The Face of Death
So tomorrow (29 July 2008) the paperback version of The Face of Death is released in the USA. It was released not long ago in the UK as well.
It's funny, and I don't know if it works that way for all authors, but I tend to put a book out of my mind once everything is done with it. Oh, I'm still involved with it, but it's like a lover who's now become a friend. The intimacy is not the same as when you're writing it. Then it will come out in hardback or paperback, or someone will email me about it, and all that intimacy returns.
The Face of Death was my second novel, and it was a hell of a hard book to write. It turned me into a cliche' as a writer - I drank, I was troubled, I didn't sleep well. It was an obsession, and it consumed my life. It was fantastically trying, for all kinds of reasons. The fact that it was a second novel was pressure enough, but the book itself, the dark places it took me to... yeah. It left me twisting in the wind on some cold nights.
Briefly: The idea of the book is simple. What if a serial killer, instead of killing many victims of the same physical type, left his primary victim alive? What if he followed her throughout her life, killing anyone and everyone that she ever loved? It was a diabolical idea that came from God knows where.
Now that I've had some time and distance from the book, I look back at it and I have a certain level of pride. I never arrive at a place where I have certainty on the quality of my writing (and perhaps I never should), but I'm... pleased with The Face of Death. I think it stands on its own.
And I hope those who haven't read it yet will give it a shot now that it's out in paperback, and let me know if you agree.
It's funny, and I don't know if it works that way for all authors, but I tend to put a book out of my mind once everything is done with it. Oh, I'm still involved with it, but it's like a lover who's now become a friend. The intimacy is not the same as when you're writing it. Then it will come out in hardback or paperback, or someone will email me about it, and all that intimacy returns.
The Face of Death was my second novel, and it was a hell of a hard book to write. It turned me into a cliche' as a writer - I drank, I was troubled, I didn't sleep well. It was an obsession, and it consumed my life. It was fantastically trying, for all kinds of reasons. The fact that it was a second novel was pressure enough, but the book itself, the dark places it took me to... yeah. It left me twisting in the wind on some cold nights.
Briefly: The idea of the book is simple. What if a serial killer, instead of killing many victims of the same physical type, left his primary victim alive? What if he followed her throughout her life, killing anyone and everyone that she ever loved? It was a diabolical idea that came from God knows where.
Now that I've had some time and distance from the book, I look back at it and I have a certain level of pride. I never arrive at a place where I have certainty on the quality of my writing (and perhaps I never should), but I'm... pleased with The Face of Death. I think it stands on its own.
And I hope those who haven't read it yet will give it a shot now that it's out in paperback, and let me know if you agree.
posted by Cody McFadyen at
6:14 PM
4 Comments:
Fabulous book, unusual story line havent come across that idea before, held my attention from page one, a sure sign of a winner. Cant wait for Darker Side hoping to have this to read for my holiday in a couple of weeks - hot sun, cool pool and a fab book, my idea of heaven. Keep up the good work. Julie from Guernsey
Hi Julie,
Thanks very much - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope The Darker Side is good company on holiday.
Cody
Agt. Smokie B. rocks and once I read "Shadow Man" I was hook and became a fan of yours! I did not think you could top the intensity of that book until "The face of death" came out on the shelves. I could NOT put that book down! I will try to comment on parts of the story and not ruin it for others!! The part when that poor child becomes an orphen...that excat part...OMG! Being a parent and having to choose....that part is so vivid in my mind...their love and her loss....goosebumps appear even as I remember the story. I was left with tears in my eyes the way you ended the book...So incrediable excited for "the darker side" I am and forever will be a huge fan!! Thanks so much for writing these book...keep Smokie B alive in your books...AWSOME CHARCHATER!!!!
Your fan
Tara Stowe
Hi. I am reading The Face of Death (paperback) and really enjoying it... however, pages 245 through 276 are missing from my copy. The pages don't appear to have been torn out (I purchased the book new) so I was wondering if there was some printing error? Thanks.
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