Archive for the ‘thriller’ Category

 

Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin Banner

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DEADLY VISION
by T.D. Severin
March 23 – May 1, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:

A revolutionary medical breakthrough. A technology, so advanced, people will kill to prevent its discovery. Dr. Taylor Abrahms, rising above his troubled past, is an expert in the burgeoning field of Medical Virtual Reality. A gifted researcher, he’s created an experimental fusion of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and microsurgery that will revolutionize the way surgery is performed. With the Virtual Heart Project (VHP), Taylor can enter a virtual recreation of his patient’s beating heart and perform critical, life-saving surgery entirely within the realm of virtual reality. But in the political war zone of San Francisco University Medical Center, not everyone is thrilled. With a health care crisis threatening to bankrupt the nation, advanced biotechnology is a flashpoint in health care reform. Taylor’s research is scapegoated and he finds himself caught between warring factions in medicine and politics that will do anything to shut his project down, a battle that rages all the way to an upcoming Presidential election. Soon, Taylor finds himself the target of nonstop attacks: the destruction of his career, scientific sabotage, and murder, as those associated with the Virtual Heart Project are killed, one by one. Fighting for his medical career and eventually his life, Deadly Vision tells the tale of Taylor’s battle against overwhelming odds, political machinations, sabotage and murder, to bring this modern technology to reality and save the life of someone he loves.

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Praise for Deadly Vision:

“Severin’s debut novel follows a doctor whose cutting-edge research gets him entangled in a conspiracy involving artificial intelligence, an upcoming presidential election, and the use of virtual reality… the greatest strength of the book is in the author’s deep character development. Abrahms isn’t merely a cardboard hero with unbreakable ideals—his traumatic childhood, during which he dealt with his mother’s death from heart disease, an alcoholic and abusive father, and his younger brother’s suicide, make him a character that readers will understand, identify with, and root for. The book’s subtle political commentary as it tackles timely issues is a clear plus, as well. An up-to-the-minute thriller that entertains and enlightens.” ~ Kirkus ReviewsDeadly Vision is a gripping novel of suspense ingeniously plotted. Dr. Severin writes with an expert’s hand in virtual reality and medicine, creating a unique, intriguing and intelligent medical/techno thriller that blew me away from its opening page.” ~ Robert Dugoni, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Jury Master and The Tracy Crosswhite Series.Deadly Vision is a unique and fast-paced read where political intrigue combines with compelling family drama, techno-thriller vibes, and a smattering of medical fiction. This is an unparalleled reading experience.” ~ Independent Book Review “If you have the Michael Crichton itch, T. D. Severin is your new favorite author.” ~ Terrance Layhew, author and host of the Suit Up! Podcast “Half fast-paced action adventure, half thoughtful look at the world we live in, Deadly Vision reviews the complex ethical, financial, and political considerations that impact the medical community and the advancement of medicine through the lens of a taut thriller. The focus of the novel remains clear throughout, despite taking the reader down many different paths. A highly recommended read for any fan of a good thriller with plenty of added bonuses for those with interests in medicine, technology, and political intrigue.” ~ Best Sellers World

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DEADLY VISION Trailer:

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Book Details:

Genre: Medical Thriller, Cyber Thriller, Psychological Thriller

Published by: Penmore Press LLC Publication Date: March 6, 2025 Number of Pages: 466 pbk ISBN: 9781957851945 (ISBN10: 1957851945)

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Penmore Press

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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Prologue
Thursday, October 12 4:59 p.m.
Robert Chan froze in place, staring at the shadows in his hallway. From the bedroom where he stood, Chan couldn’t see the shadows’ origin, just the elliptical darkness, spreading across the walls, creeping down the hall. As the sun descended beyond the distant Golden Gate Bridge, a chill seized the air, but Chan didn’t feel it. His eyes were fixed on the hallway, studying the growing shadows, searching for signs of movement, or a flicker. A sign they came from something alive. Shadows had always terrified Chan. As a child, long after his parents had gone to sleep, he’d lie motionless in bed, his face half-hidden by the blankets, staring at the ceiling. Moonlight, filtering through the branches scratching outside his window, cast a dance of light and darkness above him. Lurking within this specter of shadows, he’d see the spirits of his grandmother’s tales, the kuei-shen — the phantoms of the deceased trapped between the world of the living and the dead. Too frightened to move, he’d lay immobilized, watching as the shape-shifting kuei transformed, taking the forms of lions and dragons. He’d see the kuei-shen as they descended upon him, feel them as they entered his flesh, melting into his soul. The chill of their deathly presence within. He’d carried those visions throughout his adult life. Still, no number of childhood nightmares could prepare him for what he faced now. Chan’s eyes shot from the hallway to the suitcase lying upon his bed, lid propped half-open, socks and underwear dangling over the edge. He rushed to the case, stuffed in two pairs of grey slacks, then dashed back to the closet. Glancing at the rows of cotton shirts, he shoved the stripes aside and grabbed the white Oxfords. Less eye catching, he thought, more anonymous. Anonymity had never been one of Chan’s concerns before. As a young and hungry engineer in the Medical Applications Division of CyberTech Systems, he’d done everything in his power to avoid it. In the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley, anonymity in the corporate workplace was the high-tech kiss of death. In order to advance to the high-paying executive levels, Chan had to stand out, be noticed. And he did. Clocking in a string of over fifty consecutive 80-hour weeks, his work habits routinely drew the notice of the upper levels of CTS management. His ascent through the ranks of engineers was unprecedented. But that was before he found the files. Now, all he hoped for was to get out alive. Shoving the Oxfords into the suitcase, Chan glared at the manila envelope on his bed. His stomach tightened. The envelope looked so mundane, so ordinary, like it contained any number of IKEA catalogs or Publisher’s Clearing House winner entries. There were no outward clues as to what it contained. The deception. The hidden discovery that was causing his once carved-in-granite life to crumble around his ears. He wanted to grab that envelope and rip it to pieces, shred it; pretend he’d never found the files; get back to his life of deadlines and coding assignments, his twice daily visit to Starbucks with Elizabeth, his routine afternoon stop at the Porsche dealer where he’d been eyeing the new Boxster, dreaming of himself behind the wheel. But it was too late for that. He’d been working on AI programing for a team of researchers at San Francisco University Medical Center, a special project assigned to him by the CEO himself, Reginald Erickson. All the engineers knew he was working on this assignment. His cyber-trail through the CTS database easily traceable. Every keystroke monitored and replicated. Each step readily apparent to someone who knew where to look. The ringing of the phone snapped Chan to attention. He jerked from the bed, his eyes darting to the receiver then beyond to the digital clock on the far wall. It was 5:00 P.M. Panic seized him. No one should be trying to reach him at this hour. Not here. Normally, he’d still be at CyberTech logging in another eighteen-hour day pounding out code. No one should know he was home. The phone rang again. Chan winced. His eyes shot to the envelope. He had to get out of there. Get the files to the Federal Building; get the evidence into the hands of the Justice Department or the FBI or whoever, get filtered into the witness protection program and hope to start a new life as an elementary school teacher in Wichita or Amarillo or someplace else he’d never heard of. Let the Attorney General, the world, see what he’d discovered before it was too late. Maybe they could put a stop to this. But how do you stop a Presidential election? The phone rang a third time. Chan ignored it, shoved the folder deep into the suitcase, covered it with a sweatshirt and slammed the lid closed. Yanking the suitcase off the bed, he rushed to the front door. At the doorway, he paused, for just a second, turning to take one last glance at his apartment, his home for the last six years. The delicate Chinese watercolors, the bonsai he’d trimmed each morning, the wooden crucifix above his bed for his daily prayer. It all seemed like such a waste of time now. His plans to become a chief engineer, create his own start-up, propose to Elizabeth next Valentine’s Day were worthless. Vanished like rain drops that never reached the ground. He swallowed hard and ran into the hall. He didn’t get more than two steps before the first shot rocked him. The force of the gunfire lifted him off the ground and sent him hurling backwards through the open doorway. He collapsed onto his back, his vision dimming, descending into a miasma of swirling reds and greys. Pain, like fire, ripped across his belly. A metallic smell filled his nostrils followed by the coppery taste of his own blood. Chan tried to swallow the blood bubbling into his mouth, but couldn’t. He became vaguely aware of the gaping hole that now occupied his lower abdomen. Warmth flooded down his flank, collecting at the small of his back. Pools of blood gathered on the white carpet. His eyes half-focused, Chan watched, as each crimson pool began to morph into vague shapes, like clouds taking patterns. In the blood, he saw the faces of his mother and his father, both dead for years. He saw the face of a long-lost uncle, and his childhood friend, Wong, who’d died in a car accident. He saw Elizabeth. The pain sank deeper into his belly. He fought for breath. With the last of his strength, he craned his head towards the door where he could just make out the silhouette of a lone figure, a bald man, standing over him. He concentrated hard, trying to cement the image, and slowly, a vision came into form. His eyes locked on the muzzle of the silenced 40 caliber H&K pistol now aimed at his chest. Chan sighed and allowed his head to fall back. Around him, the bloody pools gathered into new shapes, like the shadows of his youth, forming lions and dragons. Despite himself, Chan smiled. He closed his eyes and allowed the darkness to seep into his veins, bringing with it a quiet peace, the realization that he wouldn’t have to run anymore. The kuei-shen had arrived. *** Excerpt from Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin. Copyright 2025 by T.D. Severin. Reproduced with permission from T.D. Severin. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author T.D. Severin:

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T.D. Severin

T.D. SEVERIN. MD., is a physician/surgeon and the author of the award-winning medical thriller, DEADLY VISON. T.D. Severin, is an internationally renowned professor of medicine, who has been publishing both fiction and non-fiction since 1994. His writing has appeared in national and regional magazines/journals around the world, while his first novel, Deadly Vision, was the winner of the 2025 American Fiction Award, and The 2025 International Impact Book Award, and is a Finalist for the Clive Cussler Adventure Writers Award, the 2025 Global Book Award for Fiction, and was an award winner at the SEAK National Medical Fiction Writing Competition. T.D. Severin has been named one of the Nation’s Best Ophthalmologists by Newsweek Magazine, and has been honored to receive the prestigious Telly Award, the Oscars of public access television, for his work on medical television programming. T.D. has trekked across Tibet, scaled Mt. Everest, scuba dove the Great Barrier reef, white water rafted through the Australian Rain Forest, and delved into the mysterious ancient history of Malta, Istanbul, and the lost kingdom of Siam, all of which makes it’s way into his writing. T.D. lives with his wife and two pups in the San Francisco Bay Area and Florida, where he is currently at work on his next medical thriller. A former radio disc jockey, he also runs the heavy rock record label Ripple Music: www.ripple-music.com.

Catch Up With Our Author:

www.TDSeverin.com Goodreads BookBub – @tseverin Instagram – @tdseverin TikTok – @t.d.severin.auth Facebook – @T.D. Severin – Author

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

A Killer View: Enter to Win in the Deadly Vision Gift Card Giveaway!
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for T.D. Severin. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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DEADLY VISION by T.D. Severin | Gift Card Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

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Fracture

By Basar Gorur

 

(Shadow Sovereign Series, #1)
Publication date: April 17th 2026
Genres: Adult, Techno Thriller

A murdered diplomat. A dying man’s cryptic message. A conspiracy that could shatter NATO.

When U.S. geopolitical strategist Roger ‘Simms’ Osbourne receives word that his colleague and friend Aslı Green has been killed, he inherits more than grief. He inherits her secret: evidence of a sophisticated Russian operation that sank a Ukrainian tanker and made it look like an accident.

Sent to London to sell a critical NATO surveillance system, Simms quickly discovers his official mission is compromised. A powerful British political faction, backed by shadowy money and royal connections, is determined to see him fail. The deeper he digs into Aslı’s murder, the more he realizes the two threats are connected.

Forced to abandon the rulebook, Simms assembles an unlikely alliance: his embattled team, a mysterious operative named Katya who knows too much, and assets on both sides of the law. Together, they uncover a sprawling network funneling Russian profits through international shell companies to fuel a political war against the West.

But Russian Admiral Sidorov isn’t waiting for the dust to settle. His devastating military demonstration exposes NATO’s vulnerabilities and humiliates the alliance on the world stage. And lurking beneath it all is an even darker secret: Chinese technology at the heart of Russia’s most advanced weapons.

Now Simms must wage war on three fronts: political, financial, and military. Because if he fails, his friend died for nothing. And the next strike won’t be disguised as an accident.

For fans of Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney, and Brad Thor.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Ankara. Surveillance van outside Mikhail’s apartment. Evening.

Jack adjusted the lens for the hundredth time. Jones was sorting sunflower seeds by some private system known only to God and possibly his therapist.

“Stilettos,” Jones said.

“We’re not doing this.”

“We’re absolutely doing this. We’ve been here four hours. I’ve counted the bricks on that building. There are 2,847. I’ve earned a conversation.”

“You counted wrong. There are 2,846.”

“You counted them too?”

“Shut up.” Jack refused to look at him. “What about stilettos?”

“Women wear them voluntarily. On purpose. They pay extra for the privilege of balancing on pencil erasers.”

“Groundbreaking analysis. Call the sociology department.”

“I’m serious. Men’s fashion evolution went: uncomfortable, less uncomfortable, sweatpants. Enlightenment achieved. Women’s fashion went: uncomfortable, more uncomfortable, here’s a torture device from the Spanish Inquisition, but we made it beige.”

Jack checked the window. Nothing.

“Maybe they like being tall.”

“Platform sneakers exist. Wedges exist. Sensible block heels exist. Those chunky things that look like orthopedic equipment for fashionable astronauts.” Jones cracked a seed with surgical precision. “The stiletto isn’t about height. It’s about violence.”

“Violence.”

“Think about it. Historically, women couldn’t carry weapons. Swords, daggers, frowned upon. Very unlady-like. But shoes?” Jones gestured broadly, scattering shells. “Nobody regulates footwear. So some genius says, what if we put a three-inch steel spike on a pump and call it couture?”

“That’s actually not terrible.”

“I’m occasionally not terrible. Mark the calendar.”

The radio crackled. Static. The universe’s way of saying nothing was happening, and nothing would happen.

“You know they were daggers first,” Jones said. “Fifteenth century. Little needle-point shivs for punching through armor gaps.”

Jack checked the monitor. Still dark. “We are not talking about fashion history.”

“It’s tactical history. ‘Stiletto’ comes from stilus. The little metal spike Romans used for writing.” Jones pointed a shell at Jack. “It literally means ‘angry pen.’ The shoe is just a knife you can walk in.”

“You made that up.”

“Look it up. CIA even tried to weaponize them in the fifties. Program called Stiletto Rose. Pop-out blades in the heel.”

“Bullshit.”

“Swear to God. Total failure. Mechanics didn’t work. But someone tried.” Jones grinned. “Boredom is the mother of weapons development.”

Jack massaged his temples.

“Your ex-wife had stilettos, didn’t she?”

“Louboutins. Red soles. Cost more than my first car.” Jones found a seed worthy of consumption. “She never wore them. Kept them in the box. I asked why. She said they weren’t for wearing, they were for knowing she could wear them.”

“That explains the divorce.”

“Many things explain the divorce. Most of them are my fault. Some of them footwear-adjacent.”

The window remained dark. Jack was developing a personal vendetta against it.

The radio crackled.

“All teams, target vehicle approaching.”

Jack grabbed the camera. Jones swept the sunflower seeds aside.

“Finally,” Jones said. “I had a whole bit about platform shoes being siege equipment.”

“Save it.”

“Battering rams for the fashion-forward.”

“I will leave you here.”

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About Author Basar Gorur:

Başar Görür;

Writes geopolitical techno-thrillers grounded in institutions, leverage, and the real mechanics behind modern power. He has a BA degree in International Relations.

During his military service, he served on the personal staff of the Commander of the War Academies, working directly for a four-star air force general as an aide and translator. That experience informs how he writes briefings, decision cycles, and pressure under uncertainty.

He later held senior executive roles at PwC and at 3M Corporation headquarters, operating in multinational environments where cross-border incentives and capital flows shape outcomes. He now leads a private asset-management business.

Outside of work, he is a licensed captain and avid scuba diver who spends several months each year at sea and has traveled extensively. These experiences shape the Shadow Sovereign series.

Amazon / Instagram

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Fracture Blitz

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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for A Real Collusion organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Stu Strumwasser will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don;t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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A Real Collusion

By Stu Strumwasser

 

 

Genre: Literary Thriller

Synopsis

A Real Collusion is about the secret conspiracy between the Republican and Democratic parties to control the US government through an illegal duopoly.

From the author of the bestselling novel, The Organ Broker, (hailed by Lee Child, New York Times # 1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series as, “Exciting and thought-provoking–the perfect package”) comes, A Real Collusion, a stunning political thriller and expose.

