M.M. DeLuca's Blog

SEPTEMBER 2025: WHY I LOVE LITERARY CONFERENCES!!

Pre-order here

It's September and THE DIVORCE PARTY is still keeping up the summer heat with the twisty tale of old college "frenemies", Evie, Savannah, Daisy and Zoe and their deadly divorce party celebration in Las Vegas. If you still haven't read it, check out the link above or go to my website here:

Here's what people are saying about THE DIVORCE PARTY:

"DeLuca executes a nonstop plot exquisitely, withholding key aspects of each character’s backstory for a well-timed reveal. Highly entertaining!" 

Tessa Wegert, bestselling author of the Shana Merchant series.

"A deliciously twisty tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption. You’ll think you know—but trust us, you don’t."

Holly Danvers, author of Lie in the Tide and The Lakeside Library Mystery series.

 

View the amazing trailer created by Bloodhound Books on my website at www.marjoriedeluca.com

Learn more about Bloodhound Books HERE

 

Why I Love Literary Conferences…

Summer is prime time for book lovers! From readers to writers, there’s a literary conference for everyone—whatever your genre or reading taste.

Last year, I spoke at Thrillerfest in NYC and Bouchercon in Nashville, rubbing shoulders with legends like Dennis Lehane, Harlan Coben, R.L. Stine, Ruth Ware, Tess Gerritsen and signing books next to S.A. Cosby, one of President Obama's favourite authors. A total fangirl moment!

This year, I stayed closer to home. At Toronto’s Motive Festival, I read from The Divorce Party alongside fellow Crime Writers of Canada. In Calgary, I hit up the always-energizing When Words Collide, where I ran a workshop on crafting marketable novel ideas. Bonus: I got to hear powerful keynotes from Eden Robinson, Stephen Graham Jones, and Finnian Burnett.

And the best part? Unexpected run-ins! Like bumping into Jaima Fixsen (author of The Specimen, which I raved about in my last newsletter) in the presenter’s lounge. We bonded over historical suspense, and I learned all about her writing partnership as Audrey Blake with fellow writer Regina Sirois. Their books The Surgeon’s Daughter and The Girl in His Shadow just shot to the top of my TBR pile.

Conferences = community, craft, and a whole lot of bookish joy. I highly recommend.

When Words Collide pics...

 

Sharing Cheetos with incredible authors, Angela Douglas and Faye Arcand.

 THE DIVORCE PARTY ON KOBO  

Signing books with talented crime writer, Chris Forrest. His book, The Wrecking Game is my current read.

 

 THE DIVORCE PARTY on Amazon

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 20TH:: Guest at private book Club for THE SAVAGE INSTINCT/ THE PITMAN'S DAUGHTER.

SEPTEMBER 30TH 12:45 CT: I'll be featured on THE THRILLER PITCH PODCAST with Mark P.J. Nadon

FEBRUARY 26TH 2026 12:00 CT: I'll be a guest on the MAKING IT UP podcast with Carter Wilson.

 

 

My current read: THE WRECKING GAME by Chris Forrest

 

Ray Carver is a con artist on the edge. After a botched job in Texas, he’s back in Toronto, desperate to pull off one last big scam to pay off a deadly debt. The gang he owes doesn’t just want their money—they want him dead. When a staged car crash injures a single mom and her kid, things spiral fast. Ray falls for the woman, unaware she could be his undoing. With the FBI, a relentless local cop, and a vengeful gang closing in, Ray’s final hustle might be his last.

This gritty, honest, character-driven novel will appeal to readers of Dennis Lehane and S.A Cosby. The writing is flawless and often lyrical in parts, and the central character is flawed but human enough to have you rooting for him the entire story. Set in Toronto, the story captures the darker underbelly of Canada's largest city. Check out this amazing book here.

 

 

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND: The Serial Killer's Guide to San Francisco

by Michelle Chouinard.

The City of San Francisco really sparkles in this page-turning crime mystery by Michelle Chouinard. The author's love for this beautiful city allows the reader to step into its streets and feel the fog, see the grand mansions and be a part of this twisty whodunnit. The main character Capri Sanzio is vivacious and likeable, and the fact that her grandfather was an infamous serial killer gives this novel an instantly original edge. Who killed Capri's socialite ex-mother-in-law? Capri must pause her serial killer tours to find out the truth to protect the people she most loves in the world. A five-star read brimming with personality, humour, great pacing, vivid setting and a main character that really shines. Check out this fantastic book here.

  

Get in Touch

I love to hear from readers and always take time to respond. If you have any questions about writing or about any of my books, or you're interested in doing a book club using my books, I'm happy to attend in person, (where possible) or virtually. Just use the button below to contact me.

 Contact Memarjoriedeluca.com
marjoriedeluca.blogspot.com

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JUNE 2025: Bookish news, events and reviews

Pre-order here

THE DIVORCE PARTY is out on JULY 1ST!

Pre-orders are live now on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Indigo and all major platforms. Check out this pre-order link or go to my website:

 

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WHEN RESEARCH IS FUN...

All works of fiction necessitate a certain level of research, particularly historical fiction, which often demands the most rigorous investigation to ensure that every detail of the story and its setting is authentic, accurate, and believable. But contemporary suspense thrillers also require research, though the process can be more fun and eye-opening.

 

Before writing **THE DIVORCE PARTY**, I delved into the intriguing world of divorce celebrations, which saw a remarkable surge in popularity across North America in 2024. While some divorce parties, cohosted by both soon-to-be-divorced partners may carry a more somber and reflective tone, the majority are vibrant celebrations held by one partner only, and embraced as symbolic of freedom, liberation, and new beginnings.

 

These gatherings can also serve as a cathartic release, allowing newly divorced individuals to reflect on their past while joyfully looking forward to their future. From themed parties to intimate gatherings with close friends to raunchy, high-energy revelry, divorce celebrations are redefining the narrative around separation, transforming what was once seen as a painful experience into an opportunity for empowerment and renewal.

 

The celebration featured in my new novel THE DIVORCE PARTY definitely focuses on the past, but in this case, it’s a past filled with lies and guilty secrets and its purpose is not to share happy memories but to air old grievances, play mean tricks and maybe even take revenge!!

In the novel, I feature many components of popular divorce party tradition including typical invitation slogans, themed cocktails, crazy party games and music playlists. It's become quite the industry in Las Vegas and other tourist meccas, rivalling even the popular bachelorette parties! Talk about going full circle!

Popular Divorce Party Cocktails  

 

Liar Liar Pants on Fire: Get ready for some heat with this fiery mix of grapefruit juice, orange juice, Crème De Banana, Razmattaz Liqueur, and vodka

 THE DIVORCE PARTY ON KOBO  

Rum Baby Rum cocktail

 1 cup Crushed Ice

1 oz Orange Juice

1 oz Pineapple Juice

½ oz Rum

½ oz Coconut-Flavored Rum

½ oz Grenadine Syrup

 

 THE DIVORCE PARTY on Amazon

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

JUNE 11TH, 7:00 p.m:: VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK, Manitoba Writers' Guild. Check it out HERE

June 29th 4:00 p.m TORONTO: Author reading from THE DIVORCE PARTY at MOTIVE CRIME AND MYSTERY FESTIVAL. Part of TIFA, the Toronto International Festival of Authors, this specific event is sponsored by Crime Writers of Canada. Check it out HERE

JULY 8th: I'll be featured on the Bookwild Podcast, aired on Instagram. Check it out at @imbookwild

AUGUST 15th 3:00 p.m CALGARY I'll be presenting a one-hour writing workshop at the "WHEN WORDS COLLIDE" writers' festival in Calgary. Check it out HERE
 More events to follow!!

THE DIVORCE PARTY

Toxic friendships. Buried secrets. A weekend they’ll never escape. The author of The Night Side delivers a reunion with a deadly twist.

Savannah, Daisy, and Zoe haven’t spoken in almost twenty years—since the night that changed everything. Yet when an unexpected invitation arrives from Evie, the ruthless queen bee of their college clique, they have no choice but to reunite in Las Vegas for her lavish divorce party.

Savannah, now a glamorous Vegas dancer, has spent years running from a past that refuses to stay buried. Daisy, a burned-out substitute teacher drowning in debt, is desperate for a second shot at the excitement she missed. Zoe, a respected pediatrician, has built a life of perfection. But flawlessness comes at a cost, and the cracks are starting to show.

As the drinks flow and old resentments resurface, it becomes clear that Evie’s summons isn’t just about celebrating her freedom. And when the weekend takes a deadly turn, the friends must confront their shared history to survive the present . . .

View the amazing trailer created by Bloodhound Books on my website HERE

Learn more about Bloodhound Books HERE

BOOK REC. THE SPECIMEN by Jaima Fixen

 AMAZON BLURB:

Walk carefully, lest you become a part of Dr. Burnett's collection…

1826. Isobel Tait finds herself, by chance, staring at a tiny human heart floating in a jar. It should be of little consequence; Dr. Burnett is renowned for his collection of oddities and medical specimens, and this, a juvenile heart with a damaged mitral valve, is not the strangest thing on display. Except that the condition is rare, and that Isobel's young son, who has been missing for months, suffered from the ailment. 

A phantom pulse beats in Isobel's ears. She knows something here isn't right.

Missing persons cases are all too common in Edinburgh, where people simply vanish like mist. But Burnett is obsessed with his specimens – how far would he go to acquire a new one? Determined to investigate, Isobel joins his staff as the keeper of his collection. What she'll unearth, though, is far worse than any of her nightmares…

MY THOUGHTS:

Beautifully detailed writing, chilling atmosphere with Gothic vibes, authentic setting (early 19th century Edinburgh) and edge-of your seat twists make this a most compelling read. The author takes a chilling aspect of medical history and spins a heart-rending story of a mother's pain and grief and her determination to find justice for her beloved son.

Get in Touch

I love to hear from readers and always take time to respond. If you have any questions about writing or about any of my books, or you're interested in doing a book club using my books, I'm happy to attend in person, (where possible) or virtually. Contact me HERE..

 Contact Memarjoriedeluca.com
marjoriedeluca.blogspot.com

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SPRING 2025: Bookish news and reviews

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Spring is finally here with sunshine, blossoms, rain showers and MY NEW BOOK IS ON THE WAY!!

