In the Shadow of Revenge by Patricia Hale

By Don Helin

In her novel, IN THE SHADOW OF REVENGE, Patricia Hale unleashes a plot so exciting that one review reads, “IN THE SHADOW OF REVENGE intrigued me from its first pages and kept me enthused with its rich descriptions, brutally honest depictions of realistic characters and small town life.”

Childhood friendships mold us into the adults we become. So it goes for three nine year old girls in Millers Falls, Maine after a ruthless attack hits close to home. The experience keeps them bound to one another even as adults. But when an opportunity for revenge offers to set them free, the friends run headlong after vengeance, quickly learning that even justice can cut to the bone.

Patricia Hale received an MFA degree from Goddard College in Vermont. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, NH Writers Project and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. Besides writing, her interests include hiking, kayaking and yoga. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two German Shepherds.

Two other favorite reviews:

“Quite a powerful story and hard hitting from the start.”

“A gripping read.”

I had the chance to catch up with Patricia and ask her a few questions.

Is there anything special you’d like to tell us about In the Shadow of Revenge?

I’d considered writing a mystery for quite a while, mostly because that’s what I enjoy reading, and I was impatiently waiting for a plot line to appear in my head. At work one day, I was eating lunch and flipping through a magazine. I stopped at a picture of three little girls holding hands and walking down a deserted, cobblestone alleyway.  The picture was actually an advertisement for a line of children’s clothing, but the girls were so striking that it really caught my attention. One was definitely the leader, wearing a sparkling tiara entangled in a head of wild black hair, another was a thin little girl with mousy, brown hair carrying a doll and the third was in jeans, her hair unkempt and her arms were covered with fake tattoos, the kind you lick and stick against your skin as a kid. I took the picture home and hung it above my computer and began to build a life and personality for each of the girls, then I developed their connection to each other and IN THE SHADOW OF REVENGE was born. You never know where an idea will come from.

Did any particular event inspire the plot?

I’m happy to say that I’ve never experienced any of what the girls in my story go through. But there are people in my life whose beliefs and values may have found their way into some of the characters. I did draw on memories of my own childhood friendships and some that are still intact, when writing about the relationship and emotional connection between the girls.

What are you doing to promote your book?

For me, this has been the toughest part of the publication process. As an introvert I find it very hard to “sell myself”, but it must be done. I have a Facebook Author page and a Twitter account, and I’ve created a website.

My publisher, Carina Press, has also promoted the book in the U.S. and Canada. Lastly, I just completed a one-month virtual tour with Partners In Crime. I did interviews and giveaways and received many excellent reviews throughout the month. The tour was a wonderful experience and provided great exposure.

What’s next?

I’m currently completing a second novel that continues with the same PI team of Cecily Minos and Nick Marquette. In this one, it’s a serial killer they’re after with some unexpected personal ties to the team. And I’ve got the plot for a third one in my head. I’m excited to continue with these two characters as they were very well liked by readers of IN THE SHADOW OF REVENGE, and I have to admit I didn’t want to let them go either. I’ve become quite attached.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing?

During the week, I work at a holistic animal hospital. I try to schedule my work hours in the afternoon and evenings because morning is my best time to write. But when the computer is off and I’m not working, I’m probably in the woods hiking or snowshoeing with my dogs, two German shepherds and one crazy Beagle. In the summer, my husband and I often go kayaking on one of New Hampshire’s lakes. I spend a lot of time outside. It offsets the many hours I spend on the computer and after a long morning of writing, a wooded trail, a cool breeze and some sunshine helps me acclimate to the real world.

Thanks so much Patricia.  Your book looks terrific.

*****

Patricia Hale received an MFA degree from Goddard College in Vermont. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, NH Writers Project and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. Besides writing, her interests include hiking, kayaking and yoga. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two German Shepherds.

To learn more about Patricia, please visit her website.