Uncovered
by S.X. Bradley
Series: Autumn Covarrubias Mystery, #2
Genre: Young Adult/Mystery Thriller
Release Date: August 8, 2014
We are so thrilled to have S.X. Bradley on the blog today. This series looks amazing and Em can't wait to start the books and find out more about Autumn Covarrubias and her mystery solving skills! We'll be sure to report back once Em has had a chance to read both books in the series.
Thank you S.X. for stopping by and sharing a bit about yourself! It sounds like you have a great writing process that works for you and we love the fact that you spend time talking to kids about writing. And we couldn't agree with you more -"There are tons of stories waiting to be written."
- S.X. Bradley
Thanks so much for having me on your blog. A little bit about me: I’m a young adult mystery writer and have recently released by second novel, Uncovered. Uncovered is the sequel to my first book, Unraveled which is also published by Evernight Teen. The series focus around my main character, Autumn Covarrubias. She’s a high school math genius that solves mysteries in her hometown of Nogales, Texas.
I’m a mom and love talking to kids about writing. They are so creative. I've also recently started knitting. It’s been a dream of mine for years, and I've finally started doing it. I can see why people geek out about yarn.
People frequently ask me about my journey to publication, so I thought I share. I queried agents and publishers with Unraveled, but many felt it was too dark. Enter Evernight Teen. They were looking for dark, edgy YA so I submitted the novel to them through their website. I got an e-mail from them stating that they wanted to publish it. When I finished the sequel which was also my MFA thesis, I again sent it to Evernight Teen and was pleased to find out they wanted to publish it as well. Writing Uncovered was a different experience because this time I had the benefit of my school critique partners and two mentors. They really helped me take me writing to the next level.
Another popular question I get is whether I’m a plotter or pantser, especially since I write mysteries. I’m a pantser. When I first start writing I have a general idea of what I want to accomplish in the book. I start writing and let the characters guide me on where they want to go. Sometimes they really surprise me and take me an unexpected direction. About ¾ of the way through the book, I will create chapter summaries to help me get to the end.
The writing process can be unique for every writer, but the most important thing is to keep writing. There are tons of stories waiting to be written.
You can read more about me or my books on my website, www.sxbradley.com or follow me on Twitter at @susanxbradley.
Last year sixteen-year-old Autumn solved her sister’s murder. This year, she is part of a high school forensic dream team that assists the police when teens are kidnapped. When it’s discovered the kidnappings are part of a secret online survivor game, the police and team focus on the game maker—the man behind the game.
The focus of the investigation shifts when Autumn is singled out and becomes the target of the Game Maker’s sick game. Through encrypted messages hidden in steganographs, Autumn must discover who the last kidnapping victim is if she hopes to save him in time.
There was minimal blood spatter on the black and white checkered floor. Mainly small, spherical droplets. My hands trembled as I removed the ruler from my new black case. The numbered evidence markers outlined a crimson polka dot path. Squatting down, I held out the ruler, and it landed with a loud ping as the steel hit the tile. All eyes darted toward me. I shrugged an I’m sorry.
Everyone resumed their tasks, except for Minerva. She rolled her eyes at me, which was miraculous considering the spider-leg eyelashes she wore. I gave her a country-club smile, then refocused on the blood spatter.
I picked up my ruler and measured the diameter of several drops. Average was 6 mm. Low velocity. She could still be alive.
“Clear.” Shock , silence. “Sorry for your loss, miss.”
I shook my head, trying to clear the memory. This was different. Low velocity meant small force of impact. These types of droplets were caused by someone dripping blood, not by a blow or gunshot. Or by knife wounds. They could belong to the missing ice cream girl, or if we were lucky, the kidnapper. The Texas state crime lab would have to sort that out, and it could take forever.
I documented the results in my evidence log. My handwriting was shaky, but legible enough for my team.
It’s not her. This is different. This girl may still be alive. There’s hope.
I blew out the fear in one big breath and got back to work. I examined the pattern on the floor. The low blood volume found at the scene was a positive sign, but it wouldn't matter to her family. They were being tormented every second she was gone. Right now, the tricks their minds were playing on them, the things their imaginations were conjuring, were sadistic. Panic loved to be a bitch like that.
I had to help her and her family. After all, it was why I’d accepted the offer to participate in the Science and Technology Associates in Forensics Foundation’s—or STAFFF’s—forensic training camp.
I stepped back and looked at the ice cream parlor from all angles the way I’d been taught this past summer.
Even though the parlor had a 1950s décor, it was a new addition to the city of Nogales. The overhead fans kept the space cool, and the clack, clack, clack rhythm echoed in the empty shop. The checkered floor was a nice contrast to the deep red booths and bar stools. The walls were adorned with vintage signage and photos of Nogales landmarks. A Wurlitzer jukebox stood proudly by the front entrance. On any other day, it would be a place I’d like to visit with my boyfriend, Caedon.
My four other STAFF teammates were walking around performing the various tasks assigned to them. It was our first case, and I prayed we’d do a kick-ass job, because there was still hope and a chance to impact her fate.
Today, we were at the ice cream shop to act as free consultants for the Nogales PD and to learn about forensics firsthand. Our first team objective was to form no judgments or conclusions before all the facts were in. We would then create a crime scene analysis and summary to forward on to the detective in charge of the investigation. He’d give us his feedback, and that would factor into our grade.
Objectivity was key. Quick-draw conclusions could lead you down the wrong path and to the home of…oh, I don’t know, let’s say…my high school principal. Principal Tamez still hadn't forgiven me and never would. Ponzi Scheme Boy knew I was onto him, except there was this little thing called evidence that the police liked to have before arresting anyone for embezzling.
He reeked of dishonesty and was definitely hiding something underneath that greasy comb-over. One day, I’d find out exactly what he was up to and find the evidence I needed to put him away.
Her greatest joy is her daughter who is quite the storyteller and likes to come up with the characters’ names for mom’s stories.
When she’s not writing or studying, you can find her looking after her personal mini-zoo which consists of two fish, one thief of a dog, and some hermit crabs.
Susan loves estates sales, traveling, spending time with her family, and discovering new books at the Columbus Metropolitan library.
Susan graduated from the University of Texas, is currently pursuing an MFA from Seton Hill University, and dreams of one day owning a touch screen murder board like the one on her favorite TV show, Castle.
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