public portion of the building, usually on the floor and using a flammable liquid for one fire rather than multiple fires.

(2) revenge (52.9 percent) The revenge firesetter, who often threatens arson prior to the act, will focus on the residence or a building associated with the targeted victim. Flammable liquid is used to start one or multiple fires.

(3) vandalism (12.3 percent) The vandal arsonist targets occupied multiple dwellings as well as commercial buildings, schools, jails, churches, and abandoned buildings. Night is the favorite time and the first floor is preferred for starting the fire.

(4) insurance fraud (6.55 percent) Arson for insurance is obviously committed on insured property, and the fire is designed to provide complete devastation.

(5) welfare fraud (6.55 percent) Welfare fraud fires are usually set in the residence of the perpetrator after all valuable property has been removed, and the crime concealment arsonist is usually concealing a burglary, and existing paper at one spot on the floor is generally used.

(6) the psycho firesetter (8.7 percent) The psycho arsonist usually sets the fire in his own residence and customarily starts one small fire without the use of an accelerant.

(7) crime concealment (2.9 percent) Fires are set to destroy evidence of other crimes, such as theft or murder.

There are several caveats to be aware of. This article is 43 years old and it was based on a narrow data set – 138 cases specifically in NYC. I liked it for the simplicity in the way the results were presented. While I’m sure there are other more recent reports out there, I didn’t find one nearly as neat. So take this in large general terms

https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/identifying-arson-motives

ABOUT Chuck Brownman

A mostly-retired (and hopefully recovering) attorney, Chuck Brownman now enjoys writing noir fiction, concentrating on short fiction. His work has been published in several anthologies and on multiple websites, including those listed at the top of this episode. He has also served various times as a judge for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards. When not writing fiction, Chuck continues to advise some of the country’s most entrepreneurial energy and natural resource companies. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law and has spoken at legal seminars for many years. He lives with his wife in the mountains of Colorado, the peaceful vistas offering a counterbalance to his suspenseful and often bloody crime fiction.

chuckbrownman.com

WRAP UP

The anthology for the second half of this season releases in October. Add it to your Christmas, Hanukkah, or your To Be Read list.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Slow Burn was written by Chuck Brownman. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where home burglary is our murderless crime. It’s…Karen and the Cul-De-Sac Caper By Kyra Jakobs.

TT76: All We Buried

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is All We Buried by Elena Taylor

TG Wolff Review

All We Buried is a police procedural mystery. Sheriff Bet Rivers is the next in a long line of Rivers’ to serve Collier, Washington. On a quiet afternoon, trouble walks into her office in the form of Professor Peter Malone. While conducting research on Lake Collier, he snags the body of a woman wrapped in canvas. First Bet has to figure out who she is and then who killed the young woman and disposed of her body in their lake. Nothing like a challenge for your first homicide investigation.

Bottom line: All We Buried is for you if you like plot driven mysteries with rich settings and strong, quiet heroes

All We Buried was released from CROOKED LANE and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Elena Taylor

Elena Taylor spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning her storytelling skills to fiction. She writes the Sheriff Bet Rivers mysteries, featuring a female sheriff filling her late father's rather big shoes in her small, mountain town. She also writes the quirky Eddie Shoes mysteries under the name Elena Hartwell. Elena is a senior editor with Allegory Editing, a boutique editing house, where she works one-on-one with writers to shape and polish manuscripts. Elena's favorite place to be is at Paradise, the property she and her hubby own south of Spokane, Washington.

www.ElenaTaylorAuthor.com

Wondering what to read after you finish All We Buried? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connect with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media - links are in the show notes.

Join us next week for Season 8 Anything but Murder where arson for hire is our murderless crime. It’s Slow Burn by Chuck Brownman

S8E17 Was It the Vermeer?

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 17, art theft is the featured crime. This is Was It a Vermeer? by Erica Obey

DELIBERATION

Maggie Fletcher has thieves to the left of her, nuns to the right, and she needs our help to clear this holy rolling path. Who is the thief known as Dismas? Here are the suspects in the order we met them:

Dr. Thomas, a canon lawyer who can take on—and take down—any real estate lawyer out there.
Mr. Barry Wolf, owner of The Wolf Group, art appraisers and Maggie’s boss.
Sr. Scholastica, caretaker of the Phelps treasury and seemingly the only member of the mysterious Sodality of St. Dismas.
Fr. Hugh Sinclair, investigator for the Vatican Museum—or is he?
Mr. Alexi Rublev, main investor in the Wolf group and a real estate developer with his eye on the property owned by Phelps Hall.

Here are the facts the way Maggie understands them:

When Alexei Rublev cannot reach Barry Wolf, who is returning from an overseas trip, he calls Maggie and orders her to appraise an icon of St. Dismas that was stolen from Phelps Hall, as well as demanding that she send him all the Wolf Group’s records about insurance claims involving the Vatican Museum.
Rublev justifies his demands by saying if Barry won’t pull the trigger, Rublev will pull it for him.
Unsure of what Rublev meant by that, Maggie does what Rublev asks, emailing him the records and going to Phelps Hall to conduct the appraisal.
When she arrives at Phelps Hall, she finds what seems to be a far more valuable painting than the icon, which no-one knows anything about. For the first time, it occurs to her how odd it is to be asked to appraise an item that isn’t there.
When Wolf arrives from overseas, he is unfairly furious with Maggie.
Wolf gets even more furious when Rublev shows up with a state trooper, claiming that the stolen icon is evidence that Phelps Hall is nothing but a money laundering operation for the Vatican Bank, and demanding that Phelps Hall be shut down.
Rublev is accused by Thomas of looking for an excuse to shut down Phelps Hall, so he can buy their land. Maggie remembers Rublev’s comment about pulling the trigger and wonders whether he and Barry were colluding in manufacturing evidence, so he can seize Phelps Hall.
But there is also a great deal of evidence that in obeying Rublev’s order, she has stumbled across a massive money laundering scheme run by a master thief named Dismas, and it may be connected to Phelps Hall.
Certainly, no-one at Phelps Hall is exactly what they seem.

Who is the thief known as Dismas?

ABOUT Art Theft True Crime

From Deep Sentinel, a security service company, come the stories of a few famous art thefts. We’ll start with Vermeer, since we just got acquainted with him.

In March 1990, two thieves posed as police supposedly responding to a disturbance were given entry into museum into Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a private home turned museum with an extensive art collection. The thieves bound the two guards in the basement. 81 minutes later, 13 works were gone. broke into Isabella Sewart Gardner Museum, a private home turned museum with an extensive art collection. The stolen works include Johannes Vermeer’s ‘The Concert’, three Rembrandt’s – Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, and a Lady and Gentleman in Black, and Edouard Manet’s Chez Tortoni, five Degas drawings. The value of the works totaled over $500 mil. None of the works have been recovered. The museum is offering a $10mil reward for information leading to the safe return of the pieces. To see the stolen works, follow the links to the Gardner Museum.

One other short story on a favorite of mine, Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa was a commissioned painting of Lisa del Giocondo that Leonardo Da Vinci never delivered to his customer. The biography of Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson describes how Da Vinci developed the painting using a technique of thin layers, built up over time to give her and his other works a depth unique and almost three-dimensional quality. Painted in the 1500s, Mona Lisa traveled with Da Vinci when he moved to France as a retainer of the French King, Francis I. Da Vinci died in France in 1519. At least some of his works were sold to the king to provide an inheritance for his heirs. The Mona Lisa was included in those works and thus she has resided in the France since the early 1500s and the Louvre since 1797.

Then, in 1911, an Italian handyman who had worked at the Louvre determined to return her to Italy. He hid in the museum after it closed and, in the morning, walked out with her under his clothes. The Mona Lisa is not a big painting- 21-in wide by 30-in long. At first, there was no panic about the missing painting as it was assumed it was removed for photographing, which wasn’t uncommon. It didn’t take long for staff to realize the painting was not in the Louvre. The thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, kept the painting for two years before he contacted an art dealer about returning it. Today, her enigmatic smile is worth about $860 million.

Lots of links in the shownotes. Yes, I was fascinated.

https://www.deepsentinel.com/blogs/learning-center/famous-art-heists/?srsltid=AfmBOoqp4JRJwbIHPgXSxMcCKKLHe92XHDyrf_XNAVD7AZzztLwJ66Ma

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/organization/theft

https://www.gardnermuseum.org/about/theft-story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa

https://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Vinci-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1501139169/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CTEU0EEUDS7D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k766mrXU5oDutHeS7-XRJMTTDsLsYVXOXbYc_5pCpT5e7-w2sOfuz1tgJCjdNnLlHSaNzpKfXS3DJwXR1xY5eSUQaC43DG-huwMvhtZK3pTpIzeA7k6pvuO07uDfJfUPI7supPKxwOpn-gvmK_sYCiv9rCW4lO3lMsVcaO5C26j0-_5Ni-0hCN_jxJaaHqIEAcpeI5caTB6JuLIIKV7EmoEwDjrUhmlO0khM25bl6xM.TeRGfp_W71bNfQmb03miOxrK4dUJuzqkUu2r9YqNGBc&dib_tag=se&keywords=leonardo+da+vinci+biography&qid=1751828722&sprefix=leonardo+da+vinci+biography%2Caps%2C337&sr=8-1

ABOUT Erica Obey

www.ericaobey.com

WRAP UP

The anthology for the second half of this season releases in October. Add it to your Christmas, Hanukkah, or your To Be Read list.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Was It a Vermeer? was written by Erica Obey. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where contract arson is the featured murderless crime. It’s Slow Burn by Chuck Brownman

TT75: Bazaar

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Bazaar by Miles Joyner

Bazaar is technothriller. On the dark web, a new type of gambling is emerging—betting on the death dates of the rich, famous, and politically powerful. Two men see opportunity. Yemi Uzunma and his sister, Karen, see a need for a new breed of personal security force. A need their security company Raptor can fill. Aaron Williams sees a solution to his money problems and all he needs is he 3-D printer. As the betting pool grows Yemi’s and Aaron’s squads face off with one trying to protect and the other trying to kill the prize.

Bottom line: Bazaar is for you if you like your thrills hinged on technology with an element of lion versus tiger.

Bazaar was released from World Castle Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

https://pictbooks.tours/wND3XpMg

ABOUT Miles Joyner

A lifelong fiction writer, Miles turned to penning novels after nearly a decade of holding various producer/editor roles in the D.C. area media industry. He still pursues filmmaking in between books and finds that writing in the thriller genre only enhances that passion even more. Miles is an active member of International Thriller Writers where his novel, Bazaar, was selected for ITW’s Debut Authors Program. He also attends monthly meetings for Novels in Progress DC. www.TheBazaarVerse.com

Wondering what to read after you finish Bazaar? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media -Partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for our next episode in Season 8 Anything but Murder. A strange art theft is our murderless crime. It’s “Was it the Vermeer?” by Erica Obey.

S8E16 First Report Are Rarely Right

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 16, house arson is the featured crime. This is First Reports are Rarely Right by Larry M. Keeton

DELIBERATION

Drake has a hot one on his hands and needs our help to put the pieces together on this arson case. (Then maybe Cassandra will keep hiring him.) Here are the people on his suspect list in the order we met them:

Jack Phillips, owner of the house and disgruntled claimant
Commissioner Donna Russell, the Hummer-driving road hog
Teresa Kamps, HOA president who lives across from Phillips
Rachel Quinn, the Fire Marshall recently promoted to Code Compliance

Here are the facts as Drake has unearthed them:

Jack Phillips inherited his parents’ home after their too early death. He blames HOA president Teresa Kamps for it. In retaliation, he’s let the home run down, just to be an eye sore;
On his visit to Phillips, who owns a 30-acre property, Drake was run off the road by a Hummer with a re-election sign on the door for Donna Russell;
While interviewing Phillips, Drake sees a collection of pagers that Phillips says he uses to track delivery of restored cars to international buyers;
The first report found cause of the house fire to be errant fireworks. Drake and Cassandra found inconsistencies between the original photos and what Drake finds on scene;
Under protective sheets are untouched boxes and furniture Phillips is listing in his insurance claim;
Phillips states recent maintenance was limited to spraying the roof to protect against moss. It was determined that zinc was used, which is highly flammable;
HOA president Teresa Kamps had a 4th of July party that included Donna Russell. She denies setting fire to the house. She admits flying her drone but says she does not spy. There are opinions to the contrary.
While Drake is inspecting, a second fire ignites from the baseboard heaters. Inspection after the fact uncovered batteries and melted plastic boxes and pager components in the heaters;
Rachel Quinn was the original Fire Marshal on the case. She was also the woman on Phillips computer background. She was recently promoted to Code Compliance and her first action is to use a newly passed code to tear down the twice-burned house;
Phillips and the county just negotiated the sale of the 30-acre property for $1.3 million dollars;
Jack Phillips just wants what the insurance company owes him;
Donna Russell is behind on her re-election bid and wants the HOA for their votes;
Teresa Kamps wants the eye-sore gone from across the street;
Rachel Quinn wants the promotion and to get Commissioner Russell off her back; and
The county Fire Marshal noted arson is the least prosecuted crimes and it was difficult to determine who had the most to gain.

How should Drake re-write the report to get it right the second time?

ABOUT True Crim House Arson

From my favorite source Wikipedia, comes the curated story of Thomas Sweatt. In 2005, Sweatt was arrested for serial arson. Sweatt plead guilty to counts including:

Possession of destructive devices
Destruction of building by fire resulting in personal injury
Possession of destructive devices in furtherance of a crime of violence;
First-degree premeditated murder (felony murder)
Second-degree murder

In his plea, Sweatt admitted to setting fires for over 30 years. Most were set in 2003 and 2004, Sweatt in the DC area. Sweatt admitted to setting 353 fires. All of his fires resulted in property damage and some personal injury. But three fires resulted in the deaths of four people. In 1985, Sweatt poured gasoline under the front door of the house where Roy Picott and his family lived. Picott’s sons who had basement bedrooms were able to escape unharmed. His daughters, who slept on the second floor, survived with severe burns. Picott and his wife did not survive.

In 2002, 93-year old Annie Brown’s house was Sweatt’s target. At four in the morning, DC fire responded to the house fire. They transported Ms. Brown to the hospital. She died over a week later from her injuries. A little more than a year later, 85-year old Lou Edna Jones was the victim. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

For his crimes, Sweatte received the mandatory sentence of life in prison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sweatt

ABOUT Larry M. Keeton

Retired Army Officer, County Chief of Staff, and Director of a department that included Code Compliance and Fire Investigations, Larry M. Keeton has plenty of unique characters and situations upon which to base his stories. 51 years of marriage to his watercolorist wife has provided him with ample lessons of dialogue best suited for the printed page. His works have appeared in Mystery Magazine, and Season 7 of Mysteries to Die For, and most recently, the 2024 Derringer Nominated Anthology, Larceny and Last Chances. He thanks Fire Marshal David Lynam and Assistant Fire Marshal Tina Turner for their technical expertise. His website is https://larrykeetonwriter.com.

WRAP UP

The anthology for the second half of this season releases in October. Add it to your Christmas, Hanukkah, or your To Be Read list.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. First Reports are Rarely Right was written by Larry M. Keeton. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where art theft is our murderless crime. It’s…Was It the Vermeer? By Erica Obey.

TT74: Gone to Ground

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Gone to Ground by Morgan Hatch

Gone to Ground is an urban thriller. College bound Javier Jiminez is juggling life in one of Los Angeles’s toughest neighborhoods, Barrio Horseshoe, better known as the Shoe. He divides his time between friends, AP classes, keeping his younger brother out of a gang, and working for his half-sister’s towing company. While checking in a tow, Javier discovers a gun and a burner phone. The phone comes to life, kicking off events that will change the Shoe forever.

Bottom line: Gone to Ground is for you if you like everyman heroes who are a pain in the bad guys ass.

Gone to Ground was released from Black Rose Wring and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Morgan Hatch

Having taught in the LA public schools for thirty years, Morgan now writes about the people and places he has come to know in the course of his career. During the pandemic, he began writing Gone To Ground while Los Angeles was going through scandals involving public officials and an uptick in the perennial “crises” of homelessness, immigration, and gentrification. Add to this the on-again-off-again California bullet train, and you have the main threads of this novel. Morgan lives in Los Angeles with his wife where he’s trying to learn his mother-in-law’s recipe for dal dhokli.

S8E15 The Joker is Wild

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 15, framing a theft is the featured crime. This is The Joker is Wild by Debra H. Goldstein

DELIBERATION

The Mah Jongg players are putting on their sleuthing hats to protect one of their own. Cathy Hegji is accused of stealing from her fellow Sunshine Village residents. To save her from the heartbreak of eviction, they need to spot the real wolf in sheep’s clothing. Here are their suspects in the order we met them:

Harold Hartman, the mean poker player who is playing the victim
Bernie, the nice poker player who Lu grew up with
Michael, the nearly blind poker player whose career was rare books
Jerry, Michael’s grandson who visits frequently
Betsey Morris, Executive Director of Sunshine Village

Here are the facts they have so far:

Harold Hartman bought a second-hand book for $3 that Michael told him is worth more. Before he can have it valued by Jerry, it is stolen. Cathy finds it in her knitting bag.
Personal items have been disappearing from Sunshine Village, including jewelry, but it’s difficult to determine if they were misplaced or stolen.
After his gold lighter goes missing, Harold and Betsey search Cathy’s room, finding it, the book, and a missing ring all hidden under towels.
Betsey Morris became Executive Director about six months ago. This coincided with a swift decline in food quality and with Harold moving from Independent Living to the Assisted Living room across from Cathy.
Betsey denies that she has cut the food budget and will not answer if she receives bonuses for keeping costs under budget.
Harold keeps his door locked, something the other residents do not do. Harold violates the smoking and other policies, he wins more than his fair share at poker, and entertains lady friends.
Jerry took over his grandfather’s business and, for the last six-months, has visited frequently. He spends time with Michael and also with Betsey.
Jerry inspected Harold’s find and valued it at $50. He offered to buy it for that sum, which Harold declined.
Cathy denies everything. Her son is a noted coach and her eviction would embarrass him as well as her.

Flipping the tile, who is framing Cathy?

ABOUT Framing Jobs

Frame up jobs do happen with misinformation taken as fact compounded by flaws of a system driven to closure. One stunning example of this was the 2002 rape accusation against Brian Banks. He was 16 years old and a stand-out football player. His accuser was 15 year old Wanetta Gibson. She and Banks had made out in a stairwell of their high school. By the end of the day, Banks was arrested. There was no physical evidence against Banks but faced with a potential sentence of 40 years or what he thought was an 18 month deal, Banks plead no contest. The judge sentenced him to 6 years. Banks served the sentence and was listed as a registered sex offender. Gibson’s family sued the school district for lack of security and won a $1.5mil settlement.

Shortly after his release, Gibson reached out to Banks and agreed to meet at the office of a private investigator where she was taped saying, multiple times, that Banks did not rape her. Lawyers for the Innocence Project took up the case. Upon examination, they found the results of DNA samples taken from Gibson had no connection to Banks. The DNA evidence coupled with her admission resulted in Banks conviction being overturned in 2012, which vindicated Banks but could do nothing to make up for the loss of his college scholarship and the years that should be some of the best in a young man’s life. The Los Angeles Superior Court ordered Gibson to repay the $1.5mil plus $1.1 mil for making a false claim and fees.

According to The Innocence Project, it is unknown how many incarcerated people truly are innocent. Studies conducted put the percentage 2.3 and 5%, which equates to approximately 23,000 to 50,000 men and women. According to The Innocence Project website, “research shows that false confessions can take place due to law enforcement’s use of intimidation, force, coercive tactics, isolation during interrogations, deceptive methods that include lying about evidence, and more. An innocent person may also falsely confess because of increased stress, mental exhaustion, promises of lenient sentences, or challenges with understanding their constitutional rights. Children, people with intellectual disabilities, and people with language barriers are left particularly vulnerable due to this lack of comprehension.”

A few fascinating links are in the show notes. The Fox Sports June 2013 story includes a link with an interview with Brian Banks that includes some of the footage the private investigator captured.

The Innocence Project website contain information on how bad eyewitness accounts, misapplied forensic evidence, false confessions, and other issues contribute to wrongly convictions.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/banks-accuser-ordered-to-pay-2-6m

https://innocenceproject.org/the-issues/

ABOUT Debra H. Goldstein

Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, a collection of eighteen of her award-winning short stories that focus on family and friends, their sins and sometimes redemption. She also wrote Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series that features a woman who finds being in the kitchen more frightening than murder, standalones Should Have Played Poker and Maze in Blue, and more than fifty short stories that have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies. Debra’s works have been named as Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Claymore finalists and received IPPY, Silver Falchion, AWC, and BWR awards. She serves on the national Sisters in Crime board and previously was a national board member of Mystery Writers of America and president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters.

Debra would like to thank Carol, Cathy, Lucijia, and Deborah, real people who made generous purchases of character namings in support of several wonderful charities.

https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com

TT73: Calypso Blue

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman

Calypso Blue is an amateur sleuth mystery. New York transplant Len Buonfiglio carved out a business on the island of St. Pierre with a sports bar. Now the Marine veteran is finding a place in the community as the man people come to when they have problems. Maurizio Loffredo has returned to the island, to the wife he abandoned, and he’s brought trouble. An art investment deal gone sideways, Len agrees to help Maurizio recover stolen merchandise in hopes of squaring the deal. But hope, as they say, is not a strategy.

Bottom line: Calypso Blue is for you if you like amateur sleuths with an island flair

The Calypso Blue was released from Down & Out and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Brian Silverman

Brian Silverman’s writing career has spanned over 30 years. He has written about travel, food, and sports for publications including the New York Times, Saveur, Caribbean Travel and Life, the New Yorker, and others. His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications, including Mystery Tribune, Down and Out Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. His stories appeared in The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018 and 2019, and The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021. Freedom Drop is his first published novel. He lives in Harlem, New York, with his wife, Heather, and his sons, Louis and Russell. Catch Up With Brian Silverman:

www.BrianSilvermanWrites.com

Wondering what to read after you finish Calypso Blue? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media -https://partnersincrimetours.com.

Join us next week for our next episode in Season 8 Anything but Murder. A frame job is our featured murderless crime in “The Joker is Wild” by Debra H. Goldstein.

S8E14 The Bounty Hunger

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 14, intellectual property theft is the featured crime. This is The Bounty Hunger by Karina Bartow

DELIBERATION

Griffin and his newest partner, Robin, have their heads spinning about the stolen tart recipe. We can give them a helping hand in exchange for the slice of the pie. Here are the players in the order we met them:

Pascal Roux, celebrity chef and victim of the theft
Edwin McAvoy, Roux’s attorney
Joelle Roux, the ex-wife
Yasmine Lambert, former contestant and current cast member
Jasper Albright, Roux’s dishwasher
Wallace Eddington, ticked off publisher

Here are the facts and clues Griffin has uncovered:

Celebrity Chef Pascal Roux recounted stepping into his office during a break in a meeting with his attorney. While working at his desk, he was struck with a meat tenderizer and the recipe for his famed apple tart stolen from his open desk drawer.
Roux ran out the back of the restaurant, directing staff to run after a man with a hood pulled up. He later changed the description to a hat. No such person was found.
Lawyer Edwin McAvoy confirmed he had stepped out of the meeting with Roux. He climbed into the ambulance with Roux carrying a manila envelope.
Roux was legally embattled with his ex-wife Joelle over the recipe, which she claimed was her family’s.
Roux was also legally fighting with his publisher, Wallace Eddington, after he decided to pull the recipe from the cookbook. Eddington, it turns out, lives in Orlando.
Joelle claimed there wasn’t a point to stealing the recipe as Roux was planning to publish it. At her new and much smaller restaurant, a meat tenderizer was reported missing. There was no indication Joelle was at Roux’s restaurant the night of the attack.
• Yasmine Lambert was added to the reality show cast after her own apple tart was selected by the judges as superior to Roux’s. It was acknowledged by several that the animosity shown on screen was for the audience. Giffin’s wife noticed there was more affection than aggression in the body language between the two.
Jasper Albright was seen in Roux’s office taking photos. It is also known that he takes things from the restaurant included on the show and sells them on EBay. The stolen recipe is listed on his account with a starting price of $250,000. Jasper claims not to have done it and blames a woman in a black hat who borrowed his phone.
A woman in a black hat was seen outside the restaurant when the theft occurred, is pointed to by Jasper as hacking his account, and was noted to be in Joelle’s restaurant, leaving her hat behind.
Roux, McAvoy, Yasmine, and Jasper were all at the restaurant the day of the theft. Yasmine reported leaving sometime before and offered a manicure receipt with a time stamp of one-hour after the theft as proof.

Who should Griffin and Robin look to for tarting up the case?

About Recipe Theft

There are two things about recipes that make them ripe for theft. One is pride. The other is money. Come to think of it, those are two big motives in a normal M2D4 season. There is a hot dispute going on right now. Nagi Maehashi, founder of RecipeTin Eats, has accused Brooke Bellamy of plagarizing two recipes in her cookbook Bake with Brooki. There are lots of blogs and websites diving into the “did she or didn’t she.” We’ll see where that one goes.

Back in 2022, Grillo’s Pickles of Boston filed multiple suits again Patriot Pickle of Florida for breach of agreement and using Grillo’s recipes to create a “nearly identical” product for Whole Foods. The Grillo accused Patriot of false advertising over the use of fresh, all natural, and no preservatives over the use of the preservative sodium benzoate. Also alleged were trade secret thefts. The Florida court transferred the case to the District of New Jersey. The case appears to be on-going.

According to Shellie Wilson of Craft Gossip, copyright rules aren’t straightforward when it comes to recipes. Copyrights do not protect ideas, procedures, or methods. A list of ingredients is not protected. Copyrights do apply to entire cookbooks as a collection of written work, descriptions, introductions, and stories, and the photo elements. Plagiarism, the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own, could happen without technically violating copyright.

https://craftgossip.com/we-read-the-brookie-bakes-cookbook-heres-what-no-ones-telling-you-about-the-plagiarism-scandal/

ABOUT Karina Bartow

Karina Bartow hails from Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. Her works include the four installments of The Unde(a)feated Detective Series, as well as Forgetting My Way Back to You, and Wrong Line, Right Connection. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart! KarinaBartow.com

WRAP UP

The anthology for the second half of this season releases in October. Add it to your Christman, Hanukkah, or your To Be Read list.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Bounty Hunger was written by Karina Bartow. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story. It’s The Joker is Wild by Debra H. Goldstein.

TT72: Freedom Drop

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman

Freedom Drop is an amateur sleuth mystery. New York transplant Len Buonfiglio carved out a business on the island of St. Pierre with a sports bar. Now the Marine veteran is finding a place in the community as the man people come to when they have problems. With a pot of island stew, Mrs. Johns hires Len to bring her jailed son home. A task that is easier said than done.

Bottom line: Freedom Drop is for you if you like amateur sleuths with an island flair

The Freedom Drop was released from Down & Out Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Brian Silverman

www.BrianSilvermanWrites.com

S8E13 The Butterfly Stroke Effect

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 13, race fixing is the featured murderless crime. This is The Butterfly Stroke Effect by Ken Harris

DELIBERATION

Sally Bones DeLuca is convinced the arrest of a swimmer was really a strike at him. He has a few tigers by the tail but he’s still not sure which one set him up to fall. Let’s see what we can do to help him get back on the Don’s good side. Here are the suspects he’s considered in the order of appearance:

Harper Underhill, the American swimmer busted for magic mushrooms
Fedir Belinsky, head of the Russian mob
Tony Accardo, Sally’s right hand man
Vladya “Swiss” Zinczenko, unretired Russian mob associate
Airport staff member, Serbian baggage handler claims to have bet big against Underhill.

Here are the facts as Sally Bones has pieced them together:

Sally’s operation was making good book on the women’s Olympic butterfly event. The favorite was American Harper Underhill.
Underhill did not fly commercial with the rest of the team. She traveled to from Philadelphia to Paris on a private charter and was arrested when she disembarked for transporting banned substances.
Sally Bones and his crew were not aware of the development and continued taking bets for the underdog Russian swimmer Tatiana Popova. With her main competition out, Popova won and now the Don and Sally have to pay out.
The Italian and Russian mobs are always going head-to-head. Sally suspects the Russian set Underhill up to financially hit Don Caccamo’s operation through the sports book business.
Swiss Zinczenko tells Sally it wasn’t the Russians and to look in his own house. While Sally trusts Swiss, he thinks the Russian’s have the strongest motive.
Because of Swiss’s suggestion, Sally notices that is right-hand man Tony Accardo maybe has a little more than he should…like an expensive new car. With Sally’s demotion, Accardo has the chance to get in tighter with the boss.
An interview on TV turns Sally on to a baggage handler at the airport who worked Underhill’s chartered flight. The man complained about Underhill’s treatment of the staff and just might have had a reason to take her down.

Since Agent Price is on the job, we know a few things Sally doesn’t:

Swiss Zinczenko is coming out of retirement and he’s looking to do it big. Hurting Caccamo’s business would be a step in the right direction.
Price’s task force partner, TSA agent Juanita Navar, is caught in an explosion aimed at Sally. Navar rambled about horse race betting and Sally Bones, including threats, pointing, and blame.

Who does Sally Bones really have to blame for his financial ruin and demotion?

ABOUT Race Fixing

Google search on “race fixing” and you find a lot of horse stories. From History.com comes 10 famous horse fixing scandals. Yes, there is the basic “take bribes to slow a horse”, although the scale of Anthony “Big Tony” Ciulla’s bribe scheme in the early 1970s was truly impressive (every state except CA.) Let’s touch on a few…

• 1974, an Irish millionaire named Tony Murphy attempted a horse swap. He had a lack-luster horse trained under the name Gay Future, and then attempted to switch him with the real Gay Future. He had an elaborate plan involving entering other horses, including the real Gay Future in other races. A reporter figured out the scheme and brought it down.

• 1984, John Gillespie was planning a horse swap when his ringer was injured in a kangaroo related incident. Gillespie pivoted and brought in another ringer, but it looked nothing like the registered horse. First, they tried hair dye, but it turned the horse orange. Next, they tried spray paint. The horse raced and won…but the scheme was discovered when the painted white “socks” were running in the winners circle.

• In March 2020, Jack and I were dropping the first episodes of our new podcast, federal prosecutors indicted 27 trainers, vets, and drug distributors for doping. Drugs including some known as red acid, bleeder, and frozen pain, were “designed to secretly and dangerously enhance the racing performance of horses beyond their natural ability, a dishonest practice that places the lives of affected animals at risk.”

https://www.history.com/articles/horse-racing-scandals-list

ABOUT Ken Harris

Ken Harris retired from the FBI, after thirty-two years, as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. Ken previously participated in Mysteries to Die For seasons 5 & 6. He is the author of the “From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish” series. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Virginia’s Northern Neck.

https://kenharrisfiction.com/

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Butterfly Stroke Effect was written by Ken Harris. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where recipe theft is the featured murderless crime. It’s The Bounty Hunger by Karina Bartow

TT71: Someone Had to Lie

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is SOMEONE HAD TO LIE by Jack Luellen

Review

SOMEONE HAD TO LIE is a political mystery / thriller. DEA agent Joe Aguilar is dead. His life was taken as talked to his friend, defense attorney James Butler. His last words: “It was bigger than we thought and now we’re in danger.” Now James and his wife, Erica Walsh, are on a perilous quest to find the truth behind Aguilar’s death.

Bottom line: SOMEONE HAD TO LIE is for you if you like political mysteries told against the backdrop of true crime.

Someone Had To Lie was released from Torchflame Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Jack Luellen

Jack Luellen is a Denver, Colorado, attorney with more than 30 years of experience. In practice, he has tried cases to courts and juries, and written hundreds of briefs, motions, and memoranda to state and federal courts, including federal courts of appeal and the United States Supreme Court. In 1990, Jack first started working on cases related to the 1985 kidnapping and murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena and has investigated the case in the years since that time. Jack’s investigations have taken him to foreign countries and included interviews with witnesses both notorious and infamous.

Catch Up With Jack Luellen: LuellenWriting.com

Wondering what to read after you finish Someone Had To Lie? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media .

Join us next week for Mysteries to Die For, Season 8, Anything but Murder. It’s episode 13 where race fixing is our murderless crime. Join us for The Butterfly Stroke Effect by Ken Harris.

S8E12 Detective Connolly Gets Down 'n' Dirty

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 12, cock fighting is the featured crime. This is Detective Connolly Gets Down ‘n’ Dirty by Jack Wolff

DELIBERATION

Detective Connolly is up to his eyebrows in another bird-brained investigation. As always, he needs our help if he’s going to catch Picante and earn his supper. Here are the places rattling through Connolly’s brain where Picante could be hiding:

His house, because a home is a castle
The airstrip, because it’s big
The chicken coop, because Conquistador needs his Papa

About Cockfighting

Cockfighting is an ancient bloodsport. It was believed to have originated in southeast Asia and migrated east. The Persians were believed to have introduced it to the Greeks, where it later spread into Rome. Depicts of cockfighting decorated pottery and other artworks, showing it to be a normal part of life. Numerous sketches and painting depict cockfighting events in England in the 1700s and 1800s. The sport migrated to the US. Over the 20th century, cockfighting was outlawed in many countries but now all. In Colombia, Cuba, Haiti and others, cockfighting is considered part of the cultural heritage and identity. Although legal, many of these regulate the sport. Check out the Wikipedia link for a country-by-country status.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockfighting

https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=CO012#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20cockfighting%20goes,it%20originated%20in%20Southeast%20Asia.

ABOUT Jack Wolff

Jack Wolff is a Ball State University student, studying Media Production and Music Recording. He has been podcasting for five years now, and has written a number of short stories for the Mysteries To Die For show. When he’s not podcasting, he is teaching marching percussion to high schoolers, writing and shooting films for his own enjoyment, or playing with his psychopathic border collie puppy. You can follow him on instagram at @wackjolff, that’s jack wolff with the first letters of his first and last name flipped around, or if you are bored and want to email with him, don’t worry, he’s bored too, and can be found at j-w-i-l-d-e-317@gmail.com.

TT70: What Goes Around

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is What Goes Around by Michael Wendroff

What Goes Around is a thriller. Violence and hate have taken up residence in this American town and are starting to show their presence. What begins with a Robin Hood-like shooting grows into an array of violence so intermixed, the sheriff, state investigators, and the FBI are having trouble figuring out just how many groups they’re up against.

Bottom line: What Goes Around is for you if you like gritty, hard hitting thrillers.

What Goes Around was released from House of Zeus Aries Imprint and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

Wondering what to read after you finish What Goes Around? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media. https://partnersincrimetours.com/

Join us next week for a regular episode of Mysteries to Die For, Season 8 Anything but Murder where cockfighting is our murderless crime in Detective Connolly Gets Down ‘n’ Dirty by Jack Wolff

S8E11 Hoodwinked and Bamboozled

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 11, industrial espionage is the featured crime. This is Hoodwinked and Bamboozled by TG Wolff

DELIBERATION

Kelly may have a clue but Grant and Alistair can use our help. There is no question that Charles “Tink” Teasling invented the Tinkinator 93. This is no question that Henry Brown, Tink’s brother-in-law produced it. The question is who orchestrated the design getting from Tink to Brown? Here are the suspects in the order we met them:

Minnie Teasling Brown, Tink’s caretaking sister and Brown’s silent partner
Roger Schmidt, investment banker and Tink’s neighbor
Alexander Bogart, mechanical fabricator and Tink’s renter
Henry Brown, mechanical fabricator and Tink’s brother-in-law

Here are the facts as Kelly and Grant know them:

Tink Teasling filed for and received a dozen patents including one for a valve he called the Tinkinator 93. At a tradeshow, he saw the valve on a display by Alexander Bogart.
Tink is a widower and a hoarder. He was certain the patent documents were in his house. Only two people regularly accessed the house: his sister Minnie and his neighbor Roger Schmidt. Henry Brown long ago stopped going to the house.
Minnie Brown supports her brother with the little things in life. She has a good memory and attention to detail, which helps to keep the house from totally falling apart. Minnie remembers seeing the patents as she manages her brother’s mail.
Tink and Henry Brown constructed their shops side-by-side. Brown fabricates small devices for sale to local distributors. He claims all his devices were a joint design between he and Minnie. Her mechanical drawings decorate his office like artwork. His business recently improved with shipments now leaving several times a week.
Tink now does his inventing from home and leases his shop out to Alexander Bogart. For some time after Tink moved out, Bogart continued to find files Tink hid in odd places, including the patent for the Tinkinator 93. Bogart admitted to studying the document but then added it to crate for Minnie to pick up with the rent.
Bogart admitted to using the valve in the pipe display that showed off his invention—a large pump. He said he did not make the valve but doesn’t recall where the valve came from specifically.
Neighbor Roger Schmidt admits to seeing the patent and thinking it was a worthwhile invention. He had a falling out with Tink when he declined to invest in the gadget, not trusting Tink to get it to market or make a profit. He did invest with Alexander Bogart, further angering Tink.

Who infringed on Tink’s patented idea?

ABOUT Industrial Espionage

According to Wikipedia, Industrial Espionage gathers knowledge about one or more organizations and takes place in two main forms. It may include the acquisition of intellectual property, such as information on industrial manufacture, ideas, techniques and processes, recipes and formulas. Or it could include priviledged information, like pricing, research and development, prospective bids, or marketing strategies. It includes activities life theft of trade secrets, bribery, blackmail and technological surveillance.

Industrial espionage is an old crime, with records going back to the 17th century showing the “migration” of technologies from one region or realm to another. The attitude toward this type of theft has an interesting history in the US. Back when we were a new country, this type of knowledge acquisition was all but openlyendorsed by the government. Congress passed the first patent statute in 1790 and the first patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins on July 31 for making potash, a fertilizer ingredient.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_espionage

https://www.uspto.gov/patents/milestones

ABOUT TG Wolff

Find me at www.tgwolff.com or M2D4podcast.com

TT69: Love and the Divorce Lawyer

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Love and the Divorce Lawyer by Barbara Newhart

Love and the Divorce Lawyer is a legal drama. Divorce attorney Josie Jensen transitioned from divorce attorney to family law professor with a client’s bullet shattered more than her hip. Now her half-brother is pulling her back into the game. As Josie agrees to help, she’s thrust into her own marital drama and ensuing divorce. Nothing is sacred in the no-holds-barred world of dissolution.

Bottom line: Love and the Divorce Lawyer is for you if you find your thrills in cunning drama.

Love and the Divorce Lawyer was released from Wild Rose Press and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Barbara Newhart

Barbara Newhart enjoys reading and writing stories that contain at least a sprinkle of romance, tossed into a great mystery or thriller where the characters dodge and weave their way through this crazy adventure we call life. In addition to Love & the Divorce Lawyer, Barbara has written Legally Yours and Finally Yours as Kimberly Whitmore.

www.BarbaraNewhart.com

S8E10 Graciela's Gifts

Fri, 30 May 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 10, large-scale theft is the featured crime. This is Graciela’s Gifts by KM Rockwood.

Another mystery from KM Rockwood, who has written the Jesse Damon crime novels, and numerous short stories.

DELIBERATION

Graciela doesn’t know who to trust as she tries to suss who is behind the large-scale theft. Lucky for her, she has us. Here is everyone currently on her “do not trust” list, in the order we met them:

Cooper Reynes, security expert, hired to stop Graciela’s inventory losses
Michelle, Graciela’s friend and first employee, she needs money to help her sister with medical bills
Raoul, Graciela’s second employee, he works hard to keep the store neat
Jocelyn, a recent hire, she came from Cooper’s recommended agency
Livvy, a recent hire, she also came from Cooper’s recommended agency
Officer Bronkin, investigating similar thefts at other stores
Noah, custodian for the strip mall, has access to all the stores
Giggling girl, customer, left her wallet in among the pugs

Here are the facts swirling in Graciela’s mind:

Cooper Reynes was recommended by the Chamber of Commerce for his success in reducing thefts. He upgrades his client’s security, personally reviewing the footage for problems.
Prompted to do an inventory, Graciela and Michelle found significant merchandise loss, including whole cartons of purses and scarves
Michelle and Raoul were with Graciela long before the problem started. Still, they both bring bags to work able to smuggle out product and tend to live paycheck to paycheck.
Jocelyn and Livvy are newer employees, hired through a service Cooper recommended.
Officer Bronkin is working the case but without much progress. He turns Graciela on to a trick of moving stolen goods using trash dumpsters.
Raoul always takes out the trash. He was meticulous like that. Graciela inspected one suspicious box but found only packing peanuts.
Graciela found one of her stolen, unique pieces, an Eiffel Tower with a Celtic cross, on an on-line retail site.
Graciela’s most expensive piece, a diamond accented pug, went missing during the previous day, including after hours. She does not suspect the cleaning crew. The others with after hours access were Cooper and Noah.
Noah showed Graciela how to view the security footage, countering Cooper’s argument that it was difficult and could overwrite footage. The recent footage showed Livvy taking out trash.

Who is ruining the party at Graciela’s Gifts and More?

About Large-Scale Theft

Large-scale theft is also known as organized retail crime. As you saw in our story, it’s the theft of large quantities of products from retailers with the purpose of selling the products. Where shoplifting is committed by individuals for personal use, large-scale theft is a highly organized big business. According to the National Retail Federation, retail losses in 2022 totaled $112 billion with theft accounting for roughly 65%.

From US Immigration and Customs Enforcement comes the story of two Houston brothers who, from June 2015 to March 2018, acted as fences for an estimated $30 million in retail goods. Yasser Saleh Ouwad, his brother Bilal Saleh Awad and other conspirators pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to transport stolen merchandise. Ouwad was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison plus 3 years supervised release. He was ordered to forfeit $260,000 from bank accounts representing proceeds, pay $109,742 in restitution to CVS Health and Walgreens, and a fine of over $4.6 mil. Awad also received 41 months, had to forfeit $460,000 plus about $6000 in stolen merchandise, pay $322,550 to CVS Health and Walgreens, and a fine of over $4.4 mil.

https://nrf.com/advocacy/policy-issues/organized-retail-crime

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/2-brothers-sentenced-roles-large-scale-organized-retail-theft-ring-following-hsi

ABOUT KM Rockwood

kmrockwood.com

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Graciela’s Gifts was written by KM Rockwood. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where intellectual espionage is the featured murderless crime. It’s Hoodwinked and Bamboozled by TG Wolff

TT68: The Whisper Legacy

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Whisper Legacy by Tj O’Connor

The Whisper Legacy is a political thriller. Private detective Lowe Curran (pronounced Ker-in) is doing a data recovery job for his best client when he inadvertently gets a little extra…and that extra is the proverbial Pandora’s box. With national security on the line, Curran’s new job is to protect the data and the hacker who stole it. Yeah…good luck with that.

Bottom line: The Whisper Legacy is for you if you like private detectives up to their eyeballs in intrigue and trickery.

The Whisper Legacy was released from Level Best Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Tj O’Connor

Tj O’Connor is an award-winning author of mysteries and thrillers. He’s an international security consultant specializing in anti-terrorism, investigations, and threat analysis—life experiences that drive his novels. As a government agent and years as a consultant, he has lived and worked throughout many countries in the European Union and the Americas. In his spare time, he’s a Harley Davidson pilot, a man-about-dogs (and now cats), and a lover of adventure, cooking, and good spirits (both kinds).

tjoconnor.com

Wondering what to read after you finish The Whisper Legacy? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media www.partnersincrimevbt.com.

Join us next week for Season 8 Anything but Murder. Join us for Graciela’s Gifts by KM Rockwood where organized theft is where our murderless crime.

S8E9 The Florida Man Cometh

Fri, 16 May 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For

This is Episode 9, missing person is the featured crime. This is The Florida Man Cometh by Jim Winter

This week’s story come to us from Jim Winter, author of the Holland Bay series, which includes Holland Bay and The Dogs of Beaumont Heights. Like his series, this story takes place in what he calls “the Celloverse,” set in and around the fictional City of Monticello.

DELIBERATION

Teasdale’s early morning response to an abandoned school bus has turned into a scavenger hunt for a Florida man gone AWOL. Which one of the three party animals is missing Florida man James Floren?

Trashcan Man, who is now unnaturally bald
Unicorn Man, who bounced his head off at least one windshield
Pacer Man, who managed to get a car stuck on a roller coaster

Here are the facts as Teasdale sees them:

A school bus and driver were borrowed from the school district by Mayor Nate Keller for a fishing party on Saturday. To Keller’s knowledge the bus was returned with a full tank of gas.
The school bus wasn’t returned to the school district but left on Rufus King’s lawn. The driver, Charlie Tobin, is missing.
Searching the bus, Teasdale discovered a stack of neatly folded clothes on the driver’s seat and an annoyed alligator chained in the aisle.
Before being abandoned, the bus was parked at The Waffle House. The manager said a drunk Larry Molnek, a sales manager for a local car dealer, came in with a man he didn’t know. The manager tossed Molnek out for fighting. Either Molnek or the stranger head butted a windshield before leaving in the bus.
Teasdale and Deputy Swenson received a BOLO Florida Man James Floren. The recently AWOL husband has family in Ohio, including now respected attorney Joe Reese. As teens, Floren and Reese were busted for breaking into the amusement park to climb the B-52 coaster.
Inside the closed amusement park, Teasdale and Swenson discovered a naked man in a trash can. He was pale, white, and newly bald.
Next, they found a man trapped in a Pacer stuck on the B-52 coaster. He was pale beneath his tan complexion. -
Lastly, Swenson discovered a man in one of the bathrooms. He had a bloody, black-and-blue bump in the middle of his forehead.

Which is the Florida Man cometh?

About Missing Persons

Since 1975, the FBI has maintained the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) missing person and unidentified person statistics. According the 2023 statistics report, the files are retained indefinitely until the person is located or the record is cancelled by the entering agency. Data is collected on missing persons with disabilities including senility, where circumstances indicate the disappearance was non-voluntary and/or physical safety is in danger, where catastrophe is involved, and juveniles. As of December 31, 2023, NCIC contained 96,955 active missing person records. Within the calendar year, 563,389 records were entered and 563,644 records cleared. Of the active files, 30% were juveniles under 18 and an additional 9% between 19-21, leaving 61% as adults over 21. Where the option field for circumstances was filled out, 95% were coded as runaways and 0.9% were attributed to non-custodial parent. Only 0.1% were coded as abducted by stranger.

ABOUT Jim Winter

Jim Winter is the author of the Holland Bay series and the Nick Kepler novels. Jim is the crime

fiction persona of science fiction author TS Hottle. As TS, he writes the Compact Universe series and the Suicide Arc. Additionally, he is a freelance editor who does work for Down & Out Books. You can find him at:

jimwinterbooks.com

tshottle.com

tshottleediting.com

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Florida Man Cometh was written by Jim Winter. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where intellectual espionage is the featured murderless crime. It’s Hoodwinked and Bamboozled by TG Wolff

TT67: After Pearl

Fri, 09 May 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is After Pearl by Stephen G. Eoannou

TG Wolff Review

After Pearl is a PI Mystery. World War II is raging and private investigator Nicholas Bishop is a fighting hang over. Sometime in the days he can’t remember, his .38 had been fired twice and the woman he was last seen with has gone missing. While juggling jobs that actually pay the bills, Bishop must find the woman before the police make good on their threat to hold him responsible.

Bottom line: After Pearl is for you if you like private detectives in historical periods who are equally dedicated to their craft and the bottle.

After Pearl was released from Santa Fe Writers Project and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Stephen G. Eoannou

Stephen G. Eoannou holds an MFA from Queens University of Charlotte and an MA from Miami University. He has been awarded an Honor Certificate from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Best Short Screenplay Award at the 36th Denver Film Festival. His novel Yesteryear was awarded the 2021 International Eyelands Award for Best Historical Novel, The Firebird Book Award for Biographical Fiction, and Shelf Unbound’s Notable Indy Books of 2023. He lives and writes in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, the setting and inspiration for much of his work.

www.SGEoannou.com

Wondering what to read after you finish After Pearl? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connect with other fans. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media -www.partnerincrimetours.com.

And Authors, whether you’re looking to promote your latest thriller or connect with fellow fans of the genre, PICT has you covered. Check out their promotion options that come with the personal attention of a dedicated coordinator.

Join us next week for Season 8 Anything but Murder. A Missing person case is our next murderless mystery with The Florida Man Cometh by Jim Winter.

S8E8 Ace of Hearts

Fri, 02 May 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 8, where witness intimidation is the featured crime. This is Ace of Hearts by Margaret S. Hamilton

“Ace of Hearts” is Margaret S. Hamilton’s third published short story set in New Orleans, a city she knows and loves, from the manicured acres of City Park to the potholed streets of the Lower Garden District. New Orleans is a city defined by food: fried oyster po’boys, Abita beer, beignets, and chicory coffee. A city of haunting jazz melodies and spectacular Mardi Gras parades. A city that survives adversity and thrives, like Calliope Hebert, the main character of this story.

DELIBERATION

Callie is on a tight timeline with no room for error. She needs our help if she’s going to find the flash drive and save her mother. There are the potential locations for the flash drive:

House of Rising Sun Dress sign, outside the door to Mama’s apartment
Krewe stiletto heel, in the dining room on the shelves
Pin cushion, kept on Mama’s bedside table
Lipstick tube, given by Mama’s sister
Broken flashlight, stored in Mama’s bedroom

Here are the clues Callie has to work with:

Ace downloaded business records from John Readon to a flash drive before he disappeared last Spring
Mama sold the house and moved the family to the duplex. The furniture is new. Only personal items and Mama’s dress business were moved
Callie saw Mama shove something into the side of the house when she was hanging up her business sign
Callie’s aunt gave Mama the tube of lipstick when she came to the party
The pin cushion was in the draw where Callie found the queen of hearts playing card
The flashlight Callie tried to use when the lights went out didn’t turn on and sounded like there was something loose inside.
When Callie asked her mother about the things Ace left, she didn’t seem to know where the information was. The only thing Ace said was “think about our wedding day.”
The Reardon’s reported a rumor that the flash drive was hidden in the Krewe stilettos.

Where should Callie look for the flash drive?

About Witness Intimidation

Witness intimidation is as old as crime itself. And it actually is a crime – witness intimidation, witness tampering. From the attorney general of Pennsylvania comes the very recent case of Dushawn Ellis who was facing charges of human trafficking. While in jail, he put out a $20,000 hit on the witness. Ellis approached another inmate of the county prison who knew the witness and used that connection and the bounty to video chat with the witness and personally make the threat.

The witness held their ground and Ellis was charged with two counts of felony witness intimidation and one count of obstruction of justice. He was convicted by a jury in February 2024, was sentences to 8 ½ to 22 years. The original human trafficking was ongoing as of that time.

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/verdict-reading-man-found-guilty-of-witness-intimidation-for-ordering-20k-hit-in-human-trafficking-case/

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/reading-man-jailed-up-to-22-years-for-witness-intimidation-after-ordering-20k-hit-in-human-trafficking-case/

ABOUT Margaret S. Hamilton

Margaret S. Hamilton is the author of over thirty short stories, many of them set in the fictional small town of Jericho, Ohio. She has also published stories set in the Dordogne region of southwest France, Cape Cod, New Orleans, and 1950’s Cincinnati.

Home - The Official Website of Margaret S. Hamilton

Writers Who Kill

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Ace of Hearts was written by Margaret S. Hamilton. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where missing person is the featured murderless crime. It’s The Florida Man Cometh by Jim Winter

TT66: The Brownstone on E. 83rd

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Brownstone on E. 83rd by Jenny Dandy

The Brownstone on E. 83rd is a caper crime story. Ronnie Charles is a street kid, a self-taught thief, and butler, cook, and errand boy to Isabelle Anderson. FBI Special Agent Frank Jankowski is after a drug dealer and his only way into the closed network is thru the lady at the top of society itself, Isabelle Anderson. When it comes to the game of cat and mouse, one thing is certain…Isabelle is all feline.

Bottom line: The Brownstone on E. 83rd is for you if you like capers where the players are bold, beautiful, and brutal.

About Jenny Dandy

Jenny Dandy is a graduate of Smith College and of Lighthouse Writers Workshop Book Project. Though she has lived and worked from Beijing to Baltimore, from Northampton to Atlanta, it was New York that held onto a piece of her heart. She now lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains where she would never lift a wallet or scam her dinner guests.

www.JennyDandy.com

Wondering what to read after you finish The Brownstone on E. 83rd? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media. https://partnersincrimetours.com/

Join us next week for Mysteries to Die For Season 8 Anything But Murder. Our story is Ace of Hearts by Margaret S. Hamilton where witness intimidation is our murderless crime.

S8E7 Opera Dinner Club

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 7, betrayal is the featured crime. This is Opera Dinner Club by Debra H. Goldstein

DELIBERATION

Jessica Rothman is close to discovering who betrayed her grandparents, Helen and Wilhelm Rothman, to the Nazi’s but she needs our help to figure out who from the final dinner party betrayed them. Here is the list in the order we met them:

Melinda Brooks, smuggler, last of the party remaining
Albert Brooks, professor, opposed to Melinda’s activities
Lloyd Edgerton, armament dealer, opposed to Victoria’s activities
Victoria Edgerton, smuggler, Melinda’s usual partner
Marta Schmidt, servant to Helen’s parents, now living with the Rothmans
Hans Schmidt, servant to Helen’s parents, now living with the Rothmans
Bernard Schmidt, son to the Schmidts, working at times as a servant to the Rothmans
Ari, Jewish man working to get children out of Austria

Here is what Jessica knows:

Helen Rothman devised a scheme to smuggle valuables for Jews to England. Melinda and Victoria worked together as did Marta and Hans Schmidt.
Ari is a mysterious guest who has a seat of honor at the Rothman dinner table. He with Helen proposes to smuggle children out as they are doing with money and jewels.
Albert Brooks and Lloyd Edgerton did little to participate for the sake of their businesses. Both were afraid of the fallout should the scheme come to light. Eventually, they both wanted their wives to stop.
The Schmidts are German. Having worked for Helen’s parents and then moving in with the Rothmans, their loyalty is to the Rothman’s.
Bernard Schmidt participates in the Nazi youth movement because he’s expected to. Like his parents, his loyalty is to the Rothmans.

Upon whom do we shine the spotlight of betrayal?

ABOUT Debra H. Goldstein

Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of Kensington’s Sarah Blair mystery series that features a woman who finds being in the kitchen more frightening than murder (One Taste Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Four Cuts Too Many, and Five Belles Too Many). Her other writings include the novels Should Have Played Poker and Maze in Blue, and more than fifty short stories that have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies. Debra’s work has been named as Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Claymore finalists and received IPPY, Silver Falchion, AWC, and BWR awards. She serves on the national Sisters in Crime board and previously was a national board member of Mystery Writers of America and president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com

TT65: Rented Grave

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Rented Grave by Charles Philipp Martin

TG Wolff Review

Rented Grave is an suspense novel. A man is dead. A boy is missing. When it comes to the crimes, three men are in it to win it. Criminal, victim, and cop. But address and title doesn’t necessarily tell who is who.

Bottom line: Rented Grave is for you if you like gritty stories of haves and have nots with a Hong Kong flair.

About Charles Philipp Martin

Charles Philipp Martin grew up in New York City’s Greenwich Village in a family steeped in music and literature. After attending Columbia University and Manhattan School of Music, Martin took off for a six-year paid vacation in the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. While in Hong Kong he hung up his bow and turned to writing, spending four years as a Sunday Magazine columnist for the South China Morning Post, and writing for magazines all over Southeast Asia. His weekly jazz radio show 3 O’Clock Jump was heard every Saturday on Hong Kong’s Radio 3 for some two decades. Martin now lives in Seattle with his wife Catherine. Find him at www.NeonPanic.com

Wondering what to read after you finish Rented Grave? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media - www.partnerincrime.com.

S8E6b Safe Haven (Part 2)

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

The rules for law and order create the boundaries for civil co-existence and, ideally, the backdrop for individuals, families, and companies to grow and thrive. Breaking these rules puts civil order at risk. And while murder is the Big Daddy of crimes, codified ordinances across municipal divisions, counties, states, and countries show the nearly endless ways there are to create mayhem. This season, we put our detective skills to the test. This is Season 8, Anything but Murder.

This is Episode 6b, attempted infanticide is the featured crime. This is Safe Haven Part 2 by Jason Little.

Deliberation

Barrett Turner needs our help like few others have. The elusive figurehead Sampic and his loyal SampicKnights are determined to kill Baby Davey if Barrett can’t stop the insanity. Here are the people Barrett’s interacted with today:

Nelson Kessler, current police chief and former best friend
Betty Lou Turner, Barrett’s mother and social media fanatic
Irene Van Horten, current FBI agent and crazy ex-girlfriend
Kaleb Hempstead, mail carrier who rescued Davey after his mother died

Here are the facts as far as Barrett has figured them out:

Based on the video evidence, an alien landed in Branch River and raped poor Mary, who weeks later gave birth to Davey. She died explosively in childbirth two days prior. Her house burned down this morning.
Kaleb saved Davey and brought him home. His wife didn’t want the baby, so he purchased a baby blanket and took him swaddled to the firehouse.
Barrett tried to turn Davey over to the authorities, but each time, one of the SampicKnights who fought the alien intervened, determined to kill Davey.
Sampic was an international sensation calling for a unified front to make earth into a safe haven. Some of his followers committed suicide. He was now calling for them to kill the baby with the birthmark over his eye.
Police chief Nelson Kessler physically looks like Sampic, with his dark hair and eyes. Irene suspects he may be involved with everything going on. He is known to be grandiose with a mean streak, according to Barrett, his former friend.
Betty Lou Turner was uploading Sampic videos at her home and tried to show them to Barrett, but he wouldn’t watch.
Barrett said Betty Lou is forgetting things, like how she called him with a “cardiac attack” on the day his wife and son died. She denies she called him but noted the accident happened the same day as the meteor.
FBI agent Irene Van Horten doesn’t trust Nelson Kessler. She has copies of the videos and has traced the IP to a local computer. She is eager to restart a relationship with Barrett.
Kaleb has a burned arm that he claims was from a grilling accident, but Barrett isn’t so sure.

Who is behind Sampic and the SampicKnights’ rampant attempted infanticide?

ABOUT Jason Little

Jason Little is a Texas-based writer with a knack for spinning tales that keep readers hooked. His contributions to Mysteries to Die For are packed with twists, suspense, and unforgettable characters. When he’s not crafting mysteries, he’s writing fiction on his blog at JasonLittleWriting.com, where you can dive into more of his stories and musings.

