The Official Record Is Never the Whole Story
Welcome to Debrief with Dave Bartell. Real history, the research behind the books, and what's coming next..
If you’ve read any of my Darwin Lacroix archaeological thrillers, you know how it goes by now: Darwin gets the official version of events, files it away, and then digs into what was actually buried. That isn’t just a character trait. It’s the reason I write what I write.
Debrief is where I share the history behind the books, delve into the questions that send me down research spirals, and highlight the moments when science or a fresh discovery changed the direction of a plot I thought I’d already locked in.
Twice a month, we debrief.
ThrillerFest is coming, and there’s something I’m not telling you yet
I’ll be at ThrillerFest in May and speaking on a panel. I’ve attended the conference before, but being on stage is a different thing entirely. There are authors I’ve been reading for years who will be in that room. Getting to talk craft and the particular obsession of writing thrillers alongside them is something I’ve genuinely been looking forward to.
There’s also an announcement I’ll be sharing at the panel. But don’t worry! If you can’t make the conference, I’ll also share it in my upcoming newsletter and socials.
A Substack exclusive: the Ancient Pathways Trilogy
This one you’re hearing first, before anywhere else.
Later this month, I’m launching the Ancient Pathways Trilogy.
Roman Ice, Lost Library, and Templar’s Bank are the first three books in the Darwin Lacroix Adventure Series, and they’re now being brought together under a single trilogy identity and relaunched as a named entry point into the series.
If you’ve ever tried to recommend these books to someone and watched them pause at the size of the backlist, this is the answer to that problem. One arc and a clear door into Darwin’s world. I’ll have a full post up soon with everything you need to know about the launch!
And…if you’re new here and just now discovering me and my books
I live in Los Gatos, California, a small town tucked into the hills at the edge of Silicon Valley. A couple times a week, my Red Fox Lab, Diesel, and I hike the Bel Gatos trail. He checks out the fresh scents, and I swap the digital universe for dirt, wildlife (yes, I’ve seen Mtn Lions over the years), and wide open space.. Some days, we’re joined by Diane, my wife and business partner, who recently left her corporate career to run Triple Shot Press alongside me.
I grew up taking things apart to see how they worked, studied biochemistry, and spent years in high technology. I’m driven by a persistent habit of asking what the official version of events left out. That questioning eventually led me to write..
I travel as much as the writing schedule allows, usually with a research angle that justifies the trip to everyone, including myself.
The Darwin Lacroix Adventure Series will soon be a ten-book series, built on real history, real science, and the same recurring question: What if? Darwin is a recovering academic who founded the Agrippa Centre for Archaeology in Ajaccio, Corsica–his ancestral home–to help preserve our collective past, and shine a light on those who would steal it for personal gain.. He runs on three-shot cappuccinos, which is also where Triple Shot Press gets its name.
If you’re new here, start your first adventure with Roman Ice.
Wishing you many adventures,
Dave