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Blood Plot
From An Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Authorcomes a compelling, twisted suspense-thriller guaranteed to keep you up past your bedtime.
At first, it was just research…
Struggling author Michael Schiftmann has received resounding critical acclaim for his novels. The only problem is no one buys or reads them. After several published novels and years of hard work, Michael can’t afford to quit his menial day job.
The sad truth is that readers aren’t interested in great literature—they want glitz, action, sex & violence.
So that’s what Michael decides to give them—shocking, cutting-edge stories of a blood-chillingly efficient yet charming serial killer that are filled with gore and horror.
And to make sure he gets it right, Michael carries research farther than any writer’s ever done before. He decides the only way to accurately depict what it feels like to commit murder is to commit one himself.
The plan succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. His fictional killer is a sensation and Michael becomes a rich, best-selling, celebrity novelist.
Michael and his rising-star literary agent, Taylor Robinson, fall in love, have a steamy, passionate affair, and become engaged. They’re soon a prominent New York literary power couple.
Things have never been better for the no-longer-struggling Michael Schiftmann. There’s just one problem. In doing his research, Michael discovers what it feels like to murder someone, and what he discovers is it feels really good… And now he can’t stop.
Visit Steven’s website at www.stevenwomack.com.Praise For Steven Womack
A deft, atmosphere-rich smart, funny, with a sense of wry heartbreak. Steven Womack’s Nashville stands out—it is a beautifully drawn backdrop.
—James Ellroy, New York Times best-selling author of L.A. Confidential
Steven Womack has done for male private eye fiction what Grafton and Paretsky did for women operatives in the Eighties, and if you haven’t heard of him yet, you will…
--Mostly Murder
As an exotic setting for a regional mystery series, Nashville’s got it all… Way Past Dead is a real hoot.
—The New York Times
A memorable, mean-streets tale.
—Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
In the overcrowded field of private eye fiction, Steven Womack stands head and shoulders above most of the herd.
—Best-selling author Val McDermid, Manchester Evening News
Womack's books feature strong, believable characters, fast-paced, multifaceted plots, a well-defined Nashville setting, and humorous insights galore. Chain of Fools [Nobody's Chain Lays Straight] is the latest and best in the Harry James Denton saga, a great series by an extraordinarily talented writer.
—The Armchair Detective
“Steve Womack delivers the best opening lines of any book I've read in this genre, and his plots and prose take the reader on a wild ride, suspenseful and hilarious simultaneously.” — Amazon Reviewer
“Womack is right up there with Parker, Jance, and Grafton. He writes a fast-moving, humorous, well-plotted detective story.
At first, it was just research…
Struggling author Michael Schiftmann has received resounding critical acclaim for his novels. The only problem is no one buys or reads them. After several published novels and years of hard work, Michael can’t afford to quit his menial day job.
The sad truth is that readers aren’t interested in great literature—they want glitz, action, sex & violence.
So that’s what Michael decides to give them—shocking, cutting-edge stories of a blood-chillingly efficient yet charming serial killer that are filled with gore and horror.
And to make sure he gets it right, Michael carries research farther than any writer’s ever done before. He decides the only way to accurately depict what it feels like to commit murder is to commit one himself.
The plan succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. His fictional killer is a sensation and Michael becomes a rich, best-selling, celebrity novelist.
Michael and his rising-star literary agent, Taylor Robinson, fall in love, have a steamy, passionate affair, and become engaged. They’re soon a prominent New York literary power couple.
Things have never been better for the no-longer-struggling Michael Schiftmann. There’s just one problem. In doing his research, Michael discovers what it feels like to murder someone, and what he discovers is it feels really good… And now he can’t stop.
Visit Steven’s website at www.stevenwomack.com.Praise For Steven Womack
A deft, atmosphere-rich smart, funny, with a sense of wry heartbreak. Steven Womack’s Nashville stands out—it is a beautifully drawn backdrop.
—James Ellroy, New York Times best-selling author of L.A. Confidential
Steven Womack has done for male private eye fiction what Grafton and Paretsky did for women operatives in the Eighties, and if you haven’t heard of him yet, you will…
--Mostly Murder
As an exotic setting for a regional mystery series, Nashville’s got it all… Way Past Dead is a real hoot.
—The New York Times
A memorable, mean-streets tale.
—Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
In the overcrowded field of private eye fiction, Steven Womack stands head and shoulders above most of the herd.
—Best-selling author Val McDermid, Manchester Evening News
Womack's books feature strong, believable characters, fast-paced, multifaceted plots, a well-defined Nashville setting, and humorous insights galore. Chain of Fools [Nobody's Chain Lays Straight] is the latest and best in the Harry James Denton saga, a great series by an extraordinarily talented writer.
—The Armchair Detective
“Steve Womack delivers the best opening lines of any book I've read in this genre, and his plots and prose take the reader on a wild ride, suspenseful and hilarious simultaneously.” — Amazon Reviewer
“Womack is right up there with Parker, Jance, and Grafton. He writes a fast-moving, humorous, well-plotted detective story.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2025
17 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Steven Womack
32 books43 followersWith the publication of his novel, FADE UP FROM BLACK: THE RETURN OF HARRY JAMES DENTON, Steven Womack brings back his award-winning MUSIC CITY MURDERS series, featuring P.I. Harry James Denton
Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, MURPHY'S FAULT, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published ten more novels, winning both the Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as receiving multiple nominations for major mystery awards.
His Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Harry James Denton MUSIC CITY MURDERS series--DEAD FOLKS' BLUES, TORCH TOWN BOOGIE, WAY PAST DEAD, NOBODY'S CHAIN LAYS STRAIGHT, A MANUAL OF MURDER and DIRTY MONEY--has been republished by Spearhead Press.
A scriptwriter as well, Womack co-wrote the screenplays for PROUDHEART, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.
Womack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where for twenty-five years he anchored the screenwriting program at the Watkins Film School of Watkins College of Art. He also served five years as Chair of The Film School. When the college closed in May, 2020, he was the longest serving faculty member at the college.
A licensed pilot, Womack loves to fly and scuba dive in his spare time. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any spare time since 2001.
Visit his website at www.stevenwomack.com
Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, MURPHY'S FAULT, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published ten more novels, winning both the Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as receiving multiple nominations for major mystery awards.
His Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Harry James Denton MUSIC CITY MURDERS series--DEAD FOLKS' BLUES, TORCH TOWN BOOGIE, WAY PAST DEAD, NOBODY'S CHAIN LAYS STRAIGHT, A MANUAL OF MURDER and DIRTY MONEY--has been republished by Spearhead Press.
A scriptwriter as well, Womack co-wrote the screenplays for PROUDHEART, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.
Womack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where for twenty-five years he anchored the screenwriting program at the Watkins Film School of Watkins College of Art. He also served five years as Chair of The Film School. When the college closed in May, 2020, he was the longest serving faculty member at the college.
A licensed pilot, Womack loves to fly and scuba dive in his spare time. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any spare time since 2001.
Visit his website at www.stevenwomack.com
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 29, 2025
I was caught on hook with this book as soon as I read the synopsis. Actually the book is pretty good and I swam through the pages. I really loved and enjoyed every part of the book and was immersed in it. The only put off was the mistakes either be of spelling or wrong naming characters which was like cutting the flow. Other than that the book was wonderful. This was my first kindle read that I managed to complete that had nearly 500 pages which I am proud of.
November 21, 2025
When I am reading a book and I forget about everything else and am barely aware I’m reading, then I know the author has created something pretty special. So glad Womack has returned to writing books. Looking forward to future pieces.
June 14, 2025
Well written thriller!
October 12, 2025
Excellent plot
A great book. It’s a long book but moves at a good pace. It needs a proofreader due to the many typo’s that I saw.
A great book. It’s a long book but moves at a good pace. It needs a proofreader due to the many typo’s that I saw.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews