Week 2: Introducing a villain as menacing as Moriarty + Peter's short story about a mysterious red sock + book reviews & promos!
June 12, 2025
We’ve got a lot of exciting insights and installments to share this week. Let’s get started!
A MATCH FOR MORIARTY: Emma Jameson
When I started writing the second book in my Lord & Lady Hetheridge cozy mystery series, I decided it would be fun to have what TV shows call “the Big Bad.” That’s the overarching, recurring villain who looms over several episodes and will require many attempts to take down. The most famous mystery “Big Bad” of all time is, without a doubt, Sherlock Holmes’s nemesis, Professor Moriarty. While I certainly didn’t aspire to such lofty heights, I was determined to give Tony Hetheridge an adversary worthy of the name. CONTINUE READING …
I LOVE THIS BOOK: Duane’s Pick
I don’t read fantasy novels. Haven’t since Andre Norton switched from science fiction to fantasy back when I was in high school. So it comes as a surprise—to me, at least—that I fell head over heels for Gene Doucette’s Immortal series. CONTINUE READING …
DISCOVER HOW A RED SOCK BECAME A WEIRD MURDER CLUE
Peter’s short story, “The Mystery of the Single Red Sock,” has crime reporter Colin Crampton on the hunt for another scoop.
I’m Colin Crampton, crime reporter on the Evening Chronicle.
It's my job to file stories for my paper.
But sometimes the story finds me.
And the mystery of the single red sock began in a violent way while I was buying a bottle of Gordon's gin.
I was in old Fred Cartland’s off-licence on the corner of Dyke Road and Chatham Place. It was grey day, the first Thursday in November.
Fred didn’t get a lot of customers. He was a wizened old bloke, who walked with a stoop. Most of his hair had fallen out except for one lanky strand which he wrapped round his bald pate in ever decreasing circles. It made his head look like a walnut whip curly chocolate. His false teeth squeaked when he talked. And he tended to dribble. So there were usually damp patches on his shirt. CONTINUE READING …
TOP O’ THE LIST: Lynda reveals her favorite mystery character
I’ve long been a fan of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller characters. His storytelling style is impeccable, likely enhanced by his years as a journalist. And I’ve not missed one of Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis books. Some, of course, are better than others, but still, Kellerman has amassed an impressive bibliography. I could go on about other popular series (and I will in future Spellbound Mystery Magazines), but I have a favorite that is safely ensconced at the top of my list. CONTINUE READING …
SUCH A DEAL!
Don’t miss out on these free books and smart deals. GO GET ‘EM …
What are you reading that’s so good you have to share it? Let us know so we can spread the word too.
Next week, look for the second installment of Peter’s short story “The Mystery of the Single Red Sock” plus Lynda recommends a series starter and Peter reveals all … about the What the Butler Saw machine. You won’t want to miss that!
Until then, happy reading,
Emma, Lynda, Peter, Duane
The Spellbounders
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