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A Parody Turned Novel
The Eye of Osiris follows a Mexican American woman working at a law firm whose boss turns up dead, and her being accused of murder, while an ancient Egyptian curse is the real cause. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As regaled in my introduction to this book series, it was a way of survival while working in a toxic environment. I’m a workaholic and I need to be busy. I had run out of work while my creepy, abusive boss was out of town. So my fingers started moving vigorously typing a story about how he got murdered! Yes, it was like a parody that turned into a novel. That is definitely a happy ending to a bad job. (No, he did not die – only in my mind.) And, it still makes me giggle.
I found Moriah Maizon to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
This was my first book; inspired by my circumstances of that time in my life. In many ways, Moriah is a reflection of me. Although Moriah is in many ways much more serious than I ever hope to be. However, I did go through some life changing events reflected in Moriah’s story, such as losing a brother. I have a great deal of passion about life and through this character, I was able to express it.
There is one huge difference, I was born in El Paso, Texas where almost every Mexican American speaks both English and Spanish. I was very surprised at how little many Mexican Americans in Northern California didn’t speak Spanish and how little they knew about our wonderful culture. Of course, as time went by I realized how much racism there was against us and why many did not want to open that can of worms.
Speaking of worms, I am very lucky to be living in Mexico today where I can speak any language I wish without fear of unlawful detainment by the American Nazi-like Gestapo now known as Ice Agents. Why, you might ask, would I compare these armed soldiers to worms? Because they are people who oppress by means of unfair opposition (gangs) and threats of violence. In the end, they will crawl away, just like a worm, in shame.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
In the next book, Osiris the Second Coming, Moriah is married to Luis Mendoza who is now an attorney. They have a son, Thomas and their life is perfect. Then, the evil cult starts up all over again in San Francisco. The city is under siege and the Osiris cult is on a new mission to get to her and her family. Through Luis’s family who has an extensive library and knowledge of all things ancient, they search for the key. When the Heliacal rising of Sirius arrives, Moriah is ready for the trip into an unknown world and another dimension.
In Osiris 333, she returns to San Francisco along with her son and best friend Veronica; while Luis and family continue with their research. Still, the cult is in hot pursuit and on the trail of Moriah, their long, lost, reincarnated princess. They take refuge in Florida. A major clue is found by a couple in San Francisco after purchasing a home in the Sunset District. Their find is a unique Mayan Codex written in three languages. From that, they travel to Chichen Itza.
The Osiris Trilogy Mystery series is an adventure about cultural history, challenges, family, friendship, and the glue that holds it all together, love.
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Disturbing the dead is never a good idea. Stealing from the dead is even worse. Importing ill-gotten goods from the sands of Egypt; that is definitely the road to hell. Unsuspecting beneficiaries of a sacred Egyptian papyrus had no idea this gift was the result of an unholy theft.The curse started with donor, Jim Patton, partner at a law firm located in the Pyramid Building in San Francisco. When news of the sacred papyrus gets out, the Eye of Osiris cutl emerges on a mission.
Moriah Maizon, his legal assistant, was next. She suddenly finds herself in jail for Jim Patton’s gruesome murder. And that, was just the beginning.
The Osiris Mystery Trilogy Series is about a Mexican American family on a mission to stop an Egyptian curse.
The Eye of Osiris
The story begins with Moriah Maizon, a Mexican American woman working at a San Francisco law firm, and quickly spirals into a tale that blends murder, ancient mysteries, and cultural connections across time and continents. What starts as the death of her corrupt, overbearing boss turns into a ritualistic investigation tied to Egyptian mythology, Mayan history, and the underbelly of city life. The book weaves personal struggles, family legacies, and even cosmic links between Egypt and Mesoamerica. It has a strong sense of place, drawing San Francisco in vivid strokes while hinting at broader, universal mysteries.
I found myself caught up in the drama of Moriah’s world and the strange forces circling her life. The characters are sharp, almost cinematic, and I could clearly see them moving through their offices, their apartments, and the foggy streets of San Francisco. I especially liked how the author made the setting itself feel alive, almost like another character in the story.
What really stayed with me, though, was the blend of myth and reality. The way the narrative ties Egyptian scarabs and pyramids to Mayan codices and Mexican ancestry felt both imaginative and believable. At times I found myself smiling at the boldness of the connections, and other times I felt a shiver at how real they seemed. It made me think about heritage, about how much of our personal story is tied to ancient ones. And the emotional pull of Moriah’s relationship with her family, especially her late parents and her younger brother, grounded the wilder elements in something tender and human.
I’d recommend The Eye of Osiris to readers who enjoy mysteries with a twist of history and myth. It’s not just for fans of thrillers but also for anyone who likes stories that mix culture, identity, and a touch of the supernatural. It’s the kind of book that rewards patience and curiosity, the kind you read with a cup of coffee and a willingness to be swept somewhere unexpected.
Pages: 234 | ASIN : B0D6P73NKT
Fictional, Poetic Justice
Torrent Tragedy follows a prodigious teenager whose involvement in e-book piracy leads to a chilling curse as he seeks to uncover the truth behind a mysterious author and navigate supernatural consequences. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration for writing Torrent Tragedy was being a victim of piracy, not just once. Back in the late 80’s, I had a cosmetics company named, Colecciones de Raquel. In search of investors, I had written a business plan. In that plan were photos of me as a model. One person somehow took my plan and put it into action without me. Except, they named their line Raquelle. Unfortunately for them, they also used one of my photos.
