Interview with Mr. Luke Murphy (The author of DEAD MAN'S HAND)
What happens when the
deck is stacked against you…
From NFL rising-star prospect to wanted
fugitive, Calvin Watters is a sadistic African-American Las Vegas
debt-collector framed by a murderer who, like the Vegas Police, finds
him to be the perfect fall-guy.
…and the cards don't
fall your way?
When the brutal slaying of a prominent
casino owner is followed by the murder of a well-known bookie,
Detective Dale Dayton is thrown into the middle of a highly political
case and leads the largest homicide investigation in Vegas in the
last twelve years.
What if you're dealt a
Dead Man's Hand?
Against his superiors and better
judgment, Dayton is willing to give Calvin one last chance. To redeem
himself, Calvin must prove his innocence by finding the real killer,
while avoiding the LVMPD, as well as protect the woman he loves from
a professional assassin hired to silence them.
Buy Link:
Short Author Bio:
Luke Murphy lives in Shawville, Quebec
with his wife, three daughters and pug.
He played six years of professional
hockey before retiring in 2006. Since then, he’s held a number of
jobs, from sports columnist to radio journalist, before earning his
Bachelor of Education degree (Magna Cum Laude).
Murphy`s debut novel, Dead Man`s Hand,
was released by Imajin Books on October 20, 2012.
For more information on Luke and his
books, visit:
‘like’ his Facebook page
and follow him on Twitter
Review Blurbs:
"You
may want to give it the whole night, just to see how it turns
out."
"Dead
Man's Hand is
a pleasure, a debut novel that doesn't read like one,
but
still presents original characters and a fresh new voice."
—Thomas
Perry, New York Times
bestselling author of Poison Flower
"Part police
procedural, part crime fiction, Dead Man's Hand is a fast,
gritty ride."
—Anne Frasier, USA
Today bestselling author of Hush
Author Interview:
●When did you start writing?
Writing just kind of happened by
accident.
Growing up I never thought much about
writing, but I was an avid reader. The only time I ever wrote was
when my teachers at school made me. I wanted to be an NHL
superstar…period.
It was the winter of 2000, my second
year of professional hockey, and I was playing in Oklahoma City.
After sustaining a season ending eye injury (one of the scariest
moments of my life), I found myself with time on his hands.
My girlfriend at the time, who is now
my wife, was attending a French college in Montreal. She received an
English assignment to write a short story, and asked me for some
help.
I loved the experience—creating vivid
characters and generating a wire-taut plot. I sat down at my
roommate’s computer and began typing. I wrote a little every day,
around my intense rehabilitation schedule and before I knew it I had
completed my first manuscript.
I didn’t write with the intention of
being published. I wrote for the love of writing.
Thirteen years later, I still write for
pleasure—and I still love it! The fact that I am being published is
a bonus.
●What is your first ever work you
wrote?
DEAD MAN’S HAND is my only published
work to date, and I have been getting exceptional reviews. It took me
over six years from writing the first word to seeing it in print, so
I spent a lot of time with it.
But my first manuscript is my baby. It
was what drew me to writing, what ignited the passionate fire in me
to write. It also brought my wife and I closer together (we were just
dating at the time and she helped me a little).
I never intended to publish my first
manuscript, it was part of practicing to hone my craft. But since my
first novel has been getting such good reviews, for book #2, I’ve
pulled my first manuscript out of the drawer and am currently
revising it for possible publication.
●Who inspired you to write?
I never thought much about writing when
I was growing up.
But I was always an avid reader, which
I owe to my mother. She was a librarian, and although I lost her when
I was young, I will always remember a stack on Danielle Steele books
on her bedside table, and a lot of books lying around the house at my
disposal.
My first chapter books were the Hardy
Boys titles, so they are the reason I love mysteries. As an adult,
some of my favorite authors are Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly and
Greg Iles, so naturally I write what I love to read –
mystery/suspense novels. DEAD MAN`S HAND has been compared to James
Patterson books, which to me is an honour. Maybe in style (short
chapters, a quick read), as I have read many of his books.
Plot: I get my ideas from stories I
hear about, whether through reading (newspapers, magazines, etc.),
what I hear (radio) or what I see (TV, movies, internet, etc.). The
plot is completely fictional. I wouldn`t say that one thing or person
influences my writing, but a variety of my life experiences all have
led to my passion in the written word. There is not a single moment
in time when this idea came to be, but circumstances over the years
that led to this story: my hockey injuries, frequent visits to Las
Vegas, my love of football, crime books and movies. Dead Man’s Hand
became real from mixing these events, taking advantage of experts in
their field, and adding my wild imagination. The internet also
provides a wealth of information, available at our fingertips with a
click of the mouse.
