Two weeks ago, I dangled a carrot to entice readers over to my author website for a sneak peek at the cover of my new book, Indelible. The analytics show that 2,200 people visited lauriebuchanan.com in the week following that post—many of you asked for more details.
I got the idea for the suspense/thriller series while staying in one of the cabins at Hedgebrook, a writing retreat—where women author change—on Whidbey Island, just off the coast from Seattle, Washington.
Indelible takes place takes place at Pines & Quill (a writing retreat that’s a figment of my imagination) in Fairhaven/Bellingham, Washington (a real location). I took these photographs to give you a sense of location:
If you wrote a suspense/thriller, where would the location be?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
I love Fairhaven in Bellingham. A perfect setting for a suspense thriller. Your book is sounding more exciting all the time. I think I would like to write a suspense thriller placed in Paris, France.
Darlene — Paris est le cadre idéal pour un meurtre! 🙂
For sure, in Chappaqua, New York! Ah, the webs that could be woven there!!
Jan — Ohhhh, now you’ve piqued my curiosity!
Nice setting! I bet you had great fun creating characters and plot to fit location and mood. 👍
Fatima — I had (and continue to have because it’s a series) a blast! 🙂
I’ve set them in different locations, some real, some imagined, and some have even taken my characters on road trips. Good luck with your new book!
Olga — I love the idea of characters going on a road trip! That way you can weave in several locations. Smart cookie, YOU! 🙂
You stumped me with that question! I can’t imagine . . . but I’m looking forward to your book though.
Arlene — I’m glad you’re looking forward to Indelible. Woohoo! 🙂
Wisconsin holds a number of options. But other authors have proceeded me in selecting locales. I might select a locale in far northern in Wisconsin, If I chose a location that was a few hours north east of the Twin Cities in the deep woods of Wisconsin, then my murderer would be able to mingle in let’s say Minneapolis between kills. Alternately, gangsters would hide out in earlier times in hotels not far from Lake Geneva. Lake Como’s French Country Inn was a hideout of a few back in the day. Milwaukee would be too easy … I could go on!
Audrey — Ohhhh, you’ve got lots of great ideas. And one more just around the corner from you. The Nestle chocolate factory in Burlington, WI. Decadent — what a way to go! 🙂
I’ve been to Whidbey Island! Beautiful. Stayed at a lovely B&B. Toured some wineries. WE LOVE riding on Ferries, which is so easy to do in Western Washington. Also drove through Bellingham. All of Washington is gorgeous.
My suspense-thrillers WERE set in Minnesota. One mostly on the North Shore. Remote locations are great places to set thrillers–lack of people and LEOs make it easy to put characters at risk. The other was all over MN–southern farm country, Twin Cities, Duluth, BWCAW. Small towns are good because word travels fast and so many people know what’s going on even if it’s supposed to be a secret. Big cities can be good if random people insert themselves into the mix accidentally or intentionally (ex: a mugger choosing to mug you at the exact wrong time as the ransom exchange for the hostage is about to take place).
I also like to add inclement weather to the mix. Nothing raises the stakes quite like a blizzard, tornado, torrential rain, hurricane, etc.
Endless possibilities, I suppose, depending on the author’s imagination . . . as always. 🙂
Chris
Chris — I’ve read both of your FIVE-STAR suspense/thrillers and you did a bang up job with the remote location and incement weather. I can hardly wait for the next one! 🙂
Thanks. Working on it slow and steady. Just call me Yurtle. 😉
We have several historic districts here in town. So many huge homes, lots with ‘gingerbread’ trim. Some are said to be haunted. I must find out, right?
LoisaJay — Yes, indeed. You MUST find out! 🙂
In order to leave my comment, I have to have a username and password–I think for WordPress. Alas and alack– first time this has happened on your blog. You need not respond to this–must be a secret handshake thing.
My comment-that-cannot-be-posted: my WordPress password doesn’t work and I am not giving the site my personal email password!! [image: Laurie B.jpg] Stay safe! Kay
On Tue, Apr 14, 2020 at 12:03 AM Tuesdays with Laurie wrote:
> Laurie Buchanan posted: ” Two weeks ago, I dangled a carrot to entice > readers over to my author website for a sneak peek at the cover of my new > book, Indelible. The analytics show that 2,200 people visited > lauriebuchanan.com in the week following that postâmany of you asked for > m” >
Kay — Not sure why you can’t see your comment, but it posted just fine. Hmmmm, me thinks there’s something strange afoot…
A log cabin my father built on our farm in Indiana which was unlocked and empty most of the time. There was a loft with a log ladder up to it, and a fireplace. There was also a pond, a creek, and a woods nearby, a wonderful retreat …. but who knows how many people used it over time?
Melodie — Now THAT sounds like an ideal location for a suspense/thriller location. Wow! 🙂
That would require research, so I’d have to spend time in places I’ve wanted to visit, but have not. The need to get it right, you know?
