Thursday, March 30, 2017

A Conversation with Suspense Novelist Philip Cioffari

Omnimystery News: Author Interview with Philip Cioffari

We are delighted to welcome author Philip Cioffari to Omnimystery News today.

Philip's new novel of suspense is The Bronx Kill (Livingston Press; March 2017 hardcover and trade paperback formats) and we recently had the chance to catch up with him to talk more about the book.

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Omnimystery News: Introduce us to the lead character of The Bronx Kill. What is it about him that appeals to you as the author?

Philip Cioffari
Photo provided courtesy of
Philip Cioffari

Philip Cioffari: The lead character in my novel is Danny Baker, a 24-year-old man who returns to his hometown, the Bronx, after a self-imposed exile of five years. The event that drove him away was an attempt by Danny and four of his friends to swim the East River. One of his friends drowns and another one’s body is never found. Those who survived agree never to speak about the incident again.

What appeals to me about Danny is that, five years later, he is still struggling to find himself; he is trying to understand the degree to which he is responsible for what went wrong that night. I appreciate his determination to find the truth in what happened that night, no matter how much that truth will hurt him and his friends. I appreciate the journey Danny takes, as all of us must, to find out who we really are, to take responsibility for our actions and the consequences of those actions. And lastly I admire the way he stands up to the NYPD detective who is now accusing him and his friends of murder in the drowning death of the detective’s younger brother.

OMN: Why did you choose to write this book as a stand-alone?

PC: I prefer the challenge of creating an entirely new world with new people each time I begin a book. I don’t like to feel I’m repeating myself in any way, although of course there is usually some overlapping of themes or motifs. When I create a character I like to feel I’ve done that character justice in the book that he or she appears. I like to think I’ve captured the essence of that character. Hence in fiction, as in real life, I’m ready to move on to meet new people and the challenge of capturing their essence on the page.

OMN: How would you categorize your books?

PC: My books have a strong element of suspense. That is very important to me, to create and sustain an enduring tension throughout the book. The Bronx Kill, I think, has that tension from the opening page. There is also a mystery at the center of it, and there is plenty of thriller-like action. So I might say The Bronx Kill is a suspenseful mystery thriller.

OMN: Summarize The Bronx Kill in a tweet.

PC: An obsessed detective seeks revenge upon three men for his brother’s drowning death.

OMN: When starting a new novel, which comes first: the storyline or the cast of characters?

PC: In this particular book, the characters came to me first. I saw these three men: one, bold and aggressive, an alpha male; one timid and shy; and one in between those extremes. I saw them as representatives of a male dynamic — how men relate to one another, and what draws certain men together as friends. What are the psychological underpinnings of those friendships? That was what I wanted to explore. I tried out several different story lines before I found the love triangle and the drowning incident which become the center that brings all the characters in conflict with one another.

OMN: Tell us a little more about your writing process.

PC: I don’t work from an outline. I may begin with a few notes. As the novel develops, I keep making more notes as the story and the characters become clearer to me. Essentially, I begin with an impulse. Something is driving me to start this particular story. As I write, I discover the full story, the fuller dimensions of it. I don’t want to sound too metaphysical about it, but it’s as if the story was already somewhere inside me, waiting for me to dig it out.

OMN: How much of your own personal or professional experience have you included in the book?

PC: Even though the incidents in the book are fictional, my aim as a writer is to make what happens sound real, as if it did in fact happen. So to that end I draw heavily on what I’ve seen and heard, the people I’ve met. As in a dream, my characters are composites of people I’ve known. And, of course, the setting is something I’ve experienced firsthand. The setting is real.

OMN: How important is the setting to the story?

PC: Setting, and its attendant mood and atmosphere, are extremely important to my work. I think place anchors a story, helps elucidate character, becomes — as many have said before me — a character in its own right. I try to depict it accurately. I write only about places I’ve been to, experienced firsthand. I grew up in the Bronx, so I knew the setting for this novel intimately. I may move the setting around a bit, bring elements of it closer or farther away to suit the story, but the essentials of place are as literal as I can make them. An important rule for me, though, is that capturing the feel of the place is as important as the literal physical details.

OMN: How did you come up with the title for the book?

PC: On the most literal level the title comes from a channel of water that runs between the Harlem River and the East River, what the Dutch named the Bronx kill. Of course, as soon as I came across that name, I knew it would become the title of a book of mine someday. It serves several levels of meaning in the book. Most obviously the drowning death, and whether or not it was a killing in the legal sense as the obsessed detective is trying to prove. The other levels I’ll leave for the reader to discover.

OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?

PC: As a child I read a lot of mysteries, including the Hardy Boys, the Green Hornet, the Shadow, and I read a lot of westerns. I liked adventure and excitement and the puzzle of the unknown — all qualities that I try to embrace in my own writing.

OMN: What's next for you?

PC: Not sure what’s next for me. But that’s what so exciting about the writing life. Waiting for, looking for, that next impulse which will lead to who knows what or where.

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Philip Cioffari is the author of five books of fiction. His short stories have appeared widely in both commercial and literary magazines, including Playboy, North American Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Northwest Review, Southern Humanities Review, etc. He is the writer/director of the Independent feature film, Love in the Age of DIon.

For more information about the author, please visit his website at PhilipCioffari.com.

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The Bronx Kill by Philip Cioffari

The Bronx Kill by Philip Cioffari

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Livingston Press

Amazon.com Print/Kindle Format(s)

On a hot August night, five teenage friends challenge each other to swim the East River from the Bronx to Queens. In the attempt, one boy drowns and the body of the only girl among them is never found. The three survivors take a vow never again to speak about the incident.

When they reunite five years later, they find themselves at the mercy of the drowned boy's brother, an NYPD detective, who holds them responsible for his brother's death and vows to bring them to justice by any means possible. Now, Danny, one of the three survivors, must fight not only to preserve his childhood friendships but to save himself and his friends from the detective's brand of vigilante justice.

The Bronx Kill by Philip Cioffari

Today's Selection of Free MystereBooks for Thursday, March 30, 2017

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature a selection of Free MystereBooks found on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 7:00 AM ET …

The Spider's Banquet by Julius Falconer

The Spider's Banquet by Julius Falconer

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Pneuma Springs Publishing

Price: FREE!

The Spider's Banquet by Julius Falconer, Amazon Kindle format

Cotton Candy Fluff Murder by Susan Gillard

Cotton Candy Fluff Murder by Susan Gillard

A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Guardian Publishing

Price: FREE!

Cotton Candy Fluff Murder by Susan Gillard, Amazon Kindle format

Elder Shepherd by Dominic Green

Elder Shepherd by Dominic Green

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Spatchcock

Price: FREE!

Elder Shepherd by Dominic Green, Amazon Kindle format

Reversion by Amy Rogers

Reversion by Amy Rogers

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: ScienceThrillers Media

Price: FREE!

Reversion by Amy Rogers, Amazon Kindle format

Nessus by Herb Scribner

Nessus by Herb Scribner

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Herb Scribner

Price: FREE!

Nessus by Herb Scribner, Amazon Kindle format

Bubblegum Blonde by Anna Snow

Bubblegum Blonde by Anna Snow

A Barb Jackson Mystery

Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing

Price: FREE!

Bubblegum Blonde by Anna Snow, Amazon Kindle format

Jeopardy in July by Barbara Venkataraman

Jeopardy in July by Barbara Venkataraman

A Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Barbara Venkataraman

Price: FREE!

Jeopardy in July by Barbara Venkataraman, Amazon Kindle format

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.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Today's Selection of New or Newly Released Indie MystereBooks

Omnimystery News is pleased to present a selection of newly published and recently released mystery, suspense and thriller titles — mostly from independent publishers — for Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

Pacific Reaper by Carmen Amato

Pacific Reaper by Carmen Amato

An Emilia Cruz Mystery (6th in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Carmen Amato

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: 99¢

Pacific Reaper by Carmen Amato

Happy Homicides 3: Summertime Crime by Various Authors

Happy Homicides 3: Summertime Crime by Various Authors

A Cozy Mystery Anthology

Published: 03/27/17 by Spot On Publishing

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $3.99

Happy Homicides 3: Summertime Crime by Various Authors

Death by Diamonds by Tony Berry

Death by Diamonds by Tony Berry

A Bromo Perkins Mystery (3rd in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Endeavour Press

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $3.99

Death by Diamonds by Tony Berry

The Twisted Tongues by John Burke

The Twisted Tongues by John Burke

A Novel of Suspense

Published: 03/27/17 by Endeavour Press

Edition(s): Print and eBook

eBook Price: $3.99

The Twisted Tongues by John Burke

Formula Murder by Ross Carley

Formula Murder by Ross Carley

A Wolf Ruger Mystery (2nd in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Ross Carley

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $2.99

Formula Murder by Ross Carley

The Nostradamus Equation by Christopher Cartwright

The Nostradamus Equation by Christopher Cartwright

A Sam Reilly Mystery (6th in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Ashton Publishing

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $2.99

The Nostradamus Equation by Christopher Cartwright

Savage Nights by W. D. Gagliani

Savage Nights by W. D. Gagliani

A Novel of Suspense

Published: 03/27/17 by Crossroad Press

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $3.99

Savage Nights by W. D. Gagliani

A Woof of Murder by Susie Gayle

A Woof of Murder by Susie Gayle

A Pet Shop Cozy Mystery (8th in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Summer Prescott Books

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: 99¢

A Woof of Murder by Susie Gayle

Front Line by Jessica James

Front Line by Jessica James

A Phantom Force Tactical Thriller (3rd in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Patriot Press

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $2.99

Front Line by Jessica James

Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

An Enchanted Events Mystery (1st in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Sweet Pea Productions

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: 99¢

Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

Murder in Stonehill Manor by Jane O'Brien

Murder in Stonehill Manor by Jane O'Brien

A Samantha Degan Mystery (1st in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Cozy Cat Press

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $2.99

Murder in Stonehill Manor by Jane O'Brien

Shame the Devil by Roger Ormerod

Shame the Devil by Roger Ormerod

A Richard and Amelia Patton Mystery (9th in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Endeavour Press

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $3.99

Shame the Devil by Roger Ormerod

A Murder of Crows by Ian Skewis

A Murder of Crows by Ian Skewis

A Novel of Suspense

Published: 03/27/17 by Unbound Digital

Edition(s): eBook only

eBook Price: $3.99

A Murder of Crows by Ian Skewis

Justifiable Homicide by Jeffrey Warren

Justifiable Homicide by Jeffrey Warren

A Novel of Suspense

Published: 03/27/17 by SpectrumNW

Edition(s): Print and eBook

eBook Price: $5.99

Justifiable Homicide by Jeffrey Warren

Spin and Die by Stella Whitelaw

Spin and Die by Stella Whitelaw

A Jordan Lacey Mystery (3rd in series)

Published: 03/27/17 by Endeavour Press

Edition(s): Print and eBook

eBook Price: $3.99

Spin and Die by Stella Whitelaw

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of 03/29/17 4:30 PM ET. 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.

Bum Luck by Paul Levine, New on the Mystery Bookshelf during March 2017

New on the Mystery Bookshelf during March 2017 …

Bum Luck by Paul Levine

Bum Luck by Paul Levine, A Jake Lassiter Legal Thriller

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Bum Luck by Paul Levine, Amazon Kindle format

Thirty seconds after the jury announced its verdict, I decided to kill my client.

The downward spiral begins when Jake's client, Miami Dolphins' running back Thunder Thurston, is cleared of murdering his wife. Jake didn't expect to win, didn't want to win, since he is sure his client is guilty. When Thurston walks free, Lassiter vows to seek his own kind of justice. Street justice. Vigilante justice.

Law partners Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord can't believe their friend has become so deeply, inexplicably obsessed with killing Thurston. Convinced Jake's unhinged behavior is due to concussive brain injuries suffered during his pro football career, they beg him to seek treatment. But as Lassiter's raging fixation on vengeance grows, Solomon and Lord wonder if they're too late to help. Is it game over for Jake's career … and his life?

Bum Luck by Paul Levine

To see more new paperback titles scheduled to be published this month, visit The Mystery Bookshelf for March 2017. For new hardcover titles, visit New Mysteries where for a list of March 2017 mysteries, novels of suspense, and thrillers is provided.

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