THE POETIC HILL find a certain sense of familiarity in a witty new series of noir whodunits by DC author Stephen Spotswood. They feature a large, eccentric genius who is mobility-challenged and a wise-cracking assistant who’s not afraid to mix it up. The two of them live in a brownstone in 1940s New York and solve DC writer Stephen Spotswood crimes. But there the has created a classic detective similarities end. Beduo in his Pentecost and Parker cause both characnoir mysteries. ters in Spotswood’s mysteries are female independence from Spain and whose equestri(which would no doubt gall the famously mian statue is one of the “Statues of Liberators” losogynistic Wolfe). cated near the Organization of American States In their debut outing, “Fortune Favors on Virginia Avenue. the Dead,” we’re introduced to Lillian PenteEach of the twelve entries features a livecost when her life is saved by one Willowjean ly historical background as well as photographs “Will” Parker, a scrappy upstart who learned and illustrations of relevant documents, such as some very useful knife-throwing skills during a a map of the route for the 1913 women’s right stint with the circus. Pentecost, who is suffering to vote parade organized by suffragist Alice Paul. from MS, takes on the nimble young woman as Spadafora also provides suggested itineraries by her assistant and trains her in the fine art of deneighborhood and an extensive list of articles to tection. Their first case involves sinister spirituaccess for additional information. alists, possible messages from the dead, and a “Twelve Rebels” is dedicated to one of victim bludgeoned to death with—what else?— Capitol Hill’s more recent iconoclasts, Captain a crystal ball. James, who was known to set up shop at the “Murder Under Her Skin” finds Pentecost Tune Inn with his stack of history books and a and Parker traveling to rural Virginia to investirow of Jameson shots. Leader of what he called gate the death of a tattooed lady at the same travthe “Rogue Saints,” James helped feed homeeling circus where Will found a new home afless neighbors and veterans for years from the ter escaping an abusive childhood. Her former basement of a local church. He died in 2017. mentor, Kalishenko the knife thrower, is the chief “Fellow tour guides and I appreciated his histomurder suspect, and it’s up to the New York duo ry lessons,” Spadafora writes. “He gave us stoto wade through the evasions of the close-knit ries to pass on, to keep alive. Mission accomand colorful circus folk to get to the truth. plished, Captain.” A third Pentecost and Parker adventure, Tony Spadafora is a Guild Certified Mas“Secrets Typed in Blood,” involving a pulp deter Guide who has been leading tours of DC and tective magazine writer, is due out in DecemPhiladelphia for families and business visitors ber—and you can bet it will be at the top of my since 1983. https://yourdcguide.com Christmas list. Stephen Spotswood is an award-winning The Lyon’s Share: Pentecost playwright, journalist, and educator who is the and Parker winner of the 2021 Nero Award for best AmerFans of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe mysteries (and ican mystery. www.stephenspotswood.com u I count myself among the most fervent) will
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by Karen Lyon
apitol Hill resident Sarah Dawn Petrin is a humanitarian, poet and writer who is the author of “Bring Rain: Helping Humanity in Crisis,” in which she shares reallife action stories and advice from her 20 years of service in 20 countries with the United Nations. Born in an African village during a season of drought, she has brought hope and help to refugees since she was 15 years old. From responding to an active shooter in the Capitol to being held hostage by a warlord in the Sahara Desert, Petrin has borne witness to radical acts of ordinary heroism that lead to global change. The founder of Protect the People, she teaches the Protection of Civilians and Human Security at the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. She is currently working on a collection of poems about recovery from the COVID pandemic. www.sarahpetrin.com
What lies within You did not choose this time This time chose you Within you, lies a warrior A lion A lark You are a song in the night A new song at the break of day You are a spark A light that cannot be extinguished You are hope A life with breath You are alive! If you would like to have your poem considered for publication, please send it to klyon@literaryhillbookfest.org. (There is no remuneration.) u
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