Carol — Yes, I know because I’m one of those fact-checker readers 🙂
I always wanted to write a book, not a thriller rather one where the main character succeeds in finding the right path and becoming her best self. There are thousands of books on the market and I love reading so I just hung up my writing equipment and do not wish to fight to be published or promoted. Celebrating stillness and the mystery of flowers
Patricia — As you know, READING is a huge part of a WRITER’S life. You’re already doing half of it. And I love that you’re celebrating STILLNESS and THE MYSTERY OF FLOWERS! 🙂
The 1985 crime drama The Witness, starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis was set in Amish/Mennonite country, where a brutal murder took place. Remember that movie? Obviously, I’m familiar with such a setting, perhaps in Ohio or Pennsylvania.
If I wrote a suspense thriller, I’d choose Grandma Longenecker’s sprawling property near a railroad track with woods and a shed where mayhem could take place. Although I’m familiar with the place, I’ve no interest in writing in this genre.
My husband is from Washington state, so I’m somewhat familiar with the pine-studded setting of your next book, which I eagerly await!
Marian — No, I haven’t seen the movie, The Witness. But now I’ve got a great recommendation, thanks to you!
And yes, from what I know (having read your 5-star memoir and from following your blog for several years), your Grandma Longenecker’s property would be a TERRIFIC location for a suspense/thriller storyline! 🙂
😀
Great location for a mystery-suspense novel. I can visualize the spookiness (if there is such a word). I, too, write mysteries – the Beyond mystery series and usually set them in a fictitious small town just north of Toronto, as well as in Toronto and Ontario cottage country. The novels are set in 2000 or just previously back before all the current world madness.
Sharon — I love that you use a fictitious location in your books. It’s sort of like getting to play God on a very small scale 🙂
Laurie, if I had to devise a story with a reason around a location it might be here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is where the Moonshine Wars and Nascar were born and raised on corn liquor, fire arms, fast cars and Southern resistance to The Fed. Revenue boys. Lots of lively times up here in the 20’s and 30’s keeping the supply train open to the Atlanta Trade. Like a lot of time honored professions in the American South, moonshining is a generational occupation and has kept up with the times. I’m not talking city living but more in the line of Copperhead Road by Steve Earle, the family craft. I believe a story could be found there. Good question though, my book titles range from Red Dirt Farmer to Proverbs, all good advice and keeps you off the streets.
Laurie, if I had to devise a story with a reason around a location it might be here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is where the Moonshine Wars and Nascar were born and raised on corn liquor, fire arms, fast cars and Southern resistance to The Fed. Revenue boys. Lots of lively times up here in the 20’s and 30’s keeping the supply train open to the Atlanta Trade. Like a lot of time honored professions in the American South, moonshining is a generational occupation and has kept up with the times. I’m not talking city living but more in the line of Copperhead Road by Steve Earle, the family craft. I believe a story could be found there. Good question though, my book titles range from Red Dirt Farmer to Proverbs, all good advice and keeps you off the streets.
Sandi — Your comment put a face-splitting grin on my face. I love it! 🙂
I’m watching the fog roll in from the Allegheny mountains straight ahead right now. Looks pretty mysterious to me. I think the writer’s retreat idea for your plot is wonderful. Looking forward to reading more, Laurie.
Shirley — I’ve seen photographs you’ve taken of your long-distance view. Beautiful and mysterious, both.
I think it’s brilliant that you’re making your book(s) into a series. I’m kind of doing that. THE RIGHT WRONG MAN is set in Cambridge MA and the Caribbean (published a while ago). I’m working on the next one of that series, which will be set in Boston. Lots of good scenery there! My other romantic thriller TWIN DESIRES is set in Stinson Beach, CA (published three years ago). Great setting. I’ve always read that setting is really another character in a book, and it’s so true. Can’t wait to read your first one in the series, Laurie.
Pam — I loved reading THE RIGHT WRONG MAN. If you remember, I gave it the following 5-star review:
THE RIGHT WRONG MAN by Pamela Wight is a high-octane read fueled by twists and turns that kept me guessing — between Carlos, Gregory, and Parker, just exactly who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? Wight’s delft sleight-of-hand kept me in suspense until the final reveal. I highly recommend this fast-paced, fun read.
I can hardly wait to read the next one in the series!
xoxo
I don’t know the location having never visited your splendid country but that cabin looks a perfect setting . Here in Wales is ideal with its remote landscape . There is a wonderful noir thriller set here in in West Wales called Hinterland , really good .
Cherryx
Cherry — Okay, now I’m going to have to read Hinterland. I just added it to my reading list. Thank you for the recommendation 🙂
Sorry , Laurie , I didn’t explain properly Hinterland is a T.V. series. I don’t think it’s in book form and not sure if you can get it where you are but if you can it’s worth it’s worth watching
Cherryx
Thank you for the clarification🎈