1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
San Francisco, 1979
When ex-con PI Colleen Hayes is hired to find a missing person, she discovers a World War II banknote and a 1942 SS ID of a German officer long thought dead. An international vigilante group hunting down ex-Nazis unleashes a wave in violence that leads her to Italy where she uncovers a secret project hatched in a WWII concentration camp. Colleen has no choice but to push ahead if the killing is to stop and justice prevail.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Ex-con Colleen Hayes resides in 1970s San Francisco where she is attempting to reunite with her daughter. The European locations reflet historical events to WWII.
4–Would you hang out with your sleuth in real life?
Of course – although I’d keep my eyes peeled! Colleen is known to cross paths with people who are dangerous—she’s a little damaged due to her time in prison for killing her husband
5–What are three words that describe your sleuth?
Cool, brave, and relentless.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
The history of the Nazis’ counterfeiting operation.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
The first draft has minimal editing. Subsequent drafts incorporate more edits, resulting in small, iterative drafts as the book takes shape.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Are hot dogs ‘foodie’?
9–Describe your writing space/office!
I have a small office, painted purple, full of rock n roll trivia. A guitar and amp help me take creative, relaxing breaks from writing.
10–Who is an author you admire?
Elmore Leonard. He pioneered the modern crime novel.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
The Ginger Man by JP Donleavy. Banned in the ‘50s, it’s tough, tender, hilarious and heart-breaking. It made ‘em realize I wanted to be a writer. I read it every couple of years.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)
After four agents and multiple rewrites, my first published novel, The Cain File, was published by an Amazon Imprint as part of their Kindle Scout program.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
Suspense, of course—all flavors. In addition to Elmore Leonard, I am a huge fan of Patricia Highsmith.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
Casablanca—the B movie that lived forever. Rick is the ultimate misunderstood hero.
15–What is your favorite season?
Winter—in San Francisco. There’s something about grey days and fog that I love.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
By breathing in and out! It beats the alternative.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The Outlaws, a Brit comedy-drama about a group of misfits forced to do community service. Great characters, writing, dialog, and scope.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I know what I said about hot dogs but if I could have only one cuisine, it would be Italian.
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I play guitar in a local classic rock band. I love music and envy those who can do it full time.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
NIGHT CANDY: Colleen Hayes #4. An ex con PI stumbles upon a serial killer stalking both women and men in 1979 San Francisco.
LINE OF DARKNESS by Max Tomlinson
Colleen Hayes Series #4
Post-war darkness may be the darkest of them all—Nazi-hunters reach deep into 1979 San Francisco
When a German businesswoman in 1979 San Francisco hires ex-con PI Colleen Hayes to find a missing relative, supposedly in town to visit, she thinks it’s a simple job. But she soon discovers that the “nephew” is linked to an international vigilante group hunting down ex-Nazis. Then the body of a mysterious woman turns up on San Francisco’s Municipal Railway, mirroring a murder committed the week before in Buenos Aires where the “nephew” had just been.
Colleen’s search uncovers a World War II banknote and the 1942 SS ID of a German officer long thought dead. When Colleen fails to heed warnings to stop her investigation, her pregnant daughter is attacked.
The so-called nephew is nowhere to be found. The German businesswoman has fled town. Colleen’s search leads her to Italy where the infamous Vatican Ratlines helped escaped ex-Nazis forge new identities around the globe. Deep in the Italian Alps, she uncovers a secret project hatched in a concentration camp. Colleen has no choice but to push ahead if the killing is to stop and justice prevail.
Mystery | Thriller Spy [Oceanview Publishing, On Sale: August 16, 2022, Hardcover, ISBN: 9781608094523 / ]
Buy LINE OF DARKNESS: Amazon.com | BN.com | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Love’s Sweet Arrow | Walmart.com | Book Depository | Target.com |
About Max Tomlinson
Born in the wilds of San Francisco, with its rich literary history and public transport system teeming with characters suitable for crime novels, the stage was set for Max Tomlinson to become a mystery writer. His novels include SENDERO (listed as one of the top 100 Indie novels of 2012 by Kirkus), WHO SINGS TO THE DEAD, LETHAL DISPATCH, THE CAIN FILE (selected by Amazon’s Kindle Scout program), and the follow-up, THE DARKNET FILE. Max’s Colleen Hayes Mysteries of the ’70s, published by Oceanview, include VANISHING IN THE HAIGHT (a USA Today Bestseller), TIE DIE, BAD SCENE, and LINE OF DARKNESS, which releases 8/16/2022.
No Comments
Comments are closed.