Righteous Assassin
Mike Stoneman Thriller Book 1
by Kevin G. Chapman
Genre: Crime Thriller
" Move over Harry Bosch, there's a new guy in town. . . . Detective Mike Stoneman can match wits with Harry any day of the week." -- Authors Show Linda
Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist / CLUE Book Awards Semi-Finalist
A MOB BOSS IS EATEN ALIVE BY TIGERS AT THE BRONX ZOO. . . .That was the fourth unsolved murder in four months - each on the last Saturday. The other three were even more unusual . . . .Could they be related? The victims share no similar traits and have no connections. Why would a single killer choose such strange and disparate methods? Why spread your victims across all of New York?
Each new murder adds a piece to the killer's jigsaw puzzle, but unraveling the clues and finding the killer's pattern may not be enough to catch him. NYPD homicide Detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson have to stop the elusive killer before he completes his decathlon of death. And, they have to deal with an FBI profiler, who has been called in to help. Mike must also avoid being distracted by Medical Examiner Michelle McNeill, who seems to be on his mind a lot lately. She's an asset to the investigation, but is this any time to be starting a romance?
The task force is racing against the calendar. Only one thing is certain - on the last Saturday of the month, there will be blood.
**Only .99 cents!**
Check out the Audiobooks and listen to excerpts HERE!
Deadly Enterprise
Mike Stoneman Thriller Book 2
"This is a stellar follow up to Righteous Assassin. The pacing is perfect and the character interactions are authentic and entertaining. With a tight plotline and plenty of action, this is indeed an excellent crime thriller. Can't wait to read more of Stoneman's cases. Highly recommend!" - Anna Willett, award winning horror and suspense author
Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist / Chanticleer CLUE Award Short List
WHO IS THE DEAD GIRL THEY FISHED OUT OF THE EAST RIVER?
Is she just a drug-addicted hooker? Medical examiner Michelle McNeill thinks it's a murder, and NYPD Homicide detective Mike Stoneman agrees. When Mike and his partner, Jason Dickson, start to dig into the case, they run into unexpected obstacles that point in a disturbing direction.
In order to uncover the truth, Mike and Jason must go outside the lines and risk their own reputations, jobs - and lives. This case is one that Mike can't walk away from, no matter how much he wants to.
Harry Bosch fans will love this fast-paced police thriller from award-winning author Kevin G. Chapman. Book #1 in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series, Righteous Assassin, was named one of the top 20 Mystery/Thrillers of 2019 by the Kindle Book Review. The series continues here.
Check out the Audiobooks and listen to excerpts HERE!
Lethal Voyage
Mike Stoneman Thriller Book 3
"Filled with action, drama, and surprising twists, "Lethal Voyage" is a captivating addition to the Mike Stoneman series, guaranteed to delight readers old and new!" - InD'Tale Magazine (5-star Crowned Heart)
Finalist - 2021 RONE Award / Finalist CLUE Award
A DEAD BODY can ruin a vacation. . . .
It was a suicide, wasn't it? . . . Maybe the on-board production of Chicago isn't the only place people are getting murdered!
NYPD homicide detective Mike Stoneman and medical examiner Michelle McNeill just want a relaxing cruise. But, Michelle is convinced that there is foul play at work in the death of a Broadway talent agent's wife.
The ship's head of security wants to keep it quiet. But, how many bodies can he cover up during one sailing? When it looks like Michelle might be the next victim, Mike needs to find the killer and keep Michelle alive for the end of this Lethal Voyage.
"Move over Harry Bosch, there's a new guy in town. Detective Michael Stoneman can match wits with Harry any day of the week." -- - "The Authors Show"
Don't miss the next installment in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series!
Check out the Audiobooks and listen to excerpts HERE!
Fatal Infraction
Mike Stoneman Thriller Book 4
He took a knee for social justice. Now he's dead. Controversial quarterback Jimmy Rydell’s body was found naked – on the Central Park carousel. Who killed him? How did he get there two days after he disappeared? . . . And why was the body frozen? Jimmy’s team just wants to move on, after collecting on the $20 million insurance policy. Jimmy’s teammate – the one who threatened to kill him – swears he wasn’t there. Jimmy’s bodyguard had the night off. Somebody is going down for this if NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson can find a theory that explains all the bizarre facts. They just hope the case doesn’t tear the team, and the City, apart first.
Check out the Audiobooks and listen to excerpts HERE!
Author Questions for Interview
{Kevin G. Chapman}
What made you want to be a writer?
