Susanna Calkins, Author
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Short Stories

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My first short story, "The Trial of Madame Pelletier" was published in Malice Domestic's MYSTERY MOST HISTORICAL (Wayside Press, 2017) and features a poisoning case in 19th century France.

This one came from a real case I read about when I was still a grad student, although I've changed it completely.



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"A Postcard for the Dead" is my second short historical mystery and appeared in FLORIDA HAPPENS: Bouchercon 2018 Anthology (Three Rooms Press).  This one features the death of an Assistant Post Master in Florida 1921.

Edited by award-winning author/editor Greg Herren and featuring an introduction by New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey, Florida Happens is a riveting anthology featuring some of the brightest stars of mystery writing.

Published in conjunction with Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention―the biggest mystery/suspense convention of the year―this new anthology features stories from from the legendary John D. MacDonald and Lawrence Block. In addition, it includes original new fiction from Susanna Calkins, Alex Segura, Brendan DuBois, Hilary Davidson, Reed Farrel Coleman, Craig Pittman, and many others. Florida Happens promises to surprise and thrill lovers of mystery and suspense.


NOMINATED for a 2018 Anthony!!!
(Best Short Story)

READ THE STORY!!!

Nominated for an Agatha Award!!!
(Best Short Story)


Read Story Here!!!
“These 21 tales are testimony to the wealth of notable crime fiction rooted in the Sunshine State.”
—Publishers Weekly

“As crazy-unpredictable as a  Florida vacation! These short-story gems are quirky, surprising, original and  irresistible. It’s a collaboration of mystery rock stars that’s absolutely terrific.” –Hank Phillippi Ryan  Nationally best-selling author of Trust Me

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I'm excited that my third story--"You Thought"--appeared in MURDER-A-GO-GO's, a collection of crime fiction short stories based on the music of the Go-Gos, edited by Holly West, and with an introduction from Jane Wiedlin (March 2019) Totally fun.

This short story, about a young couple in over their head when buying their first home, represents my first piece of published contemporary fiction.

Read more about it!

Read Story HERE!!!
So excited to say that Murder-A-Go-Go's was nominated for an Anthony for Best Anthology

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 Welcome to the world of Cockney rhyming slang, where what is said means something completely different than how it sounds. Originally, it was a coded language created by criminals for deceiving undercover police officers during Victorian times. Common phrases like septic tank, holy water, brown bread, tomfoolery and mince pies don’t mean what you think they mean. Others, like Barnaby Rudge, gypsy’s kiss, smash and grab, butcher’s hook, kick and prance and bubble and squeak paint a picture. 
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My fourth short story, Tea Leaf, appears in Trouble and Strife, edited by Simon Wood. All of the short stories are inspired by Cockney slang. My story, Tea Leaf, is inspired by the Cockney slang for thief. This story, my second contemporary, focuses on a young woman working at a jewelry story when a thief walks in the door. Other contributors include  Steve Brewer, Susanna Calkins, Colin Campbell, Angel Luis Colón, Robert Dugoni, Paul Finch, Catriona McPherson, Travis Richardson, Johnny Shaw, Jay Stringer, Sam Wiebe. Check it out! 



  • Home
  • Lucy Campion Mysteries
    • A Murder at Rosamund's Gate
    • From the Charred Remains
    • The Masque of a Murderer
    • A Death Along the River Fleet
    • The Sign of the Gallows
    • The Cry of the Hangman
  • The Speakeasy Murders
    • Murder Knocks Twice
    • The Fate of a Flapper
  • Short Stories
  • Blog
  • News & Events
    • Event Photos
    • Archived Guest Posts & Interviews
  • The Roaring Twenties
  • 17th c. England
  • Writing Resources
  • Nonfiction