Conversations With Kav – TSTL + Giveaway

I first heard about TSTL in the context of my cozy mystery reading but I’m sure it can be applied to other genres as well. If you are unfamiliar with this intialism it stands for: Too Stupid To Live and refers to those characters who do something so foolish that it’s surprising they are alive by the end of the story.

Examples:

The classic horror film heroine who is being stalked by the serial basement hatchet killer and then one dark and stormy night she hears a thud in the basement and thinks, “Oh, I wonder what could be making that noise? I guess I should go downstairs into the dark and creepy basement and check it out.”

Or a cozy mystery heroine who finds an obviously important, pertinent clue and thinks, “I wonder if I should take this to the police? Maybe I’ll keep it for awhile instead just because (no valid reason)” And, of course, not handing it over to the police stalls the investigation, leaving the heroine with ample time to rush headlong into danger.

Or how about a contemporary romance where the hero and heroine break up in the third act over some ridiculous misunderstanding that could easily be resolved if only one of them started a conversation. Instead they both decide what the other is thinking/feeling and react to those misconceptions even though they have been toe-curling and swoony all the way up to that point.

And then there’s the stubborn suspense heroine who will make no concession in her regular schedule even though a pyschopath is gunning for her, putting everyone around her in danger, including the law enforcement/body guards who are trying to keep her alive.

Anyway, you get the idea. I find it so frustrating to be totally engaged in a really good story when it’s suddenly ruined by a TSTL moment. It feels like a contrived plot device to drive the narrative forward and I feel let down, sometimes to the point of DNFing. Which sounds harsh but it depends on my mood and how committed I have become to the characters in the book.

My Own TSTL Story

Realistically, I know that TSTL moments happen to all of us so I really shouldn’t be criticizing fictional characters (though I would never go down into the basement on a dark and stormy night with a serial killer on the loose…like, never! Duh!) However, TSTL moments can sneak up on a girl and here’s one of my epic ones:

Twenty years ago (yes, I’m that old.) I’d just moved into my wee little house and had dreams of creating a wild cottage garden. I read books, I haunted flower shops and nurseries and one day I discovered a hydroponics store in a rather run down building right where the ‘good’ neighbourhood starting easing into the ‘bad’. I was curious, excited to expand my ever growing gardening knowledge so I didn’t think twice about climbing the crumbling cement steps to check it out.

The place smelled funny and didn’t look like any kind of plant store I’d be in before. Pretty grimy, unorganized and there wasn’t a customer or sales clerk in sight though I was surprised to be greeted enthusiastically by two Rottweilers. I loved on the dogs until a guy showed up, as disheveled as the store. He was shocked to find me on the floor playing with the dogs.

“Whoa, those are guard dogs, lady.” He said that with a straight face as the two dogs were both trying to crawl into my lap, their stubby tails wagging. I laughed and asked him what they were supposed to be guarding. He got all flustered and called to someone in the back. This huge biker dude comes stomping up the stairs, chains jangling on his leather jacket, stops dead when he sees me and the dogs. “Ah, they’re not supposed to do that. They’re guard dogs.”

Long story short, we chatted a bit, played with the dogs, I asked them questions about the store which they were cagey about, but they did sell me a tub of bat guano which I swear by to this day as a gardening elixir. I visited the store pretty regularly, mostly to visit the dogs, always hoping they had added to the store inventory but the place always seemed in the setting up stages and there were never any other customers. Lots of noise going on in the basement though. Got to know the spaced out clerk a bit. Even gave him my name and number for when he got some gardening thing in, can’t remember what it was but he was enthusiastic.

And then one day there came a pounding on my door and two police officers were on my doorstep. Apparently they were part of a drug task force and had just busted up a Hell’s Angel’s grow op and were checking all known ties of which, apparently, I was one. Yep, that ‘store’ was a cover for a big drug operation (not just mariuana) and they found my name and number. I might have blathered on a bit too long about bat guano and they might have done a cursory check of my house and asked some pointed questions about my drug use (not!) and if I was involved in distribution!!!! They could tell pretty quickly that I was, well, TSTL but harmless enough.

