Want to read my first novel?
The Book of Answers: A Rev. Thomas Book Mystery
My first novel, The Book of Answers, features Tom Book, a forty-something recently widowed assistant pastor who pushes out of the fog of grief when bodies start dropping at his church. With the help of what he only half-believes is the church ghost, a smart-mouthed funeral director, and a mysterious “retired” cop, Tom finds the truth about the deaths, but not before repeated attempts on his own life, a run-in with a local crime boss and a surprise romance shake him to the core.
In 2019 The Book of Answers was one of five finalists for the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence for Best Unpublished Crime Novel.
Back then the award was called “The Unhanged Arthur”. The CWC originally named their awards after Arthur Ellis, the nom de travail used by the last official hangman before Canada outlawed capital punishment in 1998.
But back to 2019. My wife and I were invited to Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club for a gala banquet. We had a great meal and met the other finalists, as well as many other authors, editors, and publishers.
The emcee was my friend and mentor Melodie Campbell. She had us seated with some of her writer friends, and made sure we had a good time. Melodie is a well established author, and also teaches the Craft of the Novel. She is a great encourager, and has been incredibly kind and generous. You can learn more about her at her website:
I knew my manuscript wouldn’t win. I remembered my race to the submission deadline, and the sloppy last few chapters. Even so, when they did the “awards show” moment and opened the envelope, my heart pounded, and my mind was buzzing with the possibilities.
I’ve re-written the novel, tightening it up, and heeding (some of) the advice from my readers, and notes from the panel of judges.
Interestingly, when I submitted a much improved version to the same competition in 2021, it reached the semi-finals, but not the final five.
After the second run at the award, Melodie read the “new and improved” Book of Answers, and offered suggestions. (One was to crank up the “spooky” element, and tie it more strongly to the solution.) She also said it was no longer a cozy and was now, despite the supernatural touches, a classic mystery.
Many who heard about the nomination in 2019 asked me if they could read the book. I’ve sent the Word doc to a few friends and family members, but never “gone public”.
I’ve got another project on the go, involving a completely new reluctant sleuth. I don’t want to talk about it just yet, but figure that maybe I can use the “old book” to build my online presence, and maybe even an audience for when the new one is ready.
Like most of the mystery writers, heck, most writers in any genre I’ve talked to, I don’t expect to make a living doing this. For me, it’s about putting my stuff out into the world, with the hope it will be interesting, and maybe useful to people.
The mystery writers I most enjoy seem to use a strong protagonist and a solid plot, not just to tell a story, but to share a way of looking at the world. Think about the clear mission of Harry Bosch, or the considered benevolence of Armand Gamache.
(I don’t in any way mean to suggest that my work is anywhere near the level of Michael Connelly, or Louise Penny!)
What I’d like to do, is ask: If I was to serialize The Book of Answers a chapter at a time using the reluctant sleuth substack, would you read it? Would you consider offering constructive feedback?
If you care to, you can use the comment section to let me know.
Dear Martine;
I am proud of the book, but it really is my first novel. I've learned a lot in the plotting, writing, revising processes, but have also moved on, and am hopefully applying what I'm learning to the new one. I'd be honoured if you read it. I'm also quite patient when people offer kind favours.
The problem with serializing (on substack or somewhere else) is that you give up the option of traditional publishing. You can still self-publish. Posting a chapter or two to get reactions is OK. More than that, I wouldn't do. I wouldn't mind reading your book, but you'd have to be patient. I'm busy revising right now.