There are other documented cases of this happening. And it was that contemplation about how something like that happens, and the idea of wants and needs and manipulation between convict and visitor-turned-paramour, that got my mind churning.
Wendy M. Barnhart – 10 November 2026
The Back Flap
Cassidy Vickers suspected the “Scales Killer” was a woman, and she was right. As a podcast host, serial killers were her obsession. Now working as a feature reporter, those human monsters are part of her past.
Convicted of nine murders, Scales Killer and former influencer, Emerson Kemp, rechristened “Lady Justice,” is weeks away from execution. But brutal abusers are dying again, each marked with Emerson’s signature icon of uneven scales. Is Emerson directing the murders from death row? Cassidy can’t resist searching for the answer.
When Emerson contacts Cassidy during a true crime livestream, Cassidy is further ensnared in the hunt. An outraged public accuses Cassidy of collusion, even murder, threatening Cassidy’s career and fracturing her family. Bodies are dropping, powerful forces are closing in, and the clock is ticking faster toward Emerson’s execution.
Can Cassidy find the truth? Or will darker secrets leave her world in ruin?
About the book
What is the book about?
Scaled Vengeance is about a female serial killer and successful #vanlife influencer, Emerson Kemp, who has spent 10 years on death row for killing people who escaped the justice system. As her execution nears, similar murders start happening again, marked by Emerson’s signature: off-balance scales somewhere at the scene. The public are demanding action – some calling for Emerson’s immediate execution because she may be directing the murders from behind bars, and others insisting she should be freed because she protected people from their abusers when the justice system didn’t. Cassidy Vickers, a true crime podcaster turned journalist, is drawn into the fray due to her expertise on Emerson, and the fact that Emerson reaches out to her during a livestream discussing the current murders. The deeper Cassidy goes, the more chaos surrounds her while bodies continue to drop.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing it in 2021, just after I’d finished outlining the final book in my YA fantasy series. I ended up putting the YA writing on the back burner for this project. Scaled Vengeance wasn’t fully formed out of the gate by any means – I was toying with ideas and, honestly, talking myself into believing I could write a thriller. I’ve always loved reading them, and writing one was on my bucket list, but in-real-life writing one was a whole different kind of challenge for me.
How long did it take you to write it?
The book took a solid five years from concept to publishing. Not only was I taking baby steps with this book because of the new-to-me genre, but I was also dealing with personal challenges on a number of fronts. Between aging parents (both with Alzheimer’s and both living in two different states, neither of which are where I live), a death in the family with unexpected estate issues, and a highly contentious divorce, my energy was stretched thin more often than not. Getting through all of that while writing this novel has made the publication of Scaled Vengeance that much more fulfilling.
Where did you get the idea from?
The kernel of the idea came from a Zoom meeting where I met other writers from around the US who were each sharing their works-in-progress with a screenwriter. One woman on the call shared that she was writing about a rapist, and that she herself had been a victim of rape. That she would want to write from that POV was a surprise in itself to me. But then she went on to share that, as part of her research, she’d conducted in-person interviews with a convicted rapist in prison, and that they were now dating. Color me stunned.
Now, of course I know nothing about this woman other than what she said on the call, and whatever choices she’s making with life are her choices. It’s not my place to interject any judgement. But it did get me thinking about the fact that she is not the only woman who has fallen for a convicted, behind bars criminal that she didn’t know other than through correspondence or in person visits. There are other documented cases of this happening. And it was that contemplation about how something like that happens, and the idea of wants and needs and manipulation between convict and visitor-turned-paramour, that got my mind churning.
To be clear, there is no woman falling in love with a convicted rapist in Scaled Vengeance. But we do have a convicted female serial killer who the reader meets early in the story.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The biggest struggle was keeping the length “reasonable” – lol. I had a lot of story to tell! I did end up removing one character who I loved (I will likely bring her back in a future story; and she does make a small appearance as the host of the fictional podcast in the book, Buried Signs). And I “saved a life,” in that another character ended up living rather than being murdered. I made other painful edits as well, but still ended up with a healthy 500ish pages.
What came easily?
