Story Empire’s Something Wicked Tour continues today with Joan Hall as she discussed a creepy topic and how it relates to her book, Unclear Purposes. Please re-blog this post or share it on social media and don’t forget there are other stops on the tour and you can find today’s schedule at Story Empire. Here’s Joan!
Hey, everyone. I’m excited to be here today for this stop of Story Empire’s Something Wicked Tour. Paul, thank you for hosting me. I look forward to connecting with your readers.
Evil and wickedness comes in all forms. And often evil deeds in mass murder. Such was the case for several employees of Electromagnetic System Labs.
In 1984, twenty-two-year-old Laura Black was hired at ESL. She immediately caught the attention of another employee, thirty-five-year-old Richard Farley. For him, it was love at first sight.
But Laura had no interest and repeatedly ignored him. He began stalking her, showing up at her home or following her in his car. Over four years, she received over 200 letters from him. She filed a complaint with the human resources department, and he lost his job.
In February 1988, Farley showed up at ESL armed with a shotgun and multiple rounds of ammunition. He shot several people, killing seven, before arriving at Laura’s office. He fired through the door, hitting her in the shoulder and causing a collapsed lung.
After a five-hour standoff with the police, Farley was arrested. He now sits on death row in San Quentin. Fortunately, Laura survived the shooting.
In my book, Unclear Purposes, the third and final of the Driscoll Lake Series, a stalker is on the loose. It soon becomes apparent this person will stop at nothing to get what they want, including murder.
Excerpt:
Anger was often the driving force behind many actions. The motivation to keep going, to finish the task. But patience was equally important. Timing had to be right. It was never good to rush a job or force an issue.
Seeing Christine Lawrence and Vince Green together was confirmation. There was something more than friendship between them. An undeniable attraction. The way he embraced her. The way she willingly went into his arms.
Following them had been relatively easy. Not hard to remain unnoticed if one used caution. It wasn’t surprising Vince was now at Christine’s house. Would he stay the night? There wasn’t any point in waiting around to see. Didn’t matter.
Take a few deep breaths. Calm down. Now isn’t the time. You must endure a little longer.
When the time was right, another person was going to die.
Blurb:
Some people take secrets to the grave…
Three years after her husband’s murder, Christine Lawrence still struggles for balance. She has a rewarding career and a close circle of friends but feels oddly unfulfilled. Worse, the close relationship she once had with her teenage daughter has grown increasingly strained.
Former FBI agent, Vince Green, is battling demons of his own—painful secrets that drove him from Driscoll Lake. Newly resettled in the small town, he makes his living as a private investigator.
When Vince and Christine cross paths, stumbling over the body of a murder victim, he’s forced to confront memories he thought long buried. The circumstances surrounding the killing are eerily similar to a victim from his past.
As the body count continues to rise, Christine finds herself drawn to Vince. With a murderer stalking the streets of Driscoll Lake, neither is aware the killer has targeted her as the next victim—or that Vince’s past is key to unmasking a disturbed and deadly killer.
Connect with Joan:
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It’s been great hosting Joan Hall today. Please leave your reactions in the comments and we’ll respond as soon as possible. Also remember there are other stops on the tour today:
- Craig is hosting Staci, who is talking about alien technology.
- Harmony is hosting Mae, who is talking about Spooky Houses.
- Joan is hosting P.H., who is talking about The Banshee Curse
- Mae is hosting Harmony, who is talking about people coming back from the dead.
- Staci is hosting Craig, who is talking about his main character(s).
The Story Empire authors would appreciate it if you take a few moments to share these posts on social media or re-blog them on your site. Thanks for visiting today!
33 thoughts on ““Something Wicked” Wednesday With Joan Hall and a Creepy Topic”
Thanks for hosting me today, P. H.
You’re welcome!
This was a great series, Joan. A stalker can be very dangerous.
Bet dangerous. The thought of one gives me the creeps.
I meant to say very dangerous. I can’t type on my phone.
I loved the Driscoll Lake series, Joan. Fascinating post today. I experienced something similar in my early twenties, but happily he didn’t go quite that far! I reckon this kind of obsession is all too common. I enjoyed how you incorporated this stuff into your story, Joan 😊
Thankfully, I haven’t experienced it personally. But stalkers are scary!
They are.
My wife had a mild stalker once. Nothing so serious but it was creepy. Had to get a little crosswise to get the point across and he backed off.
That is creepy.
You’re wise to use a stalker. They are constantly in the news, and scary as hell. Great excerpt, too.
Thanks, Craig. They frighten me.
It would be fun to write a stalker who actually gets what he deserves. What would Clovis do if Justine acquired a stalker? That kind of thing.
Ouch. Once thought of a scary twist for robbers entering a home and encountering the unexpected. A bit Twilight Zone-ish. Still might write it one day.
I did one of those, where the home was a trap set by a vampire. Might have been one of my Macabre Macaroni tales from a previous year. You should write it, or include it in something.
I keep thinking about a couple of anthologies but just don’t seem to have the time. Maybe one day I’ll get to it.
You should do it, Craig. I can only imagine what Clovis would do.
I’ll keep a mental note. Don’t know where I could use it.
Free book?
Maybe.
Yep, would have an interesting result.
It gets the reader’s attention.
Stalkers are so creepy. I’m so glad that woman survived, but can’t imagine the horror for the families of the co-workers who were killed. It’s scary to think there are people like Farley out there.
Great post today, Joan. Really loved the teaser graphic you did, too. Such a perfect glimpse of your wonderful book. This one is my favorite of the series!
Thanks, Mae. I enjoyed writing this one. A bit of a challenge at times but I was pleased with the end result.
Stalkers are a chilling addition to a story. Intriguing excerpt:)
Thanks, Denise. I tried to get into the antagonist’s mind for these scenes.
Poor Laura, she certainly came off badly with this stalker. A great sounding plot.
Thanks, Robbie. I would have hated to have been in her shoes.
Great, Joan. Thanks for hosting P.H.
Thanks, John!
Thanks, John.
Talk about creepy! Imagine feeling someone’s eyes on you all the time and not knowing how to make it stop.
Another great excerpt, Joan, thanks!
That would freak me out, Jacquie!