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I Wrote The Ending First
The Billionaire’s List follows a reclusive author who is entangled in a murder mystery after the death of her uncle. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
During the 2020 pandemic lock-down, my family played a lot of MONOPOLY. And as anyone who has ever played that game knows, you can’t finish in just one sitting! When we rested between rounds, the board sat on a table in the corner of our family room. I kept looking at the board—the street names, the railroads, the jail, and Mr. Monopoly in the center—and I thought, “There’s a story here!”
Unlike most writers, I wrote the ending first. Well, some of the ending. I knew one of the plot twists right off the bat. Since I new the ending, I worked backward (but forward on the board) to get to that fantastic ending and ensure each location was mentioned. I had a blast creatively incorporating some of the spots, such as the Chance and Community Chest cards and the railroads.
I had no idea I had written a mystery until my first beta reader said, “I loved this mystery!”
“What?”
“Well, you have dead bodies, and we don’t know who or why, so you have a mystery!” Since my primary initial objective was moving through the board game, I went back to add the mystery components—the red herrings and more suspense and surprise. I’ve never had more fun writing!
Greta Goldman is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
I have a lot of people in my life who live with neurodiversities, from autism to ADHD and more. Greta is a little bit of me and a lot of them. As with all good protagonists, there needs to be growth (or at least change). That was my goal. And those around her helped her along the way, even if some didn’t realize it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The overarching themes are not your typical themes for mysteries. I spent a lot of my life living inside boxes. As I’ve gotten older, I realize the importance of stepping outside the lines and breaking a few rules. So the themes are goodness and redemption. We’re all given gifts—talents, wealth, time, and more—and it’s important we learn how to use them for the greater good. That’s what gives our lives purpose. But we also all make mistakes. That’s part of our humanity. It takes a good support system of family, friends, and even a little faith to right our wrongs and unleash that purpose.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m busy writing the PREquel to The Billionaire’s List. Most people who have read The Billionaire’s List are expecting a sequel. But I really need to dig into the past to help set the stage for the future. And, of course, I’m drumming up another jaw-dropping plot twist! I hope this next manuscript doesn’t take two-plus years. My goal is to release it in late Winter 2024.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
Private and quirky, twenty-nine-year-old Greta Goldman is traveling to Atlantic City (the AC) to close out her great-uncle’s vast empire after his murder. As the named heir to the wealthiest and most well-known philanthropist in New Jersey, Greta—who hasn’t seen Great-Uncle Richard in eight years—must follow the billionaire’s list to settle his estate before she can return to her reclusive lifestyle.
Teaming up with attorney Brian Gogh, a perfect gentleman, Greta treks through the city, even as authorities reveal Great-Uncle Richard’s murder was perpetrated by a serial killer, one who continues to strike ultra-wealthy individuals. As the spree continues, Greta is determined to finish the list before fleeing to the safety of her home in North Carolina and forgetting the AC forever.
As she and Brian cross off each location, Greta’s heart transforms, especially after meeting her great-uncle’s best friend, Dawn Marshall. But will a friendship with Dawn and her budding relationship with Brian be enough to change Greta’s path? And who killed Great-Uncle Richard? Should Greta be worried for herself?
Complete with a twist, several turns, and intriguing characters, The Billionaire’s List is a creative and surprising mystery that will keep you asking . . . What will happen next?
The Billionaire’s List
Greta Goldman is a reclusive young author who recently lost her estranged great-uncle, Richard Goldman. He was a wealthy entrepreneur who made billions in his lifetime and left it all to Greta. Expecting to quickly disperse his wealth to charities and organizations Richard originally supported, Greta finds out that her uncle’s will states that she must visit the friends and family of her deceased uncle. During her tour of Atlantic City, visiting people who loved and respected her uncle, Greta is determined to find out who murdered him and why. The Billionaire’s List by Cortney Donelson is a riveting murder mystery that takes a methodical but unpredictable path toward a resolution that is as surprising as it is entertaining.
The Billionaire’s List is a fun whodunit that will have you guessing who the murderer is until the very end. Using the classic children’s game, Monopoly, as inspiration for this novel is the icing on the cake. Readers will get to tour the city with Greta and learn new and interesting things along the way; sort of like Dan Brown’s novels. I can see some similarities to the game but reading Greta’s story is far more interesting. The mystery kicks off immediately, making this book engrossing right from the start, especially since I found Great’s character enthralling. The reader is given two clues right from the beginning, Richard was murdered and the killer is a woman, but the why and the who is just as entertaining as Greta’s character development.
The author has creatively set up the story so that I looked at everyone as they were a suspect including Greta herself. I was immersed in Greta’s world and thoughts and I was able to clearly imagine what was going on due to the vivid detail. I found it interesting that Greta is not too fond of the wealthy even though she came from a wealthy family. She had no obligation to carry out Richard’s will and did not want the money. She even went as far as to say she’d give it all away to the charities of Richard’s choosing. I enjoyed reading about Greta’s character and her deep thoughts. She is an introvert, but also has an active imagination which made reading about her thoughts much more interesting than it sounds and is a highlight of the novel.
The Billionaire’s List is a thrilling murder mystery with a protagonist that is just as fascinating as the mystery itself. This is a novel that was fun to read because of Greta but hard to put down because I so desperately wanted to know who did it. This is perfect for readers looking for an unpredictable crime fiction story, or for anyone looking for a suspenseful story with a curious female lead.
Pages: 290 | ASIN: B0BHM887ZB
LITERARY TITAN 