Jeffery Deaver To Sign New Book 'XO' Thursday

Jeffery Deaver, the author of “The Bone Collector,” which was later turned into a movie starring Denzel Washington and Angelia Jolie, the last James Bond book “Carte Blanche” and a plethora of other best-selling titles, is going to be in Norcross on Thursday to talk about his latest novel and newest book in the popular Kathryn Dance series "XO."

Deaver used his usual formula, spending eight months researching and outlining, and as a result, “XO” is a gripping page turner.

“What you’ll find is typically nothing is really quite what it seems to be so the story is going to veer all over the place, and that requires a typical outline,” he said. “And as you know, Lincoln Ryhme makes an appearance in the book.”

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Lincoln Ryhme of course is the main character from “The Bone Collector.” The paraplegic criminologist, hurt on the job that he dearly loved, who solves horrific crimes with the help of the beautiful Amelia Sachs, who acts as his arms and legs, executing the exacting forensic work.

In “XO,” Agent Kathryn Dance must catch the obsessed stalker of young country music vixen Kayleigh Towne before it’s too late. Towne’s innocent exchange with a fan, signing her name with an XO, leads her into a treacherous, terrifying world of obsession.

Edwin Sharp is convinced that Towne’s hit, “Your Shadow,” was written just for him. He tells her he’s coming for her. Then a fatal accident occurs while she’s rehearsing for her triumphant hometown concert, and Towne isn't so sure it's an accident.

That night another member of Towne’s road crew, someone she had previously dated, is murdered, eerily echoing an image from her chart-topping hit single.

You'll be able to hear the song “Your Shadow” performed live at the book signing. Deaver actually wrote the song with the help of Clay Stafford and Ken Landers who wrote the musical accompaniment. Nashville recording artist Treva Blomquist will make a surprise appearance at the event and will perform some of the songs from an album of songs based on lyrics in the book.

“I intended from the beginning to write an album and 'Your Shadow' would be the centerpiece of that,” Deaver explained. “I also wanted a female vocalist because it kind of echoes Kayleigh. They auditioned some vocalists and finally came up with Treva Blomquist who’s very very talented."

Deaver was in his car the first time he heard the album and felt he needed to pull over and listen to it because he thought the songs were so good. “I’m not talking about the lyrics,” he said. "The arrangements and the singing were really quite amazing.”

You can download “Your Shadow” for free here.

Deaver, a former folksinger, had been wanting to combine his passions of writing and music for quite some time.

“It was just a huge blast,” he said about the experience. “Actually it goes back many many years to the song “Every Breath You Take.” If you play it with an acoustic guitar with a smile on your face, it can be a love song. If you play it the way they did, which is a little more omniscient, it’s really creepy. And so I thought... you know, I want to do that someday, (make) the song, and build a thriller around it.” 

Deaver really wanted to be a musician and performer at one point in his life, "and then that didn't work out," he said. "I just didn't have the talent. I'm a creative songwriter, but I wasn't a performer."

It was very difficult for him to give that up but he knew he wanted to write about it someday. 

During research, one thing he found quite interesting was that the music industry is completely different than it was 30 years ago when he was performing. The way people make money is different since everything is digital, creating a whole new genre of problems with file sharing and online content.

He also discovered a number of underground stalker websites. "I never knew those existed," he said. "And it's kind of creepy because people will load real-time information about where, say, George Clooney or Lindsay Lohan has been spotted."  

At the book signing you can expect a brief reading from "XO" and then Deaver will do a comedic and informative stint about writing with some autobiographical information thrown in. “It's kind of a fun time," he said. "I want people to enjoy themselves and laugh."

People often tell him they're disappointed because they expected someone really dark, sick and twisted. "And you’re funny,” they say.

"It’s kind of jarring but that to me is a big compliment," he stated.  

The Jeffery Deaver book signing event is free and takes place at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 14. Books will be available on-site for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to the Gwinnett County Public Library.