Dialogue between my protagonist, Cassidy, and her best friend, detective Phoebe Barros flowed pretty naturally. It was nice to have their relationship firing well in my head because their dialogue goes everywhere from happy to business to dark stuff.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I’ve always borrowed bits from people I know, or from conversations I’ve had or overheard, and so forth. I drew from some real-life experiences and conversations in writing Cassidy’s husband, Merrick. And I straight up borrowed names of some people I adore and made them special agents in the book. But there is no one character who is exactly someone from my life being inserted into my novel. Most of my characters are 100% fictitious. Only a few have been sprinkled with real-life spices.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I don’t know if any authors have had a direct influence on how I write. I feel like readers would need to tell me if they see / read any similarities to other authors. But I haven’t tried to “copy” any other style or method or anything like that. I have read numerous thrillers and mysteries (and other genres) over many years, so presumably something is sinking into my writer brain.
Do you have a target reader?
In the case of Scaled Vengeance, I didn’t have a target reader in mind when I started writing, other than people who enjoy thrillers. On the finished side of the writing, I’m guessing women will especially enjoy Scaled Vengeance, though anyone who likes a good vigilante tale where the “bad guy” gets dealt with will likely enjoy this book.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I don’t have a rigid writing process. I’ve learned to respect what else is going on in my head, heart, and life, and then work with that rather than try to work around it. I fail if I try to force things.
I’ve also learned to accept that thirty minutes (or whatever number) of writing is fabulous – it doesn’t have to be hours at a time for it to be productive. It’s all productive.
I also sit with pen and paper if things are feeling gunky in my story, or moving too fast in my head. Writing by hand can both spark and tame thoughts for me.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I outline the big moments like the inciting incident, etc. In between the peaks, I write by the seat of my pants and let each scene and chapter build organically to the next big thing. Which is not to say that always works – stories and characters sometimes like to veer off in creative and surprising directions. When that happens, I don’t revise the original high-level outline. I just go with it.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit during writing, after writing, after feedback, and even again after all of that. For example, let’s say I wrote five pages today. I’ll do light, obvious editing (typos, grammar, if I notice it) as I write. Then tomorrow, with a refreshed perspective, I’ll reread what I wrote the day before and edit. And then, after I have a number of pages written (usually a chapter, and length varies), I’ll share that with my critique partners and get their feedback, then edit again. And after all of that and writing, “the end,” I’ll edit again before sending it to professional editing services.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, I hire both a professional developmental editor (Noveldoctor), and a copyeditor (SK Brooks). I’ve worked with both of them on all of my books and they do excellent work.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I can’t listen to music while I write because, if I know the lyrics or even the melody, my brain focuses on the song rather than the words.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I had an agent when I started Scaled Vengeance, and in fact we brainstormed ideas early in the process. She was interested in pitching the finished product, but she made a career change last year and is no longer in the agenting business. Because the novel is longer than the industry likes these days, I knew finding a new agent for the book would be a challenge. So, after careful consideration, including the time I’d already invested, and the additional time it would take to go the traditional route (with no guarantee that would even happen), I made the decision to publish Scaled Vengeance myself.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I had a professional cover designer (NovakIllustration) for Scaled Vengeance. I know my skillset, and cover design is definitely not one of them.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m working with Books Forward for marketing and promotion of “Scaled Vengeance.”
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Learn the business. There isn’t just one indie path to publishing – there are many forks in the road, and it will serve you well to understand them all so you can make an informed decision about which one works best for you.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah (go Utes!). We are definitely a University of Utah family – my brother graduated from there as well, as did both of my parents, and an aunt and uncle. My dad then worked on campus for many years as the director of international student services until he retired.
Where do you live now?
I live in Colorado. I moved here for a job after graduating from the University of Utah. And, an interesting factoid I learned after I moved here is that my great-great-grandmother and –grandfather were some of the first settlers of Boulder, Colorado (the Faus family). They had a blacksmith shop. I had no idea until my grandfather asked me one day if I’d go to the cemetery in Boulder and try to find their gravesites (his mom, my great-grandmother, is buried there with her parents). Clearly, my family didn’t share enough when I was growing up. ☺
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’m a dog person. I can’t imagine life without one (or two, or possibly three – it has happened).
What are you working on now?
Launching Scaled Vengeance into the world, mulling over ideas for my next thriller, and revving up to write that final book in my YA fantasy series with Jason Lex and Sadie Callahan.
End of Interview:
For more from Wendy M. Barnhart visit her website.
Get your copy of Scaled Vengeance from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