On the 27th June, just a week away, pre-orders will go live for my latest novel THE DIVORCE PARTY (Bloodhound Books, UK), a great summer read for fans of twisty, thrilling character-driven mystery with plenty of hidden secrets and a touch of humour.

Here's a quick blurb:

"A girls’ weekend turns dark and deadly when a bitter, manipulative woman convinces her three former college frenemies to attend her Las Vegas divorce party."

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COMING : JULY 1ST 2025

Cover will be revealed next week!

Publication date is July 1st, but make sure to check my website or my Instagram page for updates and pre-order links.

MY WEBSITE

OTHER NEWS

THE SAVAGE INSTINCT has been featured in a blog post for the 2025 Historical Novel Society Conference in Las Vegas, the premier event for writers of historical fiction. Check it out HERE

I'll be doing a virtual author book talk for the Manitoba Writers' Guild on Wednesday June 11th at 7:00 p.m. Check my website or Instagram page in the coming days for more details of how to access and join in.

 

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So delighted to be working with the amazing people at Bloodhound Books. Check out their web page below.

 BLOODHOUND BOOKS [image error]  

Check out THE SAVAGE INSTINCT below.

 THE SAVAGE INSTINCT on Amazon

What I'm Up To Now

 

Now that THE DIVORCE PARTY is on the way to publication, I'm dividing my time between marketing activities for the new book and other ongoing writing projects. Here's a rundown of my works in progress:

my murder mystery set against the backdrop of the music business is complete and is out on submission to publishers and agents. Fingers crossed it will find a home!!

I'm working on a dark serial-killer suspense set in my home town of Durham City, UK, which is always a great backdrop for mystery fiction with its wonderful Norman cathedral and castle.

A luxury villa in a Mexican resort is the setting for another work in progress, a twisty murder mystery, which just happens to occur during the weekend of Dios Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

I've returned to another love of mine: SCREENWRITING!! I'm thrilled to say that I've co-written a compelling and dark action movie which is now out with major producers. Updates will follow.
 

SPRING READS

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THE LOST GIRLS OF WILLOWBROOK by Ellen Marie Wiseman

 Inspired by the real-life Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, the story blends fact, fiction and urban legend in this haunting story about a young girl who goes to look for her missing twin sister and is mistakenly imprisoned in the infamous institution that was basically a "holding place" for all manner of intellectually disabled, mentally disordered and troubled residents. Later the disgraceful conditions were exposed by young journalist Geraldo Rivera when he visited the "school" and revealed the horrifying extent of the abuse that had gone on for decades in the isolated institution. Bestselling author, Wiseman writes an unflinching account of a young woman's harrowing ordeal.

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WE USE TO LIVE HERE by Marcus Kliewer

It's a common occurrence: a stranger shows up at your house and says, "I used to live here. Do you mind if I come in and take a look around?" Do you say, yes and let them take a wander? Or do you say no, it's my place now and I don't want strangers coming in?" ...especially when the house is in a remote and snowy wood in the Pacific North-West. That's the decision Eve, a professional house renovator, is faced with when she answers the door and finds a family—Mom, Dad, and three kids all standing outside in the snow with Dad asking that very question. When she finally does let them in and one of their children goes missing, the lives of her and her partner are turned upside down. An unsettling and eerie story that will soon be made into a major Netflix movie.

Get in Touch

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I love to hear from readers and always take time to respond. If you have any questions about writing or about any of my books, or you're interested in doing a book club using my books, I'm happy to attend in person, (where possible) or virtually. Just use the link below to contact me: CONTACT ME

 

 

BEAUTIFUL FALL

Bookish news and reviews

Now Halloween is over and we're well into fall season, it's time to bring out the cozy sweaters, heat up some hot chocolate and sit by a blazing fire to read your favourite books. Or, if you're feeling active, get out there and walk under a pale autumn sky, geese flying overhead (don't look up!) and leaves crunching at your feet.

BOUCHERCON 2024

I had an incredible time at the BOUCHERCON Mystery Writers Conference in Nashville in late August 28th, early September. The event was held at the massive Gaylord Opryland Hotel and featured many bestselling authors including Harlan Coben, Megan Abbott, Andrew Child, William Kent Krueger, Rachel Howzell Hall, Hank Phillipi Ryan, S.A. Cosby among many others.

I was delighted to be on a panel discussing psychological suspense with a paranormal twist. I also attended workshops on adapting novels to film, writing historical suspense, changes in the publishing industry as well as an event held by the American Librarians Association to protest banned book legislation. I met so many great authors as well as a whole lot of enthusiastic crime, mystery and suspense readers and some really fun Instagram, book bloggers.

 

 

That's me way back on the right hand side (wearing red), enjoying an Italian meal with some fantastic writer friends!

 Click here to check out Bouchercon  

My incredible panel moderated by Karen Dionne.

