What crime novel would you most like to have written?
Can’t do just one. In chronological order: I, THE JURY by Mickey Spillane; THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE by John Godey; and the big bad (obvious) voodoo daddy of them all - RED DRAGON by Thomas Harris.
What fictional character would you most like to have been?
First choice? Keyser Söze. Second choice? Noah - any guy who can keep dinosaurs and kitty cats happy on a boat for forty days is all right by me.
Who do you read for guilty pleasure?
Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, and Robert E. Howard – and please keep this between us.
Most satisfying writing moment?
When, years after rejecting my application based on composition marks, a certain unnamed university asked me to come in for a book signing.
The best Irish crime novel is …?
Being the child of expats may disqualify him on technical grounds, but I’d put Dennis Lehane’s GONE, BABY, GONE in the ring with anything out there. Period.
What Irish crime novel would make a great movie?
I’d love to see someone tackle BLUES HIGHWAY BLUES by Eyre Price – he’s Irish American but I won’t split hairs on this one. THE GUARDS by Ken Bruen is runner-up.
Worst / best thing about being a writer?
The worst thing: Trying to explain a process I don’t really understand. The best thing: Three in the morning when there’s nothing in the world but me, the keyboard, a cup of coffee, and the work won’t stop coming out of my head.
The pitch for your next book is …?
… up to my agent; I’m terrible at pitches.
Who are you reading right now?
BIGFOOT: I NOT DEAD by Graham Roumieu, and the instruction manual for my new GPS.
God appears and says you can only write OR read. Which would it be?
I’d ask for some ID. Then I’d tell him to mind his own business.
The three best words to describe your own writing are …?
In. Stores. Now.
BLOODMAN by Robert Pobi is published by Thomas and Mercer.
