The Eyes Die Last
Teri Riggs
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Gauffer Press
Date of Publication: April 24, 2011
Number of pages: 329
Available at the following retailers:
Amazon
Amazon
Excerpt:The Las Vegas Mayoral race is heating up, and the incumbent doesn’t have a prayer. Wealthy real estate speculator Nick Campenelli, who wants to legalize prostitution in Clark County, and former pastor Louis St. Louis, running on a 'clean-up-Vegas-by-getting-rid-of-the-whores' platform, are the front runners.
They’re also front runners on the suspect list for a string of murders. Kennedy O’Brien, four-year detective with cop blood running in her veins, and her partner Wilder “Wild Thing” James, a veteran, are determined to find the man who’s murdering prostitutes who work the wrong side of the street, and they don’t care how important or politically active he is.
The killer is a man with a mission. He stalks the women before he kills them, leaving a “BEFORE” photo on their bodies, and sending an “AFTER” shot to the local news hound. Ed Hershey, an aging newscaster with just the right amount of grey in his hair, is determined to turn this story into a network gig, and his interference, along with the LVTVS legal team, are making Kennedy and Wilder look bad. Campenelli’s good looks and charm, and St. Louis’ vitriolic hatred of prostitutes are muddying the waters too, and now the killer seems to have taken a liking to Kennedy.
So the big question remains. Can she get him before he gets her?
Leaving the downtown area, Wilder and Kennedy drove past the now defunct Pioneer Club with the ever smiling, famous Vegas Vic sign sitting high on its perch. At one time, the forty-foot-tall neon cowboy had greeted visitors with a waving arm and a moving cigarette that blew smoke rings.Video:
“Kenny, check out Vegas Vic. He’s winking at you.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Wilder? It’s a damn sign.”
“I’m just screwing around. You really need to lighten up some.”
Kennedy refused to respond.
“When I talked to Sparky and Lenny, they said you were still at Metro when they came in this morning.”
“And your point is?”
“You should have gone home and gotten some rest. Like a normal person.”
“I did go home. I slept and I showered. I am a normal person.” One that has a few issues, but hey, who doesn’t?
“Did you update your home murder board and spend hours studying it?”
She cringed. Her partner knew her too well. “I may have looked it over once or twice. But, I didn’t spend hours on it, not that it’s any of your business.”
“You need to have a life outside the job. Hell, even Vegas Vic has a girlfriend and he’s a damn neon sign. When’s the last time you even had a date?”
She looked out the window at the neon cowboy, then at the neon cowgirl sign on top of the Glitter Gulch topless club, and back at Wilder.
“Vegas Vicky? Give me a break, here.”
“Oh yeah, Vegas Vicky. What a neon babe.” His voice deepened, almost to a whisper. Then Wilder had the balls to wink at her. “I dig her cowgirl boots.”
“You’re sick, Wilder.”
He glanced sideways at her.
“Keep your eyes on the road.” She hadn’t meant to snap.
“What are you so sour about, Kenny?” He laughed. “You just realizing a freaking neon babe has a boyfriend and you don’t?”
She couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at her mouth and had to look away before he saw. “Wilder, this conversation is so over.”
“Look on the bright side.” She faced him again, just in time to see his wicked smile.
“There’s a bright side?”
“Oh, yeah.” He winked at her. “At least you don’t have to worry about some other neon babe shining your guy’s bulbs.”
“Like I said, Wilder, you’re one sick puppy.”
Guest Post:
My Advice for Up and Coming Writers
There are so many things I’ve learned on my journey as a writer and so much more to learn. I’ve decided writing is a career you’ll never learn everything about. Right when you think you’ve got it all down pat, BOOM, another lesson is learned. Writing is an ongoing search for knowledge. I believe a writer just beginning their journey could benefit from my three favorite tips.
Tip Number One: Read. Read. Read. You can never read enough books. We all have our favorite genres. My advice is to write in the genre you love to read. I don’t read Steampunk. This doesn’t mean I don’t like the genre, it means I know absolutely nothing about it. How could I possibly write about a something I know zero about? If I tried I’d end up on the floor in a heap of frustration, tearing out my hair. If I happened to actually finish the book, my readers would most likely toss me on the floor and pull out my hair, right before they killed me. Okay, maybe that’s bit overkill. None-the-less, the book would be a nightmare. I could do the research, but I feel it’s not the same as reading books, watching shows, or living the genre. I can’t do it.
Tip Number Two: Take the advice of editors, beta readers, and critique partners. You may not always like or use their suggestions, but at least be open-minded. If you don’t want their advice, why ask for it to begin with? I know this first hand. I submitted one of my manuscripts to several editors and publishers. They all seemed to have plenty of suggestions. Some were awesome, some not so much. I noticed one particular suggestion I wasn’t a big fan of was offered over and over. Okay, I decided, maybe these people with the similiar critiques are on to something. I made the change and the next publisher I sent the MS to, offered me a contract.
Yep, there may be something to this. Again, you may not always make or like the changes—that’s your choice, but when more than one or two editors, critique partners, or beta readers mention the same problem, you should take a closer look at the glitch.
Tip Number Three: Never give up! No matter how many times you hit a wall while writing and need a break, get your butt back in the chair as soon as you can. I’m not talking the let me grab a coffee kind of break here. I’m talking a break that goes on for days. Your manuscript is not going to get written while you’re playing hooky.
Never give up! No matter how many rejections letters you get. I always say I have enough rejections to wall paper a small bathroom. Rejections hurt. But in the end you have to pick yourself up and park your rear back in the seat. If you’re lucky, you’ll eventually get rejected by an editor who takes a moment to tell you what they see as a problem. Like I said in tip #2, think their ideas over and see if maybe they’re right. You have to roll with the punches and grow thick skin if you want to be a writer.
Did I mention, never give up! Remember if you don’t swing the bat, you’ll never hit a homerun.
Giveaway:
One randomly chosen commenter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
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Reviews By Molly
Author Bio:
Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer. As a small girl she didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own. Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head? When she grew up and became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories. On the occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and there or added a new ending. Her girls loved it.
After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in. It came as no surprise she chose to write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.
Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world. And some days Teri thinks maybe they do.
Teri still frequently tells herself stories as she falls asleep. The only difference now is she wakes up the next morning and turns her bedtime stories into books.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
Author Bio:
Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer. As a small girl she didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own. Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head? When she grew up and became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories. On the occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and there or added a new ending. Her girls loved it.
After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in. It came as no surprise she chose to write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.
Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world. And some days Teri thinks maybe they do.
Teri still frequently tells herself stories as she falls asleep. The only difference now is she wakes up the next morning and turns her bedtime stories into books.
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
I really liked the excerpt and the book cover the best. I can't wait to read this amazing book.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Anita. The cover is one of my favorites.
DeleteTeri
Enjoyed reading the excerpt and your comments today. Your title is very intriguing....how did it come about? Without giving spoilers, is the title a phrase used in the book?
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteI had the title before I thought of the book's plot. I was thinking about how the eyes don't usually close when a person dies and assumed it's because the eyes die last. Boom! I had a title. And yes, I do use the phrase in the book. Great questions.
Thanks,
Teri
The video is amazing
ReplyDeleteI love the video, too. Original Cyn did a great job with it.
DeleteThe video's really fun, and thanks for the advice!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
You're welcome!
DeleteThanks for sharing your tips!
ReplyDeleteWell thought out advice.
ReplyDeleteawesome expert was very good.
ReplyDelete