An excerpt from the novel by Sam Wiebe Featuring Dave Wakeland April 2025 CHAPTER ONE The day before, I was sitting in a park near the Marché Jean-Talon, trying very hard not to smoke a cigarette. The swampy heat of late August in Montréal made this a little easier. Occupying a bench with a St-Viateur … Continue reading “The Last Exile”
Tag: Fiction
“Piece by Piece”
By Paul Sundeson Featuring Gil Barntree Holiday 2007 New Orleans March 1962 “Thirty cents a gallon for ethyl?” my partner Frank Whitney said. We were parked in his Mercury just up Burgundy Street from the garage. “No wonder they're not pulling in the customers.” Hyams Auto Repair was a long white barn with a tin roof … Continue reading “Piece by Piece”
The Lone Wolf (Michael Lanyard)
Created by Louis Joseph Vance (1879-1933) Louis Joseph Vance's MICHAEL LANYARD, better known as THE LONE WOLF, didn't start out as a private eye, but as a criminal. However, like Jack Boyle's Boston Blackie, thanks to his numerous reboots, reincarnations and re-imaginings in radio, film and television, The Lone Wolf is now remembered by many, … Continue reading The Lone Wolf (Michael Lanyard)
“Closure”
A Jackson Donne Story by David White Autumn 2002 "Where were you?" Omar said, his voice like a needle in my ear. We were sitting on the New Jersey Turnpike, heading north. Traffic was slow, grinding, and typical for any weekday morning. People were making their way to their jobs, most heading toward New York … Continue reading “Closure”
The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder (An Excerpt)
By Lawrence Block Not for the first time, I’ve been invited to write about Matthew Scudder—not to produce another slightly fictionalized rendition of one of his cases, though I’m assured such would be welcome, but to furnish a biographical report on the man himself. I can understand why I might be singled out for such … Continue reading The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder (An Excerpt)
“My Client’s Wife”
By Michael Bracken Featuring "Moe Ron" Boyette Spring 2007 I watched my client's wife through the open French doors leading from their bedroom to the back patio, surprised at my reaction to her half-clothed figure, and I knew that it would be another long, hard night. "Anything?" my client asked the following morning. I shook my … Continue reading “My Client’s Wife”
“The Gospel According to Gordon Black”
By Richard Helms Featuring Eamon Gold Fall 2007 Gordon Black was a short man with an intimidating stare. His hair and beard were completely white. He liked to accentuate his points by drawing circles in the air with his index fingers. “We are nothing but organic flotsam, bobbing in the infinite sea of life. Don't you … Continue reading “The Gospel According to Gordon Black”
“Just One of Those Things”
A Mary Kelly Story by D.L. Browne Fall 2001 The Chinese have a saying: "Dangerous enemies will meet again in narrow streets." The way I remember it, business was slow that November. Carl von Ossietzky won the Nobel Peace Prize and everyone was learning to Rumba. We were between World Wars and the Pinkertons over … Continue reading “Just One of Those Things”
“Give the Woman Credit”
By John Swan Featuring John Swan Fall 2001 "Jezus H. How can she do that?" "Practice," Meg says matter-of-factly, watching the video monitor parked in a cracked bookshelf across from my desk. I'm warming the squeaky-wheeled chair behind the desk, my head cranked sidewise for the action on screen. "Yeah but still..." Meg's barely listening. She's … Continue reading “Give the Woman Credit”
“Shot Back”
By Kieran Shea Featuring Andy Caruthers January 2009 “Surely it's not against the law to take pictures.” Georgia Warren was tall. Middle-hitter-volleyball-tall really, and gorgeous in an untouchable, wealthy sort of way. The words Barbie doll and blonde debutante bubbled to mind. My guess was some southern finishing school like Sweet Briar or Hollins, never … Continue reading “Shot Back”