Falling into Murder
Sip, Swallow & Scream — The Complete Guide
Hi. It’s me. Sesame Swallow. Amateur private investigator. Full-time overthinker. Occasional disaster.
You may have heard rumors that I’ve starred in not one, not two, but four mystery serials, and there are multiple novels on the way. That’s true. They exist. Somewhere between “draft” and “why did I write it like that?” But while those are busy being rewritten, redlined, and resurrected, I’ve been very much alive — and working.
On Substack. Still in Baltimore. Yes. That Baltimore. The one with the cobblestones, the harbor fog, and more secrets than sense.
Some of you might remember my earlier mini-mysteries floating around Medium. Some of you may have stumbled across stray excerpts. But this — this is different.
This is my first major case published on Substack @ The Fictional!
What you need to know
The story began on Saturday, September 6th. It unfolded over 14 episodes. It carried us straight into Halloween night. And yes — the final scene happened on Halloween — the final scene in the story and the final publication date.
It had to. Because this wasn’t just any mystery. It was a Halloween murder mystery steeped in shadows, atmosphere, and a not-so-subtle nod to Edgar Allan Poe. (Baltimore would be offended if I didn’t.)
Before we began, there were a few posts leading up to the premiere — little glimpses behind the curtain. Outtakes. Audio. Notes. The kinds of things you’re not supposed to see but absolutely should. Think of them as clues.
They’re out there on Substack. Just check out the navigation bar and click on my name for all the goods. And try not to wander into any dark alleys without me.
“Let’s go on the ghost tour,” she said.
“It’ll be fun,” she said.
What could happen? A lot happened. Like fucking everything. One day you’re packing cute shoes and a dress for a masked ball that you spent months trying to get tickets to. The next day you’re trekking through a boggy cemetery in a pair of boots you’re happy you got on sale. And before you know it, you’re walking down the creepiest cobblestone street in the creepiest town in America on the creepiest weekend of the year to find a creep who killed the rando ghost tour guy. Hold the candy corn. Pass the bourbon.
Happy Halloween, bitchachos!
Let’s go solve a murder!
The first teaser for the story landed around 9 months ago: Teaser for Sip, Swallow & Scream #1!
This second teaser is an audio teaser: Teaser for SSS #2!
Detectives don’t run on whiskey alone. After a long night of contemplating clues, sometimes a girl needs her coffee. Audio for SSS #3!
Sometimes when you’re trying to solve a murder, someone is trying to murder you. And when he or she is dressed as the Masque of the Red Death, and you’re sneaking around in a hidden, underground room hot on the trail of a missing manuscript worth killing for? It can happen. Teaser for Sip, Swallow & Scream #4!
Collateral damage can occur, and sometimes detectives have to rely on a witness or someone who was involved in the incident, whether knowingly or not. And if you don’t have the muscles yourself, well, bring them with you. Teaser for SSS #5!
Chapter List and Links for Sip, Swallow & Scream!
I’ll be looking to put this out later in the year as a novella. Hope you enjoyed the ride!
