The Dark Beach
With the tourists gone for the summer, Ocean City, Maryland becomes a sleepy, quiet town filled with only the faint smell of Thrashers French Fries. Only memories of children's laughter riding the carousel on hot summer nights lingers. With Tansley's Amusement Rides closed, store fronts boarded up and neon signs eerily dark, only a few people braving the cold, ocean breezes dare walk along the desolate boardwalk. Winter is a time for locals to regroup and prepare for the next summer season. A quiet time. A breath of fresh air. The beautiful beach, looking at peace now with no one to disturb it.
Until a terrifying stranger, with a hauntingly gruesome past, moves in downtown and turns Ocean City into a place no one will ever want to vacation in again.
Inspiration
The Dark Beach is my first complete novel. The story takes place in Ocean City, Maryland. Some of the family names have been changed, but after a lot of research, I learned so much about the rich history of Trimper's Amusements and the history of Ocean City, as a whole. I enjoy sharing our little beach town with others, who may have never had the opportunity to visit. I have always envisioned my story here. Although, summertime is wonderful in Ocean City, Maryland, my love for the off-season shows in my writing.
My stories have always had a dark side to them. I believe it stems back to my childhood and my love for the old, black and white horror movies my Dad and I would watch every Saturday afternoon. My favorite books and movies always have a villain and a hero (even if sometimes the hero dies in the end....and we all know, in horror movies, they sometimes do) The villian in my novel is completely made up. I had nothing to go by, but what my mind created him to be. I'm sure the likes of him have been done before, but my hope is that I portrayed him as someone everyone could possibly know in real life. The handsome, soft-spoken, likable, terrifying killer! They are the best kind, after all.
