Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you about shows and films you can watch on Amazon Prime murder mystery, suspense, thriller, and horror-related! Even if you don’t have Amazon Prime, may this post will help consider you to get one (only if it’s affordable and you truly want it of course- you can just have a regular Amazon account and get the stuff you need or want) Shall we begin, DETECTIVES?

1. The Fugitive (1993)

Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble who goes on the run after he is sent to prison once his wife is brutally murdered by a hidden assassin.

2. Knives Out (2019)

Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Chris Evans star in this amazing murder mystery and hilarious film in which the killer is not who you’d expect and the victim was actually a successful murder mystery and thriller author! I think you’ve heard me geek out over this movie before, DETECTIVES!

3. Charade (1963)

A woman played by the beautiful Audrey Hepburn falls in love with a man while on vacation in Paris and upon her return, she learns her husband has been murdered. She and her new boyfriend go on the run from her dead husband’s former crime buddies.

4. Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders (2018)

Famed mystery author Agatha Christie transports us to the 1930s with the former detective Hercule Poirot, investigating crimes in London.

5. Forensic Files (1996–2011)

DNA analysis, lawyers, forensic employees, autopsies solving crimes! What could be better?

6. Unsolved Mysteries: Original Robert Stack Episodes (1988–2002)

Former host, Robert Stark takes you to solve unsolved crimes with him, need I explain more?

I hope you’ve enjoyed these shows and films, DETECTIVES! Stay tuned for next week’s post and until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES!

Hey there,  DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you all just a quick update about my upcoming psychological thriller novel The Doctor that has now officially accepted the final and full front and back cover! 

Very soon, you can pick up early copies on Amazon! You can submit a review and comment below what you think of this final full cover, DETECTIVES! Please check it out below, DETECTIVES! I made sure to verify that she looks as much like me in almost every way shape or form!

I truly admire your helpful feedback and commentary. It all means so much.

Stay tuned for next week’s post, DETECTIVES!

DETECTIVE Dog Bella!

A.K.A, not my dog but a relative of mine. She’s a few months old and living life upstairs above me. She enjoys running around in search of clues and enjoys chasing after any little item she spots her tiny eyes on. I hope you enjoy getting to know her, DETECTIVES! Since you will definitely be hearing a lot about her, just like DETECTIVE Cat, Coco, and our other DETECTIVE Dog, Riley!

FUN FACT: She’s also our handsome DETECTIVE Dog, Riley’s sister!

Aren’t they just adorable?! Stay tuned for next week’s post and until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you to follow me on TikTok! Check out my videos here @MalteseFalcon210 in which I dress up as a DETECTIVE and lead you right to DETECTIVE WRITER!

@MalteseFalcon210

Stay tuned for next week’s post, DETECTIVES! Until next time, keep on sleuthing!

Hey there,  DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you all just a quick update about my upcoming psychological thriller novel The Doctor has now officially been accepted by copy editing and officially submitted for proofreading and layout!

Within a few days, the novel will be ready to discuss the final touches for the official book cover and much more so you can pick up early copies on Amazon!

Stay tuned for next week’s post, DETECTIVES!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you all about a first-time Halloween-themed murder mystery riddle! Let me know your feelings for it and answer the riddle in the comments!

I’m nor person nor a thing

People can get lost in me

Especially curious souls

On Halloween.

People travel from far and wide

To see inside me.

Bones, shadows, tools, and more bones

Further the more you see my essence.

Souls have died inside and out,

Some tried to escape me,

But the Eiffel Towel is my ally

In luring you in.

What am I?

Give your best hints or possible solutions in the comments below, DETECTIVES! Stay tuned for next week’s post. Until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to chat with you about my all-time favorite murder mystery, suspense, and thriller international tv-shows that I grew up watching on my Ecuadorian grandma’s television, whether it was on Televisa, Telemundo, or any other Latinx channel! Check out the best ones in my opinion, that I absolutely adored and just couldn’t get enough of!

1. La Madrastra (2005) = The Stepmother 

A brilliant work of art by Televisa’s own Salvador Mejía Alejandre, that takes you alongside the journey of a woman named Maria who was imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commit. When she is finally released after twenty years, she returns to Mexico to get revenge on her husband and friends who abandoned her and to get her beloved children.

