Home Sweet Homicide - but please don't try this in your own home

Please click this link for Susan's website  or click this link for book information.

In August, at Calgary's annual When Words Collide Festival for writers and readers I sat on a panel titled Home Sweet Homicide: the multitude of ways victims die at or near their homes. The moderator asked us panelists to describe the various methods we'd used in our mystery novels and why we'd chosen those approaches. 

I talked about my Paula Savard Mystery Series set in Calgary. Paula, my sleuth, is an insurance adjuster whose work gets her involved in crimes. In books # 2 and 3 of the series, Paula investigates a building fire and a hit-and-run collision near a victim's home. She comes to suspect both apparent accidents were coverups for murder. Book # 4 begins with Paula investigating a theft from a bicycle store during the COVID-19 pandemic. A murder takes place in the adjacent furniture store, which has closed for the pandemic and become the home of a squatter. The victim is bashed on the head with a weapon of opportunity: a candlestick from the store's dining room display. 

Home Sweet Homicide panel at WWC 2025

The panel's most engaging questions related to the allure of poisons and medications thanks to our expert panelist, Lee-Anne Hancock, a retired nurse who worked at the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre. Lee-Anne told us about ordinary plants and medicines that can kill if used incorrectly -- or correctly from a killer's perspective. She noted that poisoning has been called the female murderer's method of choice, perhaps because it is less messy and violent and doesn't require physical strength.

As a mystery writer, I'm intrigued by the medicinal method that can easily be disguised as an accident. In two of my short stories, someone kills a relative by administering an overdose of their prescribed medicine. Even if suspicions arise and victims are autopsied, it would be normal for traces of their own medicines to show up in their bloodstreams. 

In my novel, A Killer Whisky, set in 1918 Calgary, a man dies in his living room after drinking a glass of whisky. His symptoms are consistent with the "Spanish Flu" that has struck the city and the attending doctor diagnoses the flu as the cause of death. But the man's neighbour, who is the doctor's receptionist, suspects someone laced the whisky with a poison or a medicine that reacted with the alcohol to produce a toxic brew. She convinces a sympathetic police detective to investigate.       

The Home Sweet Homicide panel took a light hearted approach that entertained the audience at the end of a busy festival day. Afterward, I pondered why I've tended to kill off my novel victims in their homes or on nearby streets rather than farther away. I came up with three thoughts. 

1. My killers and victims always know each other, which is most common with real life murders, and relatives and friends often hang out together at or near their homes.  

2. Homes are, by definition, private rather than public. There will likely be fewer potential witnesses to a crime and perhaps no witnesses. Any friends or relatives present might lie or conceal information to protect themselves, someone else, or the victim.  

3. Home is supposed to be our safe place. A home break-in feels like a violation, and a killing in our home or neighbourhood threatens our sense of security.  

Me on the Home Sweet Homicide panel, perhaps contemplating a question 

 

     

It’s a Wrap – The Conference Review / by Barbara Baker

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Thanks for your suggestions and tips on how to handle my conference anxiety and for checking in to see how it all went. Your curiosity and concern made me blush.

Yes, I did make more than six contacts. Yes, I did attend sessions on networking, promoting and branding. Yes, I did talk to people I didn’t know. Was it nerve wracking? Yes. Did it get easier? Maybe by a hair. I have to admit though - I relaxed more when I was in sessions which dealt with the art of writing versus promoting my writing.

There were so many wise, well-versed and bestseller speakers throughout the weekend, but I want to give a shout out to two of my favourites.

The hilarious and energetic Christine Tsai Taylor held numerous sessions on Networking Sucks. At times there was so much laughter coming from our room that people stopped by to see what was happening. And Christine set the bar much higher than I did. She told us to connect with 100 writerly people throughout the weekend. 100? What? That’s crazy talk.

But like the good students we were, we used her techniques and introduced ourselves to new people. The awkward introductions like ‘is this seat taken’ to ‘nice cowboy boots’ felt a little less uncomfortable by the end of the weekend. Note – I said ‘a little less’.

Another great presenter was Kelley Armstrong with her no-nonsense approach to breaking down the aspects of writing - all the way from that killer opening to sub-plots to setting up the back story so it pays off … an endless list of need-to-know information which, when used correctly, will make the reader turn pages into the wee hours of the morning. I have scads of notes from her sessions and when I came home, I typed out the key points, highlighted my weaknesses and put it on the wall next to my monitor.

All weekend, the hallways hummed with chatter, people comparing notes and discussions about what’s next. By Sunday it felt cool to recognize faces, get the wave, head nod or thumbs up from new comrades. I felt like I belonged.

Here’s a list of a few take aways:

• keep the reader curious but not confused (Kelley Armstrong)
• even a house can be a character if you give it depth (Bradley Somer)
• to avoid getting caught, always clear your history browser (Dave Sweet)
• remember to make small goals – it’s a thrill to achieve them and gives you drive to attain the big ones (Miranda Krogstad)
• in writing, always come in late and leave early (Kelley Armstrong)
• working together we can achieve more than we can on our own (Bradley Somer)
• an unscientific study showed the weight of a human soul is 21 grams (Dave Sweet)
• show don’t tell (this was mentioned innumerable times by many speakers)
• READ IT OUT LOUD – an email, a message, a passage. You’ll be surprised how many errors you find. (Kelley Armstrong)
• be genuine, be generous, be bold (Christine Tsai Taylor)
• give hope, take hope away (Jaunita Violini)
• rigor mortis stops and disappears 24 – 36 hours after death (Dave Sweet)
• RUE – resist the urge to explain (Kelley Armstrong)
• not everyone will like me or what I write or my shoes - I won’t take it personally (ad libbed by me from numerous presenters)

It was energizing and exhausting but coming out of the conference with a number of new insights into writing and promoting techniques was a definite win for me. When Words Collide put on another great conference.

 

Baker, Barbara - BWL Publishing Inc. (bookswelove.net)

Barbara Baker Author Page Facebook

Summer of Lies by Barbara Baker — BWL Publishing

What About Me? by Barbara Baker — BWL Publishing

 

Bernie's Bucket List by Naguib Kerba

 

https://www.bookswelove.com/search?q=naguib%20kerba

Stories along the Road less travelled

Bernie’s Bucket List

Naguib Sami Kerba

On a chilly, damp March day, as I longed for summer's warmth, I received a call from Bernie Fishbein. He shared that he'd always wanted to visit the Blue Jays during spring training in Dunedin, Florida, but the perfect chance had never come. Instead of leaving it to chance, he asked if I'd join him to tick this off his Bucket List. 

Bernie, who retired nearly five years ago, is a perfect example of someone fully embracing retirement. He eagerly explores his passions—whether it's photography, history, or hiking. He's also engaged in his community, serving on the local ratepayers’ association boards and Habitat for Humanity. Having been a good friend for over twenty years, I happily accepted the opportunity to join him. Plus, enjoying some sunshine and crossing an item off my Bucket List was tempting.

On March 23, we braved a snowstorm to reach the airport, only to land three hours later in the warm 28°C sunshine of Tampa Bay.

That first evening in Florida, we explored Dunedin and its baseball park to get familiar with the area. We’d heard that arriving early would allow us to watch the players practice, and I was determined to make this a memorable experience for Bernie.

At the park, I left Bernie in the car while I visited the media centre. There, I met Mal Romanin, the Baseball Information Communications Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. After hearing about Bernie’s Bucket List dream, Mal kindly invited us back in half an hour.

When we returned, Mal greeted us with two guest passes and took us onto the field. I enjoy baseball, but Bernie is truly passionate about it. As we stepped onto the field, Bernie’s face lit up with pure joy. Not only was he at Blue Jays spring training, but he was right in the action. The crack of the bat signalled that summer was on its way, and it was music to our ears. We spent the next thirty minutes exploring and taking photos. Bernie even got to visit the Jays' dugout, his excitement palpable. Watching the Blue Jays practice and witnessing their camaraderie was a thrill. As we left, Mal gave Bernie an autographed baseball. After our field visit, we enjoyed the game between the Jays and the Braves.

Bernie was so excited by the day that he would have been happy if the trip had ended then. But there was more to come. Each day seemed to bring its own special moments.

