Author Spotlight Interview
When the sister of his former teammate is found murdered, former football star Calvin Watters finds himself in the heart of the Deep South to find justice no one else seems willing to seek. The local police are more interested in cover-ups than clues, and the townspeople have made it clear: Calvin is not welcome.
For my newest novel, DARK HORSE, some of the inspiration came from growing up in Shawville, Quebec.
While the fictional town of Port Hope, Mississippi, bears little resemblance to Shawville on the surface, both communities share something important: the feeling that comes from living in a small town where everyone knows everyone.
In small towns, people know your family. They know your history. News travels quickly. Sometimes, so do rumors. There is a strong sense of community, but there is also a sense that everyone has stories they don't always share.
When I began writing DARK HORSE, I wanted to capture that feeling, the sense that beneath the surface of an ordinary community, secrets can exist unseen.
Port Hope became the perfect setting.
The town in the novel is fictional, but the atmosphere was shaped by years of living in a place where relationships run deep, and people know far more about one another than they might admit.
1. Congratulations on your new release! Can you tell readers a little about your book in your own words?
When the sister of his former teammate is found murdered, former football star Calvin Watters finds himself in the heart of the Deep South to find justice no one else seems willing to seek. The local police are more interested in cover-ups than clues, and the townspeople have made it clear: Calvin is not welcome.
2. What inspired this story, and where did the initial idea come from?
For my newest novel, DARK HORSE, some of the inspiration came from growing up in Shawville, Quebec.
While the fictional town of Port Hope, Mississippi, bears little resemblance to Shawville on the surface, both communities share something important: the feeling that comes from living in a small town where everyone knows everyone.
In small towns, people know your family. They know your history. News travels quickly. Sometimes, so do rumours. There is a strong sense of community, but there is also a sense that everyone has stories they don't always share.
When I began writing DARK HORSE, I wanted to capture that feeling—the sense that beneath the surface of an ordinary community, secrets can exist unseen.
Port Hope became the perfect setting.
The town in the novel is fictional, but the atmosphere was shaped by years of living in a place where relationships run deep and people know far more about one another than they might admit.
3. Which character surprised you the most while writing, and why?
Despite this being the 5th novel in the series, Calvin Watters always surprises me. He has so much depth, and brings so much to a story, that he is such an easy character to follow, root for, and write from. It doesn't seem to matter what direction I go in, Calvin is able to adapt and persevere under wild circumstances. He is so much fun to write about.
4. Without giving away spoilers, what scene was your favourite to write?
One of the early scenes in DARK HORSE involves the discovery of a body along a trail. While the story itself is entirely fictional, the setting was inspired by memories of walking home from school along the Cycloparc PPJ route in Shawville. Like many kids growing up in the Pontiac, I spent countless hours walking that trail and exploring the surrounding area. During the day, it was simply part of everyday life. But like many familiar places, it took on a different character after dark. What seemed ordinary in daylight could feel mysterious at night.
5. Is there a message or theme you hope readers take away from the book?
6. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced as an author?
7. What does your writing routine look like? Are you a planner, a pantser, or somewhere in between?
8. If readers could take only one thing away from your new release, what would you want it to be?
9. What's next for you? Are you already working on another project?
I'm always working on a new project. Whether it's just thinking about a book or actually writing, the wheels are always spinning. I usually have multiple ideas happening, but I usually wait to decide if my next book will be a Calvin Watters novel, a Charlene Taylor novel, or something new and unrelated.
10. Where can readers connect with you online and purchase your latest book?
My website in http://www.
All of my social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) are under Author Luke Murphy.
What fictional world would you most like to visit? Which author has influenced your writing the most?
The Hardy Boys mysteries were the first mysteries I ever read, and James Patterson was the first adult author I ever read.
Coffee, tea, or something stronger while writing?
Actually both. My first cup is a coffee (with Hazelnut cream), and my second cup is a tea (with milk).
If your book became a film, who would you love to see in the cast?
Calvin Watters would be maybe Chadwick Boseman or Michael B. Jordan.
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