spy

Dark Clouds story cover

As a Hallowe’en treat, I’m reprising here a little story I wrote as an entry in a writing competition about four years ago. The idea was to start with “Shadows crept across the wall.” Extra points were awarded for ending with “everything faded,” and using the word “orange.” This vignette follows the action in Dark […]

A story that twists like the Rio Grande

Review of Place of Skulls by Caleb Pirtle III One of the most satisfying literary discoveries is a truly unique story. This is particularly rare in the mystery-thriller genre. Many thrillers seem to be emulating another derivative book, trying to ride a bandwagon to market success. Far too many read as if the author were trying to write […]

Cleaning off winter’s dust

Spring is coming to Ottawa — I can tell because the snow is getting dirty and the birds are starting to chirp (“Hey! We’re freezing out here!”) Photo by D. Gordon E. Robertson, licensed under Wikipedia Creative Commons. A change of season always inspires me to take on new projects, and to resolve to complete […]