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It's more fun that way! ;-)
It's more fun that way! ;-)
Cover Art by Carmen Gillespie
The different stages of the same illustration.
Reference pictures I used while writing Depth of Deception
The Lutine Bell at Lloyds of London
In 1799 the HMS Lutine sank with £1,200,000 (appox. £82,000,000 today) of bullion. Lloyd's had underwritten the gold and paid the claim in full. Later when the wreck was discovered in 1857, Lloyd's claimed its cargo but Denmark disagreed. The bell of the Lutine was recovered in 1858. It now hangs in the lobby of Lloyds as a reminder to pay out carefully. It is rung once when a ship is in danger and twice when it returns. Originally the Lutine Bell played a larger part in Depth of Deception but was cut out for pacing reasons.
Below left is where it was located during the 1982 setting of the novel. The photo on the right is at their present head office in London.
Below left is where it was located during the 1982 setting of the novel. The photo on the right is at their present head office in London.
The Murder of Marion Gilchrist
The true-life inspiration for the unsolved murder in the novel. The images in this section have captions that appear when you click to enlarge them.
New York City - Then and Now
Photos of the same part of Times Square that I used during the writing process (except the one on the far right - taken with my kids in 2012)
Gallium Bullets
Gallium melting in a person's hand.
Gallium is a silvery metallic substance. You may have seen them used in a trick where tea melts a spoon. Originally while writing Depth of Deception I was exploring an idea that was used in an episode of CSI where raw ground beef was frozen into a .38 bullet mold and used in a gun. Upon entering the victim the meat melted, mixed into the wound and became quick maggot food, thus the evidence was eaten away.
While doing research I discovered that this would not be possible. The explosion that occurs in the gun to propel the bullet forward would melt the frozen meat before it left the barrel. Likewise, dry ice bullets (which have been used in literature and TV shows) would also melt too quickly. The one susbstance that had moderate results was gallium. However, as mentioned in the novel, it is very expensive to use as a bullet and cooling modificaiton would be needed.
While doing research I discovered that this would not be possible. The explosion that occurs in the gun to propel the bullet forward would melt the frozen meat before it left the barrel. Likewise, dry ice bullets (which have been used in literature and TV shows) would also melt too quickly. The one susbstance that had moderate results was gallium. However, as mentioned in the novel, it is very expensive to use as a bullet and cooling modificaiton would be needed.
Tabloid Inspiration.
The cover on the far left was the one that first inspired this story. I had seen it at a checkout while buying groceries. It was absurd, but I thought it would make for a cool film. Years later when I took part in the 3-Day Novel Writing Contest, I found my notes and expanded on it. Full Story
There have been many similar tabloids over the years. I have yet to read any of them.
I used the headline idea in the novel as well as in the book trailer.
St. Michael & St. George
Dragonslayer became the key for Depth of Deception. Here are two images - one of St. Michael and one of St. George.
Miscellaneous Reference Photos
Police Cars and Bases and Bears, oh my!
1910 Bing Bear (as what was found with Myra)
1980's Technology
Some fun reference photos of the not-so-distant past.