A Game of Clues and Corpses

The detective's shadow loomed over the corpse, flickering in time with the gaslight behind him.

Sign of the Rose

Hey everyone! Sorry for being gone so long – I'm going to try to get back on top of posting – but I return with exciting news! My short story, "Sign of the Rose," has been published by Crimson Streets, who also published "The Lazarus Riddle." It's a Victorian-era murder mystery which I'm quite proud of....

Announcements

First of all, I want to apologize for the lack of activity over the past month. A combination of work, lack of energy, and writer's block led to the least productive writing month of my life. Hopefully I can get things back on track for the New Year. Secondly, I'm excited to announce the publication...

“The Lying Detective” is actually the episode that doomed Sherlock

Sherlock's Series 4 has been, rightfully, criticized, both by Rotten Tomatoes certified critics and little wordpress group blogs. But there's been a running theme of positivity amidst all the criticism: The second episode, "The Lying Detective," was a strong episode bookended by poor ones. I'm here to tell you that "The Lying Detective" actually doomed...

The Missing Phone

"Last night," the woman said, "Miss Amelia Edwards went missing immediately after leaving her office." Victoria leaned forward, studying her two visitors: one man, one woman, both in black suits. Government service was written all over them: the office-chair postures, the cut of their clothes, the silenced pistols tucked into their coats. "And you want...

Clues, Charity, and Cheap Cups

The flimsy, lidless cups sat on Table 19. They struck Victoria as cheap. But then, so did the tea. "I know it's a charity auction, but couldn't they have at least put in a little effort?" "It's not as if you're going to actually buy anything," James retorted. "We're here to watch the crowd and...

The Pearls

"I remember one day..." Mrs. McCallum stroked her cat with a wrinkled hand. "Father sat with me at his side and I listened to him play while Mother danced... We'd lost so much, but we still clung onto those pearls." Victoria Burton sighed. "Please try to remain focused. No extraneous details." "They were stolen." Victoria...

They Look Like Strangers

  She leans her back against the fence, green hood pulled low over tightly-woven braids, and whispers, "The number?" Giving no sign that he's seen her, he replies, "Oh-Nine-Oh-Seven-Two," and then walks past, as if on an afternoon stroll. With a small, fleeting smile on her dark lips, she slips away, saying nothing more, trusting...

A Mind Like Mercury

"Watch them," Victoria Burton said, standing over the crowd like a hawk searching for its prey. "Watch every motion, every little detail, every expression that crosses their faces." James looked and saw crying children, ruffled businessmen, chattering travelers, but no sign of the diamond. How had she even known it would be at the airport?...

Waiting for the Beginning

Black shadows fled from the white light of the solitary lamppost, moving like wild things as The Stranger walked amongst them. His long, battered coat flew out behind him like a pair of dark wings. He came to stop, staring up at the light, the only bright thing on this starless night. This was how...