Hello and welcome to the seventh of my posts about a brand new series of 13 suspenseful “Friday the 13th” short stories, each by a different author.
Today, I am happy to share DJ Fitzsimon’s “Retribution” – Now available for pre-order…releasing Nov 13.
FUN FACT
This story is set in the town where I went to high school – Surbiton, in the county of Surrey, England. It was fun to write about Guy Fawkes night, a traditional night of fireworks, where children eat jacket potatoes (baked potatoes) and watch the big bonfires burn. I haven’t celebrated it for so long!
BLURB
Robbie enjoys killing beautiful women, loving nothing more than the excitement of the chase. He’s found his next victim in Petra, a deliciously enticing travel agent. Meticulously setting a trap to lure Petra towards a terrifying destiny, his plans go smoothly as he sends yet another woman to an early grave.
But has he?
Robbie is blindsided when out of nowhere, he sees Petra staring at him from a bridge—a living, breathing woman! How is it possible when he left her lying in her own blood? Returning to the scene of the crime, the psychopathic killer is in for the surprise of his life when he finds her body is missing.
As night descends on Hallow House, Robbie learns that sometimes the hunter can also be the quarry……
EXCERPT
I spot her immediately. Hard not to because she’s really good-looking. But not in the brassy ‘come and get me’ way. She’s slender, great figure, and when she walks, her long blonde hair swings across her back like a curtain falling. Our eyes meet several times as we both pick up books and look at them. Then she walks past me again, and, this time, catches me staring. But she doesn’t go all snooty and look away. No—she meets my gaze head on, holds it, and smiles shyly. Wow.
When she leaves the bookshop, I follow her. Of course, I keep a far enough distance behind her so if she turns, she won’t see me. I just want to know where she’s going. Turns out it isn’t far. There’s a small travel agency on the corner, just down from the post office, and when she goes inside the building, I wait, out of sight, but close enough to see through the large window. She might be a customer. But no, she takes off her pretty blue coat, hangs it on a peg on the back wall and sits down at a desk. Okay. First phase completed. Now I know where to find her.
I’m late. Harvey, my scumbag manager, gives me the ‘you’re in trouble’ glare as I enter the office. I give him a ‘go fuck yourself’ scowl right back. He’s a sorry excuse for management. But then, most of them are. He hasn’t got the balls to say anything though. Thing is, I’m no beefy tough guy – I’m five ten in my socks, and I don’t pump iron at the gym – I’m a runner. Harvey crossed me once before, and all it took was one look to freeze him. What had he seen in my eyes? That I’m a predator?
Probably—because I am.
BIO
DJ FitzSimons is new author to the thriller genre. But now she’s found it, there’s no stopping her! A misplaced Brit living in the Mid-West, she’s a Londoner, always in pursuit of authentic fish and chips. DJ is currently working on a contemporary thriller set in Oklahoma, and also writes gothic mysteries and a monthly blog under the pen name of Jude Bayton.
Contact DJ – author@judebayton.com
Or read about her antics here:
Website: https://www.judebayton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judebaytonauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20313628.Jude_Bayton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/judebayton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judebayton
Perfectly chilling excerpt. I love it! Best of luck!
LikeLike
Wow! The plot for this book is awesome. I am highly intrigued!
LikeLike
Lots of impact in the first person perspective. I like it!
LikeLike
Chilling cover!
Good luck and God’s blessings with your book
PamT
LikeLike
Wow, fantastic excerpt. Love it. I’m looking forward to reading the whole thing!
LikeLike
I love the idea of the predator being stalked by his prey! Sounds like a great read!
LikeLike
I love this story, and had the divine privilege of critiquing this deliciously dark and fascinating tale! I suggest Retribution to all readers who enjoy a good book filled with mystery, suspense, and the thrill of terror.
Great work, DJ!
LikeLike