A life insurance agent by day, Jason is also a proud dad of two, a loving fiancé, and a dog enthusiast. He’s big on exploring VR worlds, staying active, and finding inspiration in everyday life.

Follow him on X at @jasonlwriter and stay updated on his latest projects, or drop by his blog to read more and connect—he’d love to hear from you!

About Safe Haven

We are not going to talk about infanticide but I will give you a little background on Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Many states have laws allowing for the safe and legal surrender of infants, something that was enacted to combat the abandonment of babies. Founded in 2015 by Monica Kelsey of the small city of Woodburn, Indiana, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are constructed boxes that hold a baby similar to a bassinette. These are installed in secure locations, including fire stations, with alarming to indicate to those inside that a child has been placed inside. The babies are attended to within minutes and ultimately entrusted to the local Child Protection.

https://www.shbb.org/

TT64: Boomsters

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Boomsters by David Marks

TG Wolff Review

Boomsters is a farcical thriller. Newly retired David Blazen is looking for his next adventure. He finds it in a slightly used certificate and the creation of Detective Blaze. Now he’s part of the good guys keeping Chicago safe. He learns the hard way that to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs. Eventually he asks the question many eggs can you break and still be considered a good guy?

Bottom line: Boomsters is for you if you like your thrills off-beat and your morality ambiguous.

Boomsters was released from Wheatmark and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

https://pictbooks.tours/RJhVz

About David Marks

David Marks spent 30 years relying on his creativity to develop some of the world’s greatest impulse products. With his retirement, he went from being an innovative workaholic with a 200+ team to a man with no forum to exercise his mind, all in a day. Desperate to do something creative, he imagined a fictitious character facing the same traumatic reality of retirement. Inspired by crime stoppers on TV, David pondered the question of how much bad could be justified in the name of good. A book was never the goal. The exercise was simply meant to help keep his mind sharp. But in the process, Boomsters was born.

Wondering what to read after you finish Boomsters? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connect with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media www.partnerincrime.com

And Authors, whether you’re looking to promote your latest mystery or connect with fellow fans of the genre, PICT has you covered. Check out their promotion options that come with the personal attention of a dedicated coordinator.

S8E6a Safe Haven (Part 1)

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 6a, attempted infanticide is the featured crime. This is Safe Haven Part 1 by Jason Little.

ABOUT Jason Little

A life insurance agent by day, Jason is also a proud dad of two, a loving fiancé, and a dog enthusiast. He’s big on exploring VR worlds, staying active, and finding inspiration in everyday life.

Follow him on X at @jasonlwriter and stay updated on his latest projects, or drop by his blog to read more and connect—he’d love to hear from you!

About Safe Haven

https://www.shbb.org/

TT63: I Know She Was There

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is I Know She Was There by Jennifer Sadera

TG Wolff Review

I Know She Was There is a psychological thriller. Caroline Case spends her nights pushing her daughter’s stroller through an upscale neighborhood. She is the friend they don’t know they have. She is the eyes that see what they think they hide. One night, a woman is in an upstairs window, blood encircling her neck like a scarf. The next morning there’s no body, no blood, no proof. But Caroline knows what she saw.

Bottom line: I Know She Was There is for you if you like high concept thrillers with blurred lines of reality.

About Jennifer Sadera

https://www.jennifersadera.com/

Jennifer Sadera began as a junior copywriter at book publisher NAL before transitioning to the editorial departments of national women’s magazines. She’d established herself as a freelance writer and blogger when followed her true passion: creating novels. Her writing has earned her multiple awards at Atlanta Writers Conferences and a fellowship at the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. I Know She Was There is Jennifer’s debut psychological suspense novel. When not writing, Jennifer can be found gardening, traveling, or reading anything she can get her hands on. She is blessed with her husband CJ and children Amanda and Ryan.

Wondering what to read after you finish I Know She Was There? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they’ve been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connection with other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media - links are in the show notes.

www.partnersincrimetours.com

S8E5 Clipped

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 5, safe burglary is the featured crime. This is Clipped by Robert J. Binney

DELIBERATION

Henri Beauchamp, hairdresser extraordinaire, is honor-bound to investigate the burglary of Grace McCluskey’s wedding purse. Henri may have a certificate but he needs our help to tease out this whodunnit. Here is who he has met in the order presented:

Annie DiChrono, Grace’s best friend and maid of honor.
Sean McCluskey III, eldest brother and father of the bride, a high-end family businessman
Fr. Pat McCluskey, youngest brother, priest, and poor poker player
Captain Frank McCluskey, middle brother, to honest to work undercover
Flash Masterson, wedding photographer burned by McCluskey in a business deal
Pam Burns, wedding caterer accused of the theft
Abigail McCluskey, Frank’s ex-wife who attended the wedding
Tony Ladro, a junior level broker and the groom

About Safe Cracking

In June 1869, Manhattan’s Ocean National Bank was robbed in a highly planned and coordinated even orchestrated by George Leonidas Leslie. Leslie was an architect by training and trade and knew his way around a set of drawings. He was a smart man, a detailed planner, and turned into a highly successful bank robber. Ocean National Bank was his first robbery. It took over three months to plan and his financier Fredericka “Marm” Mandelbaum invested $3,000 in the planning which yielded over $750,000 in return. The heist had a three day set up that included drilling from the basement to the vault, using a gadget called a “little joker” to capture the safe’s combination, and returning on Sunday night, when the safe was most full, to make the extraction. According to Wikipedia, The police captain put on the case noticed that Leslie had withdrawn money but since Leslie was known as a educated architect, he did not make the connection. Reportedly, when he learned that Leslie attended Mandelbaum dinner parties, he said “this can’t lead to anything good.”

Leslie led planning and robbing banks from 1869 through 1878. As things often do, they got sketchy between thieves and hot for Leslie. He was juggling his young wife, gang with Mandelbaum, putting together a new gang with her primary rival John Grady, and lovers who included Babe Draper, the wife of one of his gang. On May 29, 1878, Leslie when to Murphy’s Saloon where he received an envelop from Babe saying her husband found out about their affair. He left his bodyguard at the bar and went to meet her. His body was found on June 4. He had been shot once in the head and once in the heart with the gun he had previously given Babe for protection.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Leonidas_Leslie

ABOUT Robert J. Binney

Seattle screenwriter Robert J. Binney has written about Joe Strummer, James Bond, joyriding with the Salt Lake City police, and his relationships with Peter Frampton and President Jimmy Carter (though not together) for the Los Angeles Times, AtwoodMagazine.com, and other fine publications. His recent fiction has appeared in Starlite Pulp and the Down and Out anthology A Killing Rain.

He’s finally succumbed to technology and can be found on Facebook and Instagram at RJBinney. Better yet, check out his website at ThirdActMedia.com.

TT62: Dying to Know

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Dying to Know is a paranormal mystery. Police detective Oliver “Tuck” Tucker is dead, killed in his own home. While his body is gone, his spirit remains, but to do what? Solve his murder? Protect his wife? Figure out why his best friend and partner is hiding evidence? So much to do, so little idea how to do it.

Bottom line: Dying to Know is for you if you like mysteries told in a new and unexpected way.

About Tj O’Connor

tjoconnor.com

S8E4: The Last Diamond

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 3, jewel theft is the featured crime. This is THE LAST DIAMOND by Kathleen Marple Kalb

Deliberation

Detective Connie Mercado has landed a gem of a case and needs our help. Miss Susan Sawyer was about to auction her prized diamond when she discovered the ring in the vault was a fake. Here is a list of the people Miss Sawyer reported had access to the ring:

Allison Boatwright, assistant at the auction house, sheltered, pampered, rudderless
Everett Goodwin, auction house director, butt kissing twerp
Dana Jones-Stann, accountant, keeper of the safe deposit box keys

ABOUT Kathleen Marple Kalb

Kathleen Marple Kalb describes herself as an Author/Anchor/Mom…not in that order. An award-winning weekend anchor at New York’s 1010 WINS Radio, she’s the author of short stories and novels including the Old Stuff and Ella Shane series, and, as Nikki Knight, the Grace the Hit Mom and Vermont Radio series. Her stories, under both pen names, have been in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, and many anthologies, and short-listed for Derringer and Black Orchid Novella Awards. Active in writer’s groups, she’s served as Vice President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and Co-VP of the New York/Tri-State Sisters in Crime Chapter. She, her husband, and son live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat.

https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/

ABOUT Diamond Theft

From the pages of History.com and The True Crime Database comes one of the most audacious thefts. Antwerp, Belgium, February 2003. The Antwerp Diamond Center was an impregnable fortress in the diamond capital…until it wasn’t. Thieves disabled the vaults heat and motion sensors and got around and/or through Doppler radar, a lock with 100 million combinations, and 2-ft thick metal doors that signaled the police if pulled apart. The industrious thieves had 4-5 hours in the vault, leaving with diamonds, gems, and cash valued at $100mil at the time and more like $160mil today. On their exit, they took the security footage. They would have gotten away cleanly…if they had only cleaned up after themselves. The bags of trash they left in the woods along the highway provided the clues that led to the arrest and conviction of Leonardo Notarbartolo, a career criminal who posed as a diamond merchant to case the diamond center, and several of his compatriots. During the trial, Notarbartolo denied being the mastermind and argued the value was a fraction of what was claimed. He served 5 years of his 10 years sentence, was paroled, and then some years later violated the parole and returned to prison to finish the sentence. Little of loot was ever found. The scale and skill of the heist captured imaginations. The Antwerp heist was featured on the first episode of The History Channel’s “History’s Greatest Heists”. In 2023, Amazon turned the heist into the 8-part series “Everybody Loves Diamonds.”

https://www.history.com/news/biggest-jewel-diamond-heists

https://www.thetruecrimedatabase.com/case_file/antwerp-diamond-heist/

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our NEW website www.m2d4podcast.com for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. THE LAST DIAMOND was written by Kathleen Marple Kalb. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where safe cracking is the featured murderless crime. It’s Clipped by Robert J. Binney

TT61: Early Termination

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Early Termination by Cindy Goyette

TG Wolff Review

Early Termination is a crime novel. Parole Officer Casey Carson has her hands full with a stacked case load and a rookie to train. Her workload takes a twist when one of her clients is found dead with her business card stuff in his mouth. Now the cops want her, members of the Diablo gang want her, her ex-husband and her new maybe plaything, they both want her, too.

Bottom line: Early Termination is for you if you like fast-paced crime stories woven with suspense, thrills, and humor.

About Joyce Goyette

Cindy Goyette is a former probation officer who had a front row seat to the criminal justice system. She kept her sanity by finding humor in most situations. A mix of these things helped her create The Probation Case Files Mystery Series. After spending over twenty years in Arizona, Cindy lives in Washington state with her husband and two Cocker Spaniels.

CCGoyette.com

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S8E3: Will the Real John Shady Please Stand Up

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 3, identify fraud is the featured crime. This is Will the Real John Shady Please Stand Up? by TG Wolff

About Identify Fraud

Identity Fraud, also called Identity Theft, is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. This information can include names and addresses, Credit card or Social Security numbers, Bank account numbers, Medical insurance account number

In February 2024, the Federal Trade Commission released data showing consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023. This was a 14% increase over 2022. Investment scams led the fraud category with $4.6 billion, a 21% increase. The second highest loss was to imposture schemes with $2.7 billion reported.

There are several ways that scammers can steal your identity, including in person, online, through social media, and by phone. Scammers may:

Steal your wallet or purse to get ID, credit, or bank cards
Go through your trash to retrieve bank statements or tax documents
Install skimmers at ATM machines, cash registers, and fuel pumps to digitally steal information from your bank card
Get personal information from your phone when you use public Wi-Fi
Use “phishing” to get information from you through fraudulent email, texts, or phone calls
Look through your social media accounts to find identifying information in posts or photos. Or they may ask you for personal information in online quizzes and surveys.

To report identity theft, contact:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338
The three major credit reporting agencies. Ask them to place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts.
The fraud department at your credit card issuers, bank, and other places where you have accounts

https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/nationwide-fraud-losses-top-10-billion-2023-ftc-steps-efforts-protect-public

ABOUT TG Wolff

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

TT60: The Chemical Detective

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Chemical Detective by Fiona Erskine

TG Wolff Review

The Chemical Detective is a thriller. Dr. Jaqueline Silver, who answers to Jaq, is a chemical engineer putting her considerable talents to work keeping the alpine slopes avalanche free by detonating controlled explosions. When she notices an anomaly in the explosives delivery, she pulls unwittingly on a house of cards and brings down a whole lot more than snow.

Bottom line: The Chemical Detective is for you if you like heroes chill and your thrills explosive

The Chemical Detective was released in the UK in 2019 and released here in the States in August 2024, is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK.

About Fiona Erskine

https://fionaerskine.com/

Fiona Erskine is a professional engineer. Based in the north of England and working internationally, she has often been the lone representative of her gender in board meetings, cargo ships and night-time factories. Her fiction offers a fascinating insight into the traditionally male world of heavy industry. Fiona’s stand-alone portrait of a Scottish factory, Phosphate Rocks: A Death In Ten Objects, made the UK Literary Review’s top ten crime novels of 2021. Her latest series introduces DI Cadell in a cyber thriller - Losing Control: Terror in Teesside. Fiona is passionate about music and outdoor swimming, though not generally at the same time.

There will be a ONE WEEK US Kindle Countdown deal on Phosphate Rocks (my best book!). It'll be $0.99 from Sunday, February 2 to Sunday, February 9th, 2025.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S8E2: Going to the Dogs

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 2, dognapping is the featured crime. This is Going to the Dogs by Bonnar Spring

DELIBERATION

Mamie may have figured out what’s going on but Evan definitely needs our help to unpack this dognapping caper for his grandfather, Gordon. Here are the suspects in the order we met them:

Bonnie, the daily housekeeper with a dog of her own
Lou, the down on his luck musician turned chauffeur and handy man
Paul, the cousin with a checkered past
Janice Dobosh, the real estate agent who swears she had an appointment

ABOUT Bonnar Spring

Bonnar Spring writes international thrillers and short stories with morally ambiguous protagonists. A nomad at heart, she hitchhiked across Europe at sixteen, joined the Peace Corps after college, and trekked to Machu Picchu for a significant birthday. Bonnar’s short fiction has won both the AlBlanchard and Derringer Awards. She hosts the Crime Wave podcast, part of the Authors on the Air Radio Network.

ABOUT Dognapping

Dognapping has been a real thing for a long while. In Victorian times, organized gangs of dognappers stalked and stole pets from the wealthy, which wasn’t categorized as a crime. The crime website Crime Reads has a story of poet Elizabeth Barrett’s beloved dog Flush, who was dognapped three times. More recently, in February 2021, a dognapping turned vicious when the man walking Lady Gaga’s three French Bulldogs was shot to acquire the dogs. One pup fled but the other two were captured and taken. The man, Ryan Fisher, was shot in the chest. He survived but lost a lung and, not to mention to psychological damage. Lady Gaga offered a $500,000, to questions asked reward and the dogs were returned two days later. But questions were asked and the apparent hero, Jennifer McBride, was arrested with four others and charged with attempted murder. James Jackson was sentenced to 21 years for the attempted murder of Fisher.

McBride pled the charge down to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to two years’ probation. But that wasn’t enough for McBride, who then sued Lady Gaga for the $500,000 reward plus $1.5 mil in damages. Lady Gaga stood her ground and the judge sided with her, finding that McBride could not benefit from the wrongdoing but seeking to enforce the contract.

https://crimereads.com/dognapping/

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67003283

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Going to the Dogs was written by Bonnar Spring. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story where identify theft is the featured murderless crime. It’s “Will the Real John Shady Please Stand Up”, by TG Wolff

TT59: A Cold, Cold World

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is A Cold, Cold World by Elena Taylor

A Cold, Cold World is a cop mystery. Sheriff Bet Rivers is facing her first real challenge: the snowstorm of the century is bearing down on the small town of Collier, WA. She has a plan for keeping the main loop clear, the residents warm and healthy. Now she just needs to worry about her only deputy’s 9-months-pregnant wife and the dead body found on Iron Horse Ridge.

Bottom line: A Cold, Cold World is for you if you like classic mysteries against a background of life in action.

A Cold, Cold World was released from Severn House and is available in hardback, e-book, and audio. Amazon link is in the show notes. Paperback fans, mark your calendars for the April release.

About Elena Taylor

www.ElenaTaylorAuthor.com

A Cold, Cold World is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours, who represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for the 2nd episode in Mysteries to Die For season 8: Anything but Murder. Dognapping is our murderless crime. It’s “Going to the Dogs” by Bonnar Spring.

S8E1: Who Shot Liberty's Valence?

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Episode 1, suspected arson is the featured crime. This is Who Shot Liberty’s Valence by Ed Teja

DELIBERATION

Private Investigator Matt Cramer is on a hot case, doing a solid for his buddy Harry and his insurance company on an arson case. Matt knows it’s somebody in the lab with an accelerant and fire. He needs our help with the ‘somebody.’ Here’s his shallow suspect pool in the order we met them: .

Paul Larson, former Liberty researcher turned entrepreneur with ValenceTech
Alexa Holder, investment manager who is reeling in the investors
Randy Cline, vaccine researcher on whose work ValenceTech is built
Leslie Elli, former assistant who mistrusted the group’s ethics
Josh Walker, influencer and anti-vaxxer looking for a conspiracy.

ABOUT Ed Teja

Ed Teja is a full-time writer and part-time martial arts instructor. His stories (which have little or no respect for genre and take place in one or more of the surreal worlds he lives in) have appeared in a variety of magazines and anthologies.

His new thriller series about Tina Clarke, the world’s first Storefront Assassin, is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Betrayal-Storefront-Assassin-Ed-Teja-ebook/dp/B0D36KRZN4

You can find him at: https://www.edteja.com

at bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ed-teja

and twitter https://x.com/ETeja

TT58: Ballad of the Great Value Boys

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0500

The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is a PI Mystery. Steve Rockfish is up in central Pennsylvania, doing what is becoming a hobby, getting Raphael “Raffi” Perez out of trouble. This time, quick thinking and fast talking isn’t enough and the pair limp back to Baltimore with their pockets lighter. Raffi isn’t willing to let the loss stand and wants to go back in. When Steve declines, Raffi recruits the recently retired Dan Decker. Now it’ll take the combined talents of Rockfish & McGee to save Raffi and Dan and stop the swarm of hornets they kicked up.

Bottom line: The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is for you if you like smart ass PIs and cases close to real headlines.

The Ballad of the Great Value Boys was released from Black Rose Writing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours. The boys are releasing on February 6. Pre-order is available from all your favorite on-line retailers and is available from AMAZON and other online book retailers.

About Ken Harris

www.KenHarrisFiction.com

Ken Harris retired from the FBI after thirty-two years as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. He is the author of the “From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish” series. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for the start of Season 8: Anything but Murder. First up is returning M2D4 author Ed Teja with a charred little story about flammable materials in Who Shot Liberty’s Valance

S7E24 Amazed to Death

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Season 7, Games People Play. Games are about competition conducted according to rules with participants working toward a goal. Games are a part of every culture and are one of the oldest forms of social interaction and engagement. Games can be fun, challenging and exhilarating. They can also be intense, cutthroat, and lethal. This season, our authors have fashioned deadly games and unscrupulous villains to test your detection skills.

This is Episode 24, a maze is the featured game. This is Amazed to Death: (Not) a Documentary by TG Wolff, an adaptation of MURDER IN THE MAZE by J.J. Connington

About MURDER IN THE MAZE by J. J. Connington

J.J. Connington was the pen name of Alfred Walter Stewart. He was a British chemist and part-time novelist who was born in 1880 and died in 1947. As a chemist, he had a highly successful career. He earned his doctorate of science degree from Glasgow University in 1907. A year later, he wrote a textbook on organic chemistry that provide to be popular and went on to write a total of four books on advanced chemistry topics.

Stewart is credited with 26 novels, many of them detective novels. MURDER IN THE MAZE was the first of 17 Chief Constable Sir Clinton Driffield mystery. Published in 1927, it is now available in the public domain through Project Gutenberg.

ABOUT MAZES

According to Smithsonian Magazine, mazes have been around for thousands of years. They can be made out of anything that provides a barrier – hedges, corn, mirrors, wood – and change in size and complexity to suit the space and the designer. Mazes began as labyrinths, which are single paths meant as a journey, not a puzzle. You couldn’t get lost as your walked from one end to the other. At least some of these had spiritual meaning, a serene path to walk as you contemplated the meaning of life. Sometime during the middle ages – a long period between the fall of Rome in 476 and the start of the Renaissance between 1400 and 1450 – labyrinths evolved to be amusements, which qualifies them as games to us! England has a long tradition of mazes and the website reports over 125 are open to the public. In Indiana, Fall isn’t Fall without corn mazes and followed by some hot apple cider.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/winding-history-maze-180951998/

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Amazed to Death: (Not) a Documentary was written by TG Wolff, adapted from Murder in the Maze by J.J. Connington. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for the start of Season 8: Anything but Murder!

TT57: Elephant Safari

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Elephant Safari by Peter Riva

Elephant Safari is a political thriller. Documentary film maker Pero Baltazar and elite guide Mbuno Waliangulu are on a walking safari when they come across a herd of elephants being terrorized by poachers. After intervening, they take on the responsibility of protecting the herd and ending the poaching, which draws them into an international conspiracy they could not imagine

Bottom line: Elephant Safari is for you if you like dramatically intense political thrillers and the exotic environs of East Africa.

Elephant Safari was released from Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Peter Riva

Peter Riva has traveled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe, spending many months spanning thirty years with legendary guides for East African adventurers. He created the Wild Things television series in 1995 and has worked for more than forty years as a literary agent. Riva writes science fiction and African adventure books, including the Mbuno & Pero thrillers. He lives in Gila, New Mexico.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S7E23 Rock Paper Scissors Shoot

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 23, rock, paper, scissors is the featured game. This is Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot by Jack Wolff

When you listen to the podcast, you'll hear us say this was episode 24. We were wrong. It's 23. Oh well. ENJOY!

DELIBERATION

Detective Connolly is in over his head more than usual. If he doesn’t get this right, some innocent heads will be squashed. Let’s review who was in the room with the late Mr. Staniel Purquees:

Anne Taller, the bling loving accountant;
Cragly Bioth, the former British Army sharpshooter turned chef;
Dion Mooster, the informant for the FBI who mostly informed for Stan; and
Timothy Boberts, the drug runner with a bleeding problem.

Now let’s look at the facts Connolly has unearthed:

Staniel Purquees, the king of fungus corn, died in his mansion named Mt. Eternity, surrounded by his faithful employees.
At the time the lights went out, Cragly and Stan were playing pool. Tim was standing in a corner by himself, sucking up a head injury. Anne and Dion were sitting on the couches.
When the lights went out, someone retrieved the murder weapon hidden behind the only askew picture frame and shot Stan. Berthrew entered immediately, covering his employer’s body with his coat.
Anne lived at Mt. Eternity doing her work as accountant with the shaky internet service. It was so unreliable she’d taken to writing letters to her sick mother.
Cragly also lived at Mt. Eternity, working as the chef. The ex-army sharpshooter turned his knives to culinary purposes after rampaging the world in search of his son’s killers.
Dion stayed close to Stanial, a necessary part of snooping for the FBI and counter snooping for Stan.
Timothy traveled, distributed Stan’s more exclusive products across the mountain states and Florida, when he had a food truck craving.
Each suspect was assigned a position – rock, paper, scissors, and shoot – based on their story.

Who should Connolly tag as the shooter?

ABOUT Rock, Paper, Scissors

Information on Rock, Paper, Scissors, or RPS, comes from the World Rock Paper Scissors Association (WRPSA). From the official history of RPS, we learn that the game was originally mentioned in a chinese book written during the Ming dynasty, which is the period of 206 BC to 220 AD). The hand game was created in China and traveled to Japan, where they gained popularity. One version used a frog (thumb), who was defeated by the slug (pinkie finger), who was defeated by the snake (index finger), who completed the circle by losing to the frog. In the 17th century, the familiar rock, paper, and scissors were incorporated and grew in popularity. By the early 20th century, the game had spread wider, including to the US. The history names of RPS in Chinese and Japanese were beyond my ability to pronounce, so I encourage you to check out the WRPSA website and maybe sign yourself up to be a player.

https://wrpsa.com/the-official-history-of-rock-paper-scissors/

https://wrpsa.com/about/

ABOUT Jack Wolff

Jack is half of the brain power behind Mysteries to Die For. Now finishing it’s seventh season, Jack writes and performs the musical arrangements and produces the show. He maintains the show’s fresh air by staunchly refusing to edit out his mother’s mistakes, no matter how much she begs.

Jack attends Ball State University, majoring in media production with a minor in music theory, which everyone knows is harder than rocket science.

TT56: The Light Beside the Sea

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Light Beside the Sea by Connie DiMarco

TG Wolff Review

The Light Beside the Sea is a cozy mystery. Julia Bonatti is an astrologer who gives guidance to others to allay fears of change and the future. Yet, she is stuck in her own past, one that won’t lie quiet. A few, short years ago, her fiancé Michael was killed in a hit-and-run as he returned from an archeological expedition. Now it comes to light that he wasn’t the only grad student related to the project or the professor who has died. The latest was just days ago. Now Julia is asking questions. By solving one death, she just may be able to provide closure on them all.

Bottom line: The Light Beside the Sea is for you if you like cozy mysteries and a touch of the unexpected.

About Connie Di Marco

Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries featuring San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti, a woman who never thought murder would be part of her practice. The Light Beside the Sea is the fifth novel in the series. Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the national bestselling Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Penguin Random House. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association (UK) and Sisters in Crime.

ConnieArcherMysteries.com

Join us next week for Season 8 Games People Play when our favorite maybe-detective is back with another misadventure. Its Detective Connolly in Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot by Jack Wolff

10 Second Mystery - The Cookie Jar

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 23:30:00 -0500

This week on M2D4, we are taking a break for Thanksgiving. Please instead enjoy a 10 second mystery written by producer Jack Wolff in the form of a 20 second radio ad.

Come back next week for our next Toe Tag, and the week after for Detective Connolly, and his adventures revolving around Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!

Thanks for listening, and we hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

TT55: Map of My Escape

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Map of My Escape by Cheryl L. Reed

TG Wolff Review

Map of My Escape is a crime drama novel. Anti-gun activatist Riley Keane has done the unthinkable. In a crisis situation, she shot at two men wrestling. But did she shoot the assailant or her close friend and Chicago police officer Reece Taylor? Either way, she’s too hot to stay in her hometown. Now Alderman Finn O’Farrell, Riley’s lover, is left to deal with the fallout of threats, accusations, and blackmail.

Bottom line: Map of My Escape is for you if you like crime driven drama delivered at a pace to be savored.

About Cheryl L. Reed

A former staff editor and reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and other publications, Cheryl L. Reed’s stories have won multiple awards, including Harvard’s Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. She has twice been awarded a U.S. Fulbright Scholar fellowship by the State Department, first in Ukraine and then in Central Asia. Reed is the author of the nonfiction book Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns and the novel Poison Girls, which won the Chicago Writers’ Association Book of the Year. She splits her time between Washington, DC and her home near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for Season 7 Games People Play. We have an adaptation for you from the early part of the 20th century. The game is a maze. The original is The Mystery of the Downs by John Watson and Arthur J. Rees. The name of the adaptation? I’m working on it.

S7E22 The Hangman's Ladies

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 23, Hangman is the featured game. This is The Hangman’s Ladies by TG Wolff

Sorry the show notes are skimpy this week. Reality reared up and bit me in the butt. Ah well, it happens. ~tg

TT54: Lethal Standoff

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Lethal Standoff by Diann Mills

TG Wolff Review

Lethal Standoff is an amateur sleuth mystery. A hostage standoff by a desperate man has innocent lives in the crossfire. After a hostage crisis ends with loss of life, Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed and reporter Levy Ehrlich follow through on promises to seek answers and protect a suspect’s family. But if solving problems were that easy, they would have been solved already.

Bottom line: Lethal Standoff is for you if you like your mysteries and thrillers woven into the life and faith of your detectives.

Lethal Standoff was released from Tyndale and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from on-line and other book retailers.

About Diann Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

DiAnn is passionate about helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

diannmills.com

S7E21 Death by Candy Land

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 21, Sorry is the featured game. This is Death by Candy Land by Kyra Jacobs

DELIBERATION

Candy Land is in chaos and Sheriff Cantalone has to figure out who gummed up this Halloween party by killing Harry Randall. Here are the players in the order we met them:

• Mic Garcia, host and Lord Licorice who was being blackmailed by Harry

• Savannah Livingston, the Lollipop Fairy who Harry flashed earlier that day

• Tyler Livingston, the Peppermint Forest lumberjack who owned the hardware story Harry vandalized

• Cindy Flannigan, Mrs. Nutt whose garden Harry trampled nightly

• Sam Flannigan, dressed as a giant peanut whose fence Harry destroyed

• The three Flannigan children, M&Ms who were mad Harry ruined the bounce house

• Doc Hallers, King Kandy who Harry blamed for his mother’s death

• Herb Smathers, Gloppy the Chocolate Blob who Harry repeatedly belittled

Here’s what we know:

• Harry was the neighborhood bully. Everyone except Mic had lodged complaints with the sheriff and complained that nothing was done.

• Mic welcomed his guests into the back yard but said he did not see Harry until he was dead.

• Tyler Livingston had met Harry at the decorated fence and told him to come in through the house. Savannah Livingston saw Harry in the kitchen, staring out the window. Doc Haller saw Harry take a pill and wash it down with liquor.

• Harry spilled Herb’s heart pills across the floor. Herb couldn’t be sure they all were found.

• The Livingston children said Harry banged on the outside of the bounce house, then crawled inside and refused to move.

• Harry had cuts and scratches on his arms and his lips were tinted blue. ME speculated the blue may have come from an overdose. No explanation was given on the cuts and scratches.

• Cindy Flannigan’s rake had red orange stains she said was from mulch. No damage or marks were noted on the other props.

• No one had any knowledge of illegal drugs. Mic said Harry kept to liquor and cigarettes.

It’s your move, where should Sheriff Cantalone go?

ABOUT Candy Land

Polio was an ancient disease that hit pandemic status in the 1940s and 1950s, crippling children and young adults until a vaccine was widely administered in 1955. Children recovering were bed bound and board. Teacher Eleanor Abbott, herself a victim of the disease, invented games to entertain recovering children, including Candy Land. Encouraged by friends, Abbott submitted her idea to Milton Bradley, who picked it up to fill-in their product line. It soon became their best selling game. In 2005, Candy Land was inducted into The Strong National Museum of Play. Candy Land has continued to grow and develop, offering game variations including special character editions and electronic editions so you can get your candy on no matter where you are.

https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/candy-land/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_Land#:~:text=The%20game%20was%20designed%20in,game%20to%20Milton%20Bradley%20Company.

https://www.britannica.com/science/polio/Polio-through-history

ABOUT Kyra Jacobs

Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor, and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. When this Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she's likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan. Connect with her on social media, links can be found on her website at kyrajacobsbooks.com.

TT53: On the Horns of Death

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is On the Horns of Death by Eleanor Kuhns

TG Wolff Review

On the Horns of Death is historical mystery. Sixteen-year-old Martis volunteers as a bull dancer in Knossos on the isle of Crete. An ordinary day of practice turns dark when she discovers the body of another dancer inside a bullpen. But why would he climb into the pen? Answer: murder.

Bottom line: On the Horns of Death is for you if you like amateur sleuths and the rich sights, scents, and sounds of Ancient Greece.

The On the Horns of Death was released from Severn House and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from on-line and other book retailers.

About Eleanor Kuhns

Eleanor Kuhns is a previous winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel competition for A Simple Murder. The author of eleven Will Rees mysteries, she is now a full-time writer after a successful career as the Assistant Director at the Goshen Public Library in Orange County, New York.

www.eleanor-kuhns.com

S7E20 Get A Clue

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 20, where the classic mystery game Clue is the featured game. This is Get a Clue by Chuck Brownman.

Deliberation:

Games are Andy Clay’s life but he’s stumped when he’s asked to help solve the murder of Gene Dockary and then Noah Whitmore. Detective Lansing isn’t helping him, so we have to. Here are the suspects in the order they were interviewed:

• Ruth Dockary, Gene’s wife and co-host of the weekend

• Steve Joseph, a thin, nervous man

• Kate Joseph, Steve’s strong, domineering wife

• Barbara Whitmore, Noah’s wife, co-owner of the inn who worked with Ruth on planning the weekend

• Paul Marcus, a nuclear bioengineer who is CEO of a medical start up.

Here are the clues:

• Five former Denver-area neighbors gathered at a small inn for the weekend. Ruth and Gene were hosting the getaway. Ruth worked with Barbara on the idea of the Clue game. Barbara supplied the props used by their guests.

• Gene Dockary was found strangled in the library with a rope. The library was accessed only through the game room. The killer needed strength to strangle Dockary but could have been male or female.

• Clue game cards Mrs. Peacock, the candlestick, and the study were found in Gene Dockery’s pocket. The cards did not come from life-sized Clue game.

• Gene Dockary was not playing the Clue game and was noted to be in a bad mood, going as far as snapping at Barbara Whitmore when she checked in on him.

• Gene Dockery was a salesman / developer who was working to get investors for the technology Paul Marcus was developing. His friends Steve and Kate Joseph invested.

• Steve and Kate Joseph were upset with Gene, who was pressuring them for additional investment funds.

• Paul Marcus had argued with Gene the prior week when Gene had made promises on Marcus’ technology that went beyond the terms of their agreement.

• When Gene Dockary was killed, the other guests had been moving throughout the rooms. Paul Marcus did not go into the library, purposely avoiding Gene.

• Noah Whitmore was found stabbed in the kitchen with one of his own cooking knives. The knife did not come from the closest knife block but one farther away. The kitchen was accessed through the sunroom and through the door to the second floor.

• Whitmore was found by Ruth Dockary. Barbara and Kate were upstairs together when Ruth screamed. Steve and Paul Marcus were in the sunroom.

• Noah and Barbara Whitmore claimed not to have met any of the guests prior to their arrival. The weekend was set up via email with Ruth Dockery, who thinks she picked the inn off a travel website.

• Noah Whitmore was about 20 years older than his wife. They bought the inn five years ago and have had little time to do anything else. Before the inn, they owned a restaurant in Denver.

Andy has rolled the dice, now who do the clues point to?

ABOUT Clue

The game of Clue had a simple beginning. Anthony Pratt, a British factory worker and musician, created a way to pass the time in air raid bunkers during WWII that took the concept of a game he played at parties and reduced it to a board. In the game called Murder, players would run around the host houses, sneaking up on other players, who would scream and “die”. In turning into a board game, Mr. Pratt borrowed the dice and token moving action of Lido (think of the game Sorry) and the detective novel concepts of suspect, weapon, and location. During the years of 1943 – 1945, Mr. Pratt and his wife, Elva designed the game board and the rules.Mr. Pratt patented the game and sold it to Waddington’s in the UK and Parker Brothers in the US.

Interesting tidbits:

• The game was released as Cluedo in England but Clue in the US as Lido wasn’t / isn’t a well know game here

• Pratt’s original concept had four more characters: Mr. Brown, Mr. Gold, Miss Grey, and Mrs. Silver. Nurse White was renamed to Mrs. White and Colonel Yellow renamed Colonel Mustard.

• The original concept had two additional rooms: the gun room and the cellar

• The original concept had some different weapons including a bomb, syringe, shillelagh (which is a wooden walking stick), a fireplace poker.

• Differenced between UK and US editions including lead piping vs lead pipe, spanner vs wrench, and dagger vs knife

• In the UK, the victim ws known as Mr. Black. In the states, he was Mr. Boddy. In the 2023 update by Hasbro, the victim is known as Mr. Boden “Boddy” Black, Jr.

Unlike some of the other games we’ve featured, Clue was constantly updated for the times. The rules of the game stayed basically the same but the character depictions, like on the box cover, were updated for the styles and tends of the times. Characters were given back stories and some had major career changes. There is a lot more to the history of the game Clue. Check out the links in the shownotes.

https://www.history.com/news/clue-game-origin-wwii

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluedo#:~:text=Cluedo%20(%2F%CB%88klu%CB%90,the%20United%20Kingdom%20in%201949.

ABOUT Chuck Brownman

Chuck Brownman has spent the last twenty-five-plus years working on becoming an “overnight writing sensation.” Concentrating on writing mystery / suspense short fiction, his work has been published in several anthologies, including those listed at the top of the episode. In his “real life,” Chuck is a Houston-based corporate and energy attorney, advising and working for some of the country’s most entrepreneurial companies. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law, and has spoken at legal seminars for many years.

TT52: Rogues and Patriots

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Rogues & Patriots by Patrick H. Moore

TG Wolff Review

Rogues & Patriots is an PI thriller. Los Angeles PI Nick Crane does a friend a favor by taking on the two-headed case of investigating the murder of a Confidential Informant and saving his young daughters from the horrors of the juvenile immigration. But his time isn’t his own as an underground group of vigilantes are after him and something they think he possesses.

Bottom line: Rogues & Patriots is for you if you like ballsy private investigators, conspiracy thrillers, and blurred lines between the good guys and the bad.

The Rogues & Patriots was released from Down & Out Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON and other book retailers.

About Patrick H. Moore

Patrick H. Moore is a Los Angeles based investigator, sentencing mitigation specialist, and crime writer. In the field since 2003, he has worked in virtually all areas including drug trafficking, sex crimes, crimes of violence, and white-collar fraud. Mastering this job, which combines art, science, and intuition, has given Patrick the tools to write realistic crime fiction that depicts the unpredictable and violent world of cops, convicts, prosecutors and defense attorneys. Rogues & Patriots was the second in a three-part series in which veteran Los Angeles private investigator Nick Crane battles a group of aristocratic domestic terrorists known as the “principals.”

patrickhmoorewriter.com

S7E19 In A Pickle

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 19, where that new sensation pickleball is the featured game. This is In a Pickle by Kaye George

DELIBERATION

Melaine Hanover is in a real pickle. Her cantankerous husband, Harvey, is dead and the pink ball points back to her. We know she didn’t do it, so let’s give her our help to find the pickle in the middle of all of this. Here are the suspects in the order we met them:

• Tony, the pickleball hating neighbor who threatened to shoot Harvey

• Town Councilmen, the people who hated listening to Harvey nearly as much as Melaine

• Anonymous Pickleballers, the people who are opposed to Harvey’s opposition

• Kai, the cop who is Melaine’s lover

• The pretty woman, Julie, who is something to Kai

Here is what Melaine knows:

• Harvey hated pickleball and everyone who played it. He was making it his mission in retirement to run the sport out of town by sabotaging pickleball courts.

• Two young men, anonymous pickleballers, knew what Harvey was up to. They followed Harvey and Melaine home from the council meeting.

• Harvey’s and Tony’s houses were vandalized, the windows painted. The Anonymous Pickleballers are suspected. Tony blamed Harvey for stirring up the trouble and threatened to shoot him if he came on his property.

• Kai was one of the cops who escorted Harvey out of the council meeting.

• Melaine and Kai were starting an affair. Harvey didn’t seem to realize what his wife was doing. A pretty woman, suspected of being Kai’s wife, seemed to lurk.

• Melaine and Kai admitted they want to be together and agree to talk later. The pretty woman saw them talk.

• Harvey was found in the office of his house, shot in the chest. One of Melaine’s pickleballs was shoved in his mouth. He had let his killer into the house. His dog, Skitter, was the only witness.

Melaine is at the line. To whom should justice be served?

ABOUT Pickleball

From Wikipedia: Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington. While it resembles tennis and table tennis, pickleball has separate rules, paddles, and court dimensions.

ABOUT Kaye George

Kaye George is an award-winning novelist and short-story writer who writes cozy and traditional mysteries and a prehistory series, which are both traditionally and self-published. Her two cozy series are Fat Cat and Vintage Sweets. The two traditional series feature Cressa Carraway and Imogene Duckworthy. The People of the Wind prehistory mysteries take place within a Neanderthal tribe. She has a suspense novel coming out in early 2025 called SOMEONE IS OUT THERE. About 50 or more short stories have also been published, mostly in anthologies and magazines. With family scattered all over the globe, she makes her home in Knoxville TN.

https://kayegeorge.wixsite.com/kaye-george

TT51: The Guest House

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Guest House by Bonnie Traymore

TG Wolff Review

The Guest House is psychological thriller. Allie Dawson is on the ride of a lifetime. Her brainchild for a voice-to-caption product has received preliminary funding. But moving from Milwaukee to Silicon Valley has brought more than the expected challenges of getting a new product to market. She’s moved into a guest house where the rent was too good to be true. That should have been the first clue.

Bottom line: The Guest House is for you if you like female-centric stories where thrill and mystery are mechanisms for character growth.

The strengths of the story are also the most unique aspects. Our hero, Allie Dawson is deaf. She uses a cochlear implant that enables her to hear. Without it, she hears nothing. Allie’s deafness is presented in a way that we live it as an ordinary part of her life-which it is-similar to if she had to put in contacts each morning. I especially liked this because it felt natural. It was an important thing for us to understand, especially as to how it affects how Allie communicates, but it isn’t the most important thing to know about Allie. The most important thing is that she is courageous, willing to walk away from her comfortable life to chase a dream.

That leads us into the second strength, navigating the high-stakes and complicated world of the entrepreneur. Allie comes to Silicon Valley with a good idea and a prototype in development. Her job is to find someone to finish the engineering, figure out who can manufacture it, and find a few someones interested in funding all the above. This is not a field that I have seen explored in many stories, giving The Guest House a fresh feel.

Traymore uses a staccato storytelling style that makes you feel as if the character is reporting on their day to you. Take this example from Chapter two: “I’m also hungry and hot. But I’m on a tight schedule, so although I’d like to chill for a while, I need to keep going. I locate the restroom and, thankfully, there’s no line. When I come out, I rush up to the counter to look for my drink order. I pick up a few cups that could be mine and examine them, but my latte’s not ready yet. I let out a long sigh and glance at my watch.”

The Guest House is shown as a psychological thriller on the cover and listed as a techno-thriller on Amazon. The book meets most of the standards for a psychological thriller with the tension coming from mental stressors rather than physical. Overall, I found the tension to be mild as it generated more of a creepy feeling than nail-biting. This can be positive or negative, depending on a reader’s thrill-scale preference.

I had to look up techno-thriller, which is a subgenre where a technology is a dominant part of the story. I do not find this to be a good description. While Allie is trying to bring a technology to market, by her own admission, she doesn’t understand that part. Her engineer brother is working on it away from the story, as is the grad student she hired. While the technology concept is what gets Allie to Silicon Valley, the tech itself is not central to the story.

Overall, I felt The Guest House did not fit well within one genre category but was a combination of women’s fiction, thriller, and mystery. Women’s fiction was most dominant genre to me as the story wove growth of the alternating narrators Allie Dawson and Laura Foster. Allie’s part of the story did carry the thriller element, as she becomes suspicious of her landlords and their other renter. Laura’s part had a mystery feel as she focused on the potential role her stepson played in a supposedly natural death.

The logic of Allie’s action is strong. I did end up with some questions on the resolution of her storyline. The logic of Laura’s action is less clear, but it seems it was rooted in the first story. The Guest House is the 2nd book in the Silicon Valley Series. I would highly recommend reading the first book, The Stepfamily, first. The reason is this new book continues the story of the Foster family some months after the end of first. While there is a connection between Laura and Allie – Laura’s company is providing Allie’s initial funding – the stories are largely independent. Not having read the first one, I kept waiting for the two to intertwine. And so, to get maximum enjoyment out of The Guest House, I recommend starting with The Stepfamily for context and background.

Overall, The Guest House was an easy read. Both Allie and Laura were likeable and easy to cheer for. This is a great book for readers who enjoy character driven stories.

About Bonnie Traymore

Bonnie Traymore is the award-winning, Amazon bestselling author of page-turner mystery/thrillers that hit close to home. Her books feature strong but relatable female protagonists. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She has active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

www.BonnieTraymore.com

S7E18b Did Not See That Coming by Ken Harris (Part 2)

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 18, that original LARP game War is the featured game. This is Did Not See That Coming by Ken Harris

TWO LISTENER NOTES before we get started. First, this is a two-part Mystery to Die For. Half the story was in last week’s episode with the rest of the story, the deliberation, and the big reveal in this one. So, if you missed Part 1, please go to it first.

Second, murder and solving it is our thing here at Mysteries to Die For but today’s story includes some real life topics that some audience members may be sensitive to including violence against children, bullying, and antisemitism.

DELIBERATION

Jawnie stand-in Steve Rockfish and his sidekick Estelle are chipping away at Karen Lazar’s cold case, but there’s still some work for us to do. Here is a list of the people living and working in Ewan, NJ back in 1976:

Gladys and George Lazar, Karen’s parents, who had recently moved to the small farming town
Mikey Hardison, the boy who had a crush on Karen and worked for Carlßon
Scott and Tommy, schoolyard bullies who sent Karen into the woods on a scouting mission
Harry Hardison, Mikey’s father, a drinker who had issues with the Lazar’s Jewish faith and his own lusting after Gladys.
Vern Gicobe, a friend of Hardison and loner who discovered Karen’s body while hunting
Manfred Carlßon, German owner of Carlßon Game Processing, who kept a poster of Karen in his shop

Here is what Rockfish and Estelle (and Jawnie, too) have discovered:

Karen’s body was found five years after she disappeared. It had not decomposed. She was killed by strangulation.
While there was little documentation on the body, photos showed cuts inflicted post mortem covered her. A single large, deep cut was on her back.
No autopsy was performed but DNA samples were taken and preserved. No matches were found through CODIS.
The older boys Karen was playing Army with—Mikey, Tommy & Scotty—were the last to see her alive. The local police cleared the last two boys at the time, noting they were seen in town.
Mikey admitted going after Karen that day and finding her next to a creek, crying. When he tried to kiss her, she punched him, sending him into the creek. She ran off and he said he didn’t see her again.
Rumor had it the married couples of Ewan like to trade partners. Harry Hardison was reported to be very fond of Gladys Lazar, despite him being antisemitic and she being Jewish.
Hardison disapproved of his son’s crush on Karen and sent him to work with Carlßon, saying the hard man would straighten Mikey out.
Vern Gicobe said Mikey would stare at the missing person picture of Karen that hung in Carlßon’s. Mikey gave Vern “the creeps”.
Adult Mikey told his “Meemaw” about the “two peas in a pod” and that when he found Karen, she was crying over a problem with her father but didn’t say what it was; she never told him.
Rockfish’s theory is Gicobe killed Karen on behalf of Mikey’s father to break the boy’s crush and to get the family to move out.

Dead or alive, who should Rockfish lock down for Karen’s murder?

ABOUT Playing Army

This was a difficult game to research. My normal search results ended up with a mix of websites and articles on 1) child soldiers in militaries past and present, 2) lead and little green army men, 3) and the least on Live Action Role Playing Army. I did find a book called PLAYING SOLDIER, THE BOOKS AND TOYS THAT PREPARED CHILDREN FOR WAR, 1871-1918 by Richard Cheek shows ways books, magazines, printed ephemera, and toys relating to military life and wartime experience were used to persuade boys to admire, and aspire to become, soldiers and sailors. I did not read the book, but link is in the show notes. One article from Scholastic dated 2014 argued the “pro” side of kids playing Jedi, ninja, cops, amry, etc. The benefits include feeding imagination, making kids feel powerful, building social skills including cooperation and negotiation. The few articles I read implied their were other articles or studies that focused on the “violence” and hence advocated for not allowing children to play – but I couldn’t find them. Being a parent, I’ve seen the elements of imagination, empowerment, and social skill development whenever kids create with other kids – games, sports, music, etc. – they just need parents to get out of the way.

https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/P/bo182665139.html

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/parent-child/war-play-bad-kids.html

ABOUT Ken Harris

https://kenharrisfiction.com/

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Did Not See That Coming was written by Ken Harris. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, In a Pickle by Kaye George where pickleball is the featured game

S7E18a Did Not See That Coming by Ken Harris (Part 1)

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 18, that original LARP game War is the featured game. This is Did Not See That Coming by Ken Harris.

TWO LISTENER NOTES before we get started. First, this is a two-part Mystery to Die For. Half the story is in this episode with the rest of the story, the deliberation, and the big reveal comes next week.

DELIBERATION

None here. Check out Part 2!

ABOUT Ken Harris

https://kenharrisfiction.com/

WRAP UP

TT50: The Stuff of Murder

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Stuff of Murder by Kathleen Marple Kalb.

TG Wolff Review

The Stuff of Murder by Kathleen Marple Kalb is an amateur sleuth cozy mystery. Dr. Christian Shaw is a mother, a widow, and the director of the historical society. She is responsible for the 17th century bible and pewter tankard used by the lead actor in a movie very loosely based on The Scarlet Letter. Then the actor dies, dramatically. Christian’s old stuff is at the heart of the investigation and where they go, she goes.

Bottom line: The Stuff of Murder by Kathleen Marple Kalb is for you if you like cozy mysteries, charming characters, and everyday old stuff.

One of my favorite things about The Stuff of Murder is the characters. Kalb does a wonderful job of giving the primary characters distinct voices and appearances, making the story easy to read. Christian Shaw is six foot one with flaming red hair. Her son Henry is a five-foot tall third-grader with photographic memory. The fathers she should have had are Garrett the academic and his husband Ed the retired state trooper. And last but certainly not least is the handsome, philanthropic, and very tall state’s attorney Joe Poli. Then there are the other parents, the society volunteers, and townspeople. This is an amazing, heartwarming cast.

The setting is small town Unity, Connecticut. As with most small town cozies, the nature of the town with the tensions and conflicts of people too involved in each other’s business is an amusing counterpoint to main mystery. This is the source of much of the information Christian uses as well as the bane of her busy days.

Brett Studebaker is a fifty-something actor looking to launch into the next stage of his career on a period film based loosely on The Scarlet Letter. Brett is filming a pivotal scene, acting in the pulpit of church turned synagogue some ten feet above the floor. When he goes off script, only Christian and the locals with her notice the odd behavior. Brett falls from the pulpit, breaking his neck. But it isn’t the simple accident someone wants everyone to believe. The leading theory is poison, introduced through the pewter mug the historical society lent to the film.

This mystery is a throw back to an older style where conversations, not evidence, are the primary detection tool. Christian pieces together the small facts she learns into a chain that will catch the guilty. It’s hard to discuss the logic of the mystery without giving too much away. Suffice it to say that the motives and actions of the guilty are consistent and follow logically in their minds.

The Stuff of Murder is a character driven story that would be enjoyed by readers who love cozies as well as those who prefer traditional mysteries.

The Stuff of Murder by Kathleen Marple Kalb was released from Level Best and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers. Book 2, The Stuff of Mayhem is coming in November 2024.

About Kathleen Marple Kalb

https://kathleenmarplekalb.com

Kathleen Marple Kalb describes herself as an Author/Anchor/Mom…not in that order. An award-winning weekend anchor at New York’s 1010 WINS Radio, she writes short stories and novels including the Ella Shane and Old Stuff mysteries, both from Level Best Books. As Nikki Knight, she writes the Grace the Hit Mom and Vermont Radio mysteries. Her stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, online, and in anthologies, and been short-listed for Derringer and Black Orchid Novella Awards. She, her husband, and son live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat

S7E17 Tethered to Drama

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 17, tether ball is the featured game. This is Tethered to Drama by Karina Bartow

DELIBERATION

Detective Minka Avery is caught up in the drama in the death of Sheila Nevins. She needs our help to find a killer. Here are the people who she’s come across in the investigation:

• William Barkley, Wes’s former lab partner and current middle school teacher

• Superintendent Rigley, working to balance the budget while building a new middle school

• Gideon Hutchins, school board member and devoted father

• Axel Hutchins, high school baseball player with a shot at being recruited

• Zachary Phelps, groundskeeper for the park behind the middle school

Here are the facts Minka and Cael have unearthed:

• Drama teacher Sheila Nevins was found dead on the edge of the defunct tetherball court after a groundbreaking ceremony for a new middle school. She was strangled with something like a rope or belt.

• The deflated tetherball had a note inside saying “Snitches never win.” The note had a torn corner that matched a bit remaining on a lawn stake.

• Minka’s husband remembered that a guy from his football team, number 60, used the phrase. He was kicked off the team for using drugs.

• A small camera was found recording the tetherball pole. It was on and not one owned by the city for security.

• William Barkley was frustrated with Sheila because she would not put his play on. He was counting down the days until she retired. Barkley was late getting to the groundbreaking because of the bookfair, which a student’s testimony contradicted.

• Superintendent Rigley had a showdown with Sheila, telling her the drama budget was being cut and she needed to raise money. Sheila collected information on Rigley misusing funds and was planning to out him to the board. Rigley spoke at the groundbreaking.

• Gideon Hutchins was upset with Sheila for putting his son, Axel, on the bench by failing him in drama class. Scouts were coming to look at his son, something very important to his college plans. Gideon was at the groundbreaking.

• Axel Hutchins took drama for an easy grade, now he’s in danger of being ineligible just when scouts are coming to check him out. He was missing his uniform belt, which he claimed broke the day before. He was not at the groundbreaking as he was picking his sister up from her school.

• Zachary Phelps was mowing at the park before the groundbreaking. He left when the belt broke on his lawnmower. He knew Sheila, who ate lunch at the park and asked him for the tether pole as a prop.

Who should Minka shine the spotlight of justice on?

ABOUT Tetherball

From my favorite source, Wikipedia, and the website Backyard Sidekick traces tetherball back to the late 1800s and early 1900s where it was found on playgrounds. Variations have the game played with hands or with racquets while having the same rules. If you haven’t played, which I haven’t, it is a two player game. Players stand on opposite sides of the pole. One player hits clockwise, the other hits back, counterclockwise. The game ends when one player wraps the line around the pole. There were a surprising number of rules and variations for what seems like a simple game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetherball#:~:text=This%20variant%20is%20known%20as,them%20to%20their%20play%20area.

https://backyardsidekick.com/how-was-tetherball-invented-tetherball-history/

ABOUT Karina Bartow

KarinaBartow.com

Karina Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. Her works include Husband in Hiding, Brother of Interest, Accidental Allies, Forgetting My Way Back to You, and Wrong Line, Right Connection. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Tethered to Drama was written by Karina Bartow. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Never Saw That Coming by Ken Harris where Army is the featured game

TT49: Knife River

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Knife River by Baron Birtcher

TG Wolff Review

Knife River is a cop mystery. It’s 1976 and Sheriff Ty Dawson has his hands full with Meridian County’s newest resident. Music producer Len Kaanan brought in rock star Ian Swann and with him came a troubled brother, an ornery producer, shady stagehands, property damage, assault, and someone with a more deadly intent. Plus, Ty’s daughter is sweet on the music man.

Bottom line: Knife River is for you if you like stories where you know something bad is going to happen but have no idea which direction it’s coming from.

This review is careful not to reveal details of Knife River that will take away from the readers own discovery and enjoyment.

There are so many strengths of this story that it is hard to know where to start. The one that sticks out most to me is the storytelling style. This one unfolds thoughtfully, deliberately, and with such terrifying elegance that I was tempted to read through my fingers. Chapter by chapter, the feeling grows that something very bad has happened, was going to happen but where it would come from and who would be the target wasn’t clear.

The language used elevates Knife River to the top of mystery literature. Consider from chapter twenty, “By the time morning arrived, it came so softly that it felt like a eulogy, the underlayment of the clouds glowing like coal embers for only the briefest of moments, soon swallowed by a still and steely sky that stole all but the ambient glow of sunrise.”

Sheriff Ty Dawson is an engaging hero who is easy to root for. A lawman, cattle rancher, and Korean vet, he is a complicated and damaged man who takes life one day at a time. He is grounded by his wife, Jesse, his college age daughter, Cricket, as well as his foreman and the deputies. The cast is close knit, a group who are positive and supportive of each other.

The 1970s and rural Oregon setting of the Ty Dawson Mysteries makes it stand out from the pack. Birtcher displays his prowess by writing with historical accuracy while making it feel as though we were reading a modern telling. In his hands, we are eternally far away from reading a textbook description of the life and times in post-Vietnam. He similarly brings us into the world of cattle ranges and cowboys by taking us along, at the crack of dawn, to ride down strays.

The plot of this story is wonderfully winding when read from the start, as noted. Standing at the end and looking back to page one, it is both twisted and straightforward. Thinking about the story in the days since I finished it, each detail checks back to earlier chapters, making the logic sound.

When considering whether Sheriff Ty Dawson drives the story, the book divides into two parts: pre-murder and post-murder. Prior to the murder, the action of the main plot is driven by the rock star and music producer. Ty inserts himself into those plans to set up a prevent defense ahead of the invasion of ten thousand fans, but he is in a reactive position. After the murder, he shifts to a proactive role, driving the investigation. His tenacity on details is the reason why this murder is solved.

As to where this story fell short of ideal, there isn’t much to pick on. The logic, the pacing, the storytelling are topnotch.

Knife River is the fourth book in the Ty Dawson Mystery series. I read the third, but not the first two. Knife River can be read as a stand alone. The mystery is independent from prior books. Readers who can’t start a series anywhere but at book 1, definitely start there and stay with Ty through Knife River.

