Interview with Noir Crime Thriller Author Preston Howard

Preston Howard has retired from his rewarding profession as a labor lawyer, where he represented law enforcement officers not only in Texas but across the country. As a renowned expert, he spoke at meetings and conferences about topical labor law issues not only in the United States, but in other countries as well.  He now lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he spends his time writing novels.

His first book, “The Sheltering Palms,” was highly praised. One reviewer said, “…had me hooked right from the start.” Another person wrote, “…storytelling at its best.”

His latest effort, “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” tracks his struggles with retirement: a divorce from his wife, alcoholism, and thoughts of murder either of the president or three corrupt police offices he represented ten years before. As he wrestles with these concerns, he also dips his foot into the dating scene, meeting an attractive senior lady. As in his first novel, Preston Howard’s observations about the human condition are hilarious and on point.

website & social links

Website → https://prestonhowardauthor.com

Facebook →  https://www.facebook.com/prestonhowardauthor/

Title: JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED
Author: Preston Howard & Anne Howard
Publisher: PHP
Pages: 335
Genre: Noir Crime Thriller

Retired attorney Preston Howard obsesses about the newly elected, bombastic and narcissistic president, and three corrupt Austin police officers whom he represented and saved from capital murder charges and execution ten years before. After his wife divorces him and his drinking reaches gargantuan proportions, Howard’s thoughts turn to murderous impulses as the only way he can stamp out one, or both of his fixations. Howard and his co-author, daughter Anne Howard, tell the story, often with hilarious observations, of compulsion, addiction, love, and in the end, the search for justice.

Praise:

“I thought Preston Howard’s first book was terrific, but Justice Delayed is Justice Denied is a home run! One of the best books I’ve read in years.” – John P. Davis, Knoxville, Tennessee

“Preston Howard’s writing and insights into politics and the legal system keep getting better and better. Justice Delayed is hilarious and on point!” – Amy Margulies, Austin, Texas

order your copy below

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2oPsovi

 

Can you tell us what your new book is about? 

 Austin, Texas attorney Preston Howard recently retired, his wife divorced him, and his drinking has taken on gargantuan proportions. If that wasn’t enough, he has what can best be described as murder-lust. He fixates about president Trump, whom he believes is a threat to our country. And he obsesses about three corrupt Austin police detectives he saved from a capital murder charges ten years before. The story includes a tense, absorbing trial of the three detectives.   Preston buys a .38 Special, and there are several hilarious scenes at an Austin gun range. But he can’t decide whether he wants to kill the president or the three cops. A love interest spices up the tale considerably. In the end, he makes a decision on how he plans to use the .38, which is the climax of the tale. The book deals with murder, alcoholism, and love; and Preston continues to make sardonic and often lewd observations, just like in his first novel The Sheltering Palms, about politics, news commentators, religion, and the human condition. In addition to Preston Howard and his co-author and daughter Anne Howard, the other main characters are Tony Nelson, his close friend and former investigator at his firm, and George Robards, a lady who is attracted to Preston but refuses at first to become involved with him due to his excessive delight with Pinot Noir and dirty vodka martinis. Other supporting characters include his former law partner Conrad Diamond, his other sons Kyle, Preston Junior, and Don/Dawn, a transitioned man/woman, and his ex-wife Donna.  

Your book is set in Austin, Texas. Can you tell us why you chose this location in particular? 

 The story takes place mainly in Austin, Texas, which is where Preston has lived and practiced law for many years. The city holds a special place in his heart, a vibrant city that developed over the years from a sleepy little town into a megalopolis. Austin was also the location of his first novel, The Sheltering Palms. Some of the Austin landmarks mentioned in the new book are the Texas Chili Parlor (also the scene of Tarantino’s movie Grindhouse-Death Proof, Heroes and Legacies cigar shop (now defunct), and the soon-to-arrive MLS soccer arena and team.  

How long did it take you to write your book? 

My first novel, The Sheltering Palms, took several years, only because I was employed at the time. Being retired now, Justice Delayed is Justice Denied only took about eighteen months. And that was with much traveling to hang out with my brood of children and grandkids. But being an obsessive type, I labored away as often as possible.  

What has been the most pivotal point of your writing life? 

I actually wrote three professional books, several monographs, and articles about police unions during my career; and realized during that time that I truly enjoyed sitting down and putting words to paper. So as my retirement loomed, I decided to take a stab at novels, thus my first book The Sheltering Palms became the result.  

 What kind of advice would you give other authors? 

 My first novel was fictional autobiography, but his current book, Justice Delayed is Justice Denied, is a departure from the first one. This story can be best described as a noir crime thriller.   My best advice to aspiring or actual authors is to stick with. Disciple is key, and doubt about where your story is headed will impede your result as well. Finally, when you complete your book, think about the next one. I am already devloping the next novel!