This episode features the first chapter of Murderous Means by Lida Sideris. It is read by local actor Casey Ballard. Murderous Means was published by Level Best Books in December of 2023. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from …

This episode features the mystery short story Conversation With the Murderer written by Heidi Hunter. It is read by local actor Mary Catherine. This story was first published in Flash Bang Mysteries e-zine in May 2019. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel firs…

This episode features the prologue and first chapter of One of You by Lorie Lewis Ham. It is read by local actor Cady Mejias. One of You was published in June of 2024 and is the second book in her Tower District Mystery series. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery n…

This episode features the first chapter of Murder at the Oasis by David S. Pederson. It is read by local actor Sean Hopper. Murder at the Oasis was published in August of 2023 by Bold Stroke Books and is the third book in the series. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mys…

This episode features an excerpt from Take The Honey and Run by Jennie Marts. It is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Take the Honey and Run was published in July of 2023 by Crooked Lane Books. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors f…

This episode features the mystery short story Voices by Nick Andreychuk. It is read by local actor Larry Mattox. This story originally appeared in Down These Dark Streets in 2003. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and perfo…

This episode features the mystery short story Squashed to Death written by Charlotte Morganti. It is read by local actor Donna Beavers. This story was first published in Seeds, the Texas Gardeners newsletter. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters…

This episode features the mystery short story Charity Begins At Home by Herschel Cozine. It is read by local actor Sean Hopper. This story was the first place winner of a 2003 contest by Untreed Reads. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song…

This episode features the mystery short story Caught by the Last Star by Nikki Knight. It is read by actor Amelia Ryan. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and performed by …

This episode features the Christmas mystery short story Santa's Helper by John M. Floyd. It is read by local actor Ren Burley. Santa’s Helper was published in Kings River Life in 2022. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the…

This episode features the first chapter of Peppermint Barked by Leslie Budewitz. It is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Peppermint Barked was published by Seventh Street Books in July of 2022. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors f…

This episode features the mystery short story Christmas Cookie Caper By Margaret S. Hamilton. It is read by local actor Donna Beavers. Christmas Cookie Caper was published in Kings River Life Magazine in 2015. This is the first of 3 Christmas mystery episodes! You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you my…

This episode features the prologue and first chapter of Steadying the Ark by Rebecca K. Jones. It is read by local actor Shauna Dolin. Steadying the Ark was published by Bella Books in March of 2022 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery…

This episode features the Halloween mystery short story When A Prank Goes Bad written by John R. Clark, and read by local actor Theodore Fox. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and performed by Kevin Memley. If you enjoyed t…

This episode features the mystery short story The Perfect Patsy written by Bern Sy Moss. It is read by local actor Jessica Williams. The Perfect Patsy was published online in 2017 by Mysterical-E. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was …

This episode features the prologue and first chapter of Secret Identity by Alex Segura. It is read by local actor Cady Mejias. Secret Identity was published in March of 2022 by ‎ Flatiron Books and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery nove…

This episode features the first chapter of Murder Faux Paws by T. C. LoTempio. It is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Murder Faux Paws was published in February of 2022 by Beyond the Page Publishing and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery …

While Mysteryrat’s Maze is on hiatus for the month of August we are republishing an episode from 2021 that originally was a published in 2 parts. This time we are sharing it as one episode. This episode features the mystery short story Harvey and the Redhead written by Debra H. Goldstein. It is read by local actors Sean Hopper and Ariel Linn. This …

This episode features the mystery short story Swan Song written by Donalee Moulton. It is read by local actor Sean Hopper. Swan Song was published in Cold Canadian Crime in 2022 by the Crime Writers of Canada. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapter…

This episode features the first chapter of Messenger Bags and Murder (A Haley Randolph Mystery) by Dorothy Howell. It is read by actor Ren Burley. Messenger Bags and Murder was published in April of 2019 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and my…

This episode features an excerpt from Renovated to Death, the first Domestic Partners in Crime Mystery by Frank Anthony Polito. It is read by actor Ian Jones. Renovated to Death was published in May of 2022 by Kensington and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery sho…

This episode features the mystery short story Lewenda Gets Married, written by Francelia Belton. It is read by local actor Jessica Williams. This story was first published in the anthology, Glimpse: A New World, in 2016, and is part of the collection, Crime & Passion: Three Short Stories, published in 2021. You can learn more about the author on he…

This episode features the prologue and first chapter of Last Liar Standing by Danielle Wong. It is read by local actor Molly Heng. Last Liar Standing was published in June of 2022 by ‎ Red Adept Publishing and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and …

This episode features the mystery short story The Rabbi’s Wife Stayed Home By Debra H. Goldstein. It is read by local actor Donna Beavers. The Rabbi’s Wife Stayed Home was published in Mysterical-E – Mystericale.com in April of 2014. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mys…

This episode features the prologue and first chapter of With a Twist by Cathi Stoler and it is read by local actors Ariel Linn and Sean Hopper. With a Twist was published in February of 2023 by Level Best Books. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapt…

This episode features the mystery short story Easter Spam by John Weagly and it is read by local actor Sean Hopper. Easter Spam was published by SHOTGUN HONEY in April 2022. You can find the author on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors fr…

This episode features the first chapter of Murder at the Menger, A Sydney Lockhart Mystery by Kathleen Kaska, and it is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Murder at the Menger was published in June of 2022. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read…

This episode features the mystery short story Thrilled No More by Chuck Brownman. It is read by local actor Theodore Fox. Thrilled No More was the winner of the 2017 Arizona Mystery Writers Jim Martin Memorial Adult Short Story Contest. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the…

This episode features something a bit different, an excerpt from a Sci-Fi novel that has a bit of mystery to it, The Path by Peter Riva. It is read by local actor Terrance McArthur. The Path will be published in the summer of 2023 by Open Road Media. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery shor…

This episode features the mystery short story Owl Be Damned, A Jaye Jordan Vermont Radio Mystery written by Nikki Knight. It is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Owl Be Damned was published in Tough Magazine on August 8, 2022. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery nove…

This episode features the mystery short story Saint Nicked by Herschel Cozine. It is read by local actor Larry Mattox. Saint Nicked was published by Untreed Reads in 2011. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and performed by …

This episode features the mystery short story The Afternoon Before Christmas by Mark Murphy, and it is read by local actor Sean Hopper. The Afternoon Before Christmas was published by mysteryauthors.com in 2006, and in 2014 it was reprinted in Over My Dead Body! You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you …

This episode features an excerpt from Lost and Found in Harlem by Delia C. Pitts. It is read by local actor Theodore Fox. Lost and Found in Harlem was published in October of 2017 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapte…

This episode features the mystery short story They Shoot Pumpkins Don't They? by Margaret S. Hamilton, and it is read by local actor Donna Beavers. They Shoot Pumpkins Don't They? was published on the Writers Who Kill blog You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel …

This episode features the mystery short story Grist For the Mill and it is read by local actor Joseph Ham. Grist for the Mill was published in A Murder of Crows from Darkhouse Books. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the S…

This episode features the mystery short story The Artists of Chartres Street by Ellen Byron and it is read by local actor Amelia Ryan. The Artists of Chartres Street was published in 2021 in Suspense Magazine. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapter…

This episode features the first chapter of Trouble Down Mexico Way by Nancy Nau Sullivan. It is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Trouble Down Mexico Way was published by Light Messages Publishing on June 29, 2021 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short storie…

This episode features the first chapter of Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders, book one in her Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series. It is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Bait and Witch was published by Kensington in December of 2020 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with y…

This episode features the first chapter of Slightly Murderous Intent by Lida Sideris. It is read by local actor Casey Ballard. This is the second time a book from this series has been featured here--you can check out the episode featuring the second book in the series here. Slightly Murderous Intent was published in October of 2020 by Level Best Bo…

This episode features the mystery short story Bubble’s Baubles by Elaine Faber, read by local actor Thomas Nance. Bubble's Baubles was first published in 2013 in the Sacramento Sisters in Crime anthology, Capital Crimes and later published in 2017 in Elaine’s anthology of 21 cat stories, All Things Cat. You can learn more about the author on her we…

This episode features an excerpt from The Witch’s Child by Susan Van Kirk. It is read by local actor Kathie Chestnut Mollica. The Witch’s Child was published by ‎Prairie Lights Publishing in September of 2021 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories a…

This episode features the mystery short story Nobody Home by Joseph S. Walker. It is read by local actor Sean Hopper. Nobody Home was published in Coming Through In Waves: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Pink Floyd in February of 2021 and the anthology is available for purchase (we mistakenly said in the episode that it had not been publishe…

This episode features an excerpt from Pint of No Return by Dana Mentink, read by local actor Ariel Linn. Pint of No Return was published by ‎Poisoned Pen Press on May 25, 2021 and is available for purchase.You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters re…

This episode features an excerpt from The Player by Joe Cosentino, read by local actor Duncan Hoge. The Player was published in September of 2020 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joa…

This episode features the mystery short story Death on the Rocks written by Guy Belleranti. It is read by local actor Larry Mattox. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and p…

This episode features the first chapter of Maximum Rossi, A Las Vegas Noir Mystery novel by Paul W. Papa, and it is read by local actor Sean Hopper. Maximum Rossi was published in January of 2020 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery no…

This episode features a mystery short story with a Western slant, A Confluence in Time, written by Reavis Z. Wortham. It is read by local actor Ian Jones. You can learn more about the author on his website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme…

This episode features an excerpt from Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico aka Ellen Byron and it is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Here Comes the Body was published in February of 2020 by Kensington and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and myster…

This episode features the first chapter of Thread of Gold By Anne Da Vigo. It is read by local actor Teya Juarez. Thread of Gold was published in April of 2017 by Quill Driver Press and is available for purchase. You can learn more about Anne on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters r…

This episode features an excerpt from Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow. It is read by local actor Reese Herron. Mimi Gets A Clue is the first Sassy Cat mystery and was published by Berkley in March of 2020 and is available for purchase. You can learn more about Jennifer and her writing on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery …