Thriller Author, Gledé Browne Kabongo “Wrote on” Despite Global Challenge
According to CBS News, nearly 3 million American women have left the labor force since the beginning of the global pandemic. Thriller author Gledé Kabongo was fortunate to not be included in that count; even though she had to abandon her customary writing sessions at her ‘usual table’ at Panera Bread. Despite the pandemic, she managed to finetune her webinars for fellow writers and pen a new novel, Our Wicked Lies. “Our Wicked Lies is the first novel I’ve written entirely at home. I guess necessity is the mother of invention,” she said. “I was convinced that my writing muse showed up most clearly and authentically at Panera.” It is apparent from the chilling page-turner that her muse is also in-residence at her home.
As in most of her books, Our Wicked Lies explores universal themes such as deception, secrecy, family, courage and resilience. “Every human on the planet can relate and my job as an author is to explore those themes in intense, truthful and dramatic ways. We all have secrets or things we’re afraid of. We’ve all said or done things we wish we could take back. That makes for interesting storylines.”
Our Wicked Lies is a ‘House of Cards-type” psychological thriller about a wealthy suburban couple whose seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel under the strain of dark secrets, shocking betrayals and a tragic yet sinister death. The story is told from the point of view of the protagonist Alicia Gray, a kind but insecure house wife, and her high-powered attorney husband. It takes a chilling look at the cost of an enviable marriage, the twisted depths of human obsession, and the devastating price we pay for ignoring harsh truths. “Like most authors, I interweave snippets of things I’ve learned into my stories,” said Kabongo. “For example, my day job centers around marketing communications and I leveraged that knowledge for one of the main characters in the book, Katalina. She heads an award-winning digital marketing agency. Insider knowledge helped me speak to the character’s professional life with authenticity.”
Authenticity is one of the hallmarks of Kabongo’s writing, particularly in emotional scenes. “You want to be authentic and true to the characters without being over the top,” she said. “On the other hand, I know if I’m not feeling those emotions after the scene is written, then it won’t pull readers in either. It’s a delicate balance.”
Growing up, Kabongo gobbled up the Famous Five and Secret Seven series by the British author Enid Blyton, as well as Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. “I’ve always been a huge fan of the mystery/suspense/thriller genre,” she said. “The genre picked me; I suppose. I knew I wanted to expose my characters’ secrets, emotional vulnerabilities and their determination to catch or punish the bad guy using their minds, skills and wit.” Our Wicked Lies does not disappoint in that regard.
Kabongo most enjoyed writing the complex range of emotions that the characters experienced as the story unfolded; “the fear and uncertainty as their respective web of deceit closed in around them, bringing them to their breaking point. And of course, the fallout. I also enjoyed writing the final chapter, the big twist at the end,” she said.
In this latest novel, Kabongo once again achieves a high level of tension and suspense. And readers beware, this book is very difficult to put down. Our Wicked Lies will be available on March 27, 2021 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and local bookstores.
Kabongo currently lives in the greater Boston, MA area with her husband and two sons. When she is not writing or spending time with her family she enjoys reading and admits to an obsession with books. She has an Ippy, Eric Hoffer, and a Next Generation Indie Award to her credit. She is also a member of the NH Writers’ Project.