The Knife River was released from Open Road Media Mystery and Thriller and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Baron Birtcher

Baron Birtcher is the LA TIMES and IMBA BESTSELLING author of the award-winning Ty Dawson series, the hardboiled Mike Travis series, as well as the stand-alone, RAIN DOGS. He is a winner of the Silver Falchion Award, Killer Nashville Readers Choice Award, and Best Book of the Year Award. Baron's writing has been hailed as "The real deal" by Publishers Weekly; "Fast Paced and Engaging" by Booklist; and "Solid, Fluent and Thrilling" by Kirkus. Before becoming a full-time writer, Baron Birtcher spent a number of years as a professional musician and founded an independent record label and management company.

https://www.facebook.com/BaronRBirtcher

S7E16 Death in the Billards Room

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 16, billiards is the featured game. This is Death in the Billiards Room by TG Wolff, an adaptation of The Billiard-Room Mystery by Brian Flynn

ABOUT Billiards

Today we turn to the Games For Fun website to learn about billiards. Billiards includes all sports that are played with a cue stick and billiard balls. Pool (also called pocket billiards), carom billiards, and snooker are categories of billiards. Our story today referred to a billiards table, but it was more accurate to call it a pocket billiards table or a pool table. The Billiard Congress of America reports the game started as an outdoor described as similar to croquet. It was brought indoors as a tabletop game, possibly originating in France. Initially, it retained some of the hoops and sticks of the outdoor game, but those eventually faded. There are many ways to play billiards, ranging from using 3 balls to 22 balls, with and without pockets. Here’s a fun fact: visitors from England taught Americans how to put a spin on the cue ball, explaining why only in America is that spin called “English.” Check out the sources

https://gamesforfun.com/the-history-of-pool-who-how-where-and-billiards

https://bca-pool.com

ABOUT The Billiard Room Mystery by Brian Flynn

The Billiard Room Mystery was the first case for barrister Anthony Bathurst and the first mystery for English author Brian Flynn. It was challenging to find information on an author with over 54 mysteries to his name. The best write ups were on Classic Mystery Novel blog and Crime Is Afoot blog. Born in 1885 in Essex, Flynn, like many others of that period, had a varied background. His formal education ended when he went into the civil service, serving as a special constable during WWI. He taught while he worked for the government and enjoyed acting. It was reported that he began writing mysteries because he was not impressed with much of what he read. I can believe that reading the scene where he is critiquing the styles of leading fictional detectives at the time. The Billiard-Room Mystery is now in the public domain and can be downloaded from the Project Gutenburg. Dean Street Press has been reprinting much of Brian Flynn’s catalogue, which can be found at online retailers.

https://classicmystery.blog/classic-bibliographies/brian-flynn/

https://jiescribano.wordpress.com/2020/03/27/brian-flynn-1885-1958/

https://www.deanstreetpress.co.uk/pages/author_page/51

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58413

ABOUT TG Wolff

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

TT48: Fast Times, Big City

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is FAST TIMES BIG CITY by Shelly Frome

TG Wolff Review

FFAST TIMES BIG CITY is an amateur sleuth adventure. It’s the late 1950s and Bud Palmer is living his best life as a sports reporter for the Miami Herald. Then his Uncle Rick, a self-proclaimed PI, gets in hot water up to his eyeballs and clutches onto Bud as his life preserver. Now Bud has to go to cold NYC to find a girl he’s never met and recover a briefcase she stole before the Chicago mob gets impatient

Bottom line: FAST TIMES BIG CITY is for you if you like reluctant heroes, plot driven quests, and immersion in eras gone by.

It is a fun read, watching Bud get deeper into the trouble he didn’t cause, and then figuring out how to dig his way out of it.

The FAST TIMES BIG CITY was released from BQB Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Shelly Frome

Shelly Frome is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at UConn, a former professional actor, and a writer of crime novels and books on theater and film. He also is a features writer for Gannett Publications. Fast Times, Big City is his latest foray into the world of crime and the amateur sleuth. He lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S7E15 Dare or Truth

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 15, Truth or dare is the featured game. This is Dare or Truth by Frank Zafiro

ABOUT Truth or Dare

The origins of truth or dare weren’t as well documented or researched as some of the other games used this season. The Wikipedia page refers to entries as early as 1712 describing a game that is similar to truth or dare, although with one person being in control. Certainly, it isn’t a leap to see this as a social party game in the era preceding television and radio. The most interesting entries I came across were on the social platform Quora where the question was asked…what’s the farthest you’ve ever taken Truth or Dare. The posts responding themed on creative nudity and sex and not, thankfully, murder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_or_dare

ABOUT Frank Zafiro

Frank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. During his life, he has been a military intelligence linguist, a police officer (a twenty year career, retiring as a captain), and an independent consultant and instructor. He has taught both writing and police related topics at the collegiate level and professional venues. Through it all, he has been a writer. To date, he has published 48 novels, over 100 short stories, and appeared in over 50 anthologies. He lives in Redmond, Oregon, with his wife, Kristi, who is a teacher.

www.frankzafiro.com

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Dare or Truth was written by Frank Zafiro. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for an adaption of The Billard Room Mystery by Brian Flynn, where Billards is the featured game

TT47: The Big Lie

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Big Lie by Gabriel Valjan.

TG Wolff Review

The Big Lie is PI mystery. PI Shane Cleary is a popular guy. Everyone wants a favor from him. An MIA standard poodle, Latin tutoring for a mafioso’s niece, pro bono work for a grand larceny defense, and a background check as SOP for getting serious. It’s going to take the help of friends and enemies to keep all these balls in the air.

Bottom line: The Big Lie is for you if you like stories where the pacing keeps up with the PI’s fast talking.

Strengths of the story. Shane Cleary is juggling four jobs plus keeping off his girlfriend’s shit list. It’s a lot for anyone. One of the strengths of THE BIG LIE is the skill with which author Gabriel Valjan lets us know exactly where we are at all times. He distinctly draws the characters making it easy for readers to differentiate between the cases.

Shane as a character is well developed both with a full back history in Vietnam and with the Boston PD and a more recent history such as with this girlfriend, friends, cat, and answering service. He is a character readers can get behind, working from the moral high ground that lets him make hard and sometimes painful decisions.

The story is set in a colorful Boston. It is not set in modern time, but I could not find reference to a year. Based on Shane having (and hating) a beeper, his having been in Viet Nam and worked for Boston PD, and a reference to punter Ray Guy, it seems to be set late 1970s to early 1980s. Shane navigating Boston’s segregated Irish, Italian, Black, and Jewish communities adds a layer of complexity to his tasks that ups the stakes and heightens the entertainment. You can add the Boston PD hating Shane to the complications.

This is the 5th book in the Shane Cleary Mystery series. I have not read the previous four. This can be read as a stand-alone as the mysteries Shane signs up for do not seem to be carried over from previous books. Character carryover is managed well with backstory snippets that get us what we need to know without dragging down in synopsis.

When looking at the logic of the story lines and the role Shane has in resolving them, we have to look individually. Shane outsources the Latin tutoring and the background check, making his role more of a facilitator. The missing dog story had a strong, simple logic. Shane uses his talents with the missing dog case to get people beyond the fear of the dog’s owner to be helpful. There was one spot that had me raising an eyebrow but the resolution is good without being predictable.

The grand larceny case showed excellent detective skills and definitely would have died without Shane pushing at apparent dead ends. The logic of the criminal action is more complicated here. I ended up with a few questions about the setup, which happened before Shane was involved. The logic of Shane’s actions is strong. He does his job, providing the defense with what it needs to combat a lazy if not corrupt PD, then wipes his hands, leaving it to the lawyers to pick up the work of charging the guilty party.

Overall, The Big Lie, the 5th in the Shane Cleary Mysteries, was a highly enjoyable, entertaining read. Readers who prefer the fast pacing that comes with getting four stories in one book will keep the pages turning on this one.

The Big Lie was released from Level Best Books - Historia and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Gabriel Valjan

Gabriel Valjan is the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, Silver Falchion and Shamus nominated author of the Shane Cleary mystery series with Level Best Books. He received the 2021 Macavity Award for Best Short Story. Gabriel is a member of ITW, MWA, and Sisters in Crime. He is a regular contributor to the Criminal Minds blog. He lives in Boston’s South End and answers to a tuxedo cat named Munchkin.

https://gabrielvaljan.com/

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S7E14 Sorry Not Sorry

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 14, Sorry is the featured game. This is Sorry Not Sorry by Kathleen Marple Kalb

DELIBERATION

Instead of being out for the win, prosecutor Joe Poli wants to get the right bad guy. He’s got Christian and Henry helping him…and he’s got us. Let’s help him figure out who killed Sandra Kule before we’re the ones who are sorry. Our suspects are:

• Barb Kule, the quiet sister who escaped a bad marriage with debt and health issues

• Mikey Kule, the younger brother who has a gambling problem, drug issues, and no funds

• Floyd Lawrence, a cousin working in the shop who also has arrests for drugs and a checking account hovering around frozen.

Here is what we know:

• Sandy Kule was found behind the family house / business. Her throat was cut with the knife found next to her, the one Barb used in the creamery’s kitchen. Preliminary DNA tests indicated the killer was related to Sandy.

• Kule Ice Cream was on hard times. The business wasn’t the ice cream float it once was.

• Sandy was known to love the family business, including the customers. She was keeping everyone from tripping on the rocky road.

• Mikey tried selling antique glasses and other collectibles to Christian for the museum. Many of those items are not missing from the parlor, some replaced with cheap knock offs. The most valuable pieces are still in the shop.

• Barb was arrested by the sheriff after she came down to meet them with blood on her Crocs and shirt and said, “I’m sorry.” The blood was confirmed to be the same type as Sandy’s.

• Henry noticed Floyd gave some customers sprinkles from a drawer instead of the normal cup and Sandra yelled at him, drawing his anger. He also noticed that Mikey was wearing gloves, which he didn’t usually do, and had a bandage under it.

Time to place your order, which flavor is your pick for murderer of the day?

ABOUT Sorry

The game Sorry was created in England in the late 1920s by William Henry Storey, who registered it as a trademark in the UK in 1920 and receive a US patent in Aug 1930. The patent link is in the show notes. The patents describes in detail the parts of the board, the men, the cards, and how to play. Mr. Storey went on to say “the above apparatus used as above described is calculated and has been proved by experience to be a prolific source of amusement and provides a game which calls for the exercise of a great deal of judgment while being dependent in a measure on an uncertain factor such as is calculated to add to the excitement of the game, though due to the choice of moves allowed when certain cards are turned up, the influence of the element of chance as a determining factor is much reduced in comparison with the skill exercised by a player in choosing his moves.”

Several sources cite the Indian game Pachisi as inspiration or basis for Sorry. The link to the Wikipedia page is in the shownotes. Rather than a square board, Pachisi uses a cross-shaped board. The goal is to move all of your pieces onto and around the board before the other players. The number of spaces moved is determined by throwing shells and counting how many land upright. There are several variations of the game, some dating back to 1100-800 BC.

Rabbit Hole Material:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US1903661.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorry!_(game)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachisi

ABOUT Kathleen Marple Kalb

https://kathleenmarplekalb.com

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Sorry Not Sorry was written by Kathleen Marple Kalb. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, DARE OR TRUTH by Frank Zafiro where “truth or dare” is the featured game

TT46: Some Kind of Truth

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is SOME KIND OF TRUTH by Westly Smith. SOME KIND OF TRUTH was released from Wicked House Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

TG Wolff Review

SOME KIND OF TRUTH is a dark thriller. Pittsburgh Tribune reporter Steve James made a name for himself by digging up the kind of dirt some people want to keep buried. When a package containing a driver’s license and violent video is delivered to him, it’s clear some anonymous person wants him to put his skills to use. Rebecca Ann Turner was sixteen when she was last seen in 1999.

Bottom line: SOME KIND OF TRUTH is for you if you like gritty mysteries where no ending could be called a good ending.

Strengths of the story. The leading strength of SOME KIND OF TRUTH is the storytelling style. We readers are there alongside Steve James as sussed out clues that were overlooked, under investigated, or not available during the original investigation. With assistance by local reporter Amy Richards, Steve is able to reinterview key witnesses, giving us firsthand information. With solid pacing and excellent chapter development, I found this one to be one where I kept turning the page, wanting to learn more.

SOME KIND OF TRUTH is a stand-alone novel and not part of a series. Steve James is a good, lead character. He is an established professional but one that is haunted by his capture by the Taliban after 9/11. His history has a role in his decision making, which is the flaw that makes him human. Amy Richards is more partner than assistant and, though they are of a similar (unspecified) age, she clearly lacks Steve’s experience. She is a good counterpoint to Steve, having the connections and local knowledge needed to supplement his broader investigative skills. The supporting characters each play a needed role and display a range of emotions, which makes them individuals rather than flat bit players.

The premise for the story is 16-year-old Rebecca Turner went to a party with a friend and wasn’t seen again. The friend reported she left around midnight; her car was found in a field wiped clean. Through the course of his investigation, Steve learns five other girls were kidnapped and abused in a similar manner to Rebecca. These other girls have a connection to a S&M magazine that owned by a money launderer. It is this connection that uniquely positions Steve to solve the cases. This was a cleverly devised plot that Steve unpeeled one layer at a time.

The events of 25-years ago are logical in a hard-crime sense. The modern events unfolded also are logical and are driven by Steve. The resources he has as a crime reporter, his experience in other tough investigations, and his determination to find out what happened to Rebecca drive the story forward to an unexpected but engaging end.

Where the story fell short of ideal: The story as it unfolds from the first page to the last is logical and satisfying. However, I found myself with questions about actions of the supporting characters before Steve becomes involved. Questions that, depending on the answer, either have no impact on the story or change it completely.

SOME KIND OF TRUTH is classified as a thriller, a kidnapping thriller, and serial killer novel. All of which are accurate. If your tastes in mysteries and thriller run to the darker side of the spectrum, you will enjoy this one.

About Westly Smith

Westley Smith had his first short story, Off to War, published when he was just sixteen. Recently, he has had short stories featured in On the Premise, Unveiling Nightmares, and Crystal Lake Entertainment. He was the runner-up contestant in the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine’s “Mysterious Photograph Contest,” where his name was featured in the magazine. He sold his debut thriller, SOME KIND OF TRUTH , to Wicked House Publishing, it was released on February 2nd, 2024.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers. Founded in 2011, PICT offers tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S7E13 Right Hand Dripping Blood Red

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 13, twister is the featured game. This is Right Hand Dripping Blood Red by Jason Little.

Mysteries to Die For remains ad free. In exchange for not making you move to hit the fast forward button, support our authors by checking out their backlists and picking up a title. This week is Jason Little. He has a collection of short stories currently available on Amazon, which can be found at JasonLittleWriting.com

DELIBERATION

It isn’t all fun and games for Detective Sam Carlysle. The bodies are stacking up. Ivan Romanov (aka Mister Twister), Henrick Gajewski (aka The Garbage Man), Mitch Takovich (aka The Spinner Doctor). Here are the people we’ve met…at least the ones that are still alive:

• Peter Caruthers, reporter for the Chicago Tribune who seems to be in the wrong place at the right time

• Abby Tinsdale, aka Knockout_Kitty, competitor from Dallas, Texas who intends to win

• Gavin Rosenbaum, Mister Twister’s manager who eats his stress

• Sofi Planchette, the IBOTE event coordinator who demands things run on time

• Julia Tinsdale, Abby’s mother with the sometimes Texas accent

Here are the facts Sam is working with:

• The victims are being killed in a manner consistent with their last Twister winning move. With a $1million prize, it is a very competitive field.

• Mister Twister’s back was broken and his hand cut off. Odd bruising along the shoulders indicates someone went overboard on the Chiropractic readjustment. A Snickers wrapper was found at the scene.

• The Garbage Man was killed with a device Peter Caruthers reported was used by the Bratva, aka the Russian mob.

• The Spinner Doctor was found with his severed foot submerged in a filthy toilet with a Snickers wrapper tucked behind the basin. His last words indicated a m…m…murder mystery has yet to be solved.

• Journalist / photographer Peter Caruthers appeared on the scene of each murder. His Nikon had photos of the victim’s last win. He provided information on the Russian mob and pointed to the male judge being behind it.

It’s your turn to call the next move for Carlysle. Whose hands go in the cuffs?

A reminder to mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one, Opening Gambit, released in March 2024 and Part two, Final Move, will release in September. Today’s story is the first in part two. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in tacos and headphones.

ABOUT Twister

The game Twister was created with the original name of Pretzel in 1966. Working for the Guyer Company, toy designer Charles Foley and graphic designer Neil Rabens combined ideas for a game where people were the pieces and a colorful mat concept into a game that is very much the one we know today. Foley and Rabens, with the support of their employer, applied for and received a patent, which was granted in 1969. Milton Bradley was approached for production, who took on the project but renamed it to Twister. Twister faced some controversy from critics claiming it was “sex in a box.” Twister withstood challenges, expanding sales throughout the world. In 2015, Twister was inducted into The Strong National Museum of Play. Fun fact from the museum of play website, The official Guinness Book of World Records temporarily banned the Twister category “most contestants” after the University of Massachusetts in Amherst’s massive Twister game involving 4,160 players in 1987. Guinness cited “evidence of officiating inconsistencies.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twister_(game)

https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/twister/

ABOUT Jason Little

JasonLittleWriting.com

Jason Little has spent the majority of his working years in sales and marketing. He currently sells life insurance, where he gets to talk to people about their imminent demise for a steady paycheck. He loves to delve into the human condition and writes in a variety of genres from science fiction and horror to mystery and suspense. When he isn't writing, Jason has a VR headset strapped to his face or he is sweating to a fitness challenge like 75 Hard. He actively discusses work/life/writing balance, the writing process and other miscellany at JasonLittleWriting.com. He is a native of Michigan and currently resides in Texas.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Right Hand Dripping Blood Red was written by Jason Little. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Sorry Not Sorry by Kathleen Marple Kalb where Sorry is the featured game.

TT45: Lines of Deception

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is a plot setting excerpt from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is Lines of Deception by Steve Anderson

TG Wolff Review

Lines of Deception is a thriller. Max Kaspar is finding a new kind of normal in post-war Munich, Germany. He has his club, he has his customers, and he has his brother’s ear. In a purple box. Now Max is on a mission to save his younger brother, who is on a mission to save someone the Soviets have and the Americans want. Allies and enemies, no one can be trusted.

Bottom line: Lines of Deception is for you if you like seat of your pants thrillers woven into the complicated world of post-war II Europe.

Strengths of the story. The post-WWII setting takes center stage. This isn’t a story generically set in 1949 or in one city but is a thriller woven through a variety cities and countries, occupied by multiple allied countries. Miles are crossed on trains, in trucks, and on foot. The food is lackluster, the PTSD rampant. Yes, Lines of Deception has an incredibly rich setting.

This is the fourth book in the Kaspar Brothers series. As such, both Max and his brother Harry are well developed characters. Max leads the storytelling in this one. He stays true to his nature from start to finish. The side characters, good and bad, are well created and easy to keep track of. Max, Harry, and friends are constantly in danger of being discovered.

Max drives the story until he achieves his goal of finding Harry. The baton of the decision making lead then passes to Harry. Together Max and Harry do drive the story. If at any point they made different decisions, the story would have ended.

At the end, looking from back to front, the logic holds. This is a missing person type thriller without the elements of “switchbacks” that can weaken logic in political thrillers. I appreciated that at the end of the book, Max and Harry recapped the logic line, making me a very happy reader.

Where the story fell short of ideal: I didn’t find much to pick on here. Perhaps thriller readers who prefer fire fights, explosions, and stunt people might find this one a bit staid. I, myself, did not. The thrills were just right for the time period.

The Lines of Deception was released from Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson is the author of numerous novels, mostly historical thrillers about gutsy underdogs. In an earlier life he earned an MA in history and was a Fulbright Fellow in Germany. Day jobs have included busy waiter, Associated Press rookie, and language instructor. He’s also written historical nonfiction and translated bestselling German novels. Lines of Deception is fourth in his Kaspar Brothers series but can be read as a standalone. A hopeless soccer addict, he lives in his hometown of Portland, Oregon with his wife René.

http://www.stephenfanderson.com/

S7E12 A Tarotfying End

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Season 7, Games People Play. For Episode 12, Tarot Cards is the featured game. This is A Tarotfying End by TG Wolff

DELIBERATION

Victoria Harris did not jump from the bell tower. But who helped her? Mystic and his talented squad are collecting the evidence and checking alibis as we speak. In whose direction should Mystic focus his considerable talents? Here are the suspects in the order we met them:

• Angela Harris, Victoria’s older half-sister who wanted to sell their father’s valuable estate

• Grace Anderson, Victoria’s boss who was making her professional life hell

• Keisha Brown aka Darling, Victoria’s ex who still wanted to make it work

Here are the clues that have been revealed:

• Victoria Harris was confronted by someone in St. Jane Frances church. She apparently hid in the confessional, taking off her shoes, and ended up in the bell tower, four stories above the square.

• A physical altercation took place and Victoria Harris was thrown from the bell tower. Victoria’s torn fingernails and an earring were found in the tower.

• When found, Victoria had the chain and charm in her hand that she had given to Cici Baptiste on their anniversary. She had lipstick smeared on her cheek that matched the lipstick used to draw on the mirror in Cici’s apartment. She also had three tarot cards tucked in her bra.

• Angela Harris acknowledged arguing with her sister over their father’s estate. She was home alone at the time of death with no witnesses. She had a cut on her hand sustained while making guacamole for the date who no-showed. No other cuts or scratches were noticed.

• Grace Anderson acknowledged arguing with Victoria over the deal they were working on. Grace was in Bonbanni and went to see Victoria at the club. She does not have an alibi for the time her husband when to get the car, shortly before ten. No cuts or scratches were noticed.

• Keisha “Darling” Brown was a singer and personal trainer who was convinced she and Victoria were getting back together. She had cut her arm sustained the night before loading her gear. Her clothes and scarf did not provide the opportunity to see additional injuries.

Who would you arrest for this dirty deed done in a holy place?

PRINT & E-BOOKS

Check out our print and e-books. The companion book for Seasons 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one, with 12 stories, released in March 2024 – the last story in it is the one you heard today. Part two releases in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in sunglasses that hold his hair back.

Season Anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT TG Wolff

A special thank you to Ed Teja whose work edited this episode made it better.

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Tarotfying End was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, An International Twisted Mystery by Jason Little where twister cards are the featured game

TT44: The Machine Murders: Desert Balloons

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is an excerpt from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is The Machine Murders: Desert Balloons by CJ Abazis

TG Wolff Review

The Machine Murders: Desert Balloons is a serial killer mystery. Death has again found Interpol Chief Data Scientist Dr. Manos Manu. Hot air balloon pilots are being murdered in the United Arab Emirates, frozen to death high above the earth. Manos is dispatched to Dubai to support analysis by a software he led the creation of. But to generate correct answers, the software needs data, data that hides in the dark traits of men.

Bottom line: The Machine Murders: Desert Balloons is for you if you love high-tech code nearly as much as you love mysteries.

Strengths of the story. The greatest strength of this story is the expert detail presented in the development, testing, and augmentation of machine learning systems. In his day job, CJ Abazis runs a software company and his expertise shines through here. The Machine Murders isn’t the typical high-level use of IT common in television shows like NCIS or Criminal Minds. Instead, the program is a rich as character as any of the humans and the language is true to life.

Much of this story is set in the Emirates. I found it to be a new and fresh scene, with texture and depth that supplemented the mystery. The justaposition of the uber high-tech with the traditional Arab culture made for fascinating reading. I cannot comment on how accurate Abazis’ representation of the culture was, just that it was well developed and added to the story.

The Machine Murders is structured as an extended story told in two parts. The first, Island Buoys, kicks off the story of Dr. Manos Manu and the use of machine learning models to hunt for the killer. The second, this story called Desert Balloons, picks up shortly after the end of the first. I have not read the first. The author does introduce the continuing Interpol characters and software basics to new readers. I do wonder if the machine learning would have been easier to follow if I had read Island Buoys.

As to how the logic stands up from the finish looking back, the result is fair. This is a mystery where the solution isn’t driven by testimony or evidence. The machine does the reasoning, using the additional information Manos identifies. We aren’t privy to actions or history of the suspects to be able to assess the logic of the solution and, as such, have the rely on the results from the computer system as correct. Manos confronts the killer, giving readers a satisfying end that the guilty party was found, but I was left with questions.

Overall, the pacing of the story did well to hold my attention. There were a few sections where I did not follow the change from one scene to another. While these ultimately did not affect the outcome of the story, I was pulled out of it as I went back to re-read. The thriller elements were written to align with a main character that was a chief data scientist, with Manos using his brains rather than fighting he way out of situations.

While the greatest strength of the story is the detail of machine learning, it is also the element that makes its less than accessible for some readers, including myself. Being an average technology end user at best, I simply could not follow the directions given to modify the code or or appreciate the results it generated.

The Machine Murders: Desert Balloons is unique in the mystery world for making the software itself a main character and is a must read for lovers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and systems programming.

The Machine Murders: Desert Balloons is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About CJ Abazis

CJ Abazis manages a software company in Athens, Greece. His Machine Murders stories were written in Greek and translated to English. You can find out more about the stories on CJ’s website and social media outlets.

www.TheMachineMurders.com

Partners in Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S7E11 Marco! Mayhem!

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 11, Marco Polo is the featured game. This is Marco Mayhem by Karina Bartow

PRE-ROLL

Today's author is Karina Bartow. “Marco! Mayhem!” is part of Karina’s Unde(a)feated Detective Series, which follows deaf detective, Minka Avery. Minka’s always striving to rise above her deafness—as well as her family’s antics—to crack the case. To catch up on the Avery family, check out Husband in Hiding, Brother of Interest, and Accidental Allies, available now. For further information on Karina and her books, visit KarinaBartow.com.

DELIBERATION

Minka needs our help to get Marco to his Polo. Here are the pool characters affiliated with Xavier Maccabbee:

• Hope, the girlfriend who kissed and made up with Xavier

• Clinton, pool manager and Hope’s ex who defended her

• Leon Fleming, bounty hunter who worked an alternate deal with Xavier

• TC, possibly Tanner Cowen, Xavier’s boss who wasn’t happy with Xavier’s work.

Here are the facts as Minka and her partner Cael know:

• Hope and Xavier went into the pool for a game of Marco Polo. In the middle of the game, Xavier left the pool and was later found dead in the pool shed from a blow to the head with a crank handle.

• The facility video showed something off camera drawing Xavier out of the pool. It also showed a male in a hoodie sneaking around, later leaving, taking Xavier’s car.

• Clinton defended his ex, Hope, when she argued with Xavier. He later spied on the couple when they were “making up” in the hot tub. Other than that, he was working.

• Clinton claims he had no linger affection for Hope. They had both moved on.

• Leon Fleming recognized Xavier as a skip and approached him to apprehend him. Xavier supposedly offered him a better pay day. A dead Xavier wasn’t worth any thing.

• TC made demands for Xavier to finish a job. The addresses in the text chain were locations where cars were stolen from.

Who should Minka and Cael set their sights on?

PRINT & E-BOOKS

A reminder to mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. The companion book for Seasons 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one released in March 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in tacos and headphones.

Season Anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Marco Polo

Marco Polo, as you got from today’s story, is an aqua “blind man’s bluff” – the tag game, not the poker game. According to Wikipedia, the origin of the name isn’t known. It isn’t related to horse-and-ball game or the people-and-ball game. There isn’t any reported connection between the explorer Marco Polo – Venetian explorer, born 1254, died 1324. Intriquing, isn’t it? The land version, Blind’s Man Bluff, dates back to the 16th century. Playing in water was a natural I’m sure. The game was referenced by this name in a late 1960s survey asking respondents to name a water game. More than a few said “Marco Polo.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo_(game)

ABOUT Karina Bartow

KarinaBartow.com

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Marco Mayhem was written by Karina Bartow. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, A Tarotfying End by TG Wolff where tarot cards are the featured game

TT43: The Nowhere Girls

Fri, 31 May 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Nowhere Girls by Dana Perry

TG Wolff Review

The Nowhere Girls is a cold case, crime thriller. FBI Agent Nikki Cassidy has returned home to visit David Monroe in prison. On this 15th anniversary, her sister’s killer has an agenda of his own and Nikki is the key.

Bottom line: The Nowhere Girls is for you if you like serial killer crime thrillers where the past is the key to the present.

Two strengths of this story lie in the complexity of the crime and the pacing of its reveal. As indicated in the backcover synopsis (i.e. not a spoiler) the crime here is the kidnapping and murder of not one young girl but several. It begins with the cold case investigation of the murder of Caitlin, Nikki’s sister, 15 years ago and is ramped up with the disappearance of another 13-year-old, Natalie, on the anniversary of Caitlin’s disappearance. While revisiting the site where her sister’s body was discovered, Nikki and team find another body – this one from a girl who disappeared from other state. That element of cross state boundaries enables Nikki to be officially assigned to the case and her team to come in. The evolution of the mystery is deliberately paced and satisfying with nearly every chapter counting.

This is the first in the Nikki Cassidy series with the next two already released. I have not read the others in the series. For a first story, Nikki is well developed. Readers can see from early on how her greatest strength is also her greatest weakness. Nikki is one of those characters wo has an abundance of confidence in her own judgement and abilities. This gives her the steadfastness to stick to a case where others would have turned away but also causes her to make poor and selfish decisions where other people pay the consequences.

The supporting cast in this story are largely the characters associated Caitlin’s murder including the convicted killer, his wife/lawyer, and the ME and prosecutor at the time. The characters are distinctly drawn, making it easy for me to both remember and differentiate them.

The logic of the mystery holds up reasonably well when looked at from back-to-front. But. There is no evidence laid out in the story leading to the Big Bad. Instead, the Big Bad self-reveals in the culmination. While this leads to a wrap-up that is satisfying to the reader, ultimately Nikki didn’t solve the mystery.

When we look at how the main character, Nikki, drove the story, there are mixed results. Nikki is focused on the cold case of her sister’s murder while there is an active hunt for missing 13-year-old Natalie. Understanding that Nikki has convinced herself there is a connection between Caitlin and Natalie, there is no sense of urgency on Nikki’s part to find Natalie. After the first interview with Natalie’s parents, she is focused on what happened 15-years ago. Nikki drives the cold case investigation, yes, but not the missing person in imminent danger.

Readers will enjoy this crime thriller best if they go into it with the expectation of a cold case crime thriller rather than a missing person thriller. The discovery that there is a serial killer and answers to Caitlin’s murder are the central story; the search for Natalie is not.

The dynamic storytelling, dramatic pacing, and satisfying ending make THE NOWHERE GIRLS great entertainment for lovers of crime thrillers.

The Nowhere Girls was released from Bookouture and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Dana Perry

Dana Perry is a New York City author who writes mystery thrillers under the pen names of Dana Perry and R.G. Belsky. He is an award-winning author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City. As Perry, he writes crime thrillers including the Nikki Cassidy series. As Belsky, he has has published 20 novels—all set in the New York city media world where he has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine and NBC News. He is a contributing writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.

www.RGBelsky.com/dana-perry-books

S7E10 Hunting for Clues

Fri, 24 May 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 10, a scavenger hunt is the featured game. This is Hunting for Clues by Nick Andreychuk

PRE-ROLL

This is TG Wolff. Today we welcome author Nick Andreychuk to the podcast.

Nick has written award-winning short stories for magazines and anthologies. His stories, which range from classic whodunnits to hardboiled crime to suspense thrillers. Find his work by searching for his name (Andreychuk) at your favorite on-line book retailers.

DELIBERATION

Well, it doesn’t seem like Chris needs our help solving the murder of Sam Jenkins, but Becker and Launek do. Here are the suspects they are working with:

• Bob Wu, Seattle local who got drenched waiting for his cab

• Wayne Smith, Tacoma resident who drove in for the convention

• John Reddy, Seattle transplant from across the pond

Here’s what we know:

• On Reddy’s suggestion, the four newly acquainted men were working together on the scavenger hunt. Each had one last item to find. They left Sam’s room together, planning to meet back up in the lobby at noon.

• Jenkins was found by the other men after he did not show up at the meeting spot. He died in his hotel room, suffocated on the TV remote control.

• Two front desk clerks testified that two men were seen returning around eleven. They could not tell who. Despite being different ethnicities, the men were of similar stature and style.

• Jenkins had bought several expensive pieces of memorabilia as well as signed comic books and photos.

• Something Jenkins had bought was discovered on each of the suspects. Reddy had the Ironman gizmo. Smith had the Panther mask, which he claimed Jenkins loaned him. Wu had signed shoes, which he also said was loaned to him.

Time to use your Spidey sense. Who should Becker and Launek arrest?

PRINT & E-Books

The companion book for Season 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one released in March 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in tacos and headphones.

Season Anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Scavenger Hunts

According to Britannica.com, America writer and hostess Elsa Maxwell is credited with creating scavenger hunts as a party game. Maxwell was renown for your parties both for the A-list guests and for the novelties she created to amuse them. Maxwell was an interesting, self-made woman. Born in 1883, she supported herself as a theatre pianist and accompanist while in her teens. She worked with a Shakesperean troupe, in vaudeville, and in music halls, all without ever having been taught music. She published some 80 songs over her lifetime. By the end of World War I, she was a professional hostess and event organizer across Europe. It is certainly believable that a woman as talented as Elsa Maxwell was – both artistically and in managing events – that she could create a game that is both simple and endlessly creative.

Wikipedia notes that scavenger hunts are held at American universities and that Escape Manor, Inc. in Ottawa currently holds the Guiness World Record for the largest hunt with over 2,700 participants.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elsa-Maxwell#ref668963

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavenger_hunt

ABOUT Nick Andreychuk

Nick Andreychuk is a Derringer Award-winning mystery writer. His stories, which range from classic whodunnits to hardboiled crime to suspense thrillers, have appeared in numerous publications, including Bullet, Hardboiled Crime Scene, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Plan B, Techno Noir, Who Died in Here? and Woman's World. Reviewers have described Andreychuk's work as "clever," "fast-paced," "action-packed," "quirky," and "bloody brilliant."

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Hunting for Clues was written by Nick Andreychuk. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Marco Mayhem by Karina Bartow where Marco Polo is the featured game

TT42: Rise to Rebellion

Fri, 17 May 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Rise to Rebellion by Julie Bates

TG Wolff Review

Rise to Rebellion is a historical mystery. July 1776. Jeremy Butler is called to investigate threats to the Congress delegation. The attacks seem to come from nowhere and everywhere at once and no one within the households are safe. Jeremy finds an unlikely ally in Hannah White, a Quaker, a widow, and a businesswoman. Together, they unknowingly corner the villain, only to have to fight their way out.

Bottom line: Rise to Rebellion is for you if you like mysteries equally braided with historical and women’s fiction

Strengths of the story. The premise of the story is one of the shining stars. Set in July 1776, the war for Independence is palpable to all. Everyone has a side and being on the side of the patriots isn’t the easy decision history leads us to believe. Bates shows us the working class side of Philadelphia through the household of Hannah Payne White and the farm where Faith Payne Clarke has returned to. The storytelling of the life of unmarried women, freed persons, and enslaved persons humanizes the history, showing us strong, capable people doing what they can to not just survive, but live and thrive.

Bates certainly did her research in the history and culture of the era. It, too, is a shining star. A note from the author talked about her commitment to historical accuracy and the one liberty she took with the story to make it doable for Jeremy. She apologizes to history buffs who may be confused by the change. As someone who calls out unreasonable timeframes, I appreciate she noted it and took steps to make the story plausible.

Jeremy Butler’s story is the mystery. As described, he has gone to Philadelphia to investigate incidents affected members of the Continental Congress. John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin believe someone is working to subvert their cause.

Faith Clark’s story is women’s fiction. Faith returns home to visit her dying mother, reuniting with the father and siblings she left behind when she married and moved to Virginia. There is some intrigue—the discovery of a murdered neighbor and of an unknown oldest sister—but the story arc is focused on Faith coming to terms with her upbringing and her mother.

Hannah Clark’s story is a mix of drama, romance, and mystery. She picks up with question of an unknown sister and follows down leads as she is juggling running her business selling china settings and taking care of her guest, Jeremy Butler, who returns far too often bleeding form some place or another.

All three characters are engaging and likeable. I am sure readers will vary on which character and storyline is their favorite.

This is the third book in the Faith Clarke Mystery series. I have not read the first two. This story stands alone, being set a year after the second, and is a different location.

Where the story fell short of ideal:

There are a few places where RISE TO REBELLION falls short of an ideal historical mystery. While this is part of the Faith Clarke mystery series, Faith’s storyline is women’s fiction and is only present for about half the book. At that point, her sister Hannah picks up the storytelling, taking it in a different direction. The mystery would be more accurately characterized as a Jeremy Butler mystery. The story alternates chapters between Jeremy and Faith/ Hannah. Mystery lovers may be left wanting more. Readers who like multi-faceted stories will enjoy the mystery, historical, and women’s fiction weave of the story.

Standing at the end of the mystery story and looking back, I had questions. Actions in the middle and end of the story are definitely supported by the resolution. It is more the beginning of the story that gives me pause. The story of Faith making peace with her mother is solid. The story of the unknown oldest sister again leaves me with questions the resolution did not explain.

I read the kindle e-book version, which had typesetting errors throughout. Some readers will find the error distracting or potentially confusing. Other readers may not notice them.

The Rise to Rebellion was released from Level Best Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Julie Bates

https://juliebates.weebly.com/

After spending a few years writing freelance articles, Julie’s first novel, Cry of the Innocent, premiered in June 2021. The series follows the timeline of the American Revolutionary War. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Triangle Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Southeastern Mystery Writers of America (SEMWA) and The Historical Novel Society. When not busy plotting her next story, she enjoys working in her garden, doing crafts and spending time with her husband and son, as well as a number of dogs and cats who have shown up on her doorstep and never left.

Join us next week for Season 7 Games People Play, Episode 10 Hunting for Clues by Nick Andreychuk, where a scavenger hunt is the featured game

S7E9 A Head For Murder

Fri, 10 May 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 9, Headbands is the featured game. This is A Head for Murder by Rick Ollerman

PRE-ROLL

Rick Ollerman is the author of four novels, Turnabout, Shallow Secrets, Truth Always Kills, and Mad Dog Barked, as well as the non-fiction collection, Hardboiled, Noir and Gold Medals. He was also the editor of Down & Out: The Magazine and has written numerous short stories and edited several crime fiction anthologies.

DELIBERATION

Detectives Spencer and Flores have a club house classic on their hands to figure out who strangled Lindsay Strauss. Let’s pull out our caddy skills and read this green. Here are the suspect by couples:

• Jeff Actone, Lindsay’s boyfriend who flew in from their home in Milwaukee

• Chad Willette, flew to the party from a business trip

• Nancy Willette, flew to the party from their Chicago home

• William ‘Trip’ Marten, flew in from Worcester, MA

• Jill Marten, flew in with her husband from Worcester, MA

Here is what we know:

• Lindsay Strauss was expected to arrive at the golf resort around 8pm. Her boyfriend, Jeff, and her friends repeatedly tried to reach her with no luck.

• Hotel staff report Lindsay did arrive around 8pm, but instead of going to the room she shared with Jeff, she opted to stow her bags and go to the bar to find her friends.

• The next morning, her body was discovered in the golf cart barn. She had been strangled and was somewhat hidden behind fallen bags of mulch. Despite the rain, her hair and clothes were dry. No umbrella was found.

• While waiting for Lindsay, a game of headbands was played. Trip was the leader. Jill, Jeff, and Nancy played throughout. Chad went to the buffet for snacks and played after he returned.

• On Jill’s first turn, ‘Jeff’ had been written on the Post-It. In guessing, Jill revealed that she saw Jeff at the cart barn the previous night. He had been soaking wet from the rain.

• On the evening in question, Jill had walked along the paths using a golf umbrella. Nancy stayed inside the resort, first going to her room with Chad, then going to the bar without him. Trip went to the pro shop and talked with the staff. Jeff wandered without a destination or umbrella.

• Nancy thought something was “off” about Jeff, suspecting he was dealing with something personal.

• Jill reported during their last conversation, Lindsay indicated this wasn’t going to be a happy trip for two of the couples.

Whose story is soaking wet?

PRINT & E-BOOKs

Season Anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Headbands

Our story today is take on the Fandom game, Hedbanz, which is pronounced the same but spelled differently. The game in many variations is published by Spin Master Games and was first released in 1991, making it over 30 years old. Rick gave us an excellent description of the game in the story. It seems like a cross between twenty questions and Indian Poker, which was the featured game in Episode 5. We gave the background of the poker game there, so lets dive into twenty questions.

According to Wikipedia, twenty questions originated in the US and was a popular parlor game in the 1800s. It got a modern reboot in the late 1940s when it became the basis for a weekly radio quiz show. It later made the jump to television. All in all, the game was in front of American audiences from 1946 through 1954. Versions are the game were on radios and televisions for audiences in Canada, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Poland, and the UK. Speaking of the UK Jack, do you remember the version of the game that was in the original 101 Dalmations?

Guess who loves Headbands? Teachers! In searching for the roots of headbands, I found many posts on educator sites of ways to use the bones of the game the way Trip did. Well, not to entertain friends but as a way to review materials for tests.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_questions#:~:text=Twenty%20questions%20is%20a%20spoken,successful%20weekly%20radio%20quiz%20program.

ABOUT Rick Ollerman

Rick Ollerman is the author of four novels, Turnabout, Shallow Secrets, Truth Always Kills and Mad Dog Barked as well as the non-fiction collection Hardboiled, Noir and Gold Medals. He was also the editor of Down & Out: The Magazine and has written numerous short stories and edited several crime fiction anthologies.

http://www.rickollerman.com/

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Head for Murder was written by Rick Ollerman. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Hunting for Clues by Nick Andreychuk where a scavenger hunt is the featured game.

TT41: Wet, Warm, and Noisy

Fri, 03 May 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Wet, Warm & Noisy by David A. Willson.

TG Wolff Review

Wet, Warm & Noisy is an psychological thriller. Alaska State Trooper Jake Ward is stuck on light duty and a polygraph assignment is welcome break from the monotony. A woman was arrested breaking into a warehouse. Her defense: she was kidnapped. Ward’s job is to determine if she is a suspect or a victim. As he is realizing something is out of the ordinary, she is broken out of jail. Now a court services officer is fighting for his life, the woman is on the run with the shooter, and there is no way in hell Ward is staying out of the case.

Bottom line: Wet, Warm & Noisy is for you if you like psychological thrillers with a side of medical sci-fi.

Strengths of the story. The premise of the story is simple and intriguing. There was something wrong with Belle Anderson. Any drugs would have worked out of her system, so what was the explanation for the way she would freeze up? She was alternately oblivious and hyperly aware. A mix of curiosity and duty drive Ward to investigate Anderson, leading him into a world of study on the brain and human consciousness. This is a psychological thriller, but if it were a mystery, it would be a whatisgoingon. Willson does an excellent job of grabbing the reader by the curiosity and never letting go.

Jake Ward is a likeable character. He’s a thinking man, not an action hero. He has survived surgery and treatments for pancreatic cancer and is determined to get the rest of his life back. Ward is a normal guy, sometimes making decisions that put his back in a corner. He drives the story, continually pushing on who Belle Anderson is and what her circumstances are. If Ward would have backed off, the story would have ended. His actions challenge the bad guys (BG) world, forcing BG to react and Ward to overcome another obstacle.

Belle Anderson is not a stereotypical character. She is the narrator in a few chapters, giving us a peak into the BG world that Ward doesn’t have. She will challenge readers to decide if she is a criminal or a victim. Belle went into the BG world willingly but, Unlike Ward, was not able to drive her narrative, becoming a victim. I cheered for Belle but other readers could easily go the other way. Just recognizing this means Willson did an excellent job crafting her.

The Alaskan setting is richly described, showing the challenges of protecting the peace in such a large territory. The supporting characters are well developed and act true to their nature. I especially liked that the other Alaska State Troopers acted as a professional and supportive organization. Meaning, I liked that there was not the trope of the a-hole boss who the hero is battling.

.Where the story fell short of ideal: There isn’t much to pick on in this one. The logic, when examined from the backend forward, is a pretty straight line with no breaks. That’s not always the case with thrillers as they seek to surprise the reader with a twist. Ward put in the time and sweat equity to unearth the clues, using the technology and other resource available to the troopers. The story largely avoided use of coincidences. There was one, single scene where I didn’t follow how the BGs got to a certain place. Could have been convenient for the story or me just missing a key detail.

Willson’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to unfold. There were times when I wanted it to move faster, but that was primarily driven by my curiosity wanting to know what the heck was going on.

The medical elements of the story are beyond my expertise to comment on. From a civilian standpoint, the scenes were well told, enabling me to understand and picture what was going on without having either an MD or a PhD.

Days after I finished Wet, Warm, & Noisy, I found myself thinking about the sci-fi premise and Ward’s actions. This only happens when a story really catches me and my own wet, warm, and noisy brain wants to know more.

Wet, Warm & Noisy was released in March 2024 and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About David A. Willson

David A. Willson, a retired Alaska State Trooper with more than two decades of service, brings unmatched authenticity to his crime fiction. During his career, he served as a certified police instructor, polygraph program coordinator, court-certified computer forensics expert and supervisor of both Major Crimes and Technical Crimes units. With over a decade in an investigative capacity, he supervised thousands of felony cases, chasing Alaska’s most dangerous criminals.

www.DavidAWillson.com

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S7E8 Going for All the Marbles

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 8, marbles is the featured game. This is GOING FOR ALL THE MARBLES by Debra H. Goldstein

PRE-ROLL

Hi everyone, TG Wolff here. Today we welcome author Debra H. Goldstein to Mysteries to Die For.

Debra is the author of Kensington's Sarah Blair mystery series. Sarah was married at eighteen, divorced at twenty-eight, and only came away from the marriage with RahRah, her Siamese cat. For a woman who is more frightened of the kitchen than murder, Sarah never imagined how hard juggling working as a law firm receptionist, helping with her twin sister’s restaurant dreams, sort-of dating, and solving murders would be. That’s why, for the sometimes sleuth, the series contains only simple recipes, like Jell-O in a Can. Start with ONE TASTE TOO MANY and nibble your way to FIVE BELLES TO MANY. The Link to Debra’s website is in the shownotes or look for her books from your favorite bookseller.

https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com

DELIBERATION

Detective Stephens is lining up her shot. Let’s help her and Chief Rollins find the loose marble. Here are the people Stephens is considering:

• Baseball Player/Arnie, a former mibster and marble collector who is following his son

• Sheila, mibster mechanic who could have been a professional marbles hustler

• Patrick, the down on his luck truck driver who likes to stir up trouble

• Mike, former gang member who was one of Sheila’s early marbles club members

Here are the facts as Chief Rollins and Detective Stephens know them:

• For the past four months, someone has been using something to damage windshields. A loud crack is reported but no projectiles have been found.

• Stephens speculates the projectile is a marble that rolls away after hitting the windshield.

• While the shots were taken all around town, they consistently came from an angle above the victim’s windshield.

• The police profile of the suspect was likely male, a loner, and having specific or unusual interests.

• Patrick, Mike, Arnie (Baseball Player), and Sheila are known for participating in slingshot marbles competitions.

• Patrick is a truck driver taking jobs with no limited lifting due to a back injury. He is angry at his disability being denied and has been caught cheating twice at marbles.

• Mike was in a gang in his youth before he found Sheila and marbles. He went into the military but was dishonorably discharged for stealing a jeep. He currently drives a Camaro.

• Baseball Player, aka Arnie, used to be a top player. He is now supporting his son and his marble dreams for as long as he has them. He gave his son his shooter, which was valuable. He drives a Tahoe.

• Sheila is the matriarch of the local marble community. She organizes the events and gives kids a place to go. She has worked hard for every success she’s had.

Game lovers, who do you think is the California Projectile Bomber?

PRINT AND E-BOOK

A reminder to mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. The companion book for Season 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one was released in March 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in the apple juice and caffeine he needs to get through finals.

Season Anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Marbles

Tombs of ancient Egyptians, ashes in Pompeii, Native American archeology, marbles have been found literally everywhere. They date back so far and to so many places, that the origins of marbles has yet to be discovered. According to the website Mental Floss, the earliest marbles were stones polished smooth by rivers. Artists made marbles from clay, stone, and glass. For centuries, these were made by hand. In 1884, mass production of clay marbles began in Akron, Ohio. The manufacturing invention lowered the price of marbles from about a penny each to a bag of 30 for a penny. Mass manufacturing of glass marbles was also an Akron, Ohio invention, this time in 1915. There’s a link in the shownotes to the article with a video of how they’re made.

When it comes to the game, Mental Floss gives us the conundrum that there is no single game called “marbles” and any game played with marbles can me called “marbles”. There are a lot of games, including the one described in today’s story.

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29486/brief-history-marbles-including-all-marble-slang

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marble_(toy)

ABOUT Debra H. Goldstein

Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of Kensington’s five book Sarah Blair mystery series, Should Have Played Poker, and IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her novels and short stories, which have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies, have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, Claymore, and Silver Falchion finalists and received Silver Falchion, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, and Alabama Writers Conclave awards. She serves on the national board of Sisters in Crime and previously was a national board member of Mystery Writers of America and president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. GOING FOR ALL THE MARBLES was written by Debra H. Goldstein. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, A Head for Murder by Rick Ollerman where headbands is the featured game

TT40: One Dead Two To Go

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is One Dead, Two To Go by Elena Hartwell

TG Wolff Review

One Dead, Two To Go is a PI Mystery. Eddie Shoes’ latest client is the worst. She lies. She cheats. And now, just after the body of her husband’s mistress is found, she’s gone missing. Eddie has to go find her…it’s the only way she’s going to get paid.

Bottom line: One Dead, Two To Go is for you if you like comedic PI mysteries where good sleuthing goes toe to toe with bad luck.

Strengths of the story. The storytelling style is the first thing I noticed. It’s fun, free, and fast-paced. Written in the same vein as Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, Hartwell’s Eddie Shoes is serious about her work. She has to be to manage the chaos around her.

Eddie Shoes, born Edwina Zapata Shultz, is the daughter of card shark and a mafioso. She’s a woman who uses her brains to make a living as a PI. She isn’t a fighter but she is tenacious and willing to go where good sense doesn’t tread. She was well developed and an easy character to cheer for.

Eddie’s mother drops in for an uninvited extended visit and decides to help out. Chava is different from most mother characters. She was 16 when Eddie was born, so this mama is only in her mid-forties. She is a slight of hand pro in addition to card player and has the same tenacity as her daughter. Chava becomes Eddie’s ad hoc assistant, bringing her own skills and connections to the case.

The story has a murder but the plot is focused on the disappearance of Eddie’s client, Kendra Hallings. Between a cheating husband and a mystery man, it seems all but certain that Kendra was kidnapped. Before Eddie can put the pieces together…she has to find them. Kendra’s life isn’t what she painted it to be. Her husband isn’t what she thought he was. And then there’s that mystery man again.

Where the story fell short of ideal: With comedic style stories, it’s often hard to check all the boxes, but this one does. The bones of the kidnapping mystery are strong with the actions of the parties being consistent with their motivations. I thought about the end for several days after reading it, following each thread to see if they stood up, and they do.

Eddie drives her part of the plot and, in doing so, forces the bad guys to act. She could have stopped looking for Kendra, and the story would have ended. Eddie, with the help of Chava, pushed this story to a satisfying end.

One Dead, Two To Go was released in 2023 from Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers. The next two books in the series – Two Heads Are Deader Than One and Three Strikes, You’re Dead are also available

About Elena Hartwell

www.elenahartwell.com

Elena Hartwell spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning her storytelling skills to fiction. In addition to writing the Eddie Shoes Mysteries, she writes the Sheriff Bet Rivers mysteries under the name Elena Taylor. She is also a senior editor with Allegory Editing, a developmental editing house, where she works one-on-one with writers to shape and polish manuscripts. Elena's favorite place to be is at Paradise, the property she and her hubby own south of Spokane, Washington.

S7E7 Death of a Dungeon Master

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 7, Dungeons and Dragons is the featured game. This is Death of a Dungeon Master by Erica Obey

PRE-ROLL

Erica’s currently hard at work on THE DECOVERLEY RIDDLE, the sequel to THE BROOKLYN NORTH MURDER In the meantime, why not check out another Watson & Doyle adventure, “Dead Man’s Switch,” in Mysteries to Die For Season 6: Move it or Lose It?

DELIBERATION

The fates were not smiling upon Darrell “The Dungeonator” Mahoney this day. But good fortune shines upon him with the sharp wits of Watson, Doyle, Mack Byrne and us. Here are the characters we have met, in order of introduction.

• Gorgo Manglebit, the gnome who was more interested in ratings than Darrell

• Alidor Silverleaf, the elf who likewise was in it for the viewers

• Tyrion Quickster, the halfling who was out $5,000 for designing his avatar

• Trixie the Mage Trainee, who was getting harassed for her deal with the pet gem start-up

• Tim the Enchanter, the head of the IT Lab who is rumored to be a hacker in his spare time

• Percy “Catstaff” Giles, the professor of poetry and reportedly powerful bard

Here is what we know:

• Mary Watson and Doyle were called to the auditorium by an alert indicating an IT issue at the D&D event. Tim had set up and was digitally running the event and reported the system crash was caused by too many people signing on simultaneously.

• Darrell was reading the introduction to the dungeon when Catstaff Zoom-bombed the event, challenging Darrell to a riddle off.

• Darrell was angry and responded by attempting to unplug the power to the virtual audience. The cord he grabbed was stripped to the wires. He died on the stage by electrocution, not by mocking as the audience really did believe.

• Tim testified that The Dungeonator and Catstaff were bitter rivals. The 176 videos supported his story.

• Percy “Catstaff” Giles testified he had moved past the rivalry and hadn’t interacted with The Dungeonator in over two years. He denied Zoom-bombing Darrell and killing him by any method.

• The gnome, elf, halfling, and mage trainee were sitting at the table on stage during the event. All had reason to be upset with Darrell.

• The video of Darrell’s death had a backdoor to a virtual world where some character had been taking bets on the outcome of the D&D game.

Byrne doesn’t have bard dread, but he does have handcuffs. On whom should he use them?

PRINT AND E-BOOK

A reminder to mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. The companion book for Season 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one released in March 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in tacos and headphones.

Season anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a role-playing game originally developed and designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. First publication was in 1974, which means this is the 50th anniversary of the game that launched the modern role-playing industry. According to Wikipedia, D&D was an advancement in traditional wargaming that allowed players to create their own characters and take on adventures in a fantasy setting. Other games on the market in the mid to late 1900s had elements of character-based role playing, game-world simulations, fantasy scenes designed. D&D was the first to put it all together. Early on, D&D experienced criticism from some religious groups for alleged promotion of witch craft, murder, satanic theme, and the presence of barely contained breasts. While the game made changes to reduce the controversial content, the controversy worked to increase sales in defiance of the outrage. D&D is playable now on table tops and online.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons#

https://dnd.wizards.com/

ABOUT Erica Obey

www.ericaobey.com

Erica Obey is the author of The Brooklyn North Murder, the first full-length Watson & Doyle mystery, as well as five other novels set in the Hudson Valley, including the award-winning The Curse of the Braddock Brides. Erica is the Past President of the MWA-NY chapter, and a frequent reviewer and judge. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and published academic work on female folklorists before she decided she’d rather be writing the stories herself.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Death of a Dungeon Master was written by Erica Obey. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Going for All the Marbles by Debra H. Goldstein where marbles is the featured game

TT39: The Taste of Datura

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Taste of Datura.

TG Wolff Review

The Taste of Datura is an adventure. Nick Terenzi purchased an intricate brass bracelet some time ago in Rome. He tried to sell it and when he couldn’t, we went to the black market. Now, the Egyptians, the Turks, a Spanish professor, the UN, and a sexy flourist all want what Nick has. Nick doesn’t know what’s special about the bracelet, only that it’s his key to staying alive.

Bottom line: The Taste of Datura is for you if you like adventures building off mythology with a touch of paranormal.

Strengths of the story. The strength of the story is the composition itself. The Taste of Datura is listed on Amazon in the fiction / literature category. This fits as Datura is a little bit of everything. There is a mystery surrounding the bracelet – what makes it special, why major players want it. There is adventure as Nick loses the bracelet, fights to get it back, and transports it to Cairo. There is mythology in the roots of the bracelet, drawing in both Greek and Roman stories. There is thrill as the few people Nick trusts start dying and Nick knows he's next. There is paranormal when Nick meets Laura, a medium whose visions show her snippets of the bracelet’s turbulent past. This story gives readers a lot to unpack.

Nick is a likeable lead. He isn’t a professional and doesn’t have “people” or resources. He has a decent amount of common sense, unless he’s around one particular beautiful woman, which is pretty funny.

Laura is interesting in her own right. Her role isn’t traditional. She isn’t a sidekick or a partner, she isn’t a love interest. The best description may be a companion storyteller as she has takes the lead in her sections in a manner similar to a romance (but without the romance). She helps us as readers get a sense of the history. She does passout a lot and her accounts to Nick are less detailed than we get with the vision, giving us a clearer vision (pun!) than Nick.

The pacing of the story is good for keeping the reader’s attention. The author uses a few techniques including, as you heard, starting the story first with the past, then the near future, before settling into the present. I appreciated the epilogue which finished telling the 1890 history, giving us a satisfying end with information that Nick will never have.

The Napoli setting was affectionately written by someone who loves the area. The detail in the location, the food and drink, and the people reflect someone who has spent time there, not just researched on GoogleEarth.

Where the story fell short of ideal: The logic of the story holds up. In an adventure story, logic isn’t as core as in a mystery, it’s more about the hunt or the chase. Nick is more of a reactive hero than a driving force, responding to the actions of the various bad guys, again, common with adventures.

Nick’s actions are true to character. There is only one character whose actions, once the fully scope is revealed, doesn’t hold true. Interestingly, those around this character comment something like “I don’t know why they did that.” It wasn’t bad as much as weak.

The editing on this could have been sharper. There were little things that jumped out as I was reading, such as Nick grabbing his left torso and one of my kindle pages having sixteen sentences beginning with the word “He.” These weren’t big detractors of an overall fun story but something readers are likely to notice.

The Taste of Datura was released in April 2024 and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Lorenzo Petruzziello

Lorenzo holds degrees in International Marketing and Economics, with a background in global marketing for the entertainment and life sciences industries. He writes in his spare time, drawing inspiration from his frequent trips to Italy, his first dating back to his childhood. THE TASTE OF DATURA is Lorenzo’s third book.

https://www.magnusmade.com/

Partners In Crime Tours

S7E6b A Checkered Past (Part 2)

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 6b, checkers is the featured game. This is A Checkered Past by Frank Zafiro

We are in part two of A Checkered Past. Investigator Stef Kopriva is on a case. The guy he occasionally played checkers with in the park across from his house is dead. Retiree Mick Darabont supposedly died from injuries incurred when he fell in the bathroom and hit his head. The police say accident, the daughter, Lula Tieton, isn’t buying it. At the funeral reception, Stef interviewed Lula’s brothers, Donald and Erin, and Mick’s apprentice Mars Claver. We pick up the story as Stef returns home after the funeral.

DELIBERATION

Stef Kopriva isn’t just working a case, he’s working for truth for his checker playing friend, Mick Darabont. He needs your help to shift through the truth, lies, and distortions. Here are the people Stef’s met, in the order he met them:

• Lula Tieton, nee Darabont, the daughter who held a grudge

• Donald Darabont, the oldest who always needed daddy’s approval

• Erin Darabont, the youngest who was blamed for his mother’s death

• Mars Claver, the apprentice who was treatment more like an indentured servant

• Sally Grayson, the nice lady from next door who was Mick’s kinda girlfiend

• Heidi Skellige, the cougar from next other door who was Mick’s other kinda girlfriend

The Mick Darabont that Stef knew was different from the man he discovered. Here is what he now knows:

• Mick Darabont died in his bathroom. The official disposition is that he fell, hit his head, and died. Mick left no will.

