Suspense, Mystery, Horror and Thriller Fiction

MARCH 2014 Masters of Suspense ALLAN LEVERONE ALLISON BRENNAN C.J. BOX STEVEN SAYLOR JEFFERY DEAVER

America's Favorite Authors Faceoff Lisa Gardner vs. M.J. Rose International Thriller Writers Reader’s Corner & Meet Debut Author With Brad Parks Stefaunia Dhillon

From the Editor

C r e di t s I keep hearing something really quite John Raab President & Chairman disturbing. For some reason, even in today’s ever-changing technology age, people still Shannon Raab consider e-book-only authors to be less than Creative Director “true” authors. Romaine Reeves For example: If you watched the Super CFO Bowl this year, you know the name Peyton Starr Gardinier Reina Manning. He is the starting QB of the Executive Editor Denver Broncos. But who is the backup? Just Jim Thomsen because Peyton is the starter doesn’t mean his Copy Editor backup—Brock Osweiler, by the way—isn’t an NFL player. What about all the bands that Contributors now have their own record label and place their music only on iTunes or Amazon for Donald Allen Kirch Mark P. Sadler digital download? Just because they don’t have a CD in the stores, they aren’t musicians? Susan Santangelo The same goes for authors that choose to publish in e-book form only. They don’t DJ Weaver CK Webb need to have a print book on the shelves of Barnes & Noble to be considered an author. Kiki Howell Now, if you are Lee Child or Stephen King, your books would be available everywhere, Kaye George Weldon Burge but a J.A. Konrath who only publishes e-books is an author also and part of the same Ashley Wintters group as authors that are more well known. Scott Pearson D.P. Lyle M.D. The ITW—International Thriller Writers association—is a perfect example of Kathleen Heady placing all authors in the same class. There is no better organization for writers on the Stephen Brayton Brian Blocker planet that make the smaller debut author feel part of the group that includes Lee Child, Andrew MacRae David Morrell, David Balducci, Brad Meltzer, and many more New York Times bestselling Val Conrad Laura Alden authors. The ITW realizes that all authors that have their work published, not only by Melissa Dalton one of the big publishers but the smaller ones also, are simply authors. People who think Elliott Capon authors are legitimate only if their books are printed and sold in bookstores, should take J.M. LeDuc Holly Price a step back and think about why they are discriminating against e-book-only authors. Kari Wainwright Yes, Peyton Manning is a lot more David Ingram Jodi Hanson successful than his backup, and Van Halen is Amy Lignor a lot better known than 8Lb Pressure, but they Susan May Jenny Hilborne are all part of the same group in their respective Sharon Salonen fields. So it’s time to take the blinders off and Anthony J. Franze Jeanine Elizalde go search out some wonderful e-book-only Kristin Centorcelli authors who are busting their butts just as hard Jerry Zavada Ray Palen as the bestsellers. You could be missing out on S.L. Menear the next great story, or find an author that in Sherri Nemick Leslie Borghini five years is on the NY Times bestseller list. You won’t know if you don’t start looking, Customer Service and Subscriptions: and right after you are finished reading the rest For 24/7 service, please use our website, of the magazine, take some time and search www.suspensemagazine.com or write to: SUSPENSE MAGAZINE at Amazon.com for that next great book. 26500 Agoura Road, #102-474 Calabasas, CA 91302 Suspense Magazine does not share our John Raab magazine subscriber list to third-party CEO/Publisher companies. Suspense Magazine ■ Rates: $24.00 (Electronic Subscrip- tion) per year. All foreign subscrip- tions must be payable in U.S. funds. “Reviews within this magazine are the opinions of the individual reviewers and are provided solely to provide readers assistance in determining another's thoughts on the book under discussion and shall not be interpreted as professional advice or the opin- ion of any other than the individual reviewer. The following reviewers who may appear in this magazine are also individual cli- ents of Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine: Mark P. Sadler, Starr Gardinier Reina, Ashley Dawn (Wintters), DJ Weaver, CK Webb, Elliott Capon, J.M. LeDuc, S.L. Menear, Leslie Borghini, and Amy Lignor.”

SuspenseMagazine.com 1 CONTENT Su sp e n se M ag a z i n e March 2014 / Vol. 055 From the Synchronicity Side...... 3

Stranger Than Fiction: Operation: Tabernacle By Donald Allen Kirch. . . . . 6

Inspired From Within: Meet Debut Author Stefaunia Dhillon...... 8

America’s Favorite Suspense Authors: FaceOffBy Anthony J . Franze. . . . 12

Online School for ThrillerFest...... 14

The Country HouseBy Jonathan Brett ...... 15

A “Goliath” Interview: Meet Author Steven L . Shrewsbury...... 21

Inside the Pages: Suspense Magazine Book Reviews...... 24

Suspense Magazine Movie Reviews...... 38

B .J . Daniels: Sets her Sights on Big Sky Country...... 39

Featured Artist: Gaetano Pezzillo...... 43

Special Excerpt: “Notorious” By Allison Brennan...... 51

The Twelve By Vincent Zandri...... 60

International Thriller Writers: Reader’s Corner By Brad Parks ...... 70

The Difference Between Writing True Crime & Fiction By John Foxjohn. . . 71

The End is Near . . Again! By CK Webb ...... 77 From the Synchronicity Side: How her Story Ended up Alongside New York Times Bestsellers By Suspense Magazine Press Photo Credit (Susan May and Hugh Howey): Provided by Authors “From the Indie Side” could easily be labeled “The Synchronicity Project,” because it came together through a set of events that West Australian author Susan May could never imagine happening. In February 2013, May, who writes film reviews for Suspense Magazine, was in bed reading Perth author Sara Foster’s interview responses for an article she was writing. In her answers, Foster mentioned being impressed with the way Hugh Howey had taken control of his career. May thought, I know that name. Then looked over to her bedside table and there was Hugh Howey’s “Wool,” a book sent to her by Random House for review. Intrigued, she googled Howey and learned of his extraordinary experience and success as an indie author. He cut one of the first deals that enabled an author to keep his e-book rights while selling off his paper-book rights to Simon & Schuster for a six-figure sum. She decided she should interview him in order to learn more about independent publishing. Howey was gracious enough to not only agree to an interview but to also offer her encouragement to become an indie author. May’s goal until this point had been to gain a publishing deal with a major publisher, but she decided that the life of an indie author seemed a better fit to achieve her own career goals. May’s husband suggested that if she were going to self- publish, she should get a bunch of authors together with a cross-promotional anthology. Full of enthusiasm for the idea, Susan approached Hugh Howey to contribute. Howey agreed, telling her, “I love it.” Then May went back to Sara Foster, whose comment had begun the whole journey, and asked her to contribute. Even though speculative fiction was not the genre of Foster’s previous bestselling books, she agreed, excited by the challenge. “After reading “Wool” and the follow-on book “Shift,”” says May, “I’d become a Howey fan, following his trajectory and blog with huge interest.” In July, when Howey revealed his editor was a lone freelancer, David Gatewood, she contacted him to edit work she intended to self-publish. May was impressed with Gatewood’s work and asked him to consider becoming editor of the anthology. Even at that stage, she wasn’t really sure how the two of them were going to pull it together. He lived on the other side of the world in Norfolk, Virginia, and they were separated by half a day in time zones. U.S. author Brian Spangler, the third collaborator, came on board when May was perusing the list of works of other Gatewood clients on his website. Spangler had just released a Kindle Worlds Wool Silo Saga novel in a new category of fan

SuspenseMagazine.com 3 fiction created by Amazon whereby, via a license with the original FROM THE INDIE SIDE creator—in this case Hugh Howey—authors could write in popular Edited by David Gatewood fictional and television worlds. From the first page to the last, “From the Indie “The idea of licensed fan fiction intrigued me as a great way Side” is sensational. Each story grabs you by the throat, of accessing fans who were still clamoring for more stories in squeezes, and doesn’t let go until long after you’ve established worlds,” said May, “So I made contact with Brian and finished. Each story written in a style reminiscent of before I knew it he was an enthusiastic part of the team.” Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone is part thriller and fantasy. The three labeled themselves “facilitators,” not publishers or Each story is excellent, but I will mention a few that producers. They believed they were there not to impact or interfere stayed with me. with the initiative and creativity of the contributors. The production The Winter Lands by Jason Gurley shocks you. It of twelve unique works simply flowed through their hands to the tells of an older gentleman who had been writing his readers with minor editing. novel for over sixty years. Finally, he gets up the courage Almost overnight, Spangler enlisted other indie or hybrid to read a small portion of it at open mic night; what he (traditionally and indie published) authors, USA Today bestsellers reads and what occurs will leave you shaking your head. Kate Danley and Ernie Lindsay, twenty-year veteran New York Queen Joanna by Kate Danley is a historical fiction, Times bestseller Theresa Weir, and Kindle Worlds bestseller and which is both mystical and frightening. The young hotly sought-after cover artist Jason Gurley. queen of a widower king is haunted by the reflection Next up was a writing colleague and friend closer to home, Mel of his past wife. Joanna is driven to madness, but is it Hearse. Hearse lived only a few blocks away from May and the two a vision or is there life on the other side of the mirror? writers would occasionally share writing space for company. Hearse The Man with Two Legs by Ernie Lindsey takes was a successful freelance writer with syndicated work in Australian us to a world where everyone has their right leg cut and international outlets, including well-known magazines such off when they are born. The government states it’s for as Cosmopolitan. Hearse had also decided to embark on an indie their own good. Cray, the man with two legs in exile writing career. Most readers of the anthology will be surprised since childhood, has come back to free his mother to learn after reading her story that she had never before written from this oppressive government and topple those in fiction. power. This story will leave you wondering: If you were May then read an article on science fiction author Michael given a choice, which would you choose . . . security or Bunker, who lived “off-grid” with his family in a self-sufficient freedom? “plain” community The War Veteran by Susan May blurs the lines in Central Texas, and between what we think is real and what real. It’s a she thought, “What is an interesting guy.” story of an elderly war hero from D-day and the guilt Says May, “Brian had he feels over his own survival. His nightmares take become my go-to guy. on a different texture when he no longer knows what So I mentioned to him is happening in his sleep and when he’s awake. It’s a that Michael would be gripping tale of PTSD and guilt. Your heart will bleed great to have in the for Jack Baker, but you’d better hope your blood is just anthology. I hadn’t an emotional outpouring. read any of his work, The Man Who Remembered Today by Peter but he claimed to Cawdron tells of a man who wakes up to find that he have written the first was a survivor of a terrorist bombing. He remembers Amish sci-fi novel. nothing of the event, but has ‘memories’ of things yet to I thought, here’s a come. He ‘remembers’ another attack, calls the police, writer with a different and runs to the site of the bombing to warn people. perspective.” So off He is mistaken as the terrorist. Peter Cawdron writes Brian went via Jason a stunning thriller that belies the horror of profiling Gurley to invite and the conclusions that people jump to when they’re Bunker in. fearful. Kev Heritage, “From the Indie Side” is a must read for all suspense the only U.K. lovers. It promises to stun, shock, and make you think! author, queried Reviewed by J.M. LeDuc, author of “Cornerstone” May around published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of the same time Suspense Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 4 requesting a review of his debut indie novel, “Blue Into the Rip.” Usually, May declined most requests because her reading shelf was kept constantly stocked by Big Five publishers looking for reviews. But her gut instinct told her that Heritage had something. And after reading the first fifty pages of his novel, she invited him to join the group. “After he turned in his contribution, I was so glad I followed my instinct. His story was brilliant,” adds May. Australian author Peter Cawdron arrived at the last minute, after the November 30 deadline, via Jason Gurley when an author dropped out. He wrote his story in two weeks. It turned into a novella and the longest piece in the book, at 20,000 words. “Again,” says May, “he was a happy connection. Our anthology is better for having him included, and he’s also a great guy and a fellow Aussie.” So twelve authors had come together to create the anthology: four Australians, one from the United Kingdom and seven from the United States. With all the authors eager to assist in any way they could to the success of the anthology, it had become a true global collaboration by professional independent authors. The e-mails flying back and forth across the globe, assembling the anthology, eventually numbered in the several hundred between the three facilitators. This book was definitely not adhering to what many industry commentators believe occurs with indie-published books. There was no write, assemble, and hit publish. The final version was numbered “Candidate 14” and there were a few in between numbered “8A” and “11B.” So the number of versions was probably closer to twenty that the three checked, re-checked, and adjusted in minor ways. Comments May, “One of the greatest things that this project has done is introduce me to some amazing creative people who have now become my friends. If my arms looked bruised, it’s from pinching myself. I’m just a mum sitting in a little study in the most isolated city in the world, staring out a window at a clothesline, and yet, somehow, this has all worked out and we’ve produced something worthwhile in just six months.” And the final product, which was released on February 1, took the #1 spot in Science Fiction anthologies on Amazon.com, and it continues to hold that position. The authors and the book’s facilitators were thrilled to find their book ranked ahead of anthologies by such classic greats as H.J. Wells, H.P. Lovecraft, George R.R. Martin, and Ray Bradbury. Yet, perhaps this success isn’t surprising, as this book might just be the exciting beginning of the next generation of great classic writers emerging in their own dynamic way from the indie side. ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 5 By Donald Allen Kirch Operation: Tabernacle Hitler's Obsession with the Occult verybody loves Raiders of the Lost Ark. We love the viewpoint. One that when the proper scapegoat had been political powers of the Second World War being pitted targeted, could elevate the National Socialist German Eagainst each other, trying their best not to allow Adolf Worker’s Party. Hitler the pleasure of owning the ancient artifact known as A scapegoat was found, and unfortunately, the movement the Ark of the Covenant. We loved the adventure: Harrison prospered. Ford as Professor Indiana Jones, the desert scenes, the fight A secret mission, called OPERATION: TABERNACLE, against the Nazis, and the grand finale in which even the had been started by Hitler. It was the duty of the German Third Reich learns that one does not stand toe-to-toe with military to discover, catalogue, and bring to their leader’s God without paying a price. It was all good fun! attention all ancient artifacts related to religious icons Strange thing is...the motion picture has some truth discovered in the conquered museums. No matter whether behind it. they were Christian, Islamic, Judaic, or Pagan in nature—if it With Hitler’s rise to establishment in Germany, the had been believed to shine any semblance of divinity, Hitler man became obsessed with the powers of the occult. He had to have it! and S.S. Leader Heinrich Himmler nurtured unhealthy As with all insane ideas, Hitler started big: The Holy obsessions. Both believed in the Grail and Atlantis. absurd ideology of a “Master Using the dogmas of ancient Germanic history, Hitler Race,” and that their shared sought to glorify his Nazi Germany’s future with the past. heritage was the foundation Incorporating fantasy with fact, he connected Germany of a wonderfully politically with the legends of Atlantis and the Holy Grail. The court motivated xenophobic of King Arthur would reign supreme in an order he called “The Brotherhood of the Holy Grail.” This unit of men would fall under the command of Himmler, and only the elite of his S.S. would be allowed within its membership. This unit would bring about Hitler’s Camelot, and Germany would run Europe with an iron fist. Before Hitler could do this, he had to reinforce the national pride of the people. After the fall of Germany in the First World War, nationalism needed a strong shot in the arm. Europe was in a depression and unemployment was high. Hitler restarted the economy by generating the Nazi war machine. Once the Nazis seized power, Hitler sought to rewrite history. Starting with the fall of the Roman Empire, he sought Photo Credit: Hitler, out the legends of the Empire’s Lost Legions. High at the top Bundesarchiv, Bild 183- of the Germanic myths was the mysterious paladin The White S33882 / CC-BY-SA, Hitler carried with him a Blood Flag, Nuremberg Knight—the center champion of German purity. Himmler, 1935 Charles Russell Collection, NARA

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 6 upon taking up the task as leader of the government’s secret present: a teahouse called The Eagle’s Nest. There, a timid- service, made it his focus to train his men to take up the looking librarian named Otto has been seen, cleaning his challenge of copying this mythical man’s character. glasses and looking away from the visiting tourists. It is To connect all Aryans, and thereby Germany, with the said that the ghost was a prominent scientist who had been ancient people of Atlantis, Hitler had to rewrite family trees forced to breed, hoping that his intelligence would add to the to show a divine connection with the past. Nothing was already thinning gene pool. Legend has it that he refused to impossible. The ancient land of Tul, where the Aryans were cooperate and had been executed. Although mentioned only said to have come from, became Atlantis, after a fashion. All in passing by some, the legend is said to have been a creation art, scholarship, invention, and political enlightenment were of the local tourist trade and cannot be verified. said to have first started within the confines of the Atlantis One last legend connected with Hitler: An old school citadel. friend had stated once, during an interview with a NBC Hitler went on to rant that after the fall of Atlantis, the reporter in 1968, that both he and the future leader of the few survivors settled in central Europe, survived the last Ice Third Reich had visited an occultist as young men. As a joke, Age, and rose to become the German Nation. This talk would the boy dared Hitler to be hypnotized. Hitler accepted the later be used to excuse the acts of genocide. challenge, believing himself too willful to be put under the On his own but with Hitler’s blessings, Himmler became spell. obsessed with finding the artifact known as The Holy Grail— According to the witness, Hitler was not only hypnotized the cup used at The Last Supper. Himmler had a group of but put deep under the occultist’s influence. While in a devout S.S. soldiers looking everywhere from Palestine trance, the hypnotist was distracted by a visiting customer, to Alaska, but to no avail. Otto Rahn, an expert on the who had cheated the man out of a profit. The customer Grail, ended up killing himself, walking naked in a violent had been Jewish. Instantly, the occultist started ranting and snowstorm, because he had discovered some minor Jewish raving about his personal hatred and opinions regarding the ancestry within his own family. Jewish race, culture, and ideas about their fate. In his trance, Then there is the Third Reich’s obsession with finding the Adolf Hitler heard all of this. Ark of the Covenant. Could it be that one of history’s most evil men had been Hitler wanted desperately for the German nation to influenced by a sadistic subliminal suggestion? recover from the humiliation and defeat of the First World Although we may never be able to explain the man, War. To make his political ideology work, he had to bolster Hitler’s actions within the occult, his need to obtain rare and the overall opinion of his people. By collecting, obtaining, powerful artifacts, and his desire to rewrite the divine are and somehow connecting ancient Germany with these more frightening than any motion picture could even begin religious icons, he hoped to do just that. to present. Although there is no proof of the mission, it is known It is only fitting that Hitler left behind his own icon, said by military historians that the Third Reich did send a small to be throbbing with power and the influence of God. It is group of its scientists and archeologists to Egypt in search called The Blood Flag. of the Ark. The mission was called TABERNACLE, but The Blood Flag was present at the politician’s first attempt documentation of it was lost. to seize power in 1922. The assault was a failure, and Hitler, One religious icon and its loss have been connected with a few of his men, and most of the local troublemakers were Hitler: The Spear of Destiny. captured by the authorities and imprisoned. In the meantime, The spear was said to have originally belonged to the Hitler’s blood, and the blood of a few men who had been Roman soldier who had pierced Christ’s side at the time of the killed during the uprising, ended up on the old Nazi flag. Crucifixion to see if the man had indeed died upon the cross. Later, once in power, Hitler used this flag as a sacred artifact, Whether or not this spear was “the” spear used, has always personally blessing other Nazi flags with its power. The blood been a debate, but it was held as a historical and traditional of sacrificed Nazis helped to propel this obscure politician to truth. Like the Ark of the Covenant, anyone who carried the almost an angel’s breath away from world domination. Spear of Destiny into battle could never be conquered. Like the Spear of Destiny, The Blood Flag has not been It was also rumored that Hitler was the victim of seen since the dark days of the Second World War. Could it theft—the spear was taken from him as well. Perhaps this still be out there somewhere, festering in a dark basement could explain why at the beginning of the war, the Third waiting to once more release the vile poison of hate? Reich appeared to be so unstoppable. Then after the fall of After the war, it fell to a small group of Allied soldiers to Stalingrad, the end was only a matter of time. help rediscover and unite original owners with stolen artwork Himmler had set aside certain old Germanic castles said and icons taken by the invading armies of the Third Reich. to have been built on powerful energy portals to the spirit Although several monuments and paintings were reunited world as special breeding posts for men and women assigned with their museums and collectors, not one religious icon, or to the S.S. It was not uncommon for several wards to become legendary object mentioned on paper or in passing has ever filled with pregnant women, all there to help “improve the been found. ■ breed.” To this day, there are secret cults that continue to follow this sick Nazi creed. If interested in reading more of this author’s work, go to: www. Ghosts have been spotted on top of Hitler’s 50th birthday donaldallenkirch.com.

SuspenseMagazine.com 7 Inspired From Within Meet Debut Author Stefaunia Dhillon Interview by Suspense Magazine Press Photo Credit: Provided by Author

Here at Suspense Magazine, we pride ourselves in providing the most comprehensive coverage of the suspense/thriller genre. Suspense authors come in many different types and many of the good ones use their own personal experiences into each book. The debut author this month is a perfect example of that. Stefaunia Dhillon is a qualified Reiki Master/Practitioner/Teacher/EFT therapist, psychic medium, holistic life coach/counselor, and now author. Her debut novel, “Fragile Angel,” is what Stefaunia calls a different kind of ghost story. She has a wonderful story on her website, which we encourage everyone to check out. You can read an excerpt of the book on her website, but instead let’s take a quick glance inside, just to whet your appetite.

When twice-married Evie sets off to England with her new handsome rich husband Michael, little does she know that she is about to go through the portal of time and connect to a world she never knew existed before. Or did she?

Evie’s discoveries turn out not only to alternately frighten and enlighten her, but serve to change her irreparably. Find out if the third time’s the charm for Evie, or if her marriage to Michael served only a much larger, far more sinister purpose in the end.

Her new home is a thirteenth-century gothic church nestled in the lush green countryside of Hampshire, England. Michael’s business takes him away for weeks, which leaves Evie isolated and alone and homesick. To escape boredom, she begins the process of renovating the church and discovers an old diary buried deep within an ancient crypt. She delves within its pages and begins to realize just how similar and deeply connected she is to the woman who penned the little book.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 8 “I figured being psychic would give me that extra-added edge to solve crimes others wrote off as unsolvable.”

Haunted by nightmares and visitations from a beautiful spirit who calls herself Catherine, and tormented by a dark presence that accompanies her, psychically intuitive Evie embarks upon a journey that takes her from present-day England into centuries past. There, she witnesses a brutal murder and stumbles across a group that call itself The Coven of Nine. She realizes that her marriage was just the catalyst to get her to England in order for her to bring Catherine’s story into the light, thus releasing her from a painful and abusive past. Through her disturbing yet enlightening adventures, Evie discovers an inner strength and courage that helps connect her to her heart, enabling her to heal traumatic wounds of her own.

Fragile Angel is presented in the form of a story, but what is contained within the story is real and inspired by true and unexplainable events. Making contact with my past life self fully opened up portals that allowed my NOW to connect with those on the other side!

I was the woman who lived in the thirteenth-century gothic church, and was visited on many occasions by the beautiful spirit of Catherine. Through these nightly visits I began to see a deep connection between my world and hers and with her assistance, Fragile Angel was born.

Of course we wouldn’t leave you with that—we have an exclusive interview with Stefaunia below.

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): A bestselling author once told us that the most effective book pitches can be done in seven words or less. Can you describe “Fragile Angel” in seven words?

Stefaunia Dhillon (S.D.): “Fragile Angel,” my debut novel is based on ghostly encounters, healing one woman’s abusive past.

S. MAG.: Evie, of course, in “Fragile Angel,” tells your story. Will she be the basis of future novels? Or are you looking at branching out into other genres as you continue your writing career?

S.D.: There will be another Evie adventure based on Catherine’s daughter Victoria. However, this will be down the road a bit. I am in the process of completing my second novel, “Keeler Moon.” A futuristic paranormal thriller about a group of young children kept prisoner in a school in Colorado for the highly intuitive and gifted.

S. MAG.: As a debut author, what is the one piece of advice you would pass along to others who are just beginning?

S.D.: Ignore the naysayers and dare to live an extraordinary life. When you live the dream from the end as though it has already happened, the universe will deliver.

S. MAG.: What made you decide to delve into fiction? Did you need to explore you own story?

S.D.: Fiction allows me to tap into all facets of my psyche. I’m able to unleash my imagination with no creative boundaries. Exploring my story was the most difficult and challenging experience I have ever encountered, and I am very humbled and grateful. Through this healing process and adventure with the dark night of the soul, I was able to connect with my passion, which of course is being the writer, and hopefully touching the hearts of my readers.

SuspenseMagazine.com 9 S. MAG.: Intuitive “teachers” were once the essence of the health-care field. Oracles were not only a part of kingdoms, but they were necessary facets of communities in ancient times. Do you feel that this area is finally gaining ground once again; receiving the respect and belief it deserves that it once had without question?

S.D.: Wow, great question. Within the last decade there has been a shift in people’s thinking; unfortunately there are still many individuals who remain on the fence. In saying that, many are starting to ask questions. People are tired of being tired. Many individuals I assist are beginning to awaken. They intuitively sense that there is more to this life and they are opening their hearts to their life’s purpose. When we reach the tipping point, which I believe is close, the intuitive teachers and healers will be there to assist in the process. There is an amazing energetic movement taking place on this planet in which intuitive teachers and healers will play a major role.

S. MAG.: People certainly have intuitive gifts (or what many refer to as sixth sense), but they choose to block this gift because they are worried they’ll be ostracized. You began in the life insurance/securities industry, so was your fear the reason why you stayed with the “norm?” And what made you change your mind and accept the fact that you do have a true power when it comes to understanding energy and helping others?

S.D.: Yes, in a way I conformed out of fear. The fear of survival. I was a single mother raising two beautiful daughters. The life insurance/securities industry gave me a sense of security and safety. Yet, deep down I knew there was something more. In 2000, I experienced a unique and profound awakening that rocked me to the core. From that day forward, no matter what others thought of me, I made a pact to live my life with impeccability, integrity, and from the heart. My gifts are not special, everyone has them. I just made the all-important choice to honor mine.

S. MAG.: Purchasing a thirteenth-century Gothic church seems to be one of the huge turning points in your life. Can you explain how this came about?

S.D.: My former husband purchased the thirteenth-century church as my wedding present. At that time, I did not realize it was already inhabited by otherworldly residents. I never imagined myself living in a space such as that. It was creepy living there at first, looking back, I now find myself missing it and the one’s I shared the space with as they gave me back my life.

S. MAG.: Living in a castle is extraordinary. Could you tell readers what a day in the life of Stefaunia, the writer, is like?

S.D.: I no longer live in the church, but share my daily adventures in “Fragile Angel.” Stefaunia, today, works full-time, nine to five, in a physical therapy clinic, but my intent is to have a career as a full-time author. When I am not at the clinic, I have my own practice. I am a certified EFT practitioner, Reiki Master, and Intuitive Counselor. I am currently working on obtaining my PhD in Metaphysical Sciences specializing in Holistic Life Coaching.

S. MAG.: What did you read growing up? And what authors would we see on your bookshelves today?

S.D.: Growing up as a child my favorite books were Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. There was a time I desired to be a detective. I figured being psychic would give me that extra-added edge to solve crimes others wrote off as unsolvable. Authors on my bookshelves today: James Patterson, Lisa Scottoline, Jeffery Deaver, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Lee Child, to name just a few. I love to read.

S. MAG.: In looking ahead, what can fans and readers expect to see from you in the future?

S.D.: I want to leave my readers and fans wanting more. My passion, of course leans towards the paranormal, supernatural because it has always been an underlying theme in my own “real” life. I know those individuals that read my books will “get it.” My second novel, “Keeler Moon,” transcends the norm. There will be several Keeler Moon stories to follow. I intend to surprise, thrill, scare, and mesmerize, and always between the lines of the words, there is a healing energy which I hope touches my readers’ hearts.

We would like to thank Stefaunia for taking the time out of her schedule to talk with us. You can visit her website at http://www.fragileangel.com. ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 10 The thrilling e-short story collection from the New York Times bestselling author

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XOXOAfterDark.com Available wherever ebooks are sold By Anthony J. Franze Photo Credit: Lisa Gardner/Philbrick Photography, M.J. Rose/Provided by Author In this series, author Anthony J. Franze interviews other suspense writers about their views on “the rules” of fiction. For the next few months, Anthony will profile the authors of “FaceOff,” an upcoming anthology of short stories co-authored by some of the biggest names in suspense. Each month, two FaceOff authors will “face off” over the late Elmore Leonard’s famous rules of writing.

What would happen if two dozen of the world’s bestselling authors got together and wrote a book of short stories pairing up their series characters? If there was a fantasy football league of fiction? This June, readers will find out in “FaceOff,” an eleven-story anthology that pulls together the most beloved characters in suspense. “FaceOff” will feature two reader favorites—Lisa Gardner and M.J. Rose— who joined forces to write, “The Laughing Buddha.” In an inspired coupling, Gardner’s no-nonsense detective D.D. Warren meets Rose’s reincarnationist Malachai Samuels. “We loved the contrast of putting together a born skeptic like D.D. Warren with old-world Dr. Samuels,” Gardner said. Rose added that the

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 12 authors, longtime fans of one another, jumped at the chance to work together and had great fun weaving reincarnation into a story about a present-day murder investigation in Boston’s Chinatown. Readers will have to wait until “FaceOff” is released in June for the Warren/Samuels showdown. Until then, Gardner and Rose agreed to face off over something befitting this series: two of Elmore Leonard’s rules of writing. Elmore “said”...

