Thursday, May 31, 2007

Opinions, Please

I’m still wresting with the title for my fourth Sebastian St. Cyr Regency mystery. The first books in the series are WHAT ANGELS FEAR, WHEN GODS DIE, and WHY MERMAIDS SING. You see the pattern, right? What/When/Where/Why followed by noun followed by verb. I like all three of those titles and they came effortlessly when I was first plotting out the series. My problem is the title for the fourth book. It just won’t gel.

The mystery centers around the murder of eight prostitutes, one of whom was more than what she seemed—in fact, she was the daughter of an English lord. The suspects include her fiancé, her brother, her father, a brothel owner, a river thief, and a magistrate. Also involved is a certain historical event that provides the twist at the end. The core of the book is essentially the idea that this young girl was betrayed by those who should have loved her and protected her (yes, we are talking incest).

My original title—WHERE DRAGONS LIVE—won’t work because it sounds like a fantasy. My alternate—WHERE DEMONS SLEEP—sounds like a paranormal. I played with the nouns “serpents” and “devils”, but now I’m leaning towards “virgins”.

So, opinions, please. Out of the following, which do you prefer: WHERE VIRGINS KEEP, WHERE VIRGINS SLEEP, WHERE VIRGINS LIE?

Any other suggestions will be warmly welcomed!

68 comments:

Sisker said...

Where Virgins lie

For its double meaning.

Charles Gramlich said...

Of these three, I like "Where Virgins Sleep." 2nd would be "where Virgins lie."

Steve Malley said...

Where Virgins Sleep.

Reading your teaser, I found my self humming that old Leadbelly tune (great Louisana musician, he), 'Where did you Sleep Last Night'.

Anonymous said...

WHERE VIRGINS TRUST . . .

Yeah, I know, another suggestion wasn't part of the question, and I don't know whether it fits your story. But to me it hints at more of the story (the incest, etc). Trust who? Should they, or shouldn't they?

Sorry if this sounds presumptuous.

cs harris said...

But Chap, I am eager and willing to entertain all suggestions! And that's a good one. Thanks!

Sphinx Ink said...

How about WHERE VIRGINS DIE?

Mayotic said...

"Where Virgins Keep" seems the most intriguing title.

My suggestion "Where Virgins Perish"

By the way, I am in the middle of reading "When Gods Die" and am enjoying it thorougly. Since this is the first of your books that I have read, I tend to read books out of the order that they were published, I am looking forward to reading the others in the series and definitely will look for the latest one whatever the title.

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Anonymous said...

When there's a will, I want to be in it.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Please write anything else!

Anonymous said...

What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

Anonymous said...

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Anonymous said...

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

Anonymous said...

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?

Anonymous said...

640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates 81

Anonymous said...

Energizer Bunny Arrested! Charged with battery.

Anonymous said...

When there's a will, I want to be in it.

Anonymous said...

Oops. My brain just hit a bad sector.

Anonymous said...

If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.