Location: United States
Member Since: Feb. 10, 2015

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Darryl Matter

Biography

Hello,

I'm an ancient, long-retired college professor who likes to write stories. My educational background is somewhat varied. I first earned a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Management Option. The industrial management and psychology classes interested me in human behavior, and I eventually earned a Ph.D. in Human Development. In addition to writing stories, my interests include reading and stamp collecting.

I grew up in a rural Kansas community, and I now live with my wife in a retirement community. I appreciate each of my readers, and I thank you for reading my stories. Furthermore, I encourage each of you to write something of interest to you and then publish it--to share with the world.

Being the antique person that I am, the tech-side of publishing doesn't come easily to me and I appreciate the support staff at Smashwords.

Again thank you for your interest in my stories.

Sincerely,
Darryl Matter

Books

To Love Again by
Price: Free! Words: 63,780. Language: English. Published: January 6, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » General
Christian fiction: Sam Garrison was a hard-drinking brawler before he became a Christian. When Barbara, the woman he loved, dumped him for another man, Sam wasn't sure he'd ever love anyone again. Then he discovers that Barbara has been abandoned by her boyfriend. Can Sam love her again or find love elsewhere--that is if Barbara's ex-boyfriend, a psychopathic fire-bug, doesn't kill them both?
The Abandoned Hotel by
Price: Free! Words: 71,770. Language: English. Published: February 25, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Who killed the young couple in their sleep at the Fairfield Brother's Hotel 30 years ago? Detective Nikki Hamilton is determined to investigate such unsolved cases in her retirement. As she and her friend, Greg Browning, work to solve this cold case, they discover other mysteries in the seemingly abandoned hotel.
Bloody Green Ink by
Price: Free! Words: 80,200. Language: English. Published: October 21, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
A dark, violent story of David Hart's adventures as a helicopter pilot stationed at a paramilitary base in South America. When his friends are killed in an operation gone bad, Hart and his commanding officer are determined to punish the killers--and thwart a demon-inspired general's plan for world domination.
ACID by
Price: Free! Words: 61,560. Language: English. Published: September 18, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
ACID is a dark, sinister, and violent story of demon possession, murder, and revenge--set in a third-world country.
Mr. Quinn's Short Retirement by
Price: Free! Words: 1,790. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Crime
Mr. Quinn would soon be retiring. That news left people wondering how Mrs. Quinn would ever get along with the nasty old man being home all day. He seemed to hate her, and then, soon after he retired, Mr. Quinn killed her pet cat. But Mr. Quinn's retirement was cut short.
The Killer's Voice by
Price: Free! Words: 1,510. Language: English. Published: September 9, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Crime
There's a serial killer on the prowl. His seventh victim was found behind Peggy's apartment--and she's scared. The police have appealed to the public for help. Can Peggy and her sister, Jennifer, help apprehend the killer before it's too late--for them?
Interrupted Solitude by
Price: Free! Words: 73,480. Language: English. Published: August 22, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » General
Christian fiction: "Matt" Davis sought solitude in the mountains--seeking to escape the hurt of his girlfriend's death. Then he's called upon by the sheriff to search for a plane that may have crashed near his remote cabin. The sheriff's daughter is on that plane. Thanks to Matt, she survives. Can Matt find love again? Can he place his faith in God, as his new friends encourage him to do?
The Lake Fairbury Monster by
Price: Free! Words: 2,240. Language: English. Published: August 6, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
Earnest Forrester is mighty upset with the county officials. They've ignored his repeated warnings about a monster living in Lake Fairbury. People think he's crazy. Paul and Jerry plan to play a trick on Forrester. They'll plant a huge plastic alligator in the lake and see what happens when Forrester spots "the monster."
The Statue by
Price: Free! Words: 1,820. Language: English. Published: July 18, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
Joe Hamlin graduated from college 40 years ago, and he's back for his class reunion. He'd had a special girlfriend, Marjorie Richardson, while in college, yet had dumped her for a socialite. Marjorie died of a broken heart. A former classmate suggests that Joe drive out to the cemetery to see the lifelike statue that marks Marjorie's grave.
Big Guy by
Price: Free! Words: 55,740. Language: English. Published: July 9, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Aided by several ex-servicemen friends and a beautiful policewoman from Internal Affairs, ex-MP Mel "Big Guy" Wakefield doggedly pursues not only the men who murdered Floyd Duboise but the crooked cops who set his friend up for murder.
The Asylum by
Price: Free! Words: 85,710. Language: English. Published: June 17, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
The Rothchild Asylum for the Criminally Insane, established in 1857, closed in the 1970s. Dark secrets regarding criminal activity remain hidden within the asylum. Retired detective Phil Sawyer and his friend Lorelei Crawford search for that evidence--and discover that someone yet today will kill to keep those secrets.
Hard to Kill by
Price: Free! Words: 48,840. Language: English. Published: May 29, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
The trial was over. Jessica Snow had provided the evidence that convicted Senator Shawn Holland. As she left the courtroom, however, Jessica knew that Holland and his powerful underworld friends wanted her dead. As she begins another undercover assignment, Jessica is determined about one thing--she's going to be hard to kill.
Cold Case by
Price: Free! Words: 88,440. Language: English. Published: April 22, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Who killed Fred Russell and Carol Holman some 40 years ago--and why? Deputy Sheriff Clarence Askew, now determined to investigate unsolved crimes in his retirement, focuses on those murders--and finds that someone yet today is determined to stop his investigation. How he and his friend, Delbert Mitchum, attempt to solve the case is the story told in Cold Case.
Slave Girl by
Price: Free! Words: 53,080. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » General
Christian fiction: When Angelica, a slave of Mabutoma's dictator, General Dawodu, is summoned to his office, she knows she'll be expected to "entertain" yet another foreign visitor. Will that visitor, Ken Davis, a geologist Dawodu hopes will find gold in his country, mistreat her--or prove to be the best friend she ever had? Can they escape the country when a coup by Dawodu's enemies threatens?
The Treasure Hunters by
Price: Free! Words: 84,640. Language: English. Published: April 3, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
Christian fiction: Jim Wilson's life was shattered by the death of his beloved Crystal. He and Crystal attended church together, but Jim now wants nothing to do with God. While searching for lost outlaw treasure, Jim rescues a child who's been kidnapped. The child's mother, recently widowed, is attracted to Jim--and he to her. Will she be the most wonderful treasure that Jim has ever found?
The Engineer's Solution by
Price: Free! Words: 1,920. Language: English. Published: September 3, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Crime
Carleton Swift, an engineer at Lancaster Industries, has a host of marital problems. With a little thought, however, he has determined a solution to those problems. Will his solution work?
The Thrill of the Hunt by
Price: Free! Words: 57,280. Language: English. Published: August 3, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
Joan Gilbert works undercover as a gun runner, supplying guns on the black market, until a mole in the police department gives her away. In the ensuing gun battle, she manages to kill three thugs and is nearly killed herself. Once out of the hospital, she's out to identify the mole and seek revenge on the powerful crime figure who wants her dead.
The Mobster's Missing Diamonds by
Price: Free! Words: 2,740. Language: English. Published: April 21, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
A small plane crashed in a remote region of the national park three weeks ago. No trace of its pilot was found. The plane's registration suggests a link to organized crime. Now three men are at the ranger station. They're "going camping." The ranger has suspicions as to whey they're there--but October is no time for inexperienced hikers in those mountains.
The Well-Planned Robbery by
Price: Free! Words: 2,310. Language: English. Published: March 6, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
It was a well-planned robbery. Carl would drive the getaway car. Larry and Tony would break into the convenience store late at night when it was closed and no one was around. They'd be out and away with the cash in five minutes. They'd done it before. What could possibly go wrong?
Bad Luck by
Price: Free! Words: 2,590. Language: English. Published: February 5, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Western
The year was 1873. Joe Argile was down on his luck--and damned mad at the world. He'd lost his last dollar in a card game and then, after an altercation with the bartender, the sheriff had told him to get out of town. The big Colt on Argile's hip had helped him out before when he was broke, and he saw his opportunity to rob the lumber yard in the next town down the trail.
Coveralls by
Price: Free! Words: 2,750. Language: English. Published: October 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
The year was 1921, and Sheriff Bill Brewster had a murder on his hands. His only possible link to the killer was a pair of blood-stained coveralls discovered in a trash can. Forensic science was in its infancy in the early 1920s, but in the hands of Dr. Winslow Tegan, the coroner, those coveralls would provide a number of clues to the killer's identity.
Uncle Ezra's Cat by
Price: Free! Words: 2,380. Language: English. Published: August 25, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
(3.00 from 1 review)
"Uncle Ezra," as he was known, the 90-year-old semi-retired cemetery caretaker, has one real friend--the cat called Blackie. When Halloween came around, Uncle Ezra would do his best to keep the vandals out of the cemetery. At his age, however, Ezra is too old to chase them away as he once did, but Blackie is there to help him--as only Blackie can.
Dead Man by
Price: Free! Words: 2,360. Language: English. Published: August 23, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Western
The year was 1903. It's near midnight, and Sam's Saloon is bustling with activity when a young stranger burst through the door. He's looking for the sheriff because he's just seen a dead man out east of town--and there's a piece of paper with writing on it clutched in the dead man's hand. The killers are in that saloon--and they want that paper before the sheriff can get it.
The Webcore Mansion's Dark Secret by
Price: Free! Words: 3,190. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
An ancient mansion with a spooky history--and rumors of a treasure hidden there in the basement. How could two young men resist the temptation to search for that treasure once the house is thought to be vacant? Readers go with them as they ignore KEEP OUT signs and climb down steep stone stairways. What they find in that basement is the story told in The Webcore Mansion's Dark Secret.
No Leads to the Killer by
Price: Free! Words: 1,890. Language: English. Published: February 26, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories
(3.50 from 2 reviews)
The year was 1927. Sheriff Taylor had a murder on his hands--and no leads to the killer. Fingerprinting and other scientific methods of solving crimes had not yet been developed. NO LEADS TO THE KILLER is the story of how a resourceful rural sheriff got his man.

Darryl Matter's tag cloud

adventure    christian fiction    cold case    crime    crime fiction    dark fiction    detective    fiction    forensic science    halloween    horror    horror fiction    horror short story    investigation    murder    mystery    mystery fiction    mystery ficton    short horror fiction    short story    spooky    supernatural    suspense    thriller    western    western short story