Kubrick's Game
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And countless other critics, analysts and theorists who populate the forums and deepest realms of the internet.
Derek Taylor Kent is an author and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles, California. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in theater and playwriting. After working for many years writing and directing theater, he received a three-book deal from HarperCollins for his middle-grade book series Scary School (written under penname Derek the Ghost). The first book won an award for “Funniest Chapter Book of the Year” by Children’s Literature Network, and the series went on to become one of the most popular for young readers. His bi-lingual picture book El Perro con Sombrero was released August 2015 through Holt/Macmillan, and quickly became a bestselling new picture book. Other available books include the award-winning educational picture book Simon and the Solar System, and the magical adventure Rudy and the Beast. Kubrick's Game is his first novel written for an adult audience.
Derek spends much of his time visiting schools all over the country, for assemblies and classroom visits, where he not only entertains but teaches children about the importance of reading and writing. For more information, please visit www.DerekTaylorKent.com and www.ScarySchool.com.
We hope you loved Kubrick’s Game. If so, you’re sure to love these other great thrillers, too:
For lovers of psychological suspense thrillers, from the senior editor of Kubrick’s Game (suitable for readers 17 and older):
FORGIVE ME, ALEX
By Lane Diamond
Two personalities, two attitudes, two goals, two methods—one darkness. This psychological thriller novel is now available. For more information on this book, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.
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Tony Hooper stands in shadow across the street, one amongst many in the crowd of curiosity-hounds gathered to watch a monster’s release. Seventeen years after Mitchell Norton, the devil, terrorized Algonquin, Illinois on a spree of kidnapping, torture and murder, the authorities release the butcher from psychiatric prison.
Tony longs to charge across the street to destroy Norton—no remorse—as if stepping on a cockroach. Only sheer force of will prevents his doing so.
The devil walks the world again. What shall Tony do about it? Aye, what indeed.
After all, this is what Tony does. It’s who he is. The devil himself long ago made Tony into this hunter of monsters. What a sweet twist of fate this is, that he may still, finally, administer justice.
Will FBI Special Agent Linda Monroe stop him? She owes him her life, so how can she possibly put an end to his?
Tony Hooper and Mitchell Norton battle for supremacy, with law enforcement always a step away, in this story of justice and vengeance, evil and redemption, fear and courage, love and loss.
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Praise for Forgive Me, Alex:
“Lane Diamond has succeeded in bringing to the surface the dark and horrifying mind of a psychotic serial killer while at the same time bringing forth the desperate need for humanity and justice for the victims and their families.” – The Kindle Book Review
“Psychological thrillers are my kind of books! Not only do I write them, but truly enjoy reading one that makes my skin crawl, my nerves skitter with fear and my heart thump a tad louder. This incredible novel by Lane Diamond handed me ALL of that, in spades!” – Ashley Fontainne, Author of “Zero Balance (Eviscerating the Snake)”
“With a deeply attuned attention to the nature of humanity and psychosis, Diamond delves into the darkest corners of the human mind and pulls out nuggets of horror and absolution that will leave you wanting more. I look forward to more books from this amazing author. This is a book to rival any of the great thrillers you’ve ever read and is a definite must read!” – Kimberly (Karpov) Kinrade, Author of “The Forbidden Trilogy”
“Lane gets you into the head of the characters and you feel this bond with them urging you to read faster to find out what happens next. You know you are reading a great book when you need to stop reading but keep telling yourself just one more chapter, then one more leads to half the book. I felt so bad for Tony and all his loss. I wanted to murder Mitchell Norton myself. I wish I knew old Frank personally. I was caught off guard by the ending and can’t wait for the next book! Well done!” – Jennifer @ Can’t Put It Down Reviews
“...Lane’s writing makes you really care about these people and what’s going on. Lane excels in this area of sympathetic characters.” – Tim C. Ward, Book Blogger & Podcaster
“I have actually read this story twice, yes twice! There are new things to discover each time you read it and I would encourage you to pick it up again, see what you can discover about Tony Hooper the second time around ... and see what you can maybe discover about yourself. I was able to understand my sick fascination with serial killers and horror gore a little better with the aide of Forgive Me, Alex—it is the only media representation of such a horrific character type that effectively goes beyond the curtain.” – Marie Borthwick
“I think what struck me the most about the story, and what I really enjoyed, was the way Diamond explored the depths of the main characters, Tony Hooper and Mitchell Norton. It would be easy in this type of story to get caught up in the action. But correctly, I think, Diamond recognizes that the strength of the book lies in the characters, and he does an excellent job of helping the reader understand the inner workings of their minds. ... That is not to say that the “action” scenes were not well done. In fact, I found myself drawn to the most disturbing scenes, which I think is a real compliment to the manner in which they were presented.” – Rich V. at Amazon
For lovers of crime/political thrillers, for readers 16 and older:
DUNCAN COCHRANE
Book 1: They Tell Me You Are Wicked
Book 2: They Tell Me You Are Crooked
Book 3: They Tell Me You Are Brutal (Coming 2017)
By David Hagerty
The Duncan Cochrane series of crime mysteries brings murder and intrigue into the seedy political underbelly of Chicago. For more information about this series, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.
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Book 1: They Tell Me You Are Wicked
Duncan Cochrane is set on being the next governor of Illinois, until his daughter is murdered six weeks before the election. Then the candidate can only focus on finding her killer.
As the police investigation follows a trio of unlikely leads, Duncan realizes that his best shot at justice is the bully pulpit of the campaign trail, so he returns to the race and makes crime fighting his mantra.
Soon he discovers that his own ambitions may have caused her death, yet by then he knows that he must win the election or risk political and personal failure.
They Tell Me You Are Wicked is the first in a trio of novels detailing Duncan’s rise to prominence and the personal cost of his public ambitions.
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Praise for They Tell Me You Are Wicked:
“This is one of those surprise-ending novels that are so tightly constructed that it’s hard to write synopsis without giving away an important detail. Hagerty makes a contemporary political point, but gently enough that you can just enjoy the story if you are not interested in the politics. If you are interested in modern American politics, he may help you understand how people come to take sides on a current issue. Wish I could say more without giving it away.” – Scott D. Saifer
“Though this story is set in the late 1970’s, the moral and political questions that emerge from its telling are very contemporary, if not timeless. This book is the ultimate good read from the opening “joy ride” to the mind-bending conclusion. The main character, Duncan Cochrane, candidate for governor of Illinois, is the most interesting and complex of the David Hagerty’s imaginary crew. It seems Cochrane’s quest for power leads him through every moral dilemma one could encounter. Underlying the intrigue is the author’s adroitness for describing each of the 1970’s Chicago scenes in visceral detail. I refer to t
his in visual terms, or perhaps cinematically, in the way he paints carefully with his word-brush. More importantly, this ability to capture the essence of place translates into emotional impact throughout, adding layers of complexity to the story. I look forward to reading the next Duncan Cochrane novels.” – Robert D. Knable
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Book 2: They Tell Me You Are Crooked
Two years have passed since the murder of Duncan Cochrane’s daughter. As governor, he now holds the power to punish all criminals, yet he cannot prosecute her killer without destroying his political career.
Then two new threats emerge: a sniper begins targeting people in Chicago’s most notorious housing project, Cabrini Green; and a blackmailer plans to reveal his ruinous family secret.
To protect his own family and those he governs, he moves into the tenements and begins parallel manhunts for both enemies. Along the way, he faces menacing gangs, a mysterious layman, indifferent police, and self-serving politicians, all of whom impede his investigations.
For lovers of young adult fantasy thrillers with a Native American twist, this series is suitable for readers 13 and up:
CHOSEN
Book 1: Wind Catcher
Book 2: Brink of Dawn
Book 3: Scorched Souls
By Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef
The multiple award-winning Chosen series of young adult fantasy thrillers features a slice of American Indian culture, blended into fantasy/sci-fi/thriller stories. For more information on this series, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.
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Book 1: Wind Catcher
Juliet Wildfire Stone stands between two worlds. Her eccentric grandfather tells her stories about the Great Wind Spirit and Coyote, but he might as well be speaking another language. She’s started to hear voices and see visions, but even they don’t make any sense. All she wants to be is an average sixteen-year-old girl, but she has never been average—could never be average.
She is the Chosen and the Seeker Slayer, and our only hope.
Recently transferred to an exclusive school, Juliet is forced to choose between her new wealthy life and her Native American heritage. Unsure where she fits in, she stumbles upon a series of murders. Worried that her grandfather is involved, she discovers an ancient secret society, the Order of the Twisted Arrows—a society formed over two hundred years ago to keep her safe.
When the mysterious Seeker learns of Juliet’s existence, he threatens everyone she loves in the world, willing to kill to have her.
Betrayed by the young man she loves, she must decide whether to run or to fulfill her destiny as the Chosen.
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Praise for Wind Catcher:
“Many young adult books revolve around young adult decision-making processes, but the joy and excitement fueling Wind Catcher is that Juliet's search for truth doesn't end with its emergence, but with the bigger picture of what she'll choose to do with it. That's the heartbeat of a powerful saga that fully immerses readers in all the possible scenarios that can stem from one's choices in life—and the reason why Wind Catcher stands out from the crowd.” ~ D. Donovan
“Wind Catcher is one of the best thrillers for YA that I have read in some time. ... If I hadn’t had to eat and sleep, I would have read it right through without stopping. It is just that good!” ~ S. Price “Suze”
“What an amazingly unique story!! I can honestly say I have never read anything like it! I loved the strong Native American themes running through it as well as the deep plunge into the rich culture then and now. This story seemed to quench my thirst for knowledge of the more supernatural aspect to the Native American history and storytelling and I loved the creativity of the authors. Even though this is, in essence, a young adult book, I was literally kept at the edge of my seat while reading. The plot has some very intense situations as well as mature threads running throughout the story. I love that our authors see our “young adult” crowd as more than older kids; they see them as very intelligent and can handle the more mature themes including murder and secret societies. And come on, who doesn’t love secret societies?”~ Amy @ Read to My Heart’s Content
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Book 2: Brink of Dawn
They walk among us as if they are gods.
Only the Chosen know what they are.
Only the Chosen know to fear them.
And only the Chosen can defeat them.
Juliet Wildfire Stone and her best friend, Troy Buckhorn, barely escaped their sleepy Arizona town alive. Now they’re speeding to New York City to find the three other Chosen. The Chosen must band together to face an ancient foe that threatens all humanity.
Yet Juliet doesn’t know whom to trust, and strange things are happening in the City.
The Chosen will be tested, their resolve questioned, and their flaws exposed. Each must decide whether he or she will fulfill their destiny—or run. To defeat the enemy, they must stop battling among themselves and overcome their own struggles.
Only one can lead them. Will Juliet embrace her powers in time?
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Book 3: Scorched Souls
Fate and destiny clash in the explosive, heart-pounding conclusion to the award-winning Chosen series.
Survival is not enough.
Alliances will be formed.
Loyalties tested.
A choice made.
Juliet Wildfire Stone is not just a Chosen, she’s the Alpha. The fate of Earth may well rest in her hands, but when she meets the Prime Elector at last, the mortal enemy at the center of her new destiny, he proves not to be what she expected.
Plunged into a conflict between two ancient foes, one that threatens to rip Earth apart, Juliet must navigate her new path, form unlikely alliances, and solve ancient mysteries. She needs to set aside her fears, make the tough choices set before her, and become the Alpha Chosen once and for all.
The cost to Juliet does not matter; too much depends on her. She cannot allow Earth to be cast into a darkness from which it might never escape.
Yet she cannot do it alone. Will the other Chosen follow her? Or will the people of Earth be enslaved for all time?