Guest Post & Giveaway ~ GONE BEFORE by Terry Korth Fischer

Gone Before (Rory Naysmith Mystery, #2)
by: Terry Korth Fischer
Series: Rory Naysmith Mystery
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: January 17, 2022
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Amazon | Paperback | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Small-town detective, Rory Naysmith, thought he’d seen it all, but a young woman’s brutal murder is especially hard to stomach. Doubly so, when he recognizes the murder’s MO is identical to that of Tobias Snearl—the killer he put behind bars a decade before. His frustration grows after a series of senseless accidents plague those dearest to him, and a second woman dies—this one too close to home. Searching for answers, Rory races against time, plunging deep into the murder investigations, drawing ever closer to becoming a casualty of the dark, angry deeds himself, until he finds no one is who they pretend to be—and none are beyond evil’s reach.

8 Mystery Musts

I can, and will, read almost any mystery from cozy to gritty noir. The challenge to solve the crime puzzle stirs my feel-good hormones. I want to beat the protagonist in discovering who, why, or how. When I close a book feeling let down, it's because an element I expected to see in the writing was missing. There is nothing more frustrating.

On the other hand, a well written mystery is most satisfying. “You know the feeling: the delicious thrill of not being able to put a book down, of not having a clue where the plot is heading and loving every flip of the page as you race toward the shocking finale.” -Ashley Leath, Copy Editor

In total agreement with Ms. Leath, here are my top eight "must-have" mystery elements.

1. Crime—A dead body in the potty shed is good. But so is a stolen object, missing person, or an impossible situation. Almost any crime will do as long as it is central to asking whodunit, whydunit, or how they done it. And the sooner the crime is committed, the better.

2. Setting—Put me down in a place where I can live. What season is it? Who lives next door? Will I need technology, magic, or my wits? Since I like to solve the puzzle along with the protagonist, defining the tools available and the physical features of the story world enhances my chances. Dystopia, fantasy, rural or urban, a small Mediterranean island, all good—just set me up.

3. Intriguing protagonist—Reading a novel is a serious investment of time. Committing to follow the main character who isn't sympathetic, charming, or worthy of my time by virtue of some extraordinary trait will only frustrate and disappoint me. I don’t have to like the protagonist. I like to see some flaws, but I want to respect their choices.

4. Character Dynamics—Character-driven mysteries intrigue me more than intricately plotted stories. The play of one character off of another, witty dialogue, an inner strength one draws from interaction and emotions, makes the story more profound and personal. I want to understand the characters, not see them deck the bad guy with an upper-cut or slink off to make passionate love.

5. Tension—The protagonist’s goal: solve the crime. However, straightforward solutions are not interesting to read. I want to get excited, angry, frustrated—burst out laughing. There is tension between good and evil, what the character wants and what they need, two opposing desires, or everyone dealing with a natural disaster. I’m looking for struggle, real struggle, with something to lose.

6. Surprise—A gasp of “oh-my-god; I didn’t see that coming” is tremendously satisfying. When the reader feels the story is running smoothly with relief in sight, shake them up. Introduce an element of surprise, something completely unexpected. It’s the stuff that keeps me turning pages.

7. Time to think—A mystery needs good pacing, including short, quick, fast-moving conflicts and slower passages where the reader can ruminate, digest the clues, and speculate on the solution. I'm not too fond of a novel that leaves me out of breath following the investigator as they gallop off to solve the crime. I want to think the protagonist and I are on the track together, and I want to know their thoughts and have the opportunity to formulate mine.

8. Solid solution—Expectations like happy-ever-after, justice is done, and come-to-Jesus are always good bets, but not necessary for me. I want all the story threads tied up, character motivations that made sense, and a good solid reason to call it a day. I don’t wish to be left standing on a mountainside feeling manipulated into purchasing the next book. And I also love to know what is in the future for my new friends.

In the distance, the railroad bridge stretched from Nebraska over the Missouri River and touched the Iowa shore. Someone had mounded boulders farther down. Perhaps they’d been removed from the grounds and left there for a retaining wall. More likely, they were hidden from view, too heavy to move elsewhere. They were an eyesore, starting at the tree line, topping three feet, and spreading down to the water’s edge. Rory scrambled up the stack, intent on gaining the elevated advantage, the moss-covered boulders felt slippery under the smooth leather soles of his shoes.

When he reached the top, he caught a whiff of cigarette smoke—or was it marijuana?

He pivoted quickly and lost purchase. To break the fall, he instinctively put out his hands, and his foot slid into a crevice between two large stones. His forearms smashed against the hard surface. The force of his body slam moved the boulders which then interlocked around his foot.

From behind, he heard someone run off through the trees. He cursed, pushed up, ignored the complaints from his knees, and hand-walked his upper body back to his feet. With one foot captive, and kneeling over the other, he awkwardly righted himself. Then gave a tug. The vise-grip held tight. His palms felt razor-scraped. He reached for the phone, but it wasn’t there.

It took a moment to spot his lifeline, five feet away and out of reach.

Purchase Gone Before from:

Amazon | Paperback | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

The Rory Naysmith Mystery Series:

Terry Korth Fischer writes mystery and memoirs. Her memoir, Omaha to Ogallala, was released in 2019. Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies in print and online. Terry is a member of Sisters in Crime, Pennwriters, Inc, and Clear Lake Area Writers. Transplanted from the Midwest, Terry lives in Houston with her husband and their two guard cats. She enjoys a good mystery, heat and humidity, and long summer days.

Places to find Terry Korth Fischer:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

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