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The Greater Criminal
The Right Side of Wrong follows two FBI Special Agents working on a crime with ties to a multi-billion-dollar case of corporate espionage, who find themselves on a high-stakes adventure in the Bahamas. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My last two novels, Pedaling West and Survive the Day, featured characters Special Agents Marina Butnari and Doug Hill in the Crime Thriller genre. My third novel, The Other Side of Good, also a crime-thriller, didn’t include Butnari and Hill, but I hoped I might creatively connect that book to the crime-thriller series with The Right Side of Wrong. The similar titles for the two books suggest a relationship between them, and I incorporated characters from The Other Side of Good to join Butnari and Hill in the new book.
How did you develop the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
Given the history of one of the main characters of the book, Teddy Jay, the “central crime” for the story needed to be something different from the one I employed in other novels (Human Trafficking). My goal was to invite readers to consider a completely different type of crime from the traditional underworld ones … with characters just as evil. Between the lines, I hoped to challenge readers to determine which of the antagonists represented the greater criminal: the hired assassin, the senior executive who hired him, or the CEO of the major company who allowed the main crime to occur. As the story unfolded, the characters started “writing themselves.”
This sets up the novel to deliver some very entertaining scenes. What scene was the most fun to write?
As a former pilot, I enjoyed writing the chapter about the flight from Cincinnati to the Bahamas. I also liked writing the short section about the “redemption” of one of the early villains (Jack Walker/Harold Stinson/Mas).
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
Good question…and I’m not sure. While I’ve enjoyed some critical success with the “crime-thriller” genre, the byline for my website is Stories with Heart. I manage to insert heart into the crime stories, but I’d like to use some of the interesting characters of past books in a story not centered around crime or enforcement. The travel log aspects of Pedaling West were popular with many readers of that novel, and I’m considering a follow-up…like Pedaling East.
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An intruder caught trespassing on a Caribbean banana plantation leads to an emergency call to a high-ranking FBI official. Within hours, Reno-based special agents, Marina Butnari and Doug Hill, are assigned a top-secret mission originating in the Bahamas.
Yet this is no simple attempted burglary. The crime ties to a multi-billion-dollar case of corporate espionage, and the intended victim is a mysterious agency resource with an identity known to few.
From shark-infested waters to criminal-infested boardrooms, the agents take a roller-coaster ride through the depravities created by greed. They discover that in this imperfect life, sometimes the best you can do is stay on ‘The Right Side of Wrong.’
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS a crime fiction adventure featuring beloved characters from some of the other multiple award-winning books by E. A. Coe.
My Life’s Ups and Downs
Chronicles of Iron: Thunder Road follows a ten-year-old boy whose father commits suicide, and he is forced to grow up quickly and learn to survive in the 1870s western frontier. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Unfortunately, the setup was my life. My father killed himself when I was young, much younger than Ian but for the book I had to start at a point that would have moved the story forward in a better way. Also, I have always had a fascination with Western period movies and books so this just felt right. I had thought about how I wanted to present this for almost 14 years but I could never put it together right in my mind until recently when I thought I should base it on my own life and present it as I did.
What were the driving ideals behind the character’s development throughout the story?
This puzzle kind of fits itself together through the outline process in a way that shows Ian’s morals being formed before your eyes and making him into a hard character. Someone who is capable of being who he needs to be when he needs to be it. That process was honestly weird the way it worked out. Once I realized I should base it on my life experiences it flowed out of me like a river and it still is. The timing or storyboard if you will really is just flowing out of me right now. All the characters in the book are based on real people throughout my life and for better or for worse the story flows from that. In some of the storytelling it is more metaphorical in nature such as relationships ending with a killing to simulate the severing of the relationship and communications. I was not a good person when I was younger, I knew that the few lucky breaks I’ve had have helped me be a better person; it was an iffy proposition for a portion of my life.
One of the biggest drivers of the character development is my Psychology background, through my life’s ups and downs I was able to pay attention or look back and see the triggers and what really happened to me from a development point of view. To me, the best stories have solid character development.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Well, suicide was for me the biggest one. It is the most influential act that happened in my life that has made me who I am today and who I will be in the future; it is not understated to say it transforms me every day. Alcoholism was another battle I had to overcome in my life, it occupied a large portion of my childhood and adulthood, luckily for me I was able to stop when I met my wife – she has made me a better person. Violence also is a big part of life for some people, it was for me without a doubt. How Ian learns to build relationships also is another theme of building friendships that he has trouble with. It seems to me that when someone has harsh life experiences it is more difficult for them to be around “normal” people, experience is a difficult pill to swallow for some.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
In the next book which I do not have a name for yet, I have only written about half a chapter so far but Ian is thrust back to the past at some point so you can see what he did in those 5 years alone that were kind of skipped by. You will also get to witness a confrontation with one of Ian’s closest friends who has different ideas about life, and a reunion. In the future, Ian will learn forgiveness and how to seek redemption. Ian will also find love and set his sights on a home but how long will that last?
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The Right Side of Wrong: A Butnari and Hill Crime Thriller
The Right Side of Wrong is a sharp, high-stakes FBI thriller that kicks off with the mysterious massacre of a cargo ship crew in Baltimore and spirals into a tense web of espionage, corporate greed, and justice. We follow Teddy Jay, an ex-operative turned banana plantation owner, as he tries to uncover the powerful players behind a brutal crime tied to a pharmaceutical heist. The story spins through the Caribbean islands, FBI offices, and secret deals, while introducing gritty, memorable characters like Special Agents Marina Butnari and Doug Hill. It’s a fast, layered read, packed with tension, heart, and a touch of moral soul-searching.
What really grabbed me from the start was the pacing and how naturally E.A. Coe sets the hook. Right out of the gate, the prologue detailing the Butterfly cargo ship murders feels ripped from the headlines. There’s a gritty realism to the newspaper-style report that doesn’t feel forced; it feels downright chilling. Coe doesn’t waste time with slow build-ups; he knows readers today want to be thrown into the fire, and that’s exactly what he does. That opening scene made me genuinely uneasy, in a good way, the kind of page-turning discomfort you expect from a thriller but don’t always get.
The characters, though, are where Coe shines brightest. Teddy Jay is a brilliant lead, a guy who’s tough but full of hidden scars. I loved the little details, like him lifting fingerprints off a water glass, showing he’s never really left his shadowy past behind. But the real star for me was Samantha Jenkins, aka “No Te Metas,” whose fierce, almost mythic reputation adds such a cool, dangerous energy to the story. The moment when Harold Stinson learns what “No Te Metas” means was priceless; you could feel his stomach dropping through the page. Coe writes these tough, layered characters without making them cartoons, and that kept me caring even when the plot got wild.
In the middle chapters, the book does lean a bit more heavily on exposition, especially during the sections about the banana plantations, Tiburon Cay, and Teddy’s backstory. These slower moments contrast with the faster-paced, action-driven scenes I loved, and I did catch myself eagerly anticipating the next ambush or interrogation. That said, even the more deliberate sections added rich layers to the world, creating a lived-in atmosphere that’s often missing from quick-paced thrillers.
The Right Side of Wrong was an intense ride with just the right blend of action, mystery, and heart. I finished it in two long sittings because I had to know how it would all crash together. If you love stories where the line between right and wrong gets blurred, where good people sometimes do bad things for the right reasons, you’ll eat this one up. I’d recommend it to readers looking for a thriller that respects your intelligence while still kicking your adrenaline into overdrive.
Pages: 369 | ASIN : B0F384T422
Overcoming Trauma
Backfire is a relentless espionage thriller where a hardened operative and a cunning businesswoman navigate a web of betrayal, government corruption, and deadly alliances. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My motivation for the Jaywalker series is to address a subject of supreme importance for humanity, which is already beginning to arise. There are also elements of overcoming trauma and general hardship in life, which I have personally had life-changing experiences with. But these messages are subtle and blended into my favourite genre. Backfire is the starting point, and there are hints as to where the series is headed, but the beginning needed to be a thrilling story in itself while building the scene for what’s to come. I feel like I’ve achieved that.
Jayden is a compelling protagonist. What were some sources that informed his character’s development?
From a core perspective, Jayden is a sensationalised version of myself, much like many protagonists out there. His temperament and motivations are much like my own, and there are similarities in background circumstances as well. Writing Jayden into Backfire was an extremely natural process–instinctive. Creating the other characters was more challenging, but equally, if not, more enjoyable.
If Backfire were adapted into a film, who would be your dream cast for Jayden and Patricia?
I’m not familiar enough with the current suite of actors in the matching age range to give a worthwhile answer to this one. I have watched very few movies in the last decade as I prefer to read. But to give you an idea, I’d say a 40-ish-year-old Matt Damon would have nailed Jayden, and a 30-ish-year old Eva Green or Anne Hathaway for Patricia.
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Patricia Cooper is a charismatic, natural leader who battles sporadic personality-altering darkness due to a traumatic experience in her youth. She must take action before it ruins her life. During one such episode, she encounters Jayden Walker, an ex-engineer turned maverick, blazing a new path off society’s grid, intent on making a difference.
Jayden subsequently hikes deep into the forest on his most confronting project yet: to infiltrate the base’s fortress-like defenses and eliminate key personnel. On the journey, he forms a unique bond with an orphaned bobcat before his ingenuity is put to the test. What he discovers is a beginning, and in another state, the corrupt distribution of an arts grant leaves a trail of grime. But how does this relate to Patricia?
A Perilous, Twisty Road Trip
Outlaw follows an ex-con who, when released from prison, joins forces with his former captain to take down a ruthless tycoon responsible for the devastating fires across California. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I spoke with a number of real-life ex-cons about their journey from incarceration and back into society. Their challenges, their setbacks, and how it felt. I delved into where Mason was emotionally at the end of Book 1, Fireline, and built on the characters and conflicts of Fireline to craft the most authentic and thrilling continuation possible.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
In Outlaw, Mason is a man obsessed with finding a way to do something so undeniably good that it will “clean the slate” and free him from his past—even if it kills him. He is goaded along this path by former CalFire captain Mark Hallenbeck, who suffers from a disability for which Mason is responsible. Taking the role of the angel on his shoulder is Mason’s estranged mother, who seeks to make up for neglecting Mason because of her meth addiction.
Each main character in the book is reckoning with guilt (a healthy emotion) and/or shame (an unhealthy one) in some way—and each has something to learn from one another. All while trying to survive a perilous, twisty road trip.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
Thank you! I try to make sure that every beat in an action scene has stakes—something or someone that can be gained or lost—and that what’s happening is clear. It’s easy to get carried away if you love action, which I do, so I always try to come back to those goals.
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
I’m still figuring that out, actually. I think the next book will combine elements from Mason’s journey so far, like hazardous first responder situations and the bad actors who take advantage of these situations, while also exploring something new and different. It will continue Mason’s journey of figuring out how to live with himself—and how to just live. He’s come a long way from the guy who went along with his brother’s criminal ways, and he still has a lot of room to grow.
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Resourceful ex-con Mason “Mace” Jones will be damned if he lets Marshall get away with it.
Blacklisted from wildland firefighting, Mace’s last shot at redemption lies in finding a murderous fugitive who can expose Marshall’s deadly conspiracy.
But when he embarks on this perilous journey into California’s backcountry, Mace becomes a fugitive himself and must face assassins, renegade cops, and shadows from the past.
Can Mace survive this treacherous path, or will the flames of his past consume him?
A heart-pounding thriller, Outlaw will leave you breathless. With fierce action and searing depth of feeling, there’s never been a more riveting exploration of reckoning and forgiveness.
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Outlaw
Outlaw, the second installment in Anthony DeCapite’s Mason Jones thriller series, weaves a gripping tale of redemption, danger, and the enduring scars of one’s past. Eight months after his release from prison, Mason Jones is determined to rebuild his life, but his mission is far from straightforward. Haunted by choices made while serving on a prison fire crew—particularly his impersonation of a professional firefighter to avenge his brother’s death—Mason finds himself grappling with the consequences of his actions. To atone, he reluctantly joins forces with the former captain of the prison fire crew, targeting Erik Marshall, a ruthless tycoon responsible for devastating fires across California. As Marshall’s corrupt influence extends even into law enforcement, Mason’s quest for redemption becomes a perilous journey fraught with betrayal, danger, and the constant risk of losing everything he holds dear.
DeCapite masterfully balances high-octane entertainment with thoughtful exploration of complex themes. The novel delves into the nuances of redemption, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths while rooting for Mason’s redemption arc. The narrative launches straight into action, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The prose is sharp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of both the harrowing action sequences and the quieter, introspective moments. DeCapite’s descriptions of the adrenaline-fueled confrontations immerse readers without overwhelming them, making every scene pulse with energy and tension. One of the novel’s standout qualities is its climactic payoff. While many thrillers stumble with lackluster endings, Outlaw delivers a finale brimming with suspense, emotion, and cinematic intensity—worthy of comparison to the best in the genre. The well-executed plot twists add a jolt of surprise and elevate the story’s entertainment value, ensuring readers remain engaged and on edge.
Outlaw is a riveting blend of action and reflection, offering not only an exhilarating read but also a meaningful look at the complexities of redemption. A must-read for thriller enthusiasts and anyone seeking a compelling, thought-provoking escape.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0DMKY37B3
Pull Back the Curtain
Bad Pharma centers around a pharmaceutical professional and a medical monitor navigating the consequences of Big Pharma prioritizing of profits over patient safety. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Bad Pharma is based on real-life experiences witnessed by me and other colleagues that were then embellished to make for an exciting reader experience. The basic premise of the novel – that a pharma company could decide not to give those infants who received their failed experimental vaccine a dose of the licensed vaccine shown to prevent the given disease – actually happened, and was likely the most disheartening experience of my pharma career.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
My father was a very intelligent man, who did not harness his intellect to achieve career success and financial comfort. Watching him struggle due to poor decisions made during the college years made me extremely motivated to make the most out of any talent that I had. I was driven to make a difference with my life and chose a career in medicine as the best way to do that.
This is such a timely topic. What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
As the basis of this story are events that occurred in real life, it was very easy to craft the story in a way that was realistic. Many of the scenes in the book were scenes that I lived.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
This novel was my primary passion, as I wanted to pull back the curtain and educate the public on how Big Pharma makes decisions that may impact their lives. The book took four years to put together – mainly because writing is “not my day job.” I am therefore unsure I will write another one soon. I have considered a few topics, though. One would be an expose on the population of individuals who are hooked on gambling as a “Hail Mary” to transform their lives. I am interested in interviewing many of these individuals, understanding their motives, and getting a sense of how realistic or unrealistic their goals are. The title of the book would likely be called “Crapped Out.”
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When Siddhartha Kumar, OPL’s lead medical monitor assigned to the trial, discovers that RSVIX is not performing as planned, he notifies his superiors, recommending they stop the trial and offer a dose of RESPIRWELL to all the study participants to ensure their protection. When the company refuses to inoculate the trial population with the licensed vaccine, Sid questions the ethics behind this decision while continuing to advocate for the safety of the children. Sid’s insistence leads to his dismissal, leaving like-minded others in the company scrambling to fill the void.
Inspired by a true story, Bad Pharma delves into the consequential issues surrounding drug development, which often puts science and business at odds, and asks the ultimate question: when is the risk not worth the reward?
The Case Files of GG Michaels Paranormal Investigator
J.L. Meredith’s The Case Files of GG Michaels: Paranormal Investigator delivers a gripping mix of supernatural suspense, investigative drama, and sly humor. Each short story follows Guenevere “Guen” Michaels, a fearless paranormal investigator, and her steadfast partner, Janet Yamashita. Together, they tackle eerie mysteries, confronting everything from ghosts and vampires to legendary creatures, all while juggling their professional cases and personal challenges.
Meredith paints each scene with precision and atmosphere. Whether it’s an abandoned asylum cloaked in shadow or a creaking Victorian house steeped in ghostly whispers, the locations feel alive and dripping with supernatural tension. The chemistry between Guen and Janet shines brightly, with Guen’s daring and resourcefulness playing perfectly against Janet’s down-to-earth practicality and skeptical humor. Their moments of banter and camaraderie bring a lighthearted charm that balances the book’s darker, chilling tones. The pacing of each short story keeps the suspense tight, pulling readers into one eerie case after another. Every tale builds anticipation as Guen and Janet piece together clues and face malevolent entities. Meredith seamlessly weaves historical details into the paranormal fabric, such as the haunting ties of the Monahan house to the Underground Railroad, adding a sense of realism and depth. The fusion of folklore with modern investigative techniques creates a refreshing and inventive take on paranormal sleuthing.
Despite its many strengths, the collection’s brisk momentum sometimes works against it. The sheer variety of supernatural cases can feel somewhat overwhelming, with transitions between stories occasionally losing clarity. Some climactic moments resolve too quickly, leaving a hunger for deeper exploration of these terrifying encounters.
The Case Files of GG Michaels: Paranormal Investigator is an engrossing read for fans of paranormal mysteries. Meredith’s knack for atmospheric storytelling, sharp character dynamics, and the interplay of horror and humor make this book an exciting and memorable entry into the genre. It’s perfect for readers who love their chills with a dash of wit.
Pages: 79 | ASIN : B0DLCG96ZF
LITERARY TITAN 