I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hosted Libby Fischer Hellmann at a library, or heard her speak at other venues. She’s written a guest post about libraries for this blog. But, I’ve never actually interviewed her. It’s time. Libby has a new Georgia Davis mystery, High Crimes, so it’s a perfect time to talk with her. Thanks, Libby, for answering questions.
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| Photo Credit: Michael Candee, First Light Creative |
Libby, As long as
we’ve known each other, I’ve never done a Q&A with you. You’ve written for
the blog, but it’s been a few years. Would you reintroduce yourself to readers?
we’ve known each other, I’ve never done a Q&A with you. You’ve written for
the blog, but it’s been a few years. Would you reintroduce yourself to readers?
Hi, Lesa and her readers. I’ve known Lesa for at least 10-15
years when she was still in Arizona. Not sure how we avoided doing an
interview, but I’m thrilled we’re doing one now. Short version: I am an
award-winning Chicago crime thriller author, and HIGH CRIMES is my 15th
novel. I’ve also written about 25 short stories and novellas. I used to work in
broadcast news, and then public relations, and I grew up in Washington DC many
years ago. I was the National President of Sisters in Crime ten years ago, and
I interview other authors on a streaming TV show called SOLVED!.
years when she was still in Arizona. Not sure how we avoided doing an
interview, but I’m thrilled we’re doing one now. Short version: I am an
award-winning Chicago crime thriller author, and HIGH CRIMES is my 15th
novel. I’ve also written about 25 short stories and novellas. I used to work in
broadcast news, and then public relations, and I grew up in Washington DC many
years ago. I was the National President of Sisters in Crime ten years ago, and
I interview other authors on a streaming TV show called SOLVED!.
Please introduce us
to Georgia Davis.
to Georgia Davis.
I write two series (as well as historical thrillers).
Chicago PI Georgia Davis, a former cop, is the protagonist of one series. HIGH
CRIMES is #5 in the series. When you first meet Georgia in EASY INNOCENCE, the
1st in the series, you’ll find she’s a loner. She’s recovering from
a love affair gone bad, she has baggage, and she doesn’t trust easily. While my
other protagonist, video producer Ellie Foreman, will go to lunch with you and
give you TMI about herself, Georgia won’t go out to lunch with you at all.
However, over the five books, Georgia slowly undergoes changes in her life,
which I won’t ruin for you here. Above all, Georgia has a finely tuned sense of
justice, and she’s not afraid of threats or bruises. One caveat: the books are
dark, sometimes hard-boiled. Definitely not cozy.
Chicago PI Georgia Davis, a former cop, is the protagonist of one series. HIGH
CRIMES is #5 in the series. When you first meet Georgia in EASY INNOCENCE, the
1st in the series, you’ll find she’s a loner. She’s recovering from
a love affair gone bad, she has baggage, and she doesn’t trust easily. While my
other protagonist, video producer Ellie Foreman, will go to lunch with you and
give you TMI about herself, Georgia won’t go out to lunch with you at all.
However, over the five books, Georgia slowly undergoes changes in her life,
which I won’t ruin for you here. Above all, Georgia has a finely tuned sense of
justice, and she’s not afraid of threats or bruises. One caveat: the books are
dark, sometimes hard-boiled. Definitely not cozy.
Tell us about High
Crimes, without spoilers.
Crimes, without spoilers.
It’s fourteen months after the 2016 election and a robust
Resistance movement has targeted the man who assumed the Presidency. At a
demonstration in Grant Park, the leader of a Resistance FB group is
assassinated. The gunman dies in an explosion shortly afterwards. The family of
the dead girl asks Georgia to investigate after they receive an anonymous email
questioning the gunman’s “guilt.” Her investigation takes her from Chicago, to
Washington DC, to a Minnesota lake and back. At the same time Georgia’s mother,
who abandoned her when Georgia was young, returns to Chicago, and Georgia must confront
all her unresolved family issues.
