I have only one article for SleuthSayers this month. Breaking with tradition, it is NOT a Thanksgiving story. It’s actually a more poignant piece I wrote after my wife and I visited a small used bookstore here in North Carolina. The store was run by nonprofit that operates the literacy program in one of the eastern counties. We got to meet some of the people who have been helped by the program. I hope the story gives those of you who can read this a glimpse of what life is like if you are an adult who simply never learned to read.
The story, which appears today, is called:
From X to His First Mystery Novel
Here is just a taste of what I’m saying…
Ages ago, when he’d gotten his first job, Mr. Sam didn’t know what to do with his first paycheck. He took it to a bank, where a teller instructed him to sign the back. When he told the person behind the counter that he didn’t know how to write his name, he was told to simply write an X.
This he did for decades until very recently, when one of the literacy volunteers helped him learn how to write his first and last name. At first, those were the only things he could write—the only things he *needed* to write—to conduct his personal business.
There was another adult learner in the group, but she was not as loquacious as Mr. Sam. For several minutes he explained how he managed to get by in the world without knowing how to read. Street signs were a mystery, so he listened carefully when someone gave him directions, and did exactly as he was told. That’s how he got around on foot in town and any place he ever visited. Behind the wheel of a car, he did the same, memorizing and following verbal instructions to the word until the places he needed to go were ingrained in his mind. He did not have much use for road signs, and often got lost in strange places. He knew, for example, that the red sign meant STOP. In supermarkets, he stuck to brands whose packaging he recognized by sight…
This was one of the more moving experiences I’ve had this year. I hope you will check it out.
And since we’re barreling headlong into the holiday season, I think I should mention my three holiday titles, which would be excellent reading choices for the next few months.
I can read Christmas stories all year round, so it’s a little surprising that it took me this long to work Christmas stories into my work. But I’m glad I have. They’re fun and festive, and they make great gifts.
Sorceress Kringle & ICEMASTER OF NEW-York
My first two Christmas books are Books 1 and 2 in my ongoing gender-swapped Kris Kringle series.
Yes! In this series, Santa is a woman!
The main title, Sorceress Kringle, tells how Santa Claus saved a young New York City back in the 1600s.
The prequel, The Icemaster of New-York, tells Kris Kringle’s backstory: how she was rescued as an orphaned infant and adopted by the nefarious father of winter, Jack Frost.
Click the image to learn your buying options…
Click the image to learn your buying options…
Preston the Provider
Beyond that series, I recently pubbed a short Christmas time travel novella called Preston the Provider.
Both the Kringle and Frost books are available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover. Preston’s in ebook and paper only.
Click the image to learn your buying options…
LAST BUT NOT LEAST…
Regading my wife’s national bestseller, Obstinate Daughters: Denise has a few more book events remaining in 2026. See her event calendar to find out if she appearing anywhere near you. The summer book launch tour was a whirlwind, but the fall and early winter are intense too. Don’t miss your chance to visit with her and learn about her bestselling book, Obstinate Daughters.
Now a National Bestseller. Click to learn more about the book. (Amazon affiliate link.)
TWO WAYS TO GET DENISE’S BOOK:
About those autographed copies:
Unless Denise is coming to a bookstore near you, the best way to get a signed copy of her new book is to order from Malaprop’s, the indie bookstore in our hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. They are a great small business, and they have been delivering Denise’s books to happy customers for 15 years without a hitch. You can’t go wrong. If you think you would like the book inscribed a certain way to a friend or family member, I recommend phoning the store to make sure they have all those details down correctly. You must order by December 9th to guarantee arrival before Christmas!
BELONG TO A BOOK CLUB?
We have a system in place for sending a reader’s guide and swag to any book clubs that write in via Denise’s website. We just need a snail mail address (USA only) and some idea of how many people are in your group. If you want to schedule a book club visit with Denise, we can do that too. Send us your note here.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW OBSTINATE DAUGHTERS T-SHIRTS?
Yes, we went there! We’re selling cool new “Obstinate” shirts at our new Joe & Denise store. A ton of different designs, and a sprightly array of colors. I’ll talk in greater detail about the store some other time, but suffice to say, you won’t want to miss what we’ve got going on over there. As it turns out, the shirt I’ve been sharing on these blogs all these weeks has turned out to be the most popular one we sell…
Click the shirt to learn more!
I have only one article for SleuthSayers this month. Breaking with tradition, it is NOT a Thanksgiving story. It’s actually a more poignant piece I wrote after my wife and I visited a small used bookstore here in North Carolina. The store was run by nonprofit that operates the literacy program in one of the eastern counties. We got to meet some of the people who have been helped by the program. I hope the story gives those of you who can read this a glimpse of what life is like if you are an adult who simply never learned to read. The story, which appears today, is called…