My characters (at least the ones who make it through a book) are like close friends. Driving down a road in central Maine, I’ll wonder, What are Jack and Roxanne up to? How is Brandon Blake doing? Still with Mia? They’ve been through some serious stuff together. Hope it doesn’t drive them apart.
Not only do these “people” live on in my head, they also have lives outside of the books. It’s not like they’re encased in amber, waiting for me and my publisher to bring them back to life.
So what is Brandon up to, right now?
He’s scheduled to start at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in September, sent by Portland P.D. And May is a busy time at the boatyard, everybody wanting their boats launched. Had to bring in extra help to get the floats in. The travel-lift is old and balky and Brandon thinks this may be its last season, without a serious rebuild. So Brandon hasn’t had time to get Bay Witch ready. It’s been cold anyway, but the first warm, sunny day, Mia is going to say, “Let’s take the boat out to Diamond Island. I’ll buy you dinner.”
She hasn’t told him she’s been writing in her journal, wondering, worrying a little. What it will be like to be with a cop?
And what are Jack, Roxanne, and Sophie up to? Tomorrow I’m going to give Jack a call. Clair and Mary, too. If there’s no answer at Clair’s, maybe I’ll just drive up to Prosperity, stop by the barn.
So, you think this is a little nuts?
In PORT CITY SHAKEDOWN, the first Brandon Blake novel, Brandon gets a full dose of bad guys. A brawl in a funeral home introduces him to Joel Fuller, a sociopathic hustler. Fuller is fresh out of jail and determined to take Brandon out—after Fuller and his sidekick Kelvin shake him down.
Rocky isn’t a tough guy. He’s a skinny little kid with crooked glasses, and he shouldn’t be homeless in Portland, Maine. When McMorrow and Roxanne pluck him from under the stomping feet of a gang of street kids, Rocky latches onto McMorrow–and drags him into a world of murder, both old and new. Why is McMorrow protecting Rocky? The cops want to know. Why is Rocky on the run? McMorrow wants to know. Why does death follow in Rocky’s wake? Jack and Roxanne need to find out before they’re added to the list. 
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No nuttier than my reluctance to finish HOME BODY until I have the next Jack McMorrow story in hand. Now that I know one is on the way though I might just go ahead.
Joan
I always continue the story after I finish a book I have really enjoyed… make things up to keep the characters around. Maybe you should have people write in what they think would have happened next… fun to compare.
We all enjoy your books, keep them coming.
Amy
It’s reassuring that you keep your characters “alive” while we await their next adventures. Your portrayal of Jack, Roxanne, Clair and the rest is very realistic and they ARE “real” in our imaginations. Keep the story going, please. Those of us who read into the wee hours devouring your clever McMorrow books are very happy to hear they are still around. We can’t wait to read what they’ve been up to!
And yes, I am also eager for volume two in the new Brandon-Mia series. Thanks for the treat!