 Click here to find Karen Dionne on AmazonCLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE FOR CRIME READS: THE TOXIC LEGACY: : COMING OF AGE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE

What I'm Up To Now

 

Fall is usually my busiest writing time. There's something magical about the season. A sense of mystery in the air that provides the perfect atmosphere for creating stories. At the moment I'm just revising two new books, which I hope to tell you more about in my next newsletter. One is a psychological suspense set in Las Vegas, the other is more of a mystery/family saga set in Los Angeles against the backdrop of the music business.

Both of these novels have been a departure for me because they're told from multiple points of view, rather than having a single narrator. The advantage is that you learn about the events of the story from more than one character's point of view which can add way more suspense. Think of The Guest List by Lucy Foley, or Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. That's the type of book I'm revising now. The disadvantage is that it takes a lot of juggling to make sure you're differentiating between each character's voice while also keeping track of the plot and maintaining suspense.

To do that I compile a chapter by chapter outline, that helps me organize everyone's actions and story arc.

 CHECK OUT THE CINEMATIC TRAILERS FOR: 

THE PERFECT FAMILY MAN

AND THE NIGHT SIDE

FALL READS

LAST ONE ALIVE by Amber Cowie

 Amazing suspense/thriller by B.C writer, Amber Cowie. A research trip to a remote BC island goes awry when the bodies start piling up! Is it the witch who’s rumoured to haunt the island or someone from the team methodically murdering them one by one? A fast moving novel with a spectacularly wild Northern B.C backdrop. Beautifully vivid setting.

THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore

This lush work of literary suspense transported me back in time to the story’s setting of a summer camp in upstate New York in the 70’s. It triggered so many memories since I too worked as a student on a camp in the same area.
The story opens in 1975 when a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk only to discover its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. But Barbara is the daughter of the wealthy and powerful family that owns the summer camp which provides employment for most of the region’s residents. This is also a second major tragedy for the family. since Barbara’s older brother, Bear, also vanished fourteen years ago, and was never found again.
A panicked search begins, and gradually the complex and layered secrets of the Van Laar family are revealed, as well as the impact both tragedies have on the blue-collar community working in the family's shadow.
Liz Moore takes an interesting approach and uses a non-linear timeline that jumps back and forth between the fifties, sixties and seventies, using multiple points of view. At first this takes a bit of getting used to, but then the powerful storyline draws you in as information is presented in a natural, “organic” way as if Moore is weaving the threads of the story together and creating a tapestry of richly developed, multi-dimensional characters, all part of a community marked by tragedy.
Themes of class, motherhood, and gender roles across all social classes make this a powerful feminist story.

Get in Touch

I love to hear from readers and always take time to respond. If you have any questions about writing or about any of my books, or you're interested in doing a book club using my books, I'm happy to attend in person, (where possible) or virtually. Just use the button below to contact me.

 Contact Usmarjoriedeluca.com
marjoriedeluca.blogspot.com

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Summer Blog

News and latest updates.

It's finally summer. A wet and windy one so far for some of us, but always a great time to pick up a book and read!

Great new developments to tell you about this month. Info on new releases, book recs and exciting upcoming events!.

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 Paperback Release Date

 

I can't believe the paperback version of THE NIGHT SIDE will be out soon! June 27th in the UK and August 27th in the US and Canada. Prices for Kindle and paperback are now way more reasonable, and you can pre-order the paperback by clicking here: PRE-ORDER THE NIGHT SIDE

 

 

EVENTS: THRILLERFEST 2024

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I had a wonderful time at Thrillerfest in New York City. Above you can see the panel of talented writers I shared the stage with. Even at 8:00 a.m on a Saturday morning, we had a big audience who asked plenty of questions. We chatted about how to craft great opening lines. How to grip the reader and make them want to read on! Everything about opening chapters and how they need to begin as deep into the story as possible so the reader quickly learns important information about the character, their wants, needs and an indication of the obstacles standing in their way. In other words Character and Conflict are key in the opening chapter, as is an indication of the setting, atmosphere and the tone of the book. That's why openings are so tricky to master but so satisfying when you get them right!! We were asked to share a favourite opening lines from a book that wasn't our own. Here's mine from The Secret History by Donna Tart:

The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation...

There's something so disturbing about the detached, aloof tone of the narrator that makes this such an ominous opening line, raising so many questions about the nature of Bunny's death and what part the narrator played in it.

What's your favourite opening line? I'd love to hear from you!

 

 THRILLERFEST PANELS

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Yes, that's the legendary R.L. Stine along with John Sanford, Walter Mosley, Heather Graham, Charlene Harris and Tess Gerritsen. Such wisdom from these prolific maestros of crime and suspense! And so entertaining! These guys are laugh-out-loud funny. Their dry wit and hilarious reflections of their long and prolific careers made for great entertainment.

I also attended incredible panels featuring such bestselling authors as Ruth Ware, Claire Mackintosh, Shari Lapel, Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner and Lisa Unger.

 

 THE NIGHT SIDE AUDIOBOOK [image error]

Here I am on the red (maybe it's brown) carpet on the way into the Thrillerfest 2024 opening reception!

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

If you're ever visiting New York, I highly recommend staying at the amazing Citizen M boutique hotel, situated just steps away from Broadway and Times Square, a short walk away from Rockefeller Plaza and all the other incredible sights New York has to offer. It's bright, scrupulously clean and a feast for the eyes. Checks out the pics below.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Stay tuned for more information on BOUCHERCON 2024. Details in my next newsletter.

