Pssst...have we got a deal for you!

Is it raining where you are? Still chilly? Is it time, maybe to grab a cup of tea, and a comforter, and curl up in a chair and read?

But, you say, I have to much to do--it would be lovely, but, sigh, my responsibilities will interfere.
No time to read a book.

Pssst. Hey. How 'bout a nice short story?

Today on Jungle Red, we are happy and proud to introduce you the five nominees for the AGATHA Award for Best Short Story. And to offer their stories for your reading pleasure.

No waiting, no traffic, no credit cards or squally babies. Just--a click or two, and you'll be transported to the holidays, or another century., or...well, you'll see. And if a couple of people get killed, well, what can we tell you. That's how it goes in mystery world.

We’ll give you the title, the description, and just the first line! And a link to read the rest. And then the JRW question.


"Femme Sole" by Dana Cameron
Boston Noir (Akashic Books)

From Dana Cameron:In 1740s Boston, Anna Hoyt owns a North-End tavern and all the local thugs—including her husband—want a piece of it.

"A moment of your time, Anna Hoyt.” Click here to read the rest.


JRW says: “What do you think about it?”
DANA says: “About the story: I'm always delighted when my work makes my friends and family nervous...”

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The Worst Noel" by Barb Goffman

The Gift of Murder (Wolfmont Press)

From Barb Goffman: When a little too much family togetherness, coupled with some professional humiliation caused by Mom, pushes Gwen over the edge, she plans a Christmas Eve dinner that no one will ever forget.

Okay, Gwen. Get ready to fake it. Click here to read the whole story.

JRW asks:”What do you think of it?”
BARB: “What I think about the story: The story has been called both funny and disturbing, which delights me because it shows the black humor came right through. "

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"Handbaskets, Drawers and a Killer Cold"

by Kaye George Crooked ezine

From Kaye George: A Chicago cop, uncovering a possible felony committed by his wayward brother-in-law, has to decide whose wrath he fears more, his wife's or his captain's, while battling a killer of a winter cold.

"If your brother screws up once more..." Click here to read the whole story.

JRW asks: “What do you think about it?”
Kaye says: “What I think about the nomination? I'll let you know when I come back to Planet Earth.”

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"On the House" by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Quarry (Level Best Books)

From Hank Phillippi Ryan: A twisty tale of broken promises, broken hearts and intricately-planned revenge proves when true love goes wrong, a woman's best friend may be her dog. Or--not.

“Do you think he's dangerous?" Click here to read the whole story.


JRW asks: What do you think about it?
HANK: “I’m so grateful for the nomination...oh, the story? Readers always argue about whether the killer will get away with it—I love that.”

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"Death Will Trim Your Tree" by Elizabeth Zelvin
The Gift of Murder (Wolfmont Press)


From Elizabeth Zelvin a not-so-typical Christmas story--Bruce wrestles with the Xmas lights, goes to the hardware store, and solves a murder.

I sat on the floor in Jimmy and Barbara's living room with a pile of blinking electrical spaghetti in my lap and ground my teeth.
Click here to read the whole story

JRW asks: “What do you think about it?”
LIZ says: Not sure what you mean by "what you think about it." You mean like does my opening still make me laugh every time I read it?

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But wait--there's more! Are you now thinking--wow, I could write a short story! Well, do! And there's still time to submit it to the Al Blanchard Award.

The Al Blanchard Award is given at New England Crime Bake which is held every November in the Boston area. The award is given for a crime story by a New England author or for a crime story with a New England setting. It must be previously unpublished and may not be more than 5,000 words in length. The story may include the following genres: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, and horror. (No torture/killing of children or animals.)

The prize is $100 in cash, publication in THIN ICE, Level Best Books' eighth crime fiction anthology, plus admission to the Crime Bake Conference. It costs nothing to enter. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2010. Details can be found at http://crimebake.org/Al.htm

Good luck, everyone!

ON HISTORY (and more Elaine!)

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of democracy, tonight is your answer."

'I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight."

****President-elect Barack Obama

So? Everyone sleepy today from staying up too late?

We gave up a little sleep to witness a lot of history.

Earlier this week we talked about our first votes for president, and whether we remembered them. November 4, 2008, a lot of indelible memories were made.

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And now back to our regular programming.

HANK: I hear through the cyber-grapevine that you have a title for your newest book! Can you reveal it? Was it..an easy choice?

