Today's featured new hardcover mystery, suspense, or thriller title scheduled to be published during January 2016 is …
Dearly Departed by Hy Conrad, an Amy Abel, Travel Mystery (3rd in series)
Publisher: Kensington
Paisley MacGregor, a maid to the rich, made a dying request to send all of her wealthy employers on a first-class wake to spread her ashes around the world. Amy has her suspicions about these "mourners," especially when one has a life-threatening "accident" at the first stop in Paris. And when a mysterious American stranger tagging along with the group has his ticket punched in the shadow of the Taj Mahal, Amy knows she may have a killer on her tour.
Who was this stranger, and what's the connection to someone in her group? Digging for clues while continuing on with the trip is a lot for Amy to manage, especially when another mourner has a possibly fatal encounter with a Hawaiian volcano. Back in the States, Fanny and Amy start to piece together a secret worth killing for, but someone is hot on their trail, and ready to send them on a one-way trip — to the morgue!
New on the Mystery Bookshelf during January 2016 …
A Stairway to the Sea by Jeff Newberry, A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: Pulpwood Press
Sheriff's deputy Justin Everson loves his home town, St. Vincent, a tiny mill town on the Florida Gulf Coast. He patrols the same streets he grew up on, driving past a landscape that at once familiar and mysterious, a place simultaneously modern and primeval. Gripped in the wake of a national recession, the town is quickly becoming a place that Justin doesn't even recognize.
But Everson is not well. Still mourning the death of his ex-wife and fighting insomnia, he lives in a fog, somewhere between reality and a dream. When former high school bully Donnie Ray Miles drowns after a night partying on the Apalachicola River, Everson suspects foul play. A good old boy who joined the Army in a fit of patriotism after 9/11, Miles came home from a truncated tour in Iraq, and no one seems to know why. Not the local gossips who say that Miles was drummed out for selling dope. Not his father, Big Don Miles. Not local troublemaker Jimmy Danley. And not the enigmatic Wayne Childress, a labor activist intent on unionizing the workers at a local fishery.
Even Sheriff Mack Weston puts Everson off the case, telling him that it's open and shut. The county investigator threatens his job when he begins to ask questions. But Justin is seeing visions of the dead man and wondering why no one wants to answer his questions. After a run-in with a former high school crush, he devotes himself to finding out the truth about Donnie Ray Miles' time in the Army and about what happened on the river the night he died. The truth will change forever the way he sees his hometown, a place he thought he knew.
As World War II sweeps the continent and England steels itself against German attack, Maggie Hope, former secretary to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, completes her training to become a spy for MI-5. Spirited, strong-willed, and possessing one of the sharpest minds in government for mathematics and code-breaking, she fully expects to be sent abroad to gather intelligence for the British front. Instead, to her great disappointment, she is dispatched to go undercover at Windsor Castle, where she will tutor the young Princess Elizabeth in math.
Yet castle life quickly proves more dangerous — and deadly — than Maggie ever expected. The upstairs-downstairs world at Windsor is thrown into disarray by a shocking murder, which draws Maggie into a vast conspiracy that places the entire royal family in peril. And as she races to save England from a most disturbing fate, Maggie realizes that a quick wit is her best defense, and that the smallest clues can unravel the biggest secrets, even within her own family.
— Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal
A complete list of today's featured titles can be found on the Discounted MystereBooks page on Omnimystery News.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
Omnimystery News is pleased to present a mystery, suspense, or thriller ebook that we recently found by sleuthing (as it were) through new or recently reissued titles from independent publishers during January 2016 and priced $4.99 or less …
Paradise has no protection from a hacker with a hidden agenda …
Special Agent Sophie Ang's emotions are battered by a child kidnapping case that goes badly wrong. In tracking the criminal ring, her rogue data analysis program D.A.V.I.D. identifies an anomaly that leads her into a cat-and-mouse game online with a deadly enemy whose motives are unclear.
