New Fiction Novella

I just released the hound. Well, not exactly. I just published a new novella, Mystery of the Fox Down Dog and Other Stories. It is available in digital, paperback, and hardcover. The link, a five-star review, the cover, and an excerpt are below. If anyone stumbles upon this, I hope you enjoy! 

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKVCP213

Here's my first review: (Actually, it's my only review.)

5.0 out of 5 stars
Humor and horror in just the right mix

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 5, 2022

"This is a fun collection! Kennedy writes very well, blending mystery, quirky humor, crime, and horror in a set of stories with an array of different characters and settings. In the most chilling story (to me), which felt rather Stephen King in mood, a ouija-board-like toy does exactly what we all fear a ouija board might do; while on the other end of the dark/light spectrum, the funniest story covers a few quick episodes in the lives of Darrel and Lloyd, muddleheaded criminal disasters. But to me the standout was the longest story, Mystery of the Fox Down Dog, in which the role of small-town amateur sleuths is played by an elderly married couple who happen to be retired CIA agents. Emily and Arthur are a delight!"

Here's a larger image of my cover: 

Here's an excerpt from the fourth story in the novella. This short story is entitled, Night on Big Foot Mountain.

     It was a frosty night. Slips of snow eased over the sloped roof and fell with soft, steady plops onto the ground below. Orly waited for some sign, not knowing what it would be, but certain he would recognize it when it came. It could be the hoot of an owl, a light in the woods, or a dark shape along the old farmer’s road. 

     It came as a soft whistle, forlorn and eerie, easily mimicking the winds that would blow down from the north and hiss through the narrow cracks around his windowsill. But there was no wind tonight. An old floorboard creaked outside his door. Orly held his breath, waiting for more sounds. There was another creak, then another. A door was eased back on rusty hinges, then silence. 

     He waited until he saw three dark shapes emerge from the shadows and disappear into Sump Woods. They were met by other dark shapes. Orly wrapped his wooly scarf around his head, slung his knapsack over his shoulder, then moved across his room as quietly as his bulk would permit. Orly was a big man, big enough to fight Jack Dempsey according to his papa; but, truth was, he’d rather cut off a finger than lift it against anyone. Quiet reflection was as important to him as the illicit moonshine still in the woods was to his papa and brothers.    

You can read a much longer excerpt at Amazon with the "Look Inside" feature. The long excerpt at Amazon is from the title story, Mystery of the Fox Down Dog. Thanks!