Sigh. I’ve never found bat guano anywhere else. And I don’t know what happened to the dogs, though, apparently they were guard dogs after all under the ‘right’ circumstances.

Time for Conversation and a Giveaway!

Do you have TSTL triggers in your fiction? Situations or actions that make you roll your eyes and want to chuck the book across the room in frustration? Like me, do you have a true life TSTL moment you’d care to share?

Share your thoughts in a comment and you’ll be entered in a draw for:

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 25 2026

51 thoughts on “Conversations With Kav – TSTL + Giveaway”

  1. Oh my gosh, I’m laughing out loud at your “garden shop” experience! My own story is not as good as yours but still the best I can do. I was making a left turn on a yellow light and didn’t feel I had time to stop so I proceeded through. Then come the red lights and the siren. The policemen insisted it had turned red, and we had a bit of a “discussion” about it. I was so aggravated, he said I could explain my side to the judge, but I needed to sign the ticket. I said what if I don’t sign it? He said then I’ll have to take you to jail. At this point my kids in the backseat said, mom just sign the ticket, we don’t want to go to jail! Now this was over 35 years ago and no one argued with the police like they do now, but still not one of my finer moments.

    When we were growing up, we weren’t allowed to say anyone was stupid. To this day I still cringe when I hear the word directed at a person, much less “too stupid to live.” I’m going with “less than smart”, haha.

    A few recent reads that fit the “Less Than Smart” category. I think Jenna in More Than Friends by Denise Hunter was less LTS to allow her fears to influence her life choices/relationships. Ugh!

    Holly in The Top of the World by Elizabeth Camden was LTS to allow a wealthy/powerful man to buy her off because of her extreme financial/health needs. Mistake!

    Selah was LTS in North by Susan May Warren when she accidently led a dangerous terrorist right to one of her friends front door. Yikes!

    What would CF be without conflict, bad choices and stupid mistakes, but some have me shaking my head and saying “No, don’t do that!” Good books always make you “talk” to the characters. 🙂

    Good discussion Kav. I was not familiar with this prompt and had to really think on it while nursing my morning cup of coffee. tracey14567 atgmail.com

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    1. First off, I’m with you on the ‘stupid’ thing. I kept trying to think of another word but they were all just as bad – love your ‘less than smart’ alternative. My mum was the youngest of eleven children and stupid was worse than the vilest curse word as far as she was concerned. It was triggering so I never used ‘stupid’ for anything never mind anyone! Me think my mum was called stupid one too many times by all ten siblings over the course of her growing up! So thanks for the less than smart alternative. 🙂

      Ha! Who knew you were a rebel driver! Nowadays you would traffic cameras to back you up. Love that your kids didn’t want to go to jail! Bwahahahahaha!

      Love your examples (and relieved that other readers can get a tad bit irritated with LTS characters! And that Susan May Warren — whoa! And you’re right about talking to the characters. If we’re still on speaking terms after a LTS moment than it’s a good book! 🙂 Good luck, Tracey!

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  2. GASP! You are the dog whisperer!

    I’ve come across several TSTL characters in my reading history. These characters make for an interesting read.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  3. Oh my goodness! Your story has be cracking up. I was definitely thinking the story was about “maryjane.” Not expecting that ending haha.

    As for a book with a TSTL moment, I thought of Latisha Sexton’s In the Midst of the Storm. I don’t want to give any spoilers but there’s a few moments in there.

    As a highly logical person (ESTJ to the T literally), my TSTL moments have been thankfully few and far between, but one came to mind. Growing up, my family would get together every three weeks with my best friend’s family for dinner. One night we went to the park and a few of us kids found candy under the playground. We partook. Our parents were all very calm people but that was the only time I’ve heard my best friend’s mom yell. I thought we were going to go get our tummies pumped. Anyway, we ended up just getting a lecture and many tears were shed, but we learned our lesson!

