with Darlene Cox
We are delighted to welcome mystery author Darlene Cox to Omnimystery News today.
Darlene's second novel of suspense in her "Web of Deceit" trilogy is Diamond Cut Diamond (AuthorHouse; January 2014 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had the chance to talk with her about it.
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Omnimystery News: You've written several stand-alone novels, but we understand that Diamond Cut Diamond is the middle book of a trilogy. How did that come about?
Photo provided courtesy of
Darlene Cox
Darlene Cox: Generally my novels are stand-alones. When I begin, I intend to write a stand-alone novel. The stories are meant to be unique unto themselves. However, my second novel, Web of Deceit, has expanded and become a trilogy. I hope to publish the third and final book in the series in 2016. Currently I am writing my fifth stand-alone novel, The Last Exit.
OMN: Into what genre would you place your books?
DC: I call my novels armchair mysteries; easy to read sitting in a nice, comfortable armchair — or in bed if you prefer. They're not psychological thrillers, nor are they horror stories. I leave the blood and gore to other writers, while I concentrate on plot and character-driven stories.
OMN: Tell us something about Diamond Cut Diamond that isn't mentioned in the synopsis.
DC: Wow, this is a difficult request. Diamond Cut Diamond is the second novel of a trilogy that started with Web of Deceit, published in 2009. Both novels involve greed and betrayal, and of course, a couple dead bodies. The power of this follow-up novel is the depth of its characters. A new face is introduced, one that adds a new dimension to the term "devious." His clever tactics and humor minimize the serious task of taking care of the bad guys. But I don't want to give anything away.
OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience have you included in your books?
DC: I think each author manages either directly or indirectly to infuse a part of themselves into their writing. For myself, I tend to use personalities, situations, and opinions into my writing where appropriate. For instance in my first novel A Little Bit of Larceny I took the banks to task on their discriminatory lending practices; in Pearl, A Life Too Short — A Death Too Long I zeroed in on religious hypocrites.
OMN: Describe your writing process.
DC: I tend to let the story evolve as I write. Once I start with an idea, the characters seem to dictate the story. I don't do a lot of revision once I have a first draft, only a few little tweaks to improve sentences.
OMN: And where do you do most of your writing?
DC: I do my best writing at my cabin overlooking a lake; it is a beautiful serene atmosphere that encourages my muse.
OMN: How do you go about researching the plot points of your stories?
DC: My novels are products of living a long life, of reading hundreds of fascinating books, of enjoying the writing of special authors. My challenge is to write a story that meets the caliber of some of those authors. Of course there is some internet research involved but mostly for checking facts. I strive for credibility, for consistency of my plot lines and creating characters that capture the reader's interest and imagination. I truly enjoy a well-placed plot twist and springing the trap that sets up a surprise ending. I want my readers to smile when they read the last page, satisfied that they have read a good story.
OMN: Are your books set in real places?
DC: I might pattern a location from places I have read about or places I have lived. But, generally I don't spend a lot of time on "particulars," simply because the story is about the crime or the mystery and solving a puzzle not some flowery setting. I don't like to read long descriptions so I don't write them either. I can admire those writers who paint pictures through description, but I much prefer little description, a good plot, and lots of dialogue in my reading, and my writing.
OMN: If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, to research a setting for a book, where would it be?
DC: Probably London because of its rich history, and mystery.
OMN: What are some of your outside interests?
DC: I'm a bit of a history buff but I have no hobbies unless you want to consider crossword puzzles. I should include reading, of course, both fiction and nonfiction books on just about any subject, other than Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and the new Zombie craze.
OMN: What advice might you offer aspiring writers?
DC: My best advice would be "read, read, read." The more you read, the better writer you will be. Second best advice would be to "write, write, write." Personally, I follow my first best advice, but fall short on my second. I tend to be a "mood" writer; that is, I write when the mood strikes me. I might not touch my draft for two months, then one day I'll sit down at the computer and knock off 50 pages of text. Go figure. Each writer has his or her own particular (and/or peculiar) habits. Whatever suits you is where and when you will put out your best writing.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a mystery author and thus I am also …".
DC: Wow, that's another one of those tough ones. What am I? Well, I'm a bibliophile and a bookworm. I love books and I love to read. If I get stuck on a subject, I will read volumes before I burn out. For example, I am a WWII buff and can't get enough of reading about, mostly, the war in the Pacific. However, when I was younger, first, Roman history (I think because I love Latin, hence my love of words and their derivations), then I became enamored with the writing of Francis Parkinson Keyes, who wrote some fun novels about early Louisiana. I read a lot of Donald Westlake — the guy was a genius.
OMN: Have you ever used a pen name?
DC: I have never been tempted to use a pen name. I guess the advantages to using a pen name would be if you wrote stories with a lot of sex or a lot of violence in them that might offend some readers.
OMN: Tell us a little more about your books' titles and cover designs.
DC: Title and book design are as important to me as the guts of the novel. I am very particular about my covers. I am a frustrated artist and strive to come up with a design that would prompt me to pick up the book if I wasn't the author. Title usually comes to me before I even start a novel, then it carries through to the ending. The last line of my first novel, A Little Bit of Larceny, ended with the title, which I thought not only appropriate to the story, but also quite catching.
OMN: What kind of feedback have you received from your readers?
DC: I love reviews! Good or bad. While generally pleased with my writing, because I have had no formal training in the craft, I tend to be insecure. Reviews give me the affirmation I need to go on with my writing, and to improve with each new novel. I hope I am succeeding in this quest.
OMN: Would you like to see your books adapted for television or film?
DC: I doubt I would be interested in seeing my novels on film. Not so much because they don't usually carry a social or political message or have a lot of depth, but because, in many cases, I don't particularly like the way film depicts novels. Gone With the Wind might be an exception, but mostly, films ruin a good story. That is just my opinion.
OMN: Are there any book-to-film adaptations that you enjoy watching?
DC: Two, both of which I watch at least once a year: The Hunt for Red October and The Shawshank Redemption.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young? And what do you read now for pleasure?
DC: As a child, my favorite books were "The Little House on the Prairie" series. As a teenager, I tended to go to the romance genre. Now that I'm older, I read mostly mysteries and non-fiction. Good spy novels, mysteries with a twist, just about any non-fiction, but generally events surrounding world wars. Favorite authors: David Halberstam (non-fiction), Elizabeth George (mysteries), Martha Grimes (detective fiction), Maeve Binchey (love, romance novels).
OMN: Do you have any favorite series characters?
DC: I dearly love Jack Reacher of the Lee Child novels; Inspector Jury of the Martha Grimes novels, and Richard Stark of the Westlake novels.
OMN: What is next for you?
DC: When I am finished with the present novel I'm working on — The Last Exit — I plan to finish the third novel of the Web of Deceit trilogy. This should take me though 2016, then who knows where I'm heading. Hmmm? 'Tis a mystery …
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Darlene Cox was raised in the small town of Walla Walla, Washington. Today she makes her home is Seattle. Darlene is an avid reader; she loves words, interesting phrasing, and unpredictable endings. She started writing novels after retiring from a long career in the legal field.
Darlene's love for good prose comes not only from the thousands of excellent books she has read over the years, but also from the high standards set by the numerous talented attorneys with whom she has worked. Their precise use of the English language gained her respect and nurtured her passion for good writing. She hopes she has succeeded in learning the lessons taught by their example.
Darlene's reading is eclectic and varied; favorite authors are Elizabeth George, Martha Grimes, John Grisham, David Baldacci — to name just a few, and not necessarily in that order.
For more information about the author and her work, please visit her website at DarleneCox.com.
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Diamond Cut Diamond
Darlene Cox
A Web of Deceit Novel
When Peter Brock, a senior partner of the law firm Morrison & Brock, was discovered slumped over his desk, his mysterious death would prompt questions. Why would this successful young attorney take his own life — if that were truly the case, as suspected? Peter's partner, Jack Morrison, knows why. But, what he really wants to know is where are the millions of dollars his partner purportedly embezzled from James Campbell, a wealthy New York diamond dealer?
He believes that Bernie Baranski, Peter's Administrative Assistant, knows, and he is determined to get the information out of her through any means — while Bernie is just as determined that he not succeed.
Who will prevail when these two determined and devious adversaries engage in a classic strategy of diamond cut diamond? Hmm … 'tis a mystery.