Resistance movement has targeted the man who assumed the Presidency. At a
demonstration in Grant Park, the leader of a Resistance FB group is
assassinated. The gunman dies in an explosion shortly afterwards. The family of
the dead girl asks Georgia to investigate after they receive an anonymous email
questioning the gunman’s “guilt.” Her investigation takes her from Chicago, to
Washington DC, to a Minnesota lake and back. At the same time Georgia’s mother,
who abandoned her when Georgia was young, returns to Chicago, and Georgia must confront
all her unresolved family issues.
What inspired High
Crimes?
Crimes?
Rage. Not about conservative policies—in fact, I’ve become
more conservative as I age—but about the man who now occupies the Oval Office
and what I believe is the fraudulent way he was elected. I couldn’t write, I
couldn’t concentrate, I couldn’t do much of anything except read and vent. (I
lost FB friends because of it). I also joined a FB group whose founder and
members felt similarly. After about a year, I realized I was giving him way too
much power over me, and I began to think about writing again. It was one night
when I was reading the posts from the FB group that the idea came to me: What
if the founder of an Anti-Trump FB group was murdered? I knew immediately from
the spark in my gut that THIS WAS THE STORY I HAD TO WRITE. So I did.
more conservative as I age—but about the man who now occupies the Oval Office
and what I believe is the fraudulent way he was elected. I couldn’t write, I
couldn’t concentrate, I couldn’t do much of anything except read and vent. (I
lost FB friends because of it). I also joined a FB group whose founder and
members felt similarly. After about a year, I realized I was giving him way too
much power over me, and I began to think about writing again. It was one night
when I was reading the posts from the FB group that the idea came to me: What
if the founder of an Anti-Trump FB group was murdered? I knew immediately from
the spark in my gut that THIS WAS THE STORY I HAD TO WRITE. So I did.
Everyone has
different publishing stories, and I know yours has changed over the years.
Would you tell us about your publishing journey?
different publishing stories, and I know yours has changed over the years.
Would you tell us about your publishing journey?
In a word – it’s been a roller coaster. I started out at
Berkeley Prime Crime with my Ellie Foreman series. Those novels were
simultaneously published in hard cover by Poisoned Pen Press. Then I moved to
Bleak House for the first 2 Georgia novels. Then to Allium Press of Chicago for
2 historical stand-alones, then back to Poisoned Pen for a fifth Ellie book. Along
the way, I also wrote several indie thrillers, filling in the Georgia series and
publishing a collection of my short stories. So I’m now a hybrid author. Which
has been fun (I’m a Type A personality)… but it’s also a lot of work. The
advantage is that I know a lot about publishing. Which should have made me a
genius, except that the industry is constantly changing, so just when I think I
have it down, everything turns inside-out, and I need to start over. Hopefully,
that means I’m a survivor. I think.
Berkeley Prime Crime with my Ellie Foreman series. Those novels were
simultaneously published in hard cover by Poisoned Pen Press. Then I moved to
Bleak House for the first 2 Georgia novels. Then to Allium Press of Chicago for
2 historical stand-alones, then back to Poisoned Pen for a fifth Ellie book. Along
the way, I also wrote several indie thrillers, filling in the Georgia series and
publishing a collection of my short stories. So I’m now a hybrid author. Which
has been fun (I’m a Type A personality)… but it’s also a lot of work. The
advantage is that I know a lot about publishing. Which should have made me a
genius, except that the industry is constantly changing, so just when I think I
have it down, everything turns inside-out, and I need to start over. Hopefully,
that means I’m a survivor. I think.
Would you tell us
about “Second Sunday Crime”?
about “Second Sunday Crime”?
That show is on hiatus because I’m now doing a streaming TV
interview show for the Author’s Voice network. My show is SOLVED! and I
interview crime fiction authors, both local and national. The only requirement
is that they need to be in Chicago when we do the interview. We broadcast on
Facebook Live, then the recording stays up on FB. It also migrates to YouTube.