 

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

 

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Having visited the Isle of Lewis many years ago, I was instantly transported back to this wild and wonderful place while reading Carole Johnstone's darkly chilling novel. In many ways the dangerous and tumultuous setting of an island dominated by the unforgiving North Atlantic becomes the major force in the book. The inhabitants accept the unpredictability of the weather and the many storms that roll across the island, but they also embrace the bright days of sunshine and unmatched beauty of the terrain. It is these rhythms that make the people living on the fictional island of Kilmeray, come together as a community, for it is only together that they can exist in such a harsh setting. Life is tough here, but the people are family, united by their love for this fierce place.
It's understandable that they would react with suspicion to a stranger in their midst, especially one who visited years previously as a five-year-old child claiming to be the reincarnation of a man who was murdered on the island five years ago. Accompanied by her fanatical would-be psychic mother and a documentary crew, she stayed for a while and left, only to return twenty years later as a bipolar, young writer saddled with guilt about her mother and determined to uncover the mystery that has haunted her for so many years.
Johnstone handles the dual timeline very smoothly and, while the sheer number of characters can be difficult to keep tabs on, she succeeds in spinning a rich and darkly atmospheric story with many dizzying twists that will have you turning the pages until the satisfying ending. The language is as lush and atmospheric as the setting, transporting you to the wild and rocky places of the Outer Hebrides. A beautifully written book!

 

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This gripping psychological thriller by Vancouver-based writer, Robyn Harding, hooked me right from the start when a homeless woman, living in her car rescues another woman trying to commit suicide by drowning. This immediately sets up an unexpected connection between down-on-her-luck, Lee an ex-restauranteur who lost everything during Covid except the car she's living in, and Hazel who's trying to escape her abusive and wealthy lawyer husband. At first Hazel is upset at being saved, but finally confesses to Lee that she's trapped in a marriage with a dominant and abusive man who has her locked into a Total Power Exchange. She's a desperate woman who sees suicide as her only way escape this powerful and dangerous man. Hazel goes home and returns the next day with food and money and a proposition that Lee may be able to help her escape her situation. Things get seriously twisted from that point as the friendship intensifies, new characters emerge and the plan becomes more complicated until Lee questions whether she should have ever become involved.
Harding does a nice job of keeping up the pace and throwing in plenty of unpredictable twists, which build towards a gripping conclusion. This great read that also shows that homelessness can arise from circumstances beyond a person's control and even the most talented and driven people can lose everything A highly suspenseful novel about friendships, secrets, betrayal and redemption.

 

 

 Pre-writing: The Research Stage

When a new story idea is formulating in my head, the first thing I do is pick out a beautiful notebook, usually a large-sized lined one that becomes the dedicated notebook for that novel. I now have two bookshelves filled with notebooks. They're a reminder of all the work that went into each book.

Once I've jotted down some of my ideas and have a loose story structure, I begin researching for details and background info that might help me flesh out the story. In the case of THE NIGHT SIDE, I did a great deal of reading about psychics, the Tarot, and the investigators that make it their business to search out the con artists and grifters who use their psychic business as a cover for extortion and fraud.

The Facts and Figures

A recent US study on psychic businesses (Tarot card/palm readings/astrological advice etc) outlines the following statistics:

4 in 10 US adults believe in psychicsthere are at least 94,000 psychic businesses in the US it's a $2 billion-dollar industryonline business is expanding at an increasing rate, especially since COVID..psychics solicit business through the mail, on social media, telephone hotlines, open storefronts and sometimes even approach prospective targets on the street.While the majority of psychics offer legitimate services at reasonable prices to clients who understand what they're going to receive for their money, there are those who cross the line into criminal practices. Who might promise to remove a curse, restore a client's health, make them rich or find the love of their life only if they come up with enough cash!

 Manipulating the Target 
Psychic scammers prey on grieving, lonely, emotionally, mentally and physically vulnerable people. They gaslight the victim and manipulate them by:forcing them to pay for costly services with escalating feesinvolving them in rituals that require the purchase of expensive items (candles, herbs etc)threatening them with future bad consequences/more curses if they don't keep paying.What Motivates the Scammer?
These scammers are driven by complex motives, probably a combination of the following:greeddishonesty: many are consummate and practiced liarsdesperation/monetary burdensego and the drive to build wealththe thrill of manipulationthe 'buzz' they get from fooling others.Many of these scammers rationalize their wrongdoing by neutralizing their actions, convincing themselves they're actually helping their victims who are only getting what they asked for. This eradicates GUILT!
More on inspiration for THE NIGHT SIDE in my next blog post!

BOOK NEWS
Here's some great news about THE NIGHT SIDE:the audiobook version of THE NIGHT SIDE will be out on March 12th. You can pre-order hereI'm thrilled that the amazing Helen Laser is narrating it! Helen is nominated in the Audie awards for  Best Audio Narration 2023. She narrated YELLOWFACE, the best audiobook of 2023 as well as THE PERFECT FAMILY MAN! You can find out more about her here.the paperback version of THE NIGHT SIDE will launch in the UK on 27th June 2024. Pre-order here. In the US and Canada in August. Pre-order link coming soon.EVENTSCheck out my podcast episode with Crime Writers of Canada. Listen to it here.

