60 seconds with Amy Tackett

Can a thriller be both dark and redemptive at the same time?

Amy Tackett shares how her Christian faith profoundly influences her work as a thriller author, using dark themes and psychological exploration to reach a broader audience.

In 60 seconds, Amy discusses how her writing is not just a therapeutic outlet for her own struggles, but a means to offer hope, healing, and redemption through the love of Jesus, and more.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a wife, mum, and believer moonlighting as a thriller author somewhere in the Midwest.

I enjoy exploring dark psychological themes and life’s grey areas in my writing–both as a therapeutic outlet and an entertainment source. I have fun with what I do and have felt called to for many years.

As a strong believer, what led you to write thrillers over traditional Christian fiction?

I don't write traditional Christian fiction because I want to reach a broader audience. I want to reach people who are broken and need healing and are looking for solace in a place they don't understand. I want them to see themselves in Cole or Emilia, my main characters from my two published books, and then I want them to see that healing, redemption, and salvation are possible when Jesus is introduced into the story.

At the end of the day, I think God has uniquely positioned me to bring awareness to dark issues happening in our society. That, and to bring hope to a new demographic who may not have otherwise been exposed to Jesus. 

Are there any themes or messages that you aim to explore in your books?

I don't know why, but I'm drawn to dark things. Dark places, dark mindsets, dark Biblical themes. It probably has something to do with my own mental illnesses and wanting to understand them—or rather, wanting to understand why bad things happen. Why evil exists in the world and how I can protect myself and my family from it.

The other layer, though, is that once I understand something, once I find healing in my words, I always ask God to use me to help others, to steal my show as Toby Mac puts it. Because God gifted me with the ability to write, and my gift back to him is what I do with my words. What better way than to share the love of Christ with my readers? 

What do you expect your readers to come away with after reading one of your books?

My books often have a lot of ambiguity in them, as I’m not always trying to find an answer for a reader, but rather I’m posing a question or starting a conversation.

Even in my upcoming novel, Secret Santa—it's more of a traditional popcorn thriller meant for entertainment purposes, but it's also a story about motherhood, friendship, and grief. It's a story about mean girl culture and the impact our words have on one another, and just how far that can drive a person.

I wrote that book in an attempt to heal from my own mean girl experiences in high school, and through it, God allowed me to forgive those who wronged me and to forgive myself for those I hurt. My prayer is that it will provide that same healing for someone else, even as a "silly little murder book."

(Sign up to join Amy's ARC Team for Secret Santa by September 27th 2024 here.)

In all, I love to emotionally connect with my characters in a way that will help my readers feel seen.

Are any other elements in your novels based on real experiences?

Several of them, but the one that I think is most important is the suicide ideation in two of my books.

One is very subtle, like a slow car ride cautiously picking up speed, and the other is very in-your-face, like a train that has derailed and fallen off a cliff.

I have experienced both forms of suicidal thoughts and the depression and anxiety that go along with it. I have also lost loved ones to suicide and have people in my life that I’m very close with who have struggled with thoughts and attempts.

It is why I’m so passionate about sharing the love of Jesus and raising awareness about mental health in my books. I always pray that the readers who need my stories the most are the ones who find them.

As well as driving from your own experiences, what other research do you undertake to bring these topics to life, and are there any in particular that you find challenging to write?

I enjoy talking to people who have experience with what I’m writing about, whether it be a cop, a trauma victim, or someone who’s lived in a certain place.

I find first-hand experiences are easier to connect with and write about vs relying solely on the internet.

I’ve written many dark scenes, but sexual assault instances are always the most difficult to write. That, and the death of an infant. As a mother, that one was terrible.

Let’s talk about your latest book, The Tides of Our Sins (which I absolutely LOVED) What inspired the storyline, and what can readers expect from it?

The Tides of Our Sins, is a culmination of things. I was practicing some free writing and prayer journaling one day when imagery of a couple standing over the edge of a cliff came over me. I knew I needed to tuck it away for my next writing.

Then, I joined a Bible study at my church while also watching the Jeffrey Dahmer show on Netflix, and I became fascinated with his baptism and the concept of how salvation really is for everyone. I remember talking it through with the women at my church–who probably thought I was demented–and then I knew I had to weave that fascination into my story somehow.

It is a dark, fast-paced, emotional suspense novella that explores so much more than the kidnapping of twins.

Can you share any memorable fan interactions or feedback you’ve received?

Meeting readers is always really special to me, but my favourite in-person interaction so far was during my first book signing. I was on a panel with several other women at a Barnes and Noble, totally feeling imposter syndrome and on the verge of a panic attack, when a woman came up to my table who had already ordered and read a copy of my book before the signing. Seeing her joy and excitement about meeting me made all the fear disappear. I’ll always remember that feeling.

Can you sum up your work in progress in 5 words?

Bones. Cabin. Isolation. Puppy. Fear.

If you could tell your past self anything, what would it be?

Just keep going. Don’t give up.

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