Magic Thursday: Writing Crime Thrillers with D.K. Hood!

 

I always look at writing a crime thriller as an adventure. As a Pantser, the story must move along at a fast pace to keep my imagination turning over to add the twists and turns in the mystery to find the killer. 

I’m often asked why crime thrillers. I think at times authors get too comfortable in a genre or believe they can’t experiment with something different. For me moving from fantasy to crime was a big step and I’d never intended submitting a book for publication. The story for the first book in the Kane and Alton series came to me as Kane’s story. An ex-special forces sniper, injured in the line of duty, and carrying the pain of losing his wife is sent to Black Rock Falls, Montana USA, to live a quiet life as the local deputy.  The second character and main character was Jenna Alton, living in witness protection with a new name and face is a determined woman who fought her way to become the sheriff of the town.  Over the series, of now 27 books, 25 series books and 2 prequels, I have a running subplot of Kane and Alton’s relationship.

I wrote the first book, Don’t Tell  A Soul and decided to submit it. I was very fortunate to have it picked up by Bookouture (Hachette UK).

It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it? The drawbacks for writing crime thrillers are substantial. All the details involving police procedure, forensics, local laws and customs must be correct.  I write about serial killers, so whatever type of killer you choose, you must  discover what makes them tick. Look into the psychology of the killer you wish to portray. Do they kill for the thrill or is it a crime of passion, revenge or something else? This takes a great deal of research and time. 

The benefits for me have been a growing reader base and sales of over 1.6 million English versions to date. Nine of the books, made the USA Today Bestsellers List, and one The Wall Street Journal Best Sellers List.  The series is an Amazon bestseller and 80% of my sales  in the US. My books are translated into German, French and Russian.

If you plan on embarking on a thrill ride of a story, a few things you must consider:

1. Setting- create a place where many murders can occur for a character limited to a jurisdiction. I chose the backwoods of Montana, I have a vast area, which includes, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, mines, lowlands, industrial and domestic areas. All varied places where murders can take place and criminals can hide.

2. Relatable characters- readers must associate with the continuing cast of  characters, each one I introduce has a purpose to keep the series moving forward. Each one has their own interesting story. There should be nice people and people readers will hate.

3. Accuracy in police procedure, forensics, local law, weapons etc.

4. Know the  local jargon.

5. If you decide on a fictional place, set wherever. Make sure you are aware of the weather, sunset and sunrise times, local fauna, local wildlife, customs etc.

6. Use your imagination, as in creating murders and mysteries with any number of potential endings. Only in the end will the reader discover what actually happened.

7. Tell the story from many points of view.

8. Run two or more stories along the same timeline, what is happening to the main characters, the murderer, the victims.

9. Avoid information dumps.

10. Have a satisfying conclusion. 

My journey has been an interesting one. I’ve been running two series alongside each other. FBI Agent Beth Katz is up to book 4 and to move once again out of my comfort zone, I’m writing a domestic psych thriller. 

I like to keep my mind active and moving across genres works for me. I hope my journey will encourage others to try something new. A change is as good as a holiday. Happy writing!

~ D.K. Hood
Sign up to my Bookouture new release mailing list and receive a free book, In the Dead of the Night.

Upcoming release

Tears On Her Grave

Book 24, Detectives Kane and Alton

Expected Release: 14 December

Stepping into the dark cave just a short distance from the safety of her college friends, the blonde-haired girl immediately senses danger. A tall figure steps out of the shadows, and she knows there’s no time to run…

When a heavy storm hits Black Rock Falls, it brings a trail of destruction. Sheriff Jenna Alton is more than prepared, but she never expects to find college sweethearts Abby Jaye and Cole Peters floating among the wreckage in the river. Missing for twelve years following an end-of-school party, no clues were ever found and the couple’s devastated parents gave up hope that their beloved children would ever come home. Could the fraternity pin clutched tightly in Abby’s hand be the key to finding out what really happened that night?

As Jenna and her deputy David Kane speak to the pair’s classmates, they’re struck by how startlingly similar their stories are. They all say that nothing suspicious happened that night—they describe the open fire, the cans of cheap beer and the way Abby and Cole seemed totally in love before they disappeared. Their accounts are word-for-word identical, Jenna suspects the friends are keeping a deadly secret, and she’s determined to find out what it is.

Days later, Marissa, who still lives in town with her husband and young children, is found dead at a remote farm miles from her cozy family home just hours after answering Jenna’s questions. Jenna’s pulse races as she realizes the killer could be one of the group, and so could their next victim…

As Jenna inspects the isolated barn, gun shots ring out nearby. Heart pounding, she receives a panicked phone call from the youngest member of her team. She races to the forest, praying that her friend is still alive. But with a deadly storm brewing overhead, and a twisted killer on the loose, will she make it in time to save another life from being taken?

Pre-Order

D.K Hood

D.K. Hood is THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY and AMAZON bestselling author of the Detective Kane and Alton Series. Her spine chilling, fast-paced serial killer thrillers revolve around Sheriff Jenna Alton and her ex-special forces Deputy, Dave Kane. As the main characters fight crime, their secret pasts are never far away. Set in and around the fictional backwoods town of Black Rock Falls, Montana, known locally as Serial Killer Central, D.K.’s imagery takes the reader into the scenes with her. Given the title "Queen of Suspense" by her reviewers, D.K.’s writing style offers her readers a movie style, sizzling fast thrill ride.

dkhood.com

DarkSider News: October 2024 - New Releases & Sales!

   

"You will learn most things by looking, but reading gives understanding. 

Reading will make you free." 

– Paul Rand

NEW RELEASES

Iron Kin

M.J. Scott

Book 3, The Half-Light City

Re-released: 24 September

Dive into this darkly intense and steamy romantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott…

In a city of enchantment and perilous alliances, the divide between Fae, humans, vampire Blood Lords, and shape-shifting Beast Kind grows deeper by the day. As a metalmage, my family want me to stay safe and do as I'm told. To be a good girl. But a perfect reputation is meaningless when peace is hanging by a thread.

The humans are grasping any advantage to help them prevent a war. Like the visions of the future that Fen, a half-Fae seer can show them. But to Fen, his power is torture, wild and uncontrolled. Dangerous enough that he wears iron—deadly to Fae—to quell his magic and save his sanity. Until the night we meet and discover that somehow, my magic calms his. Which might just save us all.

Fen is as wild at heart as his power. Untameable. Unpredictable. Not a man a good girl should want anything to do with. But to help him—and my city—I have to touch him. And every touch makes me burn hotter than the magic I wield.

I know I need to keep my head and guard my heart but playing safe won’t stop a war. And as the city begins to shatter, survival might mean giving up the future I think Fen and I could share…

Buy

The Soldier's Familiar

TJ Nichols

Book 7, Familiar Mates

Released: September in audio format

Narrated by Casey McLeod

Listening length: 5hr 7m

Stealing the wrong wallet, puts Bailey’s heart in the witch’s grasp.

Sergeant Kassidy Robinson craves a final night of fun before deploying. But one kiss changes his fate. The man in his arms is his familiar. The snow leopard shifter then steals his wallet and vanishes. Kass ships out, but he can’t escape the longing for the light-fingered thief. 

Bailey Fisher is terrified of the power Kass holds over him. When the connection doesn’t fade, Bailey realizes he’s already in Kass’s thrall and he’s forced to confront old fears and ancient prejudices or risk being under the soldier’s spell forever.

Author store

Phoenix Spy

TJ Nichols

Book 1, Brothers of Fire

Released: September in audio format

Narrated by Roberto Scarlato

Many deaths ago, phoenix shifter Dalmon Vecker created the Coven to protect paranormals during the witch hunts. Once again, he is running it instead of being king, or heir, or any of the other roles he’s played to safeguard the secrets he and his brothers keep. Now the Coven, and the paranormal community, are under threat as some witches want to reveal the truth to humans to enable them to seize control.

For Lucian Marwood, getting arrested by the Coven means that he’s safe. For the first time in five years, he can breathe without worrying that the man who’d promised him the world only to take it from him bit by bit will never know the depths of his hate. He doesn’t need the Coven to explain the extent of the damage he did. He knows, and he will tell them everything to make amends.

It's a pity the head spy thinks he’s a liar.

Dalmon may not remember the details of his previous lives, but seeing Lucian stirs something in his soul as if they have crossed paths before. But who he was and what happened isn’t something he has the luxury of investigating if he is going to stop the Shadow Board.

Phoenix Spy is book 1 of the Brothers of Fire series about the royal phoenix shifters of Mont de Leucoy. If you love mm fated mates, past lives, princes, and spies, join the phoenixes.

Brothers of Fire is set in the same world as the Familiar Mates series, but stands alone.

Author store

UK Store

Werewolves and Other Worries

TJ Nichols

Novella, Mytho 

Released: October

The collapse of the mytho world into the human one ten years ago hit everyone hard, the worst of which was the werewolves, who became trapped mid-shift. 

