• About
  • Book Recommendations
  • Sebastian
  • The Black Eagle Inn
  • The Luck of The Weissensteiners

writerchristophfischer

~ Books, Reviews and bookish thoughts

writerchristophfischer

Tag Archives: thriller

Guest Post: Lucinda E Clarke

17 Thursday Sep 2020

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

promotion, psychological thriller, thriller

Today I have the pleasure and honour to host the very talented Lucinda E Clarke on my blog. I’m a big fan of her work and look forward to reading this new psychological thriller series of her. Books 1 & 2 are on sale @ $/£0.99 for a week beginning 12th September.
Now over to Lucinda and her experience as freelance writer

When you earn a living as a freelance writer you meet all kinds of people. You also get to visit all kinds of interesting places. I’ve been inside a power station, numerous factories, radio and TV studios, in helicopters, tunnels under the sea, behind the scenes at Ocean World, honestly the list is endless.

Each time you’re commissioned you have a subject specialist who may or may not be the main client. Either way, it’s a new boss.

I worked with some wonderful people and I also encountered what I described as ‘the clients from hell’. These were the frustrated Steven Spielbergs who just knew they could write better and who kept changing both their minds and the facts and figures each time I submitted another draft.

When I retired to Spain and began to write novels, I left all that behind.

Or did I?

The short answer is NO.

My new boss is totally unreasonable and utterly impossible.

For example, if I decide to spend an hour reading, she nags me. ‘Have you replied to that email?’ ‘Are you up to date with your FB posts?’ ‘You said you were going to write at least 1,000 words a day, yet you sloped off to do the ironing. What was that all about?’ ‘Have you booked that promo?’ ‘It’s over 10 minutes since you checked your sales!’

As if that wasn’t enough, she directs all my work. ‘We won’t have any more Amie books for the moment, change genres to psychological thrillers. They are popular right now. And, you must publish at least 2 of those a year, so get writing. The first A Year in the Life of.. series was published last August, so the second should be out during lockdown to catch all those Netflixed out, bored, stuck at home people desperate to ready anything. Then to capitalise on that, book 3 must be out in September and tell everyone book 4 will launch in January.’

“You are joking, aren’t you?”

‘Nonsense. Stop being so lazy.’

“But I have all the marketing and promos and a husband to amuse and friends to talk to and…”

‘I’m not listening. You’re always finding excuses.’

“It’s not easy now with WordPress and FB changing all their settings and layout. I can’t find my way around anymore, and, I’m supposed to be retired.”

‘Yes, I’ve heard all that before. And, what happens when you don’t write?’

“I get twitchy, and a bit shaky and I can’t settle.”

‘Exactly, so sit down and write that guest post for Christoph and stop arguing.’

“Yes Lucinda, stop nagging. You are such a bully.”

A Year in the Life… series follows the Brand family through terrifying trials and tribulations. Leah lost her leg, her husband and two babies in a car accident. She remarries, but then strange and frightening things happen in her home. Someone is out to convince her she’s mad, but who would do that and what would they hope to gain?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WHJKGXF

In A Year in the Life of Andrea Coe Leah’s best friend helps her back on her feet and is there for her every step of the way. But does Andrea have another agenda? Who is she working with? Who committed the murder and why? From England to Australia and back Leah needs to discover who is telling the truth and who is lying.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WHJKGXF

A Year in the Life of Deidre Flynn sees the Brands in France, but the threats and incidents have continued. Once again Leah has no idea who the enemy is or what they might want. As each attack gets more vicious than the last, neither Leah nor Deidre know which way to turn. Then Leah’s stepdaughter Belinda goes missing.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GZNCVWL

Books 1 & 2 are on sale @ $/£0.99 for a week beginning 12th September.

Well hopefully that will shut the boss up for a while and it only remains to thank Christoph for having me as a guest on his blog.

Of course, I dare not relax as I’ve not written the 1K words today and I have a review to write. Never enough hours in the day and unless ‘she’ allows me some time off I’ll not be able to reach my laptop through the accumulated dust and dirt.

Don’t be fooled by retirement, it’s a myth. The sad part is that I didn’t want to retire. I was having way too much fun writing and traveling on location and making movies. I was a boss in those days and the team work was such fun. I’m not sure what turned Lucinda into this virago who is now working me to death, I had more time off in my old life.

“The Gamblers” #Giveaway – The Catastrophe of Sudden Wealth and Review of The Gamblers

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Anna Cleleste Burke, Giveaway, Jessica Huntington, lottery, money, thriller, wealth, writer Christoph Fischer

The Catastrophe of Sudden Wealth & Review of The Gamblers
 The Gamblers by Christoph Fischer
The talented Anna Celeste Burke has been very generous this week and included my book THE GAMBLERS in a generous GIVEAWAY:
Anna is giving away a kindle copy along with a copy of the first book in her lovely Jessica Huntington series, A DEAD HUSBAND, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. The Gamblers Giveaway runs March 24-April 15on Rafflecopter. To enter follow the link:  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cb93d3c210/?
Before her review of The Gamblers she dedicated this blog post about the topic of my thriller: The Catastrophe of Sudden Wealth.
Originally posted at http://www.desertcitiesmystery.com/#!The-Catastrophe-of-Sudden-Wealth-Review-of-The-Gamblers/c1g4i/56f2b81e0cf213d90db3ecdc
by Anna Celeste Burke, author of the Jessica Huntington mystery series
Thanks Anna for so much kindness and thoughtfulness!  

 

Money, Money, Money…a catastrophe? 

For those of us not born with black AMEX cards in hand, like my sleuth, Jessica Huntington, it may be hard to imagine what it means to be rich. That doesn’t keep us from trying. The fantasy that all our troubles will vanish if only a long, lost aunt or uncle leaves us a million bucks is commonplace. The size of Powerball and other lottery payouts around the country is a testament to the pervasive hope of winning big! Heck with the idea of waiting for that big gift from a distant relative—buy a lottery ticket or two or three instead. Never mind that lots of people have to buy lots of tickets to create enormous jackpots, making it harder for any single ticket holder to win. Despite the yearning to be rich, it turns out that wealth can be a burden. Sudden wealth has sometimes been described as “catastrophic” and for good reason.

Having met a real-life heiress while I was in college, I soon learned that wealth is no panacea for life’s challenges. That’s apparent in my Desert Cities Mystery series, as my protagonist, a 30-somethng daughter of privilege finds her well-planned life in the toilet.  As she hurtles toward mid-life and a full-blown existential crisis, she has to come to grips with the fact that money can’t buy happiness, despite her overdependence on retail therapy. Nor can it save your neck when face-to-face with ruthless bad guys willing to do just about anything to make money.

My friend in college was beset by worries that she was unworthy of the money that made her life comfortable. At times, she feared the resentment directed toward her by those less fortunate. Her solution was secrecy. That might work well enough with acquaintances and casual friendships, but could be an impediment when it comes to finding love rooted in openness and intimacy, not secrecy. Could she ever be sure she was loved for who she was as a person and not because of her fortune, even if the love of her life was another member of the one percent? Ah, the woes of being a poor little rich girl! Still, her fears make sense given the open animosity often expressed about wealthy people. Ironic, given the widespread aspirations to become one of them!

My well-to-do friend had one advantage over many who find themselves suddenly wealthy. She understood money. At twelve, she began to attend family meetings where they discussed the ins and outs of the family business and managing their wealth. Money wasn’t something we spoke about as openly in my family, in part because we didn’t have much. Like most of us, I grew up without much knowledge about money, not even understanding the basics of budgeting, saving and investment.

Is it any wonder that in those fantasies about inheriting a million dollars from a distant relative, we’re unlikely to grasp what a windfall like that means? As Thomas J. Stanley and William Danko point out in their book, The Millionaire Next Door, a million dollars doesn’t go very far at all. If we don’t blow through it, preserve the principle and take only the interest earned by investing that nest egg at 4 or 5% a year—that’s 40 or 50 thousand dollars in income. We don’t dare quit our day job if we want to maintain a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. Want to buy a big house or drive a fancy car? That imaginary relative better drop 10 million on us instead of one!

Even ten million’s not always enough to avoid disaster. Going broke is one of the most common catastrophes associated with sudden wealth. “Instead of finding themselves in the lap of luxury, 70 percent of people who come into sudden money are broke within a few years,” according to Ilana Polyak of CNBC reporting findings from a study by the National Endowment for Financial Education. Easy come, easy go, some might say. I bet it doesn’t feel that way to those who go from rags to riches to rags in the whirlwind created by a windfall. That’s true not just for lottery winners, but for celebrities and athletes who win big for a few years, live beyond their means, and fall into a hole once they’re no longer a hot item in Hollywood or healthy enough to play in the big leagues.

Even before they go broke, many who win big come to regard their winnings as a “curse.” Sudden wealth changes everything. No one escapes those worries my heiress friend had about her wealth just because they win it, or earn it, for that matter. Apparently, the suddenly wealthy all too often find themselves awash in solicitations from the suddenly desperate. Friends and family members, charities and pitch artists all rush in looking to score a bonanza from an off-kilter, newly-minted millionaire. Imagine finding yourself recast in the role of the rich relative now inhabiting your family members’ fantasies of being rescued by money?

Jack Whittaker isn’t the only lottery winner to say “I wish I’d torn that ticket up,” or something like that, once the honeymoon ended following the arrival of sudden wealth. In his case, he was robbed, sued, and lost his granddaughter to a drug overdose. Lottery winners frequently become estranged from family and friends, and incur a greater incidence of depression, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce, and suicide than the average American. Not all that surprising since sudden wealth introduces new pressures and increases access to a host of temptations made more affordable by all that money.

The Gamblers by Christoph Fischer

If you’d like to read a well-crafted, award-winning fictional account of what it’s like to become suddenly wealthy, Christoph Fischer’s novel, The Gamblersdoes just that. The book provides a glimpse into the world of one lottery winner, a reclusive accountant, Ben Andrews. Rather obsessive, he’s fascinated with numbers, and not just in his profession. Ben is a gambler—believing his love of numbers can help him beat the odds. When a lottery ticket pays off big, almost overnight he’s a millionaire many times over. He keeps news of his winnings to himself, and unlike most of the suddenly rich, doesn’t go on a spending spree. At least not until he’s befriended by Mirco. A worldly-wise Russian gambler, Mirco has a taste for flashy suits, sexy women, and hot cars, and possesses a murky background. Soon after, Ben falls for a lovely woman, Wendy, a flight attendant he meets on an overseas jaunt.

Let the games begin as Ben’s windfall sucks him into a head-spinning, life-changing world of jet-setters willing to indulge themselves in all the things that money can buy—good and bad. What does all this mean for Ben Andrews? Will all that money change him? Can he trust Mirco or Wendy? I won’t say, but I will tell you that the story keeps you guessing until the very end.

What’s the moral of the story? To be honest, when it comes to money, it’s complicated. There is, in fact, some evidence that money increases happiness—to a point. More money seems to be associated with greater happiness [or less distress] for people until they report earning about $70-75,000. After that, the impact of earning even more increases happiness only slightly, or disappears altogether, depending on which study you read. In one study, researchers found that wealthy people spent more time worrying about money than those with less.

The happiness that money buys varies, too, depending on what you do with it. My flawed heroine, Jessica Huntington, loves playing fairy-godmother, wielding that black AMEX card of hers like a magic wand! As it turns out, investing in others can make you happier than splurging on yourself. Using your money to buy experiences also brings more happiness than buying stuff! Putting money in perspective helps too—learning enough about it to use it wisely, but not becoming overly preoccupied with it. After all, it’s the love of money, not money per se, that’s the root of all evil, according to that old proverb, right?

The Gamblers Giveaway

If you prefer mystery/thrillers with adult themes to the cozy mysteries I often feature on my blog, then I hope you’ll enter to win a copy of Christoph Fischer’s book, THE GAMBLERS. I’m giving away a kindle copy along with a copy of the first book in the Jessica Huntington series, A DEAD HUSBAND, and a $10 Amazon Gift Card. The Gamblers Giveaway runs March 24-April 15on Rafflecopter. To enter follow the link:  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cb93d3c210/?

 

Christoph Fischer has a selection of fine books if you’d like to read more by this author. A talented storyteller, history comes alive in his works of historical fiction that feature deeply personal accounts of individuals caught up in epic historical events. To find out more about him and his books visit one of his sites!

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Christoph-Fischer/e/B00CLO9VMQ

FACEBOOK:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

WEBSITE: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Want to read more about money and happiness

The Only 3 Things You Need to Know About Money and Happiness

http://time.com/money/3680465/happiness-and-money-study/

Can Money Buy Happiness?

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-money-buy-happiness/

Why so many lottery winners go broke

http://fortune.com/2016/01/15/powerball-lottery-winners/

Why Lottery Winners Crash after a Big Win

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpagliarini/2013/09/27/why-lottery-winners-crash-after-a-big-win/#77430c1d74ae

Sudden Wealth Can Leave You Broke

http://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/01/sudden-wealth-can-leave-you-broke.html

The Suddenly Wealthy Just as Quickly Broke:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/suddenly-wealthy-just-as-quickly-broke-be-careful-with-that-windfall/2014/10/02/a7a5b3d2-49a2-11e4-b72e-d60a9229cc10_story.html

Review: “On Lucky Shores” by Kerry J Donovan

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Colorado, Kerry Donovan, mystery, review, thriller

My Review of On Lucky Shores by Kerry J Donovan 

For me this book stands out because of the main character: Chet Walker, a travelling musician, who arrives in Lucky Shores, a sleepy, Colorado, small town that has its shares of secrets, history and under-currents. His narrative and perspective on the town as an outsider is humorous and easy to relate to; he is a very watchable man.
When he meets Joey and delivers a message from her father, things are not going as smoothly as he had planned. The chemistry between the two of them and their changing relationship is well done and provides a great interest as the rest of the complex story unfolds.
The mystery plot with its link to the past is quite unpredictable and certainly twisted enough for me to have felt entertained all the way through. There are great side characters to flesh out the book and the feel of a small town is also very authentic.
A hugely enjoyable read.