2. Alguien Te Mira = Someone’s Watching You

I didn’t really watch this show growing up but long story short, a whole bunch of murders and no one knows until the very end of course!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these two shows, DETECTIVES! Stay tuned for next week’s post and until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you all about 3 new and utterly divine YouTube channels that are just incredible and are perfect for the true crime and murder mystery fanatic! Check out the links below and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, DETECTIVES!

1. Investigation Discovery

A true-crime documentary series that distinguishes between real-life homicide cases, unsolved murders or disappearances, and much more! A guilty pleasure of mine.

2. Bailey Sarian

Love how this woman just does her makeup and gets glammed up while discussing real-life unsolved or famous crimes!

3. Truly Criminal

Real-life crimes of all types are narrated short and sweet. Another guilty pleasure.

I truly hope you explore and enjoy these channels, DETECTIVES! Stay tuned for next week’s post. Until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-doctor-by-sally-barrilla/x/27177610#/

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you that my official Indiegogo book campaign is now over and we have raised almost $4,000! Thank you, thank you, thank you all so many DETECTIVES!

The Doctor, psychological thriller book soon to come your way this winter!

Until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES! Stay tuned for next week’s blog post!

Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here to tell you all about another work of art I shared with y’all a while back but wanted to bring back with a bit more sparkle for your reading pleasure. But this time, it’s not a short story but a play that’s not exactly murder mystery-themed but I promise you it’s filled with tons of drama, inner and outer conflicts, the discovery of finding oneself, and a few food references here and there. Here we are, DETECTIVES!

Serving Up Sides of Hell

By DETECTIVE WRITER

Act 1 Scene i

The front door opens, the keys are placed in the small glass

bowl, and the lights are turned on. TANYA immediately pulls out

a water bottle from her bag, sits down on the couch, propping

her legs up, and closes her eyes.

TANYA

(with a deep sigh)

Oh, my goodness. When can I stop working at that damn office?

I’m exhausted. When I finally make enough money, I will go to

culinary school and become a chef.

(takes a long sip of her water bottle and places it down on

the nightstand)

I mean it will take a few years, but I know my dreams will come

true. They must. That’s what the American Dream is all about,

just like PAPA always says. Oh well, I might as well read

today’s news.

(pulls out the newspaper from her bag, skims through it

before gasping in shock)

Huh? What’s this? A cooking internship in New Orleans and one

chef will be chosen with the best dish! Ay Dios Mio! It’s like

my prayers have been answered. I have faith I will win this

competition. The judges will like me. I know they will. I just

have to give it my all.

Act I Scene ii

The door opens. MEGAN is walking through the front door of her

grey mansion. She sets her Prada purse down on the counter and

sinks down to her blue recliner. As she pulls out the newspaper

from under the seat that she left behind in the morning, she

begins to look through the paper. She then catches a glimpse of

a topic that catches her eye.

MEGAN

Huh? What’s this? A chef’s internship in New Orleans? Sounds

like my kind of game.

(leans back in her recliner)

All I need to do is find the stupid application and I will be on

my way to New Orleans in no time.

(stands up from the recliner to grab a cup of orange juice)

I think I’ve got this whole internship in the bag.

(Landline rings and MEGAN goes to retrieve it)

MEGAN

Hello? Oh, hi DADDY. No, everything is fine. How’s mom? Nothing

much. Just looking at an application for an internship for

chefs. Yeah, it’s in New Orleans. No worries DADDY. I will win.

I know it. Aww, love you too good night.

(takes a sip of her juice)

I know that I’ve got this internship in the bag. I know it.

(silence)

Act I Scene iii

MEGAN is walking away from the Cordon Bleu school in Pasadena,

California when suddenly she is knocked down to the ground.

TANYA

Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry Miss! I swear I didn’t see you.

(raising a hand to help MEGAN up)

MEGAN

(lifting an eyebrow and giving a hand to TANYA)

Uhh, sure it’s fine.

(wipes dirt off of her dress as she stands up)

TANYA

Please. Let me make it up to you. I noticed you were also inside

the Cordon Bleu for the internship in New Orleans. I know we

just ate, but could I buy some coffee and doughnuts?

MEGAN

I don’t eat doughnuts. They are too fattening. I also don’t

trust strangers.

TANYA

Well, then just coffee and a scone then. Please, Miss, allow me

to make it up for accidentally pushing you down.

MEGAN

Not “Miss.” My name is MEGAN and really, it’s fine.

TANYA

Please. I insist. My name is TANYA by the way.

MEGAN

(with a deep sigh)

Sure. Why not? Oh, and I should also mention I only drink my

coffee with almond milk.

TANYA

(giving a soft smile)

Almond milk it is. Shall we go to the nearest bakery MEG?

MEGAN

(surprised at the nickname)

Huh. My father calls me that.

(with a small smirk)

Well then, lead the way TANYA.

(The two women then head into a nearby cafe and end up

talking for several hours about their aspirations to become

famous chefs).

Act I Scene iv

Lights up in MEGAN’s apartment. MEGAN is sitting on the couch in

the living room as she skims through a magazine.

Her father KEVIN enters from the kitchen drinking a glass of

wine before sitting down on the couch next to MEGAN.

KEVIN

(sets wine glass down on the coffee table and snatches

MEGAN’s magazine out of her hands)

You aren’t demonstrating your true potential as a chef. You are

choosing to slack off on boys, sleeping, and crap like this!

(raises the magazine to MEGAN’s face and throws it to the

ground)

MEGAN

(with a look of surprise and fear)

I’m sorry DADDY! I don’t know what more you want from me. I’m a

chef and applying for an internship in New Orleans. I’m trying

here DADDY. I am!

(stands up from the couch and slams her foot down on the

ground)

KEVIN

(with a bewildered look)

Ha! You’ve been trying? You think you’ve been trying anything.

You’re just a failure.

(stands up and paces around the living room)

I mean honestly. Sometimes I wonder why me and your mother even

paid for culinary school if you were just going to end becoming

just some ordinary cook!

(looks at Megan up and down while rolling his eyes)

MEGAN

(with tears in her eyes and a broken voice)

I’m not an ordinary cook, DADDY!

(sniffles)

I- I – I am Megan, the famous chef from Cordon Bleu. I am

someone and you know that better than anyone because KEVIN

(guffaws)

You are nobody MEGAN! An absolute loser who’s been a good-for-nothing ever since she was born. I knew it and your mother knew

it! You could never make us proud.

MEGAN

Don’t say that DADDY. You should know I’ve worked really hard to

be a chef. I mean yes, I did it at first to get CHAD to like me

but over time I’ve proven myself, worth DADDY!

KEVIN

The only way you could ever prove your self-worth is if you

crush that other girl’s chances of ever getting into that

internship. What’s her name? Robin? Tasha?

MEGAN

Do you mean Tanya?

KEVIN

Yeah… Tanya. You need to destroy her chances of ever getting

into that internship young lady! If you want a chance to redeem

yourself in my eyes, you need to crush her!

MEGAN

(with widen eyes)

But how can I do that DADDY? I barely know her. I mean what am I

supposed to do just so she doesn’t get it?

KEVIN

(rapidly swinging his arms)

Uhh… I don’t know. Poison her food or something. I don’t know!

But you need to think of something if you ever want to call

yourself my daughter!

MEGAN

(with tears running down her eyes)

Please don’t disown me, DADDY! I promise I’ll do whatever you

say! Just don’t leave me alone.

KEVIN

(with squinted eyes)

Oh, don’t worry my darling girl. I won’t leave you alone unless

you do just what I say and come up with the creativity on

your part.

(laughs)

You’ve disappointed me enough times MEGAN. I’d hate to see that

happen another time sweetheart. Make me proud MEGAN.

(pinches MEGAN’s wet cheek).

MEGAN

(silence)

I promise you DADDY that I will make you proud of me. I will get

that internship one way or another.

Act I Scene v

Hurried footsteps rush into the Cordon Bleu kitchen. Panting

with shallow breaths, MEGAN runs inside as she quickly pulls out

a small Tabasco hot sauce bottle.

MEGAN

(places a hand on her chest as she tries to calm her fast

beating heartbeats)

Come on. You can do this because you promised DADDY. You already

did it once. No one caught you.

(repeats mantra)

You can do this. Just a little hot sauce. You can do this. Just

a little hot sauce You can do this.

(walks around the kitchen, searching for TANYA’S chicken

dish under her name)

Okay. Now just do it and get it over with. Goddamn.

(takes a deep breath as she opens the hot sauce bottle and

slowly pours tiny drops inside TANYA’S chicken dish)

There. That’s it and now no one will know. That way stupid TANYA

won’t stand in my way, she’s only trying to stand in my way just

like DADDY said.

(quietly walks out of the kitchen in silence when she

Suddenly jumps)

TANYA

(with wide eyes)

MEGAN! That’s my dish. What the hell are you doing to it?!

MEGAN

Uhh- see I– uhh. There’s a good explanation.

TANYA

(folds her arms)

I’m waiting.

MEGAN

(takes a deep breath)

Okay, well TANYA… I guess it’s time that you know the truth.

Act I Scene vi

Sickened and hurt by twenty-seven-year-old Megan’s cruel

sabotage of her dish during a “friendly” dual cook-off,

twenty-three-year-old Tanya confronts the betrayal. She attacks

Megan’s behavior from the moment they met, belittles her

distinct background to hers while confessing a secret.

TANYA

(with a raised voice and anger in her tone)

How dare you! How absolutely dare you! I thought you were my friend and I believed you when you kept saying we support one

another not bring each other down. You have only ever viewed me

as an enemy and didn’t even want to take the chance to get to

know me before you decided to judge me because I’m some poor immigrant from Columbia. What, you think that because you were

born in some rich ass family with servants and a sports car that

Mommy and daddy still pay for to this day that you are better than

me?

MEGAN

(with wide eyes)

It’s simple as that TANYA. I was always the better chef and you

needed to know that one way or another. I am better than you

TANYA and you should accept that.

TANYA

Ha! You have never had to struggle to fight for what you want.

Unlike you, I’ve never been able to just say I want something

and just had it given to me. Unlike you, I know how to look past

someone’s background and actually getting to know the person

beneath.

(Begins to walk around in a circle while moving her arms

around before resting them on her forehead)

MEGAN

I am not some bratty little girl you think I am. I know how to

be kind to others. You just weren’t my cup of tea that’s all.

TANYA

(jaw-dropping)

I just wasn’t your cup of tea? Are you freaking kidding me?

(yells)

I mean, god damn it, Megan! You just deliberately put hot sauce

in my chicken casserole recipe and nearly caused me to lose a

competition YOU so nicely asked to help me out with! You said

“it’s just a nice cook-off between friends. No pressure and just

think of it as a barbecue.” You lied to me. I should have

known it was you who set the timer longer when I was baking my

chocolate soufflé. It was you who added cumin to my meatballs

when you and I know very well that one of the judges was

allergic and he ended up getting sent to the hospital! And it

was you who tricked me into ever believing you were my friend

only to stab me in the back, but you never really were a friend

because you have never liked me ever right?

MEGAN

(with a light scoff)

You know, despite what you may think. I did like you in the

beginning. It was just until a little voice in my head told me

that you were the enemy and rivals don’t get the nice me, they

just get hell.

(chuckling)

TANYA

You have no idea how much I trusted you. I let you in my home

even though I was nervous to show you my apartment because it’s

small and what did you tell me? “Oh no worries, I love any

humble home. It’s much cozier than the mansion I grew up in. How

could you use me? You have absolutely no idea how much I have

grown to care for you. I mean really care for you that it became

really hard to imagine my life without you.

MEGAN

(with a sharp gasp and holding her hand to her chest)

Yo– you– you’re not saying…

TANYA

Yes MEGAN. You are hearing me right and you will hear me say it

now. I love you. I love you because I thought I finally had

someone who wouldn’t EVER deem me a simple stupid girl with a

dream to make a new life for herself.

MEGAN

(with a shocked expression and beginning to stutter)

Oh my… god. TANYA. I–I– I don’t know what to say.

TANYA

(tears now streaming down her face)

It doesn’t matter now. You have shown me that you are nothing

more than a spoiled little rich girl who doesn’t give a crap

about anyone else other than herself. I never want to see you

again because you are dead to me. Goodbye Ms. Hart.

(with squinted eyes giving a teary final glare at Megan,

walks away from her)

MEGAN

(stunned)

Oh, man. TANYA loves me. I- I can’t believe this. But I won’t

stop her. She is still my enemy set to destroy me just like

DADDY said. Just focus on that okay MEGAN? That’s all.

(closes her eyes and trying to steady her shaky breathing).