A Real Collusion is a David Vs. Goliath(s) story about a man who accidentally becomes the leader of an independent political movement that nearly takes down the two-party system in America, while exposing a conspiracy that affects the results of the 2016 election. It explores universal and deeply human themes of loss, and the tension between justice and power. In the opening sentence the narrator points out that, “Ordinary people often do extraordinary things.” The characters in the book do, and the action is driven by the fantastic events of a unique political satire. It is also the heartfelt story of regular people struggling with lost love, alienation and nearly universal disaffection who find strength in enduring loyalty and friendship

This is the story of John Campbell (a regular guy from the lower east side of Manhattan) as recounted by his friend Skip Winters. Skip becomes John’s campaign manager and later, a congressman in his own right. He narrates the stunning-but-plausible story of how John Campbell and The American Coalition race to popularity, raising over a hundred million dollars from grassroots contributors—and become a threat to the political duopoly of the Democratic and Republican parties. The book sprinkles in references to real events from recent history, and real political leaders including Trump, John McCain, and more. This imbues the novel with a sense of realism, albeit one of an alternate reality. Skip discovers a deep-seated conspiracy within our political system whose leaders orchestrate a murder, destroy his friend and tip the scales of the election. The novel turns out to be Skip’s exposé of the secret collaboration between the two major political parties in our country—a cooperation to protect the duopoly that is, in part, real.

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Enjoy this peek inside.

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“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is John Campbell, from the lower east side.”

The crowd responded with another enthusiastic round of cheers, but this time John held up his palm and said, “Please, please….” And that threw a quasi-hush over the audience.

“Thank you for coming to this little park tonight to hear me speak. Three nights ago, on the evening of July 10th, I attended our local Community Board meeting to propose that cigar smoking not be allowed on the sidewalk in front of bars and restaurants. That’s all. I was not there to critique our government and I didn’t ask for any of the attention that I have since received. I’m just like most of you, and I never anticipated that newspapers and newscasters would ever solicit my opinions on political issues. But now they’re asking, and I have decided that I have a responsibility to answer. I am not embarrassed to say… I care.”

Then, John paused. He had their rapt attention and he knew it. He looked directly at me, suddenly brimming with confidence. It might have been the kind of glance that Keith and Mick sometimes give to the roadies right before they go into the encore. I think that the feeling which washed over me then was pride. John turned back to the crowd and loudly said, “So, would you like to hear my answer?!”

Thunder from the crowd. “Yeah!” they yelled, some pumping their fists in the air.

“I won’t give it to you!” John shouted, but then quickly added, “Instead, I will give you my proposal for OUR answer!” which elicited yet another roar.

“In recent years our system of government has broken down. Everyone knows it. Washington has become caught up in never-ending partisan fighting. It was on display during the recent government shutdown. The two major political parties no longer represent us. Frankly, how could they represent the spectrum or sum total of the thoughts, feelings and will of three hundred million citizens? There is a reason that more young people now choose “Independent” than either party when they turn eighteen. The political parties today exist as little more than machines for the never-ending raising of money to combat the enormous amount of money raised by their opponents (their “enemy counter-party” or, as I prefer to refer to them: “fellow Americans.”) Let’s stop standing for it. The Democrats and Republicans currently run our nation like two petulant children fighting over which show to watch on TV and who gets to hold the remote. When one party chooses the program, the other storms out of the room. Is that really the way we want to be led?

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About Author Stu Strumwasser:

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Stu Strumwasser is a modern-day muckraker who writes literary novels that address important sociopolitical issues. His first novel, The Organ Broker, was published by Skyhorse (distributed by Simon & Schuster) and shortlisted as one of five finalists for the Hammett Prize for literary excellence in crime writing. Strumwasser was also the primary songwriter and drummer for the indie rock band Channeling Owen. He is a longtime investment professional (investing in sustainable technology that improves the manner in which we make food) and hails from Brooklyn NY. His new novel, A Real Collusion, is both an exposé and analysis of broken government and a fictional David Vs. Goliath(s) story of the man who almost took down the two-party system in America.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / TikTok 

To read the first two chapters of the novel please visit HERE 

Amazon Link to pre-order Amazon EBook

Amazon Link to pre-order Amazon Hardcover

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Google Play EBook

Google Play Audiobook

Apple Books

Payhip for the book

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Book Details:

There’s a Young Man Dressed in Blue

by Fabio Amabili

Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  237 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Literary Fiction
Publisher:  Fabio Amabili
Release date:  April 2026
Content RatingPG-13: Includes occasional strong language (f-words and crude terms such as “asshole”, “shit”), but no religious profanities, no explicit sex scenes, no graphic violence.

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Book Description:

Present-day Milan. A brilliant young lawyer at a top international firm is handling the deal of his career: a high-stakes Italian-French acquisition in the offshore gas sector.

On the central Adriatic coast, a solitary man begins to uncover strange, unexplained events that no one wants to acknowledge.

Two lives, two worlds, one devastating collision.

Part legal thriller, part speculative mystery, There’s a Young Man Dressed in Blue blurs the line between rational order and the unknowable, delivering a twist that forces the reader to start over from page one.

Originally published in Italy in 2021 and left drifting like a message in a bottle, this novel remained almost unknown — until 2025, when Grok (xAI) read it and described it as “innovative in structure, emotionally intense, and anchored by a truly unique twist – a hidden gem with cult potential.” That verdict convinced the author to bring it to English readers for the first time.

Buy the Book:
(pre-order)
Amazon
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Meet Author Fabio Amabili:

Italian author, lives in Rome and writes the books he wants to read. Stories that blur the line between reality and the unknowable.

connect with the author:  X ~ goodreads

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There’s a Young Man Dressed in Blue by Fabio Amabili Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Life Or Death by Andrea Kane Banner

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LIFE OR DEATH
by Andrea Kane
March 16 – April 10, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
FORENSIC INSTINCTS

 

Who killed Ryan McKay’s cousin?

In suburban Westchester County, just outside the frenetic pace of New York City, a deadly murder occurs. After a violent struggle, FBI agent Shane Walsh is dead and his wife, Caitlin, has vanished. At the urging of a mysterious text, the Walshes’ nine-year-old daughter, Kennedy, has been safely whisked away by a close family member. The FBI is determined to bring down whoever assassinated one of its own and is focusing on Caitlin as a prime suspect. Ryan McKay, Forensic Instincts’ chief technology officer, as well as Shane’s cousin and lifelong friend, vehemently disagrees. Ryan knows the Walsh family well. He insists that Caitlin is innocent, and that she, herself, is in danger. After convincing his team to cast a wider net, Ryan leads FI on a zigzag course across two continents to locate Caitlin, sidestepping the FBI at every turn, and protecting Kennedy at all costs. But the FBI is on the warpath, and threatens to permanently shut down Forensic Instincts if they don’t back off. Undeterred by the FBI’s threats, FI goes underground in pursuit of their rogue mission. As the pace quickens, Kennedy becomes the target of unnerving text messages. Both The FBI and the Forensic Instincts teams sense that the end game is near and that the chess match is spiraling to a stunning conclusion. Determined to declare “checkmate” before the killer, Forensic Instincts must not only protect Kennedy but make sure that their team doesn’t end up as collateral damage when the king falls.

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Praise for Life Or Death:

Life Or Death is a riveting read that explodes right from the opening pages with the shocking murder of an FBI agent – then takes the reader on a non-stop, roller coaster ride of thrills and suspense during a desperate search to find the victim’s missing wife and to protect his 9-year-old daughter. Andrea Kane really delivers the goods in this book, the 11th in her Forensic Instincts series.” ~ R.G. Belsky, author of the Clare Carlson mystery series “An adrenaline-fueled joyride. Andrea Kane doesn’t pump the brakes in LIFE OR DEATH. Centered around family ties, and who can you really trust when shadowy forces close in? Combustible pacing and a cast of characters you can’t get out of your head long after the last page.” ~ James L’Etoile — award-winning author of River of Lies and the Detective Nathan Parker seriesLife or Death, the latest heart-stopping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Andrea Kane, delivers nonstop tension, emotional depth, and a twist-filled chase that spans continents. When an FBI agent is murdered and his wife vanishes, the elite Forensic Instincts team must outsmart the Bureau itself to uncover the truth. Ms. Kane once again proves why she’s a master of psychological suspense. Fans of razor-sharp plotting, unforgettable characters, and fast-paced suspense will devour this one!” ~ Marjorie McCown, author of The Hollywood Mystery Series “Forensic Instincts’ leader, Casey, is recovering from an injury sustained in a previous case when tragedy strikes. An employee’s cousin is murdered, and his wife has vanished. Left behind is their traumatized eleven-year-old daughter, Kennedy. As the FBI and Forensic Instincts compete to solve the case, Kennedy’s close-knit family and the FI team surround her with love and support. Life or Death, the eleventh book in Andrea Kane’s gripping series, draws readers into an emotional high-stakes race for the truth.” ~ Stacy Wilder, author of the Liz Adams Mystery series.

