Crime tips,  Research

Psst…I’ve Added 10 More Ways to Kill

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Before we end the series Murder at Cabin 28, I wanted to let you in on a secret. I’ve added 10 new ways to Murder Your Fictional Characters. Yay!

In honor of this momentous occasion that I’m actually sending my subscribers their first update, I’m republishing what you’ll find inside. No sneak peek on the new additions, though. I want to surprise you. Those who are already on the list will get an email shortly. Those who haven’t signed up, now’s your chance.

Stab

Dagger in hand held forward pointing to the right

Killers who know their victims often like the up-close and personal touch. The killer can look his victim in the eyes and watch the life drain from her body. Now, you don’t need to use a knife. Be creative. A pair of scissors, a toothbrush melted and filed down, even a pen could turn into a murder weapon with the right motivation. If you decide to go with the knife, use something common like a butcher knife from the victim’s own kitchen, so it’s harder to trace. Or, a sword. Now that’s using your head! Just make sure he doesn’t keep it afterward. No stupid killers please! There’s no challenge in that.

A side note to stabbing:This is a very messy way to kill. Lots of blood. Which makes it difficult for the killer to grip the handle. The constricting muscles pull the knife in, because the rib cage does a great job of protecting the heart. So, finding an artery to sever is a real pain, and usually takes more than one attempt. The most realistic way of stabbing is to thrust the knife into the abdomen. Whether to leave it in or take it out is up to you, depending on how long the killer wants the victim to suffer. A lot of times the victim will pull the knife out himself. In which case he’ll bleed out much faster.

Here’s a method that required more detail…

Thallium Sulfate

Water-soluble. Symptoms won’t appear for several days. Therefore, the number of suspects would increase. Thallium poisoning has been called the “poisoner’s poison” since thallium is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Its slow-acting, painful, and wide-ranging symptoms are often suggestive of a host of other illnesses and conditions. Which make this murder weapon ideal. However, there are antidotes available, so make sure the killer gives a high enough dose and doesn’t dole it out over time. Also, MEs can detect this in the bloodstream. But while he’s waiting for the tox screen results the detective would not have a clear cause of death and, therefore, would be chasing dead-ends. Always a good thing in crime fiction.

Okay, one more to whet your appetite…

Methanol 

Methanol–also known as wood alcohol–ingested in large quantities is metabolized to formic acid, or formate salts, which is poisonous to the central nervous system and causes blindness, coma, and then death. A lethal dose would be 1 milligram per 1 kilogram of body weight. The victim will appear to die slowly over time. Now we’re talking! Just make sure the victim does not seek medical treatment, or the jigs up. Or, perhaps she does and then fears for her life, worries that the killer will return to finish what he started. Brrr…chilling.

Have you heard enough yet? *cups ear* What’s that? You want one more? Okay, just one. To get the rest you’ll need to fill out the form by clicking on the image (above or in the sidebar) or you can go here.

Bondage gear

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Oh, don’t judge me! You know exactly what I’m talking about…the ball gag, the rubber suit, the whip. People who practice sadomasochism often can get carried away and forget the “safe word”. Besides, it’s an excellent way to humiliate the victim. I mean really, who wants to be found that way? Just make sure the killer and the victim are not romantically involved, or he’ll be the first person the police question. Or, have both the killer and victim belong to a swingers’ group. That way there will be plenty of suspects and red herrings.

You think it was easy finding an image for that method? Do you see the lengths I’m willing to go–for you! Go ahead, I dare you to Google “bondage images”, then you’ll feel my pain.

That’s only four murder methods. I’ve compiled sixty!

Still not convinced?

For an added bonus I’ve included an entire section on the correct terminology for the different types of killings, with links to Wikipedia so you can research further.

Such as…

Matricide is the act of killing one’s mother.

Patricide is the act of killing one’s father.

Let’s review. You’ll receive 50 60 murder methods, with commentary and details, and a section dedicated to the different types of killings all for the low, low price of FREE. What are you waiting for? Click “sign me up” at the top bar or the form on the sidebar.

And here’s secret number two. Once Marred is released in the fall this may not be available for free anymore. I’m thinking of turning it into an ebook. So, grab it now while you still can.

I’m off to work on my second rounds of edits. Enjoy killing your darling characters!

Member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Sue Coletta is the bestselling, award-winning author of psychological thrillers and mysteries. Pretty Evil New England, her exciting new venture into true crime, is anticipated to hit stores in Fall 2020. For three years running, Feedspot awarded her Murder Blog as one of the Top 50 Crime Blogs on the Net (Murder Blog sits at #5). Sue's also the communications manager for Forensic Science and the Serial Killer Project and a proud member of the Kill Zone, where she blogs every other Monday.

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