Short Fiction
“Armadillo by Morning”
Black Cat Mystery Magazine, 2024
An animal control officer’s last week on the job takes a deadly turn.
“Dogs of War”
Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir Vol 4, Down and Out Books, 2023
A death letter read at a military funeral unearths a secret, and an unexpected hero makes sure justice is served. Cowritten with Michael Bracken.
Storiaverse Original: “Blood Moon Curse”
Animated by Simon Mulligan
After dismissing the existence of an urban legend, three friends are met with a rude awakening when mysterious fortune cookies arrive at their door.
“One Night in 1965”
More Groovy Gumshoes, Down and Out Books, April 2023
A private investigator takes a case chasing down a draft dodger, and he finds himself reexamining his own life.
“Before the Highwaymen”
Black Cat Weekly, Wildside Press, 2023
Two metal detecting teens unearth a piece of rare Texas history and a grudge that spans generations.
“Hometown Headlines”
Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir Vol 3, Down and Out Books, 2022
An actor will go to any lengths to get the role of a lifetime.
“To Catch a Purr-petrator”
Black Cat Mystery Magazine, 2022
Mindy’s first week of her summer internship as a production assistant on the Pet Shopping Network seems to be going pretty well until she finds her boss face down in a bag of kitty kibble. No one seems to care that someone tried to poison Kat, not even the police. But Mindy believes Kat deserves justice and decides to investigate on her own.
“The Midnight Show”
Chesapeake Crimes: Magic is Murder, Wildside Press, August 2022
A soldier returns from Afghanistan to seek forgiveness from his dying father and is prepared to go to any lengths to get it, even stealing priceless movie memorabilia. Will the magic of the movies be enough to repair their broken relationship?
“Zebras”
The Tattered Blue Line, Code 4 Press, April 2022
A school resource officer and his canine sidekick connect with a struggling student and make a shocking discovery.
“Don’t Metal with a Good Thing”
Mini Mysteries, Second Edition, Bauer Media Group, March 2022
(Originally appeared as “Metal Without a Cause” in Woman’s World.)
Has Prospect Pete finally located lost British treasure in Pottsville’s Park? You and Mabel must decide.
“Holiday Hitman”
Black Cat Weekly, Issue 16
Nothing says happy holidays like bell-ringing and cheerful giving, but after Nora finds an unusual donation that just missed her kettle, her holiday season turns from happy to hair-raising.
“Final Fall”
Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir Vol 2, Down and Out Books, 2021
Emotions run high when a soldier is forced to team up with his wife’s lover to win a parachute competition.
“Last Rites”
Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Issue #9
Confined to his bed at a military hospital, a brigade commander is desperate to figure out if his men are dying from combat related-injuries or if they are victims of a serial killer.
“The Crust of the Matter”
Mini Mysteries, Bauer Media Group, April 2021
When a bakery owner and fellow Pottsville Puzzler is robbed, Mabel must use her puzzle solving skills to identify the thief and locate a binder filled with stolen recipes in this cozy Solve-it-yourself mystery. First published in Woman’s World in 2020.
“The Rose”
Jukes and Tonks, Down and Out Books, April 2021
Destroying a honky-tonk should have been just another ordinary job. The place and the patrons, however, are anything but ordinary, and a fixer has a crisis of conscience—a professional liability he can’t afford.
“Killer Sushi”
Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir, Down and Out Books, December 2020
Two heartbroken soldiers go to their favorite sushi joint to drown in their sorrows and get more than they bargained for in this twisted, culinary tale.
“Fleece Navidad”
Mystery Weekly Magazine, December 2020
When a float at Pottsville’s annual Christmas parade is vandalized, it’s up to you and Mabel to identify the culprit and the motives behind this holiday crashing crime.
“Sunnyside”
Chesapeake Crimes: Invitation to Murder, Wildside Press, 2020
Wiseguy turned rat, Mickey “Two Guns” Baldino, moves into a Florida retirement home and finds himself face-to-face with the hitman he’s spent his life trying to avoid.
“Butter Late Than Never”
Woman’s World, On Sale: September 17-23, 2020
A high school homecoming prank nearly takes the cake until Mabel comes to the rescue. See if you can follow the clues and figure out what gave it away.
“Mary Poppins Didn’t Have Tattoos”
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Jul/Aug 2020
A simple babysitting gig turns deadly when Marcella and her young niece face off with a killer.
“Metal Without A Cause”
Woman’s World, On Sale: July 16-22, 2020
Has Prospect Pete finally located lost British treasure in Pottsville’s Park? You and Mabel must decide.
“Game of Gnomes”
Woman’s World, On Sale: May 28-June 3, 2020
During Pottsville’s pride of ownership competition, a contestant’s yard is sabotaged. Mabel must use her puzzle solving skills to identify the culprit in this cozy Solve-it-yourself mystery.
“Desperate Letters”
Mystery Weekly Magazine, 2020
When her friend and fellow Pottsville Puzzler goes missing, Mabel must use her puzzle solving skills to locate Stan and identify a mafia hitman in this cozy You-solve-it mystery.
“River”
The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell, Untreed Reads, 2020
A disillusioned soldier returns to the States to bury two fallen comrades and must choose between honor and loyalty.
“The Crust of the Matter”
Woman’s World, On Sale: January 9-15, 2020
When a bakery owner and fellow Pottsville Puzzler is robbed, Mabel must use her puzzle solving skills to identify the thief and locate a binder filled with stolen recipes in this cozy Solve-it-yourself mystery.
“The Retirement Plan”
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Sep/Oct 2019
An army veteran faces off with a widowed winemaker in a heist that turns deadly.
“The Hail Mary Play”
Mystery Weekly Magazine, July 2019
In a last-ditch effort to avoid getting expelled from military school, a cadet comes up with a plan—something that’s guaranteed to impress the school’s superintendent. Unfortunately, it involves kidnapping and a goat.
“The Secret Blend”
Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible, Wildside Press, 2019
Jilly’s declining restaurant is being sabotaged by a competitor—their recent move, stealing her Valentine’s Day menu and advertising it as their own. It’s up to Jilly to stop the saboteur and deliver a new, transformative menu by Valentine’s Day in order to save her family’s business and the jobs of the people who work for her.
“Duty, Honor, Hammett”
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018
A soldier and tomb guard at Arlington National Cemetery must choose between protecting his family’s legacy and protecting the secret buried in Dashiell Hammett’s grave.