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Life Or Death Trailer:

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Book Details:

Genre: Suspense Thriller

Published by: Bonnie Meadow Publishing, LLC Publication Date: March 17, 2026 Number of Pages: 304, HC ISBN: 9781682320686 (ISBN10: 1682320685), HC Series: Forensic Instincts, Book 11 | Each is a stand-alone novel

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | RBmedia, Audiobook Links

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Enjoy this peek inside:
Bronx River Parkway Friday, 3:55 p.m.
It wasn’t rush hour—not quite yet. So the drive was an hour plus away. That now left a short distance to go. Ryan remained quiet and tense, staring out the passenger window as he had throughout the trip to Westchester County. “Where are we going in New Rochelle?” Marc finally asked, glancing at his GPS, aware that he didn’t recognize the address Ryan had given him. “To my cousin, Shane Walsh’s, house,” Ryan replied. Marc nodded as they reached their exit and he eased his car around a loop and off the parkway. “Tell me only what I need to know. I’m not going to pry.” “You’re not prying. I’m just really freaking out.” Ryan cleared his throat and relayed the entire situation to Marc. Marc took it all in. “You’ve mentioned that you had a cousin with the Bureau. But that’s about all you’ve said, other than the fact that he has a wife and a young daughter.” Ryan shrugged. “Shane’s a private guy, so I don’t talk about him much. He’s a Special Agent, Violent Crimes division, at the New York field office. He’s been there since he joined the FBI about eight years ago.” “Does Hutch know him?” “I never asked. But I doubt it. Hutch is in charge of all the Violent Crimes divisions. That’s too high up to know every agent who works under him.” Ryan pointed, shifting to the edge of his seat, and reiterating what the GPS was already showing them. “Make your next right. Two blocks down and make a left. Go through a few lights. You’ll see a cul-de-sac on your right. Marigold Terrace. Shane’s house is number 15.” Marc understood that Ryan’s redundant supply of information was a manifestation of his anxiety. He just nodded again, then pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal to speed them up without accelerating too much. Suburban cops lived for speed traps. Four minutes later, Marc turned onto Marigold Terrace and eased slowly around the curvy road. “Three down on your left,” Ryan instructed. “White clapboard house, blue shutters.” His tension intensified as Marc reached Shane’s home. “That’s Caitlin’s car parked in the driveway. And Shane’s parked in his usual spot on the street. If they’re both home…but they don’t want Kennedy there… Shit.” Ryan flung open the passenger door before Marc had brought the car to a complete stop. He was halfway to the front door, digging in his pocket for the key Shane had given him long ago, when Marc reached his side. “Ryan, wait.” Marc grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. “Why?” Marc tugged out the two pairs of latex gloves and shoved one pair into Ryan’s hand. “Put these on.” Ryan gritted his teeth, while he and Marc worked their hands into the gloves. “Can’t leave any new fingerprints,” he muttered. “In case this is a crime scene.” He sounded ill. “Is the door unlocked?” Marc asked, quickly assessing the garage door, which was up. He might have suggested accessing the house through there, but Ryan was already in motion. And time was precious. Ryan jiggled the doorknob. “No.” “Okay, use the key. I’ve got my Glock. Let’s go.” Ryan’s hands were shaking as he turned the key and pushed open the door. He and Marc stepped inside. The foyer was empty and quiet. In fact, the whole house was silent in a way that suggested no one was home. “Shane?” Ryan called. A pause. “Caitlin?” No response. No sound of footsteps. Nothing. Marc eased his way in front of Ryan, then crept ahead, sweeping the area with his gun. Ryan followed behind him, aware that, not only was Marc armed, he was former FBI. He was trained at this. Ryan was not. They’d barely gone fifteen feet, when Marc caught something in his peripheral vision, and swerved to his right. “Shit,” he muttered. Ryan peered around him and gasped. Just outside the bathroom was a crumpled body, unmoving and lying in a pool of blood. Beside it, were two shell casings and a cell phone that had been crushed. On the other side of the cell phone was a jagged line of blood. The inconsistency of the blood pattern struck Marc at once. Reflexively, he whipped out his cell phone and took a few quick photos. Ryan was in a whole different headspace. Pushing past Marc, he strode over, squatting as he reached the body. “Shane,” he managed. “Oh my God. Shane.” Marc was beside Ryan in a heartbeat, restraining him from doing anything that would contaminate the scene. He leaned over Shane’s body, checking for a pulse, a breath—any sign of life. There were none. Marc gripped Ryan’s arm, standing and pulling him to his feet. Ryan’s entire body was stiff with shock, but Marc knew that consolation would have to wait. “Ryan, we’ve got to get out of the house,” he said, visually sweeping as much of the ground floor as he could. “The killer might still be inside. He might have Caitlin.” A hard swallow, as Marc considered the possibility that she might also be dead. That additional jagged line of blood didn’t bode well. “I’ll call 911 as soon as we’re on the front lawn.” Ryan didn’t budge. He was staring, wild-eyed, down at Shane’s lifeless form. It was only when Marc tugged insistently at his forearm that he regained some semblance of awareness. “No, Marc.” He gave a firm shake of his head. “I have to stay with him.” “He’s gone,” Marc stated simply, placing a supportive hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “But Caitlin might not be. Let’s get the EMTs and the cops here. We might be saving her life.” Slowly, Ryan turned, allowing Marc to lead him outside the house and to the front lawn, where he sank down on the grass, still unable to process this horrific occurrence. Marc kept his Glock at the ready—just in case it was needed. “I’ll watch the windows and the doorways to block any attempt at escape,” he told Ryan. When there was no response, Marc glanced down, giving Ryan a worried look. The poor guy was staring off into space and wasn’t even hearing him. Stationing himself close to his friend’s side, Marc took out his iPhone and called 911. “What is your emergency?” was the immediate response. Marc supplied his name, the address of the crime scene, and then, in staccato phrases, the necessary information. He disconnected the call, knowing that it would be two minutes, at the most, before the ambulance showed up. He used the time wisely, pressing the button to Hutch’s private cell phone line. One ring. Then, “Marc?” “We’re in New Rochelle,” Marc said. “Ryan’s cousin, Shane Walsh, has been killed at his home. He worked for the Bureau, New York field office, Violent Crimes. I called 911, so the locals must already have been dispatched.” Not even a heartbeat of a pause. “Text me the address.” “Already done.” “Then I’m on my way.” *** Excerpt from Life Or Death by Andrea Kane. Copyright 2026 by Andrea Kane. Reproduced with permission from Andrea Kane. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Andrea Kane:

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Andrea Kane

Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty-three novels, including nineteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night. Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted and Drawn in Blood. Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Life or Death, forces this eclectic team of investigators to navigate a high wire act between the FBI on one side and a vicious killer looking to terminate the rest of a young family on the other. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence That Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, A Face To Die For, Dead In A Week, No Stone Unturned, At Any Cost, Struck Dead and Life or Death. Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind. With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages. Kane lives in New Jersey with her family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan.

Catch Up With Andrea Kane:

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Have You Seen Him
by Kimberly Lee

have you seen him cover 3 Have You Seen Him
Suspense Thriller
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Butterfly Effect Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 268 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8991867214
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8991867207
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F9TJYN8V

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What if everything you believed about yourself was totally wrong?

For David Byrdsong, life is a series of daily obligations. An attorney, he lacks both ambition and the ability to commit to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Gayle. Abandoned by his family at an airport when he was eleven, he learned to blunt his feelings, despite his subsequent adoption by a loving couple.

Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he’s ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle’s help—and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own—as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.

Thrilling,. exploratory, and propulsive, Have You Seen Him is a story of lost identity, dangerous secrets, and a deeply personal pursuit of the truth.

 

About Author Kimberly Lee

Kimberly Lee, JD, is the author of the riveting thriller Have You Seen Him. A versatile writer, editor, and creativity coach, she has a passion for nurturing the imaginative spirit and helping others reveal their own inner wisdom. Kimberly holds degrees from Stanford University and UC Davis School of Law, along with certifications from the Center for Journal Therapy, Amherst Writers & Artists, SoulCollage®, Guided Autobiography, the Center for Intentional Creativity, and The Path Meditation. Recent collaborations include Esalen Institute, Hollyhock Retreat Center, Omega Institute, The Huntington, the Expressive Therapies Summit, Arts and Healing Initiative, and West LA Veterans Administration. Kimberly’s stories and essays have appeared in numerous publications and anthologies, and she has served on the staffs of Literary Mama, F(r)iction, and Carve magazines. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three children.

