Mystery Scene on A Bad Day

Ben Boulden reviews short stories in his "Short and Sweet" column in Mystery Scene Magazine.  In issue #158 he discusses the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.It ends as follows:  "My favorite tale is 'A Bad Day for Algebra Tests" by Robert Lopresti, for more reasons than its terrific title. With an easy and readable narration, fast and sly humor, dumb criminals and dumber cops, this story is as smooth and enjoyable as spending a snowy afternoon lounging next to a roaring fire."

Please Do Not Disturb

Shame on me for not mentioning this earlier.  This is my third appearance in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine in forty-plus years of trying.  "Please Do Not Disturb" is in the January/February 2019 issue.

Have Suitcase, WIll Travel

Today at Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine's blog I write about the trip that inspired my story in the January/2019 issue, "Please Do Not Disturb."

Filling in the Landscape

I have an essay up at Trace Evidence, the Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine blog, about setting.  When do you use a real place and when do you create your own?  The hook, of course, is my story "A Bad Day For Algebra Tests," in the November/December issue.

A Good Day For "A Bad Day For Algebra Tests"

I am pleased to report that "A Bad Day For Algebra Tests" is currently sparkling up the November/December issue of my favorite magazine.  This is my 30th appearance in AHMM, and the third Bad Day story.  Each of these involves bad intentions and confusion in mythical Brune County, and features the ever-bewildered Officer Kite.

The Cop Who Liked Gilbert and Sullivan takes home a medal

My story "The Cop Who Liked Gilbert and Sullivan" (Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #23) won the Derringer Award for long short story this year.  This is the medal that goes with that honor.  Toni Kelner was kind enough to accept it at Bouchercon and send it to me.  I t now hangs proudly on the office wall.  Thanks to Toni and to the Short Mystery Fiction Society!

Shanks on Crime in Japan

Look what arrived while we were in Louisiana.  This is my story collection Shanks on Crime welcoming six copies of its Japanese translation, Sunday Afternoon Tea With Mystery Writer.