Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: It’s time for a murder mystery! Claris Lam has just the thrills you’ve been looking for, with her novel Winner Takes All. Claris, can you tell us a bit about your book?

Claris: Winner Takes All is an amateur sleuth murder mystery and the first book in the Harlow Mystery series.

Aubri Harlow thinks she’s found her dream vacation after winning a contest to an exclusive island resort for a whole week. However, her dream quickly turns into a nightmare when her ex-boyfriend Colin, ex-girlfriend Renee, and former university classmate Bastian end up on the same island as fellow contest winners.

Even worse? Colin is found dead barely a day into the vacation. Terrible weather prevents the police from arriving on the island to investigate. To keep herself safe, as well as her other companions, Aubri must find out who the killer is…or risk becoming the next target.”

Sabitha: I love a good vacation-gone-wrong murder mystery! What inspired you to write this book?

Claris: I was inspired by reading several murder mysteries from various authors to write Winner Takes All. Each of the mysteries had such interesting plot twists and characters that I decided, well, why not try writing my own?

Winner Takes All was my first attempt at writing a murder mystery, let alone one involving an amateur sleuth. Despite the challenges of creating a whole mystery and putting together all the clues that would lead to revealing the criminal, it was fun. I’m glad that the final, published version of Winner Takes All was the result of those efforts.

Sabitha: Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become a

better writer? If so, what are they?

Claris: If you want to write in a particular genre, make sure that you read a lot of books in that genre. If I didn’t read so many murder mysteries, I would have no idea what familiar plot points and storylines readers might expect in a murder mystery to begin with.

It’s only by learning what story beats and other points are familiar in a genre that you can create a story that meets those expectations. Also, by familiarizing yourself with the genre’s expected material, you can find ways to possibly change them a bit to make your writing more unique and surprising.

Sabitha: What’s your next writing project?

Claris: I am currently writing several novels in differing genres – one is another murder mystery, but I also have a few fantasy books in the works!

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Claris: Links to all my socials, main website and newsletter can be found through my Carrd. And here’s the link to Winner Takes All.