The 2025 edition of the Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity conference took place last weekend. It was, as always, a wonderful experience, both professionally and personally. My review is on the blog. tinyurl.com/569wwfh5

I had a GREAT summer of reading. Maybe the best ever. How good was it? Read the blog and judge for yourself. tinyurl.com/5wd4uayz

Everyone knows Tyrannosaurus Rex, a/k/a T-Rex, was the Terrible King of the dinosaurs. Few are aware of the other tyrannosaur. This one was not as formidable, with even smaller arms and grasping claws than his better-known cousin. Smaller feet provided less balance and speed.

Summer was action packed, so much so it’s spilling over into next weekend. That didn’t prevent my reading a lot, and I was on a roll. Check out the blog to see what mater the Summer of 25 such an outstanding reading experience for me. tinyurl.com/5wd4uayz

Yes, Bouchercon was two weeks ago and I'm only now getting around to writing about it. I've been busy, and I'm old, so i seem busier than I am, at least to myself. TBS and I had a ball. Details are on the blog: danaking.blogspot.com/2025/09/bouc...

George Santayana said, “"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Our recent trip to the World War II Museum gave me a chilling reminder of the truth of that statement. More on the Resistance blog. tinyurl.com/8ppsxw88

I am in no way celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk. I am somewhat put off by the vigor with which many defend him. Here are some examples of things he said. Make up your own mind. (Source: The Guardian www.theguardian.com/.../charlie-...

Bouchercon is five days away. The Beloved Spouse™ and I haven’t been since in 2019 but I can’t imagine the fundamentals have changed: it’s big and can be intimidating for newcomers. Today’s blog has comforting words for newbies, plus a disclaimer about my eyesight. tinyurl.com/4h7cf969

Today’s e-mail went to Marylndf governor Wes Moore: My name is Dana King. I’m a constituent from Laurel. I’m writing to congratulate Governor Wes Moore for his stand against the partisan redistricting process taking place in Texas.

Here’s what I did and saw yesterday on my sojourn to see firsthand what’s going on at the National Mall. fromthehomeoffice.blogspot.com/2025/08/afte...

The seventh Nick Forte novel, UNDERWORLD, drops in early October, hopefully the 1st. An excerpt is on today’s blog. tinyurl.com/2up29r8b

No matter what some think, people of a certain age can attest the level of dissatisfaction and outrage we see directed toward 47 today is nothing compared to the Civil Rights and Vietnam War protests, even though the existential threat to greater. Where’s the outrage? tinyurl.com/acu3et79

Today’s letter went to Senator John Thune (R-SD). Dear Senator Thune, Thank you for your on-point reply to my most recent e-mail. I know how busy your office must be and I appreciate the attention. Unless, of course, it was AI-generated, in which case my opinion of you dropped another notch.

We can say what we want about John Thune, but someone reads your emails before he replies. His answer may be bullshit – and it was – but it’s bullshit relevant to what you wrote about.

Here’s what Scott Phillips said about TEN-SEVEN: TEN-SEVEN is a prime example of the kind of small-town procedural that tells you as much about the town and its denizens as it does the crime at hand. TEN-SEVEN and all my novels are available for free download at tinyurl.com/49wrd294

One Bite at a Time makes an appearance today as I work out for myself what exactly is vexing me about one chapter in a book that is otherwise finished. Details here: tinyurl.com/m9n3hyve

The best predictor of future performance is past performance. That is why I now requests from the Democratic Party, the Democratic Governors’ Association, the committees to elect Democrats to the House or Senate, and “protest” organizations that do little more than give speeches and sign petitions.

I remember when summer was protest season. Race riots in the 60s. Vietnam War protests in the 60s and 70s. Thousands of people in the streets on the nightly news went a long way toward building consensus that what the protestors wanted was just, even if you disagreed with their methods.

“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.” - Helen Keller

This could get me off of BlueSky. I create lists so I can curate the amount and emphasis of news I receive here. That's great, but once I add someone to the list I can no longer remove them. I have to ditch the entire list and start over. Am I missing something?

This is when the Commanders’ owner needs to stand up and tell 47 where to put it. tinyurl.com/vawrckka

I have thoughts about ICE, but please click the link to go to my blog to read them. Feel free to comment or respond here. tinyurl.com/598u78np

Talk is cheap. It’s time the MAGgots had their cages rattled. tinyurl.com/2d9ksh3h

Auschwitz Barbie says she wants to streamline FEMA to make it something that coordinates state efforts in disaster recovery, pushing more of the responsibility to the states. She claims this will be a boon to taxpayers, forgetting it creates the need for 50 redundant operations.

Cold as it mat seem, the people of Texas are not blameless for their current predicament. tinyurl.com/kt3s22dc

Most children's first word is either "mama" or "dada." Reporting just received shows that baby Donald Trump's first word was "mine."