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    1. Sadly, I had no clue! I have yet to read a Latisha Sexton book but now I’m intrigued. I’ve heard her mentioned a number of times on this blogs in various conversations so I guess I should put her higher up on my new authors to try list.

      Oh wow, mother’s worst nightmare! Glad you survived your TSTL, or as Tracey says, LTS moment. I’m also kind of envious that yours happened when you were a child! No fair. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Rebecca!

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  4. What a funny story! Who plays with & pets Rottweiler guard dogs & lives to tell about it? That would make an awesome scene in a book! lol

    One of my TSTL moments was when hubby & I moved into a real nice, quiet neighborhood in my early 20s. I loved going for walks around the neighborhood, look at all the beautiful homes, & get my daily exercise. But 1 day I got bored & decided to cross the little highway & check out those houses over yonder. I knew it was called Crow Village but no one had told me why. It was quite a large neighborhood with many homes, so my walk was quite long. What was so strange is that when I would walk by people would come to the door or look out their windows like I was an alien walking down their street or something. I just smiled & waved, but I don’t remember anyone waving back. I had just walked thru Crow Village, a lrg area that housed many Mexican gang members. Smiling & waving like I was Miss America. Our side of the highway was safe. But you don’t cross it to the hood. No Caucasians allowed. Needless to say I’m glad I lived to tell about it & never went there again! How was I supposed to know? I’m glad we found another house & moved shortly thereafter.

    I don’t remember any particular books with characters who were TSTL but it seems they’re mostly in stalker or murder mystery books. I mean who knows they have a stalker after them & just decides to leave their car at home & go for a jog in the park or a walk to the market? At night. And don’t tell anyone where they’re going? Or go outside when they see a shadow or hear a noise? (insert eye roll) But as you know, I still read & love them!

    Thanks, Kav! dianalflowers at aol dot com

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    1. I’ve always been a dog person and it never occurred to me that they could be vicious, I mean, who would bring dangerous dogs to a store, right?  🙂

      Oh Diane! Way to explore your new environs! I’m imagining you now with your Miss America wave only it’s morphing into the Queen’s energy conserving wrist twist! And yes, these independent heroines who are in dire peril but determined to keep up their daily routines no matter what! It depends how they are written too. Like they can come across as courageously determined not to allow the stalker guy to steal any more from them and you’ve gotta respect them for that even though it’s not a choice I’d make OR the heroine can come across as spoiled and petulant, just wanting to get her own way and that turns me off. It’s all in the art of the storytelling! Good luck, Diane. 

      PS Hope you are feeling better.

      PSS I stayed home from church today because after the temps soaring into the seventies yesterday we’re down in the 30s today and I’m just not doing winter anymore! Plus my bones haven’t caught up with the switch. lol

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      1. Too funny about the dogs & a store! hahaha You were just as clueless as I was about waving to gang members. Also have no clue how many lived in one house, with or without their families. {{shudder}} I’m sure they didn’t perceive me as a threat, but I’m very thankful they left me alone. We lived in CA at the time, I don’t even know if there are any gangs here in SC. Just in case, I’ll stay in my own neighborhood. Ha!

        Sorry about your weather turning cold again. Ours has been in the 80s, but today around 70. Which would be perfect, but there’s a cold wind that’s making it rather uncomfortable out. Feels pretty good with the sliding glass door open & a breeze blowing through the screen, though.

        Still battling shingles pain, but they’re slowly healing. 🐢🐌 About 1/4 of the blisters won’t scab over so I do cold compresses several times a day & apply calamine lotion to try to get them to dry up. The nerve pain is the worst! Keep your bones warm today & happy reading!

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      3. I love Apr & it hasn’t been nice to me at all! Pain pain and more pain. 😩 Thank you for the prayers, dearheart, & hugs right back atcha!

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    2. SoCal resident as well here. Your story makes me think of another TSTL story of mine. We are driving to the Haulocaust Museum in LA for a homeschool field trip before cell phones. The paper directions said “turn north on South St.” Well we turned south and ended up in Inglewood. Of course my mom was sweating and shaking. It was my Caucasian family and two Hispanic friends. None of us quite fit in in Inglewood! Anyway, a kind man directed us back the right way. 😂

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      1. Rebecca, glad you were received helpful directions & didn’t get stranded in Inglewood! Whatever did we do before GPSs?

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  5. Since you have a way with words, you should expand on your example and submit it to a publication as an entertaining short story! Seriously! That is hilarious with a touch of “underworld” suspense.

    I have come across that issue occasionally in books but can’t immediately recall the annoying specifics offhand. I remember doing something silly and not particularly safe while attending a high school organization convention in San Antonio. About four of us basically honor roll students were out strolling the Riverwalk after midnight, laughing and singing. We probably scared any bad guys who might have bothered us, although one guy briefly tried to speak. Was early 70’s before crime became even more prevalent.

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    1. Bwahahahaha!

      Oh, the follies of youth when it never occurred to us that bad things could happen! All safely in a bubble. I have horror stories. Funny to think of how innocent we were, but sad to see how much times have changed and our kids can’t afford to be quite as innocently clueless! Good luck, CC!

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  6. Your garden shop story is too hilarious! I don’t read cozy mysteries but have watched numerous Hallmark mysteries like Aurora Teagarden, Garage Sale Mysteries, and more that ALWAYS have that TSTL moment. You just know it’s coming.

    One book that I read that for me had a character T SILLY TL was A Lesson in Propriety. I usually enjoy her books but this one was too much for me.

    Back in my teenage years I picked up a hitchhiker! That was definitely when I was young and stupid (and very naïve) and it thankfully turned out okay.

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    1. Gah, yes! I can’t watch some of those Hallmark series for that very reason. Somehow it’s worse watching it live than just reading about it. And, maybe because of time constraints, they emphasis those TSTL moments more.

      Ooohhh, ‘silly’ is a good substitute too. So now we have options: Too Silly to Live or Les Than Smart. I’m liking this! And yes, I can see how A Lesson in Propriety could be too over the top in places.

      My heart did a nose dive when you said you picked up a hitchhiker as a teen, even though I know it must have turned out all right since you’re writing about it now but still!!!! More youthful follies to exclaim over today! good luck, Sandy!

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    1. The thing about my story is that I had multiple experiences that should have clued me in but I missed them all! A long string of TSTL moments – when I do something, I do it thoroughly. bwahahahaha! Good luck, Jackie!

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  8. When I was 22, my now husband and I were at Gooseberry Falls, which I’ve visited on many occasions. Between the middle and lower falls of the river, there is an island that is pretty easy to reach by hopping across boulders. This was spring when the water was very high, but we confidently hopped from one underwater rock to the next, with a pretty big jump up to reach the island. It was easy and fun. Then we had to come back, starting with a big jump from the island to an underwater rock that we couldn’t really see anymore due to distance and changing sun conditions. It was terrifying. We did eventually make it back across without falling into the swift spring flow (and thus did not get swept over the lower falls), but to this day we look back upon it as a Less Than Smart decision.

    In books, spoiler alert for The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz: I really struggled with this one. The main character Mae (a patriot in a family of patriots) knows her that sister favors the British, is planning to marry a British officer, and listens in to patriot war conversations and shares what she hears with her British fiancé. But Mae never tells her patriot officer brothers or her own patriot officer fiancé about it, so everyone is surprised by the sister’s sudden but inevitable betrayal! And, surprise, they feel betrayed by Mae as well, because she knew and never said a word. Maybe it isn’t Too Stupid To Live, but it certainly is Less Than Smart.

