We are delighted to welcome author Dominique L. Watson to Omnimystery News today.
Dominique's new mystery is titled Murder for Justice (Diamond M'Press Publications; October 2015 trade paperback and ebook formats) and introduces San Diego homicide detective Scarlett Fry, a fiery red head, who will stop at nothing to protect and serve her city.
We recently had the chance to catch up with Dominique to talk more about the book.
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Omnimystery News: Tell us a little more about Scarlett Fry. What is it about her that appeals to you as a writer?
Photo provided courtesy of
Dominique L. Watson
Dominique L. Watson: Scarlett Fry is a detective out of the San Diego Police Department. She works in the homicide department alongside her partner Trey Carr. She has over ten years on the force. Married to Cory Fry for four years. She has recently lost her brother to AIDS and her father to lung cancer. The only family member she has left is her mother, Phoebe Dixon. Scarlett is best known for her fire red (short) hair that she normally wears in a mohawk. She's edgy, but by the book on her cases. I think what's most appealing to me about her is her motivation to find justice in her cases but also her love for her family.
OMN: How do you expect her to develop over the course of the series?
DLW: I am developing my characters slow. I'd like for this series to be long. In the first book, readers are introduced to a lot of problems within Scarlett's life. Over time I'd like for these problems to be solved while, of course, new problems will arise.
OMN: Into which genre would you place this book? And do you think labeling it as such is helpful for readers?
DLW: Murder for Justice is a police procedural. I definitely think it's an advantage at labeling the books. I am a mystery and suspense reader however, I won't read paranormal and only some thriller. So for me I think it's a good idea to be labeled so that some readers will know what type of book they are getting into.
OMN: Tell us something about the book that isn't mentioned in the synopsis.
DLW: Scarlett Fry is a blend of Detective Olivia Benson from Law & Order SVU and Kate Beckett from Castle. Scarlett is independent, yet passionate about each one of her cases.
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
DLW: I use an outline. It helps me organize my books. I also use character profiles for each that are important or will recur in future books. I normally do a straight and narrow storyline by writing it out in an outline. I add and take away characters as i see fit. But on most occasions my book will take on a life of itself and I just go where it takes me.
OMN: How did you go about researching the plot points of your book? Were there any particularly challenging topics you came across?
DLW: I think the most difficult was learning about guns and the different affects they have when used in a crime. I did a lot of research with my book. Crime scene studying, taking myself into an ME's office. I also had to study how a detective would analyze a crime scene. I used google for most of my studying but I've also taken a lot of online classes that have helped me get the knowledge I needed to write and complete the book. My most exciting was the ME at the crime scene. The way they can analyze how long a body has been dead, how they can tell what weapon was used and how the body ended up in its final resting place.
OMN: How true are you to the San Diego setting?
DLW: I lived in San Diego for a very long time. So every place I mention in the book I have been there physically. Maybe not in the house or in the apartment where a crime was committed but I have been within the neighborhood or on that street. I think setting is very important. I'm a detailed reader. So if the setting is off or it's not true, that takes away from the book for me.
OMN: If we could send you anywhere in the world to research the setting for a book, where would it be?
DLW: I actually just spent a few years in Europe. Paris was my favorite place to visit. I'd love to go back there and spend more time there to write a novel that is based in Paris.
OMN: What is the best advice you've received as an author? And what might you say to aspiring writers?
DLW: The best advice I've received is to make my name a brand. I think it is very important as an author to brand yourself. Whether it's the consistency of your covers and the text on your covers or your website so that when a reader sees it, they know exactly who they are looking it. I haven't received any hard criticism. I've gotten bad reviews before and I take them with stride. My advice is to always research what you are talking about. Know inside and out the storyline as well as the area or places your book is taken place in. As a self-publisher it is best to know every area of the business.
OMN: Complete this sentence for us: "I am a crime novelist and thus I am also …".
DLW: I am a crime novelist and thus I also hoard paperback books. It would be wise for me to attend a PBA (Paperbacks Anonymous) meeting.
OMN: How did Murder for Justice come to be titled?
DLW: Well, because the killer is serving justice for the police, I felt like Murder for Justice was a proper name for the book. I also liked that the readers might think that Justice was a person in the book. So I went with it.
OMN: What kind of feedback have you received from readers?
DLW: I love all feedback. Any time an author reaches out I appreciate their feedback. I mostly get questions about the characters or how I came into the plot. And of course if I actually lived in San Diego or not.
OMN: Suppose Murder for Justice were to be adapted for television or film. Who do you see playing the lead role?
DLW: I don't have a particular person in mind when I think of Scarlett however, I'd love for Kate Beckett on Castle to play her. I think this is for personality wise. But looks, wow. I just don't know that. I guess it would have to be a new face in film that is eager to work in a genre like this.
OMN: Have any specific authors influenced how and what you write today?
DLW: James Patterson, Michael Connelly and J.A. Jance are all big influence in my work. I have so much respect for these three authors. I love everything about what they do.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
DLW: I've always had a love for mystery and suspense. My first book was an inspirational book that was developed because of the death of my brother and that was what got me into writing and then publishing. I did write for fun as a kid in many different genres.
OMN: When selecting to read a book for pleasure today, what do you look for?
DLW: Most of the time when I'm in the mood to read a good mystery, I'm looking for a police procedural. However, I have found fun and enjoyment in cozy mysteries as well as thrillers. Anything that gets me going and into the plot I love. James Patterson is always my go to but most of the time when I'm in that kind of mood I'm either waiting on a release of his or I just finished a really good book and he has nothing else out for me to read. I have read 90% of all of his books. I have a bad addiction!
OMN: Create a Top Five list for us on any topic.
DLW: Here are three of them …
Top Five Books
1. Kiss the Girls by James Patterson
2. Vigilante by Stephen J. Cannell
3. Desert Heat by J.A. JAnce
4. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
5. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Top Five Authors
1. James Patterson
2. J.A. Jance
3. Michael Connelly
4. Stephen J. Cannell
5. Janet Evanovich
Top Five Places
1. Paris France
2. Albuferia, Portugal
3. Marbella Spain
4. Barcelona, Spain
5. San Diego, CA
OMN: What's next for you?
DLW: I am currently work on the next Scarlett Fry book, A Poison called Revenge, which will be published in 2016.
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Dominique L. Watson has published twelve books in the genres of poetry, inspiration and urban Christian fiction. She is also the Founder and Owner of Diamond M'press Publications. She spends a lot of time mentoring authors and writers through Literary Career Moves.
For more information about the author, please visit her website at Author-DominiqueLWatson.com and her author page on Goodreads, or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Murder for Justice by Dominique L. Watson
A Scarlett Fry Mystery
Publisher: Diamond M'Press Publications
Kendall Harris never thought this would be his last 4th of July he'd celebrate with his daughter …
San Diego Homicide Detective Scarlett Fry is called to a home in the middle of the night on 4th of July. What awaits her is a brutal killing that causes everyone to be a suspect, but something doesn't seem right. With a lot of motive and little evidence, Scarlett is up against one of the most twisted killers in her career.
She and her partner, Trey Carr, spend weeks tracking down evidence to convict a killer that they are convinced is right in front of their face. Just when it seems like Scarlett has found her "man" the case takes a turn for the worst and becomes a cold case.
When her main suspect ends up dead, Scarlett and Carr are confused more than ever. They must hunt down a serial killer that's attacking families with a motive even Scarlett can't understand.
— Murder for Justice by Dominique L. Watson
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