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| John Ukah, Author MURDER AT MIDNIGHT |
John Ukah brings us a
new detective sleuth--ex-police
officer Alex Simpson--in his recently published story MURDER AT MIDNIGHT. Simpson travels to the resort area of Ubudu,
Nigeria to rest at a guest house after an illness, but instead encounters murder. Ukah
says crime fiction readers can solve the mystery with the clues
he provides. Nonetheless, one reviewer said, "this plot kept me guessing."
Ukah, a banker
by trade, first became interested in mysteries when he read Agatha Christie. He plans to continue writing more detective stories and is
currently working on his next one. When he’s not writing, he enjoys
listening to music, watching movies, or reading.
Q: Would you
characterize MURDER AT MIDNIGHT as a procedural, crime fiction, thriller, or
cozy mystery? Why?
John Ukah: MURDER AT MIDNIGHT is crime fiction. It is a detective story in the whodunit subgenre.
The reader has the opportunity to engage in the deductive process as the sleuth
who is investigating the crime. The reader is provided the same clues from
which the identity of the perpetrator can be deduced.
Q: What led you,
a banker, to write a detective story? Do you enjoy reading mysteries and crime
fiction? Who is your favorite author of detective/crime fiction stories?
John Ukah: I
enjoy reading mysteries and crime stories. My love for writers like Agatha Christie drew me to this genre.
She’s my favorite author of detective/crime fiction stories.
Q: How do you engage readers to
care about your detective protagonist, Alex Simpson? Is he
likable? Is he a hero?
John Ukah: Alex Simpson is
an engaging character with personal struggles that readers can easily identify
with. He is likable and this makes it easier for the readers to care about him.
He is also heroic as he untangles a web of clues to expose the murderer at the
lodge.
Q: Did you exploit the setting
of Obudu, Nigeria to tell your
story? What attributes of the area
supported your plot?
John Ukah: The
story is set in a guesthouse with a gallery of guests who become suspects. The
book is supported by the
springing up of guesthouses which boast decent facilities in Obudu. The
story portrays the serene and therapeutic Obudu environment. It captures the beautiful scenery and comfortable
weather conditions – beaches, gardens, amusement parks and ranch resorts which
have turned the Obudu Ranch Resort into a holiday-maker's delight.
Q: Does the concept of hero vs
villain apply to MURDER AT MIDNIGHT? What makes a good villain?
John Ukah: There
is a hero and a villain. I think a good villain has to have likeable
attributes. It makes him compelling, yet credible. He should be a worthy
opponent to make the hero look good. He should be clever and persuasive.
Q: Did you write MURDER AT MIDNIGHT strictly to entertain? Or did you embed a message or two along the
way?
John Ukah: The book covers a
spectrum of societal issues in an entertaining way.
Q: What do you consider to be
key attributes of a compelling detective story? Suspense? Red herrings? A competent detective? An
interesting puzzle? An intriguing villain?
John Ukah: The
key attributes of a compelling detective story are characters that keep
the reader captivated till the very last page and live on afterwards in the
mind. A compelling detective story has to be well crafted, full of action and
suspense. Red herrings, interesting puzzles and an intriguing villain all add
to the thrill.
Q: How important is humor to
tell your story?
John Ukah: It
is vital to telling my stories. I always incorporate humor.
Q: What’s next?
Will you continue writing detective stories?
John Ukah: I am
currently working on another detective story. This one is a saga of love,
pitiful criminalities, investigations, assumptions and deceits. I will continue
writing detective stories.
Q: Who is John
Ukah? What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
John Ukah: I grew up in Benin City, Edo State
of Nigeria. I am a graduate of Business Administration from the University of
Benin, Benin City. I am a banker and an Associate of the Institute of Capital
Market Registrars (ACMR). I enjoy reading, listening to music or watching a
movie when I am not writing.
About John Ukah
John Ukah is a seasoned banker and Associate
of the Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ACMR). He is a graduate of
Business Administration from the University of Benin, where he was listed as
University Scholar. He also holds a Masters degree in Business (MBA)
About
MURDER AT MIDNIGHT
MURDER AT MIDNIGHT is set in Obudu, which is
a part of Cross River State in Nigeria. The area boasts prime relaxation spots
in rustic surroundings, as well as urban trappings for a more contemporary
lifestyle.
Alex Simpson, an ex-police officer, decides
after a bout of typhoid fever to take a break in a serene and therapeutic
environment. The last thing he expects is to be called upon to solve a murder
at the Kinging Guest Lodge. But that is what happens, when the delectable and
vivacious Maria Marshall is found dead in her bedroom at midnight.
The gallery of characters living at the
guest-house and thrown into the mix, do not make his task of solving this
chilling and brutal murder any easier.
Excerpt
Chapter One
Back to Obudu
Back to Obudu
It was in late November, after I suffered a severe
case of typhoid fever, that I decided to visit Kinging Guest Lodge. I needed to
rest. I had overworked myself prior to the illness, which had kept me down for
about two weeks. For me, it is like coming home.
I
had visited the Lodge earlier in the year; if my memory served me well, it had
been in January. The area is reputed to have the most clement weather in the
country. With its beautiful beaches, gardens, amusement parks and ranch
resorts, it is a haven for tourists. The springing up of guest-houses, that
boast decent facilities and affordable rates, has also turned the Obudu Ranch
Resort into a holiday-maker's delight. Some people come here on doctors'
orders, to recover from one ailment or the other.
Yet, not all my visits have been
refreshing. In fact, one could argue that given some of my experiences, I ought
to stay away.
During my previous visit, two of
the guests died at the Lodge. One, a very old man, of natural causes; the other
who had died on the same night, committed suicide.
I had been a member of the
Nigerian Police Force, at the time. I resigned in May and went into private
practice.
Links
Purchase
Links
The direct links to purchase MURDER AT
MIDNIGHT on Amazon are:
It is also available on
Apple
Author Links
Publisher web site www.chiomannani.com
Twitter @JohnUkah
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