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JimiJix Special Brew

JimiJix Special Brew is a crime-thriller about the murder of a well-known marketing character for a fast-food chain.

Love, Loyalty, and Revenge

Tom Doherty Author Interview

JimiJix Special Brew follows a man shattered by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter who deteriorates in a dark world of crime and revenge. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

No single event or case was the inspiration for the setup in JimiJix Special Brew, although Killian Doyle, and the marketing mascot, were obviously inspired by my time in advertising.

Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?

Yes, I believe that change is often prompted by an event in someone’s life. It could be a career event, a relationship event, a family event, or some other event, but I believe that an event often prompts a person to change.

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

The big theme was change. The book is primarily about how a relatively ordinary person has to change and use all their skills (their special brew) in order to obtain justice. Whether, and by how much, a person can change, has always been of interest to me.

Other themes explored in JimiJix Special Brew are love, loyalty, and revenge.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

I originally wrote and self-published JimiJix in 2015, I rewrote JimiJix as JimiJix Special Brew in 2024. JimiJix was one of a series of three books that featured Killian Doyle – the others being ShamrockSnake (2019) and TummiTurtle (2021). I am now rewriting ShamrockSnake, in which Killian Doyle sets out to discover why his business partner died in a murder-suicide. The revised version of ShamrockSnake will be published in 2025, with the revised version of TummiTurtle planned for 2026.

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JimiJix Special Brew is a crime-thriller about the murder of a well-known marketing character for a fast-food chain.


JimiJix Special Brew

JimiJix Special Brew is a gripping crime thriller that follows the unraveling life of Killian Doyle, a man shattered by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. As he struggles to navigate his grief, Killian’s once-thriving career in advertising begins to crumble. His relationships deteriorate, culminating in a shocking act of violence that sets off a chain of events plunging him into a dark world of crime and revenge. The novel’s fast-paced narrative is infused with tension and unexpected twists, making it a compelling read from start to finish.

What struck me first about this book was how deeply it explores the psyche of a man broken by tragedy. Killian’s transformation from a vibrant, passionate professional to a hollow shell of his former self is palpable. Doherty does an excellent job of portraying the subtle and not-so-subtle changes in Killian’s character. The shift in Killian’s personality is a powerful commentary on how loss can fundamentally change a person, sometimes in ways that even they don’t recognize. The writing style is straightforward and punchy, which suits the gritty tone of the story. There are moments where the dialogue feels a bit too on-the-nose, almost like the characters are spelling out their thoughts for the reader. While this can be jarring, it doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience. The interactions between Killian and his mentor, Ted, are particularly vivid. Ted’s brutal honesty about the advertising industry paints a stark picture of the world Killian inhabits. This no-holds-barred attitude contrasts sharply with Killian’s growing sense of disillusionment, adding layers to his internal conflict. Doherty clearly has a deep understanding of the industry’s inner workings, and he uses this knowledge to create a backdrop that feels both authentic and suffocating. The cutthroat nature of the business is reflected in the novel’s tense atmosphere, where every decision feels like it could be the one that brings everything crashing down.

JimiJix Special Brew is a dark, intense thriller that delves deep into the human condition. It’s a story about grief, revenge, and the lengths to which people will go when pushed to their limits. While the writing can be a bit heavy-handed at times, the story’s emotional depth and the relentless pacing more than make up for it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers with complex characters and a psychological edge. It’s particularly suited for readers who appreciate stories that explore the darker sides of both human nature and professional life.

Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0D3FNXMR5

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