Member News
#11 From Margaret Mizushima!
Margaret Mizushima is excited to release FIGHTING EDGE, her eleventh Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, on September 8th. She will be celebrating at two Colorado events: in conversation with Kathleen Donnelly on September 8 at 7:00 at Old Town Library in Fort Collins, and September 9 at Covered Treasures in Monument at 4:00-6:00. She will also be at the Poisoned Pen at 7:00 in Scottsdale, AZ, on September 11. Please join her if you’re nearby.
New Bruce Most Short Story!
Bruce W. Most’s short story End of the Line is one of fifteen noir stories in the newly released Bad Intentions: A Crime Fiction Anthology Based on the Music of Warren Zevon. Sid and Johnny are two punks who get a kick terrorizing passengers in the dead of night on graffiti-scarred subway cars in 1980s New York City. One night, they go too far, and learn the hard way that the last place they want to be is on a slow train to the end of the line. All royalties go to a Philadelphia food bank. Available in Kindle and paperback.
Order your copy here.
Four Corners Voices Vol. 2 wins CAL Award
Chuck Greaves, the president of Four Corners Writers and the fiction editor of its 2025 anthology Four Corners Voices, Vol. 2 is delighted to report that this sophomore compendium of local stories, essays, and poetry was honored in the “Best Anthology” category at the Colorado Authors League’s award ceremony on July 19, 2026.
Order here.
New From Jenny Dandy!
New book from Jenny Dandy!
Lou Berney calls this third book in the Houses of Crime Mystery series “a wonderfully rich and twisty crime novel, full of surprises and vibrant characters.”
From the back copy: The streets of New York City have nothing on the rabbit trails of the internet. Reformed petty thief Ronnie Charles has finally landed a job on her own—no more working undercover for FBI Special Agent Frank Jankowski. She’s a Personal Assistant to Tripp Moreaux, but she soon finds not all of what he does is legal. When the mob leans on Tripp, she discovers a plan that endangers her beloved New York City. She knows she’s out of her depth and the only thing that can save the city is Frank and the Bureau. But Frank has stupidly gotten himself suspended. Without his job, Frank has nothing. The Bureau was his life, and to climb out of his depression he volunteers, stumbling on a case that might get him reinstated. When their investigations overlap, Ronnie and Frank must team up once again, not only to save Frank’s career, but the entire city as well.
Order here.
Debut Novel from Nan S. Russell!
Cursed love. Buried secrets. Elevated courage. Welcome to Mummy’s Locket. We all have secrets, but what happens when someone else’s secret becomes your own? After losing everything, introvert Mallory Grayson retreats to a quiet town, hoping a vintage shop and a fresh start will help her rebuild her life. But when the mummified body of her long-missing great-grandmother is discovered, Mallory is pulled into a mystery. Clues hidden in heirlooms, a secret room, and a past lover’s return offer answers … if she’s willing to risk everything to uncover them. In a story steeped in secrets and history, her courage may be the only thing that can break the curse. The past and the present collide in Nan S. Russell’s debut novel, the first book in the Mallory Grayson Mysteries series, released in May by Next Chapter Publishing. The next two books in the series are under contract. Available to order now.
Debut Novel from Brooke Terpening!
Congratulations to Brooke Terpening on her debut novel!
Sawgrass Grave will published in February of 2027 from Severn River Publishing.
She has a temper, a sailboat, and a murder case she probably shouldn’t have taken.
Brie Broussard was a rising prosecutor—until one case got an innocent kid killed and took everything else with it: her marriage, her career, her faith in the system. Now she’s a mitigation investigator scraping by on insurance fraud, living on a sailboat she can barely afford, and skating roller derby on the weekends because the bruises are easier than the grief.
Her newest client is Niko Moreno, owner of Miami’s hottest nightclub, accused of decapitating his manager and leaving her body in the Everglades for the alligators. He swears he’s innocent—and won’t talk about his past, his enemies, or the cocaine someone planted in his car.
Brie’s investigation pulls her through back-alley motels, the Miami underworld, and a dead woman’s secrets that hit too close to home. Everyone connected to Niko has something to hide—his disbarred business manager, the cartel circling him like vultures, even his conveniently pro bono attorney. And the more Brie learns about the victim, the more this case starts to echo the one that broke her.
Brie is closing in on the killer. The killer’s already digging her a sawgrass grave.
Perfect for fans of Tami Hoag and Lisa Gardner, Sawgrass Grave is a gritty Miami crime series debut with a heroine who’s too stubborn to stop and too sharp to ignore. Available for preorder.
Debut Novel from Matthew Porter!
Matthew Porter’s debut novel Question for the Dead was released on May 19th by Ephemeral Industries.
This paranormal mystery features private investigator Martin Rodak, whose business is part detective agency, part support group for psychic misfits. When one of their own is implicated in a murder, Rodak and company must find the real criminals to rescue their friend, save the business, and protect the family they have built together. Questions for the Dead is available from most booksellers in paperback and ebook.
“Sleep While They Sleep” coming from Kate Lansing, a.k.a Kate Spooner
Kris Neri Short Story Selected for Derringer Award Compilation
Kris Neri’s first Derringer Award-winning story, “L.A. Justice,” featuring her novel sleuth Tracy Eaton and Tracy’s daffy movie star mother Martha Collins, has been reprinted in the anthology HOT SHOTS: CELEBRATING THIRTY YEARS OF THE SHORT MYSTERY FICTION SOCIETY. The Short Mystery Fiction Society supports writers of mystery short stories and honors them with Derringer Awards for excellence in the field. One Derringer Award winner was chosen to represent each of the thirty years.
New Robert Greer Short Story in Ellery Queen
Math wiz and former Marine Corps sniper turned Gary, Indiana, PI, KC Mandell, makes his debut alongside his wife, pediatric ICU nurse Jan Seguine in Robert Greer’s story, “More than a B-Lister,” featured in the May/June 2026 issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.
Congratulations, Robert!
“Death on Warrior’s Way” by David Pyle is out now
Death on Warriors Way, a new book by David Pyle, is a gripping murder mystery set in the secluded, upscale community of Deer Park Ridge, Colorado. When retired Army Colonel James Brookside discovers the brutally beaten body of his reclusive neighbor, Sophie Delgado, leaning against a stop sign near his home on Warriors Way, a quiet neighborhood is thrust into chaos. What begins as a tragic crime soon unravels into something darker, buried identities, hidden connections, and long-held grudges. As the truth inches closer to home, suspicion creeps into the Brooksides’ tight-knit circle of friends, forcing James to confront the possibility that the killer may live just a few doors away. Taut, character-driven, and chillingly plausible, Death on Warriors Wayexplores how the past never really stays buried, and how even the most serene places can hide the darkest truths.
Out now!
New Robert Greer Short Story
Robert Greer’s story, Blue Highway Jobbed will appear in the April 2026 issue of Thriller Magazine.
Congratulations!
Kerry Hammond is an Agatha Nominee!
The short story appeared in an anthology called Celluloid Crimes, a gripping anthology of short stories pays homage to the spirit of the razor-sharp wit and smoky intrigue of classic noir- – think The Thin Man with a fresh twist of lemon and blood. Tales include sharp-talking investigators, private eyes, weary cops, rookie reporters, and even the occasional actors, on the way up, or on the way down. One thing is for sure: Everyone is hiding something. Smart, stylish, and steeped in grit and glamour, Celluloid Crimes delivers mystery with a knowing smile and a loaded .38.
Winners will be announced at the Malice Domestic conference in late April.
More about Kerry: https://www.kerryhammond.com/
Lisa Gardner Event Feb. 21 Includes Several RMMWA Members
A event on Saturday, February 21 event with New York Times best-selling author Lisa Gardner includes several RMMWA members — Carter Wilson, Mario Acevedo, Mark Stevens and Cynthia Swanson.
The event is at Mile Hi Church, 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, 80226.
Experience an unforgettable afternoon of storytelling with New York Times best-selling author of mystery and thrillers, Lisa Gardner, joined by a panel of talented local authors
Lisa began writing at 17, first publishing romance novels before finding her voice in the thriller genre. In addition to hearing from Lisa, this special event will include a local author panel featuring:
- Mario Acevedo
- Jon Bassoff
- Kristin Koval
- Mark Stevens
- Cynthia Swanson
The event will be moderated by the celebrated author and emcee, Carter Wilson.
Register here:
https://jeffcolibrary.org/signature-author-event/
New Terry Odell
Terry Odell is thrilled to announce the release of her newest Mapleton Mystery, Deadly Ambitions, the ninth novel in the series. It’s available in digital, trade paperback, and audio formats.
Politics, secrets, and danger—trouble never stays buried.Mapleton Police Chief Gordon Hepler faces political turmoil, budget cuts, and delayed grants while Angie’s diner remodel stalls amid mysterious setbacks. A hidden journal leads to secrets from the past. When danger strikes, Gordon must balance following the letter of the law with caring for his wife. Is the threat historic—or much closer to home?
