D. A. Ratliff
Bio
A Southerner with saltwater in her veins, Deborah lives in the Florida sun and writes murder mysteries. She is published in several anthologies and her first novel, Crescent City Lies, is scheduled for release in the winter of 2025.
Achievements (1)
Stories (102)
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Jolly Roger
Jolly Roger D. A. Ratliff Every family has one eccentric relative who might be quirky, meanspirited, or perhaps a loner. I had heard tales of that relative in my family but met him first when I was nine. From that moment on, he became larger than life to me.
By D. A. Ratliffabout a year ago in Fiction
Death and Rain
Death and Rain D. A. Ratliff A Detective Elijah Boone Mystery The outer rain bands arrived overnight as forecasted, and by dawn, water covered the streets of New Orleans. Reaching Lafayette Park, I parked where a patrol officer directed me. Before I exited the SUV, I slipped on nitrile gloves while my hands were dry, pulled the hood of my raincoat over my head, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the deluge.
By D. A. Ratliffabout a year ago in Fiction
The Last Banana Split
The Last Banana Split D. A. Ratliff My grandmother’s voice echoed as I raced on foot, chasing a car thief along a residential sidewalk. Gram told me to be thankful for something each day. In her honor, I gave thanks that this was a cool February morning in New Orleans and not a hot, humid July morning and kept running.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
Death at Denby Hall
Death at Denby Hall D. A. Ratliff One thing I learned since moving to England is that the Brits know how to throw a party. And not only a pub party with pints and darts but a proper afternoon garden party. A party with women in afternoon dresses and fascinators and men in morning coats while white-gloved servers kept the buffet table full of finger foods and champagne poured freely. I attended that perfect party—perfect until Iris Elrod found Vicar Murphy at the springhouse, dead.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
Impatiens for the Soul. Top Story - May 2024.
Content Warning: Mention of mental illness Impatiens for the Soul D. A. Ratliff Looking down at the colorful blooms bursting out of their pots, I remembered when my mother and I first planted these together. A lot of water has flowed since then—water for the impatiens and tears for me.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
In Plain Sight
In Plain Sight D. A. Ratliff A Detective Elijah Boone Mystery The Big Easy, a popular tourist nickname for New Orleans, evolved from the laid-back, easygoing attitude of a city known for jazz, gumbo, voodoo, and Mardi Gras. The locals rarely used that nickname, and neither did the police. The word easy was unknown in the New Orleans Police Department as crime never slept in Orleans Parrish. But sometimes, it crept up on us when we weren't looking.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
Among Us
Among Us Part one: The Bamboo Tomb D. A. Ratliff Heavy gray skies hovered over the Kansai International Airport as the plane dropped out of the clouds only seconds before it landed. As if my nerves were not already raw, landing on a runway the length of the island did little to help. The pilot managed to stop the plane short of dropping us into Osaka Bay. Only then did I breathe.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
Faces in the Crowd
Faces in the Crowd D. A. Ratliff A Detective Elijah Boone Mystery Fireworks exploded over the city, lighting the sky with multicolored embers. My ears rang from the concussion as the sound waves pummeled my eardrums. My partner, Hank Guidry, stood a few feet from me, stoic, as he gazed at the crowd, his eyes slowly scanning the faces watching the fireworks. We had images of our perps, but finding them in this mass of Fourth of July celebrants was daunting.
By D. A. Ratliff2 years ago in Fiction
