Ebenezer Book Spotlight III
Hello, and welcome to Ebenezer Book Spotlight III.
Q. We know you divided 'Ebenezer' into three books. This first one, 'If I Should Die' is a mystery/detective story written by the characters themselves. Can you introduce some of the characters?
A. The main character is a handsome, easy going man but dangerous to cross. His undercover name here is Julius C. Armstrong. He spent a tour overseas in the U.S. Marines then transitioned out into a paramilitary organization used to unofficially help the government and the U. S. military. His code name is Chameleon because of his expertise at the use of disguise. Julius is polished, debonair, and fluent in several languages. A mixture of James Bond and Sherlock Holmes he can fit in with wealthy aristocrats, or street people. It's all in the disguise. He's been in this paramilitary organization for ten years, has more than one enemy agent after him, and he wants out. The agent who had this case before him has 'mysteriously' disappeared, and as a favor this is Julius' last case before his retirement—if he survives. He's married and has a baby daughter.
Q. That's quite a character for one person. Quite a responsibility. Are there any other characters?
A. There are three other sub-main characters and a fourth character comes in about half way through. The first is an older blind woman, Mrs. MacDonald, who has a talent for getting herself into interesting situations. Her youngest son, Michael, who's home on summer break from his furthering education. Last is Mrs. MacDonald's young 18/19 year old companion, Ruth O'Brien, who is tasked with trying to keep Mrs. MacDonald out of trouble. The fourth character is Seth who, as I said, comes in later in the book and helps Julius finish up the case.
Q. Who is the villain, or do we know?
A. There is a family that isn't high in the community's favor. They are implicated in an illegal crime ring that reaches beyond their small community into international realms. A young man of that family has been stalking Ruth throughout their school years, and now beyond.
Q. Is this a contemporary setting?
A. It is on the edge of historical, but it's set in 1987. Julius arrives just at the full moon in June, and has to sort through the facts, gather the information, and have a sting set in place from one full moon till the next—no later than 3 weeks from his arrival.
Well, that should do it for the moment, so until next time we'll say adieu. Have a great week, and we'll catch you next time.
Job 28:12 "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13) Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living."
