Biennially, Desert Sleuths produces a member-written anthology of crime and mystery stories; the editors are also members. Submissions open in the preceding fall and close in January to give time for selection, editing, and publication in time to release with our fall conference. Authors and editors are listed alphabetically by last name.
Below is each anthology and our cookbook, available in paperback or ebook on Amazon.
SoWest: Danger Awaits!
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Anthology – Book 11
Also, Karen Odden’s story ,”The Bright Side of Dark Angel,” was selected for the 2026 BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR, edited by Otto Penzler with guest editor Tess Gerritson.
Our 2025 Desert Sleuths anthology features 25 mystery and crime short stories with a theme of Danger Awaits!
Congratulations to our contributing authors, and heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated editors whose quiet diligence made this possible.
Contributing authors were selected through a blind judging process by editors Claire A Murray (lead editor), Eva Eldridge, Suzanne E Flaig, Denise Ganley, and Sarah Smith.
Contributing authors: Mary Adler ♦ Betsy Barker ♦ Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski ♦ Patricia A. Bonn ♦ Clare Broyles ♦ Margaret Burnison** ♦ Bill Butler ♦ Dory Crowe ♦ Patricia Curren ♦ Meg E. Dobson ♦ Suzanne E Flaig ♦ Roberta Gibson ♦ Debra H. Goldstein ♦ Lisa Knudsen Harkrader ♦ Wendy Harrison ♦ Jay Kinney ♦ Laura MacKenzie ♦ Tim Maleeny ♦ Kathy McIntosh ♦ Susan Cummins Miller ♦ Claire A Murray ♦ Karen M. Odden ♦ D.R. Ransdell ♦ Cynthia Sabelhaus ♦ Michael Thomét
(** indicates first fiction publication)
Anthology Editors: Eva Eldridge ♦ Sue Flaig ♦ Denise Ganley ♦ Claire A Murray (lead editor) ♦ Sarah Smith
Copies also available to purchase at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore.
SoWest: Wrong Turn
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Anthology – Book 10
Congratulations to the 16 authors who were chosen in a blind submissions process and gave us these engaging tales of assassins, serial killers, family, motherhood, survival, trust, abuse, escape, blackmail, espionage, and romance … where one wrong turn made a difference.
Autographed copies are available at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore. Paperback and ebook also available on Amazon.
Contributing authors: Patricia A. Bonn ♦ Lauren Buckingham ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Jo Burrough** ♦ William D. Butler ♦ Meg E Dobson ♦ Suzanne E Flaig ♦ Roberta Gibson ♦ Laura MacKenzie** ♦ Kim McCavan ♦ Kathy McIntosh ♦ Susan Cummins Miller ♦ Claire A Murray ♦ D.R. Ransdell ♦ Paula Barr Skillicorn ♦ Joseph S. Walker
(** indicates first fiction publication)
Lead Editor: Claire A Murray
Co-Editors: Meg E Dobson, Suzanne Flaig, Sarah Smith
Cover Design: Maegan Beaumont
Submissions Coordinator/Proofreader: Margaret C. Morse
SoWest: Love Kills
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Anthology – Book 9
Published: September 10, 2021
Contributing authors were chosen using a blind submission process. Congratulations to our 2021 authors:
Contributing authors: Shannon Baker ♦ Mysti Berry ♦ Meredith Blevins ♦ Patricia Bonn ♦ Lauren Buckingham ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ William D. Butler ♦ Patricia Curren ♦ Meg Dobson ♦ Beverly Forsyth ♦ Denise Ganley ♦ Katherine Atwell Herbert ♦ Tom Leveen ♦ Susan Cummins Miller ♦ Charlotte Morganti ♦ Julie Morrison ♦ Claire A Murray ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Karen Odden ♦ R K Olson ♦ DR Ransdell ♦ Kim Rivery ♦ Elena Smith
Lead Editor & Cover Design: Maegan Beaumont
Co-Editors: Deborah J Ledford ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Shannon Baker ♦ Roni Olson ♦ Meg Dobson
SoWest: Ladykillers
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 8
Dive into the shadowy pockets of Arizona—a world of schemes, ancient magic, mystical landscapes, and big-city intrigue. Between the covers of SoWest: Ladykillers you will meet brazen culprits, venomous victims, and heroines who let their bold colors fly. Be prepared! Anything can happen with ladykillers on the loose.
