Tis the Season for Sharing and Breaking Through the Clutter

Gearing up for the January 19, 2016 release of my second book — a gripping page-turner called 'The Perfectionist' and with a busy few weeks ahead of me, I'd like to use this opportunity to remind you it is a time to unite.

It is a time to celebrate.
It is a time you must spend in good spirit with others.
I believe that sharing is the heart of the Christmas holiday season.
And as you enjoy the festive period, think about lending a helping hand to others and sharing too.
Simple gestures. Simple thoughts of kindness. Little things that can help.
Believe me, it goes a long way.

Speaking of help, I'd like to add that anyone can support my book release by doing different things to help it get noticed. So, if you're interested, here's what you can do to support your writer friend after the launch:

1. Buy the book. An obvious point, sure, but important nonetheless. Also, consider pre-ordering the book. Apparently publishers pay attention to pre-orders to help get a sense of what titles are getting buzz.

2. Buy the book for others as a gift. Think of which friends and relatives would enjoy the book.

3. When you actually read the book, read it where people can see it. Read it in public. Read it on the bus or in the subway. Make sure your friends and colleagues see you reading it.

4. Leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads or Facebook - wherever you can. Reviews are very important. The more reviews and ratings on Amazon for 'The Perfectionist', the better. Those first 10-20 reviews really matter and can set a book on the right path. If you don't like to write reviews, just give a rating.

5. "Like" the book on Amazon, "Share" it on Facebook... The more “Likes” a book has on its Amazon page, the more frequently it turns up in Amazon’s comparable titles elsewhere. This is an easy favour to ask, and it requires no money.

6. Spread news of the book through your friend networks. When 'The Perfectionist' is mentioned on Facebook, share the news with your social circles and, if you can, include a small note about the book. Spreading the word by saying "Simon's book has been published!" or "This new book by my friend is a wonderful read. Highly recommended!" This help requires no money.

7. If you know people of influence, why not arrange a connection? This is one of the best things you can do and probably the biggest way you can influence the life of the book. If your next door neighbour is the friend of a friend who knows a local celebrity - that's exactly the kind of connection that serves as a great introduction between me and even larger social circles. If you happen to know a book reviewer at a newspaper, say so. If a former workmate now runs a reading club in a sleepy village, try and help me by suggesting the book be a future choice in that club. Again, this help requires no money.

I know we live in a world now where we are bombarded with advertisements. But if my book can break through the clutter and get an edge, then it will be in large part through friends and families, and friends and families of those friends and families, etc. All those Likes, Comments and Shares on Facebook Pages are valuable recommendations. It's minimal effort and it helps me a lot. I read somewhere that that 70% of consumers trust social media recommendations, and only 10% trust social media advertisements; so getting people to engage with my book on the social media is another feather in my cap.

I wish you all a happy holiday.

More Early Praise for 'The Perfectionist'

It's been a busy few weeks for the book promotion.

After uploading the video trailer on YouTube (https://youtu.be/6rXPMFLeKTg) on November 16th, I followed up with a promotion on Dailymotion (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3edhfz_the-perfectionist-trailer_fun) on November 23rd.

On December 1st, I was also pleased to be included on Paul Norman's Books Monthly. Paul's review of 'The Perfectionist' will appear in the January 2016 edition. Thanks for the support, Paul. Much appreciated!

Check out Books Monthly at this link: http://www.booksmonthly.co.uk/crimeb.html

On Friday 27th, Kate Moloney, who runs Bibliophile Book Club, reviewed 'The Perfectionist' and gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. She followed that up with the publication of our interview today.

Kate, thank you so much for the opportunity! The full book review and interview can be accessed at Kate's website at https://bibliophilebookclub.wordpress.com

I invite you to like her page on Facebook and show your support for the great work she is doing: https://www.facebook.com/BibliophileBookClub/

Here are a few excerpts:

REVIEW

"I was really looking forward to reading The Perfectionist as I loved the premise of the book, and I wasn’t disappointed ... Simon Duke has written a very well crafted novel, with a truly evil villain. If I had to pick a favourite character, honestly, I’d pick The Perfectionist. Intelligent, patient, calculating and just wicked. I liked Stokes as well, but The Perfectionist won out ... I would highly recommend The Perfectionist. Fans of crime thrillers and serial killer novels would devour this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads! Thanks again to Simon for giving me the opportunity to read The Perfectionist!"

Q&A

– First off, can you tell everyone a little about yourself?

I was born in Stoke-on-Trent (UK) in 1979. I lived a while in rural England and had a very happy childhood. My family moved to France when I was eleven and I was parachuted into a French school without really speaking French. It took me a while to get up-to-speed with the other kids and I was (and I guess I always will be) an outsider and an observer. I grew up in the 80s and 90s, reading books and watching many American movies of that period. Meantime I grew fond of the modern gangster and of the transition from film noir and epic to the more gritty and realistic portrayal of crime in more recent times. Today, I’m a journalist and I’m often on the lookout for good stories. I’d also like to reassure you that, contrary to the dark subject matter of my books, I’m considered a rather well-rounded person with my heart in the right place, more often upbeat than a preacher of gloom and doom. I have yet to murder someone, but I do keep a list of potential victims in the drawer of my bedside table!

– Can you tell us how you got the inspiration for The Perfectionist?

I’ve always wanted to write about serial killers. I’ve read many serial killer books (fiction and non-fiction) and watched my fair share of movies on the persona. Some direct movie influences for The Perfectionist include Manhunter (Michael Mann, 1986), Se7en (David Fincher, 1995), Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007), Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (John McNaughton, 1986), The Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991), Natural Born Killers (Oliver Stone, 1994)…

Serial killers fascinate me. In fiction, they are highly stylized, and even real-life serial killers have become celebrity monsters through media coverage. I read somewhere that serial killers are for adults what monster movies are for children: that is the guilty pleasure of scary fun. Serial killers are so extreme in their brutality and in their behaviour that we can be drawn to them out of basic and intense human curiosity. Their behaviour is seemingly inexplicable, so we feel a duty to try and understand what their motives are. And they appeal to our most primal feelings: fear, lust or anger. So I reckoned I’d give it a shot myself, but with a novel angle.

The killer in The Perfectionist could be considered the ultimate serial killer. He seemingly chooses his victims at random across America; he has been at large for more than two decades; he has flown under the radar of the cops and the FBI by navigating through the loopholes of the federal law enforcement system; he respects a unique and horrific modus operandi and fine-tunes methods of execution to seek artistic perfection. In the world of law enforcement, there exists a scale on which to rate killers. My killer does not feature on the scale.

Finally given my journalistic background, I’ve always dreamed of stumbling on a killer myself and pursuing him before submitting the proof of his guilt to the police. Gerry Stokes in the book lives that dream for me.

– Some of the killing methods are very violent, I bet your browser history is fun! Are they true to life and as gruesome as they are described in the book? How did you decide on the various modus operandi?

Indeed, I hope the FBI hasn’t hacked my computer. I’d have trouble justifying my highly suspicious Internet history! I must’ve researched dozens of the methods of execution and selected just some of the disturbing MOs that are out there. It’s a frightening realization that some of the methods of execution in The Perfectionist are shockingly quite commonplace. The Colombian necktie, for instance, is a frequent statement that is made in the world of drug cartels. Other methods I refer to in the book where used on a regular basis in the Middle Ages, Feudal Japan, or in Roman times. The killer in The Perfectionist respects a unique and horrific modus operandi and fine-tunes various methods of execution to seek artistic perfection. He has surgical precision. He’s highly intelligent and methodical. The human body is his canvass and he’s not afraid to experiment.

'The Perfectionist' - Video Trailer

 

 

The Perfectionist: 1st Interview and 1st Book Review

My first review was published by Linda Strong on Friday, November 6, 2015. Linda lives in Arizona, USA
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1434287157?ref=ru_lihp_cm_rv_10_mclk-up2679078791
The next day, my first interview was published by Jeff Kivela of Buttonholed Book Reviews. Jeff lives in Ohio, USA.
http://buttonholed.blogspot.com/p/an-interview-with-simon-duke.html


Thank you, Linda and Jeff for your support and interest in The Perfectionist.


An Interview by Buttonholed Book Reviews with Simon Duke
The Perfectionist, launches January 19th, 2016


Simon, who are your influences? 

My influences are multiple and varied. Movies and music can be inspirational; everyday conversations and interacting with great people can be beneficial too. The more obvious literature influences are also quite numerous. However, if I had to come up with a shortlist of inspirational authors and books which helped me write The Perfectionist, I’d have to mention the works of Michael Connelly (e.g. The Poet), RJ Ellory (e.g. The Anniversary Man), Henning Mankell (The Kurt Wallander series), James Ellroy (e.g. Killer on the Road), Shane Stevens (By Reason of Insanity), as well as Dennis Lehane, John Grisham, and even Paul Auster and Ernest Hemingway.