 

The Book Blurb:

In an action-packed tale of secrets and lies in small town America, Chet Walker is a man forced to make decisions that will affect his future and the life of the woman he loves.

Witness to a car crash and in receipt of a cryptic message from a dying man, traveling musician, Chet Walker, reaches the picturesque lakeside town of Lucky Shores. He faces hostility and suspicion from the locals and learns that the information he carries could unlock an eight-year-old mystery—it could also get him killed.
Josephine Dolan, owner of the Lucky Shores diner, wants to bury her past. When Walker arrives with a message from her father, she doesn’t want to hear it. She cuts him cold.
When his life is threatened, Chet Walker learns the truth behind the saying, “no good deed goes unpunished.”

And what Advance Review Copy readers say:

“…great humour throughout and the romance was handled really well … the plot resolution was fantastic…” Ashley Capes author of The Bone Mask Trilogy.
“…more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie whodunit, and more surprises than a box of Cracker Jacks. Lee Child will blanch with envy,” Deforest Day, author of A Cold Killing.
“…keeps you up at night, turning the page, wanting to know what happens next. A nice mix of scenery, relationships and action, with plenty of mysterious twists and turns, keeps the pace of the story moving.” Suzanne Pherigo, ARC reviewer.
“…action-packed adventure I greatly enjoyed … superb …” Sophie Bristow Harris, host of ‘Kindle Suggestions’

 

Buying links here:

Amazon.co.uk:

http://amzn.to/1KxxPmK

Amazon.com:

http://bit.ly/214uByg

Kerry is running a 99p promo for On Lucky Shores between 14th and 21st April 2016

ABOUT KERRY J. DONOVAN

7091189

Kerry was born in Dublin way back in the days before mobile phones and colour television. He spent most of his life in the UK, and now lives in Brittany with his long-suffering wife of thirty-seven years, no dogs, and no cats. He has three children and three grandchildren; all live in England. He has a degree in Human Biology, and a PhD in Respiratory Physiology. Kerry earns his living as a furniture designer/maker, a market research analyst, and a writer.

The DCI Jones Casebook series now has three editions and with more on the way, Kerry has an exciting psychological thriller, The Transition of Johnny Swift, which is a #1 Amazon Bestseller, and has just released the American action adventure tale, On Lucky Shores.

Feedback for my thriller “The Healer” #amreading

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

Christoph Fischer, The Healer, thriller

marketing4Here is the transcript from a reader’s group on the Internet where my thriller
THE HEALER was being discussed. I don’t think I’ve ever read something about any of my books that has hit me so hard. I don’t know if I should cry or smile over this amazing comment:

 

“I’m reading Christoph Fischer’s The Healer right now and it is really powerful. The writing itself is strong but the story – wow. It’s difficult for me to read given that I’m also going through chemotherapy and a host of other things and I’m finding moments where I need to just put it down and think.

I’m barely a third through and already know that this is going to be one of those books that I always remember and think back on. I want to go online to read his other reviews but I’m too afraid to, not wanting to see the reactions of other readers that are going through similar feelings of fear and desperation like myself because, well… it hurts.

Guys, I seriously cannot recommend this book enough … Once I’m finished with this book I’m going to be spamming it around my lame chronic illness groups like confetti.

My God, Christoph, whatever you went through that brought you to write this in a way that so completely speaks to the desperation I feel and the values that change… I just don’t have words. I’m so sorry.

…. 

Oh my god. There is a line in Christoph’s book where she lays back and accepts the pain, surrendering to it instead of fighting it, and just letting go- how it’s almost therapeutic to just let your disease wash over you and feel it for what it is for once. No denial, no pushing through. Just letting it loose and going along for the ride.

I’ve done exactly that. The first time was in hospital, and I’ve learned to do it since, kind of recognising when you need to put the barriers down for a minute.

Omg. I read that and started sobbing.

AND IM ON THE FREAKING CENTRAL LINE at rush hour!!! FML. People are starting. I’ve been offered tissue and this is a really big deal because you’re not allowed make eye contact on public transport.

Oh man. This book is going to be a freaking anthem in some of my groups. Yeesh.

thank-you-407397__180This has stopped me in my tracks yesterday. I hope the book isn’t causing any upset but I thank this woman from the bottom of my heart for her kind words, and thank you for listening!

The Healer


When advertising executive Erica Whittaker is diagnosed with terminal cancer, western medicine fails her. The only hope left for her to survive is controversial healer Arpan. Prayer-can-Heal-2She locates the man whose touch could heal her but finds he has retired from the limelight and refuses to treat her.  Erica, consumed by stage four pancreatic cancer, is desperate and desperate people are no longer logical nor are they willing to take no for an answer. Arpan has retired for good reasons, casting more than the shadow of a doubt over his abilities. So begins a journey that will challenge them both as the past threatens to catch up with him as much as with her.  Can he really heal her? Can she trust him with her life? And will they both achieve what they set out to do before running out of time?

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/thehealerthriller 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHealerNovelbyChristophFischer?ref=hl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23662030-the-healer

Book-likes: http://booklikes.com/the-healer-christoph-fischer/book,12975746

Rifflebooks: https://read.rifflebooks.com/books/388235


Christoph Fischer

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

“Gene Cards” by E.E. Giorgi: Review and author Interview

11 Sunday Jan 2015

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Reviews

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

author interview, E.E. Giorgi, gene cards, genetics, interview, medical, medical thriller, sciece fiction, thriller

GeneCards-award“Gene Cards” by E.E. Giorgi is a dystopian futuristic thriller with a great plot, excellent characters and suspense.
Told in chapters focusing on different characters the book instilled an immediate sense of closeness to the characters. First we meet Yulia Szymanski in an action packed opening sequence but she is not the heroine of the book per se. Next chapter, we meet her brother Julian, in a high security jail and with a rare genetic condition.
Only then do we meet Biothreat Agent Skyler Donohue, a particularly interesting character and the ultimate heroine of the book.
The futuristic setting impressed me particularly as genetic engineering is no longer an implausible ploy for a plot and Giorgi’s background as scientist clearly shows with competently written passages that lend the story credibility and power.
Our world as it might be is written with a solid basis in science and – unfortunately – reality. Giorgi plays with established and some new ideas, creative and original, and that brought some worrying and interesting thoughts to my mind.
A fascinating setting, a tight action packed plot, good drama and excellent female lead characters with bite, inner conflicts and great personal backgrounds make this a gripping and hugely enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

Interview with the author.
Tell us a little about yourself as writer and as person.

I was born in the U.K., grew up in Tuscany (Italy) and lived in 3 different European countries and 4 different American States before settling in Northern New Mexico. I trained as a mathematician, but I gradually shifted to biology—computationally biology, to be precise. What that means is that I get to spend most of the time in front of a computer instead of a wet lab. My training as a scientist influences my writing, too, because I have a compulsion to research everything. Science always plays a fundamental role in my plots, whether it’s a virus, a genetic condition, or a medical discovery.

Tell us about your writing history. When was the first time you decided to write and when was the first time you did?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid but back then I used to write short stories in Italian. I never finished a book until 2008. That’s the year when the story that had been brewing in my head for decades decided to come out. By then I had been living abroad for over 10 years and Italian was no longer my preferred language. So I wrote that book in English and then buried it in a drawer because it was (still is) the worst thing I ever wrote. I don’t regret writing it, though, because it taught me a lot. And somehow, once that story came out, it “uncorked” a tsunami of ideas. I’m still trying to catch up with all those ideas, in fact.

Tell us about your Gene Cards.  When did you have the first idea for it? And how did you decide on the characters, plots and title?

The title comes from the human genetic database called “Gene Cards.” Ever since I discovered the website I thought it would make a great book title. How that became my book, though, is a bit convoluted. I wrote the first scene in June 2011: our whole town had been evacuated because of a wildfire. It was scary. Writing the scene where Yulia downloads the last bits of data before her apartment complex is destroyed by the blaze was cathartic. I then set the scene aside because I was finishing Mosaics, and it wasn’t until one year later that I came back to those pages and turned them into a novel. The title Gene Cards seemed befitting when I decided that in this new world I was creating identities were based on DNA. The Gene Cards would be the equivalent of our current ID’s, i.e. passports and driver’s licenses.

When did you decide to write science fiction? Would you consider writing outside of the genre?

I love science, it’s what I do everyday for a living. Genetics in particular is my daily inspiration. It triggers so many ‘what if’ questions that it’s hard for me not to stop and come up with alternative stories and scenarios. As a consequence, science fiction ‘happened’ rather than just being a conscious decision. My books often intertwine with mystery and thriller, but I’m definitely open to other genres, too.

There is a science side to the story, a futuristic side and a family / personal side. Which one are you most comfortable with?

Definitely the science part. I always add a personal side to my characters to give them a third dimension, so to speak, though I risk having characters that don’t always resonate with readers. I don’t like flat characters or 100% heroes. Every person has some good and some bad deep inside.

Would you say there is a message in your books beyond the story? Do you find it is well received and picked up by the readers and reviewers?

My main message in Gene Cards is that our Earth is dying and I don’t think people are sticking together in a strong enough way that will allow us to save our planet. What I envision happening is what I describe in the book: the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer and cast away. I hope I’m wrong. I hope our children will still enjoy the planet the way we enjoyed it.

Did you have it all planned out before you write your stories or do the characters and story surprise you?

My characters always surprise me. 🙂

Which part are you most proud of?

The city of Liasis. My previous books are mysteries set in Los Angeles. For those books, I researched everything and only made up the plot. When I started writing Gene Cards I knew I wanted a book set in the future but soon realized I had to build a whole new world. It was daunting at first, but once I started getting some ideas I ran with them and ended up having a lot of fun. It’s not hard to imagine that our near future will be filled with advertisement everywhere (wait until we get it on toilet paper!) and zero privacy.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

Definitely the medical examiner, Dr. Erasmus Montoya. He’s eccentric, a bit of a weirdo, and I managed to describe him without ever using the word dwarf in the whole book.

What would your character(s) say about you?

That I do evil things to them. 🙂

What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favourite thing?

I love that I get immerse myself in other people’s life and stories, and that I get to imagine new worlds. I hate that I hardly have enough time to do it.

Did you have any say in your cover art? What do you think of it? Tell us about the artist. MosBookCover-small

The background image is absolutely fantastic and was created by Yvonne at www.diversepixel.com, she’s a fantastic artist. I added the model and the gun. I was lucky to find a model that looks exactly the way I imagined Skyler to be.

What is your writing environment like? Do you need silence or music to write?

I have a messy and cluttered desk. I jot notes on tiny pieces of paper that I invariably lose, and I have jazz playing on the stereo all the time.

Who are your favourite authors?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Lewis Carroll. I also love Raymond Chandler’s witty and melancholic prose, it’s one of my favourites in the noir genre.

Who are your favourite independent writers?

I got to meet so many over the past year, and I must say, what I love the most is how supportive we all are of one another. I love Jason Gurley, Samuel Peralta, Michael Bunker and Nick Cole (Nick is actually a hybrid writer) for their top-notch prose. I’ve truly enjoyed books by Anthony Melchiorri and Nick Smith, who write genetic/medical thrillers similar to mine. And I’m indebted to Autumn Kalquist, Chris Pourteau, and many others for the incredible support they’ve given me.

What is your life like outside of writing?

I sit in front of a computer all day and analyse genetic data. Together with my supervisor and colleagues, we are working on HIV vaccine design, so while my job can be tedious and frustrating, it does feel good to know that it’s for an important cause.

What makes you laugh?

Dark humour.

What (not who) would you like to take to a lonely island?

One hundred years of solitude.

Hot or cold?

Hot, possibly with a beach.

Salty or sweet?

Both. 🙂

What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?

Hmm, the oddest I guess would be the fact that I’m a bit unsociable and that I do too many things. The best I hope it’s that I’m a good friend.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

Alpha by Vangelis. Not for the whole book, but for the night views over the city.

How do you handle criticism of your work?  t

That’s a great question! I had a chance to build a thick skin when my first book, Chimeras, was on submission through my agent. At the time I had the naïve conception that publishers want to make the best possible stories, and when they suggest edits is to make the story better. After two years of “do X” and “do the opposite of X” I lost faith in the system. Books, plots, characters – they are all very much subjective. Yes, you can usually tell a good story from a bad one, but once you have a well developed plot, 3D characters, and a good premise, you are out there to get it all, from high praise to hard slamming. So, back to your question: criticism of the type, “You can’t do that,” or, “This doesn’t work,” without any reason appended I simply ignore. I know there will always be someone who will feel like that about something. In fact, any kind of emotion I am able to elicit, even if the emotion is negative, it’s actually high praise. It means I’ve struck a chord. On the other hand, the true and priceless criticism is the constructive kind, the kind that tells you, “Your character here is too weak because she’s acting like a 2-year-old when instead she should really stand up for herself.” You know, the kind of criticism that tells you exactly what is not working and why. Criticism like this is hard to find because while readers may or may not resonate with the story, most of them are unable to give you a reason.

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.

Weird: according to Wikipedia, it’s one of the places with the highest number of PhD’s per capita. Nice: in 2004 it was rated as the best place to live in America in terms of quality of life. Fact: it was the home of the Manhattan Project. I think now you can guess where I live. 🙂

What are you working on now? 

I’m finishing a book for the Apocalypse Weird world created by Nick Cole and Michael Bunker. I’ve also started a YA story that I would like to finish as soon as I’m done with this current project. And after that I want to work on a sequel for Gene Cards. I have some ideas but I haven’t had the time to put them into writing yet.

Is there anything you would like us to know about yourself and your books?

I thoroughly research everything in my books. That doesn’t mean I don’t make mistakes, but I do put a lot of thought into what I write. I hope it shows.

