ABOUT THE AUTOR
Kay Johnson spent twenty-seven years working in the electric utility industry before retiring to pursue her passion for storytelling. Raised amidst the rolling hills of Virginia, she developed an early love for mysteries and thrillers that would later shape her writing. Now residing in Tampa, Florida with her husband, Kay immerses herself in who-done-its and historical fiction, bringing a keen eye for detail and suspense to her debut novel, “DARK HONOR”.
DEBUT NOVEL: DARK HONOR
The release of *DARK HONOR* is set for late December 2025, almost three years after the story first spilled onto the page. It’s been a winding road, marked by unexpected detours. After Hurricane Helene flooded our home beneath three feet of water, I was forced into a six-month silence. But the story never left my mind. The first draft was finally complete eighteen months ago, and since then, the manuscript has been reshaped through multiple rounds of revision, each one sharpening the shadows.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s this: if you’re new to writing and plan to self-publish, hiring a skilled editor isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Also, immerse yourself in the community; attend conferences, join author groups. There’s an unspoken network of storytellers ready to share wisdom, offer encouragement, and shed light when the path grows dark. Writing a mystery might be a solitary act, but the road to publication doesn’t have to be.
"Dark Honor" centers on the life of Sara Faris, a young woman who escapes a traumatic and violent family background. The story intertwines personal struggles, family dynamics, criminal investigations, and counterterrorism efforts, presenting a multifaceted exploration of themes such as honor-based violence, identity, trauma, and resilience.