The Scheme
Amethyst Drake
Please welcome Amethyst Drake to the blog today!
The
Scheme is a must-read because it is the first book in an exciting
new mystery series. This first book introduces a team of private detectives
with one foot in their past lives as spies. A twist on the traditional mystery,
Carson Crime Files invites you into a world where no case is as simple as it
seems and no secret stays hidden for long.
In The Scheme, a
wealthy man hires Katherine Carson and her team to find his missing daughter.
As they dig into her life, they discover her mysterious boyfriend is nowhere to
be found. The case is riddled with conflicting theories, and a sleazy private
detective has been trailing the young woman for reasons that don’t quite add
up. What starts as a simple missing persons case leads the detectives to
navigate a maze of old grudges and race to stop a wicked scheme from taking any
more victims.
For me, this book is about more than just the mystery. Yes,
there’s plenty of intrigue, twists, and turns—readers will definitely be kept
guessing—but it’s also a story about redemption and facing the parts of
ourselves that we try to bury. Katherine has to deal with her own past as she
works through the case, and that struggle, I think, is what makes her
intriguing. She has unique non-romantic relationships with both of the male
protagonists. The camaraderie among these three former spies is one of my favorite
aspects of the story.
My other female protagonist is Sammi, a recent college
graduate with a dream of becoming a detective. She brings this youthful energy
and enthusiasm that I think a lot of readers will connect with. I love Sammi
because she’s idealistic and constantly grappling with the moral gray areas
that come with the job.
Writing this book was a passion project for me. I wanted to
create a story that was both thrilling and emotional, where the characters feel
real and their struggles resonate with readers. If you are intrigued by
mysteries with a touch of spycraft and characters you can truly root for, this
book is for you.
Genre:
Mystery
About the Book:
Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can't refuse.
Set in Baltimore, 2009, what begins as a simple missing person inquiry transforms into a complex case of espionage, financial crime, and deep-seated grudges. For Katherine, this case strikes a personal chord, stirring up haunting memories from her own past. As unexpected connections emerge, she must confront her unresolved guilt.
Can Katherine and her team of private detectives solve the case before it's too late, or will the turmoil of her past consume her?
Read Excerpt One:
Katherine slowed down as she closed the final feet between them. Her target was cornered. Marty attempted a final desperate move, grabbing some scaffolding to haul himself up. The cold metal groaned in protest and shook under his weight. Katherine reacted instinctively as the scaffolding began to shudder. She leapt over the scattered debris, snatched Marty by his belt, and pulled with all her strength. She managed to rip Marty away mere moments before the neglected structure top-pled over, sending a billow of dust and debris into the air.
They both covered their faces and waited for the dust to settle. Marty’s chest heaved as he gaped at the place where he had been standing moments before.
He coughed and stammered. “You saved me.”
“Don’t get sentimental on me, Marty, I need information.” Her eyes blazed with intensity. “Why did you run?”
“Are you kidding? The last thing I want is to tangle with you again. I couldn’t believe it when they told me you’d be on the other side of the case.” Marty tried to scramble to his feet.
“What case? And who's they?” Katherine helped Marty up.
“The prosecutors. The stolen pesticide?”
“Marty, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t heard about stolen pesticide. I’m here to ask for your help,” Katherine gritted her teeth, “as one professional to another.”
“Oh.” Marty looked relieved and straightened his coat. “In that case, sure. Anything you want.”
"Great. I'm looking for a young woman who has gone missing. Tell me why you were following Olivia Ames."
Meet the Author:
Amethyst Drake is a passionate storyteller. She excels at crafting delightful characters and enjoys developing com-plex relationships among them. Mystery has always been her favorite genre to read, making it a natural choice for her writing. She aims to blend her personal experience with mental health and the moral complexities of intricate interpersonal relationships into engaging novels.
Amethyst loves reading all kinds of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers and enjoys watching classic detective and espionage dramas like "Murder, She Wrote," "Perry Mason," and "Mission: Impossible."
She also loves hearing from readers! Connect by signing up for her newsletter at amethystdrake.com or email
amethyst@agswordsmiths.com
Links:
Enter the Giveaway:
The author will award a $25 Amazon GC and a signed book to one randomly drawn winner, a $10 Amazon GC and a signed book to a second randomly drawn winner, and a signed book to a third randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Thank you for featuring THE SCHEME today.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteThis looks like a thrilling read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Delete( Commenting as Cindy Merrill): The prologue doesn't sound too promising, but I'll keep an open mind.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover and think the book looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
DeleteThis looks very captivating. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete