The Smoking Guns offers local support to crime writers in East Tennessee. We host speakers from diverse career fields of interest to mystery, crime, thriller, and suspense writers, as well as writing workshops, networking opportunities, and promotional events.
We are a chapter of the national organization, Sisters in Crime. For writers of all genders, we offer professional education, career development, mentoring, promotional opportunities, networking and lively forums within a supportive community of mystery lovers. Readers, publishers, agents, booksellers, and librarians are also welcome.
We are a chapter of the national organization, Sisters in Crime. For writers of all genders, we offer professional education, career development, mentoring, promotional opportunities, networking and lively forums within a supportive community of mystery lovers. Readers, publishers, agents, booksellers, and librarians are also welcome.
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Current Meeting Information
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When: The fourth Saturday of every month as noted at Facebook or on Email.
Format: In-Person!! Please Attend in-person !! Where: June 26, 2026 To be confirmed Room opens at 10AM. Business Meeting: 10:30AM SPEAKER at 11 AM: Author Nancy Locklin will discuss her research process for her upcoming true crime. The Night Marauder Project. The Night Marauder is the true crime account of a serial killer who preyed on women in and around Knoxville, TN, between 1919 and 1926. The case was never solved though several men were tried as suspects. The attacks would eventually shift from Knoxville to neighboring Blount County, in the cities of Alcoa and Maryville. The county Sheriff, with the help of a private investigator supplied by the Aluminum Company of America, settled on a prime suspect who happened to be a well-respected and well-connected white man named William Sheffey. The Night Marauder Project was a blog I built with my “History of Murder” students in 2021 and 2022, with the help of local archivists, genealogists, and the descendants of those involved in the case. In my presentation, I will outline the facts of the case and the unanswered questions that still haunt us. I will also discuss how this work enabled me to build broader connections between my research, my classes, and the local community. Nancy Locklin is a published historian who has served as a professor of history at Maryville College in East Tennessee since 2000. Her specialty is the history of 18th-Century France and her first book, Women’s Work and Identity in Eighteenth-Century was a hit with specialists in the discipline. Her second book, Murder, Justice, and Harmony in an Eighteenth-Century French Village shifted her focus towards the history of violence and the emergence of the modern criminal justice system. Her upcoming book, The Night Marauder: East Tennessee’s Serial Killer, 1919-1926 is due out in February 2027 from the University of Tennessee Press. |
Jessica Barna
Prospective or National SinC members are welcome to attend public meetings before joining or can request a Zoom link at sincsmokingguns at gmail dot com.
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2025-2027 Board of Directors
PresidentAward-winning author Leanne Tyler writes sweet and somewhat sensual romances whether historical, contemporary, or romantic suspense. Her newest series the Chicago Protection Task Force is part of the Brotherhood Protection World. Leanne lives in East Tennessee with her son and frisky Yorkie. For more information about her books and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit Leanne's website
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Vice-PresidentPeter Harris retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after a distinguished 31-year career. During his time with the LAPD, he spent many years patrolling a variety of Los Angeles neighborhoods in black-and-white radio cars, with his final field assignment serving in Hollywood Patrol. He later spent eight years assigned to Internal Affairs, where he investigated allegations involving Los Angeles police officers—their accomplishments, misconduct, and everything in between.A relatively new voice in the literary world, Peter recently published his first non-fiction work, a historical exploration of the LAPD badge. He is now turning his attention to fiction, writing stories centered on LAPD officers and detectives drawn from the culture and realities of police work.
Following retirement, Peter relocated to East Tennessee in search of a quieter and more peaceful life. |
TreasurerLinda Griffiths-Gish writes the Cordelia Smythe Murder Mystery Games for dinner parties and more. Visit Cordelia Smythe Mysteries.
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Secretary |
Members at Large
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Noir Crime Author Ernest Lancaster retired from the Memphis Police Department as a Captain in 2006 after a fascinating career that spanned multiple facets of the crime-fighting underworld. From beat cop to expert marksman, he’s been around the block a few hard times. As a cop for thirty-three years, Lancaster researched his crime-fiction stories on a daily basis as no ordinary author could. He didn’t just observe the police life, he lived it. For twenty-six years, he served as a long-range marksman with the TACT squad, where he also assisted the Secret Service with Presidential-protection details. And retired as a Captain. Read the Memphis M.O. series and visit Ernie at his website.
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Kelley Griffin is a Romantic Suspense author, mom to five sons, wife to a marine and a teacher to tiny humans plus the occasional hostess, cheer coach, and youth group leader. She often spends writing time in her closet (and sometimes home office) with characters you’ll ponder on long after the last page. Check out her Kirin Lane suspense series and standalones and visit her at her website.
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Elle Andrews Patt writes speculative fiction. Her work has been recognized by the National Indie Excellence Awards, The Silver Falchion Awards, the Royal Palm Literary Awards and Writers of the Future. Among other projects, she writes The Archivist mystery series. Visit Elle's website
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