The Paperback Looks Cool

Hi friends,

Here’s a small (and slightly amused) update from the desk of a newly published author. Since The Birthmark Murderswent live, I’ve been bombarded by a peculiar species—self-proclaimed book promoters who seem to sell more smoke than substance. I now spend part of my mornings weeding out these snake oil sellers and blocking them on Facebook. It’s oddly therapeutic.

What’s less funny is how hard it is to actually reach real readers—you know, the kind who might enjoy a sharp, slightly twisted murder mystery with a cat, a corpse, and a handful of regrets. Turns out, writing 122,000 words was the easy part.

But here’s the good news: on the 24th of April, I held the first paperback copy in my hands. Exactly one year earlier—same date—I wrote the first scene. And the day after that, I wrote the last paragraph. That final paragraph was always my North Star: it had to feel like the door closing and a door creaking open. Like my name, Janus: transformation, new beginnings and change.

The book is now out in print and digital form. I hope you’ll give it a read—or at least give it a chance to sit handsomely on your shelf.

With gratitude and mild exhaustion,

🌐 www.januslucky.com

P.S. It pairs well with red wine and a suspicious look at your neighbours.