ℚ Dark Paradise: Boise Montague [1] - Gene Desrochers

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Gene Desrochers to talk about Dark Paradise (12 June 2018, Acorn Publishing, 337 pages), a Caribbean Noir Murder Mystery, book one in the Boise Montague series.

"I really like the characters!!!!! In a pretty unique setting they moved and interacted with each other's in a very interesting way, you can feel them being so real that when the story turns more than once you don't know where exactly it's going to take you.I like the rhythm.It was the perfect book for my summer vacation." - Elena, Amazon Reviewer

"Dark Paradise pulls you in from the very first page. The detail and description of island life, people, and culture were incredibly realistic. It's a great story with great characters. Cannot wait for his second novel. Bravo Mr Desrochers!!" - Jeffrey Cooper

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

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A very warm welcome to Gene Desrochers; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Dark Paradise?

"I returned to St. Thomas in 2009 for a visit after over five years. For some reason, I decided to look up an old friend whom I’d lost touch with when I’d originally moved to another island over twenty years before at age eleven.

My friend had been murdered after getting into drug-dealing. He had been dead for over ten years to my surprise. This idea that you could lose touch so completely was the kernel that fueled my book, Dark Paradise."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Certainly the embedded experience of being raised in a unique place, the feel of the island, the culture, the way people operated there and why they would choose to live in a remote place all made me who I am and gave me a unique perspective on the world.

A brochure and picture of The West Indian Manner, a guesthouse Gene Desrochers grew up in on St. Thomas, where Dark Paradise is set. Find out more on his blog, Spring As Rebirth.

I also use some of my knowledge from law school in the novel."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Dark Paradise - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover was created by Dane Low at Ebook Launch.

The design was intended to capture the dual nature of the islands as both beautiful and deadly. The lone figure on his bike journeying down a desolate road into what might be a peaceful beach or a storm closing highlights the unknowing nature of the future and the potential for danger we all face no matter how wonderful our surroundings appear.

Most of all, the cover captured a feeling that I believe the book bears out. "

Why should we read Dark Paradise and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"My main character, Boise Montague, is not very together. He struggles to solve his problems and doesn’t have things figured out.

On top of that, the setting is different from most detective stories. I bring a unique view because I’m from a small island and only a small percentage of people can claim that. "

Can you tell us something quirky about Dark Paradise, its story and characters?

"The victim is named Roger, after my favorite athlete, Roger Federer.

The main character is based on a man who worked for my father when I was a young man. He was found dead on a beach, but he was a friend and I always loved his name, Boise.

Boise’s last name, Montague, and another character, Earl DeVere, are both nods to Shakespeare.

There are few names in my story that are “throw away” or have no reference to something personal or cultural. "

Who would you recommend Dark Paradise to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Anyone who enjoys a mystery with some humor and a dab of darkness thrown in will like Dark Paradise.

The book is not especially graphic, but does deal with mature themes like interracial relationships, racism, sexuality, and criminality. "

If you could / wished to turn Dark Paradise and the Boise Montague series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I have many actors in mind for particular characters. David Zayas would be Boise, Lance Reddick as Walter Pickering, Jessica Chastain as Dana Goode, and Idris Elba as Frankie, among others.

More vital would be a good director as in many cases, my dream would be to take my time and cast unknowns with no prior baggage so that the audience would only see the actor as the character I wrote.

Brian Helgeland would probably top my list of directors / screenwriters because he did one of my favorite crime films, Payback. He knows how to blend a good time and pacing with a story that grabs you emotionally.

For setting, I would want the film made on location in St. Thomas and St. Croix".

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I love writing mysteries and crime-related stories. I’m on my second novel and I’ve written at least four short stories that deal with crime and how people achieve their ends through illicit means.

I do write more dramatic stuff as well, but even then, like Donna Tartt and Dennis Lehane, I like to inject some curiosity and mystery into the story even if it’s not the primary theme.

I also love to read crime stories, but I also read poetry, drama, humor, non-fiction, and sci-fi. "

What is your writing process?

"I start with a premise and characters then figure out where I think it’s going.

I write and it wriggles about like a boa constrictor until it winds up in a completely different place based on the free will of the characters and their desires and dreams.

I re-write until it makes sense to other people and publish."

What is in store next?

"I’m writing the second novel about Boise Montague. I would like this to be an on-going series. In the second book, which I’m well into, Boise gets entangled with a wealthy family and a matriarch who wants to right the wrongs of her ancestors, but others may not like what she has in mind."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"The most special thing in the world to me is my wife, Mindy and my children. "

What a beautiful picture! Thank you for sharing it with us :-)

The island of St. Thomas is a gleaming tropical paradise. Welcome to the Caribbean, where murder is as common as sunshine.

Dark Paradise
Available NOW!

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