Each story I review today contains a twist. This is not a spoiler alert. I won't reveal the clever way each author turns expectation on its head.

The July / August 2018 issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine features a variety of stories, beginning with Homework by Rebecca Cantrell. A Tiffany's heist comes off like a well-rehearsed theatrical performance, which includes a dog. The aftermath doesn't go as well, as distrust and suspicion tears the team apart. The ending contains a clever twist, and a great closing line.

The Movie Lover by Kevin Egan features Nouri, a coffee kiosk attendant and aspiring screen writer. Ray, the blind coffee shop owner, recruits Foxx, a courthouse security guard, to bust whoever has been ripping him off. The fun aspect of this story is how justice plays out in an unexpected way. 

Blue Moon by Eve Fisher is a short tale following a creepy young stalker. Scorned by his high school sweetheart, he decides if he can't have Ina, nobody can. 

I Pray the Lord My Soul to Take by David Edgerley Gates follows an action packed bank heist. Police Officer Jean Weinstock places herself in a hostage situation in an attempt to free bank employees and patrons, one of whom is her mother. The Iceman, as the bank robber is nicknamed, is not interested in negotiation or mercy.

AHMM never fails to contain variety. I'm less than a third of the way through this issue, and looking forward to finishing every story.

Donkey Derby Days is an 87 year tradition in the Colorado mountain town Cripple Creek. I attended Sunday with my granddaughter. We enjoyed meeting dozens of donkeys, watching the races, and viewing the Outlaws and Law Men Museum. 

Two donkeys are prominent characters in my Rock Shop Mystery series, so I was particularly interested in seeing how this semi-wild donkey herd coexists with the town of Cripple Creek. The donkeys are "owned" by the town, but wander freely. 

A nice surprise was the Outlaws and Law Men Museum. We wandered around the historic jail, entering cells and reading about people who had been incarcerated. Murderers, thieves, ladies of ill repute, and even children occupied the jail. My granddaughter donned striped clothing and posed inside a cell.

She also entered us in the donkey race. Names were drawn for teams to run with the donkeys down the main street, gathering bags of pretend ore. We didn't make it this year. Maybe next time!

More photos in the slideshow:

Publishers send authors hardcopies of their magazines or books when they are published. Authors may receive one copy or dozens. It is a thrill opening that package and seeing your work in print for the first time.

I am pleased to have a short story included in the anthology, Blood and Gasoline. The official release day is July 10, but you can pre-order now directly from Hex Publishers, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, in paperback or e-book.

From Nancy Drew to the modern cozy mystery, publishers have produced multiple author series. ​On Saturday, I appeared on P. J. Nunn's blog bookbrowsing. I talked about series written by multiple authors - a different author writing each installment. My adventure in a multi-author series resulted in Ink or Swim - A Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library Mystery.