A couple of hours ago, I posted about Lambert’s novel, Harvested, the first of a series I know I’m coming back to soon. Now, I have the chance to get some more information about him and the book in this Q&A. He’ll be back in a couple of weeks for a Q&A about writing in Idaho as part of the Literary Locals series—be sure you come back for that.

All authors have more ideas running around in their head than they can possibly develop—what was it about this idea that made you commit to writing it? Also, what was the starting point for this book? Was it the story about the missing dogs or the ongoing story (I’m being deliberately vague here) that required you to invent Max, or did you have Max and need to figure out some stories to put him in? Or is that kind of answer impossible—and you got the whole ball of wax at once?
So the idea of Max as a character came first, although the idea for the plot came shortly after. The idea of missing dogs appealed to me in a lot of ways, and I saw the twist in my head after only a little research, and it kinda all came together after that.

The same was true for Teaching Moments, although in that case the idea for the killer came to me first, and then I worked it into the Max series. The next book in that series is much the same, although I think the main villain in that case is even worse. That one will be out late this year or early next.

Multiple authors have talked about the unbreakable rule even in Crime Fiction is “you don’t kill the dog (or other pets).” But you not only kill some, but threaten several more. Did you think much about the danger inherent in this plot? What compelled you to go forward with it? Or was that danger what drew you into it?
So that is often a “rule” but I think it is all in how you handle it. The dogs for me are just like people in this book: they are valuable characters, and they are even heroic at times (no spoilers, of course)

And the story of dogs continues in Teaching Moments as one of them becomes Max’s partner throughout. Of course, a lot of my other work features dogs as well, and that is because I love them, and can’t help myself when it comes to casting them in books.

Supporting characters really make or break a book for me more than the protagonist does. Dr. Gamble is a great example of that—she was such a fun character. When she was introduced, I really didn’t expect much of her, she seemed like a typical “generic subject matter expert to help the PI get to the next step” that we’re all used to seeing, but you really fleshed her out and made her a big part of the story. Was that the idea all along, or did you just enjoy her so much that you changed her role?
So I liked her from the start. She was a favorite character who came to me pretty fleshed out. I think supporting characters are key to a good story: they produce conflict, tension, but also from time to time just some pleasant relief to that tension. I think she serves all those roles in this story, and she may play additional roles in the series going forward, even becoming more of a key character in Book 5, but that is down the road a bit.

Who are some of your major influences? (whether or not you think those influences can be seen in your work—you know they’re there)
There are several. I would say that Stephen King and Dean Koontz top the list, at least for writing style and in some cases subject matter. They’re also both inspiring on a personal level. But there are certainly others: Lee Child, Vincent Zandri (a good friend now) and others.

Let’s play “Online Bookstore Algorithm” (a game I made up for these Q&As). What are 3-5 books whose readers may like Harvested?
Ha! A fun game. L.T. Ryan readers, stories like Unmasked and that series, Brad Lee, A Team of One, anything in the Chase Baker series by Vincent Zandri, and the Finding Reacher series by Diane Capri.

Your Amazon Author Page lists a lot of titles—you’ve been a busy man for the last decade or so. What is it about storytelling/writing that keeps it fresh for you? Is this a compulsion to keep going, or is it more pleasure?
That’s a two part answer: it is a compulsion, yes, in some ways. But it is also pleasure. I love telling stories, and plan to do it until I just can’t any more. I hope that day is a long way in the future. I don’t ever plan to retire, and there are so many more titles coming out even just this year. I can’t wait to see what I come up with next.

In somewhat of a related question, what’s next for Troy Lambert, author? Also, are there more Max Boucher books to come, or is it a duology? (I largely ask for myself, so I’m in the right frame of mind before I start the next)
So there is another book in the Capital City Murders, and one that signals a major change in the series story, coming in April. Right now there are at least three more Max books planned along with a novella that will be out this year as well, and a new series coming sometime either later this year or the first part of next.

There will be a couple of anthologies and story collections coming, and even a book of poetry at some point. So stay tuned!

Thanks for your time—and thanks for Max Boucher, he’s the kind of PI that the Northwest needs more of (at least in fiction).
You bet. Thanks for having me.

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