Dark, Cold Eyes follows two private investigators who are investigating a series of murders linked to a long-forgotten cult in a small upper-crust neighborhood. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My passion for infusing my narratives with real historical facts is unparalleled. These facts breathe life into the story in a way that nothing else can. When readers uncover that the unsettling details are rooted in truth, the story resonates more deeply. Michigan, for instance, has a rich and often overlooked history with both cults and mafia organizations, spanning decades from the past into the present. It’s not the only state with such shadows, but it’s rarely the one people think of first. Even with the Jimmy Hoffa mystery resurfacing in national headlines from time to time, the darker undercurrents of Michigan’s criminal past remain largely unnoticed. Bringing these truths forward doesn’t just enrich the setting; it gives my characters real-world forces to navigate the kind of conflicts any of us might unexpectedly encounter.

There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?

Creating characters with deep human traits is at the heart of my storytelling. I ensure they have fundamental flaws because none of us is perfect, and neither should they be. Life unfolds in awkward, messy, and sometimes unexpected moments, and I want my characters to reflect that. Maybe it is a playful wife choosing the worst possible moment to grab her husband’s tush, or a spouse becoming angry even after the other just saved the day because the situation could have gone terribly wrong. These imperfect reactions feel genuine. Even something as simple as a character tripping while walking across a room can make them feel alive and relatable. Human moments like these anchor a story in truth and draw readers closer.

What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story, where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?

I am not a fan of obvious foreshadowing, but I love weaving subtle hints throughout the story. My readers have probably learned to pay close attention to that first chapter. I often hide key information early on, then bury additional clues deep within the narrative. A few chapters later, they discover that the small detail my characters casually dismissed actually plays a significant role in the mystery.  The problem is that you don’t know exactly which detail to pay attention to. That mirrors real life, where we often overlook something vital until it suddenly matters.

Where does the next book in the series take the characters?

I am not sure yet. No new storylines for Keri and Jade Shaw have come to me. I have always struggled to write books in a strict sequence, which is why I usually work on two series at once. Moving between them helps keep my creativity flowing. What I never want to do is force a story onto my characters. Stepping back for a while, much like taking a real vacation, often gives me the space to let the proper storyline rise to the surface. 

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