Two More New Short Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 10-July-2026

Greetings again, fellow readers!

Once again, I have more tales for you to peruse at your leisure.  Two more short stories.  One is a science fiction story with a bit of a twist at the end and the other has elements of time travel to one of my favorite eras, the 1980's.

The first is Over The Cosmos.

Amazon.com: Over The Cosmos eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Welcome to Hailey's Gate, the luxurious, elegant cruiseliner, as it gives the finest tours of the entire galaxy.  Your tour guide is none other than Alonzo Cupid.  No matter who you are, from the ultra wealthy to a young couple in love, Alonzo treats all of his guests with the utmost care.

Over The Cosmos is a quirky science fiction story that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end."

You may purchase Over The Cosmos here at Amazon Amazon.com: Over The Cosmos eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

The second book is Closed For Winter.

Amazon.com: Closed For Winter eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Patrick Oakland has never been back to his hometown in over twenty-five years.  But on a chance meeting as he passes through town, he stops at a small cafe.  Across the street is an old movie theater that has been closed for many years.

What he finds inside not only brings back memories of his youth, it also transports him to a time when a young boy his age went missing.

Will he finally be able to unravel the truth behind the disappearance?"

You may purchase Closed For Winter here on Amazon Amazon.com: Closed For Winter eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Enjoy!!

A Pair Of Romance Stories / Happenings In The Outhouse 03-July-2026

Fellow readers, here are two romance short stories that may have you tugging at your heart strings.

The first is Giant Among Legends.
Giant Among Legends - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"Colton James and Denise Schwartz have a bond few can fathom.  A bond that goes beyond simple friendship.

For as far back as they can remember, Colton and Denise have been best friends.  They share so many interests and dreamed of one day being astronauts, of building a colony together on the moon.

Giant Among Legends is a cute teen romance short story that will have you reaching for the box of tissues over and over again."

Here's the Amazon link Giant Among Legends - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. or you can also find it wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

The second story is Cashing In.  It is set in my Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery series.

Amazon.com: Cashing In eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"When Carla Deere learns that her new client is Kevin Stubbs from the Charity Police Department, she wonders if it is the same Kevin Stubbs she went to high school with.  They were supposed to go on a date their senior year but they had to cancel due to an unexpected blizzard.  Is it finally time, after all these years, for a second chance at a first date?

Cashing In is a cute meet short story in the Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery series."

Here is the link to Amazon to purchase Amazon.com: Cashing In eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Here is the link to the cozy mystery series: The Short Order Cop Cozy Mystery Series (1 book series) Kindle Edition

New Story - Air So Cold It Hurts / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-May-2026

 Amazon.com: Air So Hold It Hurts eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

Erica Wickstrom never expects to find her grandmother's brooch.  At a rummage sale of all places.  But there it is, next to a dozen other pieces of vintage jewelry.  Her grandmother was last seen wearing it the day of her husband's funeral.  Over twenty-five years ago.

The day she disappeared.

Will Erica finally discover the truth about her grandmother?  Or will she uncover a sinister evil that lurks in the shadows of her beloved small town home?

Purchase the ebook on Amazon Amazon.com: Air So Hold It Hurts eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books or at your favorite ebook retailer.

New Story - Pocket Change / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-May-2026

 Amazon.com: Pocket Change eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

After the tragic death of his wife, Kenny Rodgers returns to a roadside diner for a bit of peaceful nostalgia.  Suddenly, a breaking news release about a pair of thirty-year-old cold cases has Kenny feeling the heat.  Has his past finally caught up to him?  Did his late wife finally give the police the missing link they've been searching for?

Pocket Change twists and turns in this suspenseful mystery that will keep you on your toes to the very last page.

Purchase it here on Amazon Amazon.com: Pocket Change eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store or at your favorite ebook e-tailer.

New Story - A Vintage Fit / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-May-2026

 Amazon.com: A Vintage Fit eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

For Marty Crystal, walking into his late grandfather's house was like taking a step back in time.

But Marty's grandfather Wally had a secret.  One that he passed on only to Marty.

A Vintage Fit is a whimsical tale of one man, dealing with grief, and discovering a brand new world filled with wonder and magic.

Amazon.com: A Vintage Fit eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Find this tale on Amazon or your favorite ebook e-tailer.

New Story - More And Moore / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-April-2026

 More And Moore - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Deputy Kathy Dahl has one job and one job only: to transport a dirtbag of a con artist from a jail at the far corner of southern Minnesota to their jail in northern Minnesota. Literally. How hard can it be?

But Mother Nature has other plans. A severe blizzard strikes when she is halfway through her return trip home, with the talkative con artist handcuffed in the back seat. They soon discover both of their paths are linked more closely than this single trip

More And Moore - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

New Story - Sight Unseen / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-April-2026

 Amazon.com: Sight Unseen eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

Bethany McDaniel is not happy with her parents’ plan to move across the country, from suburban Virginia to small town Minnesota. She is even more upset to discover the house sits across from a creepy cemetery.

But once Bethany meets Bert Foss, a boy her age, they are inseparable.

There is something different about Bert. No one in town seems to know anything about him or his family.

Sight Unseen is a romantic paranormal short story with an air of suspense and mystery.

Please check out the new story Sight Unseen at Amazon or at your favorite ebook e-retailer.

Amazon.com: Sight Unseen eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

New Story - Darkness, Alive / Happenings In The Outhouse 27-March-2026

 Amazon.com: Darkness, Alive eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Caleb Simmons is certain he is the last person alive.

He is also certain that there is something in the darkness.  Something that took everyone else.

But what it is, he doesn't know.

Darkness, Alive is a gritty, searing, post-apocalyptic novelette that will keep you reading to the very end."

Pick up your ebook copy of Darkness, Alive on Amazon or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks.

Amazon.com: Darkness, Alive eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

New Story - An Odorous Affair / Happenings In The Outhouse 20-March-2026

 Amazon.com: An Odorous Affair eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"In the realm of Vigil Falls, all children are expected to work in the family trade.

But Barney Scraps doesn't want to work in the family's thriving blacksmithing business.  He wants to be in business for himself.

By chance, he partners up with a local merchant to collect excrement to resell as fertilizer.  It's a smelly business, but someone has to do it.  Right?  Until he discovers a secret and bravely goes up high in the mountains to prove himself, not only to himself but to his family.

An Odorous Affair is a heart-warming, gut-wrenching epic fantasy novelette."

Pick up a copy of An Odorous Affair from Amazon or wherever you get your ebooks.

Amazon.com: An Odorous Affair eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

New Story - Jeepers Creepers / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-March-2026

 Amazon.com: Jeepers Creepers eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Keith Jeepers needs to take some time for himself.  After the passing of his wife and his father, there is no better place than the old hunting cabin.
But Keith isn't alone.  With his new companion, Lady, a former cadaver police dog, he receives an unexpected visitor.
And, quite possibly, a clue to a mysterious disappearance that has haunted the area for twenty years.

Jeepers Creepers is a chilling mystery that twists and turns right to the end."

Pick this book up at Amazon or wherever you love to purchase your favorite ebooks.

Amazon.com: Jeepers Creepers eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

New Story - On An Open Fire / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-March-2026

Amazon.com: On An Open Fire eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

"Valerie Fay misses her murdered sister.
But the man, Harvey Klaus, brought to trial for her murder has been found not guilty.
Why then would Valerie, on a blustery Christmas Eve, bring homemade goodies to Harvey’s house?
On An Open Fire is a suspenseful mystery that will keep you guessing to the very last page"

This mystery short story is found on Amazon Amazon.com: On An Open Fire eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books as well as other ebook retailers.

New Story - Seven Knocks / Happenings In The Outhouse 27-Feb-2026

Seven Knocks - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

“Where do you get your ideas?”

Authors have been asked this for a long time.  It is the one question they all dread to answer.

But what if there was such a place that handed out great ideas?

Meet Casey A. Waters.  Aspiring author.  His greatest dream is to be on top of the bestseller list.

For years, he has tried to get published.  Only to be rejected over and over again.

Until one day he stumbles upon the mysterious secret to publishing success.

Or is it?

Seven Knocks is available on Amazon and other ebook retailers.

Seven Knocks - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

New Story - A Peeling Passion / Happenings In The Outhouse 20-Feb-2026

 Amazon.com: A Peeling Passion eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Meet Will Bunting.  As the man in charge of waste management on the starship vessel Passion Sun, his job would be easy if he didn’t have two prankster robots on his team.

Meet George and Fred.  The two prankster robots who will do just about anything for a laugh.  They will also do just enough to keep themselves from being jettisoned into the far reaches of space or decommissioned to a planet penitentiary cleaning sewers.

One day Will finds himself in the middle of a security breach investigation.  Is it another joke by his pranking duo?  Or will the investigation lead to a more sinister adversary?

A Peeling Passion is a funny science fiction mystery story that will entertain you to the very end."

Amazon.com: A Peeling Passion eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

A Peeling Passion is available on Amazon and wherever you get your favorite ebooks.

