A Big, Happy Announcement!

Winning a Silver Falchion award is a big deal! Like the Edgar from Mystery Writers of America, and the International Thriller Writers award, the Killer Nashville silver falchion contest is an annual international competition that draws hundreds of entries from the finest mystery writers in the industry. The contest is judged by a panel of professional authors whose expertise and experience give them insights as to what makes high quality mystery fiction.

Becoming a Top Pick or a Finalist for a Silver Falchion is celebration-worthy, but capturing the actual award, becoming the number one ranked novel in its category for the year—that is a pinnacle.

So let me say that when Murder Outside the Box was named the Silver Falchion winner in the category of Best Investigator for 2025, I was overjoyed. The fact that an unexpected five-day stay in the hospital prevented me from accepting the award in person was a bit of a disappointment, but I watched the awards ceremony on You Tube and screamed with delight.

I didn’t get to give an acceptance speech or hear the applause of my peers in person, but I’ve thought about what I might have said had I been there, and it’s all about Detective Parrott. In the past seven years and through four books in the series, Detective Parrott has resonated with readers, and he’s become as real to me as a friend, a family member. He lives in my home and in my dreams. And now he’s the best investigator in the world of mystery writing.

Ironically, Parrott began as an afterthought. When I plotted the first book in the series, Murder in the One Percent, I was so focused on the victim, the perpetrator, the characters with motives—the detective wasn’t even on my radar until after the murder took place. As I continued to write about him, Parrott grew more and more compelling, and I realized he was actually the protagonist of the book. I rewrote the beginning to put him front and center, and from then on, he commanded the story.

The book’s early reviews created an unexpected clamor for “more Parrott.” I think what resonated with readers was Parrott’s “everyman” nature that distinguished him from the ultra-rich and powerful community he served. A true outsider in every way, he remained unimpressed and undaunted by the ways of the one percenters he was investigating. At the same time, his own personal issues kept him grounded and relatable to readers. That’s how the series was born.

Now, after four books: Murder in the One Percent, A Palette for Love and Murder, Crystal Blue Murder, and Murder Outside the Box, Parrott is world-famous as the Best Investigator of 2025. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!

To celebrate this huge honor, I’ve created a special ebook promotion for the first three books in the Detective Parrott Mystery Series: MURDER IN THE ONE PERCENT, A PALETTE FOR LOVE AND MURDER, and CRYSTAL BLUE MURDER. The books will sell for $.99 on all sites for the coming week. Please forward this newsletter offer to anyone you know who loves mysteries. They can subscribe at https://saralynrichard.com.

In addition, for newsletter subscribers only, I’m running an autographed paperback bundle of the four books in the Detective Parrott Mystery Series: MURDER IN THE ONE PERCENT, A PALETTE FOR LOVE AND MURDER, CRYSTAL BLUE MURDER, and MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX, an $83 value, for just $70 (plus sales tax, shipping within US, and handling). Perfect for gifting, and not too soon for holiday gift planning. Just reply to this email, and I’ll make ordering easy.

In other news, I’m looking forward to next week’s book club discussion of BAD BLOOD SISTERS with the First Presbyterian Church group. I love the joy and insights that come from book club discussions. Invite me to your next meeting—I’ll bring them along.

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Here’s a link to my latest interview with best-selling author Debi Mack at the Crime Café. https://www.debbimack.com/blog/crime-cafe/interview-with-saralyn-richard-s-11-ep-4/ I hope you’ll listen in.

I’ve been reading some wonderful books lately, including The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne, and Jenny Cooper Has a Secret by Joy Fielding. I’ve also read Melting Point: Family, Memory, and the Search for a Promised Land by Rachel Cockerell. This book is about the Galveston Immigration Movement of the early 20^th century, a topic related to my current work-in-progress. I had the opportunity to meet Rachel during a Zoom discussion this week, and she is coming to Galveston for a lecture on November 10.

I’d love to know what delicious books are on your nightstand currently. Which ones do you recommend?

Most of all, I hope you are enjoying a healthy, safe, peaceful, and fun Labor Day weekend. Keep in touch, and happy reading!

Much love,

Saralyn