• Mick Darabont was reputed to be a tyrant at work and at home. Though reportedly having money, he lived in a simple apartment and had the only key.

• State law will divide the estate equally among the children unless extenuating circumstances change the rules.

• Daughter Lula Tieton is raising doubts. She has no proof other than her father is dead and people hated him.

• Donald, the eldest, owns a business that Lula says is struggling. His house was on the better side of nice.

• Erin, the youngest, is the free spirit who is totally happy with his barista lifestyle.

• Lula, the middle child, is either revered or despised by others. The latter see her as conniving, sneaky.

• Mars Claver was the faithful employee who worked himself tireless for the ungrateful Mick. He had no respect for Lula.

• Sally and Mick were good friends with benefits. For years, she cooked dinner and they watched movies several times a week. She did not appreciate Heidi nosing in.

• Heidi and Mick were the real deal, according to Heidi. She saw Sally as ‘the other woman’.

• Sally shared that all three of Mick’s children were selfish and ungrateful. She didn’t think his sons would kill him and thought Lula would get someone else to do it.

• Sally shared that Mars Claver was very intimidated by Mick. She said no way he would try to kill Mick.

• Apartment Manager Fred did not like Mick, but that wasn’t his job. He confirmed Mick was with both Sally and Heidi. Fred was on team Lula.

All right, it’s your move, what is the truth behind Mick’s death?

PRINT AND E-BOOK

A reminder to mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. The companion books for Seasons 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one was released in March 19, 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in chocolate bunny ears and the marshmallow chicks he likes to put in the microwave.

Season anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Checkers

According to the website Wonderopolis, checkers is much older than the more sophisticated chess, with the game being mentioned in the writings of Homer and Plato. Historians currently date checkers back to an archeologist find in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq. This dates to 3,000 BC. In the 12th century, the French had the idea of playing checkers on a chess board. With the updated design and accompanying rules, the game migrated to England and outward. With a game this old and that has traveled the globe, it should be no surprise that it have many names and variations. Wikipedia has an extended citation on the games, the boards, and the pieces. Even the size of the boards change. An 8x8 board is common, but 10x10 and 12x12 boards are used, too. Given the rich history and complexity of this “simple” game, Mick Darabont just may have been right.

https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/Which-Came-First:-Checkers-or-Chess#:~:text=Historians%20now%20believe%20that%20the,far%20back%20as%201%2C400%20B.C.E.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkers

ABOUT Frank Zafiro

www.frankzafiro.com

rank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. During his life, he has been a military intelligence linguist, a police officer (a twenty year career, retiring as a captain), and an independent consultant and instructor. He has taught both writing and police related topics at the collegiate level and professional venues. Through it all, he has been a writer. To date, he has published 48 novels, over 100 short stories, and appeared in over 50 anthologies. He lives in Redmond, Oregon, with his wife, Kristi, who is a teacher.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Checkered Past was written by Frank Zafiro. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Death of a Dungeon Master by Erica Obey where Dungeons & Dragons is the featured game

S7E6a A Checkered Past (Part 1)

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 6a, checkers is the featured game. This is A Checkered Past by Frank Zafiro

Today’s story is a double episode. We will hear the first half, then we’ll be back next week for the second half and Deliberation.

PRE ROLL

This week’s author is Frank Zafiro

Stefan Kopriva is a disgraced police officer-turned-investigator. In the years since he left the police department after a terrible mistake, his life has been a slow journey toward redemption. Now, a decade and a half removed from his greatest failure, he is still not entirely there. But he is closer. In this story, his involvement in the investigation at hand isn't something he seeks out, but his sense of duty to the victim is an underlying reason for doing so. Kopriva's version of "duty" is still very guilt-driven, and so he sometimes ends up in situations he'd be better off avoiding. But life, much like he discovers is also true of the game of checkers, isn't as simple and straightforward as we often think... or wish. Find more Stef Kopriva stories on Frank’s website and your favorite book retailers. https://www.frankzafiro.com/

DELIBERATION

No deliberation for this episode...look for it in Part 2

ABOUT Frank Zafiro

https://www.frankzafiro.com/

WRAP UP

TT38: Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles.

TG Wolff Review

Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles is a comedic, cozy mystery. Babs Norman is a Hollywood stunner, but instead of gracing the silver screen, she’s gumshoeing it through the star-studded streets. Hollywood’s movers and shakers are reeling as canine stars and faithful companions alike are disappearing. Babs must mingle with Tinseltown’s elite to find the hand that holds the leash.

Bottom line: Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles is for you if you like cozy-styled mysteries and fun-filled romps through the golden age of Hollywood.

Strengths of the story. One of the shining stars (ha!) of the story was the 1940 Hollywood setting. Crowens took us into the glitz and glamour of the parties, the mansions, and the sets. It was one of the most unique and detailed settings I think I have ever read. The depth of Crowens imagination is a remarkable as she brings a lost world back to life.

The characters surrounding the mystery are just as creatively detailed. Basil Rathbone of Sherlock Holmes fame and his Watson, Nigel Bruce. Myrna Loy and William Powell. Crowens takes what could have been cardboard cut outs of the icons and gives them family, relationship troubles, friends, and secrets – just like normal people. I don’t know how much research Crowens did or if the result was pure imagination, but it was a sweet result.

The character of Babs Norman and her partner Guy Brandt are a good, functional team. They were witty and engaging, but largely played the straight role to the Hollywood icons. I do look to see how much a detective drives the story. In the first half of the book, Babs goes about traditional Q&A which doesn’t yield much success. Then she decides to take a risk, grabbing control of the story and getting it moving forward.

This story has been classified as a cozy, won awards as a comedy, and listed as a historical. The steady passing and clean storytelling style is a real treat.

Where the story fell short of ideal: When it came to the motive behind the dognappings, it was as solid as it was creative. But inside of that, there were elements that felt underplayed or inconsistent. The number of dogs missing and their fame increases but there is no outcry, it isn’t picked up in the press, etc. It was believable when it was two dogs, but as it grew, I felt like the story didn’t grow with it.

While it is critical that the detective drives their story, the logic of the actions also matters. There was a point where Babs had earned her big break in the case, and then the story took a doglegged turn. She abandoned her first success for a half-heard reference. I had issues with the sudden redirection that seemed to fly in the face of the evidence.

In the category of personal preference, I struggled with the breakdown of the chapters. There are 38 chapters, most of which are seven to ten pages. Then three of the last four chapters were over 20 pages each with subsections. It confused me as I read as I was conditioned to expect the short, quick hitting chapters.

All in all, this was a clean, fun read.

Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles was released from Level Best Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Elizabeth Crowens

Elizabeth Crowens has worn many hats in the entertainment industry and has a popular Caption Contest on Facebook. She has three award-winning alternate history novels. Awards include 2020 Leo B. Burstein Scholarship from the MWA-NY Chapter, New York Foundation of the Arts grant, an Eric Hoffer Award, Honorable Mention in the Glimmer Train Awards, and two grand prize and five first prize Chanticleer Awards, including Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles.

S7E5 A Forced Card

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 5, Indian Poker or Blind Man’s Bluff is the featured game. This is A Forced Card by Ed Teja

If you like a taste of the surreal with your mysteries, check out the struggle that private investigator Matt Cramer faces. He is solving crimes in rural Silver City, New Mexico, where doing almost anything involves dealing with the magic of local witches and at least one shaman, the secrets of ranchers and desert rats, small town politics and law enforcement, and the possible involvement of aliens (and definitely some alien hunters). It’s a strange brew that tends to twist reality or expose the surreal, with more stories coming. Link to the first book, An Impossible Abduction, is in the show notes.

The series starts here: https://books2read.com/u/4ElRGO

ABOUT Indian Poker

This poker game has a lot of names. Indian poker, squaw poker, Oklahoma forehead, Indian head. According to my favorite source, Wikipedia, this is a game of probability and psychology. Ed described how we game is played so, yeah, you can see there being psychology involved. This is a one card poker game but variations exist on stud poker and Texas hold’em. I wasn’t able to find any details on the history of this game. It was difficult given how many names it has and the multiple meaning of words in the name. The tag game, blind man’s bluff, dates back to the late 15th century. And poker has existed in India since the British brought it in the 1800s. Fascinating facts that have nothing to do with today’s game. Ah well.

ABOUT Ed Teja

www.edteja.com

Ed Teja has edited magazines in Asia, been a boat bum in the Caribbean, traveled the world, and always, always, written fiction. He is currently hunkered down in rural New Mexico where he writes strange stories of strange people and teaches martial arts. His cross-genre stories emphasize the surreal around us and have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Forced Card was written by Ed Teja. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, A Checkered Past by Frank Zafiro where checkers is the featured game

TT37: Black & White

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Black & White by Justin M. Kiska

TG Wolff Review

Black & White is a mystery. This story is told in two times. Then was 1945. Stride agency investigator Francis “Fitz” Mason is hired by a retired US Ambassador to find the daughter who disappeared while dressing for her wedding. Now is 1985. Park City Police Detective Sergeant Ben Winters and Detective Tommy Mason are called to the scene of a woman’s body discovered in a field. She’s young, beautiful, and frozen solid. Winters and Mason take up the case where Uncle Fitz left off forty years ago.

Bottom line: Black & White is for you if you like mysteries driven by classic detectives, both cop and private investigator.

Strengths of the story. Black & White moves back and forth between the 1945 kidnapping case and the 1985 suspicious death case. The movement between the two periods are distinct, staying in each period for multiple chapters, with distinct indication of the change.

The 1945 story features PI Fitz Mason with a cast mixing the local rich and famous with local cops covering their own butts. The story is a solid kidnapping mystery with the who, why, and how largely making sense. Former ambassador Conrad Martin’s daughter, Lillian, went missing the morning of her wedding. Someone carried her out of her father’s mansion dressed in her wedding gown. The character of Fitz Mason is of the classic, heroic cut and is easy to cheer for. The supporting characters of Ambassador Martin, younger sister Lucy, the valet Joe Grainger, and police chief Buchanan are also well developed, three-dimensional characters who you can like, hate, laugh at, and sympathize for.

The 1985 story features police detectives Ben Winter and his partner and friend Tommy Mason. Childhood friends, they grew up listening to Uncle Fitz’s case stories. The suspicious death is intriguing. The who, why, and how are built off the 1945 case, so, while it has equal weight in the book, it feels secondary. Even in writing this review, I’m being careful to not reveal anything that would detract from your enjoyment. This is the fourth book for Ben and Tommy, so they have the history and depth of established characters. The supporting characters are more typical of police procedurals, being effective, informative, and often entertaining.

The scene setting in both 1945 and 1985 are distinctively drawn using language, clothing, and period appropriate relationships between father and daughters, men and women. I felt transported to 1945. The 1985 language was not very different from now. The biggest “feel” for the mid-80s came from Tommy looking and dressing like the original Magnum P.I.

Fitz does an excellent job of driving his story. He investigated, picked up the clues, and drove it to the next point, then the next point, etc. Ben and Tommy are more traditional cops, acting on information given to them by the evidence clerk, forensics, etc and ushering the story point to point.

Where the story fell short of ideal: To enable the two stories to be told simultaneously, the modern story had to be slowed down, so it didn’t give away the historic story. But in doing that the modern story felt to me like it was idling, sometimes waiting until Fitz made a move before Ben and Tommy took a step forward.

The logic on the kidnapping, as I said, largely made sense. However, Lillian was knocked out and carried out of a mansion busy with wedding preparation without being seen. While Fitz was investigating, he had a hard time buying that part of it and so did I. It was never explained how the kidnappers got her out of the house. In the end, it was the one flaw my head kept coming back to in a multi-faceted diamond case.

The logic on the suspicious death-why the body was dumped, the steps taken to cover up-where fun to read start to finish…but looking from finish to start, I had trouble with some of the decision making of otherwise smart characters. All three of these criticism fall are my personal preference, other readers may not notice or care about any of these.

The Black & White was released from Level Best Books, is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Justin M. Kiska

When not sitting in his library devising new and clever ways to kill people (for his mysteries), Justin can usually be found at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, outside of Washington, DC, where he is one of the owners and producers. In addition to writing the Parker City Mysteries Series, which includes Now & Then, Vice & Virtue, and Fact & Fiction, he is also the mastermind behind Marquee Mysteries, a series of interactive mystery events he has been writing and producing for over fifteen years.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers. Founded in 2011, PICT serves well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting their careers. PICT prides itself on tailored packages for authors with a personal touch from tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for Season 7 Games People Play. Episode 4 features the game Indian Poker in Forced Card by Ed Teja.

S7E4 Hard Scrabble

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 4, that classic Scrabble is the featured game. This is Hard Scrabble by KM Rockwood

PRE-ROLL

Hi everyone TG Wolff here. You are about to hear a story from KM Rockwood. She’s an awesome storyteller whose stories never quite go where you expect.

Rose, who gave “Abduction and Lies” a 5-star review on Amazon said “This book is written with the same dark realism as the others in the series. By the end of the book, Jesse's current issues are solved and I breathe a sigh of relief. Until the next time. You are never going to meet a more likeable protagonist than Jesse Damon. Or one who gets into more trouble. Or one you will worry about more.”

Check out KM’s books on her website, kmrockwood.com, Amazon, or your favorite online retailer.

DELIBERATION

Here we are at the deliberation of another Mysteries to Die For ad free episode. In exchange for not assuming you need a virtual therapist, support our authors by checking out their backlists and picking up a title. This week is KM Rockwood. Now…

Misha Soleby-Welkins is getting some kind of education working at the senior center. To pass here dissertation, she’s going to need an answer to what happened to Mr. Davidson. Here are her suspects, I mean clients, in the order we met them:

• Henry, the Scrabble rebel who uses a crutch

• Leonard, the other Scrabble rebel who walks unaided

• Corina, the flatulent woman who uses a walker

• Simon, the perpetually hungry man who uses a wheelchair

• Margaret, the group’s heart and voice of reason

• Mr. Parsons, the hottie who is the backup manager for Mr. Davison

Here are the facts Misha is working with:

• Davidson micromanaged, berated, and even injured the center’s clients, driving himself to a migraine. He leaves before lunch, walking toward his home on the other side of the tracks. Mr. Parson discovers the body some time later. It had been severed by the train.

• Simon rolled his wheelchair outside before Davidson left for a quiet place to each the muffins Misha snuck to him. Margaret went and brought him back in to avoid Davidson catching him.

• Henry goes outside for a cigarette while Misha and others prepare lunch. Margaret goes out to get him when lunch is ready.

• After a mystery lunch, Corina goes outside to spare her friends her flatulent side effects. Leonard takes the lunch trash outside.

• When Misha starts the Scrabble game, Leonard is unaccounted for. He hurries in, looking for Mr. Parsons who has not arrived.

• Leonard thought he saw Mr. Parsons’s car when he took the garbage out. Margaret says he is mistaken. Mr. Parsons and his car are stuck on the other side of the train.

Who should Misha pen as a silver killer and, for bonus points, what was that concoction she served for lunch?

A reminder to mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. The companion book for Season 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one will be released in March 19, 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in updated software and outdate T-shirts.

Season anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT KM Rockwood

kmrockwood.com

ABOUT Scrabble

According to Wikipedia, the game was originated in the US in 1931, the brainchild of architect Alfred M. Butts. The game, Criss-Crosswords, was a variation on an earlier game he created. He did make and sell the game himself but was unable to get it to catch on. Several game companies rejected picked it up. In 1948, Butts sold the rights to manufacture the game to James Brunot. A turning point came in 1952 when the department store Macy’s placed a large order for the games. Rumor was that Macy’s president played the game on a vacation and he liked it so much, he added it to their line up. Hitting big was too much for Brunot, who licenses Selchow and Righter to manufacture the game. They were one who previously turned it down. Rights to sell the game in UK and Australia were sold to JW Spear. Rights has consolidated to Hasbro in the US and Canada and Mattel everywhere else.

Scrabble has been produced in many languages as well as Braille. Scrabble organizations and scrabble tournaments exist all over the world. The world championships are held annually. If you love Scrabble, so do a lot of other people. There are friends out there, waiting for you to come play a game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrabble#:~:text=Scrabble%20is%20produced%20in%20the,outside%20the%20U.S.%20and%20Canada.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Scrabble_Championship

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Hard Scrabble was written by KM Rockwood. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, A Forced Card by Ed Teja where Indian Poker or Blind Man’s Bluff is the featured game.

TT36: Playing Dead

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Playing Dead by me, TG Wolff

TG Wolff Review

Playing Dead is a mystery. A body is put on display in Det. Jesus De La Cruz’s neighborhood. The victim isn’t random but some Cruz and the Cleveland police have been after, Alexander “Rotten” Carter. There was nothing plain and simple about this murder. Point in fact: the corpse was dressed as the king of hearts…the suicide king. Now Cruz is on the case to find answers to Carter’s killing and to the activities that hit much closer to home.

Bottom line: Playing Dead is for you if you like complex mysteries and being part of the detective’s professional and personal life.

At the time of this recording, Playing Dead was days away from release, so there are no reviews to pull from. So, I’m putting my M2D4 hat on and critiquing my own book.

Strengths of the story. Playing Dead is the 4th book in the series that deals as much with the ups and downs of the personal life of Jesus De La Cruz as it does the details of the mystery. The characters continue to grow from past novels, making it feel like we are catching up with old friends.

The main characters of Cruz, his fiancé Aurora, best friend Det Matt Yablonski, and awkward brainiac Professor Grayson Manor are fully developed, having strengths that bridge challenges and weaknesses their work against their success. The side characters often offer comedic relief to the intensity of the murder.

The mystery itself ties off storyline from the last two books. Reading prior books is not a necessity in following the mystery itself. The motivations and actions of the suspects is fully contained within this book. Reading the prior stories will be helpful in understanding the emotional strain the victim, Rotten Carter, cause to the cast of characters.

The story is told linearly including both Cruz’s on-the-clock and personal time. This drives the pacing as Cruz, like all of use, juggles the demands of a challenging professional life and a full private life, which includes a best friend who is treading dangerously close to over-the-line.

Where the story fell short of ideal: For lovers of stand-alone mysteries where the story is one-hundred-percent about the murder, the incorporation of personal life may not be as rewarding.

As with all series, starting a book four may has the potential to leave new readers feeling either like they are left out of the story or not getting as immersed in the emotions the characters are feeling. Certainly, as the author, I worked to make it welcoming to new readers, but this is always a challenge of series.

The Playing Dead was released from Down & Out Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

Join us next week for a regular episode of Season 7 Games People Play. KM Rockwood has crafted a subtle mystery that will have you thinking in Hard Scrabble, where Scrabble is our featured game.

S7E3 Cards Against Jake

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 3, Cards Against Humanity is the featured game. This is Cards Against Jake by Jim Winter

PRE-ROLL

This week's author is Jim Winter. The Dogs of Beaumont Heights is the explosive sequel to Jim Winter's Holland Bay! Fentanyl. The latest scourge of Monticello’s street. A detective, a dealer, and an ambitious police official will confront it as it changes their fates. For Detective Jessica Branson, it threatens her career. For Marcus Lincoln, it’s his ticket to the top of the Game as he moves up in the gang that still rules Holland Bay. For Derek Roberts, it’s a political football as he navigates between two ambitious candidates for mayor. They collide when a maligned breed of dog kills a little girl in the Beaumont Heights neighborhood. Find The Dogs of Beaumont Heights at your favorite online retailer.

DELIBERATION

Jack, let’s take ten second to point out that Mysteries to Die For remains ad free. In exchange for not making you move to hit the fast forward button, support our authors by checking out their backlists and picking up a title. This week is Jim Winter. Now…

Detective Ana Friedman is never going to live down that Jake Randall died while she was on the toilet. The best we can do is help her close this case fast. Here are the Cards Against Humanity players:

• Ana Friedman, detective, who was was indisposed at the critical time

• Melanie Dunlop, Ana’s partner who wanted to play cards instead of listen to jazz

• Vic Holmes, party host and cocktail mixer

• Regina Mallory, Vic’s sweet, mousy girlfriend

• Stan Cheswicz, the building manager who was fixing the sink

Here are the facts Ana has to work with:

• Five friends were playing Cards Against Humanity.

• Jake was high and had been drinking. He played his cards for maximum insult to the ladies. Only Regina seemed to be bothered.

• Stan carried a grudge against Jake for calling a TV station over a maintenance issue, which cause trouble for Stan with the home office.

• At a break, Ana went to the bathroom. Melanie and Jake stayed at the table. Vic, Regina, and Stan were in the kitchen at the same time.

• Vic made five drinks, all bourbon with cream. Only Ana’s did not get cream. Regina poured the cream and served the drinks.

• The five players – less Ana – drank in a toast. Jake instantly sickened. Vic attempted to resuscitate him. Regina seemed panicked.

• Jake died of strychnine poisoning, a compound Stan kept in his toolbox for dealing with rats.

Which player has overplayed their hand?

A reminder to mystery readers to check out our print and e-books companion book. Seasons 4, 5 and 6 are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one will release in March 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack from coming down with ramenitis…from eating only ramen.

ABOUT Jim Winter

https://jimwinterbooks.com

Jim Winter is the crime fiction name of science fiction author TS Hottle. He published his first novel as Jim Winter in 2005 with Northcoast Shakedown, the debut novel of Cleveland PI Nick Kepler. He also wrote Road Rules, a road trip from hell. For many years, as Jim Winter, he wrote short stories for Thrilling Detective, Plots with Guns, and more recently, the Steely Dan-inspired anthology A Beast Without a Name. His essays and articles also appeared in January Magazine, The Rap Sheet, and Mystery Scene. After taking a break to be TS Hottle and focus on SF, he returned to crime fiction. In 2020, he signed a deal with Down & Out Books to publish Holland Bay, best described as The Wire meets 87th Precinct.

He lives in Cincinnati where he works as a software developer and shares a Cape Cod with his wife, Candy, who is one of Nick Kepler’s biggest fans.

So, crime fiction lovers, check out Jim’s website for his backlist. And if you cross over into sci fi or loves someone who does, point them to TS Hottle.

ABOUT Cards Against Humanity

Cards Against Humanity wasn’t the brainchild of some corporate toy company. The party game for horrible people was started by a group of friends creating a game of their own for a New Year’s Eve party. In 2010, they put up a Kickstarter that got them going. According to the Cards Against Humanity website, they made a lot of money and did a lot of stupid things with the money, and then gave a bunch to charity to balance things out. The point of the game is to make jokes and have fun. Apparently, the formula is a winner. A 2018 report showed Amazon alone sold 90,000-120,000 units of the base game or expansion packs per month. Fun fact: a free download of the game pdf is available from their website. With a little arts and crafts time, you can make your own Cards Against Humanity set.

https://www.cardsagainsthumanity.com/

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Cards Against Jake was written by Jim Winter. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Hard Scrabble by KM Rockwood where Scrabble is the featured game.

TT35: Objects of Desire

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Objects of Desire.

TG Wolff Review

Objects of Desire is a PI Mystery. Two years ago, PI Rita Mars broke up with Diane Winter. It was loud and messy end to their relationship. Now Diane is missing and the note left behind points in Rita’s direction. Juggling a case of corporate embezzlement, Diane’s disappearance, and a mother with early dementia means Rita has to do a lot of juggling to keep the balls in the air and her butt out of jail.

Bottom line: Objects of Desire is for you if you like mysteries without murder, female-centric plots, and clean storytelling.

Strengths of the story. The second in the Rita Mars thriller series, Objects of Desire is listed as an LGBTQ+ Mystery and Women’s Detective Fiction on Amazon. I do agree with the genres of mystery and detective fiction, moreso than thriller. Rita runs her own PI agency and juggles two cases, keeping both stories moving forward. While there were implied threats to Rita from the police investigation, this was a subplot, which placed the mysteries front and center.

The characters of Rita, her assistant Beverly Hills, her best friend Mary Margaret Smooth, and IT wizard Roswell were comfortable in their roles, which reflected this being the second book in the series. Rita was a PI who relied on her team to extend her reach and resources. As compared to other PI characters, she runs a team and uses them to their strengths. The characters were both likable and interesting. Rita’s mother played the role of the comic relief with her sugar and Oreo obsession.

I have not read the first Rita Mars story but had no problem reading Objects of Desire. Webster did a nice job of giving new readers the information needed to jump into Rita’s world.

Webster’s storytelling style is clean, without cursing, sex, or on-stage violence. There is the implication and threat of violence but not actual depiction of, which makes this a great choice for readers who prefer classic mystery styles of Miss Jane Marple, Nero Wolfe, and others. On the spectrum of cozy to hard boiled, this is closer to the cozy end.

The financial mystery was well developed. While Rita developed the theories, the technical nature of the crimes meant that Roswell did more of the leg work than Rita. This worked to keep the story progressing while Rita worked on Diane’s case.

The kidnapping mystery was a straighter story. The biggest challenge here is there was nothing for Rita or the cops to start from. Rita had to return to PI gumshoe roots, working through all of Diane’s friends, acquaintances, and other exes to get to a clue that led somewhere.

This mystery is categorized as LGBTQ+ with the majority of the main characters being gay. Rita Mars and OBJECTS OF DESIRE stands as a solid mystery because of the plot, not because of the characters’ enduring attraction to the same sex. While being gay is central to Rita’s identity, much as being from Belgium was central to Poirot, it has no bearing on her capability as a PI. If you are a reader looking for a lead from the LGBTQ+ community, read Rita Mars. If you are a reader looking for a clean mystery with an intelligent PI, read Rita Mars.

Where the story fell short of ideal. Considering OBJECTS OF DESIRE as a mystery, there was a lot to like, as already mentioned, but I had a few minor items. I did think that the urgency of finding Diane was undermined by both the financial case and Rita’s mother, at times slowing down the pacing of the storytelling. The evidence in the financial case evolved consistently where Diane’s case turned when Rita latched on to a single comment during an interview. The smoothness of the former heightened the abruptness of the latter for me. Finally, I struggled with Rita’s actions in the ending being consistent with her approach and decision making throughout the book. None of these affected the overall logic of the storylines or appeal of the characters.

The Objects of Desire is published by Valerie Webster with Ignited Ink Writing and promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Valerie Webster

Valerie Webster spent a career developing law enforcement applications for surveillance, security and forensics. She has also been a triathlete and a crime reporter. She honed her writing skills through “Sisters in Crime” and “Mystery Writers of America’s” mentoring program. Valerie makes her home near Boulder, CO.

https://valeriewebster.com/

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for a new episode in season 7 Games People Play. Episode 3 is Cards Against Jake by Jim Winter where Cards Against Humanity is our featured game.

S7E2 A Scent of Murder

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 2, cow flop bingo is the featured game. This is A Scent of Murder by Paul A Barra.

PRE-ROLL

This week’s author is Paul A. Barra. The author of "A Scent of Murder," today’s story, Paul A. Barra has written and published five novels. His latest was WESTFARROW ISLAND, a finalist for the Silver Falchion. One of his short stories was selected for the award-winning MWA anthology WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN. His historical juvenile adventure, SAMSON AND THE CHARLESTON SPY, will be published by Level Best Books in August 2024.

DELIBERATION

Before we get into the who and why of the story, I want to let you all know that Mysteries to Die For remains ad free. In exchange for not making you move to hit the fast forward button, support our authors by digging into their backlists and picking up a title. This week is Paul A Barra. Check out his catalogue on his website and your favorite book retailer. Now…

Deputy Sandy Buford has been doing a lot of running around but doesn’t seem to be getting any place. Let’s see if we can help him out. Here are the people who were in Emory James’s house when he could have been killed:

• Adele James, the wife who was broken by her husband’s murder

• Susan James, eldest daughter, thin and pale, probably not strong enough to plunge a knife into a big man.

• Sarah James, younger daughter, stayed up witnessing the two pols get drunk.

• Frank Burns, lobbyist #1, spent his time eating and drinking with his friend Sam (below)

• Samuel Cohen, lobbyist #2. Both lobbyists looked as if they'd just gotten out of bed when Adele's scream woke the house.

• Mutt James, Emory’s brother

• Beauty Barnes, the caterer working the weekend at the James house, wife of Jasper.

Here are the facts as we know them.

• With the exception of Beauty Barnes, all others stayed up late together strategizing on Emory’s political future. Beauty arrived at six-thirty in the morning using her key to the kitchen door.

• Emory James did not open his hip-pocket loan operation at eight, as was normal. There had recently been a news article about his business.

• A crowd of would-be borrowers had assembled outside the door to Emory's office before 8 a.m. They all knew there was a box of cash on Emory's desk, and many of them were probably already in debt to Emory James.

• Adele James was a gambler who lost. She had recently paid her debt off.

• Adele schemed with Mutt James to win the Cow Flop Bingo, paying Beauty’s husband, Jasper, to seed the field on their squares.

• Adele knew her husband had money in his safe, including the Cow Flop Bingo money, but claimed not to know the combination. It was found in her jewelry box.

• Beauty Barnes picked up the James job for the extra money. Her husband was seen leaving the house by the kitchen door. He had delivered drinks and was seen leaving with a satchel, although Beauty said they had not been paid yet.

On whose feet should Katie Hammit’s cow flop the next bingo? Who done the crime?

The companion book for the past three seasons are available in e-book and trade paperback from online retailers. This season’s book is being released in two parts. Part one will be released in March 2024 and Part two in September. Buy one for you and one for a mystery lover you love. The dimes and quarters from books sales do support the podcast and keep Jack in tacos and headphones.

Season Anthologies on Amazon

ABOUT Paul A Barra

Paul A. Barra is a chemistry teacher, a former newspaper reporter, and Naval officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V and other decorations for his service on the rivers of the Mekong Delta. He is married and has eight children with his wife, the former Joni Lee. They reside in Columbia, South Carolina.

Help support Paul and make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he’s ever made by going to his website and buying his books. Then write a review and help other mystery lovers find him.

https://paulbarra.com/

ABOUT Cow Flop Bingo

Also known as cow plop bingo and cowpie bingo. There are several videos on YouTube, see the link in the show notes. From my (not) extensive research, cow flop bingo is often played as a fun way to raise money for a charitable cause with the winner splitting the pot with the charity. When did cow flop bingo originate? No idea. Couldn’t find anything on it. I suspect it wasn’t long after humans domesticated cows that some bored cowhand bet the other bored cowhand where a particular cow would poop next. It seems like something guys would do. Turns out, this game can be more than a walk in the field. First, it can take hours for a cow to get down to business. Then there is the complications of the cow pattie landing in more than one square. In Connecticut, cow flop bingo is regulated under state code 17-231 An Act Concerning Municipalities and Bingo Games, Bazaars, and Raffles where qualifying organizations can conduct a cow-chip raffle once a calendar year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz7FgPZSMSA

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/act/pa/pdf/2017PA-00231-R00HB-07070-PA.pdf

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Scent of Murder was written by Paul A. Barra Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story, Cards Against Jake by Jim Winter where Cards Against Humanity is the featured game.

TT34: The January Corpse

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The January Corpse by Neil Albert

Interesting tidbit before we start, the Dave Garrett series was planned as a 12 book series. Books 1-6 were published between 1991 and 1996. Neil is picking up the series and re-issuing the first six, the first of which is today’s toe tag, The January Corpse. The Dave Garrett series is set in 1990. Cell phones were on the scene but weren’t every day like they are now and were meant for, wait for it, making phone calls. There was no internet, no smart phones, and people still used payphones. That’s right, we are going old school with The January Corpse!

TG Wolff Review

The January Corpse is a PI Mystery. Former lawyer turned investigator Dave Garrett is picking up sloppy seconds with this case. The family of Daniel Wilson has filed suit to declare the man missing for 7 years as dead to claim the life insurance benefit. What should be a chore of routine investigation into a cold case gets messy, mean, and dirty in the blink of an eye.

Bottom line: The January Corpse is for you if you like fast-thinking private eyes, cases with too many loose ends, and action and adventure in Pennsylvania Dutch country.

Strengths of the story. Dave Garrett is an intellectual PI who uses his head rather than brute force for investigating. Being an ex-attorney, he is a different take on a private investigator than characters with backgrounds in law enforcement or military. Dave has some emotional scars, making him an interesting character and somewhat outsider.

The mystery itself is the right size for something solved in 3 days. You would think after 7 years, it wouldn’t be so easy to solve the disappearance of Dan Wilson. Does Dave get lucky? Some could say that, but he invested the time and tenacity that ended up paying off. No one gifted him with the answers, he earned every single one. This is one of the biggest strengths, Dave Garrett is the hero of his story.

The setting is Philadelphia, 1990. I loved the details on Philly and the surrounding area, the kind that come from an author really knowing the area. For example, there is a passage discussing the odd travel patterns. Some days, it takes 10 minutes to get into the city, then you’re stuck in gridlock for 3 blocks. Other times it takes 90 minutes and once you’re in the city, you’re free an clear. You don’t get those types of observations using Google Earth. The descriptions of the neighborhoods, people, and buildings give texture to the story.

The pacing is excellent for those of us looking for a reason to binge read a book in one sitting (yeah, I did that.) When Dave gets the case Friday morning, it’s with the expectation of appearing in court to testify on Monday. The clock starts ticking immediately. I like that part of the story includes Dave weighing what is the best use of his limited time – especially limited business hours. In that short period, there is a fight, a car chase, a hostage situation, and a hot chili pepper romance scene.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Not much to pick on here. The logic of the story held up well, something I always look for. The events that were surprising and action packed when reading fully made sense with the benefit of hindsight. As is often the case with PI stories, people lie to Dave but he sniffs out the truth in a way where he does the heavy lifting of sleuthing (i.e. no coincidences, etc) and the lies make sense.

A word of warning and an explanation – you may see some typesetting errors, like open quotes at the end of dialog instead of closed quotes. Talking with Neil, technology has been working against him, as it does all of us at one time or another. He’s aware of them and working to correct. If you find one, treat it like a 4-leaf clover, something to smile about as you continue reading this very excellent story.

The January Corpse was released on Amazon and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Neil Albert

Neil Albert is a trial lawyer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and this book is based on a real presumption of death hearing. He has completed nine of the projected twelve books in the Dave Garrett series and hopes to finish with December within the next two years. His interest in writing mysteries was kindled by reading Ross Macdonald. Neil operates a blog with an in-depth analysis of each of Macdonald’s books. In his younger years, he was an avid fox hunter. His best memory is that he hunted for fifteen years and was the only member not be to seriously injured at least once.

Catch Up With Neil Albert: www.neilalbertauthor.com

Thank you for joining us this week. Come back next week for Mysteries to Die For, Season 7 Games People Play. Cow flop bingo is our featured game in A Scent of Murder by Paul A. Barra.

S7E1 Who Killed the Faro Cheat?

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Episode 1, the card game faro is the featured game. This is Who Killed the Faro Cheat? by Larry M. Keaton

DELIBERATION

Captain Rake Caldeen doesn’t want to play sheriff, but he’s the only one who can do the job of solving Sweeney’s murder…with our help, of course. Here is a list of the camp folks who aren’t dead, in the order Caldeen met them:

• Java, nephew of saloon owner whose mother was killed in San Francisco.

• Boots (deceased), miner who Sweeney owed money.

• Boston, the Faro dealer who shares a tent with Java.

• Mrs. Erin Quinn, the owner of the saloon, aunt to Java.

• Mr. Wyeth, businessman who is trying to appoint himself leader of the camp.

• Samson and Ezekiel, Sweeney’s abused slaves.

• Brown Brothers, miners with the claim next to Sweeney.

Here are the facts Caldeen has to work with:

• Boots fought with Sweeney over the debt and threated to stab him if he didn’t pay up.

• Boston caught Sweeney cheating at Faro and chased it out at knife point. Mrs. Quinn banned him from the saloon.

• The copper Sweeney gambled with was the missing half to the one Java had. It was last scene with his mother before she was killed.

• Mr. Wyeth reportedly battled with Sweeney over land. Sweeney claim was blocking the road Wyeth wanted to build.

• Samson and Ezekiel were brought in to work the claim, though slavery is illegal in California.

• The Brown Brothers didn’t like their neighbor, Sweeney, saying he stole from them.

• Sweeney was killed sometime during the night. Theodore Brown heard Sweeney argue with someone who he referred to as ‘boy’. Theodore was also the one who saw Samson standing over Sweeney’s body the next morning.

• Sweeney was stabbed with a large knife. Every suspect owns a knife. The blood pool has a small ball near it.

• Sweeney bled out near his tent with the queen of hearts shoved in his mouth. The same card he had made a comment about during Faro.

All right punters, on whose head are you going to put your gold dust?

ABOUT FARO

Faro is not a poker game but a card game all its own. Larry did a nice job in the story teaching us how it’s played. According to Wikipedia, Faro originated in France with the earliest references found in the last 1690s to early 1700s. It seems the word came from the court of Louis XIV who picked the name from the image of a pharaoh on the French-made cards. The spelling changed but the pronunciation stayed the same. Faro spread throughout Europe and eventually into the US. It was very popular in the 1800s and could be found in nearly every gambling hall. An 1882 study cited Faro as the most popular form of gambling based on money bet each year.

Faro was wildly popular and it was wildly common for the house to cheat. Played straight, the odds only slightly favored the house and the payouts were good. Hoyle’s Rules of Games, a bible of various card games and rules, reportedly began their faro section by warning readers that there wasn’t an honest game in the US. Doctored shoots and slight of hand worked to increase the house’s edge on the odds. Criminal prosecutions were referenced from 1803 and 1835.

The players cheated, too, just like in today’s story. Moving bets by slight of hand or use of a thread and removing coppers were common cheats and, not surprisingly, caused more than a few brawls. I’m sure today’s body, Sweeney, would have preferred a good butt kicking to what he got.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_(banking_game)#:~:text=Faro%20(%2F%CB%88f%C9%9B%C9%99ro%CA%8A,a%20banker%20and%20several%20players.

ABOUT Larry M. Keeton

With a 43-year Army career and county government service, Larry Keeton has plenty of unique characters to choose from in his short stories. His 51-years of marriage to his high school sweetheart has provided him ample lessons of dialogue best never said. His first published story, “Some Treats are Nasty Tricks,” appeared in the September 2023 issue of Mystery Magazine. To be accepted, and then lead off then lead off season 7 of Mysteries to Die For is a tremendous honor.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Who Killed the Faro Cheat? was written by Larry M. Keaton. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, which is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then come back in two weeks for our next original story A Scent of Murder: The Cow Flop Bingo Caper by Paul A. Barra where, well, cow flop bingo is the featured game.

TT33: Broadcast Blues

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Broadcast Blues.

TG Wolff Review

Broadcast Blues is an amateur sleuth mystery. Channel 10 News’s Clare Carlson prayed to the news gods for an explosive lead story and she got it. A car bombing in the middle of New York City killed private investigator Wendy Kyle. Wanting to break the story to stave of the station’s new owners, Clare starts digging and discovers Kyle was into more than just cheating husbands.

Bottom line: Broadcast Blues is for you if you like brassy female leads, the pressure and pace of local TV news, and a mystery you can sink your teeth into.

Strengths of the story. Clare Carlson is a fully established character who is comfortable in her own skin. She is confident and has a sharp edge that she wields on her executive producer, some witnesses, and the occasional ex-husband. Perhaps those characteristics are the reason she thrived in the industry. In this story, she is dealing with the imminent approach of her 50th birthday, the reality of three failed marriages, and a complicated relationship with the daughter she gave up for adoption. She isn’t a two-dimensional character but juggles work-life-play like many of us do. It was when she struggled that I most connected with Clare.

The setting of the local TV news brings a sense of urgency to everything Clare does. Often, the element of urgency can feel contrived or artificial but in Broadcast Blues, it’s a normal part of Clare’s life. It pushed Clare forward when she had little to go on.

The story has a nice level of complexity. At first, it seems like there is too wide a field of suspects, those being all the unfaithful spouses Kyle exposed. The story settles into a single line of investigation at a pace that, in my opinion, was just right. It wasn’t too fast, jumping to a conclusion, and it wasn’t so slow, drawing things out. I especially liked the ending. It wasn’t predictable, it was exciting, and wrapped up the whodunnit questions.

This is the 6th book in the Clare Carlson Mystery Series and I have not read the previous books. The mystery is stand alone and does not rely on knowledge from prior books. There are some continuing characters and Clare’s character arc that do bridge across books but Belsky gives us what we need to understand without making you feel like you’ve been left out.

Where the story fell short of ideal: I did have a challenge with an element of the writing style – there were several passages where I lost who was speaking in extended back-and-forth dialog. Consistently, there were only two people speaking, but sometimes there were other people in the room. Each time I lost track, I pulled out of the story to back track and to figure out who was speaking. Other readers may read through the passages without the issues I had.

Standing at the end looking back, I have a few questions. They aren’t about the heart or the logic of the mystery itself- that is solid. My questions are on one particular detail that pushed the investigation forward. If you tend not to reverse engineer a mystery, then you’ll enjoy Broadcast Blues for dynamic storytelling that it is.

The Broadcast Blues was released from Oceanview Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About R.G. Belsky

R.G. Belsky is an award-winning author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City. His newest mystery, BROADCAST BLUES, was published on January 2 by Oceanview. It is the sixth in a series featuring Clare Carlson, the news director for a New York City TV station. The first book, Yesterday’s News, was named Best Mystery of 2018 at Deadly Ink. The second, Below the Fold, won the Foreward INDIES award for Best Mystery of 2019. Belsky has published 20 novels—all set in the New York city media world where he has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine and NBC News. He also writes thrillers under the name Dana Perry. And he is a contributing writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.

Join us next week for the first story in Season 7: Games People Play. We welcome a new writer to the Mysteries to Die For podcast, Larry M. Keeton. The card game faro is the featured game in “Who Killed the Faro Cheat?”

S6E13 Jack Frost's Last Etching

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for us to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 13, Jack Frost is the featured jack. This is Jack Frost’s Last Etching by TG Wolff

Welcome to our last show of Season 6 and of 2023. This had been a fun season with our authors delivering great takes on the word “Jack.” You never know what you are going to get when you create a theme or a prompt. We thank you for being part of mysteries to die for and hope you enjoy this final jack story.

ABOUT Jack Frost

According to Wikipedia, Jack Frost has origins in Anglo-Saxon and Norse winter customs. The personification of winter in some places and autumn and winter in others, there are versions of Jack Frost found in Finnish, Swedish, and Russian folklore. Like many traditions born from folklore, there are as many differences as commonalities. In some, Jack is more monstrous, nipping fingers and toes in cold weather, and the more deadly danger of sleet, ice, and freezing cold. Beginning in the last 1800s, we started being depicted as more of a sprite-like character, sometimes mischievous, something sinister, sometimes heroic. Jack Frost was said to leave frosty, fern patterns on windows. He is sometimes depicted with a paint brush and bucket for painting leaves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Frost

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Jack Frost’s Last Etching was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT32: The Legacy

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is The Legacy by CL Tolbert. The Legacy was released from Level Best Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About CL Tolbert

https://www.cltolbert.com/

Licensed in Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, Cynthia Tolbert retired after thirty-five years of practicing law and began writing full time. After winning the Georgia State Bar Fiction Writing Contest, she developed the winning short story into the first novel in the Thornton Mystery Series, OUT FROM SILENCE, published in 2019. Cynthia taught at Loyola Law School for several years where she directed a homeless clinic, and worked with third year law students in actual cases. All of these experiences have informed her fiction.

She is an avid reader, a mother of two, and a grandmother to three beautiful girls. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and schnauzer, Yoda.

TG Wolff Review

The Legacy is a mystery / legal thriller. Professor Emma Thornton’s newest case is complicated. Jeremy Wilcox is accused of killing his mother, stabbing her to death. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, Jeremy is off his meds in jail, making communication difficult. He has a history of self-medicating with painkillers and escaping from the local hospital’s mental health ward. The family dynamic is dysfunctional, support is non-existent, and answers to even basic questions are not forthcoming.

Bottom line: The Legacy is for you if you like legal thrillers where it takes more than evidence to get to the truth.

Strengths of the story. This is the fourth story in the Emma Thornton series. The cast of characters are mature, each comfortable in their skin. Tolbert’s detailed and loving description of New Orleans IS a treat. I have only been a visitor to the city a handful of times but feel like she transports me onto the streets and into the culture.

Tolbert also does a very nice job of giving us a meaningful story without crossing the line into a lesson driven story. She explores the idea of and consequences of heredity. In the Wilcox storyline, it is the genetic heredity of schizophrenia and the impact it has on a leading New Orleans family. This is paralleled with Emma having to face to other legacies that hit closer to home. As her 14-yr-old twins start experimenting and rebelling, Emma has to confront their father’s legacy of alcoholism. At the same time, she realizes she had passed on traits that drive her to excel in one area, even at the cost of others. It is an excellent study and very well done.

The Legacy is listed on Amazon as a mystery and traditional detective. Those are reasonable genre descriptions. Certainly, they do not reflect the degree to which the legal case is front and center. Also, as Emma is a law professor, this is an amateur sleuth, not PI or cop detective. There are thriller elements in the resolution, which lead me to the opinion that legal thriller or legal mystery (making up my own genre here) give a more accurate impression of this story.

While this is the 4th, readers can jump in right here. There is a continuing growth arc with Emma, her new husband Ren, and Emma’s two boys, but Tolbert does a nice job of giving us what we need to know them without leaving us feeling left out. Of course, if you are one of those reader who CAN NOT NOT start at book one, by all means, pick up OUT OF SILENCE to start from the beginning.

Where the story fell short of ideal: There isn’t a lot to pick on here. Looking from the end back (as you know I like to do), the story holds up. The mystery is made up of different layers where looking at the whole implies a different story than when you take apart the individual layers. Emma is true to her character, even when its going to cause her problems. The issues related to mental health are hard for me to develop an opinion of reasonableness, as that is exactly what mental health issues are not. At the end of the book, Tolbert sites that this story was formed and informed from her experiences working pro bono on cases like this. I trust that her representation of mental health issues, while they may not be every patient’s experience, does represent actual experiences of her and her clients. I appreciated that she represented all of the characters with dignity and individuality.

Join us next week for a special holiday episode of Mysteries to Die For, Season 6, Things That Go Jack in the Night, episode 13, Who Nipped Jack Frost by me, TG Wolff. This is the last episode of the season where Jack Frost is the featured jack.

S6E12 Detective Connelly Gets Audio Jacked

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Jack Wolff. Check him out, buy and read her stories, help other readers find him. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he could have made. In your review, tell him Tina and Jack said ‘Bonjour’.

For Episode 12, an audio jack is the featured jack. This is Detective Connolly Gets Audio Jacked by Jack Wolff

ABOUT Audio Jacks

According to Wikipedia, audio jacks are in a family of electrical connectors, typically used for analog audio signals. Audio jacks keep company with phone jacks, headphone jacks, and jack plugs. The connector was first developed for used in telephone switchboards in the 1800s. The quarter inch size is a descendant of the jack developed around 1877 used in Boston, MA. In February 1884, C. E. Scribner was issued a US Patent for a “jack-knife” connector which is where the “jack” originated. Scribner advanced the design, adding more patents, In 1902, Henry P. Clausen received a patent of his own on am improved design that is still used on musical equipment, especially electric guitars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)

ABOUT Jack Wolff

Jack is half of the brain power behind Mysteries to Die For. Now finishing it’s sixth season, Jack writes and performs the musical arrangements and produces the show. He maintains the show’s fresh air by staunchly refusing to edit out his mother’s mistakes, no matter how much she begs.

Jack attends Ball State University, studying media production, is a member of the Pride of Mid-America Marching Band, and has performed as part of Veritas, a WGI Independent World Class ensemble based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Detective Connolly Gets Audio Jacked was written by Jack Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT31: The Medusa Murder

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

TG Wolff Review

The Medusa Murders is an amateur sleuth mystery. Professor Bay “L.L.” Browning is drawn into a serial killer’s world when her coat is found at a crime scene. The killer has an agenda and a style, one that emulates the mythical Medusa turning her victims to stone. Her knowledge of art and mythology turns out to be the expertise the police need.

Bottom line: The Medusa Murders is for you if you like clean mysteries with a cozy feel and centering on art and mythology.

Strengths of the story. The Medusa Murders is classified on Amazon as amateur sleuth, women’s crime fiction, and contemporary women’s fiction. It absolutely is an amateur sleuth follow-along mystery. Crime fiction has become the broader term for stories involving crime, so it fits again. Contemporary women’s fiction is a story of a woman’s growth through the story. This is an element of the story but is most applicable to the secondary stories. While it is not listed as a Cozy, the clean storytelling style (no cursing), lack of on-screen violence, and prominent role of interesting and quirky specialties (classic art and mythology), make The Medusa Murders a good fit here, too.

The setting in a fictional Wisconsin college in the winter is a nice variation on a small town setting. The social complexities of working inside higher ed gives a “peak behind the curtain” from what life looks like from a professor’s perspective.

The story does a nice job of showing Bay having to juggle her work responsibilities and family problems that includes her ex-con sister showing up at her door, while also working to find a link between the murders and mythology.

All in all, it’s a fun read. For those who dig mythology or know their way around classic art about mythology, you will find a lot to dig your teeth into with this one.

Where the story fell short of ideal: One of the first and biggest challenges for authors using amateur sleuth is getting the hero into the story. From the beginning, Bay doesn’t know why she is part of the investigation and, several times, makes credible arguments that someone else who knows more should be doing the work. For me, this undermined the strength and credibility of the character. Ultimately, it doesn’t affect the flow or result of the story.

It took me some time to warm up to Bay. There were times it felt like she embodied the collegiate arrogance she accused others of having. She came into her own in second half of the book and I came to like and respect her.

About Joy Ann Ribar

Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. She loves to bake, read, do wine research, and explore nature. Joy’s writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people.

Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association.

Join us next week for Mysteries to Die For, Season 6, Things That Go Jack in the Night, episode 12, Detective Connolly Gets Audio Jacked. Yes, that questionably insane detective is back with the story of his first ever case where the “jack” is an audio jack.

TT30: A Grifter's Song

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is not a single book but 35 novellas in a collection called A GRIFTER'S SONG. The collection was conceived and edited by Frank Zafiro with episodes written by Frank and 30 other authors, myself included. I have for you today the first chapter of the 1st book, THE CONCRETE SMILE, and the 4th chapter of the last book, INTO THE DYING SUN, both written by Frank Zafiro.

TG Wolff Review

A GRIFTER'S SONG is a Crime Thriller series. Sam and Rachel are long time lovers and lifelong grifters. No mark is too big, no scheme too hot. They zigzag across the continent, looking to make the next score and stay ahead of Little Vincent and the Philadelphia mob. From the first book to the last, nothing is sacred. . . except the love they have for each other.

Bottom line: A GRIFTER'S SONE is for you if you get your thrills cheering for heroes who live on the other side of the tracks.

Strengths of the series: Zafiro created a world for the grifters with a full backstory that drives Sam and Rachel’s continuous need to move on. They have a few trusted acquaintances, including a computer hacking expert, and too many enemies, thanks to the long arms of the Philadelphia mob.

All novellas are under 30,000 words, or about 100 pages, making them easy reads that fit into a busy lifestyle. Stories have equivalent ratings of PG to R, but most are pretty hard core. Lol, my episode, #30 GOOD FOR IT, was definitely as lighter end.

Each story is a unique blend of Zafiro’s world and the imagination and style of the individual authors. Sam and Rachel remain true to themselves and each other, no matter what situation they are thrown into.

Where the story fell short of ideal: The series concept is well developed and provides a framework that is defined enough to provide continuity but is open enough to give authors room to work. Readers are bound to have favorite stories and stories they like less – I certainly do. If you don’t love one, I encourage you to read on. This is a very satisfying series.

Where to find A GRIFTER'S SONG

All books in A GRIFTER's SONG were released from Down & Out Books and are available from AMAZON and other book retailers.

About Frank Zafiro

Frank writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. Frank served in the U.S. Army from 1986-91 in military intelligence as a Czechoslovak linguist. In 1993, he became a police officer in Spokane, Washington. During his career, he worked as a patrol officer, corporal, and detective. In 2002, he became a sergeant and entered into leadership roles. He was fortunate enough to command patrol officers, investigators, the K-9 unit, and the SWAT team. He retired from law enforcement in 2013 as a captain in order to write full time and to teach

S6E11 The Crackpot's Jackpot

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

For Episode 11, a jackpot is the featured jack. This is The Crackpot’s Jackpot by TG Wolff

Research

Jesse Burkett and Patsy Tebeau were real players for the Cleveland Spiders. Burkett was one of the best players, leading the batting statistics. He went on to have a long career as a player and then a manager. Tebeau was the player manager for the 1895 series, the one where Cleveland won the Temple Cup, a precursor to the World Series. From the records, the summer of 1895 was one for the record books in Cleveland and elsewhere. Temperatures soared in the period that pre-dated the luxury of air conditioning.

ABOUT Jackpot

The first known use of “Jackpot” was in 1865 according to Merriam-Webster. It was a hand or a game of draw poker in which a pair of jacks or better was required to open. This game is still played today, but largely isn’t known by the name. Today, the more common meaning is a top prize in a game or contest that is usually the accumulation of unwon prizes. A Lottery is an example. The consistent part of all the definitions is that the game or contest isn’t necessarily won each time it’s played and the money for the non-winning games is carried over. Interestingly, there was a 3rd definition, cited chiefly used in the Western US, where jackpot means a tight spot, a jam. Not the way we use the word here.

A link to Merriam Webster is in the show notes. Read something from the dictionary once a day. You’ll learn something that will entertain you.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackpot

FYI, crackpot was first used in 1883. It means given to erratic or widely foolish notions. Interesting to me at least is there is only one definition and the meaning is the same as in 1883. LOL, when I scrolled down, there was a kid’s definition: a crazy or very strange person.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackpot#dictionary-entry-1

Finally, I want to share some insults. In writing this story, I needed time-appropriate insults. Thank you Mental Floss for your 2018 article on Francis Grose's A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, first published in 1785. They culled it to their top 25. Here are my favorite 5:

1. Bob tail. “A lewd woman, or one that plays with her tail; also an impotent man, or an eunich.”

2. Lobcock A large relaxed penis, also a dull inanimate fellow.”

3. Unlicked Cub A rude uncouth young fellow.

4. Shag Bag “A poor sneaking fellow, a man of no spirit.”

5. Shabbaroon “An ill-dressed shabby fellow; also a mean-spirited person.

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/527096/25-great-insults-18th-century-british-slang

MysteryRat’s Maze

Mystery lovers, have you heard of Mysteryrat’s Maze podcast. Lorie Lewis Ham and Kings River Life Magazine bring you mystery short stories, and first chapters of mystery novels, read and brought to life by local actors. To listen to the episodes, and subscribe to the podcast, you can go to mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com or

https://kingsriverlife.com/category/area-arts/podcasts/

ABOUT TG Wolff

Like you, I’m not one thing. I’m a writer, an engineer, a wife, and a mother. What is first on the list depends on the day. Beyond the title I claim, I’m a person who loves learning and thoroughly enjoys a good puzzle, is creative and gets bored easily. My guilty pleasures are Victorian and regency romances, so I thought I’d try my hand at a period mystery. This is the second short set in 1895, in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

TT29: Second Term

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag

Today’s featured release is Second Term by JM Adams.

The Second Term was released from Oceanview Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About JM Adams

JM ADAMS has more than 15 years of on-air television journalism experience, reporting for CBS and NBC news affiliates across the United States. Highlights from his career include sea patrols with the Navy after the 9/11 attacks and reporting on location from Kuwait, Iraq, and a number of hurricane disaster zones across the country. Adams was briefly detained in East Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Second Term is his debut novel.

Adams lives in Northern New Jersey with his wife, two daughters, and a pair of Cavashons who appear to have taken over the house.

TG Wolff Review

Second Term is a Political Thriller. Cora Walker represents the best of US intelligence and skills. Sixteen years after leading a campaign to protect the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya, she is pressed into action again. This time, she is defending the Capital and Speaker of the House against a homegrown attack.

Bottom line: Second Term is for you if you love tense, political thrillers built from today’s headlines.

Strengths of the story. This story is told in three parts. First is a 2012 invasion of the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya. The second is 2028, post presidential election and set the scene for Cora as the press secretary for the Speaker of the House. The third is January 2029 and the chaos accompanying a president who does not want to step down.

The first thing that pops out about this story is the intensity. Adams doesn’t waste words as he builds worlds both in Libya and Washington, D.C. We see both worlds through the eyes of the efficient, no-nonsense Cora Walker. The intensity drives the pacing and, for me, kept the pages turning.

The texture to this book is notable. JM Adams takes us to the places he has been not just through visual description but through sounds and smells. It adds a layer to the scenes making them richer and more real.

Cora Walker is a strong character who acts independently and according to her moral code. The things she does engaging the enemy places her with other elite fictional agents like Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne. She is a fun hero to cheer for.

Where the story fell short of ideal: While not short of ideal, readers are either going to love or going to hate how the main story presents a sadly easily imagined attack on US democracy by an egomaniac president who can’t accept losing and attacks everyone and everything in an effort to win.

Thrillers are one of the hard genres to resolve the storylines without breaking logic. The Benghazi story line was especially tight and stood up well. I would have liked a bit more detail on what happened, but that is a personal preference. For Parts 2 and 3, Cora acted true to her character with no flaws in her decisions. I did take some issue with the actions of other characters in developing the situation Cora had to fight her way out of. If you can get past those and/or focus on Cora, you’ll enjoy one heck of a ride.

Join us next week for Mysteries to Die For, season 6 Things That Go Jack in the Night. It is episode 11, The Crackpot’s Jackpot, by me, TG Wolff. We are back in Cleveland and the late 1800s where a jackpot is the featured jack.

S6E10 Jack the Knife

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Chuck Brownman. Check him out, buy and read her stories, help other readers find him. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he could have made. In your review, tell him Tina and Jack said ‘Bonjour’.

