Diary of all blog posts – Page 16 – Read First Chapter.com

Category: Diary of all blog posts

Book Review – The Patient

Book Title: The Patient
Author:  Jasper DeWitt
Description from Amazon.com:

The Silent Patient by way of Stephen King: Parker, a young, overconfident psychiatrist new to his job at a mental asylum miscalculates catastrophically when he undertakes curing a mysterious and profoundly dangerous patient. 

In a series of online posts, Parker H., a young psychiatrist, chronicles the harrowing account of his time working at a dreary mental hospital in New England. Through this internet message board, Parker hopes to communicate with the world his effort to cure one bewildering patient.We learn, as Parker did on his first day at the hospital, of the facility’s most difficult, profoundly dangerous case—a forty-year-old man who was originally admitted to the hospital at age six. This patient has no known diagnosis. His symptoms seem to evolve over time. Every person who has attempted to treat him has been driven to madness or suicide.

Desperate and fearful, the hospital’s directors keep him strictly confined and allow minimal contact with staff for their own safety, convinced that releasing him would unleash catastrophe upon the outside world. Parker, brilliant and overconfident, takes it upon himself to discover what ails this patient and finally cure him. But from his first encounter with the mysterious patient, things spiral out of control and, facing a possibility beyond his wildest imaginings, Parker is forced to question everything he thought he knew.

Fans of Sarah Pinborough’s Behind Her Eyes and Paul Tremblay’s The Cabin at the End of the World will be riveted by Jasper DeWitt’s astonishing debut.

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REVIEW AS A READER:

I researched "best psychological thrillers" on Bard.google.com and this book, The Patient, came up as number one.  I read through the Amazon description, but I chose it based on Bard's recommendation.

The psychological mystery and drama started from the first page.  The mystery was subtle at first, but it was definitely there.  I was hooked and wanted to know more from the first page.  The story unfolded slowly but it was never boring.

Reading the book was like driving on long winding roads, not knowing the ultimate destination, and also not being sure what lay right around the bend.  The drama moved along without stop.  The story never sagged or drove off onto some boring side road.  The mystery and suspense were constant.

There was an intimacy in the story as some of it was written in first person.  Other parts were written in third person where the story took on more of a bird's eye view and a bit of narration.  It all worked and added to the mystique of the book.

I did feel that at the end of the book, the ending veered off into a bit of unexpected sci-fi or fantasy I was not expecting, but it was still an enjoyable book from start to finish.



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REVIEW BY AUTHOR:

The book was written well, and I highlighted several phrases that were memorable.  I have them listed below.  I learned a lot about presenting a psychological drama for the reader and how to subtly suggest that there was something "off" about people, places and/or things.

I learned about weaving the psychological plotline into the mystery itself as I did notice that there needed to be a timeline that coincided with someone's hospitalization.  I always thought of psychological suspense stories as one kind of book, but I learned from reading The Patient that a crime/mystery timeline supported the story and the psychological elements weaved all throughout this spinal timeline.  I found this very helpful as an author myself.

I also learned about how "withholding information from the reader" worked in a psychological mystery.  I always feel obligated to reveal everything to the reader, but this is not necessary.  Withholding some parts of the truth add to the ultimate surprise and satisfaction of the reader.  It's not dishonesty, but rather more of a slight of hand for the benefit of the story.

This story was very original.  It didn't read like a remake of some other popular novel  -- at least I didn't see anything like that.  The originality of the storyline, as well as the unwrapping of the greater mystery, held my interest the entire way, to the last page.

I would recommend this book to any reader of psychological mysteries.  I would even recommend this to medical mystery readers.

SOME MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THE PATIENT:

  • ". . . her voice carrying a faint lilt that I recognized as Irish,"
  • "So forcing my frustration down to a simmer, I gave him the most deferential nod I could manage.  It seemed to appease him."
  • "This was the sort of place where pain of any kind was either flushed out with medication and trips to boutique psychiatrists or kept at a respectable distance with copious expenditures.  It was, in short, a place where anything unpleasant, let alone a supernatural horror, had been ruthlessly gentrified out of sight and out of mind."
  • "He spun around with military precision . . ."
  • "She had a kindness to her, but it was girded with such naturally aristocratic steel that I imagined she's been born ringing a bell to summon servants."