Looking at the root of all things, I was born in Stoke-on-Trent (UK). I lived in rural England and had a very happy childhood. My family moved to France when I was eleven and I was parachuted into a French school without really speaking French. It took me a while to get up-to-speed with the other kids and I was (and I guess I always will be) the 'Angliche'. Hence my tendency to favor underdogs or characters with inner demons. I grew up watching many American film classics and loved the 80s films and music (some of it) and read many American novels. I grew fond of the modern gangster and of the transition from film noir and epic to the more gritty and realistic portrayal of crime in more recent times. Let's say that my writing sort of reflects bits of all that.


When did you begin writing?

I started work on my first novel, Out of Bounds, in 2012 (N.B. Out of Bounds was published in 2014). Until then I’d only managed to write short stories, and my writing was infrequent, despite my mind over-spilling with ideas and scenari. One day, I had car trouble on my way to work. The mechanic quoted me a hefty amount of money to carry out the necessary repair work – an amount I wasn’t willing to invest. I began commuting by train and rediscovered the joys of reading. By doing so I discovered crime fiction authors whom I’d never heard of before. Back then I was subject to binge reading. I’d read a novel or two per week, good ones and not so good ones. All this influenced me immensely. And at some point I asked myself, and why not me? This led me to writing the opening scene of Out of Bounds. Nine months later, I’d penned down my first novel.


In The Perfectionist, how did you come up with your story, characters, character names, POV, etc.?

I’ve always wanted to write about serial killers. They tend to fascinate me. In fiction, serial killers are highly stylized and even real-life serial killers have become celebrity monsters through media coverage. I read somewhere that serial killers are for adults what monster movies are for children: that is the guilty pleasure of scary fun. Serial killers are so extreme in their brutality (modus operandi) and in their behavior that we can be drawn to them out of basic and intense human curiosity. Their behavior is seemingly inexplicable, so we feel a duty to try and understand what their motives are. And they appeal to our most primal feelings: fear, lust or anger. So I reckoned I'd give the persona a shot myself, but with a novel angle.


The killer in The Perfectionist could be considered the ultimate serial killer. He seemingly chooses his victims at random across America; he has been at large for more than two decades; he has flown under the radar of the cops and the FBI by navigating through the loopholes of the federal law enforcement system; he respects a unique and horrific modus operandi and fine-tunes methods of execution to seek artistic perfection. In the world of law enforcement, there exists a scale on which to rate killers. My killer does not feature on the scale.


I also have a journalistic background and I’ve always dreamed of stumbling on a killer myself and pursuing him before submitting the proof of his guilt to the police. Gerry Stokes in the book lives that dream for me. His quest is epic. The other characters may be secondary but they play vital roles too. As for names, they tend to evolve during the writing project, but when I find one that sounds authentic, I keep it.


If you could actually meet one of your characters, who would it be? Why?


I’d say: Gerry Stokes. He’s a complex character. He’s a rookie reporter stuck in small-town Iowa in the late 80s, working for a local paper, but with great ambitions. We meet him again more than twenty years later. He’s become a seasoned business journalist working for the Chicago Tribune. He’s a self-centered, obnoxious and arrogant guy with a soft spot for sex with prostitutes. Despicable. But he’s got talent and flair. The morbidity and seriousness of the investigation will change him, and so will his relationship with the woman who puts him on the track in the first place, Sarah Howard. Gerry’s evolution in the book is gradual and we grow to like his character. I’m sure he’d be a bit of fun to be with around a few beers.


Do you work from an outline? Can you tell us a little about your writing philosophy? 

Indeed, I start off with a story idea and write it down in a summary. Either the rest of the story comes to me straight away, or I begin writing a few scenes and things gradually fall into place. As soon as I have a solid enough backbone to a story, I flesh it out and divide the result into chapters. From there on, I write bit after bit. I set myself realistic goals (such as a certain amount of words to write per week/month) and above all do not hate myself if for some reason or another I do not meet my targets. There are times when the inspiration does come and I have to cash in to churn out more words than usual. Other times I realize the storyline is weak and needs beefing up, or I have a change in mind with regard to how events unfold. I then go back to the backbone and fit these new ideas in.
Having said that, whatever philosophy that may apply to me may not be necessarily relevant for others. I’d argue that you mustn’t be afraid to write, even if you think that what you’re writing isn’t quality. It’s the writing exercise that’s important. Put as much as you can on paper. It’s only afterwards that you do the sorting out. You have to believe in yourself and your capacity as a writer because if you don’t, no-one else will. If you don’t get published via the traditional route, then publish by your own means. It’s not a defeatist attitude; on the contrary it’s a sign of courage showcasing your will and desire to succeed in spite of the obstacles in your way. If you don’t secure a publisher’s representation the first time round, then you’ve always got a second chance, a third, or a forth. Never give up.


Tell me about your favorite scene in The Perfectionist. 


Though there are many to choose from, one that comes to mind right now is a scene about a third of the way in. Gerry Stokes is visiting his brother Joe who stayed in Iowa and took care of the hog farm, helping out their parents while Gerry went away to live the journalist hotshot life in Chicago. Without revealing too much with regard to the purpose of this visit, Gerry is basically forced to come back to the farm for the first time in many years, and Joe confronts him around coffee at the kitchen table for reasons linked to his brother’s absence. It’s an emotional scene between the two brothers who couldn’t have more different personalities. However, it’s also a crucial moment when I sow the seeds of Gerry’s shift in attitude and open his eyes to what he needs to preserve from the evil surrounding him during his investigation. It may not be an action-packed scene, but I remember being totally in phase with the writing and overall mood; the words just flowed out of me.

Have you ever tried writing in any other genres?


So far I've only written crime fiction. It's my favorite genre. Besides, it offers a lot of scope for writers. Within crime fiction I can weave in all sorts of other genres: the thriller, a bit of romance, history, psychology, and even social commentary. Crime fiction is a great place to put your ordinary Joe in extraordinary circumstances, in situations that people would never experience in ordinary life. This then gives me possibility of putting my characters through a lot of human emotions, and that makes the process even more interesting.

Do you have any interesting writing-related anecdotes to share?


This is related to my third book, which I’m still working on. But there’s a scene in which my main protagonist, who is a hitman, goes to Spain and carries out a contract. His target is a rich and retired Englishman living in a mansion in Benidorm. A few days after I wrote that scene, I read in the papers that a retired Englishman living in Benidorm was found shot dead in his home and that the police were still without suspects. Needless to say, that kind of freaked me out. Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Spanish police doesn’t comes across my Internet history!

Do you listen to music as you write?

As I get more comfortable with my writing I tend to put on a melody from time to time. It mustn't be too distracting though and make me want to dance on my chair instead of writing. So I opt most often for music without lyrics and make sure there is a constant flow coming through. Sometimes I like it soft and classical or jazzy, but when I need some more pace I listen to electro music too. I enjoy some movie soundtracks too. But before I reach that stage, I need silence. Silence is a prerequisite. I need it for my deepest thinking and concentration spans.

Thank you Simon for taking the time for Buttonholed Book Reviews

****

The Perfectionist - A Review by Linda Strong
from Mesa, Arizona


"My thanks to the author who so graciously furnished an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. The Perfectionist is out on January, 19th 2016."

Who knew that finding a severed head in a cornfield 20 years ago would lead to a 3-year odyssey into finding a serial killer? Gerry Stokes, a journalist, helped cover up the discovery and now he's sorry.

Sara Howard approaches Gerry about her missing grandfather, who hasn't been seen in the past 20 years. She more or less blackmails Gerry into finding out exactly what happened to him.

What Gerry finds is unbelievable.... a trail of dead bodies across several states. He starts seeing the connections, something no one else has seen. A serial killer who has gone entirely unnoticed for all these years.

The murderer seems to kill two or three random people in one way, until he perfects his technique, always taking his victims from one state and leaving their bodies or body parts in another state. Then he goes on another spree, killing in a different way, repeating the pattern to perfection.

Gerry goes from state to state following very thin threads and tying them all together. His idea is to document all his findings in a book. He wants to write the book before notifying authorities, a first. He sees lot of fame and lots of dollars in his near future.

This book almost reads like a textbook on how to investigate and locate suspects. It's fascinating watching how he goes about it, some of it being gut-feelings.

There are several twists and turns along the way, a major one popping up at the end...which took me entirely by surprise.

An intriguing book, there is only one small criticism I have ... the cases of all the victims are repeated multiple times and I found myself skipping through a lot of those descriptions after reading the very first ones.


3.75 Stars

Press Release: 'The Perfectionist' to Be Published in Mid-January 2016

November 2, 2015 -- Simon Duke, the author of Out of Bounds, is delighted to announce the launch of his new novel in mid-January 2016. The Perfectionist - a modern day crime thriller set in the U.S. – explores new angles in the serial killer theme while providing a fair share of frightening twists and turns. It’s a novel he's wanted to write for many years.

The Perfectionist is a haunting, psychological thriller with compelling and vivid storytelling as well as major character development, which begins with a severed head found rotting in an Iowa corn field, in 1988. Confronted with this gruesome discovery, Gerry Stokes – an arrogant and obnoxious newspaper reporter – agrees to cover up the affair. But the truth can't be concealed forever.

More than twenty years later, Stokes must finally atone for his errors as the past returns with a vengeance. Forced into an investigation to discover what happened all those years ago, he stumbles upon a sordid truth: the victim is one of many; people seemingly chosen at random across America by a serial killer at large for more than two decades; a killer with a unique and horrific modus operandi who’s flown under the radar. Still at large the killer seeks to achieve artistic perfection in his methods of execution. He is "The Perfectionist".


While tracking the killer under the cloak of FBI suspicion, Stokes sets himself an ambitious target and potential path to fame: write a book that leads the police to the killer, a first in the history of publishing.

The stakes are high and the pressure is on. Stokes is in the race of his life to discover The Perfectionist's identity and publish his bestseller, while forced to bend the notion of what is ethically right.

Prior to the mid-January 2016 launch, Duke plans a marketing and publicity campaign which will include a video trailer integrating music by renowned American singer and composer, Josh Garrels.

Simon Duke was born in Stoke-on-Trent (UK) in 1979. He obtained a B.A. in French with Film Studies in 2001 and has been working in journalism ever since. He currently lives in Toulouse, France.

His other fiction work includes his debut novel, Out of Bounds  - published in 2014, and available at Amazon; CreateSpace; Smashwords; Barnes & Noble; Apple; Sony; Kobo; etc – as well various short stories and poems available on his website http://simongduke.blogspot.com

For more information or interviews please contact:

Simon Duke
Email: simonduke31450@gmail.com
Website: http://simongduke.blogspot.com

'Mockingbird Songs': The Past Cannot Be Buried Forever - Review

The first Roger Ellory novel I read was 'The Anniversary Man'. That was several years ago. After such a stunning discovery I did not lose much time and read his previously published works. And ever since the release of 'Bad Signs' in 2011, I have been looking forward (and not without a high degree of impatience) to getting hold of each new book, and immersing myself into them, devouring the fine prose and marveling at the slow burning and always uniquely-told stories. 'Mockingbird Songs' (2015) is no exception, it's simply addictive.

'Mockingbird Songs' tells the stories of two men: Evan Riggs, a former country music star in the 1940s who ends up serving life without parole for the murder of a stranger; and Henry Quinn, a young guitarist whom he meets thirty years later and protects in prison. Upon his release Quinn promises Riggs to deliver a letter to a girl called Sarah, the daughter that Evan has never seen. Quinn's mission takes him to Calvary, East Texas, where Evan's estranged brother, Carson, serves as sheriff and is determined to complicate Henry's task and make sure that the Pandora's Box remains closed.

I enjoyed 'Mockingbird Songs' for various reasons. Stylistically, I was once again hooked from the very beginning. Ellory somehow captures the eeriness and desolation of small-town Texas in the 1940s-70s and introduces us to astutely fleshed-out and complex characters who keep us emotionally-involved. There is juxtaposition in style between sharp, yet beautiful prose and slang Americanisations, which only Ellory seems capable of pulling off. You get the feeling that he has lived in Calvary, Texas his whole life and knows the townsfolk like his next door neighbors. He makes them real and believable.

Like Ellory's other novels, 'Mockingbird Songs' is very much character driven. Henry Quinn, the main protagonist, takes us along with him on the ride and into to the heart of the matter: small town politics, power struggles, but also conflicting jealousies, human bitterness, tangled with a highly emotional love story - and all accompanied by a country music vibe which highlights Ellory's passion for literature as well as music. The characters evolve as the plot jumps between the past (1940s) in which we are given the necessary background and the present (1972) in which Henry is determined to deliver the letter he has been trusted with while gradually discovering the skeletons in the closet of the past.

The dual story unfolds at a wonderful pace and you reach an eventful conclusion that has considerable impact - a sort of inevitable catharsis where the worlds of the past and present clash once and for all, leaving little room for survivors. What goes around certainly comes around. And I turned the last page of the book with a feeling of joy and satisfaction for having witnessed something raw and thought-provoking - a story whose characters will linger in my mind and continue to haunt me for the near future. And that's always a wonderful sensation to have after reading a book!

Although I was mesmerized by 'Mockingbird Songs', I did however find that it lacked somewhat the punch of Ellory's previous novels. Henry Quinn or Evan Riggs seemed to possess less inner demons than the main protagonists of his other books. Detective Ray Irving in 'The Anniversary Man', Frank Parrish in 'Saints of New York' or Vincent Madigan in 'A Dark and Broken Heart' were truly consumed by theirs. But then again the story here is perhaps a little more subdued than in his other novels as the primary focus is family matters in a small town in rural America, and not a relentless pursuit of a sadistic killer nor a man's survival in the world of organized crime.

Overall this was another great achievement by Roger Ellory, and now I await the 2016 book with even more eagerness.

'The Perfectionist': The Book Cover

The launch period for 'The Perfectionist' has been chosen. Drums rolling... It's going to be mid-January 2016. The book will be available in paperback and in ebook at the major retailers.

All is more or less ready; the promotional plan will soon be in full swing, and last week I was proud to receive a copy of the proof paperback. Impressed with the result, I am now in a position to publically-disclose the book's layout and cover artwork.

So without further ado, here is an exclusive sneak peek at the book cover. Thank you to my trustworthy and insightful collaborators, Oscar Sanchez and Bertrand Raes. You don't change a winning team!

 

 

Here's the back cover blurb:

"Iowa, 1988. An unidentified severed head is found rotting in a corn field. Confronted with this gruesome discovery, Gerry Stokes – an arrogant and obnoxious newspaper reporter – agrees to cover up the affair. But the truth can't be concealed forever.

More than twenty years later, Stokes must finally atone for his errors as the past returns with a vengeance. Forced into an investigation to discover what happened all those years ago, he stumbles upon a sordid truth: the victim is one of many; people seemingly chosen at random across America by a serial killer at large for more than two decades; a killer with a unique and horrific modus operandi who’s flown under the radar. Still at large the killer seeks to achieve artistic perfection in his methods of execution. He is "The Perfectionist".

While tracking the killer under the cloak of FBI suspicion, Stokes sets himself an ambitious target and potential path to fame: write a book that leads the police to the killer, a first in the history of publishing.

The stakes are high and the pressure is on. Stokes is in the race of his life to discover The Perfectionist's identity and publish his bestseller, while forced to bend the notion of what is ethically right."

Exploring Evil

I recently attended a roundtable held during the 7th edition of the Toulouse Polars du Sud crime fiction festival (9 October 2015), during which participants RJ Ellory* and Donato Carrisi** asked the questions, "Is evil external to the human condition?" and "Can you be born evil?"

While there is no consensus on our inherent nature, one may be concerned about man's genetic predisposition towards evil behaviors like selfishness, violence, and cruelty. Is evil inherent, or is it an unfortunate side effect of our society? It is understood that personality comes early and is influenced by outside circumstances and upbringing. We enter this world as innocent children. However, we all have the potential to descend into evil over the years. As Ellory puts it, "evil is an additive."

Carrisi looked no further than at a man who has been coined as one of the most evil men in history: Adolf Hitler. When you look at the popular photo of Hitler taken when he was a toddler, it is hard to fathom that he started off so innocent-looking.

Fortunately for the human race, only a tiny percentage of people turned out to be figures of evil or what one may call evil geniuses. Yet these people are subjects of our fascination. We are drawn to them, yet we can't really justify such attractions. Why is this?

Through his novels, Ellory touches upon the incomprehensible nature of evil, a concept that can be described and discussed, but never completely understood. Although we condemn rapists, thieves, or people who kill out of rage or jealousy, we can fathom the coherent and human thought processes behind such acts, for we too are human. "But why don't we understand pure evil?" Ellory asks. "It's because we don't really understand ourselves," he says in answer.