ELAINE: We went through more than 50 titles before we found one my editor and publisher liked. It took dogged persistence.

HANK: Like, so often you were barking up the wrong tree? Or biting off more than you could chew? I mean, we shouldn't kibble over titles...

Okay, fine. Just tell us what you decided...

ELAINE: The fifth Josie Marcus mystery shopper novel will be called "The Fashion Hound Murders," thanks to Kara, my editor,and Don, my husband. And thanks to my cyberfriends, who emailed me their ideas. Your inspiration kept me going.

HANK: Yes, the gang at Cozy Armchair and Cozy Discussion had some wonderful ideas..you have lots of great pals. (A big shout out to you all...) And we all want you to answer

the Jungle Red Questions! ...

JRW: Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot?

ELAINE:Miss Marple. I had my mustache removed by electrolysis.

JRW Sex or violence?
ELAINE Sex. I can get violence on TV.

JRW Pizza or Chocolate?

ELAINE: Chocolate

JRW: Daniel Craig or Pierce Brosnan? (We won't even include Sean Connery because we know the answer. Don't we?)
ELAINE Daniel Craig.

JRW Katherine Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn?
ELAINE Katherine. I prefer Faberge eggs to breakfast at Tiffany's.

JRW First person or Third person?
ELAINE Both, but not at the same time.

JRW Prologue or no prologue?
ELAINE No prologues for me, but I enjoy other people's prologues. I feel the same way about kids.

JRW Your favorite book as a kid?
ELAINE "The Pokey Little Puppy." A good book in all senses of the word, since the cover was well-gnawed.

JRW: Making dinner or making reservations?
ELAINE: Reservations. I like to leave cooking to the pros.

And also: the Jungle Red BIG LIE!

. Tell us four things about yourself. Only three can be true. We'll try to guess what's false.

I rode with a thousand bikers from Wilmington, Delaware, to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC.
I have a small tattoo on my right shoulder.
I was nearly thrown out of a New Orleans hotel for trashing a room.
I got six months probation in Litchfield, Illinois.

HANK: So...I can picture Elaine with a tattoo. (Maybe of her Lefty award?) What do you all think?

Don't forget to enter our contest for a free autographed copy of the JUST RELEASED Murder with All the Trimmings! Just put in a comment...with a shopping tip a la Elaine if the spirit moves you!

And hey--if you can't get enough Elaine? If you've ever been tempted to be a mystery shopper--she's telling all to the fabulous Femmes Fatales.

You're a Winner!

"You can't win if you don't play."
state lottery advertisement

JAN: I've run a contest on my website ever since I put up a website, but for the first time, one of my contests was advertised on a popular online sweepstaks website and I received hundreds of entrants. Some of these entrants appear to be semi-professional contest enterers. They have screennames like Winsbig or Sweeps5000. This amazes me.

Here's why.I've realized that I'm actually afraid of most contests. In fact, one of the first screenplays I ever wrote was a comedy about a woman whose life was ruined by winning the Downy Flake Donut sweepstakes. And A Confidential Source was about how gambling can ruin your life. So deep down, I clearly have some sort of fear about the consequences of easy money. A Catholic thing? A Polish thing? Who can tell?

But it could also be a journalist thing. Because I've written about so many swindles, I don't trust anyone. I'll buy a raffle at a local fundraiser, but anyone who offers me any kind of prize by mail, phone or Internet, I don't trust. I can't tell you how many three-day cruises to the Bahamas and free IPODS have passed me by. In reality, these people want to sell me a time share or want my email address. What's so horrible about that? Still, I marvel at my fearless entrants. But how about the rest of you? Am I the only sweep-a-phob out there? Or has everyone else won their free laptop, and turned into a real player (pronounced play-AHS if you are in New England)?

RO: The only contest I've entered in recent memory was the Al Blanchard contest, (I didn't win, but the lovely and talented Pat Remick did, so I didn't feel so bad) but other than that, I'm just not the contest type. I don't buy lottery tickets either. I don't want anything, I have too much stuff already.

Now that I think of it, Pat turned me on to the Erma Bombeck humor (writing) contest a couple of years ago. I didn't win that either. That's it. I'm done.

JAN: Well I'm off to print out my list of contest entrants and draw a name from a hat. Although I eschew contests myself, it's awful fun to inform people that they are winners..