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

Alibis-Everything? or Nothing?

The following section of Murder in a Small Town: The Tragic Death of Stacey Burns was written over one year ago. It appears on page 108 of the first draft of the manuscript. The reference to the investigation being in its third year is incorrect, as it is now in its...

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Page 55-First Draft-Murder in a Small Town

Believe me when I say that I've been forced into releasing bits and pieces of my manuscript because four years is too long. I did not even know Stacey personally and it is too long for me. I can't imagine how long it must seem for family and friends. So, here is a...

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Just Asking!

Making assumptions is often a major mistake. My high school football coach was the first to jump all over my response to him when I made a costly error. The details are murky after all these years but what I remember was saying something like "I assumed someone else...

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“Active”- My Definition

Here is an offer that, in my opinion, can't be refused. However, I am ninety nine percent certain that it will be. First, I'd offer my definition of what an active criminal case might look like. Of course, my definition will be dismissed as just a uninformed or...

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A Favor Returned -Update

Proofreading/copyediting is in its final stages. It is likely that next week I'll sign off on the final approval for publication then we will receive a publication date.  This is a very exciting time as the new edition of the book nears completion. Thank to all for...

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You Are Kidding, Right?

Here is a challenge to anyone who cares to respond. From several sources, I've heard that I am not able to be objective in trying to tell the truth about the murder of Stacey Burns. Further, those sources say that my mind is made up as to who committed this (you find...

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What Is Active?

Editors (and critics) of my writing often mention the importance of using the active voice rather than the passive voice. I thought of this as I read the newspaper account of an interview concerning the Stacey Burns murder case when I visited New Hampshire recently....

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Stacey Burns-Return

We returned yesterday from a five week trip, during which my blogs about the Stacey Burns book and the progress on A Favor Returned were sporadic as best. In the next few days, I'll be updating everyone on each of these projects. For now, in brief fashion, here is...

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A Note to Michael Burns

I just watched your interview on WMUR-TV. Great job! As a reminder, I would love to ask you my two questions mentioned in previous blogs. I will confess to being disappointed that I've been unable to speak in depth to anyone on your side of the family but that is...

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A Sad Day and Stacey’s Children

Four years ago today, a special young woman was lost to this world in a vicious and heinous way. The perpetrator of this crime remains free and that is an inexcusable major crime in itself. One simple question has to be asked. HOW MUCH LONGER IS THIS GOING TO GO ON?...

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A Favor Returned-Status

For all those awaiting news of when the new and revised edition of A Favor Returned will be released, I am happy to tell you that the novel is in the final proofreading stage. We still do not have a date for the actual release but be aware that it will be available in...

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Why a Stacey Burns book?

First, I offer my apologies for allowing a week to pass since my last blog. While traveling, it is sometime difficult to keep up. These blogs began in early June, 2012, soon after I returned from the "Stacey Burns Walk" in Concord, New Hampshire. In one of the first...

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