Virtual Book Tour - Guest Author John J. Le Beau

See the end for details to register to win a copy of his book.

The Alpine Setting for ‘Collision of Evil’

- John J. Le Beau

‘Collision of Evil’ is an international thriller and thus the plot plays out in multiple locations around the globe. That said, most of the story transpires in the Bavarian Alps, roughly the geographical area between the splendid old and noble city of Munich and the German border with Austria. This is a marvelously dramatic landscape by any standard, providing some of the most striking scenery in the world. In terms of the plot, this alpine setting is a critical element; I did not choose it by whim. A key factor in the storyline involves the final, spasmodic phase of World War Two and the concealment of sensitive items in the mountains by German forces at the end of the conflict. In this sense, the plot begins in 1945 and moves forward to the present day.

The main protagonist in ‘Collision’ is in fact a native denizen of the Alps, a German Kommissar of police named Franz Waldbaer. His investigatory activities serve to a notable extent as a vehicle to move the reader through Bavaria, its customs and traditions. To the extent possible without slowing the pace of the story, I tried to include considerable slices of ‘everyday Bavarian life’ in the novel, to acquaint the reader with an area that will be foreign and exotic to many of them. I have lived in Germany and nearby Austria for many, many years and find much that is beautiful and admirable in these locations. In writing the book, I wanted to share this sentiment with the reader, and perhaps even coax him or her to include Bavaria in future travel plans.

Mountainous regions of their nature are both enchanting and sinister and can serve as a good location to conceal something covert. I think that the alpine landscape employed in the novel helps to establish a certain atmosphere, at once attractive and foreboding. The dramatic book cover art devised by Oceanview, I believe, well captures the atmosphere that I was striving to create in words.

As for the several other settings employed in ‘Collision of Evil’, I basically tried to restrict the locations to places that I have either lived in or visited, to provide a sense of realism and texture to the story. This holds true for scenes set in CIA Headquarters in Langley, Turkey, Austria and Afghanistan. In fact, put another way, I think I would have difficulty trying to set action in venues that I have not visited. At any rate, I enjoyed trying to balance a variety of locations with the plot line; it was at times a challenge but also considerable fun.

Thanks John.

This is just one of the stops on a virtual book tour by the author. If you are interested in other stops check out the following link - http://john-j-le-beau.omnimystery.com/.

Here is a short synopsis of the book.

As evening falls against the majestic backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, Charles Hirter, an American tourist, is savagely murdered. In the peace, quiet and pastoral splendor of this magnificent setting, Charles Hirter draws his last breath. Was Charles simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Kommissar Franz Waldbaer, the German detective in charge of the case, faces an investigation that yields neither clues nor suspects nor motives. A gruff, go-it alone detective, Waldbaer is dismayed by the arrival of Robert Hirter, the victim's brother, who insists on joining the investigation. But there is more to Robert than meets the eye.

As Robert and the Kommissar uncover a nefarious nexus of evil past and evil present, they find themselves probing dark, long-forgotten episodes from the Third Reich in order to identify the present threat.

Thrust into a violent world of fanatic passions, malevolent intentions and excruciating urgency, Robert Hirter and Kommissar Waldbaer must race against the clock to stop a sophisticated, covert, and deadly plot.

“John J. Le Beau is giving away a signed copy of his book, Collision of Evil, to one lucky tour visitor. Go to his book tour page, http://john-j-le-beau.omnimystery.com/ , enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 8498, for your chance to win. Entries from Mystery Reader Discussion will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) Thursday, January 21st, 2010. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on his book tour page next week.”