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
Forty-Six Days Until Stacey’s Gone Eight Years
If you are tired of this "countdown" please let me hear from you! In January, I mentioned in a post that perhaps the changes in political leadership in New Hampshire would bring about some pressure to solve the Stacey Burns murder. Those reading this blog are aware of...
Walking Back on Walking Back
Someone very close to me pointed out that I admitted to fibbing to my friends when I was young in the last post. That is very true, but most of us came to the conclusion that lying is not good, whether that realization came at age five, thirteen, or twenty or...
Walking Back
Speaking at a meeting of four book clubs in Green Valley yesterday- over fifty attended for a talk and discussion about their current book, Cracks in the Wall. Here is a portion of a letter I sent to the Green Valley News. (Not sure if it will be published)...
Book Club plus A Stacey Countdown
After two weeks of wonderful company of friends and family and one week of being under the weather (not like NH weather today!(-:) I'll be back to regular posting. Two things for this post: First, I'm looking forward to a presentation to a joint session of several...
On birthdays and anniversaries . . .
I just "celebrated?" a birthday, one which put me solidly in the elderly category. I love all the clichés that abound when one celebrates a birthday. You know, sayings like "it's only a number" and "you're only as old as you feel" or, my favorite, "you really look...
Who is running the show?
Apparently, the author of the document containing fifteen pages of questions/comments for investigators of the Stacey Burns murder case has received responses from some state offices, indicating they have forwarded said document to the New Hampshire Attorney General's...
Website embarassment
Embarrassing or what! Just went in to update my bio on www.dukesouthard.com and found that the "About" page was about two years (or more) out of date! Time does fly, doesn't it? When I present programs, I usually open with why I feel qualified to speak with a group,...
A Few of the Questions
The last post aroused some curiosity about what might contained in the questions asked of law enforcement regarding the Stacey Burns murder. In this post, I'll list a couple, which probably will only spark more curiosity. First, I'll share a portion of the preface to...
A List of Questions
On Sunday, I received via e-mail a copy of a petition containing fifteen pages of comments and questions regarding the murder of Stacey Burns with the request to comment and forward to any official offices I felt might react to the points raised in that document. I am...
Save the date?
Just back from a wonderful week long cruise to Mexico during which we had no cell phone nor internet communications. Luckily, we were able to see the Super Bowl! I will get back to posting regularly but first a brief reminder. The last few posts before the trip dealt...
A Week Off
I'll be out of town for a week so no new posts after this one until late next week. In the meantime, we are now at 99 days until the anniversary of Stacey Burns' murder. As I said in the previous post, I'm not only doubting that her killer will be caught by May 10,...
Continuing Countdown
So, 103 days and counting . . . Heard from one respondent who is on board with a protest/demonstration. So far, silence from others who I thought would think this was a great idea. My bet right now? The murder of Stacey Burns will never be "solved" even though the...