Falling Down a Research Rabbit Hole

Research can take you to unexpected places. One moment, I was diving into Dallas strip clubs in the 1960s for my short story "Elvis Has Left the Building"—a murder mystery set in a nightclub for Trouble in Texas (see below)—and the next, I'm tangled in one of the most infamous events in American history.

I originally set out to explore how strip clubs operated in Dallas during that era, looking for authentic details to enrich my own crime fiction, but time and again, one name popped up: Tammi True.

Before I ever imagined writing about murder in a strip club, there was the real drama at the Carousel Club, the infamous Dallas nightclub owned by Jack Ruby. Tammi True—born Nancy Myers—was Ruby’s star dancer, who knew more about the November 22, 1963 events than history records. Subpoenaed by the Warren Commission and questioned about Ruby’s behavior, she was a living link between the seedy underworld of the early ’60s and the assassination that shook the nation.

For me, her relationship with Jack Ruby and his treatment of the other dancers in his club provided the background color I needed for my story. The dancers in my fictional club navigate the same murky waters of power, crime, and secrecy that surrounded Tammi and the Carousel Club. When a performer in my story ends up dead, it’s a stark reminder that in places like these, people see more than they’re supposed to.

History has a way of bleeding into fiction. "Elvis Has Left the Building" asks the same questions from a real-life crime. What did they know? What were they afraid to say? Where did the truth lie?

New Release!

Trouble in Texas: Metroplex Mysteries Volume III

Murder, deception, and intrigue find a home deep in the heart of Texas in this thrilling fourth anthology from the Sisters in Crime North Dallas chapter. Trouble in Texas delivers a collection of captivating mysteries set against the backdrop of Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas—where secrets lurk in the shadows of towering skyscrapers and wide-open plains alike.

From cold cases to hot pursuits, from small-town scandals to big-city crimes, these stories keep you guessing until the very last page. Whether it’s a missing heirloom, a deadly dance, or a cozy whodunit, each tale offers a unique twist on mystery and mayhem, penned by some of the most talented crime writers in the Lone Star State.

These suspenseful short stories brim with Texas-sized twists. Saddle up for a journey into the dark and dangerous side of the Metroplex—where trouble is always just around the corner. "Elvis Has Left the Building" is featured in this volume! Get your copy here.

Book Fairs and Giveaways

April Digital Book Bazaar

Find new books and connect with new voices in this showcase of digital books. Book fair begins April 15. Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom for a chance at a gift card! See all here.

Journey through time with captivating tales of mystery, romance, or a perfect blend of both! Discover new authors and enthralling stories that transport you to distant eras and far-off lands. Whether you crave intrigue, passion, or adventure, you'll find something to enchant you at the Fair! Check them all out here.

Booksweeps Crime Fiction Giveaway Continues....

This month's giveaway of a signed book by Michael Connelly and ten other books ends April 25. Enter today here.

Upcoming Appearances

I'll be at the following events. If you live in the area, please come join me!

On May 22 in Bellville, Texas at the Story Peddler Bookstore, I'll be sharing about my books over tea and scones! More about the event next month, but if you're in the Houston area, I'd love for you to join us! Where to find the event: 538 West Main Street; Bellville , TX 77418

The Texas Author and Reader Con 2025 will be at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas July 19 - 20. Find your next favorite book and meet the authors at this 2-day weekend event. This is a multi-genre event showcasing Mystery, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure, Westerns, Young Adult, and more. The event runs from 10 - 7 on Saturday, July 19 and 10 - 5 on Sunday, July 20. The event is free, but you can register for tickets here.There will be door prizes!

Bouchercon 2025 will be in New Orleans, September 3 - 7. Join Heather Graham and Michael Connelly in the Big Easy for a weekend of panels, readings, interviews, and more! You can get up close and personal with some of your favorite authors. More about the event here.

