Maggie Blackbird

The month of January is all about character interviews.  Today, I’m firing questions at Vic from award-winning and bestselling author Tim Smith’s latest release The Other Woman, book four in the Vic Fallon series, a romantic mystery/thriller.

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1.  First off, tell us who you are and what role you play in the novel.

Vic:  My name is Vic Fallon, and I’m the leading character in this novel. I’m in my early 40s, and I grew up in the Lake Erie town of Sandusky, Ohio. That’s where I live and work now, after leaving the police force because of a line of duty injury. I became a private investigator.  

2.  Share with us your hobbies and interests, and why you enjoy them.

Vic:  When I’m not working (which is often), I like to fish in season, visit the Lake Erie Islands, hang out at my favorite bar on Marblehead Island, and generally do whatever I want. You see, I’m in a unique position, where I don’t really have to work at this private eye thing because of a nice disability settlement my shark of a lawyer negotiated for me. I pretty much work when I’m bored or something about a case intrigues me.

3.  Tell us how you feel about being in a novel, and if you are happy with how your author presented you to readers.

Vic:  It’s kind of an odd feeling, because I’ve never been to brag about my exploits, even though I think I have some interesting stories to tell. When I agreed to this, I made certain that the guy writing it knew me pretty well so he could present a realistic picture. He did an OK job.

4.  If your author was to create another novel with you in mind, give us a quick blurb of what it would be about.  And be sure to give the title.

Vic:  I had an interesting experience a few years ago while serving on a Grand Jury, and I think some of those cases would make good stories. There’s one in particular that he and I have been working on. I suggested calling it “Your Money or Your Wife.”

5.  Which character in the novel do you like the most, and why?

Vic:  I really like the love interest I’ve been given in this one, a woman named Michelle. She’s an assistant prosecutor with a personality that’s the opposite of mine (Type-A versus my more laidback persona), but we click. She’s a lot of fun to be with and we have more in common than I usually find in a companion.

6.  Which character in the novel do you dislike the most, and why?

Vic:  That honor would go to a pain-in-the-butt FBI Special Agent who’s investigating the same murder I’m working on, and makes it clear that he’d rather I take a vacation somewhere far away. Of course, this gives me the opportunity to get in his way and aggravate him on purpose, so it evens out.

7.  Tell us why we should read the featured novel and what we will find most intriguing about you.

Vic:  I think you’ll find that I’m a throwback to the classic private eyes from old film noir and pulp fiction mysteries. I’m sort of a mix of Phillip Marlowe, Peter Gunn, Mannix and Jim Rockford, with a dash of Mike Hammer. What I think readers will find intriguing is my attitude toward authority figures, basically a wise-ass, I-don’t-care-what-you-think mindset.

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Title: The Other Woman
Series: Vic Fallon, book four
Author: Tim Smith
Genre: Romantic mystery/thriller (private eye)
Heat Rating: 4 Flames (open-door sex, explicit language used)
Length: 48,811 words/171 pages
Release Date: September 28, 2018
Publisher: Extasy Books

A private eye and his girlfriend get involved in a complex murder case with political overtones. Then the other woman shows up.

Blurb:  Former cop Vic Fallon only wanted to get home to Sandusky, Ohio in time for Christmas after completing his latest private eye assignment. A chance meeting in the Atlanta airport with a U. S. Senator from his hometown thrusts Vic into a murder investigation when the man turns up dead shortly after they speak.

The unwanted case produces more questions than answers. Why did the Senator ask Vic to deliver a Christmas card for him rather than mailing it himself, and why does the recipient react with hostility when she finds out who it’s from? Why is the FBI looking at Vic up close and personal when he wasn’t involved in the killing? And why does a police detective from Atlanta show up in Sandusky, asking questions that have little to do with the murder investigation?

Vic’s life becomes more complicated when the woman he delivered the card to is arrested after an accidental shooting, and he feels a responsibility to prove her innocence. Add the strain that the case places on Vic’s current romantic relationship, and it results in the holiday from Hell.

Can Vic solve the multi-pronged mystery he’s found himself in the middle of and repair the damage to his love life? Or will the other woman cause a permanent rift?

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I’m pleased to be here today to discuss my latest romantic mystery, “The Other Woman” (Vic Fallon Book Four) from Extasy Books. This is sort of a throwback story featuring an old-school private eye in a contemporary setting. It has something for everyone who enjoys pulp fiction and film noir crime capers—action, quirky characters, plot twists, snappy dialogue, humor, a romantic triangle, and steamy sex. What more could you ask for?

“Former cop Vic Fallon only wanted to get home to Sandusky, Ohio in time for Christmas after completing his latest private eye assignment. A chance meeting in the Atlanta airport with a U. S. Senator from his hometown thrusts Vic into a murder investigation when the man turns up dead shortly after they speak. The unwanted case produces more questions than answers. Why did the Senator ask Vic to deliver a Christmas card for him rather than mailing it himself, and why does the recipient react with hostility when she finds out who it’s from? Why is the FBI looking at Vic up close and personal when he wasn’t involved in the killing? And why does a police detective from Atlanta show up in Sandusky, asking questions that have little to do with the murder investigation? Vic’s life becomes more complicated when the woman he delivered the card to is arrested after an accidental shooting, and he feels a responsibility to prove her innocence. Add the strain that the case places on Vic’s current romantic relationship, and it results in the holiday from Hell. Can Vic solve the multi-pronged mystery he’s found himself in the middle of and repair the damage to his love life? Or will the other woman cause a permanent rift?”