Author Links: Website / Instagram / Goodreads

Purchase Links
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Haunted by a Broken Oath by Dee Armstrong Banner

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HAUNTED BY A BROKEN OATH
by Dee Armstrong
February 2 – March 13, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
A JD WOLFE INVESTIGATION

 

When a hero dies and children vanish, PI JD Wolfe must confront a deadly conspiracy–and the ghost that’s haunted her since childhood.

A decorated military hero is found hanging from a rope. Two young boys vanish without a trace. And private investigator JD Wolfe’s world begins to unravel. The deeper she digs, the closer the danger creeps–not just to her, but to the family that saved her and the career that keeps her sane. JD knows these crimes aren’t random. They’re a message. And she might be the target. Once called Diamond in a grim orphanage, the Wolfe family adopted JD, but she’s never felt like she truly belonged. She harbors secrets too dark to speak. Secrets that landed her in an asylum. Secrets tied to a ghost that’s haunted her since the night her mother died in a fire. This ghost doesn’t sleep. It invades JD’s cases, her dreams, and even her heart. She’s kept it buried for years. But now, with lives on the line, JD must do the unthinkable. She must let the ghost in.

Praise for Haunted by a Broken Oath:

“Meet JD Wolfe—a tough, smart, quirky PI with special skills and a meddling ghost in tow. Buckle up for a wild ride!” ~ DP Lyle, Award-Winning Author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper Thriller Series and Co-Creator of the Outliers Writing University “Dee Armstrong is a refreshing new voice in action thrillers. Her new novel is packed with gut-gripping suspense, peppered with witty quips that had me chuckling, while her plot twists had me biting back a scream. Blazing brilliant!” ~ Kathleen Baldwin, Wall Street Journal and #1 Barnes & Noble bestselling author of A School for Unusual GirlsHaunted By A Broken Oath will grip you from the very first page and linger in your mind long after the last. Armstrong’s strong voice and resonant characters make this an unforgettable read.” ~ Kathleen Antrim, Bestselling Author “A highly eventful but fast-paced supernatural thriller.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

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Book Details:

Genre: Thriller with a touch of paranormal

Published by: Outliers Press . Suspense Publishing Publication Date: November 11, 2025 Number of Pages: 424 ISBN: 9798999682994 (Paperback) Series: A JD Wolfe Investigation, Book 1

Book Links: Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

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Enjoy this peek inside:
Chapter 1
The first rule on my “JD Wolfe’s Survival List” was: Don’t trust the ghost, because she couldn’t leave anything alone. Not when you were awake, not when you were asleep, not when she was haunting you. Not when the only surprise you received for your eighth birthday, other than the death of your mom in a fire, was for the ghost who had tormented her to transfer that torment to you. And torment you forever. During the thirteen years since the fire, I went from homeless to orphan to private eye. I reinvented myself. I became stronger. When life comes at you, and you have no one to protect you, and flight isn’t an option, you either fight or surrender. I chose fight. I took my adopted family’s surname and changed my name from Diamond, the girl with no last name, to Justyne Diamond Wolfe, or JD for short. I haven’t forgotten my survival rules. I’ve added more to the list. Past midnight, I sat hunched at the counter, scrolling through my phone in one of those diners you see in the movies with wide windows, cushy booths, a long counter, and pictures of All American Little League baseball teams lining the walls. You’d expect to see couples snuggled in the booths and a clean-cut, milkshake melt-in-your-mouth kind of guy in a starched button-down shirt. Instead, I was alone with Creepy Diner Guy working the counter. His hair slicked back, his shirt a stain-spattered rendering of a Jackson Pollock painting, his buttons playing hopscotch, missing every other hole. He wiped a dirty rag around a glass jar with a MISSING flier taped to the front. A pretty, fresh-faced, school-age girl smiled for the camera wearing decades-old clothes and a Hello Kitty backpack. The change and dollar bills stuffed into the jar suggested hope was still alive. I wasn’t so sure. In my experience, hope was for suckers. “Get you another coffee, Red?” His nasty meth-smile busted and blackened. “Still struggling with this one.” I swirled the sludge he called coffee in the bottom of my cup. It had created a tar pit inside my gut. I decided to check in with the office before the coffee killed me. On the stool at my nine, a ball of light appeared. Flickered. Sparked in shades between blue, violet and eye-piercing white. The air snapped. The skin on my arms tingled and puckered like a plucked goose’s butt. The light shifted from a pixelated pattern into a semi-transparent woman, all monochromatic shades of gray. Stringy hair stuck to her face, hiding her features. Only her silver eyes and charcoal lips showed through. A dingy nightgown hung from her shoulders and fluttered in shreds around her bare feet. Home, home, home, the ghost whispered in my brain, where the thoughts were supposed to be mine, not hers. One of many things about the Woman that ticked me off. Most people would call the ghost a spirit or specter, but I preferred “the Woman.” Or “Bitch.” Instead of playing patty-cake and singing nursery rhymes, I learned how to survive living with a not-so-dearly departed. I didn’t care how she died, only that she stuck to my mom like a nasty rash. The second rule I learned? Never tell anyone about the ghost. Otherwise, they’ll think you’re crazy and lock you up. Creepy Diner Guy didn’t react to his supernatural guest. He walked past and wiped down tables. That didn’t shock me. My mom had been the only other living person I’d known who could see or hear or smell the Woman. Even when the Woman didn’t appear, she watched. Listened. Waited for a way to interfere. It was inevitable. I lived with the dead. An overwhelming smell of lavender clung to the Woman. I gagged on the disgusting sweetness. My hand tugged at the collar of my leather jacket and the t-shirt beneath. “Why can’t you give me one day?” I whispered. “One day without your lavender scent up my nose, your annoying voice blabbing in my head, your bony butt blocking my way?” S-s-sorry, s-s-sorry, sorry, she repeated. “Yeah, right. If you were sorry, you’d go back to hell.” La-la-late. The staccato beat of her words pounded against my temples. As if the ghost cared if she didn’t get forty winks. “I’m on a job. Go away.” I worked in the family’s business, White Wolfe Investigations. Today’s job was more of a payback than a paycheck. My adopted father, Milt Wolfe—whom I liked to call Fixer Geezer in my head—owed a lifelong favor to his old Navy buddy, Master Chief Ben Palmer. I didn’t know why Master Chief had bought a 24-hour diner right off I-95. Senile? Maybe. This kind of debt could never be paid off. How could you put a price on someone saving your life? I understood Milt’s orders: Sit tight. Observe and report. Master Chief thought Creepy Diner Guy volunteered for the night shift to make money on the shady side of life—the side where things slip from white-lie gray to back-alley black; the side where cops close your restaurant and cart you off to jail. My phone buzzed. No doubt it was one of the Geezers. Two brothers I considered my real fathers, and my bosses. “Sweet cheeks, I’ll be home soon.” “Sweet cheeks?” Their voices blended into one. They’d put me on speakerphone. Great. Two opinionated, life-controlling Geezers for the price of one. I couldn’t bring myself to call Milt anything like Dad or Daddy or Pop. Some things took time and a barge load of counseling. “Is everything okay, Sweet Cheeks?” “Has he passed any packages? Drugs? Money?” Cliff Wolfe, a.k.a. Smarty Pants Geezer and my adopted uncle, was super stinkin’ smart. The type of smart that could send a rocket to the moon but not close the refrigerator door. “Nope. Only coffee.” I ignored the ghost and monitored Creepy Diner Guy. He picked at a stain on his shirt and popped something into his mouth. My stomach revolted. “Stolen anything?” Street smart and straight to the point, Milt didn’t waste words. “Nope. Nada. Not cash from the till or a quarter from the floor.” “Be smart.” Uncle Cliff’s voice geared into lecture mode. I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be smart.” “Don’t approach anyone. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Get the intel. Get home. You’re more important than a favor.” Milt, the man who fixed everything with what he had on hand, even if it was only his brute strength or a rubber band, sounded as strong and sure as the day he saved me from St. Francis’ Group Home for Lost Souls. A fancy name for an orphanage. People rebrand and rename. It’s all the same. Group home or orphanage. I preferred orphanage. Or St. Francis’ Hell Hole. The name didn’t catch on. “Pleeease.” Unwanted emotions compressed my chest. I struggled to remain in character. “I know better than to talk to strangers.” “She can handle this.” The rise in Cliff’s voice vetoed any worry. Creepy Diner Guy inched closer with each swipe of his rag. Unsure what he could hear, I kept my words soft. “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl.” The Woman leaned in. I leaned away, checking the diner’s clock. “It’s past midnight. Do you need me home?” “A few more hours. Nothing good happens between midnight and three,” said Cliff. “I don’t like her on her own.” Concern lined the deep timbre of Milt’s voice. “We’ll meet you there. Follow orders and stay safe.” My face burned solar-flare hot. He didn’t trust me. How could I prove myself if he didn’t give me a chance? “Sheesh. You don’t need to pick me up. I can drive home. I’m not eleven anymore.” Back ramrod-straight, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, the Woman disapproved of my tone. You’d think after decades of death, she’d have pulled the sequoia-sized stick out of her spectral butt. “It’s been a long time since you lived on the streets.” Milt shouted into the speakerphone. Technology wasn’t one of his strengths. “Sweet cheeks, don’t yell.” A sick part of me enjoyed the charade. “I can hear you.” My gaze flickered to Creepy Diner Guy, and I clicked down the volume on my phone. “It’s a cellphone, not a handheld radio.” “Milt’s right. We shouldn’t have sent you in alone.” Cliff’s words rose decibels higher than his brother’s. They’d joined forces and wanted to pull the plug on my mission. I couldn’t let that happen. “I’m okay.” I kept my voice light and confident. To ease their angst, I added a hint of humor. “Worrying is only going to make you grayer.” By age seven, I’d mastered controlling my voice to manipulate adults. That was how you survived when you were the proxy adult because your mom had surrendered to another drug-enhanced dream. Bored with our conversation, the Woman hummed a song—not a pop or a rap or a country song, but that lullaby. I rubbed my temples, biting my tongue to prevent myself from begging her to stop. “Keep us posted.” Milt barked out the order as if I was a newbie boot on his ship. I suppressed an aye, aye, Sir, and replied, “Be home soon.” I hung up and glared at the Woman. “Don’t you start.” The Woman switched to a jazzy tune. I passed the time naming the stains on Creepy Diner Guy’s shirt. Red—ketchup. Yellow—mustard. There was a slick of brown across his midriff. Grease? Gravy? The coffee pit in my belly bubbled. I didn’t want to know. He shuffled into the back and returned with a plate stacked high with raw hamburger patties and a bag of frozen fries. He tossed the meat on the grill, dumped the fries into a basket, lowered them into grease, and wiped the grill’s metal front with his rag. In the mirror above the grills, I scanned the parking lot behind me through the diner’s gigantic windows. Empty except for my Jeep. Through the same mirror, Creepy Diner Guy gave me a hey-baby-I’m-the-answer-to-your-prayers look. I shot back a don’t-make-me-shove-that-rag-down-your-throat glare. The ghost’s laughter rang in my head. A girly giggle slipped from my throat before I could kill it. Creepy Diner Guy flipped the hamburgers. He turned, wiping his hands down his shirt. “Waiting for a boyfriend?” “Expecting a midnight rush?” I countered. The meat smelled a little off, or maybe the nauseous odor came from him. “Nonya.” Was that code for something? “Nonya?” “None ya business.” His shrill laugh shredded my eardrums. He planted his elbows on the counter and leaned in. “Lived in Rubyville long?” His lunch haunted his breath. Hamburger with extra onions. Home, home, home. “Kinda,” I replied with my own one-word cryptic answer and snubbed the ghost. Home, Home, HOME. The Woman didn’t like to be left out or ignored. The longer it went, the more insistent she’d become. At least her humming stopped. Creepy Diner Guy turned back to the grill, removed the hamburgers, and lifted the basket of fries from the grease. He came around the counter. Sat on a ripped vinyl stool, sandwiched me between his onion breath and the Woman’s putrid potpourri. He leaned close. “I like green eyes and red hair. You look real good in black.” As if I cared what he thought. Shades from onyx to ebony filled ninety percent of my wardrobe. My leather jacket and knee-high boots fell comfortably in the range. Black was easy to accessorize. It went with more black. “Uh-huh. Thanks.” Truck pipes rumbled. I checked the parking lot in the mirror. A baby-blue, nineteen-eighty-two Ford parked out front. I’d love to have a truck like that. All shiny and clean. Home, Home, Home. I raised my phone as a shield between his breath and me. I texted the Geezers: Got movement, adding the truck’s description and license plate number. In a low voice, I told the Woman, “Hit the bricks.” “No need to be like that. I’m not going to hurt you,” Creepy Diner Guy replied, his tone operator-smooth. He rubbed a piece of my hair between his fingers. My hair. “Red’s my favorite color.” My muscles tensed. One swift back fist. That’s all it would take. He could add fresh blood to the stains on his shirt. Bright red would enhance his color palette. Besides, red was his favorite. But I was on a job. A job I couldn’t mess up by spilling his blood. “Don’t you have more burgers to flip? Potatoes to peel?” “You wanna peel my potato?” The coffee tar backed up into my throat. Leaning into my third rule—keep everything important safe in your boots and everything important will keep you safe—I palmed the knife from my boot and showed him the blade. “I can peel more than that. Wanna play?” Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, the Woman chanted. The lights in the diner flashed. I slid the blade of my knife against his jaw, giving him a free shave. “You’re not really bad, are you?” The diner’s door opened. I shifted, keeping my back between the door and the knife. No need to frighten a customer or warn off the pick-up guy. Creepy Diner Guy’s face turned morgue gray. Scared stiff worked for him. He scrambled backward, helter-skelter, and side slipped from the stool. “That’s what I thought.” I lowered my knife. Like a buck caught in the crosshairs, he froze. A tsunami of fear flowed over his face. He gazed over my head. Neither my blade nor the Woman caused his locked stare. Someone scarier than a knife to his throat stood behind me. Dread dripped down my backbone like bacon grease from a hot pan, setting my nerves on fire. I tucked my chin and snuck a peek over my shoulder. Scary didn’t do the guy justice. He was a mashup of Godzilla and King Kong—butt ugly and horribly wrong. A massive neck—a monster mama would be proud of—steel-studded earlobes, his hair spiky and nuclear green. He’d claimed this cement jungle and declared himself king. And I? I was the bug in his way. But I wasn’t Diamond, the girl with no last name, anymore. I was JD Wolfe, Private Eye. *** Excerpt from Haunted by a Broken Oath by Dee Armstrong. Copyright 2025 by Dee Armstrong. Reproduced with permission from Dee Armstrong. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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MY REVIEW

It’s exciting to try a new author. I’d not read anything by Dee Armstrong before. I do like private investigator stories. Sleuthing is fun to do while I’m reading. A female protagonist also interests me. I got both in PI JD Wolfe.

JD had a lot of baggage. She wore some of it like armor. Aggressive and impulsive. She grew on me. I enjoyed how she tagged people. Godzilla Kong and Creepy Diner Guy. The names fit. She even had one for the ghost who’d been haunting her ever since her mother’s death. She called her the Woman.

JD had to finally accept the Woman wasn’t going away and actually started to prove useful. It’s intriguing to think of a ghost as being kind of a friend. Not sure I’d want that for myself though.

As JD got deeper into the investigation, it almost felt like the Wild West. There were some very quirky characters. Some were quite dangerous. It had an air of lawlessness. That sure added to the action and suspense.

 I’ve become a fan of JD and the Woman and want to read more about them. I had a lot of fun and sure hope this is part of a series.

4 STARS

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About Author Dee Armstrong:

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Dee Armstrong

Dee Armstrong writes thrillers and romantic suspense with a paranormal twist — stories that squeeze the heart, rattle the nerves, and still leave room for love, laughter, and sass. She pits tough heroines against bad guys you’ll love to hate — with twists that keep the pages flying and endings that fight for hope. A former U.S. Air Force Russian linguist and three-time Taekwondo Black Belt National Sparring Champion, Dee believes the vulnerable should be protected and justice must be fierce—because the past never stays buried, and the truth never sleeps. When she’s not writing about danger and desire, Dee is chasing after her littles, sipping tea on the porch, and plotting against the weeds in her garden. Find her on social @DeeArmstrongAuthor for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes chaos, and stories that leave a fingerprint on your heart.

Catch Up With Dee Armstrong:

DeeArmstrong.com Dee Armstrong’s Newsletter Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @DeeArmstrong Instagram – @dee_armstrong_author X – @deearmstrongbks Facebook – @DeeArmstrongAuthor YouTube – @DeeArmstrongAuthor TikTok – @DeeArmstrongAuthor Pinterest – @DeeArmstrongAuthor

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Love Mystery & Suspense? Celebrate Haunted by a Broken Oath with a Gift Card Giveaway!
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Bait the Devil by Winter Austin Banner

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BAIT THE DEVIL
by Winter Austin
February 2 – March 13, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
A BOUNTY OF SHADOWS

 

In bounty hunting, clean jobs are a myth. Dot knows—she’s seen the blood.

