Featured Author: D.M. Annechino

I'm talking with D.M. Annechino today about his medical mystery/thriller Hypocrisy. Don't miss the excerpt from the book after the interview, and check out iRead Book Tours for a full list of Daniel's virtual book tour schedule.

About the book:

Dr. Lauren Crawford is a brilliant research scientist who discovers a revolutionary treatment for cancer that not only extends life, but much improves the quality of life for terminal cancer patients. The treatment, in some instances, can even cure certain cancers. On the evening before Dr. Crawford holds a press conference to announce that the FDA has given preliminary approval of her new cancer treatment, somebody follows her to her car and puts three bullets in her head. Was it a planned murder with a motive, a mugging gone badly, or merely a random act of violence?


Two New York City homicide detectives, Amaris Dupree and T.J. Brown, are assigned to the investigation. The detectives evaluate the circumstances surrounding Dr. Crawford’s death and follow a trail of clues that exposes a sequence of startling facts. One by one, the detectives carefully examine each suspect and piece together a puzzle with unimaginable implications. As the investigation gets more intense, and the detectives get closer to solving the murder mystery, someone threatens Dupree’s life. The detectives now realize that Dr. Crawford’s murder was much more than a homicide. And if they don’t arrest the murderer soon, Dupree might be the next victim.

Interview with D.M. Annechino

Daniel, Hypocrisy is your fourth published novel. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

After working in the retail automobile business for 18 years, in 1992 I wrote a nonfiction book titled How to Buy the Most Car for the least Money. Signet, an imprint of the Penguin Group, published it. It sold about 22,000 copies and rekindled my repressed desire to write a novel. Between 1993 and 2008, I wrote four full-length novels, all of which were rejected by every publisher on the planet. But in 2009, I was at a point where I wanted to quit writing and move on. But this little voice in the back of my head kept saying, “Just one more time.” So, I wrote a book titled They Never Die Quietly, and remarkably, I signed a contract with Amazon Publishing. Since then, I’ve published four novels and I’m halfway finished with my fifth.

What’s the story behind the title Hypocrisy?

In one word, Hypocrisy, pretty much sums up the theme of the story. Many people believe that a cure for cancer really exists, but it is suppressed. This book explores the possibility of what might happen if there were a revolutionary new treatment, and possibly a cure for cancer, and the impact it would have on healthcare and traditional treatments.

Do you have another job outside of writing?

I worked as an Account Executive for San Diego Gas & Electric until I published my first novel. When I signed a two-book deal with a German publisher, I decided that I couldn’t serve two masters, so I retired and devoted myself to writing full time. 

How do you get to know your characters?

Before I start a book, I like to fill out a comprehensive character questionnaire for each significant character. The questionnaire covers everything: appearance, emotional makeup, attitudes, political views, family, philosophies, loves and hates—just about everything you can think of. As I write, I do sometimes modify a character slightly if certain things about them just don’t work. But by completing a character questionnaire, I really get to know my characters intimately, and this is absolutely essential in order to make the characters three dimensional. 

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

It may be common and unoriginal, but I thoroughly enjoyed characterizing Homicide Detective Amaris Dupree, the protagonist. I thought she really came to life with her crisp wit and the fact that she was flawed in many ways—just like all of us are— to a point. I’ve read lots of novels where the protagonist is portrayed as nearly perfect—without fears or insecurities, or dark secrets. This, to me, does not imitate real life.

Is your book based on real events?

There is one particular aspect of this book that references a real person who developed alternative treatments for cancer. Her treatments were very controversial and she had more adversaries than advocates. Some called her a charlatan, others a saint. But her real research plays a major role in this story.

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?

Sami Rizzo, Al Diaz, Kate Miles, Amaris Dupree, and T.J. Brown.


With what five real people would you most like to be stuck in a bookstore?

1)    Stephen King
2)    J.K Rowling
3)    Pat Conroy
4)    Charles Frazier
5)    Quentin Tarantino

Who are your favorite authors?

Stephen King, Pat Conroy, Donna Tartt, Michael Connelly, Thomas Harris, and Charles Frazier.


You get to decide who would read your audio book. Who would you choose?

Morgan Freeman.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

Stay Close by Harlan Coben in e-book format.

Do you have any pet peeves when you read?

What absolutely drives me nuts is when an author doesn’t follow the first commandment of writing fiction: Show, don’t tell. The only logical reason for this is laziness on the author’s part. It’s much more challenging writing action scenes than it is to merely tell the reader what’s going on, particularly when a scene involves an exchange between two characters. Telling takes away the deep emotions and dramatic tension.

I totally agree. 
Where’s home for you?

I was born and raised in Rochester, New York, frozen tundra in the winter and a humid sweatbox in the summer. I finally reached my limit shoveling snow and taking cold showers, so I moved to sunny San Diego in 1993, where we get 300+ days of 75 degree sunshine. And you can even buy a cute little bungalow for about a half-million dollars.

If you could only keep one book, what would it be?

That’s an easy one. The Bible.

You’re leaving your country for a year. What’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving?

Fresh California Sushi and Sashimi.

You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do?

I would take a walk to the ocean. Sitting near the ocean gives me a profound feeling of tranquility. It’s the best way to unwind. And the vastness of the Pacific is just amazing.

Again, I totally agree. I think that's why I'm rarely tranquil. I live thousands of miles from an ocean. Let's say you can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?

Indiana Jones.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

My first three novels were published by Amazon Publishing. I self-published Hypocrisy, my fourth novel, through Create Space. I enjoyed a great relationship with Amazon. With their global reach, their marketing plan for my books was very successful. But I thought it might be a great experience going it on my own. Only time will tell.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” --Mahatma Gandhi

Good one. What’s your favorite candy bar?

Dove Dark Chocolate Promises are my all-time favorite candy, but technically, they’re not really a traditional candy bar. I highly recommend them for any chocolate-a holic.

I'll accept that answer, and I'm with you except mine would be milk chocolate. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I hate to admit it, but I love to watch TV, particularly movies and some of the series that appear on the premium channels.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Positano, Italy.

What are you working on now?

I’m halfway finished with A Piece of You, novel #5. I hope to have it completed by the end of summer.

Other books by D.M. Annechino

 

They Never Die Quietly | Resuscitation | I Do Solemnly Swear

Excerpt from Hypocrisy

When he pressed the pistol against her temple, Dr. Lauren Crawford remembered something she’d heard many years ago. At the exact moment before death, when the end is inevitable, your entire life passes before you. She’d always believed it was a legend, but now she knew the truth. She saw herself playing hopscotch in front of her home with Teresa, her best friend. She could see herself on her tenth birthday riding a Shetland pony at the State Fair. A giant Ferris wheel spun slowly in the background; the smell of cotton candy filled the air. She remembered her high school senior prom, Bobby Hanford, the purple orchid corsage, her first kiss. She could see her dad, lying in a coffin, his skin pale, cheeks sunken, feeling inconsolable and torn to pieces. Then there were memories of Christmas, her favorite time of the year. She envisioned herself helping her mom decorate the entire house, hanging wreaths and garland and red and green stockings above the fireplace. She recalled writing her name on the steamy windows while the fragrance of a slowly-roasting turkey teased her senses. But then, the vivid memories froze and all she could see was a splash of red light.

In an instant, total darkness.

About the author:

Daniel M. Annechino, a former book editor specializing in full-length fiction, wrote his first book, How to Buy the Most Car for the Least Money, in 1992 while working as a General Manager in the automobile business. But his passion had always been fiction, particularly thrillers. He spent two years researching serial killers before finally penning his gripping and memorable debut novel They Never Die Quietly. His second book, Resuscitation (Thomas & Mercer 2011), a follow-up to his first novel, hit #1 in Kindle sales in the UK and reached #26 in the USA. He is also the author of I Do Solemnly Swear (Thomas & Mercer 2012). Hypocrisy, is Annechino's fourth novel.



A native of New York, Annechino now lives in San Diego with his wife, Jennifer. He loves to cook, enjoys a glass of vintage wine, and spends lots of leisure time on the warm beaches of Southern California.


Connect with Daniel:
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Buy the book:
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