Firstly, sincere and fervent New Year wishes to all my friends out there! At the very least, in this upside down world, we still have books to read, books to write and books to escape into.
I was planning an end-of-year massive review but what with moving house, the time got away from me. However, I’ve got a stack of great books I’m very keen to share with you, so hopefully I’ll have that up and running by the end of January.
In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about what I’m going to be getting up to – lots to look forward to!
Thanks to Rosemary McCracken for nominating me for this challenge!
About the author:
Lisa de Nikolits
My Genre:
Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction, Noir Thrillers, Speculative Fiction, Sci-Fi. I’ve been called ‘cross-genre’ or a ‘genre-hopper’ which makes it sound like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders can’t decide where I fit in!
Home Province:
Ontario
When I’m not writing, what do I enjoy?
Karate tops the list, followed by eating pancakes at Stacked. I love reading crime fiction and literary fiction and writing reviews. I also love scouring the world for my next book idea and I love binge watching dark true crime documentaries in the wee a.m. hours when I can’t sleep and the world is quiet.
I’ve been writing since?
I’ve been writing since I can remember. Cosmopolitan (South Africa) bought a poem of mine when I was 14. My first stab at a (very bad) Harlequin romance novel was when I was 16. However, my first published novel was in 2010 so I worked pretty hard for a very long time before really getting going. Thus far, all my novels have been published by Inanna which is really cool but That Time I Killed You will be coming out with Level Best in 2026 which is really exciting.
Who designed my book covers?
I design most of them, although the super talented Val Fullard designed the beautiful cover for The Hungry Mirror and Colin Frings came up with The Occult Persuasion and the Anarchist’s Solution when I was spinning my wheels. I had all the elements but I couldn’t make cohesive sense of the design. Not only an excellent designer, theme-building and brainstorming ideas with Colin is one of my favourite things.
Currently working on?
A speculative fiction/sci-fie novel, The 7th Clone Down the Line, based on a short story I wrote for the Mesdames of Mayhem’s upcoming anthology, The Power of Thirteen.
I’m also eying a possible expansion novel of a historical short story I wrote for Level Best.
How many novels have I had published?
Twelve.
Which book do I recommend to a new reader?
Mad Dog and the Sea Dragon is my most recent work and it’s been extremely well received, so for sure, Mad Dog is my recommendation! But all the books are very different, so be sure to check them all out and see what appeals to you.
You can check out my books on the Inanna site or Amazon:
• Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/36d3w4mr
(Amazon is currently processing my updated bio)
• Inanna https://tinyurl.com/mskvr5bj
• You can also read about my novels and short stories on my website (although I’m girding my loins for a massive site revitalization which will be happening very soon):
https://www.lisawriter.com/
Teaser for my 2026 plans?
That Time I Killed You, a noir thriller set in a scenic coastal town, will be published by Level Best Books. This expansion story of Somewhere in Sudbury for the Crime Writers of Canada 40th Anniversary Anthology, has received excellent advance praise:
“With compelling characters, fast-paced storytelling and comic exploration of the dark side of human nature, this compulsively readable novel about ordinary people doing very bad things will captivate you from the first page to the last.” – Lin Anderson, Tartan Noir crime novelist and screenwriter, international bestselling author, best known as the creator of forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod.
“That Time I Killed You is a compelling thriller about the dark secrets hiding inside all of us, and how little we can ever know our friends and neighbours, or even our families. Engaging, unexpected, and all too believable, you’ll want to race to the final page!” – Carole Johnstone, bestselling international author of Mirrorland and The Black House.
“A love-story so real, and a bold look at life not being simple! Nothing necessarily tidy about real life in its entirety which is certainly acknowledged and underlined in this extreme and fluctuating chameleon-like roller coaster ride… a caustic accumulation of myriad occurrences and circumstances. Disclosures, decisions taken, regrets, perilous messaging, pitfalls, hazardous stumbling blocks with devastating decisions. Contrition, concealment, camouflage, uncertainties, with razor-edged writing. A decidedly edgy, complicated, interweaving of events, yet infused throughout with enduring tenderness and true love.” – Shirley McDaniel, artist at Art Explorations
“Janis Wheeler is living the dream: a husband she loves, two beautiful kids, a thriving business, and a home in an affluent suburb. But when a monster from her past returns to torment her and threatens her family, Janis pulls out all the stops to keep her loved ones safe. Lisa de Nikolits delivers an intriguing story, fast pacing, engaging characters, including memorable children, and plenty of dark humor. Her new domestic thriller is a must read!” – Rosemary McCracken, author of the Pat Tierney mystery series
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And festivals! I’m tremendously excited for Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary, in October this year. It’s going to be absolutely fantastic!
https://bouchercon2026.com/
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And anthologies! I’m really looking forward to being part of the Mesdames of Mayhem’s 2026anthology, The Power of 13!
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Nominating and tagging to do their Meet the Author Challenges:
I nominate Des Ryan and Melodie Campbell and once again, thanks to Rosemary McCracken for nominating me!
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Carry on reading, carry on writing and thank you for reading this issue of A Turn of Phrase!
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