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I Went A Little Crazy
The Death of Harry Crow follows an investigator who uncovers an inexplicable link between a missing girl and a deadly accident which leads him to an uninhabited island and a madman. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago, a real-life tragedy occurred within my own family. I was so enraged by the lack of consequence for the perpetrator of the crime (he vanished and was never charged) I believe, for a while, I went a little crazy. During that time, I fantasized about finding the guy and killing him. Eventually, in the hope that I might gain some peace from those violent thoughts, I decided to write about the crime as a kind of therapy. While memorializing the various diabolical punishments I so desperately wished to bestow upon the real perpetrator (should I ever encounter him) a fictional story emerged that was not dissimilar to the real story–it was a fantasy born out of the madness of my own mind. I called that fantasyThe Finding Man (not yet published). Several other books followed: Beneath the Bridge, and The Barnes and Blackwell Affair (not yet published). I then wrote The Death of Harry Crow, a book I finally believed worthy of an audience. I’ve recently completed the sequel to The Death of Harry Crow called The Man in the Moon. Today I’m working on a sequel to The Man in the Moon called The Weight. When finished, The Weight will be the sixth book in The William Snow Series.
I enjoyed the mystery at the heart of this story. Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically while writing?
I believe that because I spent a number of years after the tragedy writing three books, The Death of Harry Crow came to me of its own volition. I had no plan for it, no initial thoughts or feelings. In fact, the story seemed to write itself, unfolding each day as I went to my computer. I had as much fun discovering new details to the mystery as any reader might. From one day to the next, I had no idea where the story was going. When the true nature of the mystery unfolded and I realized the full scope of it, I was surprised! Writing The Death of Harry Crow was so much fun!
What were some ideas that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was important for me to explore the notion of karma, which is somewhat like Newton’s Third Law, “With every action in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction”. In other words, the bad guy always has to pay. (I am, after all, writing thrillers) Yet, at the same time, I wanted to explore the forces behind acts of madness; somehow, this led me to the realization that compassion is essential to healing. I’m not sure how that happened. But, if one is to discover that they have the capacity for true compassion, should they then only parse it out only to those they admire? Don’t we all deserve a break? It was this question that led to the evolution of an evil character who’s as human as the rest of us. Not just a character who is horrifically flawed, but one who is as vulnerable as the rest of us “good guys”.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m excited about finding ways to make the other five books in the series available: Beneath the Bridge, The Barnes and Blackwell Affair, The Finding Man, The Man in the Moon, and The Weight.
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Four years after the accident, Amanda suddenly vanishes, and her boyfriend is found murdered. Getting little assistance from the police, Amanda’s mother seeks the help of William Snow, a local man with a reputation for finding missing children.
Snow begins an investigation and soon uncovers an inexplicable link between Amanda’s disappearance and her father’s deadly accident. As Snow digs further into this bizarre connection, more people start to disappear. The case eventually leads him to an uninhabited island, a madman known as The Driver, and the twisted truth behind the death of Harry Crow.
The Death of Harry Crow
Four years after a fatal car crash involving three vehicles and numerous people, a string of disappearances causes investigator William Snow to delve into the complex connections between the events. Snow utilizes his psychic gift to aid a who is mother looking for her missing daughter. He uncovers clues along the way to help reveal the criminal’s true motives. The Death of Harry Crow also intriguingly explores the mental health of those involved in such a crime, including the detective, as well as uncovering how their pasts led them into the situation. The story builds up into a riveting crescendo of action and emotion, which keeps the reader on their toes until the very end.
This is a story that, once your in the middle of it, you are desperate to finish it. It’s a mystery that is absolutely enthralling and I really enjoyed the way that it was methodically unraveled. Author Leith C. MacArthur did a great job of building up the tension, especially in the final chapters. There are some stunning descriptions of the setting, captivating the beauty yet loneliness of the islands.
I enjoyed this crime thriller and, once the clues are uncovered, the criminal was easy to figure out and we follow the investigator as the pieces are brought together. I was hanging on until the last page to see how it all ended. I loved the author’s writing style and I am eager to read more of the series. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mystery novels with a touch of the supernatural. Each character in The Death of Harry Crow is unique yet relatable. I enjoyed how the backstories of the characters are told, which brings the reader closer to them and creates a feeling of empathy for each, even the killer. Perhaps the most mysterious character of the book is the investigator himself, which add a really interesting component to the story.
Pages: 237 | ASIN: B08BVV3989
LITERARY TITAN 