Daylight Girls, The Search for Frank Benson was written many years ago in draft form. The manuscript was titled "Moonlight Girls" then. I learned from Raymond Chandler that it was a damned good idea to cannibalize your previous works and did so — added an origin story and a thriller chase scene ending!

The story came out of my desire to do several things. The first was to create a character that I wanted to read about.

THE ART WORLD - My background is that of an artist, both as a graphic designer and as a fine artist. So that scene was comfortable for me to explore. When reading art-related mysteries I always found myself wanting to learn a little more about the artist than previous art-related mysteries offered. And this leads us to the second aspect.

FORMAL POLICE PRESENCE - I haven't read about a hard-nosed PI in the art world. The FBI Art Crime Team is the closest thing we have in this country to credentialing individuals to conduct that kind of investigation. There was only one problem. I wanted a character free of the strictures of a tightly wound organization...and that conflict between his need for independence and affinity for risk could provide fodder for conflicts.

A DYNAMIC PROTAGONIST - I want to read about a guy (generic term I promise) whose fun to be with...witty, irreverent, highly skilled, a rocking body, gets along well with the opposite sex...but with a dark side, lots of issues and most of all grappling with grief. But he has a family, who cares about him, and maybe doesn't know how to help him. This character is in fucking trouble, mentally, and doing the best he can to deal with it and get on with his life.

Black Iris, The Search for Georgia O'Keefe second book, was written as a romp. It’s really a silly 1960s-style thing layered with a lot of contemporary art world griping and a spicy touch of magic realism along with Buck's anger. Great fun to write. And never has there been such easy research into the artist. Georgia and her husband Alfred Stieglitz were prolific letter writers, and they sometimes wrote as many as 3 per day. They both seem to have kept every letter and one can read them today in book form. Nirvana.

I have also made peace with — and this was the most difficult of all — finding my voice. Now on the fourth book, it took that many to escape the influence of contemporary thriller idols: John Sandford, Walter Mosley, Robert Crais. Started reading more literary authors: Richard Russo & Leif Enger. And realized I can ramble somewhat if I keep the level of style high while still pushing the plot at warp speed.

Next book goal: I want a protagonist who struggles...need more conflict between Buck (my P.I. protagonist) and the world — i.e., personal stakes (for example, a loved one) that resonate within the zeitgeist.

I hope you enjoy the books. Would love to hear your thoughts. Aaron