Native American Heritage Month

Ask the Author: Jess Lourey

“Hello! Thanks for your interest in my books and writing experience. Your questions are welcome. :)” Jess Lourey

Answered Questions (19)

Sort By:
Loading big
An error occurred while sorting questions for author Jess Lourey.
Will you continue the Steinbeck and Reed series past The Laughing Dead?? It felt like it wrapped up but I refuse to accept that its done lol I need more of them.
Jess Lourey Thanks, Carly! I love Van and Harry and already have the idea for a fourth in the series, but I have some other projects to finish up first. If you're not already subscribed to my newsletter, it's the best way to be the first to hear about upcoming releases: https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter
flag
Hi Jess ! I love your books! I hail from Pelican Rapids (not far from your home ) I’m curious about the downtown Mpls Chi chi’s - did this really exist? I can find any information online about it. Keep up the good work!
Jess Lourey Thank you, Nanette! It DID exist, and I DID work there. :) It was a wild ride.
flag
I really enjoy your characters. Even the crazy ones seem real. I hope there will be more in the series after THE LAUGHING DEAD? Harry and Van are like friends now.
Jess Lourey Thank you, Lynn! 🥰 I have an idea for the next two books in the series. I can’t wait to write them, but it’ll be a minute while I finish up a couple other projects.
flag
Is there a way to purchase signed copies of your books?
Jess Lourey Yes! :) Once Upon a Crime in Minneapolis can get you a signed copy of any of my books if you shoot them an email.
flag
How many books are planned for the Steinbeck and Reed series?
Jess Lourey So far, three! The third, tentatively named THE LAUGHING DEAD, comes out next fall: https://amzn.to/3TMfOrL.
flag
I'd also love to see follow-ups to Salem's Cipher and Mercy's Chase -- to me they provide a female perspective to Dan Brown-like thrillers. Love them! They are my two favorites among your books. Can't we persuade you?
Jess Lourey Thank you for your kind words and reading time, Joan! Spread the word about the books. :) If enough people want it, I'd be happy to write the third.
flag
Let me just say, I LOVE your work! I have a goal to read every single one of your books. The Taken Ones was fantastic and I’m eagerly awaiting The Reaping release date. But I’m currently reading Salem’s Cipher and Mercy’s Chase. They are both FANTASTIC, easily in my top ten favorites! I have been recommending them to everyone I know. Perhaps less a question and more-so, will we ever hear more of Salem Wiley???
Jess Lourey Thank you! I fell in love with Salem and Bel writing those two books, but as of right now, there's no plans for any more in that series.
flag
Can I look forward to more books in the Steinbeck and Reed series? I'm loving it
Jess Lourey Thank you! "Catch Her in a Lie" is the short story that started off this series and it came out last year. THE REAPING is the follow-up to THE TAKEN ONES and comes out September 2024, and I'm right now editing the third in the series, tentatively titled THE LAUGHING DEAD.
flag
Hi Jess, I don’t think you saw my response to your question about my previous question? :)
Jess Lourey I did NOT. Comments don't ping me, I'm afraid, just original questions. Yep, a B & C is a secure laptop. I just searched the manuscript to find out what it's short for, but I'm afraid the acronym isn't showing up on my end. Sorry I couldn't offer more.
flag
I've never known the answer to this...How do you pronounce your last name? Is it like "Lowry," or "Lori?" Or perhaps something else altogether? I have guess, but I'm really curious. Thanks!
Jess Lourey Lourey rhymes with dowry. :)
flag
This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Jess Lourey Thank you for your reading time and recommendations. :)
flag
Hi Jess, what is B&C?
Jess Lourey Hi, Melanie! What's the context?
flag
Will your mystery be translated to Swedish and other Scandinavian languages?
Jess Lourey Thanks for the question, Kerstin! No plan for Scandinavian languages yet, but I would love for that! My publisher has a great foreign rights department, so fingers crossed. Right now, my books are in Spanish, Bulgarian, Polish, Korean, Russian, Macedonian, and Czech.
flag
I just finished BLOODLINE and loved it. I had just finished reading Ira Levin's, The Boys from Brazil, when I picked up Bloodline to read next. Coincidently, Levin wrote both Rosemary's Baby and The Stepford Wives. I had no idea when I choose Bloodline to read that it would be compared to both of Levin's stories. Strange & serendipitous coincidence. Did you plan for the story to resemble either classic?
Jess Lourey Thanks for reading it, DM, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I immersed myself in 60s and 70s horror (books and movies) to write BLOODLINE, and two of my faves were definitely Levin's, as well at the 1978 movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I wanted to capture that creepy sensation of not knowing whether you're going insane or the whole town is out to get you. :)
flag
Do you plan on branching out more into the Lilydale town? So far I've enjoyed Bloodline, and Unspeakable Things (save for the abrupt ending I had to go find on your blog).
Jess Lourey I'm glad you enjoyed the Lilydale mysteries, C.E. They were both inspired by true crimes in my hometown of Paynesville, Minnesota, and I have no plans to write another set there, but that may change. Characters from Unspeakable Things and Bloodline may show up in future books, though, and Litani, which comes out in a couple weeks, explores similar themes and Minnesota true crimes.
flag
Hi. In your novel, Bloodline, was Stanley also Virgina's mom as well as Joans?
Jess Lourey Thanks for the question, Pam! In my imagination, Stanley was not Virginia's father.
flag
OMgosh! I was born in Tacoma, WA too, but in 1961! I am the host of the Horror Review Youtube Channel AreYouIntoHorror and I am getting ready to do a review on your book.....I just wanted to let you know that I just finished 'Unspeakable Things' and I have tears running down my face! Where did you get the idea for this book, can I ask? Richard Wilson
Jess Lourey Thank you for your reading time and kind words, Richard! The idea came from my childhood--it's a fictionalized version of a very terrifying time in my life. The Author's Note at the very beginning of UNSPEAKABLE THINGS offers more detail. Thank you again for your time!
flag
You're a truly gifted writer and Unspeakable Things is by far the best thing I've read this year, but how did you go about getting published and making sure people could find your work in such a saturated marketplace? (You don't appear to have the huge corporate publicity team that accompanies so many thriller writers.)
Jess Lourey Thank you for your kind words about Unspeakable Things, Benjamin! My publisher, Thomas & Mercer, has an incredibly effective marketing team, and they worked hard to get Unspeakable Things in front of readers. They also have an amazing editing team, which meant that the book was the best it could be once it got in reader's hands. Honestly, though? I think part of it is luck/timing. Unspeakable Things is my 19th book, so for sure not my first rodeo, but I think it landed at a time people were particularly interested in true crime, nostalgia, and healing childhood wounds.
flag
Thank you for sharing . My childhood mimicked yours in so many ways minus the serial attacker...I just want to say that in a world where anyone can be an an author on Amazon you are truly among one who are great. Your words make one feel and see the scene! Thanks ! No question just a compliment?
Jess Lourey Thank you for your kind words, and I'm so sorry to hear about your difficult childhood. I'm glad you're here, though, and I wish you all the best.
flag
Jess Lourey
4,294 followers
To ask Jess Lourey a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more