BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--MEET DETECTIVE RJ FRANKLIN

Today we’re joined by Detective RJ Franklin from the RJ Franklin Mystery Series by author V.M. Burns.

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

I was a cop with the St. Joseph, Indiana police force. I was recovering from an accident, so I was out on medical leave. When the choir director at my church was murdered, I was called in to investigate. My doctor thinks I’m physically able to return to work, but I’m not so sure if I’m emotionally ready.

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

I like the fact that I’m neat and organized. A lot of people assume a single man would be messy, however I like everything to be neat and tidy. Some people might say it’s a control thing, but I disagree.

What do you like least about yourself?

Cops are the first ones to arrive at the scene of a crime. We see the worse side of humanity. I’ve always been able to do my job and not allow it to get to me. I put up a barrier to protect myself, but after my accident, my barrier got a huge crack. Now, I’m not able to sleep and I find myself questioning why God would allow so many horrible things to happen. I was raised in the church. My faith was just a part of my composition. My author calls it a crisis of faith, but to me it’s bigger than that. I don’t like having these questions and not knowing what’s real and what’s right.

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you? The strangest thing my author has had me do involves agreeing to teach a class at the law school. I don’t know what she was thinking, but I nearly puked the first time I had to go to testify in court. Public speaking is not my thing. I think she needs to rethink this.

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

I often argue with my author. She is constantly trying to stretch me outside of my comfort zone, like how she wants me to teach at the University. I’m not a lawyer or PhD. I’m just a simple cop. No one, especially law students, are going to want to listen to me talk about law enforcement, but my author disagrees.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is not being able to protect the people I love, like my godmother. Mama B lives in a dangerous area. There are gang bangers and street thugs around all the time. Unfortunately, I can’t convince her that they’re dangerous and maybe she should lock her doors and stop feeding them sweet potato pie and sweet tea. So far none of them have harmed her. In fact, they seem to have adopted her as their surrogate godmother and have pledged protection for her, but I don’t trust criminals. I don’t trust a lot of people, so I can’t help worrying about her.

What makes you happy?

Spending time with the people I love, like my godmother, Mama B, makes me happy. I’ve also met a girl named Paris. Hanging out with her and listening to jazz makes me happy.

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

If I could rewrite part of my story (or have my author rewrite it) I would have avoided the accident. It wasn’t my fault, but I can’t unsee what happened. I don’t know if I can ever get that image out of my head. I want to go back to a time when I slept at night, when children were safe and when I believed that I could make a difference.

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

The Assistant Minister, Moe Chapman irritates me. I don’t like pretentious people and most of his life he was just Moe Chapman. Now, that he’s been called into the ministry he wants to be called, Reverend Chapman. He puts on airs and can’t say one sentence without using religious phrases, “Praise the Lord,” “Bless God,” “Hallelujah.” He uses those phrases the way most people would say, “Um.” He pretends to be holier than everyone else. As Mama B would say, “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” 

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

If I could trade places with anyone in Travellin’ Shoes, I’d trade places with my pastor, Reverend Hilton V. Hamilton. He is kind and very sure of his beliefs. I’d love to have that confidence again.

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

Like me, V.M. Burns was born and raised in Northwestern Indiana. Although, she doesn’t like the cold and has moved to Eastern Tennessee. She writes two other mystery series, The Mystery Bookshop Mystery series and the Dog Club Mystery Series. She loves poodles and owns two. Readers can learn more about her at her website. www.vmburns.com.

What's next for you?

I’m going to continue solving crimes and catching bad guys. I’m also going to spend more time with my godmother, Mama B, and Paris. Readers can learn more in Motherless Child, which will release in 2019.

Travellin’ Shoes

An RJ Franklin Mystery

When First Baptist Church's choir director is bludgeoned, shot and set afire, Detective RJ Franklin is called in to catch the killer. However, it isn't long before RJ realizes nothing is as it seems. In fact, not even the victim is who he claimed to be. Concerned for his church family RJ digs into the investigation even though he's still recovering from a car accident that has left him more shaken than he's willing to admit. Can RJ put his doubts behind him and find a killer before someone he cares about becomes the next victim?

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