Only two more days until the re-release of the first in what I hope will become a series. You can still pre-order the book at a discount at Black Rose Writing.
Last week, I mentioned how easily the book came into existence.
After the general plot, I created two main characters. Harry Reznik, Des Moines Homicide Detective. Lori Campisi, FBI agent who specializes in supernatural-type cases.
If this sounds similar to the X-Files, fine. The concept isn’t copyrighted. I made Campisi’s special department legitimate if secretive and I don’t plan to go into the politics of the department with a shadowy cigarette-smoking bad guy. I want to stick with the stories.
I set the story in Des Moines. For those of you who have read the Mallory Petersen stories, you’ll recognize Harry. I decided to keep him for the other series. I have a timeline of stories. This one is set in May of “Year One.” Mallory Petersen’s first story is set in October of that same year. She references Night Shadows without giving any details.
Peter Monaco is the power-hungry and obsessed villain who has spent much of his life in search of a mysterious book called the Sarmangous. For those of you H. P. Lovecraft fans, you’ll see the similarity between my grimoire and Lovecraft’s Necronomicon. In fact, I mention that author’s fabled book in my story.
The story involves Monaco’s obtaining of the book and releasing killer shadows from another dimension into our world. Reznik gets involved after four people are killed throughout the metro. Campisi shows up after hearing about the strange murders and has an idea of what’s behind them.
Harry is married, and his wife recently discovered she’s pregnant. Campisi is a puzzle. She’s dealing with amnesia. She can’t remember anything about her life before age twelve.
The story brings together these two opposite personalities. The case turns personal when Reznik’s wife is attacked. Discoveries bring problems and possible connections for Campisi.
I mentioned how fast this story came into being. There was one part of the story that eluded me. I like to use real places in Des Moines and surrounding areas. I may fictionalize locations if something bad happens there. For example, I give a strip club out on Second Avenue a different name.
The problem I had was finding a location for the mysterious portal Monaco opens with his Sarmangous spell. I considered Crusoe’s Umbrella. Doesn’t that image bring to mind a great place for a portal?
I also considered a vent in the skywalk.
Nothing worked or captured my fascination. Not until a member of a previous critique group to which I belonged suggested a particular art exhibit in the Principle complex. She had contacts and arranged for the group to have a tour of the facility and to look at the exhibits.
When I walked into this room, I was fascinated and knew almost immediately this was the place. In the book, I describe it as accurately as I can, although I changed the color of the neon tubing as well as the title of the exhibit. I haven’t been back to see if the exhibit still exists. If it does, check it out if you have the opportunity.
This story focuses on Campisi’s history. The sequel, tentatively titled Night of Wine and Ghosts features a curse from Reznik’s ancestry. Stay tuned for more details.
In the meantime, please enjoy Night Shadows and please consider writing a review.
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