New Story - Like A Bad Case Of Friendship / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-Feb-2026

 Amazon.com: Like A Bad Case Of Friendship eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Have you ever had that one person in your life that you can never get rid of?

That is what Casey Struther’s life is like, ever since Hazel Watson enters her life.  Hazel is always there.  Like a cancer that never goes away.  Hazel also seems to know everything about Casey.  But Hazel’s life is a mystery.  Until Casey makes the bold decision to escape.  To the moon."

Like A Bad Case Of Friendship is a science fiction novelette that will have you on the edge of your seat to the very last page.

Amazon.com: Like A Bad Case Of Friendship eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Like A Bad Case of Friendship can be found on Amazon and other ebook retailers.

New Story - Fragile Legacy / Happenings In The Outhouse 30-Jan-2026

Fragile Legacy - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. 

"Russell Caine has a secret.  A secret he has kept for seventy years.  Not even his wife Evelyn knows.

But Russell has a problem.  Who can he trust to keep the legacy, to pass on the secret.

Fragile Legacy is a fun, quirky, mysterious story that will keep you turning the page right to the very end."

Fragile Legacy - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Fragile Legacy is available on Amazon and on other ebook retailers.

New Story - Chasing Best / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Jan-2026

 Amazon.com: Chasing Best eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Dax Best is the best at what he does.  He steals.  Legally, of course.

But even Dax has morals.

When Dax refuses a job that could have global implications, he quickly finds himself stuck between life and death.

That is, until he finds help in the most unlikely of places.

Chasing Best is a high-stakes thrill ride that will keep you reading to the very last sentence.  It received an honorable mention from the Writers Of The Future contest."

Amazon.com: Chasing Best eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

This is the Amazon Kindle version, and it is available on other platforms for ebooks as well.

New Story - Catastrophic Assembly Required / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-Jan-2026

 Amazon.com: Catastrophic Assembly Required eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Kirk Sterling loves his wife.  He loves his dog.  He loves his house.

He also loves to draw.  Without tooting his own horn, he’s very artistic.  His drawings are very lifelike.

But as he gets older, his artistic talents take a back seat to the daily grind of adulthood.

That is, until one day he receives an unexpected package in the mail.

 Catastrophic Assembly Required is a fun, quirky tale of mystical intrigue, of a heartfelt romantic."

Here is the link to the Amazon Kindle version: Amazon.com: Catastrophic Assembly Required eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

This book is available on other ebook platforms too.  Enjoy!

New Story - Birdhouse Diaries / Happenings In The Outhouse 09-Jan-2026

 Birdhouse Diaries - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

"For Dennis Trunk, life in the quiet suburbs of the Twin Cities of Minnesota is a far cry from his previous life on the East Coast as a hitman for an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Until one day, his world is suddenly turned upside down when he receives an FBI Wanted poster in the mail, with his face on it, and a threatening message: “I know who you are.”

Who in the world would want to blackmail a former hitman?

Birdhouse Diaries is a suspenseful tale with several twists and turns along the way."

Birdhouse Diaries - Kindle edition by Peterson, Mark S. R.. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

This is the Amazon Kindle link, but it is available on other ebook platforms too.

New Story - A Sense Of Place / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-Dec-2025

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I keep publishing short stories left and right.  Here is another one for your reading pleasure: "A Sense Of Place."

"Every so often, Detective Tad Wellstone comes across a dead body that appears natural or accidental but his instincts tell him otherwise.
When he finds the deceased Garrett Phillip Martinez at a new construction site, all signs point to a diabetic seizure.  And Tad knows much about diabetes.
Could it be natural?  Or is something more sinister at work?
“A Sense Of Place” is a modern mystery with twists and turns, and will keep you guessing until the very last page."

Amazon.com: A Sense Of Place eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

Above is the link to the Amazon Kindle page.  It is also available in other ebook retailers.

New Story - Good Bones / Happenings In The Outhouse 28-Nov-2025

Once again, I have another short story that I have published: Good Bones.

"As a retired detective, Doug Fields spends his days flipping houses.  What he looks for in a house are good bones.  An easy fix.  An easy flip.

As a retired cadaver dog, Mick loves to accompany Doug.  What he seeks out are old bones.  Closing a cold case.  Justice prevailing.

Every once and a while, both of their worlds collide.

Good Bones is a modern mystery story that will keep you reading to the very last page."

Amazon.com: Good Bones eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Books

Above is the link to the Amazon Kindle page.  It is also available in other ebook retailers.