mystery series – Page 4

Keeping Up With Those Reading Lists!

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Before sharing my favorite reads in 2019, I wanted to tell you that this will be my last blog until after Christmas. I and my family will be celebrating on the 24^th and 25^th, so I’ll probably be searching for the nearest gym on the 26^th.

Also, production of my 6^th Casey Holland mystery, The Blade Man, is nearly complete! The cover reveal will be on my January 8^th blog. The designer’s done a fantastic job and I’ll be very happy to share it. The manuscript is formatted for the book printer, but I still have to get going on the ebook versions and set up pre-orders. The book will be officially launched on February 12^th, but more on that in a few weeks.

As you many of you already know, this is the time of year when lists of recommended books are everywhere. There’s too many to name, so I’m just mentioning a small sampling that’s peaked my interest.

In my quest to read more nonfiction, I was interested to learn that investor Warren Buffet has a recommended reading list (see link HERE) as does Bill Gates (HERE). BookBub’s poll (HERE) has also come up with best books of the entire decade.

If that isn’t enough, Lithub presents a compilation of best reads taken from 37 different lists involving 749 books (HERE). Given how many books were published this year, I find it hard to believe that only 749 are noteworthy, but all lists are subjective, which leads five of my favorites of the 52 books I read this year. I was lucky to find many great reads this year, this time around I’ve chosen books that were compelling and thought-provoking. My top five are:

. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

. The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner (historical mystery)

. Becoming by Michelle Obama

. The Devil’s Half Mile by Paddy Hirsch (historical mystery)

. Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones (urban fantasy)

I kind of surprised myself with the historical mysteries. I chose these perhaps because I would find it extremely difficult to write a historical mystery, and am in awe of those who do it well. Having said that, If I had to review my list again tomorrow, I’d probably change it for different titles. That’s how subjective lists are.

Anyway, here’s to more great reads in 2020, and Happy Holidays everyone!!

The Edits Are Back and It’s Go Time

Types_of_Freelance_Writing_Services[1] It feels like a long time since I released my fifth Casey Holland mystery Knock Knock, in November 2017, but a heck of a lot has happened since then. Through it all, I’ve been slowly editing draft after draft of the next installment, The Blade Man.

I reached a point in May where I felt that I’d completed as many drafts as I could, and it was time to send the manuscript to my editor. I was in no rush, but as it happened, my editor had a sudden opening in her schedule, and she finished the edits by mid-June.

Last week, I began making the editorial changes. I’ve also acquired ISBNs for the print and ebook, and have contacted my designer, who’s slotted me in for December. I don’t have an exact launch date yet and probably won’t for a while. There’s plenty of prep work to do in the meantime and when it is published, I will celebrate.

This book has been a long time in the making. I remember first meeting the person (over a coffee at Starbucks) who became my technical advisor on bus-driving issues. That was over seven years ago. At that time, my publisher was working on bringing out book #3, Beneath the Bleak New Moon. Book #4, The Deep End, was probably on its fourth or fifth draft, and Knock Knock was still in its early stages.

I therefore knew it would be quite some time before this book would be published, but finally that date is on my radar.

A Casey Holland novella won’t be too far behind (I hope) which will be completely unlike any Casey story I’ve written. It explores the lighter side of her transit security work in all it’s raunchy, awkward, and humorous glory. But I’m getting ahead of myself…stay tuned!

Casey Holland Mysteries: A Series Recap

When customers see all four of my Casey Holland mysteries on display, I’m often asked what my series is about. The quick answer is, thirty-year-old divorcée Casey Holland is a transit security cop who rides the buses dealing with smaller types of crimes which either evolve or merge with something much more serious.

As with most mysteries, each book has a separate plot with a complete beginning, middle, and end. The continuing thread throughout the series is Casey’s personal life, and hers has certainly been tumultuous. So, here’s a quick recap:

Book 1, The Opposite of Dark, focuses on Casey’s family. I wanted to start with the backstory because events in that book have a big impact on her life in subsequent books. It also introduces us to her longtime friend and bus driver, Lou, whose feelings for Casey are deeper than she’s ready to acknowledge.

Book 2, Deadly Accusations, is where Casey acknowledges her growing love for Lou and they become a couple, but not without jealousy and manipulation from a coworker. Casey also finds herself legal guardian to eleven-year-old Summer while coping with the murder of a colleague.

In Book 3, Beneath the Bleak New Moon, Casey’s ex-husband, who’s also a bus driver, returns to work after a long medical leave, and regrets letting Casey go. Lou’s not happy that he’s working with Casey and suggests that he move in with her to move their relationship forward.

Book 4, The Deep End, sees Lou and Casey’s relationship deepening to the point of a marriage proposal, but she’s distracted by another murder and Summer’s involvement with a boy who’s trouble.

The personal and professional challenges Casey faces cause her to grow a little more with each book, to be a little more self-assured and open. But challenges still lay ahead, as in Book 5, Knock Knock, she’s preparing for her wedding while dealing with a string of home invasions. For Casey, life doesn’t get easier as she grows older. Still, she progresses, one book at a time.

Knock Knock, front cover