What would be most interesting for you is the wide variety of people who write mysteries/suspense stories and their ideas.  Almost any crime you could imagine has been written about.  The heroes/heroines include cops, private investigators, archeologists, little old ladies, female NASCAR drivers, cowboys, secret agents, bumbling professors, and even long-dead historical sleuths.

If any of you would like recommendations for books or writers beyond those I’ll list at the end of this post, please let me know.

The quality of the authors also impressed me.  They ranged through all ages and backgrounds.  One writer worked during the Viet Nam war as a  correspondent in Bangkok and was married to an engineer who was supposed to be building military bases in Viet Nam.   She learned from her journalist friends that he was really in the CIA!  (They remained married)  Another writer lived on a catamaran off the coast of England for a time.  Most of them are very intelligent and, even more importantly, curious about the world around them.

This fascination comes through in their writing, making their stories even deeper and more engaging.

Here are some suggestions for your mystery/suspense reading:

Western–  Murder for Greenhorns, Rob Kresge

Historical mystery–  City of Silver, Annamaria Alfieri

Humorous–  The Pot Thief Murder series, Mike Orenduff

Historical mystery–  SPQD, John Maddox Roberts

International mysteries–  The Charlie Fox series, Zoe Sharp

Gritty, street thriller–  Boulevard, Stephen Jay Schwartz

Humorous–  The Albuquerque Turkey, John Vorhous

Medical thriller–  Bone Dry, Bette Golden Lamb/J.J. Lamb

Archeology– Smoking Frog Lives, Pete Goodman.

NASCAR–  Dead Man’s Switch, Tammy Kaehler

Hope you enjoy some of these great authors!!  I can assure you that each one of them is an interesting, dedicated writer.

Let me know your recommendations for favorite authors!

The post 400 “Criminals” in One Room! appeared first on Colin T. Nelson.

People often ask me what it’s like to get a book published. My answer is that writing the book is about half the effort. The next task of bringing the story into a printed form that can be shared with others, takes an equal amount of time. Both parts of the process are interesting and fun.

I compare it to being a parent in many ways: there are some of the highest of highs and some of the lowest of lows. There are magical moments when you think the entire world is glowing around you. Then…there are those times when nothing seems to be going in your direction. Big parts of the effort are tedious and repetitious. You watch as the child/story grows to finally walk on its own legs. You feel a tendency to shelter it, but eventually it leaves on its own and enters the world to stand for itself. And finally, you take great pride in the end result.

I also have to be honest that no author writes a book alone. I’m no different. My wife, Pam, was an immense help with whom I never could have started or finished the book. Her ideas, editing, criticism, and help kept me going. Thanks to her for so much!

My friends who are authors who also helped and supported me. My publishers always gave me calm and good advice. Booksellers have welcomed me into their stores and offered support also.

Thanks to all of you!

Reprisal is available at Amazon and at most of the independent bookstores around the Twin City area. I’d be happy to speak to your book club, church, library, etc. Here are topics that others have asked me about:

What if terrorists used American children as weapons of mass destruction?

What’s it like to be a moderate, progressive Muslim struggling to live as a loyal American?

Could bio-terrorism really happen?

How can a lawyer defend someone they think is guilty and they hate working with?

Watch my web page for upcoming book signings and talks. I’d love to hear your comments–good or bad!

The post My Book Is Released on the Public! appeared first on Colin T. Nelson.