Q&A with Robert Dugoni

  

Photo by Douglas Sonders

 

 

Robert Dugoni is the author of the new novel Her Cold Justice, the latest in his Keera Duggan series. His other books include the Tracy Crosswhite series. He lives in Seattle. 

 

Q: What inspired the plot of your new Keera Duggan novel, Her Cold Justice?

 

A: I read an article that asked who is the most powerful person in the criminal justice system. I was surprised by the answer and wanted to explore this further.

 

Without giving away too much of the plot, I wondered what happens if the people in the criminal justice system aren’t playing by the rules, and what happens when someone like Keera Duggan, who has never met a fight she wouldn’t take, is on the opposite side. To me that was a heavyweight fight.

 

Q: How would you describe the dynamics in the Duggan family?

 

A: Improving. LOL. It’s a dysfunctional family, scarred by alcoholism that has impacted every member of the family. But they are now adults, and they’re each working hard to be adults and to treat one another with empathy rather than anger. I’m not sure where this is going to go and how it will all end up.

 

Q: How was the novel’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: My publisher made the choice on the title. It’s an interesting title because the case isn’t a cold case, but a cold case certainly plays a part in the plot. Also, both Keera and Ahn Tran are cold-blooded in their pursuit of justice.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the novel?

 

A: I hope they just enjoy the mystery, the characters and the plot. Every person brings something different to a book, so I never try to write to a theme, or a position. I just let readers come to their own conclusions.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: The 12th Tracy book, One Split Second, is coming out this summer. I’m excited to see how it is received, because I really enjoyed creating it.

 

Tracy goes back to help her friend, Jenny Almond in Stoneridge. But to help Jenny, she has to solve a 45-year-old cold case that was investigated by Sheriff Buzz Almond, who is one of the best characters I’ve written.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Keera and Tracy will hopefully be coming to television soon. Both have been optioned for television and screenwriters are working on pilot episodes.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Robert Dugoni.