“I love the way these skilled writers turn murder into entertainment. A great read!” ~ Anne Hillerman
Contributing authors: Shannon Baker ♦ Mysti Berry ♦ Meredith Blevins ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ William Butler ♦ Patricia Curren ♦ Meg E. Dobson ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Katherine Atwell Herbert ♦ Alec Hillbo ♦ Arthur Kerns ♦ Jay Kinney ♦ Deborah J Ledford ♦ Merle McCann ♦ C.W. Miiller ♦ Kwinn Mitchell ♦ Timothy W. Moore ♦ Julie Morrison ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Toni Niesen ♦ R K Olson ♦ Tamera Zarr
Lead Editor: Deborah J Ledford
Co-Editors: Susan Budavari ♦ R K Olson ♦ Meredith Blevins
Cover Design: Maegan Beaumont
SoWest: Killer Nights
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 7
The sun descends over the mountains and valleys of the
Arizona desert. Under cover of darkness, evil flourishes. Not afraid of the dark? You will be. Desert Sleuths offer 20 tales in the latest edition of their award-winning anthology series. Grab a flashlight. Pull the covers over your head. SoWest: Killer Nights will keep you awake until sunrise.
“SoWest: Killer Nights showcases twenty southwest crime tales filled with suspense, tension and action. A great read.” ~ Clive Cussler, International Bestselling author
Contributing authors: Shannon Baker ♦ Mary Ball ♦ Rebecca Boschee ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Bill Butler ♦ Meg E. Dobson ♦ Wendy Fallon ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Connie Flynn ♦ Deborah J Ledford ♦ Sharon Lynn ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Kathy McIntosh ♦ Dana McNeely ♦ Timothy W. Moore ♦ LaDonna Ockinga ♦ R K Olson ♦ Judy Starbuck ♦ Kari Wainwright ♦ JoAnne Zeterberg
SoWest: So Deadly
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 6
BEST ANTHOLOGY 2016 FINALIST AWARDS: International Book Awards ~International Readers Favorites Awards ~ New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards ~ USA Best Book Awards
Murder. Revenge. Blackmail. Greed. Envy. Corruption. From the glamorous soirées of power brokers to gritty, dark alleys to snowy mountain hideaways—the twists and turns keep coming. The Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter presents 22 whip-smart stories in their award-winning anthologies series.
Contributing authors: Isabella Maldonado ♦ Nancy Hart Newcomer ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Kate Joy Steele ♦ Connie Flynn ♦ M. Evonne Dobson ♦ Teresa Waggoner ♦ Bill Butler ♦ Denise Todd ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Kaye Owen ♦ Laurie Fagen ♦ Yvonne M. Corrigan-Carr ♦ Katherine Atwell Herbert ♦ Robert Dukelow ♦ Mary Ball ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Susan Cummins Miller ♦ Lori Hines ♦ Jacinda J. Power ♦ Patricia Bonn
Lead Editor: Yvonne M. Corrigan-Carr
Co-Editors: Susan Budavari ♦ Susan Cummins Miller ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Meg E Dobson ♦ Dana King-Esquer
Editorial Advisor and Formatter: Deborah J Ledford
Consulting Editor: Donna T. Hanna
Cover Layout: Kästle Olson
SoWest: Crime Time
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 5
Ever been in the wrong place, at the wrong time? Feel safe where you are now? In this volume from the Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter, 20 authors show why you need to keep your guard up. Be ready to react. In the desert, in the mountains, in the Valley towns of Arizona, when you least expect it…It’s CRIME TIME.
Contributing authors: Shannon Baker ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Yvonne M. Corrigan-Carr ♦ Laurie Fagen ♦ Katherine Atwell Herbert ♦ Machelle Langseth ♦ Isabella Maldonado ♦ Isabella Maldonado ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Margaret Morse ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Nancy Hart Newcomer ♦ Toni Niesen ♦ R K Olson ♦ Cathy Ann Rogers ♦ Martin Roselius ♦ Amy Schuster ♦ Jackie Sereno ♦ Louise M. Signorelli ♦ Kate Joy Steele ♦ Kari Wainwright
Lead Editor: Deborah J Ledford
Co-Editors: Nancy McCurry ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Merle McCann
SoWest: Desert Justice
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 4
~ SUSPENSE MAGAZINE’S BEST ANTHOLOGY OF 2012 LIST ~
Evil abounds…Frustrations mount…Calls for revenge cry out! In this volume, Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime offers 20 tales you won’t forget. Victims fight back, police pursue bad guys, scores are evened…but when all else fails, get a taste for how the desert claims its own!
