The murder story and manhunt for the killers could take place anywhere. It is the city that sets this book apart from others.

Mel Harrison – 20 November 2024

The Back Flap

Alex Boyd and Rachel Smith are only a day into their long-awaited vacation in New Orleans to join their good friend and colleague, Simone Ardoin, when she is brutally murdered. Simone’s well-connected parents, long-time residents of New Orleans, are devastated by the tragedy and implore both Alex and Rachel to work with the New Orleans Police Department to find her killer.

The city is infamous for its laissez-faire attitude, as well as its corruption. Nevertheless, Alex must work with the city’s cops to break the case. He draws immense support from the special agents in the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Office in New Orleans.

Identifying the killer is one thing but locating him proves more complicated than anticipated. Is the killer just lucky? Or does he have an inside source who is helping him stay one step ahead of the cops?

The more Alex and Rachel delve deeply into the case, the more they discover that New Orleans is a unique city full of its own traditions, family ties, and way of life. But the clock is ticking. They need to capture the killer before he disappears forever.

About the book

What is the book about?

Crescent City Carnage is a thriller set in New Orleans. My protagonist, Alex Boyd, and his wife, Rachel Smith, are on vacation visiting a friend and colleague called Simone Ardoin, who is a native New Orleanian. Simone is murdered by a Haitian gang lord. At the request of Simone’s parents, Alex and Rachel stay in the Crescent City to help the police find the killers. The book also explores the unique culture of New Orleans and the Creole ancestry of some of its population, as well as a city full of corruption and violence.

When did you start writing the book?

I started this book over a year ago, at the same time as I outlined another book entitled Spies Among Us.. After writing about ten chapters of each, I decided to pursue Spies Among Us first, and then returned to Crescent City Carnage for book number six in the Alex Boyd series.

How long did it take you to write it?

Actual writing time was about 3 months, but first I did a month of research, then I switched to writing a different book before getting back to Crescent City Carnage. Finally, there were about two months of professional editing and pre-release publicity that followed.

Where did you get the idea from?

My wife is from New Orleans and I also lived there on and off for a few years. I always view my locations as characters in themselves. New Orleans is unlike any other American city, therefore the setting is as special as the human characters in the book. The murder story and manhunt for the killers could take place anywhere. It is the city that sets this book apart from others.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Only in keeping the book from becoming a travelog. I had to focus on moving the plot forward and not entertaining readers with amazing tidbits about New Orleans.

What came easily?

Creating descriptions of the ambiance of the city, to include its architecture, food, steamy  summer climate, and local colorful characters.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are mostly fictitious, although I used some quirks from real locals.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

James Patterson and his use of short chapters to move the story along. Vince Flynn for his protagonist description and development. Donna Leon for her description of the city and the cultural interaction of major players. And Stieg Larsson for plot development.

Do you have a target reader?

Those that like thrilling action, interesting locals, and developed characters.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

SInce I am retired and do not need to earn a living from writing, I write whenever I feel motivated rather than to an exacting schedule. Some days I may write after breakfast and continue until lunch. Then begin again in late afternoon. But I may skip a day of two if I am busy with other activities. Each day before I begin anew, I reread the last chapter that I wrote. This is to edit my work, but also to gain a feel for the flow of the story.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

My outlines are just a few sentences, which allows me to know where my story is going and which characters will be in that chapter. I give the chapter a heading after I have written it.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I always edit as I go. I simply cannot wait to correct or improve my work until the end of the book.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Although I self-publish, I do have a professional editor who has worked with me on all six books in the Alex Byrd series.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I never listen to music. Too distracting.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I don’t submit my work at this time.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I spoke to a few agents for the first book in the series. It was clear that before a publisher would consider your manuscript, they wanted an agent to look at it first. This makes sense from their perspective. However, the major agent firms use young English majors to screen the manuscripts. They have no real world experience and know nothing about the environment in my thrillers. Therefore, I self-publish.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

As I said, it was based upon conversions with agents.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Professionally done after I suggested material for the cover.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

At first I just winged it. Now I use Books Forward as my publicist. Write what you know about. Tie the readers emotionally to your characters. And move the story along at a good clip. Never bore your readers with too much detail.

About You

Where did you grow up?

The Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.

Where do you live now?

Florida.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That my stories are all based upon my career in the Foreign Service; specifically as a special agent with the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. Also, every restaurant scene in all the books are meals that my wife and I have eaten at that restaurant.

What are you working on now?

Two possible stories. The first is a follow-up in the series and will be set in London. It will involve a major terrorist attack on the city. Alternatively, I am considering a new protagonist in a book to be set in Sicily involving a rekindled love affair and the mafia.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of  Crescent City Carnage from Amazon US or Amazon UK.