Author Anne Bishop

“I wouldn’t have known about the dead man if I hadn’t walked into the kitchen at the exact moment my one and only lodger about to warm up an eyeball in the wave-cooker.”

— Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

That sentence above is my favorite first line. The best one I’ve read in any book ever. I’ll admit to looking at my own first lines. Nothing will ever beat hers, but I’ll get close as I get better at my craft.

The Black Jewels Trilogy introduced me to Anne Bishop’s dark fantasy. Most of what I’ve read of hers has focused on female heroines. She makes them strong willed while keeping the heroines vulnerable. The emotional arcs are so clear you can’t misunderstand her intent.

I read the trilogy a long time ago. I’ve never forgotten them. They’ve won awards because they are powerful stories almost everyone can relate to. And yes, I've recommended them more times than I can count.

There are very few authors I want to hear about. I don’t subscribe to twitter handles or stalk Facebook pages or groups. The occasional newsletter here and there. Mostly, I rely on Amazon or Bookbub to tell me about new offerings.

I’m not sure, but I think I stumbled over “Written in blood” at a bookstore. In fact, it might have been someone else who pointed it out to me. The book is delicious. Once again, dark. The heroine is plucky, but still innocent. She couldn’t write fast enough for me. I have bought every new book in the series day one.

Many of my own stories are female centric. Men have their moments, but arc wise, I lean towards girls/women. It’s probably why I read so many female authors.

She’s written other books to add on to The Black Jewels Trilogy. I haven’t read them all. The core three complete the story for me. They ended in a place I’m happy with. But there are possibilities in the new books. We’ll see how long I take to inhale them all.

Her books are dense. You’ll want to pay attention to every line. There is an economy of words in everything she writes. Every single sentence matters. I learn with every book I read.

“Half blinded by the storm, she stumbled into the open area between two buildings.”

— First line “Written in Blood.” Anne Bishop

Good books change you. That counts for non-fiction and fiction. Maybe I learn something I didn’t know. Maybe I think about something from another perspective. Maybe the books ask me questions I’m almost uncomfortable answering.

Dark books bring it home for me. Something in the balance between good and not good. I won’t say evil. Evil exists, but the darkness in a book is blunted by the fact you can close the book and move on. Real evil effects the rest of your time in your current skin suit.

Give her stories a try. She weaves great characters with strong story elements. Her books will leave you wanting more.

Let me know what you think of her work. Comment below or send me an email.