The chase lures her through dark corridors of cyberspace into a confrontation with the violence from her past that sent her fleeing to the United States. She'll need every skill she's learned to defeat her worst nightmare — and the stakes couldn't be higher.
— Wired In by Toby Neal
Visit our New Indie MystereBooks page on Omnimystery News for a complete list of titles featured today.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
We are delighted to welcome author Simon Duke to Omnimystery News today.
Simon's new crime novel is The Perfectionist (January 2016 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had the chance to spend some time with him talking about his work.
— ♦ —
Omnimystery News: Introduce us to the lead characters of your crime novels. What is it about them that appeals to you as a writer?
Photo provided courtesy of Simon Duke
Simon Duke: I have a soft spot for loners. Kyle Hunt, the lead protagonist in my first novel, Out of Bounds (published in 2014), is an anxious man, someone who fights for his family's safeguard, someone who tries his best in risky situations. He's someone with inner demons and past angst. And he can only find his way out using his brain capacity and by persevering. I like the idea that my lead protagonists, be it Kyle or Gerry Stokes in The Perfectionist, have realistic behaviors. When threatened, these guys don't just pull out guns and shoot to kill. Instead we read their minds and connect with their emotions. Gerry Stokes is a seasoned business journalist working for the Chicago Tribune — a real hotshot with talent and flair, yet he's also human: he's a self-centered, obnoxious and arrogant guy with a soft spot for sex with prostitutes. But like Kyle, Gerry Stokes is a complex character. The morbidity and seriousness of the investigation will change him, and so will his relationship with the woman who puts him on the track in the first place, Sarah Howard. Gerry's shift in attitude enables him to open his eyes to what he needs to preserve from the evil surrounding him during his investigation to track down the killer. Gerry's evolution in the book is gradual and we grow to like his character. I also have a journalistic background and I've always dreamed of stumbling on a killer myself and pursuing him before submitting the proof of his guilt to the police. So in some ways, Gerry Stokes lives that dream for me.
OMN: Into which genre would you place your books?
SD: If I were to put a label on my writing, then I'd call it crime fiction. It's my favorite genre. Not only does it incorporate elements of the genres suspense, thriller, hard-boiled, procedural and the like, but it also enables me to write eye-catching stories while seamlessly blending in well-written prose (well, at least I like to think so!) Crime fiction offers a lot of scope for writers. Within the genre I can weave in all sorts of other styles such as romance, history, psychology, and even social commentary. Besides, crime fiction is a great place to put your ordinary Joe in extraordinary circumstances, in situations that people would never experience in ordinary life. This then gives me possibility of putting my characters through a lot of human emotions, and that makes the process even more interesting.
OMN: When did you begin writing?
SD: I started work on Out of Bounds in 2012 (N.B. Out of Bounds was published in 2014). Until then I'd only managed to write short stories, and my writing was infrequent, despite my mind over-spilling with ideas and scenari. One day, I had car trouble on my way to work. The mechanic quoted me a hefty amount of money to carry out the necessary repair work — an amount I wasn't willing to invest. I began commuting by train and rediscovered the joys of reading. By doing so I discovered crime fiction authors whom I'd never heard of before. Back then I was subject to binge reading. I'd read a novel or two per week, good ones and not so good ones. All this influenced me immensely. And at some point I asked myself, and why not me? This led me to writing the opening scene of Out of Bounds. Nine months later, I'd penned down the draft of my first novel.
OMN: Tell us a little more about your writing process.
SD: I have tons of story ideas, and I note them down as soon as they begin to gain in substance in my mind. If inspired, I will look into them deeper and weigh the possibility of taking some further and write them up. Basically, I start off with a story idea and write it down in a summary. Either the rest of the story comes to me straight away, or I begin writing a few scenes and things gradually fall into place. And then at some point I stand back and reflect on the full narrative. As soon as I have a solid enough backbone to a story, I flesh it out and divide the result into chapters. From there on, I write bit after bit, chapter after chapter. I set myself realistic goals (such as a certain amount of words to write per week/month) and above all do not hate myself if for some reason or another I do not meet my targets. There are times when the inspiration does come and I have to cash in to churn out more words than usual. Other times I realize the storyline is weak and needs beefing up, or I have a change in mind with regard to how events unfold. I then go back to the backbone and fit these new ideas in. The same applies to my characters. Some make the final cut, others aren't so lucky!
