The Poisoned Martini

The Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville is hosting its 2nd CNY Literary Festival, featuring more than 30 local authors from the Central New York area. The event is for all ages with authors of fiction, narrative nonfiction, and children’s books. On Friday, October 4 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, the Library is hosting a reception… Read More ›

Mystery »

The Best Man to Die

Lorry driver Charlie Hatton shows up late to Jack Pertwee’s stag party. Charlie “was a little fellow with a brown face and very brilliant sharp eyes. They flashed quickly and calculatingly over the assembled company before Charlie smiled. He showed a set of perfect white teeth which no one there but Jack knew were false.”… Read More ›

Martinis »

Friday Cocktail: Elderflower Sour

As the temperatures warm up this Spring, cool off with a refreshing Elderflower Sour. This is a perfect cocktail for warm weather moments. And it doesn’t have to be a particularly sour one either. More on that later. This is a relatively newer cocktail. Most certainly post-2000 in creation. It likely dates to around 2007… Read More ›

Fantasy »

Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2021?

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Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out the fantasy novels that were the most popular in 2021. Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out titles in 2021. *** 10. The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu & A… Read More ›

Stories »

Too Soon To Say Goodbye

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This one hits harder… On Wednesday, January 19, my Pekingese Ching passed away. This time, there was no other Peke to meet me at the door when I returned home. The house was empty. His food and water bowl were full and waiting for a dog that wouldn’t be coming back. I hadn’t anticipated the… Read More ›

Writing »

Writing Challenge 67

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It’s summer! What better time for catching up on some reading and writing? Whether indoors or outdoors, it’s sometimes a challenge to think up what to write. Why not spend some time by the water, enjoy a drink or two, and delve into your latest story or chapter. Perhaps this image might motivate you. Consider… Read More ›