The Science of First Impressions

We form first impressions in less than a second. Research shows our brains make snap judgments about faces (trust, warmth, competence) in just 100 milliseconds. It’s our survival wiring at work: quick evaluation to avoid danger or spot opportunity.

That instinct carries over to books.

Before a reader turns a page, they see the book. The cover’s design—color, typeface, title, even texture—delivers a silent message: “This is worth your time” or “Keep walking.” A professional, genre-savvy cover doesn’t just reflect the story—it sells the story by tapping into immediate emotion.

Then comes the opening line. If the cover gets you through the door, the first sentence sits you down. Our brains crave tension, pattern, or surprise, hooks that whisper, “Stay.” The best openings spark curiosity or dissonance.

They demand you continue reading.

Consider:

“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

(1984, George Orwell)

“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”

(The Gunslinger, Stephen King)

These are not just openings. They are contracts.

Have you found a book that failed its contract?

Now in Audio!

I have produced two of my short books for audio. Available only through Amazon, these are only $.99 with a three-month membership in Audible.

Reindeer Wars

Tina has a tendency to go a little overboard when decorating for the holidays, but Brian decides her skills are just what he needs to get into the Christmas spirit. Can this mutual attraction survive when they find themselves in a knock-down-drag-out competition to win the office’s “most outrageous holiday sweater?”

Get it for $.99 (with a three-month Audible membership) through Amazon.

Also available through Audible here.

Virtual Harmony

Love can bloom in infinite ways. These eleven short romances follow love through meet-cutes to taking friendship to the next level, to rekindling a marriage. Feelings can be sparked by an errant computer file, a hunt for diamonds, or even a fortune teller's tale. All that is needed is to open one's heart to let it in.

Get it for $.99 (with a three-month Audible membership) through Amazon.

Also available through Audible here.

Blood on the Bayou is now Available for Pre-Order!

Murder. Mystery. Mayhem. All set against the sultry backdrop of New Orleans.

BLOOD ON THE BAYOU — CASE CLOSED brings together an electrifying lineup of stories by acclaimed and emerging crime writers, each spinning a dark tale that digs deep into the city's secrets. This exclusive anthology is the perfect keepsake for mystery lovers and Bouchercon fans alike — and it’s available now!

All funds raised from the sale of the anthology will be donated to the New Orleans Public Library.

You can order your special limited edition hardcover from Down and Out Books here.

Book Fairs and Giveaways

Win the Ultimate Crime Fiction Book Giveaway!

Dive into suspense and unravel mysteries with our crime fiction prize pack worth $250! Two lucky winners will each receive 10 thrilling crime fiction books. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a signed copy of The Waiting by Michael Connelly, while the runner-up will get one copy of each author’s book.

Don’t miss out — enter here for your chance to win this gripping collection!

Step into worlds beyond imagination in "Magic Lies in Ruins," where more than 20 captivating titles in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Young Adult, and Young Adult Fantasy await you! Whether you're chasing dragons, decoding alien languages, or unraveling magical destinies, there's a story here to spark every reader’s adventure. Meet your next favorite author, discover thrilling series, and immerse yourself in tales that defy the ordinary. Don’t miss this chance to fuel your imagination — explore these books today and take your next epic read home! See them all here.

July 11 - August 15

Fall in love one page at a time with this collection of more than 20 "Sweet Short Story Romances" — all heartwarming, all under 25,000 words, and always clean and wholesome. These delightful novellas and short stories are perfect for cozy evenings, quick getaways, or a gentle dose of joy between life's chaos. Whether it’s small-town charm, unexpected meet-cutes, or rekindled love, there’s a story here to make you smile. Come browse the books and find your next feel-good favorite — happily-ever-afters guaranteed! See them all here.

The Beast of Baker Street

Part V

Recap of the story to date: Dr. John Watson reveals the truth behind Sherlock Holmes’ retirement in 1903: a werewolf, not a mere hound, attacked Holmes on the moors. The wound changed him—mood swings, cravings, and disappearances followed. When a brutal murder in Whitechapel hints at another werewolf, Holmes hunts it under the full moon, but Watson discovers the horrifying truth: the beast is Holmes himself. After narrowly preventing tragedy, they retreat to a secret hideout. Holmes confesses his condition, and the friends vow to find a cure. With one night of the full moon remaining, they return to Baker Street—determined to fight the monster within.

