The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I was tagged for the blog hop The Next Big Thing by Cathy Dougherty, author of In Polyester Pajamas
I’ve done radio interviews, TV interviews, newspaper interviews, and blog interviews, but this is my first “hop” interview. I'll be answering ten questions about my current books.

As a reader, this will give you the opportunity to hop from one blog and website to the next and introduce authors, some new, some seasoned, and their current works in progress. There’ll be something for everyone, so happy hopping!

Here's the Q and A
What is the title of your book? 
The first Zack Taylor mystery is A Memory of Grief, which came out last year. The second, A Fall From Grace, appeared for sale in January, and I'm feverishly working on book three, A Shadow on the Wall.

Where did the idea come from for this book? 
I wanted to set a mystery in Portland, where I spent a lot of time. Zack came as a troubled character wth a past and very little future.

What genre does your book fall under?
Mystery/Crime

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Most action stars can't act, and don't have the depth of Zack Taylor. However, Matt Damon would  do a great job-- after the Bourne series, he showed he has the muscle and the chops.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Haunted ex-con drifter Zack Taylor pursues the truth about his friend's death, while his rage and ghosts drive him closer to the edge.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My books are published by a small press, Briona Glen Publishing, LLC. I deal directly with them. I don’t have an agent.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Years. The book evolved over time.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books, and Robert B. Parker's Spenser series, with a dash of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The protagonist, Zack Taylor. His story had to come out.

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
This is something different in the hard-boiled field-- a hero who doesn't use a gun to get out of trouble. This puts him at a big disadvantage, and he has to use his wits and physical skills to get out of trouble.

Hop on over to these other places:
Katherine Tomlinson at Kattomic Energy: http://kattomic-energy.blogspot.com/
Vlad Vaslyn: http://www.thevlad.net/
Jennifer Pelland: http://jenwrites.livejournal.com/
Ken Hoss
http://kenhoss.blogspot.com/
Patti Roberts Book Blog:
http://paradox-theangelsarehere.blogspot.com/