Marie Sutro is an award-winning author who resides in California. Like me, she is a long-distance member and belongs to the Sisters in Crime Colorado Chapter, who are a welcoming bunch, have an incredibly active book club and are a tremendous networking source. Marie writes the Dark series, featuring protagonist Kate Barnes, which are intense thrillers. I was curious how she would combine her powerful voice in with the Colorado Mystery Merge challenge. I needn’t have worried. She came through with aplomb with her short story, FOR THE FIRST TIME. Please welcome Marie Sutro! ~ Donnell
Yours, Mine, & Ours: The Perks of Writing a Mystery Merge Anthology
By: Marie Sutro
Author Marie Sutro
The older I get, the more often life beats me over the head with certain truths. One of the best noggin knockers is that some of life’s best rewards hide in the unknown. Following a close second is that every journey taken with friends is worth its weight in gold. Writing a short story for Colorado Mystery Merge has proven both truths.
When I heard Sisters In Crime Colorado was going to publish a mystery merge anthology I was immediately intrigued. The goal was to assemble a set of standalone stories, kicked off by one mystery that would remain unsolved. Nineteen unrelated stories in various genres would follow, each with a clue to help solve the original mystery.
My little puzzle-loving, pea brain jumped for joy! It was exactly the kind of thing I’d love to read. But how the heck would all these authors come together to make it happen?
Excitement eroded in the face of mounting questions. I couldn’t imagine how I’d possibly figure out what clue to write or how to incorporate whatever it was into my totally unrelated story. I was in such a kerfuffle (and yes I used that word because I love it and rarely find opportunities to incorporate it into my darker fiction), that I convinced myself it was far beyond my capabilities. Enter guiding light and author extraordinaire, Becky Clark.
A fearless and talented creative whose work will brighten your gloomiest day, Becky calmly assured me that I would not be the iceberg to the luxury liner project. She patiently explained that because her humorous cozy was the main mystery, she would issue clues to each of us. She also gave ideas for how we might seed clues to a totally unrelated story into our own. Best of all, she told me I wasn’t the only one feeling antsy.
It was like standing at the edge of a gangplank to a ship upon which I’d never sailed. The captain cut a fine figure at the prow, keeping a weather eye on the seas before her. Around me, the dock filled up with eighteen other authors who soon took their places onboard. These lovely folks weren’t decked out in their finest nautical-themed duds. Instead, they came dressed to work the sails and swab the decks.
Having hit the extent of my seafaring flights of fancy, I’ll simplify. This anthology became something most are not—a true author team effort. Normally authors who contribute to an anthology work in their own silos. Each have little to do with the other outside of perhaps appearing together at a signing or supporting each other’s social media promotion of the project.
Encouraged by the courage in the face of uncertainty shown by those around me, I hopped on the gangplank and set to work. Email soon brought us together like a real ship’s crew. Some shared ideas, stories, and/or helpful feedback. All provided support through encouragement and understanding.
Somewhere below decks, where only narrow beams of sunlight breach the darkness, my story, For The First Time, came to be. Set in Denver, during the standard time frame set for the anthology, it centers on how one woman’s act of kindness may just lead to the revelation of her darkest secret.
I am honored for it to be included in the Colorado Mystery Merge alongside the work of so many talented authors. My deep thanks go out to Becky Clark for having the vision for this incredible project, and for putting so much work into making it a reality.
My sincere gratitude also extends to my fellow authors who continue to pull together as a crew to help promote our joint effort and keep the Colorado Mystery Merge sailing into very fine seas. It has been a fantastic experience for which I will always be grateful.
Here’s to your next adventure—unknown vessel and uncharted seas encouraged (provided you have a great captain and get to join an outstanding crew)!
About the Author: Marie Sutro was born in the San Francisco Bay Area, which served as the setting for her debut novel, Dark Associations. As soon as she learned to read, she developed an insatiable appetite for books. With each new story, Marie became more fascinated with the transformative power of words. The magic she discovered in those printed pages sparked an ardent desire to write, which continues to this day.
Marie remains committed to sharing the knowledge that has brought so much joy to her life. She has volunteered as a tutor with California Library Literacy Services, helping adults improve their reading and writing skills. Marie is also a member of Sisters in Crime, where she has served on the board of her local chapter. She currently serves on the board of Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.
Her debut novel, Dark Associations was released on January 10, 2017, and made the Amazon Bestseller list. In April of 2018, Marie was awarded the IBPA Ben Franklin Gold Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. Her latest novel, Dark Obsessions, was released on April 26, 2022, and won Best Suspense Novel in the 2022 Authors on the Air Book of the Year awards. It also won First Place in the 2022 Clue Awards for Thriller and Suspense Fiction. Her first short story, “Son Down,” won First Place for Short Stories and Essays in the 2023 CIBAs.
Marie is also the host of Twisted Passages podcast, where she delves deep into the world of psychological thrillers with the authors who write them.
About the Colorado Mystery Merge:
One perplexing murder mystery … plus eighteen different short stories containing the clues to solve it.
You’ve never read a short story anthology like this one!
These stories—unrelated, but all set in Colorado during the same week—will each merge for a moment to drop a pertinent clue about an overarching mystery, the news of which is blanketing the entire state that week.
Colorado icon and local celebrity, Doctor Dictionary, is murdered at a fundraiser where he was to be honored for his philanthropy. “Murder at the Twelve Mooses Ballroom” by Becky Clark kicks off the fun.
As you read each standalone short story that follows, channel your inner detective and collect the mystery merge clues to figure out who killed Doctor Dictionary.
You’ll find nineteen entertaining short mysteries by talented Colorado authors—all members of Sisters in Crime Colorado—writing in various crime fiction genres from cozy to thriller. There’s something for everyone!
Take a tour of Colorado through the imagination of some of the best crime writers in the state: Amy Rivers, Ann Dominguez, Becky Clark, Brooke Craig, Donnell Ann Bell, Fleur Bradley Visscher, Francelia Belton, G.P. Gottlieb, Holly Harris, Jenna Lincoln, Kerry Hammond, Leanne Kale Sparks, Linda Solaya, Marie Sutro, Mary Birk, Meagan Dallner, Melissa Robbins, Peg Brantley, and Rhonda Blackhurst.
What reviewers are saying!
“This wraparound mystery story is a unique way to present clues, and the short stories by the members of the Colorado Sisters in Crime group are varied and interesting.”
“The anthology is a great way to discover authors you may not have read yet. There are 19 distinct voices, and you’ll find links to most of the authors’ websites near the end of the book (along with some darn clever short bios!).”
Ready to get your copy?
Thanks for reading! And remember reviews are always appreciated.
Thank you so much for having me! Loved being part of this project with you and love your fantastic story, “Women’s Intuition”!!
Thank you, Marie! I worried about how different 19 authors voices would be. As I read and see Becky’s cleverly inserted clues in each, that is so much fun to see how each author incorporated!
Great post, ladies! And what an honor to be in the anthology with such talent! 🙂
Rhonda, I’m working my way through the stories. They’re so varied and fun to read!
This was a fun project. I heard a rumor that there will indeed be a second!
Interesting, Peg!