BooksChatter: ℚ Danger in Plain Sight: Callie James Thrillers [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Burt Weissbourd to talk about Danger in Plain Sight (5 May 2020, Blue City Press, 224 pages), a Thriller, book one in the Callie James Thrillers series.

"Weissbourd delivers a polished page-turner about terrorism, money laundering, and the price of sins rooted in avarice." --BlueInk Review

"Weissbourd has created an entire genre -- Seattle Noir. Callie James and her son, Lew, are indelible characters. I devoured the novel in a single night - and I think you will, too." -- Jacob Epstein

|| Synopsis || Trailer || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Burt Weissbourd; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Danger in Plain Sight?

"The inspiration for my latest book, DANGER IN PLAIN SIGHT, was knowing several great restaurants in Seattle, restaurants that were wonderfully inviting and splendidly managed.

I knew one in particular where the maître d' was a charming, very able manager of the restaurant but not so able at functioning in the world. So I imagined a woman who was hiding out in her beautiful restaurant, avoiding all kinds of real world risks. Then I created a situation that required her to function at a high level outside of her restaurant."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"My experience and personality is not very present in this book, except the importance I place on self-knowledge and self-awareness as being so central to functioning at a high level.

Callie James, the restaurateur in the book, has to develop that kind of self-knowledge, that kind of sensitivity, before she can understand and then do what she must do in this book."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Danger in Plain Sight - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"We spent a lot of time on the cover of DANGER IN PLAIN SIGHT. The actual designer was Damonza in New Zealand, and I worked with an experienced book designer Ralph Henley, at JKS.

Early on we were able to specify the Seattle waterfront, the background of the city. We added the sense of danger, the fire and the broken glass.

The hardest part was finding the right woman. We wanted a woman who was attractive, thoughtful, and intriguing. We tried lots of people before we landed on the remarkable woman we used on the cover. "

Why should we read Danger in Plain Sight and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I think what sets this book apart from the rest, what makes this book unique, is the psychological complexity of all of the characters, heroes and villains.

The book has a well worked out plot but more importantly, the plot is character driven. This can only work when the characters are carefully drawn, multi-faceted and intriguing. They have to capture your heart, make you care about what will happen to them."

Can you tell us something quirky about Danger in Plain Sight, its story and characters?

"The backstory, her early marriage and her life in Paris, although anything but quirky, were unusual in that they drew from my own experience living in Paris in 1968 and 1969."

Who would you recommend Danger in Plain Sight to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"If you like movies like SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, PULP FICTION or USUAL SUSPECTS, I would recommend this book. It has colorful, well drawn characters, unconventional, unexpected developments and character driven outcomes."

If you could / wished to turn Danger in Plain Sight and the Callie James Thrillers series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I’d want Robert Benton to direct (KRAMER VS KRAMER, PLACES IN THE HEART, NOBODY’S FOOL).

In my day making movies, the cast could be Nicole Kidman and Paul Newman. Set in pre-COVID-19 in Seattle and NYC."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to write character driven thrillers with complicated unexpected characters."

What is your writing process?

"I write every day, unless I’m traveling, and I rewrite constantly until I’m satisfied."

What is in store next?

"I’m now finishing a book, ROUGH JUSTICE, I started years ago. It’s also a thriller, with a wide canvas going from Hollywood in the 80s and 90s to Seattle, Chicago, Paris, Vancouver Island, and then Laos.

When I finish this, I intend to write the sequel to DANGER IN PLAIN SIGHT when Cash and Callie are together."

Thank you for sharing, Burt.
We hope you are having a great tour and hope to see you again soon!

It took fourteen years to construct a safe world for her and her son—and only one night for her ex to unravel it.