The behavior of the evil geniuses or less genius serial killers is seemingly inexplicable and without a coherent motive which we can relate to. Serial killers are driven by inner demons that even they may not comprehend. We are drawn to these killers, not really by disgusting morbidity, but more because we cannot understand their violence. We thus feel compelled to understand, and by doing so we side with evil. It's basic human curiosity.

Besides the killer himself, many of my characters in 'The Perfectionist' are linked to this fascination we can have in serial killers. I carried out some research into profiling and criminology. I even looked at some forensics science. But above all I looked at factual data about these evil men. Be reassured, real serial killers generally do not possess unique or exceptional intellectual skills (think of David Berkowitz - aka Son of Sam - who in the 1970’s, terrorized the people of New York City, murdering six people and prompting a police operation known as Operation Omega, comprised of 200 detectives trying to stop him before he could kill again. What caused his downfall and subsequent capture? ... A parking ticket!) The image of the evil genius serial killer is mostly a Hollywood invention - think of Kevin Spacey's character in 'Se7en' or Anthony Hopkins's Hannibal Lecter in 'Silence of the Lambs.' This makes the intelligence of serial killers a popular culture stereotype, but it sure does make great entertainment. Wouldn't you agree?

It is understood that it isn't intelligence, cunning or genius that makes real serial killers successful. No, instead, it is obsession, meticulous planning and a decent amount of cold-blood to operate, outsmart law enforcement authorities and to remain at large. 'The Perfectionist' takes all that and all we know about the serial killer persona and goes an extra step.

The killer whom my main character (Gerry Stokes, a veteran journalist working at the Chicago Tribune) tracks has flown under the radar for more than 20 years. His unique modus operandi and his inner demons or ambitions make him hard to fit into any category of killer seen before. In 'Level 26: Dark Origins', authors Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski explore this fictitious notion of killer classification. In the book, law enforcement quantifies evil and murderousness on a scale of 1 to 25, with naive opportunists at Level 1 and organized, premeditated torture-murderers at Level 25. However, the killer in the book is so awesome, that a level 26 has to be considered. The killer in 'The Perfectionist', meanwhile isn't subject to such classification because he simply doesn't exist in the eyes of the law. It takes an unfortunate set of circumstances and a lot of reporter's flair to put Gerry Stokes on his trail. My killer simply got unlucky.

Can the Perfectionist be considered the ultimate serial killer? You'll soon find out. Significant progress has been made and most of the pre-publication work is over. Finally, cover artwork is close to being finalized. All is on track for an early-2016 launch. I expect to share more news soon on this blog in the coming weeks. Additionally you can follow me on Twitter at @SimonGDuke and/or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/simonduke

'The Perfectionist' touches upon the evolution of the serial killer. And similar to the killers who are its messengers, evil has evolved too. It has become more cunning and comes under many shapes and disguises. But evil remains evil, true to form.

Dare enter the mind of the ultimate killer? 'The Perfectionist' is out soon.

* RJ Ellory's 'The Anniversary Man' has been released in France. French title: 'Les Assassins.'
** Donato Carrisi's 'Il Cacciatore del Buio' has been released in France. French title: 'Maléfico.'

It Ain't a Dog's Life No More

New day. New inspiration....

It Ain’t A Dog’s Life No More

A long time ago I used to own a stray mutt.
Found the mongrel wandering near a sinister fairground.
He wasn't exactly what you’d call the most charming hound in the pound.
And sometimes he was a real pain in the butt.

I cared for him just the same.
You see, he was loyal; he would give his life for me.
But I saw it coming in his eyes... that darned curiosity.
Flickering like a flame.

It was getting the best of him.
He wanted to know what was on the other side of the forest.
So one winter morning I walked him outside; wanted to put his mind at rest.
Removed his chains. Set him free. And off went my pilgrim.

But it wasn't long before he came back.
Running to me, straight out of the fog.
There was something different about my dog.
He had a scar from his belly to his nut-sack.

And I knew right then: he was changed.
He never ran away again or tried to hide.
He never left my side.
But like I said, he was different. Somewhat estranged.

Because that day his growl turned into a deafening screech.
He learned that the world that lies beneath.
Remains unforgiving, relentless, and gnarls with sharper teeth.
And he learned the most valuable lesson that I could ever teach...

Life's a fight. Stand tall or snap under its strain.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. But show some dignity. Show some virtue.
Dog, you gotta get them before they get you.
And don't cry like a bitch when you feel the pain.

Nasty Noir: Stakes Raised in 'The Corruption of Chastity'

I am once again thrilled to have been one of the recipients of an advance copy of the new crime-thriller ‘The Corruption of Chastity’ by Frank Westworth. ‘Chastity' is the second book of the Killing Sisters Trilogy and a great read. I was also honoured to have had an extract of my review for 'A Last Act of Charity' (the first book of the trilogy, released last year) included in the ‘Praise for the Author’ section. Thank you, Frank, Rowena at Murdermayhemandmore.net, and The Book Guild.

Here is my review of ‘Chastity’:

Nasty Noir: Stakes Raised in 'The Corruption of Chastity'

Unlike most sequels, 'The Corruption of Chastity' doesn't disappoint. I'd go as far as saying that the energy and zaniness which made 'A Last Act of Charity' a thrill to read enter a new dimension with 'Chastity'.

Story-wise, the characters I very much enjoyed in the first book continue to surprise you as author Frank Westworth gives them additional psychological substance and emotional development. The rollercoaster experience I felt with the first book's momentum intensifies with 'Chastity', all the way to a captivating finale, yet remains well-punctuated with welcome breathers. And stylistically, the book’s certainly got something cool going on...

"She pulled the body, still warm and willing, to the floor of the nave, carefully slid the long blade between two of the exposed neck vertebrae and sliced. The bones parted. One more slice and the head fell free. Black skin and wide white eyes staring at the religious painting on the ceiling.
Chastity glanced up. 'Can you still see? That's some bad old white man's God on his big white cloud, welcoming the sinners to their hereafter. But there is no hereafter, is there buddy? None. Just one big fat silent nothing. Hope you enjoy it.'
She stood. Stretched. Placed the handgun beside her clothes and walked, naked apart from the long knife, to the church door. Opened it. stepped outside, crossed the small car park, the small road, and ran lightly down the clean beach to the calm waters of the big lake. Waded in. squatted down and relieved herself luxuriously..."

As this segment shows, Westworth's writing comes in outbursts of tough, streamlined elegance. Oftentimes it is paired with sharp and punchy dialogue, which is astutely delivered and ultimately pushes the plot forward, maybe more so than the action scenes.

Plot-wise it is also interesting to see how the cool and determined master blues guitarist/contract killer JJ Stoner is no longer the main driver of the story, as is the case in the previous opus. What may be perceived as a lurid and gritty man's world is increasingly overtaken by the female characters, all of whom have important roles in Stoner’s life. Be it, Chastity, Charity, Bili the bassist, or Jenny, a cruise ship love interest… they are fleshed out and constantly surround Stoner. And dangling like a Sword of Damocles, the mood of uncertainty which prevails in the book is upheld by these strange femme fatales with hidden agendas; and it's fun trying to decipher their intentions while being under the influence of their sexual power and enchantment.

In 'Chastity', Westworth pushes the boundaries of classic noir further by making once familiar characters more elusive and mysterious. He also successfully weaves in elements of the spy novel: the alpine forests, the boat cruises, and the stints in exotic, luxurious hotels - all are rather reminiscent of Bond movies. And the book's solitary sniper/assassin sequences have nothing to envy from the genre. Yet despite the influences, Westworth preserves his own, unique voice. Add in the weird sex and the not-so-distant vibe of blues music in the background, and you have a sincere attempt at creating something new: something which I've never really come across before, something Westworth has mastered; something I dare name 'nasty noir'.

However, at times I found 'Chastity' hard to digest. Occasionally the conversations go on a wee bit too long and thus feel contrived. And I couldn't help myself from smiling at all the wisecracks which are arguably too numerous for a regular human being to spurt out if his/her intention is to make him/herself understood. There is a delicate balancing act to maintain in order to keep the reader both focused and entertained, and at times it felt like Westworth went a bit too far. I had to re-read segments to make sure which character was speaking; and by doing so I interrupted the flow of my reading, which possibly made me miss out on some of the finer subtleties. But maybe that's me being finicky? Having said that, the long chunks of dialogue are just a minor blip in what is a second great chapter of the Killing Sisters saga. Looking forward to the third and final book.

'The Corruption of Chastity', the second installment of the Killing Sisters Trilogy, is out on September 24th 2015.
Check it out here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Corruption-Chastity-Killing-Sisters/dp/1910508683

Finding the Limelight Again?

September is the start of the academic year in many countries in which children go back to school after the summer break. With September comes the sapphire, representing clarity of thought, intuition, and peacefulness. In September we celebrate "Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month". And September 2015 marks the beginning of my own little DIY project. After having submitted queries and manuscripts to indie publishers and agents all year, I have decided to once again pursue the route of self-publishing.

This time I am not entering new territory, neither am I very anxious. No, this time I am equipped with extra self-confidence, knowhow, and what may be the most crucial of all when it comes to editing your own book: patience. Self-publishing a second time was a carefully-planned and long decision. In June, it seemed like I'd found my publisher after receiving a publishing contract in the mail. But after much debate, I turned it down. I had to avoid falling into the trap of what seemed to me like vanity publishing. As I've said before, I must think bigger and more long-term. My book was deemed worthy of publishing, but by accepting such an offer, I would've been setting the ambition bar too low.

Now with 'The Perfectionist', I have to fine-tune a marketing strategy and make sure to blow my own trumpet in the months prior to the launch, during, and in the weeks following the launch. I shall seek additional readership, but being better prepared than I was for 'Out of Bounds'. And who knows? Maybe I'll get spotted by someone who can take my work to the next level or I could stir up some kind of buzz? Whatever the outcome, I'll try to do my best. Larger commercial success can come later. I'm not in a hurry. Maybe novel number three, or number four which I'd like to work on in the coming months, or one of those I will write in the future will be my ticket to stardom? Dream big, I say, for no-one will do it for you.

I've set up a calendar listing the main tasks at hand and what I need to do between now and the time of the book launch, which I have penciled in for early-2016. This gives an overview and makes sure I don't lose focus. I have learnt valuable lessons with 'Out of Bounds', which I hope to put into practice in the coming months. I must ramp up promotional activity. I need to be more active on the reviewer front and more interactive as far as social media is concerned. And I have to generate more following and cater to my existing followers - or dare I say fans? - by writing here too, on this blog. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! 

My team is in place to help me with the book cover and formatting before I undertake the self-publishers' grinding process. In fact it's the same one. I loved the 'Out of Bounds' book cover and, as they say, you don't change a winning team. It's so good to brainstorm and bounce ideas off each other. We've got a great understanding and I'm impressed by what the guys can come up with. I'm also currently working on the book's inside, making sure that it all looks good. 'The Perfectionist' is approximately 115,000 words long. That comes down to a bit less than 400 pages (paperback). Add on the front and back covers, as well as the spine, and we'll have a hell of a book.

Feel free to contact me if you wish to be kept informed of the editorial process and the book launch. All you need to do is send an email to simonduke31450@gmail.com

Here's the synopsis (in case you haven't yet seen it):

Synopsis – The Perfectionist – by Simon Duke

1988. A severed and decomposed head belonging to an unidentified old man is found rotting in an Iowa corn field. Confronted with this gruesome discovery, rookie reporter Gerry Stokes is urged by the local sheriff and his newspaper editor to cover up the affair. But the truth can't be concealed forever.

2010. Stokes, now an arrogant and unpleasant sex-driven, yet seasoned veteran journalist at the Chicago Tribune, must at last atone for his wrong-doings as the shunned-upon past returns with a vengeance. Payback ultimately comes in the attractive form of Sarah Howard, a nostalgic but committed young woman, who believes she has identified the old man as being her own long-lost grandfather, Ted Callaway. Unwilling to be exposed by the young woman, Stokes is forced into an investigation to discover the truth of what happened twenty-two years ago.

Looking for Callaway's killer leads Stokes to an even more sordid truth: Callaway is one of many victims; people seemingly chosen at random across the nation by a serial killer who has been at large for more than two decades: a killer so cunning that he has flown under the radar of the cops and the FBI by navigating through the loopholes of the federal law enforcement system while respecting a unique and horrific modus operandi. By fine-tuning methods of execution, the killer seeks artistic perfection. He is "the Perfectionist".

As the case is in full swing, Stokes's parents die in a tragic car crash. Reluctantly he must temporarily halt his pursuit and travel back to Iowa for the first time in years to take care of the funeral with his brother, Joe. Stokes faces Joe's anger regarding his decision to leave the family hog farm behind and never come back. Little does Stokes know but this tragedy and its aftermath impact him more than expected.

As the hunt for the killer progresses, Stokes becomes obsessed with the case and questions his own selfish nature. The evil lurking behind the investigation causes a gradual attitude shift inside him as he looks back on his former Iowa life, this time with feelings closer to regret. He not only tries to resurrect a difficult relationship with Joe, but he also begins to feel a mixed array of emotions for Sarah who becomes a crucial part of his life, in some ways his anchor.

2013. Three years later, the investigation is given a new lifeline after Stokes is alerted to a series of gruesome Colombian neckties in California. Stokes realizes that the Perfectionist, who had been dormant for a long time, is still at large and has resumed his hunt for new victims. The current nature of the murders and the media buzz around them put the FBI in the hot seat, and Stokes must confront their determined lead investigator, Special Agent Elliot Keppler, to obtain confirmation that his killer is still active.

At the same time Stokes is quick to identify a promising path to journalistic success. He sets himself an ambitious and innovative target; a risky objective preventing him from keeping law enforcement in the loop, one which may very well merit a Pulitzer prize and pave the way to fame: he wishes to publish a truly special book; a book, which for the very first time in publishing history will give the police the means to capture a serial killer. And not just any serial killer... America's greatest and smartest: the Perfectionist. Using the potential shared success generated by such a book as bait, Stokes finds unlikely help along the way from Frank Craven, his editor at the Tribune; Dr. Ken McFarland, a forensic autopsy technician and old friend; Prof. Dennis Morton, a criminology professor; and James Henry Johnson, a death row convict - all of whom acknowledge the need to proceed in discretion. But to keep his book project alive, he has to keep on hiding the full truth from the FBI. And by doing so he becomes a Person of Interest, arousing Keppler's suspicion.

With such high stakes, the pressure is on. Stokes is in the race of his life to discover the killer's identity and publish his bestseller, while bending the notions of what can be considered ethically right.

Summer Sun

Before my next article I just thought I'd share a new poem I've written in French. The beautiful summer here was somewhat inspirational!

Soleil d'Eté (Summer Sun)

 

O mon Soleil...
Est-ce toi qui caresse ma peau à mon réveil?

C’est une des plus belles sensations
Que de sentir l'expression de ta passion

 

Extrais-moi de ma somnolence
Et illumines-moi de tes milles feux de jouvence

Même quand tu restes caché là-bas à l'horizon
J'aime ouvrir les yeux et contempler tes premiers rayons

 

O mon Soleil
Chaque jour tu brilles et tu m'apportes conseil

Dans tes bras je sens une douce et exquise langueur
Alors berce-moi avec ta chaleur...

 

Jusqu'au soir
Où tes feux s'apaisent mais promettent l'espoir

Lorsque tu te couches au dessus d’une mer que je vois rougir
Je sais que c'est à mon tour de m'endormir

 

Ainsi, la paix dans l'âme, je ferme les yeux
Je pense à l'avenir et à nous deux

O mon Soleil éternel, tu brilles d'amour
Sourire aux lèvres, j'attendrai ton retour

 

 

Why I Walked Away From A Publishing Contract

A few weeks ago I received a publishing contract in the mail - a contract enabling paperback and hardback copies of 'The Perfectionist' to be distributed to the likes of WH Smith and Waterstone's across the UK, supported by a traditional pre and post launch promotional push, and with a mention of what I could expect, should the book be exported or considered for a movie adaptation.

I turned it down.

I assure you, the decision wasn't an easy one to make, and I was torn.

Before I explain why, it is important to stress that it is an honour for me to have reached such a level of recognition and to be offered a legitimate publishing contract. I was (and I still am) excited by the opportunity and thrilled to know that ‘The Perfectionist’ was an enjoyable read for the aforementioned publisher who reckoned my work deserved to be published.

However, having read through the contract, I was rather disappointed to find out that the publisher was offering me an author contribution type contract based on the fact that I am a debut author without an agent and a public track record of prior success. The contribution requested by the publisher is a lot of money. And despite having been offered interesting royalty payments, I calculated that it would require a fair amount of book sales to cover my initial expense. I reckoned that a proposed 1,500 paperbacks, 500 hardbacks, + ebooks wasn't ambitious enough for a first print run.

The publisher is an independent organisation based in London. And due to its smaller size, I understand that they face more risks when publishing books than their larger rivals do. However, my concern wasn't so much the financial aspect (though, I did think of eating potatoes for a year to afford it!), it was more to do with the uncertainties related to the type of promotion I would be getting and with the ethics of the publisher's agreement (after all, aren't all debut and untested authors a risk, no matter how big the publisher is?).

Obviously books shipped to stores by indie publishers aren't featured on the shelves as prominently as let's say, the new releases from HarperCollins or Hodder & Stoughton. Nevertheless I was concerned that 'The Perfectionist' might just end up on a bottom shelf somewhere at the back of the shop. I do appreciate the fact that stores rotate their stock regularly, and this is down to the individual store managers. Therefore it is impossible to guarantee which books will be held by which stores at any given time. But having said that, I wasn't entirely convinced by the publisher's arguments with regard to their marketing to keep my book in stores.

So in a nutshell, I wanted to avoid falling into the trap of what increasingly seems to me like vanity publishing. I must think bigger and more long-term. Sure it's a wonderful feeling to know that my second novel is deemed worthy of publishing. But by accepting such an offer, I am afraid that I would be setting the bar too low. I think I was right in rejecting the contract and not being lured by the singing of the sirens.

As I said before, I dream of blatant commercial success. I wished for it for 'Out of Bounds'. I still wish for it for 'The Perfectionist'. But maybe I have to wait some more and wish again for novel number three, or maybe number four, or five, or six? I think I'm capable of greater things and I have set my ambitions high. I must continue the work and persevere. Basically, I must continue to write and send samples of my work to those who could possibly promote me best. I must hold out for a better contract and dream big. That is my take-home message.

These words are slogans. In turn, the slogans become my mantra. And I continue my quest.

Confucius once said, "The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." Well, it certainly does feel like that sometimes.

I too will get there one day. But here's a brief update for the time being: At the end of the summer, I shall make another crucial decision concerning the outcome of 'The Perfectionist'. And at approximately 85,000 words so far, I am near to the completion of novel number three. Additionally, I have a cultural side-project in the town where I live which is taking shape little by little, and could be in full swing this autumn. I hope to disclose more details soon.

So what do you think about my decision to reject a publishing contract? Good or bad idea? Will I later regret what I've done? Are my reasons valid? What would you have done in my situation? Feel free to share your opinion and drop a comment.

Live Your Beliefs

Thoreau once said that if you live your beliefs, you can turn the world around. Today I made a crucial decision and avoided an easy aspiring author’s temptation. Though I am not at liberty to expand on this statement as of yet, I must consider this temptation as low-hanging fruit and move on to find an outcome more suited to my ambitions. It can happen with The Perfectionist or it may not; then again it can happen with my third novel which is three-quarters complete, or not. Whatever the scenario I have to continue to work hard and give myself the means to reach the upper branches of the tree and accomplish my dreams.


You see I’ve lived a happy life, but there was a time when there was no real me. I was a fake and a shadow of myself, complacent in lethargic safety and routine. Don’t get me wrong, I had all the characteristics of a human being: flesh and blood, skin and hair; but my emotions were contained as I played martyr. I'd never felt more shallow, and people could spot it from a mile away. And though you could shake my hand and call my name... I simply wasn’t there. Something horrible was happening inside of me and I didn't know why, or what to do.


Eventually I found some answers in the refuge of writing. The white page was the one place I could be completely open. The pen and paper had no judgement. They simply received my truth and allowed me to turn the page. The universe opened its doors to me. I reached out and touched the light and let it shine on my face.


Then came moments of sheer panic and crippling fear when I realized my mask of false pretence was about to melt in this abundance of comforting warmth. Outbursts of love. Outbursts of joy. And the wall hiding my feelings began to crumble and the emotions came flooding in, washing me over in awesome waves.


I'd never lived closer to the danger of destroying an ordinary life before, but once I’d taken a few punches and realized I wasn’t made of glass, I allowed myself to go as far as possible, taking pride and pleasure in being alive. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t terrified from time to time; afraid of what I did, of what I was doing, and of what I still might have to do. But now this life of love and freedom grows on me. It’s strange because I look back now and realize I've never felt safer.

And it’s a wonderful sensation to know that the greatest things have yet to come. A pang of excitement. My heart misses a beat. True love is always around the corner and the smiling world motions for me to rise. The intense rush of passion gets me out of bed in the morning. I crave it. I thrive on it. Ladies and gentlemen, please herald the new me.

The Greatness in All of Us

Now at 50,000 words, I am past the half-way milestone for my third novel. I'm thrilled by the multiple directions this manuscript is taking me. My discoveries are rich and I never cease to amaze myself at how things pan out differently to what you originally outline as a backbone to your project. The tangents are numerous, but all somehow seem to magically connect and bring me back to my core focus.

I allow myself some brief respite, and today I have a few upbeat lines to share on the greatness in all of us.

The Greatness in All of Us

I guess it's in those instants.
Those fleeting instants when we surpass ourselves.
At times, these instants are small.
But then they can be larger than life.
We leave the shadows behind and dance into the light.
Where we bypass the diktats and boundaries.
And together, we glow and transcend.
Because it takes no God to see the greatness in all of us.
We connect and inspire. That's what we do.
We may fall, but we never give up.
And when we are sick of our mortal coils, we somehow rise again.
Yes my friends, no need to gloat or pretend.
We are, in our own way, heroes.

Wartime Girl

After Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, Girl, Interrupted, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, here’s my own Wartime Girl...

Below is my entry for the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook Short Story Competition 2015: ‘Wartime Girl'. I wrote this short story in November 2014.

Wartime Girl

 

by Simon Duke

‘Found ya.’


I looked up and saw Daddy smiling. His uniform was torn. His black tin helmet was missing. His small silver-coloured badge dangled from his dirty ripped-open shirt. Daddy’s face was black with smut. He was bruised and bleeding, but his smile remained.


‘Follow me,’ he said, in a calm and reassuring voice; the same voice he used when I was afraid, especially when the street lamps went dim at night and we were forced to stay inside.


He stood at the attic doorway, his back leaning against the frame. I knew then that I was safe and that none of the screams and loud explosions or the annoying siren noise outside would ever get to me. He was here now.


Daddy motioned for me to approach and extended his hand, told me to clutch tight.

He led me down the attic stairwell and across the landing, hastily scurrying past my bedroom and down the stairs again to the ground floor. The inside of the house was dark, only intermittently lit-up by outside flashes of white and dazzling light, which were accompanied by tremendous roars like lions spitting bolts of lightning.


On the way down I caught sight of Polly on my bed. She was my favourite doll and I cherished her so much.


‘What about Polly?’ I asked.


‘Blimey! We don’t have time,’ Daddy said.


Tears filled my eyes as he dragged me downstairs. We halted at the front door.


‘Nuff’ said. We have to leave, Christina,’ he said matter-of-factly. ‘But before we step outside, I want ya to do something very important.’


I wiped my tears away with my wrist and nodded without really knowing why.


‘We won’t be coming back home for a while and we don’t have time to take Polly with us. There’s nothin’ we can do about it,’ he continued.


He crouched and our gazes locked. He was at my height and his face was only inches away from mine.


‘But no worries,’ he said. ‘We’re goin’ to play a game. You’ve been hiding. Now it’s Mummy’s turn to hide. And she said that if we find her, she’ll have a surprise for ya.’


I looked at Daddy in amazement. ‘Really?’


He nodded and smiled again. It was forced, I could tell, but it didn’t really matter. I couldn’t wait to be with Mummy again and find out what the surprise was.


‘You’ll get your surprise only if you follow a few rules, all right darlin’? And whatever happens outside, you must do what I tell ya.’


I was curious to find out what new game Daddy had invented, especially since it was dark and way past my bedtime. I loved his stories, his impromptu treasure hunts. He was a gifted storyteller and generous with his imagination. I was always eager to listen.


Daddy pursued, ‘There are three crucial rules you must follow no matter the circumstances. Firstly, you hold onto my hand and never, ever let go of it. Secondly, you close your eyes at all times. And thirdly you will open your eyes again only when I say so and after I have counted to ten.’


The rules seemed simple enough to me. I nodded. ‘I understand, Daddy.’


He nodded in turn and a flicker of pride momentarily conquered his gaze.


I closed my eyes as we crossed the threshold and ventured into the street. I fended off the urge to look up at the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a regular habit of mine. Instead I gripped his hand firmly and we began to walk faster and faster. But I walked at Daddy’s pace, not mine. It was hard and I wasn’t used to it.


The noises were even louder outside, and I think I even heard our neighbour, Mrs. Cunningham, scream, though I wasn’t sure why. I was tempted to catch a glimpse of what was going on, but decided against. I didn’t want to lose out on the surprise in store for me. So I forced my eyelids to remain shut, grinning in the process.


‘I’ll start counting now,’ Daddy said. ‘It won’t take long…'


'One.’


I’d played outside in our street so often that I didn’t really need to know what our surroundings were like anyway. I’d played all summer on our doorstep. Oftentimes, Michael Bates would walk up to me and ask if I wanted to be goalie. I hated football, and besides Michael never had a ball or any other teammates to speak of. I’d tell him to leave me alone and he’d walk away, hands in his pockets, sulking. I much preferred to play with my best friend, Emily Cunningham. She had a skipping rope, and her doll was just like Polly, only that she had more clothes to choose from and a miniature set of porcelain tea cups and a tea pot. She was much more fun than Michael could ever be.


‘Two,’ Daddy said, interrupting my thoughts.


The ground was somewhat different. It was overturned and jagged. Cobbles were missing and I kept on treading in gaping holes dotted around us. Moments later I even bumped my shin on a pile of rocks. It hurt like hell and I began to cry again. I wanted to let go of Daddy’s hand and rub my painful bruise. It felt swollen and dense.


‘Sshh. Be strong now,’ Daddy whispered.


He paused. ‘Three. We’ll soon be there.’


I clutched him with a tighter grip and dug my nails into his palm.


‘Was that Mrs. Cunningham screaming? Why does the ground feel strange? Where’s Mummy?’ I asked in an uncontrolled flow of words.


‘Everything’s goin’ to be all right, Christina. Mummy’s not far,’ Daddy replied, simply ignoring my other questions.


‘Four.’


We marched on.


The siren I heard earlier on that evening wailed again, hurting my ears. Daddy picked me up and swung me close to his chest. I could feel his heart thumping like a fist knocking on a door and I smelt something burning and unpleasant, just like when Mummy would sometimes forget the porridge on the stove and it would turn into a burnt mass of black mash.


‘Five,’ Daddy said.


He held me tight as he started to run. I buried my face into his chest and he ran his fingers on my head before placing his palm on my nape and pressing it to keep me still against his sweaty body. A wave of heat submerged us. Daddy’s heart was beating faster and I felt him swerve as I heard the sound of a crackling fire, louder, much louder than any chimney fire we’d ever lighted at home.


‘Six.’


‘What’s that smell? Why is it so hot?’ I said in turn.


No reply.


I distinctively heard the voice of Michael’s daddy, Mr. Bates, crying in the distance. He screamed, ‘Michael…!’ with intense rage and suffering. It seemed so close to us. It was overwhelming and painful to the ear. It added another twist into my already tense stomach knot.


‘Go to the shelter, Bates!’ Daddy hollered, before tilting his head down.


He whispered ‘seven’ in my ear.


Daddy continued to run. It felt like a dream, as if I was being carried by a giant who’d whisked me away from my home back to the land of giants. Yet I felt somewhat secure in his grasp. I tried to ignore Mr. Bates’s sorrow and buried my face even deeper into Daddy’s chest.


Mr. Bates’s tears were drowned in a medley of screams and motion of people running around us. In the distance I could hear the fire engines approaching during each pause of the wailing siren, by far the loudest noise in the street.


‘Eight.’


‘Daddy, why is Mr. Bates crying and why are all these other people screaming?’ I asked, this time hoping for an answer.


‘There’s no need to worry,’ he replied. ‘They’re just trying to scare us, but it won’t work. I don’t think they’re very happy we’re winning the game.’


I knew he wasn’t telling the truth. Surely no-one else was familiar with the game we were playing, but I wanted to believe him anyway.


‘Nine.’


Suddenly he put me on the ground and let go of me. I continued to close my eyes and fumbled around like a blind person trying to secure his clutch. I was panicked.


‘Daddy, don’t let go!’ I cried out. ‘Where are you?’


It was only a matter of a few seconds, but I was alone in my darkness with the sounds and smells of evil fury dancing all around me.


Daddy finally seized me by the shoulders and spun me around gently. Standing behind me, he led me for several footsteps and told me to duck as we entered a stairwell. With each step down, the outside world became increasingly silent. Yet with each step down, I felt a thud of fright echoing in my heart.


And when no steps were left and the noise outside had faded, he said, ‘Ten. You can open your eyes now.’


I was relieved the game was over. And so I did.


The room was dark, lit only by several candles on a table in the centre. We were in a cellar, a makeshift shelter.


People were gathered around Mummy who lay in the far-end corner of the room. I couldn’t quite see her and had no clue what the fuss was all about. So Daddy and I approached.


The people made way for us and scattered to other corners of the room. And by doing so, only Mummy was left.


Blankets had been placed on the ground beneath her. She sat, her legs spread on the floor and her back leaning on a large and dirty pillow pressed against the wall. She was half-naked and she carried a sleeping baby, rocking it gently in her arms.


She looked up at me and smiled. It was one of those smiles which meant nothing more than sheer happiness and relief. She stared at me for a moment and then directed her gaze once again to the baby.


‘What’s going on?’ I said.


Daddy and Mummy both laughed in complicity, but not loudly so as not to wake up the baby.


Daddy rested his hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him. ‘Remember the bump in Mummy’s tummy?’ he said. ‘Well, a little boy was growing inside. Now he’s come out.’


‘I don’t understand.’


‘He’s your little brother, Christina. He’s your little brother!’ he said cheerfully.


I was speechless and utterly shocked. It felt as if someone had knocked me on the head with something heavy. Tears of a totally different nature sprang from my eyes, trickled down my cheeks. A drop even splashed the baby below me.


Mummy raised a hand and caressed my face. Daddy kissed me on my head. It was a blessing and it brought us smiles of joy.


And on that dark night of September 1940 we huddled together and cried.

Confessions of the Demon’s Junkie Slave

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” – Harsh words by George Orwell, but they ring so true to me.

Ever since the beginning, my writing has taken a central role in my life. What started as a weekend hobby, slowly but surely came to haunt my evenings and sometimes lunchtime hours. I feel an urge to write, an urge to make progress and beef up my manuscripts. And in between writing sessions, I ponder over what I’ve written and how I can tackle the next stages. The demon of writing no longer lurks in the shadows; it gnaws at me, it invades my mind. It forces me to be alone in my struggle, and I lay there powerless, unable to share some of the weight on my shoulders. Only when I sit and resume the typing, does it leave me alone, albeit temporarily. It’s like a stubborn and spoiled child relentlessly seeking attention, never giving up until it gets what it wants. So, as a weak and undisciplined father, I give in to the demon’s submission hold and feed it what it desires. I’d like to say that I sometimes manage to turn the tables on the demon, that I’ve tamed it, but I’d be lying to you. I let it conquer me, for all dark is not pitch black. My understanding is that the demon is the one who provides me with my fix. He’s the one who nurses my addiction. He’s the one who prescribes my daily doses and injects the substance in me. And that dark magic, dear readers, is creativity. It’s a powerful drug which fuels my imagination, and I crave for it. As a junkie, all I can do is embrace the demon and its torture, and do my best to keep it at bay when other matters in life supersede and must be dealt with.

Today the demon allows me to momentarily escape the manuscript and write these words on what is a historical day. On March 14, 2014, ‘Out of Bounds’ was released. I mark my first anniversary as a published author!

A lot has happened during the year. Lessons have been learnt and decisions were made which have shaped my life as an author. The demon hasn’t let me sit back and rest on my laurels. Oh no! While seeking the public’s attention, he pushed me to write more and more. This time last year I was in the early stages of writing ‘The Perfectionist’, I was actively searching to get my first book reviewed, and I was building a social media presence. Now, a year later, ‘The Perfectionist’ is written and its fate will be determined in the next few months as I eagerly await more feedback from literary agents. On a side note, I was recently pleased to see one agent described the book as one with “an intriguing storyline” and that I write “with some flair”, but ultimately it was a no-go. I also wrote a short story set during the London bombings in WWII which I submitted for a competition; it’s called ‘Wartime Girl’ and results are expected this month (fingers crossed). And finally I started work on my third novel and today I am about a third of the way in.

The demon will undoubtedly force me to return to it as soon as I have published this blog entry. I will plead for a quick coffee break: just a simple request for a man with a painful illness. I hope it will be lenient with me. The demon lives by the motto ‘Eat, sleep, victimise, repeat!’
‘Eat, sleep, victimise, repeat!’
‘Eat, sleep, victimise, repeat!’
“Eat, sleep, victimise, repeat!” I hear its voice…I guess it’s time for me to go back to the manuscript.

**

Here is a reminder of where you can find ‘Out of Bounds’ (I have only included the main e-stores).
Remember, the price for the ebook version has been lowered. It’s currently at $1.99 – a bargain!


Paperback

Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/4667753
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Out-Bounds-Simon-Duke/dp/1495929906/ref=sr_1_42?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394823084&sr=1-42&keywords=out+of+bounds
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Bounds-Simon-Duke/dp/1495929906/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394823147&sr=1-1&keywords=simon+duke+out+of+bounds
Amazon.fr: http://www.amazon.fr/Out-Bounds-Simon-Duke/dp/1495929906/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1394823195&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=simon+duke+out+of+bounds


Ebook


Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/419130
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-bounds-simon-duke/1118931454?ean=2940045768825
KOBO: http://store.kobobooks.com/fr-FR/ebook/out-of-bounds-24
FNAC: http://www4.fnac.com/livre-numerique/a7525633/Simon-Duke-Out-of-Bounds#st=out%20of%20bounds&ct=Tous%C2%A0produits&t=p

Synopsis – The Perfectionist

Synopsis – The Perfectionist – by Simon Duke

1988. A severed and decomposed head belonging to an unidentified old man is found rotting in an Iowa corn field. Confronted with this gruesome discovery, rookie reporter Gerry Stokes is urged by the local sheriff and his newspaper editor to cover up the affair. But the truth can't be concealed forever.

2010. Stokes, now an arrogant and unpleasant sex-driven, yet seasoned veteran journalist at the Chicago Tribune, must at last atone for his wrong-doings as the shunned-upon past returns with a vengeance. Payback ultimately comes in the attractive form of Sarah Howard, a nostalgic but committed young woman, who believes she has identified the old man as being her own long-lost grandfather, Ted Callaway. Unwilling to be exposed by the young woman, Stokes is forced into an investigation to discover the truth of what happened twenty-two years ago.

Looking for Callaway's killer leads Stokes to an even more sordid truth: Callaway is one of many victims; people seemingly chosen at random across the nation by a serial killer who has been at large for more than two decades: a killer so cunning that he has flown under the radar of the cops and the FBI by navigating through the loopholes of the federal law enforcement system while respecting a unique and horrific modus operandi. By fine-tuning methods of execution, the killer seeks artistic perfection. He is "the Perfectionist".

As the case is in full swing, Stokes's parents die in a tragic car crash. Reluctantly he must temporarily halt his pursuit and travel back to Iowa for the first time in years to take care of the funeral with his brother, Joe. Stokes faces Joe's anger regarding his decision to leave the family hog farm behind and never come back. Little does Stokes know but this tragedy and its aftermath impact him more than expected.

As the hunt for the killer progresses, Stokes becomes obsessed with the case and questions his own selfish nature. The evil lurking behind the investigation causes a gradual attitude shift inside him as he looks back on his former Iowa life, this time with feelings closer to regret. He not only tries to resurrect a difficult relationship with Joe, but he also begins to feel a mixed array of emotions for Sarah who becomes a crucial part of his life, in some ways his anchor.

2013. Three years later, the investigation is given a new lifeline after Stokes is alerted to a series of gruesome Colombian neckties in California. Stokes realizes that the Perfectionist, who had been dormant for a long time, is still at large and has resumed his hunt for new victims. The current nature of the murders and the media buzz around them put the FBI in the hot seat, and Stokes must confront their determined lead investigator, Special Agent Elliot Keppler, to obtain confirmation that his killer is still active.

At the same time Stokes is quick to identify a promising path to journalistic success. He sets himself an ambitious and innovative target; a risky objective preventing him from keeping law enforcement in the loop, one which may very well merit a Pulitzer prize and pave the way to fame: he wishes to publish a truly special book; a book, which for the very first time in publishing history will give the police the means to capture a serial killer. And not just any serial killer... America's greatest and smartest: the Perfectionist. Using the potential shared success generated by such a book as bait, Stokes finds unlikely help along the way from Frank Craven, his editor at the Tribune; Dr. Ken McFarland, a forensic autopsy technician and old friend; Prof. Dennis Morton, a criminology professor; and James Henry Johnson, a death row convict - all of whom acknowledge the need to proceed in discretion. But to keep his book project alive, he has to keep on hiding the full truth from the FBI. And by doing so he becomes a Person of Interest, arousing Keppler's suspicion.

With such high stakes, the pressure is on. Stokes is in the race of his life to discover the killer's identity and publish his bestseller, while bending the notions of what can be considered ethically right.

Keep Calm and Never Give Up

Yesterday I reached the symbolic 10,000 word milestone for novel three. At times the writing just seems to flow and pour out of me. It’s funny how the words were written so naturally, when oftentimes compiling sentences can be very laborious and tedious if you’re not in the mood. In fact I think my approach to novel writing is slightly shifting. I used to set myself a daily target: 1,000 words, or at least a minimum of 500. That way I could think about daily progress. I was relentless yet comfortable. That strategy was applicable for Out of Bounds, a bit less for The Perfectionist. And I know it’s still early for this third opus. I tend to write less frequently. But when I do, I pen down more words... I’m liking the shape my manuscript is taking.

I’m also beginning to dive into my main character’s mind and becoming more and more familiar with his way of being and thinking. I guess I’ve become a real method actor/writer! With regard to the subject matter of novel three, alas I cannot say much at all for the time being. I’m not someone who puts the cart before the horse, and I’d hate to jinx the whole undertaking. All I can disclose though is that it’s my first non-US setting and closer to my roots.

Before I can tell you more about novel three, I have to update you on novel two, The Perfectionist. It’s been three weeks now since I’ve started contacting literary agents (mainly in London), and so far, not much to report. That’s normal. Most agencies will only get back to me in 6-8 weeks’ time. With the exception of a few promising leads, those who already have replied have been rejections. It’s tough, it hurts your pride, but it’s part of the game. I’m facing stiff competition (agents receive hundreds of manuscripts). Moreover I have no idea if my submissions are timely or if the subject matter is of relevance in the agents’ eyes on a given day: their opinions are subjective.

Here’s a good example of a rejection I got last week:

“Many thanks for sending us this proposal, which I read with interest. I considered it carefully but I’m afraid on balance it just doesn’t quite grab my imagination in the way that it must for me to offer to represent you. So I must follow my instinct and pass on this occasion. I’m really sorry to be so disappointing, but thanks for thinking of us. Of course this is a totally subjective judgement, so do try other agents and I wish you every success.”

That’s a kind “No”, isn't it?

I later found out that this was a standard and automated form of rejection. However, I have received a few personal replies too reflecting how agencies must remain “sensitive to the demands of the commercial market”. I was also told by one agency that the novel is not “something it could be 100% confident of being able to handle successfully”. I wonder. What does it take to reach 100% confidence, assuming that such a level of confidence exists?

I bear no grudges and I am not disappointed. It’s all part of the process of seeking representation. I write these words more as means to illustrate the difficult road ahead of writers seeking to be published.

On a side note, I should have news in March with regard to my entry for the “Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2015 Short Story Competition”. The deadline for submissions is February 15th, and after that a panel of judges will decide on a shortlist. More of a short-term project for me, but my fingers are crossed for Wartime Girl.

Out of the Cave

Greetings again from the darkness. First of all, I wish you all a happy and exciting new year. 2015 will be a year of change and ambitious undertakings. Personally, I'm off to a flying start. Batteries recharged after the Xmas break, I am now tackling the search for novel representation in full swing. For the past few days I've been contacting literary agents in London. They tend to more or less ask for the same thing: a good cover letter, a proper synopsis, and an excerpt from the novel's manuscript (anything between the first 10 pages to more than 50). So, I am casting the net wide and will hopefully reap some results in the weeks to come.

Now it's a game of patience. The wait can be short (I've already received one rejection); it can be long (most literary agents need 6-8 weeks before getting back to you); or in some cases it can be endless as you may never get a reply. It's an exciting time nonetheless. The full manuscript of 'The Perfectionist' has been read by three people so far, but these people are close to me. Now I'm sharing a part of the content with professionals. The pressure is somewhat different, heightened even. Needless to say, the next several weeks mark a critical milestone in my journey as a writer.

So a lot of nervous finger tapping in store for 2015. Hopefully some of it will translate into some further productive writing... talking of which, today I have a draft blueprint of novel n°3 in my mind and tentatively sketched down on a piece of paper. I'm not sure when I'll start writing seriously on this and beefing it up. Neither do I know if this is the one big idea I will commit myself to pursuing relentlessly for the months to come, but I've got a feeling deep down that these rough notes may lead to more magical moments of creativity. I hope to have more news soon, but for now back to my writer's cave.