Tag Archives: Suspense

Vital Statistics: The Birds Began to Sing

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For the next few weeks, I’m running a “vital statistics” series on my each of my gothic mystery novels, beginning with The Birds Began to Sing.

Title: The Birds Began to Sing

The Birds Began to Sing_1600x2400_Front Cover

Plot: When aspiring novelist Alice Darnell enters a competition to write the ending for an unfinished manuscript by late, world famous author Sasha Hawkins, it appears she might have her big break at last.

However, upon arrival at Sasha’s former home – the sinister Blackwood House – Alice is unsettled by peculiar competition rules, mysterious dreams and inexplicable ghostly visions. She begins to question her sanity as she is drawn into a terrifying web of deceit, revenge and murder.

Expect: A big twist ending.

Wordcount: 89,000.

Current Amazon reviews: 12 five star reviews, 1 four star review.

Current Goodreads reviews: 5 five star reviews, 8 four star reviews, 1 three star review.

Scariness rating: 4/10. More psychological thriller/mystery than horror, and if it were a film, probably wouldn’t be rated stronger than 12A (that’s PG-13 for our American cousins). Yes, there is plenty of page-turning suspense, with our imperilled heroine wandering spooky corridors at night, but let’s put it this way; my notoriously easy-to-scare mother braved it, and managed to reach the ending unscathed.

Read if you enjoyed: Rebecca (Daphne Du Maurier), Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte), Sleeping Murder (Agatha Christie).

To pick up a copy click here (for the UK) and here (for the US).

Writing Update: “The White Nest”

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To say 2020 hasn’t gone the way I expected so far would be an understatement. However, in one respect it has gone to plan: I have just finished the first draft of my latest novel.

I won’t announce the title just yet, so let’s call it The White Nest for now. That won’t be the final title, but the White Nest is an element of the narrative. What is the White Nest? Is it something sinister? Obviously. This is a gripping gothic mystery akin to all my previous endeavours in that genre, including The Birds Began to Sing, The Irresistible Summons, Spectre of Springwell Forest, The Thistlewood Curse, and Phantom Audition.

The White Nest has a full checklist of my favourite gothic tropes, including a sleepy south-west England village, haunted forest, eerie mansion, secret tunnels, dubious secret experimental facilities, occult secret societies, ghosts, demons, curses, mysterious disappearances, childhood memories buried by trauma, rug-pulling twist ending… you name it. You could even call this novel Now That’s What I Call A Simon Dillon Gothic Mystery if you really wanted to, as it is something of a compilation of my preoccupations, genre wise.

Like some of my earlier novels, this one also straddles the borders between mystery thriller and supernatural horror. However, one key trope has changed. Instead of a tenacious imperilled heroine at the centre of the drama, this story features a male protagonist. In fact, this novel is different in a number of ways, because it is a highly personal work. Yes, I know, all writing is personal to some degree, but this one really does jab some of my raw nerves in the themes it explores – including the challenges in sibling relationships, parental fears, false guilt, coming of age, and more. In that respect, it is my most “personal” work since Children of the Folded Valley.

The actual plot? Sorry, that remains top secret for now. It’s likely to remain top secret for some time too, as I need the dust to settle on this one, before I return to it with a fresh eye. Although presently a hefty 105,000 words or so, I hope to shave about 10,000 words from that length, deleting a few less essential subplots and/or characters, much like what happened with The Irresistible Summons.

As for what I’ll be writing next, I do have a nifty idea for a fantasy novel, based on a rather strange dream I had last year. When I shared this dream with a colleague, she said that if I didn’t turn it into a book, she would! At any rate, I hope to begin at least outlining this one soon.

In between planning, I’ll probably pen the odd short spooky story, including one (or possibly two) set during the present pandemic. Watch this space.

Fancy a gripping read?

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Fancy a gripping, page-turning supernatural mystery? Why not check out any of the five novels below.

