Interview with John Lawe (Don Crabtree) part two

Interview of John Lawe, Part Two

Q) Your detective is somewhat unusual among literary detectives. That makes him quite appealing to women mystery readers.

Matt’s professional career mirrors that of many retired FBI agents, including my own. He has performed criminal investigations as an agent for twenty plus years, retired, moved to where he and his wife have always wanted to live and sought employment.

I created Matt and his wife Anna as Christians with a faith in Christ and lives shaped by their beliefs. Matt acts and reacts to the joys, disappointments and tragedies of life with a Christian perspective and world view. I tell folks, ‘I don’t write Christian mysteries, I write mysteries with some Christian characters.’

Matt’s world view required certain characteristics and eliminated many of the common attributes found in fictional private eyes. He couldn’t be a hardboiled detective. There’d be no drinking, carousing or swearing. Matt had to have a keen moral compass and a strong sense of justice. His attributes had to include integrity, honesty, sincerity, kindness and loyalty.

Matt is a seeker of truth. Criminal investigations often stall because the investigators focus on one hypothesis and fail to explore other possibilities. I won’t let Matt develop complacency. He’ll always be skeptical with a restless curiosity to know, to discover.

The relationship between Matt and Anna is governed by their beliefs and Christian worldview. Their mutual love and respect is reflected in their interaction. Anna is loyal and supportive, but quick to rein Matt in when needed. They’re affectionate and share a trust, honesty and a healthy sense of humor.

Q) Do/can you use past work experiences in writing your novels?

A) I’ve made no secret of my career as a FBI agent for nearly twenty-five years. I’ve lived or experienced life in many different parts of these United States, from Boston to San Diego, from Atlanta to Anchorage.

Like any author, knowledge acquired, skills learned, life’s experiences and my personality shape my stories. There are occasions when I’ll use a bit of me on purpose, but usually my presence in a story seeps in through an imagination, which is shaped by “what I know” and who I am.

Both of my novels, Pure Evil and Deadly Consequences, are tales inspired by people, places and events I have personally experienced, observed or have created with my fertile imagination.

Q) What will be coming next for your detective and his cohorts?

A). In my next novel, Matt helps a widow unravel her husband’s accidental death, but runs headlong into corrupt politicians and union leaders, who will stop at nothing to retain power. [Right to Kill is planned for release later this year.]

Q) How did you fare as one of three finalists for published fiction in the OCW Cascades writing contest?

A). I was honored to have Pure Evil selected as one of the three finalists in the Contemporary Fiction category. I didn’t win and was encouraged to have been among the finalist. Being selected as a finalist was wonderful encouragement.

Q) Are you a native Pacific Northwesterner?

A) Born and raised in Oregon, after graduating from SOU in Ashland, Uncle Sam took me from Oregon until I retired from the FBI. I am now living within ten miles from where I spent my childhood.