The Manchineel received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Jessica Carrasquillo.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The book is titled The Manchineel and it was published January 16, 2024.
What’s the book’s first line?
“See this beauty? It may seem innocent, but this invasive species is a killer.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Just as nature evolves to protect itself against predators, a woman grows into a deadly force.
Elyse Santiago seeks a fresh start far from the traumas of her past in Miami and ventures to Los Angeles. There, she cultivates a social media persona and shares lessons on life and nature from her garden. Yet, behind her smile she’s haunted by the voice of her childhood abuser—a ghost from her past she thought she’d silenced forever.
Surviving on her own in Los Angeles proves challenging for Elyse. She’s broke and unemployed when her path crosses with Ben, a handsome Hollywood attorney at a top talent agency. As they collaborate professionally, an undeniable attraction blossoms. But, Ben is trapped in an abusive marriage with Ana, the daughter of his powerful boss. Escaping Ana’s grasp threatens to destroy Ben’s life, endangering his career, lifestyle, and reputation. For Elyse, no moral boundary or personal risk can deter her from claiming Ben entirely as her own. As they grow closer, the very foundation of their lives begins to shift, entwining them in a web of passion, betrayal, and murder.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I’d always dreamed of writing a book. I was at a point in my life where I had met many of my academic and professional goals, and I wanted to revisit the creative side of myself. I started writing again creatively in 2022 and started ‘The Manchineel’ shortly thereafter. Now, I have two more novels in the works. ‘Mysteries of the Southern Gothic’ is Book 2 in the series taking place seven years after ‘The Manchineel’ and, while it’s ninety-five percent a standalone story with distinct characters (focusing on a true crime podcast and a missing child), there will be a tie in to ‘The Manchineel’ leading to Book 3, still in progress.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Readers who love books, shows, and movies where they find themselves rooting for the bad guys (ex. Dexter, You, Killing Eve, Breaking Bad), or who enjoy a bit of drama, romance, and dark humor will enjoy this book. The book contains themes of rage, retribution, moral grayness, and justice. If that resonates with you, give it a read!
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Elyse stands out most for her unique life philosophy, drawing from nature to decide right from wrong, while dismissing society’s conventional authority figures. Her beauty often masks the unsettling message behind her lessons and her fascination with deadly plants. This contrast between her outward innocence and cunning is somewhat reminiscent of Amy Dunne from Gillian Flynn’s ‘Gone Girl.’ Except, Elyse gravitates more towards dirt and overalls over Dunne’s polished Ivy League persona. Elyse’s spirit of vengeance and careful planning also connect with traits found in Cassie from Emerald Fennell’s ‘Promising Young Woman.’
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes, ‘The Manchineel’ is my debut novel.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m an attorney. My paid work is the polar opposite of my creative work. Indie authors don’t make much (if anything), so I’m grateful for my day job.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I try to write a little every day. It doesn’t always go according to plan, but I try to sit at least one hour each day to write (or think about what I’m going to write).
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Starting with the hardest part, there’s unfortunately a misconception to overcome with readers and other authors that indie work is of a lower quality than traditionally published work. That’s simply not true. Every indie author I know invests a lot of time and resources into making their work as high quality as possible. I’m glad IndieReader exists to help guide readers to new indie works they may not have otherwise considered simply because they were wary about the quality of the work.
The best part of being an indie author is being able to take full ownership of the creative process. Taking control of not just the writing but marketing and everything else required of an indie author is fun for me, and so far, none of it feels like work.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Hire a good editor. Some might think that’s an elitist thing to say because editors aren’t cheap. When you can, I strongly recommend saving up to hire an editor. It’s worth it.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Typical lawyer answer: it depends. I’ve never pursued the traditional route. While I’d love it if I could write full time, I have a nice day job that provides a comfortable life and I’m still able to do what I love in my free time. If a theoretical deal made sense, then absolutely. But, I’m perfectly happy where I am now.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
An indie author motivated by fame and fortune is bound to be disappointed. I just really enjoy writing. When people read my work it makes me happy. That’s all I’m interested in.
