Welcome to Mysteries to Die For.

I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. These are arrangements, which means instead of word-for-word readings, you get a performance meant to be heard. Jack and I perform these live, front to back, no breaks, no fakes, no retakes.

This is Season 7, Games People Play. Games are about competition conducted according to rules with participants working toward a goal. Games are a part of every culture and are one of the oldest forms of social interaction and engagement. Games can be fun, challenging and exhilarating. They can also be intense, cutthroat, and lethal. This season, our authors have fashioned deadly games and unscrupulous villains to test your detection skills.

This is Episode 6a, checkers is the featured game. This is A Checkered Past by Frank Zafiro

Today’s story is a double episode. We will hear the first half, then we’ll be back next week for the second half and Deliberation.

PRE ROLL

This week’s author is Frank Zafiro

Stefan Kopriva is a disgraced police officer-turned-investigator. In the years since he left the police department after a terrible mistake, his life has been a slow journey toward redemption. Now, a decade and a half removed from his greatest failure, he is still not entirely there. But he is closer. In this story, his involvement in the investigation at hand isn't something he seeks out, but his sense of duty to the victim is an underlying reason for doing so. Kopriva's version of "duty" is still very guilt-driven, and so he sometimes ends up in situations he'd be better off avoiding. But life, much like he discovers is also true of the game of checkers, isn't as simple and straightforward as we often think... or wish. Find more Stef Kopriva stories on Frank’s website and your favorite book retailers. https://www.frankzafiro.com/

DELIBERATION

No deliberation for this episode...look for it in Part 2

ABOUT Frank Zafiro

https://www.frankzafiro.com/

Frank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. During his life, he has been a military intelligence linguist, a police officer (a twenty year career, retiring as a captain), and an independent consultant and instructor. He has taught both writing and police related topics at the collegiate level and professional venues. Through it all, he has been a writer. To date, he has published 48 novels, over 100 short stories, and appeared in over 50 anthologies. He lives in Redmond, Oregon, with his wife, Kristi, who is a teacher.

WRAP UP

That wraps this episode of Mysteries to Die For. Support our show by subscribing, telling a mystery lover about us, and giving us a five-star review. Check out our website TGWolff.com/Podcast for links to this season’s authors.

Mysteries to Die For is hosted by TG Wolff and Jack Wolff. A Checkered Past was written by Frank Zafiro. Music and production are by Jack Wolff. Episode art is by TG Wolff. Join us next week the conclusion of A Checkered Past by Frank Zafiro