Today’s guest on our Mystery November Tour is Ben Woodard with his YA mystery book Steps Into Darkness
Where is your home town?
I come from Lexington, Kentucky, USA
How long have you been writing?
Approximately six years
Tell us where and when Steps Into Darkness is set.
A small town in Kentucky called Shakertown because the religious group, the Shakers, once lived there. The story is set in 1923
What is your favourite sub-genre of mystery?
Historical
What is your target reading age for this book?
Primarily boys ages 10 to 15 although girls like the story.
Introduce us to Tom Wallace.
Tom is an orphan boy who lives with his cousin, Will, in a house owned by Will’s parents. Tom is short, thin and shy, but he has a horrific secret that causes him to be moody, angry and to take incredible chances. He’s a misfit in the small Kentucky town he lives in since he loves to read, but hates to hunt and farm. He wants to escape this “backwater” as he calls it, but has no money and no where to go. Tom is curious, loves mysteries and is always ready to try something new.
Tell us about the Explosion
Cousins Tom and Will go to a dam construction site with two local girls. They are going to watch a planned explosion on the far side of the valley and have a picnic. However, right after the planned detonation, another explosion occurs on a hill above and they look up in terror to see rock and dirt barrelling toward them.
What is the element of mystery in this book?
Someone is sabotaging the building of a huge dam and the two boys snoop around causing attempts on their lives. A bewildering number of suspects keeps them on edge until they discover the real villain–and then wish they hadn’t.
Tell us what you are working on at the moment.
I’m working on the third book in the Shakertown Adventure Series called The Staircase Of Fire. I hope to have it available early next year. It is a continuation of the first two stories and in this one the reader will learn the entire story of Tom’s secret.
Where can readers find out more about you?
They can go to my website at http://www.BooksByBen.com or find me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/benswoodard.
Reblogged this on Ethel Lewis and commented:
Re-posted from Rosie Amber
LikeLike
Thanks Ethel!
LikeLike
I’m already drawn to this by the creepy cover – it looks terrific! Good to meet you Ben and I hope you have a great day on the tour 🙂
LikeLike
The cover is good, Georgia. I have a great designer.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs.
LikeLike
Thanks, Judith!
LikeLike
Looks like a wonderful book and just the right age range for my grandson, who will only read books with boy protagonists 🙂
I’m going to check into this one. Thanks!
LikeLike
Oh there’s definitely a couple of boys who get into trouble in this book. A bit like a Tom Sawyer read.
LikeLike
I wrote the book primarily for boys because I think there aren’t enough realistic fiction books for them. I’ve been surprised to find girls and adults like the book, too.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Shelley R. Pickens and commented:
I love to “Step into Darkness”! Can’t wait to read this one!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
We’re practically neighbors since I’m only 2 hours from Lexington! Adding this to my TBR list.
LikeLike
Howdy, neighbor. And thanks.
LikeLike
Always good to get young people reading… best of luck to the author.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Pingback: Mystery November | roydimond
Pingback: On to Day 21 – Ben WoodardRay Stone
I love the cover and I think I’d also enjoy reading it! I’m going to add it to my TBR list!
LikeLike
Thanks, Maria.
LikeLike
Pingback: On to Day 21 – Ben Woodard | Ray Stone