October ’23 update

It’s been about one month since Monkey’s release. September was a success, my second-best month in terms of sales. Thank you. I hope you’re enjoying the book, based on the feedback so far, most of you are.

This blog hasn’t had many reviews because I haven’t been in a reviewing mood. I hope that changes soon. In the meantime, I thought I’d update you about the (admittedly meager) progress on book 6.

In case you don’t remember, I’m writing a collection of short stories. It’s liberating to get straight to the meat without having to worry about longer rhythms. Most books I read are filled with fat, but readers (especially fans of older detective stories) seem to enjoy chewing fat. I admit it can be flavorful, but it doesn’t do much for the story. Short stories are a get-in and get-out affair. I think they will suit me.

I haven’t decided on a title yet. For me, the best title for a short story collection is usually the weakest story. If I end up doing that, readers of this blog will know the story I consider the worst, but other readers might bolster that story with their own imaginations — “He titled the collection after this story, so there must be more to it than I think.” I’ve seen this done again and again to great success. I’ve also been thinking of titles suggesting the cyclical nature of crime – Year Round Murder, Habitual Homicide, Death Has No Holidays, etc. Maybe you have a better idea.

What are the stories?

Some are impossible crimes whilst others are straight investigations. All are mysteries. They take place in 1928, starting on New Year’s Day at midnight and finishing on New Year’s Eve just before ’29. At the moment, there is a unifying story happening in the background, but I may drop it if it gets too complicated. I have an arc for Manory. So far, the novels have only hinted at his story; early twenties — young and virile, late twenties — serious and mindful of justice, thirties — bitter and questioning of everything he’s done. The key is to present little bits of the story. Just know that there are plenty of surprises in store for the future.

Here are a few of the stories you can expect in the collection.

1. “Dainty Homicide” is a no-footprints story. Manory and Williams stumble upon a crime scene surrounded by snow. Using their (aka Manory’s) deductive abilities, they are able to unmask the murderer. I love the clues in this one. The structure of this one would do well with a challenge to the reader, but then I would feel obliged to include one for each story. Some stories can’t use a challenge to the reader because of their structures.
2. “The Last Gaze” is a mystery about optography. A scientist has developed a way to photograph the last image recorded on a corpse’s retina. The courts won’t recognize the method, so the scientist employs Manory to vouch for the process. When someone close to the scientist is murdered, the process is used. Unfortunately, it creates more mystery rather than producing a solution.
3. “Victim’s Revenge” is about a serial killer who has a nasty habit of vanishing from crime scenes without any available exits. I’m considering sending Manory on vacation and giving Williams a case to solve by himself, but this might not be the best story for that situation.

The other stories are fragmented and not worth mentioning at this time. I’m hoping to throw myself into writing over the winter, but as always, the muse is the one in control. I’ll keep vague updates, but I’m not going to announce a date until the product is deliverable. I always give a date and then change it. Not this time. They will be ready when they are ready.

Just a reminder — leave a review for Monkey See, Monkey Murder on Amazon or Goodreads (or anywhere else). It helps more than you know. You don’t have to write an essay. One word and a rating is fantastic. “Fun” or “Entertaining” or “The greatest literary achievement since Moby Dick” — all of those are perfectly acceptable. Ciao.