The Birds Began to Sing_1600x2400_Front Cover THE THISTLEWOOD CURSE Cover (JPG Print version) SSF cover

simon-dillon-irresistible-summons-full-res PHANTOM AUDITION

I refer to them collectively as the “Spooky Quintet” (a silly collective term, I know). Each one features a nail-biting central mystery, a tenacious imperilled heroine, sinister secret orders, shock twists, and plenty of wandering around gothic labyrinths of one kind or another.

To get your copy, simply click on the covers.

Phantom Audition: Recent Interviews

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PHANTOM AUDITIONI’ve recently been interviewed on a number of blogs, mainly to promote my latest gothic mystery novel Phantom Audition, but also to discuss my writing in general. Here are some of those interviews.

The Dark Phantom

What do you love most about being an author?

“There is also no better feeling in the world than knowing you’ve delivered a gripping, thrilling, scary, surprising, satisfying, moving, and transcendent narrative to a reader.”

Click here to read the full interview.

As the Page Turns

What kind of advice would you give other gothic horror/thriller authors?

“This may seem like odd advice considering the genre, but don’t try too hard to scare people – at least not at first. You want to draw them in, lulling them into the narrative, seducing them into your world… until they cannot escape.”

Click here to read the full interview.

Blogging Authors

Do you outline or are you a pantster?

“I’m a control freak and outline everything. I won’t start a novel unless I have an ending I think is amazing. Then I work backwards from that point.”

Click here to read the full interview.

The Writer’s Life

What message are you trying to get across with your book?

“I’m not a fan of consciously trying to for a “message” into my novels in a sordid, self-important way. Grinding the social, religious, or political axe is for preachers, politicians, activists, and so on – not authors writing spooky mysteries. I greatly dislike being preached at in fiction, and am increasingly intolerant of it, the older and warier I get.”

Click here to read the full interview.

STOP PRESS: My most recent interview is on fellow author Andre Carter’s blog here.

2019 In Review

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2019 has been an extremely busy year for me, and I am very pleased to have released a number of novels and shorter pieces.

Novels

Two more of my gothic mystery horror thrillers were released: The Irresistible Summons, which erred much more on the horror side, and Phantom Audition, which was more on the thriller side. Both feature nail-biting, page-turning spooky shenanigans, and were very well received. If you’re interested in picking up a copy as a Christmas present (or to read yourself) click here for The Irresistible Summons and here for Phantom Audition.

Shorts

Also this year, my short story Papercut was included in romantic fantasy anthology First Love, also published by Dragon Soul Press. Furthermore, three of my “Drabbles” (micro-fiction of exactly 100 words) were published by Blood Song Books anthology Curses & Cauldrons. These anthologies have also been very well reviewed. Check them out here and here, respectively.

Works in progress

Of the above works, Phantom Audition was a novel I wrote early in the year, and that was fast-tracked for publication. Compared with other years, I have written less than usual, outside of that, but there are still a number of short stories, and one novella, waiting in the wings. Indeed, delving into shorter works has been an agreeable change of pace for me, and the total word count of the above almost amounts to the equivalent of another novel. So I’ve not been that lazy.

On the blog

As ever, I’ve enjoyed covering lots of different topics on the blog. I love to write on subjects I am passionate about, and hopefully spark some discussion. You might have missed some of these, or want to re-read them, so here are three of my favourites.

Never Surrender to the Professionally Offended: A Rallying Cry for Authors

Uses and Abuses of Inner Monologue

Why Spoiler Awareness is Important

The Tangent Tree

Series three of The Tangent Tree – the film podcast I co-host with Samantha Stephen – is about to begin next week. Series two appeared earlier in the year. You can catch up on all episodes at the Tangent Tree website here – or listen on iTunes, Spotify, Podcast Addict and so on.

There have been many people who helped and supported me this year, sometimes through difficult things.

You know who you are.

Thank you.

Phantom Audition: Summary of Articles

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PHANTOM AUDITIONHere’s a one-stop-shop with links to all you need to know about my latest gothic mystery thriller, Phantom Audition.

Here’s the blurb from the back of the book:

He buried himself in a part, but never returned. Now she wants to know why.

Small-time actress Mia Yardley, recently widowed wife of renowned actor Steven Yardley, discovers her late husband’s secret acting diary.

The diary details appointments made with a psychic medium, who advised Steven on which roles to take. It also raises questions about his mysterious and inexplicable suicide.

Seeking answers, Mia speaks to the medium, but in doing so is drawn into an ever- deepening mystery about what happened to her husband during the final days of his life. Eventually, she is forced to ask the terrible question: was Steven Yardley murdered by a vengeful evil from beyond the grave?

Want to know more? Here are some blog articles that may be of interest:

The Cover – I love the cover for Phantom Audition. Here’s a nice high-res version.

Seven Cryptic Images – Images and clues to tease the plot. No spoilers.

Inspirations and Influences – What books, films, and plays informed Phantom Audition?

Settings, Research, and Revisions – Jacobean mansions, priest holes, the film industry, critical rewrites, and more…

Initial Reviews – Highlights from the very positive feedback received so far for Phantom Audition.

The Tangent Tree Interview – I talked about the novel with Samantha Stephen from The Tangent Tree podcast.

Phantom Audition is published by Dragon Soul Press, and is out now. Paperbacks or Kindle downloads can be ordered here.

Christmas Presents: The Spooky Quintet

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Looking for the perfect Christmas present for that difficult relative? Why not give them a book this year? To be more specific, why not give them one of my books?

In the first of three articles, this post explores the gothic mystery horror/thriller offerings from yours truly. Incredibly, none of these five novels – which I refer to as my “Spooky Quintet” – have had a single bad review. Check out Amazon or Goodreads, and you will see they are all raves. Also, if you’re worried about how scary these might be, some are more at the thriller end of the gothic mystery spectrum, and some more at the horror end. However, they are all page-turningly gripping, and full of suspense. For more information about the scariness factor in each, click here.

Here’s is the blurb from the back of each novel:

The Birds Began to Sing_1600x2400_Front CoverThe Birds Began to Sing

When aspiring novelist Alice Darnell enters a competition to write the ending for an unfinished manuscript by late, world famous author Sasha Hawkins, it appears she might have her big break at last.

However, upon arrival at Sasha’s former home – the sinister Blackwood House – Alice is unsettled by peculiar competition rules, mysterious dreams and inexplicable ghostly visions. She begins to question her sanity as she is drawn into a terrifying web of deceit, revenge and murder.

Click here to order The Birds Began to Sing.

THE THISTLEWOOD CURSE Cover (JPG Print version)The Thistlewood Curse

Can a ghost murder the living?

Lawrence Crane’s powers of astral projection are put to the ultimate test when he and his lifelong friend Detective Laura Buchan investigate a mysterious death on Lundy Island.

Sensing a dark power at work, they attempt to identify a human assassin under the control of supernatural evil.

But can they escape a terrifying, centuries-old curse?

Click here to order The Thistlewood Curse.

SSF coverSpectre of Springwell Forest

Lily Henderson has a horrifying secret buried far in her past. She hoped it would never be revealed. Now she has no choice.

To save her family, Lily must keep them from returning to the village of Springwell, where she lived with her first husband and young daughter decades previously.

In the past, after moving to Springwell, Lily encounters secretive locals, government scientists, and rumours of a ghost haunting the forest.

Are they linked to the mysterious deaths of local children? Do paintings by a local artist predict when tragic events are getting closer? Will Lily’s daughter be next?

“Two were taken. More will follow.”

Click here to order Spectre of Springwell Forest.

Simon Dillon - Irresistible Summons full resThe Irresistible Summons

How far would you go to bring your loved one back from the dead?

Television producer Naomi Levinson makes documentaries debunking the supernatural.

When asked to film a promotional video for computer game company Persephone, she considers the task beneath her talents. But as production gets underway at the Persephone office block on London’s Canary Wharf, a mysterious disappearance, ghostly sightings, and lingering tragedy from Naomi’s past lead her to believe she might have stumbled into a genuine haunting.

As Naomi continues to investigate, past and present collide in a horrifying conspiracy. Cutting edge technology and ancient evil meet, leading to the discovery of a shocking and terrifying secret that could change the nature of life and death as we know it.

Click here to order The Irresistible Summons.

PHANTOM AUDITIONPhantom Audition

He buried himself in a part, but never returned. Now she wants to know why.

Small-time actress Mia Yardley, recently widowed wife of renowned actor Steven Yardley, discovers her late husband’s secret acting diary.

The diary details appointments made with a psychic medium, who advised Steven on which roles to take. It also raises questions about his mysterious and inexplicable suicide.

Seeking answers, Mia speaks to the medium, but in doing so is drawn into an ever- deepening mystery about what happened to her husband during the final days of his life. Eventually, she is forced to ask the terrible question: was Steven Yardley murdered by a vengeful evil from beyond the grave?

Click here to order Phantom Audition

Phantom Audition interview on The Tangent Tree

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Recently Samantha Stephen interviewed me on a short, spin-off episode of The Tangent Tree, regarding my latest gothic mystery novel Phantom Audition. Listen on Spotify, Podcast Addict, or iTunes, or just click here to listen on The Tangent Tree website.

Phantom Audition is published by Dragon Soul Press, and is out now. Click here to get your copy.

Phantom Audition blog tour begins today!

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PHANTOM AUDITIONOver the next month, my latest gothic mystery novel Phantom Audition is going on tour! There will be a bus, an entourage, roadie, and… No, hang on. Not that kind of tour. A blog tour. Phantom Audition will be promoted on several blogs and websites, some of which will contain interviews, guest posts by yours truly, and possibly even syndication to national newspapers in the US (fingers are well and truly crossed on that front). At any rate, please keep an eye on my Facebook page and the blog over the next month for full details. The first stop – at Pump up Your Books – can be found here (along with an extract of the novel, a rather nice animated version of the cover to the left, and one or two other things).

Phantom Audition is published by Dragon Soul Press. Click here to get it on Kindle or in paperback.

Phantom Audition – Initial Reviews

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PHANTOM AUDITIONMy new novel Phantom Audition is a nail-biting gothic mystery. It encompasses a wide variety of themes, including being in love with something that doesn’t exist, abuse of power, how artists can become narcissists who think that moral codes do not apply to them, the dangers of tampering in the occult, obsession, madness and much more.

Here are a few snippets from initial reviews on Amazon and Goodreads:

“Phantom Audition is one of the absolute best books I have recently read… A brilliant mystery… with plenty of suspicious characters, you will be enticed to turn each page as you travel through this mystery to its surprising conclusion.” – Sue Marie.

“Stole my sleep for two nights… I know I’ll be thinking about so many of the characters, twists and turns, and emotions I came across on this reading adventure… I can’t say that I’ve ever read anything remotely similar to this plot.” – Kelli Pizarro.

“I love this story with all of its puzzles and strong emotion. Mia is a complex main character who is lost in grief after her husband’s death. She is searching not only for answers, but also to be able to own her own skin again. She feels lost in her husband’s shadow and is determined to come into her own. The way Simon weaves the side characters into the plot, revealing more and more secrets to the puzzle is genius. The setting also felt like an additional character, which I loved so much. I will be rereading this book many times, as I do only a few books that I also love.” – Rowan Thalia.

“Left me wanting to re-read it right away — like the feeling you get after watching an M Night Shyamalan film — where you suddenly realise maybe you were asking the wrong questions all along! A thoroughly enjoyable, page-turner read.” – Sara Meg Seese.

“PAGE-TURNER! I thoroughly enjoyed Phantom Audition… Dillon is a skilled storyteller; his characters all convey their backstories and humanity through their natural/believable dialogue and actions, that their motives are always clear. Every single piece fits into the puzzle perfectly.” – Ximena Escobar.

“A fantastic, page-turning, supernatural mystery! Thrilling from start to finish, with plenty of intrigue, Phantom Audition will have you on the edge of your seat… Had me guessing again and again how it was going to end, all the way until it actually ended… Reminded me of how much I love the mystery genre and how badly I need to read more like this.” – Antonio Gonzales-Rodriguez.

Phantom Audition is published by Dragon Soul Press. Click here to get it on Kindle or in paperback.