Their True North
Scam at Old River follows a computer forensic expert who volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate a dangerous criminal organization. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
What happened at Old River is based on a true event. I was there. The actual location I moved to Old River, (which does exist). as it was similar to the actual location. I have an MSc in Computer Science and have spent the last forty years consulting in corporates. A good portion of this work became forensic in nature. This story I have told many times when sitting around a campfire in the bush. It would frequently get comments, “Mike, you should put that story in a book.”
Jack Rhodes is an interesting character that’s well developed. What were some driving ideals behind his character’s development?
Jack Rhodes had to be believable and someone to whom, the reader, men and women of all ages., could relate. Firstly, Jack is not a superhero. Secondly, he has his own internal problems. This, to me, sounds like most people. People need a support structure, no matter who they are. Jack’s internal problems he keeps in check with help from his cousin and their mutual friend. In my view, people do not have a good sense of their True North – their values, their beliefs, their purpose. This is interesting to consider when you meet bad people. I put my thoughts on this into my stories.
I enjoyed the mystery at the heart of this story. Did you plan the mystery beforehand or did it develop organically while writing?
From the original true event, it was a mystery I needed to uncover. When I started writing it, the mystery grew legs of its own and ran down the road. I just followed with my keyboard.
Do you have future books planned starring Jack Rhodes?
My books are a series, The Scam Series. The second book which has just been published is called Scam at Five Mile Road, set in Plymouth, Michigan, where there is a Five Mile Road. Plymouth is close to Detroit – the definitive automotive city. I did a lot of consulting in the automotive sector, so I based the story on a particular forensic event. Once again, I followed the mystery down the road with my keyboard.
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After a night out celebrating the conclusion of a successful assignment, computer forensic expert Jack Rhodes, wakes up with a beautiful woman in his bed, an almighty hangover, and someone is pounding on his door. He answers, and the large stranger asks for the woman by name. The stranger goes on the attack. Jack thinks he’s in the middle of a relationship drama.
Drawing on his martial arts training, Jack subdues the assailant. He calls the police, but not before learning the woman has hidden incriminating files from a dangerous man. When the police arrive, the woman has disappeared.
Through his connections on the force, Jack volunteers to go undercover and discover the truth. It becomes a dark and menacing path into the hidden underbelly of San Francisco’s business and criminal element where murder, exploitation, fraud, and betrayal are a way of life. He needs to make the connections, get the proof he needs and find the woman fast. But to do so means facing his demons, a darkness within, and a past he cannot escape.
Posted on December 18, 2021, in Interviews and tagged author, author interview, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, crime fiction, crime thriller, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, kindle, kobo, literature, Mike Mackay, mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Scam at Old River, story, suspense, thriller, true story, writer, writing. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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