Spring 2011

Spring...And not a minute too soon! The snow grew tiring after the first blanket of the messy stuff in December. But it kept coming. Now, even though it's cold one day and hot the next then back to cold, it's better than sloshing through snow.

This issue brings us more good reads, both stories and columns.

And now for some news:

I'm proud to announce that this Spring brings the launch of the next volume in my Marco Fontana Mystery Series: A Body on Pine

Set against the drama of a tough primary campaign, this mystery centers around a murdered masseur, several wealthy clients, a violent ex, and a number of city power brokers.

Fontana must discover who would kill to keep the masseur quiet and why. Was the masseur about to reveal secrets that could ruin clients in show business and politics? Did he anger the wrong people as he went about building his business? Or was it an abusive ex boyfriend who could never give up?

After discovering a body on Pine Street, more victims turn up which compels Marco to face down lethal players and place his life on the line to find the forces behind the murders. 

And...

Congratulations to all the winners of the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Derringer Award. It's a worthy slate of stories. The SMFS has been giving this award since 1999 and recently began having a ceremony at the Bouchercon gathering. The plan for this year is the same and if you're lucky enough to attend the con, get yourself to the awards ceremony. Jim Doherty puts on a good show.

Best Flash Fiction Story (under 1,000 words) - (TIE)
"The Book Signing," by Kathy Chencharik, in Thin Ice: Crime Stories by
New England Writers, Leslie Wheeler, Mark Ammons, Barbara Ross, Kat
Fast, Eds., Level Best Books, November, 2010
and
"The Unknown Substance" by Jane Hammons,in A Twist of Noir, December 27,
2010

Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words)
"Pewter Badge," by Michael J.
Solender, in Yellow Mama, August, 2010

Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 words) - (TIE)
 "Care of the Circumcised Penis" by Sean Doolittle , in Thuglit
Presents: Blood, Guts & Whiskey, Todd Robinson, Ed., Kensington
Publishing Corp., May, 2010
and
"Interpretation of Murder" by B. K. Stevens, in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery
Magazine, December, 2010

Best Novelette (8,001-17,500 words)
"Rearview Mirror" by Art Taylor, in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March, 2010

ENJOY
THE
ISSUE!