For Episode 10, a jackknife is the featured jack. This is Jack the Knife by Chuck Brownman

ABOUT Jackknifes

A jackknife is a clasp knife, one where the blade folds into the handle and have been around since antiquity. The term jackknife dates to the mid seventeenth century and arose in the north of England or in Scotland. The question is where did the “jack” come from. According to Word Origins, the leading explanation is that it comes from a blend of “jack of the leg”. In the north of England and Scotland, the knives are known as “jocktelegs”. The jack is from the use of that word to denote a generic man, and the leg is thought to refer to the fact that the handles of such knives were often carved in shape a human leg. To this day, jambette (little leg) is used in French dialect to refer to a clasp knife.

Alternate theory is that it comes from the name of a seventeenth-century Flemish maker of knives, Jacques de Liège. There is evidence of clasp knives bearing his or a similar name once existed. Jacques de Liège could easily become Jack the Leg in the mouths of non-French speakers.

The earliest known appearance of a form of jackknife or jockteleg is in an inventory of the wares of the late merchant William Mackerrell of Newcastle upon Tyne from November 13, 1642

https://www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/jackknife

ABOUT Chuck Brownman

Chuck Brownman has spent the last twenty-five-plus years working on becoming an “overnight writing sensation.” Concentrating on writing mystery / suspense short fiction, his work has been published in several anthologies, including the 2019 Eyes of Texas anthology (Down & Out Books), Volumes 4 and 5 of the annual Death Edge Tales anthology, and a Book-of-the-Month club anthology. He won the 2017 Arizona Mystery Writers Short Story Contest, and he was a finalist in the 2015 Criminal Element short fiction contest. His stories also appeared on the mysterynet.com site.

In his “real life,” Chuck is a Houston-based corporate and energy attorney, advising and working for some of the country’s most entrepreneurial companies. He is also an adjunct professor of law, and has spoken at legal seminars for many years.

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website www.TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Jack the Knife was written by Chuck Brownman. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag – that is the first chapter of a fresh release in the mystery, thriller, or crime genre. Then be back in two weeks for episode 11 The Crackpot’s Jackpot by TG Wolff.

TT28: The Algorithm Will See You Now

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is THE ALGORITHM WILL SEE YOU NOW by JL LYCETTE. THE ALGORITHM WILL SEE YOU NOW was released from Black Rose Writing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

ABOUT JL Lycette

JL Lycette is a novelist, award-winning essayist, rural physician, wife, and mom. Mid-career, she discovered narrative medicine on her path back from physician burnout and has been writing ever since. Her first novel, The Algorithm Will See You Now, was a 2023 SCREENCRAFT CINEMATIC BOOK COMPETITION FINALIST, 2023 READER'S FAVORITE BRONZE MEDAL WINNER in the Medical Thriller category, 2023 MAXY AWARD'S FINALIST – Thriller category, and 2023 PAGE TURNER AWARD'S FINALIST – Best Debut Novel category. The prequel, The Committee Will Kill You Now, was released November 9.

TG WOLFF REVIEW

THE ALGORITHM WILL SEE YOU NOW is a Medical Thriller. Dr. Hope Kestrel is the top resident at the most cutting-edge hospital in the country, where data and algorithm solve medicals toughest challenges. Hope believes the data-driven science saves people from the pain of ineffective treatments and the illusions of false hope. With one mistake, Hope falls from the top to outcast and along the way, learns the system she built her career around has been manipulated for profit’s sake. Now Hope has a choice…fade into a sad memory or fight her way out.

Bottom line: THE ALGORITHM WILL SEE YOU NOW is for you if you like medical and conspiracy thrillers where a thin line separates reality and science fiction.

Strengths of the story. The first star of the story is the premise. The book is set in 2035, extrapolating a world built from the concepts of our current American health system and the potential of artificial intelligence. While reading it, I have thoughts of Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN – not for the monster but for the way fiction was used to explore the ideas of what science and technology should do and what it shouldn’t do. In Lycette’s world, DNA sequencing is used to identify which patients will respond to treatments and which ones will not. The “non-responders” as they are called, are written off and all but cut off from a health care system unwilling to invest limited resources in a no win case.

One of the best and most terrifying things about THE ALGORITHM WILL SEE YOU NOW is that it is easy to imagine as our future reality.

Lycette’s experience in the medical industry shines through with the informed construction of the interworkings of the hospital system. This isn’t a story about diseases and their treatment but about the people – patients, loved ones, doctors and nurses.

The story itself is very well crafted. Standing at the end and looking back, the logic holds. The conspiracy is straightforward, with the question being more about what was done than who did it. There are several high-tension moments, and they seldom resolve the way I expected them to.

Where the story fell short of ideal: There were not many weak points in this story. It does take a little time to reveal the main plot and get into the thriller. Whether this is too long will vary by reader, but it does give us time to see Hope’s “normal life” and learn about the hospital and the technology. Because this is a medical thriller, the tension is intellectual rather than physical.

Join us next week for Mysteries To Die For, Season 6 Things that Go Jack in the Night. Episode 10 is Jack the Knife by Chuck Brownman. This was one of my favorite stories of the season. I for one, never saw it coming.

TT27: Girl on Trial

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is GIRL ON TRIAL by Kathleen Fine

GIRL ON TRIAL was released from CamCat Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Kathleen Fine

Kathleen Fine received her Master’s in Reading Education from Towson University and Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from University of Maryland, College Park. She is a member of the Maryland Writers Association, International Thriller Writers, and Author’s Guild. When she’s not writing and selling real estate, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to the Outer Banks, and of course, reading anything she can get her hands on. She currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, three children, and Sussex Spaniel. Her short stories have been published in Litro Magazine, Pen in Hand, The Maryland Writer’s Association Anthology, and in The Indignor Playhouse Anthology. Girl on Trial is her debut novel. Find her at https://www.kathleenfineauthor.com/

TG Wolff Review

GIRL ON TRIAL is a Contemporary YA Mystery/Thriller. Sixteen-year-old Emily Keller has one goal her junior year of high school: fit in. But making friends and being popular takes Emily down a dangerous path of drinking, pills, and sex. Now the family she babysat for is dead and Emily is accused of leaving the stove on, causing carbon monoxide poising.

Bottom line: GIRL ON TRIAL is for you if you like legal suspense coupled with the interpersonal drama.

Strengths of the story. Author Kathleen Fine took a rare approach to the storytelling, alternating between the jury trial and the events of the prior year, beginning with the first day of school. While other stories may alternate between past and present, GIRL ON TRIAL meticulously walks through the trial, making you feel the fear and anxiety along with Emily.

With this approach, we have two storylines running simultaneously and they have two very different feels. In the “past” story, we get to know Emily as a person and see the influence those closest to her – her twin brother, her friends - have on. This isn’t a story of privilege but of smart, determined daughter of a single mom who is an alcoholic. Reading with an adult’s eye, we see the precipice Emily is walking along well before she does.

If the “past” story is personal, the “trial” story is professional. The lawyer does the talking. Emily has to listen to testimony that cuts down who she is. Some are lies, some aren’t, but she has to hold herself in the impossible combination of aloof but humble. The contrast between the two storylines is nicely done.

Where the story fell short of ideal: GIRL ON TRIAL is hard to pin down on genre. It is listed as a Young Adult Mystery / Thriller. I argue it is neither. It is not a Mystery as there is not a crime being investigated and none of the characters are working to uncover information to resolve the situation. It is not a Thriller because it lacks the fast pacing, the physicality, and the risk of mortal danger to the hero. I find it best classifies as Suspense. The pacing is methodical, plotting through the school semester and the trial, where the tension is psychologically derived and you are just waiting for the other shoe to fall.

Some readers may find the time element challenging, as I did. The story alternates between the trial (present) and the year prior. In each of those, there are passages where Emily is remembering events from other times in her childhood. For myself, I did have trouble keeping the timing straight. In the end, it did not detract from a compelling lead character and a story that may be more common than we want to believe.

If you are a crossover reader who “reads everything” or are in the mood for something a little different, pick up GIRL ON TRIAL.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for new, established, and best-selling authors. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

S6E8 The Skewered Jackalope Caper

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

For Season 6, Jack and I are ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s me, TG Wolff. Check me out on my website and social, buy and read my stories, help other readers find me. In your review, brag about being a true connoisseur of the mystery genre.

For Episode 8, that mythical creature the jackalope is the featured jack. This is The Skewered Jackalope Caper by TG Wolff

About Jackalopes

The jackalope is a mythical animal of North American folklore described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns. Many jackalope taxidermy mounts, including the original, are made with deer antlers.

The underlying legend of the jackalope related to tales of horned hares, which inspired by sightings of rabbits infected with the Shope papilloma virus. It causes horn- and antler-like tumors to grow in various places on a rabbit's head and body. Jackalope are part of a group of tall tale animals, known as fearsome critters, that have become part North American culture since the turn of the twentieth century. Other beasts include hodags, giant snakes, and fur-bearing trout.

In the 1930s, Douglas Herrick and his brother popularized the American jackalope by grafting deer antlers onto a jackrabbit carcass and selling the combination to a local hotel in Douglas, Wyoming. They kept going, making and selling jackalopes to a retail outlet in South Dakota. Other taxidermist continues to manufacture the horned rabbits in the 21st century. Stuffed and mounted, jackalopes are found in many bars and other places in the United States. The jackalope has appeared in published stories, poems, television shows, video games, and a low-budget mockumentary film. And now its appeared in a podcast.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackalope

About Sam Spade

Sam Spade is a fictional private detective, not of my making but of the Dashiell Hammett. He first appeared in the 1930 novel The Maltese Falcon. He is blond, well-built, and mischievous and is the headliner in four other Hammett short stories. At the time, Spade was genre breaking and became the model that inspired other great PI writers. Hammett said “He is a dream man in the sense that he is what most of the private detectives I worked with would like to have been and in their cockier moments thought they approached.” Spade and the Maltese Falcon has been made into films several times, Humphrey Bogart was the 3rd and best known. I met Sam Spade first reading the Maltese Falcon and then listening to the Adventures of Sam Spade on the podcast The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. The radio show ran 1946-1951 and starred Howard Duff (later Steve Dunne) as Sam. Duff’s voice will forever be Sam’s to me and I wish you all could have heard it here. My voice definitely isn’t sharp enough.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Spade

https://www.greatdetectives.net/detectives/sam-spade/

ABOUT TG Wolff

A special thank you to Ed Teja whose work edited this episode made it better.

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website www.TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Skewered Jackalope Caper was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag – that is the first chapter of a fresh release in the mystery, thriller, or crime genre. Then be back in two weeks for episode 9 The Odd Return of Jack…in the Box by Susan Wingate.

TT26: 25 to Life

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is 25 to Life by John Lansing.

25 to Life was released from White Street Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

TG Wolff Review

25 to Life is a PI Mystery and is also characterized as Noir Fiction and Crime Thriller. Jack Bertolino is back for his fifth case. A law student is dead. Her crime? Working on a Project for the Innocent case on behalf of Carl Forbes. What Gloria Millhouse finds? Well, it stinks. Before she can move on it, someone moves on her. Now Jack is on the case, looking for the scum behind the shiny badges of the LAPD SWAT team to find the answers.

Bottom line: 25 to Life is for you if you like classic hard-boiled PIs who punch first and ask questions later and do the dirty work that the good cops can’t.

Strengths of the story. The set-up is classic PI. A bright, talent law student is killed in a murder made to look like an accident. (I don’t consider this a spoiler b/c if it was an accident, there wouldn’t be a story.) She’s connected. Her father is a renowned attorney and political supporter who asked his friend the Los Angeles mayor for help. That help comes in the form of Jack Bertolino, former NYPD inspector turned private investigator. I really like this set-up because it gave Jack a legit reason to dive into the case and the backing to go places and ask the questions he needed to.

The pacing is excellent. At no point did my attention wander or did I get bored. I got a little anxious a few times, but that was a good thing.

This is Jack’s fifth case. I have not read the prior ones and this one stood solidly alone. Lansing did an excellent job of briefly providing any needed back story without providing a full page synopsis of the prior cases. It is obvious that Jack’s team were in the previous books as they were fully developed characters, comfortable in their own skin.

Where the story fell short of ideal. There wasn’t a place it fell short of ideal, per se. There were a few grammar typos, such as “ in the wrong place, but those were minor and did not detract from the story.

While I thought the final confrontation with the Big Bad was excellent in terms of action and excitement, I did roll my eyes at the set up. It was the only time that I thought Jack acted out of character. He is brave and aggressive, yes, but he is smart, manipulating situations to put the odds in his favor. This time, he chose to run into hell carrying a water bottle. At least he put a vest on. This is obv my pet peeve. I bet most of you hard boiled PI lovers will love it just the way it is.

About John Lansing

johnlansing.com

John Lansing is the author of four thrillers featuring Jack Bertolino—The Devil’s Necktie, Blond Cargo, Dead Is Dead, and The Fourth Gunman—as well as the true-crime non-fiction book Good Cop Bad Money, written with former NYPD Inspector Glen Morisano. He has been a writer and supervising producer on Walker, Texas Ranger, the co-executive producer of the ABC series Scoundrels, and co-wrote two MOWs for CBS. The Devil’s Necktie is in development at Andria Litto’s Amuse Entertainment, with Barbara DeFina attached as a producer. A native of Long Island, John now resides in Los Angeles.

Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for authors at all stages of their career. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for our regular episode of Mysteries to Die For in Season 6, Things that Go Jack In The Night. It’s my turn at the plate with The Skewered Jackalope Caper, where the American mythological beast the jackalope is our featured jack.

S6E7 Live Free or Die Jacking

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. Some episodes are original stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. All are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Ken Harris. Check him out on his website and social, buy and read her stories, help other readers find him. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he could have made. In your review, tell him Tina and Jack said ‘Live Free!’.

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for me to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 7, jacking, err, umm, off is the featured jack. This is Live Free or Die Jacking by Ken Harris

About Jacking Off

The term is a “vulgar” expression for masterbating. According to Merriam Webster, the etymology of the word dates back a little over 100 years to 1916. It is supposed that it is a derivation of “jerk off”

jerking off, jacking off, beating off, whacking off, choking the chicken, rubbing one out, wanking, or just plain masturbating, today a man simply faps.

Masterbate itself isn’t that old of a word. MW says it comes from the latin masturbatus, past participle of masturbari. It was first used in the late 1839. When I put masturbari in the good old Google Latin-to-English translater, it came back as “to be mastered”. Then I went down a rabbit hole. There’s this thing on MW called time-traveler that tells you other words that appeared in print that year. 1839 was a busy year in the world of word creators: alcohol by volume, boardwalk, commando, expressman, firefighter, highfalutin, industrialist, piggy, snakebite, trademark, Victorian (Queen Victoria was queen of UK from 1837 to 1901.

https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/where-did-fap-come-from

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jack%20off

https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/1839

ABOUT Ken Harris

https://kenharrisfiction.com/

Ken Harris retired from the FBI, after thirty-two years, as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. He is the author of the “From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish” series. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Virginia’s Northern Neck.

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website www.TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Live Free or Die Jacking was written by Ken Harris. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, that is the first capture of a fresh new release in the mystery, crime, or thriller genre. Then be back in 2 weeks for one of my stories, The Skewered Jackalope Caper.

TT25: Echo from a Bayou

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Echo from a Bayou by J Luke Bennecke

Echo from a Bayou was released from Jaytech Publishing and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About J Luke Bennecke

https://www.jlukebennecke.com/

J. Luke Bennecke, a master civil engineer, became an award-winning author, philanthropist, and daredevil pilot amidst the concrete jungles of Southern California. While constructing bridges and highways, Bennecke secretly plotted high-octane thrillers that became instant bestsellers. But his adventures didn't end there. As a licensed real estate broker and general contractor, he built homes with the precision of a ninja, all while jetting off to exotic destinations, voiceover acting, and giving back to the community via annual high school scholarships. Living in the shadows of Cherry Valley, CA, Bennecke's next daring escapade is always just around the corner.

TG Wolff Review

Echo from a Bayou is a paranormal suspense. John Bastian went head-first into a tree. He woke from a coma and, yeah, he could see dead people. Even weirder, John woke with memories of a war he never fought in, a career he never had, and a wife he never kissed. Flashes hinted at map leading to treasure and an ax leading to death of the man who John was…Jack Bachman. Now John is on the hunt for the treasure, his murderer, and the woman he left behind.

Bottom line: Echo from a Bayou is for you if you like your suspense steeped in the supernatural, paced to draw out the good stuff and finishing with one of the best, eerie endings you’ve ever seen.

Strengths of the story. From the start, the premise of the story grabs you. This isn’t a typical time travel type of story but a well-reasoned reincarnation story. This not only is a unique spin on the supernatural genre but eliminates all the problems of logic stability that is inherent in time travel.

The characters are also a winner. John / Jack is an ordinary man, put in extraordinary circumstances. He doesn’t flip a switch and go into hero mode but his slowly driven there by memories and urges his rational mind has to justify. The best friend, Kevin, is an excellent comic relief. The bad guy, Scott, is complex. Just because he’s evil doesn’t mean he’s always an asshole.

The pacing matches the expectation set with being suspense. Certainly, some scene hit the thrill level, but, overall, this is one you sit back and enjoy…until you have to read faster because the shit is hitting the fan.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Having finished this book several days ago and revisited the plot, this is a really solid suspense. There is very little to pick on here. If you like thriller-like pacing, you may find this a bit slow, but again, this is true to the suspense genre.

While I totally loved the end, I did have one question for the author on why/how it happened that way. Regardless of his answer, this is at the top of my list for cool ways to finish a book.

S6E6 When in Doubt, Blame the Jackass

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. Episodes are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

For Season 6 is again ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Kyra Jacobs. Check her out on her website and social, buy and read her stories, help other readers find her. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision she could have made. In your review, tell her Tina and Jack said ‘the cat did it’.

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for me to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 6, a jackass is the featured jack. This is When in Doubt, Blame the Jackass by Kyra

About Jackasses

Let’s go to Wikipedia…The domestic donkey is a hoofed mammal the same family as the horse. It derives from the African wild ass and was domesticated in Africa some 5000–7000 years ago. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. An adult male donkey is a jack or jackass, an adult female is a jenny or jennet, and an immature donkey of either sex is a foal. Jacks are often mated with female horses (mares) to produce mules; the less common hybrid of a male horse (stallion) and jenny is a hinny. At one time, ass was the more common term for the donkey. The first recorded use of donkey was in the late 1700s. From the 18th century, donkey gradually replaced ass and jenny replaced she-ass, which is now considered archaic. The change may have come about through a tendency to avoid pejorative terms in speech and may be comparable to the substitution in North American English of rooster for cock, or that of rabbit for coney, which when spelled differently but pronounced the same, is slang for a special part of a woman’s body.

Donkeys vary considerably in size, depending on breed and environmental, with heights at the withers range from less than 35 in to approximately 59 in. Working donkeys in the poorest countries have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years; in more prosperous countries, they may have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.

But how did this hard working animal become synonymous with human idiocy? According to The Conversation.com, by the 1820s, jackass was commonly being used to describe a “stupid person.”

This was the intent of a retort in the 1820s by Kentucky congressman Henry Clay to Massachusetts Congressman Daniel Webster. Clay was sitting outside a Washington, D.C. hotel with Webster when a man walked by with a pack of mules. “Clay, there goes a number of your Kentucky constituents,” Webster said.

“Yes,” Clay replied, “they must be on their way to Massachusetts to teach school.”

Mark Twain defended the jackass. He thought comparing men and politicians, in particular, to jackasses was unfair to jackasses. “Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn’t any,” he said. “But this wrongs the jackass.” In his 1894 novel “Pudd’n’head Wilson,” Twain wrote.

“There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless,” he wrote. “Observe the ass, for instance: his character is about perfect, he is the choicest spirit among all the humbler animals, yet see what ridicule has brought him to. Instead of feeling complimented when we are called an ass, we are left in doubt.”

https://theconversation.com/calling-someone-a-jackass-is-a-tradition-in-us-politics-132306

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey

ABOUT Kyra Jacobs

http://www.kyrajacobsbooks.com/

Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. When this Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she's likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.

MysteryRat’s Maze

https://kingsriverlife.com/category/area-arts/podcasts/

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website www.TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. When in Doubt, Blame the Jackass was written by Kyra Jacobs. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, the first chapter of a fresh, new release. Then come back in two weeks when one of our favorite author, Ken Harris is back with his take on jack. Episode 7 is Live Free or Die Jacking.

TT24: Reckoning

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Reckoning by Baron Birtcher

Reckoning was released by Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller, promoted by Partners In Crime Tours, and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Baron Birtcher

Before he became a full-time writer, Baron Birtcher spent a number of years as a professional musician and founded an independent record label and management company.

Baron is the winner of the Silver Falchion Award (Hard Latitudes); Winner of Killer Nashville Readers Choice Award (South California Purples); and Best Book of the Year Award for Fistful Of Rain. He has also been nominated for the Nero Award, the Lefty, the Foreword Indie, the Claymore, and the Pacific Northwest's Spotted Owl Awards. Baron's writing has been hailed as "The real deal" by Publishers Weekly; "Fast Paced and Engaging" by Booklist; and "Solid, Fluent and Thrilling" by Kirkus.

Find him at https://www.facebook.com/BaronRBirtcher

TG Wolff Review

Reckoning is a mystery with a conspiracy thriller subgenre. It’s the 1970s and Portland, OR Detective Clark Wehr is found dead in a fishing cabin, hours from home. Everyone from Wehr’s partner to his commander wants the case closed quickly as a suicide. But Sheriff Ty Dawson has questions that the evidence isn’t satisfying and he’s going to keep digging until he gets the answers.

Bottom line: Reckoning is for you if you like cheering on the underdog and calling out injustices for the sleezy, dirty lies they are.

Strengths of the story. Labeled as a Ty Dawson mystery, this story fits more accurately in a conspiracy thriller genre. A conspiracy thriller is one where the protagonist investigates a crime or anomaly to ultimately find it is a small part of a much bigger story. Reckoning does begin with the discovery of Wehr’s body, but storylines of the attempted cover over by the Portland PD and the woes of an elderly rancher who is being harassed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service get equal screen time. Each of the three storylines are interesting and compelling, leaving the reader wanting to know where it is going.

This is Ty Dawson’s third story. I have not read the previous two and did not have a problem with picking the story up. If there are Easter eggs, they are subtle gifts for fans of the series that do not detract for the new reader. Because this is an established character, Dawson and the Meriweather County cast are refined and well developed.

The pacing is strong and consistent. There wasn’t a section where the story dragged or my attention waned. Dawson is juggling so much, there isn’t time for the mundane.

Where the story fell short of ideal. Having finished the book days ago, I continue to think through the storylines and their resolutions – a testament to how into the story I was. For the most part, I was satisfied with the solutions but as is often the case for me with thrillers, I have questions.

There you have Reckoning. Buy it, read it, post a review. If conspiracy thrillers aren’t for you, recommend it to a thriller loving friend.

Reckoning was promoted by Partners In Crime Tours, who represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com

Join us next week for the next mystery in Things That Go Jack in the Night, Episode 6 "When in Doubt, Blame the Jackass" by Kyra Jacobs. We are happy to announce that this season’s companion anthology is now available in paperback and e-book. Support our podcast by purchasing a copy for yourself or the Whodunnit lover in your life.

S6 E5 One Eyed Jack

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. Our stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

For Season 6, we are ad-free again. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Erica Obey. Check her out on her website and social, buy and read her stories, help other readers find her. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision she could have made. In your review, tell her Tina and Jack said ‘it’s safer to take the stairs’.

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for me to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 5, the playing card the one-eyed jack is the featured jack. This is One-Eyed Jack and the Suicide King by Erica Obey.

ABOUT One-Eyed Jacks

Mr. Will Roya posted a history of playing cards back in 2018 on the website Playing Card Decks This was one of the most fascinating trips I've taken down the internet rabbit hole. Here are a few of my favorite fun facts (paraphrased, of course):

• Face cards have long been an element of a deck but who is on the face card varies with deck origin. A king, a knight, a knave. A king, a queen, a prince (later called jack). A king and two knaves. (FYI a knave is a tricky, deceitful fellow according to Merriam-Webster)

• 52 cards is a deck is far from standard. Some decks have 40 cards, others 48. It wasn't so much I didn't know this as I never stopped to think about it.

• Hundreds of years ago, innovative printers with modern techniques who could mass produce cards and bring costs down to an "every man" level became a standard, as they were widely circulated, and had a large influence on deck of card we know today. By sheer volume, they pushed aside older styles of cards that were much more expensive and fewer people owned.

• Two jacks have one-eye – hearts and spades – the others face forward, having two eyes. All the kings have weapons but only one appears to be using it on himself – the king of hearts. It actuality, it likely behind his head, as if he’s going to strike. But that’s not as catchy.

https://playingcarddecks.com/blogs/all-in/history-playing-cards-modern-deck

ABOUT Erica Obey

www.ericaobey.com

Erica Obey is author of The Brooklyn North Murder, the first full-length Watson & Doyle mystery, as well as five other novels set in the Hudson Valley, including the award-winning The Curse of the Braddock Brides. Erica is the Past President of the MWA-NY chapter, and a frequent reviewer and judge. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and published academic work on female folklorists before she decided she’d rather be writing the stories herself. Come visit her at www.ericaobey.com where she blogs about life in the Hudson Valley then and now.

The Diamond Mysteries

Back in July, the third and final book in my Diamond Mystery series was released from Down & Out Books. The first chapter was the July 21st Toe Tag. If you haven’t read any of the Diamond books, there is now a box set that puts them together in one convenient place. It is a special treat for mystery readers because the end of one story is the beginning of the next. Look for the box set on Amazon and other on-line retailers. Link is in the show notes.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. One-Eyed Jack and the Suicide King was written by Erica Obey. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, the first chapter of a fresh release in the mystery, thriller or crime genres. And be back in 2 weeks for Episode 6 When in Doubt, Blame the Jackass by Kyra Jacobs

TT23: Deadly Depths

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is DEADLY DEPTHS by John F. Dobbyn

The Deadly Depths was released August 1 from Oceanview Publishing and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers. It is available in print, e-book and audio book.

About John F. Dobbyn

Best-selling author John F. Dobbyn, a graduate of Harvard College, Boston College Law School, and Harvard Law School, is a former professor of law at Villanova Law School where he taught criminal, constitutional, and corporate law. Prior to his teaching career, Dobbyn practiced criminal and civil trial work. He is a frequent contributor to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and he is the author of five award-winning legal thrillers featuring Michael Knight and Lex Devlin. Dobbyn is a Boston native and now resides in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Lois.

TG Wolff Review

DEADLY DEPTHS is a genre crosser. It can be found under Amateur Sleuth mystery and murder thriller. I would classify it as an Adventure bookended by Amateur Sleuth. Archeologist Barrington “Barry” Holmes is dead. With a slit wrist, the police rule it suicide. Holmes’s protégé, Matthew Shane, former Air Force Intelligence and current professor of law, calls bullshit. The path to resolving Holmes’s death puts him face-to-face with a voodoo curse, a notorious antiquities dealer and a three hundred-and fifty-year-old promise between the leader of the Aztec people and the famous Englishman, Captain Henry Morgan.

Bottom line: DEADLY DEPTHS is for you if you like treasure hunts, a jumble of altruistic, self-serving, and devious characters, and murder of the lowest degree.

Strengths of the story. There are several things to love about DEADLY DEPTHS. First in my book is the treasure seeking adventure. Lovers of Indiana Jones stories, “National Treasure”, and “The DaVinci Code” will enjoy the mix of folk lore, voodoo, pirates, and the potential of a treasure of incomparable value. The clues are cryptic yet meaningful. The locations are grounded in real history. The characters are distinct and true to their nature—for good or for bad.

The pacing is strong. Once picked up, this is a hard one to put down.

While this story does not have the time deadline common in this genre, there is a sense of being up against a ticking clock. For most of the book, there is a sense of an unseen hand manipulating the situation, creating the feeling of a race but against an invisible competitor.

.Where the story fell short of ideal: As noted, this story crosses genres. It stands strongly but readers focusing on only one of the genres may find areas for complaining. The story begins as an Amateur Sleuth, creating the impetus for starting the Adventure. Then Adventure takes over, driving most of the book. Only after the Adventure is nearing completion is the original mystery resolved. Adverture lovers could scoff at the time to get the Adventure going. Mystery lovers could do the same for pursuit of the murder. If those genre-specific expectations are put aside, DEADLY DEPTHS is a very satisfying read.

That wraps up this Toe Tag of DEADLY DEPTHS. If it sounds like your kind of story, read or listen to the book, write a review and help other readers and listener find it. Know someone who loves adventure wrapped in mystery? Point them to DEADLY DEPTHS.

*****

Short mystery lovers, the anthology for THINGS THAT GO JACK IN THE NIGHT will be released on September 12. Pre-order the print or e-book of the twelve stories, framed for you to beat the detective to the solution.

*****

Thank you for listening to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag. Join us next week for our regular episode. A one-eyed jack is the featured Jack in “One-Eyed Jack and the Suicide King” by Erica Obey.

S6E4 The Death That Jack Died

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Ed Teja. Check him out on his website and social, buy and read his stories, help other readers find him. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he could have made. In your review, tell him Tina and Jack said ‘Hi’. https://edteja.com/

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for me to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 4, Jack Be Nimble is the featured jack. This is The Death That Jack Died by Ed Teja

For More Ed Teja

From author Ed Teja, if you like salty adventure, with crimes as varied as the people on the waterfront, check out Martin Billings. The ex-Seal runs a Caribbean freighter with Ugly Bill, managing to get himself dragged into mysteries, conspiracies, and an ocean full of trouble.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H1YVB59

If you like lighter mysteries, check out Matt Cramer in the Surreal Southwest. He’s a private investigator in the little town of Silver City, New Mexico. As one reviewer said about AN IMPOSSIBLE ABDUCTION: “Missing people, aliens, witches, shaman and ravens … all rolled into one weirdly comical fast moving novel.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GMPYQX7

ABOUT Jack Be Nimble

The rhyme is first recorded in a manuscript of around 1815. The song was recorded in a collection by James Orchard Halliwell in the mid-nineteenth century called English Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales.[1] It seems the rhyme had two inspirations. One was an English pirate from the late 1500s named Black Jack Smatt, who lived in Jamaica in Port Royal. He was an infamous pirates of the Caribbean who was notoriously smart, quick and nimble to escape from authorities. Which was a good thing as those authorities wanted to capture and hang him.

The Jumping candlesticks, as it turns out, was a form of fortune telling and a sport in England. Good luck was said to be signaled by clearing a candle without extinguishing the flame.

https://www.firstcry.com/intelli/articles/jack-be-nimble-nursery-rhyme/#:~:text=This%20famous%20rhyme%20refers%20to,to%20capture%20and%20hang%20him.

https://allnurseryrhymes.com/jack-be-nimble/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Be_Nimble

ABOUT The House that Jack Built

Also an English nursery rhyme. The first known printing was in the 1755 book Nurse Truelove's New-Year's-Gift, or the Book of Books for Children. It is suspected the rhyme goes back much farther. James Orchard Halliwell suggested the reference in the rhyme could date it back another 200 years. There are several variations on the poem. Here’s on with the last, fully built stanza

This is the horse and the hound and the horn

That belonged to the farmer sowing his corn

That kept the cock that crowed in the morn

That woke the priest all shaven and shorn

That married the man all tattered and torn

That kissed the maiden all forlorn

That milked the cow with the crumpled horn

That tossed the dog that worried the cat

That killed the rat that ate the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

With a rhyme as classic as this, it’s still being been drawn into modern culture. The late, great Aretha Franklin put her spin on Jack and his house in 1968. Metallica took it a different direction in 1996. Three films borrowed from the rhyme, the most recent was the 2018 psychological horror film by Lars von Trier. It had 60 rotten tomatoes with a consensus that said the movie is hard to ignore and, for many, just as difficult to digest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_the_House_That_Jack_Built

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_house_that_jack_built_2018

https://www.metallica.com/releases/albums/load-album.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMmda5FA8NA (Aretha Franklin)

ABOUT Ed Teja

Find Ed at https://edteja.com/

Ed Teja is a writer, a poet, a musician, and world traveler. His stories and poems are about the people and places he knows, odd corners of the world that often disappear into the margins, and the amazing, often strange, people he meets while moving between the cracks.

Living as a boat bum in the Caribbean and on the Spanish Main, he earned his living playing blues in waterfront bars, working as a deckhand for charter skippers, and freelance writing. The life brought him in contact with quirky characters and developed his appreciation for twisted stories.

MysteryRat’s Maze

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Death That Jack Died was written by Ed Teja. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week for a Toe Tag, the first chapter of a fresh release in the mystery, thriller or crime genres. And be back in 2 weeks for Episode 5 One-Eyed Jack and the Suicide King by Erica Obey

TT22: Bastard Verdict

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Bastard Verdict by James McCrone

Bastard Verdict was released in May 2023 and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About James McCrone

James McCrone is the author of the Faithless Elector series—Faithless Elector, Dark Network, and Emergency Powers—“taut” and “gripping” political thrillers about a stolen presidency. Bastard Verdict, his fourth novel, is about a conspiracy surrounding a second Scottish Independence referendum. To get the details right for the new thriller, he drew on his boyhood in Scotland and scouted locations for scenes in the book while attending Bloody Scotland.

He’s a member of MWA, Int’l Assoc. of Crime Writers, and he’s the new president of the Delaware Valley Sisters in Crime chapter. He lives in Philadelphia.

You can learn more at his website: JamesMcCrone.com

TG Wolff Review

Bastard Verdict is a Political Thriller. FBI Special Agent Imogen Trager is on sabbatical. She’s taking a break from the fall out of her last cases to dive into the safe world of academia. At visiting fellow at Scotland’s University of Glasgow, she’s diving into the data behind referendums in the US, Scotland, and Sweden. But then a question is raised about the validity of the 2014 Scottish referendum on independence. And that quick, Imogen is back in the thick of it.

Bottom line: Bastard Verdict is for you if you like sophisticated, intricately woven political thrillers steeped in real historical events.

Strengths of the story. The strength of the story is the premise: the exploration of a fascinating “what if”. What if an election was stolen…that the victor would have won anyway? Was a crime committed? Where is the accountability? How high does it go? What would the victors do to stop the story from coming out?

This is Imogen’s 4th case so she is an established and well-developed character. As this book is set in Scotland, not the US, there are no continuing characters from previous books. This makes it an easy choice to pick up, even if you haven’t read the previous books.

Thriller lovers should be aware this is a political thriller, so the tension and action are more intellectual and less physical. The pacing is strong with the storyline continuously moving forward. Interestingly, the story is largely driven by the “villains”, forcing the heroes to act and react throughout the book.

Where the story fell short of ideal: I had two minor challenges reading the book. First centers around point of view. Bastard Verdict is told from multiple points of view, as is common with thrillers. But occasionally, the change in point of view happened within a continuous scene, often subtly. It was enough that I had to stop and re-read to understand the narrating character changed.

The second challenge centered around logic and sequence. Once the story gets rolling, the actions of the characters are consistent, even if driven by fear, greed, or paranoia. They are bad guys, after all. The starting premise that gets Imogen going on the research isn’t the strongest and a coincidence regarding one of the characters strikes as convenient. Small detractions for an otherwise enjoyable read on an intriguing premise.

S6E3 This Never Happened to Wolfman Jack

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Nikki Knight. Check her out on her website and social, buy and read her stories, help other readers find her. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision she could have made. In your review, tell her Tina and Jack said ‘Ahowwwl’.

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for me to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 3, The legendary DJ Wolfman Jack is the featured jack. This is This Never Happened to Wolfman Jack by Nikki Knight

About Wolfman Jack

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfman_Jack

Robert Weston Smith (January 21, 1938 – July 1, 1995), known as Wolfman Jack, was an American disc jockey active for over 3 decades. Famous for the gravelly voice which he credited for his success, saying, "It's kept meat and potatoes on the table for years for Wolfman and Wolfwoman. A couple of shots of whiskey helps it. I've got that nice raspy sound."

Cleveland's Alan Freed had originally called himself the "Moon Dog" after New York City street musician Moondog. Freed both adopted this name and used a recorded howl to give his early broadcasts a unique character. Smith's adaptation of the Moondog theme was to call himself Wolfman Jack and add his own sound effects. The character was based in part on the manner and style of bluesman Howlin' Wolf. At KCIJ, he first began to develop his famous alter ego, Wolfman Jack. According to author Philip A. Lieberman, Smith's "Wolfman" persona "derived from Smith's love of horror films and his shenanigans as a 'wolfman' with his two young nephews. The 'Jack' nickname was taken from the 'hipster' lingo of the 1950s, as in 'Take a page from my book, Jack', or the more popular, 'Hit the road, Jack.'"

ABOUT Nikki Knight

https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/nikki-knight

Nikki Knight describes herself as an Author/Anchor/Mom…not in that order. An award-winning weekend anchor at New York City’s #1 all-news station, 1010 WINS Radio, she writes short stories and novels including the newly released Grace the Hit Mom Mystery, WRONG POISON (July 2023, Charade Media). Her stories appear in magazines including Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, online, and in anthologies including DEADLY NIGHTSHADE: Best New England Crime Stories 2022. She’s been short-listed for Black Orchid Novella and Derringer Awards. She, her husband and son live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. This Never Happened to Wolfman Jack was written by Nikki Knight. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT21: The Hemingway Deception

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

The Hemingway Deception was released from Suspense Books and promoted by Partners in Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Tj O’Connor

Tj O’Connor is the author of The Hemingway Deception, Dying with a Secret, (pending publication), The Consultant and four paranormal murder mysteries.

Tj is an international security consultant specializing in anti-terrorism, investigations, and threat analysis—life experiences that drive his novels. With his former life as a government agent and years as a consultant, he has lived and worked around the world in places like Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and throughout the Americas—among others. Tj is a Harley Davidson pilot, a man-about-dogs, and a lover of adventure, cooking, and good spirits (both kinds). He was raised in New York’s Hudson Valley and lives with his wife and Labrador companions in Virginia where they raised five children who are supply a growing tribe of grands!

Catch Up With TJ O’Connor:

www.TjOConnor.com

BookBub – @tj37

Twitter – @Tjoconnorauthor

Instagram – @tjoconnorauthor

Facebook – @TjOConnor.Author

https://partnersincrimetours.com/the-hemingway-deception-by-tj-oconnor/

TG Wolff Review

The Hemingway Deception is a Thriller. Hemingway. No one knows who he is or what he can do, only that he is the ultimate prize. The key lies with Dr. Montilla, who some label a saint and others a guerilla.

Ana Karras Montilla survived her upbringing in the jungles of Colombia to establish a ‘normal’ life in Queens. Now her missionary parents have gone missing and saving them means embracing everything she fought to escape. Trane does the dirty work that needs to be done. To protect his Washington-insider bosses, has to find Montilla, then Hemingway to put a permanent end to his plans. Catalina Reyes is a Cuban spy who has lost her husband and has lost her direction. Desperation drives her to take on this mission where succeed or die are the only outcomes and Montilla is her guide. Luke Brennan is NYPD, working to make sense of the mess Karras and Trane leave in their wake. Everyone keeps telling him to let this one go. Right. Like he’s going to listen.

Bottom line: The Hemingway Deception is for you if you like multi-hero stories where everyone is out for themselves for damn good reasons and the stakes are so high, losing means war.

Strengths of the story. This book has several strengths. Let’s start with motivation. As I said, there are several heroes on this book, each busting their butts to win. O’Connor does an excellent job of creating motivations for the heroes that are deep, personal, and relatable. Next is OMG tension. Several scenes I read through my fingers. Knowing O’Connor works professionally in anti-terrorism and that he draws from his real life experience amped up the tension and negated any certainty that any character was going to survive. Next respect…if not like. By the end of the book, I had connected with the main characters, even if I didn’t necessarily like them. I got why they were doing what they did. They were the heroes in their own stories, just not necessarily this one.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Very few criticisms. Even as I thought about the plot in the days since finishing it, I didn’t find big logic gaps. The story lines were consistent within themselves and between each other. One character pulled a Lazarus, which earned an eye roll. I didn’t love some of the final wrap up, but I think that reflects my personal preference, not the strength of the writing. Of all the chapters, the one I read you is probably my least favorite. It was largely backstory and not representative of the rest of the book’s pacing or action. Chapter one is first gear. Chapter two and three are second gear. From there, you are flying by the seat of your pants.

Join Mysteries to Die For next week for Episode 3: This Never Happened to Wolfman Jack by Nikki Knight. DJ Jaye Jordan is working alone, spinning tunes for lonely hearts on a Saturday night. When company arrives, it isn’t her yoga buddies, but a blast from the past…with a gun. Time is running out. If Jaye can’t solve this cold case, she just may have to resort to Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

S6E2 Who Felled "Lumber Jack?"

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s Chuck Brownman. Help other listeners and readers find him. In your review, tell him Tina and Jack said ‘Hi’. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he could have made.

This is Season 6, Things that Go Jack in the Night. This season contains truly imaginative mysteries around one of the most common words in the English language. From the brandy distilled from hard cider known as applejack to that nefarious one-eyed jack, to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for me to count. And yes, it is also the name of my piano player and producer.

For Episode 2, a Lumberjack is the featured jack. This is Who Felled “Lumber Jack?” by Chuck Brownman

ABOUT Lumberjack

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberjack

The term lumberjack is of Canadian derivation. Lumber = tree, jack = man

The first attested use of the word comes from an 1831 letter to the Cobourg Star and General Advertiser in the following passage: "my misfortunes have been brought upon me chiefly by an incorrigible, though perhaps useful, race of mortals called lumberjacks, whom, however, I would name the Cossack's of Upper Canada, who, having been reared among the oaks and pines of the wild forest, have never been subjected to the salutary restraint of laws."

The term lumberjack is primarily historical; logger is used by workers in the 21st century. When lumberjack is used, it usually refers to a logger from an earlier time before the advent of chainsaws, feller-bunchers and other modern logging equipment. Other terms for the occupation include woodcutter, shanty boy and the colloquial term woodhick (Pennsylvania, US).

A logger employed in driving logs down a river was known locally in northern North America as a river pig, catty-man, river hog, or river rat. The term lumberjill has been known for a woman who does this work; for example, in Britain during World War II. In Australia, the occupation is referred to as timber cutter or cool cutters.

ABOUT Chuck Brownman

Chuck Brownman has spent the last twenty-five-plus years working on becoming an “overnight writing sensation.” Concentrating on writing mystery / suspense short fiction, his work has been published in several anthologies, including the 2019 Eyes of Texas anthology (Down & Out Press), Volumes 4 and 5 of the annual Death Edge Tales anthology, and a Book-of-the-Month club anthology. He won the 2017 Arizona Mystery Writers Short Story Contest, and he was a finalist in the 2015 Criminal Element.com short fiction contest. His stories also appeared on the mysterynet.com site.

In his “real life,” Chuck is a Houston-based corporate and energy attorney, advising and working for some of the country’s most entrepreneurial companies. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law, and has spoken at legal seminars for many years

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Who Felled “Lumber Jack?” was written by Chuck Brownman. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT20: Psycho Therapy (Diamond #3)

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Psycho Therapy by TG Wolff The third book in the series is now available.

The Psycho Therapy was released July 10 from Down & Out Books and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

TG Wolff Review

Psycho Therapy is a Mystery. Diamond. One name for a woman who is faking it until she makes it. And she will make it. At least that’s what she’s telling herself. Dr. Robin Ransom is a therapist to first responders, cops, and spies. She has a problem. She is being blackmailed via email by a nameless, faceless crook. Her neighbor Murali Devi, is an IT wizard who said he’d take care of the problem for her. Now he’s dead. And there’s a hot British guy after her for information she swears she doesn’t have.

Before Diamond was a widow, she was a CIA agent with lethal skills. Skills she nearly used on herself. An intervention puts her on Dr. Ransom’s couch and squarely in the middle of a high-stakes game of blackmail, kidnapping, and murder. From a video gaming Beastmaster in Michigan, to a suicide bomber in Virginia, to a psychiatric conference in the south of France, Diamond jumps in with her usual flair for chaos and destruction. But Fate isn’t satisfied, pushing Diamond into a position where it is either her or the person she cares for most.

Bottom line: Psycho Therapy is for you if you like fast-paced mysteries, dynamic characters, and story meant to be read just for the fun of it

Strengths of the story. Like all of the Diamond stories, Psycho Therapy is a mystery with an adventure pacing that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Each chapter is a story in itself, making it a satisfying read.

.Where the story fell short of ideal: This is the third story in a trilogy. While the mystery – Dr. Robin Ransom’s story – is independent of the first two books, the character development for Diamond is not. Like any trilogy, you can read the story alone, but you won’t be able to fully get the relationship between the characters or the jokes that refer back to previous books – like defenestration. Really, the best thing you can do for yourself is to read all three.

S6E1 A Package of Pepper Jack Cheese

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

For Season 6, Jack and I have again decided to go ad-free. I do this because I love mysteries, Jack does it because he loves me. Jack maybe a starving college student but it’s because… We do ask you support the writers of our show. This week it’s KM Rockwood. Check her out on her website and social, buy and read her stories, help other readers find her. Make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision she could made. In your review, tell her Tina and Jack said ‘Hi’.

For Episode 1, Pepper Jack Cheese is the featured jack. This is A Package of Pepper Jack Cheese by KM Rockwood

ABOUT KM Rockwood

kmrockwood.com

ABOUT Pepper Jack Cheese

From the website for Shisler’s Cheese House in Orrville, Ohio – 24/7 hotline https://cheesehouse.com/

Pepper Jack Cheese is a cow’s milk cheese that blends the creamy, buttery flavor of Monterey Jack cheese with the intensity of spicy peppers. Jalapeños, serrano peppers, and habañero peppers are all used to create heat. As the cheese ages, the peppery flavor intensifies. Some older pepper jacks can taste quite zesty, but generally, the cheese is only aged for a few months. It will take on a creamy color and semi-firm textures.

Monterey Jack Cheese was made by the Mexican Franciscan friars of Monterey, California, in the 19th century. Then David Jack, a California businessman, decided that the market for the cheese could be developed. He produced the mild, white cheese that we now call Monterey Jack. Later, producers began to add small pieces of spicy peppers to the curds of their Jack cheese, creating Pepper Jack Cheese.

S5E13 Detective Connelly Gets Wet 'N Wild

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

This is Season 5, Move It or Lose It. This season contains original stories paying homage to the vehicles that propel mysteries forward. A train was the setting for Agatha Christie’s famed Murder on the Orient Express. A river boat then took center stage on Death on the Nile. Cars have been prominently featured in American crime stories with the glory of the get-a-way vehicle. Then there are the heists from carriages to trains to armored trucks.

For Episode 13, the last episode in Season 5, kiddie train is the featured vehicle, you know, like the ones you can ride at a zoo. This is Detective Connolly Gets Wet ‘N Wild West by Jack Wolff

Welcome everyone, to the last episode of the season. A few things before we get going. First, in past seasons, we would take a break when we got to this point. Well not this year. We are going to roll right into Season 6. “Things that Go Jack in the Night” begins dropping original mysteries beginning July 14. From the small six pointed metal object used in a child’s game to the animals, vegetables, fruits, tools, weapons, and slang, the way the word jack is used in the English language is truly unique and inventive. And yes, it’s my co-creator and son’s name. For Season 6, the mysteries each incorporate a word with jack. Jackass. Jack-in-the-box. Jacking off. Jackalope. Jack-of-all-trades. Pepper Jack Cheese. Just to name a few. Join us for a season a of mysteries to die for.

For before that…there’s this. Jack’s story. Surprise #1, joining us in the living room is Kyra Jacobs. Kyra again gave us a helping hand and edited for Jack. And Surprise #2, Jack is going to read his story. So with that, I am going to turn into the audience.

TT19: Suicide Squeeze (Diamond #2)

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today we’re continuing our early celebration of the July 10th release of Psycho Therapy, the last in my Diamond Trilogy with this Toe Tag of the second story Suicide Squeeze.

The Suicide Squeeze was released from Down & Out Books in 2021 and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

TG Wolff Review

Widow’s Run is a Mystery. A university chemistry professor went out for lunch and didn’t come back. The cops think he’s skipped town, but his fiancée knows better. Desperate for answers, the fiancée, Hanna Lang, agrees to a clandestine meeting. The stranger with a reputation gives her a cryptic letter and an address. An hour later, she rings the doorbell.

Diamond is a former CIA agent turned widow whose future is sealed. In her darkest hour, the curve fate pitches is a blonde with a situation virtually identical to her own with one exception: Hanna’s man might still be alive.

Putting her plans on hold, Diamond dives into the mystery, surfacing in a scavenger hunt for a secret known as Poe’s Raven. It takes Diamond’s flair for the impossible to capture this bird, only to discover what’s in her hand has the potential to take terrorism to a chilling new level. And fate isn’t done with Diamond, forcing her to put it all on the line or risk setting the caged bird free.

Bottom line: Suicide Squeeze is for you if you like fast-paced mysteries, dynamic characters, and story meant to be read just for the fun of it

Strengths of the story. To give you an unbiased review, I’m using posted reviews…

One from Amazon, “…Like the first book, SUICIDE SQUEEZE is a fast-paced, humorous thrill ride from beginning to end that spans multiple continents. Even better? It brings back all our favorite characters from book one. Loved it, and can't wait to see what new adventures await Diamond in book 3!.”

This story carries on with the style from the first book, keying on pacing and characters. It’s a solid mystery, but simple, it had to be because everything around it was so complex. Each chapter is it’s own story and also moves the overall story along. It made it a blast to write and it what give the pacing it’s feel.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Well, there aren’t any negative reviews. Honestly, there’s only one review on Amazon and Goodreads…so that must mean everyone loves it!

So take six hours out of your reality to read Suicide Squeeze, the second Diamond Adventure. Review it, help me get up to like 20 reviews. It would mean a lot. Then you’ll be ready to finish the series with Psycho Therapy, releasing July 10th. Join us next week for the last episode of Season 6: Detective Connolly Gets Wet N Wild. In the tradition of Inspector Clousseau and Maxwell Smart, Detective Connolly…is something you have to experience for yourself. Hint: It’s a Jack story.

S5E12 Her Last Carriage Ride

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 12, the last of the season, a 1895-era horse drawn carriage is the featured vehicle. This is Her Last Carriage Ride by TG Wolff

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT TG Wolff

Like you, I’m not one thing. I’m a writer, an engineer, a wife, and a mother. What is first on the list depends on the day. Beyond the title I claim, I’m a person who loves learning and thoroughly enjoys a good puzzle, is creative and gets bored easily. My guilty pleasures are Victorian and regency romances, so I thought I’d try my hand at a period mystery. The is set in 1895, in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

In case you were wondering, I hold a BS in Civil Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and an MS in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State University, which gives me absolutely no background in writing, but I do it anyway. Writing mysteries and engineering isn’t as different as you’d think. Both require using logic and process to get from a starting problem to a solution.

Thank you the Cleveland Police, Cleveland Water Department, and Case Western Reserve University for your webpages chocked full of Cleveland life in the late 1800s.

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

MORE from TG Wolff

TG Wolff writes mysteries that takes your mind off your day job, distracts you from the chores you don’t want to do, and gives you something to figure out beyond why your kid thought putting his finger in there was a good idea. Explore my two series. The De La Cruz Casefiles are modern day, police detective mysteries series set in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Nothing is every as easy as it seems. I mean, really, where would the fun be in that? Speaking of fun, check out my Diamond trilogy. Diamond resurrected her CIA cover to find the truth about her husband’s death…and then she kept going. The third book, Psycho Therapy, is coming in July from Down & Out Books. Pre-order Now. Like right now. Unless you’re driving…then do it later.

DELIBERATION

We’re going way back for this one. Someone killed Enid Carter and it wasn’t a street urchin. Here are the people Detective Cian Kelly and Patrolman Grant McPherson have in play:

Mr. Charles Ridley, the object of Enid’s attention was not a man who liked to share
Mr. Oliver Morley, Ridley’s uncle, wanted only success for the nephew he loved like a son
Mrs. Agnes Morley, Ridley’s aunt, saw through Enid’s façade to the glory hound she was.
Mr. Walter Morley, Ridley’s cousin, knew Enid’s intentions were less than honest and was determined to show her true stripes
Miss Hannah Warren, Ridley’s previous love interest was determined to win him back

Here are the clues as presented:

Enid Carter was shot while riding in the rear seat of a carriage driven by Charles Ridley.
Enid Carter was shot with a 0.50 caliber bullet determined to be from a dueling pistol. The bullet entered in an upward trajectory, penetrating a lung and knicking an artery. There was no gun powder or other residue on Enid Carter.
No shot from a gun was heard by Charles Ridley, Grant McPherson, or Payne McPherson. Only fireworks, which were being set up by boys running throughout the park. Residue from firecrackers were found near the location where the carriage stopped.
Charles Ridley owned a gun, but it was 0.44 caliber and he did not have it on his person this night.
Trees screened the attacker from Grant McPherson’s sight. A boot print and cigarette were found along the likely exit path. The boot print was sized for an average man.
Mr. and Mrs. Morley were at their home after the party. Mr. Morley has a small but well-represented collection of firearms that included dueling pistols.
Miss Warren was at her home, having been escorted there by Mr. Walter Morley, who entertained her out of her low mood. She was with a party of neighbors at the time of the incident. She inherited dueling pistols from her father, but they hadn’t been fired in years.

It isn’t a surprise that Mrs. Carter was assassinated, but who made sure it was her last carriage ride?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Her Last Carriage Ride was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT18: Widow's Run (Diamond #1)

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s I’m starting an early celebration of the July 10th release of Pyscho Therapy, the last in my Diamond Trilogy with this Toe Tag of the first story, Widow’s Run. Widow’s Run is the first season of Mysteries to Die For. The book was our inspiration for starting the podcast as much as it was our guinea pig in learning how to do, well, everything..

The Widow’s Run was released November 2019 from Down & Out Books and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

Everyone but Tina's Review

Widow’s Run is a Mystery. Diamond. One name for a woman with one purpose in life. It should have been ordinary, her husband attending a scientific conference, except he didn’t come home. A random accident. Or was it? A video surfaces calling facts into question, but the police only have words of sympathy for the new widow. Resurrecting her CIA cover, Diamond goes where the police won’t. From Washington DC to Rome, Italy, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, her widow’s run follows the stink greed leaves in its wake. Murder is filthy business. Good thing Diamond likes playing dirty.

Bottom line: Widow’s Run is for you if you like fast-paced mysteries, dynamic characters, and story meant to be read just for the fun of it

Strengths of the story. To give you an unbiased review, I’m using posted reviews…

Two from Amazon, “Widow's Run is a suspenseful thriller with well-crafted characters and a plot that leaves you guessing until the very end.”

And

“Widow's Run is a nonstop roller coaster ride of chaos and suspense with a lead character who's not afraid to speak her mind...and has the resources to back her words up. Determined to find the true reason behind her husband's death, Diamond will stop at nothing to get the answers...including faking her own death and then showing up in disguise at the funeral. Both her tongue and mind are sharp as a whip, making this a super fun read.”

These are fair. This story is about pacing and characters. It’s a solid mystery, but simple, it had to be because everything around it was so complex. I was inspired by Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series – each chapter is it’s own story and also moves the overall story along. It made it a blast to write and it what give the pacing it’s feel.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Miriam on GoodReads gave me a 3.5 for zest and enthusiasm- thanks for the bump, Miriam. She felt it was “a convoluted spy / mystery / thriller that begins in a slapstick humor manner and, while calming down some, is still frenetic as Diamond travels to Rome and back to the states. She's got a lot of help, some more useful than others.

There are a few grammatical errors, and a doozy of a continuity issue at the very end as the dead people are incorrectly identified.

If you do pick up this slim mystery, don't put it down or you'll lose track of all the disparate threads.”

The comment on slapstick is reasonable. Overall, it may give the impression the book is silly, which it isn't. But it does feature gags that mix physical timing and mental wit. It is more Dead Pool than Inspector Gadget.

I have no reason to doubt the grammatical errors are there. They drive me crazy. No less than four professionals reviewed this book…and still they sneak through. Just enjoy them, that’s what I do when I find one – it’s like finding a four leaf clover. Maybe when books are written by AI they'll be perfect. Until there, when you find a oops think, 'Hey, a human wrote this! Cool.'

As to the continuity issue, well I had to look into that one because continuity is one of my big thing’s and…nope…all the names were correct. Now, as Miriam implied, there were a bunch of characters, and not all of them died (some were only severely maimed). I suspect she read something in a way I didn’t intend. Reading it as I did intend, no issue. If any of you think you find the error, email me at tina at tgwolff dot com. I'll send you a book if you find it and I’m curious what you see.

So, I'm inviting you take six hours out of your reality to read Widow’s Run, the first Diamond Adventure. Review it, help me get up to like 20 reviews. It would mean a lot. Then you’ll be ready to pick up with Suicide Squeeze, the first chapter is our next toe tag

S5E11 You Winn Some, You Lose Some

Fri, 26 May 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 11, a Winnebago is the featured vehicle. This is You Winn Some, You Lose Some by Kyra Jacobs

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Kyra Jacobs

http://www.kyrajacobs.wordpress.com/

More from Kyra Jacobs

YOU WINN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME is a short story based on a smalltown novel that’s been tugging at author Kyra Jacobs for some time now. She tried ignoring the characters, but since they wouldn’t leave her alone, she decided to give them a test run on Mysteries to Die For. Since Kyra had quite a bit of fun exploring their world, the Young sisters may eventually get to star in their own full-length novel. Kyra has written in a variety of genres, includes romantic suspense, sweet romance, paranormal, and women’s fiction, each full of heart and humor. Be sure to check out her full backlist at kyrajacobsbooks.com.

DELIBERATION

Kyra Jacobs needs our help digging the Misfortune Sisters out of a tight spot. Here is a list of the suspects in Bradley Buchanan’s untimely passing:

Destiny Meyers, the girlfriend with the loose morals who swore she’d kill the man if he cheated on her.
Carl Flannigan, the neighbor who’d had it with Bradley’s black cat deflowering his hydrangeas.
Suzanne Buchanan McIntyre, the loving, poorer sister who happened to be the sole beneficiary
Scott McIntyre, the brother-in-law who didn’t seem to mind the breakup

Here are the clues as we have them…

Bradley Buchanan died from an asthma attack. He did not have an inhaler in his car.
Bradley was known to be allergic to grass, dogs, spinach, perfume, some deodorant.
Destiny Meyers, inspired by her fortune, demanded Bradley propose marriage.
Bradley went to Destiny’s house to make-up. Destiny wouldn’t let him in, forcing him to stand outside, next to a newly mowed lawn.
Sunday, upset over the situation with Destiny, Bradley went to Suzanne’s house to talk to his sister. He told her about his plans to propose, the timeshare in Cabo, and the change in his will. Brother-in-law Scott told him to get over it, his sister encouraged him to give it time.
After leaving his sister’s house, Bradley drove to the misfortune sisters, where he died in the driveway.
Destiny went to Bradley’s house the next day, reportedly to get his cat.
In the interview, Destiny’s tears didn’t all ring as real.

Time to look into your crystal ball and tell us who you see?

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Please do support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Check out our website TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. You Winn Some, You Lose Some was written by Kyra Jacobs. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT17: Dream Stalker

Fri, 19 May 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Dream Stalker by Nancy Gardner

Dream Stalker was released June 2021 and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Nancy Gardner

Nancy Gardner writes cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist. The first novel in her new series, Dream Stalker, tells the story of Lily Scott, a contemporary Salem witch who walks into people’s dreams to fight crime. One reviewer called it a gripping tale of witchcraft, family loyalties, and the cost of seeking justice. Her most recent short story, “Death’s Door,” was selected to be included in the 2021 anthology, Malice Domestic 16: Mystery Most Diabolical. She lives near Boston with her writer husband, David.

TG Wolff Review

Dream Stalker lists as a paranormal cozy mystery. It’s October in Salem, Massachusetts and Mrs. Lily Scott, wiccan, herbalist, and dream walker, is up to her neck in trouble. It started with a childhood friend, she suicided in front Lily. That was followed with two murders, arson, another suicide, and an accident that threatens the life of the best woman Lily knows, her sister Ann. Lily follows a trail of clues to protect the women she cares for, including the one she loves most, her own daughter.

Bottom line: Dream Stalker is for you if you like your mysteries clean, your witches wiccan, and your fiction feminine.

Strengths of the story. Gardner’s female characters are the gems of this story. All major characters and most minor are female, with a large part of the story arc dedicated to Lily recovering the relationship with her sister and her daughter. That puts this mystery solidly in the category of Women’s fiction. Each character is truly unique and stays true to themselves throughout the telling – for better or for worse. Salem, MA in October gives a colorful backdrop for a story of quiet deceit and subtle treachery. It certainly made me curious about the town, which is exactly what a good author does. The story lives up to the Cozy name with clean language and roots in the heritage and traditions of Wiccan. A sophisticated hand compares and contrasts Wiccan to Catholicism, showing that when you look for differences, that is what you see. But when you look for goodness, beauty is abound.

Where the story fell short of ideal. The story is listed as a paranormal. Readers who prefer moderation in paranormal will appreciate Gardner’s sparing hand with Lily’s dream walking. As a reader who loves the power and imagination of a world beyond our own and prefers it in a story the same way I want chocolate syrup on my ice cream, I was left wanting more. In my opinion, framing this story as a women’s fiction cozy mystery better casts the light of the story. Lily has a lot of work to do if she is going to solve the mystery, save the shelter her sister runs, and repair the relationships most vital to her.

S5E10 A Shuttle to Trouble

Fri, 12 May 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 10, one of those annoying shuttles that gets you around an airport is the featured vehicle. This is A Shuttle to Trouble by Karina Bartow

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Karina Bartow

http://www.karinabartow.com/

Karina Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. Her works include Husband in Hiding, Brother of Interest, Forgetting My Way Back to You, and Wrong Line, Right Connection. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

MORE from Karina Bartow

“A Shuttle to Trouble” is part of Karina Bartow’s Unde(a)feated Detective Series, which follows deaf detective, Minka Avery. Minka’s always striving to rise above her deafness—as well as her family’s antics—to crack the case. To catch up on the Avery family, check out Husband in Hiding and Brother of Interest, both available on Amazon. For further information on Karina and her books, visit KarinaBartow.com.

DELIBERATION

Here is where we pause to figure out just which nut is responsible for cracking grumpy old Lloyd. There is a list of the characters in the order of their appearance, not including our detectives:

Nina the Barista. She has a way with creamers.
Bryce Hinckley, the soon-to-be-newlywed who missed out on his last pina colada.
Colleen Sheffield, the niece Lloyd mismanaged her trust fund
Eliza Sheffield, nee Wells, nee Sheffield, a very disgruntled ex.

Here’s the clues we have so far:

Everyone knew Lloyd had a severe coconut allergy, because he told them
Lloyd was loud, bossy, and generally made everyone around him miserable
Lloyd caused problems at his daughter’s wedding, trying to get family members on his side
Lloyd lost most of Colleen’s trust fund. She said he embezzeled it. He said it was a weak market- not his fault.
A clump of coconut oil was put on Lloyd’s handkerchief and his EpiPen was missing.
His ex-wife did not take the same plane but was in the airport at the time, on a video call with co-workers.
His niece did take the same plane but tried to ignore the fact her uncle was on it.

Now is your chance. Who killed Lloyd Wells and why?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Shuttle to Trouble was written by Karina Bartow. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT16: The Bone Records

Fri, 05 May 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Bone Records by Rich Zahradnik

The Bone Records was released October 2022 from 1000 Words A Day Press and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Rich Zahradnik

Rich Zahradnik is the author of the thriller The Bone Records and four critically acclaimed mysteries, including Lights Out Summer, winner of the Shamus Award. He was a journalist for twenty-seven years and now lives in Pelham, New York, where he is the mentor to the staff of the Pelham Examiner, an award-winning community newspaper run, edited, reported, and written by people under the age of eighteen.

TG Wolff Review

The Bone Records is a thriller. Grigg Orlov, the son of a Russian father and Jamaican mother (deceased), was an outsider in his own neighborhood. His father disappeared six months ago and the NYPD wasn’t interested in looking for him. Grigg alone has been searching while juggling two jobs. Just as suddenly, his father returns, with a gunman hot on his heels. His father’s last stand launches Grigg on mission for the truth. One with twisted truths and secrets so deep, dying is the only way out.

Bottom line: The Bone Records is for you if you like lightning-fast pacing, engaging underdogs, and a setting in one of America’s hidden cultures.

Strengths of the story. Rooted in New York City’s Russian community, the story is a creative weave of fiction and facts in the foreground of the 2016 presidential election. That being said, this is not a political thriller. At its essence, The Bone Records is a thriller about a son searching for the truth about his father’s murder. The plotting is strong with Grigg taking actions that interfere with the antagonists’ goals and force them to react to him, propelling the story forward. There is ample lying, backstabbing, and spying to keep the reader guessing right along with Grigg about who can be trusted.

Where the story fell short of ideal. This is a very strong thriller. Of course, there are always little things I can pick at, but nothing worth mentioning. When I got to the end of The Bone Records, I sat for several moments and unpicked the weave of the storylines. They all held up. The actions stayed consistent with the motivations of the decision makers from start to finish. It would have been interesting if Grigg had had more time with his father. What would he have learned and how would it have changed Grigg’s actions. For that matter, after six months, why did his father come back at all?

S5E9 The Maven Murder

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 9, a LCU is the featured vehicle. That is a Landing Craft Utility boat, used to transport equipment and troops to shore. This is The Maven Murder by Paul A. Barra

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Paul A. Barra

Paul A. Barra is a chemistry teacher and a former newspaper reporter and Naval officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V and other decorations for his service on the rivers of the Mekong delta. His 2019 novel, WESTFARROW ISLAND (Permanent Press), was a finalist for a Silver Falchion award. He is married and has eight children with his wife, the former Joni Lee. They reside in Columbia, South Carolina. https://paulbarra.com/

MORE from Paul A. Barra

Paul A. Barra, the author of "Maven Murder," has written and published five novels. His latest was WESTFARROW ISLAND, a finalist for the Silver Falchion. One of his short stories was selected for the award-winning MWA anthology WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN. He now has a mystery set in 1969 Wyoming ready to go out on submission.

DELIBERATION

Well, instead of solving Trudy’s murder, Cynthia joined the mystery. Author Paul Barra is challenging us to solve both murders. Here are the suspects in the order of appearance to help Constable Kurt Knudsen solve the crimes:

Mutt Harrelson, reported to be secretive and attracted to women beyond the missus. He was probably rebuffed by the victim Trudy.
Petey Harrelson, a vet struggling with life since returning from Afghanistan; he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and had been known to be violent.
Jasper Crowe, an arrogant prick who keeps women and everyone else in their places. Trudy did not respect him.
Margo Harrelson, Mutt’s wife, is a poison pill who knew her man was a lecher. His lust for Trudy was obvious to her.
Estrella Harrelson, Petey’s wife and Constable Knudsen’s lover. She’s the only one with a air tight alibi.
Diana Crowe, arrogant, just like her husband, and felt it her duty to keep lesser women in their place. Trudy did not kowtow to her either.

Here is what we know about Trudy’s murder:

The bartender left work after her shift having changed clothes to go out.
She was found murdered the next morning, her clothes disheveled.
The bar was filled only with locals working second shift at the cannery.
Small amounts of dark cloth were found on her, which were not distinguishing.

Here is what we know about Cynthia’s murder:

Everyone knew Cynthia suspected Trudy’s murderer was among them and she had a plan for revealing the truth.
The generator did not go out on its own but was turned off.
Cynthia was killed with a fileting knife that likely belonged to the Constable captain.
Cynthia held a fileting knife in her right hand.
George and Estrella did not kill Cynthia.
Nobody saw Mutt leave or knows where he is.

You know the questions…who did it and why?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Maven Murder was written by Paul A. Barra. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT15: What Meets the Eye

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is What Meets the Eye by Alex Kenna

What Meets the Eye was released December 2022 from Crooked Lane Books and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Alex Kenna

Alex Kenna is a lawyer, writer, and amateur painter. Before law school, Alex studied painting and art history. She also worked as a freelance culture writer and sold art in a gallery. Originally from Washington DC, Alex lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and giant schnauzer, Zelda. When she’s not writing Alex can be found exploring Southern California, toddler-wrangling, and playing string instruments badly.

TG Wolff Review

What Meets the Eye is a Private Investigator mystery. PI Kate Myles takes a job everyone else has turned down, the investigation of an avant-garde artist’s death. LAPD, Kate’s former employer, determined it was a suicide. But, of course, her father doesn’t buy it for no fact-based reason. Kate’s taken this job before and three out of three times, the cops were right. But this time? This time just may be different.

Bottom line: What Meets the Eye is for you if you like your art edgy, your stakes high, and your dirty deeds done anything but cheap.

Strengths of the story. The setting is one of the stars of this story. This mystery is embedded in the LA art scene and told in a way that could only be done by someone with Kenna’s unique background. This goes beyond the death of a star artist and makes this one of the most mysteries I’m read in a long time.

The plot is equally interesting, likely because it is interwoven with the art scene itself. This isn’t a mystery that is merely dropped into an interesting setting. This story only exists because of where it is in the art scene.

Where the story fell short of ideal. The story telling style is 80% from Kate Myles POV in modern time with the remainder from other characters and/or in past times. On the “pro” side, the style gives the reader “just in time” cues to motivation and back story for the mystery or Kate herself. On the “con” side, it can pull the reader out of the story and introduce some time or speaker confusion. This will be something that some readers won’t notice at all and will bother others. For my own experience, I “hear” the story as I read, so tended to hear Kate regardless of who the narrator was supposed to be. Hence, it caused me some confusion but was able to work through it quickly.

S5E8 GTA: Pennsylvania Dutch

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 8, a prized Percheron is the featured vehicle. (That’s a horse.) This is GTA: Pennsylvania Dutch by Ken Harris

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Ken Harris

Ken Harris retired from the FBI, after thirty-two years, as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. He is the author of the “From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish” series. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Virginia’s Northern Neck. https://kenharrisfiction.com/

MORE from Ken Harris

Ken Harris returns, along with PIs Steve Rockfish and Jawnie McGee, with A Bad Bout of the Yips: From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish – 3 from Black Rose Writing.

Rockfish & McGee uncover a laser-focused plan of intimidation targeting their clients via vandalism and intolerance. The return of an old nemesis compels them to fight on two fronts. The frenetic ride traverses from a corporate setting, across cyberspace, and to a showdown where everything changes for the partners.

Check out the first two adventures The Pine Barrens Stratagem and See You Next Tuesday, available in paperback and audio.

DELIBERATION

Ken has served us up a hand churned conundrum for Rockfish and McGee with this one. What started out as a horse-napping has turned into murder and maybe more. Here are the charming residents of this small Pennsylvanian town in the order we met them:

Mildred Ebersole, the client, an Amish woman who separated godliness and cleanliness
Hannah Ebersole, the client’s niece, who doesn’t say a word without permission
Zebadiah Ebersole, the client’s nephew, also mute unless commanded
Rude man in wheelchair, an almost regular at Rutherford’s, who runs into Jawnie
Pizza Face, clerk at Rutherford’s, putting his time in until something better comes along
Clarence, the dead man, a drunk in a dry county willing to sell secrets

And now for the facts:

Mildred’s prize horse was stolen and she doesn’t want to involve the police to avoid publicity.
Mildred has a satchel of cash that doesn’t match up with her poor appearance.
The horse, Floyd, was being held in a barn at the location Clarence passed to Jawnie. Before Rockfish and Jawnie could move in, the horse is rode out and Clarence is dead.
A dropped match book points them to McMurray’s garage and the building behind it.
Floyd is in the McMurray’s garage along with a moonshine still. The bottles match the ones Clarence drank from at Rutherford’s.
Not a fact, but Rockfish and Jawnie suspect the clerk known as Pizza Face is connected to something…or everything.

For a broasted chicken and Dutch apple pie, what the heck is going on?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. GTA: Pennsylvania Dutch was written by Ken Harris. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT14: A Bad Bout of the Yips

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is A Bad Bout of the Yips by Ken Harris

The A Bad Bout of the Yips was released March 9, 2023 from Black Rose Publishing and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Ken Harris

Ken Harris retired from the FBI, after thirty-two years, as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. He is the author of the From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish series. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Northern Virginia.

TG Wolff Review

A Bad Bout of the Yips is a PI mystery. Partners Steve Rockfish and Jawnie McGee are neck deep in the kind of trouble that puts you six feet under. First, there is the case. Their clients are being threatened and their property burned to incentivize them to sell their putt putt business. Then, there is the next streaming show. Angel is coming to talk. And so is his money. Finally, there’s the mob. Annetta Provolone may be under house arrest but Jawnie’s the one who is locked down until the retrial. Nothing goes right. Not a single, damn thing.

Bottom line: A Bad Bout of the Yips is for you if you like stubborn private investigators with smart mouths and ideas so bad, they’re great.

Strengths of the story. It’s a hard call on whether the characters, the fast-paced storytelling style, or the dynamic storylines is the starring feature. Together, they hit the trifecta of PI mysteries. There is enough humor and irreverence to keep Yips from becoming too heavy even as the ruthlessness of the mob characters has you worried for everyone’s well-being.

Where the story fell short of ideal: There only place the story fell short of ideal was Siri listening to Jawnie and doing what she wanted the first time she asked. Ken Harris is truly living in a fantasy world. Beyond that, there isn’t a place where the story fell short. It is the third in a continuing story and, IMO, would be best enjoyed after reading the prior installments. Don’t think of it as a gotta do, think of it as a get to do.

S5E7 Dead Man's Switch

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 7, an old school locomotive is the featured vehicle. This is Dead Man’s Switch by Erica Obey

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Erica Obey

MORE from Erica Obey

If you enjoyed this Watson & Doyle, why not check out their first full-length adventure, The Brooklyn North Murder by Erica Obey, now available on-line and in bookstores everywhere.

DELIBERATION

Erica has given us a hopped up, locked room mystery to solve. Here are the suspects Watson, Byrne and Doyle have to work with in Reggie Styles’ murder:

Natasha Blinsky, the little dancer who couldn’t
Marty Fry, the coke head acting as the courier. His prop attache case was found at the scene.
Spenser Ffolkes, the struggling young actor who is still struggling
Jeb Comey, our gun loving actor whose prop was loaded with live rounds
Miss Lacey, an upright citizen and proprietress of the shop from which the garters came

Here is a summary of the clues we have:

Reggie was found in an empty train car, alone and dead beneath the rabbit head
The train was observed by Watson and Byrne, no one entered or left the train
The train moved forward, suddenly stopped, then came the gunshot
A box of broken garters from Miss Lacy’s shop was found strewn around the engineer’s cab.
An old-style pistol used as a prop had been loaded with live rounds
All the actors were being blackmailed. All believed the dead man was behind it.
Miss Lacy suspects the dead man was using the Fun Rail to commit insurance fraud.

So, how did Reggie Styles die?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Dead Man’s Switch was written by Erica Obey. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT13: Chaos at Carnegie Hall

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Chaos at Carnegie Hall by Kelly Oliver

The Chaos at Carnegie Hall was released November 15, 2022 from Boldwood Books and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Kelly Oliver

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning and bestselling author of three mystery series: The Jessica James Mysteries; Pet Detective Mysteries for middle grade readers; and The Fiona Figg Mysteries. Chaos at Carnegie Hall is the latest Fiona Figg mystery, and the first to feature sidekick, Kitty Lane.

When she’s not writing novels, Kelly is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.

TG Wolff Review

Chaos at Carnegie Hall is a cozy, historical mystery. It is the first in the Fiona Figg / Kitty Lane mystery series, picking up the character of Fiona Figg from a separate cozy series by Kelly Oliver. It’s 1917 and Temporary British Intelligence officer Fiona Figg is sent from London to New York in pursuit of Frederick Fredericks, a smooth talking South African who is determined to undermine the British war effort. But first, she has to get there.

Bottom line: Chaos at Carnegie Hall is for you if you like the quirks of cozy, the nostalgia of WWI era settings, and the charm of British mysteries.

Strengths of the story. The story is charming as it incorporates in stride details of the world as it was in 1917, both in London and New York. From the clothes to the societal rules to the politics, Choas at Carnegie Hall gives a glimpse into life as it was.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Chaos at Carnegie Hall was hard for me to wrap my arms around. I would have described it as a cozy spy novel up to about the half-way point where the mystery element began. The story is billed as the 1st in the series, but it uses characters (good and bad) and makes references to the cases of the Fiona Figg books. From a reader’s stand-point, I do think it is more fairly characterized as a Fiona Figg book. Oliver does a thorough job of explaining the back story, but as is always the case, you do feel like you are jumping in at the middle rather than the beginning, as you with expect with a Book 1.

S5E6 Scorching the Back Seat

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. A Word Before Dying is available from all on-line book retailers. And pre-order is available now for Move It or Lose It. Releasing on March 21, share it with your favorite book lover.

For Episode 6, 1960s era Volkswagen is the featured vehicle. This is Scorching the Back Seat by Craig Faustus Buck

ABOUT Craig Faustus Buck

Craig Faustus Buck has been a journalist, a nonfiction book author, and a TV writer-producer. He currently writes short stories, crime novels, and feature films. His noir novel Go Down Hard and his short stories have been nominated for or won multiple awards. Of his six nonfiction books, two were #1 New York Times bestsellers--one pop-psychology the other pop-gynecology. His short film Overnight Sensation, was nominated for an Academy Award. He was one of the writers on V: The Final Battle, the most watched science fiction event in television history, and wrote the famous episode where The Incredible Hulk dropped acid. Based in Los Angeles, he is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Writers Guild of America, International Thriller Writers, and Barbecue Brethren.

http://www.craigfaustusbuck.com/

DELIBERATION

Craig Faustus Buck has given us a Cold War enigma to solve for our friend Slate. Here are the characters he’s met since his eyes have been open, in the order of appearance:

• Dr. Hermann, the attending physician who pegged Slate as an American

• Leutnant Fleischer, the red-headed investigator from the People’s Police who suspects Slate is more than just unlucky

• Dr. Kohl, the psychiatrist whose job it is to make sure Slate’s mind is as healed as his body

• Rommy, an American from a Southern state who claims that Slate knew him previously as a drug dealing associate, though this strikes Slate as unlikely

• Charlene, another American who has trouble keeping her shirts buttoned

• Alex, a bartender at the DK who busted Slate and Charlene in a private moment

Here is what we know about what happened to Slate:

• He was shot in the head at close range. The Stasi found him and took him to the hospital, where he woke up without a memory, his wallet or his identification papers.

• Slate’s body shows evidence of other injuries, including knife wounds. None are reported as being new.

• Slate speaks German but defaults to English. His accent is American, with no specification of a region.

• Rommy finds out that Slate is in the hospital and goes to meet him. He does not share how he learned Slate was in a East German hospital.

• The People’s Police authorize Slate’s release to Rommy, who takes him to West Germany and the one-bedroom flat he shares with Charlene.

• Rommy reveals that he sells drugs to the East German officers in exchange for secrets he then sells to the CIA. Slate occasionally works as his runner.

• Charlene reveals that she and Slate were lovers, but they were careful to hide it from a jealous Rommy.

• Alex caught Charlene and Slate in his back of his car and is presumed to have told Rommy.

• Charlene says Rommy shot Slate, but Rommy denies it. If he had, he wouldn’t have missed.

One of these people shot Slate and if we don’t figure out who, they may try it again. Whodunnit?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Scorching the Backseat was written by Craig Faustus Buck. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT12: Duplicity

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Duplicity by Shawn Wilson

Duplicity was released October 2022 from Oceanview Publishing and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About Shawn Wilson

Shawn Wilson is a produced playwright and author of Relentless, the first novel in the Brick Kavanagh mystery series. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from American University in Washington, D.C. and spent over thirty years working for the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Having traveled on five continents, she is very happy to call Chicago home.

TG Wolff Review

Duplicity is a mystery, the kind I call a “follow along.” Brick Kavanagh is officially retired from the Washington DC police Homicide Squad. Unofficially, he’s got a few irons in the fire. The most promising is an airline stewardess named Nora that just might be worth relocating to Chicago. A potential paying gig, Brick is invited to mentor law students through a cold case in their own back yard. Then there is the thing that happens to his partner’s wife. For that, everything else can wait.

Bottom line: Duplicity is for you if you like appealing characters getting in the weeds of missing persons and cold case mysteries.

Strengths of the story. Brian “Brick” Kavanaugh is a strong leading character who you want to succeed. The secondary characters are equally engaging and, always a winner with me, I could keep them straight. The “missing person” and “cold case” storylines hold up front-to-back and then back-to-front. The rapid storytelling style is engaging and keeps you wanting to know what happens next.

Where the story fell short of ideal. While there were no plot holes, the main storyline pivoted to resolution on a coincidence, not Brick’s actions or deductions. Being a mystery fanatic, I look for the detectives to drive to the solution. In this case, he was more in the right place at the right time, which falls short of ideal. Notably, Brick does drive the solution of the secondary storyline. If it wasn’t for him sticking with what should have been a dead-end lead and pressing buttons marked “do not touch” then the status quo would have been sadly maintained.

S5E5 The Bus Stops Here

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 5, one of the shorter, dedicated buses is the featured vehicle. This is The Bus Stops Here by KM Rockwood

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT KM Rockwood

DELIBERATION

KM gives us a gruesome little plot to help Conchie and Detective Lister unravel to solve the mystery of Mia’s death. There is a list of the suspects in the order they appear:

Sonya Reynolds, the social worker who can’t be bothered to be worried about Mia
Not-so-great nephew Gerard, you know, the yeller
Rachel, the housekeeper who is cleaning on a non-cleaning day
Elvin, the jerk who threaten Mia for an aisle seat
Mr. Raslings, the facility manager who is looking for a nice donation

Here is a summary of the clues we have so far:

Mia’s apartment door was open when Conchie went in. Nothing was out of order.

Vivian and Rory both confirm Mia went to the Christmas concert and she was on the returning bus. Neither saw Mia leave the bus.
Rory walked the bus and is certain Mia was not on it when he left it.
Conchie found Rachel in Mia’s apartment later, reportedly to clean up a barbecue stain in the kitchen.
Vivian, Rachel, and others reported that Mia was having bouts of memory issues. This included talking about wedding planning for the fiancé she had in her youth.
Vivian witnessed Elvin threaten Mia over her aisle seat and then, on the bus, he shoved her, causing her to fall against the window.
Nicole the desk attendant produced the list that did not show Mia signing but in. But then Vivian and others also did not sign back in.
Nicole confirmed that Mia met with her attorney in Sonja’s office.
Everyone her Gerard threatening to sue everyone about everything. He strenuously objected to an autopsy.
Rumor was Mia had money. Millions.

Now it’s your turn. On what suspect do you put your money?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. The Bus Stops Here was written by KM Rockwood. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT11: The Accidental Spy

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Accidental Spy by David Gardner

The Accidental Spy was released November 2, 2022 from Encircle Publications and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.

About David Gardner

David Gardner grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, served in Army Special Forces and earned a Ph.D. in French from the University of Wisconsin. He has taught college and worked as a reporter and in the computer industry.

He coauthored three programming books for Prentice Hall, wrote dozens of travel articles as well as too many mind-numbing computer manuals before happily turning to fiction: “The Journalist: A Paranormal Thriller,” “The Last Speaker of Skalwegian,” and “The Accidental Spy” (all with Encircle Publications, LLC).

He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Nancy, also a writer. He hikes, bikes, messes with astrophotography and plays the keyboard with no discernible talent whatsoever.

TG Wolff Review

The Accidental Spy is a Suspense Thriller with a minor in satire. Harvey Hudson is a big thinker. A professor of Big History, his niche in this world is to understand how things begin and how they end. His lackluster technical writing career began with the end of his collegiate teaching career. Breaking the top commandments for cyber security, he invites industrial espionage into his company’s servers. But, no worries, the CIA is on it…and so are the Russians. And Harvey, he’s the pinball stuck in between, working to make his own way out.

Bottom line: The Accidental Spy is for you if you like thrillers that are more intellectual than physical where you can cheer for the underdog.

Strengths of the story. Harvey Hudson is not your normal thriller hero. He’s a 56-year-old thinker, not a man of action, and we meet him at a low point in his life. Yet, he is utterly likeable for his quiet rebellions (eating the skittles out of a birthday basket), his dedication to his mother (paying her mortgage while he lives in a hole), and his unwavering dreamer philosophy (his favorite question is “what if?”). He is the star. The supporting characters are distinctive and have real roles in the story. The logic of the plot holds up and all questions are resolved.

Where the story fell short of ideal: This is a story that is a hybrid of the thriller and satire genre. The story is short on the high-speed chases and bullet riddled exchanges often expected with a thriller. Consequently, fans of series such as Jason Borne may find The Accidental Spy slow. However, if you have the sense of humor that aligns with Fletch, well, you’ll enjoy Harvey.

S5E4 Towed Away

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 4, Flatbed Tow Truck is the featured vehicle. This is Towed Away by Colin Conway

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Colin Conway

Colin Conway is the creator of the 509 Crime Stories, the Cozy Up series, the John Cutler Mysteries and others. He served in the U.S. Army and later was an officer for the Spokane Police Department. He lives in Eastern Washington with his girlfriend and a codependent Vizsla that rules their world. Follow his journey at colinconway.com.

More from Colin Conway

The following short story takes place in the universe of the 509 Crime Stories. This series of novels is based in Eastern Washington and features rotating lead characters. Find them all at Amazon.com.

DELIBERATION

Colin has given us a messy little he said, she said, he said murder, inside of a flat bed tow truck. Here are the last people to affect the last days Brandon Rice’s life:

Callum McDougan, owner of McDougal’s Tow Yard and Brandon’s employer. If Brandon was into some kind of trouble, and he’s not saying his was, then he had nothing to do with it, of course.
Wyatt Schulte, the Wasted Soul known as The Widowmaker, who was making it with Brandon’s wife. It was his bike on the back of the flat bed.
Nadine Rice, Brandon’s wife. Brandon was a good husband, but boring in bed. It was nothing that Wyatt couldn’t fix.
Raleigh Garmany, Nadine’s brother. His mental health issues landed him in jail more than once, but he’s on his meds now. He’s totally in control and happy living on the streets.

And now for a summary of the clues:

Brandon was shot in the head in the cab of his flatbed tow truck. His seatbelt was still fastened.
The cab window was eight feet off the ground. A step had to be used to reach the window.
The tow truck was parked in a vacant lot on one of the busiest intersections in Spokane. The lot was commonly used for pop-up tent sales, eating fast-food, and meeting up
There was no tow order on The Widowmaker bike.
Nadine Rice and Wyatt Schulte were having an affair. They were together, at his home, when the bike was towed.
After his bike was towed, Schulte went to the Souls club house to get his brothers to look for his bike. He drove his Jeep.
Nadine Rice called her husband about 30 minutes before his murder, reportedly to ask what he wanted for dinner. He wanted tuna fish casserole. She then went to the grocery store.
Nadine Rice’s car was at McDougan’s Tow Yard, where Brandon worked on fixing it between runs. Nadine reported ubering to the grocery store from Schulte’s house.
Raleigh Garmany hadn’t seen Brandon or Nadine in months. He didn’t own a gun.

Time to make the arrest. Whose name goes on the warrant?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Towed Away was written by Colin Conway. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT10: Hero Haters

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Hero Haters by Ken MacQueen

The Hero Haters was released in 2022 from The Wild Rose Press and is available from AMAZON and other book retailers.

About Ken MacQueen

Before turning to fiction, Ken MacQueen spent 15 years as Vancouver bureau chief for Maclean’s, Canada’s newsmagazine, winning multiple National Magazine Awards and nominations. He traveled the world writing features and breaking news for the magazine, and previously for two national news agencies. Naturally, he had to make Jake Ockham, his hero, a reporter, albeit a reluctant one. MacQueen also covered nine Olympic Games and drew Jake’s athletic prowess from tracking elite rowers in training and on podiums in Athens, Beijing and London. He and his wife divide their time between Vancouver, and British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.

TG Wolff Review

Hero Haters is a thriller. There’s a little bit of hero in all of us, but for some of us, our hero has risen to the test. Stopping a shooter in a school. Pulling a man out of a burning car. Rescuing a child from a well. In Ken MacQueen’s world, ordinary people putting others' lives ahead of their own are honored with an award for exceptional heroism with the Sedgewick Sacrifice Medal. Quietly, one by one, the recipients are disappearing, recipients vetted by one man: Jake Ockham. As the storm of hatred and disillusion swirls, Jake is again called to the most sublime act of setting others before himself.

Bottom line: Hero Haters is for you if you like high tension thrillers driven by twisted logic and determined heroes.

Strengths of the story: Hero Haters masterfully stimulates the readers feelings of urgency, angst, and “oh, shit, no.” This is one book where once you start, either you won’t put it down or you’ll put it down fast because you can’t take the intensity. The characters, good and bad, are well developed and feel like real people. The story line is truly well thought out. Ken MacQueen had to do a lot of plotting about what happened to these characters years before the story starts in order for it to be this flawless. The story moves distinctly between Washington State and Western Pennsylvania, making it easy to follow what is happening in the two locations.

Where the story fell short of ideal: This one doesn’t, which is unusual for me with thrillers. Usually I get to the end, look back at the story and find all kinds of contrived scenarios, plot holes, and inconsistencies between character motives and actions. That is not the case with Hero Haters. If I have to pick something as weak, I will say I had some trouble keeping the timeline straight at the start of the book. I didn’t realize this until I was about ⅔ way through and while surprising me, didn’t detract from the story.

S5E3 Speed Kills

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 3, a once futuristic but now very much a reality high tech sports car is the featured vehicle. This is Speed Kills by Chuck Brownman

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT Chuck Brownman

Chuck Brownman has spent the last twenty-five-plus years working on becoming an “overnight writing sensation.” Concentrating on writing mystery / suspense short fiction, his work has been published in several anthologies, including the 2019 Eyes of Texas anthology (Down & Out Press), Volumes 4 and 5 of the annual Death Edge Tales anthology, and a Book-of-the-Month club anthology. He won the 2017 Arizona Mystery Writers Short Story Contest, and he was a finalist in the 2015 Criminal Element.com short fiction contest. His stories also appeared on the mysterynet.com site.

MORE from Chuck Brownman

Chuck's story, "Independence Day," is up on the Shotgun Honey website, and he expects to have other stories appearing in some anthologies later this year ... more about those later!

DELIBERATION

Today’s author, Chuck Brownman, is certainly racking up the body count. First Alastair Stubbins and Quentin Ballinger are gassed, then Sergei Ivanov gets singed. Here is a list of everything with a heartbeat in the house…

Alastair Stubbins, a victim, but also an inventor who controlled the world from his little corner. He liked making people dance to his tune. He had a great vision for QN-7 but needed a financial partner to make it reality.
Quentin Ballinger, a victim, the chosen financial partner but a man who had money issues. Living in Monaco didn’t stop his company from being on the brink of bankruptcy. He had a reputation for building cheaply.
Sergei Ivanov, an almost victim, but a man who wouldn’t accept coming in second. He had a reputation for top quality.
Mrs. Ashley Stubbins, a trophy wife with a pre-nup who loved her hubby. Really, she did.
Regan Stubbins, the mechanical engineering daughter and heir apparent who didn’t like the deal her father was rigging.
Paul Stubbins, the artist in residence who didn’t like anything about his father except his money

Now that we have the heartbeats straight…here’s a summary of what we know.

Quentin Ballinger and Sergei Ivanov were staying at the Stubbins’ estate, one of them would close on a deal with Alastair Stubbins to complete the design and produce the QN-7.
The QN-7 was outfitted with next generation artificial intelligence that would let it learn to the point of making its own decisions. It was a top-secret operation. Only two key fobs existed. One Stubbins had and the other he gave to his wife.
Security information showed the door to the garage opened at eleven fifty at night. This is assumed to be Stubbins and Ballinger.
Stubbins and Ballinger died of carbon dioxide poisoning that came from the QN-7. There are signs of some sort of struggle, but there was no damage to either body and both were found next to the QN-7. The times of death was pinned between eleven pm and 2 am.
Security information showed the door to the garage opened again at twelve forty-seven. This is assumed to be the killer.
All the doors were closed – man doors and garage doors. There is no explanation for why the two able-bodied men didn’t open a door and walk out.
Sergei Ivanov reports being in his bedroom all night. This was neither confirmed nor denied.
Ashley Stebbins was in her bedroom all night. This was neither confirmed nor denied.
Paul Stebbins was alone in his room in the carriage house all night. This was confirmed only by Regan.
Regan Stebbins was alone in her room in the carriage house all night. Only Paul confirmed this.

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Speed Kills was written by Chuck Brownman. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT9: 1 Last Betrayal

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is 1 Last Betrayal by Valerie J. Brooks

1 Last Betrayal was released September 2022 from Black Leather Jacket Press and is available from AMAZON and other book retailers.

Revenge in 3 Parts (Black Leather Jacket Press, October 2018) AMAZON.

Tainted Times 2 (Brooks & Company, Sept 2020) AMAZON.

About Valerie J. Brooks

Multi-award-winning author Valerie J. Brooks is the author of the Angeline Porter trilogy, femmes-noir thrillers starring a badass disbarred attorney.

NYTimes bestselling author Kevin O’Brien called her second novel TAINTED TIMES 2 “… a real nail-biter from first page to the last.” Heather Gudenkauf, NYT bestselling author of THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE and THE OVERNIGHT GUEST calls Brooks the Queen of the Femmes-noir Thriller and says her upcoming 3rd novel 1 LAST BETRAYAL is “explosive” and “Brooks drops us into the dark underbelly of organized crime, and we love her for it.”

Brooks is a member of Sisters in Crime. Her awards include an Elizabeth George Foundation grant and five writing residencies. She teaches workshops and classes on writing noir and creating plot twists. Brooks found her love of thrillers as a teen after turning in a hitman to the FBI.

She lives in Oregon with her husband, Dan Connors and their Havanese pooch Stevie Nicks.

TG Wolff Review

1 Last Betrayal is a thriller. Angeline Porter is picking up where she left off from the 2nd book in the series, Tainted Times 2, putting it all on the line for her half-sister. Bibi has disappeared and based on the last few texts, it wasn’t willingly. Angeline flies from Oregon to Florida to extract her sister from a hornet's nest that includes a local detective, an ethically questionable FBI agent, a totally unethical mob queen, and a half-brother who only wants to be her family.

Bottom line: 1 Last Betrayal is for you if you like intricately woven plots that unravel one knot at a time.

Strengths of the story. 1 Last Betrayal checks a lot of boxes on the thriller checklist. First, the lead character being in mortal danger — check. Angeline, who is also called Ang, Angie, and Porter, is held at gunpoint, beaten, and kidnapped. She jumps from frying pan to frying pan, never quite knowing where the fire is. Second, the story has to resolve within a certain time — check. After 24 hours, most missing persons cases don’t end with a living resolution, according to the book, and so we have a deadline, or maybe it should be called an aliveline. Three, the motivations of the other characters are hidden from the lead — check. Every one of the people helping Angeline has an ulterior motive, but those secrets are tightly held.

Where the story fell short of ideal: It is common in thrillers to have scenes from the point of view of multiple characters, enabling us readers to know what is going on and to be anxious on behalf of our heroes. 1 Last Betrayal is told only from Angeline’s point of view. In a story based on false motives, Angeline becomes confused about what is really going on. Without the ballast of other points of view for us to root in, the chaos element is dominant in the middle section of the book. For those who thrive on chaos, you’ll love it. For those who don’t, stick with it and enjoy the ride.

1 Last Betrayal is the 3rd book in a trilogy. I recommend reading the earlier books, Revenge in 3 Parts, and Tainted Times 2 first. Ms. Brooks last installment continues with characters and situations built in the first episodes. For maximum enjoyment, start from the beginning, likely an unnecessary recommendation as most of us wouldn’t conceive of starting a series anywhere but book 1. Links to all three books are in the show notes.

S5E2 Finding Fault

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For Episode 2, an ambulance is the featured vehicle. This is Finding Fault by TG Wolff

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books.

A Word Before Dying E-Book (all outlets); Trade Paperback (Amazon Only)

Move It or Lose It: e-book and Trade paperback available 3/21/2023

ABOUT TG Wolff

Thank you to my brother, Vito, for the coaching on paramedics and ambulances.

Find me at www.tgwolff.com

MORE from TG WOLFF

Detective Jesus De La Cruz’s undercover narcotics assignment ended in a bloody mess. Over the last four years, he’s been rebuilt his life one day at a time. For his career, murder has been anything but by the books. Read Cruz’s first story, Exacting Justice by TG Wolff, and then follow him through Driving Reign and Razing Stakes. His fourth case, Playing Dead, is coming Spring 2024.

DELIBERATION

Commander Montoya dumped a messy one in Cruz and Yablonski’s laps. David Weissman wasn’t the angel he was said to be and plenty around him had reason to be happier with his exit. Here are the characters that touched his life in the order of appearance.

Christine Weissman, the perfect widow of the perfect husband
Diana Mahathy, the paramedic who took one on the jaw as she tried the save Weissman’s life
Tim Jackson, the EMT who broke the traffic rules getting Weissman to the hospital
Nathan Otzler, the law partner who was getting tired of cleaning up after his partner
Jude Tidemore, the assistant who was fed up with the toxic work environment
Paco Lopez, purveyor of chocolate and other treats?
Venus McManus, the woman severely injured in the accident that Weissman walked away from

Here are the clues as presented

Weissman began doing cocaine about the same time he began binging Mars Bars.
Weissman overdosed in his office. He was treated with and responded to Narcan. He was lucid when he was taken out of his law office. His primary concern was for his coat.
Weissman died from a massive overdose of cocaine laced with fentanyl. Residue was found on his left hand and in the left pocket of his suit coat. Weissman was right-handed.
Christine Weissman claims her husband was worth more to her alive than dead.
Diana Mahathy claims not to have known Weissman was the man who injured her sister. She did her job the best she could.
Tim Jackson claims the same as his partner.
Nathan Otzler won’t talk about it.
Jude Tidemore claims he wanted respect, not his boss dead.
Paco Lopez claims he only knows about candy bars.
Venus McManus claims she wanted the man to suffer, not die.
WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Finding Fault was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT8: The Midnight Call

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Midnight Call by Jodé Millman

The Midnight Call was released October 11, 2022 from Level Best Books and is available from AMAZON and other book retailers.

About Jodé Millman

Jodé Millman is the acclaimed author of HOOKER AVENUE, an American Fiction Award Finalist for Legal Thriller, and THE MIDNIGHT CALL, which won the Independent Press, American Fiction, Independent Publisher, and the Bronze IPPY Awards for Legal Thriller. She's an attorney, a reviewer for Booktrib.com, the host/producer of The Backstage with the Bardavon podcast, and creator of The Writer's Law School. Jodé lives with her family in the Hudson Valley, where she is at work on the next installment of her "Queen City Crimes" series—novels inspired by true crimes in the region she calls home. Find her at Jodé Millman - (jodemillman.com)

TG Wolff Review

The Midnight Call is a legal thriller. Jessica Martin is a corporate attorney whose mentor, Terence Butterfield, is in big trouble – the bloody kind. Jeremy Riley is the past-his-prime defense attorney Jess brings in to defend Terence. Hal Samuels is the Assistant District Attorney pressured to make sure justice is a big, public win. But it’s not that easy – it never is. Past relationships cloud the facts until the web is indeed a tangled one.

Strengths of the story. The story is told in three parts. In the first, we see firsthand the wheels that are set in motion by the midnight call. From the opening phrases through the Grand Jury, the story is well crafted, working through the angst and strategy of a murder trial. The middle part of the story shifts focus to the private lives of the main characters and how the publicity and pressure of the trial affects their choices and their families. The characters are put in difficult situations, and we watch as, for some, emotion overrules good judgment. The final sequence returns to the trial, where the lawyers roll up their sleeves and finish the job. The storytelling throughout is detailed and reasoned.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Compared to other legal thrillers, The Midnight Call does not go deep into the detail of the law and courtroom procedures. This will be a plus for readers who love the air of a legal thriller without the grainy detail and a minus for those who like to get so granular, sand falls from the pages. With the story focusing on the three attorneys, the accused killer Terence Butterfield is not front and center, so we do not get his side of the story. While the story tied off the legal strings, it left me with a few unanswered questions.

S5E1 Party Boat by Ed Teja

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. And mystery readers, check out our print and e-books. Last season’s companion, A Word Before Dying, is available in trade paperback from Amazon and e-book everywhere. Celebrate the start of our new season with your order and receive 20% off the original price.

For Episode 1, a chartered fishing boat is the featured vehicle. This is Party Boat by Ed Teja

ABOUT Ed Teja

Find Ed at https://edteja.com/

MORE from Ed Teja

If you like lighter mysteries, check out Matt Cramer in the Surreal Southwest. He’s a private investigator in the little town of Silver City, New Mexico. As one reviewer said about AN IMPOSSIBLE ABDUCTION: “Missing people, aliens, witches shaman and ravens … all rolled into one weirdly comical fast moving novel.” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GMPYQX7

DELIBERATION

All right, mystery lovers, Captain Ed Teja has given us a salty mess to sink our teeth in to. Here is the list of people the Sheriff Bart Hadley and Deputy Sheriff Max Charles are investigating in the death of Dexter Wilde from the party boat:

Captain Bill Mix, current skipper of the Effing Fun Run, former skipper of the correctional facility where Dexter Wilde had a stint
Sandy Travers, crew on the Effling Fun Run, the fishing boat she used to own that she now mops up deadmen’s blood
Dorothy Wilde, happy to be newly widowed and can’t wait to burn her a-hole husband to ash
Artie Coughlin, regional salesman who needs the Polder sale to keep his wife, his job, and his sanity
Anne Coughlin, Artie’s wife and college friend of Jan Polder, she sees her husband get cut out of the big deals
Jan Polder, the slippery fish Dexter Wilde and Artie Coughlin is trying to land

Now, here are the clues we have to work with:

Dexter Wilde was shot at close range with a .38; Captain Bill’s .38 is missing. It hasn’t been proved or disproved that his gun was the murder weapon
Dexter Wilde fought with everyone:

Artie Coughlin: over accepting the counteroffer proposed by Jan Polder
Captain Bill: over Dexter going straight and turning down the deal
Jan Polder: over turning down the deal
Dorothy Wilde: while they didn’t fight on the boat, it is implied that he abused her – psychologically if not physically
Anne Coughlin: while she was didn’t have words with Wilde, she was involved in the scam that Wilde was going to pass on. If Wilde died, Artie could accept the deal.
Sandy Travers: She doesn’t play well with others and has a reputation for a temper and a thin skin — she doesn’t mind getting into fights. Just because no one saw her argue with Wilde, he might have said something to her that got him killed.

Whose name are you writing on the arrest warrant?

WRAP UP

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. Party Boat was written by Ed Teja. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S4E9 Fading Shadow

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player, and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be original stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word before dying.

Episode 9, the last in this season, is about standing your ground. This is Fading Shadow, a De La Cruz Casefile by TG Wolff

Be Part of our Pack!

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

HEADS UP

The print version of this season is in the works. Read the stories you’ll love to solve. Jack and I will let you know as we approach the release date.

Cast of characters

This is the part in the story where we pause to give you a chance to catch a killer. Need a list of suspects? Here they are in the order of appearance.

Manny Ruiz, he was on the job, earbuds too loud to hear anything
Jeanette Simpson, department admin, admired Warren. Was in a meeting at the time of the shooting
Kevin Ng, highly-skilled competitive shooter. It was his gun that killed Warren.
Michael Evans, on probation. He can’t account for his whereabouts at the time of the shooting.

Jack Facts

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Visit it! https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo

Mike the Headless Chicken:

https://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Interested in advertising on Mysteries To Die For? Check out our website. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Fading Shadow, a De La Cruz Casefile was written by TG Wolff and edited by Kyra Jacobs. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT7: The Perfect Brother

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is The Perfect Brother by Chris Patchell. The Perfect Brother was released September 27, 2022 from Chris Patchell Ink and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

About Chris Patchell

Chris Patchell is an award-winning USA Today Bestselling Author who started writing to curb the homicidal tendencies she experienced during her daily Seattle commute. Over the years, she has written numerous popular books and series, including bestsellers Deadly Lies, In the Dark, and her most recent collection of small-town crime novellas, the Lacey James Series. Along the way, her writing has won several awards, including a 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Award, an IndieReader Discovery Award, and a Pacific Northwest Literary Award. Connect with Chris through her newsletter to learn more about her latest works and author happenings. Newsletter sign up can be found on her website: https://www.chrispatchell.com/newsletter/

From September 26 thru October 21, 2022, The Perfect Brother is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information. https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/the-perfect-brother-by-chris-patchell/

TG Wolff Review

This story is made up of two parts. The first part is suspense; the second part is amateur sleuth. This one is hard to summarize without giving too much away.

Suspense: In a university area of Vancouver, a college co-ed Katie Lord disappeared during a run. Flyers are up everywhere and the cops like her fiancé for it. Mallory Riggins isn’t thinking about Katie when she discovers her driver’s side window shattered. She’s not thinking about anything except how to pay for the repair. Which is too bad. She really should.

Mystery: Amar Saraf is the college professor his students call Dr. Hottie. His is admired by his students and is the apple of his parents’ eye. Indira is his brilliant, younger sister who bucks tradition and her parents at every turn. But even she admits, Amar is the perfect brother. Which is why, when Amar is arrested for the murder of his lover, Indira puts her software engineering skills to work to catch a killer.

Bottom line: The Perfect Brother is for you if you like suspense, dynamic amateur sleuths, and technology as an integral part of detecting.

Let’s compare The Perfect Brother to the “perfect suspense” and the “perfect amateur sleuth”

Strengths of the story. In the first half of the book, the element of suspense is driven by seeing snippets of characters' lives, uncomfortable and imperfect, but not knowing how they all fit together. Ms. Patchell does an excellent job of ensuring you bite your fingernails. Once the victim is dead and the perfect brother arrested (not a spoiler because it’s on the back cover), the story is taken over by Indira Saraf, a talented software engineer who has mad IT skills. While the first half of the story evolves, Indira drives the second half. She is the catalyst that moves her brother’s case forward and in unexpected directions.

The array of characters are all well done. Indira is the hero of this story. She is not only easy to like, she is easy to respect. Like any good detective, she has her supporting cast, each of whom plays a role in the outcome.

I have not read other stories set in the Indian-Canadian culture, making this a nice departure from the usual. The role of family and pressure on both males and females added to the complexity of the story in a way that was natural and complimentary.

The story is cleanly written with no typos or other distractions.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Looking from front to back, this is an excellent suspense turned mystery. Looking back to front, there are questions of the “bad guys” motivation and actions that aren’t fully explained. The story does not give the killer’s confession to allow us to see for ourselves. We are left with the reasoning from Indira and the police, which leaves gaps. Not big ones, but they are there.

This one is a pet peeve. Indira has an awesome dog named Hazel who she is constantly leaving for extended periods of time. I can’t be the only one who reads that someone is staying overnight and thinks “what about the dog?” Go ahead cat people, roll your eyes.

S4E8 The Ghost of the Paul Henry

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim. The e-book and print versions of this season are available. Give the gift of mysteries to a friend or loved one. Available from Amazon, B&N, Apple, Koko and everywhere else you get your books!

Episode 8 is about seeing and believing. This is The Ghost of the Paul Henry by Michael Penncavage

Be Part of our Pack! Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Cast of characters

Help our detectives Mr. Edmund Jessop and Mr. Linus Gordon solve this mystery. Here's a list of characters

Frank Saverfeld. Captain of the Paul Henry
First dead man Rogers, a boatswain, was found in the galley dead.
Second dead man Simon Bettany, one of Hands
Third dead man Peter Mulberry, one of the deckhands was found dead in his bunk
First Mate Mr. Keller
Second Mate Henry Tilleray
Yancy. Assistant Steward, a boy, and the 4th vicitm
Stevenson, witness, rang the bell

About Michael Penncavage

Michael Penncavage’s story, “The Cost of Doing Business” originally appeared in Thuglit, Issue 24 and won a 2008 Derringer Award for best mystery. He has been an Associate Editor for Space and Time Magazine as well as the Editor of the horror/suspense anthology, Tales From a Darker State. One of his stories has recently been filmed as a short movie. Fiction of his can be found in approximately 60 magazines and anthologies from 3 different countries such as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine in the USA, Here and Now in England, Crime Factory in Australia.

A Goodreads review of Michael’s novel Person Unknown said “A clever thriller that keeps you guessing but never pulls the rug out from under you or insults your intelligence. Its protagonist is a James M. Cain antihero for the 21st Century — arrogant, up to no good and entirely unreliable, until he isn’t. The story is an allegory for the illusory and ephemeral nature of control where a “master of the universe” whose sneer of cold command is methodically dismantled until he literally cannot control *anything* — even whether he is conscious or unconscious. The characters are true, the cruelty is delicious, and the ironies are stark. A dynamite ride from start to finish. Find his books and short stories on Amazon and wherever you get your books.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. The Ghost of the Paul Henry was written by Michael Penncavage. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT6: Sanctuary

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Sanctuary by C.L. Tolbert. Sanctuary was released July 14, 2022 from Level Best Books and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

About C.L. Tolbert

An attorney with thirty-five years of experience, Cynthia Tolbert retired and began writing full time. She won the Georgia State Bar Fiction Writing Contest, then developed the winning short story into the first novel of the Thornton Mystery Series, OUT FROM SILENCE, published in 2019. Two additional mysteries in the series have also been published, THE REDEMPTION, in 2021, and SANCTUARY, published in 2022. Cynthia also has a Master’s of Special Education, and taught school for ten years before becoming a lawyer. She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband and schnauzer, Yoda.

Visit Cynthia at www.cltolbert.com

From September 12 through October 8, 2022 SANCTUARY is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information: https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/sanctuary-by-c-l-tolbert/

TG Wolff Review

This is an amateur sleuth mystery with elements of a legal thriller. James Crosby, as you heard, is dead. The finger of guilt is pointed at a 19-year-old transient who was a member of the church Crosby led. Arrested, the young woman, Stacey Roberts, calls the one person she knows in New Orleans who can help her, law professor Emma Thornton. The quest for Reasonable Doubt takes Emma into the back rooms of a cult, a head shop in the French Quarter, and under the overpass.

Bottom line: SANCTUARY is for you if you like sophisticated amateur sleuths, a balanced mixed of whodunnit mystery and legal thriller, and the spicy vibe that is uniquely New Orleans.

Let’s compare SANCTUARY to the “perfect amateur sleuth”

Strengths of the story. Emma Thornton is a strong protagonist with a well-ordered mind and a good heart. Emma ferrets out facts that characters would rather keep hidden and, in doing so, does drive her story forward. Without Emma, there was a chance that Stacy would have been acquitted (depending on the astuteness of the new lawyer) but the real culprit would not have been captured and there would have been repercussions to other characters of the “bad guy getting away”.

The story is 95% about the murder of James Crosby. This is a “win” for readers who just want the mystery and a “loss” for readers who want to get to know their detective. There are 3 minor characters, Emma’s fiancé, Ren, who is a NOLA homicide detective, and her twin boys. Ren becomes more of a character as the story progresses. Every time the boys appeared, they were given a food and sent to their rooms to do homework. I felt bad for them after a few times. For Emma, the “full load” of teaching and supporting students with their cases isn’t part of the story and apparently leaves a lot of time to run around the city.

The story is cleanly written with minimal typos.

Where the story fell short of ideal: Looking at the story from back to front, the motivation of the killer is solid, but the details are not as strong as the rest of the story. Ms. Tolbert does not give the reader the wrap-up direct from the killer, which contributed to my feeling of not understanding why and how everything was done. I don’t expect this will be an issue for readers unless, like me, you have fun dissecting stories.

Of the 34 chapters, all were written from Emma Thorton’s perspective except three. The first, in which we see James’ murder, and two scenes written from Stacy’s perspective. The Stacy scenes interrupted the flow of the storytelling for me without giving me information I wouldn’t have otherwise have gotten in the following chapters.

A Word Before Dying is available in Print

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For – print edition!

Thank you everyone for listening and subscribing to Mysteries to Die For. We are always looking for new things to try and this season, it is a companion print edition. All nine Stories of this season's mysteries are formatted and ready for the mystery lover to dive into.

While we couldn’t incorporate Jack’s original music or our totally witty banter, we did build in a place where puzzlers can do their thing. Check it out for yourself or a book-loving friend, family, partner. Available in e-book and print formats. Look for it everywhere you get your books. If you can’t find it, email me at tina@tgwolff.com.

S4E7 Best Friend

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim.

Episode 7 is about going with your gut. This is Best Friend by KM Rockwood

Be Part of our Pack! Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

HEADS UP The print version of this season is in the works. Read the stories you’ll love to solve. Jack and I will let you know as we approach the release date.

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Cast of characters

Darlene’s death wasn’t an accident but who killed her?

Herman Bowldale, Darlene’s foster father and man who drove the pickup truck that hit Darlene. Ok, we know he did it, but did he do it do it
Nicky Bowldale, natural son of foster parents and Darlene's boyfriend
Mrs. Bowldale, Darlene’s shot-gun toting foster mother
Travis, Darlene’s older brother
Jenna, the waitress who is Darlene’s BFF
Eloise, a waitress who works with Jenna

About KM ROCKWOOD

https://kmrockwood.com/

KM is the brain power behind the Jesse Damon Crime Novels. Who is Jesse? Like I said at the top of the show, he is an ex-con, released after 20 years in prison. There are 6 books in the series, all with Goodreads ratings around 4 or higher. It’s funny how the math worth with ratings. The 6th Jesse Damon book, Abductions and Lies, has 7 ratings. 6 are 5 star, 1 is one star. The person giving the story 1 star averages rating books at 2.5 stars- which means the reader is a hard reviewer or they use the 1 stars for something else, like reminders they want to read the book.

One of the five start reviewers said “The story is very well paced and the writing is very well done. The characters are well developed and quirky. Each main character has a lot of personality. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more about Jesse Damon.”

Another reviewer said “Compassionate, intelligent characters! Each trying to survive, yet willing to help the next person. Mixed with judgemental and confused characters. And a good, old- fashioned mystery! Jesse deserves a standing ovation, but feels lucky to be able to walk the streets!”

I have not read KM Rockwood, aside from her story here, but am putting Jesse Damon on to TBR list. I do love a good mystery.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Best Friend was written by KM Rockwood. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT5: In Danger of Judgment

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is In Danger of Judgement by David Rubin

As for the title, it’s taken from the book’s epigraph:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. –Matthew 5:21

IN DANGER OF JUDGMENT was released August 4, 2022 from Black Rose Writing and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

About David Rabin

David Rabin was born in Chicago and raised in its Lakeview neighborhood. He later moved to Atlanta, where he worked as a trial lawyer for thirty-three years. Now retired, he writes fiction, runs a competitive shooting program, and competes in rifle sports, including the discipline of Highpower Rifle, in which he holds two High Master classifications. His debut novel, In Danger of Judgment, was the Runner-Up in the Thriller Category of the 2022 Maxy Awards. Learn more at https://davidrabinauthor.com/.

From August 8 thru September 2, IN DANGER OF JUDGMENT is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information

TG Wolff Review

This is thriller. Set in 1987, the thug life in Chicago kept Detectives William “Bernie” Bernardelli and Marcelle DeSantis up to their elbows in blood and guts. That life is about to get disrupted. The heroin market, cornered by two rival Mexican cartels, is being violently squeezed by the newest game in town, the Asian powered Quon. And what makes Quon powerful is an American-born mercenary turned enforcer named Robert Thornton, aka The Professor.

Let’s compare IN DANGER OF JUDGEMENT to the “perfect thriller”

Strengths of the story. The storyline, when you look from back to front, is simple. It certainly doesn’t look that way front to back, which is what kept my mind engaged, trying to unravel the story as fast as Bernie and Marcelle. But the simpleness of the underlying story is its power and why it stands up so well. Frequently when I get to the end of a thriller, I look back and all kinds of “that doesn’t make sense” and “why would he do that.” That did not happen here at all.

The story is rooted in the Vietnam War. The prologue does what it should do, setting the stage without revealing too much of what is to come. Fight scenes display a strong sense of military tactical engagement performed at a high level. (I leave it to others to validate the reality as that is not my area of expertise. I’ll just say it worked for me.)

The characters—good, bad, and ugly—are well crafted. With the possible exception of Thornton, we get glimpses of both the human side and the darker side. A large part of the appeal of this book is knowing that one of the characters are much more than they represent, but not knowing which.

The story is cleanly written with no typos or other distractions.

Where the story fell short of ideal: There were not many places this one fell short. The storyline with Quon moving into Chicago is not fully resolved at the time the book ends, but the book is not the lesser for it.

Bottom line: IN DANGER OF JUDGEMENT is for you if you like domestic intrigue, military operations, and stories where the definition of justice is fluid.

