Ask the Author: Matthew Iden
Answered Questions (8)
Matthew Iden
Hi Denise! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing...it's such a big help to a writer (and a nice boost to the ego!). In regards to reviews, 'Zon and GR are the biggies and help spread the word to the biggest number of potential readers.
If you liked TWO, you might enjoy my latest, BIRTHDAY GIRL (the setting is DC...not nearly as exotic as Antarctica, but still thrilling) or my Marty Singer series (6 books) if you like more traditional medium-boiled mysteries in the vein of Robert B. Parker or Sue Grafton.
Many thanks again!
Matt
If you liked TWO, you might enjoy my latest, BIRTHDAY GIRL (the setting is DC...not nearly as exotic as Antarctica, but still thrilling) or my Marty Singer series (6 books) if you like more traditional medium-boiled mysteries in the vein of Robert B. Parker or Sue Grafton.
Many thanks again!
Matt
Matthew Iden
Hi Jackie - Thanks so much for writing and thanks also for trying out the marty books...I truly appreciate it.
While I have a Marty #7 outlined and started, my publisher has not given the green light for it. I certainly hope to continue the series as time and opportunity allow. If nothing else, I may share the first chapter of the new book with readers just to keep Marty "alive." Thanks so much for reading and supporting my writing...can't tell you how much it means to me! ~Matt
While I have a Marty #7 outlined and started, my publisher has not given the green light for it. I certainly hope to continue the series as time and opportunity allow. If nothing else, I may share the first chapter of the new book with readers just to keep Marty "alive." Thanks so much for reading and supporting my writing...can't tell you how much it means to me! ~Matt
Matthew Iden
Hi Julie - I thought I had answered your question eons ago, but I recently visited GR and saw it remains "unanswered"...so sorry!
Quick answer: there's nothing in the pipeline, but I would love to because I consider Assassin one of my best short works. I've had a fantasy series bouncing around in my head for years wherein I was hoping I could pull in the characters from Assassin, as well as some other fantasy shorts I've written. If I ever get that project off the ground, I'll let you know!
best,
matt
Quick answer: there's nothing in the pipeline, but I would love to because I consider Assassin one of my best short works. I've had a fantasy series bouncing around in my head for years wherein I was hoping I could pull in the characters from Assassin, as well as some other fantasy shorts I've written. If I ever get that project off the ground, I'll let you know!
best,
matt
Matthew Iden
Hi Elaine - Thanks for the question. I plan to enlist Lloyd's help with narrating future Marty Books...he does a great job and I don't hear anyone else's voice now, when I "hear" Marty talk!
Lloyd did, however, narrate a standalone caper of mine titled Stealing Sweetwater. It's not a Marty novel, but if you want a Lloyd Sherr fix, you can pick it up at https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Sweet....
Cheers,
matt
Lloyd did, however, narrate a standalone caper of mine titled Stealing Sweetwater. It's not a Marty novel, but if you want a Lloyd Sherr fix, you can pick it up at https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Sweet....
Cheers,
matt
Matthew Iden
Since the question doesn't specify *romantic* couple, I'm going to include partners-in-crime as well as hero/sidekicks.
If everyone is okay with that, then my answer is...Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Somewhat obscure for those who don't read fantasy, I know, but they have a special place in my heart after having spent many, many, many nights reading Fritz Leiber's adventure of this dynamic duo.
There was a sense of sarcasm and snark, humor and danger, in all of their adventures. And, of course, the inner tension between them: who IS the best swordsman in Lankhmar?
If I had to stay within my professional genre (crime fiction), I would say Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Hawk, at least in the early books when there was tension (who IS the best boxer in Lankhmar, uh, I mean, Boston?) between the two, some great jokes, and killer on-page chemistry. There was more than a little depth there, too, when Parker explored where the two's ethics differed and the choices they would make or had made, not to mention some honest talk about race and experience.
If everyone is okay with that, then my answer is...Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Somewhat obscure for those who don't read fantasy, I know, but they have a special place in my heart after having spent many, many, many nights reading Fritz Leiber's adventure of this dynamic duo.
There was a sense of sarcasm and snark, humor and danger, in all of their adventures. And, of course, the inner tension between them: who IS the best swordsman in Lankhmar?
If I had to stay within my professional genre (crime fiction), I would say Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Hawk, at least in the early books when there was tension (who IS the best boxer in Lankhmar, uh, I mean, Boston?) between the two, some great jokes, and killer on-page chemistry. There was more than a little depth there, too, when Parker explored where the two's ethics differed and the choices they would make or had made, not to mention some honest talk about race and experience.
Matthew Iden
Hey Crumb - Thanks so much for writing. I love twists as well. They're difficult to pull off from the writing perspective, so I appreciate them even more when they're done right.
I think the most amazing example I've seen recently was The Life of Pi. Although not a mystery or thriller, it calls into question memory, perception, belief, and truth, which are the core components of a good twist, right? Thinking one thing but having it revealed to be something else entirely.
In traditional crime fiction, I've always loved Gold Coast, by Elmore Leonard. The twist there, such as it is, doesn't show up on the last page. The book is remarkable in that twists are usually accomplished by keeping the reader in the dark or withholding critical information because of a narrow focus of narration. In Gold Coast, EL gives us the POV of all the characters—we think we’ve got all the information we need—yet still pulls off the twist at the end.
If I could plug my own work, I really enjoyed writing The Kindness of Neighbors (https://www.amazon.com/Kindness-Neigh...), a short story/novella with a nice little left turn at the end. If you read it, let me know what you think!
Thanks for the great question!
matt i.
I think the most amazing example I've seen recently was The Life of Pi. Although not a mystery or thriller, it calls into question memory, perception, belief, and truth, which are the core components of a good twist, right? Thinking one thing but having it revealed to be something else entirely.
In traditional crime fiction, I've always loved Gold Coast, by Elmore Leonard. The twist there, such as it is, doesn't show up on the last page. The book is remarkable in that twists are usually accomplished by keeping the reader in the dark or withholding critical information because of a narrow focus of narration. In Gold Coast, EL gives us the POV of all the characters—we think we’ve got all the information we need—yet still pulls off the twist at the end.
If I could plug my own work, I really enjoyed writing The Kindness of Neighbors (https://www.amazon.com/Kindness-Neigh...), a short story/novella with a nice little left turn at the end. If you read it, let me know what you think!
Thanks for the great question!
matt i.
Matthew Iden
Hi Cherei - Thanks for your question. THE WINTER OVER is available in digital (Kindle), paperback, digital audio (Audible), and MP3 CD. You can find all the formats on the book's Amazon page at https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Over-Ma....
Cheers!
matt iden
Cheers!
matt iden
Matthew Iden
Hey Gary - Thanks so much for the kinds words; I'm glad you've enjoyed the series so far. I have a great time writing the Marty books and it's always a blast hearing what readers like or connect with, or that they simply liked the books enough to reach out and let me know. Thanks very much; you made my day.
best,
matt
best,
matt
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