Setting: I usually set my stories in
cities I`ve visited and fell in love with. Las Vegas was the perfect
backdrop for this story, glitz and glamour as well as an untapped
underground.
Characters: I have never been involved
in a homicide investigation, LOL. Although I am not a 6’5”, 220
pound African-American, I’ve used much of my athletic background
when creating my protagonist Calvin Watters. Watters past as an
athlete, and his emotional rollercoaster brought on by injuries were
drawn from my experiences. His mother died of cancer when he was
young, as mine was. There are certainly elements of myself in Calvin,
but overall, this is a work of fiction. I did not base the characters
or plot on any real people or events. Any familiarities are strictly
coincidence.
I’ve always been a self-motivated
person, and my harshest critic. Whether it was in school, hockey or
writing, I’ve been the one to put the most pressure on myself to
succeed, to be the best in everything I try.
●Who is your favorite author?
Harlan Coben, Greg Iles, Michael
Connelly, among others.
●What is your favorite saying/motto
that really inspired you the most?
I’m guessing this is a “writing”
motto. When I was first researching the writing industry and learning
about becoming a writer, I bought a couple of books to read up on.
One of those books was, “Stein on Writing”, a book written by
successful editor Sol Stein.
I read through the novel and
highlighted important answers to my questions. My major breakthrough
from Stein’s book was to “Show don’t Tell”. I had to trust my
readers. I even wrote that phrase on a sticky note and put it on my
computer monitor.
●If you are going to write another
book, what genre would it be?
Definitely another crime-thriller.
That’s what I love to read, so it only makes sense that it’s was
I love to write.
Run after my 3 girls (5, 3 and 4
months) Haha. But I spend time with family, friends, BBQs, golf,
hockey, and reading.
●What genre of books do you normally
read?
Thrillers, suspense, and mystery
●What is your favorite book ever read
so far?
The Quiet Game by Greg Iles
●Any book that made you emotional?
Every book I read usually draws on some
emotion inside of me.
●If you are going to be one of the
characters of your favorite book, who would you like to be? Why?
Many people have asked if I can make
any real connections to the main character in my novel. The answer,
as for my connection…no, I have never been involved in a homicide
investigation, LOL. The plot is completely fictional. Although I am
not a 6’5”, 220 pound African-American, I’ve used much of my
athletic background when creating my protagonist Calvin Watters.
Watters past as an athlete, and his emotional rollercoaster brought
on by injuries were drawn from my experiences. His mother died of
cancer when he was young, as mine was. There are certainly elements
of myself in Calvin, but overall, this is a work of fiction. I did
not base the characters or plot on any real people or events. Any
familiarities are strictly coincidence.
Calvin Watters faces racial prejudice
with calmness similar to that of Walter Mosley’s character Easy
Rawlins. But Watters’ past as an athlete and enforcer will remind
other readers of (Jack) Reacher of the Lee Childs series. The Stuart
Woods novel Choke, about a tennis player who, like Watters, suffered
greatly from a dramatic loss that was a failure of his psyche, is
also an inspiration for Dead Man’s Hand.
When thinking about creating the main
character for my story, I wanted someone “REAL”. Someone readers
could relate to. Although it is a work of fiction, my goal was to
create a character who readers could make a real connection with.
Physically, keeping in mind Watters’
past as an NCAA football standout and his current occupation as a
Vegas debt-collector, I thought “intimidating”, and put together
a mix of characteristics that make Watters appear scary (dreadlocks
and patchy facial hair), but also able to blend in with those of the
social elite. Although he is in astounding physical condition,
handsome and well-toned, he does have a physical disability that
limits his capabilities.
He’s proud, confident bordering on
cocky, mean and tough, but I also gave him a softer side that
readers, especially women, will be more comfortable rooting for.
After his humiliating downfall he is stuck at the bottom for a while,
but trying hard to work his way back up.
He has weaknesses and he has made poor
choices. He has regrets, but Watters has the opportunity to redeem
himself. Not everyone gets a second chance in life, and he realizes
how fortunate he is.
Calvin Watters is definitely worth
rooting for.
●Anything you would like to tell your
readers and fans? (Upcoming books, events, etc.)
Ask me again in 10-12 years when I have
3 teenage girls (Pulling out my hair, LOL)
I’m currently working on my second
novel, another crime-thriller, following the career of rookie, female
LAPD detective Charlene Taylor.
I would love to write another book.
Right now, I have a full time job (teaching), a part-time tutoring
job, and three small children (all girls, YIKES!!).
I don`t have much time to write, but
when I get a chance, I do all I can. It could take some time, but
eventually I would love to write a series of novels featuring Calvin
Watters. But I will not limit my novels to Calvin Watters, as I would
like to write a variety of novels, all in the crime-thriller genres.
Thank you for your time Mr. Luke! Have
a good day!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you enjoy the interview with Luke Murphy!!
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