Corrupted Souls follows a detective that is investigating a murder that appears to be a hate crime, and in the process uncovers a massive conspiracy that could get him killed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?

I read a story about hate crimes perpetrated against the Jewish community in New York City, and it really bothered me. The memory of those attacks stuck in the back of my mind, and it came out when I was considering an inciting incident for Corrupted Souls. I find hate disgusting, and this heinous act in Corrupted Souls fills my main character with disgust in the same way it would me. Sadly, such an incident could easily happen today.

Joe has been through a lot and this case pushes him to his limits. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Joe has a strong moral sense, and that comes from his small-town, Midwestern upbringing. He has the best solve rate of any of the detectives in his area because he drives himself to close a case. He is creative, intuitive, and his lieutenant has described him as a bulldog because once he grabs hold of a case, he won’t let go of it. It comes close to becoming an obsession, and he once learned the hard way that he cannot drive himself beyond what is physically and psychologically possible to solve a case.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

This may seem odd to some people, but I don’t think in terms of themes when I write. I approach a story by concentrating on plot and character, and if themes develop out of the story, so be it. To me, themes clutter my thinking about the story, and they don’t help me write the book. So, I leave themes up to people who read and interpret the story.

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

I just completed the first draft of One of Ours, and it will be published next year. It tests Joe in ways he has not been challenged before because the crime strikes close to home.

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