Bruce Most Short Story in Best Private Eye Stories of 2025
Bruce Most is excited and honored to see his first anthology crime short story published in The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025, edited by Matt Coyle and the legendary short story author Michael Bracken. The story, The Mysterious Woman in the Lifeguard Chair, does not feature a PI, but rather New York City’s most famous real-life crime photographer from the 1930s-40s, Weegee. The story is a riff on an actual photograph taken by Weegee. In the story, he takes a haunting photograph of a woman on Coney Island Beach during a World War Two blackout, and soon finds himself deep into murder.
New Twist Phelan Short Story in EQMM!
Congratulations to Twist Phelan, who has a new short in the latest Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. Her new story is titled “Authorized Treatment.”
New Christine Carbo Thriller “The Confession Artist” Coming In May
Christine Carbo announces the release of her new thriller, The Confession Artist, coming in May 2026 from Thomas & Mercer.
A Montana ex-cop becomes the target of a vengeful killer’s viral guessing game in a propulsive novel of suspense by a bestselling and award-winning author.
A killer dubbed the Confession Artist is posting sketches of potential victims on social media. And paranoia spreads as strangers across the nation admit to their sins―fearing the consequences: You have six days to confess or die.
Then former cop and first-year PI Crosbie Mitchell sees a sketch that bears a striking resemblance to her. How can that be? She’s a nobody from Flathead Valley, Montana. Crosbie dismisses it as an unnerving coincidence. If not for one unmistakable detail that makes the threat hard to ignore. When the FBI is contacted, they are convinced that Crosbie is the next target. So is she.
Crosbie has six days left to fess up online to something plaguing her conscience. But even if she wanted to play the killer’s game, she has more than one secret. And if she ever dares to expose them for the world to see, the truth will destroy her. That’s exactly what the Confession Artist wants.
New Terry Odell Novel!
Deadly Ambitions, The ninth novel in Terry Odell’s Mapleton Mystery series is now available for preorder.
Politics, secrets, and danger—trouble never stays buried.
Deadly Ambitions blends modern intrigue, hidden history, and suspense that will keep you turning the pages.
New Story From David Bart
“Of Mice and Hitmen,” a story by David Bart, is in the Crimeucopia anthology, You Ain’t Read
Nothing Yet, available November 4, 2025.
Cover Reveal From Margaret Mizushima for Novel #10!
Margaret Mizushima is thrilled to announce that DYING CRY, her tenth Timber Creek K-9 Mystery, will publish October 14, 2025 via Crooked Lane Books. While Deputy Mattie Walker and her family are snowshoeing in a remote area, a shattering cry pierces the air, dying slowly as it echoes off canyon walls. When further investigation reveals a suspicious death, the Timber Creek County Sheriff’s team springs into action, uncovering a trail of greed that leads to a killer who threatens Mattie’s cherished new family and tests her with the most difficult task she’s faced in her duty as a K-9 handler. DYING CRY is available wherever books are sold. Check here for more details: https://www.
Anne Hillerman Event in California!
Anne Hillerman will speak to the Literary Guild of Orange County at the Fall Literary Salon on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Mission Viejo (California) Country Club. The event also honors a community college writing student with a $1,000 scholarship.
More: https://www.lgoc.org/
New Kerry Hammond Short Story!
Mystery, games, and murder. Kerry Hammond has a new short story coming out in The Most Dangerous
Games, an anthology from Level Best Books, edited by Deborah Lacy,
Her story, “The Quizmaster’s Last Round,” is one of the featured short stories in this fun anthology filled
with game related mysteries. Readers are treated to twenty-two short stories featuring games of all
sorts – from pub quizzes to pickleball, and everything in between.
Contributing authors are Heather Graham, K.C. Selby, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Alan Orloff, Shannon Taft,
P.M. Raymond, L.L. Kaplan, Rebecca Lugones, BV Lawson, Stephen M. Pierce, Maya Corrigan, Bruce
Kubec, JD Allen, Jane Limprecht, donalee Moulton, Kirlagh James, Kerry Hammond, Robert Lopresti,
LaToya Jovena, Sharyn Kolberg, Chris Chan, and Daphne Silver.
“Anyone who loves Mysteries, Puzzles, and Games–as I do–will be intrigued and dazzled by the (22)
fabulous stories collected in this unique anthology. A colorful romp through the world of gamesmanship,
The Most Dangerous Games will leave readers breathless. A must-read!”
—Katherine Neville: New York Times and #1 Internationally Bestselling Author of The Eight and The Fire.
Publication Date: August 26, 2025
Format: Digital (Print to follow)