Gothic Thriller
Date Published: September 18, 2024
Publisher: Wild Rose Press Inc.
Henry Maxwell, once a celebrated figure in Gothic horror cinema, finds himself trapped in a life of grief, resulting in severe depression and hallucinations after the tragic death of his wife, Lillian. Maxwell’s battle with reality sets the stage for his emotional and psychological exploration. The novel captures the essence of a man haunted by his past, struggling to find solace.
Jessica Barrow, the young attorney appointed as Maxwell’s conservator, and David Grovene, a film studies professor with a penchant for sixties B-movies, form the central supporting cast. Their involvement in Maxwell's life brings a fresh perspective to his plight, blending elements of clinical psychology and film history into the story.
The setting itself acts like a character, reflecting Maxwell’s internal turmoil and the Gothic essence of his past. A mysterious serial killer adds a layer of creepiness mirroring scenes from Maxwell’s films interweaving the past and present, making for a compelling and suspenseful read.
The Salvation of Henry Maxwell is a unique blend of Gothic horror, psychological thriller, and detective story. The Salvation of Henry Maxwell is imbued with a sense of tragic grandeur and serves as an underlying commentary on the ephemeral nature of fame and the enduring impact of grief.
Interview with Lee Lindauer
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
When I read a story in the newspaper or online that is quite bizarre, I think like a lot of other people—is this real or what movie had I just watched. Fact, or fiction, sometimes are one and the same.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Sometimes I name them after a real person. For instance, Henry Maxwell received his last name from the famous Scottish physicist who unified magnetism and electricity, James Clerk Maxwell. I remember him vividly from taking physics in college. On the other hand, another character in The Salvation of Henry Maxwell, had a name that just came naturally. The name Dart popped up when his character was envisioned,. Thinking it would be a good first name, like clockwork, Darling attached itself automatically without any constraints. Thus Dart Darling was born.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
No. My rule as an author is not to trick or take the readers on a wild goose chase.
What was your hardest scene to write?
I think they’re all difficult, but the ones where there is an emotional connection are the hardest. In Chapter 58 of The Salvation of Henry Maxwell, Henry has finally found what he had been searching for, his salvation of spending eternity in the arms of his deceased wife of forty plus years. Attempting to get into his mind and heart and experience his emotions was not easy. I hope I succeeded in this chapter.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
No, each book stands alone. The first two were International Thrillers, the third is more of a suspense, mystery, Gothic Romance. I have ventured into this mixed genre because I feel more comfortable here.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I felt I was writing something different, something that I’d never seen before. Not many novels concentrate on an eighty-five-year-old protagonist, a curmudgeon who through his character arc changes drastically. I feel I’ve achieved this goal and believe most readers will feel what I felt when I wrote The Salvation of Henry Maxwell.
What inspired you to write The Salvation of Henry Maxwell?
As a kid growing up in the sixties and having gone to the Saturday matinees showing B-movies, why not write about that lost period in the eyes of one of the actors back then
Can you tell us a little bit about the next books in The Salvation of Henry Maxwell or what you have planned for the future?
I am fine tuning a plot about a down and out magician that finds his life turned upside down where elements of real magic, religion and parapsychology collide. A touch of romance adds to the buildup as does the climatic ending that ties it all together.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Salvation of Henry Maxwell?
Name and title undetermined at this point. Some title ideas such as The Illusionist or Misdirection keep floating in my head.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Watching it gel with each rewrite until I felt I’d put it together the way I envisioned.
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4 comments:
This sounds like a good story. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing.
Can you share some of your strategies for editing and revising your work?
Sounds like an interesting story!
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