For this blog post, I am starting two new books: The Pelican Brief by John Grisham and Scotland Yard by Simon Read. Since my last two book choices were both flops, I've decided to go back and read some of John Grisham's first novels - that way I know I'll be getting a good story. Anyway, I've watched the movie about the Pelican Brief several times, however, I've never actually read the book. I know that's a crime on so many levels, but it is what it is. Anyway, I'm almost halfway though, and I can't believe how much was left out of the movie. I know they can't put everything in the movie that's in the book, but it just seems like they left out a lot of important details. The thing that I love the most about John Grisham's first novels is how I still get sucked into the story. It reads so well, and I don't want to put it down.  This is what I'm looking for in a book and exactly what I haven't found lately.

The other book, Scotland Yard, is a non-fiction book about the beginning of Scotland Yard and the cases that gave the Yard its reputation. Now, I've only read the first three chapters, but it's really interesting. Granted, you have to have a taste for true crime, but the cases are so interesting, and the chapters are short which is also nice. I think the most interesting thing about this book, so far, is that the 'detectives' were just regular people who kindof 'winged it' as they went. I guess if crime gets bad enough people will do whatever it takes to make their community safe again. So, like I said this is only a beginning preview but...so far so good and it's a wonderful change.
Until next time...

I wanted to talk about evidence and witnesses for my forensic research blog this time. While I don't go into evidence details in my stories, it pays to know the broad rules when it comes to evidence and witnesses. That way, if I have a character whose an expert witness, I can write that character in a believable way. Nothing ruins a story quicker, than a character that's weak or has a negative effect on the story. When it comes to witnesses, there are rules, or guidelines, that are applied to see if a witness will be permitted to testify. Two of those rules are Rule 702 and the Daubert Standard. These guidelines help the judge in the case to determine whether or not an expert witness should be allowed to testify.  These rules are in place to keep out testimony that is not rooted in facts or the product of reliable methods. I've seen some TV shows that play fast-n-loose with the rules to allow all kinds of last minutes evidence for dramatic effect, but in reality, there's more to it. 

So, why have expert witnesses at all? Well, since juries are composed of everyday people, it's difficult to understand all the forensic and medical details when you have a life of your own. I mean who has the time to research the details of DNA evidence when you have kids to take care of and bills to pay. That's where expert witnesses come into play, but can any witness be classified as an expert?  The answer is no. An expert witness is one that has training and experience in that area and even moot court experience is also required. If a witness is submitted as an expert and it is shown that their testimony that their training and background are lacking, then the decision to keep their testimony or not is left up to the judge. So, it pays to make sure your witnesses have all their "t"s crossed. 

In the end, evidence and witnesses have guidelines that they have to follow in order to be allowed in court. While the finer points will probably never be discussed in one of my stories, the broader concepts are very useful. As a fiction writer, I only use the general concepts and fill in the details. Which is probably the main reason why I don't want true crime or medical mysteries. For me, it takes a little of the "fun" out of reading by going too deep into the finer points. So, that's the short version of this part of forensic research. 
Until next time....

My blog post for today is my book review of John Grisham's book: "Camino Ghosts". I started this book a couple of weeks ago, and it's just been a struggle to finish. I really wanted to become invested in the main character, Mercer Mann, but the whole slavery side story got in the way. I liked the fact that she is a writer, and their meetings take place in a bookshop, however the plot was just disappointing. I have always looked forward to reading John Grisham's books, but lately, I have been disappointed by how he has deviated from his classic legal thriller format. Maybe he's done with writing the legal thrillers that so many people have come to associate with this name. I hope that's not the case, but from now on, I am regretfully going to have to think twice before purchasing his material. 

As a reader, when one of your favorite authors turns out a new book, you are so excited to read and enjoy the same thrill that you got the last time. I can still remember the first time I read my first John Grisham book, "The King of Torts". I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and when I was done, I was sad that the story had ended. That's what I'm looking to create as an author - that feeling of involvement from the reader that quickly turns the pages to find out what happens next and when they reach the last page, they're a little bit sad that the story is over. I hope that I achieve that with my stories, my books. There is nothing in the world to compare to that feeling of getting lost in a story to where you feel a part of it - and it becomes a part of you. So hopefully, my next book review with turn out better and it will most likely be "Dream Town" by David Baldacci, but we'll see.
​Until next time....

I thought I would give a quick update on my Goodreads Challenge. I found this challenge posted in one of my Goodreads groups. This particular challenge is 'read your way through the alphabet', and I've always wanted to see if I could complete it. So, the idea is to read a book for each letter of the alphabet. So far, I've only gotten to the letter "D" with Dream Town by David Baldacci, and it's just been well....a challenge. I think the biggest reason for this is time. It just seems like I don't have the time to read like I used to. Between working all week, finding time to write books and getting them published, doing housework, and errands, there's just no time left. The other reason is that the quality of books being published is not what it used to be. Now, I know that seems a bit snobbish and I don't mean for it to be, but the quality of books is not the same. The authors who are publishing books with the traditional publishers, seem to have some mystery quota that they have to fill. So, they include unnecessary words, paragraphs of description, or plots that don't work or don't tie up all the loose ends. I think this is why this reading challenge has just been so difficult....and I wish it wasn't that way. I remember when I could pick up any book and just enjoy it, but I guess change comes with all things.

There are very few authors that I do read: John Grisham, Dan Brown, Diana Gabaldon, Phillipa Gregory, and Arthur Conan Doyle are the select pool that I have to choose from. There is still John Grisham's new book, "Camino Ghosts" still sitting on my nightstand, which I haven't gotten to. Anyway, I was hoping that this challenge might help me "discover" a new author that I could add to my list, but I haven't been that lucky so far. Hopefully, it won't take me years to complete this challenge and maybe I will find another author or two to add to my list. So, on a positive note - here's to faster progress and discovering new books.  So, have you ever tried to complete a reading challenge like this? 
Until next time...

Sherlock Holmes, the most famous fictional detective, was the vehicle that Arthur Conan Doyle used to advance forensic science. The cases of Sherlock Holmes brought to the masses the value of logical deduction. From fingerprints to document and footprint analysis, this detective uses the clues to make a logical hypothesis regarding people's behavior and reactions in order to solve the case. That's the thing that always impressed me by about this character, the information he gains from clay on the bottom of a shoe or the way a document was written is so eye-opening you have to sit back in awe of how he put it all together. Of course, a lot of credit must go to the author himself because without his dedication to create a "science" detective, modern forensic methods would be sorely lacking.

My favorite forensic method would have to be document analysis. From a handwritten note, Sherlock Holmes can detect the gender of the writer and certain characteristics such as if the writer was in a hurry or a methodical planner.  It really is amazing how much you can tell from someone's writing -- just think about it. Women write differently than men and if you're in a hurry, most likely, the writing will be less legible than if you're taking your time to write an important document. The place in which the document was written can also be deduced from an analysis of the writing. Of course, with the invention of email some of this art has been lost which, for me, is such a shame.  Document analysis is such an involved forensic technique that the FBI created a separate section for it in 1932. Of course, document analysis was not always taken seriously, but thankfully, he has gained the creditability that it deserves.

Readers may fall in love with a fictional character, but there comes a time when the author is ready to put that character to rest.  It's hard to imagine that Arthur Doyle would ever get tired of his detective character, and in fact, that was the purpose of the story "The Adventure of the Final Problem".  The readers just see an amazing character, but the author has to create the stories, do the research, plot out the story, and so I can see how one would become exhausted.  However, Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective, fictional or not, from his amazing logical dedications to his quirky character flaws. Modern forensic methods were brought to life by the most unlikely person -- a fictional detective created by a brilliant author, Arthur Conan Doyle.
Until next time...

I wanted to focus this blog post on Crime Scene Research.  When writing one of my mysteries, I always have to particularly focus on one branch of forensics and this time it was crime scenes. The basic concept is that "every contact leaves a trace". So, there's no way to walk into a room without leaving a piece of you, no matter how small, behind. Crime scene investigators focus on four main things: (1) is something unique to the crime scene, (2) the evidence has a low probability of being there by chance, (3) is the evidence out of place from its surrounding, and (4) is it a physical match.  Investigators use these to determine what was naturally at the scene and what was "brought in" from the crime. These four things really remind me of Sherlock Holmes, my favorite detective, who would gather multitudes of information by just observing the crime scene. What should be there, what wasn't there, or something odd in the room that nobody else noticed. It seems to me that a lot of things go unnoticed by the average person. Maybe that's because we are overloaded by information, emails, job stress, families, and etc. But, what would happen if we actually took the time to notice our surroundings...or perhaps you don't want to. 

Crime scene investigators are the collectors and gatherers of all the crime scene evidence. Ranging from crime scene photos, to fingerprints, trace evidence, and other items that are part of the crime. Probably like many of you, I was a fan of the TV show CSI, and I always thought it was so fascinating how they processed the crime scene. So, I was a little disappointed when I found it how it really happens, but to my consolation, the actual science behind it still rather fascinating. My next mystery will focus on crime scene forensics and so the bulk of my research or 'reminder research' is on what is found at a crime scene. It still amazes me how much information you can forget, especially something as particular as forensics. I guess that's part of the thrill for me as a mystery writer. To research these things, utilize them in my stories, and have a believable mystery that readers will enjoy. So, the question is what has gone unnoticed by you lately?
​Until next time...

Today's post is a restart for my blog. When I started this blog, I honestly wasn't quite sure what to do. I had seen from articles for being a self-published author that blogging was a good way to connect with readers, but there were really no good details for how to go about it. Recently, I came across a guide for authors on how to blog. I know some might think that's a bit silly, but if you've never done something before, you really need a guide. Anyway, so now that I know I've been falling short, now I can do better.  I had no idea that there was so many steps or guidelines to blogging. I just assumed, wrongly, that you just posted whatever was on your mind. 

So, for a new start my blog will focus on the different aspects of my journey as an author. Book reviews, book research, author updates, and really anything related to mysteries or solving crimes -- You will find information or my personal opinion on any of the above topics.  I will try to post twice a week, but sometimes that's difficult when I have book project deadlines staring me down. I have to admit that I have enjoyed writing this blog and I wasn't sure that I would when I first started. It's kind of grown on me - a way to clear some space in my head by getting these things down.
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I don't know if anybody will see this blog or not -- I only want to share my thoughts. So, if it's just me and this screen or if others come along, either way, this is just another opportunity for me to write and that is good enough for me. 
Until next time...

Well, for this post I have some disappointing news.  After putting weeks of work into my audiobook version of Killer Deception, it seems that I am going to have to cancel the project. I have everything ready, all my files submitted, and my AI narrator voice selected, and now it's not going to happen. The publisher that I was using has "revamped" the audiobook options they are offering and the package that was used in my quote is no longer available. The price range of the new three options are above what I had budgeted, so I'm going to have to head back to the drawing board. Needless to say, I am very disappointed and a bit upset. I really wanted to add this format to my collection, but I guess that's the way it goes. At least I'll get my money refunded - I guess that's the upside to this.  So, I'll be looking at some other options and maybe I can revisit this project in the near future. Now, I am focusing on my novel Tell Me Everything and moving up that project. The new plan is to release the large print version of No Good Deed in the fall and Tell Me Every next spring.  I'm also close to writing my next two Kathy Hamilton mysteries, so at least I have material ready to move forward.  Anyway, just part of the writing woes, I guess. 
Until next time....

Just wanted to give a quick update on the Goodreads challenge I started last year. I knew that reading through the alphabet wouldn't be easy, but finding time to read has definitely been a challenge. So far, I've completed A - The Associate, B - Betrayed, C - Close Up on Murder, I - It Had to be You, and N - November 9th. I'm currently working on D, E, and F.  It's a bit trickly trying to go in order, there's not always a book I want to read starting with that next letter.  I also need to update my Goodreads page with these books, which will help my book total for the year. Right now, I'm trying to read Dream Town by David Baldacci. I've never read a David Baldacci book before, but I hear from a lot of people that his books are good...so we'll see.  Anyway, still trying to finish my audiobook, proofreading my single novel, and outlining my next mystery. So, as usual, plenty to do...so I better get back to it.
​Until next time...

The blog post for this month is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I saw this writer video on YouTube, and it was talking about how if you wanted to write full time then just go ahead and do it. I'll admit that working and writing at the same time isn't easy, but I don't think it's as easy as they made it out to be. Or at least that was the impression that I got from it. I would love to write full time because that's my end goal, however, I think or it's best if I have a steady writing income first. That, of course, comes with time and so it seems that I'll have to balance the two until I get to a more financially secure situation. I've heard a lot of self-published writers talking about how they just quit their jobs and just starting writing full-time and somehow it all worked out, but I guess I'm just not there yet.  It would be nice to have enough time to do the marketing and promotion that I would like to do, and that's hard to do when you're working 40 hours a week.  I admit it is tiring and there's so much to do. When they tell you if you want to write, then write, they never mention all the other things that comes with it. I just want to create stories and publish books, not spend most of my time in marketing and bookkeeping, but I guess that's a gripe every self-published author has. Anyway, it is what it is for now, and I'll make it when the time is right. 
​Until next time...