Kassandra Lamb's Blog

September 29, 2025

The Joys and Challenges of Writing Prequels (Plus a New Release)

by Kassandra Lamb (to begin with, at least) ~ Kirsten Weiss is about to release a new prequel for her Witches of Doyle series, and that inspired me to suggest that the misterio gang do a group blog post on the joys and challenges of writing prequels.

Here’s Kirsten’s answers to the questions: What did you enjoy most about writing a prequel, and what was most challenging?

Kirsten Weiss ~ Prequel: Rune, for the Witches of Doyle series

Writing Rune, the prequel to my Doyle witch series, wa...

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Published on September 29, 2025 21:56

July 14, 2025

Beyond the Book: Transmedia Storytelling in Whispers of the Witch (plus a New Release)

by Kirsten Weiss ~ Stories have the power to pull us into their worlds, but what happens when they invite us to step beyond the page?

Transmedia storytelling

As an author, I’m hooked by narratives that extend into our lives, creating immersive experiences that linger long after the final chapter. Think The Matrix, with its films, comics, and games, or The Whisperers by Milo van Mesdag, a 1938-set play with audience-driven dialogue. These works thrive on engagement, encouraging readers to explore the story’s unive...

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Published on July 14, 2025 23:31

July 4, 2025

Birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner (an encore)

by Kassandra Lamb ~ I figured this story was worth a re-print, so I can brag about something that every native of my home state is quite proud of. Maryland is the birthplace of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Ft. McHenry Bombardment, 1814 -- birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner

My guess is most U.S. schoolchildren learn that our national anthem was penned by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.

But in Maryland, we got the whole story.

Francis Scott Key was a Washington lawyer. He had gone aboard a British truce ship to negotiate the release of a prison...

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Published on July 04, 2025 02:23

May 26, 2025

We Remember on Memorial Day #Reblog

by Kassandra Lamb ~ Reblogging this from my friend Barb Taub. A good reminder… Have fun today, stay safe, and always remember on Memorial Day what this day is all about!

We Remember Even As We Say Goodbye #MemorialDay

Misterio press produces an array of quality crime fiction. We post here twice a month, usually on Tuesdays, to alert you to new releases, to entertain, and to inform.

Please follow us (via email, upper right sidebar) so you don’t miss out on new books and other interesti...

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Published on May 26, 2025 02:47

April 28, 2025

Creative Cross-Training (and a New Release)

by Kassandra Lamb (on behalf of the whole mp gang) ~ Kirsten Weiss recently posted about her love of creating new scone recipes (which she puts in the back of her Tea and Tarot Mysteries), and that got me to thinking. All of us here at misterio press tend to do multiple creative things. And I believe that tendency helps keep the words flowing when we sit down to write. We’ve dubbed this phenomenon Creative Cross-Training.

(Do check out Kirsten’s post and her recipes—like her happy birthda...

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Published on April 28, 2025 22:43

April 21, 2025

Crime Writers Interview with Robin Somers

We’re happy today to introduce you all to a new author, via our Crime Writers Interview with Robin Somers.

First Robin’s bio: crime writers interview with Robin Somers

Robin Somers spent her middle-adult years in the Sierra Nevada, where she wrote for a daily newspaper, taught high school English, and kept a horse. She is now retired faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and volunteers at Canham Farm horse rescue sanctuary in Scotts Valley, California. She is a founding member of the Coastal Cruisers chapt...

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Published on April 21, 2025 22:30

April 14, 2025

HAPPY, HAPPY, from misterio press

HAPPY SPRING, EVERYONE!! Happy Spring

And HAPPY EASTER to those who celebrate it! May you and yours have a wonderful holiday.

The post HAPPY, HAPPY, from misterio press appeared first on Misterio Press.

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Published on April 14, 2025 22:54

March 25, 2025

Winter Great Reads, Just in Time for Spring

by Kassandra Lamb ~ Oops, I forgot to post these here. Not too late for these reviews of a couple of great reads.

A Treasure to Die For, A Seaside Cove Bed and Breakfast Mystery #1, by Terry Ambrose, $2.99 or Free in KU couple of great reads

You don’t see many cozy mysteries written by men, nor with male protagonists. This one has both, and it’s a gem. Terry Ambrose is an artist, only he uses words to paint a picture. The setting, a California coastal town, and the characters come to life.

The latter incl...

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Published on March 25, 2025 00:27

March 3, 2025

Scones and Secrets: Crafting Scones Recipes for my Tea and Tarot Mysteries

by Kirsten Weiss ~ Did you know that recipe ingredients are not copyrighted?

However, the description for how to make the recipe is copyrighted. This can be a challenge, since there are only so many ways to write, “Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.”

crafting scones recipes photo by Ana Cristina Smith on Unsplash.com

But since so many cozy mystery readers enjoy getting recipes in the back of their baking-themed mysteries, it’s a challenge that must be tackled.

I’ve gotten around it by crafting scones recipes...

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Published on March 03, 2025 22:19

February 24, 2025

A Crime Writers Interview: Lynn Slaughter

We love to bring authors to your attention whom we think are good. So we’re delighted to bring to you today our Crime Writers’ Interview with Lynn Slaughter.

A Crime Writers Interview with Lynn Slaughter First, here’s her bio:

Lynn Slaughter is addicted to the arts, chocolate, and her husband’s cooking. After a long career as a professional dancer and dance educator, Lynn earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She is the award-winning author of five young adult romantic mysteries: MISSING MOM,...

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Published on February 24, 2025 22:24