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
Conspiracy-A Definition of Murder
This is from Webster New World Dictionary for a conspiracy: A planning and acting together secretly, especially for an unlawful or harmful purpose, such as murder or treason. Note that there is no mention of the number of people who need to be involved. Therefore, if...
From Chapter Two: A Prelude to Murder
It has been about three weeks since I sent the sample of Murder in a Small Town to Mr. Jefferey Streltzin, the homicide prosecutor for the NH Attorney General's Office. Since I haven't heard anything, I can assume he's been too busy to read it, or it held no new...
Next up-Wolfeboro
After a successful launch of Cracks in the Wall, my new novel, in Green Valley, Arizona, on Sunday, I will be meeting and greeting at my next event in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Stop in for a visit at The Country Bookseller on Sunday, August 21, from 2-4 P.M. Owner...
Green Valley News article
Editor Dan Shearer of the Green Valley News wrote an interesting piece about my new book, Cracks in the Wall, in today' edition of the paper. Here is the link for those of you who would like to read it....
Conspiracy or “Lady Killer”?
Add these two possibilities to the list of possible killers of Stacey Burns. While not exactly new, both have recently been mentioned to me along with thus far unsubstantiated evidence to back up the claims. Once again, we must assume that the police are working or...
Action on Stacey Burns?
Within the last week, I've had some small degree of faith renewed that maybe the Stacey Burns murder has not been relegated to the bottom of the pile of case folders on some beleaguered state policeman's desk. A good source tells me that two New Hampshire State Police...
Guilt or truth?
A previous post (Stacey Needs Advocates) mentions a portion of Murder in a Small Town: the Tragic Death of Stacey Burns which I sent to the homicide prosecutor at the New Hampshire Attorney General's office. Here is a short section of that chapter on the alibis of...
Crying at “Taps”
Tonight I attended an outstanding concert presented by a combination of two U.S. Army bands. Midway through the concert, there was a trumpet rendition of the always emotional "Taps" in honor of soldiers who have passed on. It made me think of my first memory of...
Link to Cracks in the Wall
Many thanks to those who responded to my Facebook post about Cracks in the Wall. Listed below in the link to Amazon for information on purchasing the book. Either click on the link or copy and paste into your browser and it should take you directly to the site. If you...
Stacey Needs Advocates
Late Wednesday night, I sent a sample chapter plus a couple of pages of Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns to Mr. Jeffery Strelzin, homicide prosecutor for the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. This contact was arranged through a friend in...
A Phenomenon!
Here's an interesting phenomenon! I posted an invitation to a book launch- free wine and refreshments. Five people read it. I posted a "To Mr. Jim Vittum" because I had a question but had been unable to get hold of him at contact points I had. 600 people read it! I'm...
An Invitation
Cracks in the Wall is available now on Amazon in paperback and e-book. It will be launched officially on Sunday, July 24, 2016 and all are invited! Please stop by for a beverage and light refreshments between 1-4 P.M. at 1077 S. Paseo del Prado, Green Valley, AZ....