The Crime Book Club
I love libraries and book clubs. It renews my spirit to walk into a room full of people who read. I would love to attend yours virtually or in person.
Contact me at info@helencescott.com
The Art of Murder – How to Write Crime Thrillers
It has been said that a good crime thriller consists of 25% puzzle, 25% characterization & 50% what the author knows best. From planning the murder to making it believable to solving the crime. Bestselling author Helen C. Escott takes you on a journey through writing that you will never forget.
Put on your detective hat and learn to create a credible hero, villain, protagonist, the importance of an authentic setting, and how to… kill your darlings!
Remember when mysteries were not complete without a butler, a library - the most lethal room in England, a detective & a dinner with everyone in evening dresses? They’re not like that anymore. This is a remarkably interesting and fun class that will encourage budding mystery authors to think about writing in a whole new way.
This course consists of a 30-minute slideshow and 20 minutes of questions. Prices are available upon request.
To book Helen C. Escott for the Art of Murder course – email the following information to: info@helencescott.com
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Writing Your Biography
What if your life was a movie. Who would play you? What would the plot, and setting be?
Would there be conflict, challenges, a true hero’s journey?
Biographies are not just for celebrities. In your own unique way, you have made a meaningful impact on the world around you and touched the lives of those in your life. In fact, writing your biography is a powerful experience with benefits that go beyond preserving memories for the next generation, although that’s a compelling reason to put some ink to paper!
Your story is worth telling.
The most important benefit of biography writing is the ability to put a traditional story structure on the events of your life by giving them a beginning, middle, and end.
But wait! You say you are no Agatha Christie. Don’t worry, all you need is a plan.
Join bestselling author, Helen C. Escott as she shares some tips and tricks that will get you started on capturing your life on paper, to be passed down through generations.
This course consists of a 30-minute slideshow and 20 minutes of questions. Prices are available upon request.
To book Helen C. Escott for the Writing Your Biography course – email the following information to: info@helencescott.com
Name:
Full Mailing Address:
Organization Name:
Phone Number:
Group/ Class size:
Date requested:
Other Details:
Fireside Collections Book Review
Coming August 2022
Operation Masonic- The Lost Cathedral
The first Masonic Temple in North America was built in St. John’s, NL in 1894. It is rumoured there are tunnels under the building that lead to treasures hidden at the Center of the Ecclesiastical Circle. The map is hidden in the cornerstone of the building but when the Worshipful Master Mason is murdered and found laid out in the Chamber of Reflection RNC Sgt. Nick Myra must dig though thousands of years of history, rituals, and rites to find the killer.
A search that leads him back to the Temple of Solomon and the first Masonic murder.
Fireside Collections Book Review
Friday, September 24, 2021
Operation Trafficked by Helen C. Escott
Sgt. Nicholas Myra and Cpl. Gail McNaughton have teamed up in Helen C. Escott's fourth crime thriller, Operation Trafficked. After the murder of a young sixteen-year-old girl in a downtown hotel, a special joint forces operation headed up by Myra and McNaughton seeks to investigate a sophisticated ring of international criminals specializing in human trafficking and the sale of women and children for sex. As they attempt to piece together the events that led to the gruesome and untimely death of the young polish girl, they discover that what was once considered the oldest profession in the world is very much alive and well in the city of St. John's, Newfoundland and its surrounding areas. Suddenly a new realization emerges; these girls aren't just sex workers; they are sex slaves, often held against their will for the pleasure of powerful men who occupy the upper echelons of society.
Operation Trafficked by Helen C. Escott shines a very bright light on the heinous crimes that exist when a marginalized group are exploited for pleasure and gain. Kudos to this award winning author for giving a voice to the voiceless! Operation Trafficked is a Flanker Press Publication. Read the full blog here.
Operation Trafficked - a chilling current, criminal investigation into human trafficking
Human trafficking stops when men stop buying women and children for sex
It is possible to get away with murder if you kill people whose lives are already devalued by society.
