The Understudy: A Troupe Thriller

EVEN THE LARGEST DOG COMES TO HEEL.

Banshee is a hundred-and-twenty-pound Rottweiler. After a lifetime of battles in a savage dogfighting ring known as the Pit, she hates humans. Wouldn’t you?

Stan Kane is a retired Green Beret. He loves dogs. Went to war with them. Prefers them to people.

So when Stan learns of Banshee and the Pit hidden up in the Georgia mountains, he goes undercover to take down the Pit and bring Banshee home.

The only problem? Retired Green Beret Stan Kane can’t act worth a damn.

When his cover gets blown Stan turns to the TROUPE, a secretive team of vigilantes with vast resources. He asks for intel and weapons. They also offer the Understudy. Stan says no. He wants to do this himself.

But if Stan gets caught there’s no torment the Pit’s pack won’t inflict. So the TROUPE unleashes the Understudy, and the result is a battle the likes of which the Pit has never seen.

The second story in the thrilling TROUPE series, THE UNDERSTUDY is an action-packed page-turner sure to have you howling for more!

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Q - So what makes the Troupe Series special?

A - The kind of stories I like to read and watch are full of thrills, suspense, action, and twists. Stories that put comedy and tragedy side by side. That's the essence of drama. I’ve been an actor, director, and playwright for 25 years, so when I read a story I see it unspool in my head like a show on stage. I think that bleeds into my writing. I write “theatrically.”

Q - What does that mean?

A - It means my stories are character-driven. It doesn’t matter if the heroes are in danger if you don’t care about them! I want to engage the reader emotionally, make it impossible for them to put the book down, the same way I try to make an audience lean forward in their theatre seats.

Q - How else does theatre influence your writing?

A - The most obvious connection is one of the main characters, Gideon Price. He’s an actor and that’s the reason he connects so well with the Troupe. The Troupe is a team of vigilantes trying to not just save people but inspire them to be their own heroes, which is exactly what theatre does. So I weave in theatrical ideas: costumes, props, scripts, performers, stage managers, all that good stuff.

Q - You are very clear that the Troupe Series is about a team rather than a solo hero.

A - Yes! Theatre is collaborative, and my favorite stories are about teams that win by working together. When improvisers are about to go on stage, it’s our tradition to pat each other on the shoulders and say “Got your back!” I want that same spirit of camaraderie in my books. And by focusing on a team I can diversify my cast and explore various points of view. I’ve got such a bad-ass female protagonist in the Troupe, along with heroes of various ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations.

Q - How would you categorize your stories?

A - They definitely fall into the thriller/suspense genre, but along with the kick-butt fight scenes and narrow escapes there is provocative artistic philosophy and political one-upmanship. And of course villains with dastardly intentions. So if you like quick pacing, twists and gasps and laughs, and getting to know a team of characters on an emotional level, then you're gonna love the Troupe!

Q - THE UNDERSTUDY is the second story in the Troupe Series. When can we expect more?

A - The third story--BLACKOUT--will be coming out Spring 2022! I don’t want to give away any spoilers for those who haven’t read GHOST LIGHT or THE UNDERSTUDY, but rest assured that Gideon and the Troupe are still pursuing the enemy they have yet to unmask!

Q - Last question--you've also recently started a publishing company?

A - Yes! You can check it out at ibis-books.com. Thanks for reading!