dennis scharnberg

“Mark was a wonderful liar, Inspector.  Incomparable, actually.”

Hilary Fewkes,  The Banality Killings.

A dialogue bubble extended from the hound’s mouth.  Inside the bubble were these words:  “Barkle.  Barkle!  Snuff.  Snarf.”

Gunnar Grimes,  The Persistence of Vision.

“lol” on internet comment streams actually says:  “No, I did not laugh out loud.”  No one laughs today—unless they are inebriated.

Christopher Allyn,  Militant Vulgarity.

“Well, of course, we’re stuck with names, aren’t we?  I mean not just our own particular names, but names in general.”

Everson Dwight,  Being and Murder.

“Since the table leg is made of steel, there is no way it can harm my foot.”  That’s the very sort of logic Charlie applied.  Day after day.

Anselm Bligh,  A Collection of Miniatures.

We forget how funny photographs are.  Inherently funny.

Trent Musgrave,  The Mystery of Sleep.

Rounders.  Actors.  Jugglers.  In the 17th century, they were still recognized as no-goods.  Like jades.

Roone Giddings,  Dirty Old Coins.

“I do know something, Jayne.  But I can’t remember what it is.  Give me a couple of days, will you?”

Brock Keefle,  Truthful Tom.

“Actually, Sam, the fish are screaming.  As they drift in the flood.”

Nicholas Crisp,  A Suitcase Fell on Her Head.