We met wonderful people, engaged in fascinating conversations, and gained a new appreciation for Florida’s attractions. Before heading back to the cold, we explored the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, went on an eco-tour of Tampa Bay and visited its Aquarium, and spent time with friends at Lettuce Lake Resort in Port Charlotte. We also took photography excursions to the Mary Selby Gardens and Fort De Soto National Park. By the end of the trip, we had both checked off attending Blue Jays spring training from our Bucket Lists. Thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays, Mal Romanin, and especially Bernie for making this opportunity possible.

AND NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY…

Bernie is a genuinely kind and thoughtful person. He's also quite the sport. After our first trip, I submitted our story and some photos to Mississauga Living magazine, where it was published. At the time, the magazine was available in print and online, and the article was titled "Bernie’s Bucket List." The story quickly made Bernie a local celebrity among friends and neighbours. As a dedicated practical joker, I saw a perfect chance for some fun.

Inspired by the article's success, we decided to recreate the experience, which led to many more memorable road trips. I’ll share more about those adventures later. Our “Boys Trips” included two more spring training visits to Florida, a trip to Fenway Park in Boston to see the Red Sox, and a journey to Nashville. We even embarked on a "Route 66" themed trip that took us through Chicago, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Memphis.

We embraced Bernie’s good nature by starting a tradition that involved complete strangers in our antics. While I took the lead, others quickly joined in the fun. I’d walk ahead, spot an approaching stranger, and ask if they were up for a little prank. They would then approach Bernie and playfully ask him why he looked so familiar, only to discover he was the “Famous Bernie from the online Bucket List story.” No one ever refused the chance to join in the prank, and it was a fantastic way to connect with new people.

Here are a few of my favourite moments:

In Punta Gorda, at a restaurant, the manager waited until our group of ten had received our meals. She then came out with a printed copy of the article, apologized for the interruption, and asked Bernie for his autograph. She wanted to frame the article and hang it alongside other famous patrons on the wall.

Another memorable moment was at a Best Western hotel in Georgia. The management and staff, recognising Bernie’s celebrity status, eagerly took photos with him and greeted him every time he entered the lobby.

One of my personal favourites happened at Fenway Park. We sat in the front row of the Loge section when a man in Red Sox gear approached Bernie, claiming to know him. Also thinking the man looked familiar, Bernie went through a list of possible connections, including baseball, scouting, and volunteering. Eventually, the man realised he had read about Bernie online and recognised him as the "Famous Bernie from the Bucket List story." This led to a playful punch on the shoulder from Bernie.

During the 2012 spring training at the Baltimore Orioles’ complex, Bernie went to get a coffee. When he returned, many of the Baltimore section began chanting “Bernie, Bernie,” creating quite a spectacle.

We’ve had many other memorable moments like these, and I’ll share more about our famous road trips in future blogs.

As a teaser, here are some of our road trip rules:

·         We’re not rushing to reach our destination. The aim is to discover something special each day that others might overlook in their hurry.

·         We limit driving to six or seven hours each day. As the main trip planner, I estimate the total driving time and divide it by six. For example, if the journey is thirty-five hours long, we spend six nights on the road and have time at our destination.

·         Each driver is limited to a maximum of a two-hour shift behind the wheel at a time.

·         We leave after breakfast, stop for lunch, and make sure we’re checked into our hotel before dinner. We then have dinner and maybe play some games.

 

This is part of the stories on the Road Less Travelled. There are a few more actual stories in this series coming your way.

https://www.nkerba.com/blog/bernies-bucket-list?rq=berni

The Website

https://www.nkerba.com

 

The Book:

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives

 

 

Red in the Snow by J. S. Marlo

 

Red in the Snow

To buy, click Here

   

 

  

J. S. Marlo's Books

I would like to introduce Raven Brook, an indigenous, hearing-impaired young woman.

Strong and resilient, Raven is a single mom to a cute little boy named Eja. Together with Rusty, a three-legged dog, they live in the forest in Newfoundland, Canada.

Raven is the heroine of my latest novel, Red in the Snow, released last week.

Here's an except:

Eager to go to bed, and forget she missed his funeral, Raven switched off the porch lantern powered by a propane generator.

Darkness reclaimed the clearing where her grandfather built the log cabin half a century ago.