Contributing authors: Shannon Baker ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Laurie Fagen ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Arthur Kerns ♦ Deborah J Ledford ♦ Elizabeth R. Marshall ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Margaret Morse ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Nancy Hart Newcomer ♦ Toni Niesen ♦ Virginia Nosky ♦ R K Olson ♦ Cathy Ann Rogers ♦ Martin Roselius ♦ Amy Schuster ♦ Judy Starbuck ♦ Judith Starkston ♦ Kate Joy Steele
Lead Editor: Deborah J Ledford
Co-Editors: Nancy McCurry ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Sally J. Smith ♦ Berkley Bosch
SoWest, So Wild
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 3
Murder and mayhem western style. The Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime offers 20 exciting tales. Everything from old-time shootouts to modern day forensics, noir to comedy can be found in this compelling anthology. Walk on the wild side of the Southwest, as Arizona celebrates its centennial year. Hang up your spurs, kick back and enjoy!
Contributing authors: JoAnne Zeterberg ♦ Howard “Doc” Carron ♦ Margaret Morse ♦ Virginia Nosky ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Isabella Maldonado ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Barbara Goodson ♦ Lori Hines ♦ Martin Roselius ♦ CR Bolinski ♦ Amy Schuster ♦ Toni Niesen ♦ Carrie Sears Bell ♦ Judy Starbuck ♦ Nancy Newcomer ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Leslie Kohler ♦ Deborah J Ledford ♦ Nancy McCurry
Lead Editor: Deborah J Ledford
Co-Editors: Nancy McCurry ♦ Isabella Maldonado ♦ Virginia Nosky
How NOT to Survive a Vacation
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 2 
From Hawaii to Bar Harbor, from Alaskan cruise ships to Arizona ghost towns, this showcase of 18 original short stories from the talented Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter ranges from humorous to noir, from suspense to cozies. Murder, revenge, passion, treachery and greed abound in this exceptional anthology–the perfect traveler’s guide to all things criminal and mysterious.
Contributing authors: JoAnne Zeterberg ♦ R K Olson ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Diana Manley ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ Marty Roselius ♦ Chantelle Aimée Osman ♦ Kris Neri ♦ Barbara Goodson ♦ Judy Starbuck ♦ Connie Flynn ♦ Lori Hines ♦ Deborah J Ledford ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Howard Carron ♦ Robin Merrill ♦ Nancy Nielson Redd ♦ Margaret Morse
Co-Editors: Chantelle Aimée Osman ♦ Deborah J Ledford ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Merle McCann
How NOT to Survive the Holidays
Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter Anthology – Book 1 
The perfect gift! Start with a four-legged detective who fancies pasta, add a ghost who delivers a lost fortune, and a godfather who’ll stop at nothing to protect his family, blend in tales of homicide, greed, treachery and vengeance for this holiday anthology of 17 original short stories by members of the Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter.
Contributing authors: Deborah J Ledford ♦ Connie Flynn ♦ Susan Budavari ♦ CR Bolinski ♦ Chantelle Aimée Osman ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Jean Steffens ♦ R K Olson ♦ Judy Starbuck ♦ Sarah Parkin ♦ JoAnne Zeterberg♦ Anne Marisky ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Mary E. Burt ♦ Howard B. Carron ♦ Nancy Nielson Redd ♦ Kris Neri
Co-Editors: Susan Budavari ♦ Suzanne Flaig ♦ Merle McCann ♦ Chantelle Aimée Osman
Recipes to Kill For
Murder for Dinner ♦ Death for Dessert
Recipes To Kill For offers treasured recipes from the mystery writers of the Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter plus celebrity guest authors—a collection you’ll not find anywhere else. From delicious meat and vegetarian main dishes, to Southwestern specialties, rich soups and stews, to great desserts—pies, cakes and chilled delicacies. There are secret family recipes, ingenious adaptations of classic favorites, new takes on traditional comfort food, and so much more.
Check out the recipes and prepare the ones that intrigue you the most. You are in for outstanding treats! And there’s a special bonus. These accomplished authors have shared their favorite writing tips as well. Recipes to Kill For provides everything you need to whip up a dangerously, delectable dinner and write a deliciously, intriguing story!
Book design: Maegan Beaumont
Cover design: MW Designs
Cover Photo: Depositphotos