Relentless by Shawn Wilson
Author Shawn Wilson literally cuts to the chase in her intriguing debut thriller Relentless (Oceanview Publishing). No better time to turn up a dead body than in her first six lines. That this mess happens during D.C.’s cherry blossom season provides a touch of irony, to say nothing of the distractions caused by hordes of tourists.
Assigned to the case is Detective Brian “Brick” Kavanagh, a character we feel we recognize, maybe because the book is billed as “A Brick Kavanagh Mystery.” This is Brick’s debut, but readers will be pleased to know that he returns in the recently released Book 2, Duplicity.
We come to know Brick (so-called for his bright-red hair) quickly and — as the list of scandalous murders around town grows — more intimately because of the unique circumstances. And in this interview, we come to know the author herself as she talks protagonists, pen names and where Brick might be headed in the sequel.
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
A: For me, writing a police procedural was a combination of write what you like and write what you know. Plus, I think the setting is also a character; every town or city has a unique identity. Having worked in Washington, D.C. for over thirty years, I know the city well and wanted to capture everyday life for residents of the Nation’s Capital.
Q: How has your background in the justice system influenced the novel?
A: I often observed that on any given day there was more drama at the courthouse than at the Kennedy Center. It provided lots of material for plot lines and creating characters. In addition, working closely with law enforcement officers gave me insight into their personalities, their strengths and vulnerabilities. This has been invaluable in creating Brick Kavanagh. Publishers Weekly described him as “a protagonist with the full complement of angst-inducing problems and an appealing white knight sense of decency.”
Q: Why do you use a pen name?
A: When I was in high school, I entered a county-wide art contest in New York. The names of the winners were printed in the local newspaper. My name was not included, and first prize went to Shawn Wilson. Weeks later, the artwork was returned to each high school and attached to my poster was a big blue ribbon. Apparently, the judges had misread my signature and I had won. Although it has faded over the years, I still have the blue ribbon and a pseudonym that for me represents creativity.
Q: Has the work of any other authors influenced your own?
A: Over the years, I’ve attended many writer’s conferences. Hearing authors speak about their journey to publication certainly influenced me to pursue my goal even though at times it seemed like an impossible dream. Now that I have an opportunity to share my journey at a conference or speaking engagement, I hope it influences aspiring writers to stay the course. There’s no age limit on becoming a debut author.
Q: What has been some of your favorite reader feedback so far?
A: One reader’s review stated, “Raymond Chandler said, ‘The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordinary qualities.’ By that standard, Shawn Wilson’s protagonist, Brick Kavanagh, a sometimes-retired Washington, D.C. homicide detective is an enduring character.” It’s also been very validating to hear from police officers who assure me that they can identify with the characters and the authenticity of their actions.
Q: What is your next project?
A: Brick’s story is far from complete. At forty-three and no longer a homicide detective, he’s trying to figure out his Second Act career-wise. And his disillusionment with living in Washington, D.C. is giving him reason to consider moving to Chicago. Of course, life is never without obstacles. In the future, he will have to face circumstances more challenging than anything he has previously experienced.
About Shawn Wilson:
Shawn was born and raised in New York’s Hudson Valley, where she was a classmate of Mickey Spillane’s daughter. After graduating from high school, she attended Averett College in Danville, Virginia before moving to the Washington, D.C. area. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from American University and spent more than 30 years working for the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Those years confirmed her belief that on most days, there was more drama at the courthouse than at the Kennedy Center.
Having traveled on five continents, Shawn is very happy to call Chicago home.