I’m a lawyer, so I write for a living (in a way). My job requires me to draft arguments, which ultimately involves telling a compelling story. I wrote poetry and songs as a teenager, and in college I read a novel that had a disappointing ending. My professor challenged me that if I didn’t like it, I should prove that I could do better, so re-wrote the ending. It was better. But I had law school and then the beginning of my working life and had a child and . . . well . . . you know how it is – no time to write. Then, in 1991, I got laid off from my job and had three months with little to do aside from job hunting. I decided to use the time and started writing my first novel, a detective mystery featuring a New York City private investigator named Rick LaBlonde. I enjoyed the writing process, but then got a new job and the novel went on the shelf. Plus, it was the early 90s so there was no amazon.com to publish an independent author. I pitched the book to a few literary agents, but it’s impossible. The book got published when my wife gifted it to me for our 20th wedding anniversary and paid to have it self-published by Xlibris. I still have a few copies left from that one and only printing of Identity Crisis: A Rick LaBlonde Mystery. Since then, I’ve dreamed of someday retiring from my legal career and becoming a full-time author.
Where does Fatal Infraction fit into the Mike Stoneman story arc?.
The Mike Stoneman Thriller series started with a short story called Fool Me Twice. That story was written for a short story writing contest. It’s available free for all readers on Amazon and other platforms. I liked the character so much I expanded him into a full novel in Righteous Assassin, which tells the story of Mike and his new partner, Jason Dickson, chasing a unique serial killer. Then, book #2 (Deadly Enterprise) picks up the partnership after Mike was injured at the end of book #1. Jason has to deal with a new partner and a crisis, while Mike hooks up with an old partner who is also rehabilitating from an injury, but one much worse than Mike’s. In the end, they confront some corrupt cops and have a very unauthorized shoot-out in a Brooklyn hotel. After that episode, the police commissioner tells Mike and Jason that they should take a vacation and get out of town to avoid the prying questions of the New York media. They quickly arrange for a cruise to Bermuda, which is the setting for book #3, Lethal Voyage. Suffice to say that the cruise is not the relaxing vacation they hoped for. The thrilling events aboard the ship culminate during the performance of Chicago (the musical) aboard the Colossus of the Ocean. When they get back to New York, they immediately get pulled into the next case, which is the story of Fatal Infraction.
I try hard to make sure each book is a self-contained story and that the books can be read in any order. There are a few references to the earlier books and the events from the past, some of which are intended to be helpful references for new readers, and a few are Easter eggs that fans of the earlier books will “get,” but hopefully they won’t distract new readers (or listeners).
How important is it to read books when you want to be an author?
Reading is critical. I encourage all aspiring writers to read, and to read many different genres. Don’t stay in your comfort zone. Read mysteries and sci-fi and romance and adventure. Get free books (available all over) and then post reviews, which forces you to really think about what you have read. Different authors with different voices and styles help you hone in on how you want your writer’s voice to sound. Reading good writing helps you know what it looks like, and reading some bad writing helps you identify the flaws in your own prose.
Do you remember the first book you read?
The first book I remember reading was Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. I read a lot of sci-fi as a young adult, including Edgar Rice Burroughs (loved the Martian Chronicles), Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land is perhaps my favorite book of all time), and Isaac Asimov.
What book are you reading now?
I belong to a book club that reads a bunch of different types of books. I recently read Backstage Chinatown, which I really liked. I also just read All You Can Ever Know, which I didn’t like much. You can see all my book reviews, which I post on my Book Review blog on my website at www.KevinGChapman.com. You can also follow my reviews on Goodreads and Bookbub.
How did you come up with the idea for this book, especially the title?
I distinctly recall waking up in the middle of the night after having a dream that somebody murdered the quarterback of the New York Jets. I wrote that down on a pad I keep by my bed, and the next day stuck it into my folder of story ideas. As a long-suffering Jets fan, the concept of killing of an underperforming quarterback (or other player) is a fantasy for many fans. That germ developed into the book, which was a ton of fun to write. The title was pretty easy, since I’ve established a pattern with my titles being two words, so it needs to be a adjective or a noun, so get to “fatal” and then – Fatal Infraction where an “infraction” is a football concept. Easy one. The title of the next book was harder, but we finally came up with “Perilous Gambit.”
Which character do you identify with most in your novel?
There’s a lot of me in the Mike Stoneman character. He’s dedicated and highly moral, but he also recognizes that all issues are not black and white and he has some rough edges. He’s compassionate, but also impatient and doesn’t suffer fools. Sometimes he’s the person I’d like to be. Sometimes he’s more flawed.