 



Book Review – Sparkling Cyanide

Name:  Sparkling Cyanide
Author:  Agatha Christie
Description from Amazon:



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REVIEW AS AN AUTHOR:

Instead of calling this section a review by an author, it should be more properly renamed "what I learned by reading Agatha Christie" because I learned a lot in this book.

The first lesson was the different story structure that was chosen for this novel.  The book started with a hint of a crime that took place and a dinner that was to take place one year later.  Then the book divided into chapters named after the characters.  These chapters fleshed out the character and what relationship they had with Rosemary.  I had never seen this type of format before but noticed that it worked in setting up the dinner scene.

I would never have dreamed of laying out a novel with this structure but it worked.  I would say it went beyond working well.  It allowed each of the characters to be flushed out, but there were fully-fleshed out subplots that occurred in this part of the book.

Often times,  as a reader, if there are more than three or four characters, I can't remember who everyone is as they are mentioned once or twice every so often.  However, this structure made remembering everyone much easier as each section was devoted to one or two characters and how they were connected to Rosemary and what the subplot with them was.   This format also allowed the history of the relationships to be referenced and it enhanced the depth of the story.

About 3/4 of the way through the book, the mystery dinner takes place and there is a surprising plot twist.  A deeper mystery ensues and suddenly, all the little subtle foreshadowings dropped early on in the book come into play.

I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read the book, but I would highly recommend this book to mystery  and whodunit lovers.  I would also recommend this book to new authors who are looking to learn as they read.  This novel has a lot to learn about novel developmental formatting, subtle foreshadowing and plot twists.  There's also lots to learn from Agatha Christie in terms of writing prose as well as characterizations.    This novel is a treasure trove for new authors who like to learn as they read.

All in all, I really liked this book and will pick up another Agatha Christie soon!

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GREAT PHRASES FROM SPARKLING CYANIDE:

  • "Glimpses of the past came back -- brief flashes -- short scenes."
  • "Something in the easy feline grace with which he danced lent substance to the nickname 'Leopard'."
  • " . . . well masked behind an agreeable devilry."
  • "He looked at her, laughing.  She ought, she felt, to have been revolted.  But the strength of V. Drake was the strength of the devil.  He could make evil seem amusing.  He was looking at her now with that uncanny penetration."
  • "He liked putting ideas into people's heads.  Or, as in this case, showing them the ideas that were already there . . ."
  • "He looked at her with eyes from which the last traces of scales had fallen."
  • "He was her life her existence.  Love burned in her with a medieval force."
  • "Housekeeping for her father, she had stiffened into a pronounced spinsterhood."
  • "He was the cat's-paw of wicked men who exploited his innocence."
  • "Neighbors are so important in the country.  One has either to be rude or friendly; one can't, as in London, just keep people as amiable acquaintances."

Above is only about 1/3 of the phrases I had highlighted in this book!  Like I said earlier, it's a must read!

Book Review – The Last Sceance

Name:  The Last Séance
Author:  Agatha Christie
Short Story:  33 pages

Description from Amazon:  Raoul Daubreuil insists his fiancée give up her activities as a talented and successful medium when they marry. However, he agrees to attend what is to be her last séance—with Madame Exe. But even Raoul can't foresee the tragedy ahead.

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Review as a Reader:

This was a short story and a quick read.  I'm not usually a reader of short stories but I chose to read one by Agatha Christie before taking on another novel.  The last Christie novel I started to read was a Hercule Poirot novel.  He's not my favorite character and part of the problem is he's too British.  I find myself not understanding a lot of what Hercule says and it was a struggle because of the differences in idioms, etc.  I gave up reading the Hercule novel because I felt like I was losing the plot too often.

But The Last Séance was a quick and easy read.  It allowed me to clean my reading palate after the Poirot experience.   Although this short story was enjoyable, it didn't have any profound message and none of the characters lingered after finishing the novel.

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Review as an Author:

Going into the book, I was looking for tips on writing short stories in general.  What I learned after finishing the book was that this short story circled one event and only one event.  The characters in this book were one dimensional.  I'm assuming creating more complex characters may be hard due to the short story format, but I believe a two-dimensional character would be possible.  I'm wondering if short stories in general are more "plot-driven" and this one-event format is how it works.

I have read a few gothic short stories previous to this one and I sense that genre allows for a bit more characterization, especially if there is a psychological plotline.

So all in all, it's my opinion that The Last Séance was written very well, like all of the Christie books.  I learned a bit about the shorter plotline used in short stories and the book was enjoyable.  I would recommend this book to someone who is going on a trip and needs something quick and easy to read where there may be a lot of distractions.   It wasn't hard to follow.  The plotline is simple but enjoyable.  I would also recommend this to any caretakers who are waiting in a doctor's office, etc. as this can be read in one sitting.



Word-Find-last-seance

Time for a relaxing break?

Who doesn't love Word Find Puzzles.
These words are words surrounding the subject matter in the short story
entitled "The Last Seance" by Agatha Christie.
Click to the left to download the Word Find puzzle pdf.

Book Launch – Links for Marketing Stacking – 2023

When I self-published my first novel, I finished it and uploaded it and waited.  That's when I learned how important marketing the book is.  I also learned through the next several books how important it is to take advantage of each tiny phase of a book launch for marketing.  That's what this blog post is about.

I have made a checklist for beginners so you can print it out and have it with you when it's time to launch your first book, or a subsequent book.  I believe it will be very helpful to you.



THE VIDEO ABOUT THE BOOK LAUNCH CHECKLIST:

Aside from the checklist, I have made a strategy video where I go over the checklist and give you an overview of how the launch happens, what is involved and how to set yourself up for the best outcome.  I consider a good outcome to be a smooth and timely launch, and within a week to 10 days, you have at least four to ten nice reviews.  It sounds easy, but for new authors, it's not -- But it is possible.

NEWSLETTER PROMOTIONS:

The following websites are ones where you build a email list and your books will be featured on these websites.  Bookfunnel and Siteorigin both offer "author swaps" where you can swap your featured book with another author who has a sizable list.

I'm not a seasoned marketer and don't even consider myself that good at it, and even I was able to build an email list of 5,076 emails within a two year period.  To me, this is amazing!

Bookfunnel.com
Siteoriginapp.com
Instafreebies.com

AMAZON MARKETING STRATEGIES:

Amazon ads is a very complicated program to learn.  I only touched on the ad strategy in this checklist video.  There will be more Amazon ad videos coming in the future.

Below I have left a list of book marketing websites that as a beginner I used.  Now that I have built a newsletter, have a website, and post regularly to social media. I rely mostly on purchased ads with FreeBooksy, BargainBooksy, FussyLibrarian and purchased Amazon Ads.  But you may find the following links helpful so I'll leave them for you to try out.



ADDITIONAL MARKETING WEBSITES

DOWNLOAD 8-Page Checksheet

SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Peek Behind the Novel – Layer 8

QUICK REFRESHER OF WHAT I DID IN LAYER 7:

Just as a refresher, in Layer 7, this was a long and tedious proofread.  Using my list of troublesome words, I searched out all of them all throughout the manuscript and made corrections, deletions or additions.

This technique breaks up the proofread into different formats.  By doing this, it prevents me from just "reading over" all of my mistakes, which is too easy to do as the author.

WHAT HAPPENS IN LAYER 8:

Writing-layer-8-reading-with-microsoft-wordIn Layer 8, I do a read-back.  In Microsoft Word, I use the Read-Aloud feature that is contained on the Review Tab.  By listening to the book read aloud by someone else, it doesn't skip over mistakes like I do as the author.  By the time I'm finished with Layer 7, I've read and reread this book too many times to trust my eyes to spot every error.

The Readback:

I listen to every word during the readback.  In this layer, I not only catch whatever misuse of words escaped my view in the last layers, but I also choose to change a sentence or two based on how it sounds.  Many readers repeat every word in their heads, so if a sentence is back-to-back with one that makes it hard to say or understand, I rewrite it to correct that problem.

After Layer 7, I always feel that the book is picture perfect -- but I find at least several words or areas that I choose to change.  I read-aloud the entire book.

 

word table of contents
word table of contents

SCREEN SHOTS ARE FROM MICROSOFT WORD

SCREEN SHOTS ARE FROM MICROSOFT WORD

CREATING THE TABLE OF CONTENTS

The last thing I do is create the Table of Contents which I will explain here, but you can see done live in the video below.

While the manuscript is open in Microsoft Word, click on the References Tab.  Select Table of Contents.  Choose Custom Table of Contents.  (Picture on left above)

Once the next dialogue box opens (Picture on right above), uncheck both boxes under show page numbers.  I reduce the headings number from the default of 3 to 1.  This is because I only use Heading 1 for my Chapter Headings.

This is all you need to do before clicking OK, which will produce the Table of Contents for an eBook.

IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE OR MODIFY THE FONTS OR SPACING, ETC:

The picture above is where you change any or all of the settings.  The dialogue box in the middle comes up when you click on modify in the first dialogue box.  This is where you can change the font family and/or the font size.

This would be useful if you have a short TOC and want to fill the page; you can increase the font.  Likewise, if you have only one or two lines of the TOC that spill over to the next page and you want to fit it onto one page, you can reduce the font size or change the spacing on the third dialogue box (that opens if you click on modify in the second dialogue box).  You can alter the spaces before and after the paragraphs and this will help you add or subtract space.

IMPORTANT:  Be aware, that once you click on the first modify choice in the first dialogue box (on the left), when you click out of this, Microsoft word will -- on its own -- recheck the boxes asking for page numbers.  So if you modify anything, you will need to uncheck the page number boxes again!  This can reek havoc with beginners!   I'm talking from experience.

Once you "Okay" to close all of the dialogue boxes, the last okay will set off Word to create your Table of Contents.

THE EBOOK IS OFF TO THE EDITOR:

At this point, the eBook is now ready to go off to the line-editor.  Because I have taken the time and made the effort to give my book a thorough proofreading, the editor won't be spending time on correcting silly mistakes I should have found on my own.  She will be focused on my prose and how things look and sound.  That's what I want her focused on.

If you take the attitude that "why bother with all the proofreading, it's going off to the editor?" -- you may wind up with a book that comes back merely proofread with very little line editing.  At the end of the day, you are paying for an editor's time as well as their expertise.  So my advice to beginners is to do all of the proofreading so you get more line-editing, which is what you want.

HERE'S A VIDEO ON THIS SAME MATERIAL:

Writing a Novel in Layers:

First - A Little About the Chronology of a Crime

Writing a Novel - Layer 1
Writing a Novel - Layer 2
Writing a Novel - Layer 3
Writing a Novel - Layer 4
Writing a Novel - Layer 5
Writing a Novel - Layer 6
Writing a Novel - Layer 7
Writing a Novel - Layer 8

Peek Behind the Novel – Layer 7

WHERE WE LEFT OFF IN LAYER 6:

We compiled the novel into a Word document and named it "Manuscript from Scrivener".   That's where we now pick up with Layer 7.

This layer is another proofreading layer, but there is a little formatting we will do in this layer that I will go over below.  There is also a video at the end if you want to see me talk about it in a little more detail.

LAYER 7 - STEP ONE

  • Copy and paste the chapters into my eBook template. The purpose of this is so that I don't have to redo all of my styles. It's easier to just do a copy and paste.

LAYER 7 - STEP TWO:

  • Using the find feature, I go over all of the troublesome words in my list. I do this before I begin to proofread the story.
  • I read only the sentence with each of the words and change them if needed.

LAYER 7 -  STEP THREE:

  • Change the Heading 1 formatting,  if needed
  • I fix the normal and no-indent normal formatting throughout the entire book.
  • I add in simple page breaks between chapters

LAYER 7 - STEP FOUR:

  • I stylize any chapter headings or chapter timings.
  • Using the find and replace feature (Control H), I replace *** with ❖❖❖❖.

LAYER 7 - STEP SIX (OPTIONAL)

  • Filled in my Main Character and Minor Character Lists

LAYER 7 - STEP SEVEN:

Proofread the novel fully.  This time I focus on style and prose.  I do polishing in this layer of proofreading.

LAYER 7 - A QUICK VIDEO:

Writing a Novel in Layers:

First - A Little About the Chronology of a Crime

Writing a Novel - Layer 1
Writing a Novel - Layer 2
Writing a Novel - Layer 3
Writing a Novel - Layer 4
Writing a Novel - Layer 5
Writing a Novel - Layer 6
Writing a Novel - Layer 7
Writing a Novel - Layer 8

Book Marketing – How to Recruit ARC Readers

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF RECRUITING ARC READERS?

Most authors know that ARC stands for Advanced Reader Copies or Advanced Review Copies.  I don't think the debate on this is settled yet.

There are multiple reasons to recruit ARC readers:

  • ARC readers can offer you valuable feedback about the book.feedback-graphic
  • They can also be a group of readers who may give you your first five or ten reviews, depending upon how many ARC readers you are able to recruit.
  • Announcing you are looking for ARC readers is a first step in your book marketing campaign.  This is a good way to post on a website or social media about the upcoming eBook.
  • By announcing there will be a new release soon enough, you will create the buzz about your book.

WHEN SHOULD I OFFER MY BOOK TO ARC READERS?

editing-a-novel-to-deathIt all begins when you get the book back from the editor.   Make all the changes in the eBook within two to three days after receiving it from the editor.

I'll explain below why it's not recommended to give an "early pre-edited copy" to the readers -- which is how I learned to do it.  But I paid the price.  More on this below.

amazon-pre-order-boxAfter the edits are done, its now time to list it as a pre-order on Amazon and/or as an ARC copy.

I've heard horror stories from some authors about setting it up for pre-order and then not making the deadline!  BUT, since you are not setting the book as a pre-order until it is actually in Final Manuscript form, you don't have to sweat it at all.

Setting your eBook up for preorder on Amazon is the first buzz you will create about your new eBook.  It's an event to be announced on a website and social media.  This will let your present readership know there's a book coming soon.



CAUTION FOR NEWBIES AND BEGINNER SELF-PUBLISHERS:

Caution-GraphicDon’t get impatient and offer the eBook before the last edit.  I was told to do this and make "use" of the time the editor had the book.  However, I paid the price for this, and it's a tall price, one that follows me forever.

When you offer your ARC book it will be for free.  Many readers will take advantage of the free eBook and download it -- with or without any intention of being an actual ARC reader.  They may not read it right away.  But this version of your book lives on their Kindle or other eReader.

After you get your final manuscript back from the editor, there will ALWAYS be things that you missed, even if you proofread it twenty times!

So when the reader gets around to reading your eBook, they won't remember they downloaded an early ARC copy.  They will think this book was released with these very typos and/or other foibles that you missed!  Very often, readers see read when they see typos.  And they very often mention it in the feedback!  This is what I mean by it will follow you forever.  So don't do it!

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RECRUITING ARC READERS IS A MARKETING STRATEGY IN AND OF ITSELF:

book-marketing-graphicRecruiting ARC readers can also be a marketing strategy because who doesn’t like freebies & giveaways?   Giveaways and Freebies have a way of capturing everyone’s attention.   With a great eye-catching graphic, this can create interest and general buzz about your upcoming book.

It's also an opportunity to recruit more readers.

If you make a few different graphics to go along with your invitation to sign up as an ARC reader, this is something you can post several times over the six to eight weeks before your book is actually released.  By having several different graphics, it prevents your posts from appearing too repetitive.

HOW DO I DO IT?

PP-calendar-imageIt all sounds good.  How do I do it?

It starts with a calendar and a final manuscript.

Using your calendar, set your true release date for 8 weeks out for a beginner or 6 weeks out if you’ve done this before.



EIGHT WEEKS?  REALLY?

Why so long?  You need to give yourself time to recruit readers and you need to give the readers at least two weeks to finish the book.   You want to recruit as many readers as you can.  This is the best way to get at least a few reviews when your book is initially released.

ARC-what-to-do-in-8-weeks

Newbies will be anxious to upload and release, but there will be enough for you to do in the 6 to 8 weeks while you recruit and give your ARC readers time to read the book.

THINGS TO DO DURING THE RECRUITMENT TIME:

  1. While the book is awaiting release, you can upload to Amazon as a pre-order. This acts as an announcement that your book is coming.  Its an opportunity to post about it on social media, on your website, and in your newsletter.
  2. Add this new book and a link to it to your Other Books by Author page. Don’t forget to add it to earlier books.  You want every ‘read-through’ advantage you can set up.
  3. Create a review link. What’s a review link?  It’s a link that takes the reader from your Note to Reader page directly to Amazon to leave you a review.
  4. Work on your eBook cover. Then work on the back cover graphics for the Paperback and Hardcover.
  5. Create at least four different graphics about the new book to post to social media. Remember, you’ll need graphics for the following events:
  • Recruiting ARC Readers
  • Announcement of Pre-Orders at Amazon or wherever you sell your books
  • Announcement of your eBook cover art
  • Announcement of Only 7 Days before Release.
  • Announcement of Release of your eBook
  • Newsletter, social media and website graphics
  • Graphics with quotes from your book and eye-catching graphics.


WHAT IS THE WORK FLOW REGARDING RECRUITING ARC READERS?

Step One in Recruiting ARC Readers is you need a Graphic and a Form.

ARC-ad-reading-cat

Here is a small graphic ad I added to my monthly newsletter for a recent eBook asking for Advanced Copy Readers.

