Codex follows a former FBI agent living off the grid after his wife’s death who becomes the suspect in two separate murders after being gifted three million dollars. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

As a writer and a reader, I’m always inspired by human stories of people who are at rock bottom and life circumstances force them to look within and rebuild themselves from the bottom up. This is Angus Mariner at the beginning of the story – off-grid after his wife’s death, blaming himself for the accident that killed her, separated from everything and everyone. And it is here, in this rich moment of loss and desperation, that his heart and soul are most impressionable to the events that begin to unfold.

The fast-paced action in this novel makes it feel like there is a new twist in every chapter, adding depth to the story and keeping readers in suspense. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?

I think it’s just that – there needs to be a balance so that readers have time to figure out the story on their own a bit. Readers want to feel smart, but I also think they like to be surprised.

Angus discovers his wife’s death was no accident; this changes everything in his life and the course of his future. Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?

It’s always shocking to discover that things are not what they appeared to be. For almost two years, Angus has pulled farther away from everything and everyone he knew because he was racked with guilt and remorse. Once he discovers that they were targeted, this causes some old part of his heart to wake up with a new imperative of finding out who did this and why.

What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

I’m working on a new standalone thriller that I’m hoping will be out in November/December of 2024.

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/03/10/guilt-and-remorse/