Murder Mysteries Are the Best Way to Understand the Slow Death of Abortion Rights
The author uses a murder‑mystery framework to expose how the gradual erosion of abortion rights was driven by obscure legislators and policy architects rather than obvious villains. By tracing tragedies such as Rosie Jimenez’s 1977 death and Becky Bell’s 1984 fatal abortion, the piece shows how measures like the Hyde Amendment and parental‑consent laws acted as hidden killers. It argues that after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the battle shifted from courtroom drama to everyday actors quietly shaping reproductive justice. Ultimately, justice emerges not from confessions but from low‑profile, collective action.
Partners in Crime: Tips for Cowriting with Your Spouse
Two spouses turned a shared dream into a Penguin multi‑book deal by co‑authoring a mystery series under the pseudonym J. D. Brinkworth. Their process combined complementary strengths—dialogue and humor versus plot mechanics—and relied on exhaustive outlining and a relay drafting...
Nick Petrie: The Joys and Challenges of Writing a Long-Running Series
Nick Petrie reflects on the joys and hurdles of sustaining his ten‑book Peter Ash series. He highlights the comfort of writing familiar protagonists while stressing the need for continual character evolution. New antagonists and distinct settings, such as Seattle’s tech...
Kirsten Kaschock Imagines a New Landscape for the Gothic
Author Kirsten Kaschock proposes a South‑Central Pennsylvania Gothic sub‑genre, arguing that the region’s scar‑filled landscape and turbulent history provide a fertile setting for contemporary horror. She outlines how themes of radical skepticism, lingering decay, and monstrous ecology—exemplified by her novel...
Kate White on Grief, Style in Suspense, and Writing as a Former Editor
Kate White, former Cosmopolitan editor‑in‑chief, has launched her latest thriller, *I Came Back for You*, on March 1, 2026. The novel follows Bree Winter, a grieving mother who returns to her daughter’s college town after a dying serial killer claims...
Lyla Lane on the Charm and Challenges of Setting Cozies in Small Towns
Lyla Lane explains how she crafted the small‑town setting of Sarsaparilla Falls for her new cozy mystery, The Best Little Motel in Texas. She emphasizes that the town itself must feel lived‑in, using personal memories of her grandparents’ hometown and...