Happy pub day to DUPLICITY!

RHYS BOWEN: By now you all know that we have two wonderful new Reds. Last week we celebrated the release of Jenn's latest book and today I'm delighted to announce the release of Ingrid's fouth book in the Fina Ludlow private investigator series. I should add, because I'm sure Ingrid won't, that this series has won the Shamus Award for best private eye novel and is being turned into a TV series by ABC. And Booklist has said, "“Thoft’s fourth Fina Ludlow outing (after Brutality, 2015) finds the tenacious Fina in fighting form, juggling personal and professional demands to attain justice despite the cost. A winning addition to an entertaining series.”—Booklist  

So we're hoping for good things for this new book, Ingrid. The stage is yours for your first Jungle Red post!

INGRID THOFT:

I'm thrilled that DUPLICITY, the fourth book in my Fina Ludlow series, hits the shelves today! 

Fina is a private investigator in Boston who gets most of her jobs from the Ludlow family firm of personal injury attorneys.  DUPLICITY features a slightly different kind of case for Fina:  Her father has asked her to investigate an evangelical church as a favor to an old friend, Ceci Renard.  Lead by a charismatic pastor and his wife, the church seems to have tremendous influence over its congregants, one of whom is Ceci’s daughter. 

Fina tries to dig into the church’s practices and finances, only to be thwarted at every turn, and the situation grows more serious when a congregant turns up dead.  The investigation raises questions about faith and power, and Fina is forced to contemplate these concepts within the context of her own life and complicated family.

A top-notch investigator, Fina relies on her intuition to steer her in right direction throughout the case.  When her gut clenches or the hairs stand up on the back of her neck, she pays attention.  Everybody has intuition (not just investigators,) but some are better than others at heeding it.

Listening to one’s intuition is a critical skill for investigators, both fictional and real.  Talk to cops who have been on the job for a few years, and they’ll tell you that sometimes something will pique their interest, even when they can’t explain exactly what it is. 

Not convinced?  You need to read “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker.  One of this security expert's most important points is that we value logic over intuition, and we shouldn’t.  Our erroneous assumption is that intuition isn’t based on data when, in fact, it is.  The problem is that our bodies and unconscious have evolved to signal danger in the blink of an eye, but our rational brains don’t want to accept the conclusion without the proof.  De Becker writes “Intuition is the journey from A to Z without stopping at any other letter along the way.  It is knowing without knowing why.”

So, how’s my intuition?  I think it’s pretty good, but you tell me.

Many years ago, my mom and I were in Colorado Springs to attend a memorial service.  The last night of our stay we were moving from a friend’s house to a Holiday Inn.  I like Holiday Inns and have stayed in them all over the world—from Kansas to Sydney, Australia.  But when we drove up to this particular Holiday Inn, my gut kicked in.  There was nothing overtly wrong, but I didn’t like the feel of it.  My mom didn’t object when I balked at spending the night there, although there was a little teasing that perhaps I was being persnickety. 

Some weeks later, I looked at the news online and a particular item jumped out at me.  I called my mom immediately. 

“Still think I’m persnickety?” I asked.

It seemed that two members of a group of dangerous prison escapees—known as the Texas Seven—had holed up in the very same Holiday Inn.  Apparently, the criminals’ guts had told them that it was the perfect place to evade capture from federal law enforcement! 

What got my Spidey senses tingling that day at the Holiday Inn?  Why had I sensed that it was a great place for murderous felons, but not for me and my mom?  I can’t explain it, but I know I didn’t imagine it.  And charges of being too particular about my accommodations?  Those have been laid to rest. 

So tell me readers: Do you follow your intuition?  Is there a time when listening to your gut kept you safe or influenced a decision?

I have a signed copy of DUPLICITY for one lucky commentator!