In the silence of the night, the flames dancing in the brick fireplace cast fiery shadows on the dark windows. She added another log to the hearth, one of many she would throw in throughout the night to keep the fire burning. With the cabin warm and cozy, she entered Eja’s room.

Her son slept with his door open and a grey koala bear in his arms.

She pulled the blankets tight around his small body. “Sweet dreams, munchkin.”

Lying on top the blanket near Eja’s feet, Rusty pricked an ear.

“Good night, Rusty.” It still boggled Raven’s mind to recall that Rusty had been waiting on the front porch upon their return from the bridge. The paw prints in the snow had led to Gage’s body—paw prints that Raven had believed belonged to her dog—but now, she wasn’t so certain.

Her dog jumped off the bed and hurried out of the bedroom. Raven found Rusty scratching at the front door with her lone front paw.

“You need to pee again?” Raven released the latch and pulled the door ajar. Bitter cold swept in, permeating her flannel pajamas. She cringed from the chilling assault. “Hurry, it’s freezing outside.”

Rusty took a step backward, turned around, and retreated by the fireplace.

“No game, Rusty.” Raven’s teeth rattled and her skin prickled. “It’s too late to play.”

Snowflakes swirled onto the doormat. In their midst, a red envelope wafted into the cabin, landing near her woolen slippers.

A lump caught in her throat, and shivers not brought on by the severe weather coursed through her body.

She donned her parka and mukluks, grabbed the loaded hunting rifle stowed on the ledge above the door, and ventured outside.

A few weeks back, I received my first review for Red in the Snow:

5 Stars from Between the Pages (Still Moments Magazine)

Red in the Snow was a compelling and heartfelt mystery that blended suspense with emotional depth, centered around a resilient hearing-impaired woman and her son, who face mounting threats in a small town. When threats escalate, an RCMP corporal steps in, not only to protect, but to uncover the truth behind the intimidation. J.S. Marlo crafted a well-paced narrative with richly drawn characters, a sweet romance, and a mystery that keeps readers guessing. An absorbing read from start to finish.

Red in the Snow is available in paperback and ebook. To buy, click Here

Stay safe! Enjoy fall! It's my favourite season.

Hugs!

JS

 

 

J. S. Marlo's Website

Reading by Season by Eileen O'Finlan

                                                                                                                                                                   

https://www.bookswelove.com/search?q=O%27Finlan

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Over the years, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon. At certain times of the year, usually at the change of seasons, I get the overwhelming urge to read specific types of books. Often, just as we are sliding into summer, I get the hankering for historical fiction set during either the American Revolution or the American Civil War. I've no idea why the warmer weather induces such a fancy. After all, those are hardly what most people would call beach reads, but there we are. 

I've never been into the typical "beach read" anyway. The last time I read a book on the beach (many, many years ago), it was The Shining by Stephen King. I was so into it that I completely lost track of time - a common occurrence when I'm reading a good book - and didn't realize that four hours had gone by. I'd been laying on my stomach, propped up on my elbows. I got a massive sunburn and wore the outline of it on my back from my low, scoop-back, one-piece bathing suit for the next two years! Yes, Stephen King books can be dangerous!

Now that we are heading into fall, the temperatures here in New England are beginning to dip, the days are getting shorter, and autumn is definitely on its way, my book cravings are turning to the supernatural. I'm beginning to amass a "to be read" pile of such books, having just finished two of the genre's classics - Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Henry James's The Turn of the Screw.

I'm sure I'm not alone in turning to these types of books at this time of year. It makes sense. (Certainly more than yearning for Revolution and Civil War books just because it's summer.) Come the holidays and the long, cold winter, I'll probably start looking for something more cozy. But from now through Halloween, bring on the vampires, ghosts, and haunted houses. 

While it took a year to write The Folklorist, (after at least six months of research), I really got into it the most during the fall. It was exciting to craft a novel that could have been on my own autumn TBR list at the same time I was craving that type of book. I think it helped me write the kind of book I most wanted to read at that moment.

Included in this fall's reading will be books from BWL's Paranormal Canadiana Collection. If Nancy M. Bell's Night at the Legislature is any indication, they are sure to induce plenty of spine tingles!

Of course, I might throw a book or two by Stephen King into the mix. At least at this time of year, I won't be risking a sunburn.

The beginning of my fall TBR