It’s allowed Author’s Voice to vastly expand its audience, and people seem to
like the shows. I’m finishing up my second year with them. They operate out of
the Abraham Lincoln Bookshop in Chicago, which, speaking of Chicago sights, is
a fascinating place to visit.
interview show for the Author’s Voice network. My show is SOLVED! and I
interview crime fiction authors, both local and national. The only requirement
is that they need to be in Chicago when we do the interview. We broadcast on
Facebook Live, then the recording stays up on FB. It also migrates to YouTube.
It’s allowed Author’s Voice to vastly expand its audience, and people seem to
like the shows. I’m finishing up my second year with them. They operate out of
the Abraham Lincoln Bookshop in Chicago, which, speaking of Chicago sights, is
a fascinating place to visit.
I have a personal
question. Where do you like to take people when they come to visit Chicago?
question. Where do you like to take people when they come to visit Chicago?
Great question, Lesa! Beyond the typical sites like Sears
Tower, Millennium Park, the Art Museum, and a boat tour on Lake Michigan or the
Chicago River, I would go to the Museum of Science and Industry. Then we’d get
deep dish pizza at Uno’s. Then we’d go to a Blues joint, like Buddy Guy’s
Legends. The next day we’d go to the
Bahai Temple in Wilmette and the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe. They’re both
magnificent settings.
Tower, Millennium Park, the Art Museum, and a boat tour on Lake Michigan or the
Chicago River, I would go to the Museum of Science and Industry. Then we’d get
deep dish pizza at Uno’s. Then we’d go to a Blues joint, like Buddy Guy’s
Legends. The next day we’d go to the
Bahai Temple in Wilmette and the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe. They’re both
magnificent settings.
What authors
influenced you?
influenced you?
There are so many it’s hard to narrow them down. I’m more
partial to modern authors, so Sara Paretsky, Val McDermid, Tess Gerritsen, and
Karin Slaughter would be in the first tier. More literary writers like Jodi
Picoult, Kate Atkinson, and Kristin Hannah as well. If I could spend a year
just reading, I’d be in heaven.
partial to modern authors, so Sara Paretsky, Val McDermid, Tess Gerritsen, and
Karin Slaughter would be in the first tier. More literary writers like Jodi
Picoult, Kate Atkinson, and Kristin Hannah as well. If I could spend a year
just reading, I’d be in heaven.
What author or book
do you think is underappreciated?
do you think is underappreciated?
Jeremiah Healy, who is no longer with us, wrote a fabulous
series with a Boston PI, Cuddy. I loved that series and wish it was ongoing.
THE STAKED GOAT was especially good.
series with a Boston PI, Cuddy. I loved that series and wish it was ongoing.
THE STAKED GOAT was especially good.
Libby, what’s next in
the pipeline for you?
the pipeline for you?
Interesting question. I’m not sure. I’m thinking about a new
Ellie Foreman mystery (that’s my other series for your readers who don’t know)…
BUT… I’m going to Vietnam and Cambodia next March. Since I was alive, and more
important, sentient during the Vietnam war, I may have to write a historical
novel set largely in Vietnam during the war. We’ll see.
Ellie Foreman mystery (that’s my other series for your readers who don’t know)…
BUT… I’m going to Vietnam and Cambodia next March. Since I was alive, and more
important, sentient during the Vietnam war, I may have to write a historical
novel set largely in Vietnam during the war. We’ll see.
Thank you, Libby!
Libby Fischer Hellmann’s website is http://www.libbyhellmann.com/
High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann. The Red Herrings, 2018. ISBN 9781938733956 (paperback), 329p.
Very nice! Lesa, thanks for hosting Libby here and doing this interview. I enjoyed it very much. Sadly, I've not read any of Libby's books as yet – however, I'm planning on concentrating more on series books and also older books next year. I'll add her series to my list. They sound excellent. 🙂
Thank you, Kay. As we said, I've known Libby for quite a number of years, but we never did an interview. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I read her first couple (Ellie Forman) years ago, and have several more on my Kindle. I think I need to try this series.
Time for me to get started with this author. Thanks.
as I also loved Jeremiah Healy,.
You're welcome, everyone. My pleasure!