Spring got downright hectic there at the end, so the seasonal digest of my favorite reads is later than usual. That doesn’t mean they weren’t good. See for yourself: tinyurl.com/34e5phup

July 4’s rally and march from Logan Square to the White House was a disappointment that is making me reconsider how best to go about how I protest 47’s coup from within. Details on the “Resistance is Not Futile” blog. tinyurl.com/rydnb468

I’ve long been a fan of Lynn Kostoff’s writing. His new book, THE LENGTH OF DAYS, is finally out and was worth the wait. (Though I’d rather not wait as long for the next one, if you catch my drift. Lynn stopped by the blog for a chat that’s both enlightening and entertaining. tinyurl.com/3fy3nujb

47 had unflattering things to say about Zelenskyy’s attire at the White House earlier this year. (“He didn’t even wear a suit.”) Saudi princes visited 47 in the White House wearing their traditional garb and received no comment. Looks like 47 has no problem with men wearing sheets in the White House

A recent discussion brought out a few points about the current situation I thought deserved wider circulation. You may or may not agree, but here they are. tinyurl.com/3j3rn2ut

1/2 Today’s call went to the White House. All the operators were busy. I am, too, so I left a message. Is this the number to call for the free tacos? I mean, I’ll pay for them if I have to, but do you deliver?

We don't have to sit by wringing our hands and bitching to like-minded people of social media. There are things we can do. Appended is the letter I sent today.

I tried to call the White House today but they only accept calls from 10 – 3 Monday thru Thursday. Here’s what I would have said: I have a suggestion for the president: hang a sheet from the White House balcony with a menu of what each kind of pardon costs. It will save time and potential confusion.

Today’s call to John Thune (R-SD) I’m calling today about the $500 billion in cuts to Medicare proposed in the Big Beautiful Bill. I paid Medicare taxes all my life and did so gladly with the understanding the same would be true when my time came/ My time is here and you’re reneging on the deal.

So, if 47 pledges new, higher tariffs reasonable people assume he will back off of in a few days, is the next day’s opening of the New York Stock Exchange referred to as the TACO Bell? Just wondering.

Here's one for those who want to wait for the next election to sort things out in the traditional manner: "There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now." - James Baldwin

Today’s calls went to my senators, Chuck Schumer as minority Leader, and John Thune as Majority Leader, urging them to work with the Senate parliamentarian to remove from the “Big Beautiful Bill” the parts that are not budget-related but can do significant damage to the functioning of government.

In U.S. v. Lovett (1946), the Supreme Court held that not even Congress, in a bill signed by POTUS, may cut off all contracts with a named individual or organization: that’d be an unconstitutional bill of attainder. Only courts can decide who deserves to be punished. SoTrump can’t do it with an EO!

Colin Campbell, author of the Jim Grant series and a 30-year veteran of the West Yorkshire police had this to say about PUSHING WATER: “An extraordinary voice. A mix of Pelecanos, Leonard and Wambaugh.” PUSHING WATER is available for free download at tinyurl.com/n547h78

My reply: "I would, Kristi, if I could find any you haven't sucked already."

Made the move to Windows 11 earlier this week. So far it seems to have a greatly enhanced ability to break my balls. I got so frustrated a few minutes ago I asked CoPilot how to do something. It gave me instructions that didn't work. I told it, and it replied 'you can't do that in Win 11.' Asshole.

Once upon a time the United Sates had a president who thought he should rule as a king. But he was ignorant and stupid and fat and criminal and a huckster and a misogynist and a racist and a homophobe and a liar and unpatriotic and possibly a traitor, so fuck him. THE END

I'm on Team Fight, but I'm fighting to preserve the institutions 47 is destroying.

Edits for the 7th Nick Forte novel, UNDERWORLD, are complete. Now it marinates for a month or so before I start polishing. I should finish before Bouchercon and have it available by late September. Kudos to Rob Hart for suggesting I do one draft from back to front. Worked even better than expected.

I saw Pete Buttigieg spoke in Iowa the other day. “My first thought was “He’s running for president.” My second thought was, “Don’t.” Pete’s a good guy; I’d vote for him. He’s also gay, and a country that wouldn’t elect a Black woman isn’t going for a gay man anytime soon.

This week’s featured novel is THE MAN IN THE WINDOW, short-listed for a Shamus Award: “King’s private eye uses a steady string of wise-ass remarks and clever asides to keep you laughing and caring.” -Jack Getze, author of the Austin Carr novels Download for free at tinyurl.com/yvyc544x

Today I went downtown and visited the ‘The Freedom to Be Monument’ on the National Mall, which was very cool and inspirational. Then I walked over the The Ellipse for a rally. I expected a couple thousand people and found a dozen. One with a megaphone, one dressed as a handmaid,

Please share this link with all the Trumpers you know. Then tell them to kiss my ass. tinyurl.com/232axzze

PUB DAY for DRIVING THE BUGMOBILE! It’s a YA coming-of-age novel about a sixteen-year-old boy whose mother won’t let him get his driver’s license until he learns how to swim. Thanks to the great team at Level Best Books and the awesome @shawnrsimmons.bsky.social for the bugalicious cover!