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Mark Bell

@typewritermark.bsky.social
272 followers 502 following 289 posts

Cozy mystery author. Two series on Patreon: Motte & Bailey (British detectives + archaeology) & Blackstone Mysteries (campus secrets). Free Preview Available! Co-host @mysterymaniacs patreon.com/markbellauthor

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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Some thoughts to help all writers. markbellauthor.substack.com/p/six-things...
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Halloween has started m!
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A diary from the past. www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 29/09/2026
Sistahs!! 🧙‍♀️ Are you topping up your #spooky season #TBR? Well, do I have a book for you: 🕵️‍♂️ frightfully fun cosy #mystery 🏳️‍🌈 #MM romance (very slow burn) 👻 #Halloween variety show 💅 Gloulish drag queens 🎃 Pumpkin carving 🔥 Bonfire night 🍸 Themed cocktails 🇳🇿 #NZ setting 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
Spooky season is upon us. Scared uplit face selfie. Book cover image of Fright on Stage Right by G. B. Ralph.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
#MotteBaileyMysteries #BritishCrime #SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Motte's upside down in a field. Bailey shows up anyway. www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Whooooo hooo!
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 27/09/2026
It turns out I took way too many photos and videos on my recent scenic railway journey, at least according to the endless camera roll scrolling required to find a few for this reel 😅 gbralph.com/killer-on-th... #Mystery #Trains #Books 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
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Sylvia Kay Rose Author 🍁 @sylvia-rose-books.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
🩸📚 Flesh-eating killers with cute fluffy tails 💙📚 🐿️ Squirrels: Protect Your Nuts! Get it Now shorturl.at/BAaJv 🐿️🐿️ Squirrels 2: Revenge of the Rodents PreOrder books2read.com/u/3ndzWP #squirrels #creaturefeatures #horrorcomedy #horrorfans #funny #gory #canada #darkcomedy #darkhumor #fun
books2read.com
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Squirrels: Protect Your Nuts! by Sylvia Kay Rose
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
She found them in the creek. Dirty, shivering, carrying a locked box with Mary's initials on it. Chapter 22 is live. What hit you harder, the reunion or that apology scene? www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
agree!
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Like you were watching "Traitors" you know what i meant. Love you guys!
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
traitors!
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New Substack post! markbellauthor.substack.com/p/six-things...
markbellauthor.substack.com
Six Things I Learned Writing and Finishing Two Novels at Once
A year, two mysteries, and a wife who said I was crazy
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
#MotteBaileyMysteries #BritishCrime #SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Bailey can't find Motte, but she did find Liam! www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
All good, thank you.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I release serially so that's already happening.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Likely that i am writing two books at once. www.patreon.com/MarkBellAuth...
patreon.com
Start Here! | Mark Bell Author
Welcome to the start of something fun. Whether you just signed up or you've been following along since the early Substack days, here's what
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I'm sorry you have me confused with someone else.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Another chapter done, 28/31, on Early Days & Old Bones: A Motte & Bailey Mystery.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
#SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
David's got a broken ankle, Wendy's arm is wrecked, and the phone is at 9%. But they found something that changes everything. What do you think is in that box? www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Subscr4ibed on substack too!
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Sylvia Kay Rose Author 🍁 @sylvia-rose-books.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🐿️🩸📚 Squirrels: Protect Your Nuts! Get it Now books2read.com/u/mvwBol 🐿️🐿️ 💙📚 Squirrels 2: Revenge of the Rodents PreOrder books2read.com/u/3ndzWP #squirrels #creaturefeatures #horrorcomedy #horrorfans #funny #gory #canada #darkcomedy #darkhumor #fun
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Morning writing sprint 1 hour 1075 words of chapter 28.🏃‍♂️
static.klipy.com
Sprint Coming Over
ALT: Sprint Coming Over
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StephenCox Wiz-4 "funny raunchy romantic, satisfyingly twisted" @stephencoxauthor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A lovely review from sunny Florida "The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Terror is a quick read, but an immersive one, with just the right blend of spiritualism, crime-solving, period atmosphere, and British wit."
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 15/09/2026
It's a busy ol' book junction 🚂📚 Murder on the Orient Express x The Thursday Murder Club + gay + millennial + New Zealand = Killer on the Kelvin Explorer gbralph.com/killer-on-th... #Mystery #Books #Trains 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
Railway junction showing the book cover images of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and The Mystery of the Blue Train converging with Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club to produce G. B. Ralph's Killer on the Kelvin Explorer. Alongside the junction are the additions of gay, millenial, and New Zealand.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
#MotteBaileyMysteries #BritishCrime #SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Upside down, one arm gone, a cracked phone, and sheep. Motte makes the call. Four words. Chapter 21 is out. Do you think Bailey heard him? www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 13/09/2026
Mystery writers, how are your stories coming along? 🕵️‍♂️💀 I can't wait to read everyone's "Locked Room" short stories along with my fellow judges @angelacnurseauthor.bsky.social @markstay.bsky.social and @dunfermlinereads.bsky.social 👀 Details: www.mysteriousmurders.com #Mystery 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
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Phil Falco @philfalcowrites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Lifeline Comics is all set up at Rose City Comic Con! Our first time in Portland! Come see @comicuno.bsky.social and me at Artist Alley Table K-18! 🌹
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 12/09/2026
Aaand we're off 🚂 Only 3 days since release but some readers have already powered through! Based on those ratings, they're really enjoying it too ⭐ The numbers will shift in the coming days and weeks, but it's heartening to see such a positive start for the book's journey 😊 #Mystery 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
Large train station ticket hall background. Screenshot in the centre showing Goodreads listing for the latest Milverton Mystery by G. B. Ralph with an average star rating of 4.71 out of 5 stars based on 7 ratings.Large train station ticket hall background. Blurb for the latest Milverton Mystery by G. B. Ralph. Addison Harper and Sergeant Jake Murphy are off to a shaky start with their new living situation. So, when Addison has the chance to get out of town and clear his head, he’s quick to climb aboard. The day’s scenic railway journey features a powerful steam engine pulling lovingly restored heritage carriages. On the train, passengers enjoy dramatic landscapes and endless cups of tea. When it comes to driving Milverton’s tourism, Addison can see they’re already on the right track. Unfortunately, an incident en route threatens to derail not only the day’s excursion but any future marketing efforts. Passengers have been promised an unforgettable day out – and they’re going to get it. The latest Milverton Mystery traverses New Zealand’s picturesque lower North Island and is the latest in a wonderful cosy mystery series. Investigate The Milverton Mysteries for a chaotic cast of local busybodies, delicious baked treats, a demanding and disdainful ginger cat, a very slow-burn romance with a rather appealing policeman, and of course… incidents!
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StephenCox Wiz-4 "funny raunchy romantic, satisfyingly twisted" @stephencoxauthor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Updated my popular blog on how I did my cover, to include the second book. TLDR - the issue was whether to stick rigidly to the first layout or emphasise the Terror. (Six word titles only different in the sixth word!!) #covers #NoAI #TheCrookedMedium #design @inkspiraldesign.bsky.social
The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Terror
A striking book cover with the title and author name dominating.
The lettering and detail are pale against a dark and sinister red-brown. The Title is in large Victorian lettering emphasising the word Terror by size of font and red added to letters – not dripping blood! - and framed by gold. Three roundels show icons related to the book; left, a half folded cutthroat razor streaked with red, top right, pearl jewellery with three pearls and a pearl effect locket; bottom right a burning railwayman’s lamp.
The effect is striking and Victorian.
Placed next to the Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder (dark blue) there is a strong series resemblance.
The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox
A striking book cover with the title and author name dominating.
A rich dark blue background, and a touch of mist. The text appears in gold in a gold rectangular frame, the font is old fashioned implying C19th century. The frame has three rondels or cameos each containing a picture. Top right is a golden bee brooch with the body and one wing streaked with red blood. Middle left is foxgloves, spires of small bell flowers in pink, white and purple. Bottom right is a dark brown medicine bottle, with a pale label. The word LAUDANUM is just  visible.
There are pink highlights on some of the letters.
Taken together it is bold, mysterious, and Victorian.
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 09/09/2026
Yay for gay trains and gay plants 🏳️‍🌈🚂🪴 As you can see here, even the sun came out to celebrate this doubly booktastic day! #Books #Mystery #LGBTQ 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
Selfie of author G. B. Ralph holding a Kindle ereader showing the book cover image of Killer on the Kelvin Explorer, and author A. J. Lancaster holding a paperback copy of A Rake of His Own.
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 08/09/2026
The Kelvin Explorer is pulling into Milverton Station 🚂🔥💀 Get on board with Addison and Mabel as the latest Milverton Mystery arrives around the world at midnight local time 📚 Thanks to @thecosymoose.bsky.social for this message when she'd finished her ARC! #Mystery #Books 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
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Gavin / G. B. Ralph @gbralph.com · 05/09/2026
Finished the final (!) pre-publication read-through 🕵️‍♂️ The 5th Milverton Mystery will be released to readers in just 5 days 🚂 gbralph.com/killer-on-th... #Mystery #Books 🌈📚🇳🇿📚💙🔎💀📚👀📚🌎🌈✒️
Author G. B. Ralph holding a Kindle showing the book cover image of the fifth Milverton Mystery with a bookcase in the background.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
David's not home. His coffee cup is still in the sink. Matilda keeps sniffing at the door. Maggie poured the wine down the drain and called Jackson. She has a plan. She just has to make it to morning. Chapter 20 is live. How are you holding up? www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Has anyone else noticed this? Are there cozies you've read where tattooed characters are just normal people in the story? Have I not read enough? Would love to build a reading list if anyone has recs. Originally posted on r/CozyMystery, but I thought I would try here.
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This dawned on me the other day. Tattoos are everywhere in real life, but in cozies, they're almost nonexistent. And the rare times they do show up, it's usually to signal that someone is edgy or suspicious. One of my secondary characters in the Blackstone Mysteries has sleeves on both arms.
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Christina Courtenay @christinacourtenay.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The ghosts of the past are stirring up trouble … HIDDEN IN THE MISTS –A #timeslip novel set in #Scotland featuring #Vikings, #ghosts and #hiddentreasure! tinyurl.com/yjbvxsp5 tinyurl.com/yrz6w2cc
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Bronze Age Babies @bronzeagebabies.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Frank Giacoia - splashin’ in Green Lantern 76 (1970).
GL swooping low over a busy city street, in “No Evil Shall Escape My Sight!”
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
A dozen reader comments rolled in on this week's chapters. One reader: "I was yelling at them not to go down there!" That's the reaction I write for. Real suspense, no gore, nobody has to look away. A few favorites, and what I learned from them: markbellauthor.substack.com/p/6fdf1d0f-e...
My Readers are yelling at my characters.
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Mystery Maniacs Podcast @mysterymaniacs.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This cold case covers our podcast for Season 5 of Midsomer Murders. Episode: share.transistor.fm/s/614e1c7e
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
#MotteBaileyMysteries #BritishCrime #SerialFiction #IndiePublishing #CrimeFiction
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Mark Bell @typewritermark.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Bailey's holding it together, running the arrest, covering for a partner who won't pick up. Then Motte's voice comes through the phone. Three words. A dead line. What's the last thing that stopped you cold? www.patreon.com/cw/MarkBellAuthor
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