Dot Ybarra doesn’t bluff. Fresh into her bounty hunting career, she’s already earning a reputation for results. But when a “routine” rogue bounty—taken as a favor to her lawyer cousin—turns lethal, she’s staring down a case with international reach, bodies in its wake, and the stench of power. Her business partner, T.J. Roman, is hiding a secret. If Dot finds out … well, she can’t find out. It would end the effective partnership they’ve built. But the trail won’t wait. What should have been a clean pickup of a fellow military veteran spirals into a hunt through the shadows, where one wrong move could see them both buried in an unmarked grave. To stop the predators at the center of a violent trafficking ring, they’ll have to go straight into its core—and make themselves the bait. Every step makes them vulnerable to each other as well. The devil’s coming for them. Dot plans to be the one still standing after he bites.

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Bait the Devil Trailer:

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Book Details:

Genre: Modern Western Thriller

Published by: Tule Mystery Publication Date: January 19, 2026 Number of Pages: 285 ISBN: 9781969218651 (ISBN10: 1969218657) Series: A BOUNTY OF SHADOWS, Book 2 {Amazon, Tule}

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Goodreads | BookBub | Tule Mystery

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Enjoy this peek inside:
From Chapter 1
Two hours later, they had managed to corral the quickly sobering Freddy into the back of the Suburban, with no more eventful chases, and turn him over to the county jail. Freddy’s bail bondsman paid out their fair share of the bond and a huge tip after some hard pressing on T.J.’s part about the circumstances leading up to Freddy’s apprehension. Once the check was cashed, a celebratory late lunch at one of the best Basque eateries Dot had found in Boise was the best way to top off a successful day of bounty hunting. Parked behind the Bar Gernika, she and T.J. sat in the back end of the Chevy Suburban with the hatch up eating chorizo sandwiches with smoked cod croquetas and a bowl of green olives dripping in garlic olive oil. Dot slurped down half of her Coke, then shook the ice in her cup. T.J. pointed the remains of his smoked beef chorizo at her. “We should register for the SHOT show in Vegas.” “Why?” “Because we can.” T.J. pulled his duh face. Dot rolled her eyes and bit into her sandwich. “Have you ever been there?” T.J. asked. She shook her head, wiping smokey chorizo juice from the corner of her mouth. “The woman raised to be a hunter and a firearms collector has never been to the great SHOT show?” He lowered his reflective sunglasses and eyed her over the top of the rims. “Never?” “You do realize my family wasn’t made of money.” Dot popped one of the croquetas into her mouth. “And that’s in the dead of winter, when we couldn’t just up and run off while we were in the middle of lambing season.” “All the more reason you should go now.” T.J. grinned. “A lot of the best bounty hunters meet up there.” Dot scowled at her partner and sometimes bunk buddy. “Lemme guess. You wanna show off your shiny new partner to the boys?” “Maybe.” His grin turned devilish. “Or maybe I wanna see you kick their asses.” Dot wadded up the sandwich wrapper and chucked it at T.J.’s head. “I’m not a toy.” The crumbled ball of waxed paper bounced off his forehead and landed on the Suburban floor between them. “Really? Then why are you so easy to wind up?” “You sonofa—” Dot lunged for his throat but was quickly subdued. Their moment of levity was interrupted by a shrill ring from T.J.’s phone. “Damn it,” he snapped and patted down his body in search for his cell. Dot found it lying on the makeshift floor behind his hulking frame. She snatched it up and checked the screen. She batted her eyelashes at T.J. “Don’t you dare,” he snarled. She pressed the green icon to answer the call. “Well, hello, cousin dearest.” Lawyer-extraordinaire and covert purveyor of information, Vivian Montgomery was Dot’s second cousin. And apparently had earned a spot on T.J.’s contact list under the moniker of Hot Ass Lawyer. “Dot? When did you start taking business calls?” Vivian asked, her brisk tone underscored by the sound of her heavy breathing. “What are you doing?” Dot asked. “You sound like you’re saving the horse and riding a cowboy.” “Oh, grow up. I’m on a treadmill. Put T.J. on the phone.” “You shouldn’t run on those things. They destroy your knees and back,” Dot chided. “When I want health advice from a cigar smoker who jumps from helicopters for fun, I’ll call.” “I don’t jump from the helo. Unless it’s crashing. Even then, that’s sketchy shit.” T.J., giving a rumbling growl, jerked the phone from Dot, and pressed it to his ear. “Vivian, what do you need?” He waited a moment, then with another low growl, pulled the phone from his ear and put it on speaker. “You’re on speaker.” “I need a huge favor from the two of you.” “When you say huge favor, how huge are we talking?” Dot asked. “You know, I think I liked you better when you were a brooding, isolated eremite whose main goal in life was equal parts trying to piss off her mother and keep her out of trouble,” Vivian shot back. “Love you too, coz.” “Now shut up and let me finish.” The whining sound of the treadmill belt slowing echoed over the phone connection. “I just got a call from one of my colleagues. She had a client fail to appear today.” “Shouldn’t the defendant’s bail bondsman be calling us?” T.J. asked. “It’s … complicated.” Dot smiled as T.J. groaned. “Vivian, every time you rope us into one of your firm’s problems with their unruly children, we’re out money, time, and patience. We’re called bounty hunters for a reason. Bounty is in the name.” “Roman, if you keep up the condescending behavior, I’ll expose your dirty little secret.” “Dirty secret, huh,” Dot piped in. “What’s that?” He thrust a finger at her nose. “None of your business. Vivian, if you so much as breathe out of line, I’ll make you regret it.” “Will you do me the favor?” T.J. stared at Dot, who shrugged as if to say, Why not? “Fine. Mark my words, I’ll be cashing in on this huge favor sooner than you think.” “I wouldn’t have bothered you with this, expect the guy is a veteran, and you two being veterans yourself, I figured he’d be more likely to work with you than anyone else.” “What’s on his file?” Dot asked. “That’s the complicated part. Officially, his file says he was picked up a third time for carrying with the intent to sell. Unofficially, he’s … classified.” Dot frowned as she and T.J. locked eyes. As a former army ranger who spent a lot of time flying in and out of forward operating bases in Afghanistan, T.J. knew all about classified situations. Dot, as the main helicopter pilot shuttling him and his team back and forth, though never read in on his actual missions, typically was under strict orders of her own. “Vivian, I’m not getting fuzzy feelings about this,” T.J. said. “Neither am I. It’s why I’m calling the two of you in. The judge wants to issue a bench warrant. My colleague was able to ask for a delay before it’s submitted. She was given three hours to present her client or the warrant is released. If you’d rather, you could consider this job PI work instead of fugitive recovery.” The shingle hanging outside their business office did say private investigators. At this point, that title belonged to T.J. and T.J. alone. “Still not selling me on this,” he said. “If there’s no bench warrant, there’s no cash for catching him.” “Hang on.” Vivian spoke to someone, her voice muffled, then she was back. “The firm will pay you a finder’s fee.” T.J. continued to stare at Dot. She could sense what he was thinking. He was torn. Take this off-the-cuff job and cash in on the favor department with Vivian to help a fellow veteran? Or say fuck it and play hooky for the rest of the day like he’d planned? Dot didn’t really have much of a say in the business dealings of their partnership since she was eight months into the training phase as a fugitive recovery agent and she wasn’t a licensed PI. It didn’t stop T.J. from pressing her for her opinion, who argued that, because she was about to start taking bounties on her own, she needed to take the reins more often. “If it helps you make a decision, I’ve got his last known address and a phone number along with a photo,” Vivian said. “This won’t be a hard catch.” “Stop saying that. Every time you tell me it’s an easy one, it turns into a disaster,” T.J. snarled. “He’s right,” Dot added. “Okay, I retract my statement. But, please say yes. Huge favor to me. I’ll do anything.” “Anything?” Dot glared at him. “Within reason,” Vivian shot back. “We’ll do it,” Dot said, tired of T.J.’s runaround. “Send us the four-one-one, and we’ll go check it out.” T.J. glared at her; his dark eyes flashed a warning. Dot returned his glare with a smug look of her own that dared him to bring it. “Thank you, coz. Hurry. There’s only two hours left before the bench warrant goes out. Then it’ll be a free-for-all.” “You couldn’t have called us about this an hour ago?” T.J. groused. “Shut your yap, Roman,” Vivian said. “There. Info sent.” His phone dinged. “His name is Cade Porter. He was a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps.” Vivian sucked in a breath. “Oooh.” “Oooh, what?” T.J. insisted. “If this is right, he was in an artillery unit.” “Oh my God.” T.J. groaned. Dot grinned. Not only did acting on a favor for Vivian chafe T.J. in the chaps, but doing it for a Marine with explosives expertise was going to make that chafe burn. Throughout their long, storied history, there had always been a deep-seated friendly animosity between the army and the Marines. Push came to shove, however, they still had each other’s backs. “If that crayon eater blows us up, I’m going to haunt you,” he said. “I look forward to the visits. Now get going.” Vivian ended the call. T.J. shoved his phone in a side pocket of his cargo pants. “Tell me again why we let Vivian help us out?” “Because,” Dot said as she scooted out of the SUV’s backend, “she’s good for the money. And I trust her intel more than I would some of your bail bondsmen.” “You say that because you’re biased.” “Nire familia da. Garrantzitsua da.” T.J. paused before closing the hatch. “I speak Pashto, Arabic, some Spanish, and Oklahoman. I do not speak Basque.” Dot chuckled. “Time to learn, Danger Ranger.” “Load up and let’s roll.” *** Excerpt from Bait the Devil by Winter Austin. Copyright 2026 by Winter Austin. Reproduced with permission from Winter Austin. All rights reserved.