S4 E6 Sue Her

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim.

Episode 6 is about out foxing a rat. This is Sue Her by Kyra Jacob.

Be Part of our Pack! Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

HEADS UP The print version of this season is in the works. Read the stories you’ll love to solve. Jack and I will let you know as we approach the release date.

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. ttps://downandoutbooks.com/

Cast of characters

Marissa didn’t kill her former brother in law, Danny McMahon, so who did and why?

Jimmy McMahon, Danny’s brother and Marissa’s ex-husband
Jimmy’s live-in girl friend who is going to loser her mind if they don’t take a vacation
Sandra McMahon, Danny’s livid, soon to be ex-wife
Stacy McMahon, Danny and Sandra’s adult daughter
Any or all of the Chen, who have a restaurant next to Marissa’s shop

About Kyra Jacobs

SUE HER is a short story based on Kyra Jacob’s Hometown Heroes series, which features two full-length romantic suspense novels set in her hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana: ARMED WITH STEELE and FLIRTING WITH FIRE.

One Goodreads 4-star reviewer said of Armed with Steele, “This was a very intriguing novel that I found myself getting into more and more as the pages past. Jacobs’ descriptions were amazing and showed you exactly what she was seeing.”

A 5-star reviewer said “I am not a romance lover, let me start with that! This is a great book! :) It's one of those books I always ask for. It's not filled with purposeless sex, page after page. It has a lovely, intriguing story, with characters that are real and believable. This book is written well, and it's a real story. A sherlockian mystery with a handsome man and a lot of attraction.”

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. SUE HER was written by Kyra Jacobs. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT4: Dead in an Alley

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

Today’s featured release is Dead in an Alley by Sharon Michalove

DEAD IN AN ALLEY was released August 10, 2022 from Coffee and Éclair Books and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

From July 18-August 12, Dead in an Alley is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/dead-in-the-alley-by-sharon-michalove/

About Sharon Michalove

Sharon grew up in suburban Chicago but after spending most of her life in a medium-sized university town she moved back to Chicago in 2017. She loves music, theater, travel, hockey, and cats, and less elevated activities like eating doughnuts and sampling gins and single malts. Besides writing mysteries, she is the author of the romantic suspense series, Global Security Unlimited, and several short stories.

https://www.sharonmichalove.com/

TG Wolff Review

This is a second-time around, romantic suspense story. Bay Bishop has moved back home to small-town Michigan with her husband Derrick to start an upscale restaurant. It is a success in so many ways. But then Derrick is killed in a hit-and-run right outside the restaurant’s back door. The investigation takes an abrupt turn when a connection to drug trafficking is found. Enter Greg Musgrove, narcotics detective and the high school boyfriend who ghosted on her nearly 20 years ago.

Strengths of the story. The novel weaves together storylines: investigation into Derrick’s death; Bay’s grief over the loss of her husband and coming to grips with the sham that was her life; Greg juggling work, a new business venture, and the realization he stilled loved Bay; Bay’s conflicted reaction to being in close quarters with Greg again; and Bay’s issues with her parents and siblings. The lines are influenced by each other, which makes for a compelling, over arching story. The main characters, Bay and Greg, are likable and the main supporting characters add texture. Ms. Michalove culinary knowledge shines through and if she cooks as well as she describes in here, I want to go to her house.

Where the story fell short of ideal: The logic, my #1 test, was reasonable but not strong. I walked away with questions about why characters would do certain things – primarily the culprit and side characters, not Bay and Greg. With so many storylines, it isn’t surprising there are a lot of characters and keeping them all straight was a challenge I failed at a few times.

I haven’t decided where I fall on the start of the romance itself. Being romantic suspense, it is obvious where it is going. But Bay loves her husband. She is truly devastated when he is killed. It is hard for me to buy the quick turn to the one that got away. Yet, this is romantic suspense and that spark has to happen quickly, it’s just part of the game. Likely this is one place where readers will fall into different camps: didn’t notice; noticed but no problem with it; noticed and didn’t love it but got over it; and noticed and didn’t get over it. I enjoyed the book and am glad I finished it.

Bottom line: Dead in an Alley is for you if you like second chance, redemption romances, culinary morsels, and rich storylines that immerse you in the lives of the main characters.

S4E5 No Luck Like Bad Luck

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be original stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word before dying.

Episode 5 is about pride and prejudice. This is No Luck like Bad Luck by TG Wolff

Need a list of suspects?

The Three children –

Ricki, the eldest child with a wardrobe stuck in the eighties. She got Daddy up to the balcony.
Emily, the middle child, is the crier who needs to be invited to a fire drill. She fussed over the food preparations.
Little Richard, the youngest, the deadbeat baby boy. He played a game with the champagne classes.

The Former Mrs. Wedgeworths-

Ricki’s mother, the high school sweetheart, who runs an event planning firm
Emily’s mother, the chef, has an executive catering company
Little Richard’s mother, the chemist, works for a pharmaceutical company

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website ww.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

TT3: See You Next Tuesday

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For: Toe Tags

Today’s featured release is SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY by Ken Harris

SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY was released July 14, 2022 from Black Rose Writing and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

About Ken Harris

Ken Harris retired from the FBI, after thirty-two years, as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. He is the author of the “From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish” series, which include The Pine Barrens Stratagem and the sequel, See You Next Tuesday. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Northern Virginia. Find him at https://kenharrisfiction.com/

From July 11-August 5, See You Next Tuesday is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/see-you-next-tuesday-by-ken-harris/

TG Wolff Review

This is a Private Investigator and grift story. The dynamic team of Steve Rochfish and Jawnie McGee tackle their first case as full partners. A line from later in the book gives the perfect synopsis. It’s a simple cheating husband case turned into a search and rescue, cult exfiltration and a wild ride that comes back to two old guys getting ripped off.

Rating See You Next Tuesday on a 5-point scale against the “perfect PI story”, I give this 5.00.

Strengths of the story. By now, you all know I’m hell on logic and Harris lives up to the bar. The actions of all the characters made sense for who they were. Rockfish and McGee drive the story, interfering with the bad guys plans, and the bad guys react, changing plans in a way that both creates unexpected twists and is totally reasonable given the change in their circumstances. Harris thoroughly developed his story, giving his detective material to work with. He worked them into a corner a time or two and let them fight their way out.

I liked both lead characters. Rockfish is older and has the mindset and habits that reflect those of us born in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Jawnie is his counterbalance, rooted in modern times in terms of technology, mindset, and vernacular. While either character could have been stereotypical, neither are and what really makes them work is the mutual respect and affection they have for each other.

Where the story fell short of the ideal. The first half of the story alternates between Rockfish’s and Jawnie’s points of view. As the story progresses, we have scenes written from the POV for their new Confidential Informant Lynn and, later, the bad guys. Information the reader gains here could not come from Rockfish or Jawnie. Often, I am not a fan of changing the storytelling style mid-book, but Harris did them very well. These changes in POV were the reason the logic and the story were able to stand up as strongly as they did. There were a few stylistic elements that were not my favorite but those were certainly personal preferences. Some minor editing misses were found, but not enough to detract from the story.

Bottom line: See You Next Tuesday is for you if you like PI’s who like to mix it up with the bad guys and refuse to quit—even after the cops tell them too.

S4E4 The Legend of El Melena

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim.

Episode 4 is about human nature. This is The Legend of El Melena by Mark Edward Langley

Be Part of our Pack!

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Widow’s Run

Mystery lovers! Ready to take on one of my mysteries? Check out Widow’s Run. The hit-and-run that took her husband’s life was no accident. Now it’s up to Diamond. Her widow’s run unearths a plethora of suspects: the small-time crook, the mule-loving rancher, the lady in waiting, the Russian bookseller, the soon-to-be priest. Following the stink greed leaves in its wake reveals big lies and ugly truths. Murder is filthy business. Good thing Diamond likes playing dirty. All the clues are there. Can you find the killer before Diamond? Available in paperback and e-book from your favorite book seller or listen to it on Mysteries to Die For, Season 1.

HEADS UP

The print version of this season is in the works. Read the stories you’ll love to solve. Jack and I will let you know as we approach the release date.

Down & Out Books.

Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Cast of characters

Here’s a list of the characters in the order of appearance

Eddie Lanning, a curious, young journalist
Hector Martinez, Las Palmas NM local and elder
Adelina, young bride betrayed by her husband a long, long time ago
Ignacio Ramirez, only person to have seen El Melena and survived, albeit insanely
Mellissa, helpful front desk staff at the hospital

About Mark Edward Langley

Mark Edward Langley is the author of the Arthur Nakai series. The first book in the series is Path of the Dead. Arthur Nakai is an ex-marine and ex-member of the Shadow Wolves, an ICE tactical unit recruited by the US Government to hunt human traffickers and drug smugglers on the US/Mexico border as part of Homeland Security. GoodReads reviewers gave it a rating of 4.02 with 73% of ratings being 4 or 5.

One review wrote: Path of the Dead is a well written and fast paced suspense thriller which will take you through some of the most beautiful and rugged country in the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for the wonderful main characters, the imagery of the locations, and the American Native culture.

Another wrote: I read Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee books for years! When I saw a brand new author with a story about Native Americans I jumped right in! I was not disappointed. Full of great characters, this author brought this story to life.

Finally another wrote: I really liked that the book is not your usual serial killer thriller. First you are in a part if the U.S. that isn't normally featured in books. Second, it features native Americans in a positive and enlightened way. Third, it is very well written with enough description to bring life and feeling without it being too wordy and dry.

The third book in the series, When Silence Screams, came out in 2021 and more stories are in the works. You can find more information on Mark and his work on his website https://markedwardlangley.com/home and his social media locations.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. The Legend of El Melena was written by Mark Edward Langley. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT2: Wolf Bog

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. What’s a Toe Tag? It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is Wolf Bog, a Berkshire Hilltown Mystery by Leslie Wheeler.

Wolf Bog was released July 6, 2022 from Encircle Publications and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

About Leslie Wheeler. An award-winning author of books about American history and biographies, Leslie Wheeler turned to mystery writing to give herself the freedom to make things up. While she still salts her mysteries with actual history, she now offers an exciting story in the present. Her Miranda Lewis Living History Mystery series debuted with Murder at Plimoth Plantation, set at the living history museum and re-released as a trade paperback from Encircle Publishing. Other series titles are: Murder at Gettysburg, set at a re-enactment of the famous battle, and Murder at Spouters Point, set at a fictionalized Mystic Seaport. Find her at https://www.lesliewheeler.com/

From July 1-31, 2022 Wolf Bog is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information.

https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/wolf-bog-by-leslie-wheeler/

TG Wolff Review

This book is an amateur sleuth story where Katheryn Stinson, a curator of prints and photographs for a small library, is drawn into the mystery of the surfacing body of a local man who went missing forty years prior.

Rating: Wolf Bog on a 5-point scale against the “perfect amateur sleuth”, I give this 3.75.

Strengths of the story. The story pacing is deliberate, continuously dropping breadcrumbs as the book winds through two main storylines. The planning and detailing of the stories were well thought out and executed. The setting of a small town in the Berkshires provides enough detail to “feel” the place without being overly descriptive. The characters are very likeable and can easily become the type of friends you want to return to story after story. They are continuing from previous books, which I have not read. Wheeler did an excellent job of providing enough context for me to understand the relationships without providing synopses of prior books. This book is well written and free of errors.

Where the story fell short of the ideal. Wheeler created an interesting but challenging story with part rooted in a past 40-years old and part rooted in the present. To meet the ideal, the elements of the story had to have strong logic in character behavior in both time periods. When you get to the end and look back over the entirety of the story, do the actions of all the players (not just the hero) hold up? Wheeler did such a good job covering up the original crime, there was little to work in modern time. As a result, Katheryn’s role in this story was less of a sleuth and more of a narrator, moving the story along its arc.

Bottom line: Wolf Bog is for you if you prefer small town mysteries with likeable characters, deliberate pacing and/or the Berkshire setting.

S4E3 In Vino Veritas

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player, producer and today’s author. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim.

Episode 3 is about being a prideful dumbass. This is In Vino Veritas by Jack Wolff

Be Part of our Pack!

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Backroads Bobby and His Friends

A criminal legend is on his death bed. The smell of exhaust is in the air. Drivers of all kinds are rallying to pay their respects. Handbrake Hardy Fry’s passing will mark the end of an era. His legendary career spans decades. Hardy outran the law after bank heists and armored car robberies. He carried contraband back and forth over the Canadian border. If a crime involved a car, he likely drove or trained the person who did. Some labeled him a hero, while others dubbed him a villain. Yet, no cop ever slapped handcuffs on Hardy except for a sole drunk and disorderly arrest—a feat unrivaled in wheelman lore. But even legends end. With word spreading that Hardy’s death is imminent, the pilgrimages to his bedside have begun. Many come to pay their respects. Some travel to do him harm. These are their stories.

Back Road Bobby and His Friends collects thirteen stories from the brightest voices in crime fiction (including me!) Snag your copy today and visit the 509 in an entirely new way.. Amazon Link HERE

Down & Out Books.

Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Cast of characters

Here’s a list of suspects (basically everyone except our hero Det. James Delviro) in the order of appearance

Hailey Leev, the treasure hunteress extraordinaire
Detective Crassus, the 68-year old cop from Cali
Bill Swinden, the useless professor of architecture
Yannis Jordan, the totally useful geographer who helps everyone get around
Tord Hondin, the naturalist who is also the chef

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. In Vino Veritas was written by Jack Wolff. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

TT1: Architect of Courage

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Today we introduce something new, something we call Toe Tags. What’s a Toe Tag? It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.

Today’s featured release is Architect of Courage by Victoria Weisfeld.

Architect of Courage was released on June 4, 2022 from Black Opal Books and is available from Amazon and other book retailers.

Victoria Weisfeld, who also goes by Vicki, has had short stories appear in popular mystery magazines and several crime anthologies. Her stories have won awards from the Short Mystery Fiction Society and the Public Safety Writers Association. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and other crime fiction organizations. For the past decade, she’s blogged several times a week at www.vweisfeld.com.

From June 20 through July 15, Architect of Courage is on tour with Partners in Crime. Check out the tour link for more content and information. https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/architect-of-courage-by-victoria-weisfeld/

TG Wolff Review

In the book, the genre was listed as murder mystery. If you pick up this book expecting a murder mystery, you will be disappointed. This book is not a whodunnit, where the amateur sleuth Archer Landis is solving the mystery of his lover’s murder.

This book is a thriller, where the unwilling hero, Archer Landis, is being accosted personally and professionally, forcing him to chase the rabbit down its hole.

Rating Architect of Courage on a 5-point scale against the “perfect thriller”, I give this 4.25.

Strengths of the story. The pacing is fast without being aggressive or too fast to follow and has the plot twists that are the hallmark of a good thriller. Our hero is in constant mortal danger, and like so many thriller heroes, has no idea why. The setting moves between NYC, a beach house, and the south of Spain and draws in international figures from Spain, Israel, and Morocco. Having the hero be an industry leading architect sets this book apart, bringing in a world seldom explored in thrillers. This book is well written in terms of the noun-verb-noun writing and the editing. There is a lot to like.

Where the story fell short of the ideal. While the book is well written, the opening chapters were rough. The adjectives were too flowery, the cheating husband too falling on his own sword. There are also several convenient coincidences and suggestions by minor characters that felt less than organic, intentionally set to advance to the next chapter. This does clean up by about the fifth chapter, when the story really takes off.

Thriller endings are often difficult. Authors generally have created such a complex weave of plots (those twists and turns readers love) that to unravel each one in a logical and satisfying manner is a very complicated task. When you get to the end and look back over the entirety of the story, do the actions of all the players (not just the hero) hold up? Weisfeld did better than most, but she wasn’t perfect. I am not going to go into spoiler detail. These plot resolution points prevented me from scoring the book higher, but I doubt it is something that will bother the vast majority of thriller lovers.

Bottom line: Architect of Courage is for you if you are into thrillers, faster paced stories, and international flavors.

S4E2 Finding Hiawatha

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim.

Episode 2 is about family matters. This is Finding Hiawatha by Frank Zafiro

Be Part of our Pack!

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Razing Stakes – De La Cruz Casefile #3

The first day of summer is the last day of a young accountant’s life. Colin McHenry is out for his regular run when an SUV crosses into his path, crushing him. Within hours of the hit-skip, Cleveland Homicide Detective Jesus De La Cruz finds the vehicle in the owner’s garage, who’s on vacation three time zones away. The setup is obvious, but not the hand behind it. The suspects read like a list out of a textbook: the jilted fiancée, the jealous coworker, the overlooked subordinate, the dirty client. Razing Stakes, book #3 in the De La Cruz casefile series, from Down & Out Books. Ask for it from your favorite bookseller. Amazon Link HERE

Frank Zafiro

Frank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. As a former police officer, he has lived one side and seen plenty of the other, and his work reflects that authenticity. For police procedurals, check out his River City series. For hardboiled tales on the criminal side, give SpoCompton a try. And if you like private investigator stories, then Stefan Kopriva mysteries are for you. Find out more about his work at frankzafiro.com or on his Amazon Author page.

Down & Out Books.

Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Episode Materials

Cast of characters

Here’s a list of suspects (basically everyone except Stefan and Anna) in the order of appearance

Jameson Burrish – our dead guy. He had money.

Sadie Burrish – Dead guy’s only daughter. She inherits everything.

Arnzel Burrish – nephew of our dead guy. Arnzel lived with his uncle and cousin from the time he was nine

Patricia, the Housekeeper – worked for Burrish for decades

List of reference sites

Not all of these are equally good and I’m not advocating or any, just giving a list of the ones we checked out.

https://thatoregonlife.com/2021/11/pacific-northwest-native-americans/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Turtle

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Little-Turtle

Frank Zafiro

Like I said at the beginning, Frank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. As a former police officer, he has lived one side and seen plenty of the other, and his work reflects that authenticity. For police procedurals, check out his River City series. For hardboiled tales on the criminal side, give SpoCompton a try. I read “At Their Own Game” and recommend it to people to like their stories hard core. I won’t say I liked it, I will say I couldn’t put it down. Even now, a year plus after reading it, the story comes back to my mind from time to time.

And if you like private investigator stories, then Stefan Kopriva mysteries are for you. Finding Hiawatha is a short story for Stefan. There are three full length stories Waist Deep, Lovely, Dark and Deep, and Friend of the Departed. Goodreads reviewers rated the stories between 3.91 and 4.38. Here are a few reviews from Stefan’s fans:

One reviewer said “What a great read. Retired cop with a past of both heroism and disdain. Great characters with a superb plot and plenty of action. A different plot in that we are dealing with "barely" child pornography and the underworld street activities. This author is superb in everything he writes.”

Another said, “Frank Zafiro knows how to develop a character complete with accurate and believable insights and feelings. 'Waist Deep' is a well written story with twists and turns you never see coming. Ex-cop Kopriva gets under your skin and stays there.”

And finally, “Fastest moving book that I've read in a while. Enough action to keep the story interesting and moving. Things were not contrived to end up nicely tied in a pretty bow, so the story had a more real feel to it. Good book!”

Frank also hosts his own Podcast called Wrong Place, Write Place. He interviews authors from all subgenres in the mystery / thriller / crime genre. It’s a great place to find new storytellers and get to hear the inner workings of their imaginations.

Find out more about his work at frankzafiro.com or on his Amazon Author page.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Hiawatha was written by Frank Zafiro. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S4E1 Nuts!

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Season 4, A Word Before Dying. This season contains original stories written just for you and built around that classic mystery theme of the last word spoken by the dying victim.

Episode 1 is about the haves and the have nots. This is Nuts! By Judi Lynn

Be Part of our Pack!

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Razing Stakes – De La Cruz Casefile #3

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. Https://downandoutbooks.com/

Cast of characters

Here’s a list of suspects (basically everyone except Nick and Laurel) in the order of appearance

Elaine and Dottie – the concerned next-door neighbors
Dan – investigating Deputy
Abigail – Marjorie’s daughter, who is just as sweet as her mother
Alex – Marjorie’s son, who loved his mama
Allegra – Alex’s wife, who admired everything about Marjorie
Lucinda – maker of the infamous cake

About Judi Lynn

Judi Lynn a prolific writer Romance and Cozy Mystery writer and Romances and Cozy Mysteries as Judi Lynn. Her Jazzi Zanders Mysteries series are cozies with excellent reviews. Everyone one of the eight books in the series had average ratings about four stars. One reviewer wrote:

Judi Lynn has created a great character in Jazzi Sanders - I love that she is a confident woman, working on flipping houses (not just decorating, but working), yet she still has her flaws. It was also very refreshing to see a police officer welcoming help from a "nosy" person, as they are so typically called.”

Nick and Laurel have their own stories. Posed in Death came out in 2021 and is set up for a long and adventurous series. When is the next one coming out, Judi?

If your tastes run to Urban Fantasy, Judi writes that too as Judith Post

Judy writes a weekly blog called writing musings. https://writingmusings.com/

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Nuts! was written by Judi Lynn. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S3E11 Wimsey and Whose Body?

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 11 is about winning, no matter what it takes.

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Patronize our Supporters!

Support comes in many shapes and sizes. Good advice. Mutual promotion. Partner in crime. Support those that are helping us grow.

Razing Stakes – pre-order now The first day of summer is the last day of a young accountant’s life. Colin McHenry is out for his regular run when an SUV crosses into his path, crushing him. Within hours of the hit-skip, Cleveland Homicide Detective Jesus De La Cruz finds the vehicle in the owner’s garage, who’s on vacation three time zones away. The setup is obvious, but not the hand behind it. The suspects read like a list out of a textbook: the jilted fiancée, the jealous coworker, the overlooked subordinate, the dirty client. Razing Stakes, book #3 in the De La Cruz casefile series, releases Feb 14 from Down & Out Books. Pre-order today.

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them.

Cast of characters

Lord Peter Wimsey, former Major, World War I

Dowager Duchess Lucy Wimsey

Mervyn Bunter, former Sergeant, current butler, notable photographer

Detective Charles Parker, Scotland Yard, friend of Peter

Inspector Suggs, Scotland Yard, not a friend of Peter

Alfred Thibbs, architect

Mrs. Thibbs, his mother, one note away from deaf

Gladys, housemaid who left the window open

Sir Julian Freke, renown surgeon at St. Luke’s, lives in provided house at the end of the block

Sir Ruben Levy, self-made man in finance, is standing in opposition to a rail project

Honorable Freddy Abernothy, liked Levy’s daughter and wanted to marry her.

Mr. John P. Milligan, American railroad investor, competitor of Levy’

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Wimsey & Whose Body? was written by TG Wolff, adapted from Whose Body? By Dorothy L. Sayers. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff

S3E10 Poirot and the Affair at Styles

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 10 is about solving money problems. Permanently. This is Poirot and the Affair at Styles, an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

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Razing Stakes – pre-order now

The first day of summer is the last day of a young accountant’s life. Colin McHenry is out for his regular run when an SUV crosses into his path, crushing him. Within hours of the hit-skip, Cleveland Homicide Detective Jesus De La Cruz finds the vehicle in the owner’s garage, who’s on vacation three time zones away. The setup is obvious, but not the hand behind it. The suspects read like a list out of a textbook: the jilted fiancée, the jealous coworker, the overlooked subordinate, the dirty client. Razing Stakes, book #3 in the De La Cruz casefile series, releases Feb 14 from Down & Out Books. Pre-order today.

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Forced Perspective by Colin Campbell. When cops collide. Boston cop Jim Grant enlists ex-cop Vince McNulty for a sting in Palm Springs. The plan is almost derailed when Grant and McNulty protect a receptionist from an angry biker. In the end, it goes off without a hitch. Palm Springs is a dry run for a Colorado crime lord. The angry biker and heavy snow mean this time there will be blood and death and a very big hitch. FORCED PERSPECTIVE by Colin Campbell. Read it and weep. Buy it HERE

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/863

Cast of characters

Captain Hastings, Narrator

Hercule Poirot, Belgian ex-police detective, living in Essex, England

Mrs. Emily Cavendish Inglethorpe, the body

Mr. Alfred Cavendish, her husband of 8 weeks

Mr. John Cavendish, her step-son, will inherit Styles Court at her death

Mrs. Mary Cavendish, John’s wife

Mr. Lawrence Cavendish, John’s younger brother, a poet

Miss Cynthia Murdoch, ward of Emily Inglethorpe, works in hospital dispensary

Miss Evelyn Howard, former companion to Emily Inglethorpe

Dorcas, loyal maid

Detective Inspector James Japp, Scotland Yard

Superintendent Summerhaye, Scotland Yard

Mrs. Maikes, wife of local farmer

Mr. Wills, apothecary

Mr. Mace, the other apothecary

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast.

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Poirot and the Affair at Styles was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S3E9 Smith and the Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

This is Season 3, Enter the Detective. This season contains adaptations of the first cases for detectives. Some will be characters from book, screen, and stage. Others will be lesser known but with great stories that we hope you give a try. Episode 9 is about protecting your turf. This is Smith and the Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu an adaptation of The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer.

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Patronize our Supporters!

Support comes in many shapes and sizes. Good advice. Mutual promotion. Partner in crime. Support those that are helping us grow.

Down & Out Books. Mystery and thriller lovers seek out Publisher Down & Out Books. They like to live at the grittier end of the spectrum. There are no cozies here. D&O publishes my Diamond and De La Cruz, including #3 Razing Stakes, which comes out February 14. https://downandoutbooks.com/

Holland Bay. Monticello is a dying city. For Armand Cole, it means a life in the gangs. For Jessica Branson, it's a dead-end career as a detective. But a pair of murders revives both their fortunes as the city's drug lords move towards war. Inspired by 87th Precinct and The Wire, Holland Bay by Jim Winter takes us into a world both familiar and new. Check out Holland Bay from Down & Out books at https://downandoutbooks.com/bookstore/winter-holland-bay/

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/173

Titan Books published a version with an excellent intro into the time period. Here’s the Amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051B5OIG/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

Cast of characters

Commissioner Nayland Smith, our detective

Dr. Petrie, our narrator

Sir Creighton Davey, the body

Karamaneh, the beautiful and mysterious girl

Inspector Weymouth, Scotland Yard, lead investigator of Davey’s death

Dr. Chalmers Cleeves, noted pathologist, examined Davey’s body

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Smith & the Insidious Fu-Manchu was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Insidious Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S3E8 Thorndyke & the Red Thumb Mark

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 8 is about not doing well with sharing. This is Thorndyke and The Red Thumb Mark an adaptation of The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman.

Join my newsletter On The Prowl by clicking HERE. It comes out with every full moon. Check out past editions on my website www.tgwolff.com/e-zine.

Patronize our Supporters!

Support comes in many shapes and sizes. Good advice. Mutual promotion. Partner in crime. Support those that are helping us grow.

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head Mysteries to Die For is supported by Down & Out Books. While working on a new murder case, Detective Inspector Oliver Wilson receives a number of anonymous gifts. The packages are sending him a message, he just can’t work out what they’re trying to say. Ain’t That A Kick In The Head is the explosive must-read follow up to Let It Snow and My Funny Valentine. Be sure to order your copy now.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them.

https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks20/2000141h.html.

A 2014 printing is available from Mysterious Press. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P8KUDCC/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

History of Photography

https://www.photographytalk.com/history-of-photography-timeline-from-start-to-present-day

My favorite ->https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/history-photography

https://www.britannica.com/technology/photography

https://www.archives.gov/research/still-pictures/civil-war

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photography

Timeline of inventions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_inventions_(1890%E2%80%931945)

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/inventions-between-1865-and-1920--2

Cast of characters

Dr. Christopher Jervis, narrator

Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke, medical doctor, expert in legal medicine, the first forensic detective.

Mr. Lawley, solicitor for the Hornby family

Mr. John Hornby, robbery victim, gold and silver merchant

Mr. Reuben Hornby, the suspect, one of John Hornby’s nephews and a junior man in the company

Mr. Walter Hornby, John Hornby’s other nephew, Reuben’s cousin, also a junior man in his uncle’s company

Mrs. Hornby, generous and somewhat limited wife of John Hornby

Miss Juliet Gibson, a young woman taken in by the Hornby’s who grew up with Reuben and Walter

Mr. Singleton, Scotland Yard fingerprint expert

Mr. Nash, Scotland Yard fingerprint expert

Superintendent Miller, associate of Thorndyke’s

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Thorndyke & the Red Thumb Mark was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S3E6 Hewitt & the Lenton Croft Robberies

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 6 is about about greed, cleverness, and patience. This is Hewitt & the Lenton Croft Robberies. A lightly edited version of The Lenton Croft Robberies by Arthur Morrison.

** Note: If you listened to the episode before this and thought "hmmm, I thought I just heard #7" you have passed the attention test and are totally sane. I cannot say the same for me, as I mixed up the episodes and recorded them in the wrong order. Oops. I hope you enjoy Martin Hewitt. TG**

Partonize our Supports!

Support comes in many shapes and sizes. Good advice. Mutual promotion. Partner in crime. Support those that are helping us grow.

All Due Respect, an imprint of Down & Out Books. All Due Respect has brought you low-life literature since 2010. Beginning as a web-zine, ADR published down and dirty novellas, novels, and short story collections from the best writers in crime fiction. Discover how low you can go at https://allduerespectbooks.com/

** Another note: All Due Respect is published by Chris Rhatigan, who also edits my books. Chris knows his stuff when it comes to mysteries and thrillers, low-life and other wise. https://chrisrhatiganediting.com/

Sharp Knives & Loud Guns From publisher All Due Respect. Sharp Knives & Loud Guns is the brand new collection of Paignton Noir Case Files from cult crime writer Tom Leins, featuring the novelettes Slug Bait, Smut Loop and Sweating Blood. In these violent misadventures private investigator Joe Rey is forced to confront his dark past – if he still wants to have a future. Things are about to get very bloody, very quickly… Tom’s Website: Things to do in Devon when your dead

Amazon link to Buy Tom’s Books

Suicide Squeeze by TG Wolff (That’s me!) Mystery lovers! The 2nd in my Diamond series, Suicide Squeeze, is available. Diamond wanted ten minutes of peace and quiet. She got an incessant doorbell pressed by a gorgeous blonde holding a note compelling Diamond’s help. The blonde had a story, the “no one believes my perfect husband’s been kidnapped” kind. Eyeroll. Diamond slid the safety on the gun and climbed out of the bathtub. Dying would have to wait. Put Suicide Squeeze on the top of your reading stack. From your favorite book seller. Amazon link to Suicide Squeeze

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11252

About Arthur Morrison

https://arthurmorrisonsociety.vpweb.co.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Morrison

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-Morrison

About Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis makes Covid look like a walk in the park. This is some crazy history.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/when-tb-was-a-death-sentence-an-excerpt-from-the-remedy

https://www.cdc.gov/tb/worldtbday/history.html

https://tbfacts.org/history-tb/

Cast of characters

Mr. Vernon Lloyd, secretary to Sir James Norris

Mr. Martin Hewitt, our hero

Sir James Norris, Baronet and owner of Lenton Croft.

Mrs. Heath, the first victim. Her gold and pearl bracelet was stolen.

Mrs. Armitage, the second victim. A single brooch pin was stolen

Dora, Sir James’ niece, who can’t seem to remember a thing

Sir James Daughter, who we never meet but hear about

Mrs. Cazenove, Sir James’ sister-in-law, the last victim

The Groom, who had the dog Hewitt likes

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. The Lenton Croft Robberies by Arthur Morrison and edited by TG Wolff. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S3E7 The Old Man & the Case of Miss Elliot

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 7 is about no good deed going unpunished. This is The Case of Miss Elliot by Baroness Orczy, edited by TG Wolff.

Partonize our Supports!

Support comes in many shapes and sizes. Good advice. Mutual promotion. Partner in crime. Support those that are helping us grow.

Dirty Little Town

In Frank Zafiro’s Dirty Little Town (River City #7), times are tough for the police. They’re understaffed, facing a collapsing budget and layoffs, an upset public, and a tyrant for a new chief. Worse yet, a killer stalks the streets, targeting vulnerable women. Katie MacLeod is assigned to stop him. Somehow, she must put aside the distractions and focus on her job – to serve and to protect. Buy from your local bookseller or from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Little-Town

Write Place, Wrong Crime

Frank Zafiro’s endlessly fascinating conversation with mystery and thriller writes never fails to turn up the odd facts and interesting slants. Look up Write Place, Wrong Crime wherever you get your podcasts!

Looking for a unique holiday gift?

Contact me for an originally signed copy of any of my books, with a customized inscription based on your notes. Email me at Tina at TGWOLFF.COM for information

Down and Out Books. Mysteries and thrillers from mainstream publishers leave you feeling like you kissed your best friend? Then you are ready to step down to Down & Out Books. Mystery, thrillers and horror. Gritty. Hard core. Obscure. Twisted. Imaginative. Fantastic. Stories the way you like them. Discover your next amazing read at Downandoutbooks.com

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks20/2000141h.html

Baroness Emma Orczy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroness_Orczy

The Case of Miss Elliot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Case_of_Miss_Elliott

The Royal Magazine Index http://www.philsp.com/homeville/FMI/k/k05364.htm#TOP

The Old Man in the Corner list (scroll to “the old man”) http://www.philsp.com/homeville/FMI/l/ll00151.htm#A29

The Fenchurch Street Mystery, The Royal Magazine. See document page 16, magazine page 10. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.a0004062287&view=1up&seq=16&skin=2021

What Pimpernel is https://www.britannica.com/plant/pimpernel

Cast of characters (in the order of appearance)

The Old Man, our hero

The Lady Journalist, our narrator, we’ll call her Emma

Miss Nellie Elliot, the victim, lady doctor at a convalescent home

Dr. Kinnaird, president of the medical institution Miss Elliot ran

Dr. Stapylton, honorary secretary and treasurer of the home

Mary Dawson, Nurse

Dr. Earnshaw, doctor at the home

Constable Fiske, witness, found the body

Mr. James Elliot, the victim’s brother

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. The Case of Miss Elliot was written by Baroness Emma Orczy, edited by TG Wolff. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff.

S3E5 Holmes and a Study in Scarlet

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 5 is about vengence. This is Holmes and a Study in Scarlet an adaptation of A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Support our Sponsors!

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All the Good in Evil. Mysteries to Die For is sponsored by All Due Respect. Joe Ricker’s new novel ALL THE GOOD IN EVIL has recently hit shelves. ALL THE GOOD IN EVIL tells the story of Amos Swain and his attempt for redemption. The more he tries, the more enemies he creates. As an enemy maelstrom circles around him, a betrayal he’d never imagined drags him deeper into chaos until the only redemption he can find is a little good in evil. Go, buy and read this book! www.joericker.com

Podcast: The Other Stories. Before there was the order and logic of mysteries, there was the chaos and thrill of horror. The Other Stories carries on the tradition with original, bite sized tales of the macabre, the fantastic, and the unexplainable. It’s one of my go-to podcasts. Subscribe wherever you find your podcasts and make it the next show you listen to. https://theotherstories.net/

Widow’s Run by TG Wolff (That’s me!) Ready to take on one of my mysteries? Check out Widow’s Run. The hit-and-run that took her husband’s life was no accident. Now it’s up to Diamond. Her widow’s run unearths a plethora of suspects: the small-time crook, the mule-loving rancher, the lady in waiting, the Russian bookseller, the soon-to-be priest. Following the stink greed leaves in its wake reveals big lies and ugly truths. Murder is filthy business. Good thing Diamond likes playing dirty. All the clues are there. Can you find the killer before Diamond? Available in paperback and e-book from your favorite book seller or listen to it on Mysteries to Die For, Season 1. From Down & Out Books. Available in paperback and e-book from your favorite book seller. Amazon Link.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. ttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/244

John Watson Backstory

After med school in London, John joined the army and was assigned to Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers. This infantry regiment has roots back to 1674! Check out the Unit History Here

John was later transferred to the Berkshire Regiment (another real regiment) and was at the Battle of Maiwand. According to Wikipedia, the Berkire Regiment took heavy loses on July 27, 1880 with 286 dead and 32 wounded. Learn more from Wikipedia Here

While recovering from the wound, Watson came down with Typhoid fever. It put him to bed for weeks. Learn more from the Mayo Clinic HERE

Sherlock Holmes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes

https://castleofchaos.com/blog/7-things-you-never-knew-about-sherlock-holmes/

35 worst Sherlock Movies https://www.slashfilm.com/564382/sherlock-holmes-movies-ranked/

35 Best Sherlock Movies https://www.slashfilm.com/564404/sherlock-holmes-movies-ranked-part-2/

Cast of characters (in the order of appearance)

Dr. John Watson: Narrator

Sherlock Holmes: Detective extraordinaire

Enoch J. Drubber: The Body

Inspector Tobias Gregson: The Scotland Yard detective you never hear about

Inspector Lestrade: The Scotland Yard detective you always hear about

Joseph Strangerson: Companion to Drubber

Constable John Rance: Discovered Drubber’s body

Wiggins: a street urchin Holmes employs to investigate

Suspects (by title because we don’t have names)

A constable
The cab driver
The old woman’s daughter
The old woman’s son-in-law
One of the street boys
The top hat salesman
The hotel front desk clerk

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Holmes and a Study in Scarlet was written by TG Wolff, adapted from A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy.

S3E4 Gryce & the Leavenworth Case

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 4 is about love and devotion – right or wrong. This is Gryce and the Leavenworth Case an adaptation of The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katherine Green.

Support those who support us. Support comes in lots of forms, not all of them financial. M2D4 is lucky to have the support of some of the best in mystery and podcast. Help show our thanks by supporting them with a read and review, download, or telling a friend.

Velvet Elvis by Greg F Gifune

Sonny Cantone’s having a really bad day. Wait until he sees the next 24 hours…

From Greg F. Gifune, author of DANGEROUS BOYS and THE BLEEDING SEASON, comes VELVET ELVIS. Set in one hot and crazy night, and populated with hard drinking, pot smoking ex-cons, shady strippers, aging mobsters, crooked cops and sociopathic drug lords, VELVET ELVIS is one man’s dark and sometimes darkly comic descent into madness and mayhem. Available everywhere Oct.18th.

Podcast: The Other Stories

Before there was the order and logic of mysteries, there was the chaos and thrill of horror. The Other Stories carries on the tradition with original, bite sized tales of the macabre, the fantastic, and the unexplainable. It’s one of my go-to podcasts. Subscribe wherever you find your podcasts and make it the next show you listen to. https://theotherstories.net/

Driving Reign by TG Wolff (That’s me!)

If your favorite hobby is catching killers, put your skills to the test in the second of my De La Cruz Casefiles, Driving Reign. Was it attempted suicide or murder? Well, if it were suicide, there wouldn’t be a story, but Cleveland police detective Jesus De La Cruz doesn’t know that. What he does know is that there shouldn’t have been two 9-1-1 calls. Read Driving Reign and see if you can untangle the knot before Cruz. Happy Hunting, detective. From Down & Out Books. Available in paperback and e-book from your favorite book seller. Amazon Link.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4047

Background on Anna Katherine Greene

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anna-Katharine-Green

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Katharine_Green

https://crimereads.com/the-rise-and-fall-and-restoration-of-anna-katharine-greens-the-leavenworth-case/

everything 1878 https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1878

Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqV0RGR3Oh8

First moving picture https://www.onthisday.com/photos/first-moving-images

Cast of characters (in the order of appearance)

Ebezener Gryce: Detective extraordinaire.

Horatio Leavensworth: The Body

James Trueman Harwell: Leavenworth’s secretary

Eleanore Leavensworth: Leavenworth’s orphaned niece, now a young lady

Mary Leavesworth: Leavenworth’s niece, Eleanore’s cousin, also orphaned, same age as Eleanore, and Leavenworth’s heir.

Thomas Dougherty: the butler

Hannah Chase: maid to the Misses Leavenworth

Mr. Veerley: Leavensworth’s solicitor

Mr. Everett Raymond: attorney, junior partner to Veerley, represents the cousins and is totally crushing on Eleanore.

Fobbs: Cop working for Gryce

Molly: the upstairs maid

Henry Ritchie Clavering: an English citizen in America to whom one of the cousins writes

Mr. Le Roy Robbins: Caller on the night of Leavenworth’s death, left without seeing him.

Mrs. Amy Belden: Widow, befriended the cousins when they vacationed in upstate NY.

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Gryce & the Leavenworth Case was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katherine Green. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy.

S3E3 Pinkerton’s The Expressman and The Detective

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 3 is about temptation, planning, and self-control. This is Pinkerton’s The Detective and the Expressman and adaptation of The Detective and the Expressman by Allan Pinkerton.

Support our Sponsors!

Down and Out Books.

Mysteries and thrillers from mainstream publishers leave you feeling like you kissed your best friend? Then you are ready to step down to Down & Out Books. Mystery, thrillers and horror. Gritty. Hard core. Obscure. Twisted. Imaginative. Fantastic. Stories the way you like them. Discover your next amazing read at Downandoutbooks.com

Persons Unknown by Michael Penncavage

Steve Harrison, thirty-five years old, handsome, has the world in his hands. He is admired by his co-workers, his friends, his wife, and his mistress.

And then he gets a call.

"Bill” informs him that his wife has been kidnapped and if Steve wants her back alive, he has to do exactly what he says. If Steve deviates from Bill’s plan, tries going to the police, or tries to involve others, his wife won’t be breathing when he brings her home.

Buy, download, and read Person Unknown by Michael Penncavage. From publisher Down & Out Books. Buy Direct from D&O HERE

Exacting Justice by TG Wolff (That’s me!)

Do you dig a flawed cop? Meet Cleveland homicide detective Jesus De La Cruz. In his debut case, Exacting Justice, Cruz is after a serial killer who preys on the drug community. He is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t in a case where the bad guy is making the streets safer. After coming close too many times, Cruz goes under cover, coming face-to-face with his demons for a chance to end a killer’s reign. Read Exacting Justice and see if you can beat Cruz to the truth. Happy Hunting, detective.

From Down & Out Books. Available in paperback and e-book from your favorite book seller. Amazon Link.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22155

Background on Allan Pinkerton can be found on the company website and Wikipedia among others:

https://pinkerton.com/our-story/history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Pinkerton

Research locations on the history of American money and our banking system:

https://eh.net/encyclopedia/antebellum-banking-in-the-united-states/

https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-american-money

https://www.aba.com/about-us/our-story/aba-history/1850-1899

Cast of characters (in the order of appearance)

Allan Pinkerton: Detective extraordinaire.

Nathan Maroney: our primary quarry

Mrs. Maroney: our secondary quarry

Flora: Mrs. Maroney’s young daughter

John R. White: Pinkteron detective assigned to Nathan Marony

Kate Warne aka Madam Imbert: Pinkerton detective assigned to Mrs. Maroney

Mr. DeForest: employee of Adams Express Company assigned to distract Mrs. Maroney. Becomes a bit distracted himself.

Mrs. Cox: the sister Mrs. Maroney lives with in Jenkintown, PA

Mr. Joshua Cox: Mrs. Maroney’s brother-in-law

Pinkteron detectives:

Shadow: man assigned to track the movements of the characters when they travel

Porter: man assigned to the rooming house in Montgomery, AL where the Maroney’s lived

Runner: man assigned to support White, acting as his message runner

Plant: man assigned to get close to Mr. Joshua Cox,

After the Story

This story was the first Pinkerton published and, as I said, it is true crime. This was a long story was so, so, so many characters that boiling it down to the essence was challenging. Finishing the story left me with questions that, if this were fiction, I would rant about. Here, I’ll just mention them. First, the original story gives no reason why Pinkerton or other focused on Maroney over the messenger. Generalities are given, like the messenger was a good man, but the same was said about Maroney. It seems there had to be something more solid, even if it was circumstantial, that would make going to such lengths worth the gamble.

I would have liked a better explanation of what Maroney was charged with in New York. He was arrested from Federal Marshalls, not city police. If he was tried for the theft, why was he tried again in Montgomery?

Pinkerton does not tie off the lose end of Mrs. Maroney. We have no clue to if she was prosecuted or left to just fend for herself. At some point, Madam Imbert went back to being Kate Warne and Pinkerton would have wanted his house back. I did laugh a bit as this was a financial mystery. I have the hardest time following the details of financial schemes and it turns out, it is even worse when going back 200 years. Shesh, we weren’t even using a common currency then. Talk about something that blows my mind.

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Pinkterton’s The Expressman and The Detective was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Expressman and The Detective by Allan Pinkteron. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy.

S3E2 Lecoq and the Mystery of Orcival

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Episode 2 is about vengeance, love, and no way out. This is Lecoq and The Mystery of Orcival, and adaptation of the Mystery of Orcival by Emile Gaboriau

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Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1651

The life and times of the original author, Emile Gaboriau, is on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Gaboriau

His character Lecoq has his own Wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsieur_Lecoq

Cast of characters (in roughly the order of appearance)

Monsieur Lecoq: the famous Paris detective

Countess Bertha de Tremoral: the body.

Count Hector de Tremoral: her missing husband

“Old” Jean Bertaud: lazy, good for nothing who found the body of Countess de Tremoral

Phillipe Bertaud: a good, young man, everyone agrees

Clement Sauvesy: Bertha’s first husband. He died 18months ago.

Monsieur Domini: The judge of Instruction. The guy who issues arrest warrants (near as I can tell)

Guespin: A gardner for the Count and Countess. He is always borrowing money.

Mayor Courtois: Mayor for the village of Orcival

Laurence Courtois: Daughter of the mayor. Had been courted by the Count prior to his marriage to Bertha.

“Papa” Plantat: Justice of the Peace in Orcival. Assists Lecoq in the investigation.

Doctor Gendron: Part physician, part chemist. He does the post mortem.

Jenny: The Count’s lover in Paris, before he moved to Orcival.

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Lecoq and the Mystery of Orcival was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Mystery of Orcival by Emile Gaboriau. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy.

S3E1 Dupin and the Purloined Letter

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:30:00 -0500

S3E1 The Purloined Letter

Mysteries to Die For is brought to you by Down & Out Books. Mysteries and thrillers from mainstream publishers leave you feeling like you kissed your best friend? Then you are ready to step down to Down & Out Books. Mystery, thrillers and horror. Gritty. Hard core. Obscure. Twisted. Imaginative. Fantastic. Stories the way you like them. Discover your next amazing read at Downandoutbooks.com and your favorite social media site.

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

For episode 1, we go back to Edgar Allan Poe’s C. Auguste Dupin. We did Dupin’s first mystery, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, as episode 1 of Season 2. We are starting this season with his third case, The Purloined Letter. Many of the detectives that come later compare themselves to Dupin, which made it feel wrong to begin the season with anyone else. Episode 1 is about secrets, blackmail, and outsmarting the cops. This is Dupin and the Purloined Letter, an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Purloined Letter.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. ttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2148

Information on Paris and the police under Louis Philippe can be found on these wikipedia pages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_under_Louis-Philippe#The_Police

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Police_Prefecture

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Philippe_I

Cast of characters

C. Auguste Dupin, logical detective of the first order

Narrator, who we will call E.A. Poe

Gabriel Delessert, Paris Prefect of Police

Marie Amalia Teresa, the last queen of France

Princess Adélaïde, sister to Louis Phillippe, King of the French

Monseiur Gagne, the minister of something or another

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Become a member of our Body Bag Brigade by financially supporting this season with a one-time donation. Pay what you can. Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Dupin and the Purloined Letter was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy.

S2E11 Natural Causes

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am Shannon Leahy and am here with Jack, the piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad). This episode will be read by me, Shannon Leahy,

This is Season 2. This season contains adaptations of stories published in the 1800s. These stories are some of the first considered to be mysteries. For that reason, this season is called The Originators.

Today’s story is about perceptions and realities. This is the Episode 11 Natural Causes, an adaptation of The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix.

Shannon: This story contains several settings but the only one specifically named is the one in the original title, Notting Hill. Notting Hill is a neighborhood in London that is trendy and fashionable with a distinctive, small-village feel, according to TripAdvisor. It is famous for its market where vendors sell everything from fruit and veggies to antiques. This area is also a center for entertainment with several theatres for live shows and cinemas. The area has nearly 2,900 reviews with a rating of 4.5 and is ranked #142 of 2,359 things to do in London. Not too shabby. While only 11 miles from the Greenwich Observatory and the prime meridian, it will take about 45 minutes to drive there. That’s how you know you’re in a big city. Here in our corner of Indiana, 11 miles takes you 20 minutes, if your route has traffic lights.

The Notting Hill Mystery was written by Charles Felix and released in an 8-part serial in magazine called Once a Week beginning in November 1862. It was released as a novel in 1865. On Goodreads, The Notting Hill Mystery has 605 ratings with an average of 3.21.

Let’s take a look at a few reviews…

Here’s a 4-star rating: Good grief -- this book might possibly win the award for most convoluted murder mystery I've ever read, but it's definitely and seriously fun. It's definitely got a thin plot, but it rates high on my enjoyment-o-meter because of its diabolical craziness and downright crazy story elements.

Here's a 3 star rating: A good example of procedural investigation presented to the reader in epistolary style. The language was typically wordy and appropriate to the Victorian era it is set in. While much of the story was quite repetitive - gather statements, compare, report evidence - this is how a case is built, and even though the culprit was reasonably clear from the beginning, I did enjoy reading The Notting Hill Mystery. [epistolary: adj, a literary work in the form of letters)]

Here's a 1 star: "A tough read" I can appreciate the work needed to construct a book like this, but it's not a riveting read when you have to unscramble the Victorian script. In fact, I'm not even sure it was a story, just a series of statements tacked together. Not my cup of tea.

It's funny when you can read several reviews with totally different ratings and agree with them all. Jack, tell us a little about our author of the day.

Jack: The Notting Hill Mystery was written by Charles Felix…or was it? This story and another called Velvet Lawn were credited to Charles Felix and published by Sanders, Otley, & Company. A 1864 column of The Manchester Times put it out there that Charles Felix was actually Charles Warren Adams. Adams was the attorney for the publishing house and eventually took over management when Sanders and Otley died. Adams never admitted to being Charles Felix, at least not publically. His wife and friends probably knew. A few academics got curious about this mystery and dug into the writing. In 1952 and then again in 2011, two separate people came to the conclusion that Charles Warren Adams was Charles Felix. Adams, who’d been dead for almost 50 years, neither confirmed nor denied the result.

So, who was Charles Warren Adams? He was an English lawyer born in 1833. He was married twice. He married his first wife, Georgina, in 1861. She died in 1880. He then met Mildred Coleridge, who was the daughter the Lord Chief Justice. Mildred’s family didn’t approve of the couple and court actions followed, which Adams won. Charles and Mildred married in 1885. Charles died in 1903, Mildred in 1929.

There wasn’t any information on if he had children or anything more about his legal practice. He worked as the representative of the publishing firm while the founders were alive, so he probably did the same for other businesses. Charles and his wives were animal activists. As an anti-vivisectionist, they were especially active in stopping practices of testing on animal.

Here’s another word of the day: vivisection - surgery conducted for experimental purposes on a living organism, typically animals with a central nervous system, to view living internal structure.

Shannon: We are nearly ready to begin our story. While Jack resets his microphone and warms up his fingers, I’ll explain why are we doing adaptations of these early stories instead of performing them as written. Two main reasons. The language from the 1800s is hard and can be difficult to understand with our modern ear. The speech cadence is just different.

Second, the style and length of the stories were not created for listening. With these adaptations, we keep the heart of the story, preserving the ground- breaking narrative, but update the packaging for easier digestion.

And so we are ready for Natural Causes. Jack, if you will, take us in.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46153

Cast of characters

Ralph Henderson, Insurance Investigator / Detective

Baroness Rosalie Rickhart, the body, aka Charlotte “Lotte” Brown

Baron Rickhardt, the husband and #1 suspect

Mrs. Gertude Boleton Anderton, another body, sickly woman being treated by the Baron

Mr. William Anderton, yup, another body, hired the Baron to cure his wife

Julia Clark, witness, lived with Rosalie in a circus when they were girls

Mr. Rodgers, Owner of the circus

John Pettigrew, witness, butler to the Anderton’s

Catherine Boleton, Gertrude’s twin sister, abducted at age 5

Reginald Boleton, great uncle to Gertrude and Catherine, left an inheritance

Mrs. Elstan, landlady of a house in Notting Hill where the Baroness died.

Joseph Aldrich, witness, lived on first floor, under the Rickhardts

My two cents

Tina's two cents: Let’s talk about this story. Does the logic work? No. Hell no, it doesn’t. Writing this adaptation drove me a little crazy because there is a fundamental logic flaw in the original story. The original story is told through a large number of written testimonies and journal excepts, as the reviews hinted to. We do not see any events happen in real time but have to piece together a story that tells about the lives of both Gertrude Anderton and the Baroness Rosalie simultaneously. We do not hear from the Baron directly and we do not know what the final result is.

Remember this story was originally released in eight parts, so the reader had to put the story together. This wasn’t so different from Quinten Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and other films. But when you put the parts together, it still has to make sense.

Let’s start backwards…

Premise #1 is the Baron mesmerized his wife into drinking poison to simulate an elusive illness that would eventually kill her. Why? To claim the 25,000 pounds in insurance money. Does it work? Sure, if you are willing to buy hypnosis as the murder weapon. It seems weak to me as hypnosis relies on a willing subject. Rosalie is described as afraid of her husband. It is hard to buy that she was not guarded around him.

If the story would have stopped there, it would have been a decent mystery, contrived, but decent.

But there was premise #2, the Baron mesmerized William Anderton to kill his wife, and then himself, meaning the Baron alone could claim the inheritance. When our Mr. Henderson is investigating, Rosalie, Gertrude, and William are all dead, which means they didn’t testify.

Accepting this motivation requires the belief that the Baron’s thought he could claim Rosalie was the lost Catherine Boleton after she died.

This is another the problem is for me.

The structure of the story strongly implies that Rosalie is Catherine, but there is no proof. Rosalie didn’t know. The man who bought her from her parents didn’t know who she was. So…how did the Baron know? He couldn’t.

Gertrude and Catherine were twins but not described as identical. Still, when the two Gertrude and Rosalie meet, there is no “funny, you look just like me” moment. They didn’t know they were related.

There is no testimony of Rosalie using Catherine’s name, such as when they were married. You would think, if this were a con, the Baron and his wife would have pressed his case on this inheritance after Gertrude and William died. A living Catherine would have a better chance of claiming an inheritance where all other family members are dead. Once she died, his ability to prove her pedigree was reduced to rhetoric.

What do you think Rosalie, Gertrude, and William died of? My thoughts – Rosalie and Gertrude did of chronic poisoning of antimony, the ingredient used as a laxative, as both women has pain stomach issues. I think William overdosed on something else, something that took him out quietly, with one dose, like a narcotic.

This story had a good premise – the murder of the Baroness and insurance fraud. In my opinion, it should have stayed there. Stretching into this twin kidnapping, murder / suicide, and unclaimed inheritance created a lot of holes that the reader either had to ignore, fill in the blanks themselves, or, like me, getting really irritated by.

The story did not have the actual ending and the points against the Baron were easily refuted. In this adaptation, I gave him a chance to take the stand. If I were to extrapolated the story out, I think the Baron was paid out the 25,000 pounds but was not able to satisfy the case for the inheritance. He was not arrested for any of the deaths because there was only circumstantial evidence. It’s up to you to decide if he got away with murder.

After the Story

Information is in the show notes and on our website TGWolff.com/Podcast. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff. Natural Causes was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix, otherwise known as Charles Warren Adams. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. That wraps up Season 2. We are going to take a short break before we launch into Season 3 Enter the Detective. Remember to subscribe!

S2E10 Blind

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

Today’s story is about knowing one’s self. This is the Episode 10 Blind, an adaptation of The Mysterious Card by Cleveland Moffett.

Tina: The story today is set in New York, although the location is not critical to the tale. It is merely where the characters lived – any city could be substituted without changing the story. Published in 1895, this story is told in real time, meaning it wasn’t set in the past or the future.

Our author gave us more of a location than most. We know New York and there is a reference to 23rd Street and Broadway. A major incident happens on Water Street. There first reference puts us in Manhattan, but seeing as we have already been there this season, I’m dropping our pin on Water Street, Brooklyn, all but under the Brooklyn Bridge.

I choose the address of 55 Water Street, which is the restaurant Cecconi’s. It must be fantastic since it has a 4.3 rating with almost 1,400 reviews. It is just over 7 1/2hrs to the Royal Observatory, home of the Prime Meridian in Greenwich in London. We were in Manhattan in Episode 7 this season with an 1880 mystery of a missing seamstress and a family secret.

This story really was about the mystery. The timing and setting are virtually irrelevant, which gives me nothing to talk about here. So, let’s move on to reviews. There are a few different versions on Goodreads. The Mysterious Card had 57 ratings with an average of 3.44.

The only 5-star review I found: Couldn’t put it down! My heart is racing!! I need to know what it means!!

Here's a 3-star review: Interesting plot. However, the intriguing story turned into an unbelievable/unrealistic one by the end. Although the author tried to give an explanation in the second part of the book (the sequel), it became apparent that there was no way to explain the illogical plot of the first part.

Another 3-star review: Two short stories. "The Mysterious card" sets up a situation- a man has a card in an unreadable language- but everyone he shows it to suddenly wants nothing more to do with him. A neat bit of tension building with a cliff handing conclusion. Unfortunately, the sequel offers a solution so couched in pseudo-mystic babble that it destroys all the entertainment value of the original tale.

Jack: Our author Cleveland Moffett was the son of Reverend William Henry Moffett and Mary Jane Cleveland. If my parents named me that way (edited on the fly by Jack). Cleveland wasn’t born in Cleveland but I was. He was born in Boonville, NY in April 27, 1863. While he was being born, the civil war was waging. The battle of Chancellorsville began April 30. This was in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, which is an awesome name for a county. The famous Lt. Gen Stonewall Jackson was wounded in this battle by friendly fire and he died a week later. This has nothing to do with Cleveland Moffett except the overlap with his birthday.

Moffett went to Yale College, then joined the New York Herald Newspaper in 1887. His first 5 years were spent in Europe and Asia, working as a writer and interviewer. He eventually transitioned to editorial work. He must have been fluent in French because he translated a few books to English. He also wrote stories for magazines and gave lectures. Somewhere in all of that he wrote his own fiction. The first short story listed for him is The Mysterious Card in 1895. The story did not reveal the answer to the puzzle, which got him a lot of attention. The next year, he published The Mysterious Card Revealed. In this adaptation, we combined the two, just so you know.

