What’s your life worth? If the price isn’t right….you die!

They call him Dr. Death. Not a surprise. Lucas Stride’s philosophy lectures promote humanitarian actions since we never know when the Grim Reaper will come for us.
Before the professor’s lecture at the Quebec City morgue, he receives a threat, insisting he assign a cash value to his life. If the note’s author isn’t satisfied with the amount, Lucas dies.

While Lucas struggles to comply with the extortion demand, Toronto cop, Jordan Blair, arrives for a tryst with private investigator, Darcy Piermont.

Her plans are derailed after Darcy is asked to locate a family friend missing since the morgue tour with his class. In their search for the professor, Jordan and Darcy uncover a series of crimes that conclude with the reality of — death.

The Big Thrill had the pleasure to discuss DEATH’S FOOTPRINT with authors Donna Warner & Gloria Ferris:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

Three themes:
1) One never knows when the Grim Reaper will come for them so make wise life choices and leave a memorable footprint when your life ends.
2) Nemesis has a way of catching up with those who take from society rather than give back to it.
3) Protagonists with type A personalities can make for an interesting read.

How does this book make a contribution to the genre?

DEATH’S FOOTPRINT is a multi-genre novella. This plot is rich with suspense and fast-paced action. Many novellas follow the one plot rule, however, this story bends that rule to satisfy readers who enjoy stories with complex plots in these genre areas: mysteries, crime fiction, adventures, humor, and romance.

Was there anything new you discovered, or surprised you, as you wrote this book?

How the Quebec City historic setting blended so well and complemented this crime thriller story.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

We’ve placed several scenes in the magnificent Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. This provided Donna Warner and Gloria Ferris the opportunity to have a two-hour guided tour of this unique structure that resembles a European castle. One of the items on our bucket list has now been checked off.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

Like my co-author, Gloria Ferris, I read in my favourite genre (mysteries and thrillers) and then expanded my reading to observe writing skills of authors of genres such as fantasy romance, techno-thrillers, even dark fantasy.

Gloria is an award winning mystery author who also reads extensively in other genres such as urban fantasy, paranormal, and historical.

*****

Donna Warner & Gloria Ferris

Donna Warner’s novella, Targeted, published Nov. 2015, is book #1 in the Blair and Piermont crime thriller series. It’s set in the Caribbean on Roatán Island, Honduras. Book #2, Death’s Footprint, published Apr. 2017, takes place in Canada’s historic Québec City. Both Targeted and Death’s Footprint are co-authored with award winning mystery author, Gloria Ferris.

Before joining the fiction writing industry, first as a freelance editor and then as a published author, Donna was communication manager for the Canadian Network of Toxicology Centres. Prior to that, she tutored ESL students; taught college-level education courses for ten years; and founded a registered private vocational school.
A keen cottager, Donna enjoys the challenges of climbing in and out of her kayak without getting dunked and trying to outsmart fish. Home is a country property on the outskirts of Guelph, Ontario. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers of Canada.

To learn more about Donna, please visit her website and follow her on Facebook.

Gloria Ferris is the award-winning author of the Cornwall & Redfern mysteries that feature serious crimes and far-from-serious protagonists. Death’s Footprint is her second crime thriller, quick read, co-written with author, Donna Warner.

When not writing, Gloria works on character profiles, researches plotlines, reads everything, and is often heard to mutter, “I wish I’d written that!” She is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada, the International Thriller Writers, and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Gloria returned to her native Guelph, Ontario, after retiring from her job as procedure writer at a nuclear power plant. She spent more than twenty-five years in Kincardine and Port Elgin, small towns which inspire her mysteries.

To learn more about Gloria, please visit her website and follow her on Facebook.

 

ITW