With hands like paws, jobs are limited. Humans take one look and cross the road out of fear…or at least they did for the first ten years. 

Jake always tried to look for the positives in life. Werewolves have a good reputation as hard-working orderlies and cleaners in the hospitals. The pay is terrible, but he has a job. Although humans are used to seeing them, they are too scared to harass them. 

One night after work he heads to his local bar to unwind. He does not expect to be hit on in a bar by a human man…

Author store

Lullaby Scars

Hollee Mands

Prequel, Warriors of the Five Realms

Released: 16 July in audio format

Narrated by Allie Shae, James Cavenaugh

Listening Length: Unabridged — 6 hours, 42 minutes

He's the only man she's ever wanted. She's everything he can never have.

Killian's scars are all people see, but with his wretched past, he doesn't want them to look closer. He resigned himself long ago to living as an indentured slave to a powerful and capricious high mage—until a chance meeting with a temptress outside a brothel teaches him to want . . .

If only he hadn't asked her price for the night.

Lady Mailin's escape from her tyrannical father is so close she can taste it. All she has to do is to fake her magical prowess long enough for the high mage to sign a marriage contract and whisk her away. Then she'll lose him and start a new life. The last thing she needs is a tortured bondsman mistaking her for a woman who works on her back . . .

If only she could forget his gentle, callused touch.

When a stormy sea strands them together on Prison Island, Mailin and Killian's illicit desires may prove deadlier than the convicts out for blood, or worse . . .

Contains mature themes.

Buy

Apple Books | Audible | B&N | Booktopia | Google Play | Kobo 

Taken by Gemini

L.A. Monteiro

Book 3, Zodiac Monster Romance

Released: 10 October

She's ready for a wild night with a hot guy. But is she ready for two of them?

Every two hundred years, the monsters of the zodiac become flesh for one night to claim a virgin tribute. And sometimes they come with surprises...

Sofie

I grew up knowing my v-card belongs to a zodiac monster. But now it’s collection day, and in a last gasp of rebellion I go to a frat party looking for trouble. And boy, do I find it.

Taken by Gemini is a MFM spicy instalove monster college romance featuring a curvy girl, a bad boy and his sexy professor brother. It can be read as a standalone.

Buy

Chosen by the Mages

L.A. Monteiro

Book 3, Seasonal Spice

Released: 31 August

An alpha, a bad boy and a living pet vine - meet the new neighbours.

Cassia’s a witch trying to make her own way in the world - she doesn’t need a coven, and she’s sworn off men for good. But when two sexy mage brothers move in next door, she finds it hard to stay away. She soon finds herself captured by their living pet vine Irene, who thinks the boys are lonely, and Cassia is the answer.

Lincoln and Brad are both grieving the mother who adopted them. Brad is escaping into booze and bar fights, while Lincoln is determined to find out more about their mother’s death. Could the witch next door be an answer for them both? And how is she linked to the orcs who arrived through a portal only a few years ago?

This two-part collection features the novellas Bound by the Mages and The Witches Tangle, and can be read as an entry point into the Seasonal Spice series.

Tropes: MFM romance with bondage, mind melding, and instalust.

Written by L.A. Monteiro, Winner of Romance Writers Australia's Spicy Bites competition 2023.

Buy

Alien Attraction

Melody Beckett

Prequel, Taurean Warriors

Released: 23 August

She doesn't believe aliens exist... until one needs her help.

Commander Oren Ka’Ress is having a bad day. First he crash lands on a primitive planet and is injured, then he—and his dangerous Xakul prisoner—are captured. Oren needs backup, but with no way to contact his fellow Taureans, he's stuck.

Dr. Amelia O’Malley doesn’t believe in aliens… until a mysterious patient arrives on her ward. Bigger than any man she's ever seen, and with inhumanly bright eyes, Amelia finds herself full of questions. But there’s one problem—Amelia can’t understand anything he says.

As the Xakul threat looms, Oren must find a way for Amelia to understand him. With the clock counting down there is more at stake than either of them could dream…

Alien Attraction is a prequel to the Taurean Warriors series, previously published as Freeing Her Alien Warrior. Amelia and Oren’s story continues throughout the series.

Also available in audiobook format

Buy

Taurean Warriors Box Set

Melody Beckett

Books 0-3, Taurean Warriors

Released: 23 August

Alien warriors, fearless heroines, and a battle for Earth’s survival.

When Earth faces the threat of annihilation by the ruthless Xakul, salvation comes from an unexpected alliance with the Taureans, a race of fierce and loyal alien warriors.

This box set follows the intertwining fates of four brave human women—Amelia, Laila, Krystal, and CJ—and their destined Taurean mates—Oren, Zac, T'arq, and Domik. Together, they must fight to protect Earth from the brink of destruction.

From the initial contact on Earth to the thrilling battles in the depths of space, and finally, an epic showdown against the Xakul, each story is packed with heart-pounding action, steamy romance, and a touch of humor.

Perfect for fans of fast-paced, spicy sci-fi romances with strong heroines and captivating alien heroes.

Buy

KnightQueen

Anna Hackett

Book 3, Oronis Knights

Released: 1 October in audio format

Narrated by Stella Bloom, Aaron Shedlock

Listening Length: 5 hours and 4 minutes

A queen and her battle-scarred guard are on the run on an alien planet…with a relentless enemy hunting them.

Knightqueen Carys of Oron lives a life of duty to her people and planet. After the murder of her parents, she worked hard to become a fair and dedicated leader. She never expected to be abducted by the vicious Gek’Dragar and locked in a mountain prison, but having her head knightguard at her side makes it bearable. Older, scarred Sten is duty personified, the one man she’s always been able to trust.

He’s also the only man she’s ever loved, not that she’s ever told him that.

Knightguard Thorsten Carahan has sworn to protect his knightqueen, and lives and breathes her safety. He works hard to keep his mind on his duty, and not on the too young, too beautiful, and too kind queen who is way out of his league. But now they’ve escaped their enemy’s prison and are on the run on a dangerous planet. When they learn that the Gek’Dragar have created a lethal weapon to use against the Oronis, Sten knows he must get Carys home. But with danger at every turn, lines get blurred.

With only each other to depend on, Carys and Sten’s bond of duty and respect tangles with forbidden desire and need. As passion flares, they can no longer deny their connection, and they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people…and each other.

Buy

Non Spec-Fic

Secrets

Juanita Kees

Book 2, Wongan Creek

Released: 13 September

Still waters run deep between old friends …

Harley Baker stands to lose everything when spray drift from his neighbour's toxic herbicides destroys his crop. But arguments are tricky when it comes to Tameka Chalmers. Financial ruin is only a small part of the nightmare that keeps him away from the woman he's always loved.

Tameka Chalmers knows that her father's farming methods are outdated, inefficient, and even dangerous. There's so much she would like to do differently, but her father's rule is absolute, and she must do as she's told or be prepared for the consequences.

When Harley confronts her about the damage to his crop, the interaction triggers an unexpected chain reaction that throws everything she's ever known into question. As long buried secrets rise to the surface, everything they believed to be true will be challenged. Can they rise from the ashes of lies and betrayal when each step they take brings danger closer to their door?

(Previously titled Secrets at Wongan Creek)

Buy

Ebook

Print - author store

Print - Amazon

Shadows

Juanita Kees

Book 3, Wongan Creek

Released: 27 September

When the shadows of the past gather, trouble isn't far behind ...

Fenella Rose-Waterman is happy running The Cranky Lizard winery until a broken relationship lifts the lid on the Pandora's Box of her past. After years of repressed memories haunting her dreams, she is forced to face the truth to find justice. But with truth comes a danger that puts everyone she loves at risk.

Kieran Murphy left Wongan Creek a newlywed and returned a widower. He believes he and his young son will find healing in the town that healed him once before. Instead, he finds the woman he once loved running scared, her life in turmoil and her business under threat.

As the shadows of the past gather on the horizon, will they lose their chance of happiness, or will they find healing together?

(Previously titled Shadows over Wongan Creek)

Buy

Ebook

Print - author store

Their Frozen Bones

D.K. Hood

Book 23, Detectives Kane and Alton

Released: 1 October

Her eyes snap open and she takes in the snow-covered forest around her. She can’t remember how she got here, and a dark figure is running toward her. She doesn’t have time to scream before he’s upon her…

When Sheriff Jenna Alton and her deputy, David Kane, hear reports of a plane crashing into the mountains that surround Black Rock Falls, their hearts shatter. Their friend’s blonde-haired teenage daughter, Julie, was on that flight. They won’t sleep until they bring Julie home to her distraught family.

A blizzard closing in, Jenna pushes on with the search until, just beyond the snow-capped trees, she finds the plane. She falls to her knees at the sight of the lifeless bodies, still buckled into their seats. But one passenger is missing: Julie has vanished…

Racing into the remote forest, Jenna finds heavy footsteps around the crash site which are too big to be Julie’s. Someone was here before them. Following the prints, Jenna’s pulse races as she finds the bodies of three young women hanging from the tall pine trees, their limbs frozen, their faces lifted to the sky above.

