Book Club Resources for “Specter Inspector”
Book Clubs are amazing! I love attending mine (it’s been going for 20+ years)! Since books are my life (working at a book store, writing my own books, and networking with other awesome authors), I really enjoy the opportunity to listen to other people talk about books. 
With that said, Specter Inspector is a fantastic book club book because it dips into EVERY fictional genre of Mystery, opening discussions for members to talk about their favorite genres and decide how to focus their future club meetings.
Specter Inspector is also extra fun to read in October, since it’s a safe “scary” book to read for those who don’t normally read scary stories.
Since I don’t always finish reading my book club books, I made this post SPOILER FREE. (That’s nothing to say about your discussions though). 
To encourage and support book clubs, here are some resources to enhance your discussion of Spector Inspector.
Discussion QuestionsWhere would you live in the world of Novel, and why?If you need help deciding, here’s a quiz!Aeron has a crippling fear of the dark. What’s one of your fears, and how have you worked to overcome it?Which character is your favorite? Why?What twist surprised you the most? Did you predict any?This series has a common theme of working through culture-shock and paradigm shifts. When did an eye-opening experience help you understand others in your own life?Deleted Scene
Specter Inspector went through a LOT of plot changes. At first, I planned for Aeron to interview in Mystery then return to his homeland (Margen–the Grimm’s side of Fairy) to find and solve a Case among his own people.
CLICK HERE to read Alternative Scene of Aeron’s First Meeting with Nita[Aeron’s on a ferry, going from Mystery to Fairy, Fantasy. He notices some passengers, including three women (one middle-aged and two others in their 20s). They all have the same brown hair, presumably family.
One comes and talks with him . . .]
If she was pretending to not know who I was, she failed. . . .
“Your accent–? Are you a Fantasy native?”
“Yes, I’m returning home.”
“That’s so cool! I mean, I’ve never been to Fantasy before. What’s it like?”
I quirked a small smile, “This is your first trip to Fantasy? . . . Mysteries categorize my people as fools. They see our lack of technology and old-fashioned mannerisms and assume our society lags behind. Little do they recognize that we have magic to surpass even some Sci-Fian tech.”
“Is that so? Isn’t that dangerous? Maybe you should keep me company for protection.”
She battered her eyelashes at me and swayed out then back in to come closer than before. She was too good at flirting. Maybe it was time to slip up a little.
“You shouldn’t be in any danger. Though I reckon you’d survive even an emergency.”
Her flirtatious expression caught on my Horror accented words. “Did you stay in Northern Mystery?”
“No. My mother’s a Horror. The suspicious tone of Northern Mysterys is similar to the hushed Horror accent. By the way, I never got your name?” I asked.
She showed off rows of tinted teeth in a slightly jarred smile. “Sandra Hahn.”
I struggled to contain my smile to a respectable line. “No, it’s not.”
Her smile faltered, “What?”
“Ironic, isn’t it? Your ‘sister’ asked if I was an undercover detective while you’re the one who plays the role.”
A split second couldn’t have measured her shift as she latched onto me like a viper. She trapped my body between her own and the railing. Passersby would assume we were in a passionate embrace as she wrapped her arms around me and grinned as she lifted her lips to whisper in my ear. They wouldn’t see the small blades pressed against my neck and wrist. They wouldn’t hear the threatening tone in her voice.
“What gave me away?”
I struggled to gather my wits again, then struggled against her hold. No use. I swallowed a heavy gulp of saliva to make sure the blades wouldn’t cut me if I talked. “Hahn is a common name particular to Guzd. It’s difficult to tell, but you’ve had your teeth and hair dyed to appear as a local. Then you claim ‘Sal’ is your sister, but her jawline and cheekbones are softer than yours and the three of you have different laughs. You’re not family. Yes, I haven’t forgotten about your ‘mother’.” I spared a quick glance to the deck below where the older woman hiccupped at being found. “So tell me, ‘Sandra,’ what’s your real purpose in going to Aven?”
‘Sandra’ didn’t make any motion at first. My thoughts had time to drift to the intimacy of our position before she retracted her blades and stepped back. She stared hard at me, and chewed on the inside of her lower lip for a good minute. Then, “What business is it of yours?”
“Technically, royalty is a family business, so if you’re spying in my uncle’s town, it’s my duty to inform him.”
She breathed deeply, then sighed, “It’s not the town, but the man that worries Mystery. There’s always someone spying on Lord Fromm, the Night Terror.”
“That’s hardly an undercover operation,” I scoffed. “Uncle Dunstan’s been by the book for over a decade. Or is it two now?”
She smirked, “Don’t tell me you’re ignorant of his past or capability to turn.”
I hardened my eyes on her. “I don’t know anyone, living or spirit, who’s proud of every decision they’ve made. Concern your mission on his people, not the man. His heart is in the right place.”
“If you say so,” she shrugged, “though it’s my mission regardless. Will you compromise it?”
My instincts were to alert my uncle. However… “No. If Dunstan knows the Mystery State is suspicious of him, he’ll become suspicious of them in return. That break of trust would do more damage than ignorance.”
She gave me another long stare, then shifted back to her flirty stance. “Then I suspect I won’t worry about seeing you again.”
With her shift, I relaxed enough to quirk a smile. “I don’t know. I imagine a skilled agent like yourself spends a lot of time in Mystery’s Police Departments. We might end up as partners in a Case.”
“So you are a detective?”
“No. Not yet, at least.”
With a flirtatious smirk she turned away and waved over her shoulder, “Take care of yourself, Lord Haunted.”
I watched her go, realizing I never got her real name. If she was on a Case, though, I doubted any pressure could divulge it. I turned back to my railing corner and watched the scenery drift by. I kept an eye out for her and her companions, but didn’t run into them again for the remainder of the trip. I hoped to catch one more glimpse of her when docking in Aven, but the woman alluded me.
[This scene was deleted when Aeron stayed in Noir, Mystery.]
Frequently Asked Question:One of my most common questions is “What inspired the world of Novel?” The answer is actually quite complicated, but you can read about it here!
Concerning inspiration for Specter Inspector, I began writing Aeron’s adult story back in 2018, when Don’t Dance with Death (Aeron’s childhood introduction) was only 1/3rd drafted and early alpha readers of Don’t Date the Haunted (the book that started it all) frequently commented on how much they enjoyed the snippet of Pansy’s layover in Mystery. After exploring the lands of Romance, Fantasy, and Horror in the Haunted Romance trilogy, I wanted to explore the other genres of Novel.
Also, somewhere in there, I’d seen “The Sixth Sense” film, and I wanted more about the kid who solves murders because he can see dead people.
Did you know that Specter Inspector is a Next Generation follow up of my Haunted Romance Trilogy? Officially meet Aeron in Don’t Dance with Death: Haunted Romance #3!
Specter Inspector is also Book 1 in the Dead and Back Again series. Follow Aeron, Nita, and Truth’s next step in Visionary Investigations: Dead and Back Again #1.5!
Contact me!Have you ever wanted to ask the author direct questions about a book you’ve read? I’m available! If your book club chooses to read one of my books, send me an email or message me on Facebook or Instagram to let me know. I’d love to attend your meeting! Even if I’m not local to your area, I’m open for a video call.
