Debuting in January 2025, a fast-paced novella:

https://www.amazon.com/Vanished-Novella-G-M-Malliet-ebook/dp/B0DS6KT7SS/

I wrote this intending it for The London Society's annual compilation, only to notice the deadline passed December 20, 2024. Oh, well, that gives me a year until next time. But as I spent some time researching Elizabeth's relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots (not their finest hours), England has been much on my mind.

The resulting story, "The Unwanted Guest," appears in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine in March 2025:
 
A Love Letter to London: In the Shadow of Gloriana
 
Dearest London,
 
History echoes in your streets. But the golden outline of your history is Queen Elizabeth I, the Gloriana who crowned your skyline with her vision and wove the arts into your soul.
 
It was under her reign that you became the template for the Renaissance spirit, unfurling banners of literature and drama. Elizabeth’s patronage of the arts was not born of whimsy; it was a calculated and profound belief in the power of culture to unite a fractured nation and immortalize her legacy.
 
Vibrant theaters sprang to life in your midst—first humble stages, then grand amphitheaters that pulsed with the brilliance of William Shakespeare. It was Elizabeth’s steadfast support that allowed such bold experiments in storytelling. She dared to foster an artistic freedom previously unseen, encouraging works that explored the depths of human ambition, folly, and redemption.
 
Shakespeare, from humble Stratford, found in your cobblestone lanes a muse and a home. Would Hamlet have pondered life’s fragile meaning without her golden age? Would Twelfth Night have rippled with giddy celebration without Elizabeth’s own theatrical court as inspiration?
 
The stage itself became a metaphor for the drama of survival and reinvention that defines you still, London. From the South Bank to the West End, from the Globe Theatre to the towering glass of the Shard, you remain a city that creates and reinvents itself.
 
At the Globe’s reconstructed stage, where tourists and locals alike gather in shared reverence for Shakespeare’s plays, her spirit lingers. The river Thames mirrors the grandeur she once bestowed with her royal barge rides.
 
Even your skyline—the blend of tradition and innovation—owes its foundation to her epoch, when you first became the beating heart of an empire driven by intellect, trade, and art.
 
Elizabeth’s London was not perfect. It was tumultuous and fraught with horrible religious strife, but her reign taught you endurance. And through her love of the arts, she bestowed upon you a gift that transcends centuries: the ability to dream, to question, and to celebrate humanity in all its contradictions.
 
So, to you, London, I write this love letter, to honor the queen who shaped your very essence. In every sonnet recited, in every play performed, Elizabeth lives, and through her, you live, too—a city eternal in creativity and courage.
 

Malice Domestic 2025 is scheduled for April 25-27, 2025, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

This year's distinguished guests include:

- Guest of Honor: Marcia Talley (I have the honor of interviewing her)

- Lifetime Achievement Honoree: Donna Andrews

- Toastmaster: Gigi Pandian

- Poirot Award Recipient: Lucy Worsley (not attending)

- Fan Guests of Honor: Les & Leslie Blatt

- Malice Remembers Honoree: Dorothy Gilman

The Agatha Awards will honor excellence in traditional mystery across several categories:

- Best Contemporary Novel

- Best Historical Novel

- Best First Novel

- Best Short Story

- Best Nonfiction

- Best Children's/Young Adult Novel

For more details and registration information, visit the official Malice Domestic website.

I look forward to seeing you there!

If you’re a fan of curling up with a good book, a cup of tea, and an urge to unravel a puzzle, then you’ve probably fallen for the charm of cozy mysteries. With their delightful small-town settings, quirky characters, and low-stakes tension, cozy mysteries are the perfect antidote to a stressful day. Here are the top 10 reasons why these books make the ultimate literary escape.

1. Quirky Small-Town Charm
Cozy mysteries are often set in picturesque small towns or villages that feel like they’ve leaped off the pages of a postcard. From cobblestone streets to flower-filled gardens, these settings provide an inviting backdrop that readers love to explore. They become places you wish you could visit—or even move to!

2. Relatable Amateur Sleuths
Forget grizzled detectives or hard-boiled cops; the heroes of cozy mysteries are everyday people with an extraordinary knack for solving crimes. Whether it’s a librarian, baker, or retiree, these sleuths are relatable and inspiring, making readers feel like they too could crack a case.

3. Lighthearted Approach to Crime
While there’s always a mystery to solve, cozy mysteries steer clear of gory details or graphic violence. The focus is on the puzzle rather than the peril, creating a suspenseful but ultimately uplifting reading experience.

4. A Healthy Dose of Humor
Quirky characters and witty dialogue are staples of the genre, providing plenty of laughs along the way. Whether it’s a nosy neighbor or a pet with too much personality, cozy mysteries know how to balance suspense with comedic relief.

5. Satisfying Whodunits
There’s nothing quite as gratifying as following the clues, piecing together the puzzle, and guessing the culprit before the big reveal. Cozy mysteries challenge your inner detective while keeping the story engaging and fun.

6. A Cast of Lovable Characters
Cozy mysteries often feature a recurring ensemble of side characters, from eccentric shopkeepers to the gossipy town mayor. Over time, these characters feel like old friends, and returning to a series is like coming home.

