Shane sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we can learn more about what makes him tick. Let’s see what he has to say.
What is your full name?
Shane Cleary
How old are you?
29
What is your profession?
Private Investigator
Do you have a significant other?
Yes
What is their name and profession?
Bonnie. She is a criminal defense attorney.
Do you have any children?
No, but I have a cat named Delilah.
Do you have any siblings?
No
Are your parents nearby?
No, both are deceased.
Who is your best friend?
Among the human, it’s a tie between Bonnie and Delano Lindsey. My default will always be Delilah. She knows me best.
Do you have cats, dogs, or other pets?
Cat: Delilah.
What town do you live in?
Boston
What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
Apartment and rent, but lately I’ve been living with Bonnie, who owns her own place.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
Kitchen table.
What is your favorite meal and dessert?
First cut prime rib and candied sweet potatoes.
Do you have any hobbies?
Film noir at Coolidge Corner.
What music do you listen to?
Whatever is on the radio, though I don’t care for country-western music.
What is your favorite color?
Light blue
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Europe, I’m not too particular
Are you a morning or night person?
Night owl.
What is your idea of a really fun time?
A nice drink and dinner at Locke-Ober, here in Boston.
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
Life from the Dark End of the Street.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade have been literary heroes. I work alone like they do, and I try my best to do the right thing, but Boston is a tough town.
What is a typical day in your life like?
I’ll call Dot at Mercury Answering Service and check to see if I received any messages. When I go to my office downtown, I’ll check in with Sean the concierge, and I make it a point to check in Saul the jeweler, who has an office on the ground floor of my building. I check in once a week with John who tends bars in Central Square
The Big Lie, A Shane Cleary Mystery Book #5
Genre: Private Investigator Mystery
Release: March 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
LOST: Poodle. Standard. Black. Studded collar. No tags. Goes by the name of Boo.
Sun Tzu may have said, ‘Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer, ‘ but he didn’t live in Boston, and he’s not Shane Cleary. Shane’s latest and most unexpected client, while not quite an enemy, is Southie’s most dangerous criminal. Everything screams he shouldn’t take the gig, finding the gangster’s lost dog, but Shane can’t resist the promised ‘bonus.’
His cat, Delilah, is against it, and his girlfriend, Bonnie, the lawyer, doesn’t know.
Life is neither easy nor simple for Shane. Bonnie asks for his help on a pro bono case, his friend Bill requests a sketchy background check, and a mafia henchman makes a peculiar request. Shane can’t help but think his client just might kill him anyway after he finishes the job.
Does Jimmy know a Truth that will change Shane’s life, or is it a Big Lie?
About the author
Gabriel Valjan is the author of The Company Files, and the Shane Cleary Mysteries with Level Best Books. He has been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, Shamus, and Silver Falchion Awards. He’s been listed for the Bath, Bridport, and Fish prizes in the UK. Gabriel received the 2021 Macavity Award for Best Short Story. He is a member of the Historical Novel Society, ITW, MWA, and Sisters in Crime. He lives in Boston.