My blog: http://chimerasthebooks.blogspot.com/

My newsletter (get a free story when you sign up!): http://eepurl.com/SPCvT

Chimeras: http://smarturl.it/chimeras

Mosaics: http://smarturl.it/mosaics

Gene Cards: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NH8V8OE

And for those who don’t read books but love to stare at images, this is my photography portfolio: http://elenaedi.smugmug.com/

 

“Stranger at Sunset” by Eden Baylee

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Reviews

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

author Eden Baylee, ficiton, interview, review, thriller

“Stranger at Sunset” by Eden Baylee is a fantastic read. So much, that I read it twice. I first noticed Eden through her blog and didn’t realise for too long what a gifted writer she is. Her thriller is amazing (my review is below) and her adult fiction has literary quality. Today I am proudly presenting you with an interview with Eden.

Hi Eden, I must say, your bio is very impressive. Tell us about your transition from banking to writing?

Thanks so much for inviting me on your terrific blog, Christoph. It’s so cozy here. eden

The transition took twenty years and hasn’t been easy, but it’s been tremendously rewarding. I actually left my job after ten years to pursue a writing career the first time. I moved to NYC and immersed myself in the writing scene there. Unfortunately, not long after, I was diagnosed with cancer—bad timing! It forced me to move back to Canada for treatment. The process of getting my health back took about two years, and by then I was not financially sound.

I had to return to work and thought I’d only stay for a year or two before leaving again. Who knew it would take another ten years before I got up the nerve to do it?

All I can say is I was in a much better position to leave the second time. I would encourage writers to keep their day jobs unless they are able amass enough savings to last at least 3-5 years. I was never able to work a full-time job and write, so I had to make a choice.

What made you decide to be a writer? Have you always written?

Before I was ever a writer, I was and still am an avid reader.  Reading and writing have been passions of mine from when I was young, though I can’t say I ever thought I would become a writer professionally. I just never considered it a financially viable profession for me when I was in my twenties. At the time, I was concerned with material things.

That changed over the years of course. Life is not just about money and things. It’s about what makes me happy, and the combination of a life-threatening illness and not being happy in my job made me rethink my priorities.

Writing may not be bringing me riches monetarily (not yet anyway), but I’m much happier with where I am in life right now.

You started off with Erotica but even there you’ve written quite deep characters. I was surprised to find you turn to crime fiction instead of a literary theme. Tell us about the transition. Cover_small

I read my first book of erotic fiction when I was eleven, and it definitely affected my psyche. The novella was Story of O by Pauline Réage. I started with erotica because I enjoy reading well-written stories about love, romance, and sex as relevant to the story. The genre, however, works best as short novels, approximately 25K – 35K words. I’d written eight of them and compiled them into two anthologies. (Fall into Winter and Spring into Summer). After that, it was time to move on.

I’ve been a reader of many genres, and mystery/suspense novels have always interested me. I also needed a challenge. Writing Stranger at Sunset was challenging because it forced me to plot. There are intricate threads in my book that will be carried over to the next two books since it’s the first of a trilogy. With short stories, I rarely had to plot.

The transition to writing a full-length novel really tested me. It made me feel much more confident about my writing, more so than for the fact that I changed genres.

Who are your favourite crime authors?

I love the classical writers and I’ve read some excellent indie writers too. A short list of authors I enjoy are: Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler,  Elmore Leonard,  James Ellroy, Dennis Lehane, Patricia Highsmith.

For good indie mystery/thriller/crime writers, there are too many to mention, but you can find many of them interviewed on my blog. I tend to support the writers I enjoy reading as I want to see them succeed and continue to write.

I love your blog posts, especially the music ones. Tell my readers about them and about your connection to music. 

Thank you for your compliment, Christoph! I’m a fan of 60s and 70s rock, blues, and jazz, so music is something I enjoy very much. I also play harmonica and guitar, though neither proficiently.

As a child, I grew up with music based on the taste of older influencers. Cousins, aunts and uncles shared their record collections with me, and that’s the music that touches me the most, even today.

There is so much ‘bad’ music out there, so in blogging about what I enjoy, I am also re-discovering music I haven’t listened to in some time. Perhaps in the process, I’m sharing what I like with a new generation.

Music, as a universal language, unites people. By blogging about it, it’s another way for me to connect to others.

You’ve written great characters. Would you say you’re like any of them? Or, how do you create your characters?  Did you have any actors or people in mind when writing your characters?

In formulating a story, my main focus is on characterization. I believe that a story exists because the characters make it happen. Even though my book, Stranger at Sunset is a mystery/thriller and considered genre fiction, it doesn’t imply you can have a great plot at the expense of great characters. 

I enjoyed Dr. Kate Hampton, the protagonist of the book. I relate to her, which in itself is a little scary. Some readers have said she is not likeable. Others think she is terrific. It’s a strangely dichotomous reaction, but I can understand why. For me, she represents two sides of one person – the one you show to the world and the one you keep hidden.

I would say many of us keep parts of ourselves hidden, even to the people closest to us. That’s why I think her story is interesting, and why she will have two more books written about her.

As much as I love film, I don’t write a book with specific actors in mind. It’s less important for me who plays the characters. I prefer to think of film directors and how they would convey the overall plot. To that end, I love the filmmaking styles of David Fincher, the Coen Brothers, and Alfred Hitchcock.

What is your writing environment like?

Sitting for long periods of time to write is not a good idea, so I stand at my kitchen counter. Sometimes, I have ankle weights and exercise at the same time. When standing becomes tiring, I stop for a while and take a walk or do yoga or meditate. I like writing by natural light, so that dictates where I write most days.

Did you have any say in your cover art? What do you think of it? Tell us about the artist.

Yes, I use award-winning designer, JB Graphics from Toronto. (http://www.john-beadle.com/). He designs my covers, website, and any other artwork I need. I am involved in most aspects of the design, mainly because visual art interests me.

I also know the message I want to convey, and how a cover can set a mood for a book since it’s the first thing a potential buyer sees.

My requirements for a cover are that it should look professional across all platforms, with a unique design and the right proportion of image and fonts. 

How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?

As you know, Christoph, being a self-published author is never just about the writing. When we go this route, we expect to do it all, and if we can’t, then we hire professionals to help us.

Given that, each day is somewhat of a juggle to write, read, and promote.

There are many things that need to be done to spread the word of a book before and after it’s written. Selling books is a huge part of being a full-time writer. It’s what pays the bills and allows me to keep writing.

The highs come when I realize I’m living the life I want to live, moment by moment. It’s all about the writing.

The lows come on days when I don’t know if I’m coming or going, when I haven’t slept enough, and I’m “chasing” a story that’s just not happening. Doubt about my abilities as a writer creeps in. I’m not one to wallow, but at one or two in the morning, the mind can play tricks on my self-confidence.

As writing for me can be all-encompassing, I have to force myself to walk away from my laptop and decompress. It’s difficult but it’s necessary.

What is your advice to new writers? 