As we made our way back, a sour taste filled my mouth. We had stumbled into a world of darkness and monsters I'd only read about in the pages of folklore and legends. This new reality was beyond imagination, and yet I had experienced it and knew its truth.

Holmes' transformation hit me harder than I expected, and the thought of what would have happened if I had shot him in anger weighed heavily on me. I needed to focus on finding a cure, not just for Holmes, but for the innocent people he could potentially infect during his next transformation. I couldn't even fathom the terror a legion of werewolves preying on London's inhabitants would create.

When we returned to our flat, I opened Baring-Gould’s book for further consultation. “I’m afraid the information of treating this condition is rather scarce. In part because it is often considered a mental issue.”

He scoffed. “We know differently, don’t we?”

“If it is a disease, then some sort of cure is possible.”

“For tomorrow night, however, I have a different plan. As soon as it’s light, I’ll make arrangements. For now, I ask that you stand guard in case—” I swallowed as I waited for him to complete his thought. “If the effect of your silver bullet tonight is only temporary, I want you to keep watch, your revolver loaded. I’m going to my room now. Lock the door from the outside. I assume that once the moon sets, it will be safe to allow me to leave.”

All through that night, I sat in a chair facing the door, my firearm at the ready. From inside the room, I heard the man pacing. As long as I could detect footsteps through the door, I knew he continued in human form. When the first streaks of sunlight entered the room, I relaxed for the first time in many hours and unlocked the door.

Holmes emerged, shaven and ready for the day. “I’m off now to prepare for tonight. I’ll see you this afternoon.” At the door, he turned to me. “Try and get some rest.”

I did retire to my bedroom, but sleep eluded me. Whenever I closed my eyes, I was once again faced with the terrible creature from Grimpen Mire. The matted fur, the large paws tipped with claws that could tear through flesh with ease, its glowing eyes. And the howls that echoed through the moors, chilling one’s blood to ice.

Finally, I rose and returned to our sitting room to study and re-read Baring-Gould's treatise, hoping to find any information suggesting a cure for the condition. Unfortunately, beyond the mention of the “silver button,” I found little of use. While the shot had ended the affliction for the rest of the previous night, was it permanent? Obviously, Holmes thought not. Why else would he be preparing for tonight? Somehow, I knew that silver would be involved in any reversal of the disease. 

I considered the two most common options available to me. While silver sutures had been found to avoid infection when used to close wounds, I couldn’t see how they would be helpful in this situation. Lunar caustic, or silver nitrate, was commonly used for infections, burns, ulcers, and the removal of warts. If a silver bullet need only be fired over the head to reverse the disease, perhaps a topical application would be sufficient during the full moon. Unfortunately, if not used correctly, the substance could lead to burns, ulceration, and permanent skin damage. While in medical school, I observed another student, in his inexperience, apply the substance with such vigor that the flesh surrounding a wart blackened and fell away.

Silver nitrate injections were common enough in medical facilities, particularly for certain infections. This would certainly send the silver into the bloodstream. Perhaps it would be effective in a dose low enough not to damage the body.

The other means of application would be ingestion. Silver nitrate, however, was rarely prescribed for this manner because of its caustic and toxic properties.

Colloidal silver, however….

Tonics of colloidal silver, used for intestinal infirmities, were less corrosive but had their limitations. One of my patients, a lady of fine birth, came to see me after taking a colloidal silver tonic daily over some months of her own accord. At that visit, her countenance was tinted a bluish-grey, to her great dismay and mortification. The effect was also permanent. Though in no wise did this condition impair her general health, it did much to affect her standing in society.

In the late afternoon, I went out to gather some supplies and returned to await my friend’s return and prepare for the evening. 

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across Baker Street, I paced the room, trying to ignore the unease gnawing at me. My mind returned again and again to Holmes and his fate. The idea that he could transform back into that horrifying creature before he returned to Baker Street sent shivers down my spine.

The sound of the front door opening made me almost giddy. I turned to see Holmes entering, his face a mix of apprehension and determination.

"I've made the arrangements," he said, his voice low and tense. "We must act quickly and decisively. Come with me now. The moon will be rising soon.”

I followed him into the gloomy evening, all my senses on alert. The fog muffled our footsteps but carried with it a mix of smoke and decay. My nerves remained on edge as I monitored my friend’s condition. Would we reach our destination before he transformed? I reached into my jacket pocket and clutched my service revolver, already loaded with silver bullets. The chill in the air seemed to seep into my bones as we moved through the deserted streets.

He turned a corner into a dark alleyway and pointed to a dilapidated building, its door boarded over. “We’re here.”

At the door, he grasped the board, and it came off without a sound in his hands. “I’ve prepared a special room for tonight. We’ll need this board.”

Once inside, he lit a lantern on a small table by the door. The lantern's weak glow barely reached the edges of the room, shadows and darkness swallowing the rest. Taking a deep breath, the stale air coated my lungs with dust and made me cough.

Holmes checked his watch. “We must hurry to be prepared in time.”

Turning on his heel, he stepped purposefully to a door on the right. The hinges creaked slightly, setting my teeth on edge as he pulled it open. The lantern light showed a bare room. “I’ll be in here tonight.”

He pulled a bottle from his pocket. “Laudanum. I plan to keep myself in a stupor. Even if I transform, I’m hoping the beast will be as drugged as I am.”

“And if not?” I asked after forcing a swallow down my dry throat.

“There is no exit to this room except for the door. You are to secure this board over it. There’s a hammer and nails on the chair over there.” He pointed to the right. “I'm afraid your seat is not a very comfortable one, but I need you to stay alert.”

Unable to put words to both my fears and worries, I could only nod. As a final gesture, he held out a key. 

“Please lock me in now.”

In the doorway, he turned and, in the lantern's light, I caught the shadow of an odd smile pass over his lips. “See you in the morning, Doctor.”

Again, I could only nod in response. He pulled the door shut, and I followed his instructions, anchoring the door shut with locks and the board. Taking a seat in front of the door, I pulled out my revolver, praying I wouldn't have to use it.

On the other side of the door, I heard him pacing back and forth. As the minutes ticked on, his steps became less frantic, and I think I caught him stumble. The footfalls ended, and I assumed the laudanum had taken its full effect and rendered him unconscious. 

At one point, I leaned my ear close to the door, seeking to check his breathing. A muffled sound filtered through to me, making me draw in my own breath. A panting emanated from the room. The laudanum hadn’t prevented the transformation, but had it drugged the beast?

The panting grew louder and more guttural. Dread coiled in my stomach. I gripped the handle of the revolver in a sweaty palm, ready to act if needed. The minutes stretched into eternity, each heartbeat echoing in the oppressive silence of the room.

Claws scraped against the wooden floor. Then, all fell silent. I strained my ears to hear any sign of what was happening on the other side of the door. A thud against the door caused me to jump in my seat. Fear warred with compassion for my friend, who now lay trapped in a form not his own. Would the door hold? I feared what would happen if it didn’t.

The creature continued to batter against the door, growing more insistent. Low, menacing growls accompanied the pounding and made the hair on the back of my neck rise. My heartbeat boomed in my ears when I heard the first splintering of wood. When I aimed my revolver at the door, a center board fell with a sickening clatter. A second board followed, and the lantern light provided my first full examination of my friend’s transformed figure. I could find none of my friend's familiar features in the twisted and distorted visage before me. The elongated jaw formed a snout holding sharp, glinting teeth. The eyes were the yellow slits of a predator. Dark fur covered the face and paws. Sharp claws pulled at the boards to free itself from Holmes’ self-imposed prison. I gagged at the musty odor of an animal trapped emanating through the hole.

The creature howled, a sound that pierced through bone and echoed in the depths of one's soul. Its eyes fixed on me, promising death and destruction. It extended an arm through the hole, seeking purchase on the other side. I gritted my teeth and aimed. With a steadiness that came from years of practice, I pointed to a spot just above where I estimated the creature’s head (now hidden behind the door) stood.

A flash of light and a puff of smoke erupted from my revolver’s barrel. The gun's recoil jolted my arm, and a strong, acrid odor of burnt gunpowder filled the room, overpowering even the animal’s stench. 

I continued to aim at the door.

Waiting.

To Be Continued...

Those links again:

Reindeer Wars audiobook: Amazon.

Virtual Harmony audiobook: Amazon

Blood on the Bayou: Case Closed limited edition hardcover: here

Ultimate Crime Fiction Book Giveaway: here

Magic Lies in the Ruins book fair: here

Sweet Short Story Romances: here

If your email begins jenisew*******, email me at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com for your $5 Amazon or Apple gift card.

Until next month!

Liese