OMN: Where do you most often find yourself writing?
SD: I reckon you could say the way my writing environment looks is a preview of my personality. I like my desk to be tidy with ample room for typing away on the keyboard and for frantic mouse movements. I like to only have the essential things on the desk. I need my work station to be organized to avoid unnecessary distraction. That way I have a comfortable basis to start writing and my mind can wander off and do the rest. I guess I'm what you'd call a methodical writer. I like to isolate myself and write. But at other times I can work with surrounding noise. It can help boost creativity.
OMN: Do you listen to music while you write?
SD: As I get more comfortable with my writing I tend to put on a melody from time to time. It mustn't be too distracting though and make me want to dance on my chair instead of writing! So I opt most often for music without lyrics and make sure there is a constant flow coming through. Sometimes I like it soft and classical or jazzy, but when I need some more pace I listen to electro music too. I enjoy some movie soundtracks too. However before I reach that stage, I need silence. Silence is a prerequisite. I need it for my deepest thinking and concentration spans.
OMN: How do you go about researching the plot points of your stories?
SD: I enjoy researching prior and during my writing. Most often it is carried out using the Internet or by reading books and watching videos. For locations, I tend to favor the places I've already been to and that I'm more or less familiar with. However, there again, the Internet is a handy tool when it comes to researching details (street names, addresses, overall vibe of the area …) when lacking your own photographic support. The challenge whilst writing The Perfectionist was exploring the minds of serial killers and reading about some pretty gruesome and deterring details of what these people did, and still do. However, it was a very intense and exciting experience. I've always wanted to write about serial killers. They fascinate me. In fiction, serial killers are highly stylized and even real-life serial killers have become celebrity monsters through media coverage. Serial killer behavior seems inexplicable to us, so we feel a duty to try and understand what their motives are. The killer in The Perfectionist could be considered the ultimate serial killer. He seemingly chooses his victims at random across America; he has been at large for more than two decades; he has flown under the radar of the cops and the FBI by navigating through the loopholes of the federal law enforcement system; he respects a unique and horrific modus operandi and fine-tunes methods of execution to seek artistic perfection. In the world of law enforcement, there exists a scale on which to rate killers. My killer does not feature on the scale.
OMN: If we could send you anywhere in the world to research the setting for a book, where would it be?
SD: Out of Bounds is set in Charleston, SC, and in Florida. Events in The Perfectionist take place all across America. My third novel is based in the UK and in France — countries I am extremely familiar with (born in the former, currently living in the latter). However, I am tempted by writing about some faraway place or a more exotic location allowing me to explore new horizons/backgrounds for my stories. Having said that, there are so many places I have yet to discover. So to loosely answer your question, I'd be happy to write about a manhunt/murder mystery in the Alaskan wild as much as I'd be curious to visit a major city in an emerging nation and write about the mafia based there — kind of what Gregory David Roberts did in part in his novel, Shantaram.
OMN: What are some of your outside interests?
SD: This may sound like a cliché, but I do spend a lot of time thinking about my characters and projecting myself in them. I'm always trying to note down ideas and make progress on my writing research, which can come under many forms: books, movies, inspiring TV series, or simply everyday conversation and happenings. And every once in a while I meet inspirational people who somehow help me, by brainstorming along with me or, in their own subtle ways, by keeping my creative flame alive. I also enjoy travelling, being outdoors, and practicing sport whenever possible. It broadens my perspectives and helps me recharge the batteries. In recent times I've also become a projectionist at my local movie theater where I'm getting more and more involved in movie and theme choices as well as the running of the operation.
OMN: What is the best advice you've received as an author?
SD: I reckon I haven't been in the business of writing long enough to have accumulated many words of wisdom or takeaway catchphrases by opinion preachers. So far, the critics haven't been too harsh with me. The overall impression I had is that some additional editing may have been required to improve Out of Bounds and make the writing less clunky at bits. This criticism was acknowledged and taken on board for The Perfectionist. Those who have read it so far have told me that my achievement is greater and the writing flows better. It's more straight to the point and focused. A literary agent once told me that I write with flair. I'd argue that — no matter what the critics or your friends and family tell you — you mustn't be afraid to write, even if you think that what you're writing isn't of the highest quality. That's a normal feeling. I believe that it's the writing exercise that's important. Put as much as you can on paper. It's only afterwards that you do the sorting out. You have to believe in yourself and your capacity as a writer because if you don't, no-one else will. If you don't get published via the traditional route, then don't get discouraged; you can self-publish. Your will to succeed and your desire to share your stories with the outside is a powerful motivator. Simply put, never give up.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a crime novelist and thus I am also …".
SD: … what George Orwell would call a "thought-criminal". My mind is geared a little differently than your average man in the street; slightly quirky and sometimes brooding, but my heart's in the right place!
OMN: Have any specific authors or books influenced how and what you write today?
SD: My influences are multiple and varied. The literature influences are also quite numerous. However, if I had to come up with a shortlist of inspirational authors and books which helped me write The Perfectionist, I'd have to mention the works of Michael Connelly (e.g. The Poet), RJ Ellory (e.g. The Anniversary Man), Henning Mankell (The Kurt Wallander series), James Ellroy (e.g. Killer on the Road), Shane Stevens (By Reason of Insanity), as well as possibly Dennis Lehane, John Grisham, and even Paul Auster and Ernest Hemingway. Authors I read influence me in one way or another, and I'm always on the lookout for new favorite writers. I love discovering new talents, even if that means I can be sometimes disappointed by what I stumble upon.
OMN: You mentioned that you work in a local movie theater. What kinds of films do you enjoy watching?
SD: I'm a movie geek who's loved cinema since childhood. I even studied films in the UK when at university. I grew up watching many American film classics and loved the 80s films and music (some of it). I grew fond of the modern gangster and of the transition from film noir and epic to the more gritty and realistic portrayal of crime in more recent times. Some direct influences for The Perfectionist include Manhunter (Michael Mann, 1986), Thief (Michael Mann, 1981), Se7en (David Fincher, 1995), Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007), Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (John McNaughton, 1986), Natural Born Killers (Oliver Stone, 1994) … I have been told that my writing is rather visual. That's true because I like to picture scenes in my head as if I were maintaining a mental storyboard. Nursing an image in my mind is a means to more easily translate thoughts into words. On November 16th, I posted a video trailer for The Perfectionist, which I produced myself. I integrated some very eerie footage, still shots of the book cover, and I incorporated (courtesy of the Marmoset music agency) a track by Josh Garrels. I'm very proud of the result, and putting aside the promotional nature of the video it's real proof of my love for writing and the cinema, all merged into one. (You can watch the video, which is embedded, below.)
OMN: What's next for you?
SD: On the writing scene, I will continue to actively promote The Perfectionist and I've finished the first draft of my third novel which I intend to submit to agents and publishers in the not too distant future. I also plan to partake in upcoming short story competitions. In a nutshell, I'll keep at it. On the personal side, I'm a recently divorced man and I intend to remain happy and passionate. It's the dawn of a new chapter in my life and I'm ready to take on any new challenges that'll allow me to thrive.
— ♦ —
Simon Duke was born in Stoke-on-Trent (UK) in 1979. He obtained a B.A. in French with Film Studies in 2001 and has been working in journalism ever since. He currently lives in France.
Iowa, 1988. An unidentified severed head is found rotting in a corn field. Confronted with this gruesome discovery, Gerry Stokes — an arrogant and obnoxious newspaper reporter — agrees to cover up the affair. But the truth can't be concealed forever.
