Rosemary McCracken

Nov 2022 30

The Mesdames of Mayhem’s Fifth Anthology, In the Spirit of 13

2022 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Linda Lovely

Ten years ago in Toronto, two separate writing critique groups came together to form the Mesdames of Mayhem, the brainchild of Madeleine Harris-Callway and Donna Carrick, with the purpose of pooling their talent and promoting the work of women authors. Originally, there were thirteen writers in total, all women, so naturally their first anthology was called Thirteen. Since then, they’ve grown to twenty-four authors stretched across Canada – and they now include three Messieurs.

Mar 2020 7

Weekend in Lisdoonvarna: An Irish Mystery Short Story

2020 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Terrific Tales

by Rosemary McCracken

Joe Killoran ran a comb through his hair in front of the bedroom mirror. At the age of fifty-one, he still had most of it, although it had grown thinner on the top, and the brown had turned to silver at the temples. There were more lines around his eyes as well, but he decided they added character to his face.

Jul 2019 6

The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery & Suspense Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk: Review/Giveaway

2019 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa
& Judy Penz Sheluk

Are you a fan of assortments? Do you like packages of treats with its variety of flavors, styles, or types? Popsicles? Cookies? Donuts? Ok, food seems to be my most popular way to pick up assortments. It's such a great way to try something new. But, how about books or short stories? I personally love getting the collection sets that include work from various authors, new-to-me especially. Case in point: The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery & Suspense.

May 2014 7

All Maxed Out: A Mother’s Day Short Story

2014 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Pets, Terrific Tales

by Rosemary McCracken

A chorus of barking greeted me as I entered a room filled with cages. A dozen pairs of hopeful eyes stared at me.
The Toronto Humane Society’s animal shelter was the last place I expected to find myself late that Friday afternoon in May. It had been a hectic spring, a constant round of meetings with my clients and strategic talks with the top brass at Norris Cassidy, the investment firm where I work. Before I knew it, it was my daughter Laura’s seventeenth birthday and I still hadn’t bought her a gift.