new book cover

A Day in the Life…

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It’s a real treat to see one’s books on the shelf of a bookstore!

I hope this post finds all my family and friends well. Given the times, love and compassion are all that will keep our heads above water. That said, a lot has been happening since my last post. I keep enlarging my publishing contract with Next Chapter. In addition to taking on the re-publication of All the Bodies Do (eventually–these things take a lot of time!), they have requested to re-release my Driftwood Mysteries under their imprint. I have no idea how long that will take. You may know that the series consists of four novels and two short stories. I am re-editing them, so the short stories will be epilogues to the novels that precede them, making the series just the four novels. So far, I’ve given Next Chapter Seal of Secrets, with Eye of Newt as its epilogue, and Woman in the Waves. Now I’ll be starting on Dungeness and Dragons. Paper will be its epilogue, and Gallery of Gangsters will conclude the series. My latest short story, “Irreducible,” will see the light of day in August in the 2026 Anthology Keepsake, published by the Northwest Independent Writers Association.

My main focus for now is gaining traction for Persona. To that end, I have hired a professional book marketer to get it out there. That’s a big (and scary!) step for me. The good news is that within the first week, she was able to round up 22 new 5-star reviews on Goodreads and 25 new 5-star ratings for the novel. That’s progress! I have also submitted the book to onlinebookclub.org, where it should appear within the next month or so. Another fun thing that happened is that a digital magazine called CompanyGlance did a very nice news brief for it. Click here if you’d like to take a look. And here’s my plea: if you’ve read Persona and enjoyed it, please leave a review or at least a rating on Amazon. I know we all have mixed feelings about Amazon, but it remains the largest purveyor of ebooks, and reviews make a huge difference.

I have begun a new project, but it hasn’t really ignited for me yet. I’m struggling with whether I should just slog through it or table it while trying to come up with a new idea. My blessings go out to my writers groups: the monthly critique group that meets at my house, the weekly Writers Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (WYTT) that meets at a local church, and the monthly sessions of the Salem branch of Willamette Writers that meets at the Salem Library.

This is a perfect day show kindness and compassion to everyone we bump into, online or face-to-face! Cheers everyone!

A Press Release for Persona

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BrightKey PR in New York City has just created this press release for my book. Distribution to 250+ media outlets begins today, and I am truly excited!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FOR:

WILLIAM J. COOK

READY FOR DISTRIBUTION

PERSONA BY WILLIAM J. COOK DELIVERS A GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER OF IDENTITY, TRAUMA, AND MURDER

A relentless thriller follows a psychiatrist accused of his wife’s murder as he uncovers a chilling link to a decades old massacre.

New York, NY, February 25, 2026 — William J. Cook intensifies the psychological thriller genre with Persona, a suspense driven novel that probes the fragile boundaries of identity, memory, and guilt. With a 4.8 out of 5-star reader rating, Persona has quickly captured attention for its intricate plotting and emotionally charged exploration of dissociative identity disorder, trauma, and the shadows of the past.

The story centers on psychiatrist Carter Lane, who inherits the patient files of his best friend after the friend’s sudden suicide. Among the cases is Arthur Frampton, a man living with dissociative identity disorder whose fractured personas are tied to a long-buried tragedy known as the Hoffman Horror, a massacre that continues to haunt the community decades later. As Lane delves deeper into Frampton’s condition, disturbing connections begin to surface.

When Lane’s wife is brutally murdered, the details of her death mirror the gruesome elements of the Hoffman Horror. Convinced that one of Frampton’s alternate identities is responsible, Lane attempts to guide investigators toward what he believes is the truth. However, law enforcement sees a far more direct suspect.

Forced into a desperate bid to clear his name, Lane goes on the run, navigating a labyrinth of false identities, buried trauma, and shifting realities. As he confronts both the legal system and his own unraveling past, the question becomes increasingly urgent: Is he chasing a killer, or fleeing from the truth within himself? Cook constructs a narrative where every revelation deepens the mystery, and where redemption may demand a devastating price.

Cook’s inspiration for Persona lies in the complex relationship between memory and identity. Drawing on psychological themes and high stakes emotional conflict, he crafts a story that challenges readers to question perception and reliability. The novel explores how trauma reshapes the self and how the past, no matter how carefully suppressed, refuses to remain silent.

Persona will appeal to readers who appreciate layered psychological thrillers, morally complex protagonists, and suspense that builds through character as much as action. With taut pacing and a sharp focus on the human psyche, the novel stands as a compelling addition to contemporary suspense fiction.

William J. Cook continues to build a reputation for delivering gripping, character driven thrillers that combine psychological depth with relentless momentum. In Persona, he invites readers into a world where identity is unstable, truth is elusive, and survival depends on confronting the darkest parts of the self.

The book is now available — secure your copy here

For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:

William J. Cook

Email: william.cook@authorwilliamcook.com

From The US Review of Books

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All the Bodies Do
by William Cook

Book Review by Amanda Hanson, The US Review of Books

“In the silence, Kate was staring into Jay’s eyes as if she might find answers there for the emotional storm that had engulfed her.”

Kate Temperance is an investigative journalist who is looking into the murder of Giancarlo Gemelli. Her dedication to the case has caused tension with her husband, Simon, and longtime friend Bonnie, who see her preoccupation as an obsession. Despite resistance, Kate meets with Sofia Gemelli, Giancarlo’s daughter, who refuses to cooperate with the investigation. Sofia believes that it would harm her father’s reputation and her business. After the confrontation, unsettling events start to occur in Kate’s life, such as her car being keyed and fake photos supposedly showing her cheating on her husband. Kate suspects that Sofia is behind these incidents to stop her investigation. Despite facing these challenges, Kate remains determined to uncover the truth.

In his novel, Cook boldly delves into the depths of human nature, uncovering the extreme measures powerful individuals are willing to take to safeguard their secrets. These influential figures shamelessly utilize a range of intimidating tactics to suppress opposition. Moreover, the author fearlessly sheds light on the harsh truth that no one, regardless of their standing, is exempt from the reach of the law. Each character possesses a distinct voice, intricately shaping their personalities, while the dialogue provides a compelling glimpse into their inner workings. Kate, for instance, emerges as an unyielding and relentless journalist, steadfast in her defiance against coercion and bullying. Her unwavering determination and spirit make her an inspiring and compelling figure in the story. Readers will undoubtedly find themselves captivated by this book, as it offers an abundance of unforeseen twists and turns, keeping them on the edge of their seats.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review of Books

Art and Crime

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I live with an artist wife, and Sharon never ceases to amaze me. She enters her studio (formerly, our dining room!) in “paint clothes” (of course, she’d be beautiful even dressed in rags!), starts blending different colors, and confidently approaches her easel armed only with a palette knife. Hours later, she emerges, the cutest smudges of paint on her nose and cheeks, and asks me to take a look at the initial phases of the piece she is birthing. (It seems appropriate that what she is painting on is called a “cradled birch panel.”) Her work staggers me. Here’s her website.

The Oxford Dictionary defines abstract expressionism as a development of abstract art that originated in New York in the 1940s and 1950s and aimed at subjective emotional expression with particular emphasis on the creative spontaneous act. Wikipedia says it put New York City on the map, eclipsing Paris as the new hub of art in the West. I don’t know about all that, I only know my wife’s work knocks my socks off. Here she is:

So why have I’ve called my blog “Art and Crime?” I don’t mean to imply that Sharon is in any way a criminal—far from it! But I write murder mysteries. As I’ve accompanied her to showings at the galleries that feature her work, I’ve learned that art galleries are far and away one of the best places to launder money! Oh, I thought, I can use that! And indeed I have.

Gallery of Gangsters is the final book in the Driftwood series (and one of Sharon’s paintings is on the cover!) If you click on the image below, you can read the first chapter. Let me know what you think.

The book will be released on August 24. Pre-order it now for only $0.99—a $5.00 savings. Here’s the link.

The New Book Cover

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Here’s the new book cover, designed and created by Roslyn McFarland. Each image in the broken panes of glass is an icon from one of the stories. The pawn is from The Chess Player; the steaming mug from Coffee; the shooting star from Starfall; the falling house from Widowmaker; the oak tree from The Arborist; and the young lovers from Gargoyle. I’m still aiming for a late September or early October release. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to my newsletter to stay current with the latest updates and to learn about other indie authors whose books should be in your queue! Subscribe here.