Next week at Maine Crime Writers there will be posts by William Andrews (Monday) and Charlene D’Avanzo (Tuesday), with a possible Christmas extra later in the week.

In the news department, here’s what’s happening with some of us who blog regularly at Maine Crime Writers:

Kate Flora: Here is the link to this year’s Christmas story. A bit darker than the previous two, as suits the times. But hopeful. Enjoy!

Reform School: A Christmas Story

As promised, here are the winners of our “Where Would You Put the Body?” contest.

First prize winner: Vicki Berger Erwin for this, which she describes thusly:

John was truly sorry he had let his anger grow out of control. He’d never meant to kill her. He wanted a special place to lay her to rest as well as a place she’d not be found. He wasn’t sorry enough to want to be caught. She’d enjoyed Evergreen Cemetery, the history, the scenery, and especially the three ponds at the rear. That was the place. He slung the dead weight of her over his shoulder and waded into the water, headed for the island. The foliage would provide perfect cover. He was halfway across before he met the first snapping turtle. The next morning the groundskeeper found two bodies floating in the water. Once again those darn kids had stolen the warning signs and left him with bodies to bury in the island. If he could find space. He hauled out his boat and went to work.
(My grandkids told me there were snapping turtles in the pond. I wonder if it isn’t an urban myth to keep them out of the pond!)
Evergreen Cemetery, Portland

Second prize winner, Karin Rector, for this:

If you’re going to have some work done on the place anyway, why not seize the moment?

And a tie for third place, because of such different takes on hiding a body in the woods: Peg Becksvoort, who writes:

Wrapped in gray cloth to look like a rock. Here is a lovely spot along the Durham Rd in New Gloucester, Maine. Located between my house and my neighbor’s. Wrapped in gray, receiving a gentle covering of autumn leaves, nestled into the old snow fence. If not the entire body, just a few parts…

And Daisy (no last name given. Is that mysterious or what?) for this, described thusly:

Among the demon tree roots on the Red Ribbon Trail, Monhegan Maine.

Because the judges loved it, we also have an honorable mention:

Bruce Harris, for this, because we all know Valentine’s Day can be difficult for people:

Under this Valentine’s Day display at the Nubble Lighthouse in York.

Winners: We hope you see this, and will send along your snailmail address so prizes can be sent.

An invitation to readers of this blog: Do you have news relating to Maine, Crime, or Writing? We’d love to hear from you. Just comment below to share.

And a reminder: If your library, school, or organization is looking for a speaker, we are often available to talk about the writing process, research, where we get our ideas, and other mysteries of the business. We also do programs on Zoom. Contact Kate Flora