The Coffee Detectives

I’ve long been a fan of Agatha Christie, both the books and the various movies and TV shows, as well as other mystery series like Shakespeare & Hathaway and Rosemary & Thyme. Shortly after high school I tried my hand at writing mystery novels but they were pretty awful. Recently, after binge-watching some mystery shows, I thought I’d try again, challenging myself to write a mystery short story in 24 hours. The result was The Costume Party Murder. I hadn’t intended to make a hobby of this, but I wrote another, and kept going. After the second one I gave up on trying to turn the stories around in 24 hours.

Here is a list of the stories I’ve written so far, with links, dates, and synopses.

The Costume Party Murder – May 25, 2020
A man is stabbed to death at a costume party, but everyone has an alibi.

2 Victims, 1 Shot – May 30, 2020
A man fires a single shot but two people, standing nowhere near each other, are struck.

Mr. Hashisaki’s Bronze Buddha – July 6, 2020
Mr. Hashisaki is beaten unconscious and robbed of a priceless statue, but what does the note in his hand mean?

The Scarf and The Noose – Aug 1, 2020
At a bed-and-breakfast, a man commits suicide—or was it murder?

Birthday or Deathday? – Aug 22, 2020
A matriarch, sick in bed on her birthday, suddenly disappears.

Peccari’s Peril – Sep 13, 2020
Peccari is arrested for the murder of an investment banker.

And With Soft Deceitful Wiles – Oct 8, 2020
A woman at a catering company is poisoned when a box of chocolates arrives at the office.

Black Coffee, Blackmail – Nov 1, 2020
Benjy and Caesar receive a blackmail note.

The Brooch and the Pooch – Nov 24, 2020
An imitation Victorian brooch goes missing during the taping of a TV show.

The Love Polygonal Chain – Jan 3, 2021
Caesar and Innocenzio go on a surveillance job to collect evidence in a divorce proceeding.

Paradise Place – Feb 27, 2021
A man is murdered in a club in the middle of nowhere.

On a Vase-by-Vase Basis – April 15, 2021
When the Lady Tepelline hosts the ambassador from Limordin, a priceless vase goes missing.
Copyright 2021 Joseph L. Thornburg
All Rights Reserved.