Interview: Jason Pinter and THE STOLEN

WU interviewed fellow blogger, former editor, and thriller novelist Jason Pinter back in March. Since then, his Henry Parker novels have consistently hit the bestseller lists. He’s also a prolific writer, kicking out two books a year, a pace as blistering as his novels. We caught up with Jason and asked him to talk about his latest release THE STOLEN.

What is the premise of your new book?

THE STOLEN begins with a typical suburban family sitting around their dining room table. The doorbell rings, and the mother, Shelly Linwood, gets up to answer it. When she opens the door, standing on the front porch is her young son, Daniel, who disappeared without a trace five years ago. He is completely uninjured–and has no memory of the past five years. When Henry Parker gets the exclusive interview with Daniel Linwood, he soon realizes that this is not an isolated kidnapping. The further he investigates the more he determines just how deep this story goes, and just how dangerous the people are who don’t want the truth to come out…

What would you like people to know about in this story?

For people who have read the first two Henry Parker novels (THE MARK and THE GUILTY), this is the most chilling novel yet. For newcomers to the series, it’s a great entry point into Henry’s world. I want people to see just how far the characters will go to find the truth, and by the end I want them to question what choices they would have made if given the same terrible question.

What problems and challenges do your characters have to overcome in this story?

Henry has to determine both where Daniel Linwood was for five years, as well as how it’s possible that he can’t recall his time away. By the end of the story those questions are answered, but in a very surprising manner. Henry also has to deal with the fact that he’s becoming a shell of himself, and becoming closer and closer to following in the steps of his legendary idol jack O’Donnell, who despite his iconic status is a trainwreck in his personal life.

What unique challenges did this story present you, if any?

THE STOLEN was much more of a mystery than my first two novels, much more of a slow burn. I had to change the pacing slightly to accomplish this, but also make sure the questions posed could be answer in a satisfactory and realistic manner. I hope I’ve done both.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of this book?

Writing the same characters in a slightly different style of book, while seeing them grow over time. Henry is becoming more fully fleshed out with every book, and I love adding new dimensions to his character. Like the rest of us he makes mistakes, and he’ll have to learn from them. I think what has drawn readers so far is not just the plot and suspense, but that I truly care about the characters. I want readers to grow attached to Henry and the people in his world, because I sure have.

Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton is co-founder of Writer Unboxed. She writes under a variety of pseudonyms, including Ani Bolton.

She has written two novels as Cassidy Calloway: Confessions of a First Daughter, and Secrets of a First Daughter–both books in a YA series about the misadventures of the U.S. President’s teen-aged daughter, published by HarperCollins, and Tamara Blake, for the novel Slumber.

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