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Oh, The Tangled Web We Weave
Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics is a gripping exploration of a family’s treacherous labyrinth of deceit, a veteran’s struggle with trauma, and one woman’s relentless pursuit of truth amidst political corruption. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The immediate inspiration was the general tenor of current American politics, which seems hopelessly embroiled in accusations and counteraccusations, court proceedings, anonymous sources, whistleblowers, and the like. A truly bipartisan brew of political poison.
The more distant literary inspiration, however, was a novel that I’ve always admired—Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men, Warren’s 1946 novel about Lousiana Governor Huey Long. I suppose every state in the nation has had at least one (more likely a lot more than one) political family that turned to corruption to enhance its political power. I am intrigued by just how this rise to power and subsequent fall takes place.
Your characters are intriguing and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
My original thought was to have no truly honorable characters, not even the protagonist—in this case, Rita Collins. Clearly, none of the immediate members of the Collins family are honorable—certainly not Dolf, who aspires to become governor of Pennsylvania at any cost; not his wife Marla, who recognizes the corruption but enjoys its benefits in the form of her lobbyist-paid vacations, sports car, and luxurious tan; and not their son Brian, who aspired to be just like his father. Then there is the Machiavellian character Mark Garret presiding over the entire sordid affair.
And so, I didn’t intend to let Rita escape either. But I’ve found that a magical thing often happens in the process of writing a story—namely, the characters take over. And when they do, it’s because they have a different understanding of just what turns the plot this way instead of that and just where its jagged edges are located. They start talking back, saying, “I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t say that. That’s not my voice. What you’ve written is not really my story. Rewrite it this way.” And I do. So, Rita became the truth-seeker (as befits a journalist) who attempt to expose deceit instead of allowing it to rule her. And in this endeavor, she is inspired by the USAF veteran Kurt Sillinger.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The tangled web theme most of all. Once deceit begins it requires additional acts of deceit to maintain and/or capitalize on the original deceit. Soon deceit becomes the norm for those who practice it—not a desperate final response but a first response. I’m afraid that’s what has happened in much of American politics at all levels. We’ve never had so much access to information and so little assurance of its veracity.
But the novel shows that truth-seekers still exist and can triumph over deceit.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m now about two-thirds of the way through the first draft of a dystopian novel set in the not-so-distant future. The working title is SHANTYBOAT: AMERICAN DYSTOPIA. Where I grew up in the Mid-Ohio Valley, people who were down on their luck often turned to living in makeshift shantyboats along the Little Kanawha River. I am using the shantyboat in this novel as a symbol of individualism and resistance to the forced conformity and economic depravations that the future world of this novel explores.
I’ve found that most dystopian novels focus greatly on world-building and the author’s world-view projections. Think of the novels of Ayn Rand or Margaret Atwood, for example. Too often, I believe, the characters populating these novels are unrealistic, little more than mouthpieces for the author’s viewpoint. In this novel I’m trying to keep the focus on what the characters themselves experience and how they react as realistic human beings to social tragedy, rather than representatives of an ideology. At least, that’s my intention. Early 2024 is probably the best estimate for publication.
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Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics
The Collins family is an intriguing and enigmatic group, marked by an inherent lack of trust and a tendency to betray one another at every opportunity. Through a labyrinthine web of deceptive lies and deceit, they continually strive to outdo each other, setting the stage for a riveting tale of political corruption and intrigue. Within the pages of Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics, Carl Parsons skillfully weaves a suspenseful narrative that delves into the life of Rita Collins, a tenacious local reporter and writer for a prominent television station in Washington DC. It is through her eyes that we witness a perplexing turn of events, as she finds herself unexpectedly rejected by her husband, Brian, who suffered the amputation of his legs during his service in the Iraq War. Brian’s return from the war zone brings with it an unyielding refusal of Rita’s affectionate love and any attempts at rehabilitation from his profound wartime trauma.
Parsons exhibits an exceptional ability to craft a cast of characters that encapsulates the complexity of the human experience, leaving readers captivated by the unfolding tale. Among these characters, Rita stands out as a remarkable figure, demonstrating unwavering resilience in the face of her husband’s family’s web of deception and deceit. Her ability to remain steadfast amidst such adversity is a testament to her strength and serves as a magnetic force that draws readers into her story. The plot of this book is a particular highlight, immediately gripping readers’ attention and holding it steadfast throughout the journey. At numerous junctures, the narrative becomes so enthralling that it becomes difficult to put the book down. Such is the magnetic pull of the storyline, which skillfully intertwines elements of suspense and intrigue, effectively leaving readers yearning for more.
Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics by Carl Parsons is an enthralling work that is sure to engage readers, immersing them in a world brimming with suspense. Furthermore, Parsons adeptly balances the brevity of his writing, ensuring readers are not overwhelmed while maintaining a firm grip on their attention. The relatability of the characters to the universal human experience further strengthens the book’s appeal. I recommend this book to those in search of a page-turning suspense novel.
