Fresh Chat | GIDEON: End the Longest Winter with the Chills in Alex Gordon's Debut Thriller

Fresh Fiction is pleased to welcome Alex Gordon to discuss her debut thriller GIDEON in today's Fresh Chat. True spring weather is almost here, but GIDEON's tie-in to The Sudden Freeze of 1836 will resonate with all of us waiting for the end of a long winter. And remember to read our review to find out what reviewer Debbie Wiley had to say about this genre-bending tale and all its supernatural, romantic, and mysterious twists.

1. Welcome, Alex. You’ve said you started this book in 2007. How did the story evolve over the revisions period? Are there any darlings you wish you hadn’t killed?

The modern day portion of GIDEON went through so. many. changes. I struggled to find the best way to join the historical sections with present day—at first I tried more of a Dan Brownish approach that relied heavily on details about the Testament of Solomon, a pseudepigraphical work that contains instructions for the summoning and binding of a multitude of demons. I tried to write more of a “puzzle book” along the line of The DaVinci Code, but that didn’t work out. I still would like to try my hand at something like that someday. Also, at one point in the first version, I had townspeople in 1830s formal wear attend a ball in a crypt lined with mirrors. It may sound demented, but it had that Hammer Film-style opulent weirdness that I wish I could have done something with.

2. The Sudden Freeze of 1836 is a real event that plays into some magical events in GIDEON. What about this case of extreme weather caught your eye?

The historical records describing how quickly the temperature dropped and how
quickly situations went from bad to really, really bad. An account of a man
going out to search for his two sons after the snowstorm, and finding them
frozen to death around the fire they were attempting to build, one son frozen in
the position where he was holding out a match or piece of tinder to light the
fire. A man being found frozen while standing against a tree, so he looked like
a statue.

3. It seems like this winter was the perfect time to release this book, what with the never-ending snowstorms. How are you coping with the weather in Illinois?

The cold does get old after a while--I get tired of having to suit up just to go
out to the mailbox. This winter wasn't nearly as bad as 2013/2014, though, when
it seemed I was clearing snow from my driveway every other day. We’re finally
seeing some hints of spring—the temperature bounced up to near 70F on Monday! Of
course, the next day it dropped back down to the 40s. We’ll get there
eventually—July has to show up sometime.

4. The town of Gideon is super creepy. What other books would you recommend for readers who love this type of setting – where townsfolk are not what they seem and everyone is hiding something?

One book I can think of is THE FALLS, an Inspector Rebus mystery by Ian Rankin.
Not horror, though horrific in places. It is a ‘family with secrets’ mystery,
but there are also these tiny coffins containing little wooden dolls that keep
turning up. If you can find the Karl Edward Wagner short story “Sticks,” you’ll
be treated to some nifty scares in the woods of upstate NY and some creepy
bundles of sticks—this story was supposedly one of the inspirations for The
Blair Witch Project. Oh, and MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD by Charlaine Harris. Nothing is
what it seems in that small Texas town.

5. Are there any more adventures in store for Lauren?

At least one. The book is entitled JERICHO, and I expect it to be released in
January 2016 or thereabouts.

About GIDEON

Preston & Child meets Kim Harrison in this edge-of-your- seat debut thriller—a
superb blend of mystery, urban fantasy, horror, romance, and the supernatural.

When Lauren’s father dies, she makes a shocking discovery. The man she knew as
John Reardon was once a completely different person, with a different name. Now,
she’s determined to find out who he really was, even though her only clues are
an old photograph, some letters, and the name of a town—Gideon.

But someone—or something—doesn’t want her to discover the truth. A strange man
is stalking her, appearing everywhere she turns, and those who try to help her
end up dead. Neither a shadowy enemy nor her own fear are going to prevent her
from solving the mystery of her father—and unlocking the secrets of her own life.

Making her way to Gideon, Lauren finds herself more confused than ever. Nothing
in this small Midwestern town is what it seems, including time itself. Residents
start going missing, and Lauren is threatened by almost every townsperson she
encounters. Two hundred years ago, a witch was burned at the stake, but in
Gideon, the past feels all too chillingly present . .

About Alex Gordon

Alex Gordon resides in Illinois. She is currently developing her next thriller and is having too much fun doing research. When she isn't working, she enjoys watching sports and old movies, running, and playing with her dog. She dreams of someday adding the Pacific Northwest to the list of regions where she has lived. Connect with Alex on her website.