BOOK REVIEWS
Devils At The Door by Tessa Wegert (Book 5 in the Shana Merchant series)

After I finished this taut small-town mystery, I found myself wondering why I'd never met Shana Merchant before. As a main character she's so compelling: gutsy, brave, stubborn, flawed and emotionally vulnerable. In other words a thoroughly human and relatable character. 
In this instalment of the series, Shana is struggling with the traumatic events of the past as well as the idea of settling down with boyfriend, Tim and maybe having children. Her life is complicated even further when her brother asks her to take in her troubled teenage niece, the rebellious and sullen, Hen. who lands on her doorstep and begins to cause havoc in their small town when she's found at the scene of a suspicious drowning that results in the death of a local teen.. Shana finds herself in a race against time to uncover the truth and find out how exactly Hen is connected to the crime. The world of Alexandria Bay is so vivid and well drawn that I was immersed in the small town, its colourful characters and unique setting on the St. Lawrence, near the Thousand Islands and the Canada/US border. The story is thoroughly engrossing with so many twists and turns that keep you guessing right until the surprise ending. A great read that kept me luring me back for more.

THE ANGEL AT THE HEARTH


While doing research for my book,The Savage Instinct, I kept coming across a term that was used to define the role of women during the Victorian era. The term Angel at the Hearth or Angel in the House defined the ideal image and essence of womanhood. It was widely portrayed in the art and literature of the time and was used as a standard to define the perfect woman, mother and wife.
This idea actually gave rise to a whole genre of painting known as domestic pictures in which the ideal wife was portrayed as an earthly though angelic Madonna, soothing, comforting and submitting to her husband. Selflessly encouraging, watching over and nurturing her children while presiding over a well ordered, highly moral household.
A poet named Coventry Patmore actually coined the term in his narrative poem The Angel in the House, first published in 1854 and dedicated his first wife, Emily, whom he considered the ideal woman.
Emily Patmore, painted by John Everett Millais

Though the poem wasn't very well received at first, the ideas soon took off some years later with popular artists and writers. Julia Margaret Cameron, the celebrated Victorian photographer offered her own interpretation of The Angel in the House. In this portrait of Emily Peacock, Cameron frames her subject in soft, white fur and uses muted lighting to give the appearance of gentle beauty.
Painters vied to portray the ideal Victorian household. The picture below entitled Home Sweet Home by W.D Sadler is typical of paintings of this era.
While this might seem like a perfect way of life for some, it could be stifling for a woman with aspirations or interests outside the home. Middle or upper-class women who were unmarried were regarded as "redundant" and unimportant with no actual status or role, and when they sought to fulfil themselves by working outside the home they were seen as rebellious and unusual. In popular media of the time they were often portrayed as objects of ridicule. Check out this late 19th century cartoon from Punch in which the elderly and unattractive (of course!) spinster tells her friend she's given up campaigning for women's rights, to dedicate herself to finding eligible widowers or women's lefts.
At the other end of the spectrum, lower-class working women like seamstresses, governesses and maids were seen as objects of pity and portrayed by socially conscious artists such as Richard Redgrave whose painting, The Poor Seamstress, captures the image of the poor working class woman, slaving from morning till night, sacrificing her life in a dark attic to feed her children.
And those women who dared to step away from the rigid bounds of respectability became fallen women, who would suffer dire consequences as portrayed in Redgrave's, The Outcast, in which a young woman and her illegitimate child are forced from the household into the dark, snowy night by the stern, respectable patriarch of the family. Earnest entreaties from a distraught sister go unheard, while Mother comforts her sobbing son.
Perhaps it is Edmund Leighton's painting, Till Death Do Us Part, that truly portrays the idea that many Victorian women had little choice in determining the course of their lives. In this picture, the dejected young bride casts her eyes downwards in sorrow as she walks down the aisle with her rich elderly suitor, while her dashing young lover looks on, knowing she's lost to him forever.
The only self-determined choice for a fallen woman was depicted in George Frederick Watts' painting, Found Drowned, based on Thomas Hood's poem, The Bridge of Sighs. Here a poor young woman atones for her sins by paying the ultimate price.

These are just a few of the paintings I came across in my research, but they're a fascinating way of understanding the mindset of that era and the way it has influenced us and continues to influence us to this day! Also, the fact that these pictures were painted around a hundred and thirty years ago is a sign of how far we've come in terms of women's rights in many areas of the world, but should also serve as a reminder that a large majority of women still suffer terrible restrictions to their rights and freedoms in many other parts of the world.