Ever since the New York Times in 2001 published Elmore Leonard’s ten rules of writing, they have become as debated as they are famous. Leonard dedicated two of his rules to dialogue tags—those verbs writers use to attribute the source of who is speaking in a scene. In Rules 3 and 4, Leonard advised writers to “[n]ever use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue” and “[n]ever use an adverb to modify the verb ‘said.’” For Leonard, following dialogue with he retorted cautiously, she replied grumblingly, or the like is “a mortal sin.” “The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange.” Leonard was not alone. The old writing standby “Elements of Style,” by Strunk & White, advises: “Let the conversation itself disclose the speaker’s manner or condition. Dialogue heavily weighted with adverbs after the attributive verb is cluttery and annoying. Inexperienced writers not only overwork their adverbs but load their attributives with explanatory verbs: ‘he consoled,’ ‘she congratulated.’” Readers of this series, too, know that many suspense writers treat the “said-only” rule as gospel. (See “Catherine Coulter’s Ten Rules for Writing Sharp, Fast, and Deadly,” Suspense, Vol. 039, Oct. 2012). So what say the powerhouse duo of Gardner and Rose? The Face Off

“I agree with Elmore,” Lisa Gardner said. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty acclaimed novels, including “Fear Nothing,” explained that “suspense writing is lean, and if you do your job correctly, there’s no need for an adverb. And there’s no need usually to use a verb other than ‘said,’ since attribution should be invisible to the reader.” For both, Gardner said, “the scene and dialogue should do the work for you.” Gardner also said that using an adverb can result in the writer telling, rather than showing. “I prefer to keep it clean and just use ‘said’ with nothing more. We’re writing thrillers, not melodramas.” “I write melodramas, so I disagree,” said M.J. Rose, tongue in cheek. “But I don’t totally disagree with Lisa or Elmore—I think the rule depends on the genre.” The renown writer, co-president of the International Thriller Writers, and winner of Suspense’s Best Book of 2013 for her novel “Seduction,” said that she generally agrees that for suspense novels or thrillers, writers need to keep the prose spare and that adverbs can get in the way. “In Lisa’s books, for instance, I get so caught up in the action and suspense that adverbs could slow things down; it could lose what is special about her work.” On the other hand, for different genres (Rose described her own work as “crossover suspense, historical, and God- knows-what”) an adverb here and there is needed. “My books jump through time and sometimes you need the adverb to capture how people from a different era talk. It’s hard to put readers in a different place and sometimes a ‘he said gravely’ or ‘she said firmly,’ can help capture a character and the period.” While not backing down, Gardner agreed that the “never” in Elmore Leonard’s rules is too rigid and that there can be exceptions. “My character D.D. Warren is a modern Boston detective who couldn’t be more different than M.J.’s Malachai Samuels, who speaks like he’s from a different era. M.J. captures a period so well that if she uses an adverb, she does it for good reason.” During the face off, Gardner and Rose in fact agreed that for any “rule” of writing, there are always exceptions. Gardner said that she was reminded of this recently in an unusual setting. “The thriller world had a huge loss recently, the death of Michael Palmer,” she said. “At his funeral, Michael’s youngest son, Luke, noted how his father hated the word ‘suddenly’ in writing. So his son said it was ironic that no other word captured the death of their beloved father who died so suddenly and unexpectedly. Sometimes the only word that can capture high drama is an adverb. So while Elmore Leonard was right in my view, writers should remember that for every rule, there is an exception that can swallow it up.” ■

Anthony J. Franze is the author of the debut legal thriller, “The Last Justice.” Anthony is also a lawyer in the Supreme Court practice of a major Washington, D.C. law firm where he has represented clients in more than thirty cases in the U.S. Supreme Court. Anthony also is an adjunct professor of law, a commentator for several news outlets, and the assistant managing editor of The Big Thrillmagazine. Anthony lives in the D.C. area with his wife and three children and he currently is at work on his next High Court thriller, “The Dissent.” Learn more about Anthony at www.anthonyfranzebooks.com.

SuspenseMagazine.com 13 Online School for ThrillerFest By Suspense Magazine Attention all authors; help has arrived. Here is a common problem among authors, current and future: they have their plot, created their characters, and now are sitting in front of their computer ready to put the words on the paper, but something happens and the story falls flat. Some give up and never write again. Others publish books that don’t do well with readers. But what if they had a teacher? Not an English teacher that says you have good grammar and spelled everything right, I’m talking about a bestselling author teaching you how to tell a story. In a recent interview with author Jon Land on Suspense Radio, Jon mentioned that all the great authors are also great storytellers and that is so true. The International Thriller Writers have just launched their online school, from April 7 to May 23. It features seven weeks with seven bestselling authors. It has been reported that more than 80 percent of all people want to write a book, but only 10 percent actually accomplish this. Why is that? Is this because they didn’t have all the tools available to make it happen? With this online school the author will get exactly what they need to push past that barrier and dive head first into the world of publishing. The teachers include: • Steven James is author of “The Queen” and “The Bishop,” and holder of a master’s degree in storytelling. • D.P. Lyle is one of the leading experts in forensics, penning nonfiction books “Forensics and Fiction” and “Forensics for Dummies,” along with fiction works “Stress Fracture” and “Hot Lights, Cold Steel.” • Robert Dugoni, award-winning author of “Murder One” and “Bodily Harm,” and a graduate of UCLA Law School. • Gayle Lynds, the award-winning “Queen of Espionage” author of “The Last Spymaster” and “Book of Spies.” • Andrew Gross, who wrote several bestselling novels with James Patterson, before penning his own bestsellers, “No Way Back” (soon to be a series on ABC) and “Eyes Wide Open.” • Linwood Barclay, whose most recent thrillers include “Trust Your Eyes” and “A Tap on the Window.” • Heather Graham, so well known for her thrilling stories set in New Orleans that she has her own fan/author convention there.

Having these authors teach you how to write a story, is more valuable than any research.

From the ITW official Online School Website: It has been often said that learning to write well is a lifelong pursuit. That writers should never cease improving their craft. I think every writer understands this simple truth. There are many books, classes, and online sources that will help you improve your storytelling craft. But where can you learn directly from the best? From New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors? That’s a bit more problematic. We at ITW have been accomplishing this for years through CraftFest, an integral part of our annual meeting, ThrillerFest. Each year, we assemble the giants of the thriller world to help students improve as writers and storytellers. Now ITW has developed a new program to help writers continue their growth: Thriller School, ITW’s new online craft school. In this seven-week program, which begins April 7, 2014, the craft of thriller writing will be front and center. Each instructor will teach an aspect of craft though a podcast, written materials that include further reading and study suggestions, and an entire week of on-line Q&A with the registered students. The goal is simple: To make each student a better writer. We are very excited about this new endeavor. Please join us and let us help you take your writing and storytelling to the next level.

Are you ready to go to the next level? Join the online school today by going to thrillerwriters.org/thrillerschool. ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 14 The

CountryHouse By Jonathan Brett

T ALL STARTED three months ago. I had a terrible case I hung up. Iof writer’s block, and that’s bad for a novelist. And then I People are a nuisance, really. I realized that the problem saw the ad for the Country House. I remember that day so that I had with writing this new novel was people: my agent, clearly now, but I didn’t know then that it would be the most my publisher, my employer at the university, my mother, my terrible decision of my life. girlfriend—ex-girlfriend. The list was endless. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I saw the ad to the A loud bang made the whole house shake. I staggered Country House. It was in an email I read while I should to the window and looked outside. The construction crew have been writing my novel. It came into my inbox with full- destroyed another patch of my sidewalk and a backhoe dug color photos and glowing testimonials. Someone had even through my lawn. written a quaint little country house poem to it. It was a I needed to get away. long, long way away from home. That’s when the ad for the Country House came back to My first line sucked, but I finally had something. But then my mind. I opened the email and took a look at the poem. the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, a big, tanned It was quaint. Okay, simplistic. Yeah, abysmal. I could write man wearing a yellow shirt with torn-off sleeves informed something better slobbering drunk! When I followed the link me that I had the fortune of living right beside the new right- to the website, the marketing description was better than the of-way to a new development. poem: Located in the ancient, storied woods of Essex County, Suddenly my ears were assailed by the sound of a the Country House is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants jackhammer. I looked behind the man and saw that a whole to get into the woods and love deliberately. construction company had descended on my driveway. “That should be live deliberately,” I said to the computer. Back in my office, I sat down and stared at my first line. I wouldn’t mind getting into the woods and living My cell phone rang as soon as I started the next paragraph. deliberately. I immediately dialed the number on the website My girlfriend. and asked if I could rent the Country House. “Gabriel, we need to talk,” she said. “Seriously?” the girl asked. “That’s never good,” I said. “Seriously,” I said. “How much? I need it for a couple of “I just don’t think we’re working out…” months.” “So you’re breaking up with me over the phone?” “Okay,” she said. I heard her typing. “Are you sure, sir?” “I thought being with a writer like you would be “Why wouldn’t I be serious?” wonderful. But have you ever once written something for “It’s been up for rental for six months,” she answered. “I me?” thought you were calling about the typo on the website.” “I dedicated my last book to you.” “Yeah, it should be ‘live’ instead of ‘love.’” “You dedicated it to your Muse. That could be anyone!” “We know. We change it and then, suddenly, it says ‘love’ “You know what? I don’t need you. You’re right, we’re not again. We think someone hacks the site.” She stopped typing working out. So, goodbye, have a good life, and I’ll mail you and asked for my name and billing information. the stuff you left here.” “Are you sure, sir?” she asked again when we were done.

SuspenseMagazine.com 15 “Why not?” I asked. “Is something wrong with the place? He nodded. It was more of a rocking of his head forward The guy who wrote the bad poem seemed to like it.” and back again. He looked like a bird. “It has a very storied “We paid him to write it,” she said and sighed. “We’ll past.” have the key at our office. Directions will be in the email.” “I’m sure it does,” I said. I sat in my chair grinning at the ceiling. I felt like a weight “The previous owner was a professor at the university,” had been lifted from my shoulders. I was going to go into the he said. “He went insane and is currently in the sanitarium. woods and live deliberately. I was going to finish the novel. The owner before that completely disappeared. The previous owner’s family sold the house, and the present owner got the HE RENTAL OFFICE was located in a cute little town. I bright idea to rent it out. No one’s rented it…until you got Twas struck with the Georgian architecture of the whole here.” place. A river flowed through town, and I gathered that there “Hooray for me,” I said. I stood up and held out my hand was a university on the other side of town. for the key. The woman behind the desk must have been the one I “I strongly urge you to change your mind,” the man said talked to. I recognized her voice, but the look of absolute as I took the key and pocketed it. amazement was a dead giveaway. It was only twenty minutes later that I parked my car “You really came!” Her brown eyes grew to an amazing outside the Country House. size. It was located on a hill outside town. Behind the house, “Of course I did,” I said. “You have my credit card the whole valley spread out before me. The house was behind number.” a white terrace that was overgrown with roses. It was bigger “I didn’t think you’d actually come,” she said. “I mean, no than I expected. The one side was old brick and stone with one did. Odds in the office were five-to-one that you’d be a visible arches. That gave way to wood and siding as the main no-show.” structure of the house took over. One big door and several I looked around. People peered out of adjacent rooms. windows in two rows under a pointed and sloping roof. She flipped her long hair over her shoulder. When she It must have been constructed out of the ruins of passed me the paperwork, I saw that her hands shook. something. As I walked around the place, I saw brick squares “Something wrong?” I asked. of old foundations, one of which branched out from the She looked over my shoulder and I glanced behind me. brick part of the house. A little down the hill, I found an old An old, thin man in a gray suit stood there, fiddling with his cemetery and the overgrown ruins of something that might tie. have been a small chapel. He extended a thin hand and I shook it carefully. His As I walked, I picked up the faint and pleasant smell of skin was dry and a little rough. He looked like I could knock flowers. I even detected it, faintly, inside the house. Somehow, him over by talking too loudly. it seemed to open my mind. The words never reached my “Why don’t you step into my office,” he said. He closed fingers so quickly. It was as if my hands were flying across the old door behind us and I sat in a cracked leather chair. the keyboard. “So, what’s going on?” I asked. I wrote until nightfall when I finally moved my bags into “Why did you take the Country House?” he asked. He sat the bedroom. The bed was made up, and I was told that a behind a big oak desk. caretaker came once a week to make sure everything was “All I want is peace and quiet. I want walls that keep the all right. The whole bedroom suite was a light wood, and world out.” the words World Enough, and Time were engraved in the He adjusted his glasses. “Oh, you’ll get it there. The house headboard. is a dead zone for cell phones. There’s a landline, of course, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. That’s and Internet, but you can’t use a router for some reason, the when I should have known that something was wrong. signal won’t stay steady.” Well, not when my head hit the pillow. It was actually “It’s okay,” I said. “I think I remember how to plug in my around three in the morning when I should have known that computer.” something was wrong. I woke up to a scratching sound in “Have you looked up the history of the Country House?” the walls. “No,” I said. “Your site said it was isolated, so that’s what I sat straight up in bed and listened for a moment to the I want.” persistent scratching somewhere behind the flower-print “You’re not there to…” he actually looked embarrassed to wallpaper. I turned on the light and took a couple of calming ask this, “look for ghosts?” breaths. It was just an animal, probably a squirrel. You had “Ghosts?” I laughed. “I write literary fiction. Everything I to expect those sorts of things when you live deliberately in write is grounded in historical fact and flowery prose. I don’t the woods. have time for ghosts.” Except that I had indoor plumbing here, and I used it.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 16 When I flushed the toilet and came back to the bedroom, The old couple turned out to be the caretakers. They I didn’t hear the scratching anymore. I was back to sleep seemed like a nice enough couple. I tried to hide my almost immediately. annoyance at being interrupted as they went about their When I staggered downstairs to get breakfast, I found business in and around the house. something strange. The front door was open and leaves had “Don’t go downstairs,” said a voice behind me. I jumped blown inside the house. The wind carried the dead, dry leaves and turned around, but it was only the old woman. across the wood of the foyer and they made a skittering “I’m sorry?” I said. sound that actually sent a shiver down my spine. “The bolt’s half-open,” she said. “Don’t go downstairs.” I looked around and nothing was missing. I didn’t “My wife here worries that you’d get locked in,” Howard remember hearing the door open, but I remembered locking said with a grin. “That there door’s three hundred years old. it the night before. I checked the knob and found that it was You be careful.” still locked. When I closed it and tried to pull it open without “I will be,” I said. turning the knob, it didn’t open. Still, an unreliable door After some pleasantries, the old couple was gone. I closed wasn’t too much of a worry. I would tell the caretaker if I saw the door, but didn’t lock it. Howard said he would be back to him. fix the door. What was stranger, was when I turned on my computer. I sat back at my computer and focused on the text. In the night, someone had typed a new line into my book. I Humans were always such an annoyance when writing. In deleted it and looked around the empty house. fact, wouldn’t life be better without them? I could do as I “Hello?” I asked. My voice echoed through the empty pleased. rooms. After that, things went without incident for an entire I shivered and walked around the house, holding my week! But things got weird again after that. coffee mug like a weapon. Each room was empty. In fact, I woke up around three in the morning one night to the some of them looked as if no one had been inside them for same sound of scratching. Cursing the squirrel, I went to the quite some time. bathroom and stood in the hallway between the bathroom The only place I didn’t look was through the old, barn- and my bed thinking. The last time I heard that noise, the wood door to the basement. I stood there, hand on the black, door blew open. iron latch, but I didn’t lift the latch to open the door. Instead, I turned on the hall light and went down the stairs. In the I made sure the black, iron bolt was securely in place. There foyer, I found the door closed and securely locked. was no way someone could relock that bolt from the inside, “See, Gabe? Nothing to worry about,” I said to myself as and it looked like no one had unlocked that thing in a very I got a drink of water. long time. I hadn’t seen anyone except the caretakers for a week, When I sat back down at my computer in the screened- and I was feeling pretty good. I would need to go back into in porch, I thought about the words I had discovered. Had town for groceries soon, and that thought ruined my cheerful I written them? I had never been known to sleepwalk, but I thoughts. couldn’t rule out the possibility. As I walked toward the stairs, I heard the scratching I turned on the ceiling fans and finished my coffee while again. It wasn’t so much in the wall this time, but somewhere listening to nature. The porch looked out over the town, and in the next room. there a haze hanging over the roofs and river. It was lovely, Slowly, I walked into the room and looked around. idyllic, like a pastoral poem. Everything was where it should be and the windows were But at my back I always hear/Time’s winged chariot closed. As I approached the edge of the room, I heard it again. hurrying near. It seemed to be coming from the cellar door. As I approached I could have written those lines. They were from the same the door, the sound got louder—and urgent! poem that had provided the inscription on the bed. I had I turned on all the lights in the room and put both hands been considering the works of Andrew Marvell when I fell on the bolt. It took a titanic effort and I had to endure a sound asleep, so it was conceivable that I wandered down here and not unlike nails on a chalkboard, but I got the bolt unlocked. typed out two lines from his poem To His Coy Mistress. When I lifted the creaking latch and threw open the door, After a shower, I started to write. The words continued there was no one there and the sound suddenly stopped. to pour from my fingers like I had been dammed up all this After what felt like a long time smelling the musty, stale time and just needed a change of scenery. air of the basement, I closed the door and locked it. When A knock at the door broke my concentration. Annoyed, I I turned off the light, I saw someone run past the outside walked out to the front door and stepped on some crunching window. leaves. I opened the door and a very old man and woman I screamed and practically flew back against the wall. I stood there. hit it hard enough to knock a couple of old pictures off the

SuspenseMagazine.com 17 wall. When I calmed down, I grabbed a baseball bat from the I was exhausted and crashed to my bed. My dreams were hall closet and stepped outside. very powerful ones involving a beautiful woman with white- The lights for the front door didn’t shine very far, but blond hair. In my dream, I kept saying to her, “Had we but the moon was bright in the sky overhead. Slowly, I made my world enough, and time,” over and over again. way around the house. The screened-in porch was still closed securely. No one was hiding behind the rhododendron. ROCERY SHOPPING FILLED me with annoyance and Finally, I came back to the front door. Ganger. Being around people grated on my nerves. I did A hooded figure stood right in the middle of the arch of stop at the library in town. I went home with three books; two the rose terrace, just in the range of the lights beside the door. of them were published by the local university press. One of I had never felt terror like I did that night. I dropped the them had something on my Country House. baseball bat from my trembling hand and squeaked. I was Apparently, this site was once where an old convent unable to move, but everything inside told me to run from stood. The librarian actually called it a nunnery, but no one this hooded figure. I could lock the door and call the police. but Shakespeare really calls those things a nunnery, right? “I’m sorry I scared you,” said a musical voice. Anyway, the old convent was somehow part of a strange The hooded figure stepped closer and threw back ritual killing that took place in the 1700s, which shocked me the hood. Somehow, the person seemed to shrink, and because I expected this to be a purely Puritan area. wasn’t nearly as towering and imposing as I had originally The nuns in this place seemed to have taken a liking thought. Moonlight shone on the bright blond hair and a to a rather beautiful woman. I felt that to be completely dark pair of lips smiled from a porcelain face. ridiculous, like something out of a bad seventeenth century She was the prettiest woman I had ever seen! anti-Catholic diatribe. It reminded me of Marvell’s Appleton “I didn’t believe that someone was actually staying here,” House poem. she said. Somehow the convent was destroyed by fire, the nuns “S-so y-you checked it out at three in the morning?” I fled, and the woman vanished. Someone converted the asked. burned remains of the convent into this house, and that’s She shrugged. “I like to be out at night, don’t you? I walk how it stood to this day. through these woods at night all the time. I decided that I Well, then there were the strange insanities and would walk up here and see if someone was actually in this disappearances of the occupants of this house. house, and I found you!” Any other person would probably have left right there. She walked closer to me. I straightened up from my But there are no ghosts, no monsters, and no magic in this ready-to-run pose and tried to look as unconcerned as new age. possible. The sun went down and someone knocked at my door. “I thought I’d peek in,” she said. “And I saw you searching I opened the door and she seemed to float into the room. the house for something. I didn’t expect you to see me, but Her eyes were bright and clear, but such a strange shade of when you came out looking for me, I thought the best thing blue that I would have thought them filled with flame from to do would be to talk to you.” a gas stove. Her hair was naturally blond, almost white, and “Who are you?” I asked. had no dark roots. She held out a perfect, cold hand. “Juliana.” We talked all night about the town, the people, literature, “Gabriel,” I said. the house, everything I could think of. It was only after she “I like that name,” she said. “Angelic.” left around three in the morning that I realized that we had “Thanks,” I said. never actually talked about each other. She looked around. She laughed and said, “This is a But by then the smell of flowers had filled my mind and terrible way to meet. Maybe I should come back tomorrow I wrote until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. evening? I’m busy all day, but I’ll be here when the sun begins Time became a strange thing there. There was little more to set.” in my day than me researching and writing, getting occasional “That’s the best time estimate you can give me?” I asked. visits from Juliana. I grew to hate people. Every time I had Her lips were very close to my ear. It was electric. I felt to talk to my agent or my publisher, my skin crawled. Even my hair standing on end. She whispered, “I have to maintain the unassuming and quiet duties of the caretakers got on my some mystery, don’t I?” nerves. She put up her hood and vanished into darkness as soon My agent met me in town once. He said I looked thin as she stepped out of the light. My nostrils were filled with and sick, and genuinely seemed concerned, which made me the smell of flowers and the night. As soon as I locked the angrier. I said some nasty things to him that day, but I didn’t door, I went to my computer and wrote until the sun came regret them until now. up. When Juliana was with me, time seemed to stand still. I

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 18 only felt the passage of time when she left. Our conversations At nightfall, Juliana came to me again. She was more were so enlightening. They fed my book, finding their beautiful than I remembered. way into the mouths of my characters. And then the truly She didn’t want to hear about the downstairs. She wanted terrifying night came. to talk about other things. We talked about my book, how I heard a voice in the walls. well it was coming. Finally, she took my hand and pulled me It was three in the morning. I sat bolt upright in the bed to her, kissing me so passionately that I almost passed out for and listened. My whole body was tuned to hear and find the want of air. intruder, if there was one. Her face was as cold as her hands, but it felt amazing. She It seemed to be right behind my headboard. let me go, breathless, and I stared into the flames of her eyes. “The grave’s a fine and private place/But none, I think, do “Stay with me,” she said. “You and me. Here. Alone. there embrace.” Forever.” You can imagine my terror, then, as I turned on every What an image. I was awestruck at my good fortune. But light in the room. I searched under the bed, in the closet, and then I remembered the book and the search in the basement. even moved the bed to see if there was a speaker wired there. “Not yet,” I said as she tried to pull me to the bedroom. Nothing. I was alone in the room. “Look, if I go in there with you, I won’t be able to think. I Except that I heard the voice again. It came from the hall. need to think to finish this book, Juliana.” I followed the voice into the hall, turning on lights as it “You can think,” she said. “Later.” went. It was down the stairs, in the family room, and then “No,” I said. “You…you already displace my mind so right behind the cellar door, repeating those same lines from much that if we do this, I’ll never be able to find my way Marvell’s poem. back.” I knew that I had to go down there. I found a lantern in I frowned. I had just paraphrased Andrew Marvell again. the closet and lit it. It was old and ran on a propane tank that I shook my head and resolved to break out an old anthology seemed half-empty when I screwed it on. I had from college and read his works. I pulled the bolt open and opened the door. There was no “There’s no time,” she said, putting my hand to her chest. one on the stairwell. “Time won’t stop for us, Gabriel, so why should we not make As I suspected, there was no light switch at the top of the the best of it?” old, wooden stairs. Carefully, I went down into the depths of “Not yet,” I said. the house. She frowned at me. I could see the hurt in her eyes, so I The basement was hand-dug to my right, ending at cupped her face in my hands and said, “Soon, my love, very a rough firebrick wall. To my left, the remains of the old soon. I’ll finish this novel this week and then, and then, I will convent made up the wall. It was still blackened, and I could be wholly yours.” see the stone arch that seemed to support the first floor of She half-smiled at me. “It’s not the mistress who’s being the house. A great beam ran from that arch to support the coy now.” rest. Above me was a network of crossbeams and arches. The “Just a little while longer,” I said. builders had incorporated as much of the old structure in the She nodded. In a flash, she was gone, and the smell of new one. flowers drove me to my computer where I poured my desires Pumping the light to its full power, I looked around and lusts onto the digital page. me. The damp floor sucked at my feet as I walked around. Again, I wrote until morning. When I woke again, I There was nothing down here except extra bricks, stacked finished battering down the wall enough for me to get inside. neatly beside the wall. In the wall, I found a couple of missing bricks. There was whole room hidden behind that brick wall! DON'T REMEMBER much from that next week. Last I worked at the bricks for what felt like eternity. I was only Iweek. able to get a few worked out, but it allowed me a better view I explored the space beyond the wall. I wrote until my of the room. fingertips hurt. I completed my book. It was as big as the screened-in porch—no windows and Bernie, my agent, seemed terrified for me. the door seemed to be bricked closed on the other end. “Gabe,” he said, “what’s happened to you? You look like It had been hours since I had heard the voice, and the warmed over death!” propane ran out just as the sun streamed through the two “I’m fine,” I said. “I was just working hard on that book, windows at the base of the house. that’s all.” It seemed that the voice was all in my head. I dismissed it I didn’t like the look in his eyes. I looked around the as I got a shower. I found two more propane tanks and spent restaurant, wondering if some men from the sanitarium had most of the day smashing out the wall between me and the come to take me away. No one was even paying attention to strange room. us.

SuspenseMagazine.com 19 As I left, I became sure he was going to call someone. And of this place. why not? The sounds of the town and the people thundered I resolved that they wouldn’t get this occupant. I closed in my ears. There was always something moving, running, the door to the cellar and took my supplies and my computer screaming, or shouting. down to the wall. I worked tirelessly, slopping mortar on and Once you go into the woods, how do you come back out? bricking up the wall again. Brick after precious brick went That night, I asked Juliana that same question. between me and the outside world. I wasn’t going to let them “I have an idea,” she said as she put my hand on her chest. wall me in. I’ll do it myself. “Let’s you and I go somewhere that no one will find us.” Her I made my plans for my time with Juliana, just like my kiss took my breath away again. dreams. But I wonder now if they really were dreams. “Fine,” I said. “I know just the place. I’ll have it ready for I smell flowers now, but I don’t want to look at her. I you by tomorrow night.” found her bones only after I realized that I had bricked She held my head to her chest and I smelled flowers. myself inside. I found the bones of another man, too, in the It was only later that I wondered why I never heard her other room. He had apparently scratched at the walls…a heart beating. I had only heard my own heart pounding in long time ago. my ears. My cell phone is only useful as a small flashlight now that the propane is gone. My computer’s glow hurts my eyes as I ORTAR IS EASY enough to buy. Feverishly, I piled type, but I can see that the battery is nearly dead. Mbrick after brick back into the wall I had just broken Only a moment left to finish this and save it. If someone down. When the light failed, I turned to my lantern, but I finds me, maybe they’ll be able to make sense of this story. wish now that I had purchased more propane. Oh, Juliana and I have world enough, and time. We have You see, I couldn’t stand being with people for a moment eternity. And I can be coy no longer. I hear the dry stirring of longer. That sanitarium already has one occupant of this my love, and I think we’re about to embrace… ■ house, and has apparently housed others in the storied past

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 20 A “Goliath” Interview With Steven L. Shrewsbury

Interviewed by DJ Weaver for Suspense Magazine Press Photo: Provided by Author ’ve known Steven Shrewsbury from Facebook and his personal blog since May 2010. To say that this author is prolific in his writing would be a complete understatement, as he has written andI published over 360 short stories, 100 poems, and—with the release of his newest work, “Philistine”—ten full-length novels. This author has done it all and is well known for his horror, historical, and sword-and- sorcery works of fiction. Hailing from the central plains of Illinois, this self-proclaimed country boy still lives in the same house his grandfather built and cuts an imposing physical presence, at six-foot-five and 250 pounds. He is known to many on the Con circuit for his storytelling abilities as well as for his Wodan Rant, which is an entity all in itself. A Civil War buff and avid researcher, Shrewsbury knows of what he writes, and he does it with a flair that is hard to match. I was pleased to have an opportunity to interview “Shrews,” as most folks call him, and this interview is here for your enjoyment. Hold on to your hats, folks…it’s going to be a wild ride…

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): Please give us a short synopsis of your latest work, “Philistine,” and tell us how you came up with the story premise. In your opinion, how does it rank with the rest of your work?

Steven L. Shrewsbury (S.L.S.): “Philistine” is a story of Goliath, the biblical giant, but not the one seen in any scripture. His death is not recorded here. The phrase, “He is a man of war since his youth” always struck me about Goliath and it is an epic fantasy living off that culture of the time. There are plenty of evil wizards, warring armies, monsters, buxom maidens, and lusty heroes (and antiheroes) to keep all hungry for more. Goliath is sent on missions by one striving to be King of Kings of the Philistia culture, but a dire force is working against him, causing a rebel army to arise and manipulate the gods themselves. I think it’s my most bloody, action packed, wild tale ever.

S. MAG.: Can you tell us what got you started on the writing journey, and who has had the most influence on what and how you write?

S.L.S.: I started telling tales in the sandbox as a kid, always re-telling classic stories and even the Bible until I heard one can go to hell for that. My brother Mark’s worn-out old works of Robert E. Howard inspired me, spoke to me, like no other as a child and

SuspenseMagazine.com 21 “I oft write with kids yelling and the Nick chan- nel blaring. If that doesn’t make one want to lop off a head, I don’t know what does.” teen. Harlan Ellison and Karl Edward Wagner taught me there are no limits. Howard, though, is the apex of all for me. He still speaks to me.

