D. A. Ratliff
Bio
A Southerner with saltwater in her veins, Deborah lives in the Florida sun and writes murder mysteries. She is published in several anthologies and her first novel, Crescent City Lies, is scheduled for release in 2024.
Stories (74/0)
The Last Banana Split
The Last Banana Split D. A. Ratliff My grandmother’s voice echoed as I raced on foot, chasing a car thief along a residential sidewalk. Gram told me to be thankful for something each day. In her honor, I gave thanks that this was a cool February morning in New Orleans and not a hot, humid July morning and kept running.
By D. A. Ratliffabout a month ago in Fiction
Death at Denby Hall
Death at Denby Hall D. A. Ratliff One thing I learned since moving to England is that the Brits know how to throw a party. And not only a pub party with pints and darts but a proper afternoon garden party. A party with women in afternoon dresses and fascinators and men in morning coats while white-gloved servers kept the buffet table full of finger foods and champagne poured freely. I attended that perfect party—perfect until Iris Elrod found Vicar Murphy at the springhouse, dead.
By D. A. Ratliff2 months ago in Fiction
Impatiens for the Soul. Top Story - May 2024.
Content Warning: Mention of mental illness Impatiens for the Soul D. A. Ratliff Looking down at the colorful blooms bursting out of their pots, I remembered when my mother and I first planted these together. A lot of water has flowed since then—water for the impatiens and tears for me.
By D. A. Ratliff2 months ago in Fiction
In Plain Sight
In Plain Sight D. A. Ratliff A Detective Elijah Boone Mystery The Big Easy, a popular tourist nickname for New Orleans, evolved from the laid-back, easygoing attitude of a city known for jazz, gumbo, voodoo, and Mardi Gras. The locals rarely used that nickname, and neither did the police. The word easy was unknown in the New Orleans Police Department as crime never slept in Orleans Parrish. But sometimes, it crept up on us when we weren't looking.
By D. A. Ratliff3 months ago in Fiction
Among Us
Among Us Part one: The Bamboo Tomb D. A. Ratliff Heavy gray skies hovered over the Kansai International Airport as the plane dropped out of the clouds only seconds before it landed. As if my nerves were not already raw, landing on a runway the length of the island did little to help. The pilot managed to stop the plane short of dropping us into Osaka Bay. Only then did I breathe.
By D. A. Ratliff4 months ago in Fiction
Faces in the Crowd
Faces in the Crowd D. A. Ratliff A Detective Elijah Boone Mystery Fireworks exploded over the city, lighting the sky with multicolored embers. My ears rang from the concussion as the sound waves pummeled my eardrums. My partner, Hank Guidry, stood a few feet from me, stoic, as he gazed at the crowd, his eyes slowly scanning the faces watching the fireworks. We had images of our perps, but finding them in this mass of Fourth of July celebrants was daunting.
By D. A. Ratliff4 months ago in Fiction
Night Visitor
Night Visitor D. A. Ratliff There were moments when I regretted volunteering to monitor the experiments overnight. The bio-science building, bustling with techs during the day, became an eerie tomb at night. There might be a few people in the main building, but my lab was in the restricted area where government contracts fueled the research. Cue the men in black suits, lapel buttons, and sunglasses lurking in the dead of night. I'm not saying it was aliens—but it was aliens.
By D. A. Ratliff5 months ago in Fiction
Under the Pines
Under the Pines D. A. Ratliff A Detective Elijah Boone Mystery The tall, majestic Eastern white pine trees stood like sentinels, overlooking the backyard. My grandfather, Poppa, had planted a tree upon the births of his grandchildren—a tree for my cousins Matt and Ronnie, my sister Naomi, and me. How fitting that a dead body lay under the tree bearing my name.
By D. A. Ratliff5 months ago in Fiction
Author, Read Thyself. Top Story - February 2024.
Author, Read Thyself D. A. Ratliff I grew up in the South, where “little white lies” were uttered daily. The “My, you look lovely today—love that color on you.” Or “I swear, that’s the best shrimp and grits I ever ate.” Or my favorite, “It’s so good to see you.”
By D. A. Ratliff5 months ago in Writers
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