Questions for Author, John Lefevere
by: Susan W. Smith
When John Lefevere wrote to tell me that he had a new series coming out, I knew we were in for a treat. Granted, his first series of novels, which took place in the Thousand Islands, were terrific. These books are not island related, but I knew I’d like them just as much. Well, he allowed me a sneak preview and I was smiling from ear to ear – each one will keep you reading well into the night. Enjoy!
John's books and his characters are real - suffice to say, it was time to ask him some questions!
Q1: How would you describe what a “Solutionist” is in the world you created?
A: A solutionist is a person who looks for ways to resolve problems or dilemmas of many kinds, using creative or imaginative solutions that are outside the box, or even out of left field, in the sense that the ideas for resolution may be strange or unconventional. For Nick Dalton, that means he never gives up hope, because he can think his way out of a problem.
Q2: What inspired the storyline for this third in the series?
A: The story-line for the third book (The Solutionist: London) is a continuation of what happens in the first and second books (The Solutionist: Crypto Heist and The Solutionist: Hollywood), in that Nick is pursuing the real crypto thief while other things come up to divert his time and energy from the pursuit. I did map out all three story-lines at the outset of writing the novels, including a “story bible,” which contains the background information on the major characters (descriptions, background, etc.) so that I could keep them straight. There are overarching plot elements between books, but the main thrust is clearing Nick’s name by nailing the real thief.
Q3: Why were London, Hollywood and Washington, D.C. chosen as the locales for the three books in the series?
A: I think that aside from Rome, these are three of my favorite cities in the world. I have lived in the DC area most of my post-law school life, I have strong ties to LA, and I have traveled at least a dozen times to London, mostly on business. As far as The Solutionist: London goes, I have been doing extensive genealogical research over the last ten years or so (in between writing) and I have English ancestors on both sides of my family, including 14 generations in Cornwall, but many in London, too.
Q4: What type of research did you do that was different from the first two books?
A: Not much difference from the other books. I touched on London in The Solutionist: Hollywood and this book is an enhancement of what I had set up there. A lot of the new book reflects my experiences from my own dozen trips to London and its countryside.
Q5: What’s next for Nick and Stephanie?
A: Well, I do have an idea kicking around in my head for yet another novel featuring them, but I’ll have to see what the reception is for the first three books, too.
Q6: What’s the most rewarding thing about writing?
A: After a long period of research and getting the plots and characters on paper, I think the reward comes from the favorable reviews – in other words, that readers like the novel. For example, with The Scimitar And The Snail from the 1000 Islands novel series (which literally took me 18 months to write) one reader gave it a 5-star rating and titled the review “This Man Can Write”. The reader said “Such a pleasure to read a well-researched story told in a well-written, exciting manner. One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time.” That makes the effort all worthwhile.
About the author:
John has had many varied life experiences. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show with his college marching band backing Nancy Sinatra; meeting Rodney Dangerfield there was a highlight. John has also played golf next to the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, appeared in a TV commercial, marched in the Rose Parade, climbed Mount Vesuvius and rode up Mount Aetna within the space of a week, and had many more adventures. John’s true love (aside from his wife and three sons) is writing suspense thrillers. He takes time away from writing to golf, trace his family lines in genealogy (2,700 ancestors and counting), learn Italian, and travel.
By Susan W. Smith, editor, info@thousandislandslife.com
