Why do you write the genre that you write?
I think I’m drawn to thrillers and procedurals partially because it’s where I lived for the better part of thirty years. You learn a lot about people in prison, their character, what motivates them, and how far they’ll go to get what they want.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
I love coming up with beautifully flawed characters. I’d say one of the biggest character quirks was Jillian Cooper’s (Black Label) paralyzing fear she developed after discovering her murdered employer. Even with blood on her clothing, and photos of her and the dead man, Jillian can’t remember the preceding couple of days. She fears following in her mother’s path of mental illness. She’s a murderer, or insane and isn’t sure which is worse. Fear and the unknown are powerful motivators.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I didn’t start writing commercial fiction until after I retired from the prison system. I didn’t think I had the chops to pull it off until I started thinking back on a former job as a probation officer preparing presentence reports. I’d interview the convicted in jail, talk to the detectives, read all the reports, and meet with the victims, or next-of-kin to get a feeling for the victim’s impact. I’ll take all that information and cobble together a narrative of the crime. It struck me that I’d been writing crime stories of one sort or another for years. It gave me the confidence I needed to write crime fiction.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
My first job ever was an archery instructor at a summer camp. And I survived. I’ve worked as a firefighter, probation officer, hostage negotiator, facility captain, associate warden in a maximum-security prison, and director of California’s state parole system. I’m a full-time writer now, although I provide occasional consulting services in prisons and jails across the country.

Where do you write?
I can write just about anywhere, but most of the work is done at home in my office. Just me, the Corgis, and a cat that doesn’t belong to us.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Deadlines need protein, so I’ll go with almonds or cashews.

Who is an author you admire?
This is an impossible question. There are so many. I’ve been so fortunate to gain the support of some amazing authors. I couldn’t have accomplished half of what I’ve produced without their guidance, role modeling, a kind word, or a kick in the butt when needed. I thank several of them in the acknowledgement pages of Dead Drop.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’ll read widely from thrillers to domestic suspense, paranormal, to science fiction. I’ll even sneak in a cozy from time to time.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott. This one will come out in May and good Lord, it is amazing. She has a way of drawing the reader in and before you know it, you’re invested in these characters and their survival.

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
At the end of a long day, I like a decaf espresso. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but it sets my mind at ease and lets me wind down.

What is next for you?
Thanks for asking. It’s going to be a busy 2023. The sequel to Dead Drop will be released this summer, and it’s called The Devil Within (Level Best Books). This one takes the characters readers might be familiar with from Dead Drop and pushes them a little more to the brink. Then in November, I’m excited about a new series debut, a procedural set in Sacramento, titled Face of Greed (Oceanview). There is an influence of true crime running through this one.

Where can we find you?
Facebook: authorjamesletoile, Instagram: authorjamesletoile, Twitter: @jamesletoile, website and blog: jamesletoile.com.

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate or vanilla
Vanilla

Cake or ice cream
Ice cream

Fruits or vegetables
Fruits

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner

Dining in or dining out
Dining in

City life or country living
Country living

Beach or mountain
Mountain

Summer or winter
Summer

Short story or full-length novel
Full-length novel

Extrovert or introvert
Introvert

Early bird or night owl
Early bird

And even more fun. . .

What’s your favorite movie?
The Fifth Element. It’s not especially good. The acting is meh, and it’s campy as all get out. But here is something about that move that will put me in a good mood. We went to a movie theater last year as the pandemic lockdowns lifted to see the 25th Anniversary Director’s cut of the film. Still holds up. I’m a geek…

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
I’d want a solar powered kindle filled with books, a copper still to make my own hooch (medicinal value of course), and a comfy hammock. Bring on the island breeze!

My bio:
James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novel, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s state parole system. Black Label earned the Silver Falchion for Best Book by an Attending Author at Killer Nashville and he was nominated for The Bill Crider Award for short fiction. His most recent novel is the Lefty Award nominated Dead Drop. Look for Devil Within and Face of Greed, both coming in 2023. You can find out more at jamesletoile.com.

Thanks so much for inviting me, Dru Ann. This has been a lot of fun.