When I was writing my first book, Terror in Taffeta, Kelsey’s best friend and wedding photographer sidekick was named Brody. Just Brody. I wrote the entire book without giving him a last name. Eventually, I realized I needed to fix that. One of the first name combos that popped into my head was “Brody Marks.” Hmm. It sounded good. Too good, honestly. It had the … Continue reading Isn’t that name already taken?!
Marla, here! When Stacie Grey told me she was going to take a whirlwind tour of (almost) all the Barnes & Nobles in the Bay Area in one day to celebrate the release of her new thriller, She Didn’t Stand a Chance, my first thought was, “I want to go with you!” My second thought? “No, I don’t!” I’ve braved Bay Area traffic, and this sort of adventure is not to be taken lightly. So I did the next best thing and asked her to tell us all about it later. Continue reading Guest Chick: Stacie Grey
Maybe it’s because I was born in October, but I’ve always had a penchant for all things spooky, paranormal, and slightly macabre. When the weather starts dropping and the pumpkin spice lattes appear on menus, when people start decorating their houses with cobwebs and gravestones, it makes me want to dance dramatically in my front yard singing, “It’s the most wonderful time … of the year.” Continue reading 🎃 Welcome to Spooky Season
Marla here. I’m thrilled to welcome Michelle Chouinard to the blog today as she celebrates the release of book two in The Serial-Killer Guide to San Francisco series, starring Capri Sanzio, the fictional founder and co-owner of SF Killer Crime Tours. I recently caught up with Michelle at Bouchercon in New Orleans, and, yes, we took a ghost tour together! Hello, my name is Michelle, and … Continue reading Guest Chick: Michelle Chouinard
Why I almost skipped the biggest mystery conference in the U.S. — and why I changed my mind. (Spoiler alert: it’s about the community!) Now, who’s with me? Continue reading The Case of the Last-Minute Conference Attendee
It’s hard being a grammar geek in the digital age. When you’re online, it seems like the rules are more like… suggestions. Anyone who spends any amount of time on social media will run across all SORTS of crimes against the English language. And you know what? Some of them, I’m not even mad at. “I can’t even”? It’s an incomplete sentence, but I know … Continue reading Grammar Crimes of the Digital Age
Yesterday morning, I got mad at a talking cartoon bee. I went to the kitchen and opened up the cabinet, and there he was, mocking me.
Hear me out.
Continue reading “My Ongoing Beef with the Talking Bee”
When Someone Else Writes Your Brilliant Thought Have you ever had an idea that that felt fresh, personal, and totally original, then someone else comes up with an idea that’s suspiciously similar — or even exactly the same? It’s tempting to think that they stole it. And while I’m not saying that never happens, it’s just as likely to be a total coincidence. Our ideas … Continue reading Idea Doppelgängers
A while back, I said, “BRB: There’s something I have to go do!” That “something” was moving halfway across the country, back to Austin. I swore it wasn’t a goodbye, just a “see you soon.” Readers, that was six years ago. So, first of all — hi, I’m back! Told you I couldn’t stay away. But the world is such a different place than it … Continue reading Okay, I’m back. What did I miss?
So, guess who accidentally bought a house in Austin? That’s right: Me! I say “accidentally” because we didn’t have any plans to move there and we weren’t actually looking for a house. In fact, we’d already lived in Austin back before we moved to San Francisco but a) we needed to branch out and try new things, and b) it got up to 112 one … Continue reading BRB: There’s something I have to go do!
Happy Thanksgiving week, y’all! For several years now, we’ve had a Thanksgiving Day tradition that’s involved a few of our closest friends, comfy pants, bad movies, and, of course, a turkey dinner. It’s fun and low pressure, and while it’s not heavy on tradition, we always take a moment to reflect on what we’re thankful for. It’s a little rude to hog the mic when … Continue reading ‘Tis the Season — for Gratitude
Chicks on the Case 