My main tip is to keep writing. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned by writing continuously. The fact that I cringe a little when reading some of my earlier works is a good thing. It means I’ve moved on from there. I feel the mark of any writer should be to improve with each book they write.

I’d also advise to hit a word count or daily goal you set for yourself. As a writer of fiction, I’m fully aware that my imagination is a function of my brain; the brain is a muscle. And like any muscle, it needs exercise daily or it will atrophy.

What makes you laugh?

Many things and sometimes everything! I love dry, witty English humour, but I also like silly slap-stick. I don’t need anything highbrow, as anything that hints at farting usually makes me giggle.

There’s nothing like having a great belly laugh, the type that doubles you over with tears streaming down your face because you just can’t stop. This usually only happens with a few close friends. I’m convinced they’ve discovered the way to kill me is by making me laugh until I can’t breathe!

What (not who) would you like to take to a lonely island?  

Haha! I suppose if I took someone it would no longer be lonely. I’ve answered this question before and my top 3 things are always the same: 

  1. Solar-powered laptop with an unlimited iTunes account and WiFi. This satisfies my need to read, write, and listen to music.
  2. Power tools to build a proper shelter.
  3. Lip balm because I loathe chapped lips.

Who would you like to invite for dinner? download

You, Christoph, of course! I think you would be an amazing dinner guest – fun, intelligent, and we can even speak in my poor German if you like! I make a wonderful schnitzel, just so you know.

Perfect. It’s a date…
What song would you pick to go with your book?

Actually, Stranger at Sunset has a soundtrack for sale on iTunes. Because of my love for music, I inserted songs into the storytelling, so I have a playlist of approximately thirteen songs that go with the book.

In one of my erotic novellas, “Seduced by the Blues,” the male lead is a blues guitarist, and there are numerous references to music in that book, including one of my all time favourite musicians, Van Morrison.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I hire a hitman … just kidding. (hehe)

I take criticism of my work as a valuable lesson to improve my writing. If someone reads my work and takes the time to write a review, or to tell me what they thought, then they are doing something very few do. They are making a concerted effort to express their opinions for why they liked or did not like a book.

As an author, you need to have a thick skin, and if you don’t, grow one fast. Our writing will not appeal to everyone. That is just not possible.

If you think the criticism is valid, then learn from it and move on.

If you think the criticism is bullshit, do the same.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, not just professional critics/reviewers. The worst thing is to let negativity paralyze you … so don’t allow this to happen. 

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.

Hmm… what an interesting question. Toronto, Canada is not known for ‘weird,’ but right now I will say the weather is weird. It’s snowing in mid November. I hate the cold, so I’m not looking forward to this winter. This weird pattern is probably the case for the weather worldwide.

Nice: All the festivals and events we have, along with numerous restaurants. There is never a shortage of things to do and places to eat.

Fact: Toronto is the center of Canada for business, art, and … condominiums. A friend who is a realtor said we have the most condos of any city in all of North America. She must be right because our skyline is littered with cranes and tall buildings. 

What are you working on now?

I’m writing my next novel called, A Fragile Truce, which is the book that follows Stranger at Sunset. I’m excited to see where the main character, Dr. Kate Hampton goes next. I hope my readers will be as well.

Thanks so much Christoph for the opportunity to share with your readers. You are an amazing advocate for indie writers, and I’m so happy we are connected.

Big hugs, eden  eden

Stranger at Sunset by Eden Baylee

Author Bio

Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to become a full-time writer. She incorporates many of her favorite things into her writing such as: travel; humor; music; poetry; art; and much more.

Stranger at Sunset is her first mystery novel, on the heels of several books of erotic anthologies and short stories. She writes in multiple genres.

An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often!

To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.

Author Links

Website | Blog | Amazon Author page US | Amazon Author page UK

Twitter @edenbaylee | Facebook | Goodreads | Youtube | Pinterest | Linkedin

* * *

My review of the book: Cover_small
A group of strangers and acquaintances spend a week together in a holiday resort in Jamaica after a tropical storm has recently devastated parts of it. One of those guests has given the resort a terrible write up in a travel magazine, another is an egotistic self-declared ‘alpha’ male, there are a few couples and house staff and then there is our heroine psychologist Kate.

The atmosphere is loaded with tension between the owner and the reviewer as well as between some of guests, there is plenty of sexual chemistry and the air is also full of secrets, plans and deceits. The focus of the narrative shifts to let us into the minds and thoughts of the well-chosen and perfectly fleshed out characters. They are all multi-dimensional and I ended up feeling for even the less likable ones because of the insights into their pasts or backgrounds. Kate as the trained psychologist is a great character who, with a razor sharp ability to dissect and analyse them, brings further dimensions to our perception and understanding of the cast.
The writing establishes and carries forward an excellent sense of expectation from page one, where a brief and ominous episode with binoculars already whets our curiosity. Atmospheric, stylish and confident Baylee feeds us the story day by day until some big events do take place. I do not wish to spoil the experience by hinting at what is going to happen, only that I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was genuinely surprised by the way everything developed.
I read some of Baylee’s erotic writing which has much more depth than the genre normally calls for and “Stranger at Sunset” is no exception. A psychological thriller of literary quality.

Stranger at Sunset (Book summary)

Vacation can be a killer.

Dr. Kate Hampton, a respected psychiatrist, gathers with a group of strangers at her favorite travel spot, Sunset Villa in Jamaica. Included in the mix are friends of the owners, a businessman with dubious credentials, and a couple who won the trip from a TV game show.

It is January 2013, following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The luxury resort is struggling, not from the storm, but due to a scathing review from caustic travel writer, Matthew Kane. The owners have invited him back with hopes he will pen a more favorable review to restore their reputation.

Even though she is haunted by her own demons, Kate feels compelled to help. She sets out to discover the motivation behind Kane’s vitriol. Used to getting what he wants, has the reviewer met his match in Kate? Or has she met hers?

Stranger at Sunset is a slow-burning mystery/thriller as seen through the eyes of different narrators, each with their own murky sense of justice. As Kate’s own psychological past begins to unravel, a mysterious stranger at Sunset may be the only one who can save her.

Available in e-book and print

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon worldwide http://authl.it/B00L7BVDFM

Apple | B&N | Smashwords | Kobo

Also available in Print | iTunes Soundtrack

51LvLtnSRPL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_

“The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club: Unleashed” by Duncan Whitehead

25 Saturday Oct 2014

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Reviews, Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

author, Duncan Whitehead, Gordonston, Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club, Humour, murder, review, Savannah, suspense, thriller, writer

51EvEZGANPL._AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-46,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_ “The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club: Unleashed” by Duncan Whitehead is a long awaited sequel and one that does not disappoint.

