Sam Kelson sits down for a Q&A with dru’s book musings responding to twenty or more questions so that we can learn more about him. Are you ready? Let’s get to know Sam.

What is your full name?
Sam Kelson

How old are you?
Thirty-six. But I also count my age since the day I almost died and got a condition the doctors call disinhibition. So I’m either thirty-six or a three-year-old. An impulsive, talkative three-year-old.

What is your profession?
I’m a PI. But I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut (as in I never keep my mouth shut) even when staying quiet would be a really, really good idea. Before going private, I worked undercover in the Chicago PD narcotics division. Then a kid named Bicho shot me, turning me into . . . me. My ex-wife calls me a professional pain in the ass.

Do you have a significant other?
Don’t rub it in.

What is her name and profession?
My ex? Nancy Richards. She runs the Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic. She also used to be a cop until we had our daughter Sue Ellen. Then she wanted to be a doctor, but her MCATs weren’t quite good enough. So she thought she would be a veterinarian. But she hates cats. So she became a children’s dentist. I’m not saying she likes kids either.

After the divorce, I dated a woman named Doreen, who worked for a boutique escort agency run by a guy named Mengele. Doreen’s in jail now—long story. Want to hear it?

Do you have any children?
Sue Ellen is twelve and, like most twelve-year-olds, is much smarter than any of the adults in her life. She talked me into getting two cats (Sorry, Nancy). She named them Payday and Painter’s Lane. She wanted horses.

Are your parents nearby?
If buried nearby counts, yes.

Who is your best friend?
DeMarcus Rodman. He’s also my only friend—unless you count Marty LeCoeur, who’s sort of a friend. DeMarcus is six eight. Marty has one arm.

Do you have any pets?
Umm . . . Payday? Painter’s Lane?

What town do you live in?
Chicago, born and raised, with a plot picked out next to Mom and Dad.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I rent a studio a couple miles from the house where I lived with Nancy and Sue Ellen until Nancy kicked me out. The building has a no-pets policy, but the super is cool about the cats.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
Bed. It’s a small apartment—there aren’t a lot of spots.

Favorite meal and dessert?
Pollo en mole at Taqueria Uptown. Sue Ellen and I eat there once a week. She likes the tres leches cake.

Do you have any hobbies?
I’ve been thinking of joining Toastmasters.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Percocet.

What music do you listen to?
Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and Little Walter. For starters.

Do you have a favorite book?
I don’t even have a favorite cat. I like all mysteries and thrillers, especially hard-boiled ones. Reading sometimes gives me a headache (Thanks, Bicho).

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Did I mention Doreen?

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
No Reservations

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Professional. When I need brains and muscle, my friend DeMarcus helps out. When I only need muscle, Marty LeCoeur rides along. Marty is small, but don’t let his size fool you.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Wake up, shower, and eat breakfast.
Feed cats, play with cats.
Meet with clients, say too much, apologize for saying too much, say more, say or do the kinds of things that make people (clients, subjects of investigation, officers of the law, ex-wife) want to shoot at me.
Dodge bullets.
Solve a case (I specialize in anything anyone is willing to pay me for).
Eat dinner with Sue Ellen when it’s my night.
Feed cats, play with cats, tell cats about my day.
Sleep.
Repeat.

Head Case, A Sam Kelson Mystery #3
Genre: Private Investigator
Release: April 2021
Purchase Link

Chicago private investigator Sam Kelson uncovers more than he bargained for when he investigates a series of suspicious deaths at the Clement Memorial Hospital.

“My friend, this place is killing people.”

While in the hospital recuperating from a gunshot wound, Chicago PI Sam Kelson is approached by a nurse who’s troubled by three recent deaths. No pattern, no connection – except that three patients died when they shouldn’t have.

Initially skeptical, Kelson starts asking questions – and the more he uncovers, the clearer it becomes that something isn’t right. What exactly has been going on at Clement Memorial Hospital? Has someone been killing patients? If so, why? As Kelson digs deeper, he comes to realize that someone is determined to prevent him finding out the truth. Whatever it takes.

About the author
Michael Wiley was brought up in Chicago, and now teaches literature at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. As well as the Sam Kelson mystery series, he is the Shamus Award-winning author of the Chicago-based Joe Kozmarski PI series, the Daniel Turner and the Franky Dast series. His Franky Dast thriller, Monument Road, was nominated for the 2018 Shamus Best PI Novel award.

All comments are welcomed.