S. MAG.: We know most authors put in varying amounts of time on research. How much research went into the writing of “Philistine,” and how much time did you spend on that research?

S.L.S.: Let’s see, I’ve read about Goliath most of my life, but I put in earnest efforts to make the work accurate to the times, plus the culture. I discovered there isn’t as much known about the Philistines as one might think. I ordered several volumes, out of print and the local library helped me greatly. I read on it for years before I took that first step. While I use the ’Net for some things, one cannot beat real paper volumes for true knowledge.

S. MAG.: We are aware that you have written quite a bit of poetry and several novels. Can you give the readers an idea about where to find some of these previous works?

S.L.S.: Amazon is a good starting point, plus the Seventh Star home page for my most recent works, like “Philistine,” “Blood & Steel,” “Overkill,” and “Thrall.” If one searches hard enough, one can locate “Hawg” still for sale, but I think “Stronger Than Death,” “Tormentor,” and many a collection are no longer available. My collaboration with Peter Welmerink, “Bedlam Unleashed,” about a crazed Viking, might be seeing a new life, but that is another matter.

S. MAG.: Many authors have a routine they follow, or quirky things they do while writing. Can you impart some insight into a typical writing day for you?

S.L.S.: I’ve tried writing in the nude, but it annoys the people at the laundromat and at airports. Today is a snow day from work, so I have coffee made and will be playing moody, death country music and speed metal low while I craft a new novel. Granted, I don’t always have music playing or coffee. I oft write with kids yelling and the Nick channel blaring. If that doesn’t make one want to lop off a head, I don’t know what does. I don’t have a set time or routine. When I worked second shift I did, but now, I snatch it when I can. When the dam breaks, look out. I do like to write here in the front room of my house, surrounded by Confederate paintings and Boba Fett drawings by my kids.

S. MAG.: Please tell the readers which author you most closely follow in your personal reading and also, what genre you favor over all others.

S.L.S.: Lately, Joe Abercrombie is my fav. He’s the goods…love his work. Ron Kelly, Norm Partridge, Joe R. Lansdale. There’s a young lady in the Pacific Northwest, Jennifer Willis, who is incredible and should be noticed. I do love fantasy, but horror still is fine by me. Also works by Ray Banks, Tim Zahn, and some Neil Gaiman.

S. MAG.: If you could sit down with any other author, living or dead, who would it be and what questions would have for him/her?

S.L.S.: Robert E. Howard, of course, and we’d finish that “Bran Mak Morn” work he wanted to do. I’d love to talk with Karl Edward Wagner

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 22 about writing and drinking. I have a handwritten note from Karl I PHILISTINE got as a youth (he wrote it on the back of a reject slip, LOL) and I By Steven Shrewsbury cherish it. It’s in a magazine of mine over on the shelf right now. I’d Goliath…the gargantuan hero of the Philistine also like to tell George Bernard Shaw to lighten up. army whose very name leaves the bravest warrior trembling in his armor and wetting his loincloth… a S. MAG.: We have read that you typically always have a story to warrior since birth… son of a god… slayer of kings, tell. If you could tell all the readers your best funny or weird story, men, and beasts… champion to all who beheld him. what would it be? “Philistine” is an epic fantasy tale of the giant who became a hero to his race and a scourge to those who S.L.S.: I’ve shared this with a few folks, but it is funny. I meet a would try to rule over him and his kind. This action great many people at Cons. A young lady who had a book signed in story is a bit different from those Bible tales we have Louisville soon friended me on Facebook…and within a few months heard before. Goliath is still the champion of the said, “You are such a big guy, I’d LOVE to see a pic of your JUNK!” Philistine army, but in this telling, he lives to fight any To which I pondered, “Why would she want to see where I put the tin and all who would try to kill him or enslave his people. cans out by the garage?” Ahem. So, next publicity shots, I will take Tasked by kings to expand their rule, Goliath must face a few Shrews’ JUNK pics. Perhaps I will pull out the hand plow, all all who would confront him, be they diabolical priests, rusty, and say, “Here’s Shrews’ junk. It isn’t as pretty as it used to be, evil gods, fanciful demons, or mortal men. He must but still functions and is reliable.” champion over them all even though he knows that death in battle will claim him someday. These exploits S. MAG.: If you could talk to a group of novice writers, what would are the stuff of “Philistine.” you tell them about the writing/publishing business that you have Told with absolute realism and set down in the learned from experience and what would be the most important tongue of the day, the character of Goliath is strong lesson you’ve learned that you would pass along? beyond measure and invincible to all. His youth, spent in tyrannical training by those jealous of his parentage, S.L.S.: RUN! No, really…I’d say always re-read and revise what you is glimpsed by the reader through Goliath’s own tales think is your best work. Always leave it sit and take it up later with told to those around him. His wisdom is seen through fresh eyes. Read other authors of your chosen genre and others NOT stories he tells of past battles and fallen comrades. His in it. Read other ways to tell tales and never be afraid to learn you absolute knowledge that he is invincible, but that he aren’t the beeswax you think. Also, don’t always listen to the advice will one day be bested and fall in battle, is what his life is of experienced writers. Some of them are paranoid jerks with small destined for and that is how he prefers it. penises afraid of new talent. Shrewsbury has written a tale of war and warriors, in a world long past, but more like the present than the S. MAG.: Readers want to know what is on the horizon for you in reader may at first, realize. The addition of characters terms of your writing. What can we be expecting to see coming up along the way, keeps the story fresh and the battles from you next? raging along nicely. And who doesn’t love a great battle for action and bloodletting realism? Goliath’s character S.L.S.: Rumor is my novel “Last Man Screaming,” a Lovecraftian is all-encompassing, powerful, intelligent, and maybe western, was just accepted for publication this year. Who wouldn’t a little bit bored with it all, but the story never stops want to check out a work where a one-armed Confederate takes on entertaining as Shrewsbury pours on the evil bad guys the spawn of Shub Niggarath while searching for NAMELESS CULTS and demonic minions and monsters, to keep our hero in 1899 Juarez? More works about Gorias La Gaul are on the horizon mowing them down in true fantasy fashion. This story too, plus a collaboration by Maurice Broaddus and myself, “Black leaps from the pages and will have the reader up all Son Rising.” night, hating the meanies and rooting for the good guys. Excitement, adventure, debauchery, and battle Thanks again to Steven for the opportunity to interview him after battle punctuated with realism, and true to life and review his work. To find out more about Steven Shrewsbury, writing at its best…this is what the reader will find in check out his blog at http://sshrewsbury.wordpress.com/category/ “Philistine.” Steven Shrewsbury is a master crafter of blog You can also catch up with him on Facebook or at his author worlds and heroes in battle, and “Philistine” is the epic page over at Seventh Star Press, at http://www.seventhstarpress. fantasy adventure of 2014. com/steven-shrewsbury. ■ Reviewed by DJ Weaver (WebbWeaver Reviews) co- author of “Collecting Innocents” published by Suspense DJ Weaver is co-author of “Collecting Innocents” and reviewer/ Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ interviewer for Suspense Magazine and WebbWeaver Reviews.

SuspenseMagazine.com 23 Suspense Magazine Book Reviews Inside the Pages SHOVEL READY CITY OF THE SUN By Adam Sternbergh By Juliana Maio This tale, set in New York City War book aficionados will be pleased with this one. Even if you’re not a military/history in the ‘new future,’ has more twists, buff, this in-depth story is still one of the most interesting and thrilling reads imaginable. turns, and oddities than ever before It’s the year 1941, and the German Army is doing its best to take over North Africa. The seen. Afrika Korps, headed by General Rommel, has Cairo on the ropes. Great Britain is trying to Once a garbage man working keep control of the country and its ultimate prize; the Suez Canal. And Farouk, King of Egypt, in the city, the main character doesn’t know what to do to save his land. now has a big ‘S’ on his chest, so Walking into this Cairo mess is a refugee Jewish family by the name of Blumenthal, to speak, but it doesn’t stand for and their arrival coincides with the appearance of American reporter, Mickey Connolly. Mickey is having a comic book hero. Instead, he is problems of his own. The British have made sure his press credentials remain expired because he didn’t the Spademan, who basically has a exactly give them positive press, and he’s about to be sent back to America. Mickey came to Cairo to land a mission all his own. story of monumental proportions, and his reporting career depends on him doing just that. There was a terrorist attack. The U.S. Ambassador offers Mickey a deal: the Ambassador will intercede on his behalf if Mickey will On that day, the city went quiet; go undercover and find Erik Blumenthal, a brilliant physicist who’s known to be hiding somewhere in Cairo. businesses shut down forever and America wants this man to work on their side of the fence to develop weapons that will allow them to destroy people ran for their lives in search the Nazis. of safer places. Sadly, one of the Seeing light at the end of the tunnel, Mickey takes the job, but finds it’s not that easy to go up against the victims of the hideous attack was brutal Nazis who are also searching for the much-wanted genius. Add in a daughter, Maya Blumenthal, and the former garbage man’s wife. you have a book that provides history, suspense, spies, and of course, a great romance. Suffice to say, the tragedy altered Driven by fascinating characters, this author weaves an amazing tale based on real historical figures. Cairo his attitude drastically, changing in the early days of the North African campaigns definitely produced people you love to hate. Well done! him overnight from a ‘normal guy’ Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by into a man who has pledged his days Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ to being a hit man for anyone who wishes to bring death to others. NEVER GO BACK By Lee Child The Spademan is hired to No contemporary author provides as much pure reading pleasure to fans as Lee Child, kill the runaway daughter of a TV and he continues that winning streak with the release of “Never Go Back.” Solid writing, Evangelist. But when he goes on peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, a hero who isn’t the stereotypical ‘hero,’ and your the hunt, tracks her, and finds her, favorite adult beverage, are all you need to have an entertaining evening. a bevy of surprises come to light Jack Reacher has drifted down to his old stomping grounds in Virginia. All to meet a that alters both the story and the woman. However, commanding officer, Susan Turner, isn’t at the 110th MP when he arrives. Spademan’s beliefs dramatically. She’s been taken into custody for crimes that Reacher immediately questions and a lieutenant What he thought was a simple colonel named Morgan is now leading his old unit. Morgan’s a paper-pusher and a man with an agenda. When ‘job’ turns out to be a truly evil he places Reacher back on active duty, diehard fans know it’s best to hang on because that’s the last thing proposition, causing him to go Morgan should have done. Layering on what appear to be trumped up charges from Reacher’s past, a normal back and forth between reality and soldier may have run for the hills, but as I’ve said, Reacher isn’t stereotypical. Yes, he’s a man who excels at fantasy. disappearing, but now he has some very important unfinished business. In a city that most definitely What draws me in each and every time is Reacher’s ability to always do what we mere humans secretly doesn’t sleep, the reader is brought wish we could…and not serve a lengthy prison term for. Just like Reacher, Child doesn’t know how to fail. along on a strange ride through Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense Magazine ■ New York streets into a dark and dreary place where most of the HOT PURSUIT richest citizens have chosen to By Roderick Thorp spend their days living in virtual “Hot Pursuit” is an adrenaline-filled romp that will leave you cheering at the end. The reality rooms while medical staff adventure will begin in Key Largo, Florida, but will quickly race to Washington, DC and take care of them. the Bahamas before the action builds to a crescendo in Cartagena, Columbia. This tale is unusual and readers Lieutenant Commander Sam Merrill of the U.S. Coast Guard stumbles upon a vessel will certainly have a tumultuous and off the coast of the Florida Keys that is dead in the water. After boarding the vessel, he and exciting time of it as they deal with his crew find it packed with drugs and money. Sam soon finds himself to be a media darling grit, fear, pain, and the true oddity and Washington’s newly dubbed hero. He and his wife Amy head to the White House and that instead of building up the city then on to an all expense trip to the Bahamas where their luck goes from ‘bad’ to worse. Amy is kidnapped by they love, people chose to turn their the ruthless Chino and Sam begins an exhausting chase to find her. backs on it. A sci-fi/suspense lover’s With every stone Sam turns over, he finds a new snake, and he soon realizes he can only trust his wife, dream. himself, and his Coast Guard buddies. Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of You will gasp at situations he and Amy find themselves in and cheer when you see their ingenuity. “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & With “Hot Pursuit,” Thorp has written a thriller that is a non-stop, action-filled, tidal wave of a story that Lowery Book Three” published by will ultimately show you the depth of the human spirit and how far two people will go in the name of love. Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Reviewed by J.M. LeDuc, author of “Cornerstone,” published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Suspense Magazine ■ Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 24 DELIVERING DEATH BEYOND THE BRIDGE By Julie Kramer By Tom MacDonald This is the next tale in the incredibly captivating Riley Spartz thriller series, and the A true ode to the folks who live suspense is even more chilling than ever. in or around the Boston area, writer For those who are unaware, Riley Spartz is one of those intelligent and intriguing Tom MacDonald creates a great characters all readers want to follow. As an investigative journalist and reporter who has story using Massachusetts natives, definitely received her ‘gold stars,’ Riley has made a name for herself by dealing with the most and Bostonian details that add to criminal aspects of Minneapolis. Here, she is again about to embark on a ride that will put the fun. her skills to the ultimate test, beginning when an unknown person sends her an envelope Dermot Sparhawk was an All- containing a set of human teeth. American football star in his heyday, Jack Clemens is a white-collar criminal who is about to be incarcerated in a federal correctional but now, sadly, he finds himself institution for playing fast and loose with other people’s money. Although Jack was once a part of the ‘country working at a food pantry for the local club’ lifestyle, he has to face a whole new world when placed into a prison that’s a bit like Alcatraz. Doing Catholic Church. But the ambience all he can to survive his sentence, Jack pleads with a gang leader for protection in exchange for cash. But gets a whole lot darker when a Priest unfortunately, he ends up dead at the hands of another inmate. As the plot moves forward, Riley not only finds herself immersed in an unsavory crime but she must is found…crucified. While dealing also deal with the fact that a hideous murderer wants to use her home and the media to publicize his talents. with this shock, two more men of A truly great story; the plot lines are so well-drawn that the reader will not be able to put the book down God are killed in the same manner, until the truth comes to light. A great deal of action comes from the newsroom and focuses on all the work a and gossip soon spreads that all skilled journalist must do in order to run down leads, while at times causing aggravation in order to get their three were pedophiles. stories out to the public. Dermot is visited by the brother Riley Spartz is one character in suspense fiction that should be around for a good long time. Great job! of the second victim and is asked to Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by investigate. The brother is sure his Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ sibling was not a child predator, and will do anything he can to clear his SNOWBLIND name. Dermot decides to help out By Christopher Golden with the investigation, and enlists a Christopher Golden brings a snowstorm of terror indoors. Even living in sunny Florida, true team made up of another parish I will never look at those beautiful little frozen crystals the same. Golden’s snowflakes can priest, a criminalist in the police lab, freeze your very core with just one touch. A blizzard can be dangerous, but if you live in Coventry City, it can be downright deadly. the District Attorney, and a police Twelve years ago, a horrible blizzard stole the lives of several residents. Now another one is lieutenant. coming. The town waits in fear. Having a tough time in his Detective Joe Keenan remembers that night all too well. He worries what this new storm own life, Dermot goes into the will bring, or worse yet, what it will take. Residents who suffered losses years ago are beginning to see eerie investigation with a very good similarities hidden in this new blizzard. attitude; he wants to somehow TJ and Ella’s little girl suddenly begins acting like an old lady. A missing child from a car crash shows up solve the crimes with the help of on Jake Shapiro’s doorstep. Miri Ristani receives a call from someone who sounds like her dead father, and the above-mentioned crew, and a Doug Manning’s girlfriend’s personality changes dramatically for the better. They all lost someone to the cousin who he never even knew he blizzard. This storm has brought something back with it, something that has ice for a soul. had. Can Detective Keenan and the others figure out what or who is waiting for them in the snow? No matter Struggling with being an where they go, the frozen fingers of the storm are reaching out to steal their living warmth. They will have to alcoholic, Dermot tries to manage survive until the storm dies out or they do. his addiction through AA. He is Reviewed by Leslie A. Borghini, author of “Angel Heat” published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of determined to do some good in Suspense Magazine ■ the world and in his beloved home HUNTED of Boston. The church even throws By Elizabeth Heiter their formidable weight behind Evelyn Baine is an FBI expert profiler in the agency’s Behavior Analysis Unit, or BAU. him, as Dermot asks questions She is a tenacious, driven investigator, who is gnawing her way up the career ladder, motivated and finds connections between the by a need to prove herself as a woman in a unit where men predominate, and for her own cases that no one knew were there. personal reasons. Her best friend was abducted when the two girls were eleven years old, and Roadblocks happen, as many people she was never seen again. attempt to stop him from getting to She never knew what happened to her friend Cassie, but the serial killer she is chasing the truth, including some police now has made the fate of his victims all too well-known, although that may not have been officers. Dermot is determined to his intention. His gruesome method of displaying his victims’ bodies gives Evelyn plenty of information to not only change his own life but profile the killer, until it is clear he is stalking her as well. soldier on through the case, until “Hunted” is Elizabeth Heiter’s debut novel, the first of a series. She provides a fascinating insight into the the surprise ending comes to light. minds of killers, and the psychological profiling used by the FBI to identify criminals, as well as to eliminate An excellent plot of murder the innocent. In addition to creating a tensely written crime story, Heiter shows that as technology and and mayhem, the author offers investigative techniques advance, it is becoming more and more difficult to commit the perfect crime, and surprises and does a great job of the skills of trained, dedicated detectives are still needed to bring criminals to justice. At the same time, including the wealth of history that Heiter’s character Evelyn Baines struggles with the discrimination women face in a male-dominated field. the city of Boston and its citizens After the killer—an expert at disguises and at acting a part—has slipped through their fingers yet again, retain. Evelyn takes an extraordinary risk to finally put a stop to the killing spree. Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Author Heiter has created well-developed characters and a gripping story. I look forward to reading Professional Librarian & Co-Owner what happens next in The Profiler series. of The Write Companion ■ Reviewed by Kathleen Heady, author of “Lydia’s Story” for Suspense Magazine ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 25 WHISPERS OF DEATH IN REEL TIME VIVALDI By Brynn Bonner By Beverle Graves Myers “Death in Reel Time” is a real gem. This, the secondFamily History Mystery by this author, presents a truly Set in 1745 against the awesome story that adds even extra appeal to anyone interested in the amazing world of genealogy. incredible landscape of Venice, Sophreena McClure and Esme Sabatier have a business that is focused on helping people look up their this is one mystery that highlights family histories. Soon, the pair is hired to trace the various family trees belonging to one of their friends, Olivia the art, seduction, and excitement Clement. Although the project should be fun, quick, and fairly easy, Sophreena and Esme soon discover that of a world long gone. the past they are investigating may just have horrible ramifications on the present. Tito Amato is Venice’s local Murder occurs when Olivia’s son-in-law is killed. And as the investigation proceeds, almost all the citizens opera darling. But the talented of Morningside, North Carolina, begin looking at their neighbors in a whole new light. It really feels as if male soprano who once brought something buried in the past is being unearthed…and it’s not pretty. beautiful music to everyone’s One important thing that rests heavily on Olivia’s mind is finding out why her father disappeared before ears is now retired. Not because she was born. Apparently, he ran right before the tragedy of Pearl Harbor occurred, and it was assumed by most it was time, mind you, but that he was nothing more than a draft dodger. But as the women get further and further into the mystery of because an accident occurred that Olivia’s family, both mistrust and deviousness erupt between friends and neighbors. transformed Tito’s once soaring Before this story reaches its ultimate conclusion, many readers will be on their way to look up their own voice into more of a croak. ancestry, because the read is literally that beguiling. A fantastic tale, lovers of mystery will eat up every page Tito’s new career involves and gasp at the truly ‘surprise’ ending that will have one and all eagerly awaiting the next installment in this helping the Director of Teatro incredible series. Enjoy! San Marco, a true master by the Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by name of Maestro Torani, win back Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ audiences that have slowly fled to CASTING SHADOWS EVERYWHERE a competing opera company. Tito By L.T. Vargas is hoping that a new opera, The Adolescence was awkward enough for most of us, so you can imagine when you come from a family as False Duke, written by Niccolo dysfunctional as Jake’s, his journal, written for your edification, reads like “Perks of Being a Wallflower” meets Rocatti, a former student of the “Oliver Twist.” incredible Vivaldi, will help fill To say Jake’s mother, a single mom, was oblivious to his upbringing is putting it mildly. She warns him the empty seats. about associating with his psychopath of a cousin Nick, but as Jake puts it, “what Mom doesn’t know, I could Securing permission to just about squeeze into the Grand Canyon.” Nick, a twenty-four-year-old delinquent, educates fifteen-year-old stage the opera comes with Jake on the finer arts of smoking, drinking, fighting, and in general, how to be a criminal, all in an ‘educational’ one condition, however; that way, of course, to toughen him up to face the school bullies. Angeletto, another male soprano, Then there is Beth. Jake can’t believe a girl is interested in hanging out with him. Especially a girl with be imported from Naples in order big boobs. There are many dream sequences involving this budding relationship that tend to be distracting to sing the lead. Strangely enough, in their frequency; however, Vargas does well to keep the books point of view in the style of a fifteen-year-old gossip soon begins that this male boy, so the time or two when his style irked me a little, I remembered what life used to be like for me, a Jake virtuoso on stage is actually not a counterpart, and then it made more sense. male at all. Nick’s educational sessions turn sour when his girlfriend goes missing, and Jake puts two and two together When the maestro is killed at and is forced to kidnap Beth for her own safety. Of course, he does all this without involving parents, or God a reception honoring Angeletto, forbid the police, because as we all recognize, teenagers know everything. Tito becomes devastated by A quirky YA novel that will make you want to go back to your childhood days. Not! the loss of his very close friend. Reviewed by Mark P. Sadler, author of “Blood on his Hands” for Suspense Magazine ■ He decides to help with the investigation to find Torani’s THE ACCIDENT killer, but soon becomes the By Chris Pavone number one suspect in the crime. This New York Times bestselling author has certainly outdone himself with this amazing For readers who have thriller that is truly impossible for the reader to put down. already seen the magic of this Taking place on two continents, America and Europe, the characters take the reader on series, this is the sixth book by the trip of a lifetime. To begin, we are introduced to Isabel Reed. Isabel is a literary agent who’s finally coming to the end of a mystery novel she’s been reading by an author who wishes to this author featuring Tito. Even remain anonymous. for people who are not opera The manuscript is both riveting and frightening to the agent. Not only does the plot focus buffs, the stunning history is on some extremely powerful people but the anonymous author has also gone so far as to include long-hidden something not to be missed. This secrets regarding Isabel’s own past into the work. Very soon this novel will be ready for publication and will new case uncovers much about most likely ruin lives, reputations, careers—even empires. Vivaldi, the Red Priest, who any This novel focuses on a slew of characters and plots: Isabel’s assistant who attempts to chase down the music lover will attest was a near manuscript; a rights director who’s looking for her own ‘big break’ in the industry; a movie producer in Los perfect composer. The book is Angeles; a New York publisher; another veteran editor; and even a friend of Isabel’s. Add in a super sly CIA beyond delightful, and many will operative working in Denmark who’s bent on destroying this manuscript, and readers are given a non-stop hear Vivaldi’s famous, The Four menu of power-hungry individuals who all have their own agenda for what’s about to be unleashed on some Seasons, echo in their minds as very wealthy, powerful people. they take a walk through Venice The author, who has been living incognito in Zurich, will watch all the pawns in this odd play, and just and enjoy the world of opera, when fans think they have this story figured out, they’ll have to switch gears to go in another direction. and the darkness of murder. Full of constant surprises, Pavone has created a story that is jam-packed with everything from media Reviewed by Mary Lignor, moguls to conspiracies. This is a truly great read! Professional Librarian & Co- Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by Owner of The Write Companion ■ Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 26 BLACK HORIZON MURDER OF By James Grippando A STACKED Jack Swyteck returns in “Black Horizon,” the eleventh novel featuring the Miami-based LIBRARIAN criminal defense lawyer. After marrying FBI agent Andie Henning, the newlyweds dash off to By Denise Swanson the Florida Keys, but their honeymoon is interrupted. First, a deep-water oil rig explodes near The featured Cuba in a storm that’s quickly pushing the gushing oil toward the Keys, and then Andie gets player in this called away on an assignment. Through a business connection of his best man and best friend, incredible series is Theo, Jack takes on a wrongful death suit from a widow of one of the men on the oil rig, and school psychologist, then things start to get very complicated. Skye Denison. “Black Horizon” is a briskly paced thriller, at times almost too brisk. People get kidnapped and released It is right before Christmas and faster than you can say “ransom.” The action spreads out across the Keys and into Cuba, where Jack and Theo Skye is a busy woman, planning a travel to and from with relative ease. Mischievous loose-cannon Theo is a near-constant source of trouble family holiday while at the same for Jack, and he remains focused on trying to score a date even as they suspect they’re being followed by time organizing her own wedding the Russian mafia. This comic relief probably works better if you’ve been following the characters and their to Police Chief Wally Boyd. The relationship over the course of the series, but is a little hard to swallow if this novel is your starting point. couple is thrilled to finally be getting International law, corporate power, the War on Terror, and shady Cuban connections afford plenty of married and is a very beloved duo in plot twists to keep the reader guessing, further complicated by Andie’s undercover assignment, which may their hometown of Scumble River. or may not have connections to the oil spill, which may or may not have been an accident. Grippando makes Many times over the years, good use of the oil spill backdrop and the complicated history between the Untied States and Cuba without Skye has worked with Wally letting the novel get too preachy about any side of the issues involved, although Jack certainly makes his as a consultant for the Police opinions clear. Department. As their wedding The complex plot points combined with the breezy narrative—not to mention the Florida Keys looms along with Christmas plans, setting—make for a solid beach read that will no doubt leave longtime fans looking forward to further Skye’s mind is more than a bit adventures of Jack Swyteck. frenzied. The last thing she needs Reviewed by Scott Pearson, author of “Star Trek: Honor in the Night” and cohost of the Generations Geek is more anxiety. Unfortunately, all podcast, for Suspense Magazine ■ her plans must come to a screeching DRIZZLED IN DEATH halt when the town’s librarian is By Jessie Crockett killed, and Skye and Wally must This is the first book in a new mystery series published by Berkley Prime Crime and it turn away from happy planning in promises to be a good one. order to find a murderer before the Dani Greene and her family are fourth generation maple syrup producers and Dani is trail goes cold. developing an online business to further fund the family. Dani has the uncanny ability to see The victim, Yvonne Osborne, unusual animals as she treks through local forests and as such, begins an acquaintance with was not exactly the most popular the local state Conservation Officer after reporting those she has spotted. person in town, so it’s no wonder At the annual pancake eating contest, a woman who has moved into town and has made when suspects begin piling up plenty of enemies, falls dead into her plate of flapjacks. Immediately, suspicion falls on Dani’s grandpa who as Skye and Wally try to deduce usually wins. Dani’s outrage at her grandparent’s arrest causes her to comb the county for other possible who would benefit the most from suspects. Yvonne’s death. As Dani searches for the real culprit, she finds that someone thinks she’s WAY too nosy, and will try to Seems Yvonne had high eliminate Dani before their secret is revealed. hopes for the town library, but her This is a fresh new series that promises fun, quirky characters, and good recipes for all types of maple ideas apparently upset many of the based goodies. You’ll find yourself craving maple sweets before you’re at the end of the first three chapters! citizens. So as Skye worries about Bravo, Jessie Crockett, for a delectable new opportunity to eat, drink, and figure out whodunit! everything from a holiday meal Reviewed by Holly Price author of “At Death’s Door” for Suspense Magazine ■ to whether or not her wedding dress will fit, a wealth of would-be WEREWOLF SINGS THE BLUES murderers also need investigated By Jennifer Harlow so that she and Wally can somehow I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Harlow’s work since the first book in her wildly creative find a way to ride off into the sunset investigative series, The F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad and while certainly more adult oriented than I for a much-needed and well- remember her other tales to be, “Werewolf Sings the Blues” is just as lively. deserved honeymoon. Vivian Dahl’s life has become mundane. An aging wedding singer—yep, that’s her claim This is a good novel that will to fame—she’s not living the life. Drugs, sex, and not much rock n’ roll have taken their toll keep all mystery lovers occupied and Vivian feels like most who haven’t realized their dreams, she’s going nowhere pretty darn fast and frankly, she’s exhausted. So what if drugs give her the bump needed to help her plant for a daylong reading fest. The her butt firmly on the stage to singAt Last for the millionth time for one more bride and groom? A girl’s gotta citizens of Scumble River are pay the rent. quirky and secretive just like any When she realizes she’s being followed, Vivian figures she’s smart enough and tough enough to get away. small town in the U.S. of A. Wally It doesn’t take her long to recognize her mistake as she stands smack-dab in the middle of a gunfight and is and Skye are extremely likable swiftly kidnapped by said stalker. and are definitely the Nick and But in an unexpected twist, Vivian soon realizes Jason isn’t a stalker at all. He’s a werewolf—from her Nora Charles of a location most all birth father’s pack—who is there to save her life and plans to take her across country to meet that father. people can identify with. Enjoy! Rescuing her just goes with the job right now because dear old dad has a few enemies and they’ve found out Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of about the daughter he left behind. Unfortunately for Vivian, this little bombshell is the first of many. “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & A sharp-tongued heroine, hunky hero, and a cast of unconventional characters makes “Werewolf Sings Lowery Book Three” published by the Blues” a seducing, forget-the-real-world read. Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense Magazine ■ Suspense Magazine ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 27 PIN IT HAPPENS IN THE DARK MONEY By Carol O'Connell By David Delee It is opening night of the play, Brass Bed, by Peter Beck, and for one audience member sitting in the front This high- row, it’s also the night they are murdered. action trilogy This play, based on a true story of a Nebraska family murdered in their home, is not only a creepy tale but features Grace also becomes a deadly play to watch. On the second night of the play, while in progress, Peter Beck has his own deHaviland, a throat slashed, becoming the next victim to die in the front row without an explanation or a solution. Reviewers former member begin referring to the production as “A Play to Die For,” and most believe this is one play that should NOT go of the police force on. who has turned bounty hunter/ Detective Kathy Mallory of the NYPD Special Crimes Unit takes over the case, but soon finds out that she skip tracer in Ohio. A masterful will receive absolutely no cooperation from cast, crew, or almost anyone else in charge. The only person who collection of three novellas, this seems open to helping turns out to be a very silent and never before seen person called the ‘ghostwriter,’ who offering takes the reader through leaves messages for Mallory in chalk on a backstage blackboard. some truly harrowing cases The cast is more than a little strange and the so-called ghostwriter keeps up the charade of invisibility, with Grace and her friend, Suzie leaving Mallory to make her own deductions as she tries to manipulate the witnesses and suspects to get Jensen, a sheriff’s deputy. someone to talk. The first, A Cold Wind, has Calling in the small town sheriff who investigated the murders back in Nebraska, Mallory brings the law readers side-by-side with Grace to Manhattan in order to see if the murders of the audience members were at all similar to what happened to a and Suzie as they come up against family long ago. gunrunners. Grace is attempting Getting more and more odd every night, a deadly hand begins to create rewrites in the script that include Mallory as part of the vicious story. And when the blackboard reads: ‘Mallory, tonight’s the night,’ a mysterious to find a bail jumper who was murderer takes charge and the play becomes personal. arrested for a reasonably minor A fantastically fun and intriguing mystery. A+ across the board! charge, but soon finds out that a Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by member of the ATF is also on the Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ case; with a mission to find the subject for the much more lethal CIDER BROOK charge of gunrunning. By Carla Neggers The second tale,Amber Alert, Sometimes fans of thrillers need a small respite from the frenetic pace found in novels overflowing with throws Grace and Suzie in the gun-toting madmen and sharp-shooting heroes. When that need arises, the romantic suspense genre is an path of a pedophile who needs to ideal escape for this reviewer. “Cider Brook,” the third installment in the Swift River Valley series by New York be found as fast as possible, seeing Times bestselling author Carla Neggers, was exactly what the doctor ordered. A picturesque autumn, quaint as that the criminal may just have characters including an unconventional damsel in distress, and hunky hero fit flawlessly into the out-of-the-way a small child in his possession. town of Knights Bridge, Massachusetts. Finding themselves in need, the Samantha Bennett—granddaughter of adventurer, Harry Bennett—is searching for the key to solve a three-hundred-year-old mystery that her grandfather set her on years before: the mystery of a long dead pirate, women turn to a person who has Captain Benjamin Farraday. Secretive, Samantha attempts to slip discreetly into Knights Bridge where new already been through a great deal clues have again led her, but she has a history with this small community, one that she cannot get beyond. But in life, which creates a truly heart the past is what shapes us, and Samantha knows that eventually she needs to salvage her reputation for her own wrenching story. well-being. In the last ‘act,’ A Matter of Two years prior, Samantha had the opportunity to work for treasure hunter, Duncan McCaffrey, but Justice, Grace’s past as an officer she wasn’t forthcoming about her adventurous family. When Sam first snuck into Knights Bridge following of the law comes into play when Duncan to see if he, too, was interested in the mystery of Farraday, she was spotted, causing Duncan to question she’s hired to find a call girl on her integrity. Her termination was soon followed by his death and his son, Dylan, was now making his home the run. Seems that there is in Knights Bridge. more to this case than a simple Still stinging from the termination, Samantha believes returning to the town is necessary, hopeful that prostitution charge, however, she’d planned adequately to avoid anyone aware of her earlier omission. Samantha just didn’t prepare for the and when the facts of why the girl severe thunderstorms in the area, didn’t expect to place herself in a building struck by lightning, and didn’t really disappeared come to light, expect volunteer firefighter, Justin Sloan, to come to her rescue. Grace turns back the clock to a Though more romance than mystery, “Cider Brook” is easy to sink into and be swept away byvivid time when she was a rookie cop imagery and intriguing encounters. and met up with a very dangerous Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense Magazine ■ man; a man who may just be back THE RED ROAD for another showdown. By Denise Mina Also including a short story, Heart-pumping danger took me on a thrilling ride through this book, the fourth Alex Morrow Scottish readers will find themselves procedural. engaged with each and every one The action flips back and forth between a series of events in 1997 and another series, involving many of the as they explore the dangerous same characters in present time. This was a tiny bit confusing at first, but after I caught on to where everyone job of bounty hunting. Grace is was, my enjoyment was heightened by this device. It’s essential to know how the events that happened to definitely one tough chick that Rose Wilson and to several other key players affect what’s going on in the case Alex Morrow is trying to solve, readers will always remember. a murder that takes place on the Red Road. A crucial event of world-wide import took place during the 1997 Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author events, the death of Princess Diana. As an American, I was fascinated by the attitudes of the Scottish people of “The Hero’s Companion: toward this tragedy, and the story parallels that run alongside it. Tallent & Lowery Book Betrayal, mistrust, and destruction swirl around the day of Princess Di’s death and around the present day Three” published by Suspense Glasgow and Strathclyde happenings. Warning: This is a gritty book and deals with a tough subject, prostitution Publishing, an imprint of Suspense by and mistreatment of a very young girl. I think you’ll like this immensely if that isn’t a barrier for you. Magazine ■ Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “Death in the Time of Ice” for Suspense Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 28 BEYOND BELIEF CONCEALED IN By Helen Smith DEATH This is one novel that provides the perfect combination of fun. The author takes a little By J.D. Robb bit of magic, mixes it with a couple of murders, and adds the spark of a young lady, Emily Easily one of my favorite Castles, who wants to become a ‘future crimes investigator.’ authors in modern fiction, J.D. As we begin, Emily is invited to attend a board meeting at the headquarters of the Royal Robb seems to have a magical Society for the Exploration of Science and Culture, located in London. Once there, she is touch. While most series become asked by the board to attend the Society’s conference that is about to be held in Torquay. stale somewhere around the ten- Seems that one of the members attending this event has predicted that there will be a murder book mark, Robb’s In Death series by drowning, and Emily’s neighbor, a philosophy professor named Dr. Muriel, asks the Society to hire Emily is still going strong with its thirty- to investigate the crime…that has not yet actually been committed. eighth installment, “Concealed in The suspected victim is a very unpopular magician, Edmund Zenon. Mr. Zenon has already announced Death.” And really it’s no secret that he will give piles of money to anyone who can actually prove the existence of the paranormal; he has why, as each reads like an episode also stated that, no matter what the gossip may be, he has no intention of expiring at the conference. of your favorite television show vs. In this strange setting, Emily finds an even stranger mixed bag of magicians, storytellers, fortunetellers, major chapters or giant leaps in the psychic dachshunds, and the always-present religious fanatics that keep her busy, as she attempts to enjoy lives of her much loved characters. the weather at this beautiful resort. The distinct In Death style, also However, when bodies do start piling up and Emily also finds herself at the hands of an attacker, she works well for those fans who may must find a way to stop the killer before more lives are taken. In a world that is split between scientific fact have missed an installment or two and supernatural believers, Emily turns to the ‘old-fashioned’ way of solving crimes. Keeping her feet firmly along the way. on the ground, she taps her boring, earthly skills to find a very real psycho. Roarke—former thief and now This wonderful plot makes for a very unusual mystery, and readers will be enthralled by the cast of shrewd, hands-on businessman and characters presented. loving husband—has purchased Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Professional Librarian & Co-Owner of The Write Companion ■ a long-abandoned building in THE WIDOWS OF BRAXTON COUNTY NYC and is the first to swing the By Jess McConkey sledgehammer, beginning the Kate is a young bride who puts her city dwelling life behind her when she marries Joe demolition process. When the dust Krause and moves to his farm in Iowa, which has been in his family for over a hundred years. settles, Roarke and his team find She wants to build a life and a family there with Joe. the skeletal remains of two bodies, But after she arrives, she discovers that he has misrepresented many things, and outright tightly wrapped in plastic, hidden lied about others. He said his mother lived elsewhere, but she doesn’t. He said that she would behind what they quickly discover be able to pursue her dreams, while helping him build their future. There are constant chores, is a false wall. Roarke doesn’t judgmental neighbors, and lots of gossip about her arrival. hesitate to stop demolition and Kate discovers that there is a deep family secret surrounding her and that her husband is not who she contact his bride, Lieutenant Eve thought he was. Must she flee all that she now has in order to be happy? Dallas. I started this book with one idea of how it would turn out and I have to admit, it surprised me with its in- Upon arrival, Eve quickly depth picture of a family in crisis. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists of the plot and the character development determines several things. She that grew throughout the story. I can recommend this book completely as an informative picture of women’s doesn’t have a firm idea as to when roles through the years and what one family had to experience in order to reach the light. these victims died nor does her Reviewed by Holly Price author of “At Death’s Door” for Suspense Magazine ■ inspection give clues as to how. Eve is forced by circumstances WHITE FIRE to change her tried and true By Preston & Child investigative process and must Sometimes, when I read books by the same author(s), I tend to anticipate an ending because I’m used rely on others—specifically, flashy to the author(s) style. I’ve read Preston & Child and I can assure you that with “White Fire,” I didn’t know forensic anthropologist, Dr. Garnet what was coming. DeWinter—to aid her team. As the Corrie Swanson is determined to win the Rosewell Prize at John Jay College for Criminal Justice. She bodies continue to pile up, Eve finds sets her sights on a particular thesis. In 1876, several miners were killed in a place called Roaring Fork in herself with twelve dead girls, from Colorado by what was believed to be bear attacks. Corrie wants to show perimortem trauma in the miners’ different backgrounds and with skeletons. She travels to Colorado, where the temperature is at its lowest and the heat of danger at its peak. only the smallest thread linking While trying to unearth proof for her thesis, Corrie digs up more than she bargains for. She’s hindered them: their temporary grave. by townsfolk while trying to get permission to analyze skeletal remains that were removed from a graveyard, As DeWinter does her job, all for the construction of a club. Not one to give up easily, Corrie breaks into the warehouse where the Eve must follow leads that take her corpses are stored. She is caught and arrested. back to a time where she’d mentally Her mentor and good friend FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast comes to her rescue, but can he protect her rather not go, but as we loyal fans from herself? He warns her, but she is obstinate and unwavering; she wants the information for her thesis know, Eve feels an unequivocal and to solve the centuries’ old murders. ownership for all victims and she Corrie, Pendergast, and everyone are also concerned about the flames that are threatening to obliterate the town. Fire after fire erupts, burning people alive in their homes. won’t stop until she’s found the And I must mention that Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde have parts in this novel as well. You truth, if not justice. won’t believe what Wilde told Doyle at a dinner party. It’s alleged that…sike! I’m not telling. You must read A flawless series. I hope to this to find out what they and a lost story of Doyle’s have to do with the chaos and murders in this wealthy, be reading about the lives of Eve, hoity town. Roarke, and their close-knit group A thoroughly entertaining, gripping read that will captivate you. of friends for years to come. Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” published by Suspense Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ Suspense Magazine ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 29 THE CIRCLE OF A FATAL WINTER THIRTEEN By G.M. Malliet By William Petrocelli An interesting hero entered the literary world when he starred in a truly fantastic book A plot that will keep you on called “Wicked Autumn.” Thankfully, this very handsome Anglican Priest who has a background your toes, this sci-fi/thriller takes as a former spy is back, and this new mystery, if possible, is even better than the first. the reader from 2012 to 2082, We speak of Max Tudor, who is attempting to solve the murders of an upper-crust family with a few other interesting stops living in a castle located in Nether Monkslip. His adventure begins on a train, where Max in between. shares a compartment with Lady Baynard of Chedrow Castle. In the beginning, what seems Disliking his journey, this particular Lady is annoying and Max can hardly wait to get to his destination like a ‘norm’ for a thriller book plays and leave her behind, which is definitely not a ‘priestly’ attitude. out; a man demanding to see his Irony at its finest, Max is asked to come to Chedrow Castle by the local detective inspector, Cotton; the son argues with a woman bearing inspector wishes to utilize Max’s MI-5 experience to help him investigate the odd death of Lord Footrustle, a restraining order against him. the owner of the castle and head of the family. It is the holiday season; Christmas is in the air and the home is Although violence commences, overrun by family suspects who are salivating over the announcement of the will; each one wants to be named the reader immediately knows this the new owner of the castle and be blessed with the title of Lord. book is something far different Soon after Max’s arrival a new body crops up, and that is Lady Baynard, the dead Lord’s sister and Max’s than their mind expects, and the travel companion. Very interested as to who will profit from the deaths of both, Max must delve into the secrets non-stop action takes them on the of many. Included among the cheery family members are Lord Footrustle’s daughter, Jocasta, and his former ride of their lives. wife, Gwynyth. Both are a little strange, and Max doesn’t give much thought to either, seeing that they’re In New York City, 2082, a brand new United Nations definitely not smart enough to carry out a murder. Headquarters is in the spotlight, The Lord’s adopted granddaughter, Lamorna, seems to be another story, and soon becomes suspect as all the world’s leaders arrive number one. Whether he’s right or wrong will be a challenge to discover, but one thing is for sure…Max is to view the opening ceremonies definitely about to meet his intellectual match. Enjoy this one, readers! It is fantastic! of the grand building. Smack- Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Professional Librarian & Co-Owner of The Write Companion ■ dab in the center of the new hall Buried IN BARGAINS stands a sculpture dedicated to the By Josie Belle founders of ‘Women for Peace.’ What comes to mind when you hear the phrase ‘Good Buy Girls’ (GBG)? If you say a The artist has done a wonderful bunch of women who like smart finds, then you guessed it. But second hand shops, stationary job, profiling all thirteen women stores, delis, and accounting are not all Maggie, Joanne, Claire, and Ginger are up to. in the sculpture who lost their Much to the dismay of Sheriff Sam Collins—an ex-boyfriend of Maggie’s from her younger lives in a terrorist attack many years—Maggie and her entourage insist on getting involved when a young girl is murdered. years before. The commemoration Joanne’s husband Michael is very protective of Diane Jenkins, his new hire at the deli, and the of the work dubs this group as the GBG girls can’t figure out why. Until plots, schemes, and stalkers make an appearance after martyrs who will forever depict Diane is murdered and Michael is knocked out and left for dead in his deli. the peace movement. But… Maggie and Sam are lighting up their old flame again, but Maggie’s insistence in coming to the aid of her shortly after the dedication, an friend and getting in the way may be the one thing that may put that flame out again. But she can’t help herself explosion rocks the building. when Michael becomes a suspect in Diane’s murder. Heading back in time, This is a tale of suspicions, Maggie’s amateurish sleuth, off-the-wall ideas, and mayhem, and it’s a load of the reader observes the action fun! Recommended! taking place two weeks before Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” published by Suspense this ceremony is to be held. The Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ Security Director for the UN building, Julia Moro, believes DON'T LOOK FOR ME a terrorist group is planning an By Loren D. Estleman attack at the event, and is beyond There is nothing better than a fast-paced, exciting, one-day read after all the stress of a frightened. She will do anything holiday season has come and gone. And what better way to relieve stress than entering the to stop this from happening, so imagination with an enticing character who certainly knows his way around crime and murder. Julia races to find the leader of Amos Walker is hired by a man whose wife is missing. However, this may not be a case of the group who seems to be the tragic abduction, because she left behind a note that clearly states: “Don’t look for me.” invisible man. As Julia digs deeper, Amos takes the job, and as it is with everything he does, trouble shows up at his door she finds herself stuck in a web almost immediately in the form of women, drugs, and vices aplenty. of secrets from her own past that Walker discovers it’s not the first time this particular lady has pulled a disappearing act. The first, however, may just have a direct connection was easily solved when it was found out that she was just enjoying an affair with a local. This time around, with the horror-show she’s trying things become worse when the lady’s curious secrets come into play. to stop. She is actually a woman who concocts and mixes herbal remedies. When the official ‘powers that be’ This extremely fast thriller decide to raid the store that’s selling her products, they find much more than they bargained for, tripping over offers an intriguing plot that a dead body in the basement. Seems that the Mafia is somehow involved, and a lot more than herbal products brings a fresh quality to the are being sold to consumers. often-used terrorist angle. With As the spider web expands, Walker discovers that the missing woman’s former maid is now working in such a multitude of twists and flagrante for a studio, and when agents from Moussad show up on the scene, and before brutal murders occur turns, this writer has doubled his once again, Walker finds himself knee-deep in a case far more deadly than anything the Mafia could concoct. efforts to make sure the reader’s The author has produced a spellbinder, allowing readers not only a chance to embark on a great murder concentration is held at all times. case but also a chance to increase their pulse rate by seeing their favorite character attempt to avoid being taken Reviewed by Mary Lignor, out once and for all! Professional Librarian & Co- Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by Owner of The Write Companion ■ Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 30 BILLBOARD MAN SHADOWS OF THE By Jim Fusilli PAST This author provides a memorable drifter in the second book in theSam series, and packs By Patricia Bradley a suspense-filled punch. Taylor Martin teaches Our main character is a nameless man; or it might be better to say he’s a man with victimology at a Washington state umpteen names. At the moment he calls himself J.J. Walk, subject to change at any given university, while remaining a victim moment. to her own past. Twenty years A drifter, J.J.’s life is a desperate mess. He loses his wife to a killer and his own daughter ago, Taylor’s father left without an will no longer give him the time of day. J.J. has turned to solitary confinement, driving aimlessly through explanation. Recently, her fiancé left northern Arizona, climbing high up into the mountains, and stopping at an old mining town called Jerome. her at the altar. A successful career can’t make up for a personal life Heading into a bar, J.J. has a drink with an attractive woman and is drawn into a fight with her ex- marred with abandonment issues husband. Quickly bidding adieu to Arizona, J.J. makes his way to Memphis. What he doesn’t know is that the and nightmares about her father, ex-husband from Jerome is following close behind. combined with grisly victims from Meeting another attractive woman in Tennessee, J.J. suddenly finds himself framed for the murder of the recent crimes. Worse, she is being man who has been following him. In order to clear his name, J.J., who is now called John Bleak, decides to stalked by a serial killer who slips track down the killer on his own. But to add even more confusion to his life, he now finds himself in the sights a note into her pocket when she is of a Wall Street moneyman who has plans of his own. This stranger has put up a billboard in the middle of the surrounded by law enforcement at a city, and folks are now starting to recognize the man on the billboard…our antihero, J.J. crime scene. His message: I can get As the story progresses, we discover what the problem was that got our hero into trouble in the first you anytime, anywhere. place. More than a few folks want him dead, and others just want to use his ‘talents’ for their own gain. Scott Sinclair, one of Taylor’s A well-written plot with so many aliases that readers will most definitely have to pay attention. students, is smitten, following her Discovering the ‘who’ and ‘what’ behind this tale is amazingly fun, and will leave readers mesmerized by this and sending her gifts. When Taylor drifter on the run. meets Scott’s older brother Nick, Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Co-Owner of The Write Companion for Suspense Magazine ■ a successful mystery novelist, she feels an instant attraction. She THROW IN THE TROWEL learns the brothers live close to By Kate Collins where she was raised in Logan’s Renovation projects can be stressful. All that construction dust, workmen coming in Point, Mississippi. After Taylor and out, and the sound of power tools are sure to put a strain on any relationship. But flower and the sheriff are brutally attacked shop owner and part-time investigator Abby Knight and her hunky new bridegroom, private and Scott goes missing, everything detective Marco Salvare, are sure they can handle the renovations at Marco’s bar, Down The points to Scott being the stalker Hatch, without a problem. Until the renovation work reveals a skeleton buried in the basement. responsible. When the skeleton is revealed as a local carpenter who went missing back in the 1970s, no As the friction escalates one in town seems to care. Especially not his nearest and dearest—his business partner, son, and girlfriend. between Taylor and Nick, family Intrigued, Abby and Marco decide to cultivate the clues and solve the cold case themselves. But the deeper circumstances require her to fly they dig, the more desperate the murderer grows. Old hurts and secrets are revealed, but which are really home, a place she has avoided for true? ten years. Nick arranges to sit beside Fans of Kate Collins and her Flower Shop mysteries will love this one! her on the flight and pleads the case Reviewed by Susan Santangelo, author of “Class Reunions Can Be Murder” for Suspense Magazine ■ for Scott’s innocence. Nick knows what it feels like to be a victim; he DARK WITCH watched helplessly as a mugger By Nora Roberts murdered his wife two and a half Book one of the Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy, “Dark Witch,” by Nora Roberts is one of those years ago. stories that you take with you long after you’ve read the final page. Beautifully written—as While Nick and the police we all have come to expect—there is something exceedingly unique about the journey of the look for Scott, Taylor investigates O’Dwyer clan. her father’s disappearance. The day A lush Irish landscape is the setting for this rich-in-lore tale, beginning with the long she’s scheduled to talk to a retired ago story of Sorcha, the Dark Witch. Equally gifted and cursed with beauty and power, her detective from the cold case, he’s independence and profound love for her family is pivotal in her undoing. A mother of three and wife of a murdered. Fear for Taylor’s safety soldier, Sorcha is pursued by another man, Cabhan, who is seeking to consume her. A magickly powerful mounts when someone shoots at man, he infiltrates her family’s days and nights, threatening her children while they sleep. Sorcha, as most her and runs her off the road. mother’s would, prepares her children for life after her death and makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect their Taylor’s family begs her to stop future. looking into her father’s case. With Fast forward to the present and the story of the cousins begins. Iona Sheehan (an O’Dwyer on her her professional judgment clouded mother’s side) arrives in County Mayo, Ireland. She’s unemployed, single, well aware of her ancestors by old fears and multiple suspects, illustrious past, and is eager to embark on a new future. She’s left a loving and supportive grandmother in the will Taylor realize who the real states, but the U.S. is no longer home. killer is before it’s too late? Iona promptly meets her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer, and Iona knows she’s found her This crime mystery held my attention with plenty of suspense place in the world where the past and present collide. The Dark Witch title is not the only item passed from and just the right amount of generation to generation and Iona has a lot to learn before she comes into her power. romance to spice things up. Maybe it’s the Irish in me, but most likely the breathtaking ability of this New York Times bestselling Reviewed by S.L. Menear, author author, that made “Dark Witch” and its imagery feel a bit like home. A story that should be shared with of “Deadstick Dawn” published by mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends, Roberts seamlessly weaves the terror of the past, indestructible love, Suspense Publishing, an imprint of family unity, and strength of character into one tantalizing package. I eagerly await book two, “Shadow Spell.” Suspense Magazine ■ Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense Magazine ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 31 THE KILL SOMEONE WICKED ORDER Edited by J.M. Reinbold and Weldon Burge By Robin Burcell The cover alone draws the reader in, as they stare at a slightly familiar figure offering This is one story up an apple to anyone who wishes to sink their teeth into this ‘Wicked’ world. that will make all A fun compilation, each story provides someone wicked at its core. Whether they be people who believe rich or poor, sick or healthy, good or bad, all twisted personalities are welcome. they are experts in the Delving just a bit between the pages, here are three juicy tales that readers cannot miss: technological realm The Chances wraps around Margot, who hasn’t been on a shopping trip to Bangor begin to question their intelligence. since her significant other walked out on her. But on the way home, deciding to take a short cut to save FBI Special Agent Sydney time, Margot stops immediately to help a woman lying in the road. Thankfully, the body is only that of a Fitzpatrick becomes caught up in mannequin; obviously, just someone’s idea of a sick joke. Reporting the incident to the police, Margot investigating the murder of her father turns her attention on the officer who arrives to take her statement, and more than a bit of creepiness and that took place about twenty years stalking commences. ago. It seems that her father had a Reckonings is a little fable about a quiet lady who works in an office; if you didn’t look twice, you’d hand in the theft of something called never even see her at all. She doesn’t talk to anyone unless they ask her a specific question, but she certainly ‘The Devil’s Key’ way back then, has a hidden talent. She has ways of getting even with people who choose not to treat her well… which is a list of numbers that, let’s Rebecca has recently become a mother in The Devil Inside, and is sickened to think that her own baby just say, involves national security. At hates her. Happy with his father and his nanny, the boy can’t seem to stand being in the same room with his the time the document was taken, mother. Hanging on every word, readers will be amazed when they actually realize that the evil in this story the ‘powers that be’ had announced is someone you never would have guessed. the kill order that expressly stated the A first-class example of a mystery collection, this anthology provides a wealth of devilishly fun person or person(s) in possession of it afternoon reading. Poison, torture, evil around every corner…enjoy this book, if you can! Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Co-Owner of The Write Companion for Suspense Magazine ■ would meet the ultimate punishment. Discovering the list and having THE SETUP MAN no knowledge of what it actually By T. T. Monday pertains to, Sydney hands it over to Don’t shy away from this mystery if you’re not a baseball fan. The industry is seamlessly interwoven her superiors, but not before making into the story and you’ll pick up all you need to know without any effort. If you are a baseball fan, dive in a copy for herself. Sadly, Sydney is headfirst. unaware of the ‘kill order.’ Johnny Adcock is a setup man for the San José Bay Dogs baseball team. A setup man, in modern Unluckily, a young cyberspace baseball, is a pitcher who is called in for only a few pitches and not in every game. And he hardly ever bats. aficionado purchases a bunch of old He has plenty of free time and gets paid more money than he knows what to do with. So he does private investigating in his off time, a profession he fell into but now loves. copiers at an auction held by the The team’s backup catcher, a young, genuinely nice kid named Frankie Herrera approaches Adcock FBI. Supposedly just old junk, there to solve his problem: some porno films his wife made before they were married. When Frankie is killed in happens to be a very famous list on a car accident soon after that, the whole mess doesn’t smell right. Adcock swings into action, assembling the hard drive stored in one of the his off-diamond team, a rainbow mix of oddballs. He soon discovers that what he knows is the tip of a very copiers. Suffice to say, a killing takes deep, very dirty iceberg. Toss in his ex-wife and fourteen-year-old daughter, and you’re in for a good read. place, and a young woman named This is the author’s first thriller, but I hope it’s not his last. Piper who’s in the house at the time Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “Death in the Time of Ice” for Suspense Magazine ■ of the murder goes on the run from WHEN SHADOWS FALL forces that will do anything to stop By J.T. Ellison her. This young lady happens to be Ellison, yet again, offers up a story that goes from 0-to-60 in seconds. blessed with an eidetic memory; she Dr. Samantha Owens is working to set up her classroom for her new job as head of the knows exactly what the list contains Georgetown University Medical School’s Forensic Pathology Department in Washington, and a bull’s-eye is immediately placed D.C. She is extremely happy about her new career and has no regrets about giving up a life on her back, along with Sydney who in law enforcement. also possesses a copy. While she’s going about her work, looking forward to the new path her life is taking, Department of Justice agents she receives an extremely odd letter. The letter is from a corpse who states that he’s dead join with the FBI to protect Piper and wants, more than anything, for Dr. Owens to solve his murder. In addition, the supposed victim is even from the enemy who definitely will more helpful by compiling a list of suspects for the doctor to look at, and setting aside some money in order do anything to get this list in order to to cover any expenses she has during the investigation. Downside? The corpse also states that Dr. Owens start the inevitable World War III. life will definitely be on the line if his killers find out she’s received this post-mortem letter. Samantha doesn’t have a clue as to who Timothy Savage, the signer of the letter, is. What makes it even In this case, what you do know more confusing is when she’s approached by his lawyer and informed that Savage was not murdered at all; can kill you—and they are not he is dead by his own hand. kidding! This book is a fantastic page- After a great deal of hesitation, she agrees to perform an autopsy on Savage and finds that natural turner from an extremely talented causes or suicide are not the case at all. Add to this, another plot where her significant other, Army Ranger author! Xander Whitfield, is pulled into a case involving a search for a missing child whose disappearance may be Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of connected to the death of Mr. Savage, and the story blows up. When Homicide Detective Darren Fletcher “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & arrives, anything and everything boils to the top. Lowery Book Three” published by Full of carefully mastered clues that tie both cases together, this is a true thrillfest that will keep readers Suspense Publishing, an imprint of on the edge of their seats until the very end. Suspense Magazine ■ Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Professional Librarian & Co-Owner of The Write Companion ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 32 THE RIDDLE OF SOLOMON LEAVE TOMORROW By D.J. Niko BEHIND This amazing thriller focuses on the history of the Near East as seen through the eyes of By Judy Clemens Sarah Weston and Daniel Madigan. Fans have been waiting for this one with bated breath: book This is the fifth terrific book II in The Sarah Weston Chronicles, and they can rest assured that this continuation definitely from the Stella Crown Mystery does not disappoint. Series, and author Clemens As we meet up with the duo, they’re working on an archaeological site in Saudi Arabia and deserves a pat on the back for her come across a scroll out in the desert that’s written in the form of a riddle.U nfortunately, before ability to keep the cases fresh and they’re able to date and solve the riddle of the scroll, it is stolen…and the adventure begins. the characters a whole lot of fun! This could truly be the find of a lifetime. The scroll may possibly hold the answer to finding out if the Here we meet up with Stella’s Biblical legend of King Solomon is true, according to the Bible, but in order to uncover the facts, the thieves extended family who have more must be found. than enough annoying habits to Setting out to retrieve the scroll and dealing with a fire that almost devastates their dig site, the pair must keep any reader laughing. There also follow a series of clues that will include conquering deserts and mountainous terrains throughout Saudi is the sister-in-law, Miranda, who Arabia, Israel, and India. Added to all that is a very special person who actually believes he is a direct descendant can’t help but nag, nag, nag Stella of King David, which would make him the heir to the Israeli throne and a true Messiah to one and all. But what about her upcoming marriage, and is fantasy and what is the truth? never misses an opportunity to tell Ancient history has never been more exciting. With the pace of ‘Indiana Jones’ and the intelligence and her what she’s doing wrong. Stella’s puzzle-solving ability of ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ this book is a true keeper that readers will enjoy again and again. fiancé, Nick, has his own troubles, Stepping away from the ‘norm’ when it comes to archaeological digs usually set in the Valley of the Kings, this and a quickly plummeting bank tale offers new locales, new looks at the old world, and an adventure of mammoth proportions. After reading balance may be the end of her. this one, fans will be begging for book III. Stella tries to relieve the Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by tension by helping her employee, Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ Zach, and her friend, Carla, who is a veterinarian in charge of the ESCAPE FROM PARIS animals appearing at the annual By Carolyn Hart county fair. Linda Rossiter is an American in Paris during World War II when the Nazis took over. At the event, kids from 4-H Her sister Eleanor marries a French soldier and they have a son. Though the two sisters are are noticing that their cows are American citizens and free to leave and go back to America, Eleanor won’t leave without rapidly getting sick. Not just one knowing what happened to her missing husband. Linda won’t leave without her sister and but three; and all are the property nephew, so they stay. of the same family. To top it all Eleanor volunteers daily at the hospitals, helping wounded soldiers and trying to learn any off, Rikki Raines, a young country information at all about her husband. On a day she is sick, Linda takes her place. Linda doesn’t like hospitals music star, is killed, and everything and is afraid, but goes anyway. While at the hospital, she is approached by a soldier with an escape plan, and bad gets immediately worse. she just can’t refuse him. This new horror brings Stella Smuggling him out, she starts a chain of events that put her and everyone around her in greater danger into contact with the police, local than ever before. With a sign stating that anyone caught harboring will be shot, the two sisters risk everything reporters, and others who make to help. her aware of the cheating and Amazing suspense! You feel like you are there, wondering who will be caught or if anyone will survive. unusually bad behavior involving Reviewed by Ashley Dawn, author of “Shadows of Pain” published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of all the various competitions in Suspense Magazine ■ both the animal and pageant REEL STUFF activities. By Don Bruns In the midst of all this, Don Bruns’s new entry in his Stuff series that covers the adventures of low-rent private Stella must deal with Miranda’s eyes Skip Moore and James Lessor, has the pair working on a murder mystery that takes them yapping about dumping her usual from their usual Miami haunts to the La-la Land of Hollywood. While the film industry may wardrobe of jeans and donning be in the business of creating make-believe, beneath the fiction is a very real world of money, the upper-crust ‘fashion’ of society greed, and murder. in order to book a proper catering Award-winning actor Jason Londell was doing a favor for a producer friend by making hall for the wedding. In order to an appearance on the TV series Deadline Miami. The first part of the title comes true when bring peace and quiet back into Londell’s stunt jump from a scaffold goes horribly wrong. her life, Stella turns her focus on Skip and James are working security for the set, where Skip has a front-row seat for Londell’s death plunge. the murder investigation. She But was it an accident, or suicide, or was it murder? The female star of the show hires the pair to investigate. works to draw the law back in the She’s most suspicious of Londell’s wife, who had also been his agent until recently. Complicating matters, the right direction, away from her life wife is pregnant, and also happens to be the star’s sister. and on to the actual case. Soon Skip and his long-term girlfriend Emily are off to Hollywood to pursue several leads. But events take What more is there to say a weird turn when Emily is “discovered” as an actress, and Skip is almost killed by a homicidal driver. There is than, Stella Crown and her creator no shortage of suspects: the agent/wife; the alcoholic director of the episode; and a cameraman who was on just keep getting better and better. the scaffolding but disappeared immediately after Londell died. As Skip digs deeper, he uncovers more reasons Enjoy! why Londell had to die—and people are willing to kill Skip to keep the reasons secret. Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author The portrayal of the film world, both on the Miami set and in Hollywood, is nicely done with fun tidbits of “The Hero’s Companion: for the reader. Bruns writes with a light touch and a keen eye for life’s ironies that puts a smile on your face even Tallent & Lowery Book Three” as you’re quickly turning the pages to see what happens next. published by Suspense Publishing, Reviewed by David Ingram for Suspense Magazine ■ an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 33 THE COUNTERFEIT WORTHY BROWN'S DAUGHTER AGENT By Phillip Margolin By Alex Berenson When a book by bestselling author, Phillip Margolin, hits the shelves, lovers of The woman is contemporary legal thrillers run to their bookstores or straight to their Kindle in order to called Salome. Flying savor the new story that a literary genius has provided. into Johannesburg, This offering, however, is a completely different avenue for the beloved writer. South Africa, she is Although featuring the world of law and justice, this is most definitely not Margolin’s there to arrange for a usual work. Slave owner, Colonel Nathaniel Ford, lived in the Oregon Territory before Oregon sale of Uranium-235. was given statehood. The true story Margolin narrates is when Col. Ford promised the Holmes’s family, Working for a secret who were slaves, that he would free them if they would help him raise a barn. When the barn was done agency, Salome and the work was completed, Ford decided to renege on his promise, keeping several of the Holmes’s understands her children as his servants. This tale wraps around the parents’ legal fight to get those children back. mission; the purpose of getting Taking place in 1860, Worthy Brown, a former slave in Georgia, becomes free when he reaches the U-235 is to trick the American Oregon. Worthy has a daughter, Roxanne, who is fifteen-years-old when she’s ‘claimed’ by a former slave government into bombing Iran. And owner, Caleb Barbour, who becomes a politician in Oregon. that’s just the first plot gift from this Barbour and another attorney, Matthew Penny, are constantly dealing with each other in the incredible author. courtroom, and they soon find themselves at it again when it comes to the trials and tribulations of John Wells works for the CIA, Worthy Brown’s daughter. another secret bunch of folks who Although some may not know this, there was much racism in the Oregon Territory during this time. slither around in the dark. Currently And although the sub-plot may be fiction, the actual background, emotions, and ‘fine line’ between the on a cruise with his significant other, he law against slavery and the reality that the rich still owned slaves and treated them horrendously, make is about to propose marriage when his this an unforgettable novel. girlfriend makes a counteroffer: Stop The scales of justice have always been tilted, and with this story, Margolin has brought to life in vivid detail just how skewed the law was during a time when prejudice and hate were still the backbone working for the CIA or the romance of America. is over. Sadly for Mr. Wells’s love life, Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published Vincent Duto, who recently left his by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ post as CIA Director to take a seat in the U.S. Senate, calls precisely at this LOVE DISGUISED awkward moment to send John out on By Lisa Klein assignment. Apparently, the CIA has After some confusion and serious issues with the Hathaway sisters, young William gotten a tip that there will be an attack Shakespeare is happy to travel to London. He is to pay off his father’s debt, but along the way, he is robbed. Meg is a reformed thief who is very large for her age and is called Long on a Station Chief, and Iran is the Meg. The band of boys she was with betrayed her and now she is a tavern maid. location at the top of his list. Meg recognizes some of her old gang and to help Will try to recover his money, she Not only does the attack happen dresses as her ‘twin’ Mack. Mack and Will hit it off and are good friends, but the deception but this anonymous tipster moves on and confusion of Mack really being Meg causes issues. Meg enjoys the freedoms of being to state that Iran is about to smuggle a ‘boy’ on the streets of London, but at the same time dislikes the charade. nuclear materials into the United Very reminiscent of a Shakespeare play. There is love, mistaken identities, and comedic situations. States. This is somewhat hard to Reviewed by Ashley Dawn, author of “Shadows of Pain” published by Suspense Publishing an imprint of believe, but John is picked to look into Suspense Magazine ■ the information to see if it’s legitimate. Wells finds himself out there on THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB By Dorothy L. Sayers his own, facing problem after problem This is one of those near perfect mysteries that are so appreciated by the reader. A and attempting to get to the truth. reprint, this amazing novel featuring Lord Peter Wimsey was first published in 1928, yet A one-man army, he must get in and is even more beguiling and fun in 2014 than it was back then. out of locations and situations that Written between World War I & II, this mystery begins with the death of a very would cause any normal detective, wealthy woman who leaves a fortune behind. Her brother, if he is still alive, will be her agent, or other various spy to quit the heir; if not, the money will transfer to the hands of a young female who was a companion ‘job’ immediately. But as the action to the woman at the time of her death. Sadly, the brother, General Fentiman, is found progresses and secrets are uncovered dead in a chair at the Bellona Club in the middle of Armistice Day reunions. about everything from what goes on Lord Wimsey is asked to look into the death immediately, seeing as that the actual time of departure at Langley to a woman who’s definitely for the General is a little up in the air. Apparently, he was thought to be asleep at the Club in his comfortable an intellectual equal to Wells, the story chair with newspaper in hand. provides thrill after thrill. But as things progress, not only is there a ‘who’ to be found, but the ‘when’ of the actual crime becomes Although there is a series featuring suspect. The heirs of the deceased find everything to be rather odd. Wimsey notes the strangeness of the the incredible John Wells, this book crime; not only was there a missing note of rigor mortis, but seeing as that the dead man was a prideful Officer in the Army, it was even more odd that he was not wearing the requisite military accoutrement of definitely stands alone. Every once in a the Armistice Day Poppy. while a book will come along that is so Wimsey reminds one and all of the glorious Agatha Christie detectives who dealt with a wealth of good it can’t be put down; this is that aristocratic suspects, making sure to point their finger at all involved in order to heighten the suspense book! that came along with unmasking the true perpetrator. Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Professional The crime is enticing, the characters are extraordinarily humorous, and it simply Librarian & Co-Owner of The Write goes to show that Sayers, the ‘Mistress of the Golden Age Mystery,’ is truly missed. Companion for Suspense Magazine ■ Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Professional Librarian & Co-Owner of The Write Companion ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 34 THE LAST DEATH OF JACK HARBIN THE By Terry Shames BLOOD This author focuses on Jarrett Creek, a small Texas town and their local high school PROMISE football team. The novel takes place in the Lone Star State that literally lives for football. By Mark Pryor Former police chief, Samuel Craddock, is a very likable man and is the one everyone turns Beginning in to in a crisis. In this story, Sam is called on to locate the killer of a wounded Gulf War veteran Paris in the year who’s found brutally murdered. 1795, readers Going back to the beginning, Jack Harbin and Woody Patterson were eighteen-year-old are immediately football stars who decided to sign up for the Army. Sadly, Woody, who was ‘gung ho’ to serve, drawn into this was rejected, and Jack, who was not too enthusiastic to be a soldier, was accepted and sent to the Middle East. incredible tale as they watch a man Woody ended up marrying the girl that both were in love with, while Jack was seriously injured in battle sign a letter in blood and then hide and came home badly damaged, having lost his leg and, even worse, his eyesight. the letter in a secret place inside a A crime is committed when the whole town becomes livid with the local coach because he takes the sailor’s chest. A man soon arrives quarterback out of the Friday night game, causing them to lose. Not used to losing, it seems everyone is to take the chest and its contents, gunning to get rid of the coach…or at least make his life miserable. Oddly enough, the victim of murder is leaving the reader to wonder what Jack, not the coach, and the ex-chief is asked by the townspeople to investigate. on earth is coming next. Reluctant, Sam takes on the investigation and finds out there are more than a few secrets and suspects Fast-forward two-hundred buried in the tiny town; and what appears to be friends and neighbors, turn out to be harboring anger and years later…Hugo Marston, a resentment that causes a wealth of suspects. Security Officer at the American Extremely well-written, this mystery is fast-paced and a whole lot of fun as it delves into the lives of ordinary Embassy in Paris, is asked to folk, proving to the reader that even in a nondescript town people are capable of just about anything…on the babysit a U.S. Senator who’s gridiron or off. visiting Paris to attend a meeting. Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by Senator Lake is a very popular Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ politician in America, but does not LIE STILL appreciate the French, and is not By Julia Heaberlin exactly the nicest or best choice Years ago, Emily was the victim of date rape in college. It was a horrible, traumatic to send in order to negotiate a deal experience that didn’t define her as a person, but definitely shaped parts of her life. Even after in that country. Nonetheless, he is moving on with her life, that incident still haunts her. Since that time, she has had a stalker, the chosen one and immediately getting packages and calls, but it is all a secret. becomes a thorn in the side of his Now, she and her husband move from New York to a small town in Texas. After years of protection detail. trying, she is pregnant with their first child and they will raise the baby in a smaller town. Her At the meeting being held in husband has a better paying job and she has been invited to the home of an influential lady for a country chateau, the deal falls ‘games.’ apart when the Senator accuses The strange group of women she meets in this small Texas town have secrets, too. When the leader of the someone of sneaking into his room group goes missing, there are questions. Emily’s stalker didn’t miss that she moved miles away, but instead in the middle of the night and seems to know exactly where she is. Emily learns that even small towns have big secrets and all of them just stealing. To top it all off, someone may be brought to light. finds the aforementioned sailor’s This is a suspenseful mystery that is cleverly written. The author does a great job of handling a very chest and decides that the sensitive subject. contents will provide a serious Reviewed by Ashley Dawn, author of “Shadows of Pain” published by Suspense Publishing an imprint of cache of wealth and power. Suspense Magazine ■ Hugo has enough problems JANUARY THAW dealing with the Senator who By Jess Lourey keeps disappearing, sending Mira James, a resident of Battle Lake, Minnesota, (a town with a population of only 747), holds the everyone into a tizzy thinking position of head librarian in the town. She’s also a part time reporter and is studying to be a private investigator; the man has been kidnapped, or the latter is a job that seems to be her ultimate calling, considering she’s highly adept at tripping over a corpse worse. But when the theft of the when she least expects it. chest comes into play, Hugo’s life Mira discovers a frozen body near the site of the upcoming Winter Wonderland Festival. The deceased is goes from bad to worse. Calling Maurice Jackson, who actually has a tie to Mira’s personal life. At one time, Mr. Jackson had saved both Mira in an old friend, Raul, who is a and her assistant, Mrs. Berns, from being harmed by gang members. French police captain, to help, Intent on finding the killer and discovering why this man was in Battle Lake in the first place, Mira comes Hugo must find a way to deal with across a letter written by an ancestor of Maurice’s back in the year 1865. The murder is not only personal but the American and solve a crime also historical, as Mira heads directly into a long ago mystery that will involve a missing descendant of the that has everyone up in arms. original owner of Prospect House, a mansion that has been turned into a Civil War museum. A devious plot, readers must As the strange investigation continues, Mira thoroughly upsets many, including the police chief, the Battle pay strict attention to the story Lake Mayor, and pet psychologist, as well as her own pet Dachshund, who has the gift of falling asleep while in order to enjoy every nuance standing up. In addition, Mira comes into unwanted contact with an ex-boyfriend who starts trouble with, of that the author has provided. And all things, a ghost. when the secret is revealed…it’s a Keeping you on your toes at all times, Mira is one of those interesting characters who never stops amazing good one! readers. A plot that includes drama, action, and suspense. Mira is engaged in almost everyone’s life in the Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author small town, which adds a dose of humor to the well-written tale. It’s a good thing she stays busy. After all, a of “The Hero’s Companion: Minnesota winter is long and brutal, especially if you have nothing to fill up your time. Tallent & Lowery Book Three” Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “The Hero’s Companion: Tallent & Lowery Book Three” published by published by Suspense Publishing, Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 35 THE LAST TIME I THE THRILL OF THE HAUNT DIED By E.J. Copperman By Joe Nelms Copperman brings us another Haunted Guesthouse Mystery in the series. When I saw it come in, I snatched Offering a completely it up, eager to read more of Alison (live guesthouse owner), Paul, and Maxie’s (dead guesthouse residents) latest unique premise, this author has excursions. Just as “Chance of a Ghost” did, “The Thrill of the Haunt” entertained and kept me reading (even created a plot that almost feels as when I should have been working—please don’t tell my boss). if you’re becoming a drug addict Alison owns a guesthouse in which ghosts Paul and Maxie are stuck. Well, Paul is; Maxie finally found the during the reading of the book. ability to travel outside the house. Because Paul was a private investigator before he died, he has since enticed In other words, the material is (coerced is more the word) Alison to aid him in investigating for those alive and well…dead. so weighted down and dark, the In “The Thrill of the Haunt,” Alison is hired by Helen Boffice to track her husband David’s moves. Helen mind spins at the utter tragedy believes David is cheating on her. No, she doesn’t want to divorce him; she wants to make sure he is tied to her for of it all. life. Strange reasoning, but I’d be announcing Spoiler Alert! if I said more. But that’s not enough. Alison, among Christian Franco, like many trying to entertain her guests who came for the ‘spook shows’ with the ghosts, is forced to investigate a homeless folks, has not had a great life. man’s death. He has forgotten or repressed Running a haunted guesthouse and investigating crimes with two ghosts isn’t all Alison has to deal with. The much of his childhood, which one guy, Josh, who has been worthy of Alison’s desire for him to stick around is ready to bolt. Josh wants to know seems normal, considering his what Alison is keeping secret from him. Paul and Maxie want her to acknowledge to the world that they exist and father killed his mother when go to lengthy extremes to accomplish this, and Allison’s supposed to be learning from her mother how to cook. Christian was only eight years This book is filled with wit, hysteria (maybe that was my hysterical laughter there), and pure entertainment. old. Despite receiving flashbacks If you like a good ghostly paranormal that will make your eyes water from laughing, this one is it. of his life every once in a while, Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” published by Suspense he never clearly remembers. Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■ In a desperate attempt to NEARLY GONE bring his memory back and live By Elle Cosimano a normal life, Christian sets up a It’s not often that a newcomer slides into a genre like a seasoned pro, but author Elle plan: He will kill himself and be Cosimano has done just that with her debut novel, “Nearly Gone.” Easily described as exciting, resuscitated in hopes of bringing original, and skillfully written, this young adult author has offered up an alluring tale. back all he has lost. Close to Nearly Boswell is smarter than most of her classmates. She has a knack for numbers and losing his job, his wife, and most science and is hoping to obtain a coveted scholarship that will get her out of the ramshackle of his friends, Christian heads Sunny View trailer park. But the competition is fierce and Nearly doesn’t always have her eye on down this dark path and loses the prize. more than a bit of his soul along Her life is full of secrets with a mother who is a stripper, an unhealthy obsession with the personal ads, and the way. the ability to taste feelings when she touches others. Though most know what her mother does for a living, she His many attempts at hides her own body under oversized clothes and there’s an additional benefit other than the obvious that she death and rebirth do not work won’t be compared to her mother: the chances of someone brushing up against her skin lessen. out very well, and Christian Her fascination with the personal ads, Missed Connections, is linked to her father’s unexpected disappearance. goes out looking for trouble. He ran off years before and she’s positive that a message she found long ago in the classifieds was from him. But lo and behold, one of these Nearly obsessively scours the paper each week hoping for another note. forays into ‘suicide’ lands him What she finds is altogether unexpected. An ad that doesn’t match the typical fare, grabs Nearly’s attention. in a place called ‘The White.’ It’s not a lovesick stranger searching for their soul mate, it’s disturbing and Nearly can’t figure out why. When a This is a location that stores up student is attacked and it appears to link back to the message, Nearly soon heads for the cops. Unsure how she’ll memories, and as the memories explain what only she seems to see, she soon finds herself a suspect. More attacks and more ads follow and Nearly sail past him, Christian finally is sucked into a game of cat-and-mouse with a killer where her only ally is a hunky troublemaker with ulterior remembers something—a motives. missing link, perhaps, that Cosimano has written a riveting, one-day read that can be enjoyed by adults and teens alike. occurred during that traumatic Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense Magazine ■ event when he was only a REMNANTS OF MURDER child. After this experience, By Elizabeth Lynn Casey Christian attempts even more They say ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.’ True enough and Casey shows how spot on that is and how near-death experiences, hoping dangerous beauty can be in “Remnants of Murder.” he can reach ‘The White’ again, Tori Sinclair is relatively new to Sweet Briar, but is accepted in this small, quaint town. That is until she gets desperate to regain and retain involved in a murder plot that she can’t just sew up and move on to another project. Part of a sewing group, Tori’s what he needs to know in order help is elicited by one of the members, Dixie, to help prove that a ninety-one-year-old man’s death—Clyde—was to continue living. not from old age. Difficult to stop reading, With the aid of Leona, Margaret Louise, Dixie, and a few of the other sewing members, Tori tries to prove this plot is a bit like a natural what she knows is fact. But who wants to kill a ninety-one-year-old man and why? These are just a few of the disaster you just can’t stop questions Tori poses to others and that are posed to her. And it troubles her that someone may get away with watching on television, until murder if she doesn’t do something. you finally remember life is still Many business owners are actually celebrating Clyde’s death. It seems, Clyde was the owner of a very going on outside your door. valuable property that the town wants him to part with; at least, part of it so they can build a resort, thus bringing A very dark story, the urge to in more tourists to the town, which would equal more money for the businesses. But Clyde refused to sell any punch some of Christian’s so- acre of the property. This angered a lot of people. called friends for letting him Setting her sights on the murder, Tori sets aside one of the most important people in her life, her fiancé, Milo continue his killing trip instead and their upcoming nuptials. She ends up not only disappointing Milo time and time again but also manages to of actually helping him live, is alienate some of her closest friends in Sweet Briar. Can she salvage her relationship with Milo while atoning for immense. her mistakes made with friends? And can she solve the murder or will he or she remain free? Reviewed by Mary Lignor, Co- Suspects aplenty and quite entertaining! Owner of The Write Companion Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” published by Suspense for Suspense Magazine ■ Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 36 Pre-med student Rob Taylor infiltrates Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, an international conspiracy to get Whiskey Creek Press, and Smashwords. revenge for the drowning death of More information at www.alanlmoss.com. Gabriela, the intended love of his life.

