Fall is officially the coziest season, in my book. Yes, there’s winter. You could argue for it, and that’s fine. They are both cozy in their own way. But I absolutely adore how a cool, crisp autumn serves as a most welcome transition from the blazingly hot summer months. So rejuvenating to the body and spirit! Anyway, here are some of my favorite Cozy Things: … Continue reading The Coziest Season
I used to enjoy The X Files. You probably remember it. It’s the science fiction series that ran from 1993 through, I think, 2004. It starred David Duchovny as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder, Gillian Anderson as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully and Mitch Pileggi as their boss, FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner. Mulder and Scully were partners assigned to investigate cases that defied traditional … Continue reading Didn’t See that Coming…
I recently retired as a K-9 handler. The company I co-owned and worked for, Sherlock Hounds Detection Canines, had friendly dogs (usually Labs) that helped detect and deter drugs, alcohol and gunpowder in schools. Sometimes, teachers would ask me to do a guest presentation for the students. During these presentations, one of the questions I was often asked was “Do you have dogs that flunk out and what happens to them?” Continue reading Guest Chick: Kathleen Donnelly
As I was pondering possible subjects for today’s post, I thought back to the wide variety of things I’ve talked about here over the past few years, including: the Earth’s mass, the word “gals,” my newest books, mystery conventions, the Mozart Requiem, life in Hawai‘i, life in Santa Cruz, favorite books as a child, the ups and downs of writing, and even the actor Anthony … Continue reading What Do YOU Want?
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
We’re excited to welcome new guest, Skye, to our blog! She sets her Archaeologist Aideen Connor Mysteries in the American Southwest. Just check out the gorgeous photos below! Back Country Adventures It’s late afternoon and we’re driving down a dirt road from the Kane Gulch Ranger Station heading for Grand Gulch, a vast serpentine canyon in southeast Utah. It’s late spring, and the cactuses are … Continue reading Guest Chick: Skye Griffith & #Giveaway
Whether you fill giant bowls with candy in hopes of trick-or-treaters at your door—or hide in your living room with the lights off—you know they’re out there: gleeful, greedy goblins dressed in costumes funny, frightening, or foxy. Not a dress-up fan? Bet you remember at least one costume you wore as a kid (or more recently)… Continue reading Go As Alice: Ghosts of Halloween Costumes Past
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
We’re so happy to welcome back Laura Jensen Walker, who will put you in the holiday spirit, even if it’s still September! Thanks so much for having me back on the Chicks, Ellen! “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Ebenezer Scrooge said this in the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Christmas is my favorite holiday, … Continue reading Guest Chick: Laura Jensen Walker
The Booker Prize longlist for 2025 has been announced. It’s a selection of 13 top-drawer works of fiction, chosen from over 150 titles written in English and published in the UK and/or Ireland. I’ve become very interested in books nominated for the Booker List over the past two years, especially this year. The 13 nominated books are: Love Forms by Clair Adam, The South by … Continue reading Eyes on the Booker Prize and other books
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
Please join us in giving a very warm welcome to today’s guest chick: Elle Marr, author of The Missing Sister, Lies We Bury, Strangers We Know, The Family Bones, The Alone Time, Your Dark Secrets, and The Lie She Wears! Art museums have always entranced me. I’ve visited a fair amount (though never enough, in my opinion!). From the Crocker Art Museum located in my … Continue reading Guest Chick: Elle Marr
Chicks on the Case 