Tatiana’s Dilemma and why it was my favorite chapter to write
The Thirteenth Riddle: A Poisoned Silence. The continuation of Hannah and Co. The bond between Hannah and Rafael has soured, fraying under the weight of unspoken accusations. Guilt gnaws at Hannah constantly. After repeated, unsuccessful attempts to shield Rafael from danger, she finds solace in just two anchors: her steadfast friend Tatiana and her young daughter, Shayla.
Introduced in Paris Noir: Deadly Obsession, Tatiana first appears to readers as an illusionist who worked alongside Criss Angel. Near the end of that book, Hannah adopts Tatiana’s outlook on life, and—though she barely knows her—Hannah impulsively invites Tatiana to her wedding with Jonathan. It is Tatiana who serves as a crucial witness during the climactic confrontation between Hannah and the culprit. In this new book Tatiana has changed: she has retired from performing illusions and now concentrates on the quieter journey of life, watching over Hannah and offering guidance when needed. She also devotes much of her time to caring for her goddaughter, Shayla.
Perhaps one of my favorite chapters to write is titled “Tatiana’s Dilemma.” Writing that chapter felt essential; it appears near the end of the book, just before the climax, and it highlights how far Tatiana has come. The chapter showcases not only her growth but also how remarkably skilled she is at unraveling mysteries. It is Tatiana who later supplies the crucial idea to Hannah and the others when they return from Giethoorn to the States, explaining to the team that they have been approaching the puzzle from the wrong angle.
She will also be the one responsible for saving Rafael near the end. Her expertise as a former illusionist and quick-thinking sleight of hand will prove crucial in pulling him back from the brink. But will she survive the ordeal? Or will she be silenced by the same poison? The answer lies in The Thirteenth Riddle: A Poisoned Silence.
Check out the excerpt from Tatiana’s Dilemma
“We are looking at this entirely wrong,” Tatiana said, her sharp eyes scanning the exhausted faces of Hannah, Rafael and Smith. “We are treating the antidote and the thirteenth riddle as two separate problems. But your enemy is a sadist, not an anarchist. They wouldn’t design a flawless countdown without a grand finale.”
“Exactly, because it was a distraction to burn our time,” Tatiana countered, leaning against the edge of the map table. “Think about the structure of the game. If the thirteenth riddle demands a confession, then the riddle isn’t just a threat- it’s the transaction. The antidote IS the prize for solving it.”
