An Interview with Suzan Denoncourt: Author of Heaven’s Debris

It was at the height of her career as a business executive that Suzan chose to pivot away from the corporate world and embrace a totally new chapter. Literally. Gravitating toward the mystery/thriller genre, she completed the first two manuscripts in the Cisco series before pursuing publication of her debut novel, The Burden of Truth, which was a finalist for Best Crime First Novel in the Crime Writers of Canada 2025 Awards of Excellence. Heaven’s Debris followed four months later.

The third installment from this Montreal-based, married mother of two is expected in early 2026, with more novels in the series to follow thereafter.

Tell us about your book.

Heaven’s Debris is the second installment of the Boston-based Cisco series, and the first wherein Detective Max Cisco is a member of the domestic violence unit. Part police procedural, part family drama, this intense thriller keeps readers on edge from start to finish.

Faye’s condominium collapses with her brother-in-law inside, leaving her to either confess to having cheated on her sister or avoid the truth at all costs. Gerry’s unexpected survival and the possibility that Faye may be carrying his child complicate matters in more ways than one.

Detective Max Cisco, meanwhile, is investigating a victim of the collapse who happens to be a sex offender. The drama intensifies after he meets with Gerry, who tries to distract from his involvement with Faye, only to raise Cisco’s suspicions. As both storylines become more tangled, the tension rises until the explosive truth finally comes out. But what gets revealed is not what anyone expects.

Why did you want to write a book?

I would not have considered embarking on such a daunting mission before stepping away from the corporate world. Then came the global pandemic. To counter the physical confinement, I chose to let my imagination run wild. Before I knew it, I was four chapters in, had written the climax, and built an ambitious plan for an entire series with Detective Max Cisco as the common thread.

While the writing process was engaging, for me to pursue it long-term I needed a meaningful message to convey, something that would resonate with readers long after they finished the book. That’s when I thought of a quote that has stuck with me since the very first time I heard it: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” That premise is fundamental to the many characters I create. In writing their stories, I hope to encourage readers to reflect on their own battles and be more sensitive to those around them.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

The first question for me was whether to publish, period. Encouraged to do so by the beta readers of my first manuscript, I was too engrossed in writing book two to be distracted. Also, I was far from prepared to undertake a process I knew nothing about. But after receiving positive feedback on my second manuscript, I revisited my decision and took the plunge.

Naturally, my modest attempt at landing an agent failed. But surprisingly, it felt more liberating rather than discouraging. Between the literary industry research I had amassed and the business acumen I possessed following my corporate career, the ability to retain full rights to my work in exchange for assuming my own destiny seemed fair.

Notwithstanding the financial burden and improbable odds of success, I set a budget, followed guidance from reputable resources like the Alliance of Independent Authors, joined relevant associations, and embraced the platforms that simplify the self-publishing process.

Ten months after launching The Burden of Truth, it made the shortlist for Best Crime First Novel in the Crime Writers of Canada 2025 Awards of Excellence. Major validation for this debut indie author and a testament to what can be achieved even when self-published.

Would you self-publish again?

Yes and soon. Book three is well underway. Having done this twice before, the process will be easier. I also have a slowly growing readership base and greater social media presence, which was not the case when I published book one.

Self-publishing might not be for everyone, but it’s all I know. At minimum, it allows me to memorialize my work. Beyond that is the thrill of receiving accolades from readers who felt entertained, some who devoured my books in just days, and particularly those who were affected by the topic and characters in a lasting way.

Would I consider traditional publishing if I was approached? Still a business person at heart, I would certainly entertain the discussion. Whether I’d be willing to forego my ownership rights is a different matter.

What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?

It’s been just over a year since I published book one, so I consider myself a newbie with so much to learn. That said, there are two pitfalls that stand out for me: credibility and discoverability.

Traditionally published authors are launched with the pre-endorsement and fanfare of their publishing house. Indie authors need to seek that out on their own. Dedicating time to building out a readership base who will recommend a new author can take a ton of trial and error. Striking a balance between writing and marketing yourself is also key.

Same goes for discoverability. There are millions of books for readers to choose from and an infinite number that already come with strong recommendations. A new book from a new indie author will be invisible if not promoted. I’ve come to appreciate that book influencers can be invaluable allies.

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

As a former business person, I worked long hours on weekdays and then made a point to shut down on weekends. As a writer, I have found my rhythm in adopting a similar schedule.

To stay motivated, my plot needs to first and foremost keep me engaged. If it doesn’t, I rewrite till it does. On days I feel creative, I power through the storyline. On others, I edit, tweak dialogue, and enhance character development. Whatever my focus, I keep plugging away.

During the summer months, I write less but devote more time to promotion and building out my network of book peers. Come fall, I’ll get right back at it with a fresh pair of eyes and newfound momentum.

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

My mission was twofold: to create sustained intrigue and to expose moral quandaries that would lend themselves to book club discussions. As a series wherein a detective is the constant, there are obvious elements of a police procedural. The twist is that Detective Max Cisco’s investigation is never the core plot, nor is he the main character in what can be read as stand-alone novels.

How Cisco intersects with the central drama of each story is what makes my thrillers pulse with emotional tension. The plots involve unpunished crimes, victims who have been silenced, and desperate behaviors of individuals I place in impossible situations. My style boasts generous amounts of backstory, sharp and believable dialogue, and delicate handling of touchy topics without the need for gory details.

I have found my sweet spot in juggling a ton of balls in the air to sustain the suspense throughout, then gently wrapping them up in a satisfying ending that leaves room for thought.

Why did you write about this particular subject?

Domestic violence is a touchy and deeply personal topic that has affected too many families, yet continues to be taboo in several circles. Creating awareness and encouraging more dialogue through engaging and entertaining reads is one of my objectives. Indirectly supporting those who have suffered by handling the topic in a nuanced and delicate manner is another.

My final aim is to address an element that is often less explored: the collateral damage caused to bystanders who were also made to keep silent. The way in which that guilt and regret impacts my characters as they face tenuous situations will be perceived differently by readers as they become armed with more details of their backstory. Perhaps that knowledge will carry over into real life in a helpful way.

Why did you choose to write a series?

When I began writing The Burden of Truth, it was intended as a single work of literary fiction until a friend asked if I was contemplating a series. By that point, I had become completely enamoured with the character development process, so the idea of evolving certain personalities across subsequent books was very appealing. As was the possibility of exploring the topic of domestic abuse from many more angles. The problem was that the only character deemed relevant was Detective Max Cisco, whose role, though essential, was minor within the broad scope of the book.

Motivated to make this work, I tweaked the ending to include a teaser of what might come next. Readers learn that the impact of the case Cisco was working on ultimately compels him to leave homicide to join the domestic violence unit. Heaven’s Debris takes place two years later in 2005 with Cisco occupying a more prominent – but not central – role in the overall storyline, just as he will in book three and beyond.

As a constant and vehicle for advancing the overarching theme of the series, Cisco is kind and reflective. He asks difficult questions that encourage deeper dialogue and reader reflection. His relentless pursuit of justice will at times be at odds with protocol, which is what augments the overall level of intrigue.

What are your plans now your book is published?

At present, book three is well underway, and the idea for book four is in its early stages. For as long as I have the drive and the passion to continue, I hope to publish a new book each year. With any luck, I’ll deliver ten novels before I wrap up the series with proper closure that is already being thought out.

If between now and then, I should come to enjoy meaningful sales, my ultimate goal is to contribute to the cause of domestic violence via philanthropy. Wish me luck!