 

 

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About Author Winter Austin:

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Winter Austin

Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope,” but believe her, there is a story behind her name. A lifelong Mid-West gal with strong ties to the agriculture world, Winter grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around a table or a campfire. As a published author, she learned her glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller writer. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic suspense, mysteries, and thrillers. When she’s not slaving away at the computer, you can find Winter supporting her daughter in cattle shows, seeing her three sons off into the wide-wide world, loving on her fur babies, prodding her teacher husband, and nagging at her flock of hens to stay in the coop or the dogs will get them. She is the author of multiple novels.

Catch Up With Winter Austin:

AuthorWinterAustin.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @WinterAustin Instagram – @iasuspensewriter Facebook – @author.winteraustin

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Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Saddle Up & Win: Autographed Winter Austin Novel + Gift Card
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Winter Austin. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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In the mystical world of voodoo culture, justice is not
always black and white.

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JuJu Justice

by T.E. Lane

Genres: Supernatural Thriller

JuJu Justice is a gritty suspsense drama set in the
belly of the New Orleans voodoo culture, pitting a juju priestess against her
dangerous childhood nemesis in a war between good and evil. This much
anticipated new drama is T.E. Lane’s second novel, based on their award-winning
screenplay. Fans of mystery, crime, paranormal, and action/thrillers will love
this book!

Deep in the Louisiana river bottoms, the legendary
“swamp witch” Mama Moo must decide who to share her juju with—the
white light voodoo priestess or the black magic criminal mastermind. Her
seemingly obvious choice is complicated by long-buried secrets that will
determine who lives or dies.

June Mae, a white-light practitioner, faces off against her childhood nemesis,
Mister—a well-connected criminal who practices the dark side of voodoo. When
June’s straight-laced sister April drops into town for an unplanned visit, she
quickly understands the dangerous world that June inhabits. As the sisters
reconcile past traumas and reconnect, June must overcome her fears to face
Mister in a voodoo battle to save their lives.  Their mentor, the “swamp
witch” Mama Moo, faces a perilous choice which will determine who lives or
dies.

The screenplay has won five script awards:

*Semifinalist Your Script Produced 4th Edition 2025

*Semifinalist Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards

*Official Finalist NYISA Best Feature Screenplay Award

*Second Rounder Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition

*Quarterfinalist Manchester Film Festival

What readers
are saying:

“JuJu Justice spins a tale that is both intriguing
and culturally rich . . . JuJu Justice enthralls viewers with a combination of
magical intrigue and Southern Gothic drama.”   – NYISA 

“JuJu Justice creates a supernatural stage filled with spirits,
ghosts,murder, and deception . . . with a skillful blend of supernatural
elements with deeper themes of family and responsibility.”  -Austin
Film Festival

**New Release on February 17!**

Amazon * Apple * B&N
* Kobo
* Bookshop.org
* IngramElliot
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Every T.E. Lane story begins with family at its core and
spirals into mystery, action, and a touch of the supernatural. It’s a place
where magic always feels possible, the coincidences may not be so coincidental,
and the line between reality and something more is always worth crossing.

T.E. Lane writes screenplays and fiction. A fan of action, thriller, mystery,
and literary fiction, the author enjoys blending aspects of many genres into a
single work, creating a unique reading experience that will keep you turning
the pages. Connect with the author on social media @telane_author.

Facebook * Facebook * X * Instagram * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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Enter the JuJu Justice Giveaway Here

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Book Details:

  A QUIET KIND OF WRONG (A Novel)

By Mary Frances Hill
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  266 pages

Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller
PublisherMary Frances Hill
Release date:  September 2025
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M: Non explicit sex scenes; a few curse words in dialogue and conversation. No violence

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Book Description:

​One mistake. One secret. One family about to unravel.

Jane Taylor seems to have it all—a loving husband, a successful career as a children’s book author, and a picture-perfect life in Orange County. But one terrible night, she hits her neighbor’s teenage son, panics, and drives away. The police never come to arrest her.

For a year, Jane hides behind her carefully constructed suburban façade. Then a true crime podcaster revisits the unsolved case, and her son, Noah, a podcast addict, discovers the guilt-soaked letters Jane has been writing to the victim.

When Jane resolves to confess, Noah begs her for time. He’s sure the truth about that night is more complicated. Terrified of what her imprisonment would do to her family, Jane reluctantly agrees to Noah’s request. But as their search for answers pulls them deeper into the secrets of their seemingly safe neighborhood, Jane soon realizes that she’s not the only one hiding something.

Dark, twist-filled, and emotionally charged, A Quiet Kind of Wrong explores guilt, family loyalty, and how far we’ll go to protect the lives we’ve created, even when they’re built on lies.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon 
​add to goodreads
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Guest Post By Author Mary Frances Hill
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Why Place Matters in Thrillers

Because of my husband’s career in the consumer products and vitamin industry, I’ve moved fourteen times—all within the US. I’ve lived in Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, Michigan, California, and New Hampshire, bouncing between small towns, suburbs, and big cities. It’s a lifestyle that forces you to pay attention. New rules. New rhythms. New unspoken expectations.

All that moving didn’t just shape who I am. It shaped how I write.

Living in so many different places taught me how profoundly setting influences behavior. In a tiny New Hampshire town like Lake Sunapee, rumors feel dangerous, almost inescapable. In a city like Los Angeles, they dissolve into the noise. People are too busy, too career-focused, too scattered to care. In upper-middle-class suburbs like Princeton, New Jersey, keeping up with the Joneses can feel like a competitive sport. But in places like Key West, Florida, or Venice, California, conformity is practically a crime and individuality reigns supreme.

When I sit down to write a novel, setting is always my first decision… before plot, before characters, before the inciting incident. Writers often say that in the most memorable novels, the setting becomes a character in its own right. I think that’s especially true of thrillers.

Consider The Shining without the isolated hotel. Or Shiver without the French Alps. The Beach without its too-perfect tropical paradise. Or Gone Girl without the claustrophobic Missouri river town. Set those stories anywhere else, and they lose much of their power, their menace.

Why does place matter so much?

When I was a teenager in the late 80’s, living in Lawrenceville, New Jersey (population 2,116), I complained endlessly about how small and suffocating it felt. My mother would always say, “You take yourself with you wherever you go. Your problems too.” She wasn’t wrong, but she wasn’t entirely right either.

If you’re painfully shy, a big city lets you disappear. You can blend in, avoid eye contact, live anonymously. But in a town where everyone knows your name and your cousin’s, you can’t hide. You’re forced to interact. To be seen. To confront the parts of yourself you’d rather ignore.

That, I think, is one of the secrets of truly great thrillers. Their authors trap their protagonists in the exact place where their fears and weaknesses are impossible to escape. Clarice Starling may have fled her uncle’s sheep ranch in Montana, but she can’t flee the prison corridors of The Silence of the Lambs.

In my thriller, A Quiet Kind of Wrong, Jane Taylor is desperate to conceal her crime, but that’s nearly impossible in the Orange County suburbs, where neighbors are observant, curious, and deeply invested in one another’s lives.

In thrillers, place isn’t just a backdrop. It’s pressure. It’s exposure. It’s the thing that refuses to let the protagonist, or the reader, look away.

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Meet Author Mary Frances Hill:

Mary Frances Hill was born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The daughter of a music professor and an elementary school teacher, she obtained a master’s degree in counseling psychology and worked as a therapist before raising two children. Mary currently lives in Southern California with her Russian Blue and Scottish Straight cats, her Pyredoodle puppy, her golfer husband, and her adult son and daughter. She is an avid dog walker and home renovator and loves binge-watching true crime documentaries and mysteries. She is the author of three novels: The Worm Man, The Heaven Spot, and A Quiet Kind of Wrong.

Connect with the author:   Website  instagram ~  Goodreads 

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QUIET KIND OF WRONG (a novel) Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.