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Pariah
In this tongue-in-cheek, rapidly advancing mystery/horror/magical realism short story, Apollo longs for the beaches and forests of his South Pacific home. But he’s grateful to the New York family who adopted him, and he adores his younger sister, Aphrodite. Everything is fine until Aphrodite’s fifth birthday party.
Interview with the Author
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A career in public health can include scientific writing and communication. But even before my training as a veterinarian, I wrote a satirical newspaper and a romance novel. In recent years, I’ve focused on creative writing as a way to entertain, educate, and enlighten.
Why do you write your MayaVerse series of microbial mysteries?
Disease from animals—zoonoses—make up most emerging disease threats. As we’ve experienced in recent years, there’s been one scary disease after another. Bird flu, Ebola, Zika, SARS, COVID, and monkeypox. By focusing on a young veterinary epidemiologist named Maya Maguire, readers can enjoy her worldwide travels, scientific discoveries, and relationships as she matures over several decades of her lifetime. Each new disease is a puzzle to solve caused by a microscopic criminal.
What genre of books do you enjoy?
I’m particularly drawn to upmarket stories with complex themes and happy for now (HFN) endings. I want passionate, engaging characters dealing with difficult life issues. Some of the MayaVerse mysteries are thrillers and many are romantic suspense. With a female medical detective, all are women’s fiction.
What authors do you read or admire?
Having grown up in the Southwest, I worship Tony Hillerman and his daughter Anne Hillerman who’s carrying on his legacy. For medical thrillers, Tess Gerritsen is my goddess, although Robin Cook and Michael Crichton have great stories with more of a sci/fi leaning than the MayaVerse, which is strongly anchored in reality. I love the romantic suspense of Nora Roberts and the intense relationships of Nicholas Sparks. In the MayaVerse, setting is a strong character, and I’m inspired by the themes and writing of Edward Abbey and John Graves.
What are your favorite stories?
The first book I devoured as a child was a volume of Shakespeare’s plays. I’m also a major fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda for “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.” Maya Maguire is addicted to storytelling through Broadway musicals, like me.
Which of your interests make an appearance in your books?
Travel throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Animals of all kinds, including pets like cats and dogs, livestock like horses and cattle, and wildlife. Music, museums, art. Family and friendships. Hiking and old movies.
Interview with the Author
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A career in public health can include scientific writing and communication. But even before my training as a veterinarian, I wrote a satirical newspaper and a romance novel. In recent years, I’ve focused on creative writing as a way to entertain, educate, and enlighten.
Why do you write your MayaVerse series of microbial mysteries?
Disease from animals—zoonoses—make up most emerging disease threats. As we’ve experienced in recent years, there’s been one scary disease after another. Bird flu, Ebola, Zika, SARS, COVID, and monkeypox. By focusing on a young veterinary epidemiologist named Maya Maguire, readers can enjoy her worldwide travels, scientific discoveries, and relationships as she matures over several decades of her lifetime. Each new disease is a puzzle to solve caused by a microscopic criminal.
What genre of books do you enjoy?
I’m particularly drawn to upmarket stories with complex themes and happy for now (HFN) endings. I want passionate, engaging characters dealing with difficult life issues. Some of the MayaVerse mysteries are thrillers and many are romantic suspense. With a female medical detective, all are women’s fiction.
What authors do you read or admire?
Having grown up in the Southwest, I worship Tony Hillerman and his daughter Anne Hillerman who’s carrying on his legacy. For medical thrillers, Tess Gerritsen is my goddess, although Robin Cook and Michael Crichton have great stories with more of a sci/fi leaning than the MayaVerse, which is strongly anchored in reality. I love the romantic suspense of Nora Roberts and the intense relationships of Nicholas Sparks. In the MayaVerse, setting is a strong character, and I’m inspired by the themes and writing of Edward Abbey and John Graves.
What are your favorite stories?
The first book I devoured as a child was a volume of Shakespeare’s plays. I’m also a major fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda for “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.” Maya Maguire is addicted to storytelling through Broadway musicals, like me.
Which of your interests make an appearance in your books?
Travel throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Animals of all kinds, including pets like cats and dogs, livestock like horses and cattle, and wildlife. Music, museums, art. Family and friendships. Hiking and old movies.
17 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2023
About the author
Millicent Eidson
15 books25 followersMILLICENT EIDSON is the author of the alphabetical Maya Maguire microbial mystery series, which currently has 5 novels in the MayaVerse: Anthracis (Book 1, 2021), Borrelia (Book 2, 2022), Corona (Book 3, 2023), Dengue (Book 4, 2024), and Ebola (Book 5, 2025), plus Microbial Mysteries: A Story Collection (Book 0, 2023).
Author awards include Best Play for "Monuments" in Synkroniciti and Honorable Mention from the Arizona Mystery Writers.
Dr. Eidson’s work as a public health veterinarian and epidemiologist began with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and continued at the New Mexico and New York state health departments. She is a public health faculty member at the University at Albany and the University of Vermont.
Author awards include Best Play for "Monuments" in Synkroniciti and Honorable Mention from the Arizona Mystery Writers.
Dr. Eidson’s work as a public health veterinarian and epidemiologist began with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and continued at the New Mexico and New York state health departments. She is a public health faculty member at the University at Albany and the University of Vermont.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 6, 2024
***Some language***
Not exactly sure when I picked up this book or even what it was really about but since it was short I chose to read it before bed.
Although Pariah is considered a horror I really didn't find it as much a horror as a mystery that did have me guessing until the end what our protagonist Apollo was. The story does a great job by introducing the reader to this protagonist and his family as well as the events that lead to the tragic reveal but stops just short before the reader gets to see the whole impact.
The writing is simple and detailed while it will definitely keep your attention as you fly through this quick read.
So if you like shorts, especially mystery thrillers, than this may be just the right read for a swift break in the busyness of life.
Not exactly sure when I picked up this book or even what it was really about but since it was short I chose to read it before bed.
Although Pariah is considered a horror I really didn't find it as much a horror as a mystery that did have me guessing until the end what our protagonist Apollo was. The story does a great job by introducing the reader to this protagonist and his family as well as the events that lead to the tragic reveal but stops just short before the reader gets to see the whole impact.
The writing is simple and detailed while it will definitely keep your attention as you fly through this quick read.
So if you like shorts, especially mystery thrillers, than this may be just the right read for a swift break in the busyness of life.
Displaying 1 of 1 review