Josh Aterovis

I sat frozen in fear, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't even dare to breathe, not wanting to do anything to draw the person's attention. I watched him move cautiously into the clearing. Something about the way he moved suddenly seemed familiar. "Pssst, Killian? Are you still here?" Recognition hit me all at once, followed by a flood of relief. It was Jacy. But what was he doing at the excavation? A sudden, horrible thought occurred to me. What if the police were ri

The commenting system here is occasionally...challenging.

I arrived at Professor Howard's at ten sharp the following morning. She lived in a relatively new development just outside of town, one of those planned communities with a pretentious-sounding name and huge homes set on generous lots. This one was ironically named Blue Heron Heights, despite the fact that there were no herons — or even a body of water — in sight. The lack of mature trees made the yards look oddly flat and empty despite the oversize houses. The professor's home, an attractiv

They take care of themselves...but they do spawn when you're not watching...

When I pulled into the driveway of the beach house, I was shocked to see Mom's car parked behind Kane's truck. I was out the door and halfway to the house before the engine even stopped. I charged into the kitchen, where I caught Mom in a bear hug. "I didn't know you were going to be here!" Ever since she'd moved to Pennsylvania to live with my Aunt Kathy, Mom's visits had grown further and further apart. She gave me a wry grin. "That's because it was supposed to be a surprise, yo

Only time will tell!

I was actually. I thought it was terribly clever 20-some years ago. Then I fell in love with the characters and never changed it.

Between the creepy caller and my scary realization, by the time I got to the B&B, I was thoroughly spooked. So when I got to my room and turned the light on to see someone sitting on my bed, I couldn't hold back the scream. I quickly shut the door, hoping I hadn't woken any of the guests. "Seth," I hissed. "What are you doing?" "Waiting for you." "It's been a long day and I'm exhausted. The last thing I need is you nagging me about my gifts. I started my training today. Happy

It just shows how smart you all are! (not to mention y'all have good taste in reading materials...)

So when are you writing YOUR mystery novel?

Yes, the classic antagonistic relationship between the police and the private eye is a popular trope across pretty much all mediums — book, TV, movies...you name it. I've tried to play with that because logically, it makes sense, right? If the police always find you at the scene of the crime, after a while, you should probably be a suspect. I'm looking at you, Jessica Fletcher! But I also tried to subvert it a little by having Killian have a relatively collegial relationship with Kaplan, at least. There's a sort of mutual respect. Kaplan is more bluster than anything. The portmanteaus are always amusing! Kasher is really the only option for the Killian/Asher stans. And Millian is certainly preferable over the other option with Killian/Micah. But why Kasy over Jillian? 🤣 Never mind, I think I just answered my own question... And yes, Killian probably should tell them? Now, will he? Probably not.

A scene from a horror movie greeted me as I burst into the clearing right behind Jacy. Wisps of fog swirled around the still figure of Elyse, who was bent over something lying in front of her. She was weeping, the only sound to be heard in the eerily still forest. Our sudden arrival caused the mist to shift, revealing a body sprawled on the ground. I recognized Bridget Foxwell, her brightly colored, striped tank top marred by a dark stain. The sight seemed so surreal that, for a moment, I w

He was probably a distinctly American phenomenon. 🤣 The bubbles... But it did give us the iconic Doonese sketches from SNL

I HATED The Lawrence Welk Show as a kid. I would imagine I still would as an adult.

That's fair! How do you think poor Killian feels! 🤣 But as I always say, these books would be very short if they weren't vague... "Arrest Dave. He killed me." The End

When we got back to the house, dinner was almost ready. After filling in Lily, Nikki, and Fletcher about the antique store, Jacy and I set the table while Lily and Fletcher finished the last-minute preparations. The meal was delicious, the fish surprisingly tasty with the delicate flavors of herbs and smoke. The conversation was even better. I allowed the topics of discussion to flow around me, just listening to the easy banter between family members. I suddenly realized the room had g

Oh yes, he was well aware of them, but this was also a new song for him, and he really liked it. The first thing I did was send it to him. LOL

First comment! Nice! I have to admit that I only knew one Boney M song and it's "Rasputin." Now I know two!

Oh...I can blame that on the weather now?

I can't speak for anyone besides myself but the interaction is the only reason I stay!

"What—" Jacy started to whisper. Shushing him with a finger to my lips, I pressed my ear to the crack of the door, straining to hear what was going on in the house. "Do you need anything, Virgil?" Mrs. McClain asked. She sounded so scared that I thought for sure her husband would notice and figure out something was wrong. "Yeah, I need to shit," he said with a laugh. "Don't think you can help me with that." I pulled away from the door as if it had burned me. Did they hav

I couldn't agree more. Nothing I hate more than the eulogizing and apologetics that start as soon as horrible, evil people drop dead. Call them out in death as in life. Ceasing to be alive may make the world a better place but it doesn't make them a better person.

Fun fact: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis honed their comedy act in Baltimore nightclubs. Here's a bit of oral history from a local historian: And there was this skinny kid who played the Club Charles, too, a crazy loon out of Newark, N.J., so young he had to have somebody named Irving, who was a cousin or an uncle, along to chaperon. Kid’s name was Jerry Lewis. He did mostly bip-bip verbal slaps, good-natured insults aimed at people at the bar. Melvin Souder was playing the piano back then, and any time a woman got up for nature’s call, Lewis would shriek, “Melvin,” and Melvin would play something saucy while a spotlight followed the embarrassed woman all the way to the ladies’ room. When the show was over, Lewis would run over to the Club Chanticleer, where a young singer was working. He’d join the singer on stage, and they’d make up stuff as they went along. The singer’s name was Dean Martin. They were inventing an act that became the hottest thing in show business.

You are 100% correct. I was confusing Perry Como with Bing. My apologies to Mr. Como. My best friend would definitely agree with you about Doris Day. She and Rosemary Clooney are two of his favorites. I enjoy both as well, and Peggy Lee too. And couldn't agree more about Louie and Ella...such a wonderful pairing.

I stood in the hallway outside Micah's apartment for several minutes while my mind absorbed what had just happened. I wasn't sure how I felt. I was numb all over. As if on autopilot, I walked slowly down the stairs and climbed into my car. I don't remember driving, but the next thing I knew, I was sitting in the driveway of the beach house. Subconsciously, I'd headed straight for the comfort and security of Adam. I was fumbling with my key when the door swung open. "I thought I he