The Beast of Baker Street, Part II

Recap: While investigating the Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes is attacked by the hound. When the hound is shot, it transforms into a human. Lestrade states he was going to report that the hound was wounded, his owner, Jack Stapleton chased after him, and they both drowned in the Grimpen Mire bog.

Holmes nodded and gingerly touched the wound on his neck." We must keep this matter between the three of us, but I must share some more information concerning Stapleton to complete your reports."

As we made our way back to the Hall, I considered Holmes' declaration about lycanthropy, seeking a means to equate his logical mind with his acceptance of this supernatural event. The beast's transformation into a man appeared to have transported us to time in the past—an ancient myth brought to life. Had I not witnessed it with my own eyes, I would have dismissed it as some fevered delusion. I had to agree with the other two men. No benefit lay in providing a chronicle of the actual events.

What followed remained as I previously recorded: we found Stapleton, Charles Baskerville’s brother’s secret son, had tied his wife to a column in his house before escaping across the moors and most likely drowning there.

On our return to London, Holmes spent the first part of the trip deep in thought. When he roused himself from his reverie, he met my gaze and spoke in a grave tone. “You must record this adventure—”

“You want me to write about lycanthropy? I’ll be laughed out of every publishing house in the country.”

“No, you must do as Lestrade. Rewrite the tale to avoid a panic not only in Dartmoor but across the country. Only you’ll not describe an attack by a man. Lestrade must report it that way. He has a corpse to deal with. In your account, it will be a hound Stapleton covered with fluorescent paint.”

And so, I did as Holmes instructed. In the days that followed, I crafted a narrative in which Stapelton, driven by a twisted desire for revenge and control, used the tale of the curse of the Baskervilles to gain what he considered his own. Lestrade, on the other hand, penned the official report, anonymously leaving it on the desk of the chief inspector. 

With the truth hidden, the published account of what happened on the moors became a public success, solidifying Holmes’ reputation as the world’s most famous consulting detective. 

Unfortunately, the truth did not remain buried. The werewolf attack has consequences none of us—except perhaps Holmes—had anticipated.

I should have consulted the treatise he had mentioned earlier. If I had, perhaps the truth might have had a different outcome. I was, however, a medical man who based his beliefs on science. Despite Holmes’ explanation of what we had witnessed, I couldn’t accept some ancient folklore or myth for what it was—the truth.

The first signs of Holmes’ transformation were subtle at first—an almost imperceptible shift in his demeanor. His usual cool detachment gave way to a restless agitation, his sharp wit now edged with a curtness that bordered on irritation. As the month wore on, his habits grew stranger. He developed an unexpected craving for steak tartare, a departure from his typically indifferent attitude toward food. His customary taciturn nature fractured into bouts of uncharacteristic temper, his words cutting and impatient. By the end of the month, his agitation had swelled into something feverish, his hands trembling with nervous energy. I found myself debating whether to suggest a small dose of brandy to calm his nerves—before he vanished altogether one evening, only to return the next morning, disheveled and tight-lipped about where he had been. 

While the disappearance and silence about where he’d been were not totally out of character, his clothing drew my attention immediately. I’d seen him in many disguises over the years, but none so ragged or hanging so loosely about his frame. He appeared to be wearing those from another man. He had no words for my greeting or any explanation for his whereabouts all night. He simply went to his room, shut the door, and did not appear again until the afternoon.

Equally—if not more—disturbing were accounts carried by the morning London newspapers regarding a gruesome attack during the night in a Whitechapel alleyway.

The headline read, “Is Jack Back?” 

To be continued....

Does your email begin: slholland*****? Contact me at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com for your $5 Amazon or Apple gift card.

Until next month!

Best,

Liese

Those links again:

Trouble in Texas: here

April Digital Book Bazaar: here.

Historical Romances and Mysteries: here

Booksweeps Crime Fiction Giveaway: here

Texas Author and Reader Con: here.

Bouchercon 2025: here.