To celebrate a new year of Mystery Mondays,  Cheryl Kaye Tardif will share a bit of E.Y.E OF THE SCORPION. But first, here is what she has to say on the future of fiction.

A Mystery Qwickie™ with an Eye on Vengeance and Salvation

 Launching Imajin Books’ new Imajin Qwickies™ imprint, international bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif introduces us to her E.Y.E. Spy Mystery series with Book 1, E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION…

Many readers are looking for shorter reads, something they can read on a bus, train, plane etc., and finish in one or two sittings. Qwickies™ are the perfect solution. Shorter than a full-length novel, but longer than a short story or novelette, novellas offer more depth of character and plot.

In my mystery novella, E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION, I introduce readers to an older, wiser female protagonist, one who is divorced, has given up a career as a Vancouver police officer and has become a private investigator. Eileen Edwards is still grieving the loss of her son when she’s given the daunting task of locating a street kid named Zipper. But all is not as it seems, and the case proves to be difficult, especially keeping the boy alive. As with all mysteries, there are twists and turns, and a huge revelation that will blow your mind. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.

The challenge with writing a Qwickie is to start off with action right away and keep the pace moving “qwickly,” so that readers feel compelled to keep reading until the end. I believe my characters really add to keeping the pace hot and always moving forward. Of course, as with every good mystery, you’ll find some bad guys who only seek vengeance, and a protagonist whose life changes dramatically in the end.

Salvation is found in odd ways and with an unusual pairing of young and old. I have fallen in love with three of the characters, Eileen, Zipper and Alfie. All three have been searching for something that has eluded them. Will they find what they’re looking for? I hope you love them as much as I do.

E.Y.E. OF THE SCORPION Description:

When Eileen Edwards, a former-cop-turned-PI, is given the task to find a missing street kid named Zipper, she has no idea what she has let into her life. Not only did the boy witness a murder, he’s now being hunted by at least one motorcycle gang. Finding Zipper is the easy part; keeping him alive is the challenge.

As a killer prowls the streets of Vancouver looking for the kid, Eileen discovers that Zipper not only can’t remember what he saw, he’s also hiding a shocking secret. With the assistance of Constable Larry Norman from Eileen’s old Gang Task Force unit, she helps to expose a ruthless killer, and in the process, Eileen learns that sometimes one must let go of the past in order to move forward.

Here’s a sneak peek:

Chapter One

The Grim Reaper often came knocking when it was unexpected. That was something Eileen Edwards had figured out years ago. So when the phone on her desk rang at just after eight in the morning on Sunday, February 8^th, she knew it wouldn’t be good news.

“Call from Law-ree Nor-man,” the androgynous call display voice told her.

Constable Larry Norman was a detective in Vancouver’s Gang Task Force—and her former partner.

Eileen picked up the phone and grimaced as a twinge of pain shot through her right hand. “Sorry I can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave your name and—”

“Really, Eileen? Is that the best you can do?”

“—after the beep. Beeeep.”

There was a slight pause. Then Larry said, “You done?”

She sighed and adjusted her reading glasses. “I hope this is a crank call.”

“I need a favor. I need you to find a street kid named Zipper.”

“You do know this is Family Day weekend and my first weekend off in forever.”

“But you’re already up and working anyway,” Larry said.

Eileen leaned back in the chair and glanced across the room. The white letters on the glass door of the office reminded her that E.Y.E. Spy Investigations had bills to pay. “How do you know? Maybe you woke me.”

Larry chuckled. “You’re in your office. I can hear your printer gasping for breath in the background.”

She glared at the hefty, aging machine that was busy groaning and vomiting up paper like Linda Blair puking up pea soup. Maybe the printer needed an exorcism. Papers scattered on the floor told her she’d forgotten to extend the catch tray again. Another sheet shot out, and she caught it before it hit the floor with the others.

“You know, you should really trade that antique in for a modern printer,” Larry said. “Maybe one built after 1990.”

“It works fine. Now what’s so important about this Zippy kid?”

“Zipper.”

“What did he do—kill someone?”

“No, the opposite. We think he witnessed a murder.”

Continue reading this mystery Qwickie at http://getBook.at/EYEScorpion

 Question for Readers: What do you think about Qwickies or novellas? Are there benefits to a shorter read?

*****

Born in Vancouver, BC, Cheryl Kaye Tardif is an international bestselling suspense author who currently resides in Kelowna, BC. Her most popular works include: CHILDREN OF THE FOG, SUBMERGED, DIVINE INTERVENTION, DIVINE JUSTICE, DIVINE SANCTUARY, THE RIVER and WHALE SONG. Represented by Trident Media Group, she is published by various publishers in the US, Canada, Germany, Turkey and China. Cheryl is also the owner of hybrid publishing company, Imajin Books.

http://www.cherylktardif.com

http://www.imajinbooks.com

http://www.imajinqwickies.com