    -Rachael
    rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Oh, mercy, Rachael, Less Than Smart indeed! Another foibles of youth story. It’s a wonder we survived our twenties! lol But that would make a great scene in a romantic suspense where they are being chased and cornered and the only out is to hop on those rocks and risk getting swept over the falls! Eeeepppp!!!!

      And per your Belle of Chatham example we now have a scale to judge our heroines by — Less Than Smart all the way over to TSTL! 🙂 It’s hard to understand some of these character’s actions, isn’t it? Good luck, Rachael!

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  9. I think Geico said it best with their horror movie commercial of the teens running from the killer:

    ”Let’s hide in the attic! No, in the basement!”

    ”Why can’t we just get in the running car?”

    ”Are you crazy? Let’s hide behind the chainsaw!”

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  10. In Florida, an innocent incident occurred when a stranger entered our home. She wasn’t there long before she was quickly taken up by a family member. After that, I always locked my doors, whether I was at home or out and about.

    Fast forward: we live in Georgia, and my children are in high school. We are in a safe subdivision. (or so I thought.) When I go home from work that night, everyone starts chatting to me once. I learned that a woman across the street came hurrying into our house, yelling something in a foreign language, and had blood on her blouse. She quickly enters our house and locks the door. (My family was surprised because they all were watching TV), My husband managed to learn the woman’s spouse was trying to kill her with a knife; she ran for help. My husband quickly dials 911. The police arrive and, for a short time, believe my husband was the one who hit her. My children corrected the police on who was who. I’m happy that my husband wasn’t detained due to a mistake in identity. Scary! My kids now lock our doors, whether we are at home or not. Things could have gone a tragic way.

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    1. Whoa — that would be terrifying, even if nothing happened. To discover a stranger just walking into your home uninvited! And your Georgia story! I’m gobsmacked! And your poor husband being the suspect even for a short time. In a way, it was a blessing for that woman that your door was unlocked because she got to safety. If her husband was chasing her she could have been killed on your doorstep without anyone knowing about it! But yes, locking doors is, unfortunately, a necessity. And no, the stories weren’t supposed to be funny…mind you, I did laugh out loud when you said your husband was suspected by the police. (maybe I have a warped sense of humour.) Good luck, Nora!

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      1. Yes, looking back at this wild and comical situation about my husband being accused of doing harm. Ever since that day my kids ALWAYS lock the door behind them. It didn’t stick until this happened. LOL!!

        I’m glad that things didn’t get worse. We weren’t friends with this couple who were renting the house. If we had, the woman’s husband would have known where to go ro get her. I’m also thankful we lived very close to the police station norafindinghope

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  12. Kav, you had me laughing out loud with your story! The “garden shop,” the “guard dogs,” etc. Was it REALLY bat guano? That’s a strange thing to have in stock. Maybe it’s hallucinogenic. LOL Or really good for growing marijuana. You must really be a dog charmer!

    I can’t think of any TSTL things at the moment. I’m sure I’ve had a few of those, though!

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Perish the thought! You had me worried there for a minute, Winnie, I had to google bat guano to make sure it was on the up and up and it is – very good for vegetables and flowers high in nitrogen, so there! 🙂 The tubs were huge and lasted me years. Turns out they were supplying equipment and fertilizer etc to ‘sister’ grow operations at a wholesale price, and as a front for the store, I guess, though I don’t know how they thought that would work with the lack of customers and the Rottweilers….wait, it actually fooled me so…..Good luck, Winnie!

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  13. Great story!
    I have noticed novels that I yell at the heroine because she is willfully clueless? But I figure that it just moves th3 plot to where the author can get her rescued.
    Happy reading everyone!
    paulamarys49ATgmaillDOTcom

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  14. Kav, your garden shop story is hilarious. Glad you were able to talk your way out of any charges with the police 🙂

    I’d not heard of the TSTL terminology. What comes to mind for me has more to do with a romance that is always being thwarted by the MCs themselves. Drives me crazy 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  15. Hi Kav, there’s no way I can top your story or any of the others who’ve commented but your mention of Bat Gauno took me back to our farming days. My husband and I raised tobacco for many years and there were several years when we bought a special fertilizer to boost our plant beds. I can’t remember the name and it wasn’t bat gauno, but we called it “bat poop”! I always saved a bag for my flowers because it was excellent fertilizer, until It was finally outlawed and we couldn’t get it any more!

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    1. You had me frantically googling bat guano to see why it would be outlawed. Apparently it can carry pathogens so you shouldn’t inhale the dust which is par for the course with any fertilizer I should think. Also, there was concerned that collecting the guano from caves could disturb, distress the bats? But I see it’s available to purchase now so……who knows? Good luck, Connie!

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  17. While many mistakes were made in our younger days, looking back I believe it was better to be naive than to be so jaded the younger generations are by so much exposure to medias that sprouts more of the bad news than the good making them leery of every thing and every one. Think one learns more from experience than being told. I know I’ve made my share – some big and some small. However, honestly my brain can’t come up with a one right now. Too tired from a 3 day trip that started with way too much gotta get it done stuff and then coming home to finding even more stuff to do with trying to wash and put up the stuff we took. Later, in a quiet moment, my brain will say “You should have told this one!”

    As for the pooch encounter, animals know people – even when they are in situations they’d rather not be in. I’m just thankful that when you went back that they hadn’t “disposed” of them since they didn’t prove to be doing what they thought was their duty. The animal lover in me wished to know what became of them when they were arrested. I’ll think happy thought and believe they went to a loving home with lots of land for them to play on.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Words of wisdom, Kay. I definitely learn by doing…usually by doing it wrong the first time. Talk about learning from your mistakes! 🙂 And yes, the downside of taking even a short trip is the work that awaits you once you are back home again. Don’t forget to take short reading breaks throughout the day to keep your stamina up!

      The guys were really loving with the dogs — the ones I met anyway, and they were well cared for. I kinda hope family members not in the ‘biz’ got to claim them? Perhaps that naive, but they were really lovely dogs. Good luck, Kay!

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  18. Yes. I guess anything that feels contrived in a story puts a sour taste in my mouth. Although, I guess anything, can happen at any time, in theory. LOL

    When I was pregnant and going around a sharp corner, I got my brake and gas pedals confused and was going even faster then I should’ve been and couldn’t figure out why. I thank God for keeping us both safe.

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    1. To true — even our true life experiences could sound like badly written fiction! Oh wow, that driving experience must have been terrifying! Glad that you got out of that mix up safe and sound. Good luck, Diane!

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  19. Oh wow, your story sounds like it could be used as a plot in a book! Maybe an Irene Hannon suspense! Lol! 😜 I’ve never heard of TSTL before, but know exactly what it’s referencing. 🙂 I don’t know if I have a story that works or not. I know there have been several times where, as my mom says, my antenna is up and I’ve been thankful for it!! One time when my sister and I were little we were playing in our front yard while our parents were doing yard work. I don’t remember which one of us was trying to scare the other (or why), but one of us pointed to the bushes on the side of our house and said that there was someone hiding in them. Then all of a sudden we noticed that there really was someone in our bushes! We ran to tell our dad and when he came over some shirtless, barefoot guy jumped out of our bushes, hopped our neighbor’s fence, and started running through everybody’s backyard until he eventually came back out onto the top of our street before he disappeared from our sight! We just stared at him as he ran, but it sure freaked us out! Mind you, this was in a safe suburban area, too. I have no idea who the guy was or why he was hiding on the side of our house, but my parents cut the bushes way back after that.

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    1. Goodness, Bridget, that must have given your parents a scare! And is worthy of being included in a suspense plot too. My mind is full of questions as to why the guy was there — most of them not good. And of course you and your sister were trying to scare other! 🙂 Bet it was the older sister doing the scaring. I might speak from experience. 🙂 Good luck, Bridget!

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  20. Oh my goodness! Your story!😵 It reminds of a time that I went with my dad to a florist – the day before my parents anniversary one year to buy my mom flowers. The florist we went to was the only one open (nothing like waiting till the last minute…😜). When we walked in it was basically empty. There were a few dying house plants in the first room, then all the way in the back there were few fake flowers, and oh! The smell!!! It was like something died in there! Nothing like the wonderful smell of fresh flowers. My dad called out a few time, but no one seemed to be there, I was hoping to just turn around and leave, but after 2 – 3 minutes (my dad really wanted some flowers!) a man walked out from the very back room, I’m assuming a staircase was back there. My dad said he wanted to buy some flowers for his anniversary tomorrow, but the man said he was all sold out of flowers, it’s been a busy week yada yada yada… He did suggest going to Costco, because they have “some really nice flowers there.” I don’t know, he seemed like a nice enough guy (odd for sure), but that whole experience felt so creepy! Granted there was no dog to play with when we walked in!😉 I guess this isn’t a very bookish response, but now I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever read a suspense book set at a florist, nursery or hydroponics store!

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    1. Ooohhh, your story is the perfect set up for a mystery. Unsuspected daughter walks into a deserted florist shop that smells ‘like something died in there!” Cue the creepy music because when no one responds to her call our plucky heroine steps into the next room only to trip over…da da da da duuuuunnnn…a dead body! Bwahahahaha! Florist and nurseries are under utilized in our fiction, I think. Good luck, Sabrina!

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  21. I agree with this 1000% and the acronym totally made me laugh! I know I’ve felt that way about myself sometimes but thankfully my husband and I can laugh those silly moments off- he’s great at making me laugh and put things in perspective. Your TSTL story is hilarious! It needs to be in a book!

    In fiction if a character (especially a side character) has a TSTL moment for some light comedy I can take it, but if it’s a full blown trait of a main character that puts me into eye-rolling territory, count me out.

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  22. The Ones I Left To Die by Jaime Jo Wright in the Secrets Along the Shore anthology with multiple authors is my only recent read that falls into that category.  The main character just has to get in the middle of a crime scene of a drowning victim.  It was so frustrating (and NOT her usual dual timeline either)!

    My dumb moment was as a young teen babysitting.  I saw the back doorknob turn & the young girl I was watching remarked that somebody might try to get in.  I called my Mom instead of the police!  Turns out a disgruntled (or former)  employer had been giving them trouble.  Ugh!  I refused to babysit for them again, which is a shame because the two little girls were super sweet.

    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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    1. Gasp! What a horror story and I kinda like the fact that you called your mama on reflex instead of the police. But shame on the parents of those little girls for putting you in that position in the first place! Because it sounds like it had obviously happened before so they knew there was a chance. Grrrr. I have a babysitting story too. Naive teenage me babysat for a single mom. Two energetic boys who were an absolute handful. Anyway, finally got them to bed and sat down on the couch impatiently waiting for the mom to get home. Only she didn’t! I dozed off and woke up at five a.m. in a panic. I was sure something horrible had happened to her. Like you, I should have called home but I called the police instead. I was so naive it never occurred to me that the mom was staying the night with her date! There was a huge kaffufle when she came home, beau in tow to find an officer in her living room! She was furious with me, the officer had strong words, the beau, who I recognized as the local sportscaster looked mortified. He slipped me a wad of cash and I slunk away. Never babysat for her again and I wasn’t sorry, those boys were a handful! Bwahahahaha!

      I haven’t read any of those suspense anthologies you mention. Great authors, but it looks like they are actually book length stories, not novel length, which makes a paperback book too difficult to read. I think they are over 600 pages. Good luck, Perrianne!

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