Moss ‘sells’ his tale of terror, political intrigue, and corporate mayhem. He makes the reader believe that his story could, and even might happen. (McLaughlin/ForeWord Reviews)

From Jordan to Croatia, Israel, Italy, France, Yemen, and the U.S., this thriller brings its reader on an electrifying journey that is vivid and real. (Beltran/Readers Favorite)

Movies NON-STOP 2013 Genre – Action/Mystery/Thriller (PG-13) You will go along with the premise of Non-Stop for about the first fifteen minutes, and then you will realize it’s plumbed all the clichés of this genre. Liam Neeson’s portrayal of alcoholic air marshal Bill Marks, the only person standing between a terrorist-hijacker and the safety of passengers on the plane, is his usual solid grimness. Not long after take-off on a transatlantic flight, he is tasked with uncovering the terrorist who is threatening via text, the life of a passenger every twenty minutes if he doesn’t receive fifteen million dollars in his bank account. Could it be the Muslim doctor, or the New York off- duty detective, or the arrogant, young, rapper-like guy? It has the mood and plot of an Agatha Christie mystery, but on a plane. Julianne Moore is one of the confused passengers who just happened to sit next to Marks. She is dragged in as his ally, or could she even be a suspect? There’s the usual red herrings and action along the way. Director Jaume Collet-Serra, best known for the 2011 suspense thriller Unknown, attempts to create the same whodunnit atmosphere of his last film. But it fails for me in that it feels all too contrived, unusually improbable, and dare I say, clumsy. However forty minutes into the film, my thirteen-year-old son turned to me and said what an exciting film it was and how much he was enjoying it. Afterward, he asked if we could see it again. And a fellow reviewer commented that the action and the guessing game was good fun. My gut instinct is that this film will be enjoyed by the average film-goer who doesn’t see a hundred films a year. So ignore the critics and hop on this one if you like the premise. It is non-stop tension and action, even if reality is left at the gate. Reviewed by Susan May http://anadventureinfilm.blogspot.com.au for Suspense Magazine ■

NEED FOR SPEED 2013 Genre – Action/Crime/Drama (PG-13) Have you heard of the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level? It’s a grading level for text readability which calculates the age at which a reader could comprehend a particular text by using the number of sentences, words, and characters. Reader’s Digest magazine has a readability index of about 65, an average 6th grade student’s written assignment has a readability level of 60, Time magazine scores about 52, the Harvard Law Review in the low 30s is readable by University students. We need something like that for movies. Ratings are not cutting it for me lately. If you go along to a film rated for adults which cautions that the film contains adult themes, violence, language, drug references, and sensuality, I kind of expect, well, a film I would enjoy as an adult. But lately, I’m “sitting through” films rated this way but that I suspect would only hold the interest of middle-schoolers. Need for Speed, based on the video game, is one such film, and though it’s not marketed that way, it has the stamp of its studio Disney DreamWorks all over it. Toby Marshall (Paul Aaron, fresh from Breaking Bad) is the underdog incredibly talented street-racing driver who is pitted against his nemesis Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper) the rich, spoiled guy who got his girl and also betrays him early in the film. Each year a crazy (think real crazy) mega-wealthy benefactor, Monarch (Michael Keaton), stages an illegal road race where winner takes all of the competing cars, amounting to millions. Drivers must be invited to enter and meet at the secret location of the race. Toby sets out across the country, with his team and Julia (Imogen Poots), the token love interest, to win an invite by driving seemingly in the most dangerous way possible. The film recklessly glamorizes breaking road laws and the tally of damaged cars and deaths quickly totes ups, while the “hapless” police are unable to catch any of the drivers. My thirteen-year-old again loved this film. To me it’s a formulaic, non-entertaining car fest attempting to be a Fast and Furious, without the fun of the “furious.” But I think it comes down to the filmability score. It’s not aimed at me. I like a little more originality in my action films, and in the case of this slow pedestrian number, a little more speed. Reviewed by Susan May http://anadventureinfilm.blogspot.com.au for Suspense Magazine ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 38 B.J.Sets Daniels her Sights in Big Sky Country By Amanda Harkness of Meryl L. Moss Media Press Photo: Provided by Publicist B.J. Daniels’s latest book “Atonement” has just been released, which is the fourth book of her Beartooth, Montana series. But who is B.J. Daniels? I thought it would be better to hear from her in her words, taken from her website.

I was 8 years old when I decided I was going to be a writer. I’d never met a writer, didn’t have a clue how to become one. It took me years to find the courage to actually admit to anyone that my dream was to write. At thirty, I quit a good job and found the only writing job I could find—a reporter at the local newspaper, part-time and at minimum wage. I learned to write fast and on deadline at the newspaper, which gave me the courage to do what I wanted from day one: write fiction. I started small, writing short stories for Woman’s World. Finally I wrote a book. After a couple of rewrites, I sold “Odd Man Out” to Harlequin Intrigue. After four books, I quit my newspaper job and began writing full time. When I started out, my only dream was that some day someone would read something I wrote. I had no idea all the wonderful adventures that would be ahead. I have since sold more than forty short stories and seventy books, writing for both Harlequin Intrigue and HQN. I’ve won numerous awards and my books have appeared on The New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

Now that you know a little about B.J. and how she started out, let’s take a look inside “Atonement,” followed by a more in depth interview with B.J.

Just how far are people willing to go to keep their secrets?

Protecting the citizens of Beartooth, Montana, is never an easy job. It’s been one year, and Sheriff Dillon Lawson

SuspenseMagazine.com 39 still feels guilty that he couldn’t save his twin brother, Ethan. But the biggest test of his bravery comes when Tessa Winters arrives, claiming to be pregnant…with Ethan’s baby. At first, Dillon can’t decide if this beautiful woman is a con artist or a victim. If Ethan didn’t die in that car crash, then where is he—and why is he hiding?

Now, Dillon is prepared to do anything to uncover the truth—anything except admit his growing feelings for Tessa. But with violence threatening, Tessa and Dillon must trust in each other to save not only themselves… but also Tessa’s unborn child.

Amanda Harkness (A.K.): Tell us a little bit about your upcoming release, “Atonement?”

B.J. Daniels (B.J.D.): I wanted to write about Dillon Lawson, undersheriff in my Beartooth, Montana series. I’m also fascinated by twins—especially the identical ones who have taken different paths in life. With all my heroes, the hard part is finding them a woman who is equal to them. Dillon deserved a strong, capable woman as a partner. A year ago, he buried his twin, who he feels he failed, so he has his own demons when Tessa Winters comes into his life. Nothing is easy for Dillon, so it should come as no surprise that Tessa is pregnant—and claims it is his brother’s child.

A.K.: You moved to Montana at a very young age and many of your stories take place there. How do you think living in Montana has shaped you as a person and as a writer?

B.J.D.: Life in Montana from the age of five has had a huge impact on me and the stories. I first lived in a cabin my father built from logs in the Gallatin Valley. My brother and I had the run of the mountains with all its rocks and trees and creeks and river as well as wildlife. We often had black bear, moose, and deer in the yard. My brother and I even had pet squirrels.

Later, I lived on Hebgen Lake. We didn’t have electricity or a phone, but we water-skied for hours, played in the woods and had grizzly bears on the patio. I still live in a wild isolated place three hours from the closest Target store. Today, I am pretty much snowed in as a blizzard just blew through and all the roads out of town will be icy and snow packed. But this is what I love writing about, my experiences growing up in the state I love.