More than twenty years later, Stokes must finally atone for his errors as the past returns with a vengeance. Forced into an investigation to discover what happened all those years ago, he stumbles upon a sordid truth: the victim is one of many; people seemingly chosen at random across America by a serial killer at large for more than two decades; a killer with a unique and horrific modus operandi who's flown under the radar. Still at large the killer seeks to achieve artistic perfection in his methods of execution. He is "The Perfectionist".
While tracking the killer under the cloak of FBI suspicion, Stokes sets himself an ambitious target and potential path to fame: write a book that leads the police to the killer, a first in the history of publishing.
The stakes are high and the pressure is on. Stokes is in the race of his life to discover The Perfectionist's identity and publish his bestseller, while forced to bend the notion of what is ethically right.
LAPD cop Michael Gideon and his police dog partner Sirius became reluctant celebrities after capturing a notorious serial killer in the midst of an inferno. For their heroism, they were chosen to head up the newly formed Special Cases Unit. Now the duo tackles out-of-the-ordinary cases, anything deemed unusual or bizarre even by Hollyweird standards.
When a teenager is found crucified in a city park, Gideon and Sirius are handed the bizarre case. Confronting the gruesome tableau and having to work the case worsens Detective Gideon's PTSD, a condition he has tried to hide from others. Gideon's burns may have healed, but the fire haunts him still … in more ways than one.
Eerily prescient since that terrible night of the fire, Gideon has unusual insights into the crimes he investigates, a skill he and Sirius must learn to trust as much as they do each other if they are to solve — and survive — this case.
As the sole members of LAPD's Special Cases Unit, Detective Michael Gideon and his German shepherd partner Sirius work investigations considered bizarre even by Los Angeles's standards. Yet their latest case is more than strange — it might be out of this world.
Ronald "Wrong" Pauley is a homeless man long fallen from grace. When Pauley's late-night drinking is interrupted by a detonation of light, he sees what he describes as a "being of light" in the alley below. Pauley tries to help, but ends up as a witness to what he believes is the murder of a fallen angel.
Gideon and Sirius are already in the midst of trying to determine the identity of the so-called "Reluctant Hero" who seemed to magically appear just moments after shots began ringing out at an elementary school. Braving gunfire, the hero tackled the shooter, and then disappeared.
Both cases defy easy answers, but when Pauley turns up dead, the detectives are left with two murders to solve and lots of questions. Gideon and Sirius — along with help from a newfound friend — investigate that thin line between the real and surreal to make sense of these possible crimes.
Sam Hagen's eighteen years as a prosecutor haven't inured him to violence, even in Miami, where murder has become almost routine. Now a seventeen-year-old model named Ali D. claims she was gang-raped in the VIP room of a South Beach nightclub. Trouble is, two of the men she's accusing are Miami movers and shakers: Marquis Lamont, pro-footballer turned actor, and connected Italian businessman Klaus Ruffini, who owns a high-profile property in South Beach.
Under political pressure from the state's attorney, Hagen is expected to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. At home, his marriage is crumbling and he finds his moral certitude tested when he rekindles an affair with model-turned-photographer Caitlin Dorn. Now Hagen's about to make more enemies: He decides to pursue the rape investigation, which soon erupts in murder. Caught up in a maelstrom of violence and suspicion, this seasoned prosecutor must race to solve an out-of-control case.
What can go wrong on a run on in Central Park on your last day of vacation? Even if it is brutally cold? Everyone told Detective Kristen Conner to stay inside, which guaranteed she would go outside — and stumble onto a gang murder that puts her in the cross-hairs of a Russian "Red Mafyia" hit man.
Back in Chicago, murder strikes closer to home. Just down the street from where her mom lives, a popular schoolteacher, solid citizen, and great guy — he shovels snow for widows and volunteers to work with underprivileged kids — is found dead. It was supposed to look like an accident, but crime scene investigators discover more than one killing blow to the back of his head.
