INTRODUCTION:

Sherrie Todd Beshore’s Fine Points Malice and Payback blends investigative precision with emotional undercurrents as multiple homicide cases begin to align. Through shifting leads and growing personal stakes, the story follows a detective stepping into responsibility sooner than expected.

Detective Andrew Coates identifies meaningful links among three cold-case murders, prompting the department to reconsider older evidence just as a new fourth crime emerges. Assigned the active case, Andrew faces pressure to produce results while navigating contradictory details and expanding possibilities. The investigation’s direction changes after a fifth victim survives, offering a slight but crucial break. Andrew’s connection with the survivor’s sister complicates matters at a critical moment, as does the reemergence of painful questions about his unknown origins. Raised in foster care after being abandoned at birth, he finds that the case stirs uncertainties he has never fully confronted. Professional and personal threads begin to overlap, shaping his path forward.

EXCERPT: CHAPTER 4

Hospital security towed Detective Coates’ Bronco.

From the hospital emergency parking lot he was able to flag down a patrol car for a ride back to the Stone Avenue police station. As tempted as he was to take the wise advice of Dr. Lopez, he felt compelled to keep going. 

Now was the time to interview Rosa Chavez’s landlord, her neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family even though the shock was still like an open wound.

The general mood on the third floor felt odd when Coates stepped off the elevator. The first detail he noticed was that Captain Fleming’s office was dark and the door was closed. 

Lieutenant Brayburn looked up and waved him over to his desk. His partner, Lucia Mendoza worked to clear a paper jam at the photocopier. 

Cream cheese icing from Clarence’s half-eaten cinnamon roll stuck to one side of his mouth contrasting against his dark skin. “Have you spoken to the captain yet this morning? Cause…” The senior homicide detective was interrupted when the elevator door opened and Police Chief Perez stepped out.

“Detective Coates, just the man I need to see.” The Chief of Police strode beyond the narrow elevator hallway into the open office area then beyond the rows of desks into the first available interview room.

Andrew Coates thought his heart would crash straight through his chest, and for the second time that morning his legs were like rubber.

The Tucson Chief-of-Police never came to the third floor. Everyone always went to his office either by order or invitation – only.

The young detective took a deep breath for more oxygen trying not to pass out then hurried after Pedro Perez.

When he closed the door, the ex-marine chief of police was blunt. “Make sure there’s no video or sound recording of this meeting?”

Andrew couldn’t help himself; he had to pull out a chair and sit. “Of course, sir. Absolutely. Just you and me and nothing outside this room, sir.”

Chief Perez remained standing at attention extending his five-foot, nine-inch muscular frame to full height. “Officially, I’m releasing to the press that Captain Fleming has taken ill suddenly with a previously undiagnosed heart ailment – which ironically is technically true.”

Perspiration had formed on Andrew’s forehead despite the cool temperature of the small room.

“You will now report exclusively and directly to me with your investigation. And, you will do it each day in person to my office, no emails, no phone calls, no text messages. You’ll work in Captain Fleming’s office. I’ll get you a key and you’ll lock the door every time you leave it. Understood?”

Andrew wiped his brow and nodded.

“We have a possible situation that could confuse your investigation, preventing important evidence from identifying our true serial killer.” Perez circled the small table and three chairs.

He took a deep breath and looked directly into Andrew’s eyes. “Captain Fleming was seeing Rosa Chavez, romantically.”

Andrew felt the blood from his heart beating in his neck.

“Apparently the affair started just before Thanksgiving and escalated. Ms. Chavez had moved from a house she shared with a younger sister and two cousins to her own apartment exclusively to keep their developing relationship private.”

“Arthur Fleming’s DNA will be in that apartment. However, any lab comparisons will be completed by Dr. Lopez and not by anyone at the FBI forensic lab.”

“Your captain was admitted to a private rest home in Oro Valley for a few days for complete bed rest. However, neither that nor any other details need concern you.”

“Just continue on as you have been – as if this was not a factor, because from my experience I don’t believe it is. But you know the media well enough by this time and then there’s Captain Fleming’s wife. We don’t want Mrs. Fleming hurt and humiliated by this either. I know Suzanne, she’s a proud woman.”

“I can see you’re in shock. Understandable, you’ll need to process this so I’ll leave you to sort through your next move Detective. I have every faith in you.” He patted Andrew’s shoulder before he opened the door and left.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sherrie Todd-Beshore began her writing career as a reporter and editor before moving into magazines and daily newspapers across Canada and the U.S. A dual Canadian–U.S. citizen, she later shifted from journalism to fiction, writing middle-grade mysteries and adult suspense thrillers. Her award-winning titles include The Crow Child, The Count of Baldpate, and Dream Gate II: Grabbing Time. She is the author of 17 books and has earned honors from the Independent Press Award and the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. Learn more on her website and Facebook.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4ioTrUx

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44094178-fine-points-malice-and-payback

What My Child Taught Me About Writing…

After two years I had been writing a regular column for a small town weekly newspaper [The Whitecourt Star, circulation 12,000] when my husband earned a promotion and a transfer to the head office in Calgary [Alberta]. We got resettled over the summer then I found the courage to approach the Mirror Community Editor of the Calgary Sun, [circulation 600,000] eager to write for a daily publication.

I submitted three column ideas along with copies of my published features from the Whitecourt Star, then dropped everything off in person. After introducing myself with a brief apology for no appointment, I left. A full week went by, but still no response. Then late afternoon the following Monday, the editor called me personally to compliment my column ideas and writing style -and- offer me a job on a trial basis. I was honored and elated. He invited me back to his office midweek to get better acquainted and fill out paperwork.

I was feeling like the luckiest struggling writer alive for this amazing opportunity, until my daughter [then six] came through the front door to inform me, her teacher noticed I had not ironed one of the sleeves on her blouse… From that moment, no matter how many positive reviews, or awards or attention for my work – I’ve kept it all in perspective…  

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Writing Process & Creativity

How did you research your book?
After 20 years of journalism [columns and features] my research takes me everywhere. For me, finding accurate historical and/or factual research is as enriching as building the plot [though it adds to the plot challenge].

What’s the hardest scene or character you wrote—and why?
Though I seek to create mystery-suspense plots, writing/conveying the extreme motivation that drives someone to kill/take another human life requires developing a specific ‘mood’ and that extreme level of motivation is time consuming to get right. What made that person [seemingly like you and me] to ‘snap’? 

Where do you get your ideas?
Like the research that goes with each plot, my ideas come from everywhere too. Sometimes there’s an obscure local or national news feature or a song or photo will trigger a memory of the ‘seed’ of an idea.

What sets your book apart from others in your genre?
Two elements. The first is characters as complete as three-dimensionally possible in a two-dimensional medium for protagonists and antagonists. There is motivation and a backstory for everyone, so the reader ‘feels’ they have ‘met’ each character. Second, is the story/plot. How is everyone connected and why. I hate to waste any reader’s time and if each reader is unable to figure out how the book ends – before the ending – then I’ve done my job.
 
What helps you overcome writer’s block?
I’ve been fortunate to have been so excited about a new book idea that I can’t write fast enough…having said that while in the midst of building a plot I have found myself ‘stuck’ not happy with how a specific scene is going. [Confession: when that happens, some days I can’t write a to-do list without listening to Earth, Wind, and Fire.]

What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?
Routine complaints from adult readers; “I stayed up far too late to finish your damn book!” [And from a MG reader for my young teen mystery series; “I’d really like to meet these kids.”]

Your Writing Life

Do you write every day? What’s your schedule?
Yes, I do write every day. I’m a morning person so I am most fresh from 9AM to 2PM.

Where do you write—home, coffee shop, train?
I have written notes for plots at airports, train stations, doctor’s appointments etc. – but writing itself is my home-office.

Any quirky writing rituals or must-have snacks?
To launch each new day, I’ll read the last page I wrote from the day before – and too often gummy bears are far too handy…

Behind the Book

Why did you choose this setting/topic?
I’ve been so fortunate to have travelled across Canada, the United States, Mexico, UK and Europe, so my settings can be as varied as my plots. For some reason, this time Tucson suited Fine Points Malice And Payback.

If your book became a movie, who would star in it?
Because everyone needs to start somewhere, I’d be open to a relative unknown playing Andrew Coates and his love interest Lena, with well-known [character] supporting actors.

Which author(s) most inspired you?
Oh gosh – Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier

Fun & Lighthearted Qs

What’s your go-to comfort food?
Well, if I must narrow down that field then it’s crêpes or pancakes or French Toast with popcorn right up there too… 

What are you binge-watching right now?
Reruns from the  eight seasons of Castle. I now know how each episode ends, but now I enjoy all the main characters and how they interact with each other.

If you could time-travel, where would you go?
I’d only want to go back to a snowy day one weekend when my daughter was seven and my son was four. That day we were making large gingerbread cookies for Christmas. We spent the entire morning singing and mixing batter to the Muppets Christmas album playing loudly in the background. But in order to appreciate that day even more I’d want to be aware of who they became as adults.

Which three books would you bring to a desert island?
Pride And Prejudice – Jane Austen
Family Ties That Bind And Gag – Erma Bombeck
The Book Of Secrets – Deepak Chopra

What’s something that made you laugh this week?