Tina: We are nearly ready to begin our story. While Jack resets his microphone and warms up his fingers, I’ll explain why are we doing adaptations of these early stories instead of performing them as written. Two main reasons. The language from the 1800s is hard and can be difficult to understand with our modern ear. The speech cadence is just different.

And so we are ready for Blind. Jack, if you will, take us in.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29704

Reference links

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Moffett

National Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1917 https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_National_Cyclopaedia_of_American_Bio/OO8pAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA381&printsec=frontcover

Cast of characters

Dr. Ridgeway, our hero and amateur detective

Richard Burwell, the victim

Yusuf Naji, importer

Hilana Naji, Yusuf sister, psychically gifted.

My two cents

Let’s talk about this story. Does the logic work? Yes, but then that is the great thing about magic and fantasy. As long as the author stays within the rules of the world they have created, there will seldom be a logic flaw.

I think there is some room to explore the amount of awareness Burwell had for his other nature. The original stories did not mention any memory gaps Burwell had. It seems if he did the crimes, he would not walk away without some souvenirs – torn clothes, bruises, etc. Physical signs he couldn’t explain. It seemed reasonable that Richard Burwell would have some ill-effect of the kulos night out. For this adaptation, I turned these into exhaustion and nightmares.

Like many mysteries in this era, the lead in the original story was not so much a detective as the person everyone spilled their guts to. While I gave the doctor a name and put him in the driver’s seat, I was true to the resolution. It is both satisfying – we know Burwell was a killer and the “seer’s” brother killed him – and unsatisfying.

This story did make me think about mental illness, specifically split personality. This story attributed the kulos side to evil. Published in 1896, this story explores the idea of two souls inhabiting the same body. The strange case of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde was published in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson.

After the Story

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by telling a mystery lover about us and giving us a five-star review. Sponsor this season. Join our Body Bag Brigade with your donation. Give what you can. Everything is appreciated. DONATE HERE

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. Blind was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Mysterious Card and The Mysterious Card Revealed by Cleveland Moffett. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

Join us in two weeks for Episode 11 Natural Causes, an adaptation of The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix

S2E9 A Craven's Tale

Fri, 28 May 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Note: The audio says this is episode 10. It isn’t. It’s #9.

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about blackmail, a spoiled child, and bats in the belfry. This is the Episode 10 Craven’s Tale, an adaptation of The Murder at Troyte’s Hill by Catherine Louisa Pirkis.

Tina: The story today is set in Cumberland, England, which was a county on the southwestern border of Scotland. In 1974, there was a bit of clean up and a new county, Cumbria, was formed encompassing Cumberland, West Moreland and parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It’s always fascinating where the real places in fictional stories don’t exist anymore.

We know our fictional village is located not far off a rail line, is in the former Cumberland county, and, well that’s it. That gives us quite a bit of latitude picking a real place to stand in for our fictional place. Let’s drop the pin today on Heads Nook, England. Heads Nook is a village outside the city of Carlisle. A search on Trip Advisor found Heads Nook Hall, a B&B that must be a real treat. 366 review and 342 Excellent ratings, which is over 93%. Looking at the pictures, I’m ready to pack my bags, Jack.

Heads Nook is a 6 hour drive from the Royal Conservancy, where the Prime Meridian is set and is 3 hours from Ravescar, which is where we dropped the pin for our last English mystery in Episode 5 Sergeant Cuff and the Moonstone Diamond.

This episode’s story was a short story in a collection called The Experiences of Loveday Brooke, Lady Detective. The collection has 151 ratings on Goodreads with an average score of 3.54.

Here’s a 4-star review: Miss Brooke’s cases range from theft to missing persons to murder. They are interesting and illustrate the views of women’s proper activities and places in the society of the day. Loveday works for a private detective agency, and her employer is the person who is most astounded by her clever unraveling if the clues in her cases. Unlike Holmes she doesn’t have a sidekick who assists her, no Watson for her.

The stories are a nice afternoon entertainment!!

Here’s a 3-star review: I probably enjoyed this a bit more than 3 stars worth. An interesting short collection of seven loosely linked mystery stories, nearly all of which don't involve murders, so in that sense they are pleasant. Pirkis's formula seems to be that we follow the protagonist, watch what happens as she solves the mystery in a kind of mysterious manner, and then we get her detailed account of how she did it, or what was behind it... Probably the stories and protagonist were more remarkable for their time than nowadays, but they hold up well and the book is quite worth reading. And it's short.

I’ll save my own thoughts for after.

Jack: Our original author today is Catherine Louisa Pirkis, who published as C.L. Pirkis and Mrs. Fred E. Pirkis. She was born in 1839 to middle-class parents. Her father was an accountant and according to Victorian Research.org, her father’s obituary said he died from “consequences of excessive exertion of the brain.” So, there’s that.

Catherine’s husband, Fred, was a captain for the English Royal Navy. Fred’s brother married Catherine’s sister, which is just confusing. And weird. The families lived together, which I guess was a thing back then. Catherine died in 1910 after a long illness and Fred passed over two days later. None of this has anything to do with Catherine’s stories, it was just interesting.

Catherine wrote 14 novels from 1877 to 1894 and while that was pretty incredible, she did something else. Catherine and her Navy husband Fred were big into animal rights. They started the National Canine Defense League in 1891, which today is known as Dogs Trust. They work to find dogs their forever homes and do other advocacy work. We put the link in the show notes. That’s pretty cool. Catherine and Allan Pinkerton are the only author’s we’ve had so far who created organizations back in their day that exist in our day.

And so we are ready for A Craven’s Tale. Jack, if you will, take us in.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/pirkis/brooke/brooke.html

Reference links

Catherin Louisa Pirkis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Louisa_Pirkis

Dogs Trust https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/

Cast of characters

Loveday Brooke: Lady detective, our hero

Ebenezer Dyer: Owner of detective agency, Loveday’s employer

Sgt William Griffiths of the Newcastle Constabulary: the Client

“Sandy” Henderson: Craven’s Nest groundskeeper. The Body. Locals suspect an outsider, Griffiths disagrees.

Edward Craven: Master of Head’s Nook. Friends with Sandy since university and brought him to Craven’s Nest when he inherited.

Harry Craven: Edward’s 19-yr old son. A wild child, he was known to publicly argue with Sandy over handling of the estate.

Mrs. Fanny Craven: Edward’s wife who self-educated her daughter.

Nina Craven: Edward’s 17-yr old daughter.

John Hales: Craven’s Nest butler. His salary was cut to pay Sandy’s. He owed Sandy money and was known to disagree with him on the management of Craven’s Nest.

Mrs. Honeydukes: The cook. Not a fan of old Sandy but too much of a lady to say anything.

Maggie: Fanny Craven’s maid. Kept to herself.

My two cents

Let’s talk about this story. Does the logic work? Yes, as far as insanity ever does. Catherine did a nice job in what was originally a 10,000 word story giving us three credible suspects and a valid sequence of events.

One very minor point for me was how old Craven senior and Sandy were. Harry’s age is specifically named at 19. No other character received that level of detail. Craven and Sandy are described as being “old” but Craven has teen age children. Perhaps “old” was more a reflection of one being insane and the other a crotchety blackmailer. I know it was more common for older men to have younger wives in this time period and social circle. I put then in their mid-sixties, meaning he was near 40 when Harry was born.

Some more literary reviews I read said or implied that the story had much deeper meaning, drawing the parallels between the dog and people. Maybe, maybe not. I know academics love to speculate on that sort of thing. The only person who can tell us has been dead for 110 years.

Loveday Brooke is a great character. She is the master of her own story and quietly goes about unraveling the mystery.

That being said, the original format of the story is one of my least favorite for mysteries. As many of you know, I love mysteries because I love to attempt to solve the puzzle, not that I’m often successful. Not the point. The original form of this story was more like Jeopardy, when the author gave you the answer without letting you see the event. Reading this story, or any of Loveday’s experience, you do not get to see what she sees. You are instead left waiting for her to explain. Here’s an example. The scene where Loveday had dinner with the butler and the cook was not in the original story. Instead, this is how you hear about the butler owing money:

On the evening of the first of those days Detective Griffiths received, through the trustworthy post-boy, the following brief note from her:

"I have found out that Hales owed Sandy close upon a hundred pounds, which he had borrowed at various times. I don't know whether you will think this fact of any importance.–L. B."

I am not a fan of being spoon fed answers and I’m not a fan of not “seeing” events firsthand. Hence, I inverted the story when creating the adaptation, turning it into a mystery for you. My ratings: 5 for leading character, 5 for mystery logic, 2 for storytelling, which yes is totally subjective.

After the Story

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. A Craven’s Tale was written by TG Wolff, adapted from The Murder at Troyte’s Hill by Catherine Louise Pirkis. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

Join us in two weeks for Episode 10 Blind, an adaptation of The Mysterious Card by Cleveland Moffett.

S2E8 Poetic Dissonance

Fri, 14 May 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Note: Enjoy the blooper at the start of the audio. Like we said, we do these live 😊

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about obsession, social unrest, and the courage to stand. This is the Episode 8 Poetic Dissonance, an adaptation of Mademoiselle de Scuderi by E.T.A Hoffman.

Tina: The story today is set in Paris, beginning in autumn of 1680. Paris was also the location for the first episode this season, The Thinking Man, the adaptation of Poe’s Murder’s in the Rue Morgue. As we said a few weeks ago, Paris is famous for, well, being Paris. People lived in the area since the 3rd century B.C.

The star of today’s show is a 73-year old storyteller and poet, Madeleine de Scuderi, referenced throughout the story by the simple title Mademoiselle. She lived in a small house (by 18th Century French standards) on Rue Saint Honorée. Interestingly, The Thinking Man story referenced Saint Roch church, which is on Rue Sainte Honorée. A link to a map of Paris from 1652 is in the show notes, on our website, and on Facebook. It is amazing how 470 years later, you can still find the same streets on Google Maps. Because Mademoiselle attended King Louis XIV court, we’ll put our pin closer to the Louvre this time.

This story is interesting far beyond the actual story. Published in 1819, this is considered the first detective story. No doubt it was cutting edge. Consider E.T.A. Hoffman’s detective was a 70-year old female and that he used historic people. The real Madeleine de Scuderi was born Nov 15, 1607 and died June 2, 1701 at the age of 93. She was a prolific writer and was part of the French renaissance. Among her friends was the poet Paul Scarron and his wife Francoise. After Paul’s death, Francoise climbed the hierarchy of society, eventually being known as Madam de Maintenon, lover and secret wife of Louis XIV.

I’m not a history buff, but reading about the craziness of France in the mid-1600s was unbelievable. Netflix, etc., has been making series out of English aristocracy – go check out the French. In the scandal The Affair of Poisons, heads rolled, literally, in the quest to seek justice for and put an end to people poisoning other to hurry along inheritance or even a slight. There are links to the Wikipedia page in the show notes and on the website.

Goodreads ratings! Originally published in German, this story have over 2230 ratings with an average of 3.40. Many of the reviews were not in English. I just renewed my Babble subscription so maybe, eventually…anyway.

Here’s an excerpt from a 5-star review: It was a wonderful story of murder set against the backdrop of the "affair of the poisons" in Paris. The atmosphere was very dark and claustrophobic. Everyone was paranoid and there was much fear of the police. The main character Mme de Scuderi was a great heroine, 73, sharp and compassionate, she was also a force to be reckoned with and even the King listened to her. The plot was interesting, dramatic with lots of twists and turns.

Three star: “Mademoiselle de Scuderi” is honestly far from his most brilliant achievements. The Mademoiselle in question is an elderly poet with connections to French aristocracy and the Sun King himself, set out to unveil a series of brutal crimes committed in the streets of Paris at night. If this sounds like a period piece with large gowns, even larger wigs and a heavily powdered Miss Marple, the reason is that that is pretty much exactly what this is.

(Note: Miss Marple was first published in Dec 1927, nearly 110-years after De Scuderi)

Two star: Nothing special, although there is some interesting vocabulary in this book.

Jack: Our original author today is E.T.A Hoffman. The E.T.A stands for Ernst Theodore Amadeus. He was born Ernest Theodor WILHELM Hoffman. Now there’s a pen name no one will figure out. If you are thinking “I’ve never heard of E.T.A Hoffman, you are wrong! He wrote the story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”, which was the basis for Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

Hoffman was born in January 1776 and died in June 1822. Like many of the author’s we’ve featured, he did a lot of different things. He was considered a jurist – which is someone with expert knowledge in law, the field many of his family members worked in. He worked for his uncle, who was promoted from a local court to one in Berlin. He was an author, artist, and composer. He worked as a stage manager.

Hoffman found himself in a little trouble when at his first job in Southern Prussia, caricatures of military officers were distributed at a ball. Everyone knew who did it. And they complained about it. But Hoffman had supporters so, to solve the problem, he was promoted to a new job…in another city. Hoffman saw this as being exiled- and he wasn’t wrong, but it gave him time to write and compose. So, there’s that.

Hoffman died when he was 46. He’d published 10 instrumental scores, 13 works for the stage, 8 vocal pieces, and 14 books or collections. That doesn’t count the sketches and drawings. Imagine what he would have done if he lived another 45 years.

Second, the style and length of the stories were not created for listening, they were created for reading. With these adaptations, we keep the heart of the story, preserving the ground breaking narrative, but update the packaging for easier digester. Character names are in the show notes.

If Season 1 did nothing else, it proved I can’t do accents. Maybe once the morgue has filled up with donations to our Body Bag Brigade I can take lessons. Until then, I’ve going to stick with my regular voice. This story is sent in Paris and the characters are, you guess it, French. I’ve changed the names to words I can say (pathetic but true).

One final note, since Mademoiselle was a poet (and Hoffman, too) we’ve incorporated poetry into this episode, which Jack will accompany on a cajon.

And so we are ready for Poetic Dissonance. I apologize in advance for my pathetic attempts at French. Jack, I’ll transform myself into a 17th century, elderly poet while you take us in.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31439

Reference links

E.T.A Hoffman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._T._A._Hoffmann

The real Madeleine de Scudary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_de_Scud%C3%A9ry

Map of Paris 1652: http://www.oldmapsofparis.com/map/1652

Cast of characters

Mademoiselle Madeleine de Scuderi: a 73-year old Parisian poet and our detective. She is a poet and storyteller in the court of Louis XIV.

Louis XIV: King of France, also known as the Sun King

La Reynie: Chief of the King’s specially appointed Guard

Desgrais: Lieutentant of the Guard, a feared man in Paris

Henry Duval: Trust lawyer and advisor to Louis XIV

Madam de Maintenon: Louis XIV lover and dear friend of de Scuderi

Annette: Mademoiselle’s maid

Baptiste: Mademoiselle’s butler, cook, and footman

Rene Cardillac: Most famous jeweler in Paris. The Body.

Oliver Brusson: Rene’s apprentice and accused of his murder.

Helene Cardillac: Rene’s daughter and Oliver’s fiancée, considered a conspirator in her father’s death.

Count de Marais: Present at the time Rene was fatally wounded.

My two cents

Let’s talk about this story. Does the logic work? Yes. I wondered how Cardillac knew of Mademoiselle’s statement to Louis XIV. Mademoiselle doesn’t know Cardillac until he is called to Madam’s home. This and the statement about refusing commissions for Madam lead me to the conclusion that Cardillac was not in Madam’s parlor to hear for himself. This is minor, it could have been repeated.

It works that Cardillac knew where his victims would be and when. It’s somewhat coincidental that there was a secret passage out of his home – but what do I know. Maybe that was common in 17th century Paris.

The timing works, although why didn’t Olivier visit Mademoiselle sooner? For all intents and purposes, she was his grandmother and his last living relative. That seems theatrical.

Does Mademoiselle work as a detective? She does assert herself into the story with taking in Helene, with the visits to La Reynie and the attorney Duval, and the theatrical presentation to the King. She absolutely propels the story coming to the actual ending. But she doesn’t detect. People just come to her house and tell her their secrets. I don’t think there was one fact Mademoiselle figured out on her own. Can you think of one? Desgrais and La Reynie could have wrapped the whole incident up within an hour if Oliver and the Count had told the truth. Who knows, maybe Oliver would have gotten off. He wasn’t arrested that first time he saw Cardillac attack a man. Well, maybe not.

The ending here was satisfying. Although the original story isn’t explicit, it seems Oliver was convicted but then grant amnesty by the king. The truth comes out without being made public, which I guess is a loss for the families of Cardillac’s victims.

This was one of the hardest adaptations to write. Stepping into the shoes of an elderly French poet, as written by a thirty-something German took work, but I enjoyed the challenge. I hope you enjoyed the result.

After the Story

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. Poetic Dissonance was written by TG Wolff, adapted from Mademoiselle de Scuderi by E.T.A Hoffman. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

Join us in two weeks for Episode 9 A Craven’s Tale, The Murder at Troyte’s Hill by Catherine Louisa Pirkis.

S2E7 In Plain Sight

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about greed, blindness and loyalty. This is the Episode 7 In Plain Sight, an adaptation of A Strange Disappearance by Anna Katherine Green.

Tina: Anna Katherine Green’s second book in the Mr. Gryce series was published in 1880 and set in New York City. The version I read had the Blake mansion on corner property facing Second Avenue. The cross street was not specified. Google dropped the pin near East 65th Street, so we’re going with it.

The Blake Mansion is a mere 6 ½ hours from the Royal Observatory in England with non-stop flights between JFK and Heathrow. You can get between Second Avenue and Senatobia, Mississippi, the location of our second episode, in about 5 hours flying to Memphis and taking the short drive south. Drive the entire way and it’s 17 hours. It takes about the same amount of time to get to Hannibal, Missouri, where Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer started out from.

This story is set in winter. There isn’t any mention of holidays or the new year, which makes me think we are in February. New York gains an hour of daylight over the short month. Sun rise is between 7am and 6:30am. Sunset is between 5:15pm and 5:45pm.

The original story, A Strange Disappearance, has 346 reviews and ratings on Good Reads with an average of 3.46. 45% rated it a 3, 30% a 4. Here are a few reviews.

Five-star review: I REALLY, REALLY LIKE THIS AUTHOR!!! Yet another story that had me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages, and reveling in the twists and turns come up at the end! LOVED this book!! Well done Anna Green!!

Excerpt from a three-star review: I was a little bit disappointed by this after enjoying The Leavenworth Case so much. A K Green is hailed as the Mother of Modern Crime Fiction but it didn't take me long to work out what was going on here. Added to this, I was disappointed to find that Police Inspector Ebenezer Gryce (the Sherlock Holmes of his time) hardly appeared, leaving the detective work to his assistant, Q. And the main female character was so wishy-washy, unassuming and saintly that I wanted to shake her - but I do appreciate that I was looking at her not with an 1880s glance but with 21st Century eyes.

Jack: Anna Katherine Green was an American novelist and, by many accounts, is the mother of mystery. Her first Mr. Gryce novel, the Leavenworth Case, published in 1878, was the first legal thriller and brought her the most fame. Over her 45 year career, she published over 36 novels and also wrote poetry. Michael Mallory profiled her in Mystery Scene magazine. A link to the article is in the show notes.

Anna was born in Brooklyn, NY and was the daughter of a prominent lawyer. She graduated from Ripley Female College (now Green Mountain College) in Poultney, Vermont, in 1866. This was at a time when it was still rare for women to go to college. Anna learned something about law from her father and used it to create Mr. Gryce, her detective, and the cases he solved. Her books were cutting edge for their plots and their incorporation of realistic legal circumstances. A number of sources thought Anna’s work hasn’t had the lasting power of Poe and Collins (two other authors we featured this season) because she incorporated Victorian ideals that eventually made them feel dated.

And so we are ready for In Plain Sight. Jack, that’s your cue.

Episode Materials

There are several places where you can find the original. Gutenberg is one of them. ttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1167

Reference links

Anna Katherine Green links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Katharine_Green

https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1867

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anna-Katharine-Green

New York Map 1883 https://iiif.lib.harvard.edu/manifests/view/ids:6938097

Cast of characters

Police Inspector Ebenezer Gryce: Famed NYC police inspector

Inspector Thomas Quinn: Junior inspector under Gryce, the brains and legs of this investigation, our storyteller

Lettie: Seamstress in Blake household, disappeared from bedroom in the middle of the night

Holman Blake: Former congressman, last in the line of rich and eccentric Blakes. Wasn’t on speaking terms with the girl but cooperates for her safe return

Mr. Blake Senior: Holman’s eccentric father who changed will to require Holman to marrying anyone but Evelyn Blake

Evelyn Blake, Countess de Mirac: Cousin to Holman and the love interest he passed over to marry another and claim his inheritance

Luttra Schoenmaker Blake: Wife to Holman, left him on wedding day, 11 months ago, after hearing her husband say he only married her to claim his inheritance

Mrs. Daniels: Housekeeper, brought Gryce and Quinn into case, desperate to find Lettie

Fanny: maid in Blake household, witness

Senior & Karl Schoenmaker: Luttra’s bank robbing father and brother, recently escaped from prison

Doesn’t seem like they should all go together, do they?

My two cents

I liked this story a lot. The mystery was well crafted. Of course, I seem to always find little things to pick on. In the original story, the Schoenmaker’s break in was to Blake’s house to rob it, having no idea Luttra resided there or that it was her bedroom they went through. I didn’t like that mystery started with a coincidence, so I altered it that they saw Luttra out.

The timetable after Luttra disappears is a little confusing as to how many days pass. The length of time it took to travel to Vermont, both by Quinn & Blake and Karl Schoenburg, seemed too much for the event sequence in New York. The only part relevant to the story was Quinn finding the ring, so it wasn’t worth trying to detail out the timeline.

Speaking of the ring Quinn found in the stove, it was not fully explained. Originally, I thought it was Luttra’s wedding ring. They never say what happens to it after she left, so it seemed possible. During the “deal”, Gryce or Quinn say the ring could send the Schoenmakers to the gallows. That made me doubt it was Luttra’s ring. In the adaptation, I made it a less expensive ring than Blake would have given his wife and created a connection to the Schoenmaker’s escape which would earn them the gallows.

For someone born and raised in NY and schooled in Vermont, I’m surprised there wasn’t more woven into the story about temperature or clothing or weather. It had to be cold while Blake and Quinn were running around the story.

Finally, the ending lines with Quinn and Fanny, the reward, and the young drowned woman were my own additions. These were loose ends not tied up in the original. I supposed in the late 1800s, the better odds were that the woman’s death would not be solved. I wanted better than that for her. It’s called creative license.

I’m putting Anna Green on my To Be Read list. I really like Gryce and look forward to his other mysteries. Maybe we’ll even feature her first book in a future episode. Who knows.

After the Story

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. Human Affect was an adaptation of The Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Lytton-Bulwer. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

Join us in two weeks for Episode 8 Poetic Dissonance, an adaptation of Mademoiselle de Scuderi by E.T.A. Hoffman

S2E6 Franklin Blake Returns

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Before the Story

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about the determination of love to find a way…even if it’s through an ugly truth. This is Episode 5B Franklin Blake Returns, an adaptation of The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

Jack: Part 1 of this story was told in Episode 5A by Sergeant Cuff, a London detective hired by Lady Verinder to investigate the theft of the Moonstone diamond. Here is a summary: The gem had been bequeathed by Lady Verinder’s older brother to her daughter Rachel as a birthday present. Franklin Blake arrived a month before her birthday, bringing the diamond. He deposits it in a bank. That same afternoon, three Indians call on the Verinder household posing as magicians. The steward, Gabriel Betteredge, runs them off. Outside the estate, they are overheard talking about Franklin Blake.

Rachel received the diamond in the afternoon of her birthday, wore it to her birthday party that evening, and the next morning, it was missing. Cuff’s investigation never got off the ground. Rachel Verinder refused to talk to Cuff, Franklin, or anyone else. The clue of blue paint on a nightshirt dies on the vine when the search of the upstairs rooms is prohibited.

Roseanna Spearman, a maid with a criminal past, has a cryptic conversation with the man courting Rachel, Franklin Blake, then kills herself the next day. The Verinder house is a mess. Rachel leaves her cousin, Godfrey Ablewhite, to stay with his mother. Lady Verinder goes after her daughter, later deciding they would go to London to make a fresh start. Heartbroken by Rachel’s rejection, Franklin Blake leaves England, determined to forget him. Sgt Cuff is dismissed, his questions never answered. Before leaving, he makes three predictions. One, Betteredge would receive a message from the near-by cottage with a beyond-the-grave message from the dead maid. Two, they would hear of the three Indian’s again. Three, they would also hear of a money lender named Luker.

Tina: Got all of that? Check out the show notes for the cast of characters. While Jack resets his microphone and warms up his fingers, I’ll explain why are we doing adaptations of these early stories instead of performing them as written. Two main reasons. The language from the 1800s is hard. It’s like everything they tried to teach us in grade school grammar on steroids.

Second, the style and length of the stories were not created for listening, they were created for reading. This one today is over 200,000 words in it’s original form with multiple narrators – like 7 or 11.

With these adaptations, we keep the heart of the story, preserving the ground breaking narrative, but update the packaging for easier digester.

This one tried to be a little bit of everything. A satire. An adventure. A romance. A mystery. Episode 5A was definitely a mystery, with a police detective Sergeant Cuff investigating. This episode picks the story 1 year later and is told by Franklin Blake.

And so we are ready for Franklin Blake Returns. Jack, that’s your cue.

Down & Out Featured Release

Mysteries to Die For is brought to you by Down & Out Books and imprint All Due Respect. This episode’s featured release is Trigger Switch by Bryon Quertermous

Dominick Prince has been a magnet for trouble his entire life. A series of poor life choices and their violent consequences have crushed his spirit. Desperate to outrun this burgeoning rage before it fully consumes him, Dominick accepts an offer he doesn’t trust from an old high school classmate. Dutchy Kent says he wants to make one last-ditch effort to prove his acting chops by mounting the New York City debut of a play based on one of Dominick’s stories, but the true story involves the real estate empire of a notorious Queens drug dealer and $1.2 million in cash. Dutchy would love to find that cash, but he needs someone else to do the dirty work, someone who attracts trouble and is easily manipulated.

Unfortunately for Dutchy, the Dominick he knew in school is gone. The Dominick who shows up at his office is bitter, twitchy, and repulsed by the trash heaps and junk yards of Long Island City that don’t fit into his vision of a New York debut. None of that matters to Dutchy though who continues with his scheme, unaware that every insult, every passive aggressive comment, and every physical intimidation pushes Dominick one step further toward his rapidly approaching breaking point.

Trigger Switch is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or ask for it from your favorite book seller.

Episode Materials

Read the original: There are several places where you can find The Moonstone. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/155

Cast of Characters:

Franklin Blake: Our hero. Thought to have stolen the Moonstone by his almost affianced, Rachel Verinder

The older generation (40-50s)

Sir John Herncastle: Dead by natural causes. Stole the Moonstone from India, bequeathed it as a birthday gift to Rachel Verinder, his niece

Lady Julia Verinder: Sister to Sir John Herncastle, sister-in-law to both Black and Ablewhite. Rachel’s mother.

Roderick Blake: Franklin’s now deceased father, Member of Parliament.

The younger generation (Late teens - Mid-twenties)

Rachel Verinder: Owner of the Moonstone Diamond, for about 12 hours

Godfrey Ablewhite: Rachel’s cousin, Lady Julia’s nephew

Druscilla Clack: Rachel cousin

The Staff

Gabriel Betteredge: Lady Julia Verinder’s butler and a wealth of information.

Penelope Betteredge: Gabriel’s daughter and Rachel’s maid

Roseanna Spearman: Lady Julia’s maid and a woman with a past

Mr. Bigbie: the gardener

Cook: The cook (female, if it matters)

Others

Sergeant Cuff: Experienced detective, close to retiring to raise roses, was fired after everyone lied to him

Mr. Matthew Bruff: lawyer, custodian of the Moonstone, family friend, attended Rachel’s party

Dr. Candy: Area physician, attended Rachel’s birthday party

Mr. Murthwaite: An Indian friend of the Late Sir Verinder, attended Rachel’s birthday party

Inspector Seagrave: Copper who started the investigation and irritated the entire house.

Mrs. Yolland: Verinder’s nearest neighbor, mother of Lucy

Lucy Yolland: Good friend of Roseanna Spearman

The Three Indians: Maybe performers, maybe thieves.

Septimus Luker: notorious money lender

Ezra Jennings: assistant to Dr. Candy

My Two Cents

Like we talk about, these stories are some of the first to be considered mysteries, so they aren’t always perfect fits in the genre. The Moonstone really was a little bit of everything, with the genre nearly changing with the narrator. I boiled many sections of this book into brief backstory. Parts are adventure. Parts are satire. Parts are romance. And yes, parts are mystery.

Overall, the mystery was pretty well laid out. There were so many times this was one nearly a DNF. I’m glad I stuck through it but doubt I’ll pick up another of Wilkie’s anytime soon. It wandered too much for my taste. I guess some people found his tangents entertaining. For me, they took me out of the story nearly to the point I didn’t care. In the end, I did come to like Cuff, Franklin, Betteredge, and Bruff and was happy I got to know them.

Wilkie used a few devices that I didn’t love. While it was a great twist to have Franklin find his own name on the nightshirt, it was a pretty long stretch to have him steal the diamond while sleep walking under the influence of laudanum and have zero memory of it. We don’t hear from Godfrey to learn exactly what happened that night.

Again, it was a great twist to have Godfrey in costume dead in a pub room, I didn’t see it coming. It was a stretch on the assailants getting in and out by the roof. I added quite a bit to the original description to avoid the feel of coincidence. I do think the Indians were persistent to the point that they would have found a way into Godfrey’s room.

For all the talk of Septimus Luker, no one in the original story talked to him. It nagged at me, so I added it in here, having him neither confirm nor deny.

After the Story

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. Franklin Blake Returns was an adaptation of The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

S2E5 Sgt Cuff and the Moonstone Conspiracy

Sat, 03 Apr 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Before the Story

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about loyalty, wrong assumptions, and a prize worth more than money. This story is told in two parts. This is the first, Episode 5A Sergeant Cuff and the Moonstone Conspiracy, an adaptation of The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

Tina: Today’s story is set in Yorkshire, England. The location of Lady Verinder’s country estate was not given a name. It was described as being on the coast. As you’ll see, the coast has a role in this one. Two towns were named in the story: Frizinghall and Cob’s Hole. Searching for Frizinghall, England, I found one that is a district in the City of Bradford. Not on a coast. Cob’s Hole I didn’t find at all. Sooo, given my freedom, I picked a coastal Yorkshire town of Ravenscar. Yes, I picked it for its name. Seemed to fit a mystery.

Ravenscar is on the eastern coast of England, 10 miles north of Scarborough. In the late 4th century, it was the location of a Roman signal station. Ravenscar is some 250 miles north of the Royal Observatory, home to the prime meridian. According to Wikipedia, at the turn of the 19th–20th century, plans were made to turn the village into a holiday resort to rival nearby Scarborough. Roads were laid out, some houses were built and sewers were laid. Because of the long trek to its rocky beach, Ravenscar never achieved popularity, and the development was left unfinished – a town with sewers and streets but no houses. Fascinating. Every time we do one of these, I find a new place I want to go.

The Moonstone was published in 1868 and the story is set 20 years earlier. It was considered one of the first detective novel. This is an incredibly long story, told by multiple story tellers – one article said 11 tellers (I didn’t count.) With over 81,000 ratings on Goodreads, the average rating is 3.9.

Here’s one review, a 5 star: 4.5 stars, rounding up, for this 1868 Victorian-era mystery, often considered the first English-language detective novel. Wilkie Collins spins a literary web that starts out slowly but then inexorably pulls you in; I finished the last half of the book in one extended readathon. He has a gift for writing as vastly different characters, who each take a turn telling or writing their part of the story, and a droll, sometimes very sarcastic sense of humor.

Here's a 3-star review: I ended up liking the story of the diamond stolen from an Indian sacred statue but mostly I liked it for some of the characters who tell the story in 11 different narratives. My special favourite is Betteredge the old steward of the country house where much of the story takes place who relies on Robinson Crusoe for advice (it works for him) and the wonderfully imagined and named Ezra Jennings who turns up quite late in the proceedings but ultimately has a hand in the resolution of the case.

If you want a Victorian (the "first" ) mystery complete with a detective, lots of villains, a suicide, a murder, a stolen jewel, a trio of Indians, an unrequited love and more then this is for you. If however you want a punchy, fast paced police crime book then give it a miss. All in all I'm glad I read it but it was very tough going in the middle though the denouement was very satisfactory. :)

Jack: William Wilkie Collins dropped the William in his writing. He was a writer and playwright. His most famous novel was The Woman in White (1859) was his fifth novel and is considered among the first mystery novels. (It was a DNF for my mom). Wilkie was a professional writer. The other author’s we’ve featured- Poe, Pinkteron, Bulwer-Lytton, Twain- all had profession outside of writing. Wilkie didn’t seem to. He wrote a lot. He wrote over 20 novels, a hundred short stories, and then a bunch of plays, essays, and articles. In 1980, The Wilkie Collins Society was created to promote interest in Wilkie and his work.

Officially, Wilkie never married. Unofficially, he had two families. He lived with Caroline and her daughter from her first marriage, Harriet. Tens years later, he met a woman named Martha. She would have three children with Wilkie. For the last 20 years of his life, he split his time between the two families.

Second, the style and length of the stories were not created for listening, they were created for reading. This one today is over 200,000 words in it’s original form. That’s just right if you are reading every night because movies, television, and everything else hasn’t been invented yet, but it’s way to long for us.

With these adaptations, we keep the heart of the story, preserving the ground breaking narrative, but update the packaging for easier digester.

This one tried to be a little bit of everything. A satire. An adventure. A romance. A mystery. Needless to say, we are honing in on the last bit.

And so we are ready for Sergeant Cuff and the Moonstone Conspiracy. Jack, that’s your cue.

Down & Out Featured Release

Mysteries to Die For is brought to you by Down & Out Books. This episode’s featured release is It’s Ugly Because It’s Personal by Ryan Sayles

In the city of Carcasa, gunshots devastate the night as a patrol officer makes a traffic stop. The occupants—three dealers caught in the act of muling—set into motion a course of actions that can only end badly. Now, one is dead, another fleeing on foot and the third tearing through neighborhoods in a bumper car-style chase. Furious, grief-stricken officers on their heels with their brother fighting for his life on the side of a road.

The shooter escapes, and the PD begins their hunt to find the shooter before he lucks out, fades into memory. With what information they have, they dig; the dirt that is the shooter’s life getting thrown over their shoulders by the shovel-full. Family, friends, employment, any avenue of refuge for him begins to burn. Things get complicated along the way. The kind of complicated that goes into a body bag. The art of flushing out the enemy is a sacred practice, best done with smoldering rage.

But, after a man has nowhere to hide, having him out in the open might be worse.

It’s Ugly Because It’s Personal is available from Down & Out’s website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ask for it from your favorite book seller.

Episode Materials

Read the original: There are several places where you can find The Moonstone. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/155

Cast of Characters:

Sergeant Cuff: our hero. Experienced detective, close to retiring to raise roses

The older generation (40-50s)

Sir John Herncastle: Dead by natural causes. Stole the Moonstone from India, bequeathed it as a birthday gift to Rachel Verinder, his niece

Lady Julia Verinder: Sister to Sir John Herncastle, sister-in-law to both Black and Ablewhite. Rachel’s mother.

Roderick Blake: Member of Parliament, hires Cuff to investigate the theft of the Moonstone Diamond

The younger generation (Late teens - Mid-twenties)

Rachel Verinder: Owner of the Moonstone Diamond, for about 12 hours

Franklin Blake: Roderick’s son, delivered Moonstone to Rachel Verinder

Godfrey Ablewhite: Rachel’s cousin, Lady Julia’s nephew

Druscilla Clack: Rachel cousin

The Staff

Gabriel Betteredge: Lady Julia Verinder’s butler and a wealth of information.

Penelope Betteredge: Gabriel’s daughter and Rachel’s maid

Roseanna Spearman: Lady Julia’s maid and a woman with a past

Mr. Bigbie: the gardener

Cook: The cook (female, if it matters)

Others

Mr. Matthew Bruff: lawyer, custodian of the Moonstone, family friend, attended Rachel’s party

Dr. Candy: Area physician, attended Rachel’s birthday party

Mr. Murthwaite: An Indian friend of the Late Sir Verinder, attended Rachel’s birthday party

Inspector Seagrave: Copper who started the investigation and irritated the entire house.

Mrs. Yolland: Verinder’s nearest neighbor, mother of Lucy

Lucy Yolland: Good friend of Roseanna Spearman

The Three Indians: Maybe performers, maybe thieves

Septimus Luker: Notorious money lender

My Two Cents

This is where the episode ends, with Cuff getting sacked. He didn’t really have a change to solve the mystery, did he? Rachel won’t talk to him. He can’t search the rooms. Roseanna killed herself rather than talk to anyone.

In two weeks, we’ll pick up with story a year later when Franklin Blake returns to England, determined to solve the mystery of the diamond and win Rachel back. We’ll find out if Cuff’s three predictions come true and if his theories are right.

After the Story

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. Sergeant Cuff and the Moonstone Conspiracy was an adaptation of The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

S2E4 T. Sawyer, Esquire

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Mysteries to Die For is brought to you by Down & Out Books. This episode’s featured release is State of Shock by M. Todd Henderson.

When Jante Turner is murdered just days before she takes the mantle as new dean of Rockefeller University Law School in Chicago, Royce Johnson is approached to help solve the murder. Recently released from prison, the ex-FBI agent has his own problems. Still, he takes the job.

Soon, Johnson finds himself at the intersection of higher education, Chicago politics, big money, and murder. Johnson traces a river of corruption running from deep-pocket donors of the University to North Side developers and a South Side alderman who is heir to the throne in City Hall. In his desperation, he turns to the one lawyer who can help him—the former Rockefeller student whom Johnson mistakenly framed for murder on his last case.

State of Shock is available from Down & Out’s website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indieboound, or asked for it from your favorite book seller.

Before the Story

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about the costs of greed, arrogance, and pride. This is T. Sawyer, Esquire, an abridged telling of Tom Sawyer, Detective.

Tina: This short story takes place shortly after Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn free their friend Jim from Tom’s Aunt & Uncle’s farm in Arkansas. Since that told me nothing about the setting for the story, went new school and googled “what was the setting for Huckleberry Finn”. The answer as far as date was “40-50 years ago”. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1884, making the setting 1830-1840s. Tom Sawyer, Detective was published in 1896.

Location was harder. Tom and Huck live in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, MO, which is said to be really Hannibal, Missouri where Twain lived. In Huck Finn, Huck and Jim sail down down the Mississippi from the St. Petersburg to Arkansas. Huck and Jim disembark near the Missouri-Tennessee-Arkansas boarder. Based on this, I picked Osceola, Arkansas as our pin on the map. Zip code 72370. Osceola was founded in 1837 and incorporated in 1853, growing with steamboat traffic.

Travel time from the Royal Observatory, home to the Prime Meridian, is about 15, flying from Heathrow to Memphis, and then driving the hour north to Osceola. Osceola is only a 90 min drive from Senatobia, Mississippi, our pin for the 2nd story in this season.

Jack and I are up here in Northeast Indiana. When I hear Missouri, I think south, like southern. So it blew my geographically challenged mind that Hannibal is no father south that Indianapolis, I city I travel to frequently AND its hours north of Evansville, Indiana, which is an incredibly cool town on the Ohio River. Jack, we need a road trip so I can get my mapping straight.

Personally, I was surprised at the rating on Goodreads. With over 2,000 ratings, the average is 3.56. Vastly underrating it IMO. 30% rated it a 4 and 35% a 3.

One 3-star reviewer wrote: I can see why this wasn't as successful as the first two books in the series. It took me a little while to get into it, I was a bit ho hum in the beginning. But I enjoyed it more as a went along. You have to stretch your mind a little to accept the plot. And of course, the book is a reflection of its times and setting.

Another 3-star reviewer wrote: Fun little romp, and if I'm not mistaken the last written story featuring our friends Huck and Tom. I enjoyed these one-off tales -- the other being the fantastical Jules Verne-esque balloon ride Tom Sawyer Abroad -- and half-wish Twain had scribbled more of them, even knowing he was doing them for quick cash. But all things must come to an end eventually. Was good to know you boys, because there's nothing like reading Mark Twain adventures while you're in the middle of Mark Twain National Forest.

Other reviews were similar in that the actual review seemed to like the story more than the star rating – but then, everyone has their own scales.

Jack: Everyone knows Mark Twain’s real name was Samuel Clemens, but not everyone knows his middle name was Langhorne. Everyone knows some of Mark Twain’s stories were set along the Mississippi, but not everyone knows he really was a steamboat pilot. It took him two years of training to earn the title and position. He took the name that the world would know him by from his time on the Mississippi and a Captain he knew who used the words to sign reports. The words “mark twain” would be called out when the depth of the river measured 12 feet or 2 fathoms, the safe water depth for the big steamboats.

Over his life, Mark Twain did a little bit of everything. He worked as a printer’s apprentice, a typesetter, a steamboat pilot, a miner, journalist, writer, speaker, social activist. He earned a lot of money and he lost a lot of money in bad investments. He declared bankruptcy at one point. Once back on his feet, paid back his debt even though it had been wiped out by the bankruptcy.

Mark Twain traveled the world. He was born and raised in Missouri, lived in Nevada, San Francisco, Elmira NY and Hartford Connecticut. He traveled to Hawaii when they were called the Sandwich Islands, worked for a bit in London, and did extensive traveling around the Mediterranean.

Mark Twain was quoted alot and here are a few

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog
Don’t let schooling interfere with your education
Buy land, they’re not making it any more
Go to Heaven for the climate, go to hell for the company

Tina: We are nearly ready to begin our story. While Jack resets his microphone and warms up his fingers, I’ll explain why are we doing adaptations of these early stories instead of performing them as written. Two main reasons. Usually here is where I say these stories are very cool but the language from the 1800s is hard. Not true with Twain. His is very easy to read. In fact, today’s story is more abridging than adapting because the language was so smooth.

Second, the style and length of the stories were not created for listening, they were created for reading. This one was shorter than many others but still too long for us.

With these adaptations, we keep the heart of the story, preserving the ground breaking narrative, but update the packaging for easier digester.

This one definitely fits into our definition of mystery as Tom and a sometimes reluctant Huck are unraveling the mystery of who killed Jubiter Dunlap. And interesting note, Mr. Twain added a small forward saying this mystery was his retelling of real events from an old-time Swedish trial.

And so we are ready for T. Sawyer, Esquire. Jack, that’s your cue.

Episode Materials

Read the original: There are several places where you can find Tom Sawyer, Detective. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/93

Cast of Characters:

Huck Finn: Storyteller extraordinaire

Tom Sawyer: Huck’s best friend and a boy who pick a mystery over a pie every day of the week

Aunt Polly: Tom’s Aunt. He lives with her in Missouri

Aunt Sally: Tom’s Aunt & Aunt Polly’s sister. She lives in Arkansas with her husband, Silas, on the childred

Uncle Silas: Tom’s uncle by marriage to his Aunt Sally. He’s a farmer and a preacher.

Bennie: Tom’s 18-yr old cousin, daughter to Sally and Silas

Brace Dunlap: Farmer, 36, richer than most in the area. Wants to marry Bennie

Jubiter Dunlap: Working hand, 27. Not worth much. Uncle Silas hired him to smooth things over with Brace for not letting him marry Bennie

Jake Dunlap: 27, Jubiter’s twin. Been gone 7 years and assumed dead

Bud: Thief and all-around bad guy

Hal: Another thief and another all-around bad guy

Lem Beebe, Jim Lane, Bill Withers, and Jack Withers: Local men who witness some events and testify to them.

My Two Cents

So there you have it, a robbery-double cross- murder mystery. As I mystery, I took no exceptions to the plot (unlike the last one). And, No, I didn’t come close to figuring this one out.

Twain was thorough laying out the facts and lies. I spent a lot of time thinking through the part where Jubiter came out of the woods as Jake’s ghost and Brace carried out Jake’s body. It seemed there were too many people coming out for the number going in. In the end, Twain covered that was a small line in Tom’s reveal that Jubiter and Brace doubled back, dressed Jake in Jubiter’s clothes, etc., etc.

If I found any fault with the story, there were three small ones. First, Uncle Silas confessing to burying Jubiter when he was really asleep in his bed. Twain gave us nothing to suspect Silas was wrong in the admission. A small change is words would have done it. Something like – I musta done it. Who else woulda? Or Tom asking him if he hands or boots were muddy and him saying no. Detail.

Second, – the two thieves would not have just left town. They knew the diamond’s were in the boots and would have returned and kept after them. But I accept that whatever the pair did, Tom and Huck didn’t see (so we didn’t) and didn’t affect the outcome of the story.

Third - the story opens with Tom and Huck having Spring fever and Tom being in school. When they arrive in Arkansas, it’s September 2. In the full, original story, Tom and Huck pack that night. I know travel then wasn’t as fast as travel now but Google Maps puts the distance at about 340 miles. Even walking at 3 miles an hour, ten hours a day, you’d be there in under two weeks.

One of the things I enjoyed most reading the story were Huck’s word “mistakes” and phonetic spelling

Prostitution - Prosecution
The diseased - The deceased
Arkansas -> Arkansaw
Jubiter -> Jupiter
intrust -> interest
praps = perhaps
Somers - somewheres
Tobacker - tobacco
Shadder - shadow
Cretur - creature

Words that were flat out interesting: (thank you to Merriam Webster for definitions)

Mumbletypeg (mumble-tee-peg): a game in which players flip a knife so the blade will stick in the ground
by jimminy
second-handers
pudd'nheads
blatherskites (bladder skite) – a person who talks on foolishely
corn-pone – type of corn bread
a-blackberrying – to pick blackberries

After the Story

Join us in two weeks for a two-part adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone. Episode 5A is Sgt Cuff and the Moonstone Diamond.

S2E3 Human Affect

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Before the Story

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about guilty pleasures, pirates, and things that go knock-knock-knock in the night. This is Human Affect, an adaptation of The Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Our story today was published in 1856.

Episode Materials

Read the original: There are several places where you can find The Haunted and the Haunters. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1831

Cast of Characters:

Our Detective. Unnamed, a gentleman of some means. Definitely not married, no kids

Mr. Johnson. Older gentleman, recently inherited the house. He believes it is haunted.

Sarah. Housekeeper who died in the house. As a young woman, she rented the house as the lady.

Franco. Our Detective’s right hand man. Courageous, capable, an all around good guy.

My Two Cents

Gotta tell you, I did not love this story. It left me with too many questions to have a satisfied ending.

Who did Sarah kill? Her Brother? Were the letters from her husband?
What happened to her husband?
Did Sarah and presumably her husband kill / starve her nephew?
Did the house make them all crazy and that’s why they killed?
Did the house cause her financial misfortunes?

In the vision, who was the man who stabbed Sarah? Her brother or her husband?

Or wasn’t that Sarah but the 1759 Pirate’s lover?

The pirate from 1759 cursed the house? He killed his mistress and her other lover, then shimmied down through the trapdoor, set up an elaborate curse, left his clothes and money, climbed out, sealed up the hole, built a floor over it, and left England? Why curse the house if you’ve killed the people you were pissed at? Did he lock some part of him in that house (if so he was an idiot) or did he die and never leave (in which case where are the bones?)

How did the prior owners of the house not notice a whole chunk of the main floor was not accessible? The room had to be above ground level because there was a window, even if it was bricked up.

And the writer kept forgetting about the dog, except when he killed it. The narrator is searching this entire house and the dog is where? I couldn't let that one go, I had to fix it in the adaptation.

I will tell you what I did like about it. It is an early example of a mystery in the sense that, as I said in the beginning, the narrator is working to solve the mystery. If it were told differently, such as from the POV of documenting the activity, or a fool-hearty dare, it wouldn’t toe over into mystery.

I also liked that it was actually haunted. The story sets up to find some LIVING person in that little room chasing everyone away. Thinking about it, it was one disguise away from being a Scooby Doo mystery.

The narrator uses logic to protect his mind from the supernatural attack. There was a lot of inner monologue reasoning I didn’t work into the story. Basically, the narrator believes that the supernatural is impossible. If something like a ghost exists, then it is possible and, ergo, not supernatural. So he tries to logic his way through the experience, expecting a human root. He finds one, but not in the way we expect. It’s a ghost / spirit / whatever.

After the Story

Join us in two weeks for T. Sawyer, Esquire, an adaptation of Tom Sawyer, Detective by Mark Twain.

S2E2 Desperate Times

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Before the Story

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about relentless dedication, an eye for detail, and the price of speculation. This is Desperate Times, and adaptation of The Somnambulist and the Detective, by Allan Pinkerton. Our story today was published in 1875 but took place 19 years prior in 1856.

Episode Materials

Read the original: There are several places where you can find The Detective and the Somnambulist. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30636

Cast of Characters:

Allan Pinkerton, detective

George Gordon, 28, bank paying-teller, victim

Thomas McGregor, 60+, bank cashier (a top position)

Alexander Bannatine, 50+, president, 50, former lawyer

Peter A. Gordon, 50+, vice-president, uncle of deceased

John Stolz, 50+, shoemaker, one of last to see George alive

John Flanders, 70+, jeweler, George’s, one of last to see him alive

Alexander P. Drysdale, 40+, county clerk, George’s

Walter Patterson, 30+, merchant, George’s friend

Henry Caruthers, 20+ son of a wealthy planter, George’s friend

My Two Cents

This mystery holds up very well. The logic is all there, the actions and reactions make sense. I suspect one of the reasons it works so well is because it is based on a true story. Pinkerton is a very good storyteller but, to an extent, he did not have to create the characters, their behavior, their motivations. He had to report them. Based on this story, Pinkerton is going to remain on the To Be Read list.

There is a second half to this story that details how the Pinkerton detectives get their man. Spoiler alert: If you plan to read the story, mute us for 7 seconds. In essence, three detectives some to town and haunt Drysdale with George’s ghost, driving him to the brink of madness. Drysdale is a sleep walker and leaves his house to return to the place where he hid the money. Eventually, he confesses everything. He had invested / speculated and lost. He had his home and plantation but not the money to run them properly. He went to George for a loan. When he saw the money in the vault, his desperate times led to desperate measures. After confesses, he sends a friend to apologize to his wife and then kills himself. It is an interesting read, but we didn’t include it here because, well, Pinkerton had already solved the mystery.

After the Story

Mysteries to Die For is written by TG Wolff with contribution from Jack Wolff and Shannon Leahy. The Thinking Man was written by TG Wolff, adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Music and production and by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. www.tgwolff.com/podcast

Join us in two weeks for Human Effect, an adaptation of The House and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

S2E1 The Thinking Man

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

Before the Story

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

Today’s story is about separating the improbable from the impossible and not messing with nature. This is The Thinking Man, and adaptation of The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by Edgar Allan Poe. The story first appeared Graham’s Magazine in 1841.

Episode Materials

Read the original: There are several places where you can find The Murders in the Rue Morgue at no cost. Gutenberg is one of them. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2147

Cast of Characters:

August Dupin: The detective, our thinking man

Narrator: The speaker doesn’t get a name. Let’s call him Poe.

Mrs. Catalan: One of the victims

Camille Catalan: Adult daughter of Mrs. Catalan, also a victim

Adolph LeBon: Clerk at Mrs. Catalan’s bank. Last to see the victim’s alive.

Teddy DeMuse: Constable on patrol the night of the murders

Henri Duval: Silversmith and neighbor

Dutch Marken: Restauranteur from Amsterdam

William Bird: Englishman living in Paris

Alfonzio Gario: Undertaker from Spain

Alberto Montani: Candymaker from Italy

How windows worked in the 1800s.

Sash window https://www.ventrolla.co.uk/knowledge/sash-window-anatomy/

Sash pins https://sashwindowspecialist.com/blog/balance-systems-for-sash-windows/

My Two Cents

Really? An orangutan??

I’m not sure if I like the end or not. It feels like cheating to have a non-human murderer. Pros: original. Cons: really? An Orangutan??

Ending aside, I enjoyed Dupin and his way of figuring. If I have any complaints, it is that he didn’t share his ideas and observations with his friend, our narrator. I do concede that even if Dupin shared his findings of the window, I would not have gotten to a sailor harboring a Bornese orangutang with a penchant for shaving.

This is definitely the kind of classic, logical detection that brings to mind Sherlock Holmes and the list of book, movie, and television detective that followed. What is fascinating about Dupin is he pre-dated Holms by 46 years. With so many newer incarnations of this kind of detective, it’s easy to not be overly impress by Dupin when you first read the story. When you consider he was, truly, one of the first? Well, maybe I can get over the orangutan.

After the Story

Join us in two weeks for Guilty Conscious, an adaptation of The Somnambulist and the Detective by Allen Pinkerton.

S1E14 I'll Take the Coup de Grace with a Side of Fries

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

This is Season 1. This season comes from my book Widow’s Run, which was published in 2019 by Down & Out Books. If you love clever, sharp-edged mysteries and thrillers, check out Down & Out on the web. www.downandoutbooks.com

Today’s episode builds from the previous. You have to listen in order for the story to make sense. Start with the episode called “What a Lovely Corpse you Have” and catch up to us from there. We’ll be here for you. We’ve listed a cast of characters in the show notes to help keep track of the players.

To recap, our hero, Diamond, has faked her death, burying the mainstream, suburban professional she was to resurrect her CIA cover. Why? She needs to do what the police won’t, investigate her husband’s death. In the last episode, Diamond discovers the money behind Gavriil’s death was a woman going by the name Chrysanthemum. Andrew Dix and Ian Black use video footage from a security camera to put a face with the name. Dr. Quili Lui.

Today’s story is about tying up loose ends and just desserts. This is the final episode, Episode 14: I’ll Take the Coup de Grȃce with a Side of Fries

*******

Characters with episode of introduction

Diamond, our hero. Recently widowed. Recently (fake) killed herself. On a mission. (E1)

Gavriil Rubchinsky. Russian-born, nerd scientist specializing in quinoa. Diamond’s husband. Died May 14, 2018. The reason for Diamond. (E1)

Ian Black. Average, ordinary, white man. Extraordinary purveyor of anything, anywhere, anytime. (E1)

Sam Irish. British agent. Formerly worked with Diamond. Pissed she died without him. (E1)

Andrew Dixon. Seventeen-year-old genius delinquent currently surfing Diamond’s couch (E4)

Enrique Torres. CIA agent who trained and worked with Diamond. Can’t believe a candle took her out. (E1)

Alexei Rubchinsky. Russian-born, nerd scientist specializing in the body. Diamond’s brother-in-law. (E2)

Dr. Quili Liu. Gavriil Rubchinsky’s successor, a Chinese-born, nerd-scientist who also loves quinoa. (E2)

Buford Winston. Blow hard leader of the super-lobby Ag Now! who is funding the quinoa research. (E2)

Montgomery Rand. Minor league con man. Reported genius who doesn’t have the brains to use what God gave him. (E3)

Celina Matta. Insurance investor. Diamond’s alias in Italy (E5)

Carlo Giancarlo. Diamond’s Italian translator and partner in crime. (E5)

Francisco Thelan. Another nerd-scientist specializing in food. Also dead. Died same night as Gavriil. (E5)

Ilsa Duma-whatever. Russian-born Italian bookseller. Totally did not seduce Gavriil. (E6)

Mama Franzetti. A good woman with a piece of shit for a grandson. (E7)

Hugo Franzetti. The piece of shit that ran Gavriil over, but he’s dead, too, so there’s that. (E7)

Valentina Rossifiori. A single mother and friend of Hugo Franzetti who is keeping him “alive” to stop all the judging. (E8)

Jessica Fielding. Magazine reporter. Another Diamond alias (E9)

Buttercup. Buford Winston’s prized ass. (E11)

Lois Winston. Buford’s wife. She’s sweet as pie. (E12)

*******

Carolina Blood by Richard Hood

When his well-to-do physician-father dies, James Thorwait discovers an old, back-room contract indicating that he is, in fact, an adopted child, whose parentage includes a mother named Allie Morelock, from far-back in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Having grown-up in the rarified atmosphere of the well-born of Roalton, Tennessee, Thorwait must now confront the fact of his birth-mother’s Appalachian heritage—and he goes in search of her, and her meaning.

As he discovers more details about the Morelock family around Glade, Thorwait finds they have been involved, for generations, in moonshine, and, more recently, drug traffic, throughout the area, reaching back to Roalton, Tennessee, itself. Engaged in digging-up the past, Thorwait finds himself inexorably drawn into present-day passions, pent-up violence, and crime.

Carolina Blood is now available through Down & Out’s website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, indiebound, and all your favorite independent booksellers. www.downandoutbooks.com

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That’s it for this episode of Mysteries To Die For and it also concludes Season 1. If you enjoyed Diamond’s brand of mystery, her second adventure, Suicide Squeeze, will be released in February 2021 by Down and Out Books.

Jack and I will be back in November with Season 2 of Mysteries to Die For. We’ll perform the oldest mysteries I can find, exploring the stories that started a genre. First up will be Edgar Allan Poe’s Murder in the Rue Morgue.

If you enjoyed our twist on storytelling, help spread the word by telling a friend or leaving a review. For less than the cost of Diamond’s pizza order, you can join our body bag brigade to help support our show. You’ll receive bonus content as our thanks.

Mysteries to Die For was written by TG Wolff. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by Shannon Leahy. Widow’s Run was written by TG Wolff, published by Down & Out Books.

Until next time, keep your friends closer, and your enemies closer

www.tgwolff.com

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S1E13 Bad Cop, Badder Cop

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:30:00 -0500

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery, murder, and mayhem. Some episodes will be my own stories, others will be classics that helped shape the mystery genre we know today. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes (unless it's really bad)

To recap, our hero, Diamond, has faked her death, burying the mainstream, suburban professional she was to resurrect her CIA cover. Why? She needs to do what the police won’t, investigate her husband’s death. Diamond has run out of suspects. Someone paid Hugo Franzetti to poison Gavriil’s drink, then killed him. Someone tried to kidnap Gavriil’s successor, Dr. Quili Liu. It wasn’t Buford Winston. Sam Irish complicated matters by putting out a recovery order for Diamond, a dead woman. She drops in on Irish, collecting the bounty herself, but this is not class reunion. A drink at a bar has Diamond and Irish diving for cover. The high speed chase ends with the Saturn Ion cross ways with railroad tracks and Diamond and Irish asking the questions.

Today’s story is about keeping you eye on the ball. This is Episode 13: Bad Cop, Badder Cop