Notes
Short pieces on the books, the bench, the woodstove, and the weekly conversation with Margaret. The long form lives on Soul of the Everyman.
Book news · 26 Oct 2026
If you're near Middletown, NY, Well Worn Books at 7 North Street has signed copies of November Tales, Moonstones and Murder and There Is a Reaper on its Local Author shelf. It's a lovely shop and I was glad to meet Mayde there. Stop in, say hello, and support a great independent bookstore. Michael
Book news · 24 Oct 2026
I'm glad to share that my books are joining West Milford Township Library's loan collection. The library, at 1470 Union Valley Road in West Milford, NJ, asked for copies of Moonstones and Murder and November Tales, and they've been mailed. Libraries are where a lot of us found our first favorite books, and I'm grateful to Danielle and the staff for making room for a local author. If you're in West Milford, stop by your library and borrow something good. Michael
Welcome
This site replaces the old Wix page. Same books, cleaner door. Blood Series, the memoir, AngelStories, the ghost shelves, Cozy Crystal, and the shorts all live under Books. Audio is under Listen. If you want the next release in your inbox, join the fire circle.
Podcast
Michael and Margaret, live and unedited, week after week — hundreds of episodes on the work of being human. Same voice as the books, talking in real time.
On the desk
Maggie and Mike Hartstone are not done with Hamilton. And private detective Moon, of Moon Agencies, isn't done with them either! Murder by Moonlight is coming soon, late 2026.