How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Everything in the story is fiction, but the locations in New York are very real. The depiction of Kristi Olson dealing with sexual harassment is real, as is the unconscious bias training and the characters dealing with racism.
Tell us how the atmosphere needs to be for you to be able to write. Example, music on or quiet etc.
I’m so busy at work that I write whenever I have spare time. I write on airplanes, on the sofa while watching baseball games, during quiet moments around the house, and anywhere else I can get a chunk of time. I can’t afford to be picky about the atmosphere or I’d never finish anything.
What is one goody you must have at your desk when you’re writing?
I’m a gum-chewer, so that’s a must have. Also diet Pepsi.
Which part of the publishing process do you detest most?
Marketing. Handling advertising and selling. I love doing signings and talking about the books, but the mechanics of marketing I could do without. I have writing to do!
What is the worst thing you’ve had to overcome before publishing your novel? If it’s too personal just make a generalized statement if you can.
I wish I had a great story about overcoming some great obstacle, but I really don’t. The biggest problem I have is finding the time to write when I’m not working or attending to family business.
When you need some extra encouragement who do you turn to?
My wife, Sharon, is a great inspiration. She helps me brainstorm ideas and characters and plot continuity and proofreads my stuff. When I need a good idea, Sharon is always there.
How do you market your book?
On my third attempt now, I’ve learned (some) from prior mistakes. I tried to work up a big list of folks who got a direct email on publication, and I set up a Facebook page and website for the book so that I could sell directly as well as on amazon. I also blitzed the local newspapers and online news sites where I could get on. I got a few other authors to give me promotional quotes for the back cover so that I had a nice poster.
I also contacted local book stores, who were happy to stock a local author and I set up a few early book signings in book stores.
Have readers ever contacted you? If so, tell us the best thing they’ve said to you.
I’ve had nice conversations with many of my readers, but the best are the comments from readers who know me from my non-writer life. I’ve had several people who purchased the book only because they wanted to be nice to me later tell me that they read the book and “it’s as good as a real book.” I’ve been fortunate to get some really great reviews and comments during reviews.
Who do you trust to read your finished books before publication?
My wife reads everything, but I also have a small circle of beta readers who read and tell me what’s wrong and right. But most important is my daughter, who is also my editor. Samantha Chapman is a professional freelance editor and has a really keen eye, especially for character development and plot issues. (Find her at SamanthaChapmanediting.com)
Tell us all about your very first book signing. Take us there with your description of people, place, food, décor etc.
My very first signing was at a Barnes & Noble in south Jersey in 2003. The store was home to a mystery book club and I got them to invite me in for a discussion about my first novel. They had about fifty chairs set up mid-store and a big poster with the cover of my book that said “Meet the Author.” I was stoked, and pretty nervous. I guess it was easier in those days because today I can’t get a whiff from my local Barnes & Nobel. There were only about fifteen people who showed up for that first signing, but I stood at a podium and pretended to be a “real” author for a half hour, then I signed hard-cover copies of the book. If only those folks (mostly ladies) knew how valuable those first editions are – there are only about 200 in existence.
Is there a message you’d like to send through your book?
I want my books to be fun reads, but obviously this book has some serious plot points. Dealing with racism and sexual harassment is challenging. I’m trying to walk the tightrope between addressing the issues seriously, but still making the story entertaining and not getting bogged down in it. That’s why Mike just takes “baby steps” in his self-awareness of the racism around him. Jason doesn’t push it too hard, and Mike is able to grow a little bit, but while keeping it real. It wouldn’t work for me if Mike somehow transformed into an anti-racist super hero in the course of a few weeks. The message here is that taking small steps forward is important, but not sufficient.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I have this question posted on the book’s Facebook page. My favorite suggestion to play the part of Mike Stoneman is Sam Rockwell (and not just because of the symmetry of “Rock” and “Stone”). I have already got a few pages of “screenplay notes” for things I would want to insert into the screenplay that were not in the book.
Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Dorothy Parker. She was such a bad-ass radical intellectual. I would drink with her all night.
Do you have any hobbies?
I’m an avid tournament poker player and golfer.
What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I’m a Star Trek geek. I love Gene Roddenberry’s optimistic view of the future and all the interesting moral/ethical issues that the writers intertwine with the action in the Star Trek shows. Have the DVDs of every episode of TOS, TNG, DS9, and Voyager and I watch them on a cycle while exercising in the mornings. As for current or recent shows, I love Dexter, Game of Thrones, and Homeland.
Favorite foods
Fudgie the Whale (Carvel ice cream cake). Sushi.
What’s your lucky number.
