Last Picks

You can't hide from the truth. And apparently, you can't hide from your ex either. Dashiell Dawson Dane wants the simple things in life: to live in a (possibly) haunted mansion, to avoid socializing at all costs, and to write, and possibly finish, a book. Unfortunately, the real world has a way of intruding. And since unfinished manuscripts don't pay the bills, he finds himself persuaded-against his better judgment-to rent out Hemlock House for a wedding. Having his ex-boyfriend, Hugo, arrive unexpectedly during the preparations is bad enough. But when Hugo is arrested for the murder of the groom-to-be, Dash seems to be the only one who believes he didn't do it. And Dash's efforts to uncover the truth will draw the attention of the real killer-who has a great deal to gain, and nothing to lose.

All's fair in love and...publishing? It's nearly Christmas, and Dashiell Dawson Dane already has enough on his plate: finding a present for his parents, coming up with excuses not to hang the Christmas lights, and finishing this stupid story he's been writing (okay, maybe he needs to start writing it). On top of all that, Bobby has been acting...well, strange. The last thing Dash needs, in other words, is to play host when Marshall Crowe—celebrity author and, worse, a friend of Dash's parents—comes to town. When Marshall dies in the middle of a public reading of his latest novel, Dash can't bring himself to believe it was an accident, but he's determined to stay away from the investigation. Until, that is, the prime suspect shows up on his doorstep, begging for his help. The catch? It's the same woman who accused Dash, not so long ago, of murdering Vivienne Carver—Hastings Rock's resident cozy mystery author, Pippi Parker. And helping Pippi might just be the death of Dash.

We might not be doomed to repeat the past. But it's pretty likely.When Dashiell Dawson Dane receives a phone call from his nemesis Vivienne Carver (okay, one of his nemeses), he's caught off guardto say the leastby her request: help solve the murder of her brother, who disappeared almost thirty years ago. His gut tells him to say no. But with Bobby preparing to move out of Hemlock House, Dash sees the perfect opportunity for them to spend more time together, whether Bobby likes it or not.The local police seem convinced that Vivienne was responsible for her brother's deathan opinion shared by some of her family. But the more Dash investigates, the more convinced he becomes that Vivienne is being set up. Secrets have been accumulating for decades, and the most dangerous lies, Dash knows, are the ones we want to believe the most. After all these years, answers might finally be within reachand someone is willing to kill to keep the truth from coming out.

They say love makes fools of us all. It certainly makes idiots out of some of us.It's Dash's second Halloween in Hastings Rock, and this year, he's determined to have a normal spooky seasonhe's going to hang out with his friends, hand out lots of candy, and seize every available opportunity for snuggles with a certain deputy.Fate, though, has other things in store.When Dash's friend Keme is arrested for murder, Dash assumes it's a misunderstandingafter all, this is Keme we're talking about. But it turns out, not everyone in Hastings Rock trusts Keme. Or likes him. In fact, plenty of people are downright afraid of him, and for them, the arrest confirms what they've always suspected: that Keme is a seriously bad apple. And when Keme's clothes turn up not far from the scene of the crime, covered in the victim's blood, it's the final piece of proof for the court of public opinion.It'll be up to Dash to prove Keme's innocence.But the real killer might have something to say about that.

Grief is the price of love.When an upscale restaurant opens in Hastings Rock, Dashiell Dawson Dane (just Dash) and his friends are excited to get reservations for the soft open. After all, winter on the Oregon Coast is the quiet season, and Dash is looking forward to a little excitement. (And, of course, dessert.)Instead, their arrival at the restaurant brings them face to face with Indira's ex-husband, Mal. And when Mal ends up dead, Indira is the chief suspect.Dash is sure he can prove Indira's innocence, but before he has the chance, tragedy strikes Bobby's family. With Bobby drawn back to Portland, Dash finds himself torn between helping his boyfriend and saving Indira.And the killer isn't done yet.

They say the show must go on. Thank goodness for intermission.Dashiell Dawson Dane isn't thrilled that a new play at the community theater is based (however loosely) on his life. But when Dash's friend Fox asks him to attend opening night, things take a strange turn: the actor playing Dash's role seems to have been given a different script. Even stranger, the new lines trigger a bizarre response from the rest of the cast and crew-right before the lights go out and the box office is robbed.At Fox's request, Dash agrees to investigate, but he's surprised to discover that everyone at the theater seems more preoccupied with the altered (and now missing) script than with the robbery. And when one of the actors is murdered in what appears to be a burglary gone wrong, Dash is sure there's something much darker afoot.But someone is determined to keep the truth from coming out, and Dash will have to navigate aging starlets, a disgruntled custodian, and a reclusive stage manager-among others-to catch the killer before they can strike again.

All the other stuff.Expanded Universe is a collection of short stories from The Last Picks. It includes the following:"Engineered Public Confession"A glimpse into Dash's life before his move to Hastings Rock."Mystery of the Week"Someone steals Dash's ice cream cone, and things…escalate."New Neighbors"Dash adjusts to his new life in Hastings Rock-and to his budding friendship with Deputy Bobby."Friends on the Force"Taking advantage of a local perk, Dash does a ride-along with his favorite deputy."Thanksgiving Episode"On Dash's first Thanksgiving with his new friends, things don't go quite as planned."It Runs in the Family"Dash's sister arrives for an unexpected-and unwelcome-visit."Sheep in Sheep's Clothing"Bobby is most definitely not perfect. But why is it so hard to prove it?"Chekhov's Wig"A box of stolen wigs. Jewel thieves on the run. What could go wrong?"Birthday Beginning"The Last Picks are determined to make Keme's birthday a memorable one."The Odd Couple"Dash and Keme might not be the original odd couple, but they're odd enough."Home for the Holidays"It's Dash and Bobby's first Christmas together. They manage to make it interesting."Good Cop, Bad Cop"When Dash discovers someone is stealing Keme's lunch, he's determined to help. He's just a little too late."Insufferable Geniuses"Dash and Fox share the highs and lows of the artistic temperament."Found Family"The Last Picks celebrate Keme's graduation."Skip to the End"Dash and Bobby celebrate their big day. Please note that the first fourteen stories were distributed previously in various formats."Skip to the End" is exclusively available in this collection.