Denise Weeks accomplishes this right from the get go in Nice Work. What caught my eye first was that her main character had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Now, shock value would usually demand terminal cancer, or something equally astounding. Weeks chose a disease that millions of people worldwide have to deal with instead. So why not start with something familiar and then throw in a fantastic adventure and mystery to shake things up?
The balance between the surreal and everyday is managed very well in this book. It leaves plenty of room for readers to put themselves in the characters' shoes as well as lose themselves in a crazy adventure.
Nice Work is available now from Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
I'm so happy that you enjoyed the book, DelSheree! Not only did I want to showcase the diabetes thing--which is something that so many people are having to adjust to now; don't you know several people who are diabetic now?--but also I used it in places to justify her being a bit "off her game" and using poor judgment. A couple of times, her low sugar levels made her say things she probably shouldn't have. Haven't we all been there?!
ReplyDeleteAnd I used the BDSM lifestyle because it's so misunderstood. It's one of the last "gasp" things a person can turn to, in middlebrow America, at least . . . most everything else is tolerated, but S&M is still seen as freaky. I kind of exploit that in the novel by having my snoop sisters completely innocent of it so that when they delve into the circle of suspects (many of them involved in the same BDSM social group), they get to be amazed.
I also wanted to show that a sleuth has a life other than solving the crime, so there's a romance and a job search in the book, as well as a lot of banter between the sisters. I always wished that I had a sister, and this is the idealized way I'd interact with her. Probably it wouldn't have worked out that way at all, but let me have my delusions. LOL
I was so pleased that you suggested the beginning of chapter four as an interesting excerpt that could hook readers. I always liked the way that chapter set up some of the major events that snowball on Jacquidon later.
Love to hear from anyone who has read the book and has comments.