A.K.: Where do you do most of your writing? Do you have a certain place that inspires you the most?

B.J.D.: I love taking the pickup and driving out into the wilds. I have written many scenes sitting on the tailgate staring out at the country. I have an office three blocks from my house, but if I am stuck on a book—I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer, so I never know what will happen next in a book—I hit the road. For some reason, the story really comes once I leave town. Where I now live, there is something like .03 people per square mile so there is a lot of space to create in without seeing another soul.

A.K.: Are you for or against books being turned into movies?

B.J.D.: LOL, I would love for one of my books to be turned into a movie. But we all know that the book is always better than the movie.

A.K.: Do you have any special techniques for writing effective suspense plots?

B.J.D.: I love to scare myself. If I am on the edge of my seat while I am writing a scene, then I figure my readers will be, too. I’m the kind of person who always looks in the back seat of my car at night to make sure there is no one back there. I'm the kind of person who always looks in “ the back seat of my car at night to make sure there is no one back there.” Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 40 Recently I was working on my next HQN and I realized I was breathing hard—and it wasn’t the love scene. I was anxious, afraid my heroine wasn’t going to get away. That is why I love writing so much.

A.K.: With more than forty short stories and seventy books published, how do you come up with new and compelling stories that capture your readers’ attention?

B.J.D.: It’s funny, but the ideas are always there. I’ve been fortunate that way. As I’ve mentioned, I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer. I start with a blank page and just begin typing. I never know what is going to happen—and I love that. I couldn’t write a book that I knew the ending. I would feel as if I’d already read it. So mostly, I write books that I want to read. I think that keeps me from writing the same book over and over.

A.K.: Who is your fictional character crush?

B.J.D.: Right now, it is Dillon Lawson from “Atonement.” He’s the kind of man we know we can depend on. You just want to curl up in his arms and ride out the winter.

I love strong men, men who would fight for their woman. Montana cowboys live by a code of the West and Dillon is no different. There are lines he won’t cross, so he fights his growing feelings for his brother’s woman.

A.K.: What advice would you give to a struggling writer?

B.J.D.: Don’t quit. Read everything you can get your hands on. Never stop learning. And remember, it is all about the story. Tell a good story. One of my favorite writing books is Stephen King’s “On Writing.” So much about succeeding is putting in the hours at the computer, writing.

I think the hardest thing for most writers is staying off the Internet. If you write a lot of emails, you feel as if you wrote that day and yet your book never seems to get finished. I know how that works.

I put together all my suggestions for aspiring writers after being asked this question. The book, “Write Your Damn Book,” is available only digitally online.

A.K.: What is your favorite line or phrase from “Atonement?”

B.J.D.: It’s the first time my hero and my pregnant heroine meet: “Look, I’m not sure what your story is, but that baby you’re carrying? It isn’t—” “If you dare say it isn’t yours…” Her right hand dipped into her shoulder bag. An instant later he was staring down the barrel of a .45.

A.K.: What are you working on next?

B.J.D.: I just finished my next HQN, titled “Mercy.” It was the hardest book I have ever written, but now that it is done, I love it. I wanted to do a different take on serial killers, so I did. I am fascinated by how two people can grow up in the same house, same genes, etc. and turn out so differently. I find it interesting also that the same horrible childhood that makes a serial killer can do just the opposite to someone else.

I also love seeing what happens to the continuing characters in the series. While each book stands alone, I like some characters who I can check back in with and see how their lives are going.

Thanks to Amanda Harkness of the Meryl Moss Media Relations company and, of course, B.J. Daniels for this wonderful interview. For more information, please visit B.J. at www.bjdaniels.com. ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 41

Featured Artist Gaetano Pezzillo Imported From Italy

Reflection of Death Interview by Suspense Magazine orn in Naples, Italy, self-taught digital artist Gaetano Pezzillo has been interested in digital art for only a handful of years, yet you wouldn’t realize it when viewing his work. Inspired by the world of music, literature,B movies, fairytales, videogames, and folklore, Gaetano stands strong among the very best in the competitive world of photomanipulation. His work falls into what is typically labeled dark fantasy, with surreal atmospheres and imagery that calls to mind dreamy worlds and universal feelings. He creates, distorts, and alters those things that are immediately recognizable to us on their own and blends unconventional scenes together that most wouldn’t consider a match. Yet, they work somehow, easily evoking strong emotions. We’re incredibly pleased to have a few moments of his time and hope you’ll agree that Gaetano is an ideal artist to feature within the pages of Suspense Magazine.

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): You describe yourself as wanting to arouse Once Upon a Time intense emotions in those who see your work. And we agree that you do. Which image do you feel best represents that intention? Is it your favorite piece?

Gaetano Pezzillo (G.P.): Back in May 2011, one piece that received a beautiful response was Apocalypse of the Soul. I think that many people really empathized with what I felt when I decided to create it: a sense of deep fear of ourselves and of our future in today’s world. It’s difficult to say if it is my favorite, but it’s very special indeed.

S. MAG.: Share with us how you came to transform simple ideas into works of art. Was there an event in your life that propelled you into this field?

G.P: Actually it all started by curiosity for me. I was part of several online communities and we all used to have these beautiful signature banners made with amazing photomanipulations. In time, I discovered Photoshop Danse macabre and decided to give it a try. After a lot of terrible experiments, I gradually developed my style and discovered what I wanted to communicate with my art.

S. MAG.: Describe a day in your life.

G.P.: All my days are filled with my artistic work, both personal and commercial. Apart from this, I’m an uncle so I like to take care of my nephew and niece and play with them. My favorite hobbies are reading, writing, listening to music, and singing—though, alas, I’m a dreadful singer.

S. MAG.: As a self-taught artist, do you think it makes you appreciate your work more than you would have had you been professionally trained?

G.P.: For me this is one of the greatest rewards. Of course, there is always something new to learn and we can always improve ourselves, but I’m quite proud of myself as an artist today. A professional training would have given me better technique, but I think I wouldn’t have the same passion I have Sanguineous developed on my own.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 44 Actually “ it all started by curiosity for me. ” Mistress of Good-Byes S. MAG.: Have you ever created a piece you just cannot separate yourself from? Maybe even a piece you cannot sell because it means too much?

G.P.: I try to put the same effort and emotion in every piece that I create. If I didn’t, I would feel guilty towards other works that I made in the past or even future works. It’s very hard for me to pick a favorite: in a manner of speaking, my images are my children. Each of them has a special place in my heart.

S. MAG.: Who is your favorite artist?

G.P.: My all-time favorite artist is without any doubt Leonardo Da Vinci. I have loved all his works since I was a child and I don’t think explanations are needed. Such a talent, such a genius.

S. MAG.: What is your biggest personal and professional accomplishment? Passion

G.P.: My fondest memory is the first time I was commissioned for a commercial work. At that time, I didn’t even think that my images could be used for something commercial, so I was completely taken by surprise when I was asked to create a cover for an upcoming gothic novel. It was an unexpected and incredible emotion for me. My heart still beats faster when I think about those days.

S. MAG.: If you could give one solid piece of advice to any inspiring artist, what would it be and why?

G.P.: Always be ready to try and experiment new things, whether it’s a new technique or a different style. We all experience good and bad things in our artistic path and both make us grown, in different ways. Experimenting is the best way to discover what we’re good at. S. MAG.: What do you think are your three best qualities? Your worst? Photophobia G.P.: I have a very wicked sense of humor that people seem to like, I try to keep my mind open about every aspect of life, and my friends and clients say that I’m extremely helpful. My worst qualities are the excessive curiosity, my boiling temper, and my laziness when it comes to physical activity.

S. MAG.: What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

G.P.: I just hope to be able to maintain myself as a full-time artist, hopefully still having the passion I have today. I really don’t know what the future holds, and maybe this is what makes it so fascinating and scary at the same time.

We’d like to thank Gaetano for spending time with us. To see his full online portfolio or to contact him, check out his website at corvinerium. altervista.org or join him on DeviantArt at corvinerium.deviantart.com. ■ Apocalypse of the Soul

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 46 “All Enemies” Breeds new Friends With Allan Leverone Interview by Suspense Magazine Press Photo: Provided by Author Hailed as the “successor to Michael Crichton,” Allan Leverone has become a writer who will head straight to the “Fear Hall of Fame” one day. You’d think the prospect of interviewing such a dark, amazing mind would be one of concern; you get out the backpack and fill it with the bottle of cobra venom, wooden cross, holy water, and any other item that doesn’t work, but will at least give you a warped peace of mind for the event. In reality, however, Allan Leverone is a pleasure. With a zest for life and literature that cannot be attained—it is a gift one must be born with—Leverone shows his passion and fascination with the written word, along with his intelligence, humor, and insight. “Mr. Midnight” reminds suspense readers everywhere to be eternally grateful to him for setting aside his Business Administration degree and selecting the literary path. Because of that wise choice, we can all be swept up by an imagination that will leave us sleeping with the lights on.

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): The first book you mention penning came when you were just ten years old. Where did that come from; in other words, was the passion for telling horror/thriller stories alive and well that early on in your life?

Allan Leverone (A.L.): Well, it wasn’t actually a book; it was more like a short story. If I had to guess, I would say it was probably between two and three thousand words long. Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for the rest of the world, probably), there are no surviving copies of that little gem.

SuspenseMagazine.com 47 sit around and swap nightmares? “ A.L.: I wish! I can tell you that hanging Excitement around outside the wrought-iron fence in front of his house reading loudly from to me, now, is his work probably won’t get him to come out and talk to you. Unless things have hearing from changed since I lived there.

a reader who I lived in Bangor in the mid-1980s and at least back then, it was not at all unusual loved my book to see him around town. I remember once in particular, my wife and I were standing so much she in line at the video store, and King was right in front of us. I really wanted to had to write look over his shoulder to see what he was renting (Carrie?), but didn’t want to to tell me.” bother him. The funny part of the story is that even then, he was extremely well-known, But the passion was definitely there that early. I’ve been blessed/ especially around Bangor, but the kid behind the counter didn’t cursed with a vivid imagination my whole life, and for a long seem to have a clue who he was and asked him for ID… time I suffered awful nightmares. At times, they were so bad, they actually frightened my wife to the point where she was S. MAG.: Along that line, if you could sit and talk to an worried about me a little, but herself a lot. author (either living or dead), who would it be? Would King be the choice, or would Poe be a contender? Since I started writing fiction, though, I rarely have them anymore. I’m not sure what that says about me, but I probably A.L.: Wow, what a great question. Poe would definitely be a don’t want to find out. contender, as would King, both because of the effect they had

on the horror genre specifically, but on writing in general as S. MAG.: The Paskagankee novels are highly beloved by well. readers. Are you a history buff? And will there be more books in the series? Since we’re speculating, I would make it a group outing, maybe for drinks. In addition to the two already mentioned, I’d A.L.: I love history, particularly American history. As a include Lawrence Block and Donald Westlake, two writers I relatively young country, you would think ours would be limited truly admire. And Lee Child. Oh, and Shirley Jackson. And and kind of boring, but that’s absolutely not the case. We have Brad Thor and Vince Flynn. a rich history, filled with plenty of things—supernatural and otherwise—that lend themselves to use in fiction. Now that I think about it, we might have to rent a banquet hall. Some of the legends I write about in the Paskagankee series are real, some of them I made up out of whole cloth. My goal is S. MAG.: Have you ever thought of tackling another genre? to write as realistically as possible, even (or maybe especially) when dealing with the paranormal or supernatural. A.L.: I’ve thought about it, but writing in the horror and thriller genres keeps me pretty busy as it is. With the breakout success I love the characters in the series and fully intend to continue it many authors are having in romance and YA, it’s tempting to as long as I can keep it fresh and interesting. That said, thanks give one or both of them a try, but I just don’t think my writing to other writing commitments, I probably won’t be able to get style lends itself to either of those genres. to a fourth installment until early 2015.

And while I’m absolutely interested in selling my work and S. MAG.: As a man who worked in Bangor, Maine at one time, making money (All writers are, don’t let them kid you. If you home of one of the most famous and talented horror/thriller don’t want to sell your stuff, why not just keep a diary?), I don’t writers ever, did you and Stephen King ever meet? Perhaps

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 48 want to change who I am just in a naked attempt to cash in on perspective, I’ve always had a pretty good sense a current fad. of humor. It’s easy to get me laughing, even with the stupidest joke. S. MAG.: “All Enemies” is the second in your Tracie Tanner series. Although it’s set in the 1980s during the Cold War, Another thing about horror writers: As a group they do you think it may be a prolific story at the moment tend to be some of the most caring and empathetic people considering the Olympics being held in Sochi and all the fear around. Maybe because the horror genre has taken its surrounding the country? share of hits in the literary world, and maybe because it tends to be smaller and more insulated than other genres, A.L.: I hope so! Although the series takes place in the 1980s, horror writers tend to support each other very passionately. many of the issues Tracie Tanner deals with are the very same ones we’re trying to navigate even today. Some of the players S. MAG.: Because of the truly exhilarating and sometimes have changed and some are still the same even now, more than nightmarish material, it would be interesting for readers to twenty-five years later. know what your writing atmosphere looks like? Is there a special room, a special set of quirks, or a set-in-place process I said earlier that I love American history, and that love of to begin? history was really the driving force behind my decision to write a series set in the recent past. I came into adulthood in the A.L.: I’ve only very recently had a dedicated writing spot in 1980s and it was a fascinating era, at least to me. my house. It’s pretty small, and at one time we had my wife and me, three growing/grown kids, one grandchild, and a cat Having said that, I don’t think of the Tracie books as historical running around. Now it’s just the two of us, so I’ve appropriated thrillers as much as simply kick-ass thrillers, with intrigue and the dining room table as my de facto office. drama and lots—lots!—of action. A lot of my writing still gets done in other places, though. I S. MAG.: Being an air traffic controller in the past must write a lot on my breaks at work, where the only challenge is come along with a great deal of anxiety/tension/etc. Does the finding a quiet spot. I used to joke that my office is wherever I surge of excitement from a job such as this equal, surpass, or open my laptop, and that’s still pretty accurate. perhaps even help being a writer? S. MAG.: Do you have favorite movies or television shows? Is A.L.: Remember what I said about nightmares? I used to have The Walking Dead in the running? vivid dreams of trying to communicate with airplanes and being unable to, and they would crash into things because of A.L.: I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve never seen The it. That was a long time ago, though. I’ve been a controller now Walking Dead. On the other hand, I’ve watched Zombieland for thirty-two years and the job has long since become pretty several times, so maybe that helps even the score a little. routine most of the time. I don’t watch a lot of TV because I just don’t have time, but Excitement to me, now, is hearing from a reader who loved my two shows I make time to watch are Homeland and The book so much she had to write to tell me. Or seeing the cover Following. Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin are absolutely art for my new book for the very first time. Or seeing one of my riveting in Homeland, and for my money, Danes is the best books honored by Suspense Magazine as one of the Best Books actress in Hollywood. And I’ve seen people complain that The of 2013. Following is too over-the-top and unrealistic, but I don’t care. I love it. The rush I get from the above things is indescribable, which is probably a bad thing for a writer to admit, but there it is. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be a fly on the wall in the banquet hall he speaks of? Yet another thing to add to your S. MAG.: It’s said that horror writers have the best sense of bucket list, I suppose. But whether it be a foray into history, humor to offset the “darker” side of the brain. Is this a correct or bringing alive the stuff that nightmares are made of, Allan statement when it comes to you? Perhaps there is a stand-up Leverone makes sure each and every time to prove that, comedian in Boston or Chicago with a machete at the ready although he may be heir to Crichton’s throne, he’s a writer for the next book? (LOL) who has and will continue to make his own everlasting stamp on the literary scene! A.L.: From what I’ve seen of horror writers, I believe there’s To learn more about Allan, go to: www.allanleverone. at least a grain of truth in that statement. From a personal com. ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 49 Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 50 NOTORIOUS By Allison Brennan CHAPTER ONE

Going home was a bitch. Maxine Revere had flirted with the idea of flying in solely for Kevin’s funeral so her perfect and dysfunctional family wouldn’t hear about her visit until she was already on a plane back to New York City. Three things stopped her. Foremost, Max did not run away from uncomfortable situations. She recognized that she wasn’t the same nineteen-year- old who’d defied her family. She’d also get a kick from walking into the family mansion unannounced and watching a reboot of Dallas, set in California. The Sterling-Revere family could take on the Ewings and win without breaking a nail or going to jail. Being the blackest sheep in the herd was more fun than taking two cross-country flights in one day. But the primary reason she was staying for the weekend was for Kevin’s sister, Jodi O’Neal. Kevin had been Max’s former best friend and confidante. He’d killed himself and Jodi had questions. She had no answers for the college coed, but she understood why Jodi sought truth where there had only been lies. Max had survived grief, she’d been a close acquaintance to death, and maybe she could give Jodi a modicum of peace. Traveling first class had advantages, including prompt disembarking. Max strode off the plane at San Francisco International Airport, her long legs putting distance between her and the other passengers. Her two-inch heels made her an even six feet, but her confident stride and stunning looks caused heads to turn. She ignored the attention. Her cell phone vibrated and she ignored that, too. Her full-time assistant and as-needed bodyguard, former Army Ranger David Kane, easily kept up with her. He turned heads as well, mostly from fear. When he wasn’t smiling, he looked like he’d kill you with no remorse or pleasure. He didn’t smile often. But as Max had learned, looks were a form of lying. David’s steel core protected him as much as her pursuit of truth protected Max.

“I don’t need you,” she told him. “We settled this yesterday, or were Special Preview From Allison Brennan you placating me?” “All I suggested was that I drive you to Atherton before I head to Marin.” “It’s foolish for you to drive an hour out of your way. I’m not incapable of driving myself.” She ignored David’s subtle smirk. “And I need a car. This isn’t New York where I can walk everywhere or grab a taxi. Go. Emma is waiting.” “If you’re sure.” She glared at him. “She’s your daughter.” “She comes with her mother.” “I’m not the one who screwed Brittney in a failed attempt to prove I wasn’t gay,” Max said, “and I will not let you use me as an excuse to avoid the selfish bitch.” Tough love. David adored his twelve-year-old daughter, but her mother made their relationship difficult. Brittney wouldn’t let David spend a minute more with Emma than the court

SuspenseMagazine.com 51 mandated, and the flight delay had already cost him two hours. They wove through the crowd at baggage claim without slowing down, and stopped at the carousel where their luggage would be delivered. “Emma wants to see you,” David said. “The funeral is tomorrow. You’ll be on a plane to Hawaii Sunday morning. Enjoy your vacation—when you get back, if I’m still here, we can meet up in the city for lunch and I’ll take Emma shopping.” David grunted. “She doesn’t need more clothes.” “A girl can never have too many shoes.” Max doubted she’d have kids of her own, and she enjoyed playing aunt to David’s daughter when Emma visited him in New York. Max parked herself near the carousel opening because she didn’t want to be here any longer than she had to. Airports were part of her life, but she grew tired of the waiting part. Before leaving Miami, she’d shipped one of her suitcases back home to New York; and the second, smaller bag of essentials she’d brought with her to California. She didn’t plan to stay in town long. “Ms. Revere?” an elderly voice behind her asked. Max turned and looked down at an older couple. The man, at least eighty and maybe five foot four in lifts, stood with his wife, who barely topped five feet. They both had white hair and blue eyes and would have looked like cherubs if their faces weren’t so deeply wrinkled. Max smiled politely. “Yes, I’m Maxine Revere.” She expected them to ask for autographs or question what investigation brought her to California. The true crime show she hosted every month on cable television had been moving up in the ratings. When she only wrote newspaper articles and books, few people outside of the business knew what she looked like. Now that she was on camera, people approached her regularly. There were pros and cons to being recognized. She was on a tight time schedule today, but the couple looked sweet. “I told you, Henry,” the woman said to her husband. “I’m Penny Hoffman.” Mrs. Hoffman extended her hand nervously. It was cold, dry, and fragile, like the woman in front of her. “This is my husband, Henry. I knew it was you.” She gripped her purse tightly with both hands, the straps worn and frayed. “Do you believe in divine providence?” Touchy subject. Max answered, “Sometimes.” David was standing to the side, watching the situation. He was always on alert, even when it was wholly unnecessary. Ever since the incident in Chicago last year when Max had been attacked in a parking garage by someone who hadn’t wanted to hear the truth on her show, David was suspicious of everyone. Even little old ladies. “We just flew in from Phoenix,” Henry said. “For our granddaughter’s wedding,” Penny added. “Last year, we were here for a funeral.” “My condolences,” Max said. Penny blinked back a sheen of tears and smiled awkwardly. “Our other grandchild. Jessica’s brother, Jason.” “Penny,” Henry said, taking his wife’s hand, “Ms. Revere doesn’t want to hear about this now.” Penny continued. “The police say they have no leads.” The way she said no leads had Max’s instincts twitching. The police may have no leads they shared with the family, but there was always a lead—and it was obvious by her tone that Penny had her own theories. In Max’s experience, murder was almost always personal. There were stranger murders and serial killers, but they were few and far between. Most victims were killed by those they trusted most. A friend. A spouse. A parent. A child. David cleared his throat. He grabbed Max’s red case from the conveyor belt. He’d already retrieved his smaller khaki bag. He wouldn’t have checked it at all, except he’d packed a gun. “They need to go,” Henry told Penny. “It was very nice to meet you, Ms. Revere. Very nice. You’re even prettier in person.” “Thank you,” Max said. “If you’d like to write me a letter about your grandson’s case, here’s my office address and e-mail.” She pulled a card from her pocket. She received hundreds of letters and e-mails a week from families wanting her to do any number of things, from proving a loved one innocent to a killer guilty. Most dealt with cold cases and contained few leads. She didn’t have time to investigate all the unsolved murders she heard about, and she couldn’t always solve the ones she investigated. But she always gave the families whatever truth she found. For better or worse. She took a pen out of her pocket and wrote on the back. “Here’s my personal e-mail.” Henry took the card but Penny looked upset. “I have written. Twice.” By the sound of her voice, she hadn’t received a response. A sliver of anger ran up Max’s spine. Her newest assistant was

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 52 going to have some explaining to do if she wanted to keep her job. All e-mails and letters must be responded to within a week. Max had drafted four form letters that fit most situations, and what didn’t fit she was supposed to review. Henry said, “We thought you might be interested in the case since Jason was killed at Atherton Prep.” Max was speechless—a rarity. She’d graduated from Atherton College Prep thirteen years ago, but no one told her about this murder. The second in the history of the campus. “When?” she managed to ask. “The Saturday after Thanksgiving.” Nearly five months ago. “I’ll be in town all weekend,” Max said. “I’d like to hear your story. I can’t promise I’ll investigate, but I will listen.” They both smiled and tears moistened Penny’s eyes. Max didn’t want to see tears. Especially genuine tears, like Penny’s. “Thank you. We’ll be here for two weeks. You don’t know what this means to us.” Max had Kevin’s funeral tomorrow, she was meeting with Jodi in an hour—she was going to be late—and then there was her own family she had to deal with. That she could put off . “Where are you staying?” “The Embassy Suites in Redwood Shores,” Henry said. “Our son said we could stay with them, but they have so many last-minute things to do for the wedding, we didn’t want to be a bother.” Max smiled. “I’m sure you wouldn’t have been any trouble. I can meet you at your hotel tomorrow morning. Is eight too early?” Penny said, “We always rise at dawn.” David was giving Max his version of the evil eye. For him, it was a sterner frown than he normally wore. Max attached her laptop case to the top of her suitcase and said good-bye to the Hoffmans. She and David stepped out of the terminal and into the spring morning, a cold wind rolling off the Bay that made her shiver. It had been seventy degrees and clear when she left Miami Airport at 6:00 a.m. They walked down the wide sidewalk toward the rental car shuttle stop. “Why?” David said. She didn’t answer his question. “Call Ginger. Tell her to find the letters the Hoffmans mentioned and get them to me, verbatim, before she leaves the office today. I want to know why I didn’t see them in the first place.” “Maybe she thought you had enough on your plate. Or maybe she didn’t see them at all. They could have come in when Ashley was still in the office. Or Josh.” Max didn’t want to think about Ashley. What a train wreck. And Josh? Every time she thought about him, she wished she could fire him all over again. Max didn’t have a great track record with office managers. David had been with her for eighteen months—in that time, she’d gone through six office managers. So far, Ginger had been with her for three months. Two more weeks and she’d win the prize for longest assistant. They stopped under the shuttle sign. David handed Max his cell phone. “It’s Marco.” “He’s calling you, not me.” “Because you haven’t been answering your phone. This is the third time he’s called me.” Max didn’t take the phone, so David answered. Max tried to ignore the conversation as she looked for any sign that the Special Preview From Allison Brennan shuttle was near. It was nowhere in sight. “She’s right here,” David said. “No, she didn’t lose her phone.” Max swore under her breath and took David’s phone from his hand. “I didn’t answer my phone because I didn’t want to talk to you.” “You have to talk to me sometime, sweetheart.” FBI Special Agent Marco Lopez spoke low and clear, working double- time to control his Cuban temper. “Not today.” “You intentionally left before I saw the news.” “I told you yesterday I had a funeral in California.” “You didn’t tell me that you filed your article, and you had plenty of time to record a three-minute spot for the local news. You exposed my informant and jeopardized my case!” His voice rose in volume as he spoke. Max had a lot of experience remaining calm while talking to Marco. “Your informant put one of his hookers in the hospital for a week and thwarted the investigation into Candace Arunda’s murder.” “He was my only link to the Garbena cartel!” Though Marco was born and raised in Miami, his parents had both come

SuspenseMagazine.com 53 from Cuba, and when he got angry and spoke fast, he adopted a hybrid Americanized Cuban accent. “I’m not rehashing this with you,” she said. “I told you why I was in Miami when you asked last week.” “You should have warned me.” “Last time I gave you an early copy of an article, your boss attempted to have it scuttled.” “That was nine years ago!” “Fool me once,” she said. “Dammit, Max! You avoided me because you know you overstepped this time.” She pictured Marco pacing his office, his free hand opening and closing. “Overstepped?” Max took a deep breath. Marco, more than anyone, could raise her blood pressure. “Is that what you call exposing the truth about the brutal murder of an underage prostitute? Is an ‘in’ with the cartel more important than justice for a seventeen-year-old girl?” “Don’t twist what I said! You know I care. You should have given me twenty-four hours to clean up this mess. Ramirez would have been in prison either way.” “Your team screwed up, another girl was in jeopardy, and I’m supposed to give you time to fix it because we’re having sex? Garbena is costing you your soul, Marco.” David cleared his throat. Maxine didn’t care about attracting an audience as much as her assistant, but she stepped farther away from the other travelers waiting for the shuttle. “You’re the most frustrating woman I’ve ever known!” “I’ve never lied to you, Marco. I wish you could say the same to me.” She hung up and returned David’s phone. Her stomach was twisted in knots. She wished she could have left things differently with Marco. “You should have told him before you left,” David said. “He knew why I was in Miami, and he lied to me.” “He couldn’t tell you—” Max rarely interrupted, but she didn’t let David finish. “He lied. He didn’t say, ‘Max, I can’t talk to you about this case,’ which he’s done in the past and I accept. This time, he deliberately gave me false information to protect his criminal informant, and then he expected me to put it in print. You know as well as I do that Marco and his team want the big fish, and if innocent guppies get eaten in the process, it’s collateral damage.” “You still should have told him. He shouldn’t have read it in the morning paper.” He glanced at her, understanding narrowing his eyes. “You intentionally sabotaged your relationship. Why?” She didn’t answer right away because the shuttle pulled up. There were five of them, and Max sat in the back row of the twelve-passenger van. David sat next to her. Maybe because of David’s appearance, or her previous phone conversation, the other passengers crammed into the front. David was perceptive. She may not have consciously wanted to end her mostly off relationship with Special Agent Marco Lopez, but it was primarily physical. They had a long history. But she couldn’t allow her libido to control her career. She never had in the past, and just because she had feelings for Marco didn’t mean she’d allow it to happen now. “In the nine years I’ve known Marco I’ve never lied to him,” Max said after the van started moving. “I’ve never told him I was someone I’m not. He thinks he can change me, and every time I see him we screw like rabbits and he tries to get me to bury my story. When I don’t, he accuses me of not caring who I hurt. I’m tired of explaining myself to him, and I’m not going to change just to please him.” “I give you six months.” “For what?” “To find a story to cover in Miami so you have an excuse to go back.” Max laughed, a deep throaty genuine laugh. “That’s why I love you, David. You remind me that I am flawed.” He smiled, which made the two-inch jagged scar across his left temple almost charming. “It’s the least I can do.” The shuttle van pulled up in front of the rental car kiosks. David had previously taken care of the arrangements and handed her the paperwork. While the other passengers disembarked, Max said, “Marco needs to find a sweet Cuban girl who likes his macho bullshit and does what he says when he says it. I’m done.” She thought saying it out loud would make her feel better, but all it did was remind her how rigid she could be. No matter how much she cared about someone, she couldn’t—she wouldn’t—compromise her core values for them. She had no doubt Marco felt the same way, which left them at an impasse. A dark sense of melancholy overcame her. It was, truly, over. ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 54 Allison Brennan Debuts her first hardcover, without Lucy Kincaid Interview by Suspense Magazine Press Photo Credit: Brittan Dodd hat can you say about Allison WBrennan that hasn’t already been said? She continues to receive rave reviews not only from the media but from her peers like Lisa Gardner, Andrew Gross, James Rollins, and Sandra Brown, all referring to Allison’s work as top-notch suspense. And now we can say that Allison is coming out with her first hardcover book, “Notorious,” so we can cross that off our list. Allison became a household name in the suspense/thriller genre with her Lucy Kincaid series, but now she brings out a new character, Max Revere, who first debuted in an e-book novella, “Maximum Exposure.” From her first book, “The Prey,” Allison has been one of the hardest working writers, now having published more than twenty books in nine years. With her romantic thrillers, Allison penned four separate trilogies: “Predator,” “No Evil,” “Prison Break,” and “FBI.” Her character, Lucy Kincaid, was first seen in “Love me to Death,” back in 2010. But now, it’s all about “Notorious” and Max Revere. Let’s take inside the book that Andrew Gross calls “a high octane thriller” with “a smart, savvy and irrepressible modern hero.” We agree.