I’m not superstitious about numbers and such. My New York Jets jersey is #51. My New York Mets jersey is #10, but that’s mostly an homage to former Met Kelvin Chapman.
What’s your favorite color.
New York Mets Blue & Orange
What music do you hear in your latest book.
Mike Stoneman, like me, loves classic rock. I also love jazz, but I don’t picture Mike as a jazz guy.
Do you have hobbies other than writing?
As noted earlier, I love to play poker. This is my main hobby, which includes reading about poker, studying strategy, and playing a lot of cards. It takes time away from writing, but it gives my mind something totally different to think about. I love meeting new people around the card table and learning interesting things. Several characters in my books have come from people I met while playing cards.
Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
I’ll be dead. I will be writing until I’m gone. I write many things that are just for myself. When my family looks through my computer files after I’m gone, there will be some surprises and there will be a lot of material for others to look at and hopefully appreciate that was never published.
You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?
Drinking the best scotch I can get my hands on.
What do you want written on your head stone?
I have never thought about this one. How about “Loving husband, devoted father, celebrated lawyer, and best-selling author.”
Are there any mistakes you made with your first book?
Oh, so many. I had dates at the top of every chapter to help the reader follow the time line, but in the middle of the July dates I had a chapter that said “June.” I had to get a patch with the correct date and physically paste the patch onto the pages of the books, which had already been printed. You would think I would catch that in proofreading! I also should have hired a professional editor, but it was my first book and I had neither the money nor the wisdom.
What kind of advice can you give to other aspiring authors?
Write the ending first. So many books lose steam because the author doesn’t seem to know where the story’s going and it just meanders along. Have a precise outline of each important development during the plot arc and write to the outline. That way the pacing will flow naturally. Also, get a good editor. No matter how many times you read and re-read yourself, you won’t see things that an editor will see –and not just typos and grammar – a good editor will see the bigger picture and the holes in your characters and story. Fixing that will make your book so much better.
When in doubt, who do you trust to help you out?
My wife. No question. She’s smarter than I am in many ways.
Tell us how we may get a copy of your audiobook (or other formats)?
Fatal Infraction is available on all audiobook platforms including Audible, Chirp, Nook, Google Play, iTunes, Scribd, and others. The ebook, paperback, and hardcover are available only via Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091PNQRQ8 or at https://getbook.at/Fatal_Infraction
Social media links and websites?
Website: www.kevingchapman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeStonemanThriller
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42268488-righteous-assassin
Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. He is a past Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Network of the Association of Corporate Counsel, leading a group of 6800 in-house employment lawyers. Kevin is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars and enjoys teaching management training courses.
Kevin’s passion (aside from fantasy baseball, golf and tournament poker) is writing fiction. Kevin’s first Novel: Identity Crisis: A Rick LaBlonde, P.I. Mystery, was self-published through Xlibris in 2003, and is now available via Amazon.com as a Kindle e-book. His second novel, A Legacy of One, published in 2016, was a finalist for the Chanticleer Book Review’s Somerset Award for Literary Fiction. A Legacy of One is a serious book, filled with political and social commentary and a plot involving personal identity, self-determination, and the struggle to make the right life decisions. Kevin is currently working on a re-writing and re-editing of A Legacy of One, scheduled for re-launch in the summer of 2021.
Kevin’s current project is a crime-thriller series that will have a least five installments. Book #1 -- Righteous Assassin (A Mike Stoneman Thriller) -- has some serious sub-themes, but it's a serial killer chase and it's intended to be enjoyable and easy to read. It was named one of the top 20 Mystery/Thrillers of 2019 by the Kindle Book Review and a finalist for the Chanticleer CLUE award for mysteries & thrillers. Book #2 in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series, Deadly Enterprise, was published on December 2, 2019 and was named one of the top 20 Mystery/Thrillers of 2020 by the Kindle Book Review and is currently Short-Listed for the 2020 Chanticleer Book Review CLUE award. Book #3, Lethal Voyage, was published November 22, 2020 and is already generating stellar reviews and is Short-Listed for the Chanticleer CLUE award.
Kevin has also written several short stories, including Fool Me Twice, the winner of the New Jersey Corporate Counsel Association's 2010 Legal Fiction Writing Competition, which was the genesis of the character Mike Stoneman, the protagonist in Righteous Assassin. Fool Me Twice is available as a stand-alone short story free on amazon.com, or you can get it free from Kevin’s website. He has also written one complete screenplay (unproduced so far) and has another screenplay and two more novels currently in the works, one of which is a sci-fi space opera epic.
Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College (‘83), where he was a classmate of Barack Obama, and Boston University School of Law (’86). Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.
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