When the victims are identified, Jenna notices that each girl had long blonde hair when they went missing, just like Julie. But when they were found in the forest, their hair had been cut, their looks changed forever. Is a twisted killer preying on girls who he can manipulate before their death? Could Julie be his next victim? With snow piling up around them, Jenna doesn’t have long to find Julie alive. Can she track down this monster before he takes his next innocent life?

Buy

Stone

Anna Hackett

Novella, Sentinel Security

Released: 30 September in audio format

Narrated by Stella Bloom, Teddy Hamilton

Listening Length: 2 hours and 59 minutes

He’s the new silver fox recruit at Sentinel Security.

The hot, tough former Marine Raider.

And he won’t touch her because he works with her brother.

Real estate agent Magnolia “Nola” Newhouse has it all. Okay, not quite all. She loves her work, has a growing collection of designer heels, and is about to become an aunt…she’s just missing the love of her life. She’s watched her brother and her best friend fall in love, and Nola wants that too.

When she first sees the big, rugged silver fox across the bar, she feels an instant connection, and knows he does too. They share a passionate kiss, then he discovers who her brother is…

Former Marine Knox “Stone” Holman needed a change. He’s left California and taken a job at New York’s top security firm: Sentinel Security. What he never expected was to lay eyes on a tiny, curvy woman and feel his world tip upside down. But Knox lives by a code, which means his co-worker’s beautiful sister is off-limits. Besides, Nola has love, marriage, and kids stamped all over her, and he’s past that.

But when Nola goes to inspect an empty penthouse and accidentally witnesses an execution-style murder, everything changes. She’s on the run and being hunted by the mob, and Knox will do everything to keep her safe.

Running the gauntlet of the New York streets, Knox and Nola will discover just how hot their attraction runs. Knox is determined to protect her, and Nola is determined to make him hers.

Buy

SALES / FREE STORIES

Torn

Mary Brock Jones

Book 1, Arcadia

now 99c (US)

When settlers push a planet to its limits, can two star-crossed eco-engineers save it? Environment, meet hardheaded opposites.

Get a copy

The Porter Girls set

Annie Seaton

Books 1-6, The Porter Girls

Save $50 when you order the whole paperback set

Annie Seaton's best selling, award winning Porter Sisters Series series in SIX print books

Get a copy

The Pentecost Island box set 1

Annie Seaton

Books 1-3, Pentocost Island

Sale on box set

Pentecost Island...where romance entices and secrets unfold.

Pentecost Island series : Books 1-3 in a boxed set

Get a copy

The following are on sale for $16 for October

Waiting for Ana

The Trouble With Jack

Healing His Heart

Annie Seaton

Books 1-3, Sunshine Coast

Waiting for Ana

The Trouble with Jack

Healing His Heart

Healing His Heart

Annie Seaton

Book 3, Sunshine Coast

ebook Amazon Aus sale

Life doesn't always give you what you think you need.

Get a copy

Silver Valley Witch

Annie Seaton

Book 1, Silver Valley

ebook worldwide sale

Witches, warlocks, magic spells and potions!

Get a copy

Bloodlust Denied

Christina Phillips

price drop in October

A vampire duke. An immortal slayer. A dangerous obsession that could destroy them both…

Get a copy

Complete Blackbridge Series Paperback Set

Claire Boston

Books 1-8, Blackridge

set on sale

The small town of Blackbridge, Western Australia has always been a safe, 

popular holiday destination.

Get a copy

Complete Retribution Bay series Paperback Set

Claire Boston

Books 1-8, Retribution Bay

set on sale

Get a copy

Complete Flanagan Sisters Series Paperback Set

Claire Boston

Books 1-4, Flanagan Sisters

box set on sale

Buy the 4 book Flanagan Sisters series. Meet Bridget, Carly and Zita as they 

deal with family, fortune and falling in love. 

Get a copy

Lost Souls Academy

Lilliana Rose

Books 1-6, Lost Souls Academy

Free and on sale for a limited time!

When Zarya is kicked out of home, not even her skills as a witch and ghost hunter will be enough to survive.

Get a copy

Free Spooky Reads

Cassie Laelyn

Free in subscriber only section of website!

Subscribe today

MM Fantasy Romance Ebook bundle

TJ Nichols

Bundle is discounted!

Get the bundle

~~~

Congratulations to our DarkSiders! 

Happy reading everyone. Be safe & well. 

Next on the DarkSider News: General News!