Pairs: This Dating Site Will Be the Death of You follows a detective in Tampa Fl who is investigating the bizarre death of a woman who invited seven peculiar men from a friendship-dating app called Pairs to the local aquarium, only to end up murdered. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Interestingly, my inspiration came from the nights my friend, who had put herself – and me – on Match so we could both find partners, texted me countless weird profile pictures of people on the site. She was infuriated, but I found it really funny. I was at a riverside Tiki bar one day trying to write an outline for my second novel when I decided to write something funny about all the pictures she sent me. That turned into Pairs (none based on actual people, but not so far off the mark either).

Each character in this story is unique and leaves readers with more questions than answers. What was your inspiration for the characters’ interactions and backstories?

Pairs is set up so that I can inspire reader involvement. The characters are purposefully vague in order to stimulate reader imagination. At the end of the book, people are encouraged to write their own ending (I have done 3), and send it to me. I may put theirs on my website (pending approval signature etc from the contributor). Pairs is also set up formulaically. Its theme is online dating. All future books have a different theme. Detective Ned is the recurring character, and he develops a backstory throughout the series, and has his own diary on CracktheCaseBooks.com.

How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?

I hate to say this, but I just write and edit. The ideas are almost too easy since it’s farce, folly, satire of the human condition… But I would also say they are about the same thing.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

1. Mishaps is out already on Amazon. It is book #2.
2. Books 3 (Wrecks) and 4 (Critters) should be out by the end of 2025, and 2 more are in the works for 2026.
3. A longer, more serious mystery novel should also be out by the end of 2025. All info will be announced on social media and CracktheCaseBooks.com.

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