When Detective Kristen Conner lands the case, she knows from day one who the key suspect is. That's simple. The person most likely to kill you is someone close … someone you know and love. But his wife? The nice lady down the street. How could that be possible? Kristen is about to discover there is more violence beneath the surface of the working-class neighborhood she grew up than she ever dreamed possible.
She's also about to discover that when the Red Mafyia wants you dead, there is no place to hide. You better be ready to fight. Mix in her on-again, off-again relationship with FBI Agent Austin Reynolds, and Kristen Conner is once again swept into a world of danger, intrigue, and a confusing love life.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
Omnimystery News is pleased to feature a selection of Free MystereBooks found on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7:00 AM ET …
Dark Money by Larry D. Thompson
A Jack Bryant Thriller
Publisher: Story Merchant Books
Price: FREE!
Good Golly Miss Molly by Marg McAlister
A Georgie B. Goode, Gypsy Caravan Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Marg McAlister
Price: FREE!
The Deadly Legal Affair by K. M. Morgan
A Daisy McDare, Cozy Creek Mystery
Publisher: K. M. Morgan
Price: FREE!
Almost Dead by James J. Murray
A Murder Mystery
Publisher: Interaction Media Publishing
Price: FREE!
The Simulacrum by Brad D. Seggie and Linda W. Yezak
A Gunnar Schofield Mystery
Publisher: Nutera Solutions
Price: FREE!
Hollywood Shakedown by D. B. Rhys
An Allyson Legends Mystery
Publisher: D. B. Rhys
Price: FREE!
Rise of a Phoenix by P. S. Syron-Jones
A Crime Novel
Publisher: P. S. Syron-Jones
Price: FREE!
Reel to Real by Joyce Nance
The Video Store Murders
Publisher: Joyce Nance
Price: FREE!
The Trigger by L. J. Sellers
An Agent Dallas Thriller
Publisher: Spellbinder Press
Price: FREE!
Foreteller by Anne McAneny
A Novel of Suspense
Publisher: Farrington Press
Price: FREE!
Color Me Love by Tonya Kappes
An Olivia Davis Paranormal Mini-Mystery
Publisher: MagiCal Press
Price: FREE!
For a summary of all of today's titles, plus any that may have been added since this post was created, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
Omnimystery News is pleased to present you with one of today's titles … but take advantage of this deal now as the price will go up to its digital list price soon! (See the countdown clock on the book product page to see how much time remains on this deal.)
Bone of Contention by Bette Golden Lamb and J. J. Lamb
A Gina Mazzio Medical Thriller (4th in series)
Publisher: Two Black Sheep Productions
Price: 99¢ (as of 01/24/2016 at 8:00 PM ET).
After a particularly hair-raising travel assignment, Detective Nurse (AKA RN) Gina Mazzio is settling down to Ob/Gyn, one of the tamest jobs in her hospital, expecting babies, breast exams, and a total breeze, when suddenly she finds herself in an extremely unhealthy health care situation.
First a vibrant young woman suddenly dies of sepsis after an abortion. And two days later, it happens again. Murder, she thinks. In fact, murders. Definitely an inside job.
But no one else thinks so …
— Bone of Contention by Bette Golden Lamb and J. J. Lamb
A complete list of today's featured titles can be found on the Discounted MystereBooks page on Omnimystery News.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
Janet Maple and Dennis Walker are aces at catching the bad guys, but an assignment involving an international gangster and a sleazy politician just might have them in over their heads.
With the man of her dreams on her arm and a dream job at one of NYC's top private agencies, Janet's life is nearly perfect. It all changes when a high profile case falls into her lap, and Janet finds her competitive streak kicking in, taking risks she shouldn't be taking.
Dennis Walker loves catching the bad guys as much as he loves being in the limelight. Will he be able to share the laurels with his girlfriend who also happens to be his work partner? And will the bad guys get caught?
— Bad Guys Get Caught by Marie Astor
A complete list of today's featured titles can be found on the Discounted MystereBooks page on Omnimystery News.
Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.