Operation Trafficked takes you inside the abyss of human trafficking from St. John’s to Ontario. In her most thrilling novel to date, bestselling, award-winning author Helen C. Escott takes you on a lightning-paced, chillingly current, criminal investigation that is surprising at every twist and completely unpredictable right up to its astonishing conclusion.
Published by Flanker Press, this is the fourth in Escott’s acclaimed Operation crime thriller series.
A spectacular murder in a downtown hotel of a sixteen-year-old girl brings together seasoned police officers RNC Sgt. Nicholas Myra and RCMP Cpl. Gail McNaughton in a Joint Forces Investigation. They quickly dive into a twisting, turning breathless race through the $28 billion dollar business of human trafficking.
Myra and McNaughton put together a team of experts who investigate this modern-day form of slavery where women and girls are openly sold on the world’s markets. They discover a sophisticated criminal organization that operates with impunity due to vast corruption and hide in the underground hallways of power.
They quickly learn it’s not the oldest profession but the oldest form of oppression.
When the team learns a seven-year-old girl is up for sale, they race to find her before she is transported over the border and lost forever.
The human trafficking national average is the highest in Ontario and Nova Scotia, and particularly Halifax because it is part of a corridor frequently used to transport victims from Atlantic Canada to larger urban centers. Operation Trafficked investigates a fictional human trafficking ring operating from St. John’s, NL to Ottawa, Ont.
Helen C. Escott’s bestselling crime thriller Operation Vanished was awarded a Silver Medal – Best Regional Fiction at the 24th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards. Her first crime thriller, Operation Wormwood, was a top five finalist for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards, Best First Crime Novel, by the Crime Writers of Canada. It’s conclusion, The Reckoning was a bestselling. In Search of Adventure – 70 Years of the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador was named one of the top memoirs in Atlantic Canda.
Operation Trafficked is available at Chapters, and Coles. Online at indigo.ca Apple – iTunes, Nook – (Barnes & Noble), Amazon, and Kobo. National and international orders can be placed by calling 1-866-739-4420 ext. #26 or you can send an e-mail to eoldford@flankerpress.com
Attire during pandemic
On CBC Cross Talk, Helen Escott and host, Ramona Dearing are talking about COVIC dressing during the pandemic.
Are you stuck in your pajamas all day?
Are you walking around in Crocs?
COVIC haute couture is a thing? Listen in and have a grand laugh.
Listen to the show on CBC Cross Talk by clicking here
I am Funny Like That Book Reading
Local Publisher Engen Books Ltd. is proud to launch Helen C. Escott’s latest book “I am Funny Like That."
Over 200,000 readers can’t be wrong! Award-winning writer Helen C. Escott is back, this time sharing her memoir of personal stories and anecdotes exploring the funny side of life. The book consists of laugh out loud, humorous short observational essays based on Escott’s life as a mother, wife, and crime writer – “I don’t know what’s for supper. Shut up! I’m killing someone in my office!”.
Join in to here Helen read a hilarious story called, 50 Ways a Day. You won't be able to stop laughing. Listen to it here
You can buy I am Funny Like That here
Operation Wormwood
A top five finalist for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards - Best First Crime Novel, by the Crime Writers of Canada
Helen C. Escott takes you on a thrill ride through the oldest city in North America. Where historical landmarks become clues and every name has two meanings. It’s an interactive crime thriller that will have you researching what’s real and what’s not. Never take a chapter at face value. You’ll have to read Operation Wormwood twice - once to get the story, and again to uncover the hidden secrets in each chapter.
An elderly man is carried into the Emergency Department setting off a chain of events that leave you guessing until the end. He is the first of many victims suffering from severe nose bleeds and excruciating pain. Dr. Luke Gillespie and nurse, Agatha Catania investigate their symptoms but are unable to diagnose them.
The only thing they have in common is, Sergeant Nicholas Myra, an investigator with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Gillespie and Myra join forces to solve this twisted mystery. The story takes a critical turn when Sister Pius, a Nun from Mercy Convent, informs them about Wormwood: a disease she believes is created by God to kill pedophiles.
