Gone Before

February 03, 2022

Gone Before

Gone Before
by Terry Korth Fischer
GENRE: Mystery

Small-town detective, Rory Naysmith, thought he’d seen it all, but a young woman’s brutal murder is especially hard to stomach. Doubly so, when he recognizes the murder’s MO is identical to that of Tobias Snearl—the killer he put behind bars a decade before. His frustration grows after a series of senseless accidents plague those dearest to him, and a second woman dies—this one too close to home. Searching for answers, Rory races against time, plunging deep into the murder investigations, drawing ever closer to becoming a casualty of the dark, angry deeds himself, until he finds no one is who they pretend to be—and none are beyond evil’s reach.

Excerpt:

“I think my guardian angel is off for the Fourth.” The detective studied the cloudless sky and tried not to think about his foot. It didn’t work. “Just use the crowbar to break one of these frickin’ stones loose.”

The jack handle didn’t do the trick. Opening the trenching tool and using the pick end, Thacker swung it against the largest stone. It bounced off the surface.

Rory suppressed a scream as pain shot from his knee down his encased leg. “Easy!”

“Sorry, boss.”

“Try removing one of the outer stones. Loosen them, and maybe we’ll be able to budge these. I’ll hold the light, and you make room for these damn jaws to unclasp. Try finding the cornerstone.”

A fine layer of perspiration covered Rory’s face. He felt defeated and a little nauseous. He leaned back on his elbows and looked at the sky. “Thacker,” he said, “this is damn unlucky.”

The rookie moved down the mound to the edge of the pile. Using the crowbar and a lot of muscle, he attacked. Finally, he was able to roll one stone out of position. Then another. He was still three feet from Rory’s crevice, working his way toward the more enormous boulders and Rory’s ultimate freedom, when the rock he was prying loose rolled out of place. He hesitated. “There is something funny here, boss.”

“I could use a good laugh.”

“Not ha-ha funny, peculiar funny.” “Tell me anyway.”

“There’s someone else in this rock pile.”

About the Author:

Terry Korth Fischer writes mystery and memoir. Her memoir, Omaha to Ogallala, was released in 2019. Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies in print and online. Terry is a member of Sisters in Crime, Pennwriters, Inc, and Clear Lake Area Writers. Transplanted from the Midwest, Terry lives in Houston with her husband and their two guard cats. She enjoys a good mystery, heat and humidity, and long summer days. Visit her website at https://terrykorthfischer.com

Q&A With the Author
Do you have any tattoos? Where? When did you get it/them? Where are they on your body?
Sorry, no tattoos. However, I have a heart-shaped strawberry birthmark under my left eye.

Is your life anything like it was two years ago?
The obvious answer is no one’s life is the same because of the coronavirus. But I think you are asking if my focus and attitude are different from two years ago. The answer is—very different. Over the last two years, I’ve gone from published online story writer and self-published author to traditionally published. Belonging to a group of talented writers is inspirational and their support beyond measure.

How long have you been writing?
I started writing in the 1990s with a short story email exchange among family members. Some were very talented, others not so much. However, the monthly deadlines and the sisterly feedback taught me much. In 2014, I decided to step beyond safe boundaries and seek publication. Then I can say I was a lucky writer who was at the right place at the right time. Moments after sending off my first submission, I received a contract offer. I’ve been writing seriously ever since.

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?
I have two pieces of advice; neither is new. First, put in your time. There are no born writers; it takes practice and writing, followed by more writing. And we're not even talking about revisions and rewrites. My second piece of advice is a single word, persistence. If you want to be an author, you can’t give up.

Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.
There is a bit of romance. Rory realizes that feelings can run deep, even when you don’t have a clue. As a matter of fact, many of the characters learn something about themselves that strengthens their bonds to the town and each other.

Social media contacts:
Website: https://terrykorthfischer.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/terryiswriting
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerryIsWriting
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/terrykorthfischer
Goodreads Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14349440.Terry_Korth_Fischer
BookBub Author: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/terry-korth-fischer
BookGems Author: https://www.bookgems.com/profile/tkfischer/
BLOG Website: https://www.terryiswriting.com
Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/TerryKorthFischer
Amazon Buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/Gone-Before-Rory-Naysmith-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B09KQVCM6M/ref=sr_1_1

Barnes & Noble Buy link:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gone-before-terry-korth-fischer/1140489584
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59457770-gone-before