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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Grey Daze: A Lance Underphal Mystery by Michael Allan Scott

Not for the faint of heart, the third in the Lance Underphal Mystery series, is an interplay of corrupt characters immersed in today’s world. Paranormal twists and fast action in movie-like scenes set the story’s mystery/thriller elements apart from the typical whodunit/serial-killer thriller.

Description:

GREY DAZE descends. A fresh murder spins out of control, twisting into new realms of paranormal mystery.

Not for the faint of heart, the third in the Lance Underphal Mystery series, is an interplay of corrupt characters immersed in today’s world. Paranormal twists and fast action in movie-like scenes set the story’s mystery/thriller elements apart from the typical whodunit/serial-killer thriller.

Guided by his dead wife, a reluctant psychic finds himself on a wild ride through a criminal underworld, slamming face first into corrupt police, gunrunning bikers, and a drug addicted killer–not to mention confrontations with the dead.

Layers of plots within plots twist this new thriller into a startling climax.

GUEST POST
Murder and Psychic Phenomena – a Wicked Mix 

Mainstream opinion would have us believe anything having to do with the paranormal, supernatural, ESP, psychic phenomena, and the like, is sheer fantasy. Yet many who've had such experiences will swear by them. And once we skip all the vampire, werewolf, and zombie fantasies, is fair to ask if paranormal phenomena are really all that fantastical? 

Why Incorporate Paranormal Phenomena Into a Mystery Series? 
True, weaving paranormal aspects into reality-based storytelling complicates matters. After all, the Lance Underphal Mystery series is a mystery/thriller series loosely based on real-life events. And keeping it real is essential—probably foremost—for any good story. The term is known as "suspension of disbelief." 

I'm too easily bored with artificial limits. I write for my own enjoyment first. I figure that if I'm not digging what I write, how could readers possibly get a kick out of it. For me, writing another plain ol' vanilla murder mystery isn't all that interesting. 

Too Incredible? 
Not only does the paranormal aspect of my mystery novels make them more interesting, it adds an additional layer of intrigue. Controversial? Maybe. More mysterious? Definitely. Not horrific, real murder is horrific enough. Not necessarily ghostly—broader, more expansive than a mere ghost story. It incorporates a largely ignored facet of everyday living—the spiritual nature of our existence. A subject yet to be credibly addressed by modern science. 

The Thin Fabric of Reality Tears All Too Easily 
Looking at it from the sheer volume of data ingrained in the cultures of Man, spiritual references abound. Organized religion aside, very few people will deny having had some sort of a brush with the paranormal. We all have our little tales, even those secreted away, those we dare not examine by the light of day. And it hardly seems mere coincidence is capable of explaining all away. 

What If ? 
Let's suppose for a moment there is a rational explanation for this so-called "superstitious nonsense." Looking at it logically and without prejudice, we can easily take reports of paranormal happenings as fact. 

Not that people don't lie—hell, as a writer of fiction, it's my stock and trade. Sure, there are charlatans with their own agenda and plenty of carny cons. Houdini did his best to debunk spiritualism, easily demonstrating P.T. Barnum's purported catch phrase, "There's a sucker born every minute." Ah, the price we pay for naiveté. However, fear of getting caught with our pants down is no excuse for compulsive skepticism. 

Assuming humans possess various levels of awareness, much like we possess different degrees of intelligence, it's likely some are more in tune with extra sensory perceptions than others—not much of a stretch, which brings us full circle. 

You are the only one who determines the validity of psychic phenomena for you. 
If you dare, look for yourself and tell me what you see. 
Your input is always appreciated. 

My mystery books Dark Side of Sunset Pointe, Flight of the Tarantula Hawk, and Grey Daze are available on Amazon. Cut-Throat Syndrome, the newest Lance Underphal Mystery is in progress and will be released later this year. 

You may also check out the book trailers for Dark Side of Sunset Pointe and Flight of the Tarantula Hawk on YouTube. 

For more on the mystery writer, Michael Allan Scott, and the Lance Underphal mystery series, as well as free short stories and book excerpts go to michaelallanscott.com

About the author:
Born and raised at the edge of the high desert in Kingman, Arizona, Michael Allan Scott resides in Scottsdale with his wife, Cynthia and their rescue Doberman, Roxie. In addition to writing mysteries and speculative fiction, his interests include music, photography, art, scuba diving and auto racing. 

1 comment:

Michael Allan Scott said...

Thanks for featuring my work. I hope your readership finds it entertaining.

Best,
MAS