This is the new cover for the second edition of my thriller, Smokescreen.
What do you think? It was designed by Venezuelan Juan Padrón.
I like the first cover but it was time for a fresh look to create mystique and suspense: The partial face, the blood spatter, the bullet hole.
I had organized a little voting session on Facebook asking people to choose from a choice of several covers.
Inspiration for the novel
Singapore’s relationship with Israel, and the time I spent in Cairo, Egypt inspired the story idea. The protagonist, Jet West, came out during my workdays as a magazine reporter for a high society magazine.
I am washing my hands more than often these days. The Coronavirus has hit Singapore. As of today, 14, February, there are 72 infected cases as of Saturday, 15 February.
Precautionary procedures have been placed. You can’t enter a bank, for example, unless you agree to have your temperature checked at the door.
On the several visits I made to a hospital, I noticed thermal-imaging monitors in place to scan visitors.
Each time, I got the clear to pass. Let’s hope it stays that way. I still want to write more books.
Obviously, I’m avoiding crowds and certain places. I wasn’t one of those people who rush to the supermarket in a panic frenzy. But this virus does feel like a game of Russian Roulette.
I know people who are working from home these days. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Don’t expect me to shake your hand these days.
On the train the other day, I was too scared to cough or sneeze. The way they look at you, it’s like are you one of us or have you turned?
In fact, on rare occasions I took the train, I didn’t see anyone sneeze or cough.
There have been stories of alleged discrimination against nurses amid the outbreak.
Ignorance is everywhere. In times like these, you can expect all kinds of people coming out of the woodworks making insensitive comments.
Would you believe it? On Saturday, I chose a random movie on Netflix entitled Quarantine. Nice timing.
I hope someone finds a cure soon. Meanwhile, life goes on as usual…
