THE SCHEME by Amethyst Drake

THE SCHEME

Amethyst Drake

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GENRE:  Mystery 

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BLURB: 

Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can't refuse. 

Set in Baltimore, in 2009, what begins as a simple missing person inquiry transforms into a complex case of espionage, financial crime, and deep-seated grudges. This case strikes a personal chord for Katherine, stirring up haunting memories from her past. As unexpected connections emerge, she must confront her unresolved guilt.

Can Katherine and her team of private detectives solve the case before it's too late, or will the turmoil of her past consume her? 

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EXCERPT

Katherine slowed down as she closed the final feet between them. Her target was cornered. Marty attempted a final desperate move, grabbing some scaffolding to haul himself up. The cold metal groaned in protest and shook under his weight. Katherine reacted instinctively as the scaffolding began to shudder. She leapt over the scattered debris, snatched Marty by his belt, and pulled with all her strength. She managed to rip Marty away mere moments before the neglected structure toppled over, sending a billow of dust and debris into the air. 

They both covered their faces and waited for the dust to settle. Marty’s chest heaved as he gaped at the place where he had been standing moments before. 

He coughed and stammered. “You saved me.” 

“Don’t get sentimental on me, Marty, I need information.” Her eyes blazed with intensity. “Why did you run?” 

“Are you kidding? The last thing I want is to tangle with you again. I couldn’t believe it when they told me you’d be on the other side of the case.” Marty tried to scramble to his feet. 

“What case? And who's they?” Katherine helped Marty up.

 “The prosecutors. The stolen pesticide?” 

“Marty, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t heard about stolen pesticides. I’m here to ask for your help,” Katherine gritted her teeth, “as one professional to another.” 

“Oh.” Marty looked relieved and straightened his coat. “In that case, sure. Anything you want.” 

"Great. I'm looking for a young woman who has gone missing. Tell me why you were following Olivia Ames."

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A Day in the Life of Amethyst Drake: Crafting Stories and Embracing Inspiration

Whenever possible, I get up in the morning without the help of an alarm clock. Having an alarm startle me awake seems to throw off my groove. As I get up and ready myself for the day, I take my time going through my morning routine. I need the simplicity of these moments to ground me and prepare me for a productive day at home.

I eat a healthy breakfast with whole grains, protein, and some fruit. I take this quiet time to think about my day and what I want to accomplish. I also check my email on my phone and sort emails into to-do lists or calendar items as needed.

After breakfast, I spend 20-30 minutes on the treadmill several days a week. If there is a plot hole or character problem I need to solve, this is the time I think it through. I get my most productive thinking done on the treadmill and in the shower.

Finally, I settle into my office—a space that feels like a creative sanctuary. Each day has its own focus, depending on where I am in my current project. Some days are for drafting, letting the words flow as new ideas take shape. Other mornings are dedicated to mapping out the paths my characters and plots will take on an outline. When those tasks are complete, the work shifts to revising and editing. And of course, I spend a good deal of time on research, exploring historical details, understanding the intricacies of a mystery, or checking the accuracy of a scene.

When I get hungry, I take a break for lunch. This is often a time to relax and recharge, and I love listening to true crime podcasts while I eat. The real-life mysteries in these stories are fascinating, and they inspire me and give me new ideas for my writing. The combination of a good meal and a gripping story is the perfect midday reset for me.

My afternoons are a bit more flexible. I might read good book, or put in extra writing time. My favorite afternoons are when I fully unplug and spend time with family and friends. My mom lives close, and I love going out to lunch with her whenever we can and spend the afternoon chatting. She tells the best stories, and I get lots of inspiration for characters from her!

As the day winds down, my husband comes home from work, and we share dinner around 6 PM. This is a cherished part of the day, where we reconnect and unwind together. Afterward, we hang out on the couch with the TV on. I usually get out my laptop and spend time on the administrative side of book publishing—updating my website, managing social media, or creating content for my newsletter. I often work into the early morning hours, long after my husband goes to bed. By the time I wrap up, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Each day is a blend of creativity, self-care, and love for the craft. It’s a life I wouldn’t trade for anything, and I look forward to doing it all again tomorrow.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Amethyst Drake is a passionate storyteller. She excels at crafting delightful characters and enjoys developing complex relationships among them. Mystery has always been her favourite genre to read, making it a natural choice for her writing. She aims to blend her personal experience with mental health and the moral complexities of intricate interpersonal relationships into engaging novels. 

Amethyst loves reading all kinds of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers and enjoys watching classic detective and espionage dramas like "Murder, She Wrote," "Perry Mason," and "Mission: Impossible." 

She also loves hearing from readers! Connect by signing up for her newsletter at amethystdrake.com or email amethyst@agswordsmiths.com 

Links

Author Website https://amethystdrake.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amethystdrake.author

Amazon https://amzn.to/3M5lmJO

Barnes and Noble https://bit.ly/3Z3VsOv 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE 

The author will award a $25 Amazon GC and a signed book to one randomly drawn winner, a $10 Amazon GC and a signed book to a second randomly drawn winner, and a signed book to a third randomly drawn winner. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway