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Complex Story About Murder
Hell’s Heart follows a small-town sheriff whose dying father asks him to look into a cold case to prove a man innocent and find the real killer. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I live in Florida so I feel at home writing about it. I wanted a fictitious small- town police department so I didn’t get entangled with department hierarchy. The west coast north of Tampa seemed a good out-of-the-way place. The idea started as a short story, two classmates in abusive families conspire to kill their abusers, but figure out how to get away with it. The story expanded into a more complex story about murder, illicit drugs, and a deadly assassin who uses snakes to murder her victims.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Jake Long was the easiest. He’s a troubled guy on a lot of fronts, he committed a crime in the past, his crumbling marriage, and his dying father. I enjoyed writing the banter between Jake and Maxine, his rookie cop. And, of course, the bad guys are always fun, especially a beautiful, deadly woman. Poor Nell was fun also.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
I knew the twist at the end but was stumped as to how I’d pull it off logically. I do some outlining, but very loosely. I have to know the direction the story is heading and then I fill in details as I go along. Sometimes the story takes a turn I think is good, so I go with it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have four other books on Amazon. All have won top prizes in The Florida Writers Association’s Royal Palm Awards. Two, Hell’s Heart, and Downhill Fast won book of the year. I have one I haven’t put on Amazon yet. The title is Dirty Hazel and the Cat Woman. And I’m in the middle of one I’m having a blast with titled, Sundown Highway. Stay tuned.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In Oakley, Florida, in 2005. Frank Jackson and Diane Ferguson are killed with a pipe wrench. The problem? Frank and Diane have no connection. Guy Fowler was convicted but claims to have been drunk at home when the murders occurred. Fingerprints on the wrench say otherwise. Retired police officer Bart Long, now riddled with cancer, believes Fowler is innocent. As a last request, he asks his son, small-town cop Jake Long to find the real killer. Jake wants no part of the cold case that nearly cost his father his marriage. But when Nell Stoner reports her boyfriend missing, Jake is drawn back in time. Neck-deep in the double homicide, Jake contends with an unfaithful wife, illicit drugs, killer twins, and a psychotic woman who uses snakes to murder her enemies.
Hell’s Heart
Dana J. Summers’ Hell’s Heart is a gripping mystery novel set against the backdrop of Oakley, Florida, a town marked by its heat, humidity, and the ghosts of unsolved crimes. The story begins with a brutal murder in 2004, where Frank Jackson is killed in his bedroom. Fast forward to 2019, and retired cop Bart Long’s son, Jake, now a sheriff, is drawn back into the cold case that haunted his father. The novel deftly intertwines past and present as Jake navigates his tumultuous personal life and the lingering mystery of Jackson’s murder.
Summers’ writing is compelling, capturing the reader’s attention from the first page. The opening scene is a masterclass in suspense, vividly describing Frank Jackson’s final moments. The author’s ability to create a sense of immediacy and tension is commendable. The descriptions of Oakley, with its oppressive heat and small-town malaise, are immersive and enhance the story’s atmosphere. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, adding depth to the characters and their interactions.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its complex characters. Jake Long is a flawed protagonist, dealing with personal demons including a troubled marriage and a strained relationship with his dying father. The dynamic between Jake and his father, Bart, is particularly well-drawn. Bart’s obsession with the Jackson case and its impact on his family life adds a poignant layer to the narrative. Additionally, the secondary characters, such as the diligent but weary nurse Albert and the hard-as-nails Maxine Burns, enrich the story and provide a fuller picture of the Oakley community. Summers also excels in weaving intricate plot threads. The novel is not just a murder mystery but also an exploration of themes such as justice, obsession, and the passage of time. The subplot involving Jake’s marital issues adds emotional weight to the story, making it more than just a police procedural. The mystery itself is well-crafted, with clues and red herrings expertly placed to keep the reader guessing. The way Summers integrates the past and present investigations is seamless, allowing for a slow but steady unraveling of the truth.
Hell’s Heart is a must-read for fans of mystery and crime fiction. Dana J. Summers has delivered a novel that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a strong sense of place and a well-constructed mystery. Whether you are a longtime fan of the genre or new to it, Hell’s Heart is a novel that promises to keep you engaged from start to finish.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0BZN5J91D
LITERARY TITAN 