WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER?

February 12, 2025 by Diana Deverell

Nine of us explore that question in the new issue of MYSTERY, CRIME, AND MAYHEM, available from February 15, 2025.

Not every crime is perfectly planned or executed. Sometimes, there’s a witness. Who wasn’t supposed to be there. At all.

Or are we seeing something not-quite-right about that bystander on the sidelines? Are they truly innocent?

These nine tales of crimes and those watching them will leave you guessing up to the last moment.

In my story, “Guilt Trip”, a female client hires security pro Bella Hinton to protect her when she speaks at a candlelight vigil in Washington, DC. The client will advocate for stricter gun controls and she insists that Bella carry no weapon on this job. A new challenge for gun-loving Bella! I had fun learning how she deals with it.

Come and have fun with INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, MCM issue 21, starting our sixth year. Available in ebook from most vendors and in paperback from Barnes & Noble.

Get your copy from the publisher or follow this universal link to buy from your favorite online bookseller.

Finalist for Derringer Award

April 3, 2019 by Diana Deverell

"Mercy Find Me" by Diana Deverell — My Award-Finalist Story appears in this issue of *Fiction River*

I’m overjoyed that my short story “Mercy Find Me” is a finalist for the 2019 Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. This story came straight from my heart and was published last year in Fiction River: Justice edited by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I’m happy that the first-round judges liked the story and look forward to getting it into the hands of more readers. The magazine is available as an ebook from most online vendors and in paperback from Amazon.

An inmate speaks!

February 3, 2018 by Diana Deverell

Inmate Winnie Yates speaks in “Mercy Find Me”, telling us in her own words about a hearing that happens off-stage in the legal thriller Help Me Nora. Winnie’s been in prison for more than fifteen years. She has one chance to convince her listeners to set her free today.

You’ll find Winnie’s story in Fiction River: Justice, an anthology of wonderful tales by many of my favorite writers.

Digital edition available from most ebook vendors.

Also available in trade paperback from Amazon.