For those who didn’t keep up with the first three installments in this series (and shame on you if you didn’t!), Vic Fallon is a former police detective who lives in northern Ohio. He took a disability separation after being shot in the line of duty and now takes on cases when he’s intrigued, bored, or broke. As with all good gumshoe stories, there’s a hot and heavy romance with a sassy, sexy femme fatale. This time, I did something different by giving my hero a steady girlfriend, rather than the one-night stands of the previous books. Here’s an example:

Michelle snuggled closer to him and rested her hand on his thigh. “Did you get your work done in San Francisco?”

“Yeah. I found the guy I was looking for, along with the diamonds he claimed had been stolen, and I turned him over to the police.” He put his hand in the air then pulled it downward. “Cha-ching! Another fee!”

“So what did you bring me?”

Vic chuckled. “You’re worse than a kid. Why do you think I brought you anything?”

“Because if I went out of town on business and left you home, I’d bring you something.”

Vic kissed her, letting his lips linger against hers. They were soft and tasty and knew how to embrace another pair of lips. “You’ll have to wait until Christmas, little girl.”

She curled up closer and gestured at the partially decorated tree in the corner. “You didn’t finish decorating your tree.”

“Because I had to go out of town. What’s your problem?”

“That tree is like you—incomplete. You never finish anything you start.”

“If you keep insulting me, I’ll ban you from the premises.”

She pulled him in for a deep kiss. “If you do that, you won’t get to see me in the elf costume.”

“What elf costume?”

“The one you picked out at the boutique. You said you liked the short skirt because it would show off my ass and legs. Coming back to you now?”

“Yeah, it is. You’ll wear the boots?

She flashed an impish grin. “Of course.”

No detective caper would be complete without the hero dealing with former cop buddies, shady crooks, and people with hidden agendas. These encounters give him an excuse to engage in wisecracks and witty banter. To wit:

He heard footsteps approaching and turned around fast, coming face to face with Dubois. Vic looked him up and down, seeing his hands shoved into the pockets of his heavy coat.

“Good evening, Mr. Fallon. I thought we might have a little chat.”

“It’s kinda late and I’m tired. Why don’t you catch me tomorrow? We’ll do lunch.”

Dubois pulled a gun from his pocket and leveled the muzzle at him. “Tonight would be better. Let’s take a walk.”

Vic’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the .357 Magnum revolver. He judged the distance between them and realized that jumping Dubois would likely get him shot. He accompanied him outside, then zipped up his coat.

“Hands in your pockets, if you don’t mind,” Dubois said then indicated a secluded, darkened area by the nearby ferry dock.

Vic walked in that direction with Dubois close behind, his pistol pressed against Vic’s back. Vic scanned the area, looking for a place where he could break free to duck and run. Dubois grabbed Vic’s arm when they reached a bench by the fishing pier.

“Let’s have a seat so we can talk,” he said.

Vic sat, keeping his hands in his pockets. Dubois sat a couple of feet away, turned to face Vic, and kept his gun pointed at him.

Vic eyed the gun. “If you shoot me it’ll be tough to explain, since I’m unarmed. Is that how they do things in Atlanta?”

Dubois chuckled. “Ever heard of a throwaway gun? First thing they taught me at the academy was to carry one for situations like this.”

“I’m sure they did.”

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary, though, since you seem like an intelligent, reasonable man.”

“Okay, we’ll talk. Maybe you can tell me how they celebrate New Year’s Eve in Atlanta. Is it true that they drop a large praline from the tallest building at the stroke of midnight?”

Dubois slowly shook his head. “It always amazes me how northerners like to make fun of people from the south. I came here in good faith and you have yet to hear me utter one Aw, shucks or Golly-gee. Frankly, Mr. Fallon, I’m insulted.”

“I’ll make a note. What’s so important that you felt compelled to abduct me at gunpoint?”

“Right to the point. I like that. When you were in the airport, the late Mr. Hendricks gave you something. I’d like to have it.”

“Do you collect souvenirs from unsolved homicides?”

Dubois laughed softly. “I have to admit, you do have a wicked sense of humor, although you pick the damnedest times to show it. Let me rephrase my request—give me that card Hendricks slipped you and I’ll be on my way.”

Vic looked at him for a few moments. “Dubois, you may find this hard to believe, but I don’t have it.”

Dubois raised his gun to within several inches of Vic’s chest. “You’re right—I find that hard to believe.”

“What’s so important about that card?”

“To me, not a thing. To other parties, it has a lot of value.”

“How much of that value are they sharing with you upon recovery?”

“That’s unimportant. We could play a game of chicken or Russian roulette, if you prefer.” He pressed the muzzle between Vic’s eyes and cocked the hammer. “Or you could just hand it over.”

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Tim Smith is an award-winning bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary erotic romance. His books featuring former spy Nick Seven have garnered several awards and international critical acclaim. He is also a freelance writer, editor, and photographer. He can often be found in the Florida Keys, doing research between parasailing and seeking out the perfect Mojito.

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