Robert Lane resides on Florida’s west coast. His debut Jake
Travis novel, The
Second Letter, was received with critical acclaim and was awarded the Gold
Medal in the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) 2015 Benjamin
Franklin Award for Best New Voice: Fiction.
His other novels in the stand alone series are Cooler Than Blood, and The
Cardinal’s Sin.
You’ve created an unforgettable
protagonist in Jake Travis. He’s been called a winning hero, a
standout sleuth, larger than life, wisecracking—and the list goes on. What do
you think sets Jake apart from other mystery characters?
Every
reader reads a different book, and sees characters differently. For me, Jake is
more vocal about his self-doubts than other protagonists. I think that makes
him more human, and allows readers to identify with him. He is vulnerable to
moments of introspection and almost embarrassed by his feelings. I find that
more endearing than a cut-out tough-guy. I’ve also tried to surround Jake with
secondary characters of substance. I don’t what his appeal to stem from a weak
supporting cast.
How did Jake Travis come to
be? Any autobiographical component(s)?
Jake
Travis had a long gestation period. He came to be because I was not finding to
read what I wanted to read. The autobiographical component is on every
page...between the words.
You’ve drawn comparisons to John
D. MacDonald. How does that feel?
The
similarity lies in the setting; Florida is a major character in both series.
Also, both protagonists operate under their own moral code, and are more than
willingly to make a difference in someone’s life. I think it ends there. John
D.’s protagonist, Travis McGee, had a new woman in every book, and a good
portion of them ended up dead, which makes one wonder why he was so popular.
Jake stays loyal to Kathleen, and would be lost without her.
What, for you, is the best part of
being a writer?
Writing
three hours every morning, and then having ideas gel the rest of the day: No,
Kathleen wouldn’t say that. Change “ill” to “sick,” it’s got more teeth. Why
would a character do what I had him do? Did that character lie to me yesterday
morning? Little twit, I knew I couldn’t trust her.
And what’s the hardest part of
being a writer?
Putting
it out there.
What do you think makes for a good
mystery?
Mystery,
Smystery, Blistery…it doesn’t matter. It’s all about characters. Great
characters create great plot. A book with great characters and great plot is a
joy to read and sticks with me long after the last page is turned. That is what
makes a good novel.
What’s next for Jake Travis?
What’s next for Robert Lane?
Jake
Travis: Jake's hard at work finding the man who abducted and killed his sister
nearly thirty years ago in Naked We Came. It is the most personal of the
series, as Jake if forced to face his past, and decide if he is nothing more
than a product of his environment. It will be out the fall of 2017.