Maxine Revere has dedicated her life to investigating murders that the police have long since given up any hope of solving. A nationally renowned investigative reporter with her own TV show and a tough-as-nails reputation, Max tackles cold cases from across the country and every walk of life. But the one unsolved murder that still haunts her is a case from her own past.

When Max was a high school senior, one of her best friends was strangled and another, Kevin O’Neal, accused of the crime. To the disgrace of her wealthy family, Max stood by her friend, until she found out he lied about his alibi. Though his guilt was never proven, their relationship crumbled from the strain of too many secrets.

Now Max is home for Kevin’s funeral—after years of drug abuse, he committed suicide. She’s finally prepared to come to terms with the loss of his friendship, but she’s not prepared for Kevin’s sister to stubbornly insist that he didn’t kill himself. Or for an elderly couple to accost her at the airport, begging her to look into another murder at Max’s old high school. Max is more interested in the cold case at her alma mater than in digging around

SuspenseMagazine.com 55 “In the end, when I was done, I liked Max. She’s not perfect. She makes mistakes.” Kevin’s troubled life, but she agrees to do both. As Max uncovers dark secrets, she finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies that hit far too close to home. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that someone will do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried.

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): What kind of emotions are you feeling, and who is Max Revere?

Allison Brennan (A.B.): I’m excited, terrified, nervous, and surprisingly calm, all at the same time! “Notorious” is my 22nd book and first hardcover, but I feel like I’ve been building to this point since my first book.

Max is similar to many of my heroines—she’s independent, smart, driven, and capable. And like most of my characters, she’s committed to justice. But for her, “justice” means that the truth is revealed. She detests lies and secrets and believes fully in the motto, “The truth will set you free.” Sometimes, the truth hurts, but she’s built herself up to withstand the sting because she believes truth more important than lies and injustice.

She’s also different from my other characters. Max is not in law enforcement, therefore she isn’t hindered by rules that most cops must follow. She’s curious almost to a fault, which makes being an investigative reporter the perfect career. She isn’t afraid of pursuing any line of inquiry, even if it’s uncomfortable— emotionally or physically. Max is independently wealthy, sexually confident, and can come off as being arrogant. She has an interesting past filled with questions for which she’s always seeking answers.

S. MAG.: With your first hardcover “Notorious,” why is Max Revere the perfect character to take your career into a whole new level?

A.B.: Max is mature and capable. She’s not afraid to say what she thinks. The Max Revere series is a bit more mystery-investigation and a bit less action-thriller than my Lucy Kincaid series. I think Max is the perfect next step after Lucy, and for me as a writer I like going back and forth between these two driven but very different women.

S. MAG.: How does the ever-changing world of technology influence your characters and/or plots in your book?

A.B.: Any mystery/thriller writer learns pretty quick that technology is outdated almost by the time the book comes out. Some of the old mysteries that we all love rely on pay phones and combing microfilm for answers, instead of cell phones and Google. Yet I still love reading Ed McBain and Raymond Chandler. My

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 56 10-year-old daughter enjoys Nancy Drew, but always wonders why Nancy doesn’t simply use a cell phone when she gets into trouble. Yet, Nancy Drew is still selling well among the preteen set, outdated technology notwithstanding. Readers are looking for good stories, and many have withstood the test of time. And I think readers understand that a book is a slice of life from the time it was written.

As far as my own writing, I use what would be readily available to my characters in the world I’ve created. So for Lucy Kincaid being in the FBI, I pretty much understand the resources the FBI has and the limitations. For Max, because money is no object, she’d be able to buy a few state-of-the-art toys…but she might not have the skill to use them!

S. MAG.: With social media now becoming an everyday stop for authors and you can get instant feedback now, do you let those thoughts and views of readers influence how you write your next book?

A.B.: I love social media. I’m an extrovert in an introverted career! I love hearing from my readers. When I get positive feedback, I’m elated…and when I get negative feedback, it’s discouraging. I have a pretty good grasp of my strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and I’m always trying to write to my strengths and improve on my weaknesses. I try very hard not to let negative thoughts and views influence my writing because it makes it harder to write. On the flip side, while I love reading good reviews, I never want to think, “This is good enough.” I’m always striving to improve and write stronger, better stories.

S. MAG.: How is Lucy Kincaid adjusting to the change of having Max in the spotlight now?

A.B.: I love Lucy and Sean and going into their world, but creatively, if I were just writing one series I would become bored and probably kill everyone off. Never a good idea when writing a series! Now, I have the best of both worlds. I can write a Lucy book, then a Max book. They’re different characters in different worlds and that helps keep both series fresh and interesting for me as a writer, which hopefully makes them exciting for my readers.

S. MAG.: What continues to drive you as an author to challenge yourself in your writing and having to sit down and create a book from a blank canvas?

A.B.: First and foremost, I love writing. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t do it, because writing is hard work.

I remind myself that my readers what a good, satisfying story. If I’m going to expect them to spend their hard-earned money on one of my books, I need to give that book everything I have while I’m writing it. For my series, I already have my characters, and the hard part is keeping them evolving and growing while coming up with new and interesting stories.

But one thing I learned about myself early on is that the best way to keep my series interesting and exciting is to take a short break between books and write something completely different. This is why I love writing short stories and novellas with completely different characters. They sort of cleanse the palette, so to speak, so when I go back to Lucy or Max I go back with enthusiasm.

S. MAG.: What was one of your biggest challenges in writing “Notorious”?

SuspenseMagazine.com 57 NOTORIOUS A.B.: Getting over my own fear of failure. I knew from the beginning that “Notorious” By Allison Brennan was going to be in hardcover, and I had some emotional upheavals wondering if the Some authors just have the “it” book would be any good. I didn’t want just good, I wanted the best book I’d written factor, where fans unequivocally realize to date…and when you get that kind of mindset and put that kind of pressure on a person is a born storyteller. Allison yourself, you become your own worst enemy. Fortunately, Max felt real to me from Brennan is just such an author and she the beginning, and that helped get over many of my writing hurdles. clearly has her finger on the pulse of what fans want in her newest release and The other hard part was the first chapter. Max can be a bitch. I knew that people first in a new series, “Notorious.” were going to either love or hate her. I wanted them to love her, so I kept massaging Investigative Reporter Maxine that first chapter so she was forceful but compassionate, arrogant but intelligent. Revere has a successful career as an It’s sort of like that Pantene commercial from the Philippines—women who exhibit author, journalist, and as the host of some of the same attributes as men come off as being bossy and argumentative while a growing-in-popularity true crime their male counterparts come off as being a leader and persuasive. I wanted people program on cable. She takes on unsolved to like Max, but I didn’t want to compromise her core character. cases that have grown so cold, they’re downright frigid and her success rate has In the end, when I was done, I liked Max. She’s not perfect. She makes mistakes. She’s made her a star. more shaped by her past than she admits to most people, though she’s honest with When her former friend, Kevin, herself. But she’s self-confident and doesn’t let others define her. She’s independent is found dead in an apparent suicide and smart and knows who she is and what she wants. And she doesn’t play it safe. and his sister pleads for Max’s help, she She’s bold and takes risks. makes the tough decision to return home for the funeral and stick around for a few S. MAG.: The beginning or ending of a book—which do you feel has the biggest days. But sunny California hasn’t been impact on the reader but which is the most difficult to write for the author? her home for quite some time and as the self-appointed black sheep of the family, A.B.: For me, the beginning is the hardest to write and the endings roll relatively she’s not looking forward to a reunion. smoothly. But for readers, after the first few pages of the “hook,” I think the ending However, she’s given additional purpose must be the strongest. You want the reader to be completely satisfied when she gets for the stay when approached about to the end of the book. You want the reader to close it and think, “That was a great an unsolved murder at Atherton Prep, story,” and then recommend it to friends. A bad ending will kill all the great work Max’s alma mater. at the beginning. A monumental lie was the chasm that ripped apart years of friendship S. MAG.: Which villain in the history of books would you like your character, between young Max and Kevin during either Lucy Kincaid or Max Revere, to go up against? their senior year of high school after Kevin was accused and tried for the A.B.: That is a hard, hard question. I think I’d love for Lucy to face someone like Jack murder of Max’s best friend Lindy. the Ripper, and for Max to face a female version of Professor Moriarty. A violent A split jury saved Kevin from a life killer would challenge Lucy on multiple fronts, because she gets into the heads of sentence, but when he revealed his real killers and seeks to understand them in order to stop them, so Jack the Ripper would alibi to Max, the betrayal she felt cut emotionally devastate her. And Max, who’s both intelligent but a bit reckless, would bone deep, as she’d been his most vocal certainly be drawn in by a brilliant, diabolical criminal mind thinking that she defender. could stop her…but realizing too late she might not be smart enough—or vicious As Max plunges headfirst into the enough—to do so. It would be seriously fun to explore both those ideas. dangerous waters of these investigations, readers, too, will be snared in the net. S. MAG.: What can fans expect to see from you in the future? Genuine, multifaceted characters and a tension-riddled plot kept me riveted A.B.: I’ll be writing at least one Lucy and one Max book a year. The next Lucy is until the wee hours of the morning. Fans “Dead Heat” and comes out in June! I’m also collaborating with Laura Griffin again of Lisa Gardner, Harlan Coben, and this summer for the second Moreno & Hart mystery. Eventually, I’d like to write a Tami Hoag will find a new favorite in standalone thriller. I have two ideas that have stuck with me, but no time… Max Revere. Reviewed by Shannon Raab for Suspense We would like to thank Allison for taking the time to speak with us. Check Magazine ■ out her website: www.allisonbrennan.com. ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 58 Attorney Sabre Orin Brown’s job is to protect her minor client. Her obsession is to solve the mysterious disappearance of her brother. When her job and her obsession collide, can she protect herself and the child from the obscure and treacherous truth?

Ebook Available TERESA BURRELL Author, Attorney, Advocate at $.99 for http://www.teresaburrell.com Limited Time Th e TWELVEBy Vincent Zandri Press Photo Credit: Provided by Authors

I’m sitting at the bar in Lanies Bar and Grille in North Albany, corner stool, sipping my second tall-necked Budweiser and staring down at my smartphone, which doesn’t seem all that smart to me since all it does was interrupt my writing day like a bad ex-wife looking for her delinquent support check. I’m reading about the huge successes a handful of self-publishers were having in the eBook marketplace. Guys like J.A. Konrath and Hugh Howey who write good books and are making a million bucks a year. As I drink my beer I do a slow burn. How the hell are these guys getting so lucky when my sales are more bipolar than Carrie Fisher coming down off a bad acid trip? Maybe these guys are doing something I’m not. But what is it exactly? It’s not like I can just pick up the idiot-phone, dial them up, ask them politely for their secret. I’m a writer after all. A full-time writer. Which is another way is say, “Hey, I’m alone in the world!” Or am I? Not all that long ago, I was a passionate musician whose goal was none other than to be the next Max Roach. I remember how cool it was playing gigs in seedy juke joints, the audience consisting mostly of other cool cats whose passion it was to make music. The cool thing about being a musician was that you weren’t alone with your art. You enjoyed the support of fellow musicians and bands. You jammed with them, drank with them, cried with them, shared a greasy-spoon breakfast with them in the wee hours of the morning as the burly dock laborers were just rolling in for their morning coffee. It was the same story in the visual arts world. For a long time, I dated a successful visual artist in New York. Even though she worked alone, just like a writer, she didn’t “show” alone. Her shows were always attended and applauded by fellow artists. Her friends were artists. They shared trade secrets, shared exhibition opportunities, reviewed one another’s work for the newspapers and blogs, and sometimes critiqued one another’s work. All this togetherness made me envious. I never hung out with other writers. I’d had a belly full of writers back in writing school where the competition was so fierce that it wasn’t uncommon to see a fellow writer burst out in tears during a workshop. And when those tears flowed, you tried to portray yourself as

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 60 empathetic, but secretly you were smiling with joy. “How’s that grab you?” you whispered to yourself. “You and your crappy story go home and cry to Mama.” But then there were the students who would go on to grab major book deals. I was supposed to be happy for these writers on the outside, but on the inside I was dying a slow death. How did Gore Vidal put it? When another writer succeeds it’s like another little piece of my heart being cut away. Or something like that. But then, Vidal also said, Write something, even if it’s just a suicide note. After all, writers go it alone in this world. Maybe that’s why so many of us end it on our own terms—the shotgun to the roof of the mouth. But does it really have to be this way? Only about a month ago I was on my way home from Europe when I was approached by another author by the name of Diane Capri to become a part of a Facebook group. You know, one of those “closed” or secret groups of mystery writers that you always say yes to, thinking you’ll never hear from them again. But this one turned out to be different almost immediately. I’d met Diane several times at some conferences and certainly I’d known her to be a terrific thriller writer with a huge fan base and enough famous author blurbs to place her in the pantheon of mystery greats for all eternity. What was she doing rubbing cyber elbows with me? But what made this group or “mystery club” so different was that Diane not only wanted my input on what marketing approaches worked and what didn’t work, she wanted to find a way for the group to come together as one in order to share our knowledge and experiences, and in the end, to improve our sales dramatically. This togetherness was all foreign to me. I was used to doing things by myself on a trial and error basis. Now here was a writer who wanted to form a kind of union amongst fellow authors—authors who might otherwise be perceived as competition. Diane handpicked eleven authors to make the total count of the group twelve. Besides myself, Diane recruited a stunning list of New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestsellers including Joshua Graham, Allan Leverone, Aaron Patterson, Cheryl Bradshaw, Michele Scott, M.A. Comley, J. Carson Black, Carol Davis Luce, Joanna Penn, and Linda Prather. Together we became, The Twelve. Suddenly I wasn’t alone anymore. Now, I not only had the benefit of sharing my experiences with a group of talented and like-minded thriller writers, but for the first time since writing school, I was actually learning something about how our trade works, not just as an art, but also as a business. Our purpose was not simply to exchange marketing ideas or to offer encouragement, but we wanted to do something more. We wanted to come together to build our own book. In early January, Diane took the lead in putting together what would become our first group box of bestselling full-length thrillers. Quite aptly, it’s called “The Deadly Dozen: Twelve Mysteries/Thrillers.” But here’s the cool thing. The authors of this baby is The Twelve. Sure, we all have our own separate bylines on each of our novels, but “Deadly Dozen” is truly a cooperative piece of work by a team of writers who have joined together for the purpose of not only succeeding as individual authors, but also, and more importantly, as a collective. Speaking on behalf of The Twelve, I invite you to check the book out. I promise you it will make a great companion on a cold and snowy winter weekend, or it will make a truly riveting beach read. It’s our collective baby, The Deadly Dozen, and it’s offered me a renewed faith in my fellow twelve authors whom I now call my friends. I drain my beer, set the empty bottle down onto the bar. The bartender approaches me. She’s a young college student with long brunette hair, a nose ring, and tats covering both her arms which are exposed by a black wife beater. I’m pretty sure she’s the daughter of a well-to-do banker.

SuspenseMagazine.com 61 “You want another, Vin?” she asks. I give her a nod. She retrieves the bottle from the cooler, sets it down on the same condensate ring formed by the old bottle. Leaning both elbows onto the bar, she cradles her fingers, rests her chin. “What’s it like?” she asks. Begrudgingly, I tear my eyes away from my idiot- phone. “What’s what like?” I say, taking a hit off the new beer. “What’s it like being a writer? Sitting in your apartment all day all alone, just typing. Don’t you get, like, lonely?” I try and work up smile. “I used to get lonely.” “So what’s changed?” “I’m not so alone anymore.” “New girlfriend, huh? So there’s hope for old guys after all.” “Nope. Don’t have a new girlfriend. And I’m not that old.” “What is it then?” she presses. “Or am I getting on your nerves? I know you don’t like to talk a lot after you’ve finished writing.” “Never mind,” I say, glancing back down at the phone. “It’s a writer thing.” She smiles, but shoots me a glare like I’m messing with her. “Sorry I asked,” she says, turning back to the otherwise empty bar. I drink some more beer. After a silent minute, she sighs a little too loudly, picks up the TV clicker, turns on the wall- mounted plasma to the Weather Channel. “Big snow storm coming,” she mumbles. “Classes will be cancelled. Think I’ll just sleep in tomorrow.” But I don’t respond. I’m back to staring at my idiot-phone, checking my Amazon sales ranks for the top of the hour, wishing I was very much alone and very far away. ■

Vincent Zandri is a proud member of The Twelve, and the author of “The Remains” and the Dick Moonlight PI thrillers, including “Moonlight Sonata.” To learn more about The Twelve, go to thetwelvexii.com.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 62 Red Hot C.J. Box is “Stone Cold” Interview by Suspense Magazine Press Photo Credit: Michael Smith

New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box is back with his latest book “Stone Cold.” C.J. has written eighteen novels, including fourteen in the Joe Pickett series. He has won several awards, including The Edgar Award for “Blue Heaven,” the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, and the Barry Award. His “Blood Trail” was nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin (Ireland) Literary Award. A Wyoming native, C.J. has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small-town newspaper reporter and editor, and he owned an international tourism marketing firm, all of which give C.J. the well- rounded experience he can bring to each book and his characters. “Stone Cold” is a Joe Pickett novel, a series that started back in 2001 with “Open Season.” C.J. has also penned four stand-alone novels; the last one is “The Highway” in 2013. Let’s take a look inside the latest Joe Pickett book, “Stone Cold.”

Everything about the man is a mystery: the massive ranch in the remote Black Hills of Wyoming that nobody ever visits, the women who live with him, the secret philanthropies, the private airstrip, the sudden disappearances. And especially the persistent rumors that the man’s wealth comes from killing people.

SuspenseMagazine.com 63 Joe Pickett, still officially a game warden but now mostly a troubleshooter for the governor, is assigned to find out what the truth is, but he discovers a lot more than he’d bargained for. There are two other men living up at that ranch. One is a stone-cold killer who takes an instant dislike to Joe. The other is new—but Joe knows him all too well. The first man doesn’t frighten Joe. The second is another story entirely.

We were able to catch up with C.J. and talk with him about his work and other things.

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): There are so many controversial issues in the world right now, from Yellowstone wolf retention to horse-slaughter houses being reopened, to solar and wind energy projects. As an avid writer/advocate of environmental issues, what would be your thoughts on the above?

C.J. Box (C.J.B.): I’ll dodge that one by saying I’d prefer to let the books stand for themselves. With each issue or controversy that is included in the novels, I try very hard to include characters who espouse opposing views and trust the reader to come down where they may. I don’t write “agenda” books. My hope is always that some readers may be exposed to another viewpoint and it may make them consider an issue in a different way. But whether that happens or not, the most important thing is to create a book that engages the reader and makes them want to turn the pages.

S. MAG.: What do you feel is the best route or next steps to take for this country to “go green”? And what is the biggest thing stopping us when it comes to adopting alternative energy sources?

C.J.B.: See answer Number One. My job as a novelist isn’t to advocate for pipe dreams, but to explore conflicts, relationships, and themes from the standpoint of the characters in the book.

S. MAG.: “Blue Heaven” was an amazing title, winning the Edgar Allan Poe award. When it comes to writers (dead or alive), who would you wish to spend an hour speaking with and why? Would it be Poe?

C.J.B.: It would not be Poe, unless I was armed. I’d like to spend an hour with Raymond Chandler, though. I’d even buy the drinks.

S. MAG.: The Joe Pickett mystery books are incredible. Do you know how long this will continue, or how many titles there are left in this particular series?

C.J.B.: The Joe Pickett books will continue as long as I think they’re relevant, fresh, and unique. If I ever start to feel I’m re-writing the same book or falling into a formula, I’ll try something else. But because the books take place in real time and the family and the characters age and change, I don’t see an end to the series for quite a

“I’ve always wanted to be a writer, even when I didn’t have a clue what I would write.”

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 64 while. Plus, I still love to write the novels. STONE COLD By C.J. Box S. MAG.: Is there a specific genre you have not delved into that you would Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is back like to try? in his fourteenth novel, “Stone Cold,” and he’s up to his usual tricks: getting in trouble and C.J.B.: Someday, I’d like to write an historical western novel set in the mountain- then poking the hornets’ nest with a stick. After man days. That period of time was short, exciting, and epic. a gripping opening chapter in which Joe’s old friend Nate Romanowski performs a contract S. MAG.: Do you have a mentor in your past who supported and pushed the killing upon one Henry P. Scoggins III, the writing gene within you? story takes a slow-burn approach; Joe is called in by the governor to help the FBI to snoop C.J.B.: I’d have to say my wife, Laurie. She believed in my writing when I had around Medicine Wheel County. Enigmatic my doubts. millionaire Wolfgang Templeton owns the Sand Creek Ranch there, which caters to out-of-state S. MAG.: What is the best question you have ever received from a fan? hunters. Templeton’s name also gets whispered in the circles of the rich and famous when a C.J.B.: It is not “Who would play Joe Pickett in a movie?” Actually, most of the problem needs to be solved, the kind of problem questions are about specific characters or situations. My favorite letters and/ solved by making people disappear, people like or comments come from readers who describe when and where they read the Scoggins. So Joe is off to Medicine Wheel with books: in hunting stands, during calving season on ranches, while in elk camp, a cover story involving his game warden duties behind a machine gun in Afghanistan. to see if he can get wind of illegal activities at Sand Creek Ranch. He soon learns, however, S. MAG.: The writing process is so different depending on the writer. How that just about everyone in the county loves long, on average, does it take for the next mystery to develop in your mind? Templeton—or is indebted to him. Templeton’s Do you have an outline prepared, or are you a writer who simply sits down influence runs so deep that there seems to be and immediately begins the story? nobody Joe can trust—he even wonders about Nate—and he just keeps digging deeper as he’s C.J.B.: I’m an outliner. I come up with the issue, research it, and build a plot. warned to back off. When the outline is complete including the ending, I sit down and literally start “Stone Cold” takes the time to build writing on top of the outline. That’s not to say things are set in concrete. Often, the situation and develop the various local things change and veer different directions. Several times, I’ve had an ending in characters of Medicine Wheel. The wide-open mind the entire book but change it when I get there. country of Wyoming provides a Wild West backdrop, a believable frontier approach to life in S. MAG.: Few wordsmiths who can capture a reader’s attention with the first the modern world. The novel also features some page; you are one of them. The electricity that flows through your words can subplots involving Joe’s daughters. The home- terrify and exhilarate, to say the least. Being that you have so many careers based drama involves typical late-teenage issues on your resume, is writing the one that stands out for you? Do you remember that enrich the continuing Pickett family story, when, exactly, the passion for writing came about? but the college subplot featuring oldest-daughter Sheridan has a “ripped from the headlines” C.J.B.: Thank you for the very nice compliment. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, theme that seems forced and rushed, coming to even when I didn’t have a clue what I would write. I started with journalism, a head simultaneously with the climax at Sand which I think provides a good foundation. But I’m glad I’ve lived in the real Creek Ranch. Although the college incident— world and had several careers before the books took off. It helped ground me and and a giant coincidence at the ranch in Medicine I’m constantly reminded how lucky I am that readers want to read what I write. Wheel—are weak spots, they are far outweighed by the rich character development, building S. MAG.: What would be in the number-one spot on your bucket list that you tension, and bursts of action that keep the rest have not yet done, and why? of the novel full of suspense. Recommended for fans of the series as well as newcomers. C.J.B.: I would like to catch a tarpon on a fly. Reviewed by Scott Pearson, author of “Star Trek: The More Things Change” and cohost We would like to thank C.J. for taking the time out of his schedule to talk of the Generations Geek podcast for Suspense with us and share some insights beyond the pages. For more information, Magazine ■ check out C.J.’s website at www.cjbox.net. ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 65 “ very book a spellbinder.” –New York Times bestselling E author Steve Berry

An Indie Next Pick

“M. J. Rose’s Seduction has just about everything a thriller fan could wish for.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

On Sale April 8

“Mysterious, magical, and mythical… An what a joy to read!” Indie Next —Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author Pick of Water for Elephants

“Elegantly written, with unforgettable characters and flawlessly realized international settings, here is a novel that will keep you up all night.” Pick up or download your copies today —New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston /AtriaBooks @AtriaBooks Steven Saylor Brings B.C. into A.D. By Suspense Magazine Press Photo Credit: Louis LaSalle “Raiders of the Nile,” a novel of the ancient world, is the latest novel from Steven Saylor, who has been called “a modern master of historical fiction” by USA Today. Saylor has written over ten books in the Roma Sub Rosa series, with his character Gordianus the Finder. Now with “Raiders of the Nile,” he takes readers back to before Gordianus received his title the Finder. Steven is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he studied history and classics. The first book in the series, “Roman Blood,” was published in 1991. Steven has also written two novels set in 1880s Texas, featuring O. Henry: “A Twist at the End” and “Have You Seen Dawn?” A peek inside his latest release “Raiders of the Nile.”

In 88 B.C. it seems as if all the world is at war. From Rome to Greece and to Egypt itself, most of civilization is on the verge of war. The young Gordianus—a born-and-raised Roman citizen—is living in Alexandria, making ends meet by plying his trade of solving puzzles and finding things out for pay. He whiles away his time with his slave Bethesda, waiting for the world to regain its sanity. But on the day Gordianus turns twenty-two, Bethesda is kidnapped by brigands who mistake her for a rich man’s mistress. If Gordianus is to find and save Bethesda, who has come to mean more to him than even he suspected, he must find the kidnappers before they realize their mistake and cut their losses. Using all the skills he learned from his father, Gordianus must track them down and convince them that he can offer something of enough value in exchange for Bethesda’s release.

As the streets of Alexandria slowly descend into chaos, and the citizenry begin to riot with rumors of an impending invasion by Ptolmey’s brother, Gordianus finds himself in the midst of a very bold and dangerous plot—the raiding and pillaging of the golden sarcophagus of Alexander the Great himself.

We have been fortunate to be able to take the time machine back to interview Steven and find out a little more about the author beyond the pages. You can see that interview below.

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): Can you give us a look inside your latest release, “Raiders of the Nile,” with information we can’t find on the back cover?

Steven Saylor (S.S.): After having traveled from Rome to visit the Seven Wonders of the World in my last novel, young Gordianus is celebrating his 22nd birthday in Alexandria, capital of Egypt, along with his beautiful young concubine, Bethesda. When Bethesda disappears—apparently the victim of a botched kidnapping—Gordianus has to journey into the wilds of the Nile Delta in search of her. Along the way he encounters shady actors, wily innkeepers, cantankerous camels, and a particularly nasty crocodile. Oh, and a group of bandits ruled by a mysterious leader who draws Gordianus into an audacious plot to steal the golden sarcophagus of Alexander the Great—which really did go missing at this precise moment in history.

The backstory to the writing of the novel is my long infatuation with the novels written by the ancient Greeks themselves. Only

SuspenseMagazine.com 67 a handful of those novels survive, but they can still delight us (as they did Shakespeare, who paid them homage with some of his comedies) with their madly romantic stories full of mistaken identities, outlandish disguises, separated lovers, menacing pirates, bloodthirsty bandits, fidelity redeemed, and royalty revealed. I took a deep breath and let the story lead me wherever it wanted to go—and the result is a book that’s more fun and free-wheeling than the courtroom dramas and wartime intrigue of my novels about the older Gordianus and the collapse of the Roman Republic. This is a bright, optimistic novel, though not without some darker shades of irony.

S. MAG.: When writing about an era that is over two thousand years old, what is your biggest challenge to make sure you bring realism to your book?

S.S.: The greatest challenge to achieving true historical fidelity is ancient Roman religion. It would be convenient to assume that the Romans themselves didn’t take their religion seriously, but they did—all the animal sacrifices, the bowing to this or that god before making even the most trivial decision, the belief that the flight of birds and the livers of sheep revealed divine will, and so on. They were incredibly superstitious, to a degree that moderns can hardly comprehend.

S. MAG.: Is there one part of history that got you excited to write fiction books in a historic setting?

S.S.: The story of Cleopatra—as faithfully and brilliantly recounted in the 1963 movie by Joseph Mankiewicz starring Elizabeth Taylor—became one of the central myths of my childhood. In that story we have the nexus of Egypt and Rome and Greece, plus all the triumph and tragedy that any one life could possibly contain. My fascination for history has gone through many stages, growing deeper with age, but it all radiates outward from that story, I think.

S. MAG.: For readers new to your work, who is Gordianus?

S.S.: Gordianus the Finder is a sleuth in ancient Rome, having learned his craft as a boy. (As Gordianus says in “The Seven Wonders,” “From my father I learned to pick any lock, ten ways to tell if a woman is lying, and how to follow someone without being seen....”) Having earned the respect of powerful men like the great advocate Cicero (who calls Gordianus “the most honest man in Rome”), and having managed to never ally himself with any faction or strongman (such as Julius Caesar), he’s the go- to guy when the rich and powerful want to get to the truth of some dangerous mystery. He’s also a family man, having cobbled together what the scholar Mary Beard kindly called “a typical Roman family” of adopted castoffs and his own beloved daughter. He has an almost infallible moral compass. Almost, I say, because nobody is perfect, and over the years Gordianus has done a few things that he’s later regretted.

