"Murder for Beginners," by Mercedes M. Yardley

[Kenwood]

Anyone wishing to add some thoughts about this particular story and/or author, feel free to do so here. Praise and criticism is encouraged equally, but please keep the latter on the constructive side.

BEWARE OF SPOILERS!

[kurtnewton]

I'm surprised no one has commented on this one yet. I like the whole show don't tell aspect to this one, leaving it to the reader to fill in the blanks as to what the relationship is between Jaye, Dawn and Karen and the chain of events that leads to Rob's demise. All we know is none of them are too broken up that Rob is dead. Nice. Light. Pitch-perfect tone. A great companion piece to this one is Yardley's "I'm Keeping It Light" which appeared in 52-Stiches earlier this year.

[Kenwood]

Yeah, I actually got a bit caught up in the why of it all. I was actually against accepting it at first. I was a bit too rigid at first, so I had to loosen up a bit and stop over-analyzing.

I actually never disliked it. Guess I should say that. I simply couldn't get over that there's no reason given for anything. But now, I love it. It's just fun to read.

[Mercedes]

Nobody commented on it because they live in fear! Of me! And my wrathful wrath!!

I think this story is pretty jarring to a lot of the people reading this particular magazine. I thought that would bother me, but actually, it doesn't. It seems to be a bit out of the norm for horror.

Thank goodness you came to your senses, Ken. I bring goodness and light to this Popsicle stand!

[scottmitchell74]

It was good. I always want details, details, details, so I share Ken's thoughts a little, but that's a "me" problem. It's more tantalizing to conceal than to reveal!

[kmorg]

Another fun story. Well written, and sort of a light-hearted horror story. I also found it isteresting in that it is almost as thought we only got like a chapter in a longer story, as I am now curious both for what happened earlier, and what is going to happen next.

[Tall Tyrion]

Maybe we can persuade Miss Mercedes to expand it....

[Mercedes]

Perhaps I'll change his name from Robert to Nick. Hmmm....

That really is a good idea, thought. Expanding it. It could be fun.

[Kenwood]

You could have the restaurant get robbed, and they save the day by kicking the crap out of the guy. Then they'd get the key to the city and be declared heroes. And then a hunter finds Rob's body. And then...

...okay, never mind.

[Mercedes]

Are you saying we should write this as a Round Robin?

[tlmorganfield]

You could have the restaurant get robbed, and they save the day by
kicking the crap out of the guy. Then they'd get the key to the city
and be declared heroes. And then a hunter finds Rob's body. And then...

You forgot "they all go home and shoot their fathers, then they run off and join the Texas Rangers. Something cool like that."

Anyway, I rather adored this story. I didn't mind so much that the "why" wasn't clear; the voices of the characters and the sheer quirkiness were enough to draw me through it. Besides, there was enough to get a hint that Rob deserved what he got. I loved the attitudes of all the women involved.

I've only just started reading the issue (it came in the mail today), but so far it's up there at the top of my favorites list for the issue.

[kmorg]

Off topic: But it just hit me; my middle name is Morgan. So now we have 2 Kurt's and 2 Morgan's (sort off). That is weird......

[Kenwood]

Who's the other Morgan?

Am I experiencing a brain fart?

[kmorg]

Who's the other Morgan?

Am I experiencing a brain fart?

tlMORGANfield?

[Mercedes]

Maybe ole Kurt Morgan is here for spare parts? In case something happens to the original Kurt and TL Morganfield?

...are you planning something?