Pages: 136 | ASIN: B0C1DVSNDC
The Voynich Gambit
Author Quintin Peterson returns from Guarding Shakespeare with his next enthralling piece of crime heist fiction, The Voynich Gambit. The cunning mind of Special Police Officer Lt. Norman Blalock is put to the test when a slew of D.C.’s most infamous artifact dealers set their sights on a mysterious treasure of immense value, the Voynich Manuscript. Blalock must outwit and outmaneuver enemies from all angles in this gripping noir tale of mystery, motive, and deceit. True to style, Peterson beautifully weaves the rich history of The Folger Shakespeare Library and the manuscript into the gritty drive of its ruthless pursuers. The Voynich Gambit is an epic tale of cat-and-mouse, arguably fit for a play by the Bard himself.
The novel is set in a bustling modern day D.C., a mecca of polished skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and endless traffic. Peterson’s vivid imagery is infused throughout the novel, generously describing the luxury of these looming buildings. At the Folger Shakespeare Library in downtown, Lieutenaunt Norman Blalock has been working as a security guard for over two decades, protecting its treasures from the likes of handsy museum-goers and would-be theives alike. His seasoned tenure makes him a trusted employee to the security staff, but it also makes him an invaluable asset to Rupert Whyte, an aristocratic con-artist who is scheming up a heist fit for the history books. Whyte reads from the pages like a regular King Pin – a ruthless blueblood brimming with determination for ill-gotten gains. When he requests that Blalock palm the Voynich Manuscript, an ancient archive of medical knowledge, Blalock must decide where his true loyalties lie – in riches or in righteousness. This is a conflict as old as time, weighing greed against integrity, and Norman is no exception to this struggle.
To complicate matters even more, the buxom beauty Kavitha Netram has arrived at Blalock’s door, suitcase in hand. Kavitha certainly has the looks to be a trophy wife, but Norman must trust his instinct that she’s here for much more than just a cuddle buddy. As their relationship begins to develop, author Peterson injects a modest amount of cheeky pop culture into the mix, noting some current brands along with a famous U2 song. These moments of reference feel quirky and endearing, and offer a refreshing change of tone from the steep historical passages. Don’t be surprised to find yourself absent-mindedly humming along to “With or Without You” as you read along.
As it becomes obvious to Norman that Rupert Whyte isn’t the only artifact dealer dipping his hands into the cookie jar, he must strive to stay two steps ahead of this dangerous game of fidelity and fortune. Peterson’s quick writing style will keep you engaged, even through the varying pace of lavish history and casual conversation. Peterson writes confidently, and it’s admittedly impressive how far his knowledge seems to spread. Art, history, crime, action, and romance – The Voynich Gambit honestly has it all. I would heartily recommend it to any fellow lovers of the noir style.
Pages: 152 | ASIN: B072BHSNKZ
Another Self
Another Self throws us into the life of a girl who has been broken of all spirit and self-esteem, and we’ve very often reminded of that. Perhaps that is why this extremely strange story catapults us through Ancient Rome and how this one damaged girl manages to take it all down with her.
While the beginning of the story is a bit confusing, especially when you have no idea why everyone wants to kill this poor girl for, the middle of the book catapults you through this insane spider-web of lies, deceit and pure financial carnage. If you ever wanted lessons on how to overthrow a government, destroy a black market and basically scare the daylights out of a houseful of poor slaves, Julia is your teacher. Though thoroughly damaged, she manages to corrupt all of Rome and herself at the same time. Did I mention that she was pretty mentally damaged?
In all honestly, the game she plays is fairly amazing. Outside of her time wallowing in a glass of wine or gazing lovingly at a piece of jewelry she doesn’t own, Julia turns out to be an incredible sponge of knowledge which helps her to become the guru of all things dirty and deceitful in the underbelly of Rome. Like a string of Cash and Loan stores, Julia becomes the wealthiest person in all of Rome, and very few people know that she is the one to do it. She strings up her victims in little chains of events that will make your head spin, and at some point, have you cheering for her until it all comes crashing down.
If the beginning didn’t exist, and the ending didn’t punch you in the face with unanswered questions and situations, the middle of the book would be an amazing tale of a poor unwilling slave girl who became the most powerful person in an ancient civilization. The sheer width of power that she gained from one well thought out plan and the manipulation of a powerful force who’s heart she stole, it needs to be read and admired. Take notes, as it can show that if you put your mind to it, as damaged as that might be, you can achieve anything. Even if you have an incredibly damaged mind from years of mental and physical abuse. Just pointing out how often you must remember that she’s mentally damaged, as the author will remind you just as frequently. Ignoring that fact, reading about how a city can be overtaken by any mentally equipped individual was a fun ride. Though a lot of people were hurt for it, watching someone get revenge from those that hurt them is very satisfying as well.
Hopefully a lot of questions will be answered as you travel through the series and through time with Julia’s character. She seems to gain a new life every time her old one ends, and hopefully this book can do that as well. Let’s go Julia, on to your next adventure.
Pages: 287 | ASIN: B00G4QWIZY
LITERARY TITAN 