Wormwood becomes an international storm when parish priest, Father Peter Cooke, holds a news conference on the steps of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist announcing that “God has unleashed a plague upon the earth.”
Is God truly unleashing his wrath on child molesters or is a serial killer targeting them? Dr. Gillespie and Sgt. Myra race to find answers as the Catholic hierarchy cashes in on the miracle that is bringing people back to the church in droves.
Just when you think you know who the killer is, this fast paced, intelligent thriller will shock you when you reach the unpredictable stunning conclusion.
The Reckoning
The explosive conclusion to Operation Wormwood
Sgt. Myra is back with a vengeance and he is looking for blood.
Years of investigating horrific crimes has become too much, and Sgt. Myra’s PTSD is intense and out of control. He can’t unsee the images that race through his dreams. Now as he investigates the biggest case of his career, he is in a constant state of fight or flight.
The hunt continues for a serial killer who is targeting the most heinous of criminals, making them die a slow, painful death.
Sgt. Myra partners with Dr. Luke Gillespie in a hunt for a killer targeting criminal, who everyone wants dead.
On The Day of Reckoning, everyone is called to account for their actions.
With her background as a civilian member of the world famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Helen C. Escott, an exciting new voice in crime fiction, conducts a thorough investigation into why evil against the most vulnerable goes unpunished.
Operation Wormwood: The Day of reckoning is the explosive follow-up to the best-selling crime thriller Operation Wormwood, a finalist in the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards for Best First Crime Novel.
Operation Vanished
Awarded a Silver Medal – Best Regional Fiction at the 24th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards
In the 1950s, three young women in rural Newfoundland were sexually assaulted, beaten and murdered. Their killers were never caught. During the same time period an eight-year-old girl disappeared. Her body was never found.
These shocking historical cases have haunted the province for decades.
RCMP Corporal Gail McNaughton is new to the elite Major Crime Unit. She is assigned a stack of historical cases of missing and murder women and children. Each file has its challenges: witnesses have died, memories fade, DNA didn’t exist.
She begins to unravel the murders with the help of Larry Morgan, the archivist for the province and the son of one of the murdered women. Together they come up with a list of suspects who have flown under the radar.
People who were beyond reproach.
Operation Vanished is a mind-bending sophisticated psychological crime thriller that will keep you guessing who the real killer is.
Helen C. Escott weaves Newfoundland and Labrador’s mythology and history into a novel that is anything but predictable. When you least expect it, a ghost from the past returns.
The bestselling author of Operation Wormwood takes you on another thrill ride.
You didn’t see this coming!
In Search of Adventure –
70 years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador
Named one of Nine Unforgettable Portraits by Atlantic Books Today
On March 22, 1949 nine young Mounties arrived in Canada’s newest province to enforce federal law. Like those who followed, they were in search of adventure and they found plenty.
RCMP Veterans as well as the last living Newfoundland Rangers, tell their personal stories in - In Search of Adventure –70 years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Newfoundland and Labrador.
From laughter to moments of sheer terror, to discovering innovative ways to connect with the communities they police, to investigating the murder of one of their own, these RCMP Veterans tell the true history of the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Writers Q & A & Reading
The book launch for I am Funny Like That is Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11 AM. It will be available in stores & online at engenbooks.com Here is the link to the Facebook event page for the book launch. Go to the page, click on going or interested and the information on how to join will be sent to you.
Writers Q & A & Reading
Michael Donovan Public Library presents online writers Q & A & Reading with Helen C. Escott Wednesday, January 27th at 6:30 PM.
This event is via WebEx. Please register to receive your web invitation at michaeldonovan@nlpl.ca or call 737-2621.
Menopause, the lighter side.
On CBC Cross Talk, myself and host, Ramona Dearing are talking about a subject that can be taboo for some people. And that is menopause.
It can be a difficult time, no question.
But in this show we're hoping to poke some fun at the indignities that can come with menopause.
Writer Helen Escott is standing by to share some stories.
Listen to the show on CBC Cross Talk by clicking here
Operation Wormwood: The Reckoning, book launch
Official book launch for Operation Wormwood: The Reckoning by Helen C. Escott, held Friday, September 18, 2020 in St. John's.
Sgt. Nicholas Myra is back with a vengeance, and he is out for blood. Years of investigating horrific crimes have become too much, and Myra’s PTSD is intense and out of control. He can’t unsee the images that race through his dreams. Now as he investigates the biggest case of his career, he is in a constant state of fight-or-flight.
See the whole event here
The Write Project Podcast - Helen Escott, author of Operation: Wormwood
Helen Escott talks about her new supernatural thriller novel, Operation: Wormwood, about a mysterious plague that begins to target the abusers of children.
Helen C. Escott is the author of the widely read blog - turned book I am Funny Like That, a hysterical look at life. In her new novel, Operation Wormwood, she taps into her darker side and takes readers on a thrill ride through the historic city of St. John’s, NL. Original
Airdate: May 21, 2018 Write Project: Season 2, Episode 3
Listen to The Write Project Podcast here
The Write Project Podcast - Helen Escott, Author, Part Two
elen Escott talks about her new supernatural thriller novel, Operation: Wormwood, about a mysterious plague that begins to target the abusers of children. Helen C. Escott is the author of the widely read blog - turned book I am Funny Like That, a hysterical look at life. In her new novel, Operation Wormwood, she taps into her darker side and takes readers on a thrill ride through the historic city of St. John’s, NL. Original Airdate: May 28, 2018
Write Project: Season 2, Episode 4
Listen to the podcast here
Let's Get Writing with Helen C Escott
Kathryn speaks with Helen Escott about her second career as an author.
She shares insights into why she writes and her typical day.
Her passion for crime writing is an honest by-product of her long career as a civilian member of the RCMP but it all started because she has a delightful sense of humour.
Listen to the podcast here
Reading With Cats by Helen C. Escott - Operation Wormwood
What if there was a disease that only killed pedophiles? Operation Wormwood (Flanker Press) is an investigation into this dark world and why evil against the most vulnerable goes unpunished by a loving, all powerful God. Operation Wormwood, a finalist in the 2019 Arthur Ellis Awards for Best First Crime Novel, is not a crime novel with the usual suspects.
To listen to Helen C. Escott read the first chapter click here
Helen C. Escott reads from Operation Vanished
In the 1950s, three young women were murdered.
Their killer never caught. Operation Vanished is a mind-bending sophisticated psychological crime thriller that will keep you guessing who the real killer is. Helen C. Escott weaves mythology and history into a novel that is anything but predictable.
When you least expect it, a ghost from the past returns.
To listen to Helen C. Escott read the first chapter click here
Blue Line, The Podcast
We are celebrating women in law enforcement this fall!
Each month, Blue Line, The Podcast is profiling some of the many passionate officers and civilian employees in law enforcement agencies who strive every day to make a difference.
In this episode of Blue Line, The Podcast, we catch Helen C. Escott from her home in St. John’s, N.L. Helen created the RCMP’s Media Relations/Communications Unit in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1998. She became the first female senior communications strategist and media relations spokesperson for the RCMP in that province.
She was the communications lead on high-profile events, including the RCMP’s Newfoundland and Labrador response on 9/11. Listen in here
Historic Crime Club
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 AT 7 PM
Hosted by A. C. Hunter Public Library, Marjorie Mews Public Library and Michael Donovan Public Library
Join us and acclaimed author Helen C. Escott as we look over the 1754 case of William Keen. Mr. Keen was murdered during a robbery and 8 people were convicted and of those 4 were executed for the crime.
Please email reference@nlpl.ca to register.
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Havin' A Gab, Episode 5
Havin a Gab episode 5 is here! This week we talk to Helen C. Escott about her upcoming book, Operation Wormwood!
Listen to the podcast here
Trad Cab with Chris Andrews and Helen Escott
Get in the Trad Cab with Shanneyganock's Chris Andrews! Comment below if you'd like to try! Or if you'd like to 'volunteer' a friend!
Listen in here
Misguided Messages
Helen reads an excerpt from her book, 'I am Funny Like That'.