Tag Archives: Fiction

Chapter 10 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Brian Bixby

You ever have one of those days when you don’t seem to be making any progress, and nothing comes out right? Well, that’s been Emily Fisher’s day so far. She’s encountered a half-sister she’s not sure she wants to have, … Continue reading →

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Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Brian Bixby

There seems to be a rule that “popular” writers are disdained by critics, if not in their lifetime then shortly after they die. After a few decades, if they’re lucky, some influential critics says, in effect, “Although I’m not supposed … Continue reading →

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Chapter Nine of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Stephen Nash is dead, and the Prophesied One, Alex Bancroft, is the main suspect. How does one question a religious leader named in an age-old prophecy? Especially when he denies being the Prophesied One? Emily Fisher would like to know, … Continue reading →

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Chapter 6 of Prophecies and Penalties, and Spring

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Brian Bixby

In chapter six of Prophecies and Penalties, “Going among the Children,” Emily Fisher returns to the religious communities that she left with her family twenty years ago. Emily’s not exactly looking forward to this, since she’s on a murder investigation, and … Continue reading →

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Chapter 5 of Prophecies and Penalties

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Brian Bixby

So it’s time for Police Chief Bonnie Knowles and newly hired private investigator Emily Fisher to get down to the business of finding the person who murdered High Council member Stephen Nash. Emily’s trying to figure out what’s going on. … Continue reading →

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Chapter 4 of Prophecies and Penalties, and charismatic Instruments

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Ethan Knowles may be married to Emily’s former babysitter, but he’s got a history, a history that makes Emily not sure she can trust him. Still, for the moment, he’s the best source she has for what’s going on with … Continue reading →

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Chapter 3 of Prophecies and Penalties is up

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Brian Bixby

Emily Fisher can relax about one point: she now knows who Bonnie Knowles is. But why did Bonnie marry Ethan Knowles, center of one of the biggest scandals in Quasopon’s recent history? And just what did he do? The answers are … Continue reading →

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50 years dead: Grace Metalious and Peyton Place

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Brian Bixby

It was fifty years ago today that the unhappy Grace Metalious (born Marie Grace DeRepentigny, 1924 – 1964), author of that scandalous best seller, Peyton Place, succeeded in drinking herself to death. In her lifetime, Peyton Place was banned from libraries and bookstores … Continue reading →

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Chapter Two of Prophecies and Penalties, and Charlie on the MTA

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Brian Bixby

So Emily Fisher is going back to her home town, which she doesn’t want to do, to investigate a murder, something she doesn’t know how to do. Misery may love company, but Emily doesn’t have any on her flight to … Continue reading →

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An old birthday and a new story

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Brian Bixby

First, a new story kicks off today, Prophecies and Penalties. Meet data analyst Emily Fisher. She’s going home. Great? She doesn’t think so. She’s even less happy about the reason why. You can start with chapter one, “The Iron Lady.” And … Continue reading →

Posted in Prophecies and Penalties, Writing fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments