A photograph can tell the truth. It can also get you killed. Shooting at Shadows (The Ethan McGuire) A Crime Thriller by Forest McMullin Book Tour with Author Interview & Giveaway

 

SHOOTING AT SHADOWS

by Forest McMullin

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GENRE:  Thriller

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A photograph can tell the truth. It can also get you killed.

Ethan McGuire’s relentless pursuit of explosive stories has cost him his family, his integrity, and now–possibly–his life. While documenting the rise of white supremacist movements in Western New York, Ethan encounters a world of neo-Nazis, heavily armed survivalists, rogue FBI agents, and violent criminals, all with something to hide. But when a crew of ruthless bank robbers starts hunting him for photos he doesn’t even know he has, the stakes turn deadly.

As his enemies close in and his family becomes a target, Ethan must expose the truth–before it buries him. Shooting at Shadows is a relentless thriller and chilling cautionary tale, inspired by the author’s real-life experiences as a photojournalist. It exposes the darkness lurking beneath the surface of American extremism–and the cost of bringing it to light.

"One hopes that McMullin has further adventures planned for his unlikely hero." –Kirkus Reviews

"...a provocative thriller exploring highly pertinent themes in American culture today..." –Fredrick Soukup, author of Blood up North

Read an Excerpt

Someone outside began pounding on the truck in time to the chant and within moments it sounded like everyone who could reach the sides was pounding too:

“BOOM BOOM BOOM! BOOM BOOM BOOM!

“KKK! GO AWAY! KKK! GO AWAY!”

It was deafening, like being inside a giant bass drum. The thin metal walls of the truck amplified the beating and Ethan could feel the horrible reverberation in his chest. Everyone moved toward the center of the bed as if the walls could come crashing in on them at any second. The two holding the rear gate down were fighting the door as people outside tried to raise it.

Suddenly the pounding stopped and Ethan felt the truck moving. The crowd was so loud he hadn’t heard the engine start. But how could they get through that mob without running anyone over? Maybe if Kevin went slowly enough, they’d let the truck pass. Surely the police would be able to get there and see to their safety. Then he realized it wasn’t forward motion he felt. The truck was swaying side to side. The chanting changed too. “O-VER! O-VER! O-VER!” They were trying to turn the truck on its side. Ethan didn’t think it could be done, but with this many people it was impossible to know for sure.

Everyone inside moved away from the center and put their hands against the sides to steady themselves. It was like trying to stand in a boat on choppy seas. Back and forth, back and forth the truck rocked, gaining momentum every time. Ethan saw the men holding the door down lose their balance and fall. The door rose and blinded them with brilliant sunlight.

Author Interview:

Any weird things you do when you’re alone?

Play music loud and dance like there’s no one watching. Because there is no one watching. Which is a good thing because it’s not pretty. But maybe that’s not weird. Does everyone do that?

What is your favorite quote and why?

“Do what you can and forget the rest.” It was said by a character on a TV show a long time ago. I think of it as a more succinct version of the serenity prayer. (Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.) Both are good words to remember in almost any situation.

Who is your favorite author and why?

Kurt Vonnegut is probably my favorite writer. He always managed to write meaningful books that were filled with big ideas but were very funny. His style was direct and unadorned and stayed in service to the story he was telling. I’ve reread more of his books than those of any other writer.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Good writing is any that doesn’t get in the way of what the writer is trying to do. The answer may be different for someone writing a political thriller, a literary family saga, a fantasy epic, or a biography. Good writing is any that gets the job done.

Where did you get the idea for this book?

In 1993 I spent eight months working on a photo story about radical racists, most of whom lived in Pennsylvania. A few years later I found out that some of the people I had photographed had robbed twenty-two banks, netting several hundred thousand dollars. They were caught and six of them either pleaded or were found guilty and were sentenced to federal prison.

 I decided that working on the story and spending time with those criminals had the potential for an exciting book. After experimenting with a non-fiction treatment, by 1999 I settled on a fictional version and started writing what became Shooting at Shadows.

About the Author:

Forest McMullin is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Earlier in his career, he was a photojournalist who specialized in photographing fringe social groups. Today he writes both long and short form fiction, Shooting at Shadows is his first novel.

Website: http://forest-mcmullin.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/forestmcm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/forest.mcmullin
Substack: https://substack.com/forestmcmullin
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/forestmcm.bsky.social

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Shadows-Crime-Thriller-McGuire/dp/B0FC2VR1KS/ref=sr_1_1

GIVEAWAY

One randomly chosen winner will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

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