My Book
Posted on August 9, 2006 - Filed Under my opinions |
I know I’ve talked a lot about getting a publisher and an agent and about my mysterious mystery novel, yet I’ve never revealed anything about it.
So, I thought it was about time I gave anyone who might be interested a peek.
The book is called False Witness and is about a college student, Billy Frayne, who takes a sucker bet to prove an acquitted defendent got away with murder. Despite the fact that the woman has changed her name and moved away from her original home, Billy manages to track her down and learns the truth - one he never counted on.
Update (July 29, 2008): I’ve been promising to add a little more to this page, so I thought I would add the Prologue I suppose just to tease you. So here you go:
PROLOGUE
Oxford, Mississippi - August 9, 1987
“The jury’s in!” echoed through the halls of the old courthouse. The courtroom hummed with murmured voices and shuffling feet. Announcing the arrival of the Honorable Josiah Memphis, the bailiff said, “All rise.”
Like the dinosaur that he was, Memphis moved at a slow and awkward pace. He took his perch above the gallery, arranged his robes and nodded to the bailiff.
“Be seated.” Murmurs melted to a hush.
Overhead fans groaned and squeaked as they fought to move the hot, humid air.
“Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?” Memphis looked to Sam Quigley - a hardware store owner who’d never been important until that moment.
“We have, Your Honor,” Quigley struck a solemn pose.
“The defendant will please rise,” Memphis drawled.
Beautiful and beleaguered Rachel Clarke, rose with her attorney, Tommy Hicks. She clutched Tommy’s jacket sleeve with one hand and the gold locket around her neck with the other. Tommy whispered in her ear and smiled at her. Rachel nodded and stared straight ahead.
A collective breath caught in the throats of the gallery spectators. The bailiff, yoked by the heat and old age, lumbered to the jury box and then back to the bench.
Memphis opened the scrap of paper that held Rachel’s fate. His expression conveyed nothing when he folded the paper, gave it to the bailiff and nodded. When Quigley held the verdict in his hand again, Memphis cleared his throat. “How say you?”
Quigley swallowed and answered. “We, the jury, in the above- entitled action, on the sole charge of the indictment of murder in the first degree, find the defendant, Rachel Clarke . . . not guilty.”
Voices, bodies and flashguns exploded like a summer thunderstorm. Arms and legs flailing to get to the exit. Rachel Clarke had beat the odds and the news was exploding on lips, tape recorders, tv cameras and radio stations. The silence came quickly.
Rachel let go of a breath she’d held in for what seemed hours. “We did it, darlin’” Tommy hugged her then let her go. “Now go on out of here and get your life back.”
Rachel nodded and watched as he too left the room that had been her life for so many months.
She turned to the one remaining person, her sister, Bennett. “It’s over.” Tears flooded her vision. “It’s finally over.”
Excerpt #1:
The room was stunning and took Billy’s breath away. It looked like a display room in an exclusive antique shop rather than someone’s bedroom; Heavy, hand-crafted mahogany furniture, velvet drapes at the windows and imported area rugs covered the French oak floors throughout. He wandered through the room and touched things like a child, letting the texture come to his fingertips, the colors absorbed by his eyes, the scent of magnolia and gardenia fill his nostrils.
“Lovely,” he murmured.
Doreen beamed with pride. “Ain’t it, though?” She traipsed about, pointed out things to Billy and Joe, and bragged without shame.
Billy felt faint and flushed and his knees threatened to buckle on him.
“You okay, son?” Enders asked Billy.
“What?” Billy came out of his trance.
Enders looked concerned. “Just asked if you was okay. You’re looking a little spooked.”
Billy didn’t answer him because of the images and sounds roiling in his head. Shrieks of rage, explosions, shots, slaps, feet scuffling and finally, cries in the blackness. Billy’s eyes searched the room as he struggled to understand what he’d heard and seen in his mind.
Doreen came up on him and touched his elbow. “You feel it too, don’t you? The chaos and the pain?”
Billy moved away from her and shook his head. “No, no,” he mumbled. He went to the French doors that led to a small balcony and opened them. The heavy, humid air hit his face. He stepped out and looked at the small, upscale neighborhood below. An ancient oak, taller than the house stood to the right of the balcony. One of its boughs hung over the balustrade and seemed to call to him. Billy leaned on it and ran his hands over the rough bark and it calmed him.
“That’s funny,” Doreen said from behind him. “You sort of look like you belong right there, on that spot. Like you and that old oak tree are long lost friends.”
Doreen became a caricature of evil, as if a black spirit had invaded her body and smiled at him. Fear started at his feet and moved straight through him. The impetus to get out of the room overwhelmed him. ‘Now, now!’ his brained screamed. He rushed out and down the stairs and slammed the door behind him.
Comments
15 Responses to “My Book”
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Ooo, intriguing!! This is great stuff Annie, especially for someone who never reads this genre - maybe I should! Thanks SO much for sharing this with us. The wee synopsis is great too - leaves you wanting more!
