BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--INTERVIEW WITH MYSTERY AUTHOR JAMES M. JACKSON'S P.I. SEAMUS McCREE

Today we’re joined by Seamus McCree from mystery author James M. Jackson’s Seamus McCree series. Learn more about James and his books at his website. 

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

In a word, boring. I was working for an outfit called Criminal Investigations Group (CIG). It’s a nonprofit that assists local police departments with expertise they don’t have. After I’d quit my Wall Street job, where I was the top-ranked bank stock analyst (yawn), the head of CIG talked me into creating a financial crimes group for them. This wasn’t long after 9/11 when the FBI transferred much of their white-collar crime resources to battling terrorism, and local departments were struggling.

I convinced a lot of good people to help CIG develop a crackerjack team of computer geeks and forensic accountants who can track money wherever it goes. When that became routine, I asked CIG to allow me to work directly with police on some assignments.

Be careful what you ask for.

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?

If I say I’m going to do something, I will.

What do you like least about yourself?

I can be a tad stubborn.

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?

He made me submit my recipe for homemade pizza with applesauce topping for a cookbook he and bunch of his friends put together. It’s called KP Authors Cook Their Books, and it’s free on Kindle if you’re interested.

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?

Well, we sure as heck didn’t agree on that recipe idea. We don’t argue a lot. I’m a very good listener, so I can let him vent, and when I want something I’m so subtle he usually thinks it was his idea! After I’ve mastered something, I get bored with it. That’s when I hack his dreams and plant ideas, like “let Seamus work directly with the police” or most recently, “let Seamus bring someone to his remote camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to protect them.” He lets me do it, but it doesn’t always go the way I anticipated.

What is your greatest fear?

He’ll stop caring about what happens to me and my family. Then we’re goners.

What makes you happy?

My family has always made me happy. Even when my son, Paddy, infuriates me, I’m proud as punch about everything he has accomplished. And now that I have a granddaughter—well, I was born to be Grampa Seamus.

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?

It’s back-story I’d like to change. I was (okay, am) a driven man. During the time I worked on Wall Street, I didn’t spend enough time with my family. When rough times come to a couple they need to draw on their emotional bank accounts to get through. Problem was, when our challenges came, I had already overdrawn my account. It would have been better for Paddy to grow up with two parents in the house.

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?

That’s easy. The Happy Reaper and not just because he’s an extremely competent assassin. He exhibits qualities that I admire. I’m all about my word being my bond; his business card promotes his “Results Guaranteed.” Plus, he could have killed me, and I don’t like owing anyone anything.

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?

My granddaughter, Megan. Even though I say I wouldn’t want to be a kid these days, I’m a late baby boomer. My generation has screwed up its chance to change the world in a positive way. I have hope the kids can do it. She’s curious and smart, and she loves to read. I have the feeling she’s going to be a “take charge” kind of woman.

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

He splits his time between the remote woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Georgia’s Lowcountry. He claims the moves between locations are weather-related, but I think they may have more to do with not overstaying his welcome. His blog is on his website, https://jamesmjackson.com. There, you can sign up for his newsletter, check his social network links, and find out more about him and me. If you want to chat with me directly, I have my own email address: SeamusMcCreee@jamesmjackson.com and I’d love to hear from you.

What's next for you?

I was shocked to learn my Uncle Mike was murdered. He named me his executor, which meant I needed to return to my native Boston. Problem is, the legacy he left me to take care of consisted of more than tangible assets, and he left no clear instructions.

Empty Promises

A Seamus McCree Novel, book 5

Seamus McCree’s first solo bodyguard assignment goes from bad to worse. His client disappears. His granddog finds a buried human bone. Police find a fresh human body.

His client is to testify in a Chicago money laundering trial. He’s paranoid that with a price on his head, if the police know where he’s staying, the information will leak. Seamus promised his business partner and lover, Abigail Hancock, that he’d keep the witness safe at the McCree family camp located deep in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s woods.

Abigail is furious at his incompetence and their relationship flounders. Even his often-helpful son, Paddy, must put family safety ahead of helping his father. Seamus risks his own safety and freedom to turn amateur sleuth in hopes he can solve the crimes, fulfill his promise of protection, and win back Abigail. Wit and grit are on his side, but the clock is ticking . . . and the hit man is on his way.

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