Daggyland Singles

A former wiseguy rethinks this choices in light of the events of 9/11.(Note: "Back to the Boke" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)* * *For a while there, it really looked like Ricky had it made. He'd ditched his old life, cleaned himself up, and landed a good job with decent pay.No more busting heads for his father's crew.But then one day, while Ricky watches from the safety of his rooftop across the Hudson River, two planes hit two office buildings.Now Ricky's life, and the life of a nation, is in shambles.A tale of redemption lost.This noir short story first appeared in the online crime fiction magazine, Beat to a Pulp.Bonus content: This edition comes with an excerpt of the author's mystery novel, The Marshal of the Borgo. * * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

Johnny lives his life by the numbers. Rule #1: Whatever you do, don't make Johnny angry.(Note: "Stand Up Johnny" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.) * * *The old man had big plans now that Johnny was back home.But there were going to be some rules around here from now on.Johnny had some rules, too.First off, don't make Johnny angry.This country noir short story first appeared in the online crime fiction magazine, Plots With Guns. * * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

Crime doesn't pay. Unless you take cash.(Note: "Button Man" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)* * *This short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. New York City is the center of world fashion. Funny thing is, the men who manufacture those gorgeous clothes are a cut above thugs.When Frank returns from the Korean War, he lands himself a job in the Garment Center, an insular cesspool filled with graft and corruption. If you want to keep your job, you keep your mouth shut.Then one day, Frank's buddy Phelan comes to town. He's as pure as the driven snow. Incorruptible.The fashion world is about to get a shake-up.In this Runyonesque tale set mostly in New York of the 1950s, innocence clashes against the reality of the gritty marketplace. * * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

She was beautiful…privileged…and deadly. She just didn't know it.(Note: "Bloody Signorina" is a short story. It also appears in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)This story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.* * *With its outdoor cafes, bubbling fountains, and tantalizing art, Rome beckoned Annalisa.Nothing will stop her from living the high life in one of the world's most glamorous cities.Not even murder.A Finalist for the 2014 Derringer Award for Short Mystery Fiction.This tale marks the first appearance of Italian detective Matteo Scarpone. The book comes with a sneak peek at his latest case.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." - Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

The strangest non-ghost ghost story you'll ever read.(Note: "The Sweatergeist" is a short story. It's also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)* * *This short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.They call Archie Bleecker the Irrelevant Detective.His pro bono cases involve objects of trivial value.His latest involves an eccentric client and a sweater that won't stay put.Is a ghost to blame, or is the culprit all too human?Part ghost story, part private eye yarn, "The Sweatergeist" investigates the mystery of true love.The strangest non-ghost ghost story you'll ever read.This story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

A cop and a femme fatale walk into a diner...(Note: "Nighthawks" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)* * *This short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. Two men, a woman, and young soda jerk find themselves alone in a New York City diner in the wee hours of the night.Why are they there? What are they saying? What are they doing?The artist Edward Hopper first painted this scene in 1941.Now comes a story that imagines what really happened on that fateful night.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books."-Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

Living to 100 years of age is a cakewalk, if you don't mind being murdered.(Note: "Old Man's Curse" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)This short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine under the title "Scintilla."In the tense days before World War II, a charismatic old man offers a boy a chance to survive anything-sickness, war, famine-and live to a ripe old age.If he does one little thing, the boy is guaranteed to live a hundred years, easy.There's just one catch:When his time's up, he'll be murdered.What would you do?* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

Reading romance novels can get you killed. Just ask Buck.(Note: "The Truth of What You've Become" is a short story. It's also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)* * *This short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.Buck is a truck driver with a heart of gold. On those long drives to nowhere, he keeps himself entertained in his rig listening to audiobooks of steamy romance novels.Millions of miles, thousands of heaving bosoms and steamy courtships have worked their magic on ol' Buck's heart. He's just a tad too gentle for this cruel world.When he crosses paths with a mysterious young woman at a truck stop, sweetness turns deadly in a heartbeat.Can a good man survive? Or is this the day Buck's happily ever after ends for good?* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

She was murdered 30,000 years ago. Today she finally tells her story.(Note: "The Woman in the Briefcase" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #1.)* * *In modern-day Spain, a young anthropologist sifts through the remains of an ancient life. Coaxing sense out of bone and ash.And in a distant world we can only imagine, a young boy becomes a man at the price of the unthinkable.Two stories, one planet-separated by the span of thirty millennia.This strange mystery first appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, and was a finalist for the 2017 Derringer Award for Short Mystery Fiction.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

The first editor who read this story rejected it, saying it was too "sordid" for Sherlock Holmes fans!(Note: "A Respectable Lady" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * *The year is 1881. London. The Victorian era. A man and woman meet in a restaurant for a quiet chat. Or it a war?Their paths have crossed before, and it ended badly.Now, one of them will have to make amends. What transpires between them tonight will shape the Crown's battle for law and order well into the next century.This controversial pastiche first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -BookViews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

A wily churchman will do anything to keep scandal from falling on his family.(Note: "The Cardinal's Blade" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * *Renaissance Italy. The rebirth of learning.Everyone knows the Farnese family. They're rich, powerful, entrenched. They rule the military, the banks, and the church.But that isn't enough. If the family is to rule absolutely, they must control minds and souls as well.That means locking down every painting that hangs on a wall-and the people who make them.Watch yourself. This story cuts like a knife.It first appeared in the magazine Mystery Weekly.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

A young woman everyone wrote off as a loser seeks revenge for her father's murder.(Note: "Her Father's Killer" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * *When she was growing up, everyone called her Lil' Bit. A nasty way to mock a big girl who wasn't expected to amount to much.Cancer took Mama. And the war raging overseas took her brothers.When Daddy ends up dead, there's no one left to bring his murderer to justice.No one but Lil' Bit.Boy, have they misjudged her.Set at night on a ghostly mountain lake, this tale of revenge first appeared in Mystery Weekly.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

Every great story needs a twist. So does murder.(Note: "The Henrian Twist" is short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * *The 19th century writer O. Henry wrote brilliant stories for the newspapers back in the day.His tales turned on a dime in the last paragraph, the last sentence, even the very last word.O. Henry knew that every great story needs a twist.And so does murder."The Henrian Twist" is a deadly wacko story that takes place in front of the keyboard.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

A cocky ad exec gets his comeuppance when his wife wins a handyman in a cereal box contest. (Note: "The Box Top Man" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * *Cal's got the sweetest life. A cushy career in advertising. The sweetest little wifey. The sweetest baby girl. And the sweetest spread in the sweetest suburb imaginable.Everything a guy could want. Except a Box Top Man.It's a gimmick the guys in the office palmed off on a big cereal company.If you send in your box tops and win the contest, you get an all-expenses-paid servant. To cook breakfast for the kids. To tidy up su casa. To fix every little thing around the house.Maid, chef, and handyman-all in one. You know-someone to stay at home with the wife and family when you're off making the big bucks.What could go wrong?Like Cheever gone from bad to worse, crime writer D'Agnese gives us a trippy fantasy that dwells in the realm of suburban surreal.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

A dying man delays breaking the truth to his wife in order to hear the juicy gossip of a neighborhood slaying.(Note: "The Knickerbocker Kill" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * *Neal is a brilliant engineer with two women in his life. His down-to-earth, foreign-born, flesh-and-blood wife. And the obedient sentient AI that dwells in his computer and runs his life.On the eve of a ferocious storm, Neal heads home to break some bad news to the family-only to discover that he's got to wait in line.Mother Nature and Lady Luck have bigger, nastier, more brutish plans in store for them all.Like Cheever gone from bad to worse, crime writer D'Agnese gives us a trippy fantasy that dwells in the realm of suburban surreal.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -BookViews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

Every small town has village idiots. If you're lucky, there's only one.(Note: "A Fortunate Man" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #3.)* * *Every small town has a village idiot. Someone to mock. Someone who becomes the butt of every joke.In a picturesque mountain village in Italy, where grapes drip on the vine and plump olives rock in the wind, Sbuccio is the one all the locals poke fun at.But the day is coming when the least among them will lead. Today is that day.And the wisdom that drops from Sbuccio's lips will shatter souls and change this little town forever."A Fortunate Man" marks the first instance that the author's beloved detective, Captain Scarpone, appears in a cameo role in a short story.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

No one knows why strangers are buying up Florida swampland in the 1960s. But the money's worth killing for.(Note: "Major Bluecastle" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #3.)* * *Not much happens in Abel Daunt's neck of the woods. For as long has he's lived in central Florida and worked as a sheriff's deputy, the people are as boring as the land.A place of swamps and sleepy orange groves.But now something's afoot. Suddenly, outsiders are buying up land. And the money they're throwing around is enough to stir up the murky waters where alligators dwell.Enough to turn buddy against buddy, sons against fathers, blood against blood.Abel's too busy running down a murderer to ask the big question: What are they building?No one knows. But it's going to be something…major.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

A couple of losers trip the light fantastic on a Friday night in the Jersey suburbs. And someone is gonna pay.(Note: "Night in Jersey" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #3.)* * *The housing crisis sent Vinnie to the can. Now he's out, with no prospects, no job, and an unfortunate amount of time on his hands.When his next-door neighbor, Vic, asks him to take a little ride on a Friday night, Vinnie tags along. Because why not?It's a small errand. No big whoop.Everyone has memories of nights in our youth that went on forever. A night of bad decisions and even worse friends.Will this night ever end?* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

A murder in a picturesque tavern sends the great poet Walt Whitman in search of a killer.(Note: "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bled" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #3.)* * *New York City, 1859. Everybody comes to Pfaff's, a German tavern tucked under the sidewalk in Greenwich Village.Well, not everyone. Anyone who is artistic, anyone who is different. Artist, writers, actors…In this warm, inviting space, these antebellum creatives can be who they are meant to be. What happens in the shadows at Pfaff's stays at Pfaff's.But now, the murder of an esteemed theater critic has rattled the regulars and brought the police to Pfaff's doors.Soon, there will be questions-and scandal.Because polite, gentle New Yorkers don't want to know what's really going on here. They prefer to believe that people with such…abhorrent predilections don't exist.Only one savvy gent can crack this murder and keep Pfaff's the way it was always meant to be: disreputable.His name is Walt Whitman.Poet, newspaperman, detective.* * *"Fascinating story with great period detail."-Robert Lopresti, Little Big Crimes"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -BookViews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).

A self-absorbed shrink is haunted by a childhood crime.(Note: "Fork in the Heart" is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #2.)* * * Some kids shoplift from strangers. Others just boost from the ones they love.When he was just a kid, Toby committed a single act that sentenced him to a life of therapy.Every day, inside four tight walls, he relives his crime again and again.Not with a shrink. It's worse than that: he is the shrink.Like Cheever gone from bad to worse, crime writer D'Agnese gives us a troubling story of sins that go unpunished but not unforgotten.* * *"D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books." -Bookviews Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist and author who has written for children and adults alike. He's been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Discover, and other national publications.In a career spanning more than twenty years, his work has been honored with awards in three vastly different areas-science journalism, children's literature, and mystery fiction.His science articles have twice appeared in the anthology Best American Science Writing.His children's book, Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci, was an honoree for the Mathical Book Prize-the first-ever prize for math-themed children's books.One of his crime stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. Another of his stories was selected by mega-bestselling author James Patterson for inclusion in the prestigious annual anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.D'Agnese's crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Plots with Guns, Beat to a Pulp, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.D'Agnese lives in North Carolina with his wife, the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan (The Girls of Atomic City).