In 2016, I learned that all of my books had been pirated and placed on different sites around the internet. Needless to say, I was furious. After reporting them and taking their pages down, I started writing Torrent Tragedy. When you want to punish someone and you’re not a violent person, it’s much better to have a supernatural entity do your dirty work. That’s when I created Alexa and her Bloody Urn Curse. Yes, this story is bloody; and that’s what I wanted to do: send these pirates to bloody hell.
How did you approach writing the character of Serge Michaels to reflect both his youthful missteps and his growth throughout the story?
How did Serge become a monstrous cyber pirate? I had to paint a picture of his walk onto the dark side. When you see a child abusing an animal, that is significant. This child has lost its innocence. Thus, the description about his abuse of animals. Whether it’s nature or nurture, it is there; the bad seed. He was talented and intelligent, but lazy. Just like any bad seed, Serge continued on his path toward criminality. Like any clever criminal, he morphs into a new identity: Frederick Woodley. Now I had a profile of the villain in Torrent Tragedy. People around Freddie (Serge) suffered because he had Anti Social Personality Disorder. Now, it was time for Freddie to suffer.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
When I added the vampire character to the story, I started to think, why not create a good vampire? A vampire is someone who is forced to commit crimes in order to survive. Then of course, there’s the obstacle of “the blood thing.” That lead me to create the Nocturnals, vampires who no longer drink blood. This is the contrast of someone who is forced to do bad things to survive versus someone who chooses to do so.
The theme of Torrent Tragedy is the never-ending battle between good and evil in this 21st century. Some people are under the mistaken impression that if a crime does not involve violence, it is not a crime. Stealing is a crime no matter the means.
I am a strong believer in karma. In my work as a paralegal, I learned just how hard it is to get justice in this world. My stories are about people who do get justice, even if it is only fictional, poetic justice. I find it very satisfying to create an entertaining tale that amuses and revives a touch of hope into someone’s mind.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Torrent Tragedy was the first in the Nocturnals series. Bloody Urn is the second installment. New characters enter the story in this sequel: A group of people who work at The Underground Telegraph, a news magazine that delves into the supernatural. Then there’s Lieutenant Loya who is investigating the strange “vampire murders” in Los Angeles. Benedictus, the founder of Nocturnals also enters the picture. Then, Freddie Woodley re- emerges (Serge Michaels).
The third sequel is Nocturnals. In this installment, wealthy individuals are being murdered by vampires then disappearing from the morgue. Some of these victims are later captured on surveillance cameras leaving the country – alive and well. There is a war brewing among the vampires: Bloodsuckers v. Herbivores. (Dark Dynasty v. Nocturnals). The spree of sensational and ghastly vampire murders ontinue, as the Lieutenant and members of the Underground Telegraph try to solve them.
I am now working on the final sequel, Moon Garden. In this final chapter of the series, much will be resolved. Such as:
a. Is Alexa the reincarnated soul of Calista?
b. When will Benedictus tell Alexa that he is a Nocturnal Vampire?
c. Can you incarcerate a blood sucking vampire?
d. Will the Nocturnals make it to Primavera Island in time?
Moon Garden will be available sometime before summer. That is, prior to the end of spring or “primavera.”
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Torrent Tragedy
Torrent Tragedy, the Curse of the Urn by Raquel Zepeda Fitzgerald, the first installment in the Nocturnal series, introduces readers to Serge Michaels, a prodigious teenager whose foray into cybercrime takes a dark, fantastical turn. At sixteen, Serge’s escalating involvement with e-book piracy draws the ire of a mysterious author, I Sorceress, leading to the delivery of an ominous urn and a chilling curse.
This intriguing mystery novel conveys a poignant message about the consequences of digital piracy. Zepeda Fitzgerald’s narrative style is refreshingly straightforward, lending the book a fluid and accessible quality. The author deftly uses this fictional framework to cast a spotlight on the very real and pressing issue of cybercrimes.
Fitzgerald’s choice to interweave elements of karma and supernatural curses offers an interesting twist on the theme of retribution in the digital age. These aspects, while not deeply explored, add a unique flavor to the tale. Zepeda Fitzgerald maintains a dynamic and brisk narrative pace, which contributes to the novel’s engaging and swiftly unfolding plot. This approach, while it streamlines the story, suggests the potential for further exploration in future installments. The foundation laid in this book hints at a deeper, more intricate storytelling that could be developed further, with the possibility of more complex plot twists to enrich the narrative in subsequent volumes of the series.
Torrent Tragedy, the Curse of the Urn stands out for its original concept and its exploration of the ramifications of cybercrime through a supernatural lens. I think readers will really like its gripping storyline, which maintains a brisk pace and ensures a quick and engaging read. Zepeda Fitzgerald’s succinct storytelling and the novel’s moral undercurrent make it a thought-provoking read, particularly for those interested in contemporary issues told through a fantastical narrative.
Pages: 70 | ISBN: 9798893727661
LITERARY TITAN 