Thrillers – JULIA MCDERMOTT

What happens when a family moves to a Midwestern town where no one breathes a word about a serial murderer on the loose? THE BARBIE KILLER

My next thriller will be published by Red Adept Publishing early next year. Inspired by true events—much more so than any of my previous novels—this book took longer to write than they did. As its release date approaches, I couldn’t be more excited or prouder of it. Here’s an update about what’s been happening and where things stand:

Several weeks ago, I finished working with my Content Editor to revise and polish the novel. This collaborative process involved focusing on elements like pacing and plot twists, and reimagining key scenes, characters and their relationships. Because of my editor’s spot on suggestions and expert direction, the finished story is much stronger and more compelling.

Then I was contacted by a talented cover artist at Red Adept, who sought specific input from me about the cover design. She explained the entire process, asked for my ideas and preferences, and soon shared a draft cover design for my review. The final cover hasn’t been decided yet, but I look forward to seeing it and sharing it with you.

The next step is the Line Edit, a detailed process to polish the prose and eliminate any errors. That process will be followed by proofreading, the last editorial step before publication. I’ll share more updates as the release date draws closer, including cover reveals, sneak previews, and all the details about launch events. Stay tuned!

A good novel reads like a true story, and a good true story reads like a novel.

Inspired by true events and told from multiple points of view, my next novel, a psychological thriller, is based on my short story The Riverfest, included in crime stories anthology DOWN TO THE RIVER (Down & Out Books, 2019). Both works are drawn from my experience living in Wichita, Kansas in the 1990s before the capture and imprisonment of serial killer Dennis Rader, known as “BTK” for Bind, Torture, and Kill. BTK surfaced in the news after the recent arrest of the Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann, whose murders took place in and around Gilgo Beach.

Authorities have started looking into a cold case of a woman who went missing in Kansas back in 1976, and in my novel, the killer is connected to an unsolved murder previously not attributed to him.

BTK was able to access victims’ homes without being detected, and so does the killer in my novel.

BTK taunted the media with messages and clues about his murders, and so does “my” killer.

BTK went through periods of “laying low” -inactivity-just like mine.

And in my story, city residents don’t talk about the killer. When I lived in Wichita, I never heard a word spoken about BTK even though he was still on the loose.

Sometimes, the truth inspires a very good novel.

Tag: Thrillers

My Upcoming Novel Moves Closer to Publication

Beware of a Monster: Unmasking a Serial Murderer in a Small Town