By now you should be winding down for a relaxing weekend with friends and family. Maybe you're lucky enough to be extending your holiday by going somewhere warm and tropical. A cruise, perhaps or a stay in an exotic resort. Whatever you choose I hope you have time to sit back, relax drink some egg nog and READ a good book!! That's why today's post is longer because I'm recommending some great books I've read this year. I'm also going to mention some amazing poems to listen to as well as music I've been using while working on my latest novel. By the way, if you missed any of my podcast appearances, you can still see them at THE THRILLER ZONE and the POISONED PEN BOOKSTORE. Don't forget to leave a thumbs up! Also, the best gift (gifts) you can give an author are reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or whatever platform you read the book on, as well as requesting your local library to acquire the book or a set for book clubs. Any member can make that request. I'm always available for virtual or in-person book club appearances. Check out my website for details: https://www.marjoriedeluca.com/Re: the Holiday Launch Giveaway, four lucky winners (in B.C, Manitoba, Arizona and California) received Kindle copies or hardcovers already. Sorry I couldn't send something to everyone who entered, but I will have more giveaways in 2024.
And now, the book recommendations!!
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia



“There’re people and there’re voices. I see them sometimes, the people in the walls. They’re dead.”
This chilling, atmospheric feminist thriller by the brilliant Silvia Moreno-Garcia plays cleverly with all the tropes of a Gothic domestic-noir: a decaying and apparently haunted Victorian mansion in a post-colonial burned-out mining town, exploited for years by English silver barons, a plucky heroine who comes to rescue her ailing cousin, held virtually captive by her oppressive husband, and finally, a dark and terrifying secret just waiting to be uncovered.
Noemí, the main protagonist is an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the decaying patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom (and weird mushrooms!).
Her only ally turns out to be the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. In its review, the Washington Post rightly calls this “a creepy, intoxicating mystery that’s almost impossible to put down,” but it’s also a chilling indictment of the real-life horrors of eugenics, racism and the plunderous practices of colonialism.I was lucky enough to see this brilliant author interviewed at the Vancouver Writers' Fest this year. She's such an entertaining speaker and a diehard fan of classic noir movies. 



CALICO by Lee Goldberg
This was such a refreshing read. Successfully marrying a crime thriller with sci-fi and time travel is no easy feat and bestselling thriller writer, Lee Goldberg carries it off wonderfully. Loved the period detail in the historical sections and thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns and many surprises of the plot.

DIRECTIONS FOR DARK THINGS by Stephanie SowdenThis story about an aging heiress living alone in the Hollywood Hills and the desperate real estate agent trying to help her unlikeable boyfriend by unearthing something secret and very important from the crumbling mansion, really drew me in and kept me interested throughout. The dual timeline story tells of Audrey, the heiress's tragic and dysfunctional family during the early golden age of pre-WW2 moviemaking. Sowden takes an interesting and possibly little known event of a fascist plot to 'take over' the industry and pave the way for the Germans to march into California, and weaves a twisty story around it.
The well-paced story and great sense of atmosphere, as well as the intriguing character of Audrey, made this a compelling read.




THE MYSTERY GUEST by Nita Prose
At first I was a little sceptical that Nita Prose could recapture the quirky appeal of Molly the maid at the Regency Grand,  who readers first met in her breakout debut, The Maid, but after a few pages, I was soon drawn back into her world. The novel acquires more depth with the parallel development of Molly's back story covering her childhood when her beloved Gran looked after her due to the absence of Molly's mother who remains a shadowy figure, but makes a tantalizing and brief appearance midway through. 
The story centers around the possible poisoning death of renowned crime author, J.D. Grimthorpe, who we discover has ties with both Molly and her Gran. The author deftly weaves this storyline around the quest to unmask the culprit, led by Detective Stark, Molly's nemesis in the first book. Surprisingly, she soon turns to Molly, a stickler for the smallest detail, for help in solving the crime. 
This book was basically a cozy mystery, which is not my favourite genre because of the overly simplistic police procedures and slight unbelievability of Molly's part in solving the crime, but fans of the genre will find this an entertaining and satisfying read and undoubtedly look forward to the next instalment in the series.
PROPHET SONG by Paul Lynch
 I'm a huge fan of dystopian novels. I started out my writing career in that genre and Prophet Song, this year's Booker Prizewinner, ranks up there with classics like Atwood's The Handmaiden's Tale, sharing many parallels like a strong, heroic woman as the main character and the fact that every horrific and unimaginable incident portrayed in the story is happening somewhere in the world today. An important novel for our times, the story jogs us us out of our complacency, despite the fact we've become desensitized towards the horrors that brutal political regimes can unleash on a country. We're accustomed to watching the devastation of war and the resulting societal collapse, on TV from the safety of our living rooms. We witness the agonies of streams of displaced men, women and children driven from their homes, and risking their lives to reach safety, and we believe it can never happen to us. Reading this book sends us hurtling into the nightmarish chaos of a country—in this case, Ireland—that is suddenly and without warning, overtaken by a fascist totalitarian regime. Lynch portrays an ordinary middle-class family caught up in the complete disintegration of life as they know it. Eilish, a microbiologist, is a mother of four whose husband, Larry, a teachers' union member, is one of the first to"disappear" leaving Eilish as the sole protector of her children and her aging father. The unrelenting , barely punctuated chunks of prose give the novel a breathless sense of events spiralling out of control in this story of a mother’s desperation to save her family and children from destruction when all human rights have been completely eroded. Lynch reminds us that this living nightmare is happening right now in some parts of the world, but could easily become a reality for anyone, anywhere. Even those of us living in the more affluent west. It's an astonishing novel and a deserving winner of the Booker Prize.
POEMS
Usually when I sit down to work I take some time to listen to poetry on YouTube. That usually fires me up to keep working. Some poems I've used in the past include:
A LETTER TO REMIND MYSELF WHO I AM by the brilliant Shane Koyczan. Listen here.
THE RABBIT CATCHER by Sylvia Plath, read by Sylvia Plath. Listen to it here
STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou. Can't resist this one! Listen here.
RHAPSODY ON A WINDY NIGHT by T.S Eliot, read by Jeremy Irons. Listen here
NIGHT POEM by Margaret Atwood, read by Margaret Atwood. Listen here

MUSIC
Sometimes I listen to music. I'm writing a new crime thriller set around the music business that involves iconic older (fictitious) artists, so I've been listening to a wide variety of music from different eras and genres. Here's selection for you to check out:
EVEN FLOW by Pearl Jam. Check out a dynamic Eddie Vedder, grunger extraordinaire here
GLORIA by the iconic queen of punk, Patti Smith. Listen here.
ANGEL OF MERCY by king of the blues guitar, Joe Bonamassa here
THE LAST THING YOU SHOULD DO by two of my faves David Bowie and Robert Smith right here
NEW ATTITUDE by the incredible Ledisi  right here
YOU BRING ME JOY by a radiant Yolanda Adams right here
A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME by the amazing Luther Vandross here
GIMME SHELTER by The Rolling Stones and the mind-blowing Lisa Fischer here
Happy Reading AND listening!!Happy Holidays

After an exciting week leading up to book launch day for THE NIGHT SIDE, I just wanted to send you a quick update to let you know about a special HOLIDAY LAUNCH GIVEAWAY to celebrate the book's publication. It's easy to enter. Here are the details:

go to my website at https://www.marjoriedeluca.com/ and you'll find the entry form. Fill it in and click SUBMIT, and you'll be entered to win one of the following prizes:- one of TWO signed hardback copies of THE NIGHT SIDE (Canada and US entrants only)

- one of TWO Kindle e-books (US entrants only).

If you're on Twitter, you can win an extra SURPRISE gift by following me, retweeting and tagging my giveaway post, or if you're on Instagram, look out for my giveaway posts, follow me and share my Instagram post on your story!(Don't forget to tag me!).

Winners will be notified by the 15th December.

I'll arrange something for all you UK readers out there in the near future.

Also I had a wonderful time chatting with Barbara Peters at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you're ever in Scottsdale, check out this terrific place. they sure do a whole lot to support authors and their readers.

You can watch the video of the podcast right here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoiNLEwW7eg

Pre-launch party pic!!

Happy reading and happy holidays to you all! I'll be back in the New Year with some great book recommendations and other exciting book news!

 

LAUNCHING A NEW BOOK

Being a published fiction writer isn't just about writing what you, your agent and your publisher feel is a good, hopefully great novel. 

But first, just to be clear, as most would-be writers know, it takes a whole lot of agony, sweat, persistence and rejection to even write a book, sign with an agent who will then sell your book (best-case scenario) to a publisher, so I have to count myself as fortunate to have even reached that point. Most writers have to be incredibly patient, thick-skinned and absolutely determined to get there.

So, once your book is finally revised, edited, proofread etc. etc. there are a few more steps before publication day:

an ARC (advance review copy) goes onto NetGalley, a site where professional reviewers, bloggers, librarians, journalists are able to request a copy in exchange for an honest review. Then begins the long wait, during which you find yourself checking the reviews and hoping the response will be positive. Other ARCs go out to authors, trade publications like Booklist and Publishers' Weekly and various magazines and websites in the hopes they will review the book and include some quotable comments that can be used when publicizing it.Depending on your publisher, they may arrange appearances on podcasts, guest articles in newspapers/magazines, zines or your agent might do the same.Most of the rest is up to you, the author to use your social media platform to spread the word about your book on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook. Anything goes here: Book trailers, aesthetics reels that convey the flavour/atmosphere of your book, posts, stories, blog posts, book giveaways. Anything to get your book out there in the public eye. It's exhausting, but maybe it will pay off if you get enough buzz going!I've discovered that readers/influencers/other authors are usually incredibly generous when it comes to helping get the word out and that's why one of an author's most important jobs is to build up a platform of loyal readers/ followers.



I'm happy to have been on one terrific podcast so far; The Thriller Zone with David Temple was a blast. You can check out the video by clicking here. 





I'm now going to be appearing on the Poisoned Pen Bookstore podcast on Friday December 1st at 5:30 p.m (MT). The links to view live or a recorded version are down below:www.facebook.com/thepoisonedpenbookstore/videos/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTbRuLNmD8EhT4WrGGMVW-w


So after all this, we writers hope that readers will be interested enough to pick up our book and more importantly, enjoy the fruits of our labour. I love to hear from readers and I'm always willing to make real or virtual appearances at book clubs. It's fascinating to hear enthusiastic readers find meaning in your work. Check out my website at https://www.marjoriedeluca.com/ to find out more details about book clubs.
HAPPY READING!!