7. Perfect for “Me Time”
Whether you have a few hours to spare or just need a quick escape, cozy mysteries are perfectly paced for a relaxing read. Their digestible length and compelling storylines make them ideal for unwinding after a long day.

8. The Power of Escapism
Sometimes, you just need a break from the chaos of real life. Cozy mysteries transport you to a simpler world where good always triumphs over evil, and justice is served with a side of freshly baked pie.

9. They’re Often Part of a Series
Once you fall in love with a cozy mystery, you don’t have to say goodbye to the characters or setting. Many cozy mysteries come as part of a series, offering plenty of opportunities to dive deeper into your favorite fictional world.

10. They Pair Perfectly with Life’s Comforts
There’s something inherently cozy about cozy mysteries. Pair them with a warm blanket, your favorite hot drink, and maybe a candle or two, and you’ve got the ultimate recipe for relaxation.

Conclusion
Cozy mysteries offer the perfect blend of charm, intrigue, and heartwarming fun, making them the go-to genre for readers seeking a comforting escape. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the world of cozy mysteries, there’s always a new case to solve and a new village to explore. So grab your favorite blanket, put on the kettle, and dive into the enchanting world of cozy mysteries—you deserve the escape!

Learn more about my village mystery series at GMMaliet.com

Via the Chesapeake Chapter. See full list at http://chessiechapter.org/other-links/
2025
Feb TBA               Granite Noir, Aberdeen, UK
Feb 1                    Murder in the Magic City, Birmingham, AL
Feb 6-9                Savannah Book Festival, Savannah, GA
Feb 22                 Amelia Island Book Festival, Amelia Island, FL
Mar TBA               CityLit Festival, Baltimore, MD
Mar 13-16            Left Coast Crime, Denver, CO
Mar 15                  Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival, Suffolk, VA
Mar 20-23            Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA
Mar 27-29            New Orleans Book Festival, New Orleans, LA
Apr 25-27            Malice Domestic, North Bethesda, MD
Apr 26-27            LA Times Festival of Books, USC, Los Angeles, CA
May TBA              U S Book Show, New York City, NY
May 3                   Annapolis Book Festival, Annapolis, MD
May 3-5               Crime and Thriller Weekend, Cromarty, UK
May 14-18           Sleuthfest, St. Petersburg, FL
May 15-18           CrimeFest, Bristol, UK
May 17                 Gaithersburg Book Festival, Gaithersburg, MD
May 22-Jun 1      Hay Festival, Hay, UK
May 27- 31          ThrillerFest, New York, NY
Jun TBA               Shetland Noir, Lerwick, UK
Jun TBA               Writer’s Police Academy/Killer Con, Green Bay, WI
Jun TBA               Maine Crime Wave, Portland, ME
Jun 7-8                CrimeCon UK, London, UK
Jun 13-14            Capital Crime, London, UK
Jul 17-20              Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate, UK
Jun 17-21             ThrillerFest, New York, NY
Jun 18-22             Space Coast Book Lovers Event, Cape Canaveral, FL
Jun 20-22             Lyme Crime, Lyme Regis, UK
Jul 16-19              RWA Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Jul 19-21              Book Passage Mystery Writers Conference, Corte Madera, CA
Aug TBA               National Book Festival, Washington, DC
Aug TBA               Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh, UK
Aug 7-10              PulpFest, Pittsburgh, PA
Aug 21-24            Killer Nashville, Franklin, TN
Sep 3-7                 Bouchercon, New Orleans, LA
Sep 5-7                 CrimeCon, Denver, CO
Sep 12-14             Bloody Scotland, Stirling, UK
Sep 13-21             The Agatha Christie Festival, Torbay & South Devon, UK
Sep 19-21             Creatures, Crimes & Creativity, Columbia, MD
Oct TBA                Murder One, Dublin, IE
Oct TBA                Chiltern Kills, Gerrards Cross, UK
Nov TBA               New England Crime Bake, Boston/Dedham, MA
Nov TBA               Iceland Noir, Reykjavík, IS

Following are new books at the Wilson County Public Library wilsoncountypubliclibrary.org with a nod to Death and the Old Master - thank you!
ADULT FICTION:

“Christmas With the Queen” by Hazel Gaynor
“Death and the Old Master” by G.M. Malliet

“Fire on the Horizon” by Wilbur Smith 
“Into the Uncut Grass” by Trevor Noah”

“The Mirror” by Nora Roberts 
“Now or Never” by Janet Evanovich 
“Rednecks” by Taylor Brown
“The Songbird & the Heart of Stone” by Carissa Broadbent
“Tooth and Claw” by Craig Johnson
“Trial by Fire” by Danielle Steel 
“Variation” by Rebecca Yarros 
“We Three Queens” by Rhys Bowen 
“The Woman at the Wheel” by Penny Haw

With thanks to reviewer KRISTOPHER ZGORSKI for the very nice call-out of my contribution to this anthology, "Fear of Missing Out".
https://bolobooks.com/2024/11/midsummer-mysteries-the-bolo-books-review/

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/43-of-the-most-iconic-short-stories-in-the-english-language
A solid list that reminds me I need to catch up on my short story reading.