 I've been asked quite a bit lately what this second book -- the namesake of the Trilogy -- is actually about. I'd say that it's a multi-generational ghost story that spans the late 1930s to the late 1990s in New Orleans, one that carries the suspense right on through to the New Year's Eve drop atop the Jax Brewery at the dawn of the new millennium.
It's a story of excess in a city that helped define excess, a reminder of the now antique phantoms that are still hiding in the shadows of the French Quarter, the ones that are always ready to raise a glass in toast to a good time … "Watch out for the shadows, Judith,” the Funnyman said. “Don’t give yourself up to the night, not in this town, because it’ll sure as hell take you.”  I cannot tell you how happy and proud I am to write these words: the Trilogy is complete. As fate would have it, August 1st, 2019 became the release date for my long-awaited third novel, Darker Prometheus, my first new work in over a decade. This book marks a convergence of my two halves, as it is a novel about a band.
I've you've ever worked in the clubs on Bourbon Street, first off, you have my respect. But secondly, this book will bring back memories for the veterans and accentuate the memories for the ones who are still making them. This book is for all musicians really, a perfect read for those in the know when it comes to being in a band with all of its dynamics and politics and sacrifices. This novel is the culmination of lots of hard work and dedication, and most of that was just trying to get it out to the public. If you've followed my blog over the years, you've more than likely read the "Operation: Agent" section, my chronicle of trying to score literary representation for some new project that I'd finished at the time. Well, this book was that project, and now the agents will just have to take a backseat again while I make this one happen independently, as has always been the case, and which in some ways is just a little more satisfying to me. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this book, a departure in tone from my first two books, featuring Daniel Foster from The Petrified Christ and Blake Worthington from Scenes from the Blanket. The plan was always to have this third novel be a hit and spark interest about the backstories of these characters from the first and second books, so here's hoping that you decide to take that journey with me. I say this without exaggeration: this one is a real page turner, suspenseful and philosophical with a strong plot and strong characters, and with enough fast-paced action to keep all of the literary stunt doubles busy (unfortunately, Blake and Daniel refused to do their own stunts for this novel). If you've read the book already, first let me say, damn! But also, who were your favorite characters? And to all of the musicians out there, let me know which parts hit just a little too close to home! |