Blood's Echo by Isabella Maldonado
Today’s ThrillerFest 2017 debut author is Isabella Maldonado and her new crime thriller Blood’s Echo. Read on to find out how she’d finish off her protagonist and what her final read would be on death row!
BookTrib: If you were on death row, what would be your last read? Why?
Isabella Maldonado: As a former cop, for me to end up on death row means my life has veered way off course. I can only assume I was convicted of a crime I didn’t commit, like John Coffey in Stephen King’s The Green Mile. And no, that wouldn’t be the book I would choose as my last. It’s bad enough that I’m in those circumstances without reading about my impending demise.
Instead, I’d go for action and humor. And because I like to delay the inevitable, I’d request the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I’ve read them all so far, but I might get lucky and a new one would come out right before my date with the executioner. I’d also write to Janet asking her if Stephanie ends up with Morelli or Ranger, promising to take the secret to the grave.
BT: If you were going to kill off your protagonist what method would you use? Why?
IM: My protagonist is a seriously bad-ass police detective, so it would be difficult to kill her off. In fact, many have already tried. For her final battle, I would stage an all-out, knockdown, drag out, fight with one of her many foes (perhaps more than one at a time – the odds have to be bad). In the end, she would stay true to her innermost nature and sacrifice herself to save someone else. That’s who she is.
BT: What is the all-time best thriller you have ever read? Why?
IM: My favorite is Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code. I loved the complex plot, historic detail, fascinating settings, breakneck pace, and layers of meaning. There’s a reason why it sparked furious debate and controversy worldwide upon its release. It’s one of those books you think about for years after you close it. Any story powerful enough to spawn a cottage industry of fan fiction, alternate theories, live tours, doctoral theses, and a blockbuster movie has connected on a visceral level.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Two years ago, Detective Veranda Cruz declared war on a ruthless crime family. She’s concealed the reason behind her vendetta with Bartolo Villalobos from the Phoenix Police Department, and now that she’s on the verge of success, her plan goes horribly wrong.
Always one step ahead of Veranda, Bartolo risks everything on an ingenious plan to destroy her and take his place as the heir apparent to a vast criminal empire. A mole on the police department thwarts her at every turn, and soon Bartolo threatens not only Veranda’s career, but everything she holds dear. Her mission becomes more personal than she ever imagined, and she’s forced to make the most difficult decision of her life.
Anyone who likes fast-paced, action-filled police stories, served with a side of authentic cop-humor and a splash of sizzle, this is for you!