by Diana Hockley
& Marilyn Meredith

This week we are reviewing mystery author Marilyn Meredith’s latest book, The Devil’s Foothold, have a guest blog from Marilyn about the book, and you can enter to win an e-book copy–details at the end of this post!

The Devil’s Foothold by Marilyn Meredith
Review by Diana Hockley

When Deputy Sheriff of Lawrenceville, Lupine County, Jessica McGuire heads out for a morning jog the last thing she expects to find as she runs past the cemetery is the empty grave of a long-dead infant. Who on earth would want to steal what is left of the body? The condescending attitude of her boss, Captain Boone, who dismisses the discovery as not being important enough for him to mount an investigation infuriates Jessica. The Pastor, David Tanner reports the theft of the cross from his church and her neighbor’s report of a missing baby goat can only add up to one cause: Devil Worship.

Marilyn Meredith dredges deep for this story of evil and her research is impeccable. Whether one believes in the devil’s work or not, the reader’s heart can only beat faster as Jessica and David follow what leads they can to discover who is behind an increasingly horrific series of crimes. The author skilfully weaves miasma into every page, as danger edges closer to Jessica and her son, Jonathon.

Well-written and superbly paced, there are no histrionics in this plot, just dogged determination on the part of the realistic and likeable main characters. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I will just say that book is a must read and a keeper!

Diana Hockley is an Australian mystery author who lives in a southeast Queensland country town. She is the devoted slave of five ratties & usually finds an excuse to mention them in her writing, including her recent novel, The Naked Room. Since retiring from running a traveling mouse circus for 10 years, she is now the mouse judge for the Queensland Rat & Mouse Club shows. To learn more, check out her website.

Some Behind the Scenes Facts About The Devil’s Foothold
by Marilyn Meredith

Anyone who is familiar with the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series may recognize some things in The Devil’s Foothold. This particular book was written first, and then when I wrote the next one wanting to create a series, I realized that the main character had changed a lot. I knew that what I now wanted to be a mystery series couldn’t begin with this one.

That meant I had to make some changes though there are still many similarities. The main character is still a deputy in a small town, the single mother of a teenage son. I did have to change everyone’s names and descriptions.

A big change is the setting. Though the action still takes place in the foothills, it has moved farther north and is situated near Highway 49 which most people in California know was an important byway during the gold rush.

Marilyn Meredith

When I wrote this book, I had been watching a lot of horror movies, many with appearances by the devil or devil worshiping. The thought kept cropping up that if the hero or heroine were a Christian, the battle might be easier to fight and win.

Again, the setting is one I know a lot about. Even though Jessica’s town and patrol area are fictional, they are based on ones where I’ve visited numerous times. I love these old gold mining towns that once thrived, but are now sparsely populated by folks who like living away from the big cities. Each one has a graveyard filled with people who came to California to make their fortunes—and instead found a life filled with difficulties, diseases and hard work.

I added a big dose of the supernatural to The Devil’s Foothold, seasoned with Christianity.

When I first submitted this manuscript to Christian publishers, they all had wrote positive remarks about the story and the writing, but said, “It is just too scary for our readers.” When I submitted to the regular publishers again my writing was praised, but their comment was, “It’s too Christian for our readers.”

Finally, several years ago, I self-published it with another title. The publisher is no longer in existence and the book got little circulation. When everyone started putting their back titles on Kindle, I thought it would be a good idea to try it with The Devil’s Foothold.

To enter to win an e-book copy of The Devil’s Foothold, simply email KRL at life@kingsriverlife[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Foothold”, or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 8, 2012. U.S. residents only.

Purchase a copy of this book from this link & a portion goes to help support KRL!

Marilyn Meredith is a Springville, CA mystery author and an ongoing contributor to our Mystery section. Be sure to visit her website; fictionforyou.com