Nike Chillemi is my Writer of the Day and is here today to talk about her latest book–Acts of Malice.

Nike writes classic murder mysteries/detective novels. It’s been said she writes literature that reads like pulp fiction. Plenty of action, a dash of grit, wry humor as her characters navigate through situations and relationships, and there’s as an uplifting message. There’s usually a national security/public safety underlying theme to her work. She likes her bad guys really bad, her good guys smarter and better. 

Tell us about Acts of Malice in a nut shell… A taut and compelling classic murder mystery with a national security underlying theme. Interpersonal relationships, greed, dry humor. Uplifting.

AMAZON LINK

Q: What is the key theme in the book?

A: In ACTS OF MALICE there are two murders. The story is driven by the murders, the search for the killers, and need for justice for the victims. The main characters are either trying to stay out of the crosshairs of the killers, trying to find the killers, or both. Closely related to this is the subtheme about the widows and families left behind, and how they mourn and struggle in the wake of these devastating, senseless murders And, there is a strong inspirational, Christian message. Still it’s the search for the killers and the desire for justice that pushes the story forward. That’s why I say that I write from a Christian World View, rather that saying I write Christian fiction, because what I actually write are classic murder mysteries. Many of the most important characters in my mystery novels happen to be Christians.

Q: Villains can be hard to write. How did you write yours?

A: I find most villains disturbing, even the ones I create. That’s why I don’t get into their mindset too much. I show them in social situations where they’ve got their public face on. Of course, I do give an inkling as to their devious interior being so that when it turns out at the end that they are the killer, it’s believable. I have put down and stopped reading thrillers by talented authors that delight and revel in the demonic mindset of the psychopathic killer. Of course, it almost goes without saying, I’d never write anything like that.

Q: What comes first, plot or characters?

A: The murder and its motive come first. Then the main characters drive the story and the plot forward as they hunt the killer(s) and/or try to stay out of harm’s way. It becomes a question of what would they do next to find the killer(s) and to survive the killer(s).

 

Back Cover Blurb:

Lavender Raines gets the ‘doorbell ring’ no wife ever wants to get. Her husband has been brutally murdered, and the FBI is more secretive than helpful. The problem is, his body was found in Caracas when she thought his business trip had taken him to New Orleans.

Mackenzie just opened a second beach resort-town restaurant, this one in Ribault Beach, Florida…but now the clandestine national security organization that from-time-to-time sends him on covert missions wants him to find Lavender’s husband’s killers.

Forces from within the “Deep State” have shaped circumstances that will alter the course of both their lives. Then a local man is murdered. Lavender and Mackey are polar opposites. He is emotionally shut down about his life, but protective of others. She is a pillar of strength in her family, but distrusting of Mackey and guarded around him. Can they find common ground amidst this treachery and turmoil?

 

Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Nike. How can my readers contact you?

Nike’s blog. https://nikechillemi.com/

Nike on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/nike.chillemi

Twitter: @NikeNChillemi

 

God Bless & Good Reading!