Once again we are served a cocktail of clever plotting, comic and suspenseful entertainment and colourful characters in an intriguing and original setting.
This time we start with a secret nightly burial, setting the tone for the secretive and murderous atmosphere in the outwardly peaceful neighbourhood of Gordonston, Savannah. Who does not have a secret, hidden agenda or a mysterious past in this novel?
A lot is going on in the neighbourhood these days, for example. Elliott is running for Major, Cindy expects her nephew returning from Africa and the gossip still focuses on missing people and romantic liaisons – so life is busy as usual.
The same can be said for a certain organisation that, for a fee, will resolve some of your problems for you, and which – lately – is getting a lot of business from the Gordonston neighbourhood. images
“Unleashed” is fantastic as a sequel. It brings back some of the familiar and successful formula of intrigue, suspense, great characters and the hugely entertaining dynamics of the dog walking club; yet it introduces new characters, new themes and then blends them with the old through some unexpected twists, connections and turns of events. The plotting is excellently done and surprised me many times throughout reading the book. I would have been happy with a simple formula repetition since I enjoyed the first book so much, but Whitehead has simply used it as a stepping stone for a much more evolved and complex novel, unleashing the full potential of old and new. Threads you thought were tied up are not, so always expect the unexpected. There are some great stereotypes and hilarious moments but don’t fear that it is all mindless entertainment. Some characters show depth and serious reflections, adding a more thoughtful note and class to the story. 
Sharp, witty and well written this should sweep awards and nominations as easily as its predecessor did. For fans of crime fiction with a humorous tone I couldn’t recommend this highly enough and this is saying something since I don’t often get excited over crime fiction. 
Six out of five stars.
download
Find the book on Amazon US and Amazon UK
and my previous posts on Duncan and Book One in the series and The Reluctant Jesus
Links:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16174821-the-gordonston-ladies-dog-walking-club

http://www.amazon.com/Gordonston-Ladies-Walking-Club-ebook/dp/B00AHHODH2/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1375203238&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gordonston-Ladies-Walking-Club-ebook/dp/B00AHHODH2/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1375203266&sr=1-1

http://www.thegordonstonladiesdogwalkingclub.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheGordonstonLadiesDogWalkingClub 
https://twitter.com/DuncanWhitehead
http://www.amazon.com/Duncan-Whitehead/e/B00AQIPK2O
DUNCAN WHITEHEAD
AUTHOR
THEGORDONSTONLADIESDOGWALKINGCLUB.COM
THE GORDONSTON LADIES DOG WALKING CLUB ON AMAZON  

THE GORDONSTON LADIES DOG WALKING CLUB ON FACEBOOK

FOLLOW ON TWITTER

download (1)

Duncan was born in England in 1967. After a successful career in the Royal Navy where he served in British Embassies throughout South America and saw service in the Gulf War he joined the world of super yachts as a Purser onboard some of the world’s largest private vessels, working for many high profile individuals, being fortunate enough to visit some of the world’s most luxurious and exotic places.

Eventually retiring to Savannah, Georgia, he began to partake of his greatest passion, writing. Initially writing short stories he finally put pen to paper and wrote THE GORDONSTON LADIES WALKING CLUB, inspired by the quirky characters and eeriness of his new environment. The book, a thriller, which boasts an assortment of characters and plot twists, is set in the leafy neighborhood where he lived.

His passion for comedy saw submissions to many online satire news sites and a stint performing as a stand- up comedian.

He is a former boxer, representing the Royal Navy and an English under 19 team as an amateur and is a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language as well as a former accomplished children’s soccer coach.

In 2011 Duncan returned to South America, spending six months in Brazil and a few months in Paraguay before travelling to the Middle-East and Europe before returning to the United States to settle in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and lists his hobbies and passions as cooking, the Israeli self defense art of Krav Maga and the pressure point martial art Dim- Mak.

Duncan has written over 2,000 spoof and comedy news articles, under various aliases, for an assortment of web sites both in the US and UK. images (1)

John Dolan: Everyone Burns

28 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by Christoph Fischer in Uncategorized

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

crime fiction, David Braddock, John Dolan, murder mystery, Samui, Thailand, thriller, writer

130720 EVERYONE BURNS REVISED EBOOK COVER

Everyone Burns

It is January 2005 and the charred remains of two Europeans have been discovered on the Thai island of Samui.

Local Police Chief Charoenkul, sidelined by his superiors, enlists the reluctant David Braddock, a burnt-out private detective, to assist in an ‘unofficial’ investigation.

But Braddock has problems of his own, including an affair with the same Police Chief’s wife …

Peppered with irreverent humour and some pithy comments on everyday life in the Land of Smiles, ‘Everyone Burns’ is much more than a crime novel. It is also a carefully-crafted psychological study of an anti-hero for our time

My review:

“Everyone Burns” by John Dolan was recommended to me by several friends.
The story is about a British Private Investigator and counsellor David Braddock who lives in Thailand to make his money stretch further. Braddock is a very interesting, washed out and overall really great character whom to follow is hugely entertaining. Although he has marital problems and a lot of depth there is a dubious and not so serious side to him.
Braddock gets asked by the police to assist in the investigation of a series of murders. At the same time he is being sent anonymous notes, suggesting blackmail, pointing at his affair with the wife of a colleague.
I can picture a film made from this book and I would ideally cast a Humphrey Bogard in B&W in it but fans of the genre will probably have better suggestions.
What I liked most about the book is Dolan’s writing. He is clever, perceptive and very witty. Each chapter has literary or philosophical quotations as headings and they are apt to the chapters as they bear witness to a very well read and educated writer, almost “wasted” in a crime story. I am certain that I missed lots of great references and in-jokes that pay tribute to Sherlock Holmes and other famous crime fiction but I really enjoyed the book even without catching all of them.
This book should do very well.

JD_DSC_0475

Interview with John:

Hi John, thanks for joining us today. Tell us a little something about yourself as both a person and an author.
What made you decide to be a writer? Have you always written?

Thanks, Christoph, it’s good to be here. I enjoy being in the virtual world. It means I can have the odd day without shaving and nobody complains.

I have been writing stuff ever since I was an angst-ridden teenager with spots and bad hair. In the early days it was poetry and songs. Fortunately most of those early efforts have been lost to the world during all my house-moves. I expect today I would find them cringe-worthy.
I don’t remember making a conscious decision to become a writer. I just started writing. I suppose I have something of a restless spirit and I like trying new things. Probably something in my subconscious told me to try a novel and see if I was as appalling at writing books as I was at poetry and music.

I know from your bio that you spend a lot of your time in Thailand, where your book is set. What made you decide to write what I would describe as somewhat comic crime fiction set there? Many ex-pats prefer to write about the home they are missing.

From the beginning of July, my home is now on Koh Samui. Having spent the previous fourteen months in Dubai working in the power business, I have now joined my long-suffering wife Fiona on the island. She was lumbered with supervising the building of our house while I was enjoying the high life in the U.A.E.
I’m glad you found ‘Everyone Burns’ to be funny – although the humour is somewhat dark, and likely to become darker as the series progresses. As for it being ‘crime fiction’, I guess that’s what it is, although I had no concept of genre at the outset. I suppose it’s a mystery with a dash of thriller, whereas book two in the series is a thriller with a dash of mystery. The third book probably falls under the dreaded heading of ‘love story’. Goodness knows what folks will make of it all.