I tell them that if they find any errors in the book and email me, I will add them to my acknowledgement page.  I actually got several signups with this approach.

Now, about this little button that says “Click here to get download!”

Behind this button is the magic of computer coding and integrations between Bookfunnel and Mailchimp.  In the video below, I take a few minutes to go into how things work regarding this download button.

But if you don't have a website or mailing service yet, don't despair, there are other types of forms that are available.  I give one easy example in the video below.

YOU CAN SEND THE FORM FROM A WORDPRESS WEBSITE WITH EASE:

Contact-Form-7My website and millions of other websites are built on WordPress.  WordPress is a platform and many coders release what are called plug-ins.  They give different functionalities to the website.

One of these plugins is called Contract Form 7.  You can easily use this form to offer and keep track of ARC readers.  I do a demonstration of this in the video below.

PREPARE THE PROPER COPIES:

In order to send the eBooks to your ARC readers, you will need to have your final manuscript in an ePub format and a PDF format.  Once you get an email from the form you set up, send these two copies to the readers.

ePubs are able to be read on most eBook readers and PDFs can be ready by anyone with a computer.

BE AND STAY ORGANIZED:

If I can offer just one final tip to newbies from the things I did that went wrong when I was a newbie -- it would be to be and stay organized with this.

Because these signups and emails and names will trickle in one at a time, it's too easy to start filing them all over the place.  I had some in a special folder that I forgot about, I put them on a list I thought I would remember but I didn't.  So now I keep a list of my ARC readers on my "Info - BOOK NAME" file (a notepad document) for each book.  I keep them way at the bottom so I can find them when it's time to send a thank you and an invitation to leave me a review.



REQUESTING REVIEWS:

Once the book is formally released, I wait two days and send an email to all of my ARC readers thanking them again and asking them if they would be kind enough to leave me an honest review.  Some do and some don't.  This is the way it is for most authors.  So if you're new, it's best to know that ahead of time.

Writers Research – Tax Liens

ARE TAX LIENS PUBLIC INFORMATION?

tax lien informationYes, a tax lien on a company is a public record. This means that anyone can search for and view the lien, including potential creditors, investors, and the general public. The lien will typically be filed with the county recorder's office in the county where the company is located.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A TAX LIEN?

purpose of tax lienThe purpose of a tax lien is to give the government a legal claim on the company's assets if the company fails to pay its taxes. The lien will remain in effect until the taxes are paid in full.

There are a few exceptions to the rule that tax liens are public records. For example, if the lien is filed against a company that is in bankruptcy, the lien may be sealed. This means that the lien will not be available to the public.
Cops & Detectives can use this readily-available information to find out if a suspect is having money problems, or if he has suspicious business practices.

HOW TO FIND TAX LIEN INFORMATION:

how to find tax lien infoIf you are interested in finding out if a company has a tax lien, you can search the public records for the county where the company is located. You can also contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to see if they have a lien on the company.

Since this is writer's information, you can see what information a detective can get and where he can get it.

WHY WOULD THE POLICE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT TAX LIENS?

cops-lien-infoHere are some of the reasons why someone (or a detective) might want to know if a company has a tax lien:

  • To determine if the company is financially stable.
  • To assess the company's risk as a potential creditor or investor.
  • To protect their own assets from being seized to satisfy the tax lien.When writing a plot line, you may also want to know:
  • What is the suspect's or his/her company's financial situation? Is this part of the motive?
  • What are the company's assets? Is a suspect's money all tied up in business assets?
  • Who are the company's creditors and investors? Could one of them be a suspect?


HERE IS A LIST OF SOME OTHER TERMINOLOGY SURROUNDING A TAX LIEN:

tax lien terminology for writersSometimes just having an overview of how things work can help you thicken the plot or add some details that will enrich the story.  Below are some words and definitions that surround the subject of Tax Liens:

  • Tax lien: A legal claim against a taxpayer's property for unpaid taxes. A tax lien gives the government the right to seize and sell the property to satisfy the debt.
  • Levy: The act of seizing property to satisfy a debt. In the case of a tax lien, the government can levy on any property owned by the taxpayer, including real estate, personal property, and bank accounts.
  • Notice of lien: A document that is filed with the public records to notify creditors and other interested parties that a tax lien has been filed against a taxpayer's property.
  • Lienholder: The person or entity that holds a lien on property. In the case of a tax lien, the lienholder is the government.
  • Redemption: The right of a taxpayer to pay off a tax lien and regain ownership of the property that was seized.
  • Statutory redemption: A type of redemption that is available to taxpayers under state law. Statutory redemption typically allows taxpayers to redeem property within a certain period of time after the lien was filed.
  • Judgment lien: A lien that is placed on property to satisfy a court judgment. Judgment liens can be filed by creditors who have won a lawsuit against a debtor.
  • Encumbrance: A legal claim against property that affects its ownership or use. Encumbrances can include tax liens, mortgages, and easements.
  • Lien priority: The order in which liens are satisfied when property is sold. Tax liens typically have the highest lien priority, meaning that they are paid off first.

 

Writers Research – Throw-away or Burner Phones

JNDS-Series-PictureI am in the process of writing the fourth book in the Jack Nolan Detective Series.  I had to do some research about cell phone and how the cops trace cellphones, but this is some other research about disposable phones.  These are referred to by criminals and cops as burner phones.

They are purchased in a box at Walmart or Walgreens, places like this.  Normal people use them to protect their identifies.  For example, if you are having a garage sale and you don't want to use your regular phone number, you can purchase a throw away phone for $15 to $45 dollars and it will protect your real phone number from getting out there.

cheaters using burner phonesHusbands and wives who cheat also use burner phones that they hide from their spouses.  They don't have to worry about getting caught texting to their lovers.

DP-burner-phoneDrug traffickers also use burner phones.  They use them so they can't be traced by the cops.  BUT, as you will read below, they are not foolproof.  As a matter of fact, they are kind of easy to trace.  If you watched the show, Better Call Saul, his system of selling the phones would work for the drug lords.  It worked because Sol bought the phones in bulk in his name.  He sold them to individuals for cash.  So nothing would ever trace the phones to the people who bought them.

Knowing this is helpful to know what will work in a plotline and what won't work.  Below is also more info about how the police can track most phones that are purchased by the person using them at a big box store.



Can Police Detectives find people who use burner phones?

Yes, the cops can find the identities of the people who were contacted using the burner phone if they have the right tools and resources. Burner phones are designed to be disposable and difficult to track, but they are not foolproof.

Here are some ways that the cops can find the identities of the people who were contacted using a burner phone:

  • Tracing the other party:  The cops can get the burner phone number by seeing it on someone else's phone, like a girlfriend or boss, etc.  Once they have the burner phone number, they can get the following:
  • Cellular data: The burner phone will likely have a SIM card that can be traced back to the person who purchased it. The cops can also get a warrant to compel the cellular carrier to provide them with records of the calls and texts that were made and received on the phone.
  • GPS data: If the burner phone has GPS capabilities, the cops can use that data to track the phone's movements. This can help them to identify the people who were in contact with the phone at certain times and locations.
  • Social media: If the person who used the burner phone has any social media accounts, the cops can try to track them down through those accounts. They can also look for photos or videos that were taken with the phone and see if they can identify the people in the photos or videos.
  • Physical evidence: If the cops find the burner phone, they may be able to find physical evidence that can help them to identify the people who used it. For example, they may be able to find fingerprints or DNA on the phone.

Here are some strategies that criminals use to avoid being tracked by the cops if they use a burner phone:

  • They only use burner phone for short periods of time: The less time they use the burner phone, the less data the cops will have to track them. So plotlines may take this into account.
  • They, of course, dispose of the phone once the crime has been committed.
  • Most non-criminals who use burners phones use it to protect their identity for a specific reason, i.e., maybe selling a car online, having a garage sale, etc. Their use of burner phones are legal and the cops would have no way of knowing they used the phones.
  • However, if criminals use the disposable phones for criminal reasons, that's when the cops will be more likely to track them down.
  • Be careful about what you say and do on the burner phone, even if you are just selling things online. The cops can use anything you say or do on the phone as evidence against you.
  • It is also important to remember that burner phones are not foolproof. If the cops are determined to track you down, they will eventually be able to do so.

Writers Research – How Police Can Get Financial Records

WHAT DOES ALL THIS RESEARCH HAVE TO DO WITH WRITING A POLICE PROCEDURAL?

police procedural itemsI'm writing Book 4 in the Jack Nolan Detective Series and there is the possibility of a financial crime.  I did some research on how detectives can get financial records.  I mean, do cops just call and ask nicely?  No, there has to be a warrant.

Actually, there's a whole procedure about getting financial records.  I cobbled this together from a few searches I did pertaining to getting records from a financial institution.  I hope it helps.

HOMICIDE DETECTIVES NEED TO GO FORMALLY BEFORE A JUDGE FOR A WARRANT FOR FINANCIAL RECORDS

search warrantYes, homicide detectives need to formally go before a judge to get a warrant to see financial records. They cannot ask a district attorney to get it informally. This is because financial records are protected by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. In order to get a warrant, the detectives must show the judge that they have probable cause to believe that the financial records contain evidence of a crime. They must also specify the records they are seeking and the financial institution where they are located.



COMMON PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A WARRANT FOR FINANCIAL RECORDS:

researching-law-courtsThe common procedure for obtaining a warrant for financial records is as follows:

  • The detectives will file an affidavit with the court, which will state the facts that they believe give them probable cause to believe that the financial records contain evidence of a crime.
  • The judge will review the affidavit and decide whether to issue a warrant.
  • If the judge issues a warrant, it will be served by a process server or someone from the local Sheriff's office on the financial institution, which will be required to produce the records to the detectives.

ASKING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR PROSECUTOR FOR HELP:

district attorney lawyerThe detectives can also ask the district attorney to help them obtain a warrant for financial records. The district attorney will review the affidavit from a legal perspective and decide whether to file it with the court. If the district attorney does file the affidavit, the judge will still need to review it and decide whether to issue a warrant.

It is important to note that the detectives cannot simply ask the financial institution for the records without a warrant. The financial institution is prohibited from disclosing financial records without a warrant or the consent of the account holder.

The Fourth Amendment requires that warrants be issued by a neutral and detached magistrate, and that they be supported by probable cause. This means that the judge must be convinced that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the financial records contain evidence of a crime. The affidavit that the detectives file with the court must be detailed and specific, and it must support the conclusion that there is probable cause.

is there probable causeIf the judge finds that there is probable cause, they will issue a warrant. The warrant will specify the records that the detectives are seeking and the financial institution where they are located. The warrant will also be valid for a certain period of time, and for a specific type or range of records. After the expiration date, the warrant is void.

Once the warrant is issued, it will be served on the financial institution. The financial institution will be required to produce the records to the detectives. The detectives will then be able to review the records and see if they contain any evidence of a crime.



WHO SERVES (DELIVERS) THE WARRANT?

police officerThe warrant is served by a law enforcement officer, such as a police officer or a sheriff's deputy. The officer will present the warrant to the financial institution and demand that the records be produced. The financial institution is required to comply with the warrant, and they cannot refuse to produce the records.

In some cases, the warrant may be served by a private process server. A private process server is a person who is not employed by a law enforcement agency, but who is authorized to serve legal documents. However, private process servers are not typically used to serve warrants for financial records.

The person who serves the warrant must be careful to follow the procedures outlined in the warrant. If the warrant is not served properly, the financial institution may not be required to produce the records.

Here are some of the things that the person who serves the warrant must do:

  • They must identify themselves as a law enforcement officer or a privateGI-hands-pointing-left process server.
  • They must present the warrant to the financial institution.
  • They must demand that the records be produced.
  • They must keep a record of the service.
  • If the financial institution refuses to produce the records, the person who serves the warrant may need to take further action, such as filing a Motion to Compel Production.

    LANGUAGE FOR A WARRANT:

    Verbiage-is-important

Here is a generic warrant form: You never know when you may need some of this verbiage when writing a police procedural.

I, [Your Name], being duly sworn, hereby depose and state:
I am a [Your Title] with the [Your Agency].
I am investigating a potential crime involving [Financial Business Name].
I have probable cause to believe that [Financial Business Name] has engaged in illegal accounting practices.
I believe that the financial records of [Financial Business Name] may contain evidence of this crime.
I request that a warrant be issued for the production of the following financial records:
All account statements for all accounts held by [Financial Business Name]
All transaction records for all accounts held by [Financial Business Name]
All internal accounting records for [Financial Business Name]
I have attached a copy of the financial records that I am requesting .
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Dated: [Date]
[Your Signature]

DISCLAIMER:

This affidavit is just a template, and you will need to tailor it to the specific facts of your case. For example, you will need to specify the precise financial records that you are requesting. You will also need to provide more detail about the crime that you are investigating and the probable cause that you have.

Once you have completed the affidavit, you will need to file it with the court. The court will then decide whether to issue a warrant for the financial records.