Welcome! I’m Duke Southard, an author, retired educator, and lecturer.
I have published seven novels, a commissioned history, and an anthology of
award-winning short stories and essays.
Please check out my blog where I write about true crime and a wide ranging variety of literary and everyday subjects.
My Programs
My programs are offered free of charge to any schools, public libraries, and educational/community groups.
Free Book
Grab a free copy of my book, The Week from Heaven and Hell
My Books
View a list of my published books, including Tainted Justice.
Recent Posts
Intuitive Police Officers
In my novel, Agent for Justice, Detective Parker Havenot reminisces about his favorite instructor during his intensive training to be a homicide detective. (He) spent considerable time discussing what he called the naturals, those police officers who possessed a level...
Investigation Reassurances (again)
I just received this email and thought I should share it. I guess it is reassuring but we have heard almost the exact same words before. "The Stacey Burns case remains open and is at times an active case. The case was listed on the Cold Case Website because no arrest...
Back to Stacey
As promised just before the eighth anniversary of the death of Stacey Burns, this blog has addressed other subjects but I wanted to share this information which I received. No source is quoted because I do not have an official source but the email made sense to...
Works in Progress
This photo is taken at The Country Bookseller in Wolfeboro, N.H. at a book signing of Cracks in the Wall. As a change of pace, I thought I would let people know what I am working on, literarily speaking, as those who have read my books do ask me on occasion. In...
Abused women in fiction
In March, I spoke to a large group of book club members, all of whom had read my latest novel, Cracks in the Wall. After the program, a woman approached me and informed me that she "didn't like any of the women in the book." She went on to explain that she thought...
“Tip” results so far
So far, I know of two people (out of three) who were mentioned in a recent post as being part of a "tip" I received on the Stacey Burns murder case have at least been contacted by the NHSP. I was reminded by a follower in an email that it had been sixteen days since...
“In Case Anyone Cares”
As I wait to see if my "hot tip" bears any fruit with the New Hampshire State Police in the investigation of the Stacey Burns murder, I thought I'd offer a change of pace for this blog. This post is the opening paragraph in a memoir (first draft) about growing up with...
Twenty-five Years-A Tribute
Twenty-five years today, we lost a son, a brother, and a steadfast, unique individual to all who knew him. His death turned the week from heaven into the week from hell. Those years have passed by, as years seem to do, in the proverbial blink of an eye. Thank God...
False hope and Coincidences
First, a question- why would someone who praised the NHSP detective now working the Stacey Burns murder case in previous posts now refer to this officer as a "putz" who is feeding me "BS?" Just wondering . . . It is gratifying to have the response to my last post...
Encouraged- R.I.P. Stacey
Eight years ago, right around this time (10:30-11:00 am, May 10, 2009) a son and daughter were looking down in utter disbelief and shock at their mother, murdered in her own bed in the quiet, peaceful town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. May you rest in peace, Stacey...
A Cold Case Tip
Waiting for a response to this email sent yesterday to the Cold Case Unit in New Hampshire. (This is just a portion of the message) I will let you know when I hear anything back from them. "This morning, I received a phone call from an old friend in New Hampshire...
One week and two deaths
One week- Stacey Burns will be dead for eight years. The person responsible continues to walk free, possibly even laughing at those trying to figure out a way to bring this EVIL person to some kind of accountability. Forgive me for the following if it offends...