Actually, as for my missing ‘home’, i.e. England, I’m not pining to return. Of course I miss family that are still UK-based, but the gypsy in me says home is wherever I happen to be now. When the north wind blows, it’s time to move on. I’m surprised I don’t sell lucky heather and live in a horse-drawn caravan really.

How did you come up with the title of your book? How do you come up with your ideas? Who or what inspired you for the main character PI Braddock?

As you know, the book has a lot of Buddhist leitmotifs in it, and I liked the image in ‘The Dhammapada’ that the whole world and everyone in it is aflame with something, be it desire, hatred or whatever. It seemed to capture the essence of the narrative, and I peppered the book with all sorts of references to heat and fire to underline the point.
How do I come up with ideas for stories and characters? I’m not sure I do. There seems to be this strange little man who lives in my head and does all that. I just write it down for him. In ancient times they would have called this a ‘muse’. The muse notion is actually quite helpful in keeping a writer grounded. If you think your book was in fact written by somebody other than you, then it stops you getting too big-headed if it becomes popular or too depressed if it doesn’t.

Did you have it all planned out before you wrote it or did the characters and story surprise you?

I had it all planned out. Spreadsheets, the lot. I’m a complete anal retentive as far as that goes. In fairness to myself, I do need to do it that way. ‘Everyone Burns’ is the first of a series of seven books which jump forward and backward in time, so I need to keep track otherwise the whole endeavour will be a complete mess. Think Proust’s ‘Remembrance of Things Past’, but written by an Englishman with no sense of literary style.

Did you have any actors or people in mind when writing your characters?

Nope.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

I probably enjoyed writing two of the minor characters most: Braddock’s feisty pregnant assistant, Da, and the cigarette-scrounging Old Monk.

What would your main character say about you?

God knows.

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck on a deserted island?

It would probably have to be Kat, the lady with the gorgeous body and the high sex drive. Though of course I’d pick her because of her conversation skills.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

‘Putting Out the Fire with Gasoline’ by David Bowie.

Are you like any of your characters? How so?

I share a sense of life’s absurdity and a penchant for gallows humour with the main character, David Braddock. I guess it’s inevitable he is going to have some of my traits. However, I’m nowhere near as screwed-up as he is and I would at least like to THINK I tend to more ethical behaviour than my lead character does. I’ve certainly never slept with the wife of a senior police officer. Not that I can remember anyway.

How have you found the experience of self-publishing? What were your highs and lows?

So far it has been very enjoyable. I can’t say I’ve really experienced any lows. I think I went into this whole adventure with realistic expectations of how hard it was going to be, and that’s been helpful. The unexpected high has been meeting some really fantastic people – mainly Indie authors, but not exclusively so. It has gone some way to restoring my rather jaded opinion of human nature.

What is your advice to new writers?

Think about what your objectives are. Don’t get distracted from your goals. Collaborate with fellow authors. Be active – and genuine – on social networks. Don’t get disheartened: you have embarked on a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t steal any of my ideas. To thine own self be true. And never eat anything that looks like vomit.

Who are your favourite independent writers?

In no particular order, they are B.R.Snow, Alexandria Szeman, Michelle Browne, Seumas Gallacher, Billy Ray Chitwood, Eden Baylee, Dianne Harman, Diane Strong, Fiona Quinn and Meredith Lorimar. I’ve read and enjoyed the work of other independent writers, but these are the folks who would first come to mind.

Who are your favourite authors?

I would read anything written by Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, William Boyd, Albert Camus and Haruki Murakami.

What is your favourite book?

‘The Golden Bough’ by James Frazer. Yup, I know. It’s not a novel. But it’s wonderful.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I’m ashamed to say I’m not reading anything at the moment, since I’m focused on getting my second novel, ‘Hungry Ghosts’, published. As soon as that’s done I have a Kindle full of great books to devour. I’ll pick one at random.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I hope graciously. So long as you have a few good reviews under your belt from people you respect – or better still from people you don’t know – you should be able to take the odd snarky review or comment on the chin. I find these days it hardly seems like I wrote ‘Everyone Burns’ at all. I re-read it recently and it felt like it was the work of someone else. Once you’ve put that distance between yourself and your writing, I think your skin becomes less thin.

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.

The weirdest thing is I never thought I’d ever live in Thailand, but that’s not really answering your question, is it Christoph? Weird: we have two temples on the island which contain the embalmed bodies of monks. Both sit in the lotus position and both wear sunglasses. Nice: the climate and fauna here are really inspiring. Fact: Samui has lots of ‘interesting characters’. If I tell you that Thailand has no extradition treaties with most countries on the planet then you will know what sort of ‘characters’ I’m talking about.

What are you working on now?

At the time of this interview I’m putting final finishing touches to ‘Hungry Ghosts’, the second book in the ‘Time, Blood and Karma’ series. After that – and a short rest – I’ll be embarking on a co-writing project with author Fiona Quinn, getting the third novel in the series underway and … whatever else my fevered imagination comes up with in the meantime.

Is there anything you would like us to know about yourself and your books?

I don’t always wear a hat – just usually – and my books are all available on Amazon. Please use the ‘Look Inside’ feature before buying to see if my writing is your kind of thing. Also, if you go over to Smashwords you can download a free copy of my short story ‘Jim Fosse’s Expense Claim’ for a further taster of my ‘talent’ (such as it is). If I’m not your cup of tea, you might want to check out the Indie authors I’ve listed above.

Website http://johndaviddolan.wix.com/johndolanauthor
Twitter https://twitter.com/JohnDolanAuthor @JohnDolanAuthor
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JohnDolanAuthor?ref=hl
Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/117434310680835784691/posts
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550683.John_Dolan
Amazon Author Page US http://www.amazon.com/John-Dolan/e/B008IIERF0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1374411742&sr=8-1
Amazon Author Page UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Dolan/e/B008IIERF0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1374411800&sr=8-2
‘Everyone Burns’ Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Burns-Blood-Karma-ebook/dp/B008I6GXM2/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374411750&sr=1-1
‘Everyone Burns’ Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Everyone-Burns-Blood-Karma-ebook/dp/B008I6GXM2/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374411807&sr=1-1

‘Jim Fosse’s Expense Claim’ FREE at Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260738

Also by John Dolan:

121102 JIM FOSSES EXPENSE CLAIM COVER FOR KINDLE Copy

Coming soon:

130720 HUNGRY GHOSTS EBOOK COVER

***************************************************************

BLOG NEWS: DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH THIS WORDPRESS SITE I AM GRADUALLY PHASING THIS BLOG OUT AND AM MOVING TO

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/everyone-burns-by-john-dolan

PLEASE START FOLLOWING ME THERE INSTEAD. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Follow writerchristophfischer on WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Paulette Mahurin announces her new book: Where Irises Never Grow
  • Re-blog: Review of “Fun with Dick” by John Dolan
  • Wednesday Writing — Hullaba Launch!
  • Reblog: DG Kaye recommends :The Violin Maker’s Daughter by Sharon Maas
  • Guest Post: Lucinda E Clarke

Archives

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • March 2012

Categories

  • Reviews
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy