R - RESEARCH

R IS FOR RESEARCH

Research Resource for Writers

No matter the type of book you're writing, some type of research needs to be done, whether it's trying to find a name, a point of law, or a question of forensics for a crime novel.

HERE, and all in one place is an item that may help you. Usually, I just type the title of my research question into Google and get a list of items. But I came across this wonderful site and thought I'd share.

Click the HERE for access!

For Murder & Obsession I did quite a lot of research and one subject involved flying to Russia.

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

“It’s not easy getting into Russia. You have to file a request for flight authorization with Moscow. He’d also have to file flight plans twenty-four hours in advance. What did his paperwork show?” Steven asked.

“I’m assuming from your knowledge of the procedures you had considered this a possibility?” Agent Lopez said.

“Of course, with his heritage,” Steven said.

“Good, good.” Lopez seemed to relax with Steven’s acceptance of his theory. “Paperwork is pending; we’re still waiting to hear from Moscow, but I did get a few details from an officer at the Provideniya airport.”

“Did they pass through customs? Does he have connections in Russia?” Steven asked.

“That I don’t know yet. The paperwork will give us those details. I do know he landed at noon on October 21st. His associates we’re still investigating.”

“October 21st, but he was spotted in Nome on October 18th. Where was he before the flight to Russia?” Steven rubbed his chin and began to pace.

           “Again, it’s early in the investigation. There are hundreds of landing strips in Alaska, but we are assuming he came here to Anchorage since his home is here, and it’s where the flight to Russia originated. We’re checking all cameras at the airport, and the FBI will be doing another sweep of his home for possible evidence.”

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Q - QUINN

Q IS FOR SKY QUINN

One of my favorite characters in Murder & Obsession is Sky Quinn. An Inuit, better known by most as an Eskimo. Sky, is Steven's Uncle, in name only. He was a friend of Steven's Uncle Atian, and had a huge part in training Steven for wilderness survival. (I chose not to use the term Eskimo because some find it derogatory.)

This photo was my inspiration for Sky Quinn.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

A warrior with the heart of Santa Claus, Sky Quinn epitomized the man Steven desired to be. A tracker and guide of unmatched skill, Quinn stood five foot seven, wiry, with weather worn, russet skin, deep brown eyes, and a constitution that kept him forever young. Quinn’s unparalleled courage made him Steven’s hero.

“No one gives up The Ghost of the North Slope, but you they’ll sell out in a heartbeat," Quinn said with a grin.

Despite his pain, Steven smiled. Quinn’s nickname, The Ghost of the North Slope, fit the man. Sky Quinn had a legendary reputation. No man, enemy or friend would ever speak ill of Quinn. He had earned the respect, but Steven hadn’t yet reached mythical status.

                                                   

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P – PROVIDENIYA

P IS FOR PROVIDENIYA

Provideniya, a Russian city on the Bering Sea, is sometimes referred to as the Doorway to the Arctic is a popular sight for tourists that fly in from Nome and Anchorage.

Yes, you can fly to Russia from Nome, or Anchorage. As long as you file all the right papers!

I use the close proximity of this airfield in Murder & Obsession.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

“Well, I guess I should quantify my statement: we’ve traced one of the men who killed Sarah to Russia. The authorities called us about an hour ago. His plane is sitting at the Provideniya airport. The flight originated in Anchorage. We’re working with the Russian authorities to track him down. When they give permission, I’ll be flying there to aid in the investigation. Right now the Russian Federation and the United States aren’t exactly bosom buddies. We’re working with the State Department, but I’m also trying to pull in favors with friendly counterparts in Russia,” Agent Lopez said.

*****

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O - OBSESSION

O IS FOR OBSESSION

Obsession – an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind. In Murder & Obsession, a man is obsessed with a woman. He will do anything and everything in his power to gain the object of his obsession, even murder.

Rapunzel's tower is a symbol of the Obsession.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

This is a nightmare that represents obsession; it's one that haunts Steven as he searches for answers.

 A scenic trail, bright sunshine, and clear skies. Steven and Sarah followed the river south.

“You do realize we’ll take the same trail back,” Steven informed her after they’d stopped yet again to take photographs.

“I know, but not until after lunch. The light will be different then.”

“The middle of winter and you want to eat lunch in the cold.”

“I want to do more than eat lunch. This is a honeymoon, isn’t it? You brought a tent and sleeping bag for a reason.”

Steven laughed. His angel loved getting naked in the snow. Only half a mile later, Sarah stopped again to snap a few pictures of the valley laid out before them, and Steven had to admit, the day was perfect. No, he thought, she’s perfect. He gazed at his wife with admiration.

The red laser light of a rifle sight bounced off the white of her fur collar, and the fracture of a gunshot registered just as Sarah dropped to the ground.

Steven was instantly at her side, his gaze on the area where the blast originated.

The shooter stepped out from his hiding place and declared, “If I can’t have her, neither will you. See how you enjoy life without Sarah by your side.”

*****

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N - NOME

N IS FOR NOME

Nome, one of the best known cities in Alaska. Nome is the city where a diphtheria epidemic required a relay of dog sled teams to deliver the life saving serum in 1925. In memory of the event, a race is run every year in March called the Iditarod.

In Murder & Obsession, Nome is one of the places Detective Steven Quaid visits in his pursuit of the criminals.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Their plane came in for a landing at the Nome Airport on a clear, bright, but cold, day.

The airport manager met them on the tarmac. “Detective Quaid, so good to make your acquaintance. I’ve been reading about you in the papers.” He shook each man’s hand. “Mr. Thomas, Mr. Summers. I have coffee and donuts waiting in my office.” He pointed to the nearest hanger. “You picked a great day to visit. The winds have been ferocious this last week; today it’s deceptively mild.”

Steven grinned. “Nonresidents would never call these winds mild. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Mr. Thane.” Rand Thane, a portly man, had a pleasing personality. His bright smile and welcoming attitude worked for the man in charge.

“Rand, please. My condolences, Detective. I hope you find the bastard soon.”

Before Steven could answer, a gunshot sent the men to the tarmac. “Anyone hit?” Steven said, as he drew his gun and surveyed the area in a search of the shooter.

“No,” they chorused.

“Rand, you okay?”

“I might have to change my pants, but I wasn’t hit,” Rand said.

Shouts came from behind the hangar. With guns drawn, the men ran in search of the shooter.

*****

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Murder & Obsession

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paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

L - LITTLE DIOMEDE

L is for LITTLE DIOMEDE

LittleDiomede is a city located on Little Diomede Island, which belongs to Alaska and is the smaller of the two Diomede Islands, located in the Bering Straits. The population, approximately 115 inhabitants, lies on the west side of Little Diomede Island.

Big Diomede, less than 2.4 miles away, belongs to Russia. There is a weather station on Big Diomede, but otherwise it isn't populated.

I use Little Diomede in Murder & Obsession as a way for Detective Quaid to venture into Russia looking for evidence.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

On the plane ride to Little Diomede Island, Steven fell into a dream filled sleep.

                                           *****

Seagulls squawked loudly and dived at the trawler in search of fish and scraps as the captain brought his ship to the dock. Steven watched as the old skipper guided what seemed to him an unwieldy behemoth gently dockside. Brent jumped to the dock with the bowline and tied off. The ship secured, the men made ready to explore.

. . . forged documents were something Quinn had had in the works since the Russians first became suspects. He arranged for his friend, Captain Can’irraq, a Russian Yupik, to pick them up on Little Diomede Island, the closest Alaskan community to Russia. The Captain's travels to Little Diomede were a regular occurrence, and his trips to Provideniya were part of his regular routine to buy parts. As a traveling mechanic, he helped fishing trawlers on the sea and in dry dock.

*****

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K - KNIFE

K is for Bowie Knife

Detective Steven Quaid carries a Bowie Knife while hunting. In Murder & Obsession, he's on a manhunt and his Bowie Knife is his most important weapon, against both man, and beast.

While the history of the creation of the Bowie Knife comes under some scrutiny it is named for Jim Bowie who is said to have commissioned its design by blacksmith James Black. The knife gained notoriety because of the duel Jim Bowie fought, known as the Sandbar Fight. In this battle, Bowie fought several men. He was stabbed, shot, and beaten half to death but managed to win the fight using the large knife. Wikipedia

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

He secured his backpack, wishing for more layers between his skin and fierce claws, and with his nine-and-a-half-inch Bowie knife in hand, Steven stood his ground. He attempted to make his appearance larger by setting his feet apart, holding his arms high, and yelling loudly. Unimpressed, the bear ran faster and stopped just inches from Steven. Steven did not hesitate; he stabbed the animal in the neck. Warm blood spurted. He prayed he had severed an artery, but this hungry bear wanted to fight. The animal rose on his hind legs, roared his intent, and then went for his prey. Sharp claws shredded the strap holding Steven’s pack, and the bag went flying over the side of the bluff. Another blow cut through Steven’s jacket like a razor blade, caught the skin, and caused a burning sensation across his flesh. Steven struck again. The knife went deep into the bear’s chest―into a lung. The bear bellowed and brought his other paw down on his attacker’s skull, tearing away hair and flesh, slicing Steven’s head and cheek. The two titans separated. 

*****

Read Feather's Review HERE!

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J - JUGGERNAUT

J is for JUGGERNAUT

Juggernaut: an overwhelming or unstoppable force, especially one that destroys or that demands complete self-sacrifice.

In Murder & Obsession, Detective Steven Quaid comes up against a juggernaut, an unstoppable force that demands complete self-sacrifice.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Blurb:

Steven spoke, his anguish crystal clear with each word. “Gladys told them where to find Sarah’s body?”

Helen sighed but nodded.

“Well.” His eyes were dark, his face rigid, and his demeanor as cold as Arctic stone.

“The Bering Sea. The captain’s called the FBI.”

                                                     **

Steven stared out the window, but he did not see the street, the cars, or the people passing by. He saw Sarah, her beautiful green eyes no longer held the light. Her skin had no luster―life had disappeared from her body long before they pronounced death. He imagined her floating in the unforgiving cold of the Bering Sea, sinking into the black depths, her body thrashed by the unrelenting waves―always and forever.

Steven had never experienced such strong negative, hate-filled emotions. He didn’t like it, but he’d go with it if it changed the blackness surrounding him into light again. Vengeance, retribution, simmering hatred was much easier to understand and deal with than grief. His psyche couldn’t tolerate the overwhelming sense of emptiness. The loss was too much. He’d survive on planning his revenge, after that, he wanted nothing, saw nothing except an abyss. Is this what grief is? Floating in a starless void, with only memories of Sarah and all the what if’s replaying to unfulfillable conclusions.

*****

Read Feather's Review HERE!

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Murder & Obsession

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Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

I - INVESTIGATION

I is for INVESTIGATION

At the discovery of a crime, there are procedures followed by the first officer on the scene to secure the area. In Murder & Obsession, Helen Gabble, is that officer.

You can read more on the Standard Operating Procedure of Homicide Investigations written by John M.Howell.

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Standing close to the fire, Detective Helen Gabble could not get warm, even with the proper winter gear she’d had brought in with the forensics team. A partial tent in the front of Steven’s cabin served as murder central while the crime scene investigators finished their job. The shelter had no walls, and despite a canvas roof, the snow swirled in the breeze. The burn barrel ate the wood and provided little to no warmth in the openness. After forensics gave her the all clear, the detective would move her team inside, but right now their operations headquarters resided in the elements. Some of her men waited in warm vehicles, and for a few minutes, she had too, but huddling against the cold didn’t feel right, so she directed the investigation outside. She kept things moving.

Ginger Diehl finally approached her at three in the morning. “We’re done; we’ve collected all the evidence from the bedroom and the grave out back. We’ve swept the place for fingerprints and taken photographs. You have full access now. The bedroom is off-limits, but you can use the downstairs. I just need your signature. Is there something else you need?”

“The body?”

“Sorry. No luck there. I had men on the other side of the bank. We found more bear tracks, but the water is moving too fast. She could be miles downstream. They’ll search when daylight hits.”

*****

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Murder, Madness & Love
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Actually all the books in the trilogy are available to be won at Amazon. Good luck!
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A WAGGING TALE OF FUN!

Very cool Halloweeny fun here! Hi, I'm Charmaine Clancy, I write children's and teens fiction. My most popular novel is very suited to Halloween, it's called My Zombie Dog...

Take one shy teenage boy, a dopey best mate, a granny who's lost her marbles (and teeth), a kid sister who bites back and a smelly demon dog. 

What you'll get is My Zombie Dog. 

All Zane wants for his birthday is a dog. A real dog. A guy's dog. But his mom brings home this little mutt and wants to call it 'Fluffy'. Seriously? It's shaggy, smells undead and bites people. And why does its victims all turn sluggish and keep asking Zane for brains? One by one, everyone he knows is becoming infected. Join Zane as he takes on the neighborhood zombie plague.

Now, onto Yolanda's cool Halloween quiz, I'm a bit scared to find out what happens if I get any wrong answers!

1. You're the last person to die in your favorite horror movie, what's the name of the movie and how do you die? 

I'm the fool who goes and prods the 'dead' body of the killer. Who knew he'd rise for one last kill?

2. In a remake of Friday the 13^th – you play Jason – what would be your method of execution for all your victims? 

I'd read memoir-poetry about lost love and the abyss before the kill. This is the kind side of Jason, prepping victims so they want to die.

3. In a remake of Halloween, you are one of the victims – describe the scene and your grisly death. 

The stake skewered her like a marshmallow kebab and she fell, not a 'Hundreds and Thousands sprinkling', but 'dropping a raw egg, cracking the shell and spilling the yolk to fry in the pan' type of fall. On the pavement, her life spread beneath her, like sauce on a meat pie. She'd always hated meat pies.

4. In a remake of the 1974 movie Young Frankenstein – which character would you play and why. 

The lesser noticed stalker who thinks Frankenstein is just misunderstood and needs her love to set him straight.

5. In the Walking Dead, you and another character have survived the zombies, so far. You're on the move, but the individual with you is a wimpy scaredy cat, but oh so hot, still they keep drawing attention to you and your position and it's almost certain they will get you killed. What do you do - leave them for the zombies and save yourself? 

My opinion on what's hot changes after the zombie apocalypse -- baby blues and cheesy grins are out, being a sure-shot with a crossbow, tattoo adorned and knowing how to fry up squirrel is the new sexy.

6. You're headed to a Masquerade party as your favorite horror character and at midnight, you are transformed into your character until sunrise. Who is this character and how many victims would you claim by sunrise? 

I'd probably copy Anya from Buffy and go as a big pink rabbit. Not too many victims, just that annoying neighbour insisting I try her carrot dip.

7. Share with us your scariest ghost story – or nightmare – or tell us what scares you the most and why. 

I have a saying that drives my kids crazy, '... it's the ONE thing that scares me.' This is mostly because I actually have a list of about 42 things that make me squeal and run. But the thing that scares me the most, more than needles, flying, spiders, balloons, street performers, talking on the phone to strangers... well anyway, more than those, is ZOMBIES! I would prefer to be chased by a speedy werewolf than a shuffling zombie any day. It's not the death or the eating of the brains that scares me--those guys are all icky in a festering way. I don't want them to TOUCH me.

Phew! I think I survived the quiz. Thanks for hosting me on your site Yolanda... wait... what's that scraping noise coming from the basement? Hmm, seem the lights are out and my torch batteries are dead. Wait here, I'll go down and check it out with only these last three matches to light my way... I'll be right back...

Charmaine never returned... Bwahahaha ... but you can find her online 'presence' haunting these spots:
 

Websites: 

CharmaineClancy.com (my blog)

iTeenWrite.com (this one has writing workshop videos)

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Amazon

***** ***** ***** *****
Be sure to check out Charmaine Clancy's Blog
and her interview with
Detective Steven Quaid!