Noir at the Bar, Noir AF Edition

Gonna be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Sunday, November 20th? Join me and a bunch of other sketchy writer types who are at their best when showing humans at their worst. You’re not going to want to miss these live readings, cold drinks, good stories and interesting—if not terribly well behaved—characters. It’s gonna be Noir AF. And since this Noir at the Bar event will be held at The Wild Detectives, you’ll be able to pick up some sweet fall reads and maybe even knock out a little holiday shopping. See ya there, pal.

NoirCon 2022 Brings New Meaning to the Dark Web

The biennial NoirCon conference, which celebrates noir literature, cinema, TV and more, is back as a virtual event—and it’s bleaker and better than ever. I went to my first NoirCon in Philly ages ago, one of my first literary conferences, and it was a tremendous experience. This year I’m reading an exclusive story that I wrote just for NoirCon attendees. But what I’m most excited about is tapping into a host of presentations, panels, celebrities, conversations, awards, insights, true crime, silent auction action and much more. There’s still time to register! Don’t miss out because after this you’re noir your own until 2024. ☠️

Like live readings?

Join me, and a host of other Texas mystery writers and creatives at Wild Detectives in Oak Cliff June 30 for an evening of hard tales, cold drinks, spoken word poetry, good music and fine folk. Some legendary Texas talent will be in the house, including Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale, Keith Lansdale, Jim Nesbitt, Mike McCrary, V.P. Chandler, Scott Montgomery, Trang Vu, Pat Pombuena, Eryk Pruitt, Kevin R. Tipple, Kathleen Kent and Harry Hunsicker. See you there!

New Novella from P.I. Tales

Dixon Guidry trudged to a Deer Park refinery with his beat-up lunchbox every day for twenty years. Every day but his last day on the job, that is. With no friends, no family and no clues as to his whereabouts, Guidry seems to have gone up in smoke. And for some reason, as his Happy Retirement sheet cake sits uneaten in the office refrigerator, his former employer seems desperate to uncover Guidry’s whereabouts at all cost. That’s where oilfield-worker-turned-private investigator Roughneck Mike comes in.

Set in Houston, this modern take on the classic private investigation story is part of a two-for-one Double Feature by Colorado-based PI Tales. Published alongside a novella by West Coast thrill master Will Viharo called All Souls are Final, the book is part of a series of Double Feature novellas that has featured solid storytellers such as Frank Zafiro, Michael Bracken and others.

For those unfamiliar with PI Tales and its founder and publisher Michael Pool, this original house is bringing the old school private detective story back—but with modern sensibilities. All while selecting stories that are meticulous about their investigative authenticity. And Pool should know, as he isn’t just a publisher but an actual working private investigator.

So check out my latest title, Dixon Guidry Gets Lost, as well as Will Viharo’s spicy PI thriller, All Souls are Final, in this latest installment of the PI Tales Double Feature.

Jukes & Tonks Drops April 19th!

I had so much fun writing The Dance that Damn Near Killed Jimmy Dell Braeburn for this beer-soaked, neon-lit anthology full of honky tonk and juke joint stories. And now that I’ve had a sneak peek at the others, I am truly humbled by the talent involved in this project. Featuring eleven heavy-hitting names in crime fiction, and also me, Jukes & Tonks is what happens when the wrong people end up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Edited by notorious literary troublemakers Michael Bracken and Gary Phillips; published by Down & Out Books. BUY YOUR COPY NOW, no ID or cover charge. Management not responsible for valuables left in truck.

The Eyes of the Alcalde Haunt the Night

Amateur sleuth Billy and his pet monkey, Ringo, are on the case again down in Corpus Christi—this time helping a friend who’s in over his head. In true 1980s fashion, realtor Brian Tanner has sunk every cent to his name into a palatial estate on The Bluff. But buyers have been scarce since rumors began flying about a pair of mysterious red eyes glowing about the property at night. Are they really the eyes of a long-dead Alcalde back from the grave to curse those who dare take away his power? Will Billy’s friend go bust and end up working at a Blockbuster Video? How much damage can a monkey actually do to a nicely staged home for sale? Just what the $#*! is an Alcalde, anyway? These mysteries and more are answered in Billy and Ringo’s latest seaside misadventure. Check it out in one of my favorite publications of all time, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.