S. MAG.: Historical fiction is such a difficult genre to write because of having true elements of history with fiction, how much research goes into one of your books, not just the plot, but also how people would have lived and talked?

S.S.: The research is never-ending, but that’s fine, because it brings me endless pleasure. For the storyline of each book, I think it’s fair to say that I essentially do the equivalent of a master’s thesis worth of research. As for daily life, I’ve steeped myself for so long and so deeply in everything we can discover about the everyday life of the ancients that much of the incidental detail comes naturally to me now—or to Gordianus, I should say, since he recounts the stories in his own voice.

A device I adopted early on was to try to involve all five senses when I take a reader down a street in ancient Rome or Alexandria. What is Gordianus thinking, yes, but also what is he seeing and hearing and smelling? When he eats, what spices does he taste? What sort of weather are we having at this time of year, what birds are singing, what flowers are blooming? Are the paving stones rough or smooth underfoot? For all that detail, I have to know what the ancients ate, how their cities were laid out, what they wore, and so on. Fortunately, I’m not the only one with a fascination for ancient Rome, so there are many sources of information out there.

S. MAG.: If you could solve one mystery for yourself, what would it be?

S.S.: I doubt that there is any American my age who wouldn’t like a definitive answer to the question: Who killed JFK?

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 68 S. MAG.: The beginning or the ending—which do you feel has a bigger impact on RAIDERS OF THE the reader, but which is more difficult to write for the author? NILE By Steven Saylor Steven Saylor’s novel “Raiders of S.S.: Great beginnings to novels are rare, whereas the final sentence comes at the end the Nile,” the latest in his series featuring of a long journey for the writer, and if he or she has invested a lot of thought and Gordianus the Finder, takes us back to emotion in the writing, then that will naturally come out at the end. Reaching the the Roman’s early life, when, at twenty- final paragraph of a novel is a very exciting experience for me, and quietly suspenseful; two, he traveled to Alexandria, Egypt. It often I don’t know what the last sentence will be until I suddenly arrive, and there it is, was here he acquired the slave Bethesda, as if it were waiting for me. We writers can only hope that we’ve succeeded in evoking who later became his wife. some degree of that emotional release in the reader as well. The book opens with the scene of Gordianus and a team of bandits S. MAG.: With social media giving the author instant feedback on their work, attempting to steal the golden do you let it affect you with new works, since you have a better since of what is sarcophagus from the tomb of Alexander important to the readers? the Great. From there, the author flashes back to an earlier point in the story S.S.: Feedback is indeed valuable, especially for the writer of an ongoing series, because about Bethesda, with whom Gordianus readers see patterns in the work that the writer is too close to observe. A reader once has unwisely fallen in love against the asked why I had created an ideal father in Gordianus, and it wasn’t until that moment advice of his father on relationships that I realized I had done such a thing. That question gave me a lot of food for thought. with slaves. When Bethesda is abducted in what appears to be a case of mistaken In a more practical vein, I am always glad to hear from readers about typos, or even identity, Gordianus sets out to find her, about possible errors. I once had a hummingbird fly through Gordianus’s garden, but with the company of a young slave boy hummingbirds are New World, not Old World, so that bird had to fly away in the named Djet. They follow the trail of a next printing. notorious leader of bandits to their lair, the Cuckoo’s Nest, in the wildest part of S. MAG.: “Raiders of the Nile” is sort of a prequel, going back to the early days of the Nile Delta. As the reign of Ptolemy Gordianus. Was this something you thought about exploring for some time now? enters its last days, chaos descends upon Egypt and Alexandria in particular. S.S.: Very early in the series, Gordianus remarked that he had visited the Seven Gordianus must use all his astuteness Wonders of the World as a young man, and had lived in Alexandria for a while. So to maintain his supposed loyalty to the Cuckoo’s gang, led by the charismatic finally going back to his early days has been a goal of mine for quite some time. When Artemon, known as the Cuckoo’s Child, the opportunity arose for me to write “The Seven Wonders,” I took it, and now I feel in order to retrieve Bethesda without compelled to explore a bit more of his youth. And at my age (fifty-seven), once your losing his own life. alter ego has gone back to being twentysomething, it’s hard to come back to being Saylor paints a picture of the Nile middle-aged again! But seriously, it can be a bit of a challenge to remember that while Delta as a Wild West sort of place, the twentysomething Gordianus is more adventurous and fearless than his older self, with gangs of unsavory characters he’s also not quite as smart and worldly-wise. He doesn’t always pick up on subtle and criminals hiding out from the clues, or see the bigger picture of world-shaking events. authorities. It’s set in the historical context of the events of the reign of the S. MAG.: What can readers expect to see from you in the future? Ptolemys of Egypt, and as Rome, in its waning days as a republic, was spreading S.S.: My next book picks up right where “Raiders of the Nile” ends, with young its tentacles through North Africa, and Gordianus drawn into yet another dangerous quest, this time returning to the city of the eventual conquest of Egypt. Ephesus in response to a desperate plea from his estranged tutor, Antipater. The next Saylor has a gift for combining thing you know, Gordianus finds himself torn between Bethesda and his first love, ancient history with an enthralling gets sucked into the court intrigue of power-mad King Mithridates the Great and his story. Gordianus is a multi-faceted scheming new bride, must somehow stop a young girl from being killed in a virgin human being whose wants, needs, and sacrifice, and, as if that were not enough, he must somehow escape the massacre of fears are as real as those of any modern every Roman in Asia Minor—all 80,000 of them, who were slaughtered in a single day person. “Raiders of the Nile,” along with on the secret orders of Mithridates. I suspect there will be a few murders and mysteries the rest of the series, are an exciting way along the way. So the adventures of young Gordianus continue. for readers to glimpse life in the days of the Romans. We would like to thank Steven for taking the time out of his busy schedule to Reviewed by Kathleen Heady, author of sit down and talk with us. You can check out the entire series and a lot more about “Lydia’s Story” for Suspense Magazine ■ Steven by visiting his website, www.stevensaylor.com. ■

SuspenseMagazine.com 69 International Thriller writers Reader'sCorner Recommendations by Brad Parks

I love touting books. I love touting mine (the latest is called “The Player” and it got starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal—buy it or I’ll have to sell pencils for a living). But in that way that it’s better to give than receive, I also love touting other authors’ books. Here are some of the ones I’m high on here in the first half of 2014:

“Fear Nothing” Lisa Gardner, Jan. 7: I despise Lisa Gardner. I despise her because does everything so well: plot, prose, character, voice, dialogue, you name it. Her game seemingly has no weakness. And what makes me despise her even more is that she just keeps getting better.

“When Shadows Fall” J.T. Ellison, Feb. 25: Like so many folks you meet at ThrillerFest, J.T. is a sweetheart. So how does she write books that make me want to lock my doors? This series features a forensic pathologist who ought to make everyone forget Patricia Whatshername.

“Missing You” Harlan Coben, March 18: Not that Harlan needs me touting him, since everything he writes rockets to No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. But I would be remiss leaving him out. He’s a master of the twist you just never see coming.

“The Fever” Megan Abbott, June 17: The reigning Queen of Noir is back! She made cheerleaders drip with evil in “Dare Me.” I can’t wait to see what she can do with a malady that is making a whole town erupt into terrifying, unexplained seizures. Her writing is simply gorgeous.

“A Better World” Marcus Sakey, June 24: This is the follow up to the aptly named “Brilliance,” a book I bragged about all last summer. The premise—that one percent of the population is born with special abilities—is science fiction-y, but the execution is classic thriller.

“No Safe House” Linwood Barclay, Aug. 5: August is a long way from now. But Linwood is always worth the wait. Writing an intricate thriller that works on every level is hard, hard work. Linwood makes it look effortless. Come to think of it, maybe I despise him, too. ■

Brad Parks is the only author to have won the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty Awards. Other than occasional bouts of loathing, he is mostly filled with love. Visit him at www.BradParksBooks.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 70 The Difference Between Writing True Crime & Fiction By John Foxjohn Press Photo Images: Provided by Author

Since my true crime book “Killer Nurse” came out, I get one overriding question, mostly from the writing community: What is the biggest difference between writing fiction and nonfiction true crime? I get this question because I did what few writers have attempted: I started my writing career with fiction, and some would say successfully—detective, mystery and suspense, romantic suspense, and legal thrillers for the most part. Then I jumped from fiction to true crime. I fully admit that all I knew about the genre was other writers said it was difficult. I didn’t even read a lot of true-crime books. The fact that one of the most unique criminal cases in history fell in my lap is what led me to take the plunge. Trust me: If someone thinks about taking that plunge, they had better know the water is Kimberly Clark Saenz deep. The biggest issue in the actual writing process is the heart and soul of fiction writing—characterization. Without this aspect of fiction writing, there is no story. However, the same is true with true crime. Here’s the problem: in fiction, the author gets to make everything up. Essentially the fiction author builds a three-dimensional character from the ground up. True crime authors have to have that same level of characterization, but they can’t make it up—it has to be true. The true-crime author has to interview people—find out everything possible about the victims, suspects, and every key player involved in the case. This can become difficult especially when the defense attorney is advising everyone not to talk. Other problems crop up when the people involved don’t want to talk about themselves. I ran into this problem in “Killer Nurse.” The lead detective, the person most responsible for bringing a serial killer to justice, simply didn’t want to talk about himself. He said he was a private person and wanted it to stay that way. He would talk about the investigation, but not himself. However, without him I didn’t have a book. Therefore, I had to find credible people who would give me the information about him. Without personal information, the writer doesn’t have a story to tell. That is one of the main reasons I Recovered Syringe Evidence

SuspenseMagazine.com 71 interviewed 237 people to help me write “Killer Nurse.” Reality is stranger than fiction is an old cliché, but it applies to true crime and the opportunities available to write it. I have heard well-known and highly successful fiction writers say they couldn’t write something because even though it is true, no one would believe it. That’s one of the main differences between the true crime genre and fiction. In true crime, the writer can write it because it is true. Unfortunately, for our society, there are a lot of truths out there for the writers who are interested in true crimes to choose from. Writing true crime can be heart-wrenching. True crime books are about murders—people have had their loved ones violently and senselessly ripped away from them. For the most part, they want answers, justice, and yes, revenge. The families of the victims are grief-stricken and in many cases, the last thing they want to do is talk to a writer. They want their loved one(s) back. Eventually, they are going to come to grips with the fact they can’t get them back, but Pictured Above: and DaVita Patient Care Area (Left), that doesn’t make it any easier. Inside DaVita (Right) “Killer Nurse,” which I happened to break in on, was worse than most. In this case, the prosecution charged Kimberly Clark Saenz with five murders and what amounted to five attempted murders—that’s a lot of victims and family members. However, that wasn’t the only problem for the families in this case and made it even harder for them. In most murder cases, the victim(s) are dead, someone killed them, and law enforcement has accused someone of doing it—it’s about guilt or innocence. However, in “Killer Nurse,” the victims’ families not only had to weigh guilt or innocence, but because of the nature of the accused crimes, (Kimberly Saenz injected them with bleach and in most of the cases, the bleach made the deaths appear to be from natural causes) decide whether it was murder or not. Writing true crime is a lot of hard work, but in the end, after the book came out, I received some very kind and heartwarming thank yous from the victims’ families and many of the people involved in the prosecution side. I was thanked for how well I treated the victims in the book and the efforts I made to ensure accuracy. However, one of the most intriguing and interesting aspects of writing “Killer Nurse,” for me, occurred several months after the book came out. The jury convicted Kimberly Clark Saenz and of course, she appealed with a new attorney. In December 2013, a panel of three judges in San Antonio heard an oral argument from the appeals attorney. The prosecutors and others involved in the case also had to give their arguments, and one of the original defense attorneys even journeyed all the way to San Antonio to hear the appeal. I wasn’t there, but as it turned out, I didn’t need to be. I was sitting at home when my phone rang. The call was from one of the original defense attorneys who attended the appeal. The new appeals attorney had introduced something that the defense attorney didn’t know, and he called me for the answer. Ten minutes after I got off the phone with him, I got another call. This one was from the prosecutor asking me the same question the defense attorney did. The fact that they both thought I knew enough about the case to have the answer was gratifying, but not nearly as gratifying as the fact that I actually did know the answer. ■

Bestselling author John Foxjohn epitomizes the phrase “been there—done that.” Born and raised in the rural East Texas town of Nacogdoches, he quit high school and joined the Army at seventeen. Vietnam veteran, Army Airborne Ranger, policeman and homicide detective, retired teacher, and coach, he is now a multi-published author. To learn more, go to www.johnfoxjohnhome.com or connect on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/john.foxjohn.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 72 FROM #1 NEW YORK TIMES–BESTSELLING AUTHOR ROBIN COOK

“Robin Cook proves again he is the master of medical thrillers.” —Suspense Magazine

robincook.com | Drrobincook also available Jeffery The Master of the “Rhyme” Deaver Interview by Suspense Magazine Press Photo Credit: Niko Giovanni Coniglio Jeffery Deaver is a #1 international bestselling author, and even people who don’t read know Jeffery because of his famous character Lincoln Rhyme and the blockbuster movie The Bone Collector, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Lincoln Rhyme is back in 2014 with “The Skin Collector,” another devious and disturbing serial-killer thriller that will challenge the intelligence of Lincoln like never before. Jeffery is a former journalist, folk singer, and attorney. His novels have appeared on bestseller lists around the world and are sold in over 150 countries (more countries than appear in the Olympics). Last year, Jeffery penned a Lincoln Rhyme novel called, “The Kill Room,” but then also published “The October List,” a race-against-the-clock thriller told in reverse. It is with innovation like this that Jeffery not only challenges himself as an author, but also gives his fans a different perspective into thriller writing. “The Skin Collector” is set to release in May 2014, but let’s take a look inside the book right now. We hate to wait, even though we pride ourselves on leaving you in suspense:

A new type of serial killer is stalking the streets of New York—one more devious and disturbing than ever before.

They call this butcher The Skin Collector: a tattooist with a chamber of torture hidden deep underground. But instead of using ink to create each masterpiece, the artist uses a lethal poison which will render targets dead before they can even entertain the prospect of escape....

Drafted to investigate, NYPD detective Lincoln Rhyme and his associate Amelia Sachs have little to go on but a series of cryptic messages left etched into the skin of the deceased. As the pair struggle to discover the meaning behind the designs, they are led down a treacherous and twisting path where nothing is as it seems. And with the clock rapidly ticking before the killer strikes again, they must untangle the twisted web of clues before more victims—or they themselves—are next.

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 74 “My only criteria is this: Will the reader enjoy what I’ve written? Be excited by it, want to read more?”

There are a thousand questions we could ask Jeffery, but we limited ourselves to ten:

Suspense Magazine (S. MAG.): Which sentence or scene in “The October List” do you think captures the essence of the book?

Jeffery Deaver (J.D.): Because the book is written in reverse (each chapter takes place minutes or hours earlier than one the reader has just finished), the true revelations come in the final pages of the book. But the scene that is the most evocative of this curious structure is a chapter near the beginning of the book, in which Gabriella, whose daughter has been kidnapped, pours her heart out to the man who’s guarding her from the kidnapper. Every single fact that appears has a shadow truth that is ultimately revealed to be false (or is it?).

S. MAG.: Is there a secondary character in “The October List” that surprised you by having a stronger voice than you originally planned?

J.D.: Because I plan all my books months ahead of time, no character or plot line veers very far from what I’ve outlined. I will say that the two police officers pursuing Gabriela throughout the book grew to have more depth than I’d originally planned. But they stayed true to the characters I’d created.

S. MAG.: Many authors say they pay no attention to reviews, while others seem to obsess about them. How much attention have you paid to the many reviews you’ve received over the years?

J.D.: Literary criticism is a skill like any other. The goal is to assist consumers of art (readers, viewers, etc.) in appreciating where a creative work succeeds and where it fails. One can only do this with a complete understanding of a) the particular artist’s body of work and b) similar works by others in the same genre. If a critic meets those criteria, I will listen to his or her comments and take them into account in assessing the work being reviewed, and, therefore, my future works. Too many critics, though,

SuspenseMagazine.com 75 write simply to hear themselves be clever and controversial, without bringing much depth to their analysis. To understand what criticism should be about, read any of John Updike’s reviews.

S. MAG.: What comes first, the storyline or characters?

J.D.: I am a plotter. I spend eight months outlining each of my books. That’s a full-time job. I tend to get bored with purely character-driven books, but I appreciate that they can be very well done. Once the plot is set, I consider the characters. As much as I love plot, though, I understand a story is useless without compelling characters. Still, they come second to plot in my books and stories.

S. MAG.: The pacing of a “suspense” book has to be like climbing a mountain, with some twists thrown in. Do you find it tough keeping up with the pace?

J.D.: Actually, for me, the plot is all about those twists, reversals, and surprises. There can never be too fast a pace for me, though writers have to remember that you need to have slow sections to make the hard-hitting ones more impactful.

S. MAG.: Do you ever push back from the desk wondering if you’ve gone too far with a storyline or character? Do you have personal limitations?

J.D.: My only criteria is this: Will the reader enjoy what I’ve written? Be excited by it, want to read more? I revise my books fifty times or so, and during that process I will frequently trim plot lines or enhance them because, in the early drafts, I’ve digressed or missed a good opportunity for suspense. My daily life in writing involves constantly questioning if what I’m doing is best for the reader.

S. MAG.: You’re involved in many projects outside of writing your own popular series. How do you manage your time? What does a day in your life look like?

J.D.: I spend eight to ten hours a day writing. I usually work on two books at once: editing the one I’ve written, and outlining the next one.

S. MAG.: The villain in most novels can make or break them, especially in your genre. How do you go about bringing out the dark side of your personality to create that villain?

J.D.: I love creating villains! But I also think a writer has to be detached in crafting a novel. I suppose I have a dark side, (who doesn’t?) but I don’t tap into that, any more than I tap into my romantic side when I’m writing a love plot. It’s more important for me to be objecting and aloof and write the scenes so that the reader will be terrified by the villain. It was, I think, Wordsworth who said poetry is emotion, yes, but emotionally reconstructed for the reader after the emotional moment experienced by the writer has passed.

S. MAG.: Over the years, what is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself?

J.D.: How I wish I’d listened to the eleven-year-old me, who wanted to be writer of suspense fiction—when the older me believed I had to wait till “maturity” to begin writing for a living.

S. MAG.: Finish this sentence: If I had to stop writing tomorrow, I would______.

J.D.: Make films, sculpt, paint, compose music, knit, (none of which I have any talent for). My point being that there’s a creative urge inside me that has to get out.

It’s not easy catching up to Jeffery, with so many things on his plate and we would like to thank him for stopping long enough to talk with us. Learn more at www.jefferydeaver.com. ■

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 76 THE END IS NEAR… AGAIN! By CK Webb Since I’ve been alive, I can name at least five times that the world was going to end.Funny thing about that though… Yep! I’m still here. It is no big secret that human beings are easily swayed and can be convinced, with little effort, to follow in line like sheep. In this latest series, I will be exploring some of the major moments throughout history in which mankind was told the end is near. In my research, I came across an extensive list that gives details and dates for EVERY moment in history where we believed (or at least some of us did) the world would end. Over two hundred documented “end of the worlds” have taken place since 634 B.C. Some were scary, others hilarious, but for the most part, I have laughed hysterically. From the fall of the Roman Empire and ultimately the world, to Y2K and 2012, the world’s end date has been under scrutiny for years. In the next several months, we will tackle the really famous end-of-the-world moments, how they came about and what happened when the prophesy was not fulfilled. Join me and let’s take an in-depth look at: JIM JONES and the PEOPLE’S TEMPLE

Many of you have probably heard the expression, “Don’t drink the Kool-Aid,” but may not necessarily know where that expression came from. This story does not end well. James Warren Jones or ‘Jim’ as he was known by, was born May 13, 1931 and died November 18, 1978. Jim Jones was the founder and leader of the People’s Temple, best known for the cult murder/suicide in 1978 of 909 of its members in Jonestown, Guyana, and the murder of five individuals at a nearby airstrip. Over three hundred children were murdered at Jonestown, almost all of them by cyanide poisoning. Jones died from a gunshot wound to the head. It has often been reported that Jones died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, but new reports over the past couple of years contradict this belief. Truth of it is, Jim Jones was much too much of a coward to off himself, so he had another People’s Temple member do it for him. Of Irish and Welsh descent, Jim Jones was born in a rural area of Randolph County, Indiana. His parents were James and Lynette, who wholeheartedly believed she had given birth to the “Messiah.” Jones and his parents were forced to live in a rundown shack with no running water, and his humble beginnings would be the base for his ever-evolving beliefs. As a child, Jones read with great veracity, but soon began to study the writings and teachings of Joseph Stalin, Karl Marx, Mahatma Gandhi, and Adolf Hitler. In his childhood years, Jones also developed a deep love of religion: The only time he did not feel like an outcast was when he attended church. Neighbors and classmates later revealed that Jones was often described as “odd, weird & unusually creepy” for a kid. It is also documented that Jones often staged funerals for neighborhood pets. When there were no natural pet deaths, Jones stabbed a cat to death, and then planned and went through with its funeral! Jim Jones and a childhood friend both claimed that Jones’s alcoholic father was somehow associated with the Ku Klux Klan. It would later pit father against son and ultimately, cause Jones to take up another cause: racial discrimination! Jones was a bit of an outcast, and as such, he felt a special kinship with minorities, especially black minorities. That drove a rift between father and son and caused Jones to move to Richmond, Indiana. He graduated from Richmond High School early,

SuspenseMagazine.com 77 with honors in December 1948. In 1949, Jones married nurse Marceline Baldwin, and moved to Bloomington, Indiana. He attended Indiana University, where a speech he heard by Eleanor Roosevelt on the plight of African-Americans solidified his desire to help others and make the world a better place with equality for all. In 1951, Jones moved to Indianapolis. While there, Jones attended night school at Butler University and earned a degree in secondary education in 1961. In 1960, Indianapolis Mayor Charles Boswell, appointed Jones director of the Human Rights Commission. Jones took his job seriously and often used it as a platform for integration and desegregation. Jones was public with his beliefs to the point where those in positions of authority asked Jones to keep a low profile and stop feeding the media frenzy that was swirling around race relations in this country at that time. Jones became a staunch supporter of the NAACP and was looked up to by whites and blacks alike. It was during these years that Jones also worked and succeeded in integrating churches, restaurants, the telephone company, the police department, a movie theater, an amusement park, and the Methodist Hospital. In another instance, Jones discovered swastikas painted on the homes of two of his African-American neighbors. Jones was, to put it mildly, upset, but also determined to help make race relations better. Jones canvassed the neighborhood, reassuring each and every African-American that they were wanted in this community. Jim Jones spoke with all of his Caucasian neighbors as well in an effort to prevent more tensions and to keep them from all leaving the area. This practice had become known as “white flight” and Jones believed that, black or white, everyone deserved the opportunity to live and worship as they saw fit, and everyone deserved to feel safe and happy in their own homes. Jim Jones took it much further than that with the implementation of his “undercover” sting operations, that included catching restaurants that refused service to African-Americans. Jones would also write letters to American Nazi leaders and leak their answers to the press! In 1961, Jones collapsed and was taken to the hospital. The hospital accidentally put Jones in the Negro ward. What would follow would go down in history. When asked to switch beds and take a white man’s bed, Jones refused and soon began to make the beds and empty the bedpans of the African-American patients. There were huge political implications, so when local business owners and private citizens began to call out those of authority within the hospital, urging them to integrate the wards, the hospital had no choice but to “officially” reopen the hospital as a completely integrated medical facility. It was during the following years that Jones dedicated himself to the plight of those who were deemed minorities. For all intents and purposes, Jones seemed to be on the right track to make a huge impact on not only the United States but also the world. His views on equality were often called “cutting edge” and he was often viewed as a man of the people, until… In 1961, Jones and his family moved to Brazil in an effort to help those less fortunate and poverty-stricken, but he harbored terrible guilt for having left the desegregation movement behind and, in his eyes, possibly causing the movement to stall. When Jones was told by People’s Temple pastors via phone that the temple was crumbling without him, he packed up his family and returned to the States. Upon his return and after sitting in on one too many nuclear war speeches, the Jim Jones of old was long gone and had been replaced with a radical thinking, unstable man with terrible co-dependent personality traits. Jim Jones returned with information for his parish: “The World Would Soon Come To An End.” Upon his return in 1965, Jones told his congregation that the world would be engulfed in a nuclear war on July 15, 1967. He believed that this nuclear attack would leave the country in shambles and create a new socialist Eden on earth. The only way for them to be safe, according to Jim, was to relocate to California, so they did. Within five years of moving to California, the church itself saw a boom in its number of followers and because of this, they opened new branches of The People’s Temple in other cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. As the years slipped by, so did what little bit of sanity Jim Jones had left. Controversy after controversy swirled around the People’s Temple AND Jim Jones. As Jones’s rants became more and more unstable, some members chose to flee or defect from the congregation. It would be these defections that would ultimately lead to the largest incident of mass suicide recorded in human history. As more and more people left the church and returned home, some began to speak out against Jim Jones and The People’s Temple and the media quickly heard their cries. In the autumn of 1977, Tim Stoen and other Temple defectors with relatives still in Jonestown formed a “Concerned Relatives” group to attempt to raise awareness and hopefully, convince Jim Jones to disband and allow the remaining members to return home to the United States without fear of retaliation. Soon a congressman from California heard the cries and began to investigate and raise questions of his own. In November 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan led a group of fact-seekers to Jonestown, in an effort to gauge just how bad the cult-like

Suspense Magazine March 2014 / Vol. 055 78 effects of the People’s Temple were and to investigate allegations of human rights violations. The group included not only Congressman Ryan but also relatives of those living in the Temple, an NBC camera crew, and various reporters from different magazines and newspapers around the U.S. The group arrived in Georgetown on November 15. Two days later, the entire group flew to Port Kaituma, then taken to the Jonestown compound via dump truck. The group toured the compound while camera crews filmed. Jones was visibly put off by this, as can be seen on the original footage. It was then that things took a turn for the worse. Though the majority of the followers showed hostility and indifference toward the visitors, there were many who stepped forward and begged to be taken out and away from the Temple. This did not sit well with Jones, but in an effort to placate the visitors, he said that anyone who wanted to leave would be allowed to do so without interference. Conflict and strife within the camp led to Don Sly, a prominent member of the People’s Temple, pulling a knife and attacking Congressman Ryan, all the while being filmed. The group quickly gathered and immediately left the compound that afternoon. With them were fifteen people who no longer wished to be associated with the People’s Temple or Jones. As Ryan and his group began to board their plane on the strip, Jones’s Red Brigade of armed guards arrived in a pickup truck and opened fire on the plane and the group boarding it. Ryan, along with four others boarding the plane, had been killed by gunfire. At the same time, Larry Layton, a Temple member left with the congressman’s group, suddenly drew a weapon and began firing into the group that was already onboard the Cessna as it prepared for takeoff. Five people lost their lives: Congressman Ryan, NBC reporter Don Harris, NBC cameraman Bob Brown, San Francisco Examiner photographer Greg Robinson, and Temple member Patricia Parks. Some were unscathed by the gunfire and managed to make it out alive. They were:

Future Congresswoman Jackie Speier Richard Dwyer, Deputy Chief of Mission U.S. Embassy at Georgetown Bob Flick, a producer for NBC News Steve Sung, an NBC sound engineer Tim Reiterman, a San Francisco Examiner reporter Ron Javers, a San Francisco Chronicle reporter Charles Krause, a Washington Post reporter

Also, several Temple members fleeing the compound made it out with their lives. Though the airstrip shooting was bad, it would pale in comparison with what the world would soon discover. Once authorities made it back to the encampment, a horrifying and utterly mind-boggling event had taken place… Deemed as the largest mass suicide in the history of modern man, Jonestown, which had once held so much promise and hope, became the final resting place of each and every member of The People’s Temple. After the airstrip shootings, Jones decided that the time had come to give their lives for their beliefs. After all, the world was coming to an end…right? According to Jones, yes! JONESTOWN MASS SUICIDE

Later that day, the world would see the devastating, heart breaking, and mind baffling final day of the members of the People’s Temple. Nine hundred and nine inhabitants of Jonestown were found dead, lying all around the compound. On that day, Jones directed other members to give cyanide-laced grape Flavor-Aid to the 303 children. All died. Some believe that all 909 members drank cyanide and just went to sleep. However, it has since been revealed that some members were made to kill themselves any way possible. Through autopsy files, news reports, video footage, as well as forty- five minutes of audio that was taped during the preparation of the mass suicides, it is clear that a large number of members died at the hands of other members. One woman made it out of Jonestown alive by hiding beneath her bed . So, there you have it: another end-of-the-worlder gets it wrong…in the worst way. Please, Please DON’T Drink the Kool-Aid, but if you must, make sure it didn’t come from Jonestown!! As always… Someone, Somewhere is ALWAYS getting away with murder! ■

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“Suspense Magazine nicely fills a long-vacant niche for readers of this popular genre. If you like a good old-fashioned who- dunit, grab a copy and get the latest scoop on all your favorite authors, current books, and upcoming projects.” ~Wendy Corsi Staub, New York Times Bestselling Author “Suspense Magazine is chock full of stunning artwork, intriguing fiction, and interviews It's a winner!” ~Tess Gerritsen, International Bestselling Author

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