Act I Scene vi

Pacing back and forth in her living room as her father continues

to glare at her, MEGAN suddenly stops at her pace and looks at

her father who is standing a few feet away from her with tears

in her eyes.

MEGAN

I did everything you told me to do DADDY! What more can you

possibly want from me?

KEVIN

(folds his arms close to his chest as he raises an eyebrow)

Oh, you know very well what more I want you to do. Destroy that

slut’s chances of beating you for the internship one way or

another. What exactly do you not understand MEGAN?!

MEGAN

(crying and with a broken voice)

Like I told you DADDY I did everything. Everything you ever

asked me! Is it too much for you to just trust that I can beat

TANYA with my skills and talents as a chef?

KEVIN

(guffaws)

Huh! Skills and talents as a chef? What qualities could you

possibly possess for anything MEGAN? I swear you know how to

make me laugh sometimes.

MEGAN

(with a gasp and clutches her hand to her chest in shock)

You don’t have faith I can win this competition at all DADDY?

KEVIN

Just do as I ask and everything will be fine.

MEGAN

No.

KEVIN

Excuse me?

MEGAN

(wipes her tears away with her sleeve)

No. I won’t do anything else until you tell me just why you want

me to destroy her chances so bad.

KEVIN

Because you need to have a reputation

MEGAN

No. That’s not it. Tell me, DADDY!

KEVIN

(with a deep voice)

Leave it alone MEGAN.

MEGAN

Tell me why DADDY.

KEVIN

(with a harsher tone)

You don’t want to push my buttons MEGAN.

MEGAN

(growing frustrated with her father’s attitude and with a slam of her fist on the coffee table)

Goddamn it! Tell me the fucking truth already DADDY!

KEVIN

(taking rough breaths and tightening the grip on his shirt)

Because her mother doesn’t deserve to have a happy daughter!

MEGAN

(taken aback and takes a few steps towards her father)

What? What does TANYA’S mother have to do with this?

KEVIN

(with a deep breath and stares at MEGAN directly in the

face)

Her mother was my lover. Long before I met your mother, I went

on a senior trip to Columbia and I met and fell for a woman with

beautiful brown eyes and shiny hair. But she chose someone else.

MEGAN

(with a soft chuckle)

So… all of this has been about an old love affair? Really DADDY?

Must you have been so stupid?

KEVIN

(angered at her words and rapidly raises his hand to slap

MEGAN)

I am your father and that will be the last time you ever call me

stupid. I may not be the same as some shithead twenty-year-old

but I am still strong enough to knock out your teeth! The only

stupid one here is you! You, MEGAN are the only one to blame

because you still question me and doubt my words.

MEGAN

(holding on to her red cheek while slowly turning to her

father)

You… hit me. You hit me, DADDY.

KEVIN

You deserved it.

MEGAN

No, I didn’t. What I deserved was you being honest with me from

the beginning instead of critiquing me and judging me as you

have my whole life. I have never been enough for you and all you

can think about is some stupid revenge plot.

(scoffing softly)

And I was the stupid one to ever believe you knew what was best

for me. When TANYA has been nothing but kind to me. She trusted

me. How could I have been so-

KEVIN

Don’t you dare give up on our plan!

MEGAN

No DADDY. I’m giving up on you! You don’t deserve to have me as

a daughter. I’m worth more than that. I deserve a family.

(taking a deep breath to steady her breathing)

And with that…

(walks to her front door and opens it)

I’m afraid I must ask you to leave.

KEVIN

(with wide eyes and his jaw-dropping)

I am still your father. Remember that. You can’t get rid of me

so easily.

MEGAN

(still holding on to her door)

No. You are just someone I used to know. Please leave.

KEVIN

You need me MEG. Don’t forget that.

MEGAN

Forget about me and no worries I will make do what I have.

Goodbye… Kevin.

KEVIN

(with a surprised gasp)

So, it’s like that now?

MEGAN

This is how it will always be. Goodbye Kevin and now please

leave. You have overstayed your welcome.

KEVIN

(walks out the door)

MEGAN

(quickly slams the door behind him. She begins to rub her

arms back and forth before sliding down the back of the

door

and begins sobbing).

Oh my god TANYA. All I can ever hope is that you forgive me one

day.

(silence).

I hope you enjoyed this ending, DETECTIVES! Stay tuned for next week’s post. Until then, keep on sleuthing, DETECTIVES!