For a million boring reasons, I have decided to step away from regularly contributing to Chicks on the Case. I have so enjoyed my time here, goofing off with you in the henhouse, squawking with the other Chicks, getting to know everyone so much better. But I’m leaving you in excellent hands. It’s my absolute delight to have as my swansong the Passing of the … Continue reading Goodbye to Becky, Hello to Patricia
I was thrilled last year when I heard that Left Coast Crime was going to be in Denver in 2025, and that my Sisters in Crime Colorado chapter would be involved. I got a bee in my bonnet that this would be an excellent opportunity for our chapter to produce a crime fiction anthology, but I wanted it to be unique. I thought it would … Continue reading Interview with some Colorado Mystery Merge Authors
When it was announced that Left Coast Crime 2025 would be held in Denver, I knew my Colorado chapter of Sisters in Crime would be involved. I also knew it would be fantastic timing to finally pull the trigger on producing a short story anthology for our chapter. Only problem was we’d never done one before. So I contacted other SinC chapters and the national … Continue reading “C’mon … It’ll Be Fun,” She Said
I know all the Chicks and most mystery writers reading this are already members of Sisters in Crime, but did you know you can join as a reader, bookseller, or librarian? And you don’t even have to be a woman? Their mission statement reads, “Sisters in Crime was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers.” That’s … Continue reading This caused my chiropractor to dance a little jig …
Back when it was easy to burn and listen to CDs, my kids continuously tried to pull me into the modern era by curating new music they thought I’d like. They were always spot on and I found tons of good music because of them. The other day I was listening to one of songs—now on my ultra-hip iTunes playlist—my daughter had sent me years … Continue reading Running With Mud In Our Tea
I have a daily “Unexplained Mysteries” calendar from the History Channel. Most of the mysteries aren’t very mysterious. Some of them are just ancient ideas that have been debunked by science. But some of them are truly perplexing and fascinating. Like these. Sometimes I mull these over while I’m swimming in the morning. Inevitably, though, my mind wanders back to all the unexplained mysteries in … Continue reading Unexplainable
How was your 4th of July? I’m not much of a fan, to tell you the truth. As a kid, I was riddled with anxiety watching my dad light fireworks in the backyard. One time, as part of the arsenal, he bought some of those pinwheels that shoot out sparks as they twirl around. Yep. Nailed ‘em to the wooden fence. Yep. Caught on fire. … Continue reading My Summer Vacation Essay
My Crossword Puzzle mystery series has a lot of moving parts. It has the crossword puzzles, for one thing. I got my love of crosswords from my dad—and made him so proud when I began doing them in ink. I learned how to construct them before I wrote these books which was as fun as it was maddening. I won’t go into all the rules … Continue reading Behind the Books: Becky’s Crossword Puzzle Mysteries and a Giveaway
I truly have the funniest, most entertaining Facebook friends. Many I know personally—and some I’m related to—but a significant number I’ve never actually met. “Friend” is a nebulous concept these days. My boring friends try to sell me something or peddle the newest conspiracy theory or post an obvious AI generated photo. But my fabutastic friends say things like this over the course of a … Continue reading What Makes You Laugh?
Anyone who has been to my house knows I’m not a clean freak. There’s a ten-minute period in April every year, however, when I feel intense shame at the filthiness of my windows. The sun is at precisely the right angle to pierce me with scandal, dishonor, and mortification. Luckily it doesn’t last too long. The shame, that is, not the grimy windows. Those are … Continue reading It’s that time of year again…
I really do. Books, of course, but also TV, movies, and spoken word. I set a timer to sit down at three o’clock on Saturday afternoons to listen to The Moth Radio Hour whenever I’m home. Three or four people tell stories on a particular theme. They’re hilarious and they can break your heart, often in the same piece. I come from a long line … Continue reading I Love Stories
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