Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 65 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work.
In this interview, Irene talks with us about her latest book, Over the Edge, book number two in her Undaunted Courage Series.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Over the Edge?
Here’s the elevator pitch: A police detective must determine whether a traumatized witness’s claim that she’s being targeted is true—and if it is, figure out who is behind the relentless campaign that seems designed to destroy her credibility…and perhaps her life.
FF: Over the Edge is the second book in the Undaunted Courage Series, following Into the Fire. What makes this series stand out from the other series you’ve written?
All three of my heroines have careers I’ve never featured before. Bri, in Into the Fire, is a former smokejumper who’s now a fire investigator—and she’s inherited a curious puzzle from a predecessor who died under mysterious circumstances. Lindsey is a personal chef who finds herself in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer when she becomes the sole witness in a high-profile murder. And Cara is a historical anthropologist who gets caught up in a century-old mystery, a hidden treasure, a dying language, and suspicious deaths during a research project on a remote estate.
FF: What is the connecting element for all three books in the Undaunted Courage Series?
The series focuses on three foster siblings from difficult backgrounds who were all adopted by the same couple. Each book features a different sibling. I do want to point out that the books in the series can be read as standalone novels. There are no hanging plot threads from book to book.
FF: Your female protagonist, Lindsey Barnes, has faced trauma in her past. But she is now in the middle of another crisis. Can you please offer some insight on the trauma that Lindsey has experienced and also her current struggles?
Her past trauma—less than two years ago—is revealed in the book, so I can’t give too much away here. Suffice it to say that this experience has left psychological scars that still haunt her. Because of that, the horror of witnessing a murder at the start of this book is doubly difficult and causes many of the previous trauma symptoms she’s worked through to reappear. And it doesn’t help that someone seems to be doing their best to convince the police that she’s an unreliable witness.
Police detective Jack Turner is drawn into the case. But a lack of evidence makes him question Lindsey’s claims. What events lead to Jack believing the validity of her story?
Because of his own traumatic history, Jack is skeptical when Lindsey begins to have experiences that could suggest deeper psychological issues. But the more he gets to know her, the less convinced he is that her stories are a figment of her imagination. Yet he remains wary—until a telling incident convinces him that everything she claims she’s been experiencing is real. You’ll have to read the book to discover his ah-ha moment!
FF: What are some of the key themes or lessons found within Over the Edge?
Trust, guilt, learning not to let your past dictate your future, forgiveness, the power of love to transform lives…all of these themes are in this novel.
FF: Each of your romantic suspense novels contains elements of psychological suspense. How are you able to get into the minds of not only your characters but also your villains?
I’m a great fan of psychological suspense, as readers who enjoy my books know. My writing is definitely more Hitchcock than James Bond. I always take readers into the mind of the villain, and let me tell you, that can be a very scary place. Far scarier than a car chase or a gun battle. I do think my degree in psychology is a big help with that! But trying to think the way the villain thinks as I write their scenes can be very chilling. I would never want to meet most of these characters in real life!
FF: Over the Edge is set in St. Louis, Missouri. Why did you choose this location?
Because it’s easy. Seriously. I’m very familiar with this locale, so setting most of my books there saves research time. Plus, using the same setting allows me to sometimes work a character from a previous series into a book. That’s irrelevant to new readers, but longtime readers get to catch up with an old friend, which is fun.
FF: How many romantic suspense novels have you written? What do you love most about writing in this genre?
Over the Edge is my 20th suspense novel and my 67th book. I love the fast pace, condensed time fame, and impending sense of danger—the looming threat that keeps the adrenaline pumping—in suspense novels. They’re a nice change of pace from the contemporary romances I also write, which have plenty of drama too…but not of the life- and-death variety.
FF: What are you working on next?
My next release will be book 11 in my long-running Hope Harbor Series, set on the Oregon Coast. It’s called Sunrise Reef, and it will be out in April 2025. Then I’ll wrap up the Undaunted Courage Series with book three in October 2025.
Over the Edge
Undaunted Courage Series #2
Irene Hannon
Revell
Genres: Mystery/Suspense, Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 1, 2024
ISBN-10: 0800741897
ISBN-13: 978-0800741891
Book Summary:
Trauma survivor Lindsey Barnes hasn’t fully recovered from the ordeal that almost took her life, and now she’s in the middle of another crisis. Not only is she the sole witness in a high-profile murder case, but someone is also pushing her to question her sanity.
Police detective Jack Tucker doesn’t know what to make of her story, especially when her elusive enemy leaves no evidence behind to lend credence to her claims. Yet the more he gets to know the appealing personal chef, the more he’s convinced someone is targeting not only her sanity, but her life.
And unless they can figure out who is behind the campaign to undermine her credibility, a murderer could slip away—leaving more than one body in his or her wake.
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