Wednesday, December 21, 2016

SMILEY FACE KILLERS





My novel How to Date Dead Guys borrows heavily from the Smiley Face Killer Theory. In fact, learning about this theory provided the inspiration for the main story line. If you look closely at the book cover, you'll discover smiley face graffiti haunting a tree in the background. Just like the warning sign over the Chippewa River, the book cover is "beautiful but treacherous".

My first experience with the "Smiley Face Killers" occurred during a spooky late night drive from the Twin Cities, MN to Eau Claire, WI. NPR aired a program advancing the controversial idea that many of the "accidental drownings" of college-aged men in the Midwest were actually murders.

Two retired NYPD detectives, Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte, were the driving force behind this theory. Investigating cases back to 1997, they found eerie similarities between at least 40 of these unexplained drowning deaths. Most victims fit the same profile:  white college-aged male, popular, athletic, with good grades. When their bodies were found, many were missing cross-shaped necklaces or St. Christopher medals, although their wallets and identification remained.

This string of cases occurred along the Interstate 94 corridor between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The victims were college students from Collegeville, St. Cloud, Minneapolis, Eau Claire, and LaCrosse.

Police knew where the bodies had been found. Gannon and Duarte were more interested in discovering the sites where the bodies had been dumped. Using GPS, river flow patterns, water levels, and police dogs to guide their investigation, they figured out where the bodies entered the water. At these sites of entry, the detectives repeatedly discovered trademark "Smiley Face" graffiti. They also found multiple symbols suggesting gang graffiti, but to protect their investigation the detectives refuse to discuss these findings.

Gannon and Duarte speculate that the victims were drugged, tortured, then disposed of into the water to make it appear as if they'd drowned. Autopsy reports from several cases didn't find any water in the lungs, which helps support this theory.




River disposal removes evidence from the victim's body, such as fingerprints and fibers. Instead of "homicide", these deaths are designated "accidental drownings", making this an almost perfect crime.

Although one Minnesota victim's death has been re-ruled a homicide, Duarte and Gannon's Smiley Face Killer Theory remains just that:  a theory, which has been mocked by the FBI and the local police. To date, it does not appear that any arrests or convictions have been made.

Yet the aura of mystery linked to the "Smiley Face Killers" continues to grow. The most recent coincidence is the disappearance of Andrew Fitzgerald, the director of The Smiley Face Killers. While filming this documentary, he went missing on May 8th, 2013. His whereabouts remain unknown. In his absence, his friend Andy finished the film. The creepy promotional blurb for the movie (released January 2014): 

80 young men dead
1 missing filmmaker
1 gang of serial killers

What if you were making a documentary
about a gang of serial killers
 and they found out?


The more people delve into this conspiracy theory, the more questions bubble up to the surface. Are the killings part of a gang member initiation rite? Are the missing items of religious jewelry kept as tokens by the killers? Has the director of the documentary really gone missing, or is this a hoax in the vein of The Blair Witch Project?

In How to Date Dead Guys, I propose my own (fictional) basis for the "Smiley Face Killers". The further the reader gets into the series, the harder Emma Roberts will work to bring the killers to justice.




QUOTES from CRADLE ROCK

I love quotes. Reading them, twisting them to make my own, and discovering them in my stories! Here are just a few prize quotes from Cradle Rock.




Saying good-bye is nauseating.


It's so perfect, it's miserable.


They're bonding over a lie and a broken wing… Women are confounded creatures.


Elders and High Council members love their secrets.


Nothing like crazy notions to rile people up and take sides. Too bad most people like to believe the worst instead of seeking the truth.


Even if she doesn't remember who she is, her heart hasn't changed.


Girls can't resist the urge to fix things. Especially boys.


At least I don't have to dwell on one form of death, I have several to choose from.


They're getting to that age where normally sane beings start to do stupid things.


All these distractions are really hampering my underhanded scheming.


the disappointment on Harry's face does wonders for my guilt reflex. I wonder if all parents are members of a secret society where they practice that skill.


the adults bicker about who's right and who's crazy


River's head is harder than that mountain. And his ego is just as big


That guy needs to take a long walk to calm down, and then keep walking.


Well, we're a courageous group of idiots, aren't we?


That's been my problem all day! Out-numbered, out-weaponed, and out-matched.


Secrets are as good as lies.


I hope you enjoyed the quotes and they tempted you to read more!


Thanks so much for having me over, Ann! You've been a very positive supporter - greatly appreciated!

WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!


CRADLE ROCK, Beast World Book Two
by Tara Tyler



Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!

Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.

But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.


Check out the Book Trailer!



Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!



Talk to me!

Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog





I'm also giving away signed copies of Broken Branch Falls and Cradle Rock, some Beast World swag, and a $20 GC!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS - ON SALE!



How to Date Dead Guys is now on sale for #99cents!
Grab a copy HERE.

College sophomore Emma Roberts remembers her mother’s sage advice:  “don’t sleep around, don’t burp in public, and don’t tell anyone you see ghosts”.  But when charming Mike Carlson drowns in the campus river under her watch, Emma’s sheltered life shatters. 

Blamed for Mike’s death and haunted by nightmares, Emma turns to witchcraft and a mysterious Book of Shadows to bring him back.  Under a Blood Moon, she lights candles, draws a pentacle on the campus bridge, and casts a spell.  The invoked river rages up against her, but she escapes its fury.  As she stumbles back to the dorm, a stranger drags himself from the water and follows her home. And he isn't the only one.

Instead of raising Mike, Emma assists the others she stole back from the dead—a pre-med student who jumped off the bridge, a desperate victim determined to solve his own murder, and a frat boy Emma can’t stand…at first.  More comfortable with the dead than the living, Emma delves deeper into the seductive Book of Shadows.  Her powers grow, but witchcraft may not be enough to protect her against the vengeful river and the killers that feed it their victims.

check out the other Curiosity Quills books on sale this month!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

CRADLE ROCK by Tara Tyler - Release Day!

WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!



Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!

Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.

But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.


Check out the Book Trailer!





Here is the list of wonderful CRADLE ROCK RELEASE PARTY POST HOSTS:


12/5 Patricia Lynne Nerds Rule
12/5 Heather R. Holden Vampires
12/7 Juneta Key author spotlight interview
12/9 Julie
Flanders
Teenagers Now vs 80s
12/9 Elizabeth
Seckman
Beast-themed Recipe
12/12 Lori L. MacLaughlin Merfolk
12/14 Sharon Bayliss Ogres
12/14 Tyrean
Martinson
5 Reasons to use Chapter Titles
12/16 Michael Di
Gesu
Craziest Spring Break Trip
12/17 Cathrina
Constantine
Teen Dating
12/19 Christine
Rains
Hiking Faux Pas
12/19 Alex J.
Cavanaugh
Beast vs Monster - terminology
12/21 Ann Noser CR Quotes
12/21 Heather M. Gardner Discrimination - joking vs hurting
1/4 Ken
Rahmoeller
Dragons
1/4 L. Diane
Wolfe
Marketing Tips - Live & Online
1/9 C Lee McKenzie Grownup Stereotypes
1/11 M. J. Fifield Crazy Road Trip
1/25 Crystal
Collier
Poetry & Songs in Stories - Writerly Wed


Tara is also giving away signed copies of Broken Branch Falls and Cradle Rock, some Beast World swag, and a $20 GC!



a Rafflecopter giveaway