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  • Gratitude in the Port of Destiny

    As I sit in my cool office, away from the waves of heat emanating from the ground outside, I’m so grateful. With Port of Destiny: A Victorian History, Mystery, & Romance I’m realizing a lifelong dream. When I was fifteen years old, I learned a secret about my grandfather. I never told anyone, because I thought it belonged in a book, and I would be the perfect person to write it.
    I started the research in the 1970s, the manuscript in the early 1980s. I purchased my first computer, a Macintosh. I was working full-time then as an English teacher… […]

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Let's Talk with Terry Ambrose

“Does Your Dog Have His Own Shoe Collection?"

Dog wearing shoes from Wikimedia Commons

The first time I heard anything about dogs wearing shoes was in Las Vegas in June many years ago. It seemed hilarious at the time. Fast forward to today, and I realize this isn’t just a thing, dogs have fashion choices, too. Check out this week’s post for the full story.

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Win Two Free Books – Sept 2026

Contest Run: Sept 1-22, 2026
Win Two Free Books - Sept 2026
Win two free books from Booklovers Bench

  • Enter to win two free books in our monthly giveaway:

    Nancy J. Cohen – Dreidels and Dead Ends, ebook or advance reading print copy (US only)
    Debra H. Goldstein – Five Belles Too Many, print (US only) or e-book

Enter Here!

On The Bench

Characters on the Bench

This week in our Characters on the Bench feature, we’ve asked our characters how they got their starts as amateur sleuths. You won’t want to miss their answers!

Read the complete "On The Bench"!

Latest News

  • Terry Ambrose

    is finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for what has been a year filled with challenges. He’s begun work on the 10th Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery. This time, the little town of Seaside Cove is abuzz with talk of demolishing their cherished, historical lighthouse…but what mysteries will that uncover?

  • Nancy J. Cohen

    announces that Murder Pays a Call won a silver medal in the FAPA President’s Book Awards.

  • Debra H. Goldstein

    has been nominated as the next international President of Sisters in Crime Worldwide. She also is chairing the 2026 SinC into Great Writing Event: Writing Funny! The 3.5-4 hour event will take place on Saturday, October 3rd (12pm EDT/ 9am PDT/ 5pm BST). The program will feature three panels: Make ‘Em Laugh Crafting the Cozy with Humor with Lois Winston (moderator), Ellen Byron, Alan Orloff, MJ Soni, and Valerie Burns; Humor is for Everyone: Adding Humor to any Genre with KT Nguyen (moderator), Rob Osler, Barb Goffman, Catriona McPherson, and Rob Hart; and Keeping It Cute: Comedy in Kid Lit  – Chris Grabenstein interviewed by Raquel V. Reyes. Registration is NOW OPEN at: https://www.sistersincrime.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2083454&group= (free to SinC members, $15 to non-members).

  • Cheryl Hollon

    is writing while September brings a whisper of autumn to West Florida, even if the thermometer hasn’t gotten the memo. She’s continuing her short-fiction adventure, having fun exploring new mysteries, memorable characters, and the delicious little surprises that make a story come alive.

  • Maggie Toussaint

    recently had a cover reveal at Dru’s Book Musings for her upcoming cozy paranormal mystery, Mancini Blue. This book is the first in an Art Studio Mystery series, and it will release on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

  • C.B. Wilson

    is excited to announce that Fire Diamond placed 2nd for the Reader’s Choice Award at Killer Nashville. Glimmer’s Catalina Clue Trail goes live on September 18th. Please check out her website (www.cbwilsonauthor.com) for the link to download. This is an interactive trip across Catalina Island with Glimmer, the Diamond Dog, as your narrator. Spoiler alert… She’s easily distracted, so gathering diamonds for your prize may be easier than you think. Finally, If anyone is on Catalina Island for their annual Arts Festival, come by and say hi. She’ll be signing books.

  • Lois Winston

    scored a 3-pete at the recent Killer Nashville Writers conference when Seams Like the Perfect Crime, her 14th Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, won a Silver Falchion Award for Best Comedy. In addition, the book was named second runner-up for Best Book by an attending author.