Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery
Jim Bernheimer
Book Blurb:
Homicide detective David Bagini awakens on a strange world only to discover he is, in fact, the forty-second clone of the Bagini line. Having no memories of why his Prime entered into a clone contract, he wants answers.
The first problem is his Prime has been murdered and Bagini Forty-Two is now in charge of the investigation.
The second problem is all the clues point at one of his fellow clones and they already know all his tricks.
How can he solve his own murder when all the suspects have his name and face?
Interview
Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m married with two daughters and live in Chesapeake, Virginia. Writing is my second job. One day I’d like for it to be my only job, but let’s call that a ten or fifteen year plan.
Tell us about your book? How did it get started?
Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery started out as a short story that I wrote for an anthology that was open for submissions concerning Space Cops. After I’d finished it, I shopped it around to the pro markets. I managed to get a few personal rejections that enjoyed the story, but weren’t looking for it right now. It beats form rejections by a country mile, but it’s still like the old days when asking a girl out and she replies that she just wants to be friends – that kind of bittersweet.
I like odd twists. In this one a newly created clone of a homicide detective must find the killer of his Prime, but all the clues point at one of clones in his line. So the hook of the story was how can he solve his own murder when he is the only suspect and all his other clones know his tricks.
Eventually, I decided it could either try and trim it more or expand it to a short novel and opted to build up the world and publish it as a novel.
How do you create your characters?
For this novel, I looked at noir style detectives and did my level best to bring that type of character to a science fiction backdrop. I wanted Blade Runner from the eyes of a replicant (or clone in my case). Plus, I wanted a character who could look at all his other clones
What inspires and what got you started in writing?
Well told stories inspire me. All those daydreams I had in my head as a kid needed to be given a voice. As for my start, I have a second cousin that I’ve only met once in my adult life. She’s a very successful writer known as Nora Roberts. When I started out, I was hoping it ran in the family. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.
Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)
With two young daughters and a full time job, I write when I can find time. About half of Prime Suspects: A Clone Detective Mystery was written on the slide out keyboard of my phone. I usually get distracted by music or TV, so I prefer to write in silence. I’ve used Dragon Naturally Speaking to help me write, but find that I can’t do it when someone else is in the house with me.
How do you get your ideas for writing?
I’ll look at something and say either, “What if?” or “Why not?” Sometimes I like to come up with odd scenarios. One story I joke about writing is a science fiction short about a smart bomb on its way to blow something up that contacts an online suicide prevention hotline for advice. Ideas can come from the strangest places.
What do you like to read?
I kind of miss reading. One of the problems with being a writer or participating in critique groups is that you spend much of your reading time going over your work or someone else’s. That person is usually looking for thorough criticism. When I do read for casual enjoyment, it is either science fiction or either kind of fantasy.
What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?
In the guest post, I mention that writers should create the kind of stories that they want to read. You don’t have to write something just because you think it will sell, unless writing is your job and your means of income. Someone told me that Jim Butcher said, “I don’t have writer’s block. I have a mortgage.” If writing was how I paid my bills, that would be my attitude as well.
Set milestones for yourself and enjoy them when they come. Go have a really nice dinner when you’ve sold X number of books/ebooks or your book has been released. Enjoy the good reviews and take what you can from the not-so good reviews. Most importantly, have fun telling your stories.
Anything else you’d like to share?
My website is www.jimbernheimer.com. My novels and anthologies are available in print and electronic format. All five of my current novels either are, or soon will be, audiobooks and available at www.audible.com.