Well, darling girl, you were the inspiration for the page, so thank you. Funny, it never occurred to me to do that til yesterday. Maybe you should read it.
Annie
OOO! WHen did you ADD this page? I’ll read it - keep us posted on availability!
Just last night - I got the idea from my chum, Simonne. I’ll probably make it better over time. It’s fun to play with.
Annie
Ooooh! Intrigued fo’ sho!
Really?
A
I want to keep reading. This was a great excerpt. Thanks for sharing your talent, Annie.
Hey Windy,
It’s encouraging that you want to keep reading - thanks, that made my day.
Annie
“Doreen became a caricature of evil, as if a black spirit had invaded her body and smiled at him.”
Shooot, I’d be run’n too girl- eeeesh! I never saw this at your old place; maybe I missed it. This is wonderful- I’m blown away by your ability to imagine such richness. “letting the texture come to his fingertips” - I wish I could write but my brain wont even go there… I am able to kinda write about day to day stuff- this is how I am in awe of your writing- just amazing detail, vision, and imagination! Wonderful! This is why I come back again and again Annie! I cannot wait to get a copy when you are published! I can say, “I know the author” *beams*
Aw Sweetie, you’re way good for my morale. I did have this page on my old blog but I did it just before I switched over, which is probably why you didn’t notice. I hope you can get a published copy - and of course you can say you know the author. I’d be honored.
Hugs,
Annie
Damn, that’s good writing. This book may even be better than the December 2007 issue of Playboy. Maybe.
I’d definitely buy it, though. Not just because I know you, but because it sounds good.
Spoiler: Doreen did it.
Hey DT,
Wow, thanks - nice things you’re saying here. Good guess about Doreen, but no, not her. Try again.
WC
That is so good, Annie.
i love the dialogue, something i struggle with.
i can’t wait for its publication.
Go you!
Wow, thanks Chica. Means a lot coming from you, such a good author, you. I too, can’t wait for its publication. Fingers crossed.
Annie
Well, I think it was very mean of you to leave it off where you did. *pout*
I always was a sucker for a cliff hanger at the end of a chapter.
Jennifer
LOL Jen - well, isn’t that the rule? Always leave them wanting more?
Annie
Wow…
I’m not often a mystery reader, but if I had read this on the back of a book, I would take it home and read it. I’m hooked…
Really? You don’t happen to be a literary agent on the side, do you?
Annie
Is it out yet? Huh? Huh? Huh?!!!
Oh, how I wish… Nope, still looking for an agent for it. *sigh* But I was thinking of adding another excerpt.
Annie
I don’t usually read this genre either but you got my attention :)!
I hope a publisher will realize your enormous talent soon. I would definitely purchase it to find out what happened. Brilliant cliffhanger and yes, I want more! Thinking of a song here..or is it a cheer? Anyway I love it and want some more of it!
You go girl! uh, is it possible we can get an autographed copy? I am so crude…forgetting my manners.LOL!
Did I tell you I really like the look of your blog?
Hugs
Angie, you’re just the best cheerleader, aren’t you? Of course, I would autograph a copy. We have only to convince an agent and a publisher now. Still keeping fingers crossed on that one. I may post another excerpt soon.
Glad you like the new place. It took a lot of redecorating, but it feels like home now.
HUgs,
Annie
Oh Annie, stop teasing!!!!! Now I need to know what happens. I’m torn between wanting you to post more but not wanting to at the same time, so that I can read the whole book
I love this sort of story. And while you’re autographing that copy for Angie, could you do one for me too??? Please 
Hey Gem,
Heck yeah, I’ll autograph a copy. We’ve only to figure out how to get it published.
I can’t tell you how much this brightened my day, thanks?
I will be posting another excerpt soon.
Annie
Thank you to Disturbed staranger for pointing out how orginazed this blog is. I’ve kinda just looked around and thought,
WOW ! Yes ! This chic is well orginazed with her blog, and I found this page. I’ve wondered sometimes about the book.
Listen ! I’d buy it if it was shit just coz I know you.
Love & Smiles
Di X
LOL Di, now that’s what I call a loyal reader.
Annie xo
I can’t believe I’m just finding this now. Talk about being late to the game - yup that’s me. I love the excerpt. I want to read more. I love the title and the whole premise. This looks so promising. Where are those agents and publishers already?!!
Hey Teens,
I thought you’d seen this before. I keep saying I’m going to update it but still haven’t gotten around to it. Yeah, where are those publishers and agents? If you find out, let me know, will you?
Annie
Just read the prologue - it’s really great Annie. LOVE this line:
‘Voices, bodies and flashguns exploded like a summer thunderstorm.’
How’s the hunt for an agent